The poetical works of James Thomson ...

1xxxiv MEMOIR OF THOMSON.
the tribute to Lord Talbot, will be induced to go
on; and should he not think himself repaid by
any other passage, he will be amply gratified by
the description of the delicate species of patronage
which it is fit for wealth and greatness to bestow.
The opportunity was also taken to defend Bishop
Rundle, his early patron and the confidential friend
of the Chancellor, who had incurred the suspicion
of heresy; and it is not too much to say, that
while this piece does honour to the virtues of its
author's heart, it elevates his character as a poet.
His motive for perpetuating the fame of Lord
Talbot was wholly disinterested. With the Chancellor he lost the situation which had rendered
him independent; and though Lord Hardwicke,
Talbot's successor, is stated to have kept the office
open in expectation that he would apply for it, he
failed to do so, and it was given to another. From
what cause this neglect of his interests arose must
be left to conjecture. It is said that he was listless and indifferent: but he may perhaps have
fancied that his eminence was sufficiently great
to have induced the new Chancellor to offer what
his lordship imagined would have been sought;
and he was possibly deprived of the office from a
mistaken pride on both sides. The Poet might,
however, without meanness, have asked to retain
what he already possessed; and the new Chancellor might have had the urbanity to offer to
continue that which it was ungenerous to take