[3] See ante, i. 49, for Johnson's fondness for the old romances.
[4] Boswell, ante, i. 386, implies that Sheridan's pension was partly due to Wedderburne's influence.
[5] See ante, i. 386.
[6] Akenside, in his Ode to Townshend (Book ii. 4), says:—
'For not imprudent of my loss to come,
I saw from Contemplation's quiet cell
His feet ascending to another home,
Where public praise and envied greatness dwell.'
He had, however, no misgivings, for he thus ends:—
'Then for the guerdon of my lay,
This man with faithful friendship, will I say,
From youth to honoured age my arts and me hath viewed.'
[7] We have now more knowledge generally diffused; all our ladies read now 'which is a great extension.' Post, April 29, 1778.
[8] See post, April, 28, 1783.
[9] See post, March 22, 1783.