Addison, their common hero, was beyond the reach of satire or praise.

Parnell, who had contributed a life of Homer, died in 1718; and Rowe and Garth, sound Whigs, but friends and often boon companions of the little papist, had followed.

Swift was breathing "Boeotian air" in his deanery, and St.John was "confined to foreign climates" for very sufficient reasons.

Any such roll-call of friends must show melancholy gaps, and sometimes the gaps are more significant than the names.

Yet Pope could boast of a numerous body of men, many of them of high distinction, who were ready to give him a warm welcome.