because your attention is so strong to sense that you are deaf to sound. I wonder whether you could write amidst the prattle of children; no better than I, I really believe, if they were your own children, as I find these prattlers are mine."

LETTER XV.

"Tissington, 28th September, 1754. "DEAR SIR,-Do you wait to hear again from me? or why is it that I am so long without the pleasure of hearing from you? Had my brother kept his appointment, I should not have failed to give you a second letter sooner; now is the first moment I could tell you his determination concerning the books. But first I am to give you his compliments and thanks for your part in the affair. He thinks, as the sum offered by Mr. Whiston is so small a one, and his son is likely to be a scholar, it will be best to suspend any sale of the books for the present; and if on further consideration he finds he must part with them, then to do it in the method you proposed; as in that way some may be selected for his son's use, and the rest sold, so as to make more than to be parted with to a bookseller. Upon considering both sides of the question, he rather chooses the hazard on one side, with the certainty of greater profits in case of success, than to accept of Mr. Whiston's sum for all the books at present. But I am preparing for a journey to town; and there I hope I shall have an opportunity of explaining upon this subject in a clearer manner; for, though I know what I would say, I cannot say it clearly amidst the confusion of ideas in my head at this time. beg to hear from you; however little I may deserve, I cannot help much desiring a letter from you. If your taste and judgment cannot allow me any thing as a writer, yet let my merit as a sincere friend demand a return. In this demand I will yield to none; for I am sure none can have a truer esteem and friendship towards you than, dear sir, your obliged and affectionate friend,

"H. BOOTHBY."

LETTER XVI.

I

"Tuesday, 29th October, 1754. "DEAR SIR,-From what Mrs. Lawrence told me I have had daily hopes of the pleasure of seeing you here, which has prevented my desiring that favour. I am much mortified by the disappointment of having been so long in town without one of the greatest satisfactions I promised myself in it-your conversation and, in short, if you will not come here, I must make you a visit. I should have called upon you before this time if the settling my dear little charge here had not employed me so much at home; now that business is almost completed. Pray say when and where I may have the pleasure of seeing you. Perhaps you may not imagine how much I am affected by the not receiving any reply to two letters I wrote before we left Derbyshire, and the being a fortnight in town without seeing a person whom I highly esteem, and to whom I am an obliged and affectionate friend,

66 H. BOOTHBY."

1 [It must be observed in this, the preceding, and the following letters, how few the interviews between Dr. Johnson and Miss Boothby seem to have been even when they resided in the same place.-ED.]

LETTER XVII.

"Friday night, 29th November, 1754. "DEAR SIR,-How particularly unlucky I was to be out to-day when you came! For above these fourteen days have I never been a moment from home, but closely attending my poor dear Miss Fitzherbert, who has been very ill, and unwillingly left her to-day to pay a debt of civility long due. I imagined if you came to-day, it would be about the time of my return home. But that we may be the better acquainted with each other's hours, and I secure against a second mortifying disappointment, I send to tell you that not being an evening rapper to people's doors, whenever I do go out it is in a morning-a town-morningbetween noon and three o'clock; and that for the next four mornings I must be out. Now can't you as conveniently let me have the pleasure of seeing you at five some evening? Name any one, and you shall have your tea as I can make it, and a gratification infinitely superior I know in your estimation to any other, that of seeing your presence gives great pleasure to a friend; for such I most sincerely am to you. "H. BOOTHBY."

LETTER XVIII 2.

"DEAR SIR,—I have company, from whom I run just to say I have often rejoiced to see your hand, but never so much as now. Come and see me as soon as you can; and I shall forgive an absence which has indeed given me no small dis turbance. I am, dear sir, your affectionate friend, "H. BOOTHBY."

66

LETTER XIX.

DEAR SIR,-Perhaps you are the only author in England who could make a play a very acceptable present to me. But you have; and I assure you I shall leave your Irene behind me 3 when I go hence, in my little repository of valuable things. Miss Fitzherbert is much delighted, and desires her best thanks. The author's company would have more enhanced the value of the present; but that we will hope for soon. I am much obliged to you for the good account of the Lawrences, and for many things which increase my regard, and confirm me in being, dear sir, your affectionate friend, "H. BOOTHBY."

LETTER XX.

"15th May, 1755. "MY GOOD FRIEND,-I hoped to have seen you here last night, as the doctor told me he had informed you I was in town again. It is hard to be suspected of coldness and indifference at the very time when one is, and with reason, most strongly sensible of the contrary. From your own kind conduct to me, in particular lately, you who are accustomed to make just inferences and conclusions, might have easily made the true ones, and have discovered there was too much to be expressed. To a less penetrating person this

been an interruption of their intercourse, occasioned el2 [This undated note seems to imply that there had ther by some misunderstanding or by illness; if by the latter the date was probably in the winter of 1755.-ED.] [Miss Boothby probably left town before Christmas, 1755, and did not return till about May, 1756.-ED.] 4 [These expressions, it must be owned, seem to partake of the tender; but the age and circumstances of the

LETTER XXIII.

·

"Tissington, 23d July, 1755. DEAR SIR,-To answer your questions-I ean say that I love your letters, because it is very true that I do love them; and I do not know any one reason why I may not declare this truth; so much do I think it would be for my reputation, that I should choose to declare it, not only to you, but to all who know you. Ask yourself why I value your affection; for you cannot be so much a stranger to yourself as not to know many reasons why I ought highly to value it; and I hope you are not so much a stranger to me as not to know I would always do as I ought, though, perhaps, in this case the doing so has not the merit of volition-for in truth I cannot help it. So much in reply to the two first sentences in your last letter. It is no unpleasing circumstance to me that the same messenger who has taken a letter to the post-house at Ashbourn from me to you, has twice brought back one from you to me. Possibly, while I am now replying to your last, you may be giving me a reply to mine again. Both ways I shall be pleased, whether I happen to be beforehand with you, or you again with me. "I am desirous that in the great and one thing necessary you should think as I do; and I am persuaded you some time will. I will not enter into a controversy with you. I am sure I never can this way convince you in any point wherein we may differ; nor can any mortal convince me, by human arguments, that there is not a divine evidence for divine truths". Such the apostle plainly defines faith to be, when he tells us it is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.' Human testimony can go no farther than things seen and visible to the senses. Divine and spiritual, things are far above; and what says St. Paul? For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God. knoweth no man, but the spirit of God.' Do read the whole chapter; and, if you please, Mr. Romaine's Sermon, or Discourse, lately published, 'On the benefit which the Holy Spirit of God is of to man in his journey through life.' I utterly disclaim all faith that does not work by love, love that

'Takes every creature in of every kind;' and believe from my soul that in every sect and denomination of Christians there are numbers, great numbers, who will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the promise you quote be gloriously fulfilled. I believe and rejoice in this 1 [It must not be inferred from this that Dr. Johnson had in his letter maintained a contrary doctrine. probably combated some of Miss Boothby's peculiar tenets, which she defends, as is common in such controversies, by assertions which her antagonist would not have thought of denying.-ED.]

He

"I continue as well in health as I told you I was in my last. Mr. Fitzherbert has put off his coming here till August. My dear Miss is very well. She bids me send you her love, and tell you she must consider some time about writing to you before she can execute properly.

"Do not treat me with so much deference. I have no claim to it; and, from a friend, it looks too like ceremony-a thing I am at this time more particularly embarrassed with. Perhaps you never knew a person less apt to take offence than myself; and if it was otherwise in general, I am sure you would not have cause to apprehend the giving it, but would always be a particular exception to my taking it.

"See how far the pleasure of conversing with you has overcome my present dislike to writing; and let it be a farther proof to you of my being, dear sir, your affectionate friend, and obliged humble servant, "H. BOOTHBY.

"How does Miss Williams and her father? My regards to her."

LETTER XXIV.

"Tissington, 29th July, 1755. "DEAR SIR,-As it happened your rebuke for my silence was so timed as to give me pleasure. Your complaints would have been very painful to me had I not been pretty certain that before I read them you would receive a letter which would take away all cause for them. I could not have borne them under the least consciousness of having merited them. But, quite free from this, such marks of your friendship were very pleasing. You need not make use of any arguments to persuade me of the necessity of frequent writing; I am very willing to acknowledge it in a correspondence with you; though I never so little liked to write, in general, since I could write, as for some time past. Both my mind and body are much indisposed to this employment. The last is not so easy in the posture which habit has fixed when I write, and consequently the mind affected too. To you I always wish to appear in the best light; but you will exeuse infirmities; and to purchase your letters I shall think my time happily bestowed. If but one line can give you pleasure or suspend pain, I shall rejoice. How kind was your last little letter! I longed to return my immediate thanks: but Mr. Fitzherbert's mother, an old lady, bigoted to forms, prevented me; and has prevented me till now. She came here, is here, and stays some time. I continue much better in my health, thank God! alert and cheerful; and have stood storms and tempests, rain and cold, unhurt. I observe the good doctor's rules, and have found them efficacious. Mr. Fitzherbert had appointed his time for being here as next week, but has changed it to near three weeks hence. Tell me some literary news-I mean of your own; for I am very indifferent to the productions of others,

2 At the end of this letter Dr. Johnson wrote, answered.-WRIGHT.

but interested warmly in all yours, both in heart and mind.

"I hope our difference is only in words, or that in time our sentiments will be so much the same as to make our expressions clear and plain. As you say, every monent brings the tinie nearer in which we must think alike. O may this time (or rather end of time to us) which will fully disclose truth, also with it disclose eternal happiness to us! You see I cannot help praying for you, nor shall I ever, as I am truly, dear sir, your affectionate friend, "H. BOOTHBY.

"My little flock all well; Miss much at your service, and has a high regard for you. If you mention me at the doctor's, mention me as one who is always glad of paying regard there, and hearing well of them."

LETTER XXV.

"30th July, 1755. "DEAR SIR,-Why, my good friend, you are so bountiful and so kind that I níust thank you, and say I am truly grateful, though I have not time for more, as I have been obliged to write several letters to-day, and cannot easily write much. Your account of Mr. Williams's departure was very sweet to me'. He is happy without doubt, and, instead of condoling with, I most heartily rejoice with Miss Williams from this assurance, which I trust she has as strongly as I, and then she must be every moment thankful.

"I am not so well as 1 have been. The damp weather has affected me. But my dear children are all well; and some sunshine will revive me again. This is only to let you see I think of you, and, as I ought, receive every instance of your regard when I assure you it increases mine, and makes me more and more, dear sir, your grateful and affectionate friend, "H. BOOTHBY.

"I will tell you some time what I think of Anacreon "."

LETTER XXVI.

"13th August, 1755.

"DEAR SIR,-You was at Oxford then? And I was vain enough to conclude you was not in town, or I should have heard from you sooner, and you have not lessened my vanity by thinking of and writing to me, in a place where so many objects suited to your taste would be courting your attention so many of the learned seeking your conversation. This is a new obligation, of which I am very sensible. Yet I had rather seen a letter dated from Lichfield, because then I should have hoped soon to see Mr. Johnson himself, and for an opportunity of conversing with him.

[When the term "sweet" is applied on such an occasion, it is not surprising that we meet strange expressions scattered through the correspondence -ED.}

2 [Had he sent to Miss Boothby the translation of Anacreon's Dove, which he gave to Mrs. Thrale in 1777? When dictating it to that lady he said, "I never was much struck with any thing in the Greek language till I read that, so I never read any thing in the same language since, that pleased me as much. I hope my translation," continued he, "is not worse than that of Frank Fawkes." Seeing her disposed to lau h, "Nay, nay," said he, Frank Fawkes has done them very finely." When she had finished writing, "But you must remember to add," said Dr.Johnson," that though these verses were planned, and even begun, when I was sixteen years old, I never could find time to make an end of them before I was sixty-eight."-ED.]

"I am at present preparing to receive Mr. Fitzherbert, Mr. and Mrs. Alleyne, Mr. Gernier, &c. If you have been in town this week, probably you have seen Mr. Fitzherbert. I hope he would not neglect to inquire after the most valuable acquaintance he has there. Our scene here will be much changed. But all is, and ought to be, variable in this life; and I expect the change with much inward tranquillity. The interval of rest and quiet I have had, has greatly contributed to the amendment of my health. I walked a mile yesterday without great fatigue; and hope I shall be able to support the labours to come. I am not careful, however, for the morrow. That is in the hands of the almighty and all-merciful God. There I trust; and pray- Give me this day my daily bread.'

"Miss is still tuning-no wonder that you have inspired her with awę. She is disturbed she does not write; yet cannot satisfy herself with any mental composition. She has yet been working for you. I leave her to herself, and hope she will produce something.

"Remember that the more people I see the more I shall rejoice in a letter from you. Turtlefeasts and venison-feasts I delight not in. Treat me sometimes, as often as you can, with what will be really a feast; and in the best manner I am able I will thank you, and be ever, as now, dear sir, your grateful and affectionate friend,

H. BOOTHBY."

LETTER XXVII.

"Tissington, 20th August, 1755. "DEAR SIR,-Every where I find myself in your thoughts at Oxford-in town. How shall I reward this kind attention to a friend, this tender solicitude for her health and welfare? Your partiality will I know make you reply, By neglect. ing no means to procure and preserve them.' This is what I am sensible I owe to the most inconsiderable creature whom it pleases a good Providence to benefit in the last degree by me; and much more to a friend. Pain and sickness do most certainly produce the consequences you observe; and often do I reflect with the greatest wonder and gratitude on all those various occasions in which it has pleased God to visit me with these, that he should never leave me without that medicine of life-a friend.

"I am glad you saw Mr. Fitzherbert, and that he repeated his invitation to Tissington. He and his company arrived here on Thursday last, all at a loss what to do with themselves in still life. They set out yesterday to Derby race, and return on Friday, with some forty more people, to eat a turtle; weight, a hundred and thirty. This feast I, who, you know, love eating, am preparing for them. It will be a day of fatigue. But then how sweet and comfortable it will be, to lie down and rest at night! The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eateth little or much. My business is to prepare a feast, not to eat. During the time of our having been here alone, I have found great good from rest and quiet, and the strength gained in this interval of repose enables me to support the hurry of company, and the necessary cares for their reception and entertainment, much better than I could do for a long time

before I left London. But I am not so well as I was a fortnight since. The pain in my side is increased, as I find it will be on all occasions where I am obliged to prolong exercise to the least degree of fatigue, and in my present situation there is no avoiding these sometimes. But I have respite seasonably, thank God, as now. And next week Mr. Fitzherbert and his guests go to dance at Buxton, and see the Peak. You will perhaps think a tour round the Peak would be no bad thing for me; and I should think so too; but as this will be ordered, or disordered, by the uncertainty and irregularity of the directors, it will be a rash attempt for me; and, besides, they have only vehicles sufficient for themselves; so that I shall have another resting time, before they return again to stay a few days; and then they all go to Lichfield race, from whence Mr. Fitzherbert and Gernier only return back. Now, I have not only told you the state of my health, but of affairs here, that you may know both how I do, and what I do.

And, while I am writing all this, 1 really feel ashamed; conscious how little I merit to be thought of consequence enough for any body to desire such information concerning me, particularly you, who I am persuaded might select a friend among the most worthy. Do not call this feigned humility, or, in other words, the worst sort of pride. "Tis truth, I assure you.

"Will you come into Derbyshire? But why do I ask? You say you will. In the mean time, I will endeavour, with God's blessing, to lay in a stock of health, that I may have the pleasure of walking with you in Dovedale, and many other pleasures I hope for.

"You desire longer letters; here you have one -but such a one as I am afraid will not make you repeat that desire. However, it will be a proof of my willingness to gratify your request whenever it is in my power, and that I never say little to Mr. Johnson by choice, but when I can

hear him talk.

"The least degree of your quiet is a treasure which I shall take the utmost care of-but yet, from very certain experience, and the truest regard to your peace, I must advise to take it out of all human hands. Young's experience strongly speaks with mine—

'Lean not on earth; 't will pierce thee to the heart; A broken reed, at best; but oft a spear;

On its sharp point Peace bleeds, and Hope expires.' Yet such has been the amazing mercy of God to me, that now I can say It is good for me that I have been afflicted.' Looking over some old papers lately, I found two lines I had scratched out, which were prophetic of what has since happened to me—

"Variety of pain will make me know,

That greatest bliss is drawn from greatest woe.' But this, perhaps, you say, is far from being a dissuasive. Why, as to the event here, 't is indeed the contrary. But, in general, the disappointment and pain is certain, the event not so. There is no peace but that one which the Prince of Peace, king of Salem, left to his disciples 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.' No; for in another place, our Saviour says, 'In

the world ye shall have tribulation”—‹ Seek, and you will surely find.' You do me the honour to call me your monitress; and you see I endeavour to execute the duty of one. Peace and happiness here and for ever do I most ardently wish you; as I am truly, dear sir, your greatly obliged and affectionate friend, "H. BorTHBY. "Miss's love.

"N. B.-I intended to have concluded this, where I talked of a longer letter on the other side, but went on imperceptibly as it were. Remem ber you are a whole sheet in my debt after you receive this,"

LETTER XXVIII.

"8th September, 1755. "DEAR SIR,-It is as impossible for me to forbear writing, as it is to say a tenth part of what I would say. Two letters I have from you de mand a vast deal; yet not more than I am willing to give, was I able; but Mr. Fitzherbert has been at home above a week, and company, &c. have prevented my doing any thing but attend to domestic employments. I do not allow you to be a judge with regard to your conferring obligations. I am to judge and estimate in this case. But, now you know my thoughts, if the repetition displeases, I shall avoid it.

"Your letters are indeed very different from the common dialect of daily correspondence, and as different from the style of a school dogmatist. Much sense in few and well-chosen words. Daily correspondence does not commonly afford, nor a school dogmatist, delicate praise. So much for your letters. As to what you say of mine, dear sir, if they please you, I am perfectly satisfied. And, high as I rate your judgment, it gives me more pleasure to think I owe much of your applause to the partiality of a kind friend, than I should receive from unbiassed criticism; were it publickly to pronounce me superior to all the Arindas, Ševignés, &c. in epistolary excel

lence.

"I have been fourteen miles to-day, was out by eight in the morning (some hours before your day begins), despatched several important things, am tired, but could not suffer another post to go without an assurance that I am, dear sir, your affectionate friend, and obliged one too, "H. BOOTHBY."

LETTER XXIX.

"Tissington, 20th Sept., 1755. "DEAR SIR,-Were 1 at liberty, it would not be in my power to enhance the value of my letters by their scarcity. You should have them, till you cried out Hold your hand." But you cannot imagine the half of what I have to do; and I assure you I have on your account put off writing to others from time to time, till now I am ashamed. Be silent at Dr. Lawrence's as to me, for I have been long in debt there: 1 intended to have paid to-day, but you won't let me. This way I consider-I must go to Derby on Monday, to stay some days-no writing then-and, therefore, I must write to Mr. Johnson now, and de fer the rest-why I must write to Mr. Johnson, rather than to others, he may find out.'

"You do not pity me, when I am whirled