uch 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 bread, his visits to St. John's Gate naturally brought
Johnson and him together.

It is melancholy to reflect, that Johnson and Savage were sometimes in
such extreme indigence,* that they could not pay for a lodging; so that
they have wandered together whole nights in the streets. 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 his unhappy companion, and those of other Poets.

* 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, was highly
delighted with the encomiums on his book--MALONE.

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.'

In Johnson's Life of Savage, although it must be allowed that its moral
is the reverse of--'Respicere exemplar vitae morumque jubebo,' 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 authour, 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 attempte