impart it; till I am known, and do not want it. I hope it is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received, or to be unwilling that the public should consider me as owing that to a Patron, which Providence has enabled me to do for myself.

"Having carried on my work thus far with so little obligation to any favourer of learning, I shall not be disappointed though I should conclude it, if less be possible, with less; for I have been long awakened from that dream of hope, in which I once boasted myself with so much exultation, my Lord, "Your Lordship's most humble, most obedient servant,

"SAM. JOHNSON." Vol. I, p. 212.

1755 Et. 46

[The letter from the Chancellor of Oxford, recommending Johnson for the degree of Master of Arts.]

ΤΟ

THE REVEREND DR. HUDDESFORD, VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD; TO BE COMMUNICATED TO THE HEADS OF HOUSES, AND PROPOSED IN CONVOCATION

"Mr. Vice-Chancellor and Gentlemen, — Mr. Samuel Johnson, who was formerly of Pembroke College, having very eminently distinguished himself by the publication of a series of essays, excellently calculated to form the manners of the people,

and in which the cause of religion and morality is everywhere maintained by the strongest powers of argument and language; and who shortly intends to publish a Dictionary of the English tongue formed on a new plan, and executed with the greatest labour and judgment; I persuade myself that I shall act agreeable to the sentiments of the whole University in desiring that it may be proposed in convocation to confer on him the degree of Master of Arts by diploma, to which I readily give my consent; and am, Mr. Vice-Chancellor and Gentlemen, your affectionate friend and servant,

"Grosvenor Street, Feb. 4, 1755."

1759 Æt. 50

"ARRAN.

Vol. I, p. 229.

In 1759, in the month of January, his mother died, at the great age of ninety, an event which deeply affected him; not that "his mind had acquired no firmness by the contemplation of mortality"; but that his reverential affection for her was not abated by years, as indeed he retained all his tender feelings even to the latest period of his life. I have been told that he regretted much his not having gone to visit his mother for several years previous to her death. But he was constantly engaged in literary labours which confined him to London; and though he had not the comfort of seeing his aged parent, he contributed liberally to her support.

TO MRS. JOHNSON, AT LICHFIELD

"Honoured Madam, - The account Miss [Porter] gives me of your health, pierces my heart. God comfort and preserve you, and save you, for the sake of Jesus Christ.

"I would have Miss read to you from time to time the Passion of our Saviour, and sometimes the sentences in the communion service, beginning -Come unto me all that travail and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

"I have just now read a physical book, which inclines me to think that a strong infusion of the bark would do you good. Do, dear mother, try it.

"Pray send me your blessing, and forgive all that I have done amiss to you. And whatever you would have done, and what debts you would have paid first, or anything else you would direct, let Miss put it down; I shall endeavour to obey you.

"I have got twelve guineas to send you, but unhappily am at a loss how to send it to-night. If I cannot send it to-night, it will come by the next post. "Pray, do not omit anything mentioned in this letter. God bless you for ever and ever. your dutiful son,

"Jan. 13, 1759."

I am,

"SAM. JOHNSON.

"Dear honoured Mother, Your weakness afflicts me beyond what I am willing to communicate to you. I do not think you unfit to face death,

but I know not how to bear the thought of losing you. Endeavour to do all you [can] for yourself. Eat as much as you can.

"I pray often for you; do you pray for me. I have nothing to add to my last letter. I am, dear mother, your dutiful son,

"Jan. 16, 1759."

"SAM. JOHNSON.

Dear honoured Mother, Neither your condition nor your character make it fit for me to say much. You have been the best mother, and I believe the best woman in the world. I thank you for your indulgence to me, and beg forgiveness of all that I have done ill, and all that I have omitted to do well. God grant you his Holy Spirit, and receive. you to everlasting happiness, for Jesus Christ's sake, Amen. Lord Jesus receive your spirit, Amen. -- I am, dear, dear mother, your dutiful son,

"Jan. 20, 1759."

"SAM. JOHNSON.

TO MISS PORTER, IN LICHFIELD

"You will conceive my sorrow for the loss of my mother, of the best mother. If she were to live again, surely I should behave better to her. But she is happy, and what is past is nothing to her; and for me, since I cannot repair my faults to her, I hope repentance will efface them. I return you and all those that have been good to her my sin

cerest thanks, and pray God to repay you all with infinite advantage. Write to me, and comfort me, dear child. I shall be glad likewise, if Kitty will write to me. I shall send a bill of £20 in a few days, which I thought to have brought to my mother; but God suffered it not. I have not power or composure to say much more. God bless you, and bless us all. humble servant,

I am, dear Miss, your affectionate

"SAM. JOHNSON.

"Jan. 23, 1759."

Vol. II, p. 12.

1762 Æt. 53

The accession of George the Third to the throne of these kingdoms opened a new and brighter prospect to men of literary merit, who had been honoured with no mark of royal favour in the preceding reign. His present Majesty's education in this country, as well as his taste and beneficence, prompted him to be the patron of science and the arts; and early this year, Johnson having been represented to him as a very learned and good man, without any certain provision, his Majesty was pleased to grant him a pension of three hundred pounds a year. . . .

Sir Joshua Reynolds told me that Johnson called on him after his Majesty's intention had been notified to him, and said he wished to consult his friends as to the propriety of his accepting this mark of