MALLET, or MALLOCH, David, an English poet, but a Scotman by birth, was born in that country about 1700. By the penury of his parents, he was compelled to be janitor of the high school at Edinburgh; but he surmounted the disadvantages of his birth and fortune; for when the duke of Montrose applied to the college of Edinburgh for a tutor to educate his sons, Malloch was recommended. When his pupils went abroad, they were intrusted to his care; and having conducted them through their travels, he returned with them to London. Here, residing in their family, he naturally gained admission to persons of high rank and character. His first production was the popular and pathetic ballad of "William and Margaret," which was printed in the Plain Dealer, No 36. 1724. In the last edition of his works it appears considerably altered. In 1733, he published a poem on verbal Criticism, on purpose to make his court to Pope. In 1740, he wrote a Life of Lord Bacon, which was then prefixed to an edition of his works; but with so much more knowledge of history than of science, that, when he afterwards undertook the Life of Marlborough, some were apprehensive lest he should forget that Marlborough was a general, as he had forgotten that Bacon was a philosopher. The old duchess of Marlborough assigned in her will this task to Glover and Mallet, with a reward of 1000l. and a prohibition to insert any verses. Glover is supposed to have rejected the legacy with disdain, so that the work devolved
upon Mallet; who had also a pension from the duke of Marlborough to promote his industry, and who was continually talking of the discoveries he made, but left not when he died any historical labours behind. When the prince of Wales was driven from the palace, and kept a separate court by way of opposition, to increase his popularity by patronizing literature, he made Mallet his under secretary, with a salary of 200l. a-year.
Thomson likewise had a pension; and they were associated in the composition of the Masque of Alfred, which, in its original state, was played at Cliefden in 1740. It was afterwards almost wholly changed by Mallet, and brought upon the stage of Drury Lane in 1751, but with no great success. He had before published two tragedies; Eurydice, acted at Drury Lane in 1731; and Mustapha, acted at the same theatre in 1739. It was dedicated to the prince his master, and was well received, but never was revived. His next work was Amyntor and Theodora (1747), a long story in blank verse; in which there is copiousness and elegance of language, vigour of sentiment, and imagery well adapted to take possession of the fancy. In 1753, his masque of Britannia was acted at Drury Lane, and his tragedy of Elvira in 1763; in which year he was appointed keeper of the book of entries for ships in the port of London. In the beginning of the war, which ended in 1763, when the nation was exasperated by ill success, he was employed to turn the public vengeance upon Byng, and wrote a letter of accusation under the character of a Plain Man. The paper was with great industry circulated and dispersed; and for his featonable intervention he had a considerable pension bestowed upon him, which he retained to his death. Towards the end of his life he went with his wife to France; but after a while, finding his health declining, he returned alone to England, and died in April 1765. He was twice married, and by his first wife had several children. One daughter, who married an Italian of rank named Cilefia, wrote a tragedy called Almida, which was acted at Drury Lane. His stature was diminutive, but he was regularly formed; his appearance till he grew corpulent, was agreeable, and he suffered it to want no recommendation that dress could give it. His conversation was elegant and easy.