At this time, there being a competition among the architects of London to be employed in the building of Blackfriars-bridge, a question was very warmly agitated, whether semi-circular or elliptical arches were preferable. In the design offered by Mr. Mylne, the elliptical form was adopted, and therefore it was the great object of his rivals to attack it. Johnson's regard for his friend, Mr. Gwyn, induced him to engage in this controversy against Mr. Mylne;* and after being at considerable pains to study the subject, he wrote three several letters in the "Gazetteer," in opposition to his plan.

If it should be remarked that this was a controversy which lay quite out of Johnson's way, let it be remembered that, after all, his employing his powers of reasoning and eloquence upon a

Sir John Hawkins has given a long detail of it, in that manner vulgarly, but significantly, called rigmarole; in which, amidst an ostentatious exhibition of arts and artists he talks of "proportions of a column being taken from that of the human figure, and adjusted by nature masculine and feminine-in a man, sesquioclave of the head, and in a woman sesquinonal;" nor has he failed to introduce a jargon of musical terms, which do not seem much to correspond with the subject, but serve to make up the heterogeneous mass. To follow the knight through all this, would be an useless fatigue to myself, and not a little disgusting to my readers. I shall, therefore, only make a few remarks upon his statement.-He seems to exult in having detected Johnson in procuring "from a person eminently skilled in mathematics and the principles of architecture, answers to a string of questions drawn up by himself, touching the comparative strength of semicircular and elliptical arches." Now I cannot conceive how Johnson could have acted more wisely. Sir John complains that the opinion of that excellent mathematician, Mr. Thomas Simpson, did not preponderate in favour of the semicircular arch. But he should have known, that however eminent Mr. Simpson was in the higher parts of abstract mathematical science, he was little versed in mixed and practical mechanics. Mr. Muller of Woolwich Academy, the scholastic father of all the great engineers which this country has employed for forty years, decided the question by declaring clearly in favour of the elliptical arch.

It is ungraciously suggested, that Johnson's motive for opposing Mr. Mylne's scheme may have been his prejudice against him as a native of North Britain; when, in truth, as has been stated, he gave the aid of his able pen to a friend, who was one of the candidates; and o far was he from having any illiberal antipathy to T. Mylne, that he afterwards lived with that gentlem upon very agreeable terms of acquaintance, and d'ad with him at his house. Sir John Hawkins, indeed, g... full vent to his own prejudice in abusing Blasfriars bridge, calling it "an edifice, in which beauty and symmetry are in vain sought for; by which the citizens of London have perpetuated their own disgrace, and subjected whole nation to the reproach of foreigners." Whoever has contemplated, placido lumine, this stately, elegant, and airy structure, which has so fine an effect, especially on approaching the capital on that quarter, must wonder at such unjust and ill-tempered censure; and I appeal to all foreigners of good taste, whether this bridge be not one of the most distinguished ornaments of London. As to the stability of the fabric, it is certain that the City of London took every precaution to have the best Portland stone for it; but as this is to be found in the quarries belonging to the public, under the direction of the Lords of the Treasury, it so happened that parliamentary interest, which is often the bane of fair pursuits, thwarted their endeavours. Notwithstanding this disadvantage, it is well known that not only has Blackfriars-bridge never sunk either in its foundation or in its arches, which were so much the subject of contest, but any injuries which it has suffered from the effects of severe frosts have been already, in some measure, repaired with sounder stone, and every necessary renewal can be completed at a moderate expense.-BOSWELL,

subject which he had studied on the moment, is not more strange than what we often observe in lawyers, who as Quicquid agunt homines is the matter of lawsuits, are sometimes obliged to pick up a temporary knowledge of an art or science of which they understood nothing till their brief was delivered, and appear to be much masters of it. In like manner, members of the legislature frequently introduce and expatiate upon subjects of which they have informed themselves for the occasion.

CHAPTER XI.-1760-1763.

IN 1760 he wrote "An Address of the Painters to George III. on his Accession to the Throne of these Kingdoms,"[+] which no monarch ever ascended with more sincere congratulations from his people. Two generations of foreign princes had prepared their minds to rejoice in having again a king, who gloried in being "born a Briton." He also wrote, for Mr. Baretti, the Dedication [+] of his Italian and English Dictionary, to the Marquis of Abreu, then EnvoyExtraordinary from Spain at the Court of Great Britain.

Johnson was now either very idle, or very busy with his Shakspeare: for I can find no other public composition by him except an Introduction to the Proceedings of the Committee for clothing the French Prisoners;[*] one of the many proofs that he was ever awake to the calls of humanity; and an account which he gave in the "Gentleman's Magazine" of Mr. Tytler's acute and able vindication of Mary Queen of Scots.[] The generosity of Johnson's feelings shines forth in the following sentence:

"It has now been fashionable for near half a century to defame and vilify the house of Stuart, and to exalt and magnify the reign of Elizabeth. The Stuarts have found few apologists, for the dead cannot pay for praise; and who will, without reward, oppose the tide of popularity? Yet there remains still among us, not wholly extinguished, a zeal for truth, a desire of establishing right in opposition to fashion."

In this year I have not discovered a single friends. It should seem, however, that he had rivate letter written by him to any of his history of the recent and wonderful successes of at this period a floating intention of writing a the British arms in all quarters of the globe; for among his resolutions or memorandums, September 18, there is, "Send for books for Hist. of War."* How much is it to be regretted that this intention was not fulfilled! His majestic expression would have carried down to the latest posterity the glorious achievements of his country, with the same fervent glow which they produced on the mind at the time. He would have been under no temptation to deviate in any degree from truth, which he held very sacred, or to take a licence, which a learned divine told me he or ce seemed, in a conversation, jocularly to allow te

historians.

* Prayers and Meditations, p. 42.-BOSWELL

"There are," said he, "inexcusable lies and consecrated lies. For instance we are told that on the arrival of the news of the unfortunate battle of Fontenoy, every heart beat, and every eye was in tears. Now we know that no man ate his dinner the worse, but there should have been all this concern: and to say there was (smiling), may be reckoned a consecrated lie."

This year Mr. Murphy, having thought himself ill-treated by the Rev. Dr. Francklin, who was one of the writers of the "Critical Review," published an indignant vindication in "A Poctical Epistle to Samuel Johnson, A.M." in which he compliments Johnson in a just and elegant

Inanner :

"Transcendent Genius! whose prolific veln Ne'er knew the frigid poet's toil and pain; To whom APOLLO opens all his store, And every muse presents her sacred lore;

"DEAR SIR,

Oct. 18, 1760.

With so much grace, such energy of thought;

Whether thy JUVENAL instructs the age

In chaster numbers, and new-points his rage;

Or fair IRENE sees, alas! too late

Her innocence exchanged for guilty state;
Whate'er you write, in every golden line
Sublimity and elegance combine;

Thy nervous phrase impresses every soul,
While harmony gives rapture to the whole."

Again, towards the conclusion :

"Thou then, my friend, who see'st the dangerous

strife

In which some demon bids me plunge my life,
To the Aonian fount direct my feet,
Say, where the Nine thy lonely musings meet?
Where warbles to thy ear the sacred throng,
Thy moral sense, thy dignity of song?
Tell, for you can, by what unerring art
You wake to finer feelings every heart;
In each bright page some truth important give,
And bid to future times thy RAMBLER live."

I take this opportunity to relate the manner in which an acquaintance first commenced between Dr. Johnson and Mr. Murphy. During the publication of the " Gray's-Inn-Journal," a periodical paper, which was successfully carried on by Mr. Murphy alone, when a very young man, he happened to be in the country with Mr. Foote; and having mentioned that he was obliged to go to London in order to get ready for the press one of the numbers of that Journal, Foote said to him, "You need not go on that account. Here is a French magazine, in which you will find a very pretty oriental tale; translate that, and send it to your printer." Mr. Murphy having read the tale, was highly pleased with it, and followed Foote's advice. When he returned to town, this tale was pointed out to him in the "Rambler," from whence it had been translated into the French magazine. Mr. Murphy then waited upon Johnson to explain this curious incident. His talents, literature, and gentleman-like manners, were soon perceived by Johnson, and a friendship was formed which was never broken.*

• When Mr. Murphy first became acquainted with Dr, Johnson, he was about thirty-one years old. He died at Knightsbridge, June 18, 1805, it is believed in his eightysecond year.

In an account of this gentleman, published recently after his death, he is reported to have said, that "he was but twenty-one," when he had the impudence to write a periodical paper, during the time that Johnson was pub

"I am very sincerely solicitous for the preservation or curing of Mr. Langton's sight, and am glad that the chirurgeon at Coventry gives him so much hope. Mr. Sharpe is of opinion that the tedious maturation of the cataract is a vulgar error, and

lishing the "Rambler."-In a subsequent page, in which Mr. Boswell gives an account of his first introduction to Johnson, will be found a striking instance of the incor rectness of Mr. Murphy's memory; and the assertion above mentioned, if indeed he made it, which is by no means improbable, furnishes an additional proof of his inaccuracy; for both the facts asserted are unfounded. He appears to have been eight years older than twentyone, when he began the "Gray's-Inn Journal;" and that paper instead of running a race with Johnson's production, did not appear till after the closing of the "Rambler," which ended March 14, 1752. The first number of the "Gray's-Inn Journal" made its appearance about seven months afterwards, in a newspaper of the time, called "The Craftsman," October 21, 1752; and in that form the first forty-nine numbers were given to the public. On Saturday, Sept. 29, 1753, it assumed a new form, and was published as a distinct periodical paper; and in that shape it continued to be published till the 21st of Sept. 1754, when it finally closed; forming in the whole one hundred and one Essays, in the folio copy. The extraordinary paper mentioned in the text, is No. 38 of the second series, published on June 15, 1754; which is a retranslation from the French version of Johnson's "Rambler," No. 190. It was omitted in the republication of these Essays in two volumes 12mo., in which one hundred and four are found, and in which the papers are not always dated on the days when they really appeared; so that the motto prefixed to this AngloGallic Eastern tale, obscuris vera involvens, might very properly have been prefixed to this work when republished. Mr. Murphy did not, I believe, wait on Johnson of his Ramblers," as seems to be stated in the text; recently after the publication of this adumbration of one for, in his concluding Essay, Sept. 21, 1754, we find the following paragraph

"Besides, why may not a person rather choose an air and writers of affected phraseology. For my part, I of bold negligence, than the obscure diligence of pedants have always thought an easy style more eligible than a pompous diction, lifted up by metaphor, amplified by epithet, and dignified by too frequent insertions of the Latin idiom." It is probable that the "Rambler" was here intended to be censured, and that the author, when he wrote it, was not acquainted with Johnson, whom, from his first introduction, he endeavoured to conciliate. Their acquaintance, therefore, it may be presumed, did not commence till towards the end of this year, 1754. Murphy, however, had highly praised Johnson in the preceding year, No. 14, of the second series, Dec. 22, 1753.-MALONE.

The "Rambler," No. 190, which Murphy retranslated, is the "History of Abouzaid, the son of Morad."-ED. Topham Beauclerk, Esq.-BOSWELL.

not put his name to the poem. Rolt went over to Dublin, published an edition of it, and put his own name to it. Upon the fame of this, he lived for several months, being entertained at the best tables as "the ingenious Mr. Rolt."* His con

"Let me hear from you again, wherever you are, or whatever you are doing; whether you wander or sit still, plant trees or make Rustics,* play with your sisters or muse alone; and in return I will tell you the success of Sheridan, who at this instant is playing Cato, and has already played Richard twice. He had more company the second than the first night, and will make, believe, a good figure on the whole, though his faults seem to be very many; some of natural deficience, and some of laborious affectation. He has, think, no power of assuming either that dignity or elegance which some men, who have little of either in common life, can exhibit on the stage. His voice when strained is unpleasing, and when low is not always heard. He seems to think too much on the audience, and turns his face too often to the galleries.

66

'However, I wish him well. and among other reasons, because I like his wife.†

"Make haste to write to, dear Sir,

"Your most affectionate servant, "SAM. JOHNSON." In 1761 Johnson appears to have done little. He was still, no doubt, proceeding in his edition of Shakspeare; but what advances he made in it cannot be ascertained. He certainly was at this time not active; for, in his scrupulous examination of himself, on Easter Eve, he laments, in his too rigorous mode of censuring his own conduct, that his life, since the communion of the preceding Easter, had been "dissipated and useless." He, however, contributed, this year, the Preface [*], to "Rolt's Dictionary of Trade and Commerce," in which he displays such a clear and comprehensive knowledge of the subject, as might lead the reader to think that its author had devoted all his life to it. I asked him, whether he knew much of Rolt, and of his work. Sir," said he, "I never saw the man, and never read the book. The booksellers wanted a Preface to a Dictionary of Trade and Commerce. I knew very well what such a Dictionary should be, and I wrote a Preface accordingly." Rolt, who wrote a great deal for the booksellers, was, as Johnson told me, a singular character. Though not in the least acquainted with him, he used to say, "I am just come from Sam Johnson." This was a sufficient specimen of his vanity and impudence. But he gave a more eminent proof of it in our sister kingdom, as Dr. Johnson informed me. When Akenside's "Pleasures of the Imagination" first came out, he did

* Essays with that title, written about this time by Mr. Langton, but not published.

+ Mrs. Sheridan was author of "Memoirs of Miss Sydney Biddulph," a novel of great merit, and of some other pieces.-BOSWELL.

↑ Prayers and Meditations, p. 44.-BOSWELL.

fire of a poet; but it was recollected that both Addison and Thomson were equally dull till excited by wine. Akenside having been informed of this imposition, vindicated his right by publishing the poem with its real author's name." Several instances of such literary fraud have been detected. The Reverend Dr. Campbell, of St. Andrew's, wrote "An Enquiry into the Original of Moral Virtue," the manuscript of which he sent to Mr. Innes, a clergyman in England, who was his countryman and acquaintance. Innes published it with his own name to it; and, before the imposition was discovered, obtained considerable promotion, as a reward of his merit. The celebrated Dr. Hugh Blair, and his cousin, Mr. George Bannatine, when students in divinity, wrote a poem, entitled "The Resurrection," copies of which were handed about in manuscript. They were, at length, very much surprised to see a pompous edition of it in olio, dedicated to the Princess Dowager of Wales, by Dr. Douglas, as his own. Some years ago a little novel, entitled "The Man of Feeling," was assumed by Mr. Eccles, a young Irish clergyman, who was afterwards drowned near Bath. He

I had been at the pains to transcribe the whole bock, with blottings, interlineations, and corrections, that it might be shown to several people as an original. It was, in truth, the production of Mr Henry Mackenzie, an attorney in the Exchequer at Edinburgh, who is the author of several other ingenious pieces; but the belief with regard to Mr. Eccles became so general, that it was Cadell to publish an advertisement in the newsMessrs. Strahan and thought necessary for papers, contradicting the report, and mentioning kenzie. I can conceive this kind of fraud to be that they purchased the copyright of Mr. Macvery easily practised with successful effrontery. The filiation of a literary performance is difficult of proof; seldom is there any witness present at its birth. A man, either in confidence or by improper means, obtains possession of a copy of it in The true author, in many cases, may not be able manuscript, and boldly publishes it as his own. to make his title clear. Johnson, indeed, from the bid defiance to any attempt to appropriate them to peculiar features of his literary offspring, might

others :

"But Shakspeare's magic could not copied be;
Within that circle none durst walk but he."

He this year lent his friendly assistance to

I have had inquiry made in Ireland as to this story, but do not find it recollected there. I give it on the authority of Dr. Johnson, to which may be added, that of matica;" in both of which it has stood many years. Mr. the "Biographical Dictionary," and "Biographia DraMalone observes, that the truth probably is, not that an edition was published with Rolt's name in the titlepage, but that the poem being then anonymous Rolt acquiesced in its being attributed to him in conversation. -BOSWELL.

I have both the books. Innes was the clergyman who brought Psalmanazar to England, and was an accom plice in his extraordinary fiction.-BOSWELL,

correct and improve a pamphlet written by Mr. Gwyn, the architect, entitled "Thoughts on the Coronation of George III."[*]

Johnson had now for some years admitted Mr. Baretti to his intimacy; nor did their friendship cease upon their being separated by Baretti's revisiting his native country, as appears from Johnson's letters to him.

66

TO MR. JOSEPH BARETTI, AT MILAN.* "[London] June 10, 1761.

any

'You reproach me very often with parsimony of writing; but you may discover by the extent of my paper that I design to recompense rarity by length. A short letter to a distant friend is, in my opinion, an insult, like that of a slight bow or cursory salutation;-a proof of unwillingness to do much, even where there is a necessity of doing something. Yet it must be remembered, that he who continues the same course of life in the same place, will have little to tell. One week and one year are very like one another. The silent changes made by time are not always perceived; and if they are not perceived, cannot be recounted. I have risen and lain down, talked and mused, while you have roved over a considerable part of Europe; yet I have not envied my Baretti of his pleasures, though, perhaps, I have envied others his company and I am glad to have other nations made acquainted with the character of the English by a traveller who has so nicely inspected our manners, and so successfully studied our literature. I received your kind letter from Falmouth, in which you gave me notice of your departure for Lisbon; and another from Lisbon, in which you told me, that you were to leave Portugal in a few days. To either of these how could any answer be returned? I have had a third from Turin, complaining that I have not answered the former. Your English style still continues in its purity and vigour. With vigour your genius will supply it: but its purity must be continued by close attention. To use two languages familiarly, and without contaminating one by the other, is very difficult; and to use more than two is hardly to be hoped. The praises which some have received for their multiplicity of languages, may be sufficient to excite industry, but can hardly generate confidence.

"I know not whether I can heartily rejoice at the kind reception which you have found, or at the popularity to which you are exalted. I am willing that your merit should be distinguished; but cannot wish that your affections may be gained. I would have you happy wherever you are; yet I would have you wish to return to England. If ever you visit us again, you will find the kindness of your friends undiminished. To tell you how many inquiries are made after you, would be tedious, or if not tedious, would be vain; because you may be told in a very few words, that all who knew you wish you well; and that all that you embraced at your

The originals of Dr. Johnson's three letters to Mr. Baretti, which are among the very best he ever wrote, were communicated to the proprietors of that instructive and elegant monthly miscellany, the European Maga zine," in which they first appeared.-BOSWELL.

departure, will caress you at your return: there fore do not let Italian academicians nor Italian ladies drive us from your thoughts. You may find among us what you will leave behind, soft smiles and easy sonnets. Yet I shall not wonder if all our invitations should be rejected: for there is a pleasure in being considerable at home, which is not easily resisted.

By conducting Mr. Southwell to Venice, you fulfilled, I know, the original contract: yet I would wish you not wholly to lose him from your notice, but to recommend him to such acquaintance as may best secure him from suffering by his his safety and his interest as may come within own follies, and to take such general care both of your power. His relations will thank you for any such gratuitous attention: at least they will not blame you for any evil that may happen, whether they thank you or not for any good." "You know that we have a new king and a new parliament. Of the new parliament Fitzherbert that we are much pleased with his successor; of is a member. We were so weary of our old king, whom we are so much inclined to hope great things, that most of us begin already to believe them. The young man is hitherto blameless; but it would be unreasonable to expect much from the princely education. He has been long in the immaturity of juvenile years, and the ignorance of hands of the Scots, and has already favoured them But, perhaps, he scarcely knows whom he has more than the English will contentedly endure. distinguished, or whom he has disgusted.

Rey

"The Artists have instituted a yearly Exhibi. tion of pictures and statues, in imitation, as I am second exhibition. They please themselves much told, of foreign academies. This year was the with the multitude of spectators, and imagine that the English School will rise in reputation. nolds is without a rival, and continues to add thousands to thousands, which he deserves, among other excellencies, by retaining his kindness for the artists and lovers of art. Surely life, if it be Baretti. This Exhibition has filled the heads of not long, is tedious, since we are forced to call in the assistance of so many trifles to rid us of our time, of that time which never can return. letter in which 1 give him no account of myself: "I know my Baretti will not be satisfied with a yet what account shall I give him? I have not, anything considerable. The only change in my since the day of our separation, suffered or done way of life is, that I have frequented the theatre thither only to escape from myself. We have had more than in former seasons. But I have gone many new farces, and the comedy called 'The Jealous Wife,' which, though not written with much genius, was yet so well adapted to the stage, and so well exhibited by the actors, that it was crowded for near twenty nights. I am digressing from myself to the play-house; but a self I have nothing to say, but that I have barren plan must be filled with episodes. Of myhitherto lived without the concurrence of my own judgment; yet I continue to flatter myself, that, when you return, you will find me mended. I do not wonder that, where the monastic life is permitted, every order finds votaries, and every monastery inhabitants. Men will submit to any

rule, by which they may be exempted from the tyranny of caprice and of chance. They are glad to supply by external authority their own want of constancy and resolution, and court the government of others, when long experience has convinced them of their own inability to govern themselves. If I were to visit Italy, my curiosity would be more attracted by convents than by palaces; though I am afraid that I should find expectation in both places equally disappointed, and life in both places supported with impatience and quitted with reluctance. That it must be so soon quitted, is a powerful remedy against impatience; but what shall free us from reluctance? Those who have endeavoured to teach us to die well, have taught few to die willingly yet I cannot but hope that a good life might end at last in a contented death.

"You see to what a train of thought I am drawn by the mention of myself. Let me now turn my attention upon you. I hope you take care to keep an exact journal, and to register all occurrences and observations; for your friends here expect such a book of travels as has not been often seen. You have given us good specimens in your letters from Lisbon. I wish you had stayed longer in Spain, for no country is less known to the rest of Europe; but the quickness of your discernment must make amends for the celerity of your motions. He that knows which way to direct his view, sees much in a little time.

"Write to me very often, and I will not neglect to write to you; and I may perhaps, in time, get something to write; at least you will know by my letters, whatever else they may have or want, that I continue to be

"Your most affectionate friend, "SAM. JOHNSON." In 1762 he wrote for the Reverend Dr. Kennedy, Rector of Bradley in Derbyshire, in a strain of very courtly elegance, a Dedication to the King[] of that gentleman's work entitled "A complete System of Astronomical Chronology, unfolding the Scriptures." He had certainly looked at this work before it was printed; for the concluding paragraph is undoubtedly of his c position, of which let my readers judge :

"Thus have I endeavoured to free Religion and History from the darkness of a disputed and uncertain chronology, from difficulties which have hitherto appeared insuperable, and darkness which no luminary of learning has hitherto been able to dissipate. I have established the truth of the Mosaical account, by evidence which no transcription can corrupt, no negligence can lose, and no interest can pervert. I have shown that the universe bears witness to the inspiration of its historian, by the revolution of its orbs and the succession of its seasons; that the stars in their courses fight against incredulity, that the works of God give hourly confirmation to the law, the prophets, and the gospel, of which one day telleth another, and one night certifieth another; and that the validity of the sacred writings never can be denied, while the moon shall increase and wane, and the sun shall know his going down."

He this year wrote also the Dedication [f] to

the Earl of Middlesex, of Mrs. Lenox's "Female Quixote," and the Preface to the Catalogue of the Artists' Exhibition."[t]

The following letter, which, on account of its intrinsic merit, it would have been unjust both to Johnson and the public to have withheld, was obtained for me by the solicitation of my friend Mr. Seward :

"TO DR. STAUNTON.*

"DEAR SIR, June 1, 1762. "I make haste to answer your kind letter, in hope of hearing again from you before you leave us. I cannot but regret that a man of your qualifications should find it necessary to seek an establishment in Guadaloupe, which if a peace should restore to the French, I shall think it some alleviation of the loss that it must restore likewise Dr. Staunton to the English.

"It is a melancholy consideration, that so much of our time is necessarily to be spent upon the care of living, and that we can seldom obtain ease in one respect but by resigning it in another; yet I suppose we are by this dispensation not less happy in the whole, than if the spontaneous bounty of Nature poured all that we want into our hands. A few, if they were left thus to themselves, would, perhaps, spend their time in laudable pursuits: but the greater part would prey upon the quiet of each other, or, in the want of other objects, would prey upon themselves.

"This, however, is our condition, which we must improve and solace as we can; and though we cannot choose always our place of residence, we may in every place find rational amusements, and possess in every place the comforts of piety and a pure conscience.

"In America there is little to be observed except natural curiosities. The new world must have many vegetables and animals with which philosophers are but little acquainted. I hope you will furnish yourself with some books of natural history, and some glasses and other instruments of observation. Trust as little as you can to report; examine all you can by your own senses. I do not doubt but you will be able to add much to knowledge, and, perhaps to medicine. Wild nations trust to simples; and, perhaps, the Peruvian bark is not the only specific which those extensive regions may afford us.

"Wherever you are, and whatever be your fortune, be certain, dear Sir, that you carry with you my kind wishes; and that whether you return hither, or stay in the other hemisphere, to hear that you are happy will give pleasure to, Sir,

"Your most affectionate humble servant,
"SAM. JOHNSON."

A lady having at this time solicited him to obtain the Archbishop of Canterbury's patronage to have her son sent to the University, one of those solicitations which are too frequent, where people, anxious for a particular object, do not consider propriety, or the opportunity which the

Afterwards Sir G. Staunton, Baronet. He was originally a physician, and went as Secretary to Lord Macartney's embassy to China, and wrote the well. known account of it.