Abstract

'It is a shame', lamented Boswell in 1773, acting yet once more as straight man to Dr Johnson, 'that authors are not now better patronized'. To which the unabashed free marketeer of learning responded: No sir. If learning cannot support a man, if he must sit with his hands across till somebody feeds him, it is as to him a bad thing, and it is better as it is. With patronage, what flattery! what falsehood! While a man is in equilibrio, he throws truth among the multitude, and lets them take it as they please: in patronage, he must say what pleases his patron, and it is an equal chance whether that be truth or falsehood.1

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