His bounty was bestowed with equal judgment and liberality, and was confined to no sect or faction.

Men of genius, estranged from each other by literary jealousy or by difference of political opinion, joined in acknowledging his impartial kindness.

Dryden owned that he had been saved from ruin by Dorset's princely generosity.

Yet Montague and Prior, who had keenly satirised Dryden, were introduced by Dorset into public life; and the best comedy of Dryden's mortal enemy, Shadwell, was written at Dorset's country seat.

The munificent Earl might, if such had been his wish, have been the rival of those of whom he was content to be the benefactor.