Types of Eighteenth-Century Literary Patronage

THE SUBJECT OF PATRONAGE tantalized the intelectual community in eighteenth-century England. The primary definition of patron in Johnson's Dictionary is "one who countenances, supports, or protects," and of patronage, "support, protection." Support and protection, and their corollaries, economic aid or dependency and obligation to a benefactor, suggest why the parent term, patronage, attracted so much attention. The need for pecuniary advancement and feelings of indebtedness are deeply imprinted upon the consciousness of all persons whose individual wealth is insufficient for their needs, and who must rely upon the generosity of others and their own wits for their livelihood. There is always a subtle balance between success and merit and, historically, the support of a patron has frequently been interpreted pejoratively, as an unfair external influence responsible, in whole or in part, for the success of a person whose merit is slight. Patronage, in other words, can sometimes involve favoritism, nepotism, special favors, and even moral scandal. And, since it exists today in many varieties and guises, the topic continues to fascinate, for by its very nature it tends to cause debates about merit, artistic and intellectual ability, and possible malfeasance, especially in the public sector. The unique patron-client relationship, whether in the arts, the university, government, or business, raises interesting questions about the social utility and psychology of patronage. Is the patronage system, for example, beneficial to the literary climate in a given century? Does the psychology of the patron-client association damage or advance the creative arts? Are patron and client satisfied with the patronage system? Are they getting what they want-economically and intellectually-out of the system? Although it will not be possible to answer these questions in such a short space as this