I mentioned my expectations from the interest of an eminent person then in power; adding," But I have no clain but the claim of friendship: however, some people will go a great way from that motive." JOHNSON. "Sir, they will go all the way from that motive." A gentleman talked of retiring. "Never think of that," said Johnson. The gentleman urged, "I should then do no ill." JOHNSON. "Nor no good either. Sir, it would be a civil suicide." Wilkes Corresp. vol. iv. pp. 314, 321 WILKES, ESQ. do you speak here? Either to instruct and entertain, which is a benevolent motive; or for distinction, which is a selfish motive." I mentioned "Cecilia." JOHNSON (with an air of animated satisfaction). "Sir, if you talk of Cecilia,' talk on.” We talked of Mr. Barry's exhibition of his pictures. JOHNSON. "Whatever the hand may have done, the mind has done its part. There is a grasp of mind there which you find nowhere else 2.” I asked whether a man naturally virtuous, or one who has overcome wicked inclinations, is the best JOHNSON. "Sir, to you, the man who has overcome wicked inclinations is not the best. He has more merit to himself. I would rather trust my money to a man who has no hands, and so a physical impossibility to steal, than to a man of the most honest principles. There is a witty satirical story of Foote. He had a small bust of Garrick placed upon his bureau. You may be surprised,' said he, that I allow him to be so near my gold;but you will observe he has no hands.""" "Wednesday, 21st May, [1783]. "Mr. Boswell's compliments to Mr. Wilkes. He rejoices to find he is so much better as to be abroad. He finds that it would On Friday, May 29, being to set out for not be unpleasant to Dr. Johnson Scotland next morning, I passed a part of to dine at Mr. Wilkes's. The thing would the day with him in more than usual earbe so curiously benignant, it were a pity it nestness, as his health was in a more precashould not take place. Nobody but Mr.rious state than at any time when I had Boswell should be asked to meet the Doctor. Mr. Boswell goes for Scotland on Friday the 30th. If then a card were sent to the Doctor on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday without delay, it is to be hoped he would be fixed; and notice will be sent to Mr. Boswell." MR. BOSWELL TO MR. AND MISS WILKES. "Mr. Boswell presents his best compliments to Mr. and Miss Wilkes; encloses Dr. Johnson's answer; and regrets much that so agreeable a meeting must be deferred till next year, as Mr. Boswell is to set out for Scotland in a few days. Hopes Mr. Wilkes will write to him there." Enclosed. "24th May, 1783. "Dr. Johnson returns thanks to Mr. and Miss Wilkes for their kind invitation; but he is engaged for Tuesday to Sir Joshua Reynolds, and for Wednesday to Mr. Paradise."] On Monday, May 26, I found him at tea, and the celebrated Miss Burney, the authour of "Evelina" and "Cecilia," with him. I asked if there would be any speakers in parliament, if there were no places to be obtained. JOHNSON. "Yes, sir. Why on the French Revolution, not to be a bottomless whig.-ED.] [Probably Lord Mountstuart. See ante, p. 31.-ED.] parted from him. He, however, was quick of these pictures, he speaks of Johnson's character 2 In Mr. Barry's printed analysis or description in the highest terms.-BOSWELL. [Yet see what Johnson himself says on this point, in the conclusion of his Letter to Mrs. Thrale, of the let of May, ante, p. 346.—ED.] that a suicide may be saved. 'If,' says he, it should be objected that what I maintain may encourage suicide, I answer, I am not to tell a lie to prevent it." BOSWELL. "But does not the text say, 'As the tree falls, so it must lie?"" JOHNSON. "Yes, sir; as the tree falls: but,"-after a little pause" that is meant as to the general state of the tree, not what is the effect of a sudden blast." In short, he interpreted the expression as referring to condition, not to position. The common notion, therefore, seems to be erroneous; and Shenstone's witty remark on divines trying to give the tree a jerk upon a deathbed, to make it lie favourably, is not well founded. I asked him what works of Richard Baxter's I should read. He said, "Read any of them; they are all good." He said, "Get as much force of mind as you can. Live within your income. Always have something saved at the end of the year. Let your imports be more than your exports, and you'll never go far wrong." I assured him, that in the extensive and various range of his acquaintance there never had been any one who had a more sincere respect and affection for him than I had. He said, "I believe it, sir. Were I in distress, there is no man to whom I should sooner come than to you. I should like to come and have a cottage in your park, toddle about, live mostly on milk, and be taken care of by Mrs. Boswell. She and I are good friends now; are we not?" Talking of devotion, he said, "Though it be true that God dwelleth not in temples made with hands,' yet in this state of being our minds are more piously affected in places appropriated to divine worship, than in others. Some people have a particular room in their houses where they say their prayers; of which I do not disapprove, as it may animate their devotion." father of Miss Philips2, a singer, who comes to try her voice on the stage at Dublin. "Mr. Philips is one of my old friends; and as I am of opinion that neither he nor his daughter will do any thing that can disgrace their benefactors, I take the liberty of entreating you to countenance and protect them so far as may be suitable to your station 3 and character, and shall con sider myself as obliged by any favourable notice which they shall have the honour of receiving from you. I am, sir, your most humble servant, "SAM. JOHNSON." The following is another instance of his active benevolence: "TO SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS. "2d June, 1783. "DEAR SIR,-I have sent you some of my godson's 4 performances, of which I do not pretend to form any opinion. When 1 took the liberty of mentioning him to you, I did not know what I have since been told, that Mr. Moser had admitted him among the students of the Academy. What more can be done for him, I earnestly entreat you to consider; for I am very desirous that he should derive some advantage from my con nexion with him. If you are inclined to see him, I will bring him to wait on you at any time that you shall be pleased to appoint. I am, sir, your most humble servant, "SAM. JOHNSON." ["TO MRS. THRALE. "Oxford, 11th June, 1783. "Yesterday I came to Oxford with- Letters, out fatigue or inconvenience. I read vol. ii. in the coach before dinner. I dined p. 261, moderately, and slept well; but find my breath not free this morning. 262 "Dr. Edwards, to whom I wrote of my purpose to come, has defeated his own kindHe embraced me, and gave me his bless-ness by its excess. He has gone out of his ing, as usual when I was leaving him for any length of time. I walked from his door to-day with a fearful apprehension of what might happen before I returned. "TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM WINDHAM. "London, 31 t May, 1783. "SIR,-The bringer of this letter is the ["When a tree is falling, I have seen the labourers, by a trivial jerk with a rope, throw it upon the spot where they would wish it to lie. Divines understanding this text too literally, pretend, by a little interposition in the article of death, to regulate a person's everlasting happiness. I fancy the allusion will hardly countenance their presumption." Shenstone's Works, v. ii. p. 297. The text not here accurately quoted, is in Ecclesiastes, c. xi. v. 3.-ED.] own rooms for my reception; and therefore I cannot decently stay long, unless I can change my abode, which it will not be very easy to do: nor do I know what attractions I shall find here. Here is Miss Moore at Dr. Adams's, with whom I shall dine to morrow." "London, 13 h June, 1783. "Seward called on me yesterday. He is going only for a few weeks-first to Paris, and then to Flanders, to contemplate the 2 Now the celebrated Mrs. Crouch.-BoswELL. [She died in October, 1805, æt. 45.-ED.] 3 Mr. Windham was at this time in Dublin, secretary to the Earl of Northington, then lord lieutenant of Ireland.-Boswell. 4 Son of Mr. Samuel Paterson.-BosWELI.. [Probably a brother of him mentioned ante, p. [83.-ED. pictures of Claude Loraine; and he asked | me if that was not as good a way as any of spending time-that time which returns no more of which, however, a great part seems to be very foolishly spent, even by the wisest and the best. "Poor Lawrence and his youngest son died almost on the same day."] My anxious apprehensions at parting with him this year proved to be but too well founded; for not long afterwards he had a dreadful stroke of the palsy, of which there are very full and accurate accounts in letters written by himself, to show with what composure of mind and resignation to the Divine Will his steady piety enabled him to behave. "DEAR SIR,-It has pleased GoD, by a paralytick stroke in the night, to deprive me of speech. "I am very desirous of Dr. Heberden's assistance, as I think my case is not past remedy. Let me see you as soon as it is possible. Bring Dr. Heberden with you, if you can; but come yourself at all events. I am glad you are so well when I am so dreadfully attacked. "I think that by a speedy application of stimulants much may be done. I question if a vomit, vigorous and rough, would not rouse the organs of speech to action. As it is too early to send, I will try to recollect what I can that can be suspected to have brought on this dreadful distress. "I have been accustomed to bleed frequently for an asthmatick complaint; but have forborne for some time by Dr. Pepys's persuasion, who perceived my legs beginning to swell. I sometimes alleviate a painful, or, more properly, an oppressive constriction of my chest, by opiates; and have 1 [Dr. Lawrence, born in 1711, died in 1783, the 13th of June. His son, the Reverend J. Lawrence, died on the 15th. The Biographical Dictionary says that Johnson's Latin Ode to Dr. Lawrence was on the death of one of his sons, who died in India. It would rather appear to have been written on the fatal illness of this son; who, however, survived his father two days.- ED.] lately taken opium frequently; but the last, or two last times, in smaller quantities. My largest dose is three grains, and last night I took but two. You will suggest these things (and they are all that I can call to mind) to Dr. Heberden. I am, &c. "SAM. JOHNSON." Two days after he wrote thus to Mrs. Thrale 2: "On Monday, the 16th, I sat for my pic ture, and walked a considerable way with little inconvenience. In the afternoon and evening I felt myself light and easy, and began to plan schemes of life. Thus I went to bed, and in a short time waked and sat up, as has been long my custom, when I felt a confusion and indistinctness in my head, which lasted, I suppose, about half a minute. I was alarmed, and prayed God, that however he might afflict my body, he would spare my understanding. This prayer, that I might try the integrity of my faculties, I made in Latin verse. The lines were not very good, but I knew them not to be very good: I made them easily, and concluded myself to be unimpaired in my faculties. "Soon after I perceived that I had suffered a paralytick stroke, and that my speech was taken from me. I had no pain, and so little dejection in this dreadful state, that I wondered at my own apathy, and considered that perhaps death itself, when it should come, would excite less horrour than seems now to attend it. "In order to rouse the vocal organs, I took two drams. Wine has been celebrated for the production of eloquence. I put myself into violent motion, and I think repeated it; but all was vain. I then went to bed, and, strange as it may seem, I think slept. When I saw light, it was time to contrive what I should do. Though God stopped my speech, he left me my hand: I enjoyed a mercy which was not granted to my dear friend Lawrence, who now perhaps overlooks me as I am writing, and rejoices that I have what he wanted. My first note was necessarily to my servant, who came in talking, and could not immediately comprehend why he should read what I put into his hands. "I then wrote a card to Mr. Allen, that I might have a discreet friend at hand, to act as occasion should require. In penning knew not how nor why, made wrong letthis note I had some difficulty: my hand, I ters. I then wrote to Dr. Taylor to come to me, and bring Dr. Heberden; and I sent to Dr. Brocklesby, who is my neighbour. 2 Vol. ii. p. 268, of Mrs Thrale's Collection -BOSWELL. mine. "I am to take wine to-night, and hope it will do me good." My physicians are very friendly, and give | tire; but I let him see that the province was me great hopes; but you may imagine my situation. I have so far recovered my vocal powers, as to repeat the Lord's Prayer with no imperfect articulation. My memory, I hope, yet remains as it was; but such an attack produces solicitude for the safety of every faculty. "TO MR. THOMAS DAVIES. "18th June, 1783. "DEAR SIR,I have had, indeed, a very heavy blow; but God, who yet spares my life, I humbly hope will spare my understanding and restore my speech. As I am not at all helpless, I want no particular assistance, but am strongly affected by Mrs. Davies's tenderness; and when I think she can do me good, shall be very glad to call upon her. I had ordered friends to be shut out; but one or two have found the way in; and if you come you shall be admitted; for I know not whom I can see that will bring more amusement on his tongue, or more kindness in his heart. I am, &c. "SAM. JOHNSON." It gives me great pleasure to preserve such a memorial of Johnson's regard for Mr. Davies, to whom I was indebted for my introduction to him. He indeed loved | Davies cordially, of which I shall give the following little evidence:-One day when he had treated him with too much asperity, Tom, who was not without pride and spirit, went off in a passion; but he had hardly reached home, when Frank, who had been sent after him, delivered this note: "Come, come, dear Davies, I am always sorry when we quarrel; send me word that we are friends." Letters, vol. ii. p. 273. ["TO MRS. THRALE. "London, 20th June, 1783. "You will forgive the gross images that disease must necessarily present. Dr. Lawrence said that medical treatises should be always in Latin. "I never had any distortion of the countenance but what Dr. Brocklesby called a little prolapsus, which went away the second day. "I was this day directed to eat flesh, and I dined very copiously upon roasted lamb and boiled pease. I then went to sleep in a chair; and when I waked, I found Dr. Brocklesby sitting by me, and fell to talking with him in such a manner as made me glad, and I hope made me thankful. The doctor fell to repeating Juvenal's ninth sa 66 DR. JOHNSON TO MRS. LUCY PORTER "London, 25th June, 1783. "DEAR MADAM,-Since the papers have given an account of my MSS. illness, it is proper that I should give my friends some account of it myself. Pearson "Very early in the morning of the 16th 2 of this month I perceived my speech taken from me. When it was light I sat down and wrote such directions as appeared pro per. Dr. Heberden and Dr. Brocklesby were called. Blisters were applied, and medicines given. Before night I began to speak with some freedom, which has been increasing ever since, so that I have now very little impediment in my utterance. Dr. Heberden took his leave this morning. "Since I received this stroke I have in other respects been better than I was before, and hope yet to have a comfortable summer. Let me have your prayers. "If writing is not troublesome, let me know whether you are pretty well, and how you have passed the winter and spring. "Make my compliments to all my friends. I am, dear madam, your most humble servant, "SAM. JOHNSON." "TO MRS. THRALE. London, 28th June, 1783. "Your letter is just such as I de- Letters, sire, and as from you I hope always vol. ii. to deserve. p. 280. "The black 3 dog I hope always to resist, and in time to drive, though I am deprived of almost all those that used to help me. The neighbourhood is impoverished. I had once Richardson and Lawrence in my reach. Mrs. Allen is dead. My home has lost Levett; a man who took interest in every thing, and therefore ready at conversation. Mrs. Williams is so weak that she can be a companion no longer. When I rise, my breakfast is solitary; the black dog waits to share it. From breakfast to dinner he continues barking, except that Dr. Brocklesby for a little keeps him at a distance. Dinner with a sick woman you may venture to suppose not much better than solitary. After dinner, what remains but to count the clock, and hope for that sleep which I can scarce expect? Night comes at last, and some hours of restlessness and confusion bring me again to a day of solitude. What shall exclude the black dog from an habitation like this? If I were a little richer, I would perhaps take some cheerful female into the house. 2 [Mistake for 17th.-ED.] [See ante, p. 223.-ED.] "Last night fresh flies were put to my head, and hindered me from sleeping. To-day I fancy myself incommoded with heat. "I have, however, watered the garden both yesterday and to-day, just as I watered the laurels in the island"] [at Streatham.] [Amidst all this distress and danger, ED. we find by the following and some subsequent letters to or concerning Mr. Lowe1, that he was still ready to exert himself for his humble friend. MS. 66 TO MR. LOWE. "Friday, 20th June, 1783. "SIR,-You know, I suppose, that a sudden illness makes it impracticable to me to wait on Mr. Barry, and the time is short. If it be your opinion that the end can be obtained by writing, I am very willing to write, and, perhaps, it may do as well it is, at least, all that can be expected at present from, sir, your most humble servant, "SAM. JOHNSON. "If you would have me write, come to me: I order your admission."] "TO JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ. "London, 3d July, 1783. "DEAR SIR,-Your anxiety about my health is very friendly and very agreeable with your general kindness. I have indeed had a very frightful blow. On the 17th of last month, about three in the morning, as near as I can guess, I perceived myself almost totally deprived of speech. I had no pain. My organs were so obstructed that I could say no, but could scarcely say yes. I wrote the necessary directions, for it pleased God to spare my hand, and sent for Dr. Heberden and Dr. Brocklesby. Between the time in which I discovered my own disorder, and that in which I sent for the doctors, I had, I believe, in spite of my surprise and solicitude, a little sleep, and nature began to renew its operations. They came and gave the directions which the disease required, and from that time I have been continually improving in articulation. I can now speak; but the nerves are weak, and I cannot continue discourse long; but strength, I hope, will return. The physicians consider me as cured. I was last Sunday at church. On Tuesday I took an airing to Hampstead, and dined with the Club, where Lord Palmerston was proposed, and, against my opinion, was rejected 2. I designed to go next week with Mr. Langton to Rochester, where I pur "Dr. Brocklesby yesterday dis- Letters, missed the cantharides, and I can vol. ii. now find a soft place upon my pillow. p. 286. Last night was cool, and I rested well, and this morning I have been a friend at a poetical difficulty. Here is now a glimpse of daylight again; but how near is the evening none can tell, and I will not prognosticate. We all know that from none of us it can be far distant may none of us know this in vain ! "I went, as I took care to boast, on Tuesday to the Club, and hear that I was thought to have performed as well as usual. "I dined on fish, with the wing of a small turkey-chick, and left roast beef, goose, and venison-pie untouched. I live much on pease, and never had them so good for so long a time in any year that I can remember. "Along with your kind letter yesterday came one, likewise very kind, from the Astons at Lichfield; but I do not know whether, as the summer is so far advanced, I shall travel so far; though I am not without hopes that frequent change of air may fortify me against the winter, which has been, in modern phrase, of late years very inimical to, madam, your, &c."] "TO MRS. LUCY PORTER, IN LICHField. "London, 5th July, 1783. "DEAR MADAM,-The account which you give of your health is but melancholy. May it please God to restore you. My disease affected my speech, and still continues, in some degree, to obstruct my utterance; my voice is distinct enough for a while, but the organs being still weak are quickly weary; but in other respects I am, I think, rather better than I have lately been, and can let you know my state without the help of any other hand. "In the opinion of my friends, and in my own, I am gradually mending. The physicians consider me as cured, and I had leave four days ago to wash the cantharides from my head. Last Tuesday I dined at the Club. |