[236] 'Plausible:' the Rev. W. Sellon in 1763 published a stolen sermon
as his own.
[237] 'His hook:' Dr Johnson was in possession of subscriptions for his
edition of Shakspeare for upwards of twenty years ere it appeared.
[238] 'Aldrich:' the Reverend Stephen Aldrich, Rector of St John's, Clerkenwell, actively contributed to the exposure of the Cock-lane ghost.
[239] 'Melcombe:' George Bubb Doddington, the son of an apothecary at Weymouth, by skilful electioneering, raised himself to the peerage under the title of Lord Melcombe. Thomson addressed to him his 'Summer,' and Young his 'Universal Passion.'
[240] 'Dicky Glover:' Richard Glover, author of 'Leonidas.'
[241] 'Will:' William Beckford, Esq., elected an alderman, June 1752, and twice Lord Mayor of London, in 1762 and 1769. He was a West India merchant, possessed a princely fortune, and became highly popular by his strenuous opposition to the court: his son was the author of 'Caliph Vathek.'
[242] 'Stentor': unknown.
[243] 'Newcastle:' the Duke of Newcastle, who died in 1768, had for more than fifty years filled the greatest offices in the state. See Macaulay's papers on Chatham, and Humphrey Clinker.
[244] 'Processionade:' for the purpose of preparing an address to his Majesty on the conclusion of the peace with France.
[245] 'Ward:' Joshua Ward, a quack of the period.