Editing Christopher Smart (section)

===Final years===
''A Song to David'' was printed on 6 April 1763 along with a proposal for a new translation of the ''Psalms''.<ref>{{harvnb|Mounsey|2001|pp=247–248}}</ref> It is said that Smart composed the poem during his second period of confinement to an asylum during an episode of religious mania<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|1927}}</ref> The poem was received harshly, which was possibly just thinly veiled personal attacks over Smart being freed from the asylum just weeks before.<ref>{{harvnb|Mounsey|2001|p=249}}</ref> However, Kenrick, Smart's former rival, praised the poem in one of his own printed on 25 May 1763.<ref>{{harvnb|Mounsey|2001|p=250}}</ref> Also, John Lockman followed on 21 June 1763, with his own poem in praise of Smart's and [[Samuel Boyce]] followed this on 15 July 1763 with another.<ref>{{harvnb|Mounsey|2001|p=252}}</ref> Along with this support, Smart responded to his critics at the ''Critical Review''; in regards to Smart's response, the ''Critical Review'' claimed that they would "say no more of Mr. Smart".<ref>{{harvnb|Mounsey|2001|p=257}}</ref>

After ''A Song to David'', he tried to publish a collection of his ''Psalms'' translations, and Newbery sought to ruin him by hiring James Merrick to produce his own translations.<ref>{{harvnb|Mounsey|2001|p=260}}</ref> Newbery then hired Smart's new publisher, James Fletcher, which in turn forced Smart to find a new publisher, delaying the printing of his ''Psalms''.<ref>{{harvnb|Mounsey|2001|p=261}}</ref> Finally, on 12 August 1765, he printed ''A Translation of the Psalms of David'', which included ''Hymns and Spiritual Songs'' and a second edition of ''A Song to David''.<ref>''Poetical Works'' III p. xiii</ref> This work was criticised by Tobias Smollett who was working with Newbery at the time, and Newbery's edition by Merrick was constantly compared with Smart's.<ref>{{harvnb|Mounsey|2001|p=267}}</ref> However, modern criticism has received Smart's version in a more favourable light.<ref>{{harvnb|Davie|1990|p=828}}</ref> While working on this project, he was also working on a translation of the ''Phaedrus'' and a verse translation of ''Horace''.<ref>{{harvnb|Mounsey|2001|p=268}}</ref> His verse ''Horace'' was published in July 1767 including a preface in which he attacked Newbery, but the attack was in vain because Newbery died soon after.<ref>{{harvnb|Mounsey|2001|p=269}}</ref>

On 20 April 1770, Smart was arrested for debt.<ref>{{harvnb|Mounsey|2001|p=271}}</ref> On 11 January 1771, he was tried by Lord Mansfield, the gentleman who originally introduced Smart to Alexander Pope, and he was soon recommended to the [[King's Bench Prison]].<ref name="Mounsey p. 272">{{harvnb|Mounsey|2001|p=272}}</ref> Although he was in prison, Charles Burney purchased the "Rules" (allowing him some freedom), and Smart's final weeks may have been peaceful although pathetic.<ref>{{harvnb|Rizzo|1984|p=515}}</ref> In his final letter, Smart begged for money from Rev. Mr. Jackson, saying: "Being upon recovery from a fit of illness, and having nothing to eat, I beg you to send me two or three shillings which (God willing) I will return, with many thanks, in two or three days."<ref>{{harvnb|Dearnley|1969|p=11}}</ref> On 20 May 1771, Smart died from either liver failure or pneumonia shortly after completing his final work, ''Hymns, for the Amusement of Children''.<ref name="Mounsey p. 272" />