E= CO L E T T E R S TO AND FROM THE LATE Samuel Johnfon, LL.D. TO WHi'Ctf APE AT>DED SOME POEMS NEVER BEFORE PRINTED. PUBLISHED FROM THE ORIGINAL MSS. IN HER POSSESSION, BY HESTER LYNCH PIOZZI. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON; Printed for A, S T R A H A K ; and T. C A D E L L, in the Strand. MDCCLXXXVIII, 3'533 A/ 11 ff y-Z, CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME. LETTER CLXXXIII. CLx>."JT CCLXXIX. Mrs. Thrale to Dr. Johnfon 232 CCLXXX. Dr. Johnfon to Mrs. Thrale 235 CCLXXXI. - to the Same ib. CCLXXXII. to the Same 236 CCLXXXIII. " to the Same 237 CCLXXXIV. to the Same 238 CCLXXXV. to the Same, on his illnefs 240 CCLXXXVI. to the Same, on the fame fubjedl 241 CCLXXXVII. to the Same, from Oxford 243 CCLXXXVIII. " to the Same 244 CCLXXXIX. Mrs. Thrale to Dr. Johnfon 245 ccxc. Dr. Johnfon to Mrs. Thrale, from Oxford 249 ccxci. to the Same 250 ccxcu. to the Same 251 ccxcui, to the_Same 252 ccxciv. Mrs.. Thrale to Dr. Johnfon, on the illnefs of one of her daughters 253 ccxcv. vin CONTENTS. LETTER ccxcv. Dr. Johnfon to Mrs. Thrale, on thc-fimi fubjel he dines at the academy Barry's exhibition 6pened 255 CCXCVI. tcr^he Same, on the ftate of his health fe\fr friends left in his neigh- bourhood 257 ccxcvn. to the' Same 259 ccxcvm. to the Same, from Oxford 261 ccxcix. to the Same, on the employment of time 262 ccc. Mrs. Thrale to Dr. Johnfon, on the fame fubjeft 264 CCCI. Dr. Johnfon tf> Mrs. Thrale, written the morning after he had loft his fpeechby a paralytick ftroke defcribes his fitu- ation during the night of his feizure 268 eccii. to the Same diary of his health 273 ccciu. to the Same, on the fame fubjeft 275 CCCTV. to the Same, on -the fame fubjedl 277 cccv . to the Same, on the fame fubje& 278 cccvi. to the Same laments his folitude from the lofs of his neighbours 280 cccvu. to the Same defcription of a re- markable burning glafs 282 Cccvin. to the Same 284 cccix. to the Same 286 cccx. to the Same his phyficians on an imitation of his ftyle 288 cccxi. to Mifs Sufanna Thrale, on the common courfe of life 290 cccxn. to Mrs. Thrale 292 cccxiii. to the Same 294 cccxiv. to Mifs Sophia Thrale, on the fci- ence of arithmcticlc 295 cccxv. LETTER cccxv cccxvr cccxvii, CCCXVIII, cccxix, cccxx. CCCXXI, CCCXXII, cccxxui. CCCXXIV. cccxxv. CCCXXVI. CCCXXVII. 301 303 305 308 CCCXXIX. cccxxx. eccxxxi. CCCXXXII. CCCXXXIII. CONTENTS. ix 1783- Page Dr. Johnfon to Mifs Sufanna Thrale, on gluttony 2 g* to Mrs. Thrale to the Same, on Mrs. Williams's illnefs to the Same Mrs. Thrale to Dr. Johnfon Dr. Johnfon to Mifs Sufanna Thrale ufe of travelling account of Mrs. Williams's death to M^rs.. Thrale, on air ballons character of Mrs. Williams to the Same, on his illnefs caufe of the fall of the flocks " " to the Same his opinion of Stone- henge to the Same, on his illnefs ac- count of Mrs. Porter the tragedian to the Same, on the ftate of his health he receives vifits from Mrs. Siddons and Mr. Kemble to the Same robbery of her houfe in the Borough air ballons the Same, on friend/hips of long continuance to Mifs S. A. Thrale, on the Tat- lers the generofity of one of his friends to Mrs. Thrale, on the illnefs of one of her daughters to the Same, on the fame fubjecl 331 to the Same, on the fame fubjeft 332 to the Same, on the fame fubjec~t 374. Mrs. Thrale to Dr. Johnfon, on the fame fubje& _ * " cccxxxiv. 320 325 327 CONTENTS. LETTER cccxxxiv. cccxxxv. cccxxxvi. CCCXXXVII. Page 339 340 34* CCCXL. CCCXLI. CCCXLII. CCCXLIII. CCCXLIV. CCCXLV. CCCXLVI. CCCXLVII. CCCXLVIII. CCCXLIX. CCCL. CCCLI. CCCLII. CCCLIII. CCCLJV. 344 346 348 356 358 Dr. Johnfon to Mrs. Thrale to the Same . to the Same 1784. to the Same, on his ftate of health, and air ballons to the Same to the Same, on his illnefs the Rambler tranflated into Ruffian to the Same, on confidence with refpeft to futurity 350 to the Same, on his recovery- he ceafes to take opium 352 to the Same, on his ftate of health 354 to Mifs Sufanna Thrale, on Mr. Herfchel's telefcope Mrs. Thrale to Dr. Johnfon Dr. Johnfon to Mrs. Thrale, on his propcnfity to luxury during his ill- nefs 361 to the Same, on the revival of his club Mifs Moore's Bas Bleu 363 to the Same, on his recovery 365 to the Same he goes to the ex- hibition Mr. Howard vifits him 367 to the Same 369 to the Same to the Same to the Same his reception of Mr. Lyfons death of Mr. Macbean 373 Mrs. Piozzi to Dr. Johnfon, on her marriage 374 Dr. Johnfon to Mrs. Piozzi, on the fame fubjecl; 375 Anecdotes 370 CONTENTS. LETTER CCCLV. CCCLVI. CCCLVII, CCCLVIII. CCCLIX. CCCLX. CCCLXI. CCCLXIJ. CCCLXIII. CCCLXIV. CCCLXV. CCCXLVI. CCCLXVII. Anecdotes of Dr. Johnfon - Dr. Johnfon to Mifs Boothby to the Same, on his illnefs to the Same to the Same reflexions on his ill- nefs the report of his death to the Same *- to the Same to Mifs * # * * to J S Efq. on the ftate of his affairs and his father's improper conduct to Mr. Saftres, on his Dictionary to the Same to the Same Page 378 391 392 to the Same 396 399 400 ib. 40* 405 407 409 410 412 POEMS, Verfes addrefled to Dr. Lawrence, compofed by Dr. Johnfon as he lay confined with an inflamed Eye 415 Tranflation by Mrs. Piozzi 416 Boethius, Book II. Metre 2, tranflated 418 , Book II. Metre 4. 419 , Book III. Metre i 420 } Book III. Metre 3 ib, , Book III. Metre 4 T 421 , Book III. Metre 5 ib. -, Book III. Metre 6 422 - , Book III. Metre 12 423 LETTERS TO AND FROM Samuel Johnfon, LL.D. LETTER GLXXXIII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Afhbourne, Oflober 6, 1777. YOU are glad that I am abfent ; and I am glad that you are lick. When you went away, what did you do with your aunt ? I am glad me liked my Sufy ; I was always a Sufy, when nobody elfe was a Sufy. How have you managed at your new place ? Could you all get lodgings in one houfe, and meat at one table ? Let me hear the whole feries of mifery; for, as Dr. Young fays, / love horrour. VOL. II. B Me- 2 LETTERS TO AND FROM Methinks you are now a great way off; and if I come, I have a great way to come to you ; and then the fea is fo cpld, and the rooms are fo dull j yet I do love to hear the lea roar and my miftrefs talk For when me talks, ye gods ! how me will talk, I wifh I were with you, but we are now near half the length of England afunder. It is frightful to think how much time muft pafs between writ- ing this letter and receiving an anfwer, if any anfwer were neceiTary. Taylor is now going to have a ram ; and then, after Aries and Taurus, we mall have Gemini. His oats are now in the wet ; here is a deal of rain. Mr. Langdon bought, at Nottingham fair, fifteen tun of cheefe ; which, at an ounce a-piece, will fuffice after dinner for four hundred and eighty thoufand men. This is all the news that the place affords. I purpofe foon to be at Lichfield, but know not juft when, having been defeated of my firft defign. When I come to town, I am to be very bufy about my Lives. Could not you do fome of them for me ? I am glad Matter unfpelled you, and run you all on rocks, and drove you about, and made DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 3 made you ftir. Never be crofs about it. Quiet and calmnefs you have enough of a little hurry ftirs life and, Brufliing o'er, adds motion to the pool. DRYDEN. Now pool brings my matter's excavations into my head. I wonder how I mall like them ; I mould like not to fee them, till we all fee them together. He will have no waterfall to roar like the Doctor's. I fat by it yefterday, and read Erafmus's Mllitis Chrijliani Encbiri- dion. Have you got that book ? Make my compliments to dear Queeney. I fuppofe me will dance at the Rooms ; and your heart will go one knows not how. I am, deareft, and deareft Lady, Your moft humble fervant, SAM. JOHNSON. B 2 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CLXXXIV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Oftober 10, 1777. KD fo, fuppofing that I might come to town and neglect to give you notice, or thinking fome other ftrange thought, but cer- tainly thinking wrong, you fall to writing ahout me to Tom Davies, as if he could tell you any thing that I would not have you know. As foon as I came hither, I let you know of my arrival ; and the coniequence is> that I am fummoned to Brighthelrnftone through florins, and cold, and dirt, and all the hardfhips of wintry journies. You know my natural dread of all thofe evils ; yet to ihew my matter an example of compliance, and to let you know how much I long to fee you, and to boaft how little I give way to difeafe, my purpofe is to be with you on Friday. I am forry for poor Nezzy, and hope me will in time be better; I hope the fame for myfelf. The rejuvenefcency of Mr. Scrafe gives us both reafon to hope, and therefore both DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 5 both of us rejoice in his recovery. I wifh him well befides, as a friend to my mailer. I am juft come home from not feeing my Lord Mayor's mew, but I might have feen at leaft part of it. But I faw Mifs Wefley and her brothers ; me fends her compliments. Mrs. Wil- liams is come home, I think a very little better. . Every body was an enemy to that wig. We will burn it, and get drunk ; for what is joy without drink. Wagers are laid in the city about our fuccefsr, which is yet, as the French call it, problematical. Well, but feri- oufly I think I mail be glad to fee you in your , own hair ; but do not take too much time in combing, and twifling, and papering, and un- papering, and curling, and frizzing, and pow- dering, and getting out the powder, with all the other operations required in the culti- vation of a head of hair ; yet let it be combed at leaft once in three months, on the quarter- day I could wifh it might be combed once at leaft in fix weeks; if I were to indulge my willies, but what are wifhes without hopes, I mould fancy the operation performed one knows not when one has enough perhaps every morning. I am, deareft Lady, Your, B3 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CLXXXV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Oaober 13, 1777. X7ET I do love to hear from you. Such pretty kind letters as you fend; But it gives me great delight to find that my maftcr miffes me. I begin to \vifh myfelf with you more than I mould do, if I were wanted Icfs. It is a good tlrng to ftay away till one's com- pany is defired, but not fo good to ftay after it is ddired. You know I have fome work to do. I did not let to it very foon ; and if I mould go up to London with nothing done, what would be faid, but that I was who can tell what ? I therefore ftay till I can bring up fomething to flop their mouths, and then Though I am ftill at Afhbourne, I receive your dear letters that come to Lichfield, and you continue that direction, for I think to get thither as foon as I can. One DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 7 One of the does died yefterday, and I am afraid her fawn will be ftarved ; I wifh Mifs Thrale had it to nurfe ; but the Doctor is now all for cattle, and minds very little either does or hens. How did you and your aunt part ? Did you turn her out of doors to begin your jour- ney ? or did fhe leave you by her ufual fhort- nefs of vifits ? I love to know how you go on. I cannot but think on your kindnefs and my matter's. Life has, upon the whole, fallen fliort, very mort, of my early expectation ; but the acquiiition of fuch a friendfhip, at an age when new friendships are feldom acquired, is fomething better than the general courfe of things gives man a right to expect. I think on it with great delight, I am not very apt to be delighted. I am, B 4 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER GLXXXVI. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAREST LADY, Aftibourne, Od. 16, 1777. T AM juft going out, and can write but little. * How you mould be long without a letter I know not, for I feldom mils a poft. I pur- pofe now to come to London as foon as I can, for I have a deal to look after, but hope I lhall get through the whole bufmefs. I wifh you had told me your adventure, or told me nothing. Be civil to Lord * * # #, he feems to be a good kind of man. Mifs may change her mind ; and will change it, when fhe finds herfelf get more credit by dancing than by whift ; and though fhe mould continue to like, as fhe likes now, the harm is none. Do not yet begin, dear Madam, to think about the lajl. You may well dance thefe dozen years, if you keep your looks as you have DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 9 have yet kept them ; and I am glad that Hetty has no defign to dance you down. The poor P . I am forry for the girl ; fhe feems to be doomed, before her time, to weaknefs and folicitude. What, is that Bed- rider the fupervifor ? He will be up again. But life feems to be clofmg upon them. I hope you flill continue to be fick, and my dear mafter to be well. I am no fender of compliments, but take them once for all, and deliver them to be kept as rarities by Mifs Owen, Mrs. Nefbit, Mifs Hetty, and Dr. Burney. Still direct to Lichfield, for thither I am haftening ; and from Lichfield to London, and from London I hope to Brighthelmftone, and from Brighthelmftone qua terra patet. I am, deareft of all dear Ladies, Your, io LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CLXXXVII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Lichfield, OSober 22, 1777. T AM come, at laft, to Lichiield, and am really glad that I am got away from a place where there was indeed no evil, but very little good. You may, I believe, write once to Lichficld after you receive this, but after that it will be heft to direct to London. Ycur throat is, I fuppofe, well by this time. Poor Mrs. * * * * it is impofiible to think on without great compaflion. Againft a blow fo fudden, and fo unexpected, I wonder that flie fupports herfelf. The confolations of *-#### *s girls muft indeed be painful. She had intended to enjoy the triumph of her daughter's fuperiority. They were prepared to wifh them both ill, and their wiihes are gratiHed. There is in this event a kind of fyftem of calamity, or conflagration of the foul. Every avenue of pain is invaded at once. Pride is mortiiied, tendernefs is wounded, hope 8 is DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. ir is difappointed, Whither will the poor Lady run from herfelf ? My vifit to Stowhill has been paid. I have feen 'here a collection of mifery. Mrs. Afton paralytick, Mrs. WalmJQey lame, Mrs. Hervey blind, and I think another lady deaf. Even fuch is life. I hope dear Mrs. Afton is a little better; it is however very little. She was, I believe, glad to fee me ; and to have any body glad to fee me is a great pleafure. I will tell, while I think on it, that I really faw with my own eyes Mr. Chaplin of Lin- colnmire's letter for Taylor's cow, accom- panied with a draught on Hoare for one hun- dred and twenty-fix pounds to pay for her. Frank lays, the young bull is not quite fo big as the old one ; Taylor, I think, fays he is bigger. I have feen but one new place this journey and that is Leek in the Morlands. An old church, but a poor town. The days grow mort, and we have frofts ; but I am in all weathers, Madam, Your, LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CLXXXVIII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Lichfield, Oftober 25, 177-. /^HOLMONDELY'S ftory (hocks me, if it be true, \vhich I can hardly think, for I am utterly unconfcious of it ; 1 am very lorry, and very much amamed. I am here for about a week longer, and, then I purpofe to haften to London. How long do you ftay at Brighthelmftone ? Now the company is gone, why mould you be the lag? The lealon of brewing will foon be here, if it is not already come. We have here cold, weather, and loud winds, Mifs Porter is better than is ufual, and Mrs. Afton is, I hope, not worfe, but me is very bad ; and being, I fancy, about fixty-eight, is it likely that fhe will ever be better? It is really now a long time that we have been writing and writing, and yet how fmall a, part of our minds have we written ? "\Ye fliall meet, I hope, foon, and talk it out. You, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 13 You are not yet fixty-eight, but it will come, and perhaps you may then fometimes remember me. In the mean time, do not think to be young oeyond the time; do not play Agnes; and do not grow old before your time, nor fufFer yourfelf to be too foon driven from the ftage. You can yet give pleafure by your appear- ance ; fhow yourfelf therefore, and be pleafed by pleafmg. It is not now too foon to be wife ; nor is it yet too late to be gay. Streatham is now, I fuppofe, the eighth wonder of the world ; I long to fee it, but do not intend to go till, as I once faid before, my mafter, and you, and I, and nobody elfe {hall be with us perambulate it together. Cicely, I warrant you, will do well enough. I am glad you are fo fick, and nobody to pity. Now for another pretty little girl. But we know not what is beft. I am, deareft Lady, Your, P. S. Pay my refpe&s to Mifs Owen. J4 LETTERS)TO AND FROM LETTER CLXXXIX, To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Lichfield, Oaober 27, 1777. X7OU talk of writing and writing, as if you * had all the writing to yourfelf. If our correfpondence were printed, I am fure pof- terity, for pofterity is always the authour's favourite, would fay that I am a good writer too. Anctiio fono pi I tore. To fit down fo often with nothing to fay ; to fay fomething fo often, almoft without confcioufnefs of fay- ing, and without any remembrance of having faid, is a power of which I will not violate my modefly by boafting, but I do not believe that every body has it. Some, when they write to their friends, are all affecYion ; fome are wife and fenten- tious ; fome ftrain their powers for efforts of gaiety ; fome write news, and fome write fe- crets ; but to make a letter without affection, without wifdom, without gaiety, without news, and without a fecret, is, doubtlefs, the great epiftolick art. In a man's letters, you know, Madam, his foul lies naked, his letters are only the mir- rour DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 15 rour of his breaft ; whatever paflfes within him is fhown undifguifed in its natural pro- cefs ; nothing is inverted, nothing diftorted ; you fee fyftems in their elements ; you dif- cover actions in their motives. Of this great truth, founded by the know- ing to the ignorant, and fo echoed by the ignorant to the knowing, what evidence have you now before you. Is not my foul laid open in thefe veracious pages ? Do not you fee me reduced to my firft principles ? This is the pleafure of correfponding with a friend, where doubt and diftruft have no place, and every thing is faid as it is thought. The ori- ginal idea is laid down in its fimple purity, and all the fupervenient conceptions are fpread over it Jlratum fnper Jlraium^ as they happen to be formed. Thefe are the letters by which fouls are united, and by which minds naturally in unifon move each other as they are moved themfelves. I know, deareft Lady, that in the perufal of this, fuch is the confanguinity of our intellects, you will be touched as I am touched. I have indeed concealed nothing from you, nor do I expect ever to repent of having thus opened my heart. I am, 16 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CXC. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Lichfield, Oaober 29, 1777. HOUGH after my laft letter I might juftly claim an interval of reft, yet I write again to tell you, that for this turn you will hear but once more from Lichiield. This day is Wednefday, on Saturday I mall write again, and on Monday I (hall fet out to feek adventures ; for you know, None but the brave deferve the fair. On Monday we hope to fee Birmingham, the feat of the mechanick arts ; and know not whether our next ftage will be Oxford, the manfion of the liberal arts ; or London, the rcfidence of all the arts together. The chy- mifts call the world Academla Paracdfi; my ambition is to be his fellow-ftudent to fee the works of nature, and hear the lectures of truth. To London therefore London may perhaps DR. SAkUEL JOHNSON. 17 perhaps fill me ; and I hope to fill my part of London. In the mean time, let me continue to keep the part which I have had fo long in your kindnefs, and my matter's ; for if that fhould grow lefs, I know not where to find that which may fupply the diminution. But I hope what I have been fo happy as to gain I mall have the happinefs of keeping. I always omitted to tell you that Lucy's maid took the worm-powder with ftrict re- gularity, but with no great effect. Lucy has had feveral letters from you, but cannot pre- vail on herfelf to write j but me is very grate- ful. Mrs. Walmfley has been at Stowhill, and has invited me, when I come to Bath, to be at her houfe. Poor Mrs. Afton either mends not at all, or not perceptibly ; but fhe does not feem to grow worfe. I fuppofe ******** is by this time recovered, and perhaps grown wifer, than to make his conftitution fo violently a fecond time. VOL. II. C Poor i8 LETTERS TO AND FROM Poor Mrs. * * * * * ! One cannot think on her but with great companion. But it is impoffible for her hufband's daughters not to triumph ; and the hufband will feel, as Roche- foucault fays, fometbing that does not dijfileafc him. You and I, who are neutral, whom her happinefs could not have deprefled, may be honeftly forry. I am, dear Madam, Your, LETTER CXCL To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, April 30, 1778. QINCE I was fetched away from Streatham, the journal ftands thus : Saturday. Sir J. R. Sunday. Mr. Hoole. Monday, Lord Lucan. Tuefday. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 19 Tuefday.* Gen. Paoli. Wednefday. Mr. Ramfayi *Thurfday. Old Bailey. Friday. Club. Saturday. Sir J. R. Sunday. Lady Lucan* Monday. Pray let it be Streatham, and Very early ; do now let it be very early. For I may be carried away juft like Ganymede of Troy. I hope my matter grows well, and my mif- trefs continues bad. I am afraid the ladies will be gone, and I mall fay, She's gone, and never knew how much I lov'd her. Do now let me know whether you will fend for me early on Monday. But take fome care, or your letter will not come till Tuefday. I am, deareft Lady, Your, SsV. 20 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CXCIL To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAREST MADAM, Odober 15, 1778. VTou that are among all the wits, delighting and delighted, have little need of enter- tainment from me, whom you left at home unregarded and unpitied, to fhift in a world to which you have made me fo much a ftranger ; yet I know you will pretend to be angry if I do not write a letter, which, when you know the hand, you will perhaps lay afide to be read when you are dreffing to- morrow ; and which, when you have read it, if that time ever comes, you will throw away into the drawer and fay- fluff ! As to Dr. Collier's epitaph, Nollikens has had it fo long, that I have forgotten how long. You never had it. So you may fet the S s at defiance. There DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 2I There is a print of Mrs. Montague, and I fhall think myfelf very ill rewarded for my love and admiration if me does not give me one ; me will give it nobody in whom it will excite more refpe^tful fentiments. But I never could get any thing from her but by pufhing a face ; and fo, if you pleafe, you may tell her. I hope you let Mifs S know how fafe you keep her book. It was too fine for a fcholar's talons. I hope fhe gets books that ihe may handle with more freedom, and un- derftand with lefs difficulty. Do not let her forget me* When I called the other day at Burner's, I found only the young ones at home; at laft came the Doctor and Madam, from a dinner in the country, to tell how they had been robbed as they returned. The Doctor faved his purfe, but gave them three guineas and fome filver, of which they returned him three- an d-fixpence, unafked, to pay the turn- pike. I have fat twice to Sir Jofhua, and he. feems to like his own performance. He has C 3 projected 02 LETTERS TO AND FROM projected another, in which I am to be bufy; but we can think on it at leifure, Mrs. Williams is come home better, and the habitation is all concord and harmony; only Mr. Levet harbours difcontent. With Dr. Lawrence's confent, I have, for the two laft nights, taken mufk ; the firft night was a worfe night than commoYi, the fecond a better, but not fo much better as that I dare afcribe any virtue to the medi- c.ine. I took a fcruple each time, Now Mifs has feen the camp, I think flie fliould write me fome account of it. A camp, however familiarly we may fpeak of it, is one of the great fcenes of human life. War and peace divide the bufinefs of the world. Camps are the habitations of thofe who conquer king^ doms, or defend them. But what are wits, and pictures, and camps, and phyfick ? There is ftill a nearer concern to moft of us. Is my matter come to him- felf? Does he talk, and 'walk, and look about him, as if there were yet fomething in the world for which it is worth while to live? Or does he yet lit and fay nothing ? He was mending DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 23 mending before he went, and furely he has not relapfed. To grieve for evils is often wrong ; but it is much more wrong to grieve without them. All forrow that lafts longer than its caufe is morbid, and fhould be fhaken off as an attack of melancholy, as the fore- runner of a greater evil than poverty or pain. I never faid with Dr. Dodd that / love to prattle upon paper, but I have prattled now till the paper will not hold much more than my good wifhes, which I fmcerely fend you. I am, 24 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CXCIIL To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAREST LADY, London, Oflober 24, 1778. T HAVE written Mifs fuch a long letter, that I cannot tell how foon I fhall be weary of writing another, having made no new dif- coveries fince my laft, either in art or nature, which may not be kept till we fee each other; and fare that time is not far off. The Djichefs is a good Duchefs for courting you while me ftays, and for not ftaying to court you, till my courtfhip lofes all its value. You are there as I would have you, except your humours. When my matter grows well, mud you take your turn to be melancholy ? You appear to me to be now floating on the fpring- tide of profperity ; on a tide not governed by the moon, but as the moon governs your heads ; on a tide therefore which is never likely to ebb but by your own faults. I think it very probably in your power to lay up eight thoufand pounds a-year for every year to DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 25 to come, encreafing all the time, what needs not be encreafed, the fplendour of all external appearance. And furely fuch a ftate is not to be put into yearly hazard for the pleafure of keeping the houfe /#//, or the ambition of outbrewing Whitbread. Stop now and you are fafe ftop a few years and you may go fafely on hereafter, if to go on ihall feem worth the while. I am forry for Mrs. * * * * ; we never could make any thing of the lawyer, when we had him among us. * * * * has got fome vanity in her head. Vanity always overfets a lady's judgment. I have not told, unlefs it be Williams, and I do not know that I have told her. If Streatfield has a little kind- nefs for me, I am glad. 1 call now and then on the Burney's, where you are at the top of mortality. When will you come home? Two days ago Dr. Lawrence ordered a new medicine, which 1 think to try to-night, but my hopes are not high. I mean to try how- ever, and not languifh without reliftance. Young Defmoulines is taken in an under- fomething of Drury-lane ; he knows not, I be- lieve, his own denomination. 7 My 26 LETTERS TO AND FROM My two clerical friends, Darby and Wor- thington, have both died this month. I have known Worthington long, and to die is dread- ful. I believe he was a very good man. I am, LETTER CXCIV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Oflober 31, 1778. XT' OUR letter feemed very long a- coming, and was very welcome at laft ; do not be fo long again. Long live Sir John Shelly, that lures my matter to hunt. I hope he will foon fhake off the black dog, and come home as light as a feather. And long live Mrs. G , that downs my miftrefs. I hope me will come home as flexible as a rum. I fee my wifti is rather ambiguous, it is to my miftrefs that I wifli flexibility. As to the imitation imputed to DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 27 to Mrs. G , if fhe makes any thing like a copy, her powers of imitation are very great, for I do not remember that {he ever faw me but once. If fhe copies me (he will lofe more credit by want of judgment than fhe will gain by quicknefs of apprehenfion. Of Mrs. B I have no remembrance ; perhaps her voice is low. Mifs * * * * is j uft gone from me. I told her how you took to them all ; but told her likewife how you took to Mifs * * * #. All poifons have their antidotes. Sir Jofhua has finifhed my picture, and it feems to pleafe every body, but I fhall wait to fee how it pleafes you. Of your conditions of happinefs, do not fet your heart upon any but what Providence puts in your own power. Your debts you may pay much you may lay up. The reft you can only pray for. Of your daughters, three are out of the danger of children's dif- tempers, the other two have hardly yet tried whether they can live or no. You ought not yet to count them among , your fettled pof- Jeffions. Is 2g LETTERS TO AND FROM Is it true that Mrs. D is enceinte * It will give her great influence. To-day Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Defmou- lines had a fcold, and Williams was going away, but I bid her not turn fo/7, and fhe came back, and rather got the upper hand. I wifh you would come back again to us all ; you will find nobody among yorr fine ladies that will love you as you are loved by, Deareft Lady, Your, LETTER CXCV. To Mrs. T H R A L E, DEAR MADAM, Nov. 9, 1778. THE Lord Mayor has had a diiinal day. Will not this weather drive you home ? Perhaps you know not any body that will be glad to fee you. I hope our well will yield water again, and fomething fuller you will find the pond ; but then all the trees are naked, and the ground damp but the year muft go round. White DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 29 While you are away I take great delight in your letters, only when you talk fb much of obligations to me, you fhould confider how much you put me into the condition of bonejl Jofeph. Young Defmoulines thinks he has got fome- thing, he knows not what, at Drury-lane ; his mother talks little of it. Sure it is not a humm ? Mr. Levet, who thinks his ancient rights invaded, ftands at bay, Jierce as ten furies. Mrs. Williams growls and fcolds, but Poll does not much flinch. Every body is in want. I mail be glad to fee Streatham again, but I can find no reafon for going to Bright- helmftone, but that of feeing my mafter and you three days fooner. am 30 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CXCVI. Mrs. THRALE to Dr. JOHNSON. Brighthelmftone, Nov. u, 1778. You are very kind, dear Sir, in wifhing us at home, and we are very much obliged to you for all your good wifhes, and all your good help towards our happinefs ; notwithftanding the worthy parallel you draw between yourfelf and honeft Jofeph. That letter in Clariffa was always a favourite of mine 'tis nature, 'tis truth, and what I de- light in ftill more, 'tis general nature, not particular manners, that Richardfon reprefents: Honeft Jofeph, and Pamela's old father and mother, are tranflatable, not like Fielding's fat landladies, who all fpeak the Wiltfhire dialed: arrow man, or arrow woman, in- ftead of eer a man and eer a woman. Such minute attentions to things fcarce worth at- tending to, are at beft, excellencies of a meaner kind, and moft worthy the partiality of him who collects Dutch paintings in pre- ference DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 31 ference to the Italian fchool. But I dare not add another word on this fubject, though you are a Richardfonian yourfelf. With regard to coining home, en lo que toca al rebufnar^ as Sancho fays ; I have leave to be explicit. Burney mall bring you on the 26th ; fo now we may talk about Richardibn and Fielding if we will, or of any thing elfe but coming home; for did not wife UlyfTes go to fleep as foon as he was within fight of his own country, which he had hunted no lefs than ten long years ? And does not the Irifhman, when at half the earth's diameter from his miftrefs, cry out, Ah I my dear Sbee- lah O'Sbalah) were I once within forty miles of tbofe pretty eyes, I would never defire to be nearer them in all my life? So why fhould not I, after fretting to come home ever fince we came hither, though I never faid fo why mould not I, now the day is fixed forget and think no more on't ? That, fays Mr. Johnfon, is a bad place of which the beft good thing is bad weather yet that is true of Brighthelmftone this Autumn ; and laft week we had fome florins that were very fublime. To fee the fhip how me fought, as 5 the 3 2 LETTERS TO AND FROM the Clown fays, and the fea how he flap-dra- goned it, was a fine fight to us fafely ported obfervers Suave marl magno, &c. And what are Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Defmoulines com- pared to the winds and the waves ? There are horn lanthcrns (you remember) and paper lanthorns, but what are they when oppofcd to the fun and the moon ? Winter is coming on apace, that's certain ; and it will be three months at leaft that we fhall live without the fight of either leaf or blofibm ; we will try good fires and good humour, and make our- felves all the amends we can. / have loft more than Spring and Summer / have loft what made my happinefs in all feafons of the year ; but the black dog fhall not make prey of both my mafter and myfelf. Much is gone What then remains, but well what's left to ufe? And keep good humour Hill, whatever we lofe. The fpeech in this place is, how we efcape the melancholy months that fliew a decaying year, becaufe there are no leaves to fall for- footh. But don't you know April from No- vember without trees ? Methinks, wanting woods to tell the feafons, is as bad as wanting a wea- DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 33 a weathercock to know which way the wind blows. Here is Mr. * * * * #, however who talks all about tafte, and dailies, and country cuftoms, and rural fports, with rap- ture, which he perhaps fancies unaffected was riding by our chaife on the Downs yef- terday, and faid, becaufe the fun fhone, that one could not perceive it was Autumn, for, fays he, there is not one tree in fight to fhew us the fall of the leaf; and hark! how that fweet bird fings, continued he, juft like the firft week in May. No, no, replied I, that's nothing but a poor robin-redbreaft, whofe chill wintry note tells the feafon too plainly, without affiftance from the vegetable king- dom. Why, you amaze me, quoth our friend, I had no notion of that. Yet Mrs. * * * * fays, this man is a natural converfer, and Mrs. * * * * is an honourable lady. My matter is a good man, and a generous, he has made me fome valuable prefents here ; and he fwims now, and forgets the black dog. Mr. Murphy is a man whofe eft'eem every one muft be proud of; I wrote to him about Evelina two days ago. VOL. II. D Mr. 34 LETTERS TO AND FROM Mr. Scrafe is the comfort of our lives here. Driven from bufmeis by ill health, he con^ centrates his powers now to ferve private friends. For true vigour of mind, for inva- riable attachment to thofe he has long loved, for penetration to find the right way, and fpirit to purfue it, I have feen none exceed him. How much more valuable is fuch a character than that of a polite fcholar, your belles lettres man, who would never have known that bees made honey, had not Vir- gil written his Georgicks ? Your vifiting ticket has been left very com- pletely in Wales. Was it the fafhion to leave cards in Prior's time ? I thought not Yet he fecms to allude to the cuftom, when he fays, People Should in life's vifit leave their name; And in the writing take great care That all was full, and round, and fair. The Welch, I once told you, would never be ungrateful a-propos, I am not myfelf half grateful enough to Mr. Fitzmaurice, for his unfought and undeferved civilities towards me, concerning my old houfe and pictures in Wales. Though you defpife them, you do not, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 35 not, I am fure, defpife me for defiring that he mould be pleafed. So now do pray help to difcharge fome of my debts of politenefs, and write him a pretty letter on his fon's birth and get it finimed, figned, fealed, and delivered at furtheft before the boy comes of age, if you can. My friend #- * # * is dying, fure enough ; but dear Mrs. * * * * * need be in no con- cern for his future (late, on the fame fcore (he trembled for her hufband's : do you remem- ber how prettily me congratulated me that my mother would go to heaven, while poor , fays me, God knows what will become of him ! for if it were not for the Mayoril he would never have known Chriflmas from Whitfuntide. Ah ! dear Sir, and don't you think I prize you more, now I have loft my laft furviving parent ? Such a parent ! Yes, yes one may have twenty children, but amor defcendit) it is by one's father and mother alone that one is loved. I, poor folitary wretch ! have no regard now from any one, except what I can purchafe by good behavi- our, or flattery, or inceffant fatigue of atten- tion, and be worked at befides, fick or well, with intolerable diligence, or elfe I lofe even D 2 you, 36 LETTERS TO AND FROM you, whom I daily efteem more, as I fee the virtue of fome fo diluted by folly, and the underflanding of others fo tainted by vice. I am now far from happy, yet I drefs, and dance, and do my beft to mew others how merry I am. It is the Winter robin that twitters though, not the Summer throftle that lings. I long to come home, but wherever I am depend on my being ever, DEAR SIR, Your moft obedient fervant, H. L. T H R A L E., Mr. Scrafe gives us fine fruit; I wiihed yon my pear yefterday, but then: what would pear have done for you ? DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 37 LETTER CXCVII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAREST MADAM, Nov. 14, 1778. >~ipHEN I really think I {hall be very glad to * fee you all fafe at home. 1 fhall eafily forgive my mafter his long ftay, if he leaves the dog behind him. We will watch, as well as we can, that the dog fhall never be let in again, for when he comes the firft thing he does is to worry my mafter. This time he gnawed him to the bone. Content, faid Rider's almanack, makes a man richer than the In- dies. But furely he that has the Indies in his pofleffion, may without very much philofo- phy make himfelf content. So much for my mafter and his dog, a vile one it is, but I hope if he is not hanged he is drowned ; with an- other lufty (hake he will pick my mafter's heart out. T have begun to take valerian ; the two laft nights I took an ounce each night a very loathfome quantity. Dr. Lawrence talked of a decoction, but I fay, all or nothing. The D 3 firft 3 8 LETTERS TO AND FROM firft night I thought myfelf better, but the next it did me no good. Young Defmoulines fays, he is fettled at a weekly pay of twenty-live millings, about forty pounds a-year. Mr. Macbean has no bufmefs. We have tolerable concord at home? but no love. Williams hates every body. Levet hates Defmoulines, and does not love Williams. Defmoulines hates them both. Poll loves none of them. Dr. Burney had the luck to go to Oxford the only week in the year when the library is fhut up. He was however very kindly treated; as one man is tranflating Arabick, and another WeWh, for his fervice. Murphy told me that you wrote to him about Evelina. Francis wants to read it. And on the 26th Burney is to bring me. Pray why fo ? Is it not as fit that I mould bring Burney ? My matter is in his old lunes, and fo am I. Well, I do not much care how it is, and yet at it again. Pray make my compliments to Mr. Scrafe. He has many things which I wiih to have, his knowledge of bufmefs and of the law. He has likewife a great chair. Such an one my Matter' DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 39 Mafter talked of getting ; but that vile black dog Mrs. Queeney might write to me, and do herfelf no harm ; me will neglect me till I mail take to Sufy, and then Queeney may break her heart, and who can be blamed ? I am fure I ftuck to Queeney as long as I could. Does not Mafter talk how full his canal will be when he comes home. Now or never. I know not how the foil was laid ; if it flopes towards the canal, it may pour in a great deal of water, but I fufpect it flopes the wrong way. This is but the fourteenth day ; there are twelve more to the twenty-fixth. Did you ever hear of notching a ftick ? however we have it in Horace truditur dies die-, as twelve days have gone, twelve days will come. Hector of Birmingham juft looked in at me. He is come to his only niece, who is ill of a cancer ; I believe with very litde hope, for it is knotted in two places. I think at leaft I grow no worfe ; perhaps valerian may make me better. Let me have your prayers. I am, deareft Lady, Your, D 4 40 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CXCVIII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Nov. 21, 1778. I WILL write to you once more before you, come away ; but nil mlhl rcfcribas I hope foOn to fee you. Burney and I have fettled it ; and I will not take a poft-chaife, merely to mew my independence. Now the dog is drowned, I mall fee both you and my matter juft as you are ufcd to be, and with your being as you have been, your friends may very reafonably be fatisned. Only, be better if you can. Return my thanks, if you pleafe, to Queeney for her letter. I do not yet defign to leave her for Sufy ; but how near is the time when fhe will leave me, and leave me to Sufy, or any body elfe that will pick me up. Currit enim ferox /Etas, et illi, quos tibi demfcrir, Apponet annos. Queeney, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 41 Queeney, whom you watched while I held her, will foon think our care of her very fuperfluous. Mifs Biron, and, I fuppofe, Mrs. Biron, is gone. You are by this time left alone to wander over the Steine, and liften to the waves. This is but a dull life. Come away and be biify, and count your poultry, and look into your dairy, and at leifure hours learn what revolutions have happened at Strea- tham. I believe I told you that Jack Defmoulines is rated upon the book at Drury-lane five- and-twenty {hillings a-week. Baretti has told his mufical fcheme to B , and B will neither grant the quejlion nor deny. He is of opinion, that if it does not fail it will fucceed, but if it does not fucceed he conceives it muft fail. It is good to fpeak dubioufly about futurity, Jt is likewife not amifs to hope. Did I ever tell you that ***** was married ? It fo fell out, that ***** fell in love with a girl whofe fortune was fo imall that he perhaps could not mention it to his 9 42 LETTERS TO AND FROM his father ; but it happened likewife, by the lottery of love, that the father liked her fo well, as himfelf to recommend her to * * * #. Such coincidence is rare. Come now, do come home as fail as you can Come with a whoop, come with a call, Come with a good will, or come not at all. I am, LETTER CXCIX. To Mrs. T H R A L E. March 10, 1779. ND fo, dear Madam, it is a mumm to fee who will (peak firfl. I will come to fee you on Saturday, only let me know whether I mud come to the Borough, or am to be taken up here. Baretti's golden dream is now but filver. He is of my mind ; he fays, there is no money for diverfions. But we make an- other \ DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 43 other onfet on Friday, and this is to be the laft time this feafon. I got my Lives, not yet quite printed, put neatly together, arid fent them to the King ; what he fays of them I know not. If the King is a Whig, he will not like them ; but is any king a Whig ? So far had I gone, when in came Mr. Thrale, who will have the honour of bring- ing it. I am, LETTER CC. To Mrs. THRALE. DEAR MADAM, March 18, 1779, ^T^HERE is fome comfort in writing, when ** fiich praife is to be had. Plato is a mul- titude. On Monday I came late to Mrs.. Vefey. Mrs. Montague was there ; I called for the print, and got good words. The evening was not brilliant, but I had thanks for my com- 7 pany. 44 LETTERS TO AND FROM pany. The night was troublefome. On Tuefday I failed, and went to the Dodor : he ordered bleeding. On Wednefday I had the teapot, faded, and was blooded. Wednefday night was better. To-day I have dined at Mr. Strahan's at lilington, with his new wife. To-night there will be opium. To-morrow the teapot. Then heigh for Saturday. I wifh the Dodtor would bleed me again. Yet every body that I meet fays that I look better than when I was laft met. I am, deareft Lady, Your, LETTER CCI. To Mrs. T H R A L E. , DEAR MADAM, May 20, 1779. E viciffitudes of things, and the eddic^ of life, are now carrying you fouthward, and me northward. When ihall we meet again ? I muft beg of you to fend Mr. Watfon's papers to my houfe, directed for him, and fealed DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 4$ fealed up. I know not whether he does not think himfelf in danger of piracy. Take care that Sufy fees all that Sophy has feen, that fhe may tell her travels, and give them a tafte of the world. And take care, and write to me very often, till we meet again ; and keep Mailer in good thoughts of me. Vale. LETTER CCII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. MADAM, Lichfield, May 29, ijjg. y HAVE new been here a week, and will try * to give you my journal, or fuch parts of it as are fit in my mind for communication. On Friday. We fet out about twelve, and lay at Daventry. On Saturday. We dined with Mr. Rarm at Coventry. He intercepted us at the town's end. I faw Tom Johnfon, who had hardly life to know that I was wlch him. I hear he is fmce dead. In the evening I came to Lucy, 46 LETTERS TO AND FROM Lucy, and walked to Stowhill ; Mrs. Aftofi was gone or going to bed ; I did not fee her. Sunday. After dinner I went to Stowhill, and was very kindly received. At night I faw my old friend Brodhurft you know him the play-fellow of my infancy, and gave him a guinea. Monday. Dr. Taylor came, and we went with Mrs. Cobb to Greenhill Bower. I had not feen it perhaps for fifty years. It is much degenerated. Every thing grows old. Tay- lor is to fetch me next Saturday. Mr. Green came to fee us, and I ordered fome phyfick. Tuefday. Phyfick, and a little company. I dined, I think, with Lucy both Monday and Tuefday. Wednefday. | I had a few vifits, from Peter Thurfday. j Garrick among the reft, and dined at Stowhill. My breath very fhort. Friday. I dined at Stowhill. I have taken phyfick four days together. Saturday. Mrs. Afton took me out in her chaifc, and was very kind. I dined with Mrs. Cobb, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 47 Cobb, and came to Lucy, with whom I found, as I had done the firft day, Lady Smith and Mifs Vyfe. This is the courfe of rny life. You do not think it much makes me forget Streatham. However it is good to wander a little, left one fhould dream that all the world was Streatham, of which one may venture to fay, none but //* f df can be its parallel. I am, Effr. LETTER GCIII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Afhbourne, June 14, 1779. uR account of Mr. Thrale's illhefs is very terrible ; but when I remember that he feems to have it peculiar to his conftitution, that whatever diflemper he has, he always has his head affected, I am lefs frighted. The feizure was, I think, not apopledical, but hy- arid therefore not dangerous to life. I would 48 LETTERS TO AND FROM I would have you however confult fuch phy- ficians as you think you can beft truft. Brom- field feems to have done well, and by his practice appears not to fufpect an apoplexy. That is a folid and fundamental comfort. I remember Dr. Marfigli, an Italian phyfician, whofe feizure was more violent than Mr. Thrale's, for he fell down helplefs, but his cafe was not confidered as of much danger, and he went fafe home, and is now a pro- feflbr at Padua. His fit was confidered as only hyfterical. I hope Sir Philip, who franked your letter, comforts you as well as Mr. Seward. If I can comfort you, I will come to you, but I hope you are now no longer in want of any help to be happy. I am, GJV. The Doctor fends his compliments ; he is one of the people that are growing old. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 49 LETTER CCIV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Afhbourne, June 14, 1779. "TTOW near we all are to extreme danger. " We are merry or fad, or bufy or idle, and forget that death is hovering over us. You are a dear lady for writing again. The cafe, as you now defcribe it, is worfe than I conceived it when I read your firft letter. It is ftill however not apoplectick, but feems to have fomething worfe than hyfterical, a ten- dency to a palfy, which I hope however is now over. I am glad that you have Heber- den, and hope we are all fafer. I am the more alarmed by this violent feizure, as I can im- pute it to no wrong practices, or intemperance of any kind, and therefore know not how any defence or prefervative can be obtained. Mr. Thrale has certainly lefs exercife than when he followed the foxes, but he is very far from unwieldinefs or inactivity, and further VOL. II. E 50 LETTERS TO AND FROM ftill from any vicious or dangerous excefs. I fancy, however, he will do well to ride more. Do, dear Madam, let me know every poft how he goes on. Such fudden violence is very dreadful ; we know not by what it is let loofe upon us, nor by what its effects are li- mited. If my coming can either aflift or divert, or be ufeful to any purpofe, let me but know. I will foon be with you. Mrs. Kennedy, Queeney's Baucis, ended laft week a long life of difeafe and poverty. She had been married about fifty years. Dr. Taylor is not much amifs, but always complaining. I am, P. S. Direct the next to Lichfield. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. LETTER CCV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Afhbourne, June 17, T T is certain that your firfl letter did not alarm me in proportion to the danger, for indeed it did not defcribe the danger as it was. I am glad that you have Heberden, and hope his reftoratives and his prefer- vatives will both be effectual. In the pre- fervatives dear Mr. Thrale muft concur ; yet what can he reform ? or what can he add to his regularity and temperance ? He can only deep lefs. We will do, however, all we can. I go to Lichfield to-morrow, with intent to haften to Streatham. Both Mrs. Afton and Dr. Taylor have had ftrokes of the palfy. The Lady was fixty- eight, and at that age has gained ground upon it ; the Doctor is, you know, not young, and he is quite well, only fufpicious of every fen- fation in the peccant arm. I hope my dear E 2 mafter's matter's cafe is yet flighter, and that as his age is lefs, his recovery will be more perfect. Let him keep his thoughts diverted, and his mind eafy. I am, deareft and deareft, Your, To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Lichfield, June 19, 1779. XT THETHER it was that your defcription of ** dear Mr. Thrale's diforder was indif- tinft, or that I am not ready at gueffing cala- mity, ! certainly did not know our danger our danger, for fure I have a part in it, till that danger was abated. I am glad that Dr. Heberden, and that you perceive fo plainly his recovery. He cer- tainty will riot be without any warning that I can give him againfl pernicious practices. His proportion of flcep, if he flept in the night, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 53 night, was doubtlefs very uncommon ; but I do not think that he flept himfelf into a palfy. But perhaps a lethargick is likewife a paraly- tical difpofition. We will watch him as well as we can. I have known a man, who had a flroke like this, die forty years afterward without another. I hope we have now no- thing to fear, or no more than is unalterably involved in the life of man. I begin now to let loofe my mind after Queeney and Burney. I hope they are both well. It will not be long before I mail be among you ; and it is a very great degree of pleafure to hope that I mail be welcome. I am, dear Madam, Your, Sff. LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCVIT. To Mr. T H R A L E. DEAR SIR, Liclifield, June 23, 1779. "^O (hew you how well I think of your health, I have fent you an hundred pounds to keep for me. It will come with- in one day of quarter day, and that day you muft give me. I came by it in a very un- common manner, and would not confound it with the reft. My wicked miftrefs talks as if fhe thought it poilible for me to be indifferent or negli- gent about your health or hers. If I could have done any good, I had not delayed an hour to come to you, and I will come very foon to try if my advice can be of any ufe, or my company of any entertainment. What can be done you muft do for your- felf; do not let any uneafy thought fettle in your mind. Cheerfulnefs and exercife are your great remedies. Nothing is for the pre- 7 fent DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 55 fent worth your anxiety. Vivite lat'i is one of the great rules of health. I believe it will be good to ride often, but never to wearinefs, for wearinefs is itfelf a temporary refolution of the nerves, and is therefore to be avoided. Labour is exercife continued to fatigue ex- ercife is labour ufed only while it produces pleafure. Above all, keep your mind quiet, do not think with earneftnefs even of your health, but think on fuch things as may pleafe without too much agitation ; among which I hope is> dear Sir, Your, LETTER CCVIII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Jane 24, 1779. CHOUGH I wrote yefterday to Mr. Thrale, I think I muft write this day to you ; and I hope this will be the laft letter, for I am coming up as faft as I can ; but to go down coft me feven guineas, and I am loth to come back at the fame charge. E 4 You 56 LETTERS TO AND FROM You really do not ufe me well in thinking that I am in lefs pain on this occafion than I ought to be. There is nobody left for me to care about but you and my mafter, and I have now for many years known the value of his friendship, and the importance of his life, too well not to have him very near my heart. I did not at firft underftand his danger, and when I knew it, I was told likewife that it was over and over I hope it is for ever. I have known a man feized in the fame man- ner, who, though very irregular and intem- perate, was never feized again. Do what you can, however, to keep my mafter cheerful, and flightly bufy, till his health is confirmed ; and if we can be fure of that, let Mr. Perkins go to Ireland and come back as opportunity offers, or neceffity requires, and keep yourfelf airy, and be a funny little tb'wg. i I am, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 57 LETTER CCIX. To Mr. T H R A L E. DEAR SIR, July 15, 1779. HOUGH I wrote yefterday to my miflrefs, I cannot forbear writing immediately to you, my fmcere congratulation upon your recovery from fo much diforder, and your efcape from fo much danger. I mould have had a very heavy part in the misfortune of lofmg you, for it is not likely that I mould ever find fuch another friend, and proportion- ate at leaft to my fear muft be my pleafure. As I know not that you brought this dif- cafe upon yourfelf by any irregularity, I have no advice to give you. I can only wifh, and I wifh it fincerely, that you may live long and happily, and long count among thofe that love you heft, dear Sir, Your, 58 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCX. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Monday, Oil. 4, 1779. I HAD intended to fend you fuch a card as I have inclofed, when I was alarmed by hearing that my fervant had told in the houfe, for fervants never tell their matters, his opi- nion that for the two laft days Mr. Thrale was vifibly worfe. His eyes are keen, and his attention upon fuch occafions vigorous enough. I therefore earneftly wifh, that before you fet out, even though you ihould lofe a day, you would go together to Heberden, and fee what advice he will give you. In this doubt- ful pendulous ftate of the diftemper, ad- vice may do much ; and phyficians, be their power lefs or more, are the only refuge that we have in ficknefs. I wifh you would do yet more, and propofe to Heberden a conful- tation with fome other of the doctors ; and if Lawrence is at prefent fit for bufmefs, I wifh he DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 59 he might be called, but call fomebody. As you make yourfelves of more importance, you will be more confidered. Do not go away with any reafon to tax yourfelves with negli- gence. You are in a ftate in which nothing that can be done ought to be omitted. We now do right or wrong for a great flake. You may fend the children and nurfes for- ward to-morrow, and go yourfelves on Wed- nefday. Little things muft not now be minded, and leaft of all muft you mind a little money. What the world has is to be fold, and to be enjoyed by thofe that will pay its price. Do not give Heberden a fmgle guinea, and fubfcribe a hundred to keep out the French ; we have an invafion more formid- able, and an enemy lefs refiflible by power, and lefs avoidable by flignt. I have now done my duty. Your, 60 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCXI. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, oa. 5 , 1779. TT7HEN Mr. Bofwell waited on Mr. Thrale * * in South wark, I directed him to watch all appearances with clofe attention, and bring me his obfervations. At his return he told me, that without previous intelligence he fhould not have difcovered that Mr. Thrale had been lately ill. It appears to me that Mr. Thrale's difordcr, whether grumous or ferous, muft be cured by bleeding ; and I would not have him begin a courfe of exercife without coniiderable eva- cuation. To encreafe the force of the blood, unlefs it be firfl diluted and attenuated, may be dangerous. But the cafe is too important for my theory. The weaknefs in my ankles left them for a day, but has now turned to a pain in my toe, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 61 toe, much like that at Brighthelmftone. It is not bad, nor much more than troublefome ; I hope it will not be greater, nor laft long. You all go with the good wifhes of, dear Madam, Your, LETTER CCXII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, Oa. 8, 1779. T BEGIN to be frighted at your omiffion to write ; do not torment me any longer, but let me know where you are, how you got thither, how you live there, and every thing elfe that one friend loves to know of another. I will mow you the way. On Sunday the gout left my ankles, and I went very commodioufly to church. On Monday night I felt my feet uneafy. On Tuefday I was quite lame. That night I took an opiate, having firft taken phyfick and fafted. Towards morning on Wednefday the pain re- mitted. 62 LETTERS TO AND FROM mitted. Bozzy came to me, and much talk we had. I fafted another day ; and on Wed- nefday night could walk tolerably. On Thurfday, finding myfelf mending, I ventured on my dinner, which I think has a little in- terrupted my convalefcence. To-day I have again taken phyfick, and eaten only fome ftewed apples* I hope to ftarve it away. It is now no worfe than it was at Brighthelm- ftone. This, Madam, is the hiftory of one of my toes ; the hiftory of my head would perhaps be much fhorter. I thought it was the gout on Saturday. It has already loft me two din- ners abroad, but then I have not been at much more charges, for I have eaten little at home. Surely I (hall have a letter to-morrow. I am, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 6j LETTER CCXIII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, Oft. n, 1779. T THOUGHT it very long till I heard from you, * having fent a fecond letter to Ttmbridge, which 1 believe you cannot have received. I do not fee why you mould trouble yourfelf with phyficians while Mr. Thrale grows bet- ter. Company and buftle will,. I hope, com- plete his cure. Let him gallop over the Downs in the morning, call his friends about him to dinner, and frilk in the rooms at night, and outrun time and outface misfor- tune. Notwithftanding all authorities againft bleed- ing, Mr. Thrale bled himfelf well ten days ago. You will lead a jolly life, and perhaps think little of me ; but I have been invited twice to Mrs. Vefey's converfation, but have not gone. The gout that was in my ankles when Queeney 64 LETTERS TO AND FROM 'Queeney criticifed my gait, pafTed into my toe, but I have hunted it, and ftarved it, and it makes no figure. It has drawn fome atten- tion, for Lord and Lady Lucan fent to en- quire after me. This is all the news that I have to tell you. Yefterday I dined with Mr. Strahan, and Bofwell was there. We mall be both to-morrow at Mr. Ramfay's. Now fure I have told you quite all, unlefs you yet want to be told that I am, LETTER CCXIV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Od. 16, 1777. E advice given you by Dr. Pepys agrees very exactly with my notions. I would not bleed but in exigencies. Riding and cheerfulnefs will, I hope, do all the bufmefs. AH alive and merry, muft be my matter's motto. How did you light on your fpecifick for the tooth-ach ? You have now been troubled with DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 65 with it lefs. I am glad you are at laft re- lieved. You fay nothing of the younglings ; I hope they are not fpoiled with the pleafures of Brighthelmfton, a dangerous place, we were told, for children. You will do well to keep them out of harm's way. From the younglings let me pafs to a vete- ran ; you tell me nothing of Mr. S ; I hope he is well, and cheerful and communi- cative. Does Mr. Thrale go and talk with him, and do you run in and out ? You may both be the better for his converfation. I am forry for poor Thomas, who was a decent and civil man. It is hard that he fhould be overwhelmed by a new-comer. But thou by fome other JJjalt be laid as low. Bowen's day may come. A finer fhop may be eredted, kept by yet a fairer man, and crowded by greater numbers of fine gentle- men and fine ladies. My foot gives me very little trouble ; but it is not yet well. I have dined, fince you faw me, not fo often as once in two days. But I am told how well I look ; and I really think I get more mobility. I dined on Tuef- day 66 LETTERS TO AND FROM day with Ramfay, and on Thurfday with Paoli, who talked of coming to fee you, till I told him of your migration. Mrs. Williams is not yet returned ; but difcord and difcontent reign in my humble habitation as in the palaces of monarchs. Mr. Levet and Mrs. Defmoulins have vowed eternal hate. Levet is the more inlidious, and wants me to turn her out. Poor Williams writes word that (lie is no better, and has left off her phyfick. Mr. Levet has feen Dr. Lewis, who declares himfelf hopelefs of doing her any good. Lawrence defponded fomc time ago. I thought I had a little fever fome time, but it feems to be ftarved away, Bozzy fays, he never law me fo well. I hope you will fay the fame when you fee me : methinks it will be pleafant to fee you all there is no dan- ger of my forgetting you. Only keep or grow all well, and then I hope our meeting will be happy. I am, )k. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 67 LETTER CCXV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Oftober 21, UR treatment of little * * * * was uri- * doubtedly right ; when there is fo ftrong a reafon againft any thing as unconquerable terrour, there ought furely to be fome weighty reafon for it before it is done. But for put- ting into the water a child already well, it is not very eafy to find any reafon ftrong or weak. That the nurfes fretted, will fupply me during life with an additional motive to keep every child, as far as is poffible, out of a nurfe's power. A nurfe made of common mould will have a pride in overpowering a child's reluctance. There are few minds to which tyranny is not delightful ; power is nothing but as it is felt, and the delight of fuperiority is proportionate to the refiftance overcome. I walked yeflerday to Covent-garden, and feel to-day neither pain nor weaknefs. Send F 2 me. 68 LETTERS TO AND FROM me, if you can, fuch an account of yourfelf and my matter. Sir Philip fent me word that he mould be in town, but he has not yet called. Yefter- day came Lady Lucan and Mifs Bingham, and me faid it was the firft. vifit that me had paid. Your, new friend Mr. Bowen, who has fold fifty fets, had but thirty to fell, and I am afraid has yet a let or two for a friend. There is a great deal of fallacy in this world. I hope you do not teach the company wholly to forfake poor Thomas. The want of company is an inconvenience, but Mr. Cumberland is a million. Make the moft of what you have. Send my matter out to hunt in the morning, and to walk the rooms in the evening; and bring him as act- ive as a ftag on the mountain, back to the borough. When he is in motion he is mend- ing. The young ones are very good in minding their book. If I do not make fomething of them, "'twill rcflcft upon me, as I knew not my trade ; for their parts are fufficiently known, and every body will have a better opinion of their DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 69 their induftry than of mine. However, I , hope when they come back, to accuftom them to more leflbns. Your account of Mr. Scrafe gives me no delight. He was a friend upon all occafions, whether afliilance was wanted from the purfe or the underftanding. When he k gone, our barrier againft calamity is weakened ; and we muft act with caution, or we mall be in more danger. Confult him, while his advice is yet to be had. What makes C hate B . D is indeed a rival, and can upon occafion pro- voke a bugle. But what has B done? Does he not like her look ? * * * * * has pafled one evening with me. He has made great difcoveries in a li- brary at Cambridge, and he finds ib many precious materials, that his book muft be a porter's load. He has fent me another meet. I am, dearcft of all dear Ladies, Your, 70 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCXVI. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, Oaober 25, 1779, T ET me repair an injury done by mifin- formation to Mr. Bowen. He had at firft indeed only thirty, that is, two (hares ; but he afterwards purchafed two {hares more. So all that he fays I fuppofe is true. On Saturday I walked to Dover-ftreet, and back. Yefterday I dined with Sir Jofhua. There was Mr. Elliot of Cornwall, who en- quired after my mafter. At night I was be- fpoken by Lady Lucan ; but me was taken ill, and the aflembly was put off. I am to dine with Renny to-morrow. I hope Mr. Thrale fcours the country after the early horn, and at night flutters about the rooms, and once a-day makes a lufty dinner. I eat meat but once in two days, at moft but four times a-week, reckoning feveral weeks together ; for it is neither necefTary nor prudent to be nice in regimen. Renny told me DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 71 me yefterday, that I look better than when Ihe knew me firft. It is now paft the poftman's time, and I have no letter ; and that is not well done, be- caufe I long for a letter ; and you fhould al- ways let me know whether you and Mr. Thrale, and all the reft, are or are not well. Do not ferve me fo often, becaufe your filence is always a difappointment. Some old gentlewomen at the next door are in very great diftrefs. Their little annuity comes from Jamaica, and is therefore uncer- tain ; and one of them has had a fall, and both are very helplefs ; and the poor have you to help them. Perfuade my mafter to let me give them fomething for him. It will be be- llowed upon real want. I hope all the younglings go on well, that the eldeft are very prudent, and the reil very merry. We are to be merry but a little while ; Prudence foon comes to fpoil our mirth. Old Times have bequeathed us a pre- cept, to be merry and wife, but who has been able to obferve it. There is a very furious fellow writing with eaight and main againft the life of Milton. I am, F 4 72 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCXVII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, Oaober 28, 1779, COME days before our laft feparation, Mr, Thrale and I had one evening an earned difcourfe about the bufmefs with Mr. Scrafe. For myfelf, you may be fure I am very will- ing to be ufeful ; but furely all ufe of fuch an office is at a very great diftance. Do not let thofe fears prevail which you know to be un- reafonable ; a will brings the end of life no nearer. But with this we will have done, and pleafe ourfelves with wifhing my matter mul- tos ct f dices* C L accufes * * * * of making a party againft her play. I always bitted away the charge, fuppofing him a' man of honour ; but I mall now defend him with lefs confidence. Ncquid nimis. Horace fays, that Nil adnuran is the only thing that can make DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 73 Siake or keep a man happy. It is with equal truth the only thing that can make or keep a man honeft. The defire of fame not regu- lated, is as dangerous to virtue as that of mo- ney. I hope C fcorns his little malice. I have had a letter for * # * , which I have inclofed. Do not lofe it ; for it con- tains a teftimony that there may be fome pleafure in this world ; and that I may have a little of the little that there is, pray write to me. I thought your laft letter long in com- ing. The two younglings, what hinders them from writing to me. I hope they do not for- get me. Will Mafter give me any thing for my poor neighbours ? I have had from Sir Jofliua and Mr. Strahan ; they are very old maids, very friendlefs and very helplefs. Mrs. Williams talks of coming home this" week from Kingfton, and then there will be merry doings. I eat meat feldom, and take phyfick often, and fancy that I grow light and airy. A man that does not begin to grow light and airy at feventy. 74 LETTERS TO AND FROM feventy, is certainly lofing time, if he intends ever to be light and airy. I dined on Tuefday with * * * and hope her little head begins to fettle. She has, how- ever, fome fcruples about the company of a lady whom fhe has lately known. I pacified her as well as I could. So no more at pre- fent ; but hoping you are all in good health, as I am at this time of writing, (excufe hafte) I am, deareft deareft Lady, Your, LETTER CCXVIII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, Nov. 2, 1779. nis day I thought myfelf fure of a letter, but fo I am conftantly ferved. Mr. Cum- berland and Mrs. * * * * , and Mrs. Byron, and any body elfe, puts me out of your head ; and I know no more of you than if you were I on DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 75 on the other fide of the Cafpian. I thought the two young things were to write too ; but for them I do not much care. On Saturday came home Mrs. Williams, neither better nor worfe than when me went ; and I dined at * * * * 's, and found them well pleafed with their Italian journey. He took his Lady and fon, and three daughters. They ftaid-five months at Rome. They will have now fomething to talk of. I gave my poor neighbour your half gui- nea, and ventured upon making it two gui- neas at my mailer's expence. Pray, Madam, how do I owe you half a guinea ? I dined on Sunday with Mr. Strahan, and have not been very well for fome little time. Laft night I was afraid of the gout, but it is gone to-day, There was on Sunday night a fire at the north end of London -bridge, which has, they fay, deftroyed the water-work. Does Mr. Thrale continue to hunt in Jields for health unbought ? If his tafte of former pleafures returns, it is a ftrong proof of his recovery. "When we meet, we will be jolly blades. I know 76 LETTERS TO AND FROM I know not well how it has happened, but I have never yet been at the B s. ***** has called twice on me, and I have feen fome more (beets and away we go. I am, LETTER CCXIX. To Mrs. T H R A L E. MADAM, London, Nov. 4, 1779. Co I may write and write, and nobody care; but you can write often enough to Dr, Burney. Queeney fent me a pretty letter, to which * * * added a filly fhort note, in fuch a filly white hand, that I was glad it was no longer. I had heard before that * * * * had loft not only ten thoufand, as you tell me, but twenty thoufand, as you with great confift- ency tell Dr. Burney ; but knowing that no man can lofe what he has not, I took it little to heart. I did not think of borrowing ; and indeed Dfc. SAMUEL JOHNSO.N. 77 indeed he that borrows money for adventures deferves to lofe it. No man mould put into a lottery more than he can fpare. Neither D , however, nor B have given oc- cafion to his lofs. Notice is taken that I have a cold and a cough ; but I have been fo long ufed to dif- orders fo much more afflictive, that I have thought on them but little. If they grow worfe, fomething {hould be done. I hear from every body that Mr. Thrale grows better. He is eeltynen domns ; and if he Hands firm, little evils may be overlooked. Drive him out in a morning, lead him out at night, keep him in what buftle you can. Do not neglect Scrafe. You may perhaps do for him what you have done for * * * * The ferious affair I do not wonder that you cannot mention ; and yet I wifh it were tranf- acted while Scrafe can direct and fuperintend it. No other man, if he mail have the fame Ikill and kindnefs, which I know not where to find, will have the fame influence. Sir Philip never called upon me, though he promifed me to do it. Somebody elfe has laid hold upon him. I live 78 LETTERS TO AND FROM I live here in ftark folitude. Nobody has called upon me this live-long day ; yet I com- fort myfelf that I have no tortures in the night. I have not indeed much fleep ; hut I fuppofe I have enough, for I am not as fleepy in the day-time as formerly. I am, LETTER CCXX. To Mrs. T H R A L E. London, November 7, 1779. 13oOR Mrs. * * * *, I am glad that fhe runs to you at laft for fhelter. Give her, dear Madam, what comfort you can. Has any calamity fallen upon her ? Her huf- band, fo much as I hear, is well enough fpo- ken of ; nor is it fuppofed that he had power to do more than has been done. But life muft have its end, and commonly an end of gloomy difcontent, and lingering diftrcfs. While DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 79 While you are vigorous and fprightly, you muft take into your protection as many as you can of thofe who are tottering under their burden. When you want the fame fupport, may you always find it. I have for fome time had a cough and a cold, but I did not mind it ; continuance, however, makes it heavy ; but it feems to be going away. My mafter, I hope, bunts and walks, and courts the belles, and makes Brighthelmfton. When he comes back, frolick and active, we will make a feaft, and drink his health, and have a noble day. Of the Lucans I have never heard fmce. On Saturday, after having failed almoft all the week, I dined with Renny. For Wedne-fday I am invited by the # # # -* s, and if I am. well, purpofe to go. I imagine there will be a large company. The invitation is to dine and fpend the evening. Too much at a time. I mail be in danger of crying out, with Mr. Head, catamaran, whatever that may mean, for it feemed to imply tediotifnefs and difguft. I do not much like to go, and I do not much like to flay away. Have 80 LETTERS TO AND FROM Have you any afTemblies at this time of the year ? and does Queeney dance ? and does B - dance too ? I would have B dance with C - , and fo make all up. Difcord keeps her refidence in this habita- tion, but fhe has for fome time been filent. We have much malice, but no mifchief. Le- vet is rather a friend to Williams, becaufe he hates Defmoulines more. A thing that he fhould hate more than Defmoulines, is not to be found. I hear, but you never tell me any thing, that you have at laft begun to bathe. I am forry that your toothach kept you out of the water fo long, becaufe I know you love to be in it. If fuch letters as this were to coft you any thing, I mould hardly write them ; but fince they come to you for nothing, I am willing enough to write, though I have nothing to fay ; becaufe a forry letter ferves to keep one from dropping totally out of your head ; and I would not have you forget that there is in the world fuch a poor being as, Madam, Your, fa. SAMU.EL JOHNSON. 81 To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, Nov. $, 1779. u are a dear dear lady. To write fo often, and fo fweetly, makes fome amends for your abfence. Your laft letter came about half an hour after my laft letter was fent away; but now I have another. You have much to tell me, and I have no- thing to tell you ; yet I am eager to write, becaufe I am eager for your anfwer. I thought C had told you his lofs. If it be only report, I do not much credit it. Something perhaps he may have ventured, but I do not believe he had ten thoufand pounds, or the means of borrowing it. Of B , I fuppofe the fact is true, that he is gone ; but for his lofs, can any body tell who has been the winner ? And if he has loft a fum difproportionate to his fortune, why {hould VOL. II. G he 8i LETTERS TO AND FROM he run away when payment cannot be com- pelled ? Of Sir Thomas I can make no eftimate ; but if he is diftrefled, I am forry ; for lie was in his profperity civil and officious. It has happened to , as to many active and profperous men, that his mind has been wholly abforbed in bufmefs, or at inter- vals diflblved in amufement ; and habituated fo long to certain modes of employment or diverfion, that in the decline of life it can no more receive a new train of images, than the hand can acquire dexterity in a new mechanical operation. For this reafon a religious educa- tion is fo neceflary. Spiritual ideas may be recollected in old age, but can hardly be ac- quired. You fhall not hide Mrs. * * * * from me. For if me be a feeler, I can bear a feeler as well as you ; and hope, that in teridernefs for what me feels from nature, I am able to forgive or neglect what me feels by affecta- tion. I pity her, as one in a ftate to which all muft come; and I think well of her judg- ment in chuiing you to be the depofitory of her DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 83 her troubles, and eafer of her bofom. Fondle her, and comfort her. Your letters have commonly one good pa- ragraph concerning my mafter, who appears to you, and to every body, to mend upon the, whole; though your vigilance perceives fome accidental and temporary alterations, which, however, I am willing to hope are more rare and more flight than they were at firft. Let him hunt much, and think little, and avoid folitude. I hope time has brought fome com- pany whom you can call now to your table. Does he take to - * ? Does he love her as you profefs to love - ? with a fifth part of the kindnefs that me has for me. I am well rewarded for what I have taught you of computation, by feeing our friendfhip di- vided into factions ; fo we ftand, do we ? as two to ten. A pretty appearance upon paper, and flill prettier in the heart. Well go. thy ways o Of the capture of Jamaica nothing is known, nor do I think it probable or poflible. How the French mould in a few days take from us an ifland, which we could not in almoft a cen- tury take from a few fugitive Negroes whom the Spaniards left behind them, is not eafily G 3 imagined. 84 LETTERS TO AND FROM imagined. If you ftay much longer in Suf- fex, you may perhaps hear that London is taken. We have a kind of epidemick cold amongft us, of which I have had my part, but not more than my part; and I think myfelf groxv- ing well. I have lived very fparingly, bu{ ihall have Come dinner to-day; and Baretti dines with me. I am, deareft Madam, Your, Mrs. T H R A L E to Dr. J O H N S O N. Brighton, Nov. n, 1779. TT is a great pleafure to me, dear Sir, that you fhould be pleafed with my corre- fpondence ; I hope there is approbation mixed with a partiality which does me infinite ho- nour. I have known you prejudiced in favour of Dfc. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 85 fof people you could not quite approve fome- titnes ; but I would not have that be my cafe. You fay true enough about cur political fears, which magnify by mere diftance from the capital, and paucity of converfation : not but that every one here has, I truft, domeitick ter- rors enough to employ his thoughts as well as myfelf but thofe are uneafmeffes one can- not talk about, and 'tis therefore perhaps that we feek fome common theme of lamentation, when all may exprefs concern, and be ap- plauded by the reft for appearing to feel it. What an artificial life one does lead ! and how fmcerely one's heart revolts all day long againft one's own conduct ! Mr. Thrale's fituation perpetually in my thoughts, is a fubject on which no talk can be had -even with you, yet what iignifies difTembiing fo I know danger. Poor Mrs. * * * * is pafl difiembling her cares, or their confequences, a ruined con- ftitution : my mafter does not like her much, nor diflike her: he is all fo gay now up among the boughs, as Mils Owen calls it, \Ve have many provincial phrafes in her country and mine, that are more e^preflive than your fine iiniflied Engliih fentences. They will live G i too, 86 LETTERS TO AND FROM too, I dare fay, to the end of time, and fe changes and lofles affect the language with a variety of alterations, while they remain juft where they always were in the fame manner as the turf monument on Marlbo- rough Downs will outftand all the ftatues of \Veftminfter Abbey. I am forry to hear that there is an influ- enza about the town again : What is the true reafon of thefe contagious colds? I have heard men account for them, as being produced by a peftilential vapour broken out from fome fiflure of the earth in a diftant region ; but furely were that the cafe, one fhould hear ac- counts of its regular and marked progrefs over the continent, from which we are not fo di- vided as to want intelligence of lefs important matters than thefe. What is plague in one country may, for ought I know, be influenza in another ; however do tell me when you write next. I believe our friend has loft fomething, notwithstanding your reafons to the contrary : one may reafon one's felf out of the belief of any thing, but I fee the man looks all amazed fomehow; and I feel as fure- as DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 87 as. if he had told me, that fome great evil of the pecuniary kind has befallen him : if you will credit no illnefs till you fee the patient panting for life, or no money loft till you read over his banker's book, much may be fuffered by us all while you efcape from the neceflity of fympathizing, but we are ruining and dying all the time. Do you remember when Mr. Perkins told us of that fellow A r, who would force us into a law-fuit and then loft his caufe how I afked in what manner he looked ? Why, fays Perkins, he looked like a man that was nonfuited. He would fay much the fame of Mr. . What mail I tell you next that is curious or entertaining, to keep up the liking you have to my letters ? they are not very admir- able from their profundity: I was reading the other day in fome book, that Cardan was de- lighted in his old age to find that the letters he wrote in his youth were abfolutely unin- telligible even to himfelf, fo recondite were the fubjecls of them, and fo deep the erudi- tion in which every fentiment was involved : the fatisfaction with which we mall one day review our correfpondence will be of a very different nature from his. G 4 Lord S3 LETTERS TO AND FROM Lord Robert Manners told me a pretty {lory here one day, a propos to nothing in the world ; but I liked it, and will tell it you :' he would have willingly fworn to its truth. We were, fays he, in the front of the battle at Fontenoy, when I obferved my friend Ho- neywood endeavouring to cleave down a fol- dier of the enemy, but his hanger flicking faft in the moulder, the fellow gained power to thruft him through the fide with his bayonet, while another ftruck him on the head and face with a fabre, fo that he immediately drop- ped : my attention being called away to annoy others and defend myfelf, / thought no more ont : but next day, when the waggons were carrying off the wounded, I faw Honeywood on one of them, with half-a-dozen of foldiers lying a-top of him Poor fellow, fays I to myfelf, thou art done for now fure enough. But what was my furprife when we came to Hanau, in receiving a meflage, with Mr. Ho- neywood's compliments, and defired I would come and fee his wounds drefled. I went di- rectly and now Bob look fharp, cries the gallant creature, and thou malt fee my brains ; and Middleton the furgeon here fhall bear witnefs that I have fome. Was DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. g 9 Was- not this a fine courageous fellow? We have a lofs of Lord Robert ; I loved his itories paffionately; and if one is to expecl: truth and honour at all in this world, it is from an old general officer, with grey hair and cmtches, who fcorned falfehood in his youth, and muft abhor it in his age. I can chat no more though ; my fears for Mr. Thrale are renewed by his behaviour ; yet nothing has happened ; it is the general manner that alarms me Burn all this vaga- bonding nonfenfe, and think what mould be done. Nay, pray be ferious, I fhall write you a very grave letter to-morrow: I am afhamed to think I could talk about any thing elfe now ; but nobody apprehends any thing even at pre- fent, except Your faithful fervant, H. L. THRALE, And to me The monfter death keeps full in fight, And puts the fairy hope to flight; Blackens th' horizon all around, And points to the abyfs profound. Farewell. Pray write foon and ferioufly I ant going to dear Mr. Scrafe, 90 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCXXIll. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, Nov. 16, 1779. T)RAY how long does a letter tarry between * London and Brighthelmfton ? Your letter of the 1 2th I received on the I5th. Poor Mrs. * * * * is a feeler. It is well that fhe has yet power to feel. Fiction durfl not have driven upon a few months fuch a conflux of mifery. Comfort her as you can. I have looked again into your grave letter. You mention truftees. I do not fee who can be truftee for a cafual and variable property, for a fortune yet to be acquired. How can any man be trufted with what he cannot pof- fefs, cannot afcertain, and cannot regulate ? The trade muft be carried on by fomebody who muft be aniwerable for the debts con- tracted. This can be none but yourfelf ; un- lefs you deliver up the property to fome other agent, and truft the chance both of his prudence and Dk. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 9 r and his honefty. Do not be frighted ; trade could not be managed by thofe who manage it, if it had much difficulty. Their great books are foon underftood, and their lan- guage, If fpeech it may be call'd, that fpeech is none Diftinguifhable in number, mood, or tenfe, is underftood with no very laborious applica- tion. The help which you can have from any man as a truftee, you may have from him as a friend ; the trufteefhip may give him power to perplex, but will neither increafe his be- nevolence to affift, nor his wifdom to ad- vife. Living on God, and on thyfelf rely. Who {hould be truftee but you, for your own and your children's profperity ? I hope this is an end of this unpleafing fpeculation, and lighter matters may take their turn. What Mr. Scrafe fays about the Borough is true, but is nothing to the purpofe. A houfe in the fquare will not coft fo much as build- ing in Southwark j but buildings are more 8 likely 9 z LETTERS TO AND FROM likely to go on in Sotithwark if your dwell- ing is at St. James's. Every body has fome defire that deferts the great road of profperity, to look for pleafure in a bye-path. I do not fee with fo much indignation Mr. Thrale's defire of being the firft Brewer, as your de- fpicable dread of living in the Borough. Am- bition in little things, is better than cowardice in little things ; but both thefe things, how- ever little to the publick eye, are great in their conferences to yourfelves. The world cares not how you brew, or where you live j but it is the bufmefs of the one to brew in a man- ner moft advantageous to his family, and of the other to live where the general intereft may beft be fuperintended. It was by an accidental yifit to the Borough that you ef- caped great evils laft Summer. Of this folly let there be an end, at leaft an intermifh'on. I am glad that Queeney dauced with Mr. Wade. She was the Sultanefs of the evening; and I am glad that Mr. Thrale has found a riding companion whom he likes. Let him tide, fay I, till he leaves dejection and dileafe behind him ; and let them limp after him an hundred years without overtaking him. When he returns, let me fee him frolick and airy, airy, and focial, and bufy, and as kind to me as in former times. You feem to be afraid that I mould b$ ftarved before you come back. I have in- deed practifed abftinence with fome ftubborn- nefs, and with fome fuccefs ; but as Dryden talks of writing ivitb a hat^ I am fometimes very witty with a knife and fork. I have managed myfelf very well ; except that having no motive, I have no exercife. At home we do not much quarrel ; but perhaps the lefs we quarrel the more we hate. There is as much malignity amongft us as can well fubfift, without any thoughts of daggers or poifons. Mrs. i is by the help of frequent operations ftill kept alive ; and fuch is the ca- pricious deftiny of mortals, that me will die more lamented by her hufband, than I will promife to ufefulnefs, wifdom, or fanctity. There is always fomething operating diftinct from diligence or {kill. Temple therefore in his compofition of a hero, to the heroick vir- tues adds good fortune. I am, 94 . L.ETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCXXIV. To Mrs. T H R A L London, Nov. 20, 1779. INDEED, dear Madam, I do not think that you have any reafon to complain of Mr. , or Mr. - . What I propofed is, I fuppofe, unuftial. However, Mr. Thrale knows that I have fuggefted nothing to you that I had not firft laid to him. I hear he grows well fo faft, that we are not likely to try whole way is beft; and I hope he will grow better, and better, and better ; and then away with executors and executrixes. He may fettle his family him- felf. I am not vexed at you for not liking the Borough, but for not liking the Borough better than other evils of greater magni- tude. You muft take phyfick, or be fick ; you DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 9S you muft live in the Borough, or live ftill worfe. Pray tell my Queeney how I love her for her letters ; and tell Burney that now me is a good girl, I can love her again. Tell Mr. Scrafe, that I am fmcerely glad to hear that he is better. Tell my mafter, that 1 never was fo glad to fee him in my life, as I mail be now to fee him well ; and tell yourfelf, that except my mailer, nobody has more kindnefs for you, than, Dear Madam, Your, LETTER CCXXV. DEAREST LADY, April 6, 1779. You had written fo often. I have had but two letters from Bath, and the fecond complains that the firft, which you call fo many, was negle&ed, and you pretend to be afraid 9 6 LETTERS TO AND FROM afraid of being forgotten. I wonder what ihould put you out of my mind. You fay rightly, that I fhall not find fuch another ; for there is not, if I had the choice of all, fuch another to be found. It is happy, both for you and Mrs. Mon- tague, that the fates bring you both to Bath at the fame time. Do not let new friends fupplant the old ; they who firft diftinguifhed you have the beft claim to your attention ; thofe who flock about you now, take your excellence upon credit, and may hope to gain upon the world by your countenance. I have not quite neglected my Lives. Ad- difon is a long one, but it is done. Prior Is not fhort, and that is done too. I am upon Rowc, who cannot fill much paper. If I have done them before you come again, I think to bolt upon you at Bath ; for I fhall not be now afraid of Mrs. Cotton. Let Burney take care that me does me no harm. The diligence of Dr. Moify I do not under- ftand. About what is he diligent? If Mr. Thrale is well, or only not well becaufe he has been ill, I do not fee what the phyiician can do. Does he direct any regimen, or 9 does DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 97 does Mr. Thrale regulate himfelf ? Or is there no regularity among you ? Nothing can keep him fo fafe as the method which has been fo often mentioned, and which will be not only practicable but pleafant in the Summer, and before Summer is quite gone, will be made fupportable by cuftom. If health and reafon can be preferved by changing three or four meals a week, or if fuch a change will but encreafe the chances of preferving them, the purchafe is furely not made at a very high price. Death is dread- ful, and fatuity is more dreadful, and fuch ftrokes bring both fo near, that all their ter- rours ought to be felt. I hope that to our anxiety for him, Mr. Thrale will add fome anxiety for himfelf. Seward called on me one day, and read Spence. I dined yefterday at Mr. Jodrel's in a great deal of company. On Sunday I dine with Dr. Lawrence, and at night go to Mrs. Vefey. I have had a little cold, or two, or three, but I did not much mind them, for they were not very bad. * Make my compliments to my matter, and Queeney, and Bur-ciey, and Mrs. Cotton, and VOL. II. H to 98 LETTERS TO AND FROM to all that care about me, and more than all or elfe. Now one courts you, and another carefTes you, and one calls you to cards, and another wants you to walk ; and aniidft all this, pray try to think now and then a little of me, and xvrite often. Mrs. Strahan is at Bath, hut, I believe, not well enough to be in the rooms* I am, deareft Madam, Your, LETTER CCXXVI. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, S~\ N Sunday I dined with poor Lawrence* who is deafer than ever. When he was told that Dr. Moify vifitcd Mr. Thrale, he enquired, for what ? and faid that there was nothing to be done, which Nature would not do for herfelf. On Sunday evening I was at Mrs. Vefey's, and there was enquiry about my mailer, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. gg mafter, but I told them all good. There was Dr. Barnard of Eaton, and we made a noife all the evening ; and there was Pepys, and Wraxal till I drove him away. And I have no lofs of my miftrefs, who laughs, and frifks, and frolicks it all the long day, and never thinks of poor Colin. If Mr. Thrale will but continue to mend, we mail, I hope, come together again, and do as good things as ever we did ; but per- haps you will be made too proud to heed me, and yet, as I have often told you, it will not be eafy for you to find fuch another. Queeney has been a good girl, and wrote me a letter ; if Burney laid me would write, me told you a fib. She writes nothing to me. She can write home faft enough. I have a good mind not to let her know, that Dr. Ber- nard, to whom I had recommended her novel, fpeaks of it with great commendation ; and that the copy which me lent me, has been read by Dr. Lawrence three times over. And yet what a gypfey it is. She no more minds me, than if I were a Brangton. Pray fpeak to Queeney to write again. H 2 I have TOO LETTERS TO AND FROM I have had a cold and a cough, and taken opium, and think I am better. We have had very cold weather ; bad riding weather for my mafter, but he will furmount it all. Did Mrs. Browne make any reply to your com- parifon of bufmefs with folitude, or did you quite down her ? I am much pleafed to think that Mrs. Cotton thinks me worth a frame, and a place upon her wall. Her kindnefs was hardly within my hope, but time does wonderful things. All my fear is, that if I fliould come again, my print would be taken down. I fear I fhall never hold it. Who dines with you ? Do you fee Dr. Woodward or Dr. Harrington ? Do you go to the houfe where they write for the myrtle ? You are at all places of high refort, and bring home hearts by dozens ; while I am feeking for fomething to fay about men of whom I know nothing but their verfes, and fometimes very little of them. Now I have begun, how- ever, I do not dcfpair of making an end. Mr. Nicholls holds that Addifon is the mod takitig of all that I have done. 1 doubt they will not be done before you come away. Now you think yourfelf the firft writer in the world for a letter about nothing. Can 17 you DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 101 you write fuch a letter as this ? So mifcellane- ous, with fuch noble difdain of regularity ; like Shakefpeare's works, fuch graceful negligence of tranfition, like the ancient enthuiiafts ? The pure voice of nature and of friendfhip. Now of whom mall I proceed to fpeak ? Of whom but Mrs. Montague ? Having men- tioned Shakefpeare and Nature, does not the name of Montague force itfelf upon me? Such were the tranfitions of the ancients, which now feem abrupt, becaufe the inter- mediate idea is loft to modern underftandingf. I wifli her name had connected itfelf with friendmip ; but, ah Colin, thy hopes are in vain. One thing however is left me, I have ftill to complain ; but I hope I fhall not complain much while you have any kindnefs for me. I am, Deareft and deareft Madam, Your, London, April 11, 1780. YOU do not date your letters. IT 102 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCXXVII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAREST MADAM, April 15, 1780. y DID not miftake Dr. Woodward's cafe ; * nor fhould have wanted any explanation. But broken is a very bad word in the city. Here has jufl been with me # * # #, who has given What has he given? No- thing, I believe, gratis. He has given fifty- feven leflbns this week. Surely this is bull- nefs. I thought to ha*ve finifhed Rowe's life to- day, but I have five or fix vifitors who hin- dered me ; and I have not been quite well. Next week I hope to difpatch four or five of them. It is a great delight to hear fo much good of all of you. Fanny tells me good news of you, and you fpeak well of Fanny; and all of you fay what one would wifh of my mafter. And my fweet Queeney, I hope is well. Does fhe DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 103 ilie drink the waters? One glafs would do her as much good as it does her father. You and Mrs. M muft keep Mrs. '* * * * about you ; and try to make a wit of her. She will be a little unfkilful in her iirft elTays ; but you will fee how precept and example will bring her forwards. Surely it is very fine to have your powers. The wits court you, and the Methodifts love you, and the whole world runs about you; and you write me word how well you can do without me : and fo, go thy ways poor Jack. That fovereign glafs of 'water is the great medicine ; and though his legs are too big, yet my mafter takes a glafs of water. This is bold practice. I believe, under the protection of a glafs of water drank at the pump, he may venture once a-week upon a ftew'd lam- prey. I wifh you all good ; yet know not what to wifh you which you have not. May all good continue and increafe. I am, &c. H 4 104 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCXXVIII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, April \ 8, 1780. the petticoat government I had never heard. Of the Shakefpeare, I was once told by Mifs Lawrence ; and that is all that I know of it. I have not feen nor heard of any body that has feen the wonders. You may be fure I mould tell you any thing that would gratify your curiofity, and furnifh you for your preient expences of intellectual en- tertainment. But of this dramatick difcovery I know nothing. I cannot fee but my matter may with ftub- born regularity totally recover. But furely, though the invafion has been repelled from life, the wafte it has made will require fom,c time and much attention to repair it. You muft not grow weary of watching him, and he muft not grow impatient of being watch- ed. Pray, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. Pray, of what wonders do you tell me? You make verfes, and they are read in pub- lick, and I know nothing about them. This very crime, I think, broke the link of amity between Richardfon and Mifs M , after a tendernefs and confidence of many years. However, you muft do a great deal more be- fore I leave you for Lucan or Montague, or any other charmer ; if any other charmer would have me. I am forry that you have feen Mrs. W -. She and her hufband exhibited two very dif- ferent appearances of human nature. But bufy, bufy, ftill art thou. He prevailed on himfelf to treat her with great tendernefs; and to Ihow how little fenfe will ferve for com- mon life, me has pafled through the world with lefs imprudence than any of her family. Sir Philip's bill has been rejected by the Lords. There was, I think, nothing to be objected to it, but the time at which it was propofed, and the intention with which it was projected. It was fair in itfelf, but tended to weaken government when it is too weak already. # 106 LETTERS TO AND FROM * t- has no bufinefs about you, but to be taught. Poor B -*s tendernefs is very affe&ing. Comfort her all you can. I fmcerely wifh her well. Declining life is a very awful fcene. Pleafe to tell Mr. Thrale, that I think I grow rather lefs ; and that I w r as laft week almoft dizzy with vacuity. I repeat my chal- lenge to alternate diet ; and doubt not but both of us, by adhering to it, may live more at eafe, and a much longer time. Though I am going to dine with Lady Craven, I am, fcfr. LETTER CCXXIX. To Mrs. THRALE. DEAR MADAM, ]V/[R. E and Mr. P called on me to-day with your letter to the elec- tors, and another which they had drawn up, to ferve in its place. I thought all their ob- jections DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 107 jedions juft, and all their alterations proper. You had mentioned his ficknefs in terms which give his aclverfaries advantage, by con- firming the report which they already fpread with great induftry, of his infirmity and in- ability. You fpeak, in their opinion, and in mine, with too little confidence in your own intereft. By fearing, you teach others to fear. All this is now avoided, and it is to take its chance. How do you think I live ? On Thurfday I dined with Hamilton, and went thence to Mrs. Ord. On Friday, with much company at Reynolds's. On Saturday, at Dr. Bell's. On Sunday, at Dr. Burney's, with your two fweets from Kenfington, who are both well ; at night came Mrs. Ord, Mr. Harris, and Mr. Greville, &c. On Monday, with Reynolds, at night with Lady Lucan ; to-day with Mr. Langton ; to-morrow with the Bifhop of St. Afaph ; on Thurfday with Mr. Bowles. j Fri- day, ; Saturday, at the Academy ; Sun- day, with Mr. Ramfay. I told Lady Lucan how long It was fmce fhe fent to me ; but ihe faid I muft confider how io8 LETTERS TO AND FROM how the world rolls about her. She feemcd pleafed that we met again. The long intervals of ftarving I do not think beft for Mr. Thrale, nor perhaps for myfelf, but I knew not how to attain any thing bet- ter ; and every body tells me that I am very well, and I think there now remains not much caufe for complaint : but O for a glafs, once in four-and-twenty hours, of warm wa- ter ! Can warm water be had only at Bath, as ileam was to be found only at Knightfbridge. Nature distributes her gifts, they fay, vari- oufly, to mow us that we have need of one another ; and in her bounty me beftowed warm water upon Bath, and condemned the inhabitants of other places, if they would warm their water, to make a fire. I would have the young ladies take half a glafs every third day, and walk upon it. I not only fcour the town from day to clay, but many vifitors come to me in the morn- ing ; ib that my work makes no great pro- grefs, but I will try to quicken it. I mould certainly like to buftle a little among you, but I am unwilling to quit my pofl till I have made au end. You DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 109 You did not tell me in your laft letter how Mr. Thrale goes on. If he will be ruled, for aught appears, he may live on thefe hundred years. Fix him when he comes in alternate diet. I am, deareft Lady, Your, &c. London, April 25, 1780. Now there is a date ; look at it. LETTER CCXXX. To Mrs. THRALE. DEAREST MADAM, Ti/TR. Thrale never will live abftinently, till he can perfuade himfelf to abftain by rule. I lived on potatoes on Friday, and on fpinach to-day ; but I have had, I am afraid, too many dinners of late. I took phyfick too both days, and hope to fail to-morrow. \Vhen he comes home, we will fliame him, and no LETTERS TO AND FROM and Jebb (hall fcold him into regularity. I am glad, however, that he is always one of the company, and that my dear Queeney is again another. Encourage, as you can, the mufical girl. Nothing is more common than mutual dif- like where mutual approbation is particularly expected. There is often on both fides a vi- gilance not over benevolent; and as attention is llrongly excited, fo that nothing drops un- heeded, any difference in tafte or opinion, and feme difference where there is no re- ftraint will commonly appear, it immediately generates diflike. Never let criticifms operate upon your face or your mind; it is very rarely that an author is hurt by his criticks. The blaze of reputa- tion cannot be blown out, but it often dies in the focket ; a very few names may be confi- dered as perpetual lamps that mine uncon- fumed. From the author of Fitzofborne's Letters I cannot think myfelf in much dan- ger. I met him only once about thirty years ago, and in fome fmall difpute reduced him to whittle ; having not feen him fmce, that is 16 -the DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. m the laft impreffion. Poor Moore the fabulifl was one of the company. Mrs. Montague's long (lay, againft her own inclination, is very convenient. You would, by your own confeffion, want a companion; and fhe is par pluribus^ converfmg with her you m&jjind variety in one. At Mrs. Ord's I met one Mrs. B- travelled lady, of great fpirit, and fome con- fcioufnefs of her own abilities. We had a contefl of gallantry an hour long, fo much to the diverfion of the company, that at Ram- fay's laft night, in a crowded room, they would have pitted us again. There were Smelt, and the Bifhop of St. Afaph, who comes to every place ; and Lord Monboddo, and Sir Jofhua, and ladies out of tale. The exhibition, how will you do, either to fee or not to fee ! The exhibition is emi- nently fplendid. There is contour, and keep- ing, and grace, and expreffion, and all the varieties of artificial excellence. The apart- ments were truly very noble. The pictures, for the fake of a iky light, are at the top of the houfe ; there we dined, and I fat over againft the Archbifhop of York. See how I live LETTERS TO AND FROM I live when I am not under petticoat govern- ment. I am, Ssfr. Lendon, May i, 1780. Mark that you did not put the year to your laft. LETTER CCXXXI. To Mrs. T H R A L E. MADAM, Bolt-court, Fleet-ftreet, May 7, 1780. TV/TR. P has juft been with me, and has talked much talk, of which the re- fult is, that he thinks your prefence rieceflary for a few days. I have not the fame fulnefs of conviction ; but your appearance would certainly operate in your favour, and you will judge better what meafures of diligence and of expence are neceflary. Money, Mr. P fays, muft be fpent; and he is right in wifh- ing that you be made able to judge how far it is fpent properly. Perhaps, it is but per- haps, ibmc defirc that I have of feeing you, makes DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 113 makes me think the better of his reafons. Can you leave Mafter? Can you appoint Mrs. governefs ? If you can, the expence of coming is nothing, and the trouble not much; and therefore it were better gratify your agents. Levy behaves well. I dined on Wednefday with Mr. Fitzmau- rice, who almoft made me promife to pafs part of the Summer at Llewenny. To-mor- row I dine with Mrs. Southwel ; and on Thurfday with Lord Lucan. To-night I go to Mifs Monkton's. Thus I fcramble, when you do not quite fhut me up ; but I am mi- ferably under petticoat government, and yet am not very weary, nor much afhamed. Pray tell my two dear girls that I will write to both of them next week j and let Burney know that I was Jo angry I am, &c. I know of Mrs. Defmouline's letter. It will be a great charity. Let me know when you are to come. VOL. II. H4 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCXXXII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Bolt-court, Fleet- ftreet, 1780. OULD you defire better fympathy At the very time when you were writing, I was anfwering your letter. W Having feen nobody fmce I faw Mr. P , I have little "more to fay, than when I wrote laft. My opinion is, that you fhould come for a week, and (hew yourfelf, and talk in high terms ; for it will certainly be propagated with great diligence, that you defpair and de- fift ; and to thofe that declare the contrary, it will be anfwered, Why then do they not ap- pear ? To this no reply can be made that will keep your friends in countenance. A little buftle and a little oftentation will put a flop to clamours, and whifpers, and fufpicions of your friends, and calumnies of your oppo- nents. Be brifk, and be fplendid, and be pub- lick. You will probably be received with i much DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 115 much favour ; and take from little people the opportunity which your abfence gives them of magnifying their fervices, and exalting their importance. You may have more friends and fewer obligations. It is always neceflary to mew fome good opinion of thofe whofe good opinion, we fo- licit. Your friends folicit you to corne ; if you do not come, you make them leis your friends, by difregarding their advice. Nobody will perfift long in helping thofe that will do nothing for themfelves. The voters of the Borough are too proud and too little dependant to be folicited by de- puties ; they expect the gratification of feeing the candidate bowing or curtfeying before them. If you are proud, they can be fullen. Such is the call for your prefence ; what is there to withhold you ? I fee no pretence for hefitation. Mr. Thrale certainly mail not come; and yet fomebody muft appear whom the people think it worth the while to look at. Do not think all this while that I want to fee you. I dine on Thurfday at Lord Lu- I 2 can's. ii6 LETTERS TO AND FROM can's, and on Saturday at Lady Craven's; and I dined yeilerday with Mrs. Southwel. As to my looks at the Academy, I was not told of them ; and as I remember, I was very well, and I am well enough now, and am, Deareft Lady, Your, &c. LETTER CCXXXIII. Mr5. THRALE to Dr. JOHNSON. MY DEAR SIR, May 9. TTTIIEN did I ever plague you about con- ** tour, and grace, and expreffion? I have dreaded them all three fince that haplefs day at Compeigne, when you teized me fo, and Mr. Thrale made what I hoped would have proved a Lifting peace ; but French ground is unfavourable to fidelity perhaps, and fo now you begin again: after having taken live years breath, you might have done more than this. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 117 Say another word, and I will bring up afrefh the hiftory of your exploits at St. Denys, and how crofs you were for nothing but fome how or other, our travels never make any part either of our converfation or corre- fpondence. I am willing to mew myfelf in Southwark, or in any place, for my mailer's pleafure or advantage; but have no prefent conviction that to be re-elected would be ad- vantageous, fo {nattered a ftate as his nerves are in juft now Do not you, however, fancy for a moment, that I flirink from fatigue or defire to efcape from doing my duty; fpiting one's antagonift is a reafon that never ought to operate, and never does operate with me: I care nothing about a rival candidate's inu- endos, I care only about my hufband's health and fame; and if we find that he earneftly wiihes to be once more member for the Bo- rough \\QjIjall be member, if any thing done or luffered by me will help make him fo This P and E , and all the inhabi- tants of the Borough, friends and foes, are perfectly perfuaded of, whatever they may fay. I fhall leave his daughter governefs when I ,quit Bath, if to quit it will be really wife a better can he never have. I 3 Mrs. n8 LETTERS TO AND FROM Mrs. Defmoulines has written, as we fay, oddijhly ; but fmce me aiked your leave, &c. it is well enough. The anecdote at Mrs. Ord's is exceeding good : I only wifh I had been prefent to hear fuch a converfation. Mr. Fitzmaurice is always civiller both to you and me, than either of us deferve. I wonder (as the phrafe is) what he fees in us? Not much politenefs furely. The Lives will be admirable, but we will talk of them another time: it is not author's criticifm ever, or rival's malignity, that gives lafting pain. Thy tooth is not fo keen, &c. One friend's unkindnefs is harder to bear than the wifeft, and jufteft, and harmeft cen- fures of all the wits and fcholars put together; befides, that the venom of the viper is refto- rative I remember your telling me once that Doctor Nugent always fqueezed the bag into his bafon of broth while he was fick But if the gens a talents^ as the French call them, agree to hate me, the Methodifts love _)'&//, fays my dear Mr. Jolmfon. I do hope that my amiable friend Mrs, Browne docs love me, I mean DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 119 mean with diftiriclion ; for her fweet philan-. thropy inclines her to love and benefit the whole human race : Why fhe mould, how- ever, be called a Methodift, you muft tell for 'tis confidered always a term of reproach, I truft, becaufe I never yet did hear that any one perfon called himfelf a Methodift. The lady we are now fpeaking of is a pious, charitable, peaceful Chriftian, who at thirty years old, though elegant in her perfon, and high in health and fortune, refolved upon leading a fmgle life, that fhe might the better and the eafier dedicate her thoughts to God, and her money to fuch of his poor creatures who might want it. Our theatres in thofe days were, I believe, but coarfely provided and fometimes fuffered fcenes to be exhibited upon them, grofs enough to wound a delicacy more blunted than her's fo fhe refolved to go no more herfelf ; and by uttering her notions of ftage immorality, endeavoured to keep away as many acquaintance as fhe could. I heard her one evening throw out a pretty thought, and for ought I can recoiled:, a new one too, concerning the death of fome gay frifker here at Bath, where fuch lives and fuch deaths are common. I 4 The 120 LETTERS TO AND FROM The clofmg hours of a mere pleafure-hunt- ing mortal, faid me, remind me of what I can recoiled; of a theatre when the play is done : all fmoke, and (link of candles ill- extinguifhed, a confufed crowd half loft in darknefs, with women's fcreams from time to time heard at the door horrible contrail to the gay (how immediately preceding: clif- mal end of a fabulous reprefentation gloomy condition of an airy and fantaftic dream. Such a talker you fee would not be eafily /r/W'.vV, as we call it, by my little whimfical compari- fon between folitude and fociety. Well! but if you pleafe we will fpeak fcri- oufly upon the fubject for I had a grave converfation with her about it again ycfterday, on her exprefling an earned wim that Mr. Thrale would forego this fooliih electioneer- ing bufinefs, quit the world at once, and think only on his prefent health and future hopes. Was every one to do fo, Madam, laid I, upon the firft attack of fevere iicknefs, would ii be right? befides, that there are vices peculiar to living alone, as there are others confequent upon commercial, or in any way tumultuous life ; and I believe that the fame intellectual regimen DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 121 regimen will no more flat all fouls, than that the fame diet will agree with all conftitutions. Retirement, like the Sabbath, was made for man, not man for retirement ; he who by na- ture or habit feels hirnfelf giddy, wild, and diffipated, would be prudent in feeking his cure from filent contemplation; but a fullen or fenfual perfon is likely to find fewer incite- ments to his favourite crimes in a crowd. They who converfe freely with reclufes, have heard ftrange tales of our arch-enemy's diligence even within convent walls ; and though my dear Mr. Johnfon is juftly enraged at the prefent fpirit of irreverent rapacity which leeks to overthrow places once confecrated to religious retirement he is, I believe, himfelf perfuaded that the retreats of piety were often too flight a flicker from grofs temptations; and that many mortals of each fex have re- tired to worfe fins than thofe they left behind them in the world. The danger of this age and nation is all on the other fide to be fure and fo far I grant- ed to Mrs. Browne: but 'tis filly to live like the one-eyed doe in little Sufan's fable-book, without 122 LETTERS TO AND FROM without knowing there is alfo danger on the other. So here is a counterpart to the famous fel- low who made himfelf immortal, by reading a military lecture to Hannibal ; yet I really repent no part of the converfation or letter and am almoft fure you will approve the fentiments. Shall we have fome chat about the Lives now ? that of Blackmore will be very enter- taining I dare fay, and he will be refcued from the old wits who worried him, much to your difliking : fo a little for love of his Chriftianity, a little for love of his phyfick, a little for love of his courage and a little for love of con- tradiction, you will fave him from his male- volent criticks, and perhaps do him the honour to devour him yourfelf as a lion is faid to take a great bull now and then from the wolves which had fallen upon him in the defert, and gravely eat him up for his own dinner. Here muft end our correfpondence for a while. Let me fee you at the Borough-houfe as foon as I get there : every body fays I muft come up directly, and my mailer urges me, and DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 123 and I am going to arrange matters for my departure If I poflefs any of the wonder- ful powers you compliment me with, let me exert them now. Dear Sir Philip will lend me his valuable affiftance it will on this oc- cafion be in valuable, refpected as he is by his own party. Here are letters come to call me to London and they mall riot find me dila- tory now, nor lazy when I am arrived. Pray meet me, and add your counfel to our acti- vity. Mrs. D will be my douce compagne upon the occafion, and every friend will buftle for poor dear Mr. Thrale this one time more! He mail, fay you, buftle for himfelf the next time, and need none of us. Well, fo he mall for ought I know; he is quite pert to-day, and fo is Your ever faithful, and obliged fervant, H. L. THRALE. LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCXXXIV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Bolt court Fleet-firm, London, May 9, 1780. rs morning brought me the honour of a vilit from Sir Philip, who has been to furvey Streatham, and thinks it will be long before you can return thither j which he confiders as a lofs to hiinfelf of many plea- fant days which your refidence might have afforded. We then talked about our miftrefs, and - ; and I laid you had moft wit, and moft literature. Mr. Evans brought me your letter, to which I had already Tent the arifwer; nor have I any thing to add, but that the more I reflect, and the more I hear, the more I am convinced of the neccffity of your prefence. Your advcr- farics will be for ever faying, that you defpair of iuccels, or difdain to obtain it by the ufual folicitation. Either of thefe fuppofitions ge- nerally DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 125 nerally received ruins your intereft, and your appearance confutes both. Cette Anne fi belle, Qu'on vante fi forr, Pourquoi ne vienc t'elle, Vraiment elle a tort. While you ftay away your friends have no anfwer to give. Mr. P , as I fuppofe you know, has refufed to join with H , and is thought to be in more danger than Mr. Thrale. Of 's letter, I would have you not take any notice j he is a man of no charac- ter. My Lives creep on. I have done Addifon, Prior, Rowe, Granville, Sheffield, Collins, Pitt, and almoft Fenton. I defign to take Congreve next into my hand. I hope to have done before you can come home, and then whither mail I go? What comes of my dear, fweet, charming, lovely, pretty, little Queeney's learning? This is a fad long interruption, and the wicked world will make us no allowance, but will call us Lady i 2 6 LETTERS TO AND FROM Lady Lucan fays, fhe hears Queeney is won- derfully accomplifhed, and I did not fpeak ill of her. Did I tell you that Scot and Jones both of- fer themfelves to reprefent the Univerfity in the place of Sir Roger Newdigate. They are ftruggling hard for what others think neither of them will obtain. I am not grown fat. I did thrive a little, but I checked the pernicious growth, and am now fmall as before. I am, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 127 LETTER CCXXXV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Mayz3, 1780. X70UR letter told me all the good news. * Mr. Thrale well, Queeney good, and yourfelf not fo ill but that you know how to be made well ; and now is gone, you have the fole and undivided empire of Bath ; and you talk to many whom you can- not make wifer, and enjoy the foolifh face of praife. But and you have had, with all your adulations, nothing finer faid of you than was faid laft Saturday night of Burke and me. We were at the Bifhop of 's, a bifhop little better than your bifhop ; and towards twelve we fell into talk, to which the ladies liftened, juft as they do to you ; and faid, as I heard, there is no rifing unlefs fome- body 'will cryjire. I was 128 LETTERS TO AND FROM I was laft night at Mifs Monkton's ; and there were Lady Craven and Lady Cran- burne, and many ladies and few men. Next Saturday I arn to be at Mr. Pepys's, and in the intermediate time am to provide for my- felf as I can. You cannot think how doggedly I left your houfe on Friday morning, and yet Mrs. Ab- befs gave me fome mumrooms ; but what are mumrooms without my miflrefs ? My mafter has feen his hand-bill ; will he ftand to it ? I have not heard a word from the Borough fmce you went away. Dr. Taylor is coming haftily to town, that he may drive his lawfuit forward. He feems to think himfelf very well. This lawfuit will keep him in exercife, and exercife will keep him well. It is to be wifhed that the law may double its delays. If Dr. Wilfon dies, he will take St. Margaret's, and then he will have the buftle of the parilh to a'mufe him. I expert him every day. I am, dear Lady, 8 Your, Da. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 129 LETTER CCXXXVI. Mrs. THRALE to DR. JOHNSON. DEAR SIR, May. JAM glad my letter was fo good a one. I * can certainly fay nothing too good of Mr. Thrale, for feeming pleafed that I had done what it was my indifpenfible duty to do, or of his daughter for behaving fo fweetly in my abfence. We found engagements out of num- ber to be complied with ; the firft was a con- cert at the Dean of Oflbry's (I like his lady violently), and that vexed me, becaufe my looks were not recovered ; and fo I fhone at the Crcfcent like a. pale moon indeed. Here is every thing in this pretty town of Bath every thing poffible ; good and bad, for what I fee. Did we tell you when wq were in London the other day, how Mils Burney picked up a female infidel one morn- ing, and bid her read Raflelas ; and how I lighted on a fanatick, and bid her read Raf- VOL. II. K felas? 1 30 LETTERS TO AND FROM felas? Perhaps not, for you only call fuch in- telligence flattery ; though the London wits beat us at that too, when they talk of crying fire in the ftreet, that they may break up a converfation which would otherwife engage them till next day. All this, however, we fet on one fide during the election hurry. My mafter will fland to his hand-bill ; he likes it : and I like exceedingly your fullen removal from the round tower, where mufhrooms would almoft grow of themfelves now, the weather is getting fo hot. Our flagftones upon the South Parade burn one's feet through one's fhoes ; but the Bath belles, fearlefs of fire ordeal, trip about, fecure in cork foles and a clear confcience. I wifh though, that you would put in a word of your own to Mr. Thrale about eating lefs ; for he will mind you more than us, and his too great fpirits juft at this moment fright me. Oh, here comes Dr. Moyfey, to talk about Whig and Tory, and the reign of King Charles the Se- cond ; how that flyle of converfation does wear one out, efpccially from a profeffional man, and when one is wifhing to bring for- ward a fubjeft really interefting. It WQiild be a choice comfort to me if the people would agree DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 131 agree to hate diflention, and love one another, and mind their bufmefs, and hang the poli- ticks. I am fure I had plague enough with fuch fluff at the Borough, no need to be pur- fued with it here. Talk to Lawrence if you can commodioufly, and let me know the re- fult / think the one glafs of water which you fcorn fo has an effect, and that effect not a good one it gives dizzinefs ; but there is no immediate harm coming, our Doctors fay. How does Congreve's life turn out ? Tell me all the news. I would not wifh you to be too much flattered : milk itfelf, when injected into the veins, is poifon, the wife men fay ; fo if adulation fhould ^forced upon you, cry out, or run away to me y or any thing ; but I expect thefe Lives to be very clever things after all, take as little pains with them as you can : we will have all the great profe writers fome time, and then I mail be zealous for Bacon. Mean time, Heaven fend this Southwark election fafe, for a difappointment would half kill my hufband ; and there is no comfort in tiring every friend to death in fuch a manner, K 2 and i 3 ? LETTERS TO AND FROM and lofing the town at laft. How charmingly kind that dear Mr. Devaynes behaved. Well ! it was really clever management to carry Sir Philip and him about together fo, at a time when they difagreed concerning every fub- jecl: except ferving me ; and how exceffively agreeable they made themfelves that day we dined in St. John's! and how fweet it was to fee them united clofely in a caufe of private friendfliip ! All my doings^ fays your boaftful miftrefs : but I know that water, though the mod infipid of all bodies, is the only thing which gives cohefion to every other, and which alone can unite the moil heterogeneous fubftances. I have no care about enjoying undivided empire, nor any thoughts of difputing it with Mrs. . She confiders her title as in- difputable moft probably, though I am lure I never heard her urge it. Queen Elizabeth, you remember, would not fufter her's to be enquired into and I have read fome where that the Great Mogul is never crowned. How fhall I fill up the other fide of the flieet? With a date, if you pleafe; but it will, upon reconfideration, reach but a little way, ib DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 133 fo we had as good fmifh here, and fay how much I am, fcfo, H. L, THRALE. I have got fome new matter ; Burney has juft fhewn me a fine letter from a fine letter- writer, all about you, requefting one body to requeft another body to requeft of you, that you will read a manufcript play compofed by I know not who : the fears, and delicacies, and daintifications of whom filled four fides of a folio paper. I looked grave, and thought how diligently you would perufe it, how hard you would iludy it, and what marginal notes you would make for though they don't in- iift on criticifm, they'll admit it. So much for them ; but I have ufed Mrs. Byrom very ill in not naming her to you, when her par- tiality is fuch, that me quarrelled with a friend for denying you elegance of manner here one day, though the lady had really granted you in the courfe of converfation aim oil every K 3 other i 3 4- LETTERS TO AND FROM other attainable excellence : but now that Mr. Taflcer has compared you to Venus, we will wonder at nothing. A-propos to gallantry, here is a gentleman hooted out of Bath for mewing a lady's love letters to him ; and fuch is the refentment of all the females, that even the houfe-maid re- fufed to make his bed. I think them perfect- ly right, as he has broken all the common ties of fociety ; arid if he were to fleep on ftraw for half a year inftead of our old fa- vourites the Capucin friars, it would do him no harm, and fet the men a good example. Adieu, Dear Sir, all goes pretty well with us; but do fpeak to Dr. Lawrence about that vertiginous fenfation which I fancy is occa- fioned by the water. We heard of it only once though. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 135 LETTER CCXXXVII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, TTTTERE has been Dr. Lawrence with me, ami *-*! fhowed him your letter; and you may eafily believe we had fome talk about my mafter. He faid, however, little that was new, except this, which is of great import- ance, that if ever he feels any uncommon fen- fation in his head, fuch as, heavinefs, pain, or noife, or giddinefs, he mould have imme- diate recourfe to fome evacuation, and thinks a cathartick moft eligible. He told me a cafe of a lady, who faid me felt a dizzinefs, and would bleed ; to bleed, however, (he neglec- ted, and in a few days the dizzinefs became an apoplexy. He fays, but do not tell it, that the ufe of Bath water, as far as it did any thing, did niifchief. He preffes abftinence very ftrongly, as that which muft do all that be done ; and recommends the exercife of K 4 walking, 136 LETTERS TO AND FROM walking, as tending more to extenuation than that of riding. has let out another pound of blood, and is come to town, brifk and vigorous, fierce and fell, to drive on his lawfuit. No- thing in all life now can he more pr.njl'ivatcr than what he is ; and if, in cafe, that ib be, that they perfift for to refill him, he is re- folved not to fpare no money, nor no time. He is, I believe, thundering away. His Iblicitor has turned him off; and I think it not unlikely that he will tire his lawyers. But now don't you talk. My dear Queeny, what a good girl (lie is. Pray write to me about her, and let me know her progrefs in the world. Bath is a good place for the initiation of a young lady. She can neither become negligent for want of ob- fervers, as in the country ; nor by the imagi- nation that me lies concealed in the crowd, as in London. Lady Lucan told me, between ourfelves, how much me had heard of Quccny's accomplifhments ; fhe muft there- fore now be careful, fmce me begins to have the public eye upon her. A lady DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 137 A lady has fent me a vial, like Mrs. Nef- bit's vial, of eilence of rofes. What am I come to? Congreve, whom I difpatched at the Bo- rough while I was attending the election, is one of the bed of the little lives ; but then I had your converlation. You feem to fufpect that I think you too earned about the fuccefs of your folicitation : if ! gave you any reafon for that fufpicion, it was without intention. It would be with great difcontent that I mould fee Mr. Thrale decline the reprefentation of the Borough, and with much greater mould I fee him ejected. To fit in Parliament for Southwark, is the higheft honour that his ftation permits him to attain; and his ambition to attain it, is furely rational and laudable. I will not fay that for an honeft man to ftruggle for a vote in the legislature, at a time when honeil votes are fo much wanted, is abfolutely a duty, but it is furely an at of virtue. The expence, if it was more, I mould wim him to defpife. Money is made for fuch purpofes as this. And the method to which the trade is now brought, will, I hope, fave him from any want of what he mail now fpend. Keep 138 LETTERS TO AND FROM Keep Mr. Thrale well, and make him keep himfelf well, and put all other care out of your dear head. Sir Edward Littleton's bufmefs with me was to know the character of a candidate for a fchool at Brewood in StafFordfhire ; to which, I think, there are feventeen pretenders. Do not I tell you every thing ? what wouldft thou more of man? It will, I fancy, be necef- fary for you to come up once again at leaft, to fix your friends and terrify your enemies. Take care to be informed, as you can, of the ebb or flow of your intereft ; and do not lofe at Capua the victory of Cannae. I hope I nee4 not tell you, dear Madam, that I am, &c. Thurfday, May 2?, 1780. No. 8. Bolt-court, Fleet-ftreet, London. Look at this, and learn. DR. SAMUEL J-OHNSON. 139 LETTER CCXXXVIII. To Mr. T K R A L E. i DEAR SIR, London, May 30, 1780. *\70U never defired me to write to you, and therefore cannot take it amifs that I have never written. I once began a letter, in which I intended to exhort you to refolute ahfti- nence ; but I rejoice now that I never fent, nor troubled you with advice which you do not want. The advice that is wanted is com- monly unwelcome, and that which is not want- ed is evidently impertinent. The accounts of your health, and of your caution, with which I am furnifhed by my miilrefs, are juft fuch as would be wilhed, and I congratulate you on your power over your- felf, and on the fuccefs with which the exer- cife of that power has been hitherto rewarded. Do not remit your care ; for in your condi- tion it is certain, that fecurity will produce danger. You i 4 o LETTERS TO AND FROM You always ufed to tell me, that we could never eat too little ; the time is now come to both of us, in which your pofition is verified. I am really better than I have been for twenty years paft^ and if you perfift in your prefent laudable practice, you may live to tell your great grandchildren the advantages of abfti- nence. I have been fo idle, that I know not when I ihall get either to you, or to any other place; for my refolution is to ftay here till the work is fmiihcd, unlefs fome call more preiiing than I think likely to happen mould fummon me away. Taylor, who is gone away brifk and jolly, afked me when I would come to him, but I could not tell him. I hope, however, to fee (landing corn in fome part of the earth this Summer, but I mail hardly fmell hay, or fuck clover flowers. I am, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 141 LETTER CCXXXIX. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, "V^ou miftake about Dr. Taylor's claim upon the Abbey ; the prebends are equal, but the fenior prebendary has his choice of the livings that are in the gift of the chapter, of xvhich St. Margaret's is one ; which if Wilfon dies, he may take if he pleafes. He went home lufty arid ftout; having buflled ably about his lawfuit, which at laft, I think, he will not get. Mr. Thrale, you fay, was pleafed to find that I wifh him well ; which feems therefore to be a new difcovery, I hoped he had known for many a year pali that nobody can wifh him better. It is ftrange to find that fo many- have heard of his fictitious relapie, and fo few of his continual recovery. And you think to run me down with the Bifhop and Mrs, Carter, and Sir James; and I know LETTERS TO AND FROM I know not whether you may not win a heat, now the town grows empty. Mrs. Veiey fufpects dill that I do not love them fmce that Jkrimage. But I buflle pretty well, and mew myfelf here and there, and do not like to be quite loft. However, I have as many invita- tions to the country as you ; and I do not mind your breakfafls, nor your evenings. Langton is gone to be an engineer at Cha- tham ; and I fuppoie you know that Jones and Scot oppofe each other for what neither will have. If Mr. Thrale at all remits his vigilance, let the Doctor Icofe upon him. While he is watched he may be kept from mifchief, but he never can be fafe without a rule ; and no rule will he find equal to that which has been ib often mentioned, of an alternate diet ; in which, at leaft in this feafon of vegetation, there is neither difficulty nor hardfhip. I am, dearefl Madam, Your, &c. 1 ondon, No. 8. Bolt-court, Fleet-ftrcet, June 6, 1780. Mind this, 'and tell Queeney. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 143 LETTER CCXL. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, June 9, 1780. o the queftion, Who was imprefled with confternation ? it may with great truth be anfwered, that every body was imprefled, for nobody was fure of his fafety. On Friday the good Proteftants met in St. George's Fields, at the fummons of Lord George Gordon, and marching to Weftmin- fter, infulted the Lords and Commons, who all bore it with great tamenefs. At night the outrages began by the demolition of the mafs- houfe by Lincoln's Inn. An exaft journal of a week's defiance of government I cannot give you. On Monday, Mr. Strahan, who had been infulted, fpoke to Lord Mansfield, who had I think been in- fulted too, of the licentioufnefs of the popu- lace ; and his Lordfhip treated it as a very flight irregularity. On Tuefday night they 4 pulled 144- LETTERS TO AND FROM pulled down Fielding's houfe, and burnt his goods in the ftreet. They had gutted on Monday Sir George Savile's houfe, but the building was faved. On Tuefday evening, leaving Fielding's ruins, they went to New- gate to demand their companions who had been feized demoliming the chapel. The keeper could not releafe them but by the Mayor's permiffion, which he went to afk ; at his return he found all the prifoners re- leafed, and Newgate in a blaze. They then went to Bloomfbury and fattened upon Lord Mansfield's houfe, which they pulled down ; and as for his goods, they totally burnt them. They have fince gone to Cane-wood, but a guard was there before them. They plun- dered fome Papifts, I think, and burnt a mafs- houfe in Moorlields the fame night. On Wcdnefday I walked with Dr. Scot to look at Newgate, and found it in ruins, with the fire yet glowing. As I went by, the Pro- teftants were plundering the Seflions-houfe at the Old liailcy. There were not, 1 believe, a hundred ; but they did their work at leifure, in full fecurity, without fcntinels, without tre- pidation, as men lawfully employed, in full day. Such is the cowardice of a commercial 14 place. E)R. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 145 place. On Wednefday they broke open the Fleet, and the KingVbench, and the Marfhal- fea, and Woodrtreet-counter, and Clerken- well Bridewell, and releafed all the pri- foners. At night they fet fire to the Fleet, and to the KingVbench, and I know not how many other places j and one might fee the glare of conflagration fill the fky from many parts. The fight was dreadful. Some people were threatened ; Mr. Strahan advifed me to take care of myfelf. Such a time of terror you have been happy in not feeing. The King faid in council, that the magi- ftrates had not done their duty, but that he would do his own ; and a proclamation was published, directing us to keep our fervants within doors, as the peace was now to be pre- lerved by force. The foldiers were fent out to different parts, and the town is now at quiet. What has happened at your houfe you will know, the harm is only a few butts of beer ; and I think you may be fure that the danger is over. There is a body of foldiers at St. Margaret's Hill. VOL, II. L Of 146 LETTERS TO AND FROM Of Mr. Tyfon I know nothing, nor can guefs to what he can allude ; but I know that a young fellow of little more than feventy, is naturally an unrefifted conqueror of hearts. Pray tell Mr. Thrale that I live here and have no fruit, and if he does not interpofe, am not likely to have much ; but I think he might as well give me a little, as give all to the gardener. Pray make my compliments to Queeney and Burney. I am LETTER CCXLI. Mrs. THRALE to Dr. JOHNSON. Bath, 3 o'Clock on Saturday morning, June 10, 1780. H, my Dear Sir! was I ever particular in dating a letter before ? and is this a time to begin to be particular when I have been up all night in trembling agitation, and only write 6 DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 147 write now to drive time forward till the poft comes in ? God preferve the future fortunes of my dear girls, I am expelling their doom every inftant : now am I glad the Welch eftate is not fettled one muft find fomething to be glad of; and thefe barbarous beings cannot burn up fields of grafs nor forefts of timber. Mifs Burney is frighted, but fhe fays better times will come; fhe made me date my letter fo, and perfifts in hoping that ten years hence we mail all three read it over together and be merry. Oh no, no, no! here is poor pro- fpect of merriment ; the flames of the Romifh chapel are not yet extinguished, and the riot- ers are going to Briftol to burn that. Their fhouts are ftill in my ears ; and I do not be- lieve a dog or cat in the town fleeps this night. Mr. Thrale feems thunderftricken, he don't mind any thing; and Queeney's curio- fity is ftronger than her fears. But perhaps you will afk, 'who is conjlernated? as you did about the French invafion : furely there is nc% thing pedantick in expreffing fear now how- ever, nor nothing very romantick in feeling it, when, for ought I can tell, our property will be deftroyed to-night, and our peribns purfued to-morrow. The mob had always an idea of my hufband's being a concealed L 2 Papift, 148 LETTERS TO AND FROM Papift, and they ufed to fay that we kept a prieft in the houfe. ' I remember at one election, a fellow re- proaching another for being Mr. Th rale's friend ; and calling out to him, what, you are to be made a cardinal^ ant you, for ferviny Popifo Harry: and this new bufmefs of the Quebeck bill has given them frefh alarm. Trifles, light as air, are to the jealous Confummation ftrong, as proofs of holy writ, fays Shakefpear ; and when much wifer men than an election-mob is likely to confift of, once take up an hypothecs, they are fure to make all common fenfe and plain experience bend to it. Like the iron bed of the tyrant Procraftes, who ftretched thofe who were too (hort, and lopped thofe that were too long, till he made them fit. - Oh, would to heaven thefe letters would but come! fome hope I have in Perkins's abi- lity and diligence, fome in our dear Sir Phi- lip's ever friendly care. God preferve their lives for families which adore them. May they but fave my children's fortunes from a deftru&ion fo little expected. The Da. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 149 The mad fools here hooted a poor inoffen- five man till he fcampered over the wall, and laid they were fure he muft be the Pope, be- caufe he lodged on St. James's Parade, and had a night-gown with gold flowers in it. Such ideots ! but I have a better flory than that. When the foldiers were fent for three hours ago, a fhopkeeper's wife very wifely faid to me, Why now Ma'am, I begins to find what fools we were when we made fuch a piece of work one election year, and faid that no fol- diers fhould come in the town, 'caufe we were free Britons. Why, Lord have mercy, it was a great deal a better maxim to fleep fafe in our beds, than be free Britons and burned to death, So Toryifm and martial law, and ftanding armies for ever; and when the Papifts are all burned, and the Proteftants all hanged for burning them, the Jews may jump for joy. I think no one eife can be pleafed. Here come the letters ; fafe, fafe, fafe. Sir Philip, kind creature, has been more than charming; he has faved us all by his friendly activity- G6d blefs him Do go to his L 3 houfe, 150 LETTERS TO AND FROM houfe, and thank him ; pray do, and tell him how I love him he loves you : and a vifit from Doctor Johnfon will be worth forty let- ters from me, though I mall write inftantly. Perkins has behaved like an emperor, and 'tis my earneft wifh and defire, command if you pleafe to call it fo, that you will go over to the brewhoufe and exprefs your fenfe of his good behaviour. All is over fo far, blefTed be God : but Mr. Thrale is fcarcely in fecurity here, for the rioters have ftrange ideas about his Paplfm fome how We will move off therefore, and iinifli our Summer at Brighthelmftone, where I truft there is peace and quietncfs ; and if not, why the fea and the packet are at hand. Mean time, let us pray to be delivered alike from the dangers of defpofifm and anarchy. The miniature I have feen gives me a perfect idea of what you in London have been witnefs to but here will be no camps they fay, and in town we have been told all people arc putting immediately under martial law. So farewell, and direct to SufTex after to- morrow; and let us hope thefc horrors are nearlv DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 151 nearly at an end. Was not there an infur- rection once in Henry VHIth's time fome- thing like this ? when foreigners, of whatever religion or country they might be, became victims to the fury of a mifgoverned multi- tude; many of which were hanged afterwards for burning the property of aliens^ as they were then phrafed. I think the ftory is in one of our old folios at Streatham, and that the rioters proceeded exactly like thofe of the prefent day. 'Tis one of thofe fevers per- haps which fome conflitutions are fubject to, and in a couple more centuries we fliall have fuch another mock to recover from. Mean time I mail not go to bed, becaufe my mind is too much agitated ; but as foon as this let- ter is folded up, the cold bath mall fteady my nerves a little for packing my trunks, and carrying the family acrofs thefe country roads where leall confufion may be expected, and we will get to the feafide at Portfmouth, and fo coaft away to our old quarters. The worft is, it will, before your letters reach me, be a full fortnight at lead ; but never mind, every foul one meets will be able to give general accounts, and for particulars we may wait or make more hafte, if to wait L 4 fhould i 5 2 LETTERS TO AND FROM fhould prove too difficult. I am at all times and places, DEAR SIR, Your moft faithful fervant, JL,. H. THRALE. I wrote you a long letter this morning, or more properly yefter morning, and faid we were going to Briftol, but you muft not mind that. LETTER CGXLII. To Mrs. THRALE. DEAR MADAM, June 10,1780. "\7ou have ere now heard and read enough A to convince you, that we have had fomething to fuffer, and fomething to fear, and therefore I think it neceflary to quiet the folicitude which you undoubtedly feel, by telling you that our calamities and ter- rors are now at an end. The foldiers are Rationed fo as to be every where within call ; there is no longer any body of riot- ers. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 153 ers, and the individuals are hunted to their holes, and led to prifon ; the ftreets are fafe and quiet ; Lord George was laft night fent to the Tower, Mr. John Wilkes was this day with a party of foldiers in my neighbourhood, to feize the publifher of a feditious paper. Every body walks, and eats, and fleeps in fecurity. But the hiftory of the laft week would fill you with amazement, it is without any modern example. Several chapels have been deftroyed, and feveral inoffenfive Papifts have been plunder- ed, but the high fport was to burn the jails. This was a good rabble trick. The debtors and the criminals were all fet at liberty ; but of the criminals, as has always happened, many are already retaken, and two pirates have furrendered themfelves, and it is expec^ ted that they will be pardoned. Government now acts again with its proper force; and we are all again under the protec- tion of the King and the law. I thought that it would be agreeable to you and my mafter to have my teftimony to the publick fecurity; and that you would fleep more quietly when I told you that you are fafe. I am, deareft Lady, Your, &V 154 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCXLIII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, June 12, 1780. A LL is well, and all is likely to continue ** well. The ftreets are all quiet, and the houfes are all fafe. This is a true anfwer to the firft enquiry which obtrudes itfelf upon your tongue at the reception of a letter from London. The publick has efcaped a very heavy calamity. The rioters attempted the Bank on Wednefclay night, but in no great number ; and like other thieves, with no great refolution. Jack Wilkes headed the party that drove them away. It is agreed, that if they had feized the Bank on Tuefday, at the height of the panick, when no refiftance had been prepared, they might have carried irre- coverably away whatever they had found. Jack, who was always zealous for .order and decency, declares, that if he be trufted with power, he will not leave a rioter alive. There is however now no longer any need of he- roifm DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 155 roifin or bloodlhed ; no blue riband is any longer worn. called on Friday at Mrs. Gardi- ner's, to fee how fhe efcaped or what fhe dif- fered ; and told her, that fhe had herfelf too much affliction within doors, to take much notice of the difturbances without. It was furely very happy that you and Mr. Thrale were away in the tumult ; you could have done nothing better than has been done, and muft have felt much terrour which your abfence has fpared you. We have accounts here of great violences committed by the Proteftants at Bath ; and of the demolition of the mafshoufe. We have feen fo much here, that we are very credu- lous. Pray tell Mifs Burney that Mr. Hutton called on me yefterday, and fpoke of her with praife ; not profufe, but very fmcere, juft as I do. And tell Queeney, that if fhe does not write oftener, I will try to forget her. There are other pretty girls that perhaps I could get, if I were not conftant. My I 5 6 LETTERS TO AND FROM My Lives go on but flowly. I hope to add fome to them this week. I \vifh they were well done. Thus far I had written when I received your letter of battle and conflagration. You certainly do right in retiring ; for who can guefs the caprice of the rabble ? My mailer and Queeney are dear people for not being frighted, and you and Burney are dear people for being frighted. I wrote to you a letter of intelligence and confolation ; which, if you ilaid for it, you had on Saturday ; and I wrote another on Saturday, which perhaps may fol- low you from Bath, wjth fome atchievement of John Wilkes. Do not be difturbed ; all danger here is ap- parently over : but a little agitation flill con- tinues. We frighten one another with feventy thoufand Scots to come hither with the Dukes of Gordon and Argyle, and eat us, and hang us, or drown us ; but we are all at quiet. I am glad, though I hardly know why, that you are gone to Brighthelmftone rather than to Briftol. You are fomewhat nearer home, and DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 157 and I may perhaps come to fee you. Bright- helmftone will foon begin to be peopled, and Mr. Thrale loves the place ; and you will fee Mr. Scrafe ; and though I am forry that you fhould be fo outrageoufly unroofted, I think that Bath has had you long enough. Of the commotions at Bath there has been talk here all day. An exprefs mufh have been lent ; for the report arrived many hours before the poft, at leaft before the distribution of the letters. This report I mentioned in the rirfl part of my letter, while I was yet uncertain of the fat. When it is known that the rioters are quelled in London, their fpirit will fink in every other place, and little more mifchief will be done. I am, dear Madam, Your, &c. 158 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCXLIV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. PEAR MADAM, London, June 14, 1780. VERY thing here is fafe and quiet. This is the firft thing to be told ; and this I told in my laft letter directed to Brighthelm- flone. There has indeed been an univerfal panick, from which the King was the firft that recovered. Without the concurrence of his minifters, or the affiftance of the civil ma- giftrate, he put the foldiers in motion, and laved the town from calamities, fuch as a rabble's government muft naturally produce. Now you are at eafe about the publick, I may tell you that I am not well ; I have had a cold and cough fome time, but it is grown fo bad, that yefterday I failed and was blood- ed, and to day took phyfick and dined : but neither fading nor bleeding, nor dinner, nor phyfick, have yet made me well. No DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 159 No fooner was the danger over, than the people of the Borough found out how foolifh it was to be afraid, and formed themfelves into four bodies for the defence of the place ; through which they now march morning and evening in a martial manner. I am glad to find that Mr. Thrale continues to grow better ; if he is well, I hope we fhall be all well : but I am very weary of my cough, though I have had much worfe. I am, LETTER CCXLV. To Mrs. THRALE. DEAR MADAM, London, June 15, 1780. T AST night I told you that I was not well; and though you have much elfe to think on, perhaps you may be willing enough to hear, that by the help of an opiate, I think myfelf better to-day. Whether i6o LETTERS TO AND FROM Whether I am or am not better, the town is quiet, and every body fleeps in quiet, ex- cept a few who pleafe themfelves with guard- ing us now the danger is over. Perkins feems to have managed with great dexterity. Every body, I believe, now fees, that if the tumult had been oppofed immediately, it had been immediately fupprefled ; and we are therefore now better provided againft an in- furrection, than if none had happened. I hope you, and Matter, and Queeney, and Burney, are all well. I was contented lad night to fend an excufe to Vefey, and two days ago another to Mrs. Horneck ; you may think I was bad, if you thought about it; and why fhould you not think about me who am fo often thinking about you, and your appur- tenances. But there is no gratitude in this world. But I could tell you, Doris, if I would j And fince you treat me fo, methinks I fhould. So fmgs the fublime and pathetick Mr. \Valfh. Well! and I will tell you too. Among the heroes of the Borough, who twice a-day perambulate, or pcrequitate High-ftreet and 5 the DR, SAMUEL JOHNSON; 161 the Clink, rides that renowned and redoubted knight, Sir Richard Hotham. There is mag- nanimity, which defies every danger that is paft, and publick fpirit, that ftands fentinel over property that he does not own. Tell me no more of the felf-devoted Decii, or of the leap of Curtius. Let fame talk henceforward with all her tongues of Hotham the Hat- maker. I was laft week at Kenny's converfatione, and Renny got her room pretty well filled ; and there were Mrs. Ord, and Mrs. Horneck, and Mrs. Bunbury> and other illuftrious names, and much would poor Renny have given to have had Mrs. Thrale too, and Queeny, and Burney : but human happinefs is never perfect ; there is always line vnide affreufe, as Maintenon complained, there is fome craving void left aking in the bredft. Renny is going to Ramfgate ; and thus the world drops away, and I am left in the fultry town, to fee the fun in the crab, and perhaps in the lion, while you are paddling with the Nereids. I am, VOL. II. M r62 LETTERS TO AND FROM N' LETTER CCXLVI. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Wednefday, June 21, 1780. 'ow you come to a fettled place I have fome inclination to write to you; for in writing after you there was no pleafure. All is quiet; and that quietnefs is now more like- ly to continue than if it had never been dif- turbed. 's cafe, if it be not affected,, is ridiculous ; but there is in the world much tendernefs where there is no misfortune, and much courage where there is no danger. My cold is grown better, but is not quite well, nor bad enough now to be complained of. I wifli I had been with you to fee the Ifle of Wight ; but I fhall perhaps go fome time without you, and then we fhall be even. What you told me of Mr. Middleton fright- ed me ; but I am Mill of my old opinion, that a femivegetable diet will keep all well. I have dined on Monday and to-day only on peas. Ifup- DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 163 I fuppofe the town grows empty, for I have no invitations; and I begin to wifh for fome- thing, I hardly know what: but I fhould like to move when every body is moving ; and yet I purpofe to ftay till the work is done, which I take little care to do. Sic labitur The world is full of troubles. Mrs. has juft been with me to get a chirurgeon to her daughter ; the girl that Mrs. Cumins re- jected, who has received a kick from a horfe, that has broken five fore-teeth on the upper fide. The world is likewife full of efcapes ; had the blow been a little harder it had killed her. It was a twelvemonth laft Sunday fince the convulfions in my breaft left me. I hope I was thankful when I recollected it: by re- moving that diforder, a great improvement was made in the enjoyment of life. I am now as well as men at my age can exped: to be, and I yet think I fhall be better. I have had with me a brother of - ..... .., a Spanifh merchant, whom the war has driven from his refidence at Valencia ; he is gone to fee his friends, and will find Scotland but a M 2 forry 164 LETTERS TO AND FROM forry place after twelve years refidence in a happier climate. He is a very agreeable man, and fpeaks no Scotch. Keep Matter to his diet, and tell him that his Illwillers are very unwilling to think that he can ever fit more in parliament, but by caution and refolution he may fee many par- liaments. Pay my refpects to Queeney and Burney. Living fo apart we mall get no cre- dit by our fludies ; but I hope to fee you all again feme time. Do not let feparation make us forget one another. I am, LETTER CCXLVII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, July 4, \-j%o, "Vfou are too happy for any body but your- felf to travel in fuch pretty company, and leave every thing fafe behind you, and find every thing well when you arrive ; and yet I queftion if you are quite contented, though DR. SAMUEL. JOHNSON. 165 though every body envies you. Keep my mafter tight in his geers, for if he breaks loofe the mifchief will be very extenfive. Your account of Mr. S and of Mifs O is very melancholy ; I wilh them both their proper relief from their feveral maladies. But I am glad that Queeney continues well ; and hope me will not be too rigorous with the young ones, but allow them to be happy their own way; for what better way will they ever find? C'eft que 1'enfant toujours eft homme; C'eft que 1'homme eft toujours enfant. I have not feen or done much fmce I had the misfortune of feeing you go away. I was one night at Burney's. There were Pepys, and there were Mrs. Ord, and Paradife, and Hoole, and Dr. Dunbar of Aberdeen, and I know not how many more. And Pepys and I had all the talk. To-day called on me the Dean of Hereford, who fays that the barley-harveft is likely to be very abundant. There is fomething for our confoladon. Don't forget that I am, Dear Madam, Your, M 3 i66 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCXLVIIL To Mrs. T H R A L E. PEAR MADAM, London, juiy 10, 1780. TF Mr. Thrale eats but half his ufual quan- tity, he can hardly eat too much. It were better however to have fome rule, and fome fecurity. Lad week I faw fiefh but twice, and I think fifh once, the reit was peafe. You are afraid, you fay, left I extenuate invfelf too faft. and are an eriemv to violence : * * but did you never hear nor read, dear Ma- j dam, that every man has his genius, and that the great rule by which all excellence is at- tained, and all fuccefs procured, is, to follow genius ; and have you not obferved in all our conversations that my ge/iius is always in ex- tremes; that I am very noify, or very filent ; very gloomy, or very rnerry ; ' very four, or very kind ? And would you have me crois my genius, when it leads me fomctimes to vo- racity and fometimes to abftinence ? You know that DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 167 that the oracle faid follow your genius. When we get together again, (but when alas will that be?) you can manage me, and fpare me the folicitude of managing myfelf. Poor Mifs O- called on me on Satur- day, with that fond and tender application which is natural to mifery, when it looks to every body for that help which nobody can give. I was melted ; and foothed and coun- felled her as well as I could, and am to viiit her to-morrow. She gave a very honourable account of my dear Queeney ; and fays of my mafter, that fhe thinks his manner and temper more al- tered than his looks, but of this alteration fhe could give no particular account; and all that fhe could fay ended in this, that he is now ifleepy in the morning. I do not wonder at the fcantinefs of her narration, fhe is too bury within to turn her eyes abroad. I am glad that Pepys is come, but hope that refolute temperance will make him un- necefTary. I doubt he can do no good to poor Mr. Scrafe, M 4 I ftay 168 LETTERS TO AND FROM I flay at home to work, and yet do not work diligently ; nor can tell when I fhall have done, nor perhaps does any body but myfelf wiih me to have done ; for what can they hope I fhall do better ? yet I wifh the work was over, and I was at liberty. And what would I do if I was at liberty ? Would I go to Mrs. Afton and Mrs. Porter, and fee the old places, and figh to find that my old friends are gone ? Would I recal plans of life which I never brought into practice, and hopes of excellence which I once prefumed, and never have attained ? Would I compare what I now am with what I once expected to have been ? Is it reafonable to wifh for fug- geftions of fhame, and opportunities of for-* row? If you pleafe, Madam, we will have an end of this, and contrive fome other wifhes. I wifh I had you in an evening, and I wiih I had you in a morning ; and I wifh I could have a little talk, and fee a little frolick. For all this I muft flay, but life will not ftav, IwiU DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 169 I will end my letter and go to Blackmore's life, when I have told you that I am, &c. LETTER CCXLIX. To Mrs. T H R A L E. London, July 27, 1780. AND thus it is, Madam, that you ferve me. After having kept me a whole week hoping and hoping, and wondering and won- dering, what could have flopped your hand from writing, comes a letter to tell me, that I fuffer by my own fault. As if I might not correfpond with my Queeney, and we might not tell one another our minds about politicks or morals, or any thing elfe. Queeney and I are both fteady, and may be trufted ; we are none of the giddy gabblers, we think before We fpeak, I am i;o LETTERS TO AND FROM I am afraid that I fhall hardly find my way this fummer into the country, though the number of my Lives now grows lefs. I will fend you two little volumes in a few days. As the workmen are ftill at Streatham, there is no likelihood of feeing you and my mafter in any fhort time ; but let my matter be where he will fo he be well. I am not, I believe, any fatter than when you faw me, and hope to keep corpulence away; for I am fo lightfome and fo airy, and can fo walk, you would talk of it if you were to fee me. I do not always ileep well ; but I have no pain nor ficknefs in the night. Perhaps I only fleep ill becaufe I am too long a-bed. I dined y^fterday at Sir Joftma's with Mrs. Cholmondely, and ihe told me, I was the bed critick in the world ; and I told her, that no- body in the world could judge like her of the merit of a critick. On Sunday I was with Dr. Lawrence and his two (iilers-in-law, to dine with Mr. G at Putney. The Doctor cannot hear in a coach better than in a room, and it was but a 17 dull DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 171 dull day; only I faw two crownbirds, paltry creatures, and a red curlew. Every body is gone out of town, only I am left behind, and know riot when I fhall fee either Naiad or Dryad ; however, it is as it has commonly been, I have no complaint to make but of myfelf. I have been idle, and of idlenefs can come no goodnefs. Mrs. Williams was frighted from London as you were frighted from Bath. She is come back, as the thinks, better. Mrs. Defmoulins has a diforder refembling an afthma; which I am for curing with calomel and jalap, but Mr. Levet treats it with antimonial wine. Mr. Levet keeps on his legs ftout, and walks, I fuppofe, ten miles a-day. I flick pretty well to diet, and defire my mafter may be told of it ; for no man faid oftener than he, that the lefs we eat the let- ter. Poor , after having thrown away Lord 's patronage and three hundred a-year, has had another difappointment. He procured a recommendation from Lord to the Governor of Jamaica; but to make this ufeful, J7 2 LETTERS TO AND FROM ufeful, fomething was to be done by the Bi- fhop of London, which has been refufed. Thus is the world filled with hope and fear, and ftruggle, and difappointment. Pray do you never add to the other vexa- tions, any diminution of your kindnefs for, Madam, Your, LETTER CCL. To Mrs. T H R A L E. MADAM, London, Auguft i, 1780. T HAD your letter about Mr. S and * Mifs O ; but there was nothing to which I had any anfwer, or to which any anfwer could be made. This afternoon Dr. Lawrence drank tea, and, as he always does, afked about Mr. Thrale ; I told him how well he was when I heard ; and he does not eat too much, faid the Doctor; I faid, not often; and the return was. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. i 7 j was, that he who in that cafe ihould once eat too much, might eat no more. I keep my rule very well ; and, I think, continue to grow better. Tell my pretty dear Queency, that when we meet again, we will have, at leaft for fome time, two leflbns in a day. I love her, and think on her when I am alone ; hope we mall be very happy together, and mind our books. Now Auguft and Autumn are begun, and the Virgin takes pofleffion of the fky. Will the Virgin do any thing for a man of feventy? I have .a great mind to end my work under the Virgin. I have fent two volumes to Mr. Perkins ta be fent to you, and beg you to fend them back as foon as you have all done with them, I let the firft volume get to the Reynolds's, and could never get it again. I fent to Lord Weftcote about his brother's life, but he fays he knows not whom to em- ploy ; and is fure I mall do him no injury. There is an ingenious fcheme to fave a day's work, or part of a day, utterly defeated. Then what avails it to be wife ? The plain and the artful man muft both do their own 1 4 work* j 74 LETTERS TO AND FROM work. But I think I have got a life of Dr. Young. Sufy and Sophy have had a fine Summer ; it is a comfort to think that fomebody is happy. And they make verfes, and act plays. Mrs. Montague is, 1 think, in town, and has fent Mrs. Williams her annuity : but I hear nothing from her, but I may be content- ed if I hear from you, for I am, LETTER CCLI. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Auguft 8, 1780. TT7HAT do you fcold fo for about Gran- * * ville's life; do you not fee that the ap- pendage neither gains nor favcs any thing to me ? I mall have Young's life given me, to fpite you. Methinks it was pity to fend the girls to fchool; they have indeed had a fine vacation,. dear DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 175 dear loves, but if it had been longer it had been ftill finer. Did Mafter read my books ? You fay no- thing of him in this letter ; but I hope he is well, and growing every day nearer to per- fect health. When do you think of coming home? I have not yet perfuaded myfelf to work, and therefore know not when my work will be done. Yet I have a mind to fee Lichfield. Dr. Taylor feems to be well. He has written to me without a fyllable of his lawfuit. You have heard in the papers how * * * is come to age ; I have enclofed a fhort fong of congratulation, which you muft not fhow to any body. It is odd that it fhould come into any body's head. I hope you will read it with candour ; it is, I believe, one of the author's firft eflays in that way of writing, and a beginner is always to be treated with tendernefs. My two gentlewomen are both complain- ing. Mrs. Defmoulins had a mind of Dr. Turton; I fent for him, and he has prefcribed for Mrs. Williams, but I do not find that he promifes I 7 6 LETTERS TO AND FROM promifes himfelf much credit from either of them. I hope it will not be long before I fhall have another little volume for you, and ftill there will be work undone. If it were not for thefe Lives, I think I could not forbear coming to look at you, now you have room for me. But I ftill think to flay till I have cleared my hands. Queeney is riot good. She feldom writes to me, and yet I love her, and I love you all^ for I am, LETTER CCLIL To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Augufli 4 , i 7 g . T HOPE my dear Queeney's fufpicions are groundlefs. Whenever any alteration of manner happens, I believe a fmall cathartick will fet all right. I hope DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 177 I hope you have no defign of ftealing away to Italy before the election, nor of leaving me behind you ; though I am not only Seventy, but Seventy-one. Could not you let me lofc a year in round numbers ? Sweetly, fweetly, fmgs Dr. Swift, Some dire misfortune to portend, No enemy can match a friend. But what if I am Seventy-two; I remember Sulpitius fays of Saint Martin (now that's above your reading), Eft animus viftor arino- rum^ et fcneEluti ccdere nefcius. Match me that among your young folks. If you try to plague me, I mall tell you that, according to Galen, life begins to decline from 'Thirty- Jive. But as we go off, others come on : Queeney's laft letter was very pretty. What a hufley ihe is to write fo feldom. She has no events, then let her write fentiment as you and I do ; and fentiment you know is inexhauftible. If you want events, here is Mr. Levet juft come in at fourfcore from a walk to Hamp- ftead, eight miles, in Auguft. This, however, is all that I have to tell you, except that I VOL. II. N have 178 LETTERS TO AND FROM have three bunches of grapes on a vine in my garden; at leaft, this is all that I will now tell of my garden. Both my females are ill, both very ill ; Mrs. DefmouKns thought that me wifhed for Dr. Turton ; and I fent for him, and then took him to Mrs. Williams, and he prefcribes for both,, though without much hope of be- nefiting either. Yet phyfick has its powers : you fee that I am better ; and Mr. Shaw will maintain, that he and I faved my matter. But if he is to live always away from us, what did we get by faving him? If we cannot live together, let us hear ; when I have no letter from Brighthelmfton, think how I fret, and write oftener \ you write to this body and to that, and nobody loves you like Your, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 179 LETTER CCLIII. 4 To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Auguil 18, 178-. y LOST no time, and have enclofed our con- -* verfation. You write of late very feldom. I xvifh you would write upon fiibjetfs ; any thing to keep alive. You have your beaux, and your flatterers, and here am poor I forced to flatter myfelf ; and any good of myfelf I am not very eafy to believe, fo that I really live but a ferry life. What fhall I do with Lyttelton's life ? I can make a fhort life, and a fhort criticifm, and conclude. Why did not you like Collins, and Gay, and Blackmore^ as well as Akenfide? I am, Madam, Your, EsV. N i8o LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCLIV. Mrs. T H R A L E to Dr. J O H N S O N. Auguft zo. T WILL try, my dear Sir, to make you fome amends, by writing at Icaft one very long letter ; but indeed I can think only of one thing, whatever I may Jay* Do you recollect our laughing fifteen years ago at a gavvkee girl of feventeen? who^when Jier toalt was called tor at a city table crowd- ed with coarfe men -they were drinking fentiments Is not, lays me, this a pretty health What -u } e think on M6/?, and talk on haft. I am come pretty much to her cafe : for it is not right to fpeak of that which never fails to keep prefnng upon my fpirits, and preying upon my mind. Without frequent bleedings, there is however danger on one fide, and by bleeding frequently, we induce as certain a danger on the other. \Ve had a vifit yeflerday from Mr. R ; whom per- haps DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 181 haps you remember, perhaps not : but our morning converfation with him will not be eafily forgotten by me, I thought it would drive me wild upon the fpot. In fuch a cafe, can there be any fears of my fteattng aivay to Italy without you ? when I fliould not think you, nor twenty more fuch friends if I could find them, fufficient to guard us from the ha- zard of wild exploits. Whoever is fick, is furely fafeft at home ; and have we not mor- tifications enough already, without going where one might be amufed, in order to be miferable ? Oh no, let us be miferable in the old places, and not pollute fcenes of pleafure with objects of forrow. Well ! as you fay, Queeney is beginning life, and fo far very happily, as it is begun under your tuition : (he appears to me proud of your partiality ; and, I dare fay, will try long to deferve it. You are getting quite well as it appears; and when we meet, we fhall fee viffor annorum. The Lives will be a ftand- ing proof of your powers after the grand cli- materick ; and you make gay impromptus upon the boys, inftead of fitting down like common mortals at feventy, and letting the boys make gay impromptus upon you. N 3 Black- i8i LETTERS TO AND FROM Blackmore's life h admirable ; who fays I don't like it ? I like all the Whig lives prodi- gioufly : Akenfide's beft of the little one's, for the fake of a pretty difquifition upon ridicule that pleafed me particularly, and that elegant itridure on the Pleafures of Imagination ; which will probably be much read and ad- mired by every one. It is my fmcere opinion that Milton, and Blackmore, and Thomfon, would have been all contented with what you have fa id of them, though the admirers of Ly- cid:is will be angry no doubt. The cenfures of Milton's republican fpirit would fcarce have {hocked him : he knew himfelf to be acrimonious and iurly ; like Young's Buliris, who called himfelf the Proud, and gloried in it. Your account of his domeftick behaviour, however, puts me in mind of the fierce fellow in a droll book called P>;inpey I be Little, who comes home from the publick houfe, where he had been vapouring and ftorming away about liberty of fpeech and treats his poor wife with the moft brutal tyranny, only be- caufe me jufl fays, Indeed, my dear, I dorft nndcrftand politicks. Your harm expre/Iions of wrath againft the author are, after all, fo 7 buried DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 183 buried under the majefiick prai-fes beftowed upon Paradife Loft, that even / am forced to forgive them. Poor dear Dr. Collier uied al- ways to bring that poem forward as a tefti- mony to the excellence of Toryifm; for, fays he, you may obferve that 'tis wholly formed upon our principles of obedience and fubordi- nation ; and I half wifh, for the fake of my firft friend, whofe memory I mail for ever revere, that his remark had been preferved in this work of your's, which will doubtlefs be difleminated far and wide ; and, for ought I know, take poffefiiori of the lands on which it lights, as Don Sebaftian faid of the duft that his body when dead would be dried into. And now if you call this flattery, I can leave off in a minute without bidding; for fince you lions have no {kill in dandling the kid, we kids can expect but rough returns for ca- refles beftowed upon our haughty monarch So be diligent, dear Sir, and have done with thefe men that have been buried thefe hun- dred years, and don't fit making verfes that never will be written, but lit down fteadily and linifh their lives who did do fomething ; and then think a little about mine, which has not been a happy one, for all you teize me fo N 4 con- 184 LETTERS TO AND FROM concerning the pleafures I enjoy, and the flat- tery I receive, all which has nothing to do with comfort for the prefent diftrefs, and fome- tirnes I am angry when I read fuch fluff. That your two Sultanas aj*e fick is very un- comfortable for you ; may be Dr. Turton may do them good : I never law Dr. Turton, but my heart, like ClariilVs, naturally leans to- wards a phyfician. Le median et Ic cnrc^ as the French themfejves, who have gayer hearts than mine, confefs, are the lad earthly ob- jects on which the human hopes and human eyes are to be fixed : and it is fomewhat un- fair not to let them take up a little of pur af- fections beforehand. If we do go to Michelgrove, Heftcr will write all one ; fhe is very attentive to her fa- ther, very dutiful, and very wife. I hope my anxiety is concealed from her pretty well, it would be exceedingly wrong to deprefs her fpirils, and very dangerous to her health. I am mod fmcerely, dear Sir, Your faithful fervant, H. L. TIJ RALK. The converfation you inclofed I could have written myfelf; as Juliet fays, Yea, but all this did I know before. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 185 1 LETTER CCLV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. D E A R M A D A M, London, Augult 24, 1780. DO not wonder that you can think and write but of one thing. Yet concerning that thing you may be lefs uneafy, as you arc now in the right way. You are at leaft doing, what I was always defirous to have you do, and which, when defpair put an end to the caution of men going in the dark, produced at laft all the good that has been obtained. Gentle purges, and flight phlebotomies, are not my favourites ; they are pop-gun batte- ries, which lofe time and effedt nothing. It was by bleeding till he fainted, that his life was faved. I would, however, now have him truft chiefly to vigorous and ftimulating ca- thartics. To bleed, is only proper when there is no time for flower remedies. Does he fleep in the 'night ? if he fleeps, there is not much danger ; any thing like wake- i86 LETTERS TO AND FROM wakefulnefs in a man either by nature or ha- bit fo uncommonly fleepy, would put me in great fear. Do not now hinder him from ileeping whenever heavinefs comes upon him. Quiet reft, light food, and ftrong purges, will, I think, fet all right. Be you vigilant, but be not frighted. Of Mr. R I very well remember all but the name. " He had a nice dilcernment " of lofs arid gain." This I thought a power not hard to be attained. What kept him out then muft keep him out now ; the want of a place for him. Mr. P then obierved, that there was nothing upon which he could be employed. Matters will never be car- ried to extremities. Mr. P can- not be difcharged, and he will never fuffer a fuperiour. That voluntary fubmiflion to a new mind is not a heroick quality ; but it has always been among us, and therefore I mind it lefs. The expedition to foreign parts you will not much encourage, and you need not, I think, make any great effort to oppofe it; for it is as likely to put us out of the way to mil- chief, as to bring us into it. We can have no projects DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 187 projects in Italy. Exercife may relieve the body, and variety will amufe the mind. The expence will not be greater than at home in the regular courie of life. And we (hall be fiife from B and G , and all inftiga- tors to fchemes of wafte. Si te fata ferant^ fcrfata. The chief wifh that I form is, that Mr. Thrale could be made to underftand his true flate : to know that he is tottering upon a point ; to confider every change of his mental character as the fymptom of a difeafe; to dif- truft any opinions or purpofes that moot up in his thoughts ; to think that violent mirth is the foam, and deep fadnefs the fubfulence of a morbid fermentation ; to watch himfelf, and counteract: by experienced remedies every npw tendency, or uncommon fenfation. This is a new and an ungrateful employment; but with- out this felf-examination he never can be fafe. You muft try to teach it, and he to learn it gradually, and in this my fweet Queeney muft help you ; I am glad to hear of her vigilance and obfervation. She is my pupil. I fuppofe the S fcheme is now paft; I faw no great harm in it, though perhaps no good. Do not fufFer little things to embarrafs you. LETTERS TO AND FROM you. Our great work is conftant temperance, and frequent, very frequent evacuation ; and that they may not be interrupted, conviction. of their neceffity is to be prudently incul- cated. I am not at prefent fo much diftreffed as you, becaufe I think your prefent method likely to be efficacious. Dejection may indeed follow, and I mould dread it from too copious bleeding; for as purges are more under com- mand, and more concurrent with the agency of nature, they feldoin effeft any irremediable change. However, we muft expect after fuch a difeaie, that the mind will fluctuate long be- fore it finds its center. I will not tell you, nor Matter, nor Queeney, how I long to be among you; but I would be glad to know when we are to meet, and hope our meeting will be cheerful. I am, dearcft Lady, Your, Y DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 189 LETTER CCLVI. To Mrs. T H R A L E> DEAR MADAM, London, Auguft 25, 1780. ESTERDAY I could write but about one thing. I am forry to find from my dear Queeney's letter to-day, that Mr. Thrale's deep was too much fhortened. He begins however now, me fays, to recover it. Sound deep will be the fureft token of returning health. The fwelling of his legs has nothing in it dangerous ; it is the natural confequence of lax mufcles, and when the laxity is known to be artificial, need not give any uneafinefs. I told you fo formerly. Every thing that I have told you about my dear matter has been true. Let him take purgatives, and let him fleep. Bleeding feems to have been necefTary now ; but it was become necefTary only by the omiffion of purges. Bleeding is only for exigences. I wifh you or Queeney would write to me every poft while the danger lafts. I will come if I can do any good, or prevent any evil. For igo LETTERS TO AND FROM For any other purpofe, I fuppofe, now poor Sam: maybe fpared ; you are regaled with Greek and Latin, and you are Tbralia Ca- Jlalio femper amata cboro ; and you have a daughter equal to yourfelf. I {hall have enough to do with one and the other. Your admirer has more Greek than poetry ; he was however worth the conqueft, though you had conquered me. Whether you can hold him as faft, there may be fome dram of a fcruplc^ for he thinks you have full tongue enough, as appears by fome of his verfes ; he will leave you for fomebody that will let him take his turn, and then I may come in again : for, I tell you, nobody loves you fo well, and there- fore never think of changing like the moon, and being cwjtant only in your inconjldncy* I have not dined out for fome time but with Renny or Sir Jofhua ; and next week Sir Jofhua goes to Devonshire, and Renny to Richmond, and I am left by myfelf. I wim I could fay nunquam minus ^ &c. but I am not diligent. I am afraid that I mail not fee Lichfield this year, yet it would pleafe me to mew my friends how much better I am grown : but I am not grown, I am afraid, lefs idle; and of idlenefs I .am now paying the line by having no leifure. Does DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 191 Does the expedition to Sir John Shelly' s go On? The firft week of September is now at no great diftance ; nor the eighteenth day, which concludes another of my wretched years. It is time to have done. I am, LETTER CCLVII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAREST MADAM, London, April 5, 1781. your injunctions, to pray for you and write to you, I hope to leave neither un- obferved ; and I hope to find you willing in a fhort time to alleviate your trouble by fome other exercife of the mind. I am not with- out my part of the calamity. No death fince that of my wife has ever oppreffed me like this. But let us remember, that we are in the hands of Him who knows when to give and when to take away ; who will look upon us with mercy through all our variations of ex- iftence, and who invites us to call on him in the day of trouble. Call upon him in this great 192 LETTERS TO AND FROM great revolution of life, and call with confi- dence. You will then find comfort for the paft, and fupport for the future. He that has given you happineis in marriage, to a degree of which, without peribnal knowledge, I fhould have thought the defcription fabulous, can give you another mode of happineis as a mother ; and at laft, the happineis of lofmg all temporal cares in the thoughts of an eter- nity in heaven. I do not exhort you to reafon yourfelf into tranquillity. We muft firft pray, and then labour ; firft implore the bleffing of God, and thofe means which he puts into our hands. Cultivated ground has few weeds ; a mind oc- cupied by lawful bufmefs, has little room for ufelefs regret. AVe read the will to-day ; but I will not fill my firft letter with any other account than that, with all my zeal for your advan- tage, I am fatisfied ; and that the other execu- ^tors, more ufed to confider property than I, commended it for wifdom and equity. Yet why mould I not tell you that you have five hundred pounds for your immediate expences, and two thoufand pounds a-year, with both the houfes and all the goods? 8 Let DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 193 Let us pray for one another, that the time, 'whether long or fhort, that {hall yet be grant- ed us, may be well fpent ; and that when this life, which at the longeft is very fhort, fliall come to an end, a better may begin which fliall never end. I am, deareft Madam, Your, fcfr. LETTER CCLVIII, To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, April 7, 1781. T HOPE you begin to find your mind grow clearer. My part of the lofs hangs upon me. I have loft a friend of boundlefs kind- nefs at an age when it is very unlikely that I ihould find another. If you think change of place likely to re- lieve you, there is no reafon why you fhould not go to Bath; the diftances are unequal, but with regard to practice and bufmefs they VOL. II. O are X94 . LETTERS TO AND FROM are the fame. It is a day's journey from ei- ther place ; and the poft is more expeditious and certain to Bath. Confult only your own inclination, for there is really no other principle of choice. God direct and blefs you. Mr. C - has offered Mr. P - money, but it was not wanted. I hope we fhall all do all we can to make you lefs unhappy, and you muft do all you can for yourfelf. What we, or what you can do, will for a time be but little ; yet certainly that calamity which may be confidered as doomed to fall inevitably on half mankind, is not finally without alle- viation. It is fomething for me, that as I have not the decrepitude I have not the calloufnefs of old age. I hope in time to be lefs af- flifted. I am, Diu SAMUEL JOHNSON. 195 LETTER CCLIX; To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAREST MADAM, London, April 9, 1781. AT you are gradually recovering your tranquillity, is the effect to be humbly expected from truft in God. Do not reprefent life as darker than it is. Yoiir lofs has been very greatj but you retain more than almoft any other can hope to poflefs. You are high in the opinion of mankind ; you have chil- dren from whom much pleafure may be ex- pected ; and that you will find many friends, you have no reafon to doubt. Of my friend- fhip, be it worth more or lefs$ I hope you think yourfelf certain, without much art or care. It will not be eafy for me to repay the benefits that I have received ; but I hope to be always ready at your call. Our forrow has different effects ; you are withdrawn into folitude, and I am driven into company. I am afraid of thinking what I have loft. I O 2 never 196 LETTERS TO AND FROM never had fucli a friend before. Let me have ycur prayers and thofc of my clear Queeney. The prudence and refolution of your dc- fign to return fo ibon to your bufinefs and your duty deferves great praile ; I mall com- municate it on Wednefday to the other exe- cutors. Be pleafed to let me know whether you would have me come to Streatham to re- ceive you, or flay here till the next day. I am, &c. LETTER CCLX. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, April 1 1, 1781. T AM glad to hear from my dear Mils, that * you have recovered tranquillity enough to think on bathing; but there is no dilpoiition in the world to leave you long to yourielf. Mr. P pretends that your abience pro- duces a thoufand difficulties which I believe it does not produce. He frights Mr. C * * *. Mr, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 197 Mr. C is of my mind, that there is no need of hurry. I would not have this impor- tunity give you any alarm or diflurbance ; but, to pacify it, come as foon as you can prevail upon your mind to mingle with bufi- nefs. I think bufmefs the beft remedy for grief as foon as it can be admitted. We met to day, and were told of moun- tainous difficulties, till I was provoked to tell them, that if there were really fo much to do and fuffer, there would be no executors in the world. Do not fuffer yourfelf to be ter- rified. I comfort you, and hope God will blefs and fupport you ; but I feel myfelf like a man beginning a new courfe of life. I had interwoven myfelf with my dear friend ; but our great care ought to be, that we may be fit and ready, when in a fliort time we mall be called to follow him. There is, however, no ufe in communi- cating to you my heavinefs of heart. I thank dear Mifs for her letter. I am, 198 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCLXI. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAREST MADAM, London, April 12, 1781. TT ou will not fuppofe that much has hap-* * pened fmce laft night, nor indeed is this a time for talking much pf lofs and gain. The bufmefs of Chrjftians is now for a few days in their own bofom,s. God grant us to do it properly. I hope you gain ground on your affliction. I hope to overcome mine. You and Mifs muft comfort one another. May you long live happily together. I have no- body whom I expect to fhare my uneafmefs, nor, if I could communicate it, would it be lefs. I give it little vent, and amufe it as } can. Let us pray for one another. And, when we meet, we may try what fidelity and tepdernefs will do for us. There is no wifdom in ufelefs and hopelefs forrow ; but there is fomething in it fo like virtue, that he who is wholly without it can- not be loved,nor will by me at leaft be thought worthy of efteem. My next letter will be to Queeney. I am, PR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 199 LETTER CCLXIL To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, April 14, 1781. "]\ yr Y intention was to have written this day * ** to my dear Queeney ; but I have juft heard from you, and therefore this letter {hall be yours. I am glad that you find the behaviour of your acquaintance fuch as you can commend. The world is not fo unjuft or unkind as it is peevifhly reprefented. Thofe who deferve well feldom fail to receive from others fuch fervices as they can perform ; but few have much in their power, or are fo fta- tioned as to have great leifure from their own affairs, and kindnefs muft be commonly the exuberance of content. The wretched have no companion, they can do good only from ftrong principles of duty. I purpofe to receive you at Streatham, but wonder that you come fo foon, 04 I fent 2co LETTERS T.O AND FROM I fent immediately to Mr. Perkins to fend you twenty pounds, and intended to fecure you from difappointment by inclofmg a note in this ; but yours written on Wednefday i ith came not till Saturday the 14th, and mine \vrittcn to-night, will not come before you leave Brighthelmfton, unlcfs you have put Monday next ior Monday fevennight, which I fulpec"t, as you mention no alteration of your mind. I am, ?*:. LETT E R CCLXIIL To Mrs. T II R A L E. DKAR MADAM, ,. T* IT R. Norris (Mr. Robfon's partner) pro- **-* inifed to fend the will to-morrow j yon Avi',1 therefore have it before you have this letter. When you have talked with Mr. Scrafe, write diligently down all that you can remember, and,, where you have any difficul- ties, afk him again, and rather ftay where 8 you DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 201 you are a few days longer than come away with imperfect information. The executors will hardly meet till you come, for we have nothing to do till we go all together to prove the will. I have not had a fecond vifit from Mr. , for he found his difcourfe to me very unavailing. I was dry ; but if he goes to he will be overpowered with words as good as his own. appears a very inodeft inbfFeniive man, not likely to give any- trouble. The difficulty of finding executors Mr. Scrafe has formerly told you, and among all your acquaintance, except P , whom you prefled into the fervice, and who would perhaps have dcferted it, I do not fee with whom you could have been more com- modioufly connected. They all mean well, and will, I think, all concur. Mifs told me that you intended to bathe ; it is right : all external things are diverfions : let her bathe too. I regain that tranquillity which irremediable misfortunes neceflarily admit, and do not, I hope, think on what I have loft, without grateful recollection of what I have enjoyed. I am, 202 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCLX1V. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, April 16, 1781. AST was preparing this day to go to Streat- ham, according to the direction of your letter of the iith, which I could not know, though I fufpecled it, to be erroneous, I re- ceived two letters, of which the iirft effect was, that it faved me a fruitlefs journey. Of thefe letters, that which I perceive to have been written firft has no date of time or place > the fecond was written on the I4th, but they came together. I forbore, becaufe I would not difturb you, to tell you, that laft week Mr. came to talk about partnerfhip, and was very copious. I difmiffed him with nothing harfher than, that I was not convinced. You will have much talk to hear. Mr. C fpeaks with great exuberance, but what he fays, when at laft he fays it, is com- monly DR.' SAMUEL JOHNSON. 203 monly right. Mr. made an oration flaming with the terrifick, which I difcovered to have no meaning at all ; for the refult was, that if we flopped payment we fhould lofe credit. I have written to Mr. Robfon to fend the will. There were two copies, but I know not who has them. You are to receive five hundred pounds im- mediately. Mr. Scrafe mail certainly fee the will, if you and I go to Brighthelmfton on purpofe, which, if we have any difficulty, may be our beft expedient. I am encouraged, deareft lady, by your fpirit. The feafon for agues is now over. You are in your civil character a man. You may fue and be fued. If you apply to bufmefs per- haps half the mind which you have exercifed upon knowledge and elegance, you will need little help, what help however I can give you, will, I hope, be always at call. (Make my compliments to Mr. Scrafe.) 2C-4 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCLXV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, O-xfcrd, Oft. 17, i N Monday evening arrived at the Angel Inn at Oxford, Mr. Johnibn and Mr. Barber, without any linifter accident. I am here ; but why am I here ? On my way to Lichfield, where I believe Mrs. Afton will; be glad to fee me. We have known each other long, and, by confequence, are both old; and fhe is paralytick ; and if I do not fee her foon, I may fee her no more in this world. To make a vifit on fuch confederations is to go on a melancholy errand. But fuch is the. courfe of life. This place is very empty, but there are more here whom I know, than I could have expected. Young Burke has juft been with me, and I have dined to day with Dr. Adams, who feems fond of me. But I have not been very well. I hope 1 am not ill by iympathy, and DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 205 and that you are making hafte to recover your plumpriefs and your complexion. I left you Jkinny and lean. To-morrow, if I can, I {hall go forward, and when I fee Lichfield I fhall write again. Mr. Parker, the bookfeller, fends his re- fpects to you : I fend mine to the young ladies. I am, &c. LETTER CCLXVI. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Lichfield, Oft. 20, 1781. T WROTE from Oxford, where I {laid two days ; on Thurfday I went to Birmingham, and was told by Heftcr that I fhould not be well fo foon as I expected ; but that well I fhould be. Mrs. Carelefs took me under her care, and told me when I had tea enough. On Friday I came hither, and have efcaped the poft-chaifes all the way. Every body here is as kind as I expeded, I think Lucy is kinder, ao6 LETTERS TO AND FROM kinder than ever. I am very well. Now wfi are both valetudinary, we fhall have fome- thing to write about. We can tell each other our complaints, and give reciprocal comfort and advice, as not to eat too much and not to drink too little, and we may now and then add a few ftriclures of reproof : and fo we may write and write till we can find an- other fubjecl. Pray make my compliments to all the ladies, great and little. I am, LETTER CCLXVII. To Mrs T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Lichfield, Oft. 23, 1781. T HAD both your letters, and very little good news in either of them. The dimi- nution of the eftate, though unpleafmg and unexpected, muft be borne, becaufe it cannot be helped ; but I do not apprehend why the other part of your income fhould fall fhort< I underftood that you were to have 1,500 L S yearly DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 207 yearly from the money arifmg from the fale, and that your claim was firft. I fmcerely applaud your refolution not to run out, and wifh you always to fave fomething, for that which is faved may be fpent at will, and the advantages are very many of faving fome money loofe and unappropriated. If your ammunition is always ready, you may fhoot advantage as it ftarts, or pleafure as it flies. Refolve therefore never to want mo- >k ney. The Gravedo is not removed, nor does it increafe. My nights have commonly been baa. Mrs. Afton is much as I left her, with- out any new fymptoms ; but, between time and palfy, wearing away. Mrs. Gaftrel is briik and lively. Burney told me that fhe was to go, but you will have my dear Queeney ; tell her that I do not forget her, and that I hope fhe re- members me. Againft our meeting we will both make good refolutions, which on my fide, I hope to keep ; but fuch hopes are very- deceitful . 1 would not willingly think the fame of all hopes, and particularly fhould be loath to fufpecl: of deceit, my hope of being always, deareft Madam, Your, LETTER CCLXVIIL To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAREST DEAR LADY, 0^.27,1781. UR Oxford letter followed me hither, with Lichfield put upon the direction in the place of Oxford, and was received at the fame time as the letter written next after it. All is therefore well. YT * Queeney is a naughty captious girl, that will not write becaufe I did not remember to afk her. Pray tell her that I afk her now, and that I defend upon her for the hiftory of her own time. Poor Lucy's ilinefs has left her very deaf, and, I think, very inarticulate. I can fcarcely make her underftand me, and (he can hardly make me underftand her. So here are merry doings. But (he feems to like me better than (he did. She eats very little, but does not fall away. Mrs. >a. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 209 Mrs. Cobb and Peter Garrick are as you left them. Garrick's legatees at this place are very angry that they receive nothing. Things are not quite right, though we are fo far from London. Mrs. Afton is juft as I left her. She walks no worfe ; but I am afraid fpeaks lefs di- ftinclly as to her utterance. Her mind is un- touched. She eats too little, and wears away. The extenuation is her only bad fymptom. She was glad to fee me. That naughty girl Queeney, now fhe is in my head again, -how could fhe think that I did not wifh to hear from her, a dear fweet. But he muft fuffer who can love. All here is gloomy ; a faint flruggle with the tedioufnefs of time ; a doleful confeflion of prefent mifery, and the approach feen and felt of what is mod dreaded and moil fhunned. But fuch is the lot of man. I am, deareft Madam, Your, VOL. II. P LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCLXIX. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Lichfield, Oft. 31, 1781. T T almoft enrages me to be fufpedted of for- * getting the difcovery of the papers relating to Cummins's claim. Thefe papers we muft grant the liberty of ufing, becaufe the law will not fuffer us to deny them. We may be fum- moned to declare what we know, and what we know is in thofe papers. When the evi- dence appears, * '* will be directed by her lawyers to fubmit in quiet. I fuppofe it will be proper to give at firft only a tranfcript. Your income, diminifhed as it is, you may, without any painful frugality, make fufficient. I wifh your health were as much in your power, and the effects of abftinence were as certain as thofe of parfimony. Of your regi- men I do not think with much approbation ; it is only palliative, and crops the difeafe, but does not eradicate it. I wifh you had at the beginning digefted full meals in a warm room, and DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. art and excited the humour to exhauft its power upon the furface. This, I believe, muft be done at laft. Mifs Seward has been enquiring after Sufan Thrale, of whom me had heard fo much from Mrs. Cumyns, as excites her curiofity. If my little dear Perverfity continues to be crofs, Sufy may be my girl too ; but I had rather have them both. If Queeney does not write foon fhe mail have a very reprehenfory letter. I have here but a dull fcene. Poor Lucy's health is very much broken. She takes very little of either food or exercife, and her hear- ing is very dull, and her utterance confufed ; but me will have Watts' s Improvement of the Mind. Her mental powers are not impaired) and her focial virtues feem to increafe. She never was fo civil to me before. Mrs. Afton is not, that I perceive, worfe than when I left her ; but me eats too little, and is fomewhat emaciated. She likewife is glad to fee me, and I am glad that I have come. There is little of the funfhine of life, and my own health does not gladden me. But to fcatter the gloom I went laft night to the P 2 ball, 212 LETTERS TO ANET FROM ball, where, you know, I can be happy even without you. On the ball, which was very gay, I looked awhile, and went away. LETTER CCLXX. Mrs. THRALE to Dr. JOHNSON. DEAR SIR, Nov. 2. 'T~ A HERE was no need to be enraged, becaufe * - I thought you might eafily forget a tranfaction not at all pleafmg to remember j nor no need that I fhould be enraged if you had indeed forgotten it but you was always fufpicious in matters of memory. Cummins don't forget it however, as I can tell you more at large. ]Vfy health is growing very bad to be lure. I will fhrve ftill more rigid- ly for a while, and watch myielf carefully ; but more than fix months will I not beitow upon that fubjeft 5 you fhall not have in me a va- D*. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 213 a valetudinary correfpondent, who is always writing fuch letters, that to read the labels tyed on bottles by an apothecary's boy would be more eligible and amufing ; nor will I live like Flavia in Law's Serious Call, who ijpends half her time and money on herfelf, with fleeping draughts and waking draughts and cordials and broths. My defire is always to determine againft my own gratification, fo far as fhall be poffible for rny body to co- operate with my mind, and you will not fuf- pecT: me of wearing blifters, and living wholly upon vegetables for fport. If that will do, the diforder may be removed ; but if health is gone, and gone for ever, we will acl: as Zachary Pearce the famous bimop of Ro- chefter did, when he loft the wife he loved fo call for one glafs to the health of her who is departed, never more to return and fo go quietly back to the ufual duties of life, and forbear to mention her again from that time till the laft day of it. Sufan is exceedingly honoured, / think, by Mifs Seward's enquiries, and I would have Sufan think fo too ; the humbler one's heart is, the more orie"s pride is gratified, if one may life fo apparently Iriih an expreffion, but the meaning of it does not lie deep. They who are too proud P3 tq 214 LETTERS TO AND FROM to care whether they pleafe or no, lofe much delight themfelves, and give none to their neighbours. Mrs. Porter is in a bad way, and that makes you melancholy ; the vifits to Stowhillwill this year be more frequent than ever. 1 am glad Watts's Improvement of the Mind is a favourite book among the Lichfield ladies : it is fo pious, fo wife, fo eafy a book to read for any perfon, and fo ufeful, nay neceflary, are its precepts to us all, that I never ceafe recommending it to our young ones. 'Tis a la portce de chacun fo, yet never vulgar ; but Law beats him for wit ; and the names are never happy in Watts fomehow. I fancy there was no comparifon between the fcholaftick learning of the two writers ; but there is prodigious knowledge of the human heart, and perfect acquaintance with com- mon life, in the Serious Call. You ufed to fay you would not truft me with that author up- ftairs on the drefling-room fhelf, yet I now half wifh I had never followed any precepts but his. Our lafles, indeed, might poflibly objedt to the education given her daughters by Law's Eufebia. That the ball did fo little towards di- verting you, I do not wonder : what can a ball do towards diverting anyone who has not j 8 other DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 215 other hopes and other defigns than barely to fee people dance, or even to dance himfelf ? They who are entertained at the ball are never much amufed by the ball I believe, yet I love the dance on Queeney's birth-day and yours, where none but very honeft and very praifeworthy paffions, if paflions they can be called, heighten the mirth and gaiety. It has been thought by many wife folks, that we fritter ourpleafures all away by refinement, and when one reads Goldfmith's works, either verfe or profe, one fancies that in corrupt life there is more enjoyment yet we ihould find little folace from alehoufe merriment or cottage ca- roufals, whatever the beft wrefller on the green might do I fuppofe ; mere brandy and brown fugar liqueur , like that which Foote prefented the Cherokee kings with, arid won their hearts from our fine ladies who treated them with Spunge bifcuits and Frontiniac. I am glad Queeney and you are to refolve fo ftoutly, and labour fo violently ; fuch a union may make her wifer and you happier, and can give me nothing but delight. We read a good deal here in your abfence, that is, / do : it is better we fate all together than in feparate rooms ; better, that I read P 4 than 2i6 LETTERS TO AND FROM than not : and better that I mould never read what is not fit for the young ones to hear : befides, I am fure they mujl hear that which I read out to them, and fo one faves the trou- ble of commanding what c*ie knows will never be obeyed. 1 can find no other way as well. Come home, however, for 'tis dull living without you ; Sir Philip and Mr. Selwin call very often, and are exceedingly kind. I fee them always with gratitude and pleafure ; but as the firft has left us now for a month, come home therefore. You are not happy away, and I fear I mail never be happy again in this world between one thing and another. My health, flefli, and complexion are quite loft, and I mall have a red face if I live, and that will be mighty deteftable a humpback would be lefs ofFenfive vaftly. This is the time for fading : the year is fading round us, and every day fhuts in more difmally than the laft did. I never pafled fo melancholy a fummer, though I have palled fome that were more painful ; privation is indeed fuppofed to be worfe than pain. jo Inftead DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 217 Inftead of trying the Sortes Virgilianse for our abfent friends, we agreed after dinner to- day to afk little Harriet what they were doing now who ufed to be our common guefls at Streatham. Dr. Johnfon (fays fhe) is very rich and wife, Sir Philip is drown'd in the water and Mr. Piozzi is very fick and lame, poor man ! What a curious way of deciding ! all in her little foft voice. Was not there a cuftom among the ancients in fome country 'tis mentioned in Herodotus, if I re- member right that they took that method pf enquiring into futurity from the mouths of infants under three years old ? but I will not fwear to the book I have read it in. The Scriptural expreflion, however, Out of the mouths of babes and fucklings^ &c. is likely enough to allude to it, if it were once a ge- neral practice. In Ireland, where the pea- fants are mad after play, particularly back- gammon, Mr. Murphy fays, they will even, when deprived of the neceffaries for continu- ing fo favourite a game, cut the turf in a clean fpot of green fwerd, and make it into tables for that amufement, fetting a little baby boy behind the hedge to call their throws for them, and fupply with his unconfcious decifions the place of box and dice. Adieu, 2 i8 LETTERS TO AND FROM Adieu, dear Sir, and be as cheerful as you can this gloomy feafon. I fee nobody happy hereabouts but the Burneys ; they love each other with uncommon warmth of family af- fection, and are beloved by the world as much as if their fondnefs were lefs concen- trated. The Captain has got a fifty gun fhip now, and we are %\\fo rejoiced. Once more farewel, and do not forget Streatham nor its inhabitants, who are all much yours and mofl fo of all, Your faithful Servant, H. L. THRALE. We never name Mr. Newton of Lichfield : I hope neither he nor his fine China begin to break yet of other friends there the ac- counts get very bad to be fure. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. LETTER CCLXXI. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAREST MADAM, Lichfield, Nov. 3, 1781. X7OU very kindly remind me of the dear * home which I have left ; but I need none of your aids to recollection, for I am here gafping for breath, and yet better than thofe whom I came to vifit. Mrs. Afton has been for three years a paralytic crawler ; but, I think, with her mind unimpaired. She feems to me fuch as I left her ; but fhe now eats little, and is therefore much ema- ciated. Her fifter thinks her, and fhe thinks herfelf, palling faft away. Lucy has had fince my laft vifit a dreadful illnefs, from which her phyficians declared themfelves hopelefs of recovering her, and which has fhaken the general fabrick, and weakened the powers of life. She is unable or unwilling to move, and is never likely to have more of either flrength or fpirit. I am LETTERS TO AND FROM I am fo vifibly difordered, that a medical man, who only faw me at church, fent me fome pills. To thofe whom I love here I can give no help, and from thofe that love me none can I receive. Do you think that I need to be reminded of home and you ? The time of the year is not very favourable to excurfions. I thought myfelf above aflift- ance or obftruclion from the feafons ; but find the autumnal blail fharp and nipping, and the fading world an uncomfortable profpect. Yet I may fay with Milton, that I do not abate much of heart or hope. To what I have done I do not defpair of adding fome- thing, but ivbat itjhall be I know not, I am, Madam, moft affectionately yours. D*. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 221 LETTER CCLXXIL To Mrs. T H R A L E, DEAR MADAM, Aflibourne, Nov. 10, 1781, T7ESTERDAY I came to Afhbourne, and laii * night I had very little reft. Dr. Taylor lives on milk, and grows every day better, and is not wholly without hope. Every body- enquires after you and Queeney; but whatever Burney may think of the celerity of fame, the name of Evelina had never been heard at Lien-field till I brought it. I am afraid my dear townfmen will be mentioned in future days as the laft part of this nation that was civilifed. But the days of darknefs are foon to be at an end ; the reading fociety order- ed it to be procured this week. Since I came into this quarter of the earth I have had a very forry time, and I hope to- be better when I come back. The little pad- dock and plantations here are very bleak. The Bilhop of Chefter is here now with his father- 222 LETTERS TO AND FROM father-in-law : he fent us a meflage laft night, and I intend to vifit him. Moft of your Afhbourne friends are well. Mr. Kennedy's daughter has married a fhoe- maker, arid he lives with them, and has left his parfonage. I am, &c. LETTER CCLXXIII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Afhbourne, Nov. 12, 1781. T HAVE a mind to look on Queeney as my * own dear girl ; and if I iet her a bad ex- ample, I ought to counteract it by good pre- cepts ; and he that knows the confequences of any fault is beft qualified to tell them. I have through my whole progrefs of authour- fhip honeflly endeavoured to teach the right, though I have not been iufficiently diligent to pra&ife it, and have offered mankind my opinion as a rule, but never profefled my be- haviour as an example. I DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 223 I {hall be very forry to lofe Mr. ; but why mould he fo certainly die ? * * * needed not have died if he had tried to live. If Mr. will drink a great deal of water, the acrimony that corrodes his bowels will be diluted, if the caufe be only acrimony ; but I fufpedt dyfenteries to be produced by animalcula, which I know not how to kill. If the medical man did me good, it was by his benevolence ; by his pills I never mend- ed. I am, however, rather better than I was. Dear Mrs. , me has the courage be- coming an admiral's lady, but courage is no virtue in her caufe. I have been at Lichfield perfecuted with folicitations to read a poem ; but I fent the authour word, that I would never review the work of an anonymous authour ; for why fhould I put my name in the power of one who will not truft me with his own. With this anfwer Lucy was fatisfied, and I think it may fatisfy all whom it may concern. If C y did nothing for life but add weight to its burden, and darknefs to its gloom, 224 LETTERS TO AND FROM gloom, he is kindeft to thofe from whom he is furtheft. I hope y when I come, not to ad- vance perhaps your pleafures, though even of that I fhall be unwilling to defpair ; but at leaft not to increafe yourinconveniencies, which would be a very unfuitable return for all the kindnefs that you have (hewn to, Madam, Your, LETTER CCLXXIV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAREST MADAM, Aflibourne, Nov. 14, 1781. Try RE is Doctor Taylor, by a refolute ad^ *- ^ herence to bread and milk, with a better appearance of health than, he has had for a long time paft ; and here am I, living very temperately, but with very little amend- ment. But the balance is not perhaps very unequal : he has no pleafure like that which I receive from the kind importunity with which you invite me to return. There is no dan- ger of very long delay. There is nothing in Dk. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 225 In this part of the world that can counteract your attraction. The hurt in my leg has grown well (lowly, according to Hector's prognoftick, and feems now to be almoft healed : but my nights are very reftlefs> and the days are therefore heavy, and I have net your converfation to cheer them. I am willing however to hear that there is happinefs in the world, and delight to think on the pleafure diffufed among the Burneys. I queftion if any fhip upon the ocean goes out attended with more good wifhes than that which carries the fate of Burney. I love all of that breed whom I can be faid to know, and one or two whom I hardly know I love upon credit, and love them becaufe they love each other. Of this confanguineous unani- mity I have had never much experience ; but it appears to me one of the great lenitives of life ; but it has this deficicnce, that it is never found when diftrefs is mutual He that has lefs than enough for himfelf has nothing to fpare, and as every man feels only his own neceffities, he is apt to think thofe of others lefs prefTmg, and to accufe them of with-hold- VOL. II. Q^ ing 226 LETTERS TO AND FROM ing what in truth they cannot give. He that has his foot firm upon dry ground may pluck another out of the water ; but of thofe that are all afloat, none has any care but for him- felf. We do not hear that the deanery is yet given away, and, though nothing is faid, I believe much is ftili thought about it. Hope travels through I am, deareft of all dear ladies, Your, fcf.. LETTER CCLXXV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Aflibourne, Nov. 24, 1781. T SHALL leave this place about the begin- * ning of next week, and fhall leave every place as faft as I decently can, till I get back to you, whofe kindncfs is one of my great com- forts. I am not well, but have a mind every 1 6 now DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 227 now and then to think myfelf better, and I now hope to be better under your care. It was time to fend Kam to another mafter; but I am glad that before he went he beatHedor, for he has really the appearance of a iuperior fpecies to an animal whpfe whole power is in his legs, and that againft the moil defence- lefs of all the inhabitants of the earth. Dr. Taylor really grows well, and directs his compliments to be fent. I hope Mr, Per- kins will be well too. But why do you tell me nothing of ycurotvn health ? Perhaps fmce the fatal pinch of fnufF I may have no care about it. I am glad that you have returned to your meat, for I never expected that abftinence would do you good. Piozzi, I find, is coming in fpite of Mifs Harriet's prediction, or fecond fight, and when be comes and / come, you will have two about you that love you ; and I queftion if either of us heartily care how few more you have. But how many foever they may be, I hope you keep your kindnefs for me, and I have a great mind to have Queeney's kindnefs too. Frank's 228 LETTERS TO AND FROM Frank's wife has brought him a wench ; bift I cannot yet get intelligence of her colour, and therefore have never told him how much depends upon it. The weather here is chill, and the air damp. I have been only once at the water- fall, which I found doing as it ufed to do, and came away. I had not you nor Queeney with me. Your, sV. LETTER CCLXXVI. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Lichfield, Dec. 3, 1781. T AM now come back to Lichfield, where I * do not intend to flay long enough to re- ceive another letter. I have little to do here but to take leave of Mrs. Afton, I hope not the laft. leave. But Chriflians may with more confidence than Sophonifba Avremo tofto lungo lungo fpazio flare afiieme, et fara forle cterno. My DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 229 My time paft heavily at Ambourne, yet I could not eafily get away, though Taylor, I fincerely think, was glad to fee me go. I have now learned the inconveniences of a winter campaign ; but I hope home will make amends for all my foolifh fufferings. V I do not like poor Burney's vicarious cap- tainfliip. Surely the tale of Tantalus was made for him. Surely he will be in time a captain like another captain, of a fhip like another fliip. You have got Piozzi again, notwithftanding pretty Harriet's dire denunciations. The Ita- lian tranflation which he has brought, you will find no great acceffion to your library, for the writer feems to underftand very little Englifh. When we meet we can compare fome paflages. Pray contrive a multitude of good things for us to do when we meet. Something that may hold all together ; though if any thing makes me love you more, it is going from you. J am, 130 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCLXXVII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. BEAR MADAM, Birmingham, Dec. 8, 1781. T AM come to this place on my way to * London and to Streatham. I hope to be in London on Tuefday or Wednefday, and at Streatham on Thurfday, by your kind conveyance. I fhall have nothing to relate either wonderful or delightful. But remem- ber that you lent me away, and turned me out into the world, and you muft take the chance of finding me better or worfc. This you may know at prefenr, that my affection for you is not diminimed, and my expecta- tion from you is encreafed. Do not neglect me, nor relinquish me. Nobody will ever lovq you better or honour you more than, Madam, Your, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 231 LETTER CCL XXVIII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAREST LADY, Feb. 16, 1782. T AM better, but not yet well ; but hope A fprings eternal. As foon as I can think myfelf not troublefome, you may be fure of feeing me, for fuch a place to vifh nobody ever had. Deareft Madam, do not think me worfe than I am ; be fure at leaft, that whatever hap- pens to me, I am with all the regard that ad- miration of excellence and gratitude for kind- nefs can excite, Madam, Your, Effr. Q4 232 LETTER CCLXXIX. Mrs. THRALE to Dr. JOHNSON. DEAR SIR, Feb. 16, 1782. I CAN find no paper readily but what is ruled for children's ufe 'tis all one I fuppofe, fo do excufe it. My houfe is pretty enough, but wond'rous cold, though the fea- fon has hitherto been uncommonly mild, which perhaps may affect fome people's health. You are ufed to fcorn little things, but muft now be contented to acknowledge their influ- ence. The influence of little people I hope you will never be magnificent enough to de- fpife. Was it not Godeau who was called among the French wits Le Nam de Julie ? And who wrote fo prettily after his great pre- ferment to an old friend in thefe words ? An rejle,mon ami, n oubllez, jamcns Ic Nain de Julie , qui voudroit lien cjlre tin Geant pour vous fcr- vir. So fay L Looking over fome French melanges yefter- day, I obferved that Mr. L'Abbe D'Artigny ufes DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 233 ufes the word accolntance ; it was a new thing to me, and one of which I had no notion be- fore : Pray how came it into our language * You are now making hafte to be well I hope, and intend to be brifk, and anfwer queftions willingly arid kindly. I told Doc- tor Lawrence, that the ,Gravedo of which you complain fhould be kept from increqfing long in this cafe, and as he is as good a gram- marian as he is a phyfician, I hope he will take the hint. Dear Sir, be well, or how fhall we be merry, With talk of fpe Hacks and 'pills , as Swift fays. The newfpapers would fpoil my few com- forts that are left if they could ; but you tell me that's only becaufe I have the reputa- tion, whether true or falfe, of being a imt forfooth : and you remember poor Floretla who was teized into wiming away her fpirir, her beauty, her fortune, and at laft even her life, never could bear the bitter water which was to have warned away her wit; which fhe refolved to keep with all its confe- quenceg. I am 254 . LETTERS TO AND FROM I am told the new plays this year are got up (as the phrafe is) very penurioufly : our Italian friends tell a comical ftory, applicable enough, of what happened in their own coun- try : I dare fay you have heard it from Saftres. How to ridicule the manager's pariirnony, fome one faid. Non fapete forfe fare una come- %/ J. /// dlafenza fpefe verune ? No Signer ^ facciamo pur quella d* Adamo e d^Eva^ cofi faranno rif- parmiatigli abltl. Ma lo fcandalo ! fays the other. Oibo ! lafaremo all ^ofcuro^ e cofi rif- parmierete anche i lumi. Is this nonfenfe enough for one morning ? I cannot bear the thoughts of turning the page to write more fuch. Accept the beft compli- ments of all belonging to Your moft faithful fcrvant, H. L. THRALE, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 235 LETTER CCLXXX. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Feb. 17, 1782. QURE fuch letters would make any man ^ well. I will let them have their full ope- ration upon me ; but while I write I am not without a cough. I can however keep it quiet hy diacodium, and am in hope that with all other difturbances it will go away, and permit me to enjoy the happinefs of being, Madam, Your, fcfr. t LETTER C'CLXXXI. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAREST MADAM, Bolt-court, Feb. 21, 1782. CERTAINLY grow better. I lay this morn- ing with fuch fuccefs, that I called before I rofe for dry linen, I believe I have had a crifis. Laft 236 LETTERS TO AND FROM Laft night called Sir Richard Jebb ; and many people call or fend : I am not neglected nor forgotten. But let me be always fure of your kindnefs. I hope to try again this week whether your houfe is yet fo cold, for to be away from you, if I did not think our fepa- ration likely to be fhort, how could 1 endure ? You are a dear dear lady, and your kind at- tention, is a great part of what life affords to, Madam, Your, LETTER CCLXXXII. To Mrs. T.H R A L E. DEAREST OF ALL DEAR'LADIES, March 14, 1782. THAT Poyilleri fhould write thefe verfes is impoflible. I am angry at Saftres. Seven ounces ! Why I fent a letter to Dr. Lawrence, who is ten times more timor- fome than is your Jebb, and he came and flood by while one vein was opened with too fmall o an DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 237 an orifice, and bled eight ounces and flopped. Then another vein was opened, which ran eight more. And here am I fixteen ounces lighter, for I have had no dinner. I think the lofs of blood has done no harm; whether it has done good, time will telL I am glad that I do not fink without refift- ance. Your, LETTER CCLXXXIII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. I MADAM, April. HAVE been very much out of order flnce you fent me away ; but why fhould I tell you, who do not care, nor defire to know ? I dined with Mr. Paradife on Monday, with the Bifhop of St. Afaph yefterday, with the Bifhop of Chefter I dine to-day, and with the Academy on Saturday, with Mr. Hoole on Monday, and with Mrs. Garrick on Thurf- day 238 LETTERS TO AND FROM day the 2d of May, and then what care you ? 'what then ? The news run, that we have taken feven- teen French tranfports that Langton's lady is lying down with her eighth child, ail alive and Mrs. Carter's Mils Sharpe is going to marry a fchoolmafter fixty-two years old. Do not let Mr. Piozzi nor any body elfe put me quite out of your head, and do not think that any body will love you like Your, LETTER CCLXXXIV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAREST MADAM, April 30, 1782. T HAVE had a frefh cold and been very poorly. But I was yefterday at Mr. Hoole's, where were Mifs Reynolds and many ethers. I am going to the club. Since Mrs. Garrick's invitation I have a letter from Mifs Moore, to engage me for the evening. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 239 evening. I have an appointment to Mifs Monkton, and another with Lady Sheffield at Mrs. Way's. Two days ago Mr. Cumberland had his third night, which, after all expences, put into his own pocket five pounds. He has loft his plume. Mrs. S refufed to fmg, at the Duchefs of Devonihire's requeft, a fong to the Prince of Wales. They pay for the neither principal nor intereft ; and poor Garrick's fu- neral expences are yet unpaid, though the un- dertaker is broken. Could you have a better purveyor for a little fcandal ? But I wifh I was at Streatham. I beg Mifs to come early, and I may perhaps reward you with more mifchief. I am, deareft and deareft Lady, Your, 140 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCLXXXV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. MADAM, May 8, 1782. YESTERDAY I was all fo bonriy, as who but me ? At night my cough drove me to dia- codium, and this morning I fufpecl: that dia- codium will drive me to deep in the chair. Breath however is better, and I fhall try to efcape the other bleeding, for! am of the chy- mical feel:, which holds phlebotomy in abhor- rence. But it is not plenty nor diminution of blood that can make me more or lefs, My deareft dear Lady, Your, &c. I fend my compliments to my dear Queeney* DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 241 LETTER CCLXXXVL To Mrs. T H R A L E. MADAM, London, June 4, 1782. SELY was it faid by him who faid it firft, that this world is all ups and downs. You know, deareft Lady, that when I preft your hand at parting I was rather down. When I came hither, I ate my dinner \vell but was fo harafTed by the cough, that Mr. Strahan faid, it was an extremity which he could not have believed without the fenfible and true avouch of his own obfervation. I was indeed almoft finking under it, when Mrs. Williams happened to cry out that fuch a cough mould be ftilled by opium or any means. I took yefterday half an ounce of bark, and knew not whether opium would counteract it, but remembering no prohibition in the medical books, and knowing that to quiet the cough with opium was one of Law- rence's laft orders, I took two grains, which gave me not deep indeed, but reft, and that reft has given me ftrengfh and courage. VOL. IT. R This 242 LETTERS TO AND FROM This morning to my bed- fide came dear Sir Richard. I told him of the opium, and he approved it, and told me, if I went to Ox- ford, which he rather advifed, that I mould itrengthen the conftitution by the bark, tame the cough with opium, keep the body open, and fupport myfelf by liberal nutriment. As to the journey I know not that it will be necefTary, define mollium tandem qucrulanmi. This day I dined upon fkate, pudding, goofe, and your afparagus, and could have eaten more, but was prudent. Pray for me, dear Madam ; I hope the tide has turned. The change that I feel is more than I durft have hoped, or than I thought poflible ; but there has yet not pafled a whole day, and I may rejoice perhaps too foon. Come and fee me, and when you think bed ,. upon due confideration, take me away. I am, dear Madam, Your, fcfr. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 243 LETTER CCLXXXVIL To Mrs. T H R A L E, DEAR MADAM, Oxford, June 12, 1782. MY letter was perhaps peevifh, but it was not unkind. I mould have cared little about a wanton expreffion, if there had been ho kindnefs. I find no particular falubrity in this air, my refpiration is very laborious ; my appetite is good, and my fleep commonly long and quiet ; but a very little motion difables me. I dine to-day with Dr. Adams, and to- morrow with Dr. Wetherel. Yefterday Dr. Edwards invited fome men from Exeter college, whom I liked very well. Thefe va- riations of company help the mind, though they cannot do much for the body. But the body receives fome help from a cheerful mind. Keep up fome kindnefs for me ; when I am with you again, I hope to be lefs burden- fome, by being lefs fick. I am, dearefl Lady, Your, R 2 244. LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCLXXXVIIL To Mrs. T H R A L E. < DEAR MADAM, Oxford, June 13, 1782. X7ESTERDAY a little phyilck drove away a great part of my cough, hut I am ftill very much obftrutted in my refpiration, and fb loon tired with walking, that I have hardly ventured one unneceflary ftep. Of my long illnels much more than this does not remain, but this is very burthenfome. I fleep pretty well, and have appetite enough, but I cheat it with fi(h. Ycfterday I dined at Dr. Adams's with Mils More, and other perfonagcs of emi- nence. To-day I am going to Dr. Wetherel ; and thus day goes after day, not wholly with- out amufement. I think not to flay here long. Till I am better it is not prudent to lit long in the libraries, for the weather is yet fo cold, that in the penury of fuel, for which we tMuk 7 ourielvss DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 245 ourfelves very unhappy, I have yet met with none fo frugal as to lit without fire. I am, Madam, Your, &V. Poor Davis complained that he had not re- ceived his money for Boyle. LETTER CCLXXXIX. Mrs. THRA-LE to DR. JOHNSON. DEAR SIR, Streatham, Jane 14. JAM glad you confefs yourfelf pee vim, for confeffion muft precede amendment. Do not ftudy to be more unhappy than you are, and if you can eat and fleep well, do not be frighted, for there can be no real danger. Are you acquainted with Dr. Lee, the mailer of Baliol College ? And are you not delight- ed with his gayety of manners and youthful vivacity now that he is eighty-fix years old ? I never heard a more perfect or excellent pun than his, when fome one told him how in a~ R 3 late 246 LETTERS TO AND FROM late difpute among the Privy Counfellors, the Lord Chancellor ftruck the table with fuch violence that he fplit it : No, no, no, replied the Matter dryly, I can hardly perfuade my- felf that he fplit the Table, though I believe be divided the Board. Will you fend me any thing better from Oxford than this ? for there muft be no more faftidioufnefs now ; no more fefufing to laugh at a good quibble, when you fo loudly profefs the want of amufeinent and the neceflity of diverfion. How the people of this age do cry for rattles is indeed little to its credit, for knowledge is diffufed moft cer- tainly, if not increafed, and that ought to Hand inftead of perpetual variety one would think. Apropos to general improvement : I was reading the Spectator to Sophy while my maid papered my curls yefter-morning, it was the jd vol. 217, where the man com- plains of an indelicate miftrefs, who faid on fome occafion that her ftomach ach'd, and lamented how her teeth had got a feed fluck between them. The woman that drefled me was fo aftonifhed at this groflnefs, though common enough in Addifon's time one fees, that me cried out, Well Madam ! furcly that could never have been a lady who ufed ex- prefllons like thofe. I much DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 247 I much wonder whether this refinement has fpread all over the Continent, or whether 'tis confined to our own ifland : when we were in France we could form little judgment, as our time was parTed chiefly among Englifh ; yet I recollect that one fine lady, who entertained us very fplendidly, put her mouth to the tea- pot, and blew in the fpout when it did not pour freely. My maid Peggy would not have touched the tea after fuch an operation. Was it convenient, and agreeable, and wife, and fine, I fhould like to fee the world beyond fea very much ; But fate has fail bound her With Styx nine times round her. So your friend muft look on the waves at Brighthelmftone without breathing a wifh to crofs them. Mean time let us be as merry as reading Burton upon Melancholy will make us. You bid me ftudy that book in your abfence, and now, What have I found ? Why, I have found, or fancied, that he has been cruelly plundered that Milton's firft idea of L'Allegro and II Penferofo were fuggefted by the verfes at the beginning ; that Savage's Speech of Suicide in the Wanderer, grew up out of a paflage R 4 you 248 LETTERS TO AND FROM you probably remember towards the 2i6th page ; that Swift's Tale of the Woman that holds water in her mouth, to regain her huf- band's love by filence, had its fource in the fame farrago ; and that there is an odd fimilitude between my Lord's trick upon Sly the Tinker, in Shakefpear's Taming of the Shrew, and fome fluff I have been reading in Burton. And now, Dear Sir, be as comfortable as you can, and do not dun me for that kind- nefs which has never been withheld, only becaufe it is cold weather and you want em- ployment ; but be gentle and tranquil like Dr. Adams, or gay and flafiiy like Dr. Lee, and then - what then ? Why then you will deferve Mifs Adams's good will, and iMifs More's efleem, added to the humble fervice and attentive regard of your ever equally Faithful, II. L. T H R A L E. Sir Richard afks after you with very tender care indeed : what would you have of us all that you cannot command ? He is among thofe who would do any thing in the world to oblige you. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. LETTER CCXC. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Oxford, June 17, 1782. T HAVE found no fudden alteration or amendment, but I am grown better by degrees. My cough is not now very trou- bleibme to myfelf, nor I hope to others. My breath is Mill fhort and encumbered ; I do not fleep well, but I lie eafy. By change of place, fucceffion of company, and neceffity of talking, much of the terrour that had feized me feeins to be difpelled. Oxford has done, I think, what for the prefent it can do, and I am going flyly to take a place in the coach for Wednefday, and you or my fweet Queeney will fetch me on Thurfday, and fee what you can make of me. To-day I am going to dine with Dr. Wheeler, and to-morrow Dr. Edwards has invited Mifs Adams and Mifs More. Yefter- day 250 LETTERS TO AND FROM day I went with Dr. Edwards to his living. He has really done all that he could do for my relief or entertainment, and really drives me away by doing too much. I am, Madam, Your, When I come back to retirement, it will be great chanty in you to let me come back to ibmething elfe. LETTER CCXCI. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAREST LADY, June 28, 1781. I WAS blooded on Saturday; I think, not copioufly enough, but the Doctor would permit no more. I have however his confent to bleed again to-day. Since I left you I have eaten very little, on Friday chiefly broath, on Saturday nothing but fome bread in the morning, on Sunday nothing but fome bread and three roafted apples. I try to get well and wifh to fee you ; but if I came, I fhould only PR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 251 only cough and cough. Mr. Steevens, who is with me, fays that my hearing is returned. We are here all three fick, and poor Levet is gone. Do not add to my other diftrefles any Diminution pf kindnefs for, Madam, Your, LETTER CCXCII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Saturday, July 8, 1782. TJERHAPS fome of your people may call to- * morrow. I have this day taken a paflage to Oxford for Monday. Not to frifk as you exprefs it with very unfeeling irony, but to catch at the hopes of better health. The change of place may do fomething. To leave the houfe where fo much has been fuffered affords fome pleafure. When I write to you write 12 252. write to me again, and let me have the plea- fure of knowing that I am ftill confidered as Madam, Your, LETTER CCXCIII. DEAR LADY, 060.20,1782. T HOPE the worft is at laft over. I had a very good night, and flept very long. You can hardly think how bad I have been while you were in all your altitudes, at the Opera, and all the fine places, and thinking little of me. Saftres has been very good. Queeney never fent me a kind word. I hope however to be with you again in a fhort time and mew you a man again. I am, Madam, Your, tsV. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 253 LETTER CCXCIV. Mrs. THRALE to Dr. JOHNSON. 1V/FY health, my children, and my fortune, Dear Sir, are coming faft to an end I think not fo my ibrrows : Harriet is dead, and Cicely is dying : I had taken an emetic when the exprefs came, and have ordered a poft-chaife and chamomile tea at this infhmt- A letter from London bids me make hafte thither, and not fit pbilofopbically at Bath. This is from one of the guardians. I am more ill now than I can exprefs, of which Dr. Wood- ward is witnefs ; who fays, if I do go, and add the hooping-cough to that which al- ready has worn me to a fkeleton, it will be my laft trouble in this world. So much the better ; I am as tired of life as can be, but will talk with dear Dr. Pepys once more before I leave it. If he cannot fave Cecilia, nobody can I am fure ; Sir Richard is with her twice a-day befides : when I am there I will not touch her, nor tempt death fo madly though weary of living. Was 254. LETTERS TO AND FROM Was it not Torquato Taflb who was afked Once what ufe he made of his pbilofopby f and did he not reply thus ? / have learned from it to endure your malice ? It ought to have been my anfwer to the epiftle of to-day. Adieu, Dear Sir, I mttjl lie down a mo- ment, then get into the chaife, and drive all night till I reach Ray and Fry's fchool : no need to fee hateful London, is there ? I will avoid it, if poffible, to be fure. This is Good Friday night, and no Chrif- tian ought to complain of hard fufferings on this anniverfary of harder fufferings inflicted on his Saviour himfelf. I will therefore ceafe repining, and do my duty cheerfully. My dear Sir, a fudden illnefs prevents my ability to get into the chaife, fo I'll fend this letter by the coach. If I have any life left I will ufe it to go fee Cecilia to-morrow. I am then and always equally your obliged and faithful fervant, H. L. T H R A L E. You will not know me when I do come. Sharp mifery has worne me to the bone. t>R. SAMUEL JOHNSON. I LETTER CCXCV, To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, May-day, 1783* AM glad that you went to Streatham* though you could not fave the dear pretty little girl. I loved her, for me was Thrale's and your's, and by her dear father's appoint- ment in fome fort mine : I love you all, and therefore cannot without regret fee the phalanx broken, and reflect that you and my other dear girls are deprived of one that was born your friend. To fuch friends, every one that has them, has recourfe at lafl^ when it is difcovered, and difcovered it fel- dom fails to be, that the fortuitous friendfhips of inclination or vanity are at the mercy of a thoufand accidents. But we muft ftill our difquiet with remembering that, where there is no guilt, all is for the beft. I am glad to hear that Cecily is fo near recovery. For fome days after your departure I was pretty well, but I have begun to languifh again, and laft night was very tedious and op- 2 5 6' LETTERS TO AND FROM oppreffive. I excufed myfelf to-day from dining with General Paoli, where I love to dine, but I was griped by the talons of ne- cefTity. On Saturday I dined, as is ufual, at the opening of the Exhibition. Our company was fplendid, whether more numerous than at any former time I know not. Our tables feem always full. On Monday, if I am told truth, were received at the door one hundred and ninety pounds, for the admiflion of three thoufand eight hundred fpeclators. Suppofing the (hew open ten hours, and the fpe&ators flaying one with another each an hour, the rooms never had fewer than three hundred and eighty juftling againft each other. Poor Lowe met fome difcouragement, but I inter- pofed for him, and prevailed. Mr. Barry's exhibition was opened the fame day, and a book is publifhed to recom- mend it, which, if you read it, you will find decorated with fome fatirical pictures of Sir Jofhua Reynolds and others. I have not eicaped. You muft however think with fome cfteem of Barry for the comprehenfion of his defign. I am, Madam, Your t)U. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 257 LETTER CCXCVL To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, May 8, 1785, Y THOUGHT your letter long in coming. I fuppofe it is true that I looked but languid at the exhibition, but have been worfe fmce. Laft Wednefday, the Wednefday of lafl week, I came home ill from Mr. Jodrel's, and after a tedious, oppreflive, impatient night, fent an excufe to General Paoli, and took on Thurfday two brifk catharticks and a dofe of calomel. Little things do me no good. At night I was much better. Next day cathartick again, and the third day opium for my cough. I lived without flefh all the three days. The recovery was more than I expected. I went to church on Sunday quite at eafe. The exhibition profpers fo much, that Sir Jofhua fays it will maintain the academy. He eftmiates the probable amount at three thou~ fand pounds, Steevens is of opinion that VOL. II. S Croft's 258 LETTERS TO AND FRO Croft's books will fell for near three ti- as much as they coft y which however is not more than might be expected. Favour me with a direction of Ireland ; I have a charitable office to pro- pofe to him. Is he Knight or Baronet ? My prefent circle of enjoyment is as nar- row for me as the Circus for Mrs. Montague. When I firft fettled in this neighbourhood I had Richardfon and Lawrence, and Mrs. Allen at hand. I had Mrs. Williams, then no bad companion, and Levet fora long time always to be had. If I now go out I muft go far for company, and at laft come back to two fick and difcontented women, who can hardly talk, if they had any thing to fay, and whofe hatred of each other makes one great exer- cife of their faculties. But, with all thefe evils, pofitive and priva- tive, my health in its prefent humour pro- mifes to mend, and I, in my prefent humour,, promife to take care of it, and if we both keep our words, we may yet have a brufh at the cobwebs in the iky. Let my dear loves write to me, and do you write often youriclf to, Dear Madam, Your, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 259 LETTER CCXCVIL To Mrs. t H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, June 5, 1783. "f T 7HY do you write fo feldom ? I was very *' glad of your letter. You were ufed formerly to write more, when I know not why you fhould had much more to fay. Do not pleafe yourfelf with fhowing me that you can forget me, who do not forget you. Mr. Defmoulin's account of my health ra- ther wants confirmation But complaints are ufelefs. I have> by the migration of one of my more peace at home ; but I remember an old favage chief that fays of the Romans with great indignation ubtfolitudinemfaciunt y pacem appellant. Mr. was not calamity, it was his fifter, to whom I am afraid the term is now ftrictly applicable, for me feems to have fallen S 2 fome 26o LETTERS TO AND FROM fome way into obfcurity ; I am afraid by a palfy. Whence your pity arifes for the thief that has made the hangman idle, I cannot dif- cover. I am forry indeed for every filicide, but I fuppofe he would have gone to the gal- lows without being lamented. You will foon fee that Mifs H , if ihe finds countenance, and gets fcholars, will conquer her vexations. Is not Sufy likewife one of her pupils ? I owe Sufy a letter, which I purpofe to pay next time. I can tell you of no new thing in town, but Dr. Maxwel, whofe lady is by ill health de- tained with two little babies at Bath. You give a cheerful account of your way of life. I hope you will fettle into tranquil- lity. When I can repay you fuch a narrative of my felicity, you mall fee dcfcription. I am, &? . DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 261 LETTER CCXGV1IL To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, Oxford, June n, 1783. 'TTESTERDAY I came to Oxford without * fatigue or inconvenience. I read in the coach before dinner. I dined moderately, and flept well ; but find my breath not free this morning. Dr. Edwards, to whom I wrote word of my purpofe to come, has defeated his own kindnefs by its excefs. He has gone out of his own rooms for my reception, and there- fore I cannot decently (lay long, unlefs I can change my -abode, which it will not be very eafy to do : nor do I know what attractions I fhall find here. Here is Mifs Moore at Dr. Adams's, with whom I mall dine to-morrow. Of my adventures and obfervations I mail inform you, and beg you to write to me at Mr. Parker's bookfeller. S i I hone .262, LETTERS TO AND FROM I hope Queeney has got rid of her i enza, and that you efcape it. If I had Queeney here, how would I mew her all the places. I hope, however, I fhall not want company in my ftay here. I am, Dear Madam, Your LETTER CCXCIX. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR JVIADAM, London, June 13, 1783. STERDAY were brought hither two parcels directed to, Mrs. Thrale, to the care of Dr. Johnfon. By what the touch can difcover, they contain fomething of which cloatns are made; and I fufpect them to be Mufgrave's Jong-expeded prefent. You will order them to be called for, or let me know whither I fhall fend them. Crutchleyhashadthegoutjbut is abroad again. Reward called on me yefterday. He is going only for a few weeks ; firft to Paris, and then to Flanders, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 263 Flanders, to contemplate the pictures of Claude Loraine; and he afked me if that was not as good a way as any of fpending time that time which returns no more of which however a great part feems to be very foolifhly fpent, even by the wifeft and the bed. That time at leaft is not loft in which the evils of life are relieved, and therefore the moments which you beftow on Mifs H are properly employed. She feems to make an uncommon impreffion upon you. What has fhe done or fuffered out of the common courfe of things ? I love a little fecret hif- tory. Poor Dr. Lawrence and his youngeft fon died almoft on the fame day. Mrs. Dobfon, the directrefs of rational converfation, did not tranflate Petrarch, but epitomifed a very bulky French Life of Pe- trarch. She tranflated, I think, the Memoirs of D'Aubigne'. Your laft letter was very pleafing ; it ex- prefTed kindnefs to me, and fome degree of placid acquiefcence in your prefent mode of life, which is, I think, the beft which is at prefent within your reach, S 4 My 264 LETTERS TO AND FROM My powers and attention have for a long time been almoft wholly employed upon my health, I hope not wholly without fuccefs, but folitude is very tedious. I am, Madam, Your, &c. LETTER CCC. Mrs. THRALE to Dr. JOHNSON. Bath, June 15, 1783. T BFLIFVE it is too true, my dear Sir, that you think on little except yourfelf and your own health, but then they are fubjecls on which every one elie would think too and that is a great confolation. I am willing enough to employ all my thoughts upon .myfelf, but there is nobody here who wimeS to think with or about me, fo I am very fick and a little fallen, and dif- pofed now and then to fry like king David. \Ty lovers and my friends have been put aiviiy from DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. $65 from me^ and my acquaintance hid out of my fight. If the laft letter I wrote fliewed fome degree of placid acquiefcence in a fituation, which, however difpleafing, is the beft I car* get at juft now ; I pray God to keep me in that difpofition, and to lay no more calamity upon me which may again tempt me to mur- mur and complain. In the mean time aflbre yourfelf of my undiminifhed kiridnefs and veneration : they have been long out of acci- dent's power either to leflen or increafe. $ So Mr. Seward is going abroad again. I fee no harm in his refolution, though the man- ner of expreffing it was likely enough to offend you : yet he is not a man whom any one can juftly reproach with negligence of duty ; he does more good than almoft any perfon of twice his fortune, and while he is looking at the works of Claude Loraine he will cer- tainly be dping no mifchief. The profeflbrs of Ennui are a very danger- ous race of mortals ; for, preferring any oc- cupation to none, they are liable to make many people unhappy by their officious afli- duities, while to themfelves they ftand perfedly exculpated by the remark that a man mujl do Jumetbing or be .killed with Ennui ; how for- tunate 266 LETTERS TO AND FROM tunate for fociety when like Sewarcl they feek only to give away their money all winter to perfons who want it, and go to Flanders in fummer to look at the Claude Loraines. What Mifs H had fuffered before our acquaintance began I know not. She now endures much from real, and more from fan- cied illnefs. Her talents are uncommon for work, and me is a proof that work will not fuffice to keep the imagination quiet. She feels like Pekuah, that the mind ivlll eafily ftraggle from the fingers, and that mifcry of heart cannot be much folaccd by filkcn flowers. Poor Dr. Lawrence and his fon are dead then : I am very forry ; he was among the few parents I have known who preferred the virtue and happinefs of their children to the delight of feeing them grow rich and fplen- did ; and you once told me, that one of his fons (I never heard which) was early bent on obtaining that opulence which is as feldom fought far by youth Is it that boy who is now dead ? That you mould be folitary is a fad thing, and a ftrange one too, when every body is willing to drop in, and for a quarter of an hour at Jeaft, fave you from a' tete a tcte with DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 267 with yourfelf : I never could catch a moment when you were alone whilft we were in Lon- don, and Mifs Thrale fays the fame thing. It would have been a fine advantage indeed could fhe have feen Oxford now in your company ; when we enjoyed it, fhe was too young to profit of the circumftance. 'Tis fo throughout the world I believe : nothing hap- pens of good to us while we can fully ufe it : every little felicity which does come, comes at a time when waiting for it has fpojled our appetite When youth and genial years are flown, And all the life of life is gone. Could I however flatter myfelf with the hopes of a fine clear evening after my various day, I would bear the afternoon ftorms better than I do and who knows that it is yet im- poffible ? Fare wel, dear Sir : had I health and fpirits as I ufed to have, I would write as I ufed to do ; but I had then a hufband and fons, and for a long time after I knew you, a mother fuch as no one ever had but me, and fuch as I fin- cerely wifh my daughters were likely to have in your truly faithful fervant, H, L. THRALE. LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCCI. To Mrs. T H R A L E. Bolt court, Fleet-flreet, June 19, 1783. DEAR MADAM, T AM lilting down in no cheerful folitude to * write a narrative which would once have affected you with tendernefs and forrow, but which you will perhaps pafs over now with the carelefs glance of frigid indifference. For this diminution of regard however, I know not whether I ought to blame you, who may have reafons which I cannot know, and I do not blame myfelf, who have for a great part of human life done you what good I could, and have never done you evil. I had been difordered in the ufual way, and had been relieved by the ufual methods, by iru and catharticks, but hud rather leflen- ed my dofe of opium. On Monday the 1 6th I fat for my picture, and walked a confiderable way with little in- convenience, 10 DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 269 convenience. In the afternoon and evening I felt myfelf light and eafy, and began to plan fchemes of life. Thus I went to bed, and in a fhort time waked and fat up, as has been long my cuftom, when I felt a confufion. and indiftinctnefs in my head, which lafted I fuppofe about half a minute ; I was alarmed, and prayed God, that however he might afflict my body., he would fpare my underftanding. This prayer, that I might try the integrity of my faculties, I made in Latin verfe. The lines were not very good, but I knew them not to be very good : I made them eafily, and con- cluded myfelf to be unimpaired in my facul- ties. i Soon after I perceived that I had fufTered a paralytick ftroke, and that my fpeech was taken from me. I had no pain, and fo little dejection in this dreadful ftate, that I won- dered at my own apathy, and confidered that perhaps death itfelf when it mould come would excite lei's horrour than feems now to attend it. In order to roufe the vocal organs I took two drams. Wine has been celebrated for the production of eloquence. I put myfelf into LETTERS TO AND FROM into violent motion, and I think repeated it 5 but all was vain. I then went to bed, and, flrange as it may feem, I think, flept. When I faw light, it was time to contrive what I (hould do. Though God flopped my fpeech he left me my hand, I enjoyed a mercy which was not granted to my dear friend Lawrence, who now perhaps overlooks me as I am writing, and rejoices that I have what he wanted. My rirft note was neceflarily to my fervant, who came in talking, and could not immediately comprehend why he fhould read what I put into his hands. I then wrote a card to Mr. Allen, that I might have a difcreet friend at hand to act as occafion mould require. In penning this note I had fome difficulty, my hand, I knew not how nor why, made wrong letters. I then wrote to Dr. Taylor to come to me, and bring Dr. Heberden, and I lent to Dr. Brock- leiby, who is my neighbour. My phylicians are very friendly and very difmterefted, and give me great hopes, but you may imagine my fituation. I have fo far recovered my vocal powers, as to repeat the Lord's Prayer with no very imperfect articulation. My memory, I hope, yet remains as it was ; but 1 6 fuch DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 271 fuch an attack produces folicitude for the iafety of every faculty. How this will be received by you I know not. I hope you will fympathife with me ; but perhaps My miftrefs gracious, mild, and good, Cries ! Is he dumb ? 'Tis time he fhou'd. But can this be poflible ? I hope it cannot* I hope that what, when I could fpeak, I fpoke of you, and to you, will be in a fober and ferious hour remembered by you ; and furely it cannot be remembered but with fome de- gree of kindnefs. I have loved you with virtuous affection ; I have honoured you with fmcere efteem. Let not all our endearments be forgotten, but let me have in this great diftrefs your pity and your prayers. You fee I yet turn to you with my complaints as a fettled and unalienable friend ; do not, do not drive me from you, for I have not de* ferved either neglecl: or hatred. To the girls, who do not write often, for Sufy has written only once, and Mifs Thrale owes me a letter, I earneftly recommend, as their guardian and friend, that they remem- ber their Creator in the days of their youth. Ifup- 272 LETTERS TO AND FROM I fuppofe you may wifh to know how my difeafe is treated by the phyficians. They put a blifter upon my back, and two from my ear to my throat, one on a fide. The blifter on the back has done little, and thofe on the throat have not rifen. I bullied and bounced, (it flicks to our laft fand) and com- pelled the apothecary to make his falvc ac- cording to the Edinburgh Difpenfatory, that it might adhere better. I have two on now of my own prefcription. They likewife give me fait of hartfhorn, which I take with no great confidence, but am fatisfied that what can be done is done for me. God ! give me comfort and confidence in Thee : forgive my fins ; and if it be thy good pleafure, relieve my difeafes for Jems thrift's fake. Amen. 1 am almoft afhamed of this querulous let- ter, but now it is written, let it go. I am, fcff. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 273 I LETTER CCCII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAREST MADAM, London, June 20, 1783. THINK to fend you for fome time a regu- lar diary. You will forgive the grofs images which difeafe muft necelTarily prefent. Dr. Lawrence faid, that medical treatifes fliould be always in Latin. The two veficatories which I procured with fo much trouble did not perform well, for, being applied to the lower part of the fauces, a part always in motion, their adhefion was continually broken. The back, I hear, is very properly flayed. I have now healing application to the cheeks, and have my head covered with one formidable dirFufion of cantharides, from which Dr. Heberden aflures me that ex- perience promifes great eflfe&s. He told me likewife, that my utterance has been im- proved fmce yefterday, of which, however, I VOL. II, T was 174- LETTERS TO AND FROM was lefs certain ; though doubtlefs they who fee me at intervals can beft judge. I never had any diftortion of the coun- tenance, but what Dr. Brocklefby called a little prolapfus, which went away the fecond day. I was this day directed to eat flefh, and I dined very copioufly upon matted lamb and boiled peafe : I then went to fleep in a chair, and when I waked, I found Dr. Brocklefby fitting by me, and fell to talking with him in fuch a manner as made me glad, and, I hope, made me thankful. The DotTtor fell to re- peating Juvenal's ninth iatire ; but I let him fee that the province was mine. I am to take wine to-night, and hope it will do me good. I am, &:' PR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 275 LETTER CCCIII. To Mrs. T H R A L . DEAR MADAM, London, June 21, 1785. T CONTINUE my journal. When I went to bed laft night, I found the new cover- ing of my head uneafy, not painful, rather too warm. I had however a comfortable and placid night. My phyficians this morn- ing thought my amendment not inconfider- able ; and my friends who vifited me faid, that my look was fpritely and cheerful. No- body has mown more affection than Paradife. Langton and he were with me a long time to- day. I was almoft tired. When my friends were gone I took another liberal dinner, fuch as my phyficians recom- mended, and flept after it, but without fuch evident advantage as was the effect of yefter- day'sy%/?#. Perhaps the fleep was not quite fo found, for I am harafTed by a very dif- agreeable operation of the cantharides, which T 2 I am 276 LETTERS TO AND FROM I am endeavouring to control by copious di~ Jution. My diforders are in other refpe&s lefs than ufual ; my difeafe, whatever it was, feems collected into this one dreadful effect. My breath i$ free ; the conflrictions of the chefl are fufpended, and my nights pafs without oppreffion. To-day I received a letter of confolation and encouragement from an unknown hand, without a name, kindly and piou% 3 though not enthufiaflically written, I had juft now from Mr. Pepys a mefTage, enquiring in your name after my health, of this I can give no account. I am, Madam, Your, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 277 LETTER CCCIV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, June 25, 1783. T THANK you for your kind letter, and * will continue my diary. On the night of the 2ift I had very little reft, being kept awake by an effect of the cantharidos, not indeed formidable, but very tirefome and painful. On the 22d the phyficians releafed me from the falts of hartfhorn. The cantha- rides continued their perfecution, but I was fet free from it at night. I had however not much fleep; but I hope for more to-night. The vefications on my back and face are heal- ing, and only that on my head continues to operate. My friends tell me that my power of utter^ ance improves daily, and Dr. Heberden de- clares that he hopes to find me almoft well to-morrow, T * Palfies 278 LETTERS TO AND FROM Palfies are more common than I thought I have been vifited by four friends who have had each a ftroke, and one of them two. Your offer, dear Madam, of coming to me, is charmingly kind ; but I will lay up for future ufe, and then let it not be confi- dered as obfolete ; a time of dereliction may come, when I may have hardly any other friend, but in the prelent exigency I cannot name one who has been deficient in civility or attention. What man can do for man has been done for me. Write to me very often. I am, Madam, Your, LETTER CCCV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, THE journal now, like other journals, grows very dry y as it is not dive" either by operations or events. Lef. and lets 12 is DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 279 is done, and, I thank God, tefs and lefs is fuffered every day. The phyficians feem to think that little more needs to be done. I find that they confulted to-day about fending me to Bath, and thought it needlefs. Dr. Heberden takes leave to-morrow. This day I watered the garden, and did not find the watering-pots more heavy than they have hitherto been, and my breath is more free. Poor dear has juft been here with a prefent. If it ever falls in your way to do him good, let him have your favour. Both Queeney's letter and yours gave me to-day great pleafure. Think as well and as kindly of me as you can, but do not flatter me. Cool reciprocations of efteem are the great comforts of life ; hyperbolical praife only corrupts the tongue of the one, and the ear of the other. London, June 24, 1783. I am, cJV, Your letter has no date. LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCCVI. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAREST MADAM, London, June 28, 1783. X7OUR letter is juft fuch as I defire, and * as from you I hope always to deferve. The black dog I hope always to refift, and in time to drive, though I am deprived of almoft all thofe that ufed to help me. The neighbourhood is impoverifhed. I had once Richardfon and Lawrence in my reach. Mrs. Allen is dead. My -houie has loft Lcvet, a man who took intereft in every thing, and therefore ready at converfation. Mrs. Williams is fo weak that me can be a companion no longer. "When I rife my break- faft is folitary, the black dog waits to (hare it, from breakfafl to dinner he continues bark- ing, except that Dr. Brocklefby for a little keeps him at a diftance. Dinner with a fick woman you may venture to fuppofe not much better than folitary. After dinner, what re- mains but to count the clock, and hope for 1 6 ' that DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 281 that fleep which I can fcarce expect. Night comes at laft, and fome hours of reftlefnefs and confufion bring me again to a day of folitude. What mail exclude the black dog from an habitation like this? If I were a little richer, I would perhaps take fome cheerful female into the houfe. Your Bath news mews me new calamities. I am afraid Mrs. L s is left with a nu^ merous family, very flenderly fupplied. Mrs. She ward is an old maid, I am afraid, yetyfrr le pave. , if he were well, would be well enough liked; his daughter has powers and knowledge, but no art of making them agreeable. I muft touch my journal. Laft night frefh flies were put to my head, and hindered me from fleeping. To-day I fancy myfelf in- commoded by heat. I have, however, watered the garden both yefterday and to-day, juft as I watered the laurels in the ifland. 282 LETTERS TO AND FR( LETTER CCCVIL To Mrs. T H R A L a GEAR MADAM, AMONG thofe that have enquired after mej Sir Philip is one ; and Dr. Burney was one of thcfe who came to fee me. I have had no reafon to complain of indifference of neglect. Dick Burney is come home live inches taller. Yefterday in the evening I went to church, and have been to-day to fee the great burning glafs, \vhich does more than was ever done before by the tranfmiflion of the rays, but is not equal in power to thofe which reflect them. It waftes a diamond placed in the focus, but caufes no diminution of pure gold* Of the rubies expofed to its action, one was made more vivid, the other paler. To fee the glafs, I climbed up flairs to the garret, and then up a ladder to the lead?, and talked to the artift rather too long; for my voice, though clear and diftinct for a little while, foon DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 283 foon tires and falters. The organs of fpeech are yet very feeble, but will I hope be by the mercy of God finally reftored: at pre- fent, like any other weak limb, they can endure but little labour at once. Would you not have been very forry for me when I could fcarcely fpeak ? Frefh cantharides were this morning ap-* plied to my head, and are to be continued fome time longer. If they play me no treacherous tricks, they give me very little pain. Let me have your kindnefs and your prayers ; and think on me, as on a man who, for a very great portion of your life, has done you all the good he could, and defires Hill to be confidered, Madam, Your, 284 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCCVIII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAREST MADAM, London, July i, 1783. /npms morning I took the air by a ride to *- Hampftead, and this afternoon I dined with the club. But frefh cantharides were this day applied to my head. Mr. Cator called on me to-day, and told that he had invited you back to Streatham. I {hewed the unfitnefs of your return thither, till the neighbourhood fhould have loft its habits of Depredation, and he feemed to be fatisfied. He invited me very kindly and cordially to try the air of Beckenham, and pleafed me very much by his affectionate at- tention to Mifs Vezy. There is much good in his character, and much ufefulnefs in his knowledge. Queeney feems now to have forgotten me. Of the different appcaranqe of the hills and vallies an account may perhaps be given, with- DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 285 without the fuppofition of any prodigy. If {he had been out and the evening was breezy, the exhalations would rife from the low grounds very copiouily; and the wind that fwept and cleared the hills, would only by its cold condenfe the vapours of the flickered vallies. Murphy is juft gone from me ; he vifits me very kindly, and I have no unkindnefs to complain of. I am forry that Sir Philip's requeft was not treated with more refpecl:, nor can I imagine what has put them fo much out of humour: I hope their bufmefs is profperous. I hope that I recover by degrees, but my nights are reftlefs ; and you will Hippofe the ^ervous fyftem to be ibmewhat enfeebled. I am. Madam, Your, 286 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCCIX. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, July 3, 1783, TT\R. Brocklefby yefterday difmifled the cantharides, and I can now find a foft place upon my pillow. Laft night was cool, and I retted well, and this morning I have been a friend at a poetical difficulty. Here is now a glimpfe of day-light again; but how near is the evening none can tell, and I will not prognofticate ; we all know that from none of us it can be far diftant ; may none of us know this in vain ! I went, as I took care to boaft, on Tuefday, to the club, and hear that I was thought to have performed as well as ufual. I dined on fifh, with the wing of a fmall Turkey chick, and left road bzef, goofe, and venifon pye untouched. I live much on peas, and never li id them fo good, for fo long a time, in any year that I can remember. When DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 287 When do you go to Weymouth ? and why do you go ? only I fuppofe to a new place, and the reafon is fufKcient to thole who have no reafon to withhold them. knows well enough how to live on four hundred a year, but where is he to have it ? Had * * * any thing of his own un- fettled ? I am glad that Mrs. Sheward talks of me, and loves me, and have in this ftill fcene of life great comfort in reflecting that I have given very few reafon to hate me; I hope fcarcely any man has known me clofely but for his benefit, or curforily but to his innocent entertainment. Tell me, you that know me beft, whether this be true, that according to your anfwer I may continue my practice, or try to mend it. Along with your kind letter yefterday came one likewife very kind from the Aftons at Lichfield ; but I do not know whether, as the fummer is fo far advanced, I mail travel fo far, though I am not without hopes that frequent change of air may fortify me againft the winter, which has been, in modern phrafe, oi late years very inimical to, Madam, Your, 288 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCCX. To Mrs. T H R A L E. PEAR MADAM, London, July 5, 1783. 'T^HAT Dr. * * * * is offended I am very * forry, but if the fame ftate of things ihould recur, I could not do better. Dr. Broeklefby is. you know, my neighbour, and could be ready at call ; he had for fome time very diligently folicited my friend Chip : I de- pended much upon the {kill of Dr. Heberden, and him I had feen lately at Brocklefby's. Heberden I could not bear to mifs, Broeklef- by could not decently be miffed, and to call three, had made me ridiculous by the appear- ance of felf-importance. Mine was one of thofe unhappy cafes in which fomething muft be wrong. I can only be forry. I have now no Doctor, but am left to fhift for myfelf as opportunity fhall ferve. I am going next week with * * to * * * *, where I expect not to ftay long. Eight children in a fmall houfe will probably make a chorus not very DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 289 Very diverting. My purpofe is to change the air frequently this fummer. Of the imitation of my ftile, in a criticifm on Gray's Church-yard, I forgot to make mention. The authour is, I believe, utterly unknown, for Mr. Steevens cannot hunt him. out. I know little of it, for though it was fent me I never cut the leaves open. I had a letter with it reprefenting it to me as my own work ; in fuch an account to the publick there may be humour, but to myfelf it was nei- ther ferious nor comical. I fufpedt the writer to be wrongheaded ; as to the noife which it makes I have never heard it, and am inclined to believe that few attacks either of ridicule or invective make much noife, but by the help of thofe that they provoke. I think Queeney's filence has fomething either of lazinefs or unkindnefs ; and I wiflv her free from both, for both are very una- miable, and will both increafe by indulgence. Sufy is I believe at a lofs for matter. I mall be glad to fee pretty Sophy's production. I hope I ftill continue mending. My or- gans are yet feeble. I am, Madam, Your, VOL. II. U 290 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCCXL To Mifs SUSANNA THRALE. DEAREST MISS SUSY, TT7HEN you favoured me with your letter, you feemed to be in want of material's to fill it, having met with no great adventures either of peril or delight, nor done or fuffer- cd any thing out of the common courfe of life. When you have lived longer, and confi- dered more, you will find the common courfe of life very fertile of obfervation and reflec- tion. Upon the common courfe of life muft our thoughts and cur converfation be gene- rally employed. Our general courfe of life muft denominate us wife or fooKm ; happy or miferable : if it is well regulated we pafs on profperoufly and imoothly j as it is neg- lected we live in embarraflment, perplexity, and tmeafmefs. Your time, my love, pafles, I fuppofe, devotion^ reading, work, and company. y in Of your DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. your devotions, in which I earneftly advife you to be very punctual, you may not per- haps think it proper to give me an account ; and of work, urilefs I underftood it better, it will be of no great ufe to fay much ; but books and company will always fupply you with materials for your letters to me, as I mail always be pleafed to know what you are read- ing, and with what you are pleafed j and mall take great delight in knowing what impreffion new modes or new characters make upon you, and to obferve with what attention you diftinguifti the tempers, difpofitions, and abi- lities of your companions. A letter may be always made out of the books of the morning or talk of the evening ; and any letters from you, my deareft, will be welcome to Your, U 2 292 LETTER CCCXII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, July 8, 1783. ME makes great changes of opinion. ' ran perpetually after in the lifetime of that lady, to whom he fo earncftly defired to be reunited in the grave. I am glad is not left in po- verty, her difeafe feems to threaten her with a full fhare of mifery. Of Mifs H , whom you charge me with forgetting, I know not why I Ihould much fofter the remembrance, for I can do her no good ; but I honeftly recommend her to your pity; for nothing but the opportu- nity of emptying her bofom with confidence can fave her from madnefs. To know at leaft one mind fo difordered is not without its ufe ; it {hows the danger of admitting paf- fively the lirft irruption of irregular imagina- tions. Langton DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 293 Langton and I have talked of paffing a little time at Rochefter together, till neither knows well how to refufe, though I think he is not eaer to take me, and I am not defirous to be taken. His family is numerous, and his houfe little. I have let him know, for his relief, that I do not mean to burden him more than a week. He is however among thofe who wifh me well, and would exert what power he has to do me good, I think you will do well in going to Wey- mouth, for though it be nothing, it is, at leaft to the young ones, a new nothing, and they will be able always to tell that they have feen Weymouth. I am for the preient willing enough to perfuade myfelf, that a fhort fuc- ceffion of trifles may contribute to my re- eftablifhment, but hope to return, for it is furely time, to fbmething of importance. I am, dear Madam, Your, EsV. U 494 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCCXIII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, July 23, 1783. T HAVE been thirteen days at Rochefter, and am juft now returned. I came back by water in a common boat twenty miles for a fhilling, and when I landed at Billingfgate I carried my budget myfelf to Cornhill before I could get a coach, and was not much in- commoded. I have had Mifs Sufy's and Mifs Sophy's letters, and now I am come home can write and write. While I was with Mr. Langton we took four little journies in a chaife, and made one little voyage on the Medway, with four mifles and their maid, but they were very quiet. I am very well, except that my voice foon faulters, and I have not flept well, which I imputed to the heat, which has been fuch as I never felt before for fo long time. Three days PR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 295 days we had of very great heat about ten years ago. I infer nothing from it but a good harveft. Whether this fliort ruftication has done me any good I cannot tell, I certainly am not worfe, and am very willing to think myfelf better. Are you better ? Sophy gave but a poor account of you. Do not let your mind wear out your body. I am, Madam, Your, LETTER CCCXIV. To Mifs SOPHIA THRALE. DEAREST MISS SOPHY, London, July 24, 1785, Y an abfence from home, and for one reafon and another, I owe a great num- ber of letters, and I aflure you that I fit down to write yours firft. Why you ihould think yourfelf not a favourite, I cannot guefs ; my y 4 favour 296 LETTERS TO AND FROM favour will, I am afraid, never be worth much ; but be its value more or lefs, you are never likely to lofe it, and lefs likely if you continue your iludies with the fame diligence as you have begun them. Your proficience in arithmetick is not only to be commended, but admired. Your mailer does not, I fuppofe, come very often, nor ftay very long ; yet your advance in the fcience of numbers is greater than is com- monly made by thofe who, for fo many weeks as you have been learning, fpend fix hours a day in the writing fchool. Never think, my Sweet, that you have arithmetick enough ; when you have exhauft- ed your mailer, buy books. Nothing amufes more harmlefly than computation, and no- thing is oftener applicable to real bufmefs or fpeculative .enquiries. A thoufand llories which the ignorant tell, and believe, die away at once, when the computift takes them in his gripe. I hope you will cultivate in yourfelf a difpofition to numerical enquiries ; they will give you entertainment in folitude by the pradice, and reputation in publick by the If DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 297 If you can borrow Wilkins's Real Cbarafler, a folio, which the bookfeller can perhaps let you have, you will have a very curious cal- culation, which you are qualified to confider, to fhew that Noah's ark was capable of hold- ing all the known animals of the world, with provifion for all the time in which the earth was under water. Let me hear from you foon again. I am, Madam, Your, LETTER CCCXV. To Mifs SUSANNA THRALE. DEAR MISS SUSAN, London, July 26, 1783, *r ANSWER your letter laft, becaufe it was ^ received laft ; and when I have anfwered it, I am out of debt to your houfe. A fhort negligence throws one behind hand. This maxim, if you confider and improve it, will 'be equivalent to your parfon and bird, which is however a- very good ftory, as it Ihews how 298 LETTERS TO AND FROM how far gluttony may proceed, which where it prevails is I think more violent, and cer- tainly more defpicable, than avarice itfelf. Gluttony is, I think, lefs common among women than among men. Women com- monly eat more fparingly, and are lefs cu- rious in the choice of meat ; but if once you find a woman gluttonous, expect from her very little virtue. Her mind is enflaved to the loweft and grofleft temptation. A friend of mine, who courted a lady of whom he did not know much, was advifed to fee her eat, and if fhe was voluptuous at table, to forfake her. He married her how- ever, and in a few weeks came to his advifer with this exclamation, " It is the difturbance " of my life to fee this woman eat." She was, as might be expected, felfifh and brutal, and after fome years of difcord they parted, and I believe came together no more. Of men, the examples are fufliciently com- mon. I had a friend, of great eminence in the learned and the witty world, who had hung up fome pots on his wall to furnifli nefts for fparrows. The poor fparrows, not knowing his character, were fed need by the con- DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 299 convenience, and I never heard any man fpeak of any future enjoyment with fuch con- tortions of delight as he exhibited, when he talked of eating the young ones. When you do me the favour to write again, tell me fomething of your ftudies, your work, or your amufements. I am, Madam, Your, LETTER CCCXVI. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, Auguft 13, 1783. X7OUR letter was brought juft as I was complaining that you had forgotten me. I am glad that the ladies find fo much novelty at Weymouth. Ovid fays, that the fun is undelightfully uniform, They had fome expectation of fhells, which both by their form and colours have a claim to human curiofity. Of all the wonders, I have had no 300 LETTERS TO AND FROM no account, except that Mifs Thrale feems pleafed with your little voyages. Sophy mentioned a ftory which her fitters would not fuffer her to tell, becauie they would tell it themfelves, but it has never yet been told me. Mrs. Ing is, I think, a baronet's daughter, of an ancient houfe in Staffordfhire. Of her hufband's father, mention is made in the life of Ambrofe Philips. Of this world, in which you reprefent me as delighting to live, I can fay little. Since I came home I have only been to church, once to Burney's, once to Paradife's, and once to Reynolds's. With Burney I faw Dr. Rofe, his new relation, with whom I have been many years acquainted. If I difcovered no reliques of difeafe I am glad, but Fanny's trade is fiction. I have fince partaken of an epidemical diforder, but common evils produce no de- jection. Paradife's company, I fancy, difappointed him ; I remember nobody. With Reynolds was the archbifhop of Tuam, a man coarfe of voice and inelegant of language. 18 I am DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 301 I am now broken with difeafe, without the alleviation of familiar friendfhip or do- meftick fociety ; I have no middle ftate between clamour and filence, between general con- verfation and felf-tormenting folitude. Levet is dead, and poor Williams is making hafte to die : I know not if fhe will ever more come out of her chamber. I am now quite alone, but let me turn rny thoughts another way. I am, Madam, Your, LETTER CCCXVIL To Mrs. T H R A L E. MADAM, London, Auguft 20, 1783. ^T^HIS has been a day of great emotion; * the office of the Communion of the Sick has been performed in poor Mrs. Williams's chamber. She was too weak to rife from her bed, and is therefore to be fuppofed unlikely to 302 LETTERS TO AND FROM to live much longer. She has, I hope, little violent pain, but is wearing out by torpid inappetence and wearifome decay ; but all the powers of her mind are in their full vigour, and when fhe has fpirits enough for converfation, fhe poflefles all the intellectual excellence that me ever had. Surely this is an inftance of mercy much to be defired by a parting foul. At home I fee almoft all my companions dead or dying. At Oxford I have juft left Wheeler^ the man with whom 1 moft de- lighted to converfe. The fenfe of my own difeafes, and the fight of the world finking round me, opprefs me perhaps too much. I hope that all thefe admonitions will not be vain, and that I mall learn to die as dear Williams is dying, who was very cheerful before and after this avveful folemnity, and feems to refign herfelf with calmnefs and hope upon eternal mercy. I read your laft kind letter with great de- light ; but when I came to love and honour, what fprung in my mind ? How loved, how honoured once, avails thee not. I fat. to Mrs. Reynolds yefterday for my picture, perhaps the tenth time, and I fat j 7 near DK. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 303 near three hours with the patience of mortal born to bear; at laft fhe declared it quite firiifhed , and feems to think it fine. I told her it was Johnfons grimly ghojl. It is to be engraved, and I think in glided^ &c. will he a good infcriptioru I am, Madam, Your, LETTER CCCXVIII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, Auguft 26, 1783. KINGS fland with me much as they have done for fome time. Mrs. Williams fancies now and then that fhe grows better, but her vital powers appear to be flowly burning out. Nobody thinks however that flic xvill very foon be quite wafted, and as fhe fuffers me to be of very little ufe to her, I have determined to pafs fome time with Mr. Bowles near Salifbury, and have taken a place for Thurfday. Some 304 LETTERS TO AND FROM Some benefit may be perhaps received from change of air, fome from change of company, and fome from mere change of place. It is not eafy to grow well in a chamber where one has long been fick, and where every thing feen and every perfon fpeaking revives and impreiles images of pain. Though it be that no man can run away from himfelf, he may yet efcape from many caufes of ufelefs uneafmefs. That the mind is its ow?i place y is the boail of a fallen angel that had learned to lie. External locality has great effects, at leaft upon all embodied beings. I hope this little journey will afford me at leaft fome fufpenfe of melancholy. You give but an unpleafmg account of your performance at Portland. Your fcrambling days are then over. I remember when no Mifs and few Mailers could have left you behind, or thrown you out in the purfuit of honour or of curiofity. But tempus edax rerum, and no way has been yet found to draw his teeth. I am, dear Madam, Your, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 305 LETTER CCGXIX. Mrs. THRALE to Dr. JOHNSON. MY DEAR SIR, Weymouth, Auguft 30, 1783. HAD your letter, and am very defirous that change of place may do more for my friend than it has done for myfelf ; yet I am really a little better too, or at leaft ill in another way^ which makes it nothing more. Variety of ivretcbednefs : my face is at this time covered over with a frightful eryfipelas. The Portland expedition did not end credit- ably to my corporeal powers, which are grown very weak indeed ; and when I felt myfelf on the precipice unable to go forward or backward, without that help which I could only obtain from a clown upon the hill, my mind was in no good humour neither, and if I had thought on Mrs. Williams at all I mould have thought her happier than myfelf for (he has one companion who wifhes her long life, and furely that is one very com- fortable thing. VOL. II. X The 306 LETTERS TO AND FRO:\i The fea here at Weymouth is not half as fine as our old Tea on the Suflex coaft, and a marine profpect is at beft a dull one after the lirft week : the feafons have no effect on it ; and when one has once feen it rough and once feen it fmooth, all is over; while every hour of every day produces fome change upon a land view, and excites new images in any mind not totally crufhed down or exhaufted. The look from my window is mighty pretty however, and exhibits fo tranquil a fcene as it is difficult for old Ocean to difplay. I can imagine it like the Lake of Geneva, fo blue, fo ftill, fo elegantly ferpentized as if Mr. Brown had laid it out. In fhort this is no Pbcunctan Neptune whofe beard is faid to be longer than the others, becaufe that place produced the earlieft navigators : this fhall be an Gtabcite Neptune, and we wilt ftrike a medal of him all fhaven and morn, to mew that no canoe even of the Society I/lands need fear him, though ignorant of the art of failing till the world was got into its dotage as Goldfinith faid, when he made the fharper talk about cofmogony. This nonfenfe came into my head as I faw a failor on horfeback this morning, and began thinking what could infpirc the ancients to make Neptune the creator DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 307 creator of a horfe, for if any thing was ever foreign from the purpofe, that was foreign, or the man that rode under my window to-day had grievoufly degenerated. So as you fay, my dear Sir, change of place does one fame good, by giving one fome new thing to think on though but for a moment. I advifed our Mifs H to the fame re- medy, but have a notion her mind is haunted by one particular image; if fo, nothing will cure her; for if the heart be broken 'tis broken like a looking-glafs, and the fmalleft piece will for ever preferve and reflect the fame figure till 'tis again ground down into a new mafs. I told you who were our companions, and told you how well I liked them, but at Bath I have thofe who beft can lengthen and moft can gladden life. To one who is never well, and often extremely ill indeed, a place like this, deftitute of medical help, keeps the mind in a ftate of apprehenfion almoft equal to difeafe, and if any of the girls fhould be taken bad here (as Sophia feems now half inclinable) what would become of, Dear Sirj Your faithful fervant, H, L. THRALE. I will 3 o8 LETTERS TO AND FROM I will go home now very foon, for I am miferably lean, fo thin indeed that you would hardly know me ; but flamy mortals wafte with concentrated mifery like the diamond in your burning-glafs: patience more perfect and excellence more complete would come out from the trial undiminifhed like the pure gold: but fuch virtue muft be long prayed for and late obtained. LETTER CCCXX. To Mifs SUSANNA THRALE. DEAR MISS, September 9, 1783. *r AM glad that you and your fitters have been at Portland. You now can tell what is a quarry and what is a cliff. Take all opportunities of filling your mind with ge- nuine fcenes of nature: defcription is always fallacious, at leaft till you have feen realities you canrtot know it to be true. This ob- fervation might be extended to life, but life cannot be furveyed with the fame fafety as nature, and it is better to know vice and folly DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 309 folly by report than by experience. A painter, fays Sydney, mingled in the battle that he might know how to paint it ; but his know- ledge was ufelefs, for fome mifchievcus fword took away his head. They whofe fpeculation upon characters leads them too far into the world, may lofe that nice fenfe of good and evil by which characters are to be tried. Ac- quaint yourfelf therefore both with the pleaf- ing and the terrible parts of nature, but in life wi(h to know only the good. Pray mew Mamma this paflage of a letter from Dr. Brocklefby: " Mrs. Williams, from " mere inanition, has at length paid the great " debt to nature, about three o'clock this " morning, (Sept. 6.) She died without a 1 ftruggle, retaining her faculties entire to " the very laft, and as me expreffed it, having " fet her houfe in order, was prepared to " leave it at the laft fummons of nature." I do not now fay any thing more than that I am, My d care ft, Your, fcfr. 310 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER GGCXXI. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, Sept. 22, 1785. TTAPPY are you that have eafe and leifure to *- - want intelligence of air-ballons. Their exiftence is I believe indubitable ; but I know not that they can poflibly be of any uie. The conftrution is this. The chymical philofo- phers have difcovered a body (which I have forgotten, but will enquire) which, diflblved by an acid, ercks a vapour lighter than the atmofpherical air. This vapour is caught, among other means, by tying a bladder, comprefled upon the bottle in which the dif- folution is performed j the vapour rifing fwells the bladder, and fills it. The bladder is then tied and removed, and another ap- plied, till as much of this light air is collected as is wanted. Then a large fpherical cafe is made, and very large it muft be, of the lighteft matter than can be found, fecured by fome method, like that of oiling filk, againfl all pafTage of air. Into this are emptied all the DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 311 the bladders of light air, and if there is light air enough it mounts into the clouds, upon the fame principle as a bottle filled with water will fmk in water, but a bottle filled with xther would float. It riles till it comes to air of equal tenuity with its own, if wind or water does not fpoil it on the way. Such, Madam, is an air ballon. Meteors have been this autumn very often feen, but I have never been in their way. Poor Williams has I hope feen the end of her afflictions. She acted with prudence and fhe bore with fortitude. She has left me. Thou thy weary talk haft done, Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages. Had me had good humour and prompt elocution, her univerfal curiofity and com- prehenfive knowledge would have made her the delight of all that knew her. She left her little to your charity fchool. The complaint about which you enquire is a farcocele: I thought it a hydrocele, and heeded it but little. Puncture has detected the miftake : it can be fafely fuffered no longer. Upon inspection three days ago it was de- X 4 termined 3 i2 LETTERS TO AND FROM termined extrema ventura. If excifion mould be delayed there is danger of a gangrene. You would not have me for fear of pain perifli in putrefccnce. I mall I hope, with truft in eternal mercy, lay hold of the pof- fibility of life which yet remains. My health is not bad ; the gout is now trying at my feet. My appetite and digeftion are good, and my fleep better than formerly : I am not d ejected, and I am not feeble. There is however danger enough in fuch operations at feventy-four. Let me have your prayers and thofe of tfte young dear people. ^ I am, dear Madam, Your, sV. Write foon and often, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 313 LETTER CCCXXII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. MADAM, London, Oft. 6, 1783, -WTTHEN I fhall give a good and fettled * " account of my health I cannot venture to fay ; fome account I am ready to give, becaufe I am pleafed to find that you defire it. I yet fit without fhoes, with my foot upon a pillow, but my pain and weaknefs are much abated, and I am no longer crawling upon two flicks. To the gout my mind is recon- ciled by another letter from Mr. Mudge, in which he vehemently urges the excifion, and tells me that the gout will fecure me from every thing paralytick : if this be true, I am ready to fay to the arthritick pains, Deb! ventte ogne di, durate un anno. My phyfician in ordinary is Dr. Brock- lefby, who comes almoft every day ; my furgeon in Mr. Pott's abfence is Mr. Cruik- Jhank, the prefent reader in Dr. Hunter's fchool. 314 LETTERS TO AND FROM Ichool, Neither of them however do much more than look and talk. The general health of my body is as good as you have ever known it, alrnoft as good as I can remember. The carnage which you fuppofed made rough by my weaknefs was the common Salifbury ftage, high hung, and driven to Salifbury in a day. I was not fatigued. Mr. Pott has been out of town, but I ex- pect to fee him foon, and will then tell you fomething of the main affair, of which there feems now to be a better profpecl:. This afternoon I have given to Mrs. Cholmondely, Mrs. Way, Lady Sheffield's relation, Mr. Kinderfley the defcriber of Indian manners, and another anonymous lady. As Mrs. Williams received a penfion from Mrs. Montagu, it was fit to notify her death. The account has brought me a letter not only civil but tender j fo I hope peace is pro-- claimed. The (late of the Stocks I take to be this : When in the late exigencies the miniftry gave fo high a price for money, all the money that could be difengaged from trade was lent to DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 315 to the publick. The ftccks funk becaufe nobody bought them. They have not rifen. fince, becaufe the money being already lent out, nobody has money to lay out upon them till commerce lhall by the help of peace bring a new fupply. If they cannot rife, they will fometimes fall ; for their effence feems to be fluctuation ; but the prefent fudden fall is oc- caiioned by the report of fome new difturb- ances and demands which the Irifh are machi- nating. I am, Madam, Your, EsV. LETTER CCCXXIIL To Mrs. T H R A L E. London, Odlober 9, 1783. '"Two nights ago Mr. Burke fat with me a long time ; he feems much pleafed with his journey. We had both feen Stonehenge this fummer for the firfl time. I told him that 3 i6 LETTERS TO AND FROM that the view had enabled me to confute two opinions which have been advanced about it. One, that the materials are not natural ftones, but an artificial compoiition hardened by time. This notion is as old as Camden's time ; and has this ftrong argument to fupport it, that ftone of that fpecies is no where to be found. The other opinion, advanced by Dr. Charlton, is, that it was erected by the Danes. Mr. Bowles made me obferve, that the tranfverfe ftones were fixed on the perpendi- cular fupporters by a knob formed on the top of the upright ftone, which entered into a hol- low cut in the croffing ftone. This is a proof that the enormous edifice was raifed by a people who had not yet the knowledge of mortar ; which qannot be fuppofed of the Danes who came hither in mips, and were not ignorant certainly of the arts of life. This proves likewife the ftones not to be factitious; for they that could mould i'uch durable mafic s could do much more than make mortar, and could have continued the tranfverfe from the upright part with the fame pafte. You have doubtlefs feen Stonehengc, and if you have not, I fhould think it a hard tafk to make an adequate defcription. 3 It DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 317 It is, in my opinion, to be referred to the earlieft habitation of the Ifland, as a Druidical monument of at leaft two thoufand years; probably the moft ancient work of man upon the Ifland. Salifbury cathedral and its neigh- bour Stonehenge, are two eminent monu- ments of art and rudenefs, and may mow the firft eflay, and the laft perfection, in archi- tecture. I have not yet fettled my thoughts about the generation of light air, which I indeed once faw produced, but I was at the height of my great complaint. I have made enquiry, and mail foori be able to tell you how to fill a ballon. I am, Madam, Your, SsV. 3i8 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCCXXIV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, Oaober 21, 1783. HAVE formerly heard, what you perhaps have heard too, that The wheel of life is daily turning round, And nothing in this world of certainty is found. When in your letter of the eleventh, you told me that my two letters had obliged, confoled, and delighted you, 1 was much ele- vated, and longed for a larger anfwer j but when the anfwer of the nineteenth came, I found that the obliging, confolatory, and de- lightful paragraphs had made fo little impref- fion, that you want again to be told what thofe papers were written to tell you, and of what I can now tell you nothing new. I am as I was ; with no pain and little inconve- nience from the great complaint, and feeling nothing from the gout but a little tendernefs and wcaknels. Thy!]- DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. Phyfiognomy, as it is a Greek word, ought to found the G : but the French and Italians, I think, fpell it without the G ; and from them perhaps we learned to pronounce it. G, I think, is founded in formal, and funk in familiar language. Mr. Pott was with me this morning, and ftill continues his difmclination to fire and fword. The operation is therefore ftill fuf- pended ; not without hopes of relief from fome eafier and more natural way. Mrs. Porter the tragedian, with whom fpent part of his earlier life, was fo much the favourite of her time, that me was welcomed on the ftage when me trod it by the help of a ftick. She taught her pupils no violent graces ; for me was a woman of very gentle and ladylike manners, though without much extent of knowledge, or activity of un- der ftand ing. You are now retired, and have nothing to impede felf-examination or felf-improvement. Endeavour to reform that inftability of atten- tion which your laft letter has happened to betray. Perhaps it is natural for thofe that have much within to think little on things without ; but whoever lives heedlefsly lives 1 6 but -20 LETTERS TO AND FROM but in a mift, perpetually deceived by falfe appearances of the paft, without any certain reliance on recollection. Perhaps this begins to be my ftate; but I have not done my part very fluggifhly, if it now begins. The hour of folitude is now come, and Williams is gone. But I am not, I hope, im- properly dejected. A little I read, and a little I think. I am, LETTER CCCXXV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. MADAM, London, October 27, 1783. XTOU may be very reafonably weary of fick- nefs ; it is neither pleafant to talk nor to hear of it. I hope foon to lofe the difgufting topick; for 1 have now neither pain nor lick- nefs. My ancles are weak, and my feet ten- der. I have not tried to walk much above a hundred yards, and was glad to come back upon wheels. The Doctor and Mr. Metcalf have Dft. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 321 have taken me out. I fleep uncertainly and unfeafonably. This is the fum of my com- plaint. I have not been fo well for two years pad. The great malady is neither heard, feen, felt, nor underflood. But I am very folitary. Semperque relinqui Sola fibi, Temper longam incomitata videtur Ire viam. But I have begun to look among my books, and hope that I am all, whatever that was, which I have ever been. Mrs. Siddons in her vifit to me behaved with great modefty and propriety, and left nothing behind her to be cenfured or defpifed. Neither praife nor money, the two powerful corrupters of mankind, feem to have depraved her. I mall be glad to fee her again. Her brother Kemble calls on me, and pleafes me very well. Mrs. Siddons and I talked of plays ; and me told me her intention of ex- hibiting this winter the characters of Con- ftance, Catherine, and Ifabella in Shake- fpeare. I have had this day a letter from Mr. Mudge; who, with all his earneftnefs for ope- VOL. II. Y ration. 3 22 LETTERS TO AND FROM ration, thinks it better to wait the effects of time, and, as he fays, to let well alone. To this the patient naturally inclines, though I am afraid of having the knife yet to endure when I can bear it lefs. Cruickfhank was even now in doubt of the event ; but Pott, though never eager, had, or difcovered, lefs fear. If I was a little crofs, would it not have made patient Grifel crofs, to find that you had forgotten the letter that you was anfwering ? But what did I care, if I did not love you ? You need not fear that another fhould get my kindnefs from you ; that kindnefs which you could not throw away if you tried, you furely cannot lofe while you defire to keep it. I am, Madam, Your, &fr. I have a letter figned S. A. Thrale ; I take S. A. to be Mifs Sophy : but who is bound to recollect initials ? A name fhould be written, if not fully, yet fo that it cannot be miftakerw DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 323 LETTER CCCXXVL To Mrs. T H R A L E. MADAM, London, Nov. i, 178?. \TOV will naturally wifh to know what was done by the robbers at the brewhoufe. They climbed by the help of the lamp iron to the covering of the door, and there open- ing the window, which was never fattened, entered and went down to the parlour, and took the plate off the fideboard ; but being in hafte, and probably without light, they did not take it all. They then unlocked the flreet- door, and locking it again, carried away the key. The whole lofs, as Mr. Perkins told me, amounts to near fifty pounds. Mr. Pott bade me this day take no more care about the tumour. The gout too is al- moft well in fpite of all the luxury to which my friends have tempted me by a fucceffioti of pheafants, partridges, and other delicacies. But Nature has got the better. I hope to walk to church to-morrow. Y 2 An 324 LETTERS TO AND FROM An air ballon has been lately procured by our virtuofi, but it performed very little to their expectation. The air with which thefe balls are filled, is procured by diflblving filings in the vitriolick (or I fuppofe fulphureous) acid ; but the fmoke of burnt ftraw may be ufed, though its levity is not fo great. If a cafe could be found at once light and ftrong, a man might mount with his will, and go whither the winds would carry him. The cafe of the ball which came hither was of goldbeaters Ikin. The cafes which have hi- therto been ufed are apparently defective, for the ball came to the ground ; which they could never do, unlefs there were fome breach made. How old is the boy that likes Rambler bet- ter than apples and pears? I mall be glad of Mifs Sophy's letter, and will foon write to S. A.; who, fmce (lie is not Sophy, muft be Sufy. Mcthinks it is long fmce I heard from Queeney. I am, Da, SAMUEL JOHNSON. 325 LETTER CCCXXVII, To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, Nov. 13, 1783. QINCE you have written to me with the *-* attention and tendernefs of ancient time, your letters give me a great part of the plea- fure which a life of folitude admits. You will never beftow any fhare of your good will on one who deferves better. Thofe that have loved longeft love bed. A fudden blaze of kindnefs may by a fmgle blaft of coldnefs be extinguifhed, but that fondnefs which length of time has connected with many circum- ftances s and occafions, though it may for a while be fupprefTed by difguft or refentment, with or without a caufe, is hourly revived by accidental recollection. To thofe that have lived long together, every thing heard and every thing feen, recals fome pleafure com- municated, or fome benefit conferred, fome petty quarrel, or fome flight endearment. jEfteem of great powers, or amiable qualities Y 3 newly 3 i5 LETTERS TO AND FROM newly difcovered, may embroider a day or a week, but a friendmip of twenty years is inter- woven with the texture of life. A friend may be often found and loft, but an old friend never can be found, and Nature has provided that he cannot eafily be loft. I have not forgotten the Davenants, though they feem to have forgotten me. I began very early to tell them what they have com- monly found to be true. I am forry to hear of their building. I have always warned thofe whom I loved, againft that mode of oftenta- tious wafte. You feem to mention Lord Kilmurrey as a flranger. We were at his houfe in Cheshire ; and he one day dined with Sir Lynch. What he tells of the epigram is not true, but perhaps he does not know it to be falfe. Do not you remember how he rejoiced in having no park? he could not difcblige his neighbours by fend- ing them no venilon. The frequency of death, to thofe who look upon it in the leifui e of Arcadia, is very dread- ful. We all know \\ hat it mould teach us ; let us all be diligent to learn. Lucy Porter has loft her brother. But whom I have loft --let DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 327 ~ let me not now remember. Let not your lofs be added to the mournful catalogue, Write foon again to Madam, Your, LETTER CCCXXVIII. To Mifs S. A. T H R A L E. DEAR MISS, Nov. 18, 1783. rjERE is a whole week, and nothing heard from your houfe. Baretti faid what a wicked houfe it would be, and a wicked houfe it is. Of you however I have no complaint to make, for I owe you a letter. Still I live here by my own felf, and have had of late very bad nights ; but then I have had a pig to dinner, which Mr. Perkins gave me. Thus life is chequered, I cannot tell you much news, becaufe I fee nobody that you know. Do you read the Tatlers ? They are part of the books which every body fhould read, becaufe they are the Y 4 fources 328 LETTERS TO AND FROM fources of converfation, therefore make them part of your library. Bickerftaff, in the Tat- ler, gives as a fpecimen of familiar letters, an account of his cat. I could tell you as good things of Lily the white kitling, who is now at full growth, and very well behaved; but I do not fee why we fhould defcend below hu-r man beings, and of one human being I can tell fomething that you will like to hear. A friend, whofe name I will tell when your Mamma has tried to guefs it, fent to my phy-, fician to enquire whether this long train of illnefs had brought me into any difficulties for want of money, with an invitation to fend to him for what occafion required. I fliall write this night to thank him, having no need to borrow. I have feen Mr. Seward fmcc his return only once ; he gave no florid account of my miftrefs's health. Tell her that I hearken every day after a letter from her, and do no.t be long before you write yourlelf to, JVIy dear, Your, PR, SAMUEP JOHNSON. 329 LETTER CCCXXIX. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEA.R MADAM, London, Nov. 20, 1783. T BEGAN to grieve and wonder that I had no letter, but not being much accuftomed to fetch in evil by circumfpection or anticipa- tion, did not fufpeft that the omiffion had fo dreadful a caufe as the ficknefs of one of my dears. As her phyfician thought fo well of Jier when you wrote, I hope me is now out of danger. You do not tell me her difeafe ; and perhaps have not been able yourfelf fully to underftand it. I hope it is not of the ce- phalick race. That frigid ftillnefs with which my pretty Sophy melts away, exhibits a temper very in- commodious in ficknefs, and by no means amiable in the tenour of life. Incommuni- cative taciturnity neither imparts nor invites frieridmip, but repofes on a ftubborn fuffi- piency felf-centered, and neglects the inter- change 330 LETTERS TO AND FROM change of that focial officioufnefs by which we are habitually endeared to one another. They that mean to make no uie of friends, will be at little trouble to gain them ; and to be with- out friendship, is to be without one of the iirft comforts of our prefent ftate. To have no affiftance from other minds, in refolving doubts, in appearing fcruples, in balancing de- liberations, is a very wretched deftitution. If therefore my loves have this filence by tem- per, do not let them have it by principle ; ihow them that it is a perverfe and inordinate difpofition, which muft be counteracted and reformed. Have I faid enough? Poor Dr. Taylor reprefents himfelf as ill ; and I am afraid is worfe than in the fummer. My nights are very bad ; but of the farcocele I have now little but the memory. I am, Madam, Your, SAMUEL JOHNSON. 331 LETTER CCCXXX. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, Nov. 24, 1783. E poft came in late to-day, and I had loft hopes. If the diftrefs of my dear little girl keep me anxious, I have much con- folation from the maternal and domeftick cha- rader of your dear letters. I do not much fear her pretty life, becaufe fcarcely any body dies of her diforder ; but it is an unpromifmg entry upon a new period of life : and there is, I fufpe~TpHE wearifome folitude of the long even- *' ings did indeed fuggeft to me the con- venience of a club in my neighbourhood, but 1 have been hindered from attending it by want of breath. If I can complete the fcheme, you mail have the names and the regulations. The DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 341 The time of the year, for I hope the fault is rather in the weather than in me, has been very hard upon me. The mufcles of my breaft are much convulfed. Dr. Heberden recommends opiates, of which I have fuch horrour that I do not think of them but in extremis. I was however driven to them laft night for refuge, and having taken the ufual quantity durft not go to bed, for fear of that uneafmefs to which a fupine pofture expofes me, but refted all night in a chair with much relief, and have been to-day more warm, active, and cheerful. You have more than once wondered at my complaint of folitude, when you hear that I am crowded with vifits. Inopem me copia fecit. Vifitors are no proper companions in the chamber of ficknefs. They come xvhen I could fleep or read, they flay till I am weary, they force me to attend when my mind calls for relaxation, and to fpeak when my powers will hardly actuate my tongue. The amufe- ments and confolations of languor arid depref- fion are conferred by familiar and domeftick companions, which can be vifited or called at will, and can occafionally be quitted or dif- mifled, who do not obftrud accommodation Z 3 by 342 LETTERS TO AND FROM by ceremony, or deflroy indolence by awaken- ing effort. Such fociety I had with Levet and Wil- liams ; fuch I had where I am never likely to have it more. I wifh, dear Lady, to you and my dear girls many a cheerful and pious Chriftmas. I am, Your, LETTER CCCXXXVI. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, Dec. 31, 1783. QINCE you cannot guefs, I will tell you that ** the generous man was Gerard Hamilton. I returned him a very thankful and refpectful letter. Your enquiry about Lady Carlifle I cannot anfwer, for I never faw her, unlefs perhaps without knowing her at a converfation. Sir DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. Sir Jofhua has juft been here, and knows nothing of Mifs Bingham ; if one of Lord Lucan's daughters be meant, the eldeft is now Lady Spencer ; fhe is languifhing in France with a difeafed leg, and the third is a child. Pray fend the letter which you think will divert me, for I have much need of enter- tainment ; fpiritlefs, infirm, fleeplefs and fo- litary, looking back with forrow and forward with terrour : but I will flop. Barry of Ireland had a notion that a man's pulfe wore him out ; my beating breall wears out me. The phyficians yefterday covered it with a blifler, of which the effect cannot yet be known. Good God profper their endeavours! Heberden is of opinion that while the weather is oppreflive we muft pal- liate. In the mean time I am well fed ; I have now in the houfe pheafant, venifon, turkey and ham, all unbought. Attention and re- fpect give pleafure, however late or however ufelefs. But they are not ufelefs when they are late ; it is reafonable to rejoice, as the day declines, to find that it has been fpent with the approbation of mankind. Z 4 The 344 LETTERS TO AND FROM The miniftry is again broken, and to any man who extends his thoughts to national confideration the times are difmal and gloomy. But to a Tick man what is the publick? The new year is at hand j may God make it happy to me, to you, to us all, for Jefus Chrift's fake ! Amen. I am, Madam, Your, &c. LETTER CCCXXXVII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, Jan. 12, 1784. TF, as you obferve, my former letter was * xvritten with trepidation, there is little rea- fon, except the habit of enduring, why this fliould (hew more fteadinefs. I am confined to the houfe; I do not know that any things grow better ; my phyficians direct me to combat the hard weather with opium ; I can- not well fupport its turbulence, and yet can- nor. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 345 not forbear it, for its immediate effect is eafe; having kept me waking all the night it forces fleep upon me in the day, and recompenfes a night of tedioufnefs with a day of ufe- lefnefs. My legs and my thighs grow very tumid : in the mean time my appetite is good, and if my phyficians do not flatter me death is rufhing upon me. But this is in the hand cf God. The firft talk of the fick is commonly of themfelves ; but if they talk of nothing elfe, they cannot complain if they are foon left without an audience. You obferve, Madam, that the ballon en- gages all mankind, and it is indeed a won- derful and unexpected addition to human knowledge ; but we have a daring projector, who, diidaining the help of fumes and va- pours, is making better than Dcedalean wings, with which he will mailer the ballon and its companions as an eagle mailers a goofe. It is very ferioufly true that a fubfcription of eight hundred pounds has been raifed for the wire and workmanfhip of iron wings ; one pair of which, and I think a tail, are now ihewn in the Haymarket, and they are 1 2 making 346 LETTERS TO AND FROM making another pair at Birmingham. The whole is faid to weigh two hundred pounds no fpecious preparation for flying, but there are thofe who expect to fee him in the fky. When I can leave the houfe I will tell you more. I had the fame old friends to dine with me on Wednefday, and may fay that fince I loft fight of you I have had one pleafaiit day. I am, Madam, Your, Pray fend me a direction to Sir - Mufgrave in Ireland. LETTER CCCXXXVIII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, Jan. 21, 1784. "P\R. Heberden this day favoured me with a vifit ; and after hearing what I had to tell him of miferies and pains, and comparing my prefent with my paft ftate, declared me DR, SAMUEL JOHNSON. 347 well. That his opinion is erroneous, I know with too much certainty; and yet was glad to hear it, as it fet extremities at a greater diftance : he who is by his phyfician thought well, is at leaft not thought in immediate danger. They therefore whofe attention to me makes them talk of my health, will, I hope, foon not drop, but lofe their fubjecl:. But, alas! I had no fleep laft night, and fit now panting over my paper. Dabit Deus his quoque Jinem. I have really hope from fpring; and am ready, like Almanzor, to bid the fun fly fiyiftly^ and leave 'weeks and months behind him. The fun has looked for fix thoufand years upon the world to little purpofe, if he does not know that a fick man is almoft as im- patient as a lover. Mr. Cator gives fuch an account of Mifs Cecy, as you and all of us muft delight to hear; Cator has a rough, manly, independent tmderftanding, and does not fpoil it by com- plaifance ; he never fpeaks merely to pleafe, and feldom is miftaken in things which he lias any right to know. I think well of her for pleafmg him, and of him for being pleafed ; and at the clofe, am delighted to find him de- lighted with her excellence. Let your chil- dren, 34 8 LETTERS TO AND FROM dren, dear Madam, be bis care, and your plea- fure ; clofe your thoughts upon them, and when fad fancies are excluded, health and peace \vill return together. I am, dear Madam, Your old Friend. LETTER CCCXXXIX. To Mrs. T H R A L E. T DEAR MADAM, London, Feb. 9, 1754. k HE remiflion of the cold did not continue long enough to afford me much relief. You are, as I perceive, afraid of the opium ; I had the fame terrour, and admitted its affinV uncc only under the prcflure of infupportable diftrefs, as of an auxiliary too powerful and too dangerous. But in this pinching feafon I cannot live without it; and the quantity which I take is lefs than it once was. My phyficians flatter me, that the feafon is a great part of my difeafe ; and that when warm weather reftores perfpiration, this wa- tery difeafe will evaporate, f ,un at leaf! will- in ir to flatter m vie If. - I have DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 349 I have been forced to fit up many nights by an obftinate fleeplefnefs, which makes the time in bed intolerably tedious, and which continues my drowfmefs the following day. Befides, I can fometimes fleep erect, when I cannot clofe my eyes in a recumbent pofture. I have juft befpoke a flannel drefs, which I can eafily flip off and on, as 1 go into bed, or get out of it. Thus pafs my days and nights in morbid wakefulnefs, in unfeaibnable fleepi- nefs, in gloomy folitude, with unwelcome vi- fitors, or ungrateful exclufions, in variety of wretchednefs. But I fnatch every lucid in- terval, and animate myfelf with fuch amufe- ments as the time offers. One thing which I have juft heard, you will think to furpafs expectation. The Chaplain of the factory at Peterfburg relates, that the Rambler is now, by the command of the Em- prefs, tranflating into Ruffian ; arid has pro- mifed when it is printed to fend me a copy. Grant, O Lord, that all who mail read my pages, may become more obedient to thy laws ; and when the wretched writer mall appear before thee, extend thy mercy to him, for the fake of Jefus Chrift. Amen. I am, Madam, Your, fcfr. 350 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCCXL. To Mrs. T H R A L E. MADAM, London, March 10, 1784. T7OU know I never thought confidence with * refpecl: to futurity any part of the cha- racter of a brave, a wife, or a good man. Bravery has no place where it can avail no- thing ; wifdom imprefles ftrongly the confci- oufneis of thofe faults, of which it is itfelf perhaps an aggravation; and goodnefs, always \vifhing to be better, and imputing every de- ficience to criminal negligence, and every fault to voluntary corruption, never dares to fup- pofe the condition of forgivenefs fulfilled, nor what is wanting in the crime fupplied by pe- nitence. This is the ftate of the beft, but what muft be the condition of him whofe heart will not fuffer him to rank himfelf among the beft, or among the good? Such muft be his dread of the approaching trial, as will leave him little attention to the opinion of thofe whom he is j 8 leaving DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 351 leaving for ever ; and the ferenity that is not felt, it can be no virtue to feign. The farcocele ran off long ago, at an orifice made for mere experiment. The water paffed naturally, by God's mercy, in a manner of which Dr. Heberden has feen but few examples. The chirurgeon has been employed to heal fome excoriations; and four out of five are no longer under his cure. The phyfician laid on a blifter, and I ordered, by their confent, a falve; but neither fucceeded, and neither was very eafily healed. I have been confined from the fourteenth of December, and know not when I mall get out; but I have this day drefied me, as I was drefled in health. Your kind expreffions gave me great plea- fure ; do not reject me from your thoughts. Shall we ever exchange confidence by the fire- fide again ? I hope dear Sophy is better; and intend quickly to pay my debt to Sufy. I am, Madam, Your, 352 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCCXLi. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAk MADAM, London, March 16, 1784. T AM fo near to health, as a month ago I "* defpaired of being. The dropfy is almoft wholly run away, and the afthma, unlefs ir- ritated by cold, feldoin attacks me. How I fhall bear motion I do not yet know. But though I have little of pain, I am wonderfully weak. My mufcles have almoft loft all their ipring ; but I hope that warm weather, whea It comes, will reftore me. More than three months have I now been confined. But my deliverance has been very extraordinary. Of one thing very remarkable I will teH you. For the afthma, and perhaps other dif* orders, my phyficians have advifed the fre- quent ufe of opiates. I refilled them as much as I could; and complained that it made me almoft delirious. This Dr. Heberden feemed not much to heed ; but I was lo weary of it, that I tried, when I could not wholly omit it, to diminim the dofe, in which, contrarily ta the DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 353 ttie known cuftom of the takers of opium, and beyond what it feemed reafonable to ex- pect, I have fo far fiicceeded, that having be- gun with three grains, a large quantity, I now appeafe the paroxyfm with a quarter of an ounce of diacodium, eftimated an equivalent only to half a grain ; and this quantity it is now eight days fmce I took. That I may fend to Mrs. Lewis, for whefi I fhall venture out I do not know, you muft let me know where me may be found:, which you omitted to tell me. I hope my dear Sophy will go on recover- ing. But methinks Mifs Thrale rather neglects me ; fuppofe me mould try to write me a little Latin letter. . Do you however write to me often, and write kindly ; perhaps we may fometime fee each other. I am, Madam, Your^ VOL. II; A a 354 LETTERS TO AND F&f LETTER CCCXLII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. MADAM, London, March 20, 1784. UR laft letter had fomething of tender- nefs. The accounts which you have had of my danger and diftrefs were I fuppofe not aggravated. I have been confined ten weeks with an afthma and dropfy. But I am now better. God has in his mercy granted me a reprieve ; for how much time his mercy muft determine. On the 1 9th of laft month I evacuated twenty pints of water, and I thTflV I reckon exactly ; from that time the tumour has fub- fided, and I now begin to move with fome freedom. You will eafily believe that I am ftill at a great diftance from health ; but I am, as my chirurgeon exprefled it, amazingly bet- ter. Heberden feema to have great hopes. Write to me no more about dying with a grace \ when you feel what I have felt in ap- proaching eternity in fear of foon hearing the DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 355 the fentence of which there is no revocation, you will know the folly ; my wifh is, that you may know it fooner. The diftance between the grave and the remoteft point of human longevity, is but a very little; and -of that little no path is certain. You knew all this, and I thought that I knew it too ; but I know it now with a new conviction. May that new conviction not be vain ! I am now cheerful ; I hope this approach to recovery is a token of the Divine mercy. My friends continue their kindnefs. I give a din- ner to-morrow. Pray let me know how my dear Sophy goes on. I ftill hope that there is in her fits more terrour than danger. But I hope, however it be, that me will fpeedily recover. I will take care to pay Mifs Sufy her letter. God blefs you all. I am, Madam, Your, fcfa 356 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCCXLIII. To Mifs Sufy T H R A L E. MY DEAREST MISS SUSY, London, Mar. 25, 1784. QINCE you are refolved to ftand it out, and ^ keep mum till you have heard from me, I muft at laft comply; and indeed compliance cofts me now no trouble, but as it irritates a cough, which I got, as you might have done, by (landing at an open window; and which has now harafled me many days, and is too ftrong for diacodium, nor has yet given much way to opium itfelf. However, having been fo long ufed to fo many worfe things, I mind it but little. I have not bad nights ; and my ftomach has never failed me. But when I mail go abroad again, I know not. With Mr. Herfchel it will certainly be very right to cultivate an acquaintance; for he can ihow you in the (ky what no man before him has ever feen, by iome wonderful improve- ments which he has made in the telefcope. What he has to {how is indeed a long way off, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 357 off, and perhaps concerns us but little ; but all truth is valuable, and aH knowledge 5s pleafing in its firft effects, and may be fubfe- quently ufeful. Of whatever we fee we al- ways wifh to know ; always congratulate ourfelves when we know that of which \ve perceive another to be ignorant. Take there- fore all opportunities of learning that offer themfelves, however remote the matter may be from common life or common converfa- tion. Look in Herfchers telefcope ; go into a chymift's laboratory ; if you fee a manufac- turer at work, remark his operations By this activity of attention, you will find in every place diverfion and improvement. Now dear Sophy is got well, what is it that ails my miftrefs? She complains, and com- plains, I am afraid, with too much caufe; but X know not diftinctly what is her difor- der. I hope that time and a quiet mind will reftore her. I am, My deareft, Your, bV. A a 3 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCCXLIV. Mrs. THRALE to Dr. JOHNSON. MY DEAR SIR, March 27. VT'ou tell one of my daughters that you know not with diftinctnefs the caufe of my complaints. I believe me who lives with me knows them no better ; one very dreadful one is however removed, by dear Sophia's re- covery. It is kind in you to quarrel no more about expreflions which were not meant to offend ; but unjuft to fuppofe, I have not lately thought myfelf dying. Let us however take the Prince of Abyflinia's advice, and not add to the other evils of life the bitterncfs of control) erf y. If courage is a noble and gene- rous quality, let us exert it to the laft, and at the laft : If faith is a Chriftian virtue, let us willingly receive and accept that fupport it will moft furely beftow and do permit me to repeat thofe words with which I know not why you were difpleafed : Let its leave behind us the bejl example that we can. All DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 359 All this is not written by a perfon in high health and happinefs, but by a fellow-fufferer, who has more to endure than (he can tell, or you can guefs; and now let us talk of the Se- vern falmons, which will be coming in foon ; I (hall fend you one of the fineft, and fhall be glad to hear that your appetite is good : mine has been fo long vitiated, that it endures no aliment with pleafure but coffee, and thofe dofes of Peruvian bark or cafcarilla which Dobfon gives me by turns, and which are be- come oddly enough delightful to my pa- late. The accounts I hear of P -'s ill ftate of health help to grieve me ; poor man, he bat- tled through great anxiety for two years to- gether at leaft; and mould the mip fink in harbour after weathering fo hard a ftorm, who could help being forry ! All the poets lives end juft fo ; and though P has but little poet's ftuffin him be will fall like one of the mighty I fuppofe. But it is better turn one's thoughts another way : if death forbears to call till forrow is at an end, my life is furely in no prefent danger; and P has two pretty boys . to fucceed him, die when he will. A a 4 It 360 LETTERS TO AND FROM It is very much to your credit, and more fo to that of the world, that it does not for- fake you : I have often heard you fay, that there was very little general ingratitude to be complained of; and it is but right that the conduct of mankind towards him who fays fo fhould confirm it. I was among the firft to offer my fervice on the new occafion, as I had been the laft to defert it on the old one : but my own cafe now claims more attention than I have to beftow upon it ; and though the child is fafe, fhe is not yet well ; her illnefs added to my own, was very difficult to bear. You fhould be more willing than you are to think about air ballons. The firft failing Chariot I ever read of was in Raffclas ; and the French feem now fully of your mechanift's mind, that only idlenefs and ignorance need to crawl upon the ground. Your young correfpondents would do well to write often, and obtain from you in return fuch letters as may benefit their minds in pre- fent, arid gratify their vanity in future: I wifh them to divert themfelves and you by quef- tions, which you would willingly anfwer; and DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 361 beg that their negligence of fuch an ad- vantage as your readinefs to correfpond with them, may not be charged on, Dear Sir, Your faithful Servant, H. L. THRALE, LETTER CCCXLV. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, April 15, 1784. I had the pleafure of giving another dinner to the remainder of the old club. We ufed to meet weekly about the year fifty, and we were as cheerful as in for- mer times ; only I could not make quite fo much noife ; for fince the paralytick affliction, my voice is fometimes weak. Metcalf and Crutchley, without knowing each other, are both members of parliament for Horfham in Suflex. Mr. Gator is chofen for Ipfwich, But 362 LETTERS TO AND FROM But a fick man's thoughts foon turn back upon himfelf. I am flill very weak, though my appetite is keen, and my digeftion potent; and I gratify myfelf more at table than ever I did at my own coft before. I have now an inclination to luxury which even your table did not excite ; for till now my talk was more about the dimes than my thoughts. I re- member you commended me for feeming pleafed with my dinners when you had re- duced your table ; I am able to tell you with great veracity, that I never knew when the reduction began, nor mould have known that it was made, had not you told me. I now think and confult to-day what I mail eat to- morrow. This difeafe likewife will I hope be cured. For there are other things, how different ! which ought to predominate in the mind of fuch a man as I : but in this world the body will have its part ; and my hope is, that it mall have no more. My hope but not my confidence ; I have only the timidity of a Chriftian to determine, not the wifdom of a Stoick to fecure me. I hope all my dears are well. They mould not be too nice in requiring letters. If my fvveet Queeney writes more letters like her laft, when DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 363 when franks come in again I will correct them and return them. I am, Madam, Your, LETTER CCCXLVI. 4 To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, April 19, 1784.. T RECEIVED in the morning your magnifi- * cent fifh, and in the afternoon your apo- logy for not fending it. I have invited the Hooles and Mifs Burney to dine upon it to- morrow. The club which has been lately inftituted is at Sam's ; and there was I when I was laft out of the houfe. But the people whom I mentioned in my letter are the remnant of a little club that ufed to meet in Ivy Lane about three-and-thirty years ago, out of which we have loft Hawkefworth and Dyer, the reft are yet pn this fide the grave. Our meetings now are ferious, and I thiak on all parts tender. 364 LETTERS TO AND FROM Mifs Moore has written a poem called Lc Bas Bleu ; which is in my opinion a very great performance. It wanders about in ma- nufcript, and furely will foon find its way to Bath. I fhall be glad of another letter from my dear Queeney ; the former was not much to be cenfured. The reckoning between me and Mifs Sophy is out of my head. She muft write to tell me how it ftands. I am fenfible of the eafe that your repay- ment of Mr. ****** has given ; you felt yourfelf gence by that debt ; is there ai> Englifh word for it ? As you do not now ufe your books, be; pleafed to let Mr. Gator know that I may bor- row what I want. I think at prefent to take only Calmet, and the Grek Anthology. When 1 lay fleeplefs, I ufed to drive the night along by turning Greek epigrams into Latin. I know not if I have not turned a him- . dred. It is time to return you thanks for your prefent. Since I was fick, I know not if I have not had more delicacies fent me than 1 bad ever feen till I faw your table. It DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 365 It was always Dr. Heberden's enquiry, whether my appetite for food continued. It indeed never failed me; for he confidered the ceflation of appetite as the defpair of nature yielding up her power to the force of the dif~ eafe. * I am, Madam, Your, sV. - LETTER CCCXLVIL To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, April 2 1,1784. MAKE hafte te fend you intelligence, which, if I do not ftill flatter myfelf, you will not receive without fome degree of pleafure. After a confinement of one hundred twenty- nine days, more than the third part of a year, and no inconfiderable part of human life, I this day returned thanks to God in St. Cle- ment's church, for my recovery ; a recovery, in my feventy-fifr.h year, from a diftemper which few in the vigour of youth are known to 366 LETTERS TO AND FROM to furmount; a recovery, of which neithef myfelf, my friends, nor my phyficians, had any hope ; for though they flattered me with fome continuance of life, they never fuppofed that I could ceafe to be dropfical. The dropfy however is quite vanifhed, and the afthma fo much mitigated, that I walked to-day with a more eafy refpiration than I have known, I think, for perhaps two years paft. I hope the mercy that lengthens my days, will affift me to ufe them welL The Hooles, Mifs Burney, and Mrs. Hull (Wefley's fitter), feafted yefterday with me very cheerfully on your noble falmon. Mr* Allen could not come, and I lent him a piece, and a great tail is ftill left. Dr. Brocklefby forbids the club at prefent, not caring to venture the chillnefs of the even- ing ; but I purpofe to mew myfelf on Satur- day at the Academy 's feaft. I cannot publifh my return to the world more effectually; for, as the Frenchman fays, tout le mondc iy trouvera. ' For this occafion I ordered fome cloaths; and was told by the taylor, that when he brought me a fick drefs, he never expete.d to .9 mate DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 367 make me any thing of any other kind. My recovery is indeed wonderful. I am, dear Madam, Your, LETTER CCCXLVIII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. ItfADAM, London, April 26, 1784. Saturday I fhewed myfelf again to the living world at the Exhibition ; much and fplendid was the company : but like the Doge of Genoa at Paris, I admired nothing but myfelf. I went up all the flairs to the pictures without flopping to reft or to breathe, " In all the madneis of fuperfluous health." The Prince of Wales had promifed to be there ; but when we had waited an hour and half, fent us word that he could not come. My cough ftill torments me j but it is only a cough, and much lefs oppreflive than fome of former times, but it difturbs'my nights. Mrs. 3 68 LETTERS TO AND FROM Mrs. DaVenant called to pay me a guinea^ but I gave two for you. Whatever reafons you have for frugality, it is not worth while to fave a guinea a-year by withdrawing it from a public chanty. I know not whether I told you that my old friend Mrs. Cotterel, now no longer Mifs, has called to fee me. Mrs. Lewis is not well. Mrs. Davenarit fays, that you regain your health. That you regain your health is more than a common recovery ; becaufe I infer, that you regain your peace of mind. Settle your thoughts and controul your imagination, and think no more of Hefperian felicity. Gather yourfelf and your children into a little fyftem, in which each may promote the eafe, the fafe- ty, and the pleafure of the reft. Mr. Howard called on me a few days ago,, and gave the new edition, much enlarged, of his Account of Prifons. He has been to fur- vcy the prifons on the continent ; and in Spain he tried to penetrate the dungeons of the In- quilition, but his curiofity was very imper- fectly gratified. At Madrid they fhut him quite out ; at Villadolid they fhewed him fome publick rooms. i Whil* DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 369 While I- am writing, the poft has brought your kind letter. Do not think with dejec- tion of your own condition ; a little patience will probably give you health, it will certainly give you riches, and all the accommodations that riches can procure. I am, Madam, Your, LETTER CCGXLIX. To Mrs. T H R A L E. I am broken loofe, my friends feem willing enough to fee me. On Monday I dined with Paradife ; Tuefday, Hoole ; Wednefday, Dr. Taylor ; to-day, with Jod- rel ; Friday, Mrs. Garrick ; Saturday, Dr. Brockleiby ; next Monday, Dilly. But I do not now drive the world about ; the world drives or draws me. I am very weak ; the old diftrefs of fleeplefnefs comes again upon me. I have however one very VOL. II. Bb ftrong 370 LETTERS TO AND FROM ftrong bafis of health, an eager appetite and flrong digeftion. Queeney's letter I expelled before now : Sufy is likewife in debt. I believe I am in debt to Sophy, but the dear Loves ought net to be too rigorous. Dr. Taylor has taken St. Margaret's, in Weftminfter, vacant by Dr. Wilfon's death: how long he will keep it I cannot guefs : it is of no great value, and its income conlifts much of voluntary contributions. London, Thurfday, May 13, 1784. I am, Madam, Your, You never date fully. LETTER CCCL. To Mrs. T II R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, May 31, 1704. T 17 nv you expected me to be better than I * * am I cannot imagine : I am better than any that faw me in my illnefs ever expected to DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 371 to have feen me again. I am however at a great diftance from health, very weak and very afthmatick, and troubled with my old nocturnal diftrefTes ; fo that I am little afleep in the night, and in the day too little awake. I have one way or other been difappointed hitherto of that change of air, from which I think forne relief may poffibly be obtained ; but Bofwel and I have fettled our refolution to go to Oxford on Thurfday. But fince I was at Oxford, my convivial friend Dr. Ed- wards and my learned friend Dr. Wheeler are both dead, and my probabilities of plea- fure are very much diminifhed. Why, when fo many are taken away, have I been yet fpared ! I hope that I may be fitter to die. How long we lhall ftay at Oxford, or what we lhall do when we leave it, neither Bozzy nor I have yet fettled ; he is for his part refolved to remove his family to London and try his fortune at the Englilh bar : let us all wifh him fuccefs. Think of me, if you can, with tendernefs. I am, Madam, Your, ! Bb 2 372 LETTERS TO AND FROM 1 LETTER CCCLI. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, June 17, 1784. RETURNED lafi night from Oxford after a fortnight's abode with Dr. Adams, who treated me as well as I could expecT: or wifh ; and he that contents a fick man, a man whom it is impoffible to pleafe, has furely done his part well. I went in the common vehicle with very little fatigue, and came back I think with lefs. My ftomach continues good, and according to your advice I fpare neither af- paragus nor peas, and hope to do good execution upon all the fummer fruits. But my nights are bad, very bad ; the afthma attacks me often, and the dropfy is watching an opportunity to return. I hope I have checked it, but great caution muft be ufed, and indeed great caution is not a high price for health or eafe. What I (hall do next I know not ; all my fchcmes of rural plcafure have been fome way or DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 373 or other difappointed. I have now fome thought of Lichfield and Aihbourne. Let me o know, dear Madam, your deftination. I am, Madam, Your, LETTER CCCLII. To Mrs. T H R A L E. DEAR MADAM, London, Jane 26, 1784. /-ipHis morning I faw Mr, Lyfons : he is * an agreeable young man, and likely enough to do all that he defigns. I received him as one fent by you has a right to be received, and I hope he will tell you that he was fatisfied ; but the initiatory converfation of two ftrangers is feldom pleafing or in- ftructive to any great degree, and ours was fuch as other occaiions of the fame kind pro- duce. A meflage came to me yeflerday to tell me that Macbean, after three days of illnefs, is dead of a fuppreflion of urine. He was one Bb of 374 LETTERS TO AND FROM of thofe who, as Swift fays, flood as a fcreen between me and death. He has I hope made a good exchange. He was very pious ; he was very innocent ; he did no ill ; and of doing good a continual tenour of diftrefs al- lowed him few opportunities: he was very highly efteemed in the houfe. Write to me if you can fome words of comfort. My dear girls feem all to forget me. I am, Madam, Your, LETTER CCCLIII. Mrs. PIOZZI to Dr. JOHNSON. MY DEAR SIR, Bath, June 30. E enclofed is a circular letter which I have fent to all the guardians, but our friendmip demands fomewhat more ; it re- quires that I mould beg your pardon for concealing from you a connexion which you rauft have heard of by many, but I fuppofe never DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 375 never believed. Indeed, my dear Sir, it was concealed only to fave us both needlefs pain ; I could not have borne to reject that counfel it would have killed me to take, and I onlv * - tell it you now becaufe all is irrevocably fet- tled and out of your power to prevent. I will fay however, that the dread of your difapprobation has given me fome anxious moments, and though perhaps I am become by many privations the moft independent woman in the world, I feel as if acting with- out a parent's confent till you write kindly to Your faithful fervant. LETTER CCCLIV. To Mrs. P I O Z Z I. DEAR MADAM, London, July 8, 1784. WHAT you have done, however I may lament it, I have no pretence to refent, as it has not been injurious to me: I there- fore breathe but one figh more of tendernefs, perhaps ufelefs, but at leaf! fmcere. B b 4 I wi(b 376 LETTERS TO AND FROM I wifli that God may grant you every bleflmg, that you may be happy in this world for its fhort continuance, and eternally happy in a better ftate ; and whatever I can con- tribute to your happinefs I am very ready to repay, for that kindnefs which foothed twenty years of a life radically wretched. Do not think /lightly of the advice which I now preiume to offer. Prevail upon Mr. Piozzi to fettle in England: you may live here \vith more dignity than in Italy, and with more fecurity : your rank will be higher, and your fortune more under your own eye. I I defire not to detail all my reafons, but every argument of prudence and intcrefl is for England, and only fome phantoms of ima- gination feduce you to Italy. I am afraid however that my counfel is vain, yet I have eafed my heart by giving it. When Queen Mary took the refolution of fheltering herfelf in England, the Archbifhop of St. Andrew's, attempting to difTuade her, attended on her journey ; and when they came to the irremeable ftream that feparated the two kingdoms, walked by her fide into the water, in the middle of which he feized her bridle, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 377 bridle, and with earneftnefs proportioned to her danger and his own affedtion prefled her to return. The Queen went forward. If the parallel reaches thus far, may it go no farther. The tears ftand in my eyes. I am going into Derbyshire, and hope to be followed by your good wifhes, for I am, with great affection, Your, &c. Any letters that come for me hither will be fent me. 378 LETTERS TO AND FROM A FTER having finished the felection of Doctor Johnfon's Letters to myfelf, and after having filently lamented that he who had written them would write no more; after having pafled likewiie the painful tafk of re- viewing in my own letters what Spenfer fo pathetically terms Many an old forrow, which made a new breach ! I found myfelf unexpectedly favoured by the good-nature of thofe, to whofe confidence or kindnefs I could have formed no pretenfions, for fome variety of entertainment to the Pub- lic. In the Letters addreflcd to Mils Boothby they will perhaps be lefs ftruck with the Author's excellence than with that of the Lady, for whom he profciles and for whom I know he felt fuch profound veneration. His powers of expreffion are already fulficiently known, but .to deferve fuch reverence is more difficult than to exprefs it ; nor was Doctor Johnfon at any period of his life in- clined DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 379 clined to pay exceffive praife where he did not think he had found uncommon merit. A Hebrew Grammar, or the {ketch of one compofed for her own ufe, and written in a character eminently beautiful, has been pre- ferved by her family as a fpecimen of her literature ; and that me has been tenderly recollected by relations who were very young when me died, this elegant Epitaph, written by Brooke Boothby, Efq. may ferve as aq. agreeable proof. SACRED TO THE MEMORY O F HILL BOOTHBY, ONLY DAUGHTER OF BROOKE BOOTHBY AND ELIZABETH FFTZHERBERT, BORN OCT. 27, IJOS, DIED JAN. l6, 1756. Could beauty, learning, talents, virtue, fave From the dark confines of th' infatiate grave, This frail memorial had not afk'd a tear O'er HILL'S cold relics fadly mouldering here. Friendfhip's chafte flame her ardent bofom fir'd, And bright religion's all her foul infpir'd ; Her foul, too heavenly for an houfe of clay, Soon wore its earth-built fabrick to decay j In the laft flruggles of departing breath She faw her Saviour gild the bed of death; Heard 380 LETTERS TO AND FROM Heard his mild accents, tun'd to peace and love, Give glorious welcome to the realms above j In thofe bright regions, that celeftial fhore, Where friends long loft fhall meet to part no more ; " Bleft Lord, I come!" my hopes have not been vain: Upon her lifelefs cheek extatic fmiles remain. The fmcerity and fervour of this lady's piety drove her, as her beft friends acknowledge, to enthufiafm, and thofe people of courfe ob- tained moft of her confidence who profefled fuperior warmth of devotion, or affected pe- culiar fan&ity of manners. But if it is weaknefs to be impofed on by hypocrify in others, let thofe only claim a right to ridicule fuch weaknefs who have never been duped by it themfelves; who deaf to all fuggeftions of indolence, avarice, or amorous pafTion, have never been lulled to the lofs of fame by any interefted promoters of an idle life, or flimu- lated to the ruin of an affluent fortune by projectors, who promifed to fwell it into an enormous one. Among thefe enviable heroes of impreg- nable caution our Doctor never did pretend to rank himfelf ; his publick writings, private letters, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 381 letters, and fecret meditations, alike confefs that he pafled many hours in impoiing upon himfelf, and many more in felf-condemn- ation, for having fuffered himfelf to have been fo impofed upon. Every acquaintance poflefles fome anecdote, confirming his earneft defire and daily refolution to attain by dili- gence that chriftian perfection which flies from human approach, and efcapes the grafp even of the wife and good ; like the Deity in Homer that calls from the cloud, and checks the warrior who wifhes to pierce it, in words tranflated thus by Mr. Pope : Oh, fon of Tydeus, ceafe ; be wife and fee How vaft the difference 'cwixt the gods and thee! That immeafurable diftance was indeed I think fcarce ever more difcernible than when he quarrelled with his trueft friend Dr. Tay- lor of Ambourne, for recommending to him a degree of temperance, by which alone his life could have been faved, and recommend- ing it in his own unaltered phrafe too, with praife-worthy intentions to imprefs it more forcibly. This quarrel however, if quarrel it might be called, which was mere fullennefs on one fide and forrow on the other, foon healed of it- 18 felf, 382 LETTERS TO AND FROM felf, mutual reproaches having never been permitted to widen the breach, and fupply, as is the common practice among coarfer dif- putants, the original and perhaps almoft for- gotten caufe of difpute. After fome weeks, Johnfon fent to requeft the fight of his old companion, whole feeble health held him aivay for fome weeks more,"" and who when he came, urged that feeblenefs as an excufe for appearing no fooner at the call of friendihip in diftrefs; but Johnfon, who was then, as he expreffed it, not fick but dying, told him a ftory of a lady, who many years before lay expiring in fuch tortures as that cruel difeafe a cancer naturally produces, and begged the converfation of her earlieft intimate to foothe the incredible fufferings of her body, and relieve the approaching terrors of her mind : but what was the friend's apo- logy for abfence? " Oh, my dear," faid fhe, " I have really been fo plagued and fo pained R. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 385 And begged Taylor to preach it if he would do nothing more ; but even thh he objected to, for the reafon he had already given, and provoked the writer to tear the manufcript, which was carefully put together again and copied fair, but which the Doctor ftill per- fifts to with-hold from publication, becaufe he thinks the perfon undeferving of the pa- negyrick it contains. I have the honour to print in this col- lection a letter of gallantry, addrefled to ano- ther lady, who defires that her name may remain concealed, though few people except herfelf, who had as much pretenfiori to be pfaifed, would have had modefty enough to retire from being known. Thefe obliging contributors have indeed forced me once more to obtrude myfelf upon the publick, and to talk with a tired tongue upon a half-forgotten topick;. as among the freezing echoes of Nova Zembla it is faid, that we may hear in the following winter fome fcraps of that converfation which engaged us a twelve- month before. Had much of this been omit- ted, I had certainly lefi lefs for criticks to cenfure, or for friends to forgive: the pub- VOL. II. C c lick 3 S6 LETTERS TO AND FROM lick however has been ftill indulgent, though individuals have been Jpiteful, and Non nimium euro ; nam ccens fercula noftrae Malim convivis quam placuifle cocis. Doclor Johnfon was no complainer of ill ufage: I never heard him even lament the difregard fliewn to Irene, which however was a violent favourite with him, and much was* he offended when having afked me once, " what fmgle fcene afforded me moft pleafure of all our tragick drama ;" I, little thinking of his play's exiftence, named, perhaps with hafty impropriety, " the dialogue between Syphax and Juba, in Addifon's Cato." Nay, nay, re- plied he, if you are for declamation, I hope my two ladies have the better of them all. This piece however lay dormant many years, Jljcljed (in the manager's phrafe) from the time Mr. Peter Garrick prefented it firft on Fleetwood's table, to the hour when his bro- ther David obtained due influence on the theatre, on which it crawled through nine nights, fupported by cordials^ but never ob- taining popular applaufe. I afked him then to name a better fcene ; he pitched on that 18. between DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 387 between Horatio and Lothario, in Rowe's Fair Penitent ; but Mr. Murphy fhewed him afterwards that it was borrowed from Maffinger, and had not the merit of ori- ginality. It is well known that Johnfon defpifed the profeffion of an actor: when Garrick was talked of as candidate for admiilion into the Literary Club many years ago, If he does apply, fays our Doctor to Mr. Thrale, I'll black-ball him. " Who, Sir? Mr. Garrick, your friend, your companion, black-ball him?' Why, Sir, I love my little David dearly, better than all or any of his flatterers do, but furely one ought to fit in a fociety like ours Unelbow'd by a gamefter, pimp, or play'r. In fpite of this ill-founded contempt, he perfuaded himfelf to treat Mrs. Siddons with great politenefs, and faid when me called on him at Bolt-court, and Frank could not im- mediately provide her with a chair, " You " fee, Madam, wherever you go there are no " feats to be got." Johnfon's readinefs was indeed confpicuous above all his other un. C c 2 common 3 S8 LETTERS TO AND FROM common powers. I afked him one day, why the Idlers were publifhed without mottoes ? he replied, that it was forborne the better to conceal himfelf and efcape difcovery : But let us think of fome now, faid he, for the next edition ; we can fit the two volumes in two hours, can't we ? Accordingly he recolledted, and I wrote down thefe following, till fome friend coming in, in about five minutes, put an end to our further prbgrefs on the fubjecT:, nor did I ever again fee the card they were written on till two or three weeks ago. Motto for the paper of the Bracelet. No. 39. Nee genus ornatus unum^ quod quamque decebit Eligat. OVID. Ars Amat. 3. 135. For the Anatomical Novices. No. 1 7. Surge tandem Carnifex. MEC^NAS to AUGUSTUS. For No. 88. Hodie quid egifti ? For the paper about the Debtors. No. 22. Oh women dulce liber tatis! Oh jus eximium nojlrat (ivitatis! CICERO. FOJ DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 389 For Tim Ranger's Letters. No. 62. 64* ^uidfaciam ? frtefcribe. >uiefcas. HOR. For Omar the Prudent. No. 101. Carpe hilarisfuget beu! non revocanda dies. For Hacho, King of Lapland. No. 96. >ui Je volet ejje potentem, Animos domet ilk feroces: Nee vitta libidine colla, Fcedis Jubmittat babenis. BOETHIUS. For Dick Shifter. No. 71, Celan le Jehe angui> leoni, ed orgi Dentro il lor verde. AMINTA del TASSO. For Molly Quick. No. 46, Fugit adjalicesy Jed Je cttpit ante videri. VIRG, And now what remains ? after having re- viewed the letters of a dead friend, whofe lips while living breathed fentences of in- ftruction, furpafled by thofe of no ww-infpired teacher, and whofe writings called in elegance |0 adorn, and erudition to engrave thofe pre- C c 3 cepts ; '390 cepts; whofe life pafied in the praciice of refined morality, ending in a death which attefted the purefc faith ; what remains but to reflect, that by that death no part of Johnfon perifhed which had power by form to recom- mend his real excellence ; nothing that did not difgrace the foul which it contained : like fome fine ftatue, the boaft of Greece and Rome, plaftered up into deformity, while cafts are preparing from it to improve ftudents, and diffufe the knowledge of its merit; but dazzling only with complete perfection, when the grofs and awkward covering is removed. T>R. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 394 LETTER CCCLV. Dr. JOHNSON to Mifs BOOTHBY. DEAREST MADAM, January i, 1755. '"T" 1 ' HOUGH I am afraid your illnefs leaves you little leiiure for the reception of airy civilities, yet I cannot forbear to pay you my congratulations on the new year ; and to de- clare my willies, that your years to come may be many arid happy. In this wifh indeed I include myfelf, who have none but you on whom my heart repofes j yet furely I wifh your good, even though your fituation were fuch as mould permit you to communicate no gratifications to, Deareft, deareft Madam, Your, Cc 4 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCCLVI. To the Same. DEAREST MADAM, Jan. 3, 1755. BODY but you can recompenfe me for the diftrefs which I fuffered on Monday night. Having engaged Dr. Lawrence to let me know, at whatever hour, the ftate in which he left you; I concluded when he ftaid fo long, that he ftaid to fee my deareft expire. I was compofmg myfelf as I could to hear what yet I hoped not to hear, when his fer- vant brought me word that you were bettter. Do you continue to grow better ? Let my dear little Mifs inform me on a card. I would not have you write left it fhould hurt you, and confequently hurt likewife, Deareft Madam, Your, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 393 LETTER CCCLVIL To the Same. DEAR MADAM, 060.30,1755. 7 T is again midnight, and I am again alone. With what meditation fhall I amufe this wafte hour of darknefs and vacuity ? If I turn my thoughts upon myfelf, what do I perceive but a poor helplefs being, reduced by a blaft of wind to weaknefs and mifery ? How my prefent diftemper was brought upon me I can give no account, but impute it to fome fud- den fucceffion of cold to heat ; fuch as in the common road of life cannot be avoided, and againft which no precaution can be taken. Of the fallacioufnefs of hope, and the un- certainty of fchemes, every day gives fome new proof; but it is feldom heeded, till fome- thing rather felt than feen, awakens attention. This illnefs, in which I have fuffered fome- thing and feared much more, has deprefled my confidence and elation ; and made me con- fider all that I have promifed myfelf, as lefs certain 394 LETTERS TO AND FROM certain to be attained or enjoyed. I have en- deavoured to form refolutions of a better life ; but I form them weakly, under the confciouf- nefs of an external motive. Not that I con- ceive a time of ficknefs a time improper for recollection and good purport., which 1 be- lieve difeafes and calamities often fent to pro- duce, but becaufe no man can know how little his performance will anfwer to his pro- mifes ; and defigns are nothing in human eyes till they are realifed by execution. Continue, my Deareft, your prayers for me, that no good refolution may be vain. You think, I believe, better of me than I deferve. I hope to be in time what I wim to be ; and what I have hitherto fatisfied myfelf too readily with only wifhing. Your billet brought me what I much wifhed to have, a proof that 1 am ftill remembered by you at the hour in which I moft defire it ! The Doctor is anxious about you. He thinks you too negligent of yourfelf ; if you will promife to be cautious, I will exchange promifes, as we have already exchanged in- junctions. However, do not write to me more than you can eafily bear ; do not inter- rupt your eafe to write at all. Mr. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 395 Mr. Fitzherbert fent to-day to offer me forae wine ; the people about me fay I ought to ac- cept it, 1 mail therefore be obliged to him if he will fend me a bottle. There has gone about a report that T died to-day, which I mention, left you mould hear it and be alarmed. You fee that I think my death may alarm you; which for me is to think very highly of earthly friendmip. I believe it arofe from the death of one of my neighbours. You know Des Cartes's argu- ment, " I think, therefore I am." It is as good a confequence, " I write, therefore I am " alive." I might give another, " I am alive, " therefore I love Mifs Boothby;" but that I hope our friendmip may be of far longer du- ration than life. I am, deareft Madam, with fincere affection, Your, 396 LETTERS TO AND FROM LETTER CCCLVIII. To the Same. MY SWEET ANGEL, Dec. 31, T HAVE read your book, I am afraid you will think without any great improvement ; whether you can read my notes I know not. You ought not to be offended ; I am perhaps as fmcere as the writer. In all things that terminate here I mall be much guided by your influence, and fhould take or leave by your direction; but I cannot receive my religion from any human hand. I defire however to be inftructed, and am far from thinking myfelf perfect. I beg you to return the book when you have looked into it. I ihould not have written what is in the margin, had I not had it from you, or had I not intended to mew it you. It affords me a new conviction, that in thefe books there is little new, except new forms of expreflion; which may be fometimes taken, even by the writer, for new doctrines. I fin- DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 397 I fmcerely hope that God, whom you fo much defire to ferve aright, will blefs you, and reftore you to health, if he fees it bed. Surely no human underftanding can pray for any thing temporal otherwife than condition- ally. Dear Angel, do not forget me. My heart is full of tendernefs. It has pleafed God to permit me to be much better ; which I believe will pleafe you. Give me leave, who have thought much on medicine, to propofe to you an eafy, and I think a very probable remedy for indigeftion and lubricity of the bowels. Dr. Lawrence has told me your cafe. Take an ounce of dried orange-peel finely powdered, divide it into fcruples, and take one fcruple at a time in any manner ; the beft way is perhaps to drink it in a glafs of hot red port, or to eat it firft and drink the wine after it. If you mix cinnamon or nutmeg with the powder, it were not worfe; but it will be more bulky, and fo more troublefome. This is a medicine not difgufting, not coftly, eafily tried, and if net found ufeful, eafily left off. I would not have vou offer it to the Doc- tor as mine. Phyficians do not love intruders; yet 39 8 LETTERS TO AND FROM yet do not take it without his leave. But do not be eafily put oft, for it is in my opinion very likely to help you, and not likely to do you harm; do not take too much in hafte; a fcruple once in three hours, or about five fcruples a-day, will be fufficient to begin, or lefs, if you find any averfion. I think ufing fugar with it might be bad ; if fyrup, ufe old fyrup of quinces : but even that I do not like. I fhould think better of conferve of floes. Has the Doctor mentioned the bark ? in pow- der you could hardly take it; perhaps you might take the infufton. Do not think me troublefome, I am full of care. I love you and honour you; and am very unwilling to lofe you. ADtcuje vous recommande. I am, Madam, Your, fcfr. \ My compliments to my dear Mifs. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 399 I LETTER CCCLIX. To the Same. DEAREST DEAR, Saturday. AM extremely obliged to you for the kind- nefs of your enquiry. After I had written to you, Dr. Lawrence came, and would have given fome oil and fugar, but I took Rhenifh and water, and recovered my voice. I yet cough much, and deep ill. I have been vi- fited by another Doctor to-day; but I laughed at his Ballam of Peru. I fafted on Tuefday, Wednefday, and Thurfday, and felt neither hunger nor faintnefs. I have dined yeflerday and to-day, and found little refrefhment. I am not much amifs ; but can no more fleep than if my deareft lady were angry at, i Madam, Your, 400 LETTERS TO AND LETTER CCCLX. To the Same. HONOURED MADAM, Januarys, 1756. T BEG of you to endeavour to live. I have returned your Law, which however I ear- neftly entreat you to give me. I am in great trouble ; if you can write three words to me, be pleafed to do it. I am afraid to fay much, and cannot fay nothing when my deareft is in danger. The all- merciful GOD have mercy on you. I am, Madam, Your, LETTER CCCLXI. Dr. JOHNSON to Mifs ******. MADAM, July 19, 1755. T KNOW not how liberally your generofity would reward thofe who fhould do you any fervice, when you can fo kindly acknow- 17 ledge DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 401 ledge a favour which I intended only to my- felf. That accidentally hearing that you were, in town, I made hafte to enjoy an interval of pleafure which I found would be fhort, was the natural confequence of that felf-love which is always bufy in queft of happinefs ; of that happinefs which we often mifs when we think it near, and fometimes find when we imagine it loft. When I had miffed you, I went away difappointed ; and did ftot know that my vexation would be fo amply repaid by fo kind a letter. A letter indeed can but imperfectly fupply the place of its writer, at leaft of fuch a- writer as you; and a letter which makes me ftill more defire your prefence, is but a weak confolation under the neceflhy of living longer without you : with this however I mufk be for a time content, as much content at leaft as dif- content will fuffer me; for Mr. Baretti being a fmgle being in this part of the world, and en- tirely clear from all engagements, takes the advantage of his independence, and will come before me; for which if I could blame him, I fhould punifh him ; but my own heart tells me, that he only does to me, what, if I could, I mould do to him. I hope Mrs. , when (he came to her favourite place, found her houfe dry, and her VOL. IL D d woods 402 LETTERS TO AND FROM woods growing, and the breeze whittling, and the birds finging, and her own heart dancing, And for you, Madam, whofe heart cannot yet dance to fiich mufick, I know not what to hope ; indeed I could hope every thing that would pleafe you, except that perhaps the ab- fence of higher pleafures is neceflary to keep fome little place vacant in your remembrance for, Madam, Your, LETTER CCCLXII. S Efq. DEAR SIR, COMMUNICATE your letters regularly. Your father's inexorability not only grieves but amazes me. He is your father. He was always accounted a wife man ; nor do I remember any thing to the difadvantage of his good nature ; but in his refufal to affifl you, there is neither good nature, fatherhood, nor wifdom. It i DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 403 It is the practice of good nature to over- look faults, which have already by the con- fequence punifhed the delinquent. It is natu- ral for a father to think more favourably than others of children ; and it is always wife to give affiftance, while a little help will prevent the neceffity of greater. If you married im- prudently, you married at your own hazard, at an age when you had a right of choice. It would be hard if the man might not chufe his own wife who has a right to plead before the judges of his country. If your imprudence has ended in difficulties and inconveniences, you are yourfelf to fup- port them ; and with the help of a little better health you would fupport them, and conquer them. Surely that want which accident and fick- nefs produce is to be fupported in every re- gion of humanity, though there were neither friends nor fathers in the world. You have certainly from your father the highefl claim of charity, though none of right ; and there- fore' I would counfel you, to omit 'no decent nor manly degree of importunity. Your debts in the whole are not large ; and of the ivho/e 9 but a fmall part is troublefome. D d 2 Small 404 LETTERS TO AND FROM Small debts are like fmall {hot; they are rat- tling on every fide, and can fcarcely be efcaped without a wound. Great debts are like can- non of loud noife but little danger ; you muft therefore be enabled to difcharge petty de- mands, that you may have leifure with fecu- rity to ftruggle with the reft. Neither the great nor little debts difgrace you. I am fure you have my efteem, for the courage with which you contracted them, and the fpirit with which you endure them. I wifh my efteem could be of more ufe. I have been invited, or have invited myfelf, to feveral parts of the kingdom; and will not incommode my dear Lucy, by coming to Lichfield while her prefent lodging is of any life to her. I hope in a few days to be at leifure, and to make vifits. Whither I fhall fly is matter of no importance ; a man un- connected is at home every where, unlefs he may be faid to be at home no where. I am forry, dear Sir, that where you have parents^ a man of your merits mould not have a home. I wifli I could give it you. I am, Dear Sir, Affectionately your's. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 405 LETTER CCCLXIII. DR. JOHNSON to Mr. S AST RES. DEAR SIR, Afhbourne, Auguft 21, 1784. T AM glad that a letter has at laft reached you ; what became of the two former, which were directed to Mortimer inftead of Margaret Street, I have no means of know- ing, nor is it worth the while to enquire ; they neither enclofed bills, nor contained fe- crets. My health was for fome time quite at a {land, if it did not rather go backwards ; but for a week paft it flatters me with appearances of amendment, which I dare yet hardly credit. My breath has been certainly lefs obftructed for eight days; and yefterday the water feem- ed to be difpofed to a fuller flow. But I get very little fleep ; and my legs do not like to carry me. You were kind in paying my forfeits at the club 5 it cannot be expected that manv mould D d 3 meet 4 o6 LETTERS TO AND FROM meet in the fummer, however they that con- tinue in town fhould keep up appearances as well as they can. I hope to be again among you. I wifh you had told me diftinctly the mif- takes in the French words. The French is but a fecondary and fubordinate part of your defign; exactnefs, however, in all parts is ne^ ceflary, though complete exaclnefs cannot be attained ; and the French are fo well flocked with dictionaries, that a little attention may eafily keep you fafe from grofs faults ; and as you work on, your vigilance will be quick- ened, and your obfervation regulated ; you will better know your own wants, and learn better whence they may be fupplied. Let me know minutely the whole ftate of your nego- tiations. Dictionaries are like watches, the worft is better than none, and the beft cannot be expected to go quite true. The weather here is very flrange fummer weather ; and we are here two degrees nearer the north than you. I was I think loath to think a fire neceflary in July, till I found one in the fervants hall, and thought myfelf en- titled to as much warmth as them. I wifh Da. SAMUEL JOHNSON, 407 I wifh you would make it a tafk to your- felf to write to me twice a week; a letter is a great relief to, Dear Sir, Your, LETTER CCCLXIV. the Same. BEAR SIR, A&bourne, Sept. ?, 1784. UR critick feems ta me to be an exquifitc Frenchman ; his remarks are nice ; they would at leaft have efcaped me. I wiih you better luck with your next fpecimen ; though if fuch flips as thefe are to condemn a dic- tionary, I know not when a dictionary will be made. I cannot yet think that g&urmavd&r is wrong; but I have here no means of veri- fying my opinion. My health, by the mercy of God, ftill im- proves ; and I have hope of ftanding the Eng- lifh winter, and of feeing you, and reading Petrarch at Bolt-court ; but let me not flatter P d 4 myfdf 408 LETTERS TO AND FROM myfelf too much. I am yet weak, but ftronger than I was. I fuppofe the club is now almoft forfaken; but we ihall I hope meet again. We have loft poor Allen; a very worthy man, and to me a very kind and officious neighbour. Of the pieces afcribed by Bembo to Virgil, the Dirce (afcribed I think to Valerius Cato), the Copa and the Moretum are, together with the Culex and Cciris, in Scaliger's Appendix ad Virgilium. The reft I never heard the name of before. I am highly pleafed with your account of the gentleman and lady with whom you lodge; fuch characters have fufficient attractions to draw me towards them ; you are lucky to light upon them in the cafual commerce of life. Continue, dear Sir, to write to me; and let me hear any thing or nothing, as the chance of the day may be. I am, Sir, Your, DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 409 \ * LETTER CCCLXV. To the Same. DEAR SIR, Afhbourne, Sept. 16, 1784. TT 7 HAT you have told me of your landlord and his lady at Brompton, has made them fuch favourites, that I am not forry to hear how you are turned out of your lodgings, be- caufe the good is greater to them than the evil is to you. The death of dear Mr. Allen gave me pain. When after fome time of abfence I vifit a town, I find my friends dead; when I leave a place, I am followed with intelligence, that the friend whom I hope to meet at my return is fwallowed in the grave. This is a gloomy fcene ; but let us learn from it to prepare for our own removal. Allen is gone ; Saftres and Johnfon are hafting after him ; may we be both as well prepared ! I again wifh your next fpecimen fuccefs. Paymiftrefs can hardly be faid without a pre- face, (it may be exprefled by a word perhaps not in ufe, Pay miftrefs). 7 The 4JC LETTERS TO AND FROM The club is, it feems, totally deferted ; but as the forfeits go on, the houfe does not fuf- fer ; and all clubs I iuppofe are unattended in the fummer. We fliall I hope meet in winter, and be cheerful. After this week, do not write to me til! you hear again from me, for I know not well where I fhall be ; I have grown weary of the folitude of this place, and think of removaL I am, Sir, Your, LETTER CCCLXVI, To the Same. SIR, Lichfield, October 20, 1784. U have abundance of naughty tricks ; is this your way of writing to a poor fick friend twice a week ? Poft comes after poft, and brings no letter from Mr. Saftres. If you know any thing, write and tell it ; if you know nothing, write and fay that you know nothing. What DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 411 What comes of the fpecimen ? If the book- fellers want a fpecimen, in which a keen cri- tick can fpy no faults, they muft wait for another generation. Had not the Crufca faults ? Did not the Academicians of France commit many faults ? It is enough that a dic- tionary is better than others of the fame kind. A perfect performance of any kind is not to be expected, and certainly not a perfect dic- tionary. Mrs. Defmoulines never writes, and I know not how things go on at home; tell me, dear Sir, what you can. If Mr. Seward be in town tell me his direc* tion, for I ought to write to him. I am very weak, and have bad nights. I am, dear Sir, Your, 412 LETTERS, &c. LETTER CCCLXVII. To the Same. DEAR SIR, Lichfield, Nov. i, 1784, T BEG you to continue the frequency of your .* letters ; every letter is a cordial ; but you muft not wonder that I do not anfwer with exact punctuality. You may always have fomething to tell: you live among the various orders of mankind, and may make a letter from the exploits, fometimes of the philofo- pher, and fometimes of the pickpocket. You fee fome ballons fucceed and fome mifcarry, and a thoufand ftrange and a thoufand fooliih things. But I fee nothing; I muft make my letter from what I feel, and what I feel with fo little delight, that I cannot love to talk of it. I am certainly not to come to town, hut do not omit to write; for I know not when I (hall come, and the lofs of a letter is not much. I am, dear Sir, Your, EsV. r.ND OF THE LETTERS. POEMS. POEMS. VERSES addrefled to Dr. L A w R E N c E, compofed by Dr. JOHNSON, as he lay- confined with an inflamed Eye* C^NG UINE diwi tumido fuffujus flagrat ocellus , Deliciafque fugit folitas Jolitofque labor es ; Damnatus tenebris, leftoque affix us inerti } Quid mccum peragam, quod ttf. doftiffime foj/es Laurentijaltem facili^ dlgnarier aure ? Humane mentis , rerun Je pa/cere for mis, Eft prcprium, et quavis captare indagine verum, Omnibus unus amor y non eft modus unus amoris, Sunt, qui curricula timidi verfantur in arlo y ghiosfoli ducimtjenfus, folus docet ufus ; Qitijibifatfopiunt t contenti nofcere quantum Vel digiti traftant> oculus velfentit et auris : feint undem eft illis, repleat Jpatia ardua cceli M.ateria,y vaftum an late pandatur inane. Scire vices ponti facile eft, nihil amplius opt ant Nee qutsrunt quid luna tuo cum fluRibus orbi. Sic fibi diffiji, lento, expcrientia curfum >uajHlcat t reptant tuti per lubrica vit queis terra et pontus et aer Sub pedibusjubjeffajacent , queis ultima primis Nexa patent ; hi funt quos nil mirabile turbat Nil movet infolitum y fub legibus omniafiflis Dumftatuunt, cauftfque audent prefigere met am. TRANSLATION of the foregoing VERSES. By Mrs. Piozzr. /^ONDEMN'D to fhun bright Sol's reviving ray, While my tir'd fight fhrinks at th' approach of day, Each pleafing tafk become my prefent dread, Chain'd down by darknefs to a lazy bed; What POEMS. 417 What happy periods, worthy of thy care, Oh learned Lawrence ! can thy friend prepare ! *Mong fhadowy forms the phantom Truth to find,' Is ftill the hope of ev'ry human mind, Inclin'd by paflion all, but varioufly inclin'd. Some roll their timid wheel at fmall expence, O'er the known track of Cuftom and of Senfe, Depending on their touch, their tafte, their eyes, Newton alike and Berkeley they defpife : Carelefs through empty fpace though planets roll, Or cluft'ring atoms fill the crowded whole; Such fouls unmov'd can Ocean's waftes iurvey, Nor afkwhat influence its tides obey: Contented creep in cold Experience' train, Lurk in the furrow, and neglect the grain. - Others, all glowing with Promethean fire, Strain their ftrong pow'rs to fearch and to enquire j Hunt parent Nature to her laft recefs, Force her retreats, and rend her facred drefs; The fource of Truth impatient to purfue, Her winding paths they fcorn, cut out a new, Form fancy'd fcenes of elemental ftrife, Exalt material beings into life, Find neither fquare, nor round,, nor rough amifs; All bend before the warm hypothefisj Till tortur'd Nature feigning to obey, Her fires they light, her corufcations play, Build airy fabricks in th' offended fky, And term the bold attempt Difcovery, VOL. II. e Such POEMS. Such fouls fublime fee earth, and air, and light, Stretch'd at their feet, nor wonder at the fight j No knot perplexes, and no labour tires, While thirft of knowledge urges and infpires; For Deftiny ftill faithful to his charge, Conjecture only leaves to rove at large. TRANSLATIONS from BOETHIUS DE CONSOLATIONS PHILOSOPHISE. Book II. Metre 2. countlefs as the grains of fand That roll at Eurus' loud command ; Though countlefs as the lamps of night That glad us with vicarious light; Fair Plenty, gracious queen, Ihou'd pour The blefiings of a golden fhow'r, Not all the^gifts of Fate combin'd Would eafe the hunger of the mind, But fwallowing all the mighty ftore, Rapacity would call for more ; For ftill where wimes moft abound Unquench'd the third of gain is found j In vain the fhining gifts are fent, For none are rich without content. POEMS. 419 Book II. Metre 4. \X7ouLDST thou to fome ftedfaft feat, Out of Fortune's pow'r retreat ? Wouldft thou, when fierce Eurus blows, Calmly reft in fafe repofe ? Wouldft thou fee the foaming main, Toiling rave, but rave in vain ? Shun the mountain's airy brow, Shun the fea-fapp'd fand below; Soon th' afpiring fabrick falls, When loud Aufter fliakes her walls, Soon the treach'rous fands retreat, From beneath the cumb'rous weight. Fix not where the tempting height Mingles danger with delight; Safe upon the rocky ground, Firm and low thy majifion found ; There, 'mid tempefts loudeft roars, Dalhing waves and fhatter'd fhores, Thou fhalt fit and fmile to fee All the world afraid but thee, Lead a long and peaceful age, And deride their utmoft rage. E e a 420 POEMS, Book III. Metre i. By Dr. JOHNSON and Mrs. Piozzi*. prudent hind, intent on gain, Muft clear the ground tofow the grain, And Ceres' rich eft gifts abound, Where late the rankeft weeds were found; To him whom gainful taftes annoy, Sweet honey yields a double joy ; The tempeft gives the calm delight ', The morning owes her charms to night ; And thus the mind tormented long With wild vicifiitudes of wrong, Contemns at length the treach'rous toys, And real happinefs enjoys. Book III. Metre 3. By Dr. JOHNSON and Mrs. Piozzr. CT'HROUGH Gripus" grounds let rich Patfolus 2 roll, No golden fan ds canfatisfy his foul \ Though chains of 'pearl bow down his pen/I've head, Though a whole hecatomb his acres tread, No wealth his life from weary care can fave, No care his wealth can carry to the grave. * The lines printed in Italics were written by Mrs, Piozzi. POEMS. 421 Book III. Metre 4. By Dr. JOHNSON and Mrs. PIOZZI. J/'AINL T the lyrian purple bright, Vainly the pearl's pellucid white y The tyrant Nero fir ove t' adorn, Who li-v'd our hatred and our Jcorn; His choice our facred feats difgrac'd, His conduct human kind debas'd: If fuch on earth can blifs beftow, Say, what is happinefs below ? Book III. Metre 5. By Dr. JOHNSON. HP HE man who pants for ample fway, Muft bid his paflions all obey; Muft bid each wild defire be ftill, Nor yoke his reafon with his will: For though beneath thy haughty brow Warm India's fupple fons fhould bow, Though northern climes confefs thy fway, Which erft in froft and freedom lay, If Sorrow pine or Avarice crave, Bow down and own thyfelf a flave. 421 POEM S Book III. Metre 6. By Dr. JOHNSON and Mrs. PIOZZI. I. A LL men, throughout the peopled earth, From one fublime beginning fpring; All from one fourqe derive their birth, The fame their parent and their king. ir. At bis command proud Titan glows y And Luna lifts her horn on high* His hand this earth on man beftows, Andjlrews with ftars thefpangledjky. III. From her high feats he drew the foul, And in this earthly cage confin'd; To wond'ring worlds produc'd the whole, EfTence divine with matter join'd. IV. Since then alike all men derive From God hunfelf their noble race* Why fljould the witlefs mortals ftrivc For vulgar ancejlry and place? V. Why boaft their birth before his eyes, Who holds no human creature mean; Save him whofe foul enflav'd to Vice, Deferts her nobler origin ? p: o E M s. 423 Book III. Metre 12. By Dr. JOHNSON and Mrs. PIOZZJ, TTAPPY he, whofe eyes have view'd The transparent Fount of Goodj Happy whofe unfetter' d mind Leaves the load of earth behind. Though when Orpheus made his moan For his lovely conibrt gone, Though the hind approach'd to hear Where the lionefs ftood near, And attentive to the found Hares forgot the following hound, Round him danc'd the liiVning woods, Silent wonder ftopt the floods, Grief and madneis unreprefs'd, Rag'd within the mailer's bread;, While t' affuage the pangs of love, Verfe and mufick vainly ftrove; Now he fighs to Heav'n, and now Rufhes on the realms below. I'here he breath' d his am'rous fire, *There he touch' d his trembling lyre, , Warbling there his f offer Jorrows, From his parent muje he borrows Nates to touch each tender feeling, Numbers to each bofomftealing, Sighs that filent meafure keep, Groans that grieve and words that weep. Thefe the haplefs poet trie* I'o regain his beauteous prize j 3 Nor 424 POEMS. Nor in vain the firings obey> Love and mujick bear the fway y Cerberus' rage their powers difartn, Stern Ale ft o feels tbe charm, Fears from fierce Meg Heir s fierce bowk forgets bis meal ; Tantalus aftonifh'd flood, Scorning now th' o'erflowing flood: Till at length ftern Pluto cried, Conquering Poet take thy bride; Purchas'd by the powerful fong, All her charms to thee belong; Only this command obey, Look not on her by the way; Though reluftant, ftill refrain, Till the realms of light you gain, But what laws can lovers awe ? Love alone to love is law : Juft emerging into light, Orpheus turn'd his eager fight, Fondly view'd his following bride, Viewing loft, and loving died. To you whofe gen'rous wifhes rife To court communion with the ikies, To you the tale is told ; When grafping blifs th' unfteady mind Looks back on what fhe left behind, She faints, and quits her hold. 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