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 Though Johnson thought he had written 1766 his constitution seemed to be in a 'apid de- enough, his genius, even in spite of bodily slugcline; and that morbid melancholy which often gishness, could not lie still. In 1770 we find clouded his understanding, came upon him with him entering the lists as a political writer. The a deeper gloom than ever. Mr. and Mrs. Thrale flame of discord that blazed throughout the napaid him a visit in this situation, and found him tion on the expulsion of Mr. Wilkes, and the on his knees, with Dr. Delap, the Rector of final determination of the House of Commons, Lewes, in Sussex, beseeching God to continue that Mr. Luttrell was duly elected, by 206 votes to him the use of his understanding. Mr. Thrale against 1143, spread a general spirit of discontook him to his house at Streatham; and John- tent. To allay the tumult, Dr. Johnson pubson from that time became a constant resident lished The False Alarm. Mrs. Piozzi informs in the family. He went occasionally to the club us, "That this pamphlet was written at her in Gerard-street; but his head-quarters were house, between eight o'clock on Wednesday fixed at Streatham. An apartment was fitted night and twelve on Thursday night." This up for him, and the library was greatly enlarged. celerity has appeared wonderful to many, and Parties were constantly invited from town; and some have doubted the truth. It may, how Johnson was every day at an elegant table, with ever, be placed within the bounds of probability. select and polished company. Whatever could Johnson has observed that there are different be devised by Mr. and Mrs. Thrale to promote methods of composition. Virgil was used to the happiness, and establish the health of their pour out a great number of verses in the mornguest, was studiously performed from that time ing, and pass the day in retrenching the exubeto the end of Mr. Thrale's life. Johnson ac- rances, and correcting inaccuracies; and it was companied the family in all their summer excur- Pope's custom to write his first thoughts in his sions to Brighthelmstone, to Wales, and to Paris. first words, and gradually to amplify, decorate, It is but justice to Mr. Thrale to say, that a rectify, and refine them. Others employ at more ingenuous frame of mind no man possess- once memory and invention, and with little ined. His education at Oxford gave him the ha-termediate use of the pen, form and polish large bits 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.

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 In petty disputes with contemporary writers, mind the sentiments, the train of argument, and or the wits of the age, Johnson was seldom en- the arrangement of the whole. As he often tangled. A single incident of that kind may not thought aloud, he had, perhaps, talked it over to be unworthy of notice, since it happened with a himself. This may account for that rapidity man of great celebrity in his time. A number with which, in general, he despatched his sheets of friends dined with Garrick on a Christmas- to the press, without being at the trouble of a day. Foote was then in Ireland. It was said fair copy. Whatever may be the logic or eloat table, that the modern Aristophanes (soquence of the False Alarm, the House of ComFoote 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 thought it worth his while to quarrel with him in London." "I am glad," said Johnson, "to find that the man is rising in the world." The expression was afterwards reported to Foote; who, in return, gave out, that he would produce the Caliban of Literature on the stage Being informed of this design, Johnson sent word to

mons 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 1771, he published another tract, on the subject of Falkland islands. The design was to show the impropriety of going to war with Spain for an island thrown aside from human use, stormy in winter, and barren in summer. For this work it is apparent that materials were furnished by direction of the minister.

At the approach of the general election in

GENIUS OF DR. JOHNSON.

1774, he wrote a short discourse, called The Patriot; not with any visible application to Mr. Wilkes; but to teach the people to reject the leaders of opposition, who called themselves patriots. In 1775 he undertook a pamphlet of more importance, namely, Taxation no Tyranin answer to the Resolutions and Address ny, of the American Congress. The scope of the argument was, that distant colonies, which had in their assemblies a legislature of their own, were, notwithstanding, liable to be taxed in a British Parliament, where they had neither peers in one house, nor representatives in the other. He was of opinion, that this country was strong enough to enforce obedience. "When an Englishman," he says, "is told that the Americans shoot up like the hydra, he naturally considers how the hydra was destroyed." The event has shown how much he and the minister of that day were mistaken.

him from the natives of Scotland. Being a cordial well-wisher to the constitution in Church and State, he did not think that Calvin and John Knox were proper founders of a national religion. He made, however, a wide distinction hetween the Dissenters of Scotland and the Separatists of England. To the former he imputed no disaffection, no want of loyalty. Their soldiers and their officers had shed their blood with zeal and courage in the service of Great Britain; and the people, he used to say, were content with their own established modes of worship, without wishing, in the present age, to give any disturbance to the Church of England. This he was at all times ready to admit; and therefore declared, that whenever he found a Scotchman to whom an Englishman was as a Scotchman, that Scotchman should be as an Englishman to him. In this, surely, there was no 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 in the kingdom. That those scenes of horror Scotch, must not be dissembled. It is true, as 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 ignoAntiquities, fossils, and Davis came running to him almost out of breath ble character. He went into Scotland, to survey "The Scots gentleman is come, Sir; men and manners. with joy: his principal wish is to see you; he is now in minerals, were not within his province. He 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 the room. Mr. Boswell was the person. This fought the last battle for public liberty. The "I people, their customs, and the progress of literawriter followed with no small curiosity. "that I am come to ture were his objects. The civilities which he find," said Mr. Boswell, 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; paid with grateful acknowledgment, and genebut when I am talking to you, I am talking to rally, with great elegance of expression. His a large and liberal mind, and you know that I crime is, that he found the country bare of trees, "Sir," and he has stated the fact. This, Mr. Boswell, cannot help coming from Scotland." sented by his countrymen with anger inflamed to said Johnson, "no more can the rest of your in his Tour to the Hebrides, has told us, was recountrymen."* on the east side of Scotland. Mr. Pennant, in rancour; but he admits that there are few trees his Tour, says, that in some parts of the eastern *Mr. Boswell's account of this introduction is very different from the above. See his Life of Johnson, vol. I. side of the country, he saw several large plantap. 360, 8vo. Edit. 1804

He had other reasons that helped to alienate

tions of pine planted by gentlemen near their

seats; and in this respect such a laudable spirit | ker, what can a man do?" We come now to the prevails, that, in another half century it never last of his literary labours. At the request of shall be said, "To spy the nakedness of the land the Booksellers he undertook the Lives of the are you come." Johnson could not wait for that Poets. The first publication was in 1779, and half century, and therefore mentioned things as the whole was completed in 1781. In a memohe found them. If in any thing he has been random of that year he says, some time in March mistaken, he has made a fair apology in the last | he finished the Lives of the Foets, which he paragraph of his book, avowing with candour, wrote in his usual way, dilatorily and hastily, That he may have been surprised by modes of unwilling to work, yet working with vigour and life, and appearances of nature, that are familiar haste. In another place, he hopes they are to men of wider survey, and more varied con- written in such a manner as may tend to the versation. Novelty and ignorance must always promotion of piety. That the history of so be reciprocal; and he is conscious that his many men, who, in their different degrees, made thoughts on national manners are the thoughts themselves conspicuous in their time, was not of one who has seen but little." written recently after their deaths, seems to be an omission that does no honour to the Republic of Letters. Their contemporaries in general looked on with calm inditierence, and suffered Wit and Genius to vanish out of the world in total silence, unregarded, and unlamented. Was there no friend to pay the tribute of a tear? No just observer of life, to record the virtues of the deceased? Was even Envy silent? It seemed to have been agreed, that if an author's works survived, the history of the man was to give no moral lesson to after ages. If tradition told us that Ben Johnson went to the Devil Tavern; that Shakspeare stole deer, and held the stirrup at playhouse doors; that Dryden frequented Button's Coffee-house; curiosity was lulled asleep, and biography forgot the best part of her function, which is to instruct mankind by examples taken from the school of life. This task remained for Dr. Johnson, when years had rolled away; when the channels of information were, for the most part, choked up, and little remained besides doubtful anecdote, uncertain tradition, and vague report.

The Poems of Ossian made a part of Johnson's inquiry during his residence in Scotland and the Hebrides. On his return to England, November, 1773, a storm seemed to be gathering over his head; but the cloud never burst, and the thunder never fell.-Ossian, it is well known, was presented to the public as a translation from the Earse; but that this was a fraud, Johnson declared without hesitation. "The Earse," he says, "was always oral only, and never a written language. The Welsh and the Irish were more cultivated. In Earse there was not in the world a single manuscript a hundred years old. Martin, who in the last century published an Account of the Western Islands, mentions Irish, but never Earse manuscripts, to be found in the islands in his time. The bards could not read; if they could, they might probably have written. But the bard was a barbarian among barbarians, and, knowing nothing himself, lived with others that knew no more. If there is a manuscript from which the translation was made, in what age was it written, and where is it? If it was collected from oral recitation, it could only be in detached parts and scattered fragments; the whole is too long to be remembered. Who put it together in its present form?" For these and such like reasons, Johnson calls the whole an imposture. He adds, "The editor, or author, never could show the original, nor can it be shown by any other. To revenge reasonable incredulity, by refusing evidence, is a degree of insolence with which the world is not yet acquainted; and stubborn audacity is the last refuge of guilt." This reasoning carries with it great weight. It roused the resentment of Mr. Macpherson. He sent a threatening letter to the author; and Johnson answered him in the rough phrase of stern defiance. The two heroes frowned at a distance, but never came to action.

In the year 1777, the misfortunes of Dr. Dodd excited his compassion. He wrote a speech for that unhappy inan, when called up to receive judgment of death; besides two petitions, one to the King, and another to the Queen: and a sermon to be preached by Dodd to the convicts in Newgate. It may appear trifling to add, that about the same time he wrote a prologue to the comedy of "A Word to the Wise," written by Hugh Kelly. The play, some years before, had been damned by a party on the first night. It was revived for the benefit of the author's widow. Mrs. Piozzi relates, that when Johnson was rallied for these exertions, so close to one, another, his answer was, "When they come to me with a dying Parson, and a dead Stay-ma

"Nunc situs informis premit et deserta Vetustas.

The value of Biography has been better un derstood in other ages, and in other countries Tacitus informs us, that to record the lives and characters of illustrious men was the practice of the Roman authors, in the early periods of the Republic. In France the example has been followed. Fontenelle, D'Alembert, and Monsieur Thomas have left models in this kind of composition. They have embalmed the dead. But it is true, that they had incitements and advantages, even at a distant day, which could not, by any diligence, be obtained by Dr. Johnson. The wits of France had ample materials. They lived in a nation of critics, who had at heart the honour done to their country by their Poets, their Heroes, and their Philosophers. They had, besides, an Academy of Belles-Lettres, where Genius was cultivated, refined, and encouraged. They had the tracts, the essays, and dissertations, which remain in the memoirs of the Aca demy, and they had the speeches of the several members, delivered at their first admission to a seat in that learned Assembly. In those speeches the new Academician did ample justice to the memory of his predecessor; and though his harangue was decorated with the colours of eloquence, and was, for that reason, called panegyric, yet being pronounced before qualified judges, who knew the talents, the conduct and inorals of the deceased, the speaker could not, with propriety, wander into the regions of fic

tion. The truth was known, before it wasened by an association with others of distin adorned. The Academy saw the marble before guished ability. It may, therefore, be inferred, the artist polished it. But this country has had that an Academy of Literature would be an no Academy of Literature. The public mind, establishment highly useful, and an honour to for centuries, has been engrossed by party and Literature. In such an institution profitable faction; by the madness of many for the gain of a places would not be wanted. Fatis avarus haud few; by civil wars, religious dissensions, trade facile est animus; and the minister, who shall and commerce, and the arts of accumulating find leisure from party and factiou to carry such wealth. Amidst such attentions, who can won- a scheme into execution, will, in all probability, der that cold praise has been often the only re- be respected by posterity as the Macenas of ward of merit? In this country Doctor Nathaniel letters. Hodges, who, like the good bishop of Marseilles, We now take leave of Dr. Johnson as an audrew purer breath amidst the contagion of the thor. Four volumes of his Lives of the Poets plague in London, and, during the whole time, were published in 1778, and the work was comcontinued in the city, administering medical as- pleted in 1781. Should Biography fall again sistance, was suffered, as Johnson used to re-into disuse, there will not always be a Johnson late with tears in his eyes, to die for debt in a to look back through a century, and give a body gaol. In this country, the man who brought of critical and moral instruction. In April 1781, the New River to London was ruined by that he lost his friend Mr. Thrale. His own words, noble project; and in this country, Otway died in his diary, will best tell that melancholy event. for want on Tower Hill; Butler, the great author "On Wednesday the 11th of April, was buried of Hudibras, whose name can only die with the my dear friend Mr. Thrale, who died on WedEnglish language, was left to languish in pover-nesday the 4th, and with him were buried many ty, the particulars of his life almost unknown, of my hopes and pleasures. About five, I think, and scarce a vestige of him left except his immor- on Wednesday morning he expired. I felt altal poem. Had there been an Academy of Lite- most the last flutter of his pulse, and looked for rature, the lives, at least, of those celebrated per- the last time upon the face, that, for fifteen years sons would have been written for the benefit of before, had never been turned upon me but with posterity. Swift, it seems, had the idea of such respect and benignity. Farewell! may God, an institution, and proposed it to Lord Oxford; that delighteth in mercy, have had mercy on but Whig and Tory were more important objects. thee! I had constantly prayed for him before It is needless to dissemble that Dr. Johnson, in his death. The decease of him, from whose the Life of Roscommon, talks of the inutility friendship I had obtained many opportunities of of such a project. In this country," he says, amusement, and to whom I turned my thoughts "an academy could be expected to do but little. as to a refuge from misfortunes, has left me If an Academician's place were profitable, it heavy. But my business is with myself." From would be given by interest; if attendance were the close of his last work, the malady that pergratuitous, it would be rarely paid, and no man secuted him through life, came upon him with would endure the least disgust. Unanimity is alarming severity, and his constitution declined impossible, and debate would separate the as-apace. In 1782 his old friend Levet expired sembly." To this it may be sufficient to an- without warning, and without a groan. Events swer, that the Royal Society has not been dis-like these reminded Johnson of his own morsolved by sullen disgust; and the modern Aca- tality. He continued his visits to Mrs. Thrale demy at Somerset House has already performed at Streatham, to the 7th day of October 1782, much, and promises more. Unanimity is not when having first composed a prayer for the necessary to such an assembly. On the contra- happiness of a family with whom he had for ry, by difference of opinions, and collision of many years enjoyed the pleasures and comforts sentiment, the cause of literature would thrive of life, he removed to his own house in town. and flourish. The true principles of criticism, He says he was up early in the morning, and the secret of fine writing, the investigation of read fortuitously in the Gospel, which was his antiquities, and other interesting subjects, might parting use of the library. The merit of the faoccasion a clash of opinion; but in that conten-mily is manifested by the sense he had of it, and tion, Truth would receive illustration, and the essays of the several members would supply the memoirs of the Academy. "But," says Dr. Johnson, "suppose the philological decree made The few remaining occurrences may be soon and promulgated, what would be its authority? despatched. In the month of June, 1783, JohnIn absolute government there is sometimes a ge- son had a paralytic stroke, which affected his neral reverence paid to all that has the sanction speech only. He wrote to Dr. Taylor of Westof power, the countenance of greatness. How minster; and to his friend Mr. Allen, the printer, little this is the state of our country needs not be who lived at the next door. Dr. Brocklesby artold. The edicts of an English Academy would rived in a short time, and by his care, and that probably be read by many, only that they may of Dr. Heberden, Johnson soon recovered. be sure to disobey them. The present manners During his illness the writer of this narrative of the nation would deride authority, and there-visited him, and found him reading Dr. Watfore nothing is left, but that every writer should son's Chymistry. Articulating with difficulty, criticise himself." This surely is not conclusive. he said, "From this book he who knows noIt is by the standard of the best writers that thing may learn a great deal; and he who every man settles for himself his plan of legiti- knows, will be pleased to find his knowledge mate composition; and since the authority of recalled to his mind in a manner highly pleassuperior genius is acknowledged, that authority, ing." In the month of August he set out for which the individual obtains, would not be less-Litchfield on a visit to Mrs. Lucy Porter, the

we see his heart overflowing with gratitude. He leaves the place with regret, and casts a lingering look behind.

Derbyshire, and thence to Litchfield. While he was in that part of the world, his friends in town were labouring for his benefit. The air of a more southern climate they thought might prolong a valuable life. But a pension of £300 a year was a slender fund for a travelling valetu

daughter of his wife by her first husband; and, some appearance of health, Johnson went into in his way back paid his respects to Dr. Adams at Oxford. Mrs. Williams died at his house in Bolt Court, in the month of September, during his absence. This was another shock to a mind like his, ever agitated by the thoughts of futurity. The contemplation of his own approaching end was constantly before his eyes; and the pros-dinarian, and it was not then known that he had pect of death, he declared, was terrible. For many years, when he was not disposed to enter into the conversation going forward, whoever sat near his chair, might hear him repeating from Shakspeare,

Ay, but to die, and go we know not where ;
To lie in cold obstruction and to rot;
This sensible warm motion to become
A kneaded clod, and the delighted spirit
To bathe in fiery floods-

And from Milton,

Who would lose,

For fear of pain, this intellectual being?

By the death of Mrs. Williams he was left in a state of destitution, with nobody but Frank, his black servant, to soothe his anxious moments. In November 1783, he was swelled from head to foot with a dropsy. Dr. Brocklesby, with that benevolence with which he always assists his friends, paid his visits with assiduity. The medicines prescribed were so efficacious, that in a few days Johnson, while he was offering up his prayers was suddenly obliged to rise, and, in the course of the day, discharged twenty pints of water.

saved a moderate sum of money. Mr. Boswell and Sir Joshua Reynolds undertook to solicit the patronage of the Chancellor. With Lord Thurlow, while he was at the bar, Johnson was well acquainted. He was often heard to say, "Thurlow is a man of such vigour of mind, that I never knew I was to meet him, but I was going to say, I was afraid, but that would not be true, for I never was afraid of any man; but I never knew that I was to meet Thurlow, but I knew I had something to encounter." The Chancellor undertook to recommend Johnson's

case; but without success. To protract if possible the days of a man whom he respected, he offered to advance the sum of five hundred pounds. Being informed of this at Litchfield, Johnson wrote the following letter:

"My Lord,

"After a long and not inattentive observation of mankind, the generosity of your Lordship's offer raises in me not less wonder than gratitude. Bounty, so liberally bestowed, I should gladly receive if my condition made it necessary; for to such a mind who would not be proud to own his obligations? But it has pleased God to restore me to so great a measure of health, that if I should now appropriate so much of a fortune Johnson, being eased of his dropsy, began to destined to do good, I could not escape from entertain hopes that the vigour of his constitu- myself the charge of advancing a false claim. tion was not entirely broken. For the sake of My journey to the continent, though I once conversing with his friends, he established a thought it necessary, was never much encouconversation club, to meet on every Wednesday raged by my physicians; and I was very desirous evening; and to serve a man whom he had that your Lordship should be told it by Sir Joshua known in Mr. Thrale's household for many Reynolds as an event very uncertain; for if I years, the place was fixed at his house in Essex- grew much better, I should not be willing; if street, near the Temple. To answer the malig- much worse, I should not be able to migrate. nant remarks of Sir John Hawkins on this sub- Your Lordship was first solicited without my ject, were a wretched waste of time. Profess-knowledge; but when I was told that you were ing to be Johnson's friend, that biographer has raised more objections to his character, than all the enemies to that excellent man. Sir John had a root of bitterness that put rancours in the vessel of his peace. Fielding, he says, was the inventor of a cant phrase, Goodness of heart, which means little more than the virtue of a horse or a dog. He should have known that kind affections are the essence of virtue: they are the will of God implanted in our nature, to aid and strengthen moral obligation; they incite to action; a sense of benevolence is no less necessary than a sense of duty. Good affections are an ornament not only to an author, but to his writings. He who shows himself upon a cold scent for opportunities to bark and snarl throughout a volume of six hundred pages, may, if he will, pretend to moralize; but Goodness of Heart, or, to use that politer phrase, the virtue of a horse or a dog, would redound more to his honour. But Sir John is no more: our business is with Johnson. The members of his club were respectable for their rank, their talents, and their literature. They attended with punctuality till about Midsummer 1784, when, with

pleased to honour me with your patronage, I did not expect to hear of a refusal; yet, as I have had no long time to brood hopes, and have not rioted in imaginary opulence, this cold reception has been scarce a disappointment; and from your Lordship's kindness I have received a benefit which only men like you are able to bestow. I shall now live mihi carior, with a higher opinion of my own merit.

I am, my Lord,

Your Lordship's most obliged, most grateful, and most humble servant, SAMUEL JOHNSON. "Sept. 1784."

We have in this instance the exertion of two congenial minds: one, with a generous impulse relieving merit in distress; and the other, by gratitude and dignity of sentiment, rising to an equal elevation.

It seems, however, that greatness of mind is not confined to greatness of rank. Dr. Brocklesby was not content to assist with his medical art; he resolved to minister to his patient's mind, and pluck from his memory the sorrow which the