tempted the notes. Nor do I remember that the interpretation helped us.

In Phædrus we were sent up twice to the upper master to be punished. The second time we complained that we could not get the passage. Being told that we should ask, we informed him that we had asked, and that the assistant would not tell us.

VARIOUS LETTERS,

FROM DR. JOHNSON TO DIFFERENT PERSONS,

From October, 1731, to December, 1763; published by Mr. Croker in the first and subsequent editions of his "Boswell's Life of Johnson."

TO MR. G. HICKMAN.1

"Lichfield, Oct. 30, 1731.

"SIR, "I have so long neglected to return you thanks for the favour and assistance received from you at Stourbridge, that I am afraid you have now done expecting it. I can, indeed, make no apology, but by assuring you, that this delay, whatever was the cause of it, proceeded neither from forgetfulness, disrespect, nor ingratitude. Time has not made the sense of obligation less warm, nor the thanks I return less sincere. But while I am acknowledging one favour, I must beg another—that you would excuse the composition of the verses you desired. Be pleased to consider, that versifying against one's inclination is the most disagreeable thing in the world; and that one's own disappointment is no inviting subject; and that though the gratifying of you might have prevailed over my dislike of it, yet it proves, upon reflection, so barren, that to attempt to write upon it, is to undertake to build without materials. As I am yet unemployed, I hope you will, if any thing should offer, remember and recommend,

66

'Sir, your humble servant,

"SAM. JOHNSON."

Nichols's Literary Anecdotes, vol. viii., p. 416.

Gregory Hickman, Johnson's cousin: see p. 56, note.-Editor.

"DEAR MISS,

TO MISS PORTER.1

"Goff Square, July 12, 1749.

"I am extremely obliged to you for your letter, which I would have answered last post, but that illness prevented me. I have been often out of order of late, and have very much neglected my affairs. You have acted very prudently with regard to Levett's affair,2 which will, I think, not at all embarrass me, for you may promise him, that the mortgage shall be taken up at Michaelmas, or, at least, some time between that and Christmas; and if he requires to have it done sooner, I will endeavour it. I make no doubt, by that time, of either doing it myself, or persuading some of my friends to do it for me.

"Please to acquaint him with it, and let me know if he be satisfied. When he once called on me, his name was mistaken, and therefore I did not see him; but, finding the mistake, wrote to him the same day, but never heard more of him, though I entreated him to let me know where to wait on him. You frighted me, you little gipsy, with your black wafer, for I had forgot you were in mourning, and was afraid your letter had brought me ill news of my mother, whose death is one of the few calamities on which I think with terror. I long to know how she does, and how you all do. Your poor mamma is come home, but very weak; yet I hope she will grow better, else she shall go into the country. She is now up stairs, and knows not of my writing. I am, dear Miss, your most humble servant,

Pearson MSS.

"SAM. JOHNSON."

"DEAR SIR,

TO RICHARDSON.

"March 9, 1750-1.

6

Though Clarissa wants no help from external splendour, I was glad to see her improved in her appearance, but more

1 This and several other letters to Miss Porter, Johnson's stepdaughter, were obtained by Mr. Croker from Mr. Pearson, of Lichfield, to whom the originals had been bequeathed by Miss Porter.-Editor. 2 See p. 117.

glad to find that she was now got above all fears of prolixity, and confident enough of success to supply whatever had been hitherto suppressed. I never indeed found a hint of any such defalcation, but I regretted it; for though, the story is long, every letter is short,

"I wish you would add an index rerum, that when the reader recollects any incident, he may easily find it, which at present he cannot do, unless he knows in which volume it is told; for Clarissa' is not a performance to be read with eagerness, and laid aside for ever; but will be occasionally consulted by the busy, the aged, and the studious; and therefore I beg that this edition, by which I suppose posterity is to abide, may want nothing that can facilitate its use.

"I return you my sincerest thanks for the volumes of your new work;1 but it is a kind of tyrannical kindness to give only so much at a time, as makes more longed for; but that will probably be thought, even of the whole, when you have given it.

"I have no objection but to the preface, in which you first men tion the letters as fallen by some chance into your hands, and afterwards mention your health as such, that you almost despaired of going through your plan. If you were to require my opinion which part should be changed, I should be inclined to the suppression of that part which seems to disclaim the composition. What is modesty, if it deserts from truth? Of what use is the disguise by which nothing is concealed?

"You must forgive this, because it is meant well.

66

I thank you once more, dear Sir, for your books; but cannot I prevail this time for an index ?—such I wished, and shall wish, to 'Clarissa.' Suppose that in one volume an accurate index was made to the three works-but while I am writing an objection arises-such an index to the three would look like the preclusion

1 The sixth and seventh volumes of Sir Charles Grandison. - Croker.

of a fourth, to which I will never contribute; for if I cannot benefit mankind, I hope never to injure them. I am, Sir, your most obliged and most humble servant,

"SAM. JOHNSON."

"DEAR SIR,

TO JOSEPH WARTON.

"[London,] Dec. 24, 1754.

"I am sat down to answer your kind letter, though I know not whether I shall direct it so as that it may reach you; the miscarriage of it will be no great matter, as I have nothing to send but thanks, of which I owe you many; yet, if a few should be lost, I shall amply find them in my own mind; and professions of respect, of which the profession will easily be renewed while the respect continues: and the same causes which first produced can hardly fail to preserve it. Pray let me know, however, whether my letter finds its way to you.

"Poor dear Collins !—Let me know whether you think it would give him pleasure if I should write to him. I have often been near his state, and therefore have it in great commiseration.

"I sincerely wish you the usual pleasures of this joyous season, and more than the usual pleasures, those of contemplation on the great event which this festival commemorates. I am, dear Sir, your most affectionate and most humble servant,

Wooll's Life.

"SAM. JOHNSON."

TO RICHARDSON.

"Tuesday, 19th Feb., 1756.

"DEAR SIR,

"I return you my sincerest thanks for the favour which you were pleased to do me two nights ago. Be pleased to accept of this little book [probably the "Account of the Longitude"], which is all that I have published this winter. The inflammation is come again into my eye, so that I can write very little. Sir, your most obliged and most humble servant,

I am,

"SAM. JOHNSON."

Rich. Corresp.

'SIR,

TO RICHARDSON.

"Gough Square, 16th March, 1756.

"I am obliged to entreat your assistance; I am now under an arrest for five pounds eighteen shillings. Mr. Strahan, from whom I should have received the necessary help in this case, is not at home, and I am afraid of not finding Mr. Millar. If you will be so good as to send me this sum, I will very gratefully repay you, and add it to all former obligations. I am, Sir, your most obedient, and most humble servant, "SAM. JOHNSON." "Sent six guineas.

"Witness, WILLIAM RICHARDSON."

Gent. Mag.

"DEAR SIR,

TO [THOMAS WARTON].1

"Oct. 27, 1757.

"I have been thinking and talking with Mr. Allen about some literary business for an inhabitant of Oxford. Many schemes might be plausibly proposed, but at present these may be sufficient. 1. An Ecclesiastical History of England. In this there are a great many materials which must be compressed into a narrow compass. This book must not exceed 4 vols. 8vo.

2. A History of the Reformation (not of England only, but of Europe); this must not exceed the same bulk, and will be full of and very entertaining. 3. The Life of Richard the First. 4. The Life of Edward the Confessor.

"All these are works for which the requisite materials may be found at Oxford, and any of them well executed would be well received. I impart these designs to you in confidence, that what you do not make use of yourself shall revert to me uncommunicated to any other. The schemes of a writer are his property and his revenue, and therefore they must not be made common. I am, Sir, your most humble servant, "SAM. JOHNSON."

1 This letter was found by Mr. Peter Cunningham, in the papers of Allen, the printer, and was intended, no doubt, for Thomas Warton, though, perhaps from some change of opinion, not forwarded to him.Croker.