fordshire and Derbyshire, perhaps with Oxford and Birmingham in my way. "Make my compliments to Miss Veronica; I must leave it to her philosophy to comfort you for the loss of little David. You must remember, that to keep three out of four is more than your share. Mrs. Thrale has but four out of eleven. "I am engaged to write little Lives and little Prefaces to a little edition of the English Poets. I think I have persuaded the booksellers to insert something of Thomson; and if you could give me some information about him, for the life which we have is very scanty, I should be glad. I am, dear Sir, "Your most affectionate humble servant, "SAM. JOHNSON. "May 3, 1777." "I am going to Auchinleck to stay a fortnight with my father. It is better not to be there very long at one time. But frequent renewals of attention are agreeable to him. "Pray tell me about this edition of The English Poets, with a preface, biographical and critical, to each Author, by Samuel Johnson, LL.D.' which I see advertised. I am delighted with the prospect of it. Indeed I am happy to feel that I am capable To those who delight in tracing the proof being so much delighted with literature.gress of works of literature, it will be an But is not the charm of this publication chiefly owing to the magnum nomen in the front of it? "What do you say of Lord Chesterfield's Memoirs and last Letters ? My wife has made marmalade of oranges for you. I left her and my daughters and Alexander all well yesterday. I have taught Veronica to speak of you thus; Dr. Johnson, not Johnston. I remain, my dear Sir, "Your most affectionate "And obliged humble servant, "TO JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ. "DEAR SIR, entertainment to compare the limited design with the ample execution of that admirable performance, "The Lives of the English Poets," which is the richest, most beautiful, and indeed most perfect, production of Johnson's pen. His notion of it at this time appears in the preceding letter. He has a memorandum in this year, "29 May, Easter eve, I treated with booksellers on a bargain, but the time was not long." The bargain was concerning that undertaking; but his tender conscience seems alarmed, lest it should have intruded too much on his devout preparation for the solemnity of the ensuing day. But, indeed, very little time was necessary for Johnson's concluding a treaty with the booksellers; as he had, I believe, less attention to profit from his labours than any man to whom literature has been a profession. I shall here insert, from a letter to me from my late worthy friend Mr. Edward Dilly, though of a later date, an account of this plan so happily conceived; since it was the occasion of procuring "Tell Mrs. Boswell that I shall taste her for us an elegant collection of the best biomarmalade cautiously at first. Timeo Da-graphy and criticism of which our language naos et dona ferentes. Beware, says the Italian proverb, of a reconciled enemy. But when I find it does me no harm, I shall then receive it and be thankful for it, as a pledge of firm, and, I hope, of unalterable kindness. She is, after all, a dear, dear lady. "THE story of Mr. Thrale's death, as he had neither been sick nor in any other danger, made so little impression upon me, that I never thought about obviating its effects on any body else. It is supposed to have been produced by the English custom of making April fools, that is, of sending one another on some foolish errand on the first of April. "Please to return Dr. Blair thanks for his sermons. The Scotch write English wonderfully well. "Your frequent visits to Auchinleck, and your short stay there, are very laudable and very judicious. Your present concord with Your father gives me great pleasure; it was all that you seemed to want. "My health is very bad, and my nights are very unquiet. What can I do to mend them? I have for this summer nothing better in prospect than a journey into Staf can boast. 66 TO JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ. "DEAR SIR, Southhill, Sept. 26, 1777. "You will find, by this letter, that I am still in the same calm retreat from the noise and bustle of London, as when I wrote to you last. I am happy to find you had such an agreeable meeting with your old friend Dr. Johnson; I have no doubt your stock is much increased by the interview; few men, nay I may say, scarcely any man, has got that fund of knowledge and entertainment as Dr. Johnson in conversation. When he opens freely, every one is attentive to what he says, and cannot fail of improvement as well as pleasure. • Prayers and Meditations, p. 155. "The edition of the Poets, now printing, will do honour to the English press; and a concise account of the life of each author, by Dr. Johnson, will be a very valuable addi. tion, and stamp the reputation of this edition superior to any thing that is gone before. The first cause that gave rise to this undertaking, I believe, was owing to the little trifling edition of the Poets, printing by the Martins at Edinburgh, and to be sold by Bell, in London. Upon examining the volumes which were printed, the type was found so extremely small, that many persons could not read them; not only this inconvenience attended it, but the inaccuracy of the press was very conspicuous. These reasons, as well as the idea of an invasion of what we call our Literary Property, induced the London Booksellers to print an elegant and accurate edition of all the English poets of reputation, from Chaucer to the present time. "Accordingly, a select number of the most respectable booksellers met on the occasion; and, on consulting together, agreed, that all the proprietors of copyright in the various poets should be summoned together; and when their opinions were given, to proceed immediately on the business. Accordingly, a meeting was held, consisting of about forty of the most respectable booksellers of London, when it was agreed that an elegant and uniform edition of The English Poets' should be immediately printed, with a concise account of the life of each author, by Dr. Samuel Johnson; and that three persons should be deputed to wait upon Dr. Johnson, to solicit him to undertake the Lives, viz. T. Davies, Strahan, and Cadell. The Doctor very politely undertook it, and seemed exceedingly pleased with the proposal. As to the terms, it was left entirely to the Doctor to name his own; he mentioned two hundred guineas:* it was immediately agreed to; and a farther compliment, I believe, will be made him. A committee was likewise appointed to engage the best engravers, viz. Bartolozzi, Sherwin, Hall, &c. Likewise, another committee for giving directions about the paper, printing, &c. so that the whole will be conducted with spirit, and in the best manner, with respect to authorship, editorship, engravings, &c. &c. My brother will give you a list of the Poets we mean to give, many of which are within the time of the Act of Queen Anne, which Martin and Bell cannot give, as they have no property in them; the proprietors are almost all the booksellers in London, of consequence. I am, dear Sir, ever yours, "EDWARD DILLY." [Johnson's moderation in demanding so small a sum is extraordinary. Had he asked one thousand, or even fifteen hundred guineas, the booksellers, who knew the value of his name, would doubtless have readily given it. They have probably got five thousand guineas by this work in the course of twenty-five years. M.] I shall afterwards have occasion to consider the extensive and varied range which Johnson took, when he was once fed upon ground which he trod with a peculiar delight, having long been intimately acquainted with all the circumstances of it that could interest and please. " DR. JOHNSON TO CHAS. O'CONNOR, ESQ.* "SIR, "HAVING had the pleasure of conversing with Dr. Campbell about your character and your literary undertaking, I am resolved to gratify myself by renewing a correspondence which began and ended a great while ago, and ended, I am afraid, by my fault; a fault which, if you have not forgotten it, you must now forgive. "If I have ever disappointed you, give me leave to tell you, that you have likewise disappointed me. I expected great discoveries in Irish antiquity, and large publications in the Irish language; but the world still remains as it was, doubtful and ignorant. What the Irish language is in itself, and to what languages it has affinity, are very interesting questions, which every man wishes to see resolved that has any philolo gical or historical curiosity. Dr. Leland begins his history too late: the ages which deserve an exact inquiry are those times (for such there were) when Ireland was the school of the west, the quiet habitation of sanctity and literature. If you could gives history, though imperfect, of the Irish n tion, from its conversion to Christianity to the invasion from England, you would amplify knowledge with new views and new objects. Set about it, therefore, if you can: do what you can easily do without anxious the superstructure to posterity. exactness. Lay the foundation, and leave "I am, Sir, "May 19, 1777." "Your humble servant. "SAM. JOHNSON. Early in this year came out, in two vo lumes quarto, the posthumous works of the learned Dr. Zachary Pearce, Bishop of Rochester; being " A Commentary, with Notes on the four Evangelists and the Acts of the Apostles," with other Theological pieces. Johnson had now an opportunity of making a grateful return to that excellent prelate, Mr. Joseph Cooper Walker, of the Treasury, Des lin, who obligingly communicated to me this and mer letter from Dr. Johnson to the same gentleman (for which see p. 86,) writes to me as follows haps it would gratify you to have some account of Mr. O'Connor. He is an amiable, learned, venerable. gentleman, of an independent fortune, who lives a: Be lanagar, in the county of Roscommon; he is an ad writer, and Member of the Irish Academy."— The six-t letter is alluded to in the Preface to the 23 edit. đức hư Dissert. p. 3.-Mr. O'Connor afterwards died, at the agt of eighty-two, July 1, 1791. See a well-drawn chan f of him in the Gentleman's Magazine for August, 175 who, we have seen, was the only person who gave him any assistance in the compilation of his Dictionary. The Bishop had left some account of his life and character, written by himself. To this Johnson made some valuable additions, [+] and also furnished to the editor, the Reverend Mr. Derby, a Dedication, [+] which I shall here insert, both because it will appear at this time with peculiar propriety; and because it will tend to propagate and increase that "fervour of Loyalty," which in me, who boast of the name of TORY, is not only a principle, but a passion. "I presume to lay before your Majesty the last labours of a learned Bishop, who died in the toils and duties of his calling. He is now beyond the reach of all earthly honours and rewards; and only the hope of inciting others to imitate him, makes it now fit to be remembered, that he enjoyed in his life the favour of your Majesty. "The tumultuary life of Princes seldom permits them to survey the wide extent of national interest, without losing sight of private merit; to exhibit qualities which may be imitated by the highest and the humblest of mankind; and to be at once amiable and great. “Such characters, if now and then they appear in history, are contemplated with admiration. May it be the ambition of all your subjects to make haste with their tribute of reverence; and as posterity may learn from your Majesty how Kings should live, may they learn likewise from your people how they should be honoured. 66 "I am, may it please your Majesty, In the summer he wrote a Prologue [*] which was spoken before "A Word to the Wise," a comedy by Mr. Hugh Kelly, which had been brought upon the stage in 1770; but, he being a writer for ministry in one of the newspapers, it fell a sacrifice to popular fury, and, in the playhouse phrase, was damned. By the generosity of Mr. Harris, the proprietor of Covent-garden theatre, it was now exhibited for one night, for the benefit of the author's widow and children. To conciliate the favour of the audience was the intention of Johnson's Prologue, which, as it is not long, I shall here insert, as a proof that his poetical talents were in no degree impaired. "THIS night presents a play, which public rage, The man whom Fate has laid where all must lie. Be kind, ye judges, or at least be just; When pleasure fir'd her torch at virtue's flame, And mirth was bounty with an humbler name.' A circumstance which could not fail to be very pleasing to Johnson, occurred this year. The tragedy of "Sir Thomas Overbury," written by his early companion in London, Richard Savage, was brought up with alterations at Drury-lane theatre. The Prologue to it was written by Mr. Richard Brinsley Sheridan; in which, after describing very pathetically the wretchedness of 66 "Ill-fated Savage, at whose birth was giv'n No parent but the Muse, no friend but Heav'n :" he introduced an elegant compliment to Johnson on his Dictionary, that wonderful performance which cannot be too often or too highly praised; of which Mr. Harris, in his Philological Inquiries," justly and liberally observes, "Such is its merit, that our language does not possess a more copious, learned, and valuable work." The conclud ing lines of this Prologue were these: "So pleads the talef that gives to future times The son's misfortunes and the parent's crimes; There shall his fame (if own'd to night) survive, Fix'd by THE HAND THAT BIDS OUR LANGUAGE - LIVE." Mr. Sheridan here at once did honour to his taste and to his liberality of sentiment, by shewing that he was not prejudiced from the unlucky difference which had taken place between his worthy father and Dr. Johnson. I have already mentioned, that Johnson was Sheridan. It will, therefore, not seem at all very desirous of reconciliation with old Mr. ledging the brilliant merit of his son. While surprising, that he was zealous in acknow. it had as yet been displayed only in the drama, Johnson proposed him as a member of THE LITERARY CLUB, observing, that He who has written the two best comedies of his age, is surely a considerable man." And he had, accordingly, the honour to be elected; for an honour it undoubtedly must be allowed to be, when it is considered of black ball excludes a candidate. whom that society consists, and that a single which you visited my uncle, Dr. Boswell, who, having lost his wife, is gone to live with his son. We took possession of our villa about a week ago; we have a garden of three quarters of an acre, well stocked with fruittrees and flowers, and gooseberries and currants. and pease and beans, and cabbages, &c. &c. and my children are quite happy. I now write to you in a little study, from the window of which I see around me a verdant grove, and beyond it the lofty mountain called Arthur's Seat. soil, nay, a dunghill, will produce beautiful flowers. "Your edition of the English Poets' will be very valuable, on account of the Prefaces and Lives.' But I have seen a specimen of an edition of the Poets at the Apollo press, at Edinburgh, which, for excellence in printing and engraving, highly deserves a liberal encouragement. "Most sincerely do I regret the bad health and bad rest with which you have been afflicted; and I hope you are better. I cannot believe that the prologue which you generously gave to Mr. Kelly's widow and children the other day, is the effusion of one in sickness and in disquietude : but external circumstances are never sure indications of the state of man. I send you a letter which I wrote to you two years ago at Wilton; and did not send it at the time, for fear of being reproved as indulging too much tenderness: and one written to you at the tomb of Melancthon, which I kept back, lest I should appear at once too superstitious and too enthusiastic. I now imagine that per haps they may please you. "Your last letter, in which you desire me to send you some additional information concerning Thomson, reached me very fortunately just as I was going to Lanark, to put my wife's two nephews, the young Campbells, to school there, under the care of Mr. Thomson, the master of it, whose wife is sister to the author of The Seasons.' She is an old woman; but her memory is very good; and she will with pleasure give me for you every particular that you wish to know, and she can tell. Pray then take the trouble to send me such questions as may lead to biographical materials. You say that the Life which we have of Thomson is scanty. You do not take the least notice of Since I received your letter, I have read his my proposal for our meeting at Carlisle. Life, published under the name of Cibber, Though I have meritoriously refrained from but, as you told me, really written by a Mr. visiting London this year, I ask you if it Shiels; that written by Dr. Murdoch ; one would not be wrong that I should be two prefixed to an edition of the Seasons,' pub-years without having the benefit of your lished at Edinburgh, which is compounded of both, with the addition of an anecdote of Quin's relieving Thomson from prison; the abridgement of Murdoch's account of him, in the Biographia Britannica,' and another abridgement of it in the Biographical Dictionary,' enriched with Dr. Joseph Warton's critical panegyric on the Seasons' in his Essay on the Genius and Writings of Pope: from all these, it appears to me that we have a pretty full account of this poet. However, you will, I doubt not, shew me many blanks, and I shall do what can be done to have them filled up. As Thomson never returned to Scotland, (which you will think very wise,) his sister can speak from her own knowledge only as to the early part of his life. She has some letters from him, which may probably give light as to his more advanced progress, if she will let us see them, which I suppose she will. I believe George Lewis Scott + and Dr. Armstrong are now his only surviving companions, while he lived in and about London; and they, I dare say, can tell more of him than is yet known. My own notion is, that Thomson was a much coarser man than his friends are willing to acknowledge. His Seasons' are indeed full of elegant and pious sentiments: but a rank · See p. 296, of this volume. + [George Lewis Scott, Esq. F.R.S., an amiable and learned man, formerly sub-preceptor to his present Majesty, and afterwards appointed a Commissioner of Excisc. He died in 1780. M.] conversation, when, if you come down as far as Derbyshire, we may meet at the expense of a few days journeying, and not many pounds. I wish you to see Carlisle, which made me mention that place. But if you have not a desire to complete your tour of the English cathedrals, I will take a larger share of the road between this place and Ashbourne. So tell me where you will fix for our passing a few days by ourselves. Now, don't cry foolish fellow, or idle dog." Chain your humour, and let your kindness play. [Dr. Johnson was not the editor of this Collection of the English Poets; he merely furnished the biseraphical prefaces with which it is enriched; as is rightly stated in a subsequent page. He indeed, from a virtuous motive, recommended the works of four or five poets (whom he has named) to be added to the collection; but he is no otherwise answe able for any which are found there, or any which ane omitted. The poems of Goldsmith (whose life I know it by his desire) were omitted, in consequence of a he intended to write, for 1 collected some materials for petty exclusive interest in some of them, vested in Mr. Carnan, a bookseller. M.] § Dr. Johnson had himself talked of our seeing Can lisle together. High was a favourite word of has to denote a person of rank. He said to me," Sir, I believə we may meet at the house of a Roman Catholic lady a Cumberland; a high lady, Sir." I afterwards discovered that he meant Mrs. Strickland, sister of Charles Tow ley, Esq, whose very noble collection of statues and pictures is not more to be admired, than his extracednary and polite readiness in shewing it, which I and seve ral of my friends have agreeably experienced. They who are possessed of valuable stores of gratificatum is persons of taste, should exercise their benevolent in imparting the pleasure. Grateful acknowledgementa are due to Welbore Ellis Agar, Esq. for the liberal cess which he is pleased to allow to his exquisite cointion of pictures. "You will rejoice to hear that Miss Macleod, of Rasay, is married to Colonel Mure Campbell, an excellent man, with a pretty good estate of his own, and the prospect of having the Earl of Loudoun's fortune and honours. Is not this a noble lot for our fair Hebridean? How happy am I that she is to be in Ayrshire. We shall have the Laird of Rasay, and old Malcolm, and 1 know not how many gallant Macleods, and bagpipes, &c. &c. at Auchinleck. Perhaps you may meet them all there. "I HAVE just received your packet from Mr. Thrale's, but have not daylight enough to look much into it. I am glad that I have credit enough with Lord Hailes to be trusted with more copy. I hope to take more care of it than of the last. I return Mrs. Boswhich I value as a token of reconciliation. well my affectionate thanks for her present, "Without doubt you have read what is called The Life of David Hume,' written by himself, with the letter from Dr. Adam Smith subjoined to it. Is not this an age of "Poor Dodd was put to death yesterday, daring effrontery? My friend Mr. Ander. son, Professor of Natural Philosophy at jury, the petition of the city of London,— in opposition to the recommendation of the Glasgow, at whose house you and I supped, and a subsequent petition signed by threeand to whose care Mr. Windham, of Norfolk, was intrusted at that University, paid voice of the public, when it calls so loudly, and-twenty thousand hands. Surely the me a visit lately; and after we had talked and only for mercy, ought to be heard. with indignation and contempt of the poi"The saying that was given me in the sonous productions with which this age is in-papers I never spoke; but I wrote many of fested, he said there was now an excellent his petitions, and some of his letters. He opportunity for Dr. Johnson to step forth. applied to me very often. He was, I am I agreed with him that you might knock afraid, long flattered with hopes of life; but Hume's and Smith's heads together, and make vain and ostentatious infidelity exI had no part in the dreadful delusion; for as soon as the King had signed his sentence, ceedingly ridiculous. Would it not be worth I obtained from Mr. Chamier an account of your while to crush such noxious weeds in the disposition of the court towards him, the moral garden? with a declaration that there was no hope laid before Dodd; but he believed those even of a respite. This letter was immediately whom he wished to be right, as it is thought, till within three days of his end. He died with pious composure and resolution. have just seen the Ordinary that attended him. His address to his fellow-convicts offended the Methodists: but he had a Moravian with him much of his time. His moral character is very bad: I hope all is behaviour in prison an account will be pubnot true that is charged upon him. Of his "You have said nothing to me of Dr. Dodd. I know not how you think on that subject; though the newspapers give us a saying of yours in favour of mercy to him. But I own I am very desirous that the royal prerogative of remission of punishment should be employed to exhibit an illustrious instance of the regard which GOD'S VICEGERENT will ever shew to piety and virtue. If for ten righteous men the ALMIGHTY would have spared Sodom, shall not a thousand acts of goodness done by Dr. Dodd counterbalance one crime? Such an instance would do more to encourage goodness, than his execution would do to deter from vice. I am not afraid of any bad consequence to society; for who will persevere for a long course of years in a distinguished discharge of religious duties, with a view to commit a forgery with impunity? "Pray make my best compliments acceptable to Mr. and Mrs. Thrale, by assuring them of my hearty joy that the Master, as you call him, is alive. I hope I shall often taste his Champagne-soberly. "I have not heard from Langton for a long time, I suppose he is, as usual, ⚫ Studious the busy moments to deceive.' "I remain, my dear Sir, Your most affectionate lished. I and your pretty garden; and hope some "I give you joy of your country-house, time to see you in your felicity. I was much pleased with your two letters that had been kept so long in store; and rejoice Since they have been so much honoured by Dr. Johnson, I shall here insert them: You "TO MR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. "MY EVER-DEAR AND MUCH-RESPECTED SIR, "You know my solemn enthusiasm of mind. love me for it, and I respect myself for it, because in so far I resemble Mr. Johnson. You will be agreeably surprised, when you learn the reason of my writing this letter. I am at Wittemberg in Saxony. am in the old church where the Reformation was first preached, and where some of the Reformers lie interred. I cannot resist the serious pleasure of writing to Mr. Johnson from the tomb of Melancthon. My paper rests upon the grave-stone of that great and good man, who was undoubtedly the worthiest of all the reformers. He wished to reform abuses which had been introduced into the Church; but had no private resentment to gratify. So mild was he, that when his aged mother consulted him with anxiety on the perplexing disputes of the times, he |