London, persons who were familiar with it formed his favourite friends. Among others was ||Author:George Steevens|George Steevens]], the editor of Shakspeare; who found in his young Irish acquaintance, in the same pursuit, no probable cause for that rivalry which might be apprehended from others of more name and experience. He even lent him to copy, while still resident in Ireland, his own transcript of Langbaine’s Dramatic Poets. These volumes, largely annotated, had belonged to Oldys; were bought by Dr. Birch at the sale of his books and papers; lent to the Reverend Mr. (afterwards Bishop) Percy to copy; by him lent to Steevens for a similar purpose; and by the latter to Malone, whose interleaved copy with large additions, now in the Bodleian Library, forms another monument of unflagging industry.
He writes his name at the commencement of the work, 1777, with a short notice of Langbaine. At the conclusion of the fourth volume it is added—“Mem.—Finished this transcript, March 30, 1777,” with his name. At a later period, the handwriting still his, but more unsteady, it is further noticed—“I left Ireland, May 1st, 1777, and settled in London.” In another place we find—“Since it (the transcript) was made in 1777 I have made numerous additions to it—1787.” The date of his advent to London, about which there had been some doubt, is therefore settled by himself. His first abode was No. 7, Marylebone Street, where he continued till 1779. Thence a change took place to 55 (often written 58), Queen Ann Street, East, re-named subsequently Foley Place, where he continued for the remainder of
