Johnson on Savage: The Life of Mr Richard Savage by Samuel Johnson

It is very reasonable to conjecture that his application was equal to his abilities because his improvement was more than proportioned to the opportunities which he enjoyed; nor can it be doubted that if his earliest productions had been preserved, like those of happier students, we might in some have found vigorous sallies of that sprightly humour which distinguishes the Author to be Let, and in others strong touches of that ardent imagination which painted the solemn scenes of the Wanderer.

While he was thus cultivating his genius his father, the Earl Rivers, was seized with a distemper which, in a short time, put an end to his life. He had frequently inquired after his son, and had always been amused with fallacious and evasive answers; but, being now, in his own opinion, on his deathbed he thought it his duty to provide for him among his other natural children, and therefore demanded a positive account of him with an importunity not to be diverted or denied. His mother, who could no longer refuse an answer determined at least to give such as should cut him off for ever from that happiness which competence affords and therefore declared that he was dead; which is perhaps the first instance of a lie invented by a mother to deprive her son of a provision which was designed him by another, and which she could not expect herself, though he should lose it.