An important man called Lord Chesterfield said to Johnson that he would be his patron . Johnson did not like the tone of the essay , and he felt that Chesterfield had not fulfilled his obligations as the work 's patron . Johnson wrote a letter expressing this view and harshly criticising Chesterfield , saying `` Is not a patron , my lord , one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in the water , and when he has reached ground , encumbers him with help ?