acter and your literary undertaking, I am | person who gave him any assistance in the resolved to gratify myself by renewing a cor- compilation of his dictionary. The bishop respondence which began and ended a great had left some account of his life and characwhile ago, and ended, I am afraid, by my ter, written by himself. To this Johnson fault, a fault which, if you have not forgot- made some valuable additions †, and also ten it, you must now forgive. furnished to the editor, the Rev. Mr. Derby 3, 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. "TO THE KING. "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 philological 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 give a history, though imperfect, of the Irish nation, 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 exactness. Lay the foundation, and leave the superstructure to posterity. -I am, sir, your humble servant, "SAM. JOHNSON." Early in this year came out, in two volumes 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, who, we have seen, was the only the "Gentleman's Magazine" for August, 1791. -BOSWELL. [In Anderson's "Sketches of the Native Irish," p. 5. ed. 1828, there is on these words, "FOR such there were," the following note: "These words were misquoted by Dr. Campbell in his strictures, IF such there were,' although he was actually the bearer of the letter to O'Connor." The editor confesses that Dr. Campbell's reading seems the more probable of the two.--ED.] [Mrs. Thrale, in one of her letters, repeats a curious anecdote of this prelate, which she probably had from Dr. Johnson himself: "We will act as Dr. Zachary Pearce, the famous bishop of Rochester, did, when he lost the wife he so much loved-call for one glass to the health of her who is departed never more to return, and then go quietly back to the usual duties of life, and forbear to mention her again from that time to the last day of it."-Lett. 2. p. 213. But he survived his lady but a few months, and his death was (if not occasioned) certainly accelerated by her loss. She died 23d Oct. 1773, and he 29th June, 1774, after a union of fifty-one years.-ED.] "SIR,-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!—I am, may it please your majesty, with the most profound respect, your majesty's most dutiful and devoted subject and servant." In the summer he wrote a prologue' which was spoken before "A Word to the which had been brought upon the stage in Wise," a comedy by Mr. Hugh Kelly, 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 authour'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. 3 [Died 6th Oct. 1778, the Rev. J. Derby, A. M. rector of Southfleet and Longfield in Kent, and one of the six preachers in Canterbury Cathedral.-Gent. Mag. He had married Bishop Pearce's niece. Johnson in a letter to Mrs. Thrale," My clerical friend Derby is dead.". ED.] "This night presents a play, which publick rage, Piozzi, p. 39, 40. Th' oblivious grave's inviolable shade. Let one great payment every claim appease, And him who cannot hurt, allow to please; To please by scenes, unconscious of offence, By harmless merriment or useful sense. Where aught of bright or fair the piece displays, Approve it only;-'tis too late to praise. If want of skill or want of care appear, Forbear to hiss;-the poet cannot hear. By all, like him, must praise and blame be found, At last, a fleeting gleam or empty sound: Yet then shall calm reflection bless the night, When liberal pity dignified delight; When pleasure fired her torch at virtue's flame, And mirth was bounty with an humbler name.' [Dr. Johnson, indeed, was always liberal in granting literary assistance to others; and innumerable are the prefaces, sermons, lectures, and dedications, which he used to make for people who begged of him. Mr. Murphy related in his hearing one day, and he did not deny it, that when Murphy joked him the week before for having been so diligent of late between Dodd's sermon and Kelly's prologue, Dr. Johnson replied, "Why, sir, when they come to me with a dead staymaker and a dying parson, what can a man do?" He said, however, that "he hated to give away literary performances, or even to sell them too cheaply: the next generation shall not accuse me," added he, "of beating down the price of literature: one hates, besides, ever to give that which one has been accustomed to sell; would not you, sir," turning to Mr. Thrale, "rather give away money than porter?"] 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 out with alterations at Drury-lane theatre. The prologue to it was written by Mr. Richard Brinsley Sheridan; in which, after describing very pathetically the wretched ness of 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 concluding lines of this prologue were these: "So pleads the tale 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 showing that he was not prejudiced from the unlucky difference which had taken place between his worthy father and Dr. Johnson 4. I have already mentioned that Johnson was very desirous of reconciliation with old Mr. Sheridan. It will, therefore, not seem at all surprising that he was zealous in acknowledging the brilliant merit of his son. While 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 whom that society consists, and that a single black ball excludes a candidate. We MR. BOSWELL TO DR. JOHNSON. "9th July, 1777. "MY DEAR SIR,-For the health of my wife and children I have taken the little country-house at 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. have a garden of three quarters of an acre, well stocked with fruit-trees 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 "Your last letter, in which you desire me 2 Part First, chap. iv.-BosWELL. 3 "Life of Richard Savage, by Dr. Johnson." -SHERIDAN. 4 [He likewise made some retribution to Dr. Johnson for the attack he had meditated, about two years before, on the pamphlet he had published about the American question, entitled, "Taxation no Tyranny." Some fragments found among Sheridan's papers show that he had intended answering this pamphlet in no very courteous way.-See Moore's Life, vol. i. p. 152-HALL.] 6 will be very valuable, on account of the Prefaces and Lives.' But 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 enthusiastick. I now imagine that perhaps they may please you. 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 authour 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. Since I received your letter, I have read his Life, published under the name of Cibber, but, as you told me, really written by a Mr. Shiels 1; that written by Dr. Murdoch; one prefixed to an edition of the Seasons,' published 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 "You do not take the least notice of the Biographia Britannica,' and another my proposal for our meeting at Carlisle 4. abridgement of it in the 'Biographical Dic- Though I have meritoriously refrained from tionary,' enriched with Dr. Joseph War- visiting London this year, I ask you if it ton's critical panegyrick on the 'Seasons,' would not be wrong that I should be two in his Essay on the Genius and Writings years without having the benefit of your of Pope:' from all these it appears to me conversation, when, if you come down as that we have a pretty full account of this far as Derbyshire, we may meet at the expoet. However, you will, I doubt not, pense of a few days' journeying and not show me many blanks, and I shall do what many pounds. I wish you to see Carlisle, can be done to have them filled up. As which made me mention that place. Thomson never returned to Scotland (which if you have not a desire to complete your you will think very wise), his sister can speak tour of the English cathedrals, I will take a from her own knowledge only as to the ear- larger share of the road between this place ly part of his life. She has some letters and Ashbourne. So tell me where you will from him, which may probably give light fix for our passing a few days by ourselves. as to his more advanced progress, if she will let us see them, which I suppose she will. added to the collection; but he is no otherwise I believe George Lewis Scott 2 and Dr. answerable for any which are found there, or any which are omitted. The poems of Goldsmith Armstrong are now his only surviving companions, while he lived in and about Lon-(whose life I know he intended to write, for I coldon; 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 soil, nay a dunghill, will produce beautiful flowers. "Your edition 3 of the English Poets' 1 [See ante, p. 60. It is particularly observable that the Life of Thomson which Mr. Boswell here represents Johnson as stating to have been especially written by Shiels, bears strong marks of having been written by Theophilus ber.-ED.] 2 [See ante, v. i. p. 78 —ED.] But lected some materials for it by his desire), were omitted in consequence of a petty exclusive interest in some of them, vested in Mr. Carnan, a bookseller.-MALONE. 4 Dr. Johnson had himself talked of our seeing Carlisle together. High was a favourite word of his to denote a person of rank. He said to me, 'Sir, I believe we may meet at the house of a Roman Catholick lady in Cumberland; a high lady, sir." I afterwards discovered that he meant Mrs. Strickland [see ante, p. 16.-ED.], sister of Charles Townley, Esq. whose very noble collection of statues and pictures is not more to be admired, than his extraordinary and polite Cib-readiness in showing it, which I and several of my friends have agreeably experienced. They who are possessed of valuable stores of gratification to persons of taste should exercise their benevolence in imparting the pleasure. Grateful acknowledgments are due to Welbore Ellis Agar, Esq. for the liberal access which he is pleased to allow to his exquisite collection of pictures --BOSWELL. 3 Dr. Johnson was not the editor of this collection of the English Poets; he merely furnished the biographical 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 Now don't cryfoolish fellow,' or 'idle dog.' Chair your humour, and let your kindness play. "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 I know not how many gallant Macleods, and bagpipes, &c. &c. at Auchinleck. Perhaps you may meet them all there. "DEAR SIR,-I have just received your "Without doubt you have read what is packet from Mr. Thrale's, but have not called The Life of David Hume,' written daylight enough to look much into it. I by himself, with the letter from Adam Smith | am glad that I have credit enough with subjoined to it. Is not this an age of dar-Lord Hailes to be trusted with more copy. ing effrontery? My friend Mr. Anderson, I hope to take more care of it than of the professor of natural philosophy at Glasgow, last. I return Mrs. Boswell my affectionate at whose house you and I supped, and to thanks for her present, which I value as a whose care Mr. Windham, of Norfolk, was token of reconciliation. intrusted at that university, paid me a visit "Poor Dodd was put to death yesterday, lately; and after we had talked with in- in opposition to the recommendation of the dignation and contempt of the poisonous jury,-the petition of the city of London,― productions with which this age is infested, and a subsequent petition signed by threehe said there was now an excellent oppor-and-twenty thousand hands. Surely the tunity for Dr. Johnson to step forth. I agreed with him that you might knock Hume's and Smith's heads together, and make vain and ostentatious infidelity exceedingly ridiculous. Would it not be worth your while to crush such noxious weeds in the moral garden? voice of the publick, when it calls so loudly, and calls only for mercy, ought to be heard. "The saying that was given me in the papers I never spoke; but I wrote many of his petitions, and some of his letters. He applied to me very often. He was, I am afraid, long flattered with hopes of life; but "You have said nothing to me of Dr. I had no part in the dreadful delusion; for Dodd 2. I know not how you think on that as soon as the king had signed his sensubject; though the newspapers give us a tence, I obtained from Mr. Chamier 3 an saying of yours in favour of mercy to him. account of the disposition of the court toBut I own I am very desirous that the roy-wards him, with a declaration that there al prerogative of remission of punishment was no hope even of a respite. This letter should be employed to exhibit an illustrious immediately was laid before Dodd; but he instance of the regard which God's Vice-believed those whom he wished to be right, gerent will ever show to piety and virtue. as it is thought, till within three days of his If for ten righteous men the Almighty end. He died with pious composure and would have spared Sodom, shall not a thou-resolution. I have just seen the Ordinary sand acts of goodness done by Dr. Dodd that attended him. His address to his felcounterbalance one crime? Such an in- low-convicts offended the methodists; but stance would do more to encourage good- he had a Moravian with him much of his ness, 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? time. His moral character is very bad: I hope all is not true that is charged upon him. Of his behaviour in prison an account will be published. "I give you joy of your country-house and your pretty garden, and hope some time to see you in your felicity. I was much pleased with your two letters that had been kept so long in store 4; and rejoice at 3 [Mr. Chamier was then Under-Secretary of State.-ED.] 4 Since they have been so much honoured by Dr. Johnson, I shall here insert them: "TO MR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. "Sunday, 30th Sept. 1764. "MY EVER DEAR AND MUCH-RESPECTED SIR,-You know my solemn enthusiasm of mind Miss Rasay's advancement, and wish Sir Allan success. "I hope to meet you somewhere towards the north, but am loath to come quite to Carlisle. Can we not meet at Manchester? But we will settle it in some other letters. "Mr Seward, a great favourite at You 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. I am in the old church where the Reformation was first preached, and where some of the reformers lie interred. I cannot re sist 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 advised her to keep to the old religion.' At this tomb, then, my ever dear and respected friend, I vow to thee an eternal attachment. It shall be my study to do what I can to render your life happy: and if you die before me, I shall endeavour to do honour to your memory; and, elevated by the remembrance of you, persist in noble piety. May God, the father of all beings, ever bless you! and may you continue to love your most affectionate friend and devoted servant, "JAMES BOSWELL." "TO DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. "Wilton-house, 22d April, 1775. "MY DEAR SIR,-Every scene of my life confirms the truth of what you have told me, there is no certain happiness in this state of being.' I am here, amidst all that you know is at Lord Pembroke's; and yet I am weary and gloomy. I am just setting out for the house of an old friend in Devonshire, and shall not get back to London for a week yet. You said to me last Good Friday, with a cordiality that warmed my heart, that if I came to settle in London we should have a day fixed every week to meet by ourselves and talk freely. To be thought worthy of such a privilege cannot but exalt me. During my present absence from you, while, notwithstanding the gaiety which you allow me to possess, I am darkened by temporary clouds, I beg to have a few lines from you; a few lines merely of kindness, as a viaticum till I see you again. In your Vanity of Human Wishes,' and in Parnell's Contentment,' I find the only sure means of enjoying happiness; or, at least, the hopes of happiness. I ever am, with reverence and affection, most faithfully yours, "JAMES BOSWELL." Streatham, has been, I think, enkindled by our travels with a curiosity to see the Highlands. I have given him letters to you and Beattie. He desires that a lodging may be taken for him at Edinburgh against his ar rival. He is just setting out. "Langton has been exercising the militia. Mrs. Williams is, I fear, declining. Dr. Lawrence says he can do no more. She is gone to summer in the country, with as many conveniences about her as she can expect; but I have no great hope. We must all die: may we all be prepared! "I suppose Miss Boswell reads her book, and young Alexander takes to his learning. Let me hear about them; for every thing that belongs to you, belongs in a more remote degree, and not, I hope, very remote, to, dear sir, yours affectionately, "SAM. JOHNSON." "TO JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ. "DEAR SIR,-This gentleman is a great favourite at Streatham, and therefore you will easily believe that he has very valuable qualities. Our narrative has kindled him with a desire of visiting the Highlands after having already seen a great part of Europe. You must receive him as a friend, and when you have directed him to the curiosities of Edinburgh, give him instructions and recommendations for the rest of his journey. I am, dear sir, your most humble servant, "SAM. JOHNSON." Johnson's benevolence to the unfortunate was, I am confident, as steady and active as that of any of those who have been most eminently distinguished for that virtue. Innumerable proofs of it I have no doubt will be forever concealed from mortal eyes. We may, however, form some judgment of it from the many and various instances which have been discovered. One, which happened in the course of this summer, is remarkable from the name and connexion of the person who was the object of it. The circumstance to which I allude is ascertained by two letters, one to Mr. Langton, and another to the Rev. Dr. Vyse, rector of Lambeth, son of the respectable clergyman at Lichfield, who was contemporary with Johnson, and in whose father's family Johnson had the happiness of being kindly received in his early years. "DR. JOHNSON TO BENNET LANGTON, ESQ. "29th June, 1777. "DEAR SIR,-1 have lately been much Johnson.-BOSWELL. This gentleman, who was born in 1747, and was educated at the Charter-house and at Oxford, died in London, April 24th, 1799.-MALONE. [See ante, vol. i. p 255.—ED.] |