so at once the difference was over, and they | tion of old Mr. Sheridan. He calls him were on as easy terms as ever, and Gold- now Sherry derry." smith rattled away as usual. TO THE REVEREND MR. BAGSHAW, AT "SIR, BROMLEY." In our way to the club to-night, when I regretted that Goldsmith would, upon every occasion, endeavour to shine, by which he often exposed himself, Mr. Langton observ- "I RETURN you my sincere thanks for ed, that he was not like Addison, who was your additions to my Dictionary; but the content with the fame of his writings, and new edition has been published some time, did not aim also at excellency in conversaand therefore I cannot now make use of tion, for which he found himself unfit; and them. Whether I shall ever revise it more, that he said to a lady who complained of I know not. If many readers had been as his having talked little in company, "Ma-judicious, as diligent, and as communicative dam, I have but nine-pence in ready money, but I can draw for a thousand pounds." I observed, that Goldsmith had a great deal of gold in his cabinet, but, not content with that, was always taking out his purse. JOHNSON: "Yes, Sir, and that so often an empty purse!" Goldsmith's incessant desire of being conspicuous in company, was the occasion of his sometimes appearing to such disadvantage as one should hardly have supposed possible in a man of his genius. When his literary reputation had risen deservedly high, and his society was much courted, he became very jealous of the extraordinary attention which was every where paid to Johnson. One evening, in a circle of wits, he found fault with me for talking of Johnson as entitled to the honour of unquestionable superiority. "Sir, (said he,) you are for making a monarchy of what should be a republic." He was still more mortified, when talking in a company with fluent vivacity, and, as he flattered himself, to the admiration of all who were present; a German who sat next him, and perceived Johnson rolling himself, as if about to speak, suddenly stopped him, saying, "Stay, stay,-Toctor Shonson is going to say something." This was, no doubt, very provoking, especially to one so irritable as Goldsmith, who frequently mentioned it with strong expressions of indignation. was sometimes content to be treated with It may also be observed, that Goldsmith an easy familiarity, but, upon occasions, would be consequential and important. An instance of this occurred in a small particular. Johnson had a way of contracting the names of his friends: as Beauclerk, Beau; Boswell, Bozzy; Langton, Lanky; Murphy, Mur; Sheridan, Sherry. I remember one day, when Tom Davies was telling that Dr. Johnson said, "We are all in labour for a name to Goldy's play," Goldsmith seemed displeased that such a liberty should be taken with his name, and said, "I have often desired him not to call me Goldy." Tom was remarkably attentive to the most minute circumstance about Johnson. I recollect his telling me once, on my arrival in London, "Sir, our great friend has made an improvement on his appella as yourself, my work had been better. The "And most humble servant, "May 8, 1773." On Sunday, May 8, I dined with Johnson at Mr. Langton's, with Dr. Beattie, and some other company. He descanted on the subject of Literary Property."There seems (said he) to be in authors a stronger right of property than that by occupancy; a metaphysical right, a right, as it were, of creation, which should from its nature be perpetual; but the consent of nations is against it; and indeed reason and for were it to be perpetual, no book, howthe interests of learning are against it; ever useful, could be universally diffused amongst mankind, should the proprietor take it into his head to restrain its circulation. No book could have the advantage of being edited with notes, however proprietor perversely oppose it. necessary to its elucidation, should the For the general good of the world, therefore, whatever valuable work has once been created by an author, and issued out by him, should be understood as no longer in his power, but as belonging to the public; at the same time the author is entitled to an derable number of years." adequate reward. This he should have by an exclusive right to his work for a consi He attacked Lord Monboddo's strange speculation on the primitive state of human nature: observing, Sir, it is all conjecture 66 • The Reverend Thomas Bagshaw, M.A. who died on November 20, 1787, in the seventy-seventh year of his age, Chaplain of Bromley College, in Kent, and Rector of Southfleet. He had resigned the cure of Bromley Parish some time before his death. For this, and another letter from Dr. Johnson in 1784, to the same truly respectable man, I am indebted to Dr. John Loveday, of the Commons, a son of the late learned and pious John Loveday, Esq. of Caversham in Berkshire, who obligingly transcribed them for me from the originals in his possession. This worthy gentleman, having retired from business, now lives in Warwickshire. The world has been lately obliged to him as the Editor of the late Rev. Dr. Townson's excellent work, modestly enti tled "A Discourse on the Evangelical History, from the Interment to the Ascension of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ;" to which is prefixed, a truly interesting and pleasing account of the author, by the Reverend Mr. Ralph Churton. about a thing useless, even were it known to be true. Knowledge of all kinds is good. Conjecture, as to things useful, is good; but conjecture as to what it would be useless to know, such as whether men went upon all four, is very idle." days of the feudal system, "An ancient estate should always go to males. It is mighty foolish to let a stranger have it because he marries your daughter, and takes your name. As for an estate newly acquired by trade, you may give it, if you will, to the dog Towser, and let him keep his own name." On Monday, May 9, as I was to set out on my return to Scotland next morning, I was desirous to see as much of Dr. Johnson I have known him at times exceedingly as I could. But I first called on Goldsmith diverted at what seemed to others a very to take leave of him. The jealousy and small sport. He now laughed immoderately, envy which, though possessed of many most without any reason that we could perceive, amiable qualities, he frankly avowed, broke at our friend's making his will; called him out violently at this interview. Upon ano- the testator, and added, "I dare say, he thinks ther occasion, when Goldsmith confessed he has done a mighty thing. He won't stay himself to be of an envious disposition, I till he gets home to his seat in the country, contended with Johnson that we ought not to produce this wonderful deed: he'll call to be angry with him, he was so candid in up the landlord of the first inn on the owning it. “Nay, Sir, (said Johnson,) we road; and, after a suitable preface upon must be angry that a man has such a super-mortality and the uncertainty of life, will abundance of an odious quality, that he tell him that he should not delay making cannot keep it within his own breast, but his will; and here, Sir, will he say, is my it boils over." In my opinion, however, will, which I have just made, with the asGoldsmith had not more of it than other sistance of one of the ablest lawyers in the people have, but only talked of it freely. kingdom; and he will read it to him (laugh. ing all the time.) He believes he has made this will; but he did not make it: you. Chambers, made it for him. I trust you have had more conscience than to make him say, being of sound understanding;' ha, ha, ha! I hope he has left me a legacy. I'd have his will turned into verse, like a ballad." He now seemed very angry that Johnson was going to be a traveller; said, "he would be a dead weight for me to carry, and that I should never be able to lug him along the Highlands and Hebrides.' Nor would he patiently allow me to enlarge upon Johnson's wonderful abilities; but exclaimed, "Is he like Burke, who winds into a subject like a serpent ?" "But, (said I,) Johnson is the Hercules who strangled serpents in his cradle." I dined with Dr. Johnson at General Paoli's. He was obliged, by indisposition, to leave the company early; he appointed me, however, to meet him in the evening at Mr. (now Sir Robert) Chambers's, in the Temple, where he accordingly came, though he continued to be very ill. Chambers, as is common on such occasions, prescribed various remedies to him. JOHNSON: (fretted by pain,) "Pr'ythee don't teaze me. Stay till I am well, and then you shall tell me how to cure myself." He grew better, and talked with a noble enthusiasm of keeping up the representation of respectable families. His zeal on this subject was a circumstance in his character exceedingly remarkable, when it is considered that he himself had no pretensions to blood. I heard him once say, "I have great merit in being zealous for subordination and the honours of birth; for I can hardly tell who was my grandfather." He maintained the dignity and propriety of male succession, in opposition to the opinion of one of our friends, who had that day employed Mr. Chambers to draw his will, devising his estate to his three sisters, in preference to a remote heir male. Johnson called them "three dowdies," and said, with as high a spirit as the boldest Baron in the most perfect In this playful manner did he run on, exulting in his own pleasantry, which certainly was not such as might be expected from the author of "The Rambler," but which is here preserved, that my readers may be acquainted even with the slightest occasional characteristics of so eminent a man. Mr. Chambers did not by any means relish this jocularity upon a matter of which pars magna fuit, and seemed impatient till he got rid of us. Johnson could not stop his merriment, but continued it all the way till he got without the Temple-gate. He then burst into such a fit of laughter, that he appeared to be almost in a convulsion: and, in order to support himself, laid hold of one of the posts at the side of the foot pavement, and sent forth peals so loud, that in the silence of the night his voice seemed to resound from Temple-bar to Fleetditch. This most ludicrous exhibition of the awful, melancholy, and venerable Johnson, happened well to counteract the feelings of sadness which I used to experience when parting with him for a considerable time. I accompanied him to his door, where he gave me his blessing. He records of himself this year, "Between Easter and Whitsuntide, having always considered that time as propitious to study, I attempted to learn the Low Dutch left the town without taking leave of me, and is gone in deep dudgeon to Is not this very childish? Where is now my legacy? "I hope your dear lady and her dear bady are both well. I shall see them too when I come; and I have that opinion of your choice, as to suspect that when I have seen Mrs. Boswell, I shall be less willing to go away. I am, dear Sir, "Your affectionate humble servant, language." It is to be observed, that he This year died Mrs. Salusbury, (mother of Mrs. Thrale,) a lady whom he appears to have esteemed much, and whose memory he honoured with an Epitaph.‡ In a letter from Edinburgh, dated the 29th of May, I pressed him to persevere in his resolution to make this year the project. ed visit to the Hebrides, of which he and I had talked for many years, and which I was confident would afford us much entertainment. "TO JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ. "DEAR SIR, "WHEN your letter came to me, I was so darkened by an inflammation in my eye that I could not for some time read it. I can now write without trouble, and can read large prints. My eye is gradually growing stronger; and I hope will be able to take some delight in the survey of a Caledonian loch. "Chambers is going a Judge, with six thousand a year, to Bengal. He and I shall come down together as far as Newcastle, and thence I shall easily get to Edinburgh. Let me know the exact time when your Courts intermit. I must conform a little to Chambers's occasions, and he must conform a little to mine. The time which you shall fix, must be the common point to which we will come as near as we can. Except this eye, I am very well. I "Beattie is so caressed, and invited, and treated, and liked, and flattered, by the great, that I can see nothing of him. am in great hope that he will be well provided for, and then we will live upon him at the Marischal College, without pity or modesty. Prayers and Meditations, p. 129. [Not six months before his death, he wished me to teach him the Scale of Music:-" Dr. Burney, teach me at least the alphabet of your language." B.] Mrs. Piczzi's Anecdotes of Johnson, p. 131. "Johnson's-court, Fleet-street, "Write to me as soon as you can. Cham the Court of Session rose on the twelfth of I again wrote to him, informing him that August, hoping to see him before that time, and expressing, perhaps in too extravagant terms, my admiration of him, and my expectation of pleasure from our intended tour. "TO JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ. "DEAR SIR, "I SHALL set out from London on Friday the sixth of this month, and purpose not to loiter much by the way. Which day I shall be at Edinburgh, I cannot exactly tell. I suppose I must drive to an inn, and send a porter to find you. "I am afraid Beattie will not be at his College soon enough for us, and I shall be sorry to miss him; but there is no staying for the concurrence of all conveniences. We will do as well as we can. I am, Sir, "Your most humble servant, "SAM. JOHNSON. "August 3, 1773." "DEAR SIR, "TO THE SAME. "NOT being at Mr. Thrale's when your letter came, I had written the enclosed paper and sealed it; bringing it hither for repress my ardour, it would be such a letter a frank, I found yours. If any thing could as yours. To disappoint a friend is un. pleasing: and he that forms expectations like yours, must be disappointed. Think only when you see me, that you see a man who loves you, and is proud and glad that you love him. I am, Sir, "August 3, 1773." "DEAR SIR, "Your most affectionate, "TO THE SAME. "Newcastle, Aug. 11, 1773. "I CAME hither last night, and hope, but do not absolutely promise, to be in Edinburgh on Saturday. Beattie will not come 80 oon. I am, Sir, "Your most humble servant, "SAM. JOHNSON. "My compliments to your lady." "TO THE SAME. "MR. JOHNSON sends his compliments to Mr. Boswell, being just arrived at Boyd's. "Saturday night." His stay in Scotland was from the 18th of August, on which day he arrived, till the 22d of November, when he set out on his return to London; and I believe ninetyfour days were never passed by any man in a more vigorous exertion. He came by the way of Berwick-uponTweed to Edinburgh, where he remained a few days, and then went by St. Andrew, Aberdeen, Inverness, and Fort Augustus to the Hebrides, to visit which was the principal object he had in view. He visited the isles of Sky, Rasay, Col, Mull, Inchkenneth, and Icolmkill. He travelled through Argyleshire by Inverary, and from thence by Lochlomond and Dunbarton to Glasgow, then by Loudon to Auchinleck in Ayrshire, the seat of my family, and then by Hamil ton, back to Edinburgh, where he again spent some time. He thus saw the four Universities of Scotland, its three principal cities, and as much of the Highland and insular life as was sufficient for his philosophical contemplation. I had the pleasure of accompanying him during the whole of his journey. He was respectfully entertained by the great, the learned, and the elegant, wherever he went; nor was he less delighted with the hospitality which he experienced in humbler life. His various adventures, and the force and vivacity of his mind, as exercised during this peregrination, upon innumerable topics, have been faithfully, and to the best of my abilities, displayed in my “Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides," to which, as the public has been pleased to honour it by a very extensive círculation, I beg leave to refer, as to a separate and remarkable portion of his life, which may be there seen in detail, and which exhibits as striking a view of his powers in conversation, as his works do of his excellence in writing. Nor can I deny to myself the very flattering gratification of inserting here the character which my friend Mr. Courtenay has been pleased to give of that work: "With Reynolds' pencil, vivid, bold, and true; [The author was not a small gainer by this extraordinary Journey; for Dr. Johnson thus writes to Mrs. Thrales, Nov. 3, 1773; "Boswell will praise my resolution and perseverance, and I shall in return celebrate his good humour and perpetual cheerfulness. He has better faculties than I had imagined; more justness of discernment, and more fecundity of images. It is very convenient to travel with him; for there is no house where he is not received with kindness and respect.' Let. 90, to Mrs. Thrale. M.] Mark the lone tree, and note the heath-clad isle: During his stay at Edinburgh, after his return from the Hebrides, he was at great pains to obtain information concerning Scotland; and it will appear from his subsequent letters, that he was not less solicitous for intelligence on this subject after his return to London. "TO JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ. "DEAR SIR, "I CAME home last night, without any incommodity, danger, or weariness, and am ready to begin a new journey. I shall go to Oxford on Monday. I know Mrs. Boswell wished me well to go; her wishes have not been disappointed. Mrs. Williams has received Sir A.'s § letter. "Make my compliments to all those to whom my compliments may be welcome. "Let the box || be sent as soon as it can, and let me know to when expect it. Inquire, if you can, the order of the Clans: Macdonald is first, Maclean is second; farther I cannot go. Quicken Dr. Webster. I am, Sir, "Yours affectionately. "SAM. JOHNSON †The celebrated Flora Macdonald. See Boswell's Tour. In this he shewed acute penetration. My wife paid him the most assiduous and respectful attention, while he was our guest: so that I wonder how he discovered her wishing for his departure. The truth is, that his irregular hours and uncouth habits, such as turning the candles with their heads downwards, when they did not burn bright enough, and letting the wax drop upon the carpet, could not but be disagreeable to a lady. Besides, she had not that high admiration of him which was felt by most of those who knew him; and what was very natural to a female mind, she thought he had too much influence over her husband, She once, in a little warmth, made, with more point than justice, this re mark upon that subject: "I have seen many a bear led by a man; but I never before saw a man led by a bear." § Sir Alexander Gordon, one of the Professors at Aberdeen. This was a box containing a number of curious things which he had picked up in Scotland, particularly some horn spoons. The Reverend Dr. Alexander Webster, one of the ministers of Edinburgh, a man of distinguished abili ties, who had promised him information concerning the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. He was now seriously engaged in writing an account of our travels in the Hebrides, in consequence of which I had the pleasure of a more frequent correspondence with him. "TO JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ. "DEAR SIR, "My operations have been hindered by a cough; at least I flatter myself, that if my cough had not come, I should have been farther advanced. But I have had no intelligence from Dr. W--, [Webster] nor from the Excise-office, nor from you. No account of the little borough. + Nothing of the Erse language. I have yet heard nothing of my box. "You must make haste and gather me all you can, and do it quickly, or I will and shall do without it. "Make my compliments to Mrs. Boswell, and tell her that I do not love her the less for wishing me away. I gave her trouble enough, and shall be glad, în recompense, to give her any pleasure. I would send some porter into the Hebrides, if I knew which way it could be got to my kind friends there. Inquire, and let me know. “Make my compliments to all the Doctors of Edinburgh, and to all my friends, from one end of Scotland to the other. "Write to me, and send me what intelligence you can: and if any thing is too Bulky for the post, let me have it by the carrier. I do not like trusting winds and waves. I am, dear Sir, "Jan. 29, 1774." "DEAR SIR, "Your most, &c. "SAM. JOHNSON. "TO THE SAME. His humane forgiving disposition was put to a pretty strong test on his return to London, by a liberty which Mr. Thomas Davies had taken with him in his absence, which was, to publish two volumes entitled, "Miscellaneous and fugitive Pieces," which "IN a day or two after I had written the he advertised in the newspapers, "By the last discontented letter, I received my box, Author of the Rambler." In this collection, which was very welcome. But still I must several of Dr. Johnson's acknowledged entreat you to hasten Dr. Webster, and writings, several of his anonymous perform-continue to pick up what you can, that may ances, and some which he had written be useful. welcome. for others, were inserted; but there were "Mr. Oglethorpe was with me this mornalso some in which he had no concern what-ing: you know his errand. He was not unever. He was at first very angry, as he had good reason to be. But, upon consideration of his poor friend's narrow circumstances, and that he had only a little profit in view and meant no harm, he soon relented, and continued his kindness to him as formerly. In the course of his self-examination with retrospect to this year, he seems to have been much dejected: for he says, January 1, 1774, "This year has passed with so little improvement, that I doubt whether I have not rather impaired than increased my learning" and yet we have seen how he read, and we know how he talked during that period. "Tell Mrs. Boswell that my good intentions towards her still continue. I should be glad to do any thing that would either benefit or please her. "Chambers is not yet gone, but so hurried, or so negligent, or so proud, that I rarely see him. I have indeed, for some weeks past, been very ill of a cold and cough, and have been at Mrs. Thrale's, that I might be taken care of. I am much better; nova redeunt in prælia vires; but I am yet tender, and easily disordered. How happy it was that neither of us were ill in the Hebrides. "The question of Literary Property is †The ancient Burgh of Prestick, in Ayrshire. |