He died
soon after this accident in January, 1729. He had the sense to die at a
time when Westminster Abbey, being regarded as a mausoleum, was open to
receive the corpse of any one who had a little distinguished himself,
and even of some who had no distinction whatever. He was buried there
with great pomp, and his dear duchess set up his monument. So much for
his body. What became of the soul of a dissolute, vain, witty, and
unprincipled man, is no concern of ours. _Requiescat in pace_, if there
is any peace for those who are buried in Westminster Abbey.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 15: Dryden, in the Preface to his Fables, acknowledged that
Collier 'had, in many points, taxed him justly.']
[Footnote 16: Charles Montagu, Earl of Halifax. Lord Halifax was born in
1661, and died in 1715. He was called 'Mouse Montagu.']
[Footnote 17: See Burke's 'Peerage.']
[Footnote 18: The Duchess of Marlborough received L10,000 by Mr.
Congreve's will.]
BEAU NASH.
The King of Bath.--Nash at Oxford.--'My Boy Dick.'--Offers of
Knighthood.--Doing Penance at York.--Days of Folly.--A very
Romantic Story.--Sickness and Civilization.--Nash descends upon
Bath.
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