 of the institution, which will
certainly be productive of great advantages to the public, if, from its
democratical form, it does not degenerate into cabal and corruption - You are
already acquainted with his aversion to the influence of the multitude, which,
he affirms, is incompatible with excellence, and subversive of order - Indeed
his detestation of the mob has been heightened by fear, ever since he fainted in
the room at Bath; and this apprehension has prevented him from going to the
Little Theatre in the Hay-market, and other places of entertainment, to which,
however, I have had the honour to attend the ladies.
    It grates old Square-Toes to reflect, that it is not in his power to enjoy
even the most elegant diversions of the capital, without the participation of
the vulgar; for they now thrust themselves into all assemblies, from a ridotto
at St. James's, to a hop at Rotherhithe.
    I have lately seen our old acquaintance Dick Ivy, who we imagined had died
of dram-drinking; but he is lately emerged from the Fleet, by means of a
pamphlet which he wrote and published against the government with some success.
The sale of this performance enabled him to appear in clean linen, and he is now
going about soliciting subscriptions for his Poems; but his breeches are not yet
in the most decent order.
    Dick certainly deserves some countenance for his intrepidity and
perseverance - It is not in the power of disappointment, nor even of damnation,
to drive him to despair - After some unsuccessful essays in the way of poetry,
he commenced brandy-merchant, and I believe his whole stock ran out through his
own bowels; then he consorted with a milk-woman, who kept a cellar in Petty
France: but he could not make his quarters good; he was dislodged and driven up
stairs into the kennel by a corporal in the second regiment of footguards - He
was afterwards the laureat of Blackfriars, from whence there was a natural
transition to the Fleet - As he had formerly miscarried in panegyric, he now
turned his thoughts to satire, and really seems to have some talent for abuse.
If he can hold out till the meeting of the parliament, and be prepared for
another charge, in all probability Dick will mount the pillory, or obtain a
pension, in either of which events his fortune will be made - Mean while he has
acquired some degree of consideration with the respectable writers of the age;
and as I have subscribed for his works, he did me the favour t'other night to
introduce me to a society
