with pious reverence, and sincerely disap-| to remove by my book, which now d proved of the infidel writings of several, whom in the course of his almost universal gay intercourse with men of eminence, he treated with external civility, distinguished himself upon this occasion. Mr. Pelham having died on the very day on which Lord Bolingbroke's works came out, he wrote an elegant Ode on his death, beginning "Let others hail the rising sun, I bow to that whose course is run." In which is the following stanza: "The same sad morn, to church and state A double stroke was given; And Pelham fled to heaven." Johnson this year found an interval of leisure to make an excursion to Oxford, for the purpose of consulting the libraries there. Of this, and of many interesting circumstances concerning him, during a part of his life when he conversed but little with the world 1, I am enabled to give a particular account, by the liberal communications of the Rev. Mr. Thomas Warton, who obligingly furnished me with several of our common friend's letters, which he illustrated with notes. These I shall insert in their proper places. "DR. JOHNSON TO MR. WARTON. "(London), 16 July, 1754. towards its end; but which I cannot f to my mind, without visiting the libr of Oxford, which I therefore hope to s a fortnight 5. I know not how long I stay, or where I shall lodge; but shall be to look for you at my arrival, and we easily settle the rest. I am, dear sir, most obedient, &c. "SAM. JOHNSON Of his conversation while at Oxfo this time, Mr. Warton preserved and municated to me the following mem which, though not written with all the and attention which that learned and gant writer bestowed on those composi which he intended for the publick eye, happily expressed in an easy style, t should injure it by any alteration: T W "When Johnson came to Oxford in 1754, the long vacation was beginning, and most people were leaving the place. This was the time of his being there, after quitting University. The next morning afte arrival, he wished to see his old co Pembroke. I went with him. He highly pleased to find all the college ser which he had left there still remaining ticularly a very old butler, and expr great satisfaction at being recognise them, and conversed with them famil He waited on the master, Dr. Rad who received him very coldly. Johns least expected, that the master would a copy of his Dictionary, now near pu tion; but the master did not choose t on the subject, never asked Johnson to nor even to visit him while he stayed a ford. After we had left the lodgings, son said to me, There lives a man, lives by the revenues of literature, an not move a finger to support it. "SIR, It is but an ill return for the book with which you were pleased to favour me, to have delayed my thanks for it till now. I am too apt to be negligent; but I can never deliberately show my disrespect to a man of your character; and I now pay you a very honest acknowledgement, for the advancement of the literature of our native country. You have shown to all, who shall hereafter attempt the study 4 His Dictionary.-WARTON. of our ancient authours, the way to suc5 He came to Oxford within a fortnigh cess; by directing them to the perusal of stayed about five weeks. He lodged at a the books which those authours had read. during his visit at Oxford, he collected not called Kettel-hall, near Trinity College. Of this method, Hughes 3, and men much the libraries for his Dictionary.-WA greater than Hughes, seem never to have [Probably because, as we shall see present thought. The reason why the authours, found sufficient employment in the private which are yet read, of the sixteenth century of Mr. Wise.-ED]. Kettel-Hall is a ry, are so little understood, is, that they are read alone; and no help is borrowed from those who lived with them, or before them. Some part of this ignorance I hope [This seems to invalidate Mr. Boswell's former statement, p. 102, and to support that of Mr. Murphy.-ED.] Observations on Spenser's Fairy Queen, the first edition of which was now published.-WAR ΤΟΝ. 3 Hughes published an edition of Spenser.WARTON. cient tenement, adjoining to Trinity C built about the year 1615, by Dr. Ralph then president, for the accommodation of moners of that society. In this ancient then in a very ruinous state, about forty ye ter Johnson had lodged there, Mr. Windha the present writer were accommodated wit chambers, of primitive simplicity, during stallation of the Duke of Portland as cha of the University of Oxford, in 1793. It ha been converted into a commodious private - MALONE. -- come to live at Oxford, I shall take up my abode at Trinity We then called on the Reverend Mr. Meeke, one of the fellows, and of Johnson's standing. Here was a most cordial greeting on both sides. On leaving him, Johnson said, 'I used to think Meeke had excellent parts, when we were boys together at the college: but, alas! Lost in a convent's solitary gloom!'— I remember, at the classical lecture in the hall, I could not bear Meeke's superiority, and I tried to sit as far from him as I could, that I might not hear him construe.' "As we were leaving the college, he said, 'Here I translated Pope's Messiah. Which do you think is the best line in it? My own favourite is, Vallis aromaticas fundit Saronica nubes.' I told him, I thought it a very sonorous bexameter. I did not tell him, it was not in the Virgilian style. He much regretted that his first tutor was dead; for whom he seemed to retain the greatest regard. He said, I once had been a whole morning sliding in Christ-Church meadows, and missed his lecture in logick. After dinner he sent for me to his room. I expected a sharp rebuke for my idleness, and went with a beating heart2. When we were seated, he told me he had sent for me to drink a glass of wine with him, and to tell me, he was not angry with me for missing his lecture. This was, in fact, a most severe reprimand. Some more of the boys were then sent for, and we spent a very pleasant afternoon.' Besides Mr. Meeke, there was only one other fellow of Pembroke now resident: from both of whom Johnson received the greatest civilities during this visit, and they pressed him very much to have a room in the college. "In the course of this visit (1754) Johnson and I walked three or four times to Ellsfield, a village beautifully situated about three miles from Oxford, to see Mr. Wise, Radclivian librarian, with whom Johnson was much pleased. At this place, Mr. Wise had fitted up a house and gardens, in a singular manner, but with great taste. Here was an excellent library, particularly a valuable collection of books in Northern literature, with which Johnson was often very busy. One day Mr. Wise read to us a dissertation which he was preparing for the press, entitled 'A History and Chronology of the Fabulous Ages.' Some old divinities of Thrace, related to the Titans, and called the CABIRI, made a very important part of the theory of this piece; and in conversation afterwards, Mr. Wise talked much of his CABIRI. As we returned to Oxford in the evening, I outwalked Johnson, and he cried out Sufflamina, a Latin word, which (so he spelt his name) not ordering a copy of came from his mouth with peculiar grace, the book, for this visit occurred seven or eight and was as much as to say, Put on your months before the Dictionary was published. drag chain. Before we got home, I again His personal neglect of Johnson is less easily to walked too fast for him; and he now cried be accounted for, unless it be by the fact that he out, Why, you walk as if you were purwas a great invalid; but the imputation of his sued by all the CABIRI in a body.' In an Eving by the revenues of literature, and doing Bothing for it, cannot, as Dr. Hall informs me, be evening we frequently took long walks from jadly made against Dr. Ratcliff'; for he bequeath- Oxford into the country, returning to suped to his college 10001. 4 per-cents, for the estab-per. Once, in our way home, we viewed lehment of an exhibition for the son of a Glouces- the ruins of the abbies of Oseney and Rewtershire clergyman-10007. for the improvementley, near Oxford. After at least half an of the college buildings-1007. worth of books hour's silence, Johnson said, 'I viewed and 1007. for contingent expenses. The residue them with indignation 3 We had then a of his property he (except 6001. left for the re-long conversation on Gothic buildings: and pur of the prebendal house at Gloucester) left to in talking of the form of old halls, he said, the old butler mentioned in the text, who had In these halls, the fireplace was anciently long been his servant a bequest which Johnson always in the middle of the room, till the self imitated in favour of his own servant, whigs removed it on one side 4.' About Barber-E.D.] this time there had been an execution of two or three criminals at Oxford on a Mon [Mr. Warton's own College.-Ed.] (The was Johnson's earliest account of this iale event, and probably the most accurate; any years after this he told the story to Boswell ad Mrs. Piozzi, and made a parade of his having waited on his tutor, not with a "beating heart," but with nonchalance and even insolence." It would seem as if Johnson had been induced, by the too obsequious deference of his later adve, to sign to his character in youth a little Bure of that sturdy dignity than, when his recollection was fresher and his ear unspoiled by flatsary, y, he assumed to Mr. Warton (see ante, p. 21, *)-ED.] day. Soon afterwards, one day at dinner, I was saying that Mr. Swinton, the chap 3 [The Scotch, who were so angry at Johnson's indignation at the desecration and dilapidation of religious edifices in Scotland, would have been pacified had they sooner known that a similar indignation was excited by similar causes in England.-ED.] 4 [What can this mean? What had the whigs to do with removing the smoky hearths from the centre of the great halls to a more commodious chimney at the side?-ED.] It is desired that Mr. Warton will in and send word, what will be the co transcribing this manuscript. lain of the gaol 1, and also a frequent preach- | xv. martyrum sub Juliano, auctore er before the university, a learned man, but ophylacto. often thoughtless and absent, preached the condemnation sermon on repentance, before the convicts, on the preceding day, Sunday; and that in the close he told his audience, that he should give them the remainder of what he had to say on the subject, the next Lord's Day. Upon which, one of our company, a doctor of divinity, and a plain matter-of-fact man, by way of offering an apology for Mr. Swinton, gravely remarked, that he had probably preached the same sermon before the university: Yes sir, (says Johnson) but the university were not to be hanged the next morning.' "I forgot to observe before, that when he left Mr. Meeke (as I have told above), he added, About the same time of life, Meeke was left behind at Oxford to feed on | a fellowship, and I went to London to get my living: now, sir, see the difference of our literary characters ?!" " The following letter was written by Dr. Johnson to Mr. Chambers, of Lincoln College, afterwards Sir Robert Chambers 3, one of the judges in India: "TO MR. CHAMBERS OF LINCOLN COLLEGE. "21st Nov. 1754. "DEAR SIR,—The commission which I delayed to trouble you with at your departure, I am now obliged to send you; and beg that you will be so kind as to carry it to Mr Warton, of Trinity, to whom I should have written immediately, but that I know not if he be yet come back to Oxford. "In the Catalogue of MSS. of Gr. Brit. see vol. i. pag. 18. MSS. Bodl. MARTYRIUM 1 [The Rev. Mr. Swinton, who had so conspicuous a share in the Universal History.-See post, 6 Dec. 1784.—ED.] 2 [Curis acuens mortalia corda. Poverty was the stimulus which made Johnson exert a genius naturally, it may be supposed, more vigorous than Meeke's, and he was now beginning to enjoy the fame, of which so many painful years of distress and penury had laid the foundation. Meeke had lived an easy life of decent competence; and on the whole, perhaps, as little envied Johnson, as Johnson him: the goodness and justice of Providence equalize to a degree, not always visible at first sight, the happiness of mankind-nec vixit malè qui natus moriensque fefellit.-ED.] “Vol. ii. p. 32. Num. 1022. 58. Nov.-Commentaria in Acta Apos Comment. in Septem Epistolas Catho "He is desired to tell what is the a each of these manuscripts; and what cost to have a transcript of the two pages of each. "If Mr. Warton be not in Oxford may try if you can get it done by any else; or stay till he comes according to own convenience. It is for an Italian rato. "The answer is to be directed excellency Mr. Zon, Venetian residen ho-square. "I hope, dear sir, that you do not the change of London for Oxford. Baretti is well, and Miss Williams; a shall all be glad to hear from you, whe you shall be so kind as to write to, sir, most humble servant, "SAM. JOHNSO The degree of master of arts, whi has been observed, could not be obt for him at an early period of his life now considered as an honour of conside importance, in order to grace the title of his Dictionary; and his character literary world being by this time deser high, his friends thought that, if prop ertions were made, the University of ford would pay him the compliment. DR. JOHNSON TO MR. WARTON "(London), 28th Nov. "DEAR SIR,-I am extremely obli you and to Mr. Wise, for the unco care which if you can accomplish your kind des you have taken of my inte shall certainly take me a little habi among you. "The books which I promised to Wise 5, I have not been able to pr but I shall send him a Finnick dictio the only copy, perhaps, in England, was presented to me by a learned S but I keep it back, that it may make of my own books of the new edition 6 which I shall accompany it, more wel You will assure him of my gratitude. 4 In procuring him the degree of master by diploma at Oxford.-WARTON. Lately fellow of Trinity College, and 3 [Sir Robert Chambers was born in 1737, at Newcastle-on-Tyne, and educated at the same school with Lord Stowell and his brother the Earl of Eldon, and afterwards (like them) a member of University College. It was by visiting Cham-time Radclivian librarian at Oxford. He bers, when a fellow of University, that Johnson became acquainted with Lord Stowell; and when Chambers went to India, Lord Stowell, as he expressed it to the Editor, "seemed to succeed to his place in Johnson's friendship."-ED.] man of very considerable learning, and em skilled in Roman and Anglo-Saxon anti He died in 1767.-WARTON. 6 [This must have been a new edition Rambler.-ED.] "Poor dear Collins 1!-Would a letter | I have memtioned it to none of my friends, give him any pleasure? I have a mind to for fear of being laughed at for my disappointment. write. "I am glad of your hindrance in your Spenserian design2, yet I would not have it delayed. Three hours a day stolen from sleep and amusement will produce it. Let a servitour 3 transcribe the quotations, and interleave them with references, to save time. This will shorten the work, and lessen the fatigue. "You know poor Mr. Dodsley has lost his wife; I believe he is much affected. I hope he will not suffer so much as I yet suffer for the loss of mine. πεπονθαμεν 7. Οιμοι· τι δ' οιμοι; θνητα дар I have ever since seemed to myself broken off from mankind; a kind of solitary wan"Can I do any thing to promote the di- derer in the wild of life, without any direcploma? I would not be wanting to co-ope- tion, or fixed point of view; a gloomy gazrate with your kindness; of which whatever on the world to which I have little relaer be the effect, I shall be, dear sir, your most obliged, &c. "SAM. JOHNSON." "DR. JOHNSON TO MR. WARTON. "(London), 21 Dec. 1754. "DEAR SIR, I am extremely sensible of the favour done me both by Mr. Wise and yourself. The book cannot I think, be printed in less than six weeks, nor probably so soon; and I will keep back the titlepage, for such an insertion as you seem to promise me. Be pleased to let me know what money I shall send you for bearing the expense of the affair; and I will take care that you may have it ready at your tion. Yet I would endeavour, by the help of you, and your brother, to supply the want of closer union, by friendship; and hope to have long the pleasure of being, dear sir, most affectionately yours, "SAM. JOHNSON." "DR. JOHNSON TO MR. WARTON. "(London), 24th Dec. 1754. "DEAR SIR,-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, "I had lately the favour of a letter from of which the profession will easily be renewyour brother, with some account of poored while the respect continues: and the Collins, for whom I am much concerned. same causes which first produced can hardI have a notion, that by very great temper-ly fail to preserve it. Pray let me know, ance, or more properly abstinence 5, he may however, whether my letter finds its way yet recover. to you. hand. "There is an old English and Latin book of poems by Barclay, called 'The Ship of Fools: at the end of which are a number of Eglogues, so he writes it, from Egloga, -which are probably the first in our language. If you cannot find the book, I will get Mr. Dodsley to send it you. "I shall be extremely glad to hear from you again, to know if the affair proceeds 6. 1 Collins (the poet) was at this time at Oxford, a visit to Mr. Warton; but labouring under the most deplorable languor of body and dejection of mind. WARTON. (See ante, p. 108. -ED.] Mr. Collins, who was the son of a hatter at Chichester, was born December 25, 1720, and was released from the dismal state here so pathetially described, in 1756.—MALONE. [See ante, p. 108-ED.] Of pablishing a volume of observations on the best of Spenser's works. It was hindered by my tag pupils in this college.-WARTON. Young students of the lowest rank at Oxford • His Dictionary.-WARTON. ⚫ Of the degree at Oxford.-WARTON. "Poor dear Collins!-Let me know whether you think it would give him pleassure 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, 66 "DR. JOHNSON TO MR. WARTON. "(London), 1 Feb. 1755. DEAR SIR,-I wrote to you some weeks ago, but believe did not direct accurately, and therefore know not whether you had my letter. I would, likewise, write to your brother, but know not where to find him. I now begin to see land, after having wandered, according to Mr. Warburton's phrase, in this vast sea of words. What reception I shall meet with on the shore, I know not; whether the sound of bells, and acclamations of the people, which Ariosto talks of in his last canto, or a general murmur of dislike, I know not: whether I shall find upon the coast a Calypso that will court, or a Polypheme that will resist. But if Polypheme comes, have at his eye! I hope, however, the criticks will let me be at peace; for though I do not much fear their skill and strength, I am a little afraid of myself, and would not willingly feel so much ill-will in my bosom as literary quarrels are apt to excite. "Mr. Baretti is about a work for which he is in great want of Crescimbeni, which you may have again when you please. "There is nothing considerable done or doing among us here. We are not perhaps as innocent as villagers, but most of us seem to be as idle. I hope, however, you are busy; and should be glad to know what you are doing. I am, dearest sir, your humble servant, "SAM JOHNSON." "DR. JOHNSON TO MR. WARTON. "(London), 4 Feb. 1755. "DEAR SIR,-I received your letter this day, with great sense of the favour that has been done me 1; for which I return my most sincere thanks; and entreat you to pay to Mr. Wise such returns as I ought to make for so much kindness so little deserved. "I sent Mr. Wise the Lexicon, and afterwards wrote to him; but know not whether he had either the book or letter. Be so good as to contrive to inquire. DR. JOHNSON TO MR. WARTON. "(London), 13 Feb. 1755. "DEAR SIR,-I had a letter last week from Mr. Wise, but have yet heard nothing from you, nor know in what state my affair stands; of which I beg you to inform me, if you can to-morrow, by the return of the post. "Mr. Wise sends me word, that he has not had the Finnick Lexicon yet, which I sent some time ago; and if he has it not, you must inquire after it. However, do not let your letter stay for that. Your brother, who is a better correspondent than you, and not much better, sends me word that your pupils keep you in college: but do they keep you from writing too? Let them, at least, give you time to write to, dear sir, your most affectionate, &c. "SAM. JOHNSON,' 66 DR. JOHNSON TO MR. WARTON. "(London). Feb. 1755. "DEAR SIR,-Dr. King 5 was with me a few minutes before your letter; this, however, is the first instance in which your kind intentions to me have ever been frustrated. I have now the full effect of your care and benevolence; and am far from thinking it a slight honour, or a small advantage; since it will put the enjoyment of your conversation more frequently in the power of, dear sir, your most obliged and affectionate "SAM. JOHNSON. "P. S. I have enclosed a letter to the vice-chancellor 7, which you will read; and if you like it, seal and give him." 4 Of the degree.-WARTON. 5 brought with him the diploma from Oxford.Principal of Saint Mary Hall at Oxford. He in 1701. D. C. L. 1715, and Principal of St WARTON. [Born in 1685. Entered of Baliol Mary Hall in 1718. In 1722 he was a candidate for the representation of the university in parlia ment, on the tory interest; but was defeated. He died in 1763. He was a wit and a scholar, and, in particular, celebrated for his latinity; highly "But why does my dear Mr. Warton obnoxious to the Hanoverian party, and the idol tell me nothing of himself? Where hangs of the Jacobites. It appears from his Memoirs, the new volume 2? Can I help? Let not lately published, that he was one of those who the past labour be lost, for want of a little was intrusted with the knowledge of the Pretendmore; but snatch what time you can fromer's being in London in the latter end of the reign the hall, and the pupils, and the coffee-house, and the parks 3, and complete your design. I am, dear sir, &c. SAM. JOHNSON." His degree had now past, according to the usual form, the suffrages of the heads of colleges; but was not yet finally granted by the university. It was carried without a single dissentient voice. --WARTON. 2 On Spenser.-WARTON. 3 [The walks near Oxford so called.—ED.] of George the Second, where Dr. King was introduced to him. In the memoirs, the year is sta ted to have been 1756, but there is reason to suspect that this is an error of the transcriber or the press, for the Pretender's visit is elsewhere said to have been in 1750.-ED.] "I suppose Johnson means that my kind intention of being the first to give him the good news of the degree being granted was frustrated, because Dr. King brought it before my intelligence arrived.-WARTON. 7 Dr. Huddesford, President of Trinity Col lege.-WARTON. |