*

"When I called the other day at Burney's, I found only the young ones at home; at last came the doctor and madam, from a dinner in the country, to tell how they had been robbed as they returned. The doctor saved his purse, but gave them three guineas and some silver, of which they returned him three-and-sixpence, unasked, to pay the turnpike.

"I have sat twice to Sir Joshua, and he seems to like his own performance. He has projected another, in which I am to be busy; but we can think on it at leisure.

“Mrs. Williams is come home better, and the habitation is all concord and harmony; only Mr. Levett harbours discontent. "With Dr. Lawrence's consent, I have, for the two last nights, taken musk: the first night was a worse night than common, the second, a better; but not so much better as that I dare ascribe any virtue to the medicine. I took a scruple

each time.

"TO MRS. THRALE.

"31st October, 1778.

Letters, vol. ii.

"Sir Joshua has finished my picture, and it seems to please P. 27. every body, but I shall wait to see how it pleases you.

"To-day Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Desmoulins had a scold, and Williams was going away; but I bid her not turn tail, and she came back, and rather hand."]

got the upper

We surely cannot but admire the benevolent exertions of this great and good man, especially when we consider how grievously he was afflicted with bad health, and how uncomfortable his home was made by the perpetual jarring of those whom he charitably accommodated under his roof. He has sometimes suffered me to talk jocularly of his group of females, and call them his Seraglio. He thus mentions them, together with honest Levett, in one of his letters to Mrs. Thrale; "Williams hates every body; Levett hates Desmoulins, and does not love Williams; Desmoulins hates them both; Poll1 loves none of them."

Miss Carmichael.-BOSWELL. [The editor has not learned how this lady was connected with Dr. Johnson.—ED.]

Hawk. P. 408.

[These connexions exposed him to trouble and incessant solicitation, which he bore well enough; but his inmates were enemies to his peace, and occasioned him great disquiet: the jealousy that subsisted among them rendered his dwelling irksome to him, and he seldom approached it, after an evening's conversation abroad, but with the dread of finding it a scene of discord, and of having his ears filled with the complaints of Mrs. Williams of Frank's neglect of his duty and inattention to the interests of his master, and of Frank against Mrs. Williams, for the authority she assumed over him, and exercised with an unwarrantable severity. Even those intruders who had taken shelter under his roof, and who, in his absence from home, brought thither their children, found cause to murmur; "their provision of food was scanty, or their dinners ill dressed;" all which he chose to endure rather than put an end to their clamours by ridding his home of such thankless and troublesome guests. Nay, so insensible was he of the ingratitude of those whom he suffered thus to hang upon him, and among whom he may be said to have divided an income which was little more than sufficient for his own support, that he would submit to reproach and personal affront from some of them; even Levett would sometimes insult him, and Mrs. Williams, in her paroxysms of rage, has been known to drive him from her presence.]

Pray how many sheep-stealers did you convict? and how did you punish them? When are you to be cantoned in better habitations? The air grows cold, and the ground damp. Longer stay in the camp cannot be without much danger to the health of the common men, if even the officers can escape.

"You see that Dr. Percy is now dean of Carlisle ; about five hundred a year, with a power of presenting himself to some good living. He is provided for.

"The session of the Club is to commence with that of the parliament. Mr. Banks' desires to be admitted; he will be a very honourable accession.

"Did the king please you? have some reason to complain3. better than theirs.

The Coxheath men, I think,
Reynolds says your camp is

“I hope you find yourself able to encounter this weather. Take care of your own health; and, as you can, of your men. Be pleased to make my compliments to all the gentlemen whose notice I have had, and whose kindness I have experienced. I am, dear sir, your most humble servant, "SAM. JOHNSON."

I wrote to him on the 18th of August, the 18th of September, and the 6th of November; informing him of my having had another son born, whom I had called James'; that I had passed some time at Auchinleck; that the Countess of Loudoun, now in her ninety-ninth year, was as fresh as when he saw her, and remembered him with respect; and that his mother by adoption, the Countess of Eglintoune, had said to me, "Tell Mr. Johnson, I love him exceedingly;" that I had again suffered much from bad spirits; and that as it was very long since I heard from him, I was not a little uneasy.

[Afterwards Sir Joseph.-ED.]

[His majesty and the queen visited Warley Camp on the 20th October.-ED.] 3 [Of the king's not visiting that camp as well as Warley, which, however, he did, on the 3d November.-ED.]

[This was the gentleman who contributed a few notes to this work. He was of Brazenose College, and a Vinerian Fellow, and died in February, 1822, at his chambers, in the Temple.-HALL. The editor had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He published an edition of Shakspeare; was very convivial; and in other respects like his father, though altogether on a smaller scale. ED.]

The continuance of his regard for his friend, Dr. Burney, appears from the following letters:

"TO THE REVEREND DR. WHEELER', OXFORD.

"London, 2d November, 1778.

“DEAR SIR,—Dr. Burney, who brings this paper, is engaged in a History of Musick; and having been told by Dr. Markham of some MSS. relating to his subject, which are in the library of your college, is desirous to examine them. He is my friend; and therefore I take the liberty of entreating your favour and assistance in his inquiry; and can assure you, with great confidence, that if you knew him he would not want any intervenient solicitation to obtain the kindness of one who loves learning and virtue as you love them.

"I have been flattering myself all the summer with the hope of paying my annual visit to my friends; but something has obstructed me: I still hope not to be long without seeing you. I should be glad of a little literary talk; and glad to show you, by the frequency of my visits, how eagerly I love it, when you talk it. I am, dear sir, your most humble servant,

"SAM. JOHNSON."

"TO THE REVEREND DR. EDWARDS2, OXFORD. "London, 2d November, 1778. "SIR,―The bearer, Dr. Burney, has had some account of a Welsh manuscript in the Bodleian library, from which he hopes to gain some materials for his History of Musick; but being ignorant of the language, is at a loss where to find assistance. I make no doubt but you, sir, can help him through his difficulties, and therefore take the liberty of recommending him to your favour, as I am sure you will find him a man worthy of every civility that can be shown, and every benefit that can be conferred.

"But we must not let Welsh drive us from Greek. What comes of Xenophon3? If you do not like the trouble of publish

[Benjamin Wheeler was entered at Trinity College, November 12, 1751, at the age of eighteen. Having taken the degree of M. A. from that house in 1758, he removed to Magdalen College, where he became B. D. 1769, and D. D. the year following. In 1776 he was appointed Regius Professor of Divinity and Canon of Christ Church, in which he was succeeded by Dr. Randolph, late Bishop of London, in 1783.—HALL.

2 [Edward Edwards entered at Jesus College, 1743, æt. 17; M. A. 1749; B. D. 1756; and D. D. 1760.-HALL.]

3 [Dr. Edwards was preparing an edition of Xenophon's Memorabilia, which, however, he did not live to publish.-ED.]

ing the book, do not let your commentaries be lost; contrive that they may be published somewhere. I am, sir, your humble servant, SAM. JOHNSON."

66

These letters procured Dr. Burney great kindness and friendly offices from both of these gentlemen, not only on that occasion, but in future visits to the university. The same year Dr. Johnson not only wrote to Joseph Warton in favour of Dr. Burney's youngest son, who was to be placed in the college of Winchester, but accompanied him when he went thither.

"TO JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ.

"21st November, 1778.

"DEAR SIR,—It is indeed a long time since I wrote, and I think you have some reason to complain; however, you must not let small things disturb you, when you have such a fine addition to your happiness as a new boy, and I hope your lady's health restored by bringing him. It seems very probable that a little care will now restore her, if any remains of her complaints are left.

"You seem, if I understand your letter, to be gaining ground at Auchinleck, an incident that would give me great delight.

"When any fit of anxiety, or gloominess, or perversion of mind lays hold upon you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaints, but exert your whole care to hide it; by endeavouring to hide it, you will drive it away. Be always busy.

"The Club is to meet with the parliament; we talk of electing Banks, the traveller; he will be a reputable member.

"Langton has been encamped with his company of militia on Warley-common; I spent five days amongst them; he signalised himself as a diligent officer, and has very high respect in the regiment. He presided when I was there at a court-martial; he is now quartered in Hertfordshire; his lady and little ones are in Scotland. Paoli came to the camp, and commended the soldiers.

"Of myself I have no great matters to say: my health is not restored; my nights are restless and tedious. The best night that I have had these twenty years was at Fort-Augustus.