He gave, it seems, the first suggestion to Pope that he should translate Homer; and he exhorted his young friend to preserve his health by flying from tavern company--_tanquam ex incendio_.

Another early patron was William Walsh, a Worcestershire country gentleman of fortune and fashion, who condescended to dabble in poetry after the manner of Waller, and to write remonstrances upon Celia's cruelty, verses to his mistress against marriage, epigrams, and pastoral eclogues.

He was better known, however, as a critic, and had been declared by Dryden to be, without flattery, the best in the nation.

Pope received from him one piece of advice which has become famous.

We had had great poets--so said the "knowing Walsh," as Pope calls him--"but never one great poet that was correct;" and he accordingly recommended Pope to make correctness his great aim.