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344 JONES. brought Jones with him, and sedulously endeavoured to promote his interest, and advance his reputation, by re commending him to many of the nobility; and not only by his influence procured him a large subscription for the publishing a collection of his “Poems;” but it is said even took on himself the correction and alteration of his tragedy, “The Earl of Essex,” and also the trouble of prevailing on the managers of Covent Garden theatre to bring it on the stage. This nobleman likewise recommended him in the warmest manner to the celebrated Colley Cibber, whose friendly and humane disposition induced him to render Jones a thousand acts of friendship, and even to make several strong efforts by his court interest to secure him the succession of the laurels after his death. At this period, nothing seemed wanting to complete his future success in life; and with these favourable prospects before him, it might rationally have been expected, that he would have passed through life with such a degree of conduct as to have ensured his own happiness, and done credit to the partiality of his friends; but this unfortunately was not the case. “His temper,” says one who seems to have been thoroughly acquainted with his character, “was, in consequence of the dominion of his passions, uncertain and capricious, easily engaged, and easily disgusted; and as economy was a virtue which could never be taken into his catalogue, he appeared to think himself born rather to be supported by others, than under a duty to secure to himself the profits which his writings, and the munificence of his patrons from time to time afforded.” Jones, who had in early life sacrificed to vanity, as he grew older, grew sturdy and unpropitiating, and thus offer ing no more the food expected by the great, the food expected from them was (of course) withheld. After experiencing several reverses of fortune, which an untame able spirit and a want of prudence contributed to draw on him, he died in great want, in April 1770, in a garret belonging to the master of the Bedford coffee-house, upon whose charity he had for some time lingered out a