 from the moment he assumed this office, became his enemies,
either professed or in petto, except those of his friends who knew they had
nothing to fear from his strictures; and he must be a wiser man than me, who can
tell what advantage or satisfaction he derives from having brought such a nest
of hornets about his ears.«
    I owned, that was a point which might deserve consideration; but still I
expressed a desire to know his real motives for continuing his friendship to a
set of rascals equally ungrateful and insignificant. - He said, he did not
pretend to assign any reasonable motive; that, if the truth must be told, the
man was, in point of conduct, a most incorrigible fool; that, though he
pretended to have a knack at hitting off characters, he blundered strangely in
the distribution of his favours, which were generally bestowed on the most
undeserving of those who had recourse to his assistance; that, indeed, this
preference was not so much owing to want of discernment as to want of
resolution, for he had not fortitude enough to resist the importunity even of
the most worthless; and, as he did not know the value of money, there was very
little merit in parting with it so easily; that his pride was gratified in
seeing himself courted by such a number of literary dependants; that, probably,
he delighted in hearing them expose and traduce one another; and, finally, from
their information, he became acquainted with all the transactions of
Grub-street, which he had some thoughts of compiling, for the entertainment of
the public.
    I could not help suspecting, from Dick's discourse, that he had some
particular grudge against S--, upon whose conduct he had put the worst
construction it would bear; and, by dint of cross-examination, I found he was
not at all satisfied with the character which had been given in the Review of
his last performance, though it had been treated civilly, in consequence of the
author's application to the critic. By all accounts, S-- is not without weakness
and caprice; but he is certainly good-humoured and civilized; nor do I find,
that there is any thing over-bearing, cruel, or implacable in his disposition.
    I have dwelt so long upon authors, that you will perhaps suspect I intend to
enroll myself among the fraternity; but, if I were actually qualified for the
profession, it is at best but a desperate resource against starving, as it
affords no provision for old age and infirmity. Salmon, at
