In the year 1762, three years before Young's death, he writes to Dr. Birch,-"the old gentleman, I may venture to tell you freely, seems to me to be in a pretty odd way of late, moping, dejected, self-willed, and as if surrounded with some perplexing circumstances. Though I visit him pretty frequently for short intervals, I say very little to his affairs, not choosing to be a party concerned, especially in cases of so intricate and tender a nature. There is much mystery in almost all his temporal affairs, as well as in many of his speculative opinions. Whoever lives in this neighbourhood to see his exit, will probably hear and see some very strange things,-time will show - I am afraid, not greatly to his credit. There is thought to be an immovable obstruction to his happiness within his walls, as well as another without them; but the former is the more powerful, and like to continue so. He has this day been trying anew to engage me to stay with him; no lucrative views can tempt me to sacrifice my liberty or my health to such measures as are proposed here, nor do I like to have to do with persons whose word and honour cannot be depended upon; -so much for this very odd and unhappy life." Again, in the same year, he writes "How are matters altered since my letter to you of the 25th post. You remember what I suggested to you about my resolution of leaving Welwyn, of which I had given very early

*

notice to the worthy Doctor, that he might have sufficient time to provide. After repeated trials and repeated disappointments, though seven or eight offered, he thought proper to apply to me anew; and, though lucrative motives could not, earnest importunities did prevail with me at last to cheer up his dejected heart by promising to continue with him for some time longer at least. By the way, I privately intimated to you, that the Doctor is in various respects a very unhappy man. Few know him so much as I do in these respects, and have often observed with concern. If he would be advised by some who wish him well, he might yet be happy, though his state of health is lately much altered for the worse.' In the letter, January 1st, 1763, he adds, "The mismanagement too well known unhappily continues, and, still more unhappily, seems to be increasing, to the grief of friends, and, I need not say, to the ridicule of others, who are not a few. What a pity! what a loss! but no notice will be taken, nor can it well be offered. Penuriousness and obstinacy are two bad things, and a disregard to the general judgment and friendly wishes of the wiser part of mankind, another. There seems to be no hope so long as the ascendency is so great. My ancient gentleman here is still full of trouble, which moves and concerns, though it

*

* Young, when in health, was a man of very social habits,

move only the secret laughter of many, and some untoward surmises in favour of him and his household. The loss of a very large sum of money is talked of, whereof this vill and neighbourhood are full; some disbelieve; others say, 'It is no wonder, when about eighteen or more servants are sometimes taken and dismissed in the course

of a year.' The gentleman himself is allowed by all to be far more harmless and easy in his family than some one else who hath too much hand in it.* This, among many others, was one reason for my late notice to quit." On the 2nd April, 1765, he writes to the same correspondent, "Dr. Young is very ill, attended by two physi

and the animating soul of every company with whom he intermixed; addicted to horticultural pursuits. My younger brother practised as a surgeon at Welwyn, and by his enquiries on the spot collected many curious and some afflicting anecdotes, concerning the bard at his advanced age, -v. Maurice's Memoirs of an Author, vol. i. 19. Dr. Warton says, that Young was one of the most amiable and benevolent of men, most exemplary in his life and sincere in his religion. Nobody ever said more brilliant things in conversation. The late Lord Melcomb informed me that when he and Voltaire were on a visit to his lordship, at Eastbury, the English poet was far superior to the French in the variety and novelty of his bon mots and repartees, and Lord Melcomb was himself a good judge of wit and humour, -v. Essay on Pope, vol. ii. 148; but Voltaire was conversing in English. Mrs. Carter said she was much disappointed in Young's conversation; it appeared to her light, trifling, and full of puns. -v. Censura

Lit. viii. 201.

* Mrs. Hallows, the good Doctor's housekeeper.

cians. Having mentioned this young gentleman, Dr. Young's son, I would acquaint you next that he came hither this morning, having been sent for, I am told, by the direction of Mrs. Hallows.† Indeed she intimated to me as much herself; and if this be so, I must say it is one of the most prudent acts she ever did, or could have done in such a case as this, as it may be the means of preventing much confusion after the death of the Doctor. I have had some little discourse with the son; he seems much affected, and I believe really is so. He earnestly wishes his father might be pleased

* Dr. Cotton, of St. Albans, and Dr. Yates, of Hertford. † A correspondent in the Gentleman's Magazine says, that Dr. Young's housekeeper was the daughter of a Rector of All-Hallows, Hertford, and upon the marriage of Miss Catherine Lee, was invited by the Doctor, who knew her family, to his house. She had some fortune of her own, perhaps very small, as her father left many children. She was advanced in years, was a woman of piety and good sense, improved by reading, and was always treated by the Doctor and his guests, even those of the highest rank, with the politeness and respect due to a gentlewoman. The legacy that he bequeathed to her, was not more than might be due to one whom he had never degraded by paying wages. Why she did not strictly comply with his last injunctions to destroy his manuscripts, I cannot pretend to say, and can only lament that she did not; perhaps, as Mr. Young was in the house, she might fancy she had not the power. In a letter from Young to Richardson, 1758, he desires him to send, by the carrier, the parcel of sermons which were packed up when I was in town, that I may commit them to the flames. See one of the last letters Young ever wrote, in Gent. Mag. (Feb. 1797) dated Nov. 25, 1762.

to ask after him, for you must know, he has not yet done this, nor is in my opinion like to do it; and it has been said further, that upon a like application made to him on the behalf of his son, he desired that no more might be said to him about it. How true this may be I cannot as yet be certain; all I shall say is, it seems not improbable. * Mrs. Hallows fitted up a suitable apartment in the house for Mr. Young, where I suppose he will continue till some further event. I heartily wish the ancient man's heart may prove tender towards his son, though, knowing him so well, I can scarce hope to hear such desirable news. He took to his bed yesterday, about eleven in the forenoon, and hath not been up since. I called soon after my coming here, but did not see him; he was then in a doze. I imagine his further stay on earth can be of no long duration." On the 13th of April, after Young's death, Mr. Jones writes thus, “I have now the pleasure to acquaint you, that the late Dr. Young, though he had for many years kept his son at a distance from him, yet has now at last left him all his possessions, after the payment of certain legacies; so

*In Gent. Mag. May, 1790. "At her lodgings at Hertford, aged upwards of eighty, Mrs. Hallows, many years housekeeper to the late Dr. Young, author of the Night Thoughts, &c." If this date is correct, what becomes of the truth of Herbert Croft's Narrative, who affirms that she died in 1780? two days before he arrived at Hertford.