81 gentlemen, that he would alter the epitaph | awe with which Johnson was regarded, by in any manner they pleased, as to the sense some of the most eminent men of his time, of it, but he would never consent to dis- in various departments, and even by such grace the walls of Westminster Abbey, of them as lived most with him; while it with an English inscription 1. also confirms what I have again and again inculcated, that he was by no means of that ferocious and irascible character which has been ignorantly imagined 6. "I consider this Round Robin as a species of literary curiosity worth preserving, ́as it marks, in a certain degree, Dr. Johnson's character." My readers are presented with a faithful transcript of a paper, which I doubt not of their being desirous to see. T. Barnard. R. B. Sheridan. P. Metcalfe 2. [E. Gibbon. Jos. Warton. Edm. Burke. "We the Circumscribers, having read with great pleasure an intended epitaph for the monument of Dr. Goldsmith; which, considered abstractedly, appears to be, for elegant composition, and masterly style, in every respect worthy of the pen of its learned author; are yet of opinion, that the character of the deceased as a writer, particularly as a poet, is, perhaps, not delineated with all the exactness which Dr. Johnson is capable of giving it. We, therefore, with deference to his superior judgment, humbly request that he would, at least, take the trouble of revising it; and of making such additions and alterations as he shall think proper on a further perusal. But if we might venture to express our wishes, they would lead us to request that he would write the epitaph in English, rather than in Latin; as we think the memory of so eminent an English writer ought to be perpetuated in the language to which his works are likely to be so lasting an ornament, which we also know to have been the opinion of the late doctor himself." W. Forbes. J. Reynolds. William Vachell 5.] Thos. Franklin 3. Ant. Chamier 4. Geo. Colman. Sir William Forbes's observation is very just. The anecdote now related proves, in the strongest manner, the reverence and subject; but if he can distinguish a cow from a horse, that, I believe, may be the extent of his knowledge of natural history." His book is, indeed, an excellent performance, though in some instances he appears to have trusted too much to Buffon, who, with all his theoretical ingenuity and extraordinary eloquence, I suspect had little actual information in the science on which he wrote so admirably. For instance, he tells us that the cow sheds her horns every two years; a most palpable errour, which Goldsmith has faithfully transferred into his book. It is wonderful that Buffon, who lived so much in the country, at his noble seat, should have fallen into such a blunder. I suppose he has confounded the cow with the deer.-BOSWELL. 1 [See ante, v. i. p. 373, on the subject of English inscriptions to English writers.-ED.] 2 [See post, sub 3d Oct. 1782.-ED.] 3 [There would be no doubt that this was Thomas Franklin, D.D. the translator of Sophocles and Lucian, but that the Biog. Dict. and indeed the Doctor's own title-pages, spell his name Francklin. See post, sub 1780, ad finem. He died in 1784, æt. 63.-ED.] [Anthony Chamier, Esq. one of the club, M. P. for Tamworth, and Under-Secretary of State from 1775 till his death, 12th Oct. 1780.—ED.] [All that the editor has been able to discover of this gentleman is that he was a friend of Sir Joshua's, and attended his funeral.—ED.] 11 VOL. II. marked as one of the thousand instances This hasty composition is also to be rewhich evince the extraordinary promptitude of Mr. Burke; who, while he is equal to the greatest things, can adorn the least; can, with equal facility, embrace the vast and complicated speculations of politicks or the ingenious topicks of literary investigation 7. DR. JOHNSON TO MRS. BOSWELL. "16th May, 1776. "MADAM,-You must not think me uncivil in omitting to answer the letter with which you favoured me some time ago. I imagined it to have been written without Mr. Boswell's knowledge, and therefore could not find, a private conveyance. supposed the answer to require, what I "The difference with Lord Auchinleck is now over; and since young Alexander has appeared, I hope no more difficulties will arise among you; for I sincerely wish you all happy. Do not teach the young ones to dislike me, as you dislike me yourself; but let me at least have Veronica's kindness, because she is my acquaintance. "You will now have Mr. Boswell home; it is well that you have him; he has led a wild life. I have taken him to Lichfield, and he has followed Mr. Thrale to Bath. Pray take care of him, and tame him. The only thing in which I have the honour to agree with you is, in loving him; and while we are so much of a mind in a matter of so much importance, our other quarrels will, I hope, produce no great bitterness. I am, madam, your most humble servant, "SAM. JOHNSON." 66 MR. BOSWELL TO DR. JOHNSON. "Edinburgh, 25th June, 1776. "You have formerly complained that my letters were too long. There is no danger of that complaint being made at present; for I find it difficult for me to write to you at all. [Here an account of having been afflicted with a return of melancholy or bad spirits.] "The boxes of books 8 which you sent 6 [Most readers would draw a directly contrary conclusion.-ED.] 7 Besides this Latin epitaph, Johnson honoured the memory of his friend Goldsmith with a short one in Greek.-BOSWELL. [See ante, v. i. p. 478.-ED.] 8 Upon a settlement of our account of expenses to me are arrived; but I have not yet examined the contents. "I send you Mr. Maclaurin's paper for the negro who claims his freedom in the court of session." "DR. JOHNSON TO MR. BOSWELL. "DEAR SIR,-These black fits, of which you complain, perhaps hurt your memory as well as your imagination. When did I complain that your letters were too long? Your last letter, after a very long delay, brought very bad news. [Here a series of reflections upon melancholy, and-what I could not help thinking strangely unreasonable in him who had suffered so much from it himself a good deal of severity and reproof, as if it were owing to my own fault, or that I was, perhaps, affecting it from a desire of distinction.] "Read Cheyne's English Malady;' but do not let him teach you a foolish notion that melancholy is a proof of acuteness. * * * "To hear that you have not opened your boxes of books is very offensive. The examination and arrangement of so many volumes might have afforded you an amusement very seasonable at present, and useful for the whole of life. I am, I confess, very angry that you manage yourself so ill. "I do not now say any more, than that I am, with great kindness and sincerity, dear sir, your humble servant, "SAM. JOHNSON. "It was last year determined by Lord Mansfield in the court of king's bench, that a negro cannot be taken out of the kingdom without his own consent." "DR. JOHNSON TO MR. BOSWELL. "DEAR SIR,-I make haste to write again, lest my last letter should give you too much pain. If you are really oppressed with overpowering and involuntary melancholy, you are to be pitied rather than reproached. * "Now, my dear Bozzy, let us have done with quarrels and with censure. Let me know whether I have not sent you a pretty library. There are, perhaps, many books among them which you never need read through; but there are none which it is not proper for you to know, and sometimes to on a tour to the Hebrides, there was a balance due to me, which Dr. Johnson chose to discharge by sending books.-BOSWELL. 1 Baretti told me that Johnson complained of my writing very long letters to him when I was upon the continent; which was most certainly true; but it seems my friend did not remember it. -BOSWELL, consult. Of these books, of which the use is only occasional, it is often sufficient to know the contents, that, when any question arises, you may know where to look for information. "Since I wrote, I have looked over Mr. Maclaurin's plea, and think it excellent. How is the suit carried on? If by subscription, I commission you to contribute, in my name, what is proper. Let nothing be Dr. Drummond 2, wanting in such a case. I see, is superseded. His father would have grieved: but he lived to obtain the pleasure of his son's election, and died before that pleasure was abated. "Langton's lady has brought him a girl, and both are well: I dined with him the other day. * * "It vexes me to tell you, that on the evening of the 29th of May I was seized by the gout, and am not quite well. The pain has not been violent, but the weakness and tenderness were very troublesome; and what is said to be very uncommon, it has not al leviated my other disorders. Make use of youth and health while you have them; make my compliments to Mrs. Boswell. İ am, my dear sir, your most affectionate "SAM. JOHNSON." "MR. BOSWELL TO DR. JOHNSON. "Edinburgh, 18th July, 1776. "MY DEAR SIR,-Your letter of the 2d of this month was rather a harsh medicine; but I was delighted with that spontaneous tenderness, which, a few days afterwards, sent forth such balsam as your next brought me. I found myself for some time so ill that all I could do was to preserve a decent appearance, while all within was weakness and distress. Like a reduced garrison that has some spirit left, I hung out flags, and planted all the force I could muster, upon the walls. I am now much better, and I sincerely thank you for your kind attention and friendly counsel. "Count Manucci 3 came here last week from travelling in Ireland. I have shown him what civilities I could on his account, on yours, and on that of Mr. and Mrs. Thrale. He has had a fall from his horse, and been much hurt. I regret this unlucky 2 The son of Johnson's old friend, Mr. William Drummond. (See ante, v. i. p. 235, and 459.) He was a young man of such distinguished merit, that he was nominated to one of the medical professorships in the college of Edinburgh, without solicitation, while he was at Naples. Having other views, he did not accept of the honour, and soon afterwards died.-BosWELL. 3 A Florentine nobleman, mentioned by Johnson in his "Notes of his Tour in France." I had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with him in London, in the spring of this year.-Bos WELL. accident, for he seems to be a very amiable | had sent to me, and which contained what man." may be truly called a numerous and miscellaneous stall library, thrown together at random:-) As the evidence of what I have mentioned at the beginning of this year, I select from "Lord Hailes was against the decree in his private register the following passage: the case of my client, the minister; not that "July 25, 1776. O God, who hast or- he justified the minister, but because the dained that whatever is to be desired should parishioner both provoked and retorted. I be sought by labour, and who, by thy bless- sent his lordship your able argument upon ing, bringest honest labour to good effect, the case for his perusal. His observation look with mercy upon my studies and en- upon it in a letter to me was, Dr. Johndeavours. Grant me, O Lord, to design son's Suasorium is pleasantly 2 and artfully only what is lawful and right; and afford|composed. I suspect, however, that he has me calmness of mind, and steadiness of purpose, that I may so do thy will in this short life, as to obtain happiness in the world to come, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." It appears from a note subjoined, that this was composed when he "purposed to apply vigorously to study, particularly of the Greek and Italian tongues." Such a purpose, so expressed, at the age of sixty-seven, is admirable and encouraging; and it must impress all the thinking part of my readers with a consolatory confidence in habitual devotion, when they see a man of such enlarged intellectual powers as Johnson, thus in the genuine earnestness of secrecy, imploring the aid of that Supreme Being," from whom cometh down every good and every perfect gift." "TO SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS. "SIR,-A young man, whose name is 66 MR. BOSWELL TO DR. JOHNSON. "Edinburgh, Aug. 30, 1776. (After giving him an account of my having examined the chests of books which he Samuel Paterson, formerly a bookseller, latterly an auctioneer, and well known for his skill in forming catalogues of books. He died in London, Oct. 29, 1802.-MALONE. [See ante, v. i. p. 292.-ED.] not convinced himself; for I believe that he is better read in ecclesiastical history, than to imagine that a bishop or a presbyter has a right to begin censure or discipline è cathedra 3. "For the honour of Count Manucci, as well as to observe that exactness of truth which you have taught me, I must correct what I said in a former letter. He did not fall from his horse, which might have been an imputation on his skill as an officer of cavalry: his horse fell with him. "I have, since I saw you, read every word of Granger's Biographical History.' It has entertained me exceedingly, and I do not think him the whig that you supposed. Horace Walpole's being his patron is, indeed, no good sign of his political principles. But he denied to Lord Mountstuart that he was a whig, and said he had been accused by both parties of partiality. It seems he was like Pope,— While tories call me whig, and whigs a tory.' I wish you would look more into his book; and as Lord Mountstuart wishes much to find a proper person to continue the work upon Granger's plan, and has desired I would mention it to you, if such a man occurs, please to let me know. His lordship will give him generous encouragement 1." "TO MR. ROBERT LEVETT. "Brighthelmstone, 21st Oct. 1776. "DEAR SIR, Having spent about six weeks at this place, we have at length re 2 Why his lordship uses the epithet pleasantly, when speaking of a grave piece of reasoning, I cannot conceive. Put different men have different notions of pleasantry. I happened to sit by a gentleman one evening at the Opera-house in London, who, at the moment when Medea appeared to be in great agony at the thought of killing her children, turned to me with a smile, and said " Funny enough."-BOSWELL. of opinion that a clergyman had this right.—BosWELL. 3 Dr. Johnson afterwards told me, that he was [Lord Mountstuart, afterwards first Marquis of Bute, had also patronised, in a similar manner, Sir John Hill's immense " Vegetable System (twenty-six vols. folio!); but Sir John's widow solved on returning. I expect to see | Let me have Alexander, and Veronica, and you all in Fleet-street on the 30th of this month. "I did not go into the sea till last Friday, but think to go most of this week, though I know not that it does me any good. My nights are very restless and tiresome, but I am otherwise well. "I have written word of my coming to Mrs. Williams. Remember me kindly to Francis and Betsey 2—I am, sir, your humble servant, "SAM. JOHNSON 3." I again wrote to Dr. Johnson on the 21st of Oct., informing him, that my father had, in the most liberal manner, paid a large debt for me, and that I had now the happiness of being upon very good terms with him; to which he returned the following answer: 66 TO JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ. "Bolt-court, 16th Nov. 1776. "DEAR SIR, I had great pleasure in hearing that you are at last on good terms with your father. Cultivate his kindness by all honest and manly means. Life is but short: no time can be afforded but for the indulgence of real sorrow, or contests upon questions seriously momentous. Let us not throw away any of our days upon useless resentment, or contend who shall hold out longest in stubborn malignity. It is best not to be angry; and best, in the next place, to be quickly reconciled. May you and your father pass the remainder of your time in reciprocal benevolence! * "Do you ever hear from Mr. Langton? I visit him sometimes, but he does not talk. I do not like his scheme of life; but as I am not permitted to understand it, I cannot set any thing right that is wrong. His children are sweet babies. "I hope my irreconcileable enemy, Mrs. Boswell, is well. Desire her not to transmit her malevolence to the young people. published, in 1788, "An Address to the Public," in which she alleged that Lord Bute had acted very penuriously in that matter.—ED.] [Johnson was a good swimmer. "One of the bathing-men at Brighton seeing him swim, said, Why, sir, you must have been a stouthearted gentleman forty years ago.'”—Piozzi, p. 87.-ED.] 、 2 His female servant.-MALONE. 3 For this and Dr. Johnson's other letters to Mr. Levett, I am indebted to my old acquaintance Mr. Nathaniel Thomas, whose worth and ingenuity have been long known to a respectable though not a wide circle, and whose collection of medals would do credit to persons of greater opulence.-BosWELL. Mr. Nathaniel Thomas, who was many years editor of the "St. James's Chronicle," died March 1, 1795.-MalonE. Euphemia, for my friends. "Mrs. Williams, whom you may reckon as one of your well-wishers, is in a feeble and languishing state, with little hopes of growing better. She went for some part of the autumn into the country, but is little benefited; and Dr. Lawrence confesses that his art is at an end. Death is, however, at a distance: and what more than that can we say of ourselves? I am sorry for her pain, and more sorry for her decay. Mr Levett is sound, wind and limb. "I was some weeks this autumn at Brighthelmstone. The place was very dull; and I was not well: the expedition to the Hebrides was the most pleasant journey that I ever made. Such an effort annually would give the world a little diversification. "Every year, however, we cannot wander, and must therefore endeavour to spend our time at home as well as we can. I believe it is best to throw life into a method, that every hour may bring its employment, and every employment have its hour. Xenophon observes, in his Treatise of Economy,' that if every thing be kept in a certain place, when any thing is worn out or consumed, the vacuity which it leaves will show what is wanting; so if every part of time has its duty, the hour will call into remembrance its proper engagement. "I have not practised all this prudence myself, but I have suffered much for want of it; and I would have you, by timely recollection and steady resolution, escape from those evils which have lain heavy upon me.-I am, my dearest Boswell, your most humble servant, SAM. JOHNSON." 66 On the 16th of November, I informed him that Mr. Strahan had sent me twelve copies of the "Journey to the Western Islands," handsomely bound, instead of the twenty copies which were stipulated, but which, I supposed, were to be only in sheets; requested to know how they should be distributed; and mentioned that I had another son born to me, who was named David, and was a sickly infant. "TO JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ. "21st Dec. 1776. "DEAR SIR,-I have been for some time ill of a cold, which, perhaps, I made an excuse to myself for not writing, when in reality I know not what to say. "The books you must at last distribute as you think best, in my name, or your own, as you are inclined, or as you judge most proper. Every body cannot be obliged; but I wish that nobody may be offended. Do the best you can. "I congratulate you on the increase of your The Reverend Dr. Hugh Blair, who had long been admired as a preacher at Edinburgh, thought now of diffusing his excellent sermons more extensively, and increasing his reputation, by publishing a collection of them. He transmitted the manuscript to Mr. Strahan, the printer, who, after keeping it for some time, wrote a let family, and hope that little David is by this time well, and his mamma perfectly recovered. I am much pleased to hear of the re-establishment of kindness between you and your father. Cultivate his paternal tenderness as much as you can. To live at variance at all is uncomfortable; and variance with a father is still more uncomfortable. Besides that, in the whole dis-ter to him, discouraging the publication. pute you have the wrong side; at least you gave the first provocations, and some of them very offensive. Let it now be all over. As you have no reason to think that your new mother has shown you any foul play, treat her with respect, and with some degree of confidence; this will secure your father. When once a discordant family has felt the pleasure of peace they will not willingly lose it. If Mrs. Boswell would but be friends with me, we might now shut the temple of Janus. "What came of Dr. Memis's cause? Is the question about the negro determined? Has Sir Allan any reasonable hopes? What is become of poor Macquarry? Let me know the event of all these litigations. I wish particularly well to the negro and Sir Allan. "Mrs. Williams has been much out of order; and though she is something better, is likely, in her physician's opinion, to endure her malady for life, though she may, perhaps, die of some other. Mrs. Thrale is big, and fancies that she carries a boy: if it were very reasonable to wish much about it, I should wish her not to be disappointed. | The desire of male heirs is not appendant only to feudal tenures. A son is almost necessary to the continuance of Thrale's fortune; for what can misses do with a brew-house? Lands are fitter for daughters than trades. "Baretti went away from Thrale's in some whimsical fit of disgust, or ill-nature, without taking any leave. It is well if he finds in any other place as good an habitation, and as many conveniences. He has got five-and-twenty guineas by translating Sir Joshua's Discourses into Italian, and Mr. Thrale gave him an hundred in the spring; so that he is yet in no difficulties. "Colman has bought Foote's patent, and is to allow Foote for life sixteen hundred pounds a year, as Reynolds told me, and to allow him to play so often on such terms that he may gain four hundred pounds more. What Colman can get by this bargain', but trouble and hazard, I do not see. I am, dear sir, your humble servant, "SAM. JOHNSON." 1 It turned out, however, a very fortunate bargain; for Foote, though not then fifty-six, died at an inn in Dover, in less than a year, October 21st, 1777.-MALONE. Such at first was the unpropitious state of one of the most successful theological books that has ever appeared. Mr. Strahan, however, had sent one of the sermons to Dr. Johnson for his opinion: and after his unfavourable letter to Dr. Blair had been sent off, he received from Johnson, on Christmas-eve, a note in which was the following paragraph: "I have read over Dr. Blair's first sermon with more than approbation: to say it is good, is to say too little." I believe Mr. Strahan had very soon after this time a conversation with Dr. Johnson concerning them; and then he very candidly wrote again to Dr. Blair, enclosing Johnson's note, and agreeing to purchase the volume, for which he and Mr. Cadell gave one hundred pounds. The sale was so rapid and extensive, and the approbation of the public so high, that, to their honour be it recorded, the proprietors made Dr. Blair a present first of one sum, and afterwards of another, of fifty pounds, thus voluntarily doubling the stipulated price; and, when he prepared another volume, they gave him at once three hundred pounds, being in all five hundred pounds, by an agreement to which I am a subscribing witness; and now for a third octavo volume he has received no less than six hundred pounds. In 1777 [he began the year with ED. a serious indisposition. The following letter affords a strong proof of his anxiety for society, and the effort he would make, even over disease, to enjoy it.] Lett. v.i. p. 343. ["TO MRS. Thrale. "Wednesday, 15th January, 1 in the morning, 1777. "Omnium rerum vicissitudo! The night after last Thursday was so bad that I took ipecacuanha the next day. The next night was no better. On Saturday I dined with Sir Joshua. The night was such as I was forced to rise and pass some hours in a chair, with great labour of respiration. I found it now_time to do something, and went to Dr. Lawrence, and told him I would do what he should order, without reading the prescription. He sent for a chirurgeon, and took about twelve ounces of blood, and in the afternoon I got sleep in a chair. "At night, when I came to lie down, after trial of an hour or two, I found sleep |