known. As he always fpoke with refpect of his mafter, it is probable that the mean rank, in which he then appeared, did not hinder his genius from being distinguished, or his industry from being rewarded; and if in fo low a ftate he obtained diftinction and rewards, it is not likely that they were gained but by genius and industry.

It is very reasonable to conjecture, that his application was equal to his abilities, because his improvement was more than proportioned to the opportunities which he enjoyed; nor can it be doubted, that if his earliest productions had been preserved, like thofe of happier ftudents, we might in fome have found vigorous fallies of that fprightly humour which distinguishes The Author to be let, and in others ftrong touches of that imagination which painted the folemn fcenes of The Wanderer. 2. While he was thus cultivating his genius, his father the Earl of Rivers was feized with a distemper, which in a fhort time put an end to his life. He had frequently inquired after his fon, and had always been amused with

He died 18 Aug. 1712. E.

fallacious

fallacious, and evafive answers; but, being now in his own opinion on his death-bed, he thought it his duty to provide for him among his other natural children, and therefore demanded a pofitive account of him, with an importunity not to be diverted or denied. His mother, who could no longer refuse an answer, determined at least to give fuch as fhould cut him off for ever from that happiness which competence affords, and therefore declared that he was dead; which is perhaps the first instance of a lye invented by a mother to deprive her fon of a provifion which was designed him by another, and which fhe could not expect herfelf, though he should lofe it.

This was therefore an act of wickedness which could not be defeated, because it could not be fufpected; the Earl did not imagine there could exift in a human form a mother that would ruin her fon without enriching herfelf, and therefore bestowed upon fome other perfon fix thousand pounds, which he had in his will bequeathed to Savage.

The fame cruelty which incited his mother to intercept this provifion which had been intended him, prompted her in a fhort time to F 3 another

another project, a project worthy of fuch a difpofition. She endeavoured to rid herself from the danger of being at any time made known to him, by fending him fecretly to the American plantations *.

By whofe kindness this scheme was counteracted, or by whofe interpofition fhe was induced to lay afide her defign, I know not; it is not improbable that the Lady Mafon might per fuade or compel her to defift, or perhaps the could not cafily find accomplices wicked enough to concur in fo cruel an action; for it may be conceived, that thofe who had by a long gradation of guilt hardened their liearts against the fenfe of common wickedness, would yet be fhocked at the defign of a mother to expofe her fon to flavery and want, to expofe him without intereft, and without provocation; and Savage might on this occafion find protectors and advocates among those who had long traded in crimes, and whom compaffion had never touched before.

Being hindered, by whatever means, from banishing him into another country, the formed

Savage's Preface to his Mifcellany.

foon

foon after a fcheme for burying him in poverty and obfcurity in his own; and that his ftation of life, if not the place of his refidence, might keep him for ever at a diftance from her, the ordered him to be placed with a shoe-maker in Holborn, that, after the ufual time of trial, he might become his apprentice

It is generally reported, that this project was for fome time fuccefsful, and that Savage was employed at the awl longer than he was willing to confefs; nor was it perhaps any great advantage to him, that an unexpected discovery determined him to quit his occupation.

About this time his nurfe, who had always treated him as her own fon,died; and it was natural for him to take care of thofe effects which by her death were, as he imagined, become his own he therefore went to her house, opened her boxes, and examined her papers, among which he found fome letters written to her by the Lady Mafon, which informed him of his birth, and the reafons for which it was concealed.

*Savage's Preface to his Mifcellany.

He was no longer fatisfied with the employment which had been allotted him, but thought he had a right to fhare the affluence of his mother; and therefore without fcruple applied to her as her fon, and made ufe of every art to awaken her tenderness, and attract her regard. But neither his letters, nor the interpofition of those friends which his merit or his diftrefs procured him, made any impreffion upon her mind. She ftill refolved to neglect, though fhe could no longer difown him.

It was to no purpofe that he frequently folicited her to admit him to fee her; fhe avoided him with the most vigilant precaution, and ordered him to be excluded from her house, by whomfoever he might be introduced, and what reafon foever he might give for entering it.

Savage was at the fame time fo touched with the discovery of his real mother, that it was his frequent practice to walk in the dark evenings for feveral hours before her door, in hopes of feeing her as the might come by acci

See the Plain Dealer.

dent