Joseph Cottle, publisher, was also a writer. His most well-received volume was Malvern Hills, published in 1796, lines from which are quoted by Wordsworth in Book VIII of The Prelude. The volume also contains a short poem, ‘Written, (1793) With a Pencil, on the Wall of the Room in Bristol Newgate, Where Savage Died’, which Coleridge professes a fondness in a letter to Cottle from 1797. Richard Savage (1697-1743) was an English poet and satirist who died here, in what was Newgate prison. In the later years of his life, Savage had fallen on hard times which instigated a move from London to Bristol. On the 10th January 1743, Savage was arrested for a debt of £8 and was placed in Newgate’s debtors’ prison. 

1  HERE Savage linger'd long, and here expired!  2  The mean --- the proud --- the censured --- the admired!  3  If, wandering o'er misfortune's sad retreat,  4  Stranger! these lines arrest thy passing feet,  5  And recollection urge the deeds of shame  6  That tarnish'd once an unblest Poet's fame;  7  Judge not another till thyself art free,  8  And hear the gentle voice of charity.  9  ‘No friend received him, and no mother's care  10  ‘Shelter'd his infant innocence with prayer;  11  ‘No father's guardian hand his youth maintain'd,  12  ‘Call'd forth his virtues, or from vice restrain'd.’  13  Reader! hadst thou been to neglect consign'd,  14  And cast upon the mercy of mankind;  15  Through the wide world, like Savage, forced to stray,  16  And find, like him, one long and stormy day;  17  Objects less noble might thy soul have sway'd,  18  Or crimes, around thee, cast a deeper shade.  19  Whilst poring o'er another's mad career,  20  Drop for thyself the penitential tear:  21  Though prized by friends, and nurs'd in innocence,  22  How oft has folly wrong'd thy better sense!  23  But if some virtues in thy breast there be,  24  Ask, if they sprang from circumstance , or thee!  25  And ever to thy heart the precept bear,  26  When thine own conscience smites, a wayward brother spare!