Johnson's "Life of Savage CHAPTER VI—1744-1748 RICHARD SAVAGE Life of Savage" published—The Mystery of Savage's parentage-Preface to Harleian Miscellany—“ Miscellaneous Observations of the Tragedy of Macbeth"-Garrick, Manager of Drury Lane Theatre-Johnson's "Prologue " on its Opening—“ Plan " of the Dictionary Addressed to Lord Chesterfield-Residence in Gough Square Founding the Club in Ivy Lane-Writes "Life of Roscommon "-Contributions to Dodsley's "Preceptor." ΑΝ ACCOUNT OF THE LIF E It does not appear that he wrote anything in 1744 for the Gentleman's Magazine but the Preface.[*] His "Life of Barretier " was now re-published in a pamphlet by itself. But he produced one work this year, fully sufficient to maintain the high reputation which he had acquired. This was The Life of Richard Savage "; [*] a man, of whom it is difficult to speak impartially, without wondering that he was for some time the intimate companion of Johnson; for his character1 was marked by profligacy, insolence, and ingratitude: yet, as he undoubtedly had a warm and vigorous, though unregulated mind, had seen life in all its varieties, and been much in the company of the statesmen and wits of his time, he could communicate to Johnson an abundant supply of such materials as his philosophical curiosity most eagerly desired; and, as Savage's misfortunes and misconduct had reduced him to the lowest state of wretchedness as a writer for his bread, his visit to St. John's Gate naturally brought Johnson and him together. 2 1 As a specimen of his temper, I insert the following letter from him to a noble lord, to whom he was under great obligations, but who, on account of his bad conduct, was obliged to discard him. The original was in the hands of the late Francis Cockayne Cust, Esq., one of his Majesty's Counsel learned in the law: 'Right Honourable BRUTE and BOOBY,— I FIND you want (as Mr. is pleased to hint) to swear away my life, that is, the life of your creditor, because he asks you for a debt. The public shall soon be acquainted with this, to judge whether you are not fitter to be an Irish Evidence, than to be an Irish Peer.—I defy and despise you. I am, Your determined adversary, 66 "" R. S." 2 Sir John Hawkins gives the world to understand O F Mr Richard Savage, Son of the Earl RIVER S. LONDON: Printed for J. ROBERTS in Warwick-Lane. 1 It is melancholy to reflect, that Johnson and Savage were sometimes in such extreme indigence, 1 that they could not pay for a lodging; so that they have wandered together whole nights in the streets. 2 Yet, in these almost incredible scenes of distress, we may suppose that Savage mentioned many of the anecdotes with which Johnson afterwards enriched the life of this unhappy companion, and those of other Poets. He told Sir Joshua Reynolds, that one night in particular, when Savage and he walked round St. James's-square for want of a lodging, they were not at all depressed by their situation; but, in high spirits and brimful of patriotism, traversed the square for several hours, inveighed against the minister, and “ resolved they would stand by their country." I am afraid, however, that by associating with Savage, who was habituated to the dissipation and licentiousness of the town, Johnson, though his good principles remained steady, did not entirely preserve that conduct for which, in days of greater simplicity, he was remarked by his friend Mr. Hector; but was imperceptibly led into some indulgences which occasioned much distress to his virtuous mind. that Johnson, being an admirer of genteel manners, was captivated by the address and demeanour of Savage, who, as to his exterior, was to a remarkable degree accomplished."-Hawkins's “Life,” p. 52. But Sir John's notions of gentility must appear somewhat ludicrous, from his stating the follow ΑΝ ACCOUNT OF THE LIF OF John Philip Barretier, Who was Mafter of Five LANGUAGES at the Age of Nine YEARS. Compiled from his Father's LETTERS, &c. LONDON: Printed for 7. Roberts in Warwick lane. 1744. [Price Sixpence.] Facsimile title-page, reduced, of Johnson's life of John Philip Barretier (1720-1740), a Prodigy of learning who died in his twentieth year. ing circumstance as presumptive evidence that Savage was a good swordsman: That he understood the exercise of a gentleman's weapon, may be inferred from the use made of it in that rash encounter which is related in his life.” The dexterity here alluded to was, that Savage, in a nocturnal fit of drunkenness, stabbed a man at a coffee-house, and killed him : for which he was tried at the Old Bailey and found guilty of murder. Johnson, indeed, describes him as having " A grave and manly deportment, a solemn dignity of mien; but which, upon a nearer acquaintance, softened into an engaging easiness of manners.” How highly Johnson admired him for that knowledge which he himself so much cultivated, and what kindness he entertained for him, appears from the following lines in the Gentleman's Magazine for April, 1738, which I am assured were written by Johnson: 1 [The following striking proof of Johnson's extreme indigence, when he published the "Life of Savage," was communicated to Mr. Boswell, by Mr. Richard Stowe, of Apsley, in Bedfordshire, from the information of Mr. Walter Harte, author of the "Life of Gustavus Adolphus : "Soon after Savage's 'Life' was published, Mr. Harte dined with Edward Cave, and occasionally praised it. Soon after, meeting him, Cave said, 'You made a man very happy t'other day.'-' How could that be?' says Harte; nobody was there but ourselves.' Cave answered, by reminding him that a plate of victuals was sent behind a screen, which was to Johnson, dressed so shabbily, that he did not choose to appear; but on hearing the conversation, he was highly delighted with the encomiums on his book." M.] 2 [As Johnson was married before he settled in London, and must have always had a habitation for his wife, some readers have wondered how he ever could have been driven to stroll about with Savage, all night, for want of a lodging. But it should be remembered, that Johnson, at different periods, had Johnson relates that, for want of a lodging, he one night walked round St. James's Square for several hours with his friend, Richard Savage. That Johnson was anxious that an authentic and favourable account of his extraordinary friend should first get possession of the public attention, is evident from a letter which he wrote in the Gentleman's Magazine for August of the year preceding its publication. "As your collections show how often you have owed the ornaments of your poetical pages to the correspondence of the unfortunate and ingenious Mr. Savage, I doubt not but you have so much regard to his memory as to encourage any design that may have a tendency to the preservation of it from insults or calumnies; and therefore, with some degree of assurance, entreat you to inform the public, that his life will speedily be published by a person who was favoured with his confidence, and received from himself an account of most of the transactions which he proposes to mention, to the time of his retirement to Swansea in Wales. "From that period, to his death in the prison of Bristol, the account will be continued from materials still less liable to objection; his own letters, and those of his friends, some of which will be inserted in the work, and abstracts of others subjoined in the margin. It may reasonably be imagined that others may have the same design; but lodgings in the vicinity of London; and his finances certainly would not admit of a double establishment. When, therefore, he spent a convivial day in London, and found it too late to return to any country residence he may occasionally have had, having no lodging in town, he was obliged to pass the night in the manner described above; for though, at that period, it was not uncommon for two men to sleep together, Savage, it appears, could accommodate him with nothing but his company in the open air. -The Epigram given above, which doubtless was written by Johnson, shows that their acquaintance commenced before April, 1738. See p. 28, n. M.] as it is not credible that they can obtain the same materials, it must be expected they will supply from invention the want of intelligence; and that under the title of 'The Life of Savage,' they will publish only a novel, filled with romantic adventures and imaginary amours. You may therefore, perhaps, gratify the lovers of truth and wit, by giving me leave to inform them in your Magazine, that my account will be published in 8vo by Mr. Roberts, in Warwick Lane.' [No signature.] In February, 1744, it accordingly came forth from the shop of Roberts, between whom and Johnson I have not traced any connexion, except the casual one of this publication.1 In Johnson's "Life of Savage," although it must be allowed that its moral is the reverse of--“ Respicere exemplar vita morumque jubelo," a very useful lesson is inculcated to guard men of warm passions from a too free indulgence of them; and the various incidents are related in so clear and animated a manner, and illuminated throughout with so much philosophy, that it is one of the most interesting narratives in the English language. Sir Joshua Reynolds told me that upon his return from Italy he met with it in Devonshire, knowing nothing of its author, and began to read it while he was standing with his arm leaning against a chimney-piece. It seized his attention so strongly, that, not being able to lay down the book till he had finished it, when he attempted to move, he found his arm totally benumbed. The rapidity with which this work was composed is a wonderful circumstance. Johnson has been heard to say, "I wrote forty-eight of the printed octavo pages of the Life of Savage' at a sitting; but then I sat up all night." 2 He exhibits the genius of Savage to the best advantage, in the specimens of his poetry which he has selected, some of which are of uncommon merit. We, indeed, occasionally find such vigour and such point, as might make us suppose that the generous aid of Johnson had been imparted to his friend. Mr. Thomas Warton made this remark to me; and, in support of it, quoted from the poem entitled “The Bastard," a line in which the fancied superiority of one stamped in Nature's mint with ecstasy," is contrasted with a regular lawful descendant of some great and ancient family: "No tenth transmitter of a foolish face." But the fact is, that this poem was published some years before Johnson and Savage were acquainted. It is remarkable, that in this biographical disquisition there appears a very strong symptom of Johnson's prejudice against players; a prejudice which may be attributed to the following causes: first, the imperfection of his organs, which were so defective that he was not susceptible of the fine impressions which theatrical excellence produces upon the generality of mankind; secondly, the cold rejection of his tragedy; and, lastly, the brilliant success of Garrick, who had been his pupil, who had come to London at the same time with him, not in a much more prosperous state than himself, and whose talents he undoubtedly rated low, compared with his own. His being outstripped by his pupil in the race of immediate fame, as well as of fortune, probably made him feel some indignation, as thinking that whatever might be Garrick's merits in his art, the reward was too great when compared with what the most successful efforts of literary labour could attain. At all periods of his life, Johnson used to talk contemptuously of players, but in this work he speaks of them with peculiar acrimony; for which, perhaps, there was formerly too much reason, from the licentious and dissolute manners of those engaged in that profession. 1 [Cave gave Johnson fifteen guineas for this book. Roberts's name also figures on the "Life of Barretier," 1744, and the “Miscellaneous Observations on Macbeth," 1755. R. I.] 2 Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides," 3d edit. p. 35. Etat. 35] 66 REVIEWED IN THE CHAMPION 93 It is but justice to add, that in our own time such a change has taken place, that there is no longer room for such an unfavourable distinction. His schoolfellow and friend, Dr. Taylor, told me a pleasant anecdote of Johnson's triumphing over his pupil, David Garrick. When that great actor had played some little time at Goodman's fields, Johnson and Taylor went to see him perform, and afterwards passed the evening at a tavern with him and old Giffard. Johnson, who was ever depreciating stage-players, after censuring some mistakes in emphasis, which Garrick had committed in the course of that night's acting, said, "The players, Sir, have got a kind of rant, with which they run on, without any regard either to accent or emphasis." Both Garrick and Giffard were offended at this sarcasm, and endeavoured to refute it; upon which Johnson replied, “Well, now, I'll give you something to speak, with which you are little acquainted, and then we shall see how just my observation is. That shall be the criterion. Let me hear you repeat the ninth Commandment, 'Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.' Both tried at it, said Dr. Taylor, and both mistook the emphasis which should be upon not and false witness. 1 Johnson put them right, and enjoyed his victory with great glee. His "Life of Sav From an original drawing by Hanslip Fletcher BOW STREET, COVENT GARDEN |