moral, while it inculcates a future state of retribu- 1763. tion; and what it teaches is impressed upon the Atat. 54. mind by a series of as deep distress as can affect

My pofition has been very well illuftrated by Mr. Belfham of Bedford, in his Effay on Dramatick Poetry. "The fafhionable doctrine (fays he) both of moralifts and criticks in these times is, that virtue and happiness are conftant concomitants; and it is regarded as a kind of dramatick impiety to maintain that virtue should not be rewarded, nor vice punished in the last scene of the last act of every tragedy. This conduct in our modern poets is, however, in my opinion, extremely injudicious; for, it labours in vain to inculcate a doctrine in theory, which every one knows to be false in fact, viz. that virtue in real life is always productive of happiness; and vice of mifery. Thus Congreve concludes the Tragedy of "The Mourning Bride" with the following foolish couplet:

For bleffings ever wait on virtuous deeds,

And, though a late, a fure reward fucceeds.'

"When a man eminently virtuous, a Brutus, a Cato, or a Socrates finally fink under the preffure of accumulated misfortune, we are not only led to entertain a more indignant hatred of vice, than if he rofe from his diftrefs, but we are inevitably induced to cherish the fublime idea that a day of future retribution will arrive when he shall receive not merely poetical, but real and substantial juftice." Effays Philofophical, Hiftorical, and Literary, London, 1791, Vol. II. 8vo. p. 317.

This is well reafoned and well expreffed. I wish, indeed, that the ingenious authour had not thought it neceffary to introduce any inftance of "a man eminently virtuous;" as he would then have avoided mentioning fuch a ruffian as Brutus under that defcription. Mr. Belfham difcovers in his "Effays" fo much reading and thinking, and good compofition, that I regret his not having been fortunate enough to be educated a member of our excellent national eftablishment. Had he not been nurfed in nonconformity, he probably would not have been tainted with thofe herefies (as I fincerely and, on no flight investigation, think them) both in religion and politicks, which, while I read, I am fure, with candour, I cannot read without offence. VOL. I. A a humanity

humanity in the amiable and pious heroine who
goes to her
grave unrelieved, but refigned, and full
of hope of "heaven's mercy." Johnson paid her
this high compliment upon it: "I know not, Ma-
dam, that you have a right, upon moral principles,
to make your readers fuffer fo much."

Mr. Thomas Davies the actor, who then kept a bookseller's shop in Ruffel-street, Covent-garden, told me that Johnfon was very much his friend, and came frequently to his house, where he more than once invited me to meet him; but by fome unlucky accident or other he was prevented from coming to us.

Mr. Thomas Davies was a man of good understanding and talents, with the advantage of a liberal education. Though fomewhat pompous, he was an entertaining companion; and his literary performances have no inconfiderable share of merit. He was a friendly and very hofpitable man. Both he and his wife, (who has been celebrated for her beauty,) though upon the stage for many years, maintained an uniform decency of character; and Johnson esteemed them, and lived in as easy an intimacy with them as with any family which he used to vifit. Mr. Davies recollected several of Johnfon's remarkable fayings, and was one of the best of the many imitators of his voice and manner, while relating them. He increased my impatience more and more to fee the extraordinary man whofe works I highly valued, and whofe conversation was reported to be fo peculiarly excellent.

At laft, on Monday the 16th of May, when I was fitting in Mr. Davies's back parlour, after having

drunk

1763.

drunk tea with him and Mrs. Davies, Johnson unexpectedly came into the fhop7; and Mr. Da- Etat. 54. vies having perceived him through the glass door in the room in which we were fitting, advancing towards us, he announced his aweful approach to me, fomewhat in the manner of an actor in the part of Horatio, when he addreffes Hamlet on the appearance of his father's ghoft, "Look, my Lord, it comes." I found that I had a very perfect idea of Johnson's figure, from the portrait of him painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds foon after he had publifhed his Dictionary, in the attitude of fitting in his eafy chair in deep meditation, which was the first picture his friend did for him, which Sir Joshua very kindly prefented to me, and from which an engraving has been made for this work. Mr. Davies mentioned my name, and respectfully introduced me to him. I was much agitated; and recollecting his prejudice against the Scotch, of which I had heard much, I said to Davies, "Don't tell where I come from."-" From Scotland," cried

7 Mr. Murphy in his " Effay on the Life and Genius of Dr. Johnfon," has given an account of this meeting confiderably different from mine, I am perfuaded without any consciousness of errour. His memory, at the end of near thirty years, has undoubtedly deceived him, and he fuppofes himself to have been prefent at a scene, which he has probably heard inaccurately de fcribed by others. In my note taken on the very day, in which I am confident I marked every thing material that paffed, no mention is made of this gentleman; and I am fure, that I should not have omitted one fo well known in the literary world. It may easily be imagined that this my firft interview with Dr. Johnson, with all its circumftances, made a strong impreffion on my mind, and would be registered with peculiar attention.

1763.

Etat. 54.

Davies, roguishly. "Mr. Johnson, (faid I) I do
indeed come from Scotland, but I cannot help it.
I am willing to flatter myself that I meant this as
light pleasantry to footh and conciliate him, and
not as an humiliating abasement at the expence of
my country. But however that might be, this
speech was somewhat unlucky; for with that quick-
ness of wit for which he was fo remarkable, he
feized the expreffion "come from Scotland,"
which I used in the sense of being of that country;
and, as if I had faid that I had come away from it,
or left it, retorted, "That, Sir, I find, is what a
very great many of your countrymen cannot help."
This ftroke stunned me a good deal; and when we
had fat down, I felt myself not a little embarrassed,
and apprehenfive of what might come next. He
then addreffed himself to Davies: "What do you
think of Garrick? He has refused me an order for
the play for Miss Williams, because he knows the
houfe will be full, and that an order would be
worth three fhillings." Eager, to take any open-
ing to get into conversation with him, I ventured
to fay, "O, Sir, I cannot think Mr. Garrick would
grudge fuch a trifle to you." "Sir, (faid he,
with a ftern look,) I have known David Garrick
longer than you have done; and I know no right
you have to talk to me on the fubject." Perhaps
I deferved this check; for it was rather prefump-
tuous in me, an entire ftranger, to exprefs any
doubt of the juftice of his animadverfion upon his
old acquaintance and pupil. I now felt myself

much

That this was a momentary fally against Garrick there can be no doubt; for at Johnson's defire he had, fome years before,

much mortified, and began to think that the hope which I had long indulged of obtaining his acquaintance was blafted. And, in truth, had not my ardour been uncommonly strong, and my refolution uncommonly perfevering, fo rough a reception might have deterred me for ever from making any further attempts. Fortunately, however, I remained upon the field not wholly discomfited; and was foon rewarded by hearing fome of his conversation, of which I preferved the following fhort minute, without marking the questions and obfervations by which it was produced.

"People (he remarked) may be taken in once, who imagine that an authour is greater in private life than other men. Uncommon parts require uncommon opportunities for their exertion.

"In barbarous fociety, fuperiority of parts is of real confequence. Great ftrength or great wisdom is of much value to an individual. But in more polished times there are people to do every thing for money; and then there are a number of other fuperiorities, fuch as thofe of birth and fortune, and rank, that diffipate men's attention, and leave no extraordinary share of respect for personal and intellectual fuperiority. This is wifely ordered by Providence, to preferve fome equality among mankind."

given a benefit-night at his theatre to this very person, by which fhe had got two hundred pounds. Johnfon, indeed, upon all other occafions, when I was in his company, praised the very liberal charity of Garrick. I once mentioned to him, "It is obferved, Sir, that you attack Garrick yourself, but will fuffer nobody else to do it."` JOHNSON, (fmiling) "Why, Sir, that is true."

A a 3

1763.

Ætat. 54.

"Sir,