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1754.

Etat. 45.

The degree of Master of Arts, which, it has been obferved, could not be obtained for him at an early period of his life, was now confidered as an honour of confiderable importance, in order to grace the title-page of his Dictionary; and his character in the literary world being by this time deservedly high, his friends thought that if proper exertions were made, the University of Oxford would pay him the compliment.

To the Reverend Mr. THOMAS WARTON.

"DEAR SIR,

"I AM extremely obliged to you and to Mr. Wife, for the uncommon care which you have taken of my intereft?: if you can accomplish your kind defign, I fhall certainly take me a little habitation among you,

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lian, with an English translation on the oppofite page, The English title-page is this: An Account of an Attempt to afcertain the Longitude at Sea, by an exact Variation of the Magnetical Needle, &c. By Zachariah Williams. London, printed for Dodsley, 1755.' The English translation, from the strongest internal marks, is unquestionably the work of Johnfon. In a blank leaf, Johnson has written the age, and time of death, of the authour Z. Williams, as I have faid above. On another blank leaf, is pafted a paragraph from a news-paper, of the death and character of Williams, which is plainly written by Johnson. He was very anxious about placing this book in the Bodleian: and, for fear of any omiffion or mistake, he entered, in the great Catalogue, the title-page of it, with his own hand."

9" In procuring him the degree of Master of Arts by diploma at Oxford."

"The

"The books which I promifed to Mr. Wife', I have not been able to procure: but I fhall fend him a Finnick Dictionary, the only copy, perhaps, in England, which was presented me by a learned Swede: but I keep it back, that it may make a fet of my own books of the new edition, with which I fhall accompany it, more welcome. You will affure him of my gratitude.

"Poor dear Collins'!-Would a letter give him. any pleasure? I have a mind to write.

"I am glad of your hindrance in your Spenferian defign3, yet I would not have it delayed, Three hours a day stolen from sleep and amusement will produce it. Let a Servitour transcribe the quotations, and interleave them with references, to fave time. This will fhorten the work, and leffen the fatigue,

"Can I do any thing to promoting the diploma? I would not be wanting to co-operate with your kindness; of which, whatever be the effect, I fhall be, dear Sir,

"Your most obliged, &c.
SAM. JOHNSON."

"[London,] Nov, 28, 1754,

"Lately fellow of Trinity College, and at this time Radclivian librarian, at Oxford. He was a man of very confiderable learning, and eminently skilled in Roman and Anglo-Saxon antiquities. He died in 1767,”

2 "Collins (the poet) was at this time at Oxford, on a visit to Mr. Warton; but labouring under the most deplorable languor of body, and dejection of mind."

1754.

Etat. 45.

• " Of publishing a volume of Observations on the best of Spenfer's works. It was hindered by my taking pupils in this College."

4.66 Young ftudents of the lowest rank at Oxford are fo alled."

T

1754.

Etat. 45.

"DEAR SIR,

To the fame.

"I AM extremely fenfible of the favour done me, both by Mr. Wife and yourself. The book cannot, I think, be printed in lefs than fix weeks, nor probably fo foon; and I will keep back the title-page, for fuch an infertion as you feem to promise me. Be pleased to let me know what money I shall send you, for bearing the expence of the affair and I will take care that you may have it ready at your hand.

"I had lately the favour of a letter from your brother, with fome account of poor Collins, for whom I am much concerned. I have a notion, that by very great temperance, or more properly abstinence, he may yet recover.

"There is an old, English and Latin book of poems by Barclay, called The Ship of Fools;" at the end of which are a number of Eglogues, fo he writes it, from Egloga, which are probably the first in our language. If you cannot find the book, I will get Mr. Dodfley to fend it you.

"I fhall be extremely glad to hear from you again, to know if the affair proceeds". I have mentioned it to none of my friends, for fear of being laughed at for my disappointment.

"You know poor Mr. Dodfley has loft his wife; I believe he is much affected. I hope

5" His Dictionary."

• "Of the degree at Oxford."

he

he will not fuffer fo much as I yet fuffer for the lofs of mine.

Οΐμι, τι δ' οἴμι; Θνῆτα γὰρ πεπόνθαμην.

I have ever fince feemed to myself broken off from mankind; a kind of folitary wanderer in the wild of life, without any direction, or fixed point of view: a gloomy gazer on a world to which I have little relation. Yet I would endeavour, by the help of you and your brother, to fupply the want of clofer union, by friendship: and hope to have long the pleasure of being, dear Sir,

"Most affectionately your's,

"[London,] Dec. 21, 1754,

SAM. JOHNSON."

1754.

Etat. 45.

In 1755 we behold him to great advantage; his Atat. 46, degree of Master of Arts conferred upon him, his Dictionary published, his correfpondence animated, his benevolence exercised.

To the Reverend Mr. THOMAS WARTON,

"DEAR SIR,

"I WROTE to you fome weeks ago, but believe did not direct accurately, and therefore know not whether you had my letter. I would, likewise, write to your brother, but know not where to find him. I now begin to see land, after having wandered, according to Mr. Warburton's phrase, in this vaft sea of words. What reception. I fhall meet with on the fhore, I know not; whether

1755

Eiat. 46.

whether the found of bells, and acclamations of the people, which Ariofto talks of in his last Canto, or a general murmur of diflike, I know not: whether I fhall find upon the coaft a Calypfo that will court, or a Polypheme that will refift. But if Polypheme comes, have at his eye. I hope, however, the criticks will let me be at peace; for though I do not much fear their skill and strength, I am a little afraid of myself, and would not willingly feel fo much ill-will in my bofom as literary quarrels are apt to excite.

"Mr. Barretti is about a work for which he is in great want of Crefcimbeni, which you may have again when you please.

"There is nothing confiderable done or doing among us here. We are not, perhaps, as innocent as villagers, but most of us feem to be as idle. I hope, however, you are bufy; and fhould be glad to know what you are doing.

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"I RECEIVED your letter this day, with great fenfe of the favour that has been done me7; for which I return my moft fincere thanks: and

"His degree had now paît, according to the ufual form, the fuffrages of the heads of Colleges; but was not yet finally granted by the Univerfity. It was carried without a fingle disfentient voice."

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