an example, except in the practice of the planters of America, a race of mortals whom, I suppose, no other man wishes to resemble.

"The Papists have, indeed, denied to the laity the use of the Bible; but this prohibition, in few places now very rigorously enforced, is defended by arguments, which have for their foundation the care of souls. To obscure, upon motives merely political, the light of revelation, is a practice reserved for the reformed; and, surely, the blackest midnight of popery is meridian sunshine to such a reformation. I am not very willing that any language should be totally extinguished. The similitude and derivation of languages afford the most indubitable proof of the traduction of nations, and the genealogy of mankind. They add often physical certainty to historical evidence; and often supply the only evidence of ancient migrations, and of the revolutions of ages which left no written monuments behind them.

necessary

The opponents of this pious scheme being made ashamed of their conduct, the bene volent undertaking was allowed to go on.

The following letters, though not written till the year after, being chiefly upon the same subject, are here inserted.

"TO MR. WILLIAM DRUMMOND. "DEAR SIR,

"THAT my letter should have had such

sure.

"I hope the worthy translator goes dili gently forward. He has a higher reward world can bestow. I wish I could be useful in prospect than any honours which this

to him.

Every man's opinions, at least his de-effects as you mention, gives me great pleasires, are a little influenced by his favourite I hope you do not flatter me by imstudies. My zeal for languages, may seem, puting to me more good than I have really done. perhaps, rather over-heated, even to those Those whom my arguments have by whom I desire to be well esteemed. To persuaded to change their opinion, shew those who have nothing in their thoughts such modesty and candour as deserve great but trade or policy, present power, or prepraise. sent money, I should not think it to defend my opinions; but with men of letters I would not unwillingly compound, by wishing the continuance of every language, however narrow in its extent, or however incommodious for common purposes, till it is reposited in some version of a known book, that it may be always hereafter examined and compared with other languages, and then permitting its disuse. For this purpose, the translation of the Bible is most to be desired. It is not certain that the same method will not preserve the Highland language, for the purposes of learning, and abolish it from daily use. When the Highlanders read the Bible, they will naturally wish to have its obscurities cleared, and to know the history, collateral or appendant. Knowledge always desires increase; it is like fire, which must first be kindled by some external agent, but which will afterward propagate itself. When they once desire to learn, they will naturally have recourse to the nearest language by which that desire can be gratified; and one will tell another, that if he would attain knowledge, he must learn English.

"This speculation may, perhaps, be thought more subtle than the grossness of real life will easily admit. Let it, however, be remembered, that the efficacy of ignorance has long been tried, and has not produced the consequence expected. Let knowledge, therefore, take its turn; and let the patrons of privation stand awhile

“The publication of my letter, if it could be of use in a cause to which all other causes are nothing, I should not prohibit. But first, I would have you to consider whether the publication will really do any good; next, whether by printing and distributing a very small number, you may not attain all that you propose; and, what per haps I should have said first, whether the letter, which I do not now perfectly re member, be fit to be printed.

"If you can consult Dr. Robertson, to whom I am a little known, I shall be satisfied about the propriety of whatever he shall direct. If he thinks that it should be printed, I entreat him to revise it; there may, perhaps, be some negligent lines writ

The Rev. Mr. John Campbell, minister of the parish of Kippen, near Stirling, who has lately favour ed me with a long, intelligent, and very obliging letter upon this work, makes the following remark. Johnson has alluded to the worthy man employed in the translation of the New Testament. Might not this have afforded you an opportunity of paying a proper tribute of respect to the memory of the Rev. Mr. James

Stuart, late minister of Killin, distinguished by his eminent piety, learning, and taste? The amiable simplicity of his life, his warm benevolence, his indefati gable and successful exertions for civilizing and improv ing the parish of which he was minister for upwards of fifty years, entitle him to the gratitude of his country, and the veneration of all good men. It certainly wouki be a pity, if such a character should be permitted to sink inte oblivion."

ten, and whatever is amiss, he knows very well how to rectify.

Be pleased to let me know, from time to time, how this excellent design goes forward.

"Make my compliments to young Mr. Drummond, whom I hope you will live to see such as you desire him.

"I have not lately seen Mr. Elphinston,
but believe him to be prosperous. I shall
be glad to hear the same of you, for
"I am, Sir,

Your affectionate humble servant,
"SAM. JOHNSON.

**Johnson's-court, Fleet-street,
April 21, 1767."

"SIR,

TO THE SAME.

"I RETURNED this week from the country, after an absence of near six months, and found your letter with many others, which I should have answered sooner, if I had sooner seen them.

"Dr. Robertson's opinion was surely right. Men should not be told of the faults which they have mended. I am glad the old language is taught, and honour the translator as a man whom GOD has distin

pounds shall be immediately returned to
you, or paid as you shall order. I trust
wholly to your judgment.
"I am, Sir, &c.

"SAM. JOHNSON.
"London, Johnson's-court, Fleet-street,
Oct. 24, 1767."

Mr. Cuthbert Shaw, alike distinguished by his genius, misfortunes, and misconduct, published this year a poem, called "The Race, by Mercurius Spur, Esq." in which he whimsically made the living poets of England contend for pre-eminence of fame by running:

"Prove by their heels the prowess of their head." In this poem there was the following portrait of Johnson:

"Here Johnson comes,-unblest with outward grace;
His rigid morals stamp'd upon his face.

While strong conceptions struggle in his brain;
(For even wit is brought to-bed with pain) :
To view him, porters with their loads would rest,
And babes cling frighted to the nurse's breast.
With looks convulsed he roars in pompous strain,
And, like an angry lion, shakes his mane.

The Nine, with terror struck, who ne'er had seen
Aught human with so terrible a mien,
Debating whether they should stay or run,
Virtue steps forth, and claims him for her son.
With gentle speech she warns him now to yield,
Nor stain his glories in the doubtful field;
But, wrapt in conscious worth, content sit down,

guished by the high office of propagating Since Fame, resolv'd his various pleas to crown, his word.

"I must take the liberty of engaging you in an office of charity. Mrs. Heely, the wife of Mr. Heely, who had lately some office in your theatre, is my near relation, and now in great distress. They wrote me word of their situation some time ago, to which I returned them an answer which aised hopes of more than it is proper for ae to give them. Their representation of heir affairs I have discovered to be such as annot be trusted; and at this distance, though their case requires haste, I know not how to act. She, or her daughters, may be heard of at Canongate Head. I must beg; Sir, that you will inquire after them, and let me know what is to be done. I am willing to go to ten pounds, and will transmit you such a sum, if upon examination you find it likely to be of use. If they are in immediate want, advance them what you think proper. What I could do, I would do for the woman, having no great reason to pay much regard to Heely himself.+

"I believe you may receive some intelli. gence from Mrs. Baker, of the theatre, whose letter I received at the same time

with yours; and to whom, if you see her, you will make my excuse for the seeming neglect of answering her.

"Whatever you advance within ten

• This paragraph shews Johnson's real estimation of the character and abilities of the celebrated Scottish Historian, however lightly, in a moment of caprice, he may have spoken of his works.

This is the person concerning whom Sir John Hawkins has thrown out very unwarrantable reflections both against Dr. Johnson and Mr. Francis Barber.

Though forc'd his present claim to disavow,
Had long reserv'd a chaplet for his brow.
He bows, obeys; for Time shall first expire,
Ere Johnson stay, when Virtue bids retire."
The Honourable Thomas Hervey§ and his
lady having unhappily disagreed, and being
about to separate, Johnson interfered as
their friend, and wrote him a letter of ex-
postulation, which I have not been able to
find; but the substance of it is ascertained
by a letter to Johnson, in answer to it, which
Mr. Hervey printed. The occasion of this
correspondence between Dr. Johnson and
Mr. Hervey, was thus related to me by Mr.
Beauclerk.

liking for Johnson, and in his will had left
"Tom Hervey had a great
said to me, Johnson may want this money
him a legacy of fifty pounds. One day he
now, more than afterward. I have a mind
to give it him directly. Will you be so good
as to carry a fifty-pound-note from me to
he might, perhaps, have knocked me down
him? This I positively refused to do, as
for insulting him, and have afterward put
the note in his pocket. But I said, if Her-
vey would write him a letter, and enclose
a fifty-pound-note, I should take care to
deliver it. He accordingly did write him a
letter, mentioning that he was only paying
a legacy a little sooner. To his letter he

See an account of him in the European Magazine, Jan. 1786. § [The Honourable Thomas Hervey, whose letter to Sir Thomas Hanmer in 1742, was much read at that time. He was the second son of John, the first Earl of Bristol, and one of the brothers of Johnson's early friend, Henry Hervey. He married, in 1744, Anne, daughter of Francis Coughlan, Esq. and died Jan. 20, 1775. M.]

It was not for me to bandy civilities with my Sovereign." Perhaps no man who had spent his whole life in courts could have shewn a more nice and dignified sense of true politeness, than Johnson did in this in

stance.

His Majesty having observed to him that he supposed he must have read a great deal, Johnson answered, that he thought more than he read; that he had read a great deal in the early part of his life, But, having fallen into ill health, he had not been able to read much, compared with others: for instance, he said he had not read much, compared with Dr. Warburton. Upon which, the King said, that he heard Dr. Warburton was a man of such general knowledge, that you could scarcely talk with him on any subject on which he was not qualified to speak; and that his learning resembled Garrick's acting, in its universality. His Majesty then talked of the controversy between Warburton and Lowth, which he seemed to have read, and asked Johnson what he thought of it. Johnson answered, “Warburton has most general, most scholastic, learning; Lowth is the more correct scholar. I do not know which of them calls names best." The King was pleased to say he was of the same opinion; adding, "You do not think then, Dr. Johnson, that there was much argument in the case." Johnson said, he did not think there was. "Why truly, (said the King,) when once it comes to calling names, argument is pretty well at an end."

and immediately mentioned, as an instance of it, an assertion of that writer, that he had seen objects magnified to a much greater degree by using three or four microscopes at a time than by using one. "Now, (added Johnson,) every one acquainted with mi croscopes knows, that the more of them he looks through, the less the object will appear." 66 Why, (replied the King,) this is not only telling an untruth, but telling it clumsily; for, if that be the case, every one who can look through a microscope will be able to detect him."

"I now, (said Johnson to his friends, when relating what had passed,) began to consider that I was depreciating this man in the estimation of his Sovereign, and thought it was time for me to say something that might be more favourable." He added, therefore, that Dr. Hill was, notwithstanding, a very curious observer; and if he would have been contented to tell the world no more than he knew, he might have been a very considerable man, and needed not to have recourse to such mean expedients to raise his reputation.

The King then talked of literary journals, mentioned particularly the Journal des Savans, and asked Johnson if it was well done. Johnson said, it was formerly very well done, and gave some account of the persons who began it, and carried it on for some years: enlarging, at the same time, on the nature and use of such works. The King asked him if it was well done now. Johnson answered, he had no reason to think that it His Majesty then asked him what he was. The King then asked him if there thought of Lord Lyttelton's history, which were any other literary journals published was then just published. Johnson said, he in this kingdom, except the Monthly and thought his style pretty good, but that he Critical Reviews; and on being answered had blamed Henry the Second rather too there was no other, his Majesty asked much. "Why, (said the King,) they seldom which of them was the best: Johnson_ando these things by halves."No, Sir, (an-swered, that the Monthly Review was done swered Johnson,) not to Kings." But fearing to be misunderstood, he proceeded to explain himself; and immediately subjoined, "That for those who spoke worse of Kings than they deserved, he could find no excuse; but that he could more easily conceive how some might speak better of them than they deserved, without any ill intention; for, as Kings had much in their power to give, those who were favoured by them would frequently, from gratitude, exaggerate their praises: and as this proceeded from a good motive, it was certainly excusable, as far as error could be excusable."

The King then asked him what he thought of Dr. Hill. Johnson answered, that he was an ingenious man, but had no veracity;

The Reverend Mr. Strahan clearly recollects having been told by Johnson, that the King observed that Pope made Warburton a Bishop. "True, Sir, (said Johnson,) but Warburton did more for Pope; he made him a Christian:" alluding, no doubt, to his ingenious comments on the "Essay on Man."

with most care, the Critical upon the best principles; adding, that the authors of the Monthly Review were enemies to the Church. This, the King said, he was sorry

to hear.

The conversation next turned on the Philosophical Transactions, when Johnson observed, that they had now a better method of arranging their materials than formerly. "Ay, (said the King,) they are obliged to Dr. Johnson for that;" for his Majesty had heard and remembered the circumstance, which Johnson hinıself had forgot.

His Majesty expressed a desire to have the literary biography of this country ably executed, and proposed to Dr. Johnson to undertake it. Johnson signified his readi ness to comply with his Majesty's wishes.

During the whole of this interview, Johnson talked to his Majesty with profound respect, but still in his firm manly manner, with a sonorous voice, and never in that sub