Thomson, I think, was very intimate with David Mallet, the editor of Bolingbroke?
Sir, that person’s name was properly “Malloch;” but I used to call him “Moloch” in our festive moments, and Thomson enjoyed the jest. Sir, he had not Thomson’s heart; he was not sound at the core; he made a cat’s-paw of Thomson, and I did not like the man on that account.
Thomson had two cousins or nephews, who were gardeners, did they live with him?
No, they did not live with him, they lived upon him. He was so generous a man, that if he had but two eggs he would have given them both away.
Were you acquainted with Mr. Gray, who lived at Richmond Hill?
Yes, I knew a John Gray, who was a victualler. He purchased Thomson’s collection of prints and drawings after his decease, but I believe purely out of ostentation.
You must have had great influence over him, sir, from several circumstances you have mentioned, but wish to be suppressed?
Without ostentation or vanity, sir, I really very often have wondered how I came to have so much, and the rest of his friends wondered too; for I do say it most sincerely, that I never could find out what made Thomson and many of these geniuses so partial to me as they appeared.
Then, sir, I suspect you are the only one who could not make the discovery?
Sir, I was not fishing for a compliment, I do assure you.