And amidst rolling worlds the Great First Cause ex-in vivid colours, by his own hand. His idea of

In the margin of this letter there is a memorandum in these words: "March 16, 1756, Sent six guineas. Witness, Wm. Richardson." For the honour of an admired writer it is to be regretted, that we do not find a more liberal entry. To his friend in distress he sent eight shillings more than was wanted. Had an incident of this kind occurred in one of his Romances, Richardson would have known how to grace his hero; but in fictitious scenes, generosity costs

the writer nothing.

The proposal for a new edition of Shakspeare, which had formerly miscarried, was resumed in the year 1756. The booksellers readily agreed to his terms; and subscription-tickets were issued out. For undertaking this work, money, he confessed was the inciting motive. His friends exerted themselves to promote his interest; and, in the mean time, he engaged in a new periodical production called "The Idler." The first number appeared on Saturday, April 15, 1758; and the last, April 5, 1760. The profits of this work, and the subscriptions for the new edition of Shakspeare, were the means by which he supported himself for four or five years. In 1759 was published "Rasselas, Prince of Abys sinia." His translation of Lobo's voyage to Abyssinia seems to have pointed out that country for the scene of action; and Rassila Christes, the General of Sultan Segued, mentioned in that work, most probably suggested the name of the prince. The author wanted to set out on a journey to Litchfield, in order to pay the last offices of filial piety to his mother, who, at the age of ninety, was then near her dissolution; but money was necessary. Mr. Johnston, a booksel ler, who has long since left off business, gave one hundred pounds for the 'copy. With this supply Johnson set out for Litchfield; but did not arrive in time to close the eyes of a parent whom he loved. He attended the funeral, which, as appears among his memorandums, was on the 23d of January, 1759.

Johnson now found it necessary to retrench his expenses. He gave up his house in Gough square. Mrs. Williams went into lodgings. He retired to Gray's-Inn, and soon removed to chambers in the Inner-Temple-lane, where he lived in poverty, total idleness, and the pride of About this time Johnson contributed several literature. Magni stat nominis umbra. Mr. papers to a periodical Miscellany, called "The Fitzherbert (the father of Lord St. Helens, the, VISITOR," ," from motives which are highly ho- present minister at Madrid,) a man distinnourable to him, a compassionate regard for the guished through life for his benevolence and late Mr. Christopher Smart. The Criticism on other amiable qualities, used to say, that he paid Pope's Epitaphs appeared in that work. In a a morning visit to Johnson, intending from his short time after he became a reviewer in the chambers to send a letter into the City; but, to Literary Magazine, under the auspices of the his great surprise, he found an author by prolate Mr. Newberry, a man of a projecting head, fession without pen, ink, or paper. The late good taste, and great industry. This employ- Dr. Douglas, bishop of Salisbury, was also ment engrossed but little of Johnson's time among those who endeavoured, by constant atHe resigned himself to indolence, took no exer- tention, to soothe the cares of a mind which he cise, rose about two, and then received the visits knew to be afflicted with gloomy apprehensions. of his friends. Authors long since forgotten, At one of the parties made at his house, Boscowaited on him as their oracle, and he gave re- vich, the Jesuit, who had then lately introduced sponses in the chair of criticism. He listened the Newtonian philosophy at Rome, and, after to the complaints, the schemes, and the hopes publishing an elegant Latin poem on the suband fears, of a crowd of inferior writers, "who." ject, was made a Fellow of the Royal Society, he said, in the words of Roger Ascham, "lived, was one of the company invited to meet Dr. men knew not how, and died obscure, men marked Johnson. The conversation at first was mostly not when." He believed that he could give a in French. Johnson, though thoroughly versed better history of Grub-street than any man liv- in that language, and a professed admirer of ing. His house was filled with a succession of Boileau and La Bruyere, did not understand its visitors till four or five in the evening. During pronunciation, nor could he speak it himself the whole time he presided at his tea-table. Tea with propriety. For the rest of the evening the was his favourite beverage; and, when the late talk was in Latin. Boscovich had a ready Jonas Hanway pronounced his anathema against current flow of that flimsy phraseology with the use of tea, Johnson rose in defence of his ha- which a priest may travel through Italy, Spain, bitual practice, declaring himself" in that article and Germany. Johnson scorned what he called a hardened sinner, who had for years diluted his colloquial barbarisms. It was his pride to speak meals with the infusion of that fascinating plant; his best. He went on, after a little practice, whose tea-kettle had no time to cool who with with as much facility as if it was his native tea solaced the midnight hour, and with tea wel-tongue. One sentence his writer well rememcomed the morning." Observing that Fontenelle at first op

Ibers.

posed the Newtonian philosophy, and embraced it afterwards, his words were: Fontenellus, ni fallor in extrem senectute, fuit transfuga ad castra Newtoniana.

ES

Being now in the possession of a regular income, Johnson left his chambers in the Temple, and once more became master of a house in Johnson's-court, Fleet-street. Dr. Levet, his We have now travelled through that part of friend and physician in ordinary,* paid his daily Dr. Johnson's life which was a perpetual strug-visits with assiduity; made tea all the morning, gle with difficulties. Halcyon days are now to talked what he had to say, and did not expect open upon him. In the month of May 1762, an answer. Mrs. Williams had her apartment his Majesty, to reward literary merit, signified in the house, and entertained her benefactor his pleasure to grant to Johnson a pension of with more enlarged conversation. Chemistry three hundred pounds a year. The Earl of was part of Johnson's amusement. For this Bute was minister. Lord Loughborough, who, love of experimental philosophy, Sir John perhaps, was originally a mover in the business, Hawkins thinks an apology necessary. He had authority to mention it. He was well ac- tells us, with great gravity, that curiosity was quainted with Johnson; but, having heard the only object in view; not an intention to much of his independent spirit, and of the grow suddenly rich by the philosopher's stone, downfall of Osborne the bookseller, he did not or the transmutation of metals. To enlarge his know but his benevolence might be rewarded circle, Johnson once more had recourse to a with a folio on his head. He desired the au- literary club. This was at the Turk's Head, thor of these memoirs to undertake the task. in Gerard-street, Soho, on every Tuesday This writer thought the opportunity of doing so evening through the year. The members much good the most happy incident in his life. were, besides himself, the Right Hon. Edmund He went, without delay, to the chambers in Burke, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Dr. Nugent, Dr. the Inner Temple-lane, which, in fact, were the Goldsmith, the late Mr. Topham_Beauclerk, abode of wretchedness. By slow and studied Mr. Langton, Mr. Chamier, Sir John Hawapproaches the message was disclosed. Johnson kins, and some others. Johnson's affection for made a long pause: he asked if it was seriously Sir Joshua was founded on a long acquaintance, intended? He fell into a profound meditation, and a thorough knowledge of the virtues and and his own definition of a pensioner occurred amiable qualities of that excellent artist. He to him. He was told, "That he, at least, did delighted in the conversation of Mr. Burke. not come within the definition." He desired to He met him for the first time at Mr. Garrick's, meet next day and dine at the Mitre Tavern. several years ago. On the next day he said, "I At that meeting he gave up all his scruples. On suppose, Murphy, you are proud of your counthe following day Lord Loughborough conduct- tryman. CUM TALIS SIT UTINAM NOSTER ed him to the Earl of Bute. The conversation SET ?" From that time his constant observation that passed was in the evening related to this was, "That a man of sense could not meet Mr. writer by Dr. Johnson. He expressed his Burke by accident, under a gateway to avoid a sense of his Majesty's bounty, and thought shower, without being convinced that he was himself the more highly honoured, as the favour the first man in England." Johnson felt not was not bestowed on him for having dipped his only kindness, but zeal and ardour for his pen in faction. "No, Sir," said Lord Bute, friends. He did every thing in his power to "it is not offered to you for having dipped your advance the reputation of Dr. Goldsmith. He pen in faction, nor with a design that you ever loved him, though he knew his failings, and should." Sir John Hawkins will have it, that particularly the leaven of envy, which corroded after this interview, Johnson was often pressed the mind of that elegant writer, and made him to wait on Lord Bute but with a sullen spirit impatient, without disguise, of the praises berefused to comply. However that be, Johnson stowed on any person whatever. Of this inwas never heard to utter a disrespectful word of firmity, which marked Goldsmith's character, that nobleman. The writer of this essay re- Johnson gave a remarkable instance. It hap members a circumstance which may throw some pened that he went with Sir Joshua Reynolds light on this subject. The late Dr. Rose, of and Goldsmith to see the Fantoccini, which Chiswick, whom Johnson loved and respected, were exhibited some years ago in or near the contended for the pre-eminence of the Scotch Haymarket. They admired the curious_mewriters; and Ferguson's book on Civil Society, chanism by which the puppets were made to then on the eve of publication, he said, would walk the stage, draw a chair to the table, sit give the laurel to North Britain. "Alas! what down, write a letter, and perform a variety of can he do upon that subject?" said Johnson: other actions, with such dexterity, that "though "Aristotle, Polybius, Grotius, Puffendorf, and Nature's journeymen made the men, they imiBurlemaqui, have reaped in that field before tated humanity" to the astonishment of the him." "He will treat it," said Dr. Rose, "in spectator. The entertainment being over, the "A new manner! Buck- three friends retired to a tavern. Johnson and inger had no hands, and he wrote his name Sir Joshua talked with pleasure of what they with his toes at Charing-cross, for half-a-crown- had seen; and says Johnson, in a tone of ada-piece; that was a new manner of writing!" miration, "How the little fellow brandished Dr. Rose replied, “If that will not, satisfy you, his spontoon !" "There is nothing in it," I will name a writer, whom you must allow to replied Goldsmith, starting up with impatience; be the best in the kingdom." "Who is that?" "give me a spontoon; I can do it as well my"The Earl of Bute, when he wrote an order for self." your pension." "There, Sir," said Johnson, you have me in the toil: to Lord Bute I must allow whatever praise you may claim for him." Ingratitude was no part of Johnson's character.

a new mannner."

(c)

Enjoying his amusements at his weekly club, and happy in a state of independence, Johnson

*Sec Jolínson's Epitaph on him.

Dr. Johnson's fame excited the curiosity of the King. His Majesty expressed a desire to see a man of whom extraordinary things were said. Accordingly, the librarian at Buckingham-house invited Johnson to see that elegant collection of books, at the same time giving a hint of what was intended. His Majesty entered the room; and, among other things, asked the author, "If he meant to give the world any more of his compositions?" Johnson answered, "That he thought he had written enough." "And I should think so too," replied his Majesty, "if you had not written so well."

gained in the year 1765 another resource, which | Foote, "That the theatre being intended for the contributed more than any thing else to exempt reformation of vice, he would step from the him from the solicitudes of life. He was intro- boxes on the stage, and correct him before the duced to the late Mr. Thrale and his family.. audience." Foote knew the intrepidity of his Mrs. Piozzi has related the fact, and it is there- antagonist, and abandoned the design. No illfore needless to repeat it in this place. The will ensued. Johnson used to say, "That, for author of this narrative looks back to the share broad-faced mirth, Foote had not his equal." he had in that business with self-congratulation, since he knows the tenderness which from that time soothed Johnson's cares at Streatham, and prolonged a valuable life. The subscribers to Shakspeare began to despair of ever seeing the promised edition. To acquit himself of this obligation, he went to work unwillingly, but proceeded with vigour. In the month of October, 1765, Shakspeare was published; and, in a short time after, the University of Dublin sent over a diploma, in honourable terms, creating him a Doctor of Laws. Oxford, in eight or ten years afterwards, followed the example; and till then Johnson never assumed the title of Doctor. In 1766 his constitution seemed to be in a apid decline; and that morbid melancholy which often clouded his understanding, came upon him with a deeper gloom than ever. Mr. and Mrs. Thrale | paid him a visit in this situation, and found him on his knees, with Dr. Delap, the Rector of Lewes, in Sussex, beseeching God to continue to him the use of his understanding. Mr. Thrale took him to his house at Streatham; and Johnson from that time became a constant resident in the family. He went occasionally to the club in Gerard-street; but his head-quarters were fixed at Streatham. An apartment was fitted up for him, and the library was greatly enlarged. Parties were constantly invited from town; and Johnson was every day at an elegant table, with select and polished company. Whatever could be devised by Mr. and Mrs. Thrale to promote the happiness, and establish the health of their guest, was studiously performed from that time to the end of Mr. Thrale's life. Johnson accompanied the family in all their summer excursions to Brighthelmstone, to Wales, and to Paris. It is but justice to Mr. Thrale to say, that a more ingenuous frame of mind no man possessed. His education at Oxford gave him the habits of a gentleman; his amiable temper recommended his conversation; and the goodness of his heart made him a sincere friend. That he was the patron of Johnson is an honour to his

memory.

Though Johnson thought he had written enough, his genius, even in spite of bodily sluggishness, could not lie still. In 1770 we find him entering the lists as a political writer. The flame of discord that blazed throughout the nation on the expulsion of Mr. Wilkes, and the final determination of the House of Commons, that Mr. Luttrell was duly elected, by 206 votes against 1143, spread a general spirit of discontent. To allay the tumult, Dr. Johnson published The False Alarm. Mrs. Piozzi informs us, "That this pamphlet was written at her house, between eight o'clock on Wednesday night and twelve on Thursday night." This celerity has appeared wonderful to many, and some have doubted the truth. It may, how ever, be placed within the bounds of probability. Johnson has observed that there are different methods of composition. Virgil was used to pour out a great number of verses in the morning, and pass the day in retrenching the exuberances, and correcting inaccuracies; and it was Pope's custom to write his first thoughts in his first words, and gradually to amplify, decorate, rectify, and refine them. Others employ at once memory and invention, and with little intermediate use of the pen, form and polish large masses by continued meditation, and write their productions only, when, in their opinion, they have completed them. This last was Johnson's method. He never took his pen in hand till he had well weighed his subject, and grasped in his mind the sentiments, the train of argument, and the arrangement of the whole. As he often thought aloud, he had, perhaps, talked it over to himself. This may account for that rapidity with which, in general, he despatched his sheets to the press, without being at the trouble of a fair copy. Whatever may be the logic or eloquence of the False Alarm, the House of Commons have since erased the resolution from the Journals. But whether they have not left materials for a future controversy, may be made a question.

In petty disputes with contemporary writers, or the wits of the age, Johnson was seldom entangled. A single incident of that kind may not be unworthy of notice, since it happened with a man of great celebrity in his time. A number of friends dined with Garrick on a Christmasday. Foote was then in Ireland. It was said at table, that the modern Aristophanes (so Foote was called) had been horse-whipped by a Dublin apothecary, for mimicking him on the stage. "I wonder," said Garrick, "that any man should show so much resentment to Foote; he has a patent for such liberties; nobody ever In 1771, he published another tract, on the thought it worth his while to quarrel with him in subject of Falkland islands. The design was London." "I am glad," said Johnson, "to find to show the impropriety of going to war with that the man is rising in the world." The ex-Spain for an island thrown aside from human pression was afterwards reported to Foote; use, stormy in winter, and barren in summer. who, in return, gave out, that he would produce For this work it is apparent that materials were the Caliban of Literature on the stage Being furnished by direction of the minister. informed of this design, Johnson sent word to

At the approach of the general election in

1774, he wrote a short discourse, called The him from the natives of Scotland. Being a corPatriot; not with any visible application to Mr. dial well-wisher to the constitution in Church Wilkes; but to teach the people to reject the and State, he did not think that Calvin and John leaders of opposition, who called themselves pa- Knox were proper founders of a national relitriots. In 1775 he undertook a pamphlet of gion. He made, however, a wide distinction more importance, namely, Taxation no Tyran- hetween the Dissenters of Scotland and the ny, in answer to the Resolutions and Address | Separatists of England. To the former he imof the American Congress. The scope of the puted no disaffection, no want of loyalty. Their argument was, that distant colonies, which had soldiers and their officers had shed their blood in their assemblies a legislature of their own, with zeal and courage in the service of Great were, notwithstanding, liable to be taxed in a Britain; and the people, he used to say, were British Parliament, where they had neither content with their own established modes of peers in one house, nor representatives in the worship, without wishing, in the present age, to other. He was of opinion, that this country give any disturbance to the Church of England. was strong enough to enforce obedience. "When This he was at all times ready to admit; and an Englishman," he says, "is told that the therefore declared, that whenever he found a Americans shoot up like the hydra, he naturally Scotchman to whom an Englishman was as a considers how the hydra was destroyed." The Scotchman, that Scotchman should be as an Enevent has shown how much he and the minister glishman to him. In this, surely, there was no of that day were mistaken. rancour, no malevolence. The Dissenters on The Account of the Tour to the Western this side the Tweed appeared to him in a dif Islands of Scotland, which was undertaken in ferent light. Their religion, he frequently said, the autumn of 1773, in company with Mr. Bos- was too worldly, too political, too restless and well, was not published till some time in the ambitious. The doctrine of cashiering kings, year 1775. This book has been variously re- and erecting on the ruins of the constitution a ceived; by some extolled for the elegance of the new form of government, which lately issued narrative, and the depth of observation on life from their pulpits, he always thought was, under and manners; by others, as much condemned, a calm disguise, the principle that lay lurking in as a work of avowed hostility to the Scotch na- their hearts. He knew that a wild democracy tion. The praise was, beyond all question, had overturned Kings, Lords, and Commons; fairly deserved; and the censure, on due exami- and that a set of Republican Fanatics, who nation, will appear hasty and ill-founded. That would not bow at the name of Jesus, had taken Johnson entertained some prejudices against the possession of all the livings and all the parishes Scotch, must not be dissembled. It is true, as in the kingdom. That those scenes of horror Mr. Boswell says, "that he thought their suc- might never be renewed, was the ardent wish cess in England exceeded their proportion of of Dr. Johnson; and though he apprehended real merit, and he could not but see in them that no danger from Scotland, it is probable that his nationality which no liberal-minded Scotsman dislike of Calvinism mingled sometimes with will deny." The author of these memoirs well his reflections on the natives of that country. remembers, that Johnson one day asked him, The association of ideas could not be easily "Have you observed the difference between broken; but it is well known that he loved and your own country impudence and Scotch im-respected many gentlemen from that part of the pudence?" The answer being in the negative: island. Dr. Robertson's History of Scotland, "Then I will tell you," said Johnson. "The and Dr. Beattie's Essays, were subjects of his impudence of an Irishman is the impudence of constant praise. Mr. Boswell, Dr. Rose of a fly, that buzzes about you, and you put it Chiswick, Andrew Millar, Mr. Hamilton, the away, but it returns again, and flutters and printer, and the late Mr. Strahan, were among teazes you. The impudence of a Scotsman is his most intimate friends. Many others might the impudence of a leech, that fixes, and sucks be added to the list. He scorned to enter Scotyour blood." Upon another occasion, this land as a spy; though Hawkins, his biographer, writer went with him into the shop of Davis the and the professing defender of his fame, allowbookseller, in Russel-street, Covent-garden. ed himself leave to represent him in that ignoDavis came running to him almost out of breathble character. He went into Scotland, to survey with joy: "The Scots gentleman is come, Sir; men and manners. Antiquities, fossils, and his principal wish is to see you; he is now in minerals, were not within his province. the back-parlour." "Well, well, I'll see the did not visit that country to settle the station of gentleman," said Johnson. He walked towards Roman camps, or the spot where Galgacus Mr. Boswell was the person. This fought the last battle for public liberty. The writer followed with no small curiosity. "I people, their customs, and the progress of literafind," said Mr. Boswell, "that I am come to ture were his objects. The civilities which he London at a bad time, when great popular pre-received in the course of his tour have been rejudice has gone forth against us North Britons; but when I am talking to you, I am talking to a large and liberal mind, and you know that I cannot help coming from Scotland." Sir," said Johnson, "no more can the rest of your countrymen."

the room.

66

He

paid with grateful acknowledgment, and generally, with great elegance of expression. His crime is, that he found the country bare of trees, and he has stated the fact. This, Mr. Boswell, in his Tour to the Hebrides, has told us, was resented by his countrymen with anger inflamed to rancour; but he admits that there are few trees on the east side of Scotland. Mr. Pennant, in his Tour, says, that in some parts of the eastern *Mr. Boswell's account of this introduction is very side of the country, he saw several large plantations of pine planted by gentlemen near their

He had other reasons that helped to alienate

different from the above.

P260, 8vo. Edit. 1804

See his Life of Johnson, vol. i.