I hope to-morrow to finish Laurence, and to write to Mrs. Aston, and to Lucy.

19. I rose late. I was visited by Mrs. Thrale, Mr. Cotton, and Mr. Crofts. I took Laurence's paper in my hand, but was chill; having fasted yesterday, I was hungry, and dined freely, then slept a little, and drank tea; then took candles, and wrote Aston to and Lucy, then went on with Laurence, of which little remains. I prayed with Francis.

Mens sedatior, laus Deo.

To-morrow Shaw comes. I think to finish Laurence, and write to Langton.

Poor Laurence has almost lost the sense of hearing; and I have lost the conversation of a learned, intelligent, and communicative companion, and a friend whom long familiarity has much endeared. Laurence is one of the best men whom I have known.

Nostrum omnium miserere Deus.

20. Shaw came; I finished reading Laurence. I dined liberally. Wrote a long letter to Langton, and designed to read, but was hindered by Strahan. The ministry is dissolved. I prayed with Francis, and gave thanks To-morrow-To Mrs. Thrale-To write to Hector -To Dr. Taylor.

21. I went to Mrs. Thrale. Mr. Cox and Paradise met me at the door, and went with me in the coach. Paradise's Loss. In the evening wrote to Hector. At night there were eleven visitants.

22.

Conversation with Mr. Cox. When I waked I saw the penthouses covered with snow.

I spent the time idly. Mens turbata. In the afternoon it snowed. At night I wrote to Tay

lor about the pot, and to Hamilton about the Fœdera. 23. I came home, and found that Desmoulins had, while I was away, been in bed. Letters from Langton and Boswell. I promised L

guineas.

24, Sunday. I rose not early. Davis, Windham, Dr. Horsley.

six

Visitors, Allen,

Dinner at Stra

han's. Came home and chatted with Williams,

and read Romans ix. in Greek.

To-morrow begin again to read the

Bible; put At night I read 11 p. and something more, of the Bible, in fifty-five minutes.

rooms in order; copy L's letter.

D—

26, Tu. I copied L's letter. Then wrote to Mrs. Thrale. Cox visited me. I sent home Dr. Laurence's papers, with notes. I gave D a guinea, and found her a gown. 27, W.- At Harley-street. Bad nights in the evening Dr. Bromfield and his family- Merlin's steelyard given me.

28, Th. I came home. Sold Rymer for Davies ; wrote to Boswell. Visitors, Dr. Percy, Mr Crofts. I have, in ten days, written to Aston, Lucy, Hector, Langton, Boswell; perhaps to all by whom my letters are desired.

The weather, which now begins to be warm, gives me great help. I have hardly been at church this year; certainly not since the 15th of January.

My cough and difficulty of breath would not permit it. This is the day on which, in 1752, dear Tetty died.

I have now uttered a prayer of repentance and contrition; perhaps Tetty knows that I prayed for her. Perhaps Tetty is now praying for me. God help me. Thou, God, art merciful, hear my prayers, and enable me to trust in Thee.

We were married almost seventeen years, and have now been parted thirty.

I then read 11 p. from Ex. 36 to Lev. 7. I prayed with Fr. and used the prayer for Good Friday. 29, Good Friday. After a night of great disturbance and solicitude, such as I do not remember, I rose, drank tea, but without eating, and went to church. I was very composed, and coming home, read Hammond on one of the Psalms for the day. 1 then read Leviticus. Scott came in. A kind letter from Gastrel. I read on, then went to evening prayers, and afterwards drank tea, with buns; then read till I finished Leviticus 24 pages

et sup.

To write to Gastrel to-morrow.

To look again into Hammond.

30, Sat. Visitors, Paradise, and I think Horsley. Read 11 pages of the Bible. I was faint; dined on herrings and potatoes. At prayers, I think, in the evening. I wrote to Gastrel, and received a kind letter from Hector. At night Lowe. Pr. with Francis.

31, Easter Day. Read 15 pages of the Bible. Cætera alibi.

At the Table.

ALMIGHTY God, by whose mercy I am now permitted to commemorate my Redemption by our Lord Jesus Christ; grant that this awful remembrance may strengthen my faith, enliven my hope, and increase my charity; that I may trust in Thee with my whole heart, and do good according to my power. Grant me the help of thy Holy Spirit, that I may do thy will with diligence, and suffer it with humble patience; so that when Thou shalt call me to judgment, I may obtain forgiveness and acceptance, for the sake of Jesus our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

At Departure, or at Home.

GRANT, I beseech Thee, merciful Lord, that the designs of a new and better life, which by thy grace I have now formed, may not pass away without effect. Incite and enable me, by thy Holy Spirit, to improve the time which Thou shalt grant me; to avoid all evil thoughts, words, and actions; and to do all the duties which Thou shalt set before me. Hear my prayer, O Lord, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.

These Prayers I wrote for Mrs. Lucy Porter*, in the latter end of the year 1782, and transcribed them October 9, 1784.

* Daughter-in-law to Dr. Johnson, she died at Lichfield, in 1786.

On leaving Mr. Thrale's Family.

October 6, 1782.

ALMIGHTY GOD, Father of all mercy, help me, by thy grace, that I may with humble and sincere thankfulness remember the comforts and conveniences which I have enjoyed at this place, and that I may resign them with holy submission, equally trusting in thy protection when Thou givest and when Thou takest away. Have mercy upon me, O Lord, have

mercy upon me.

To thy fatherly protection, O Lord, I commend this family. Bless, guide, and defend them, that they may so pass through this world, as finally to enjoy in thy presence everlasting happiness, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

O Lord, so far as, &c.-Thrale.

October 7.

I WAS called carly. I packed up my bundles, and used the foregoing Prayer, with my morning devotions somewhat, I think, enlarged. Being earlier than the family, I read St. Paul's farewell in the Acts, and then read fortuitously in the Gospels, which was my parting use of the library.

1776.

September 6.

I had just heard of Williams's death.

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father, who art the Lord of life and death, who givest and who takest