The other Oxford news is, that they have fent me a degree of Doctor of Laws, with fuch praises in the diploma as, perhaps, ought to make me ashamed; they are very like your praifes. I wonder whether I fhall ever fhew them to you.

Boswell will be with you. Please to ask Murphy the way to Lord Mansfield. Dr. Wetherell, who is now here, and will be here for fome days, is very defirous of seeing the brewhoufe; I hope Mr. Thrale will fend him an invitation. He does what he can for Carter.

To-day I dine with Hamilton; to-morrow with Hoole; on Monday with Paradise; on Tuesday with master and mistress; on Wednefday with Dilly; but come back to the Tower *.

Sic nunquam rediturus labitur annus.

I am, &c,

Poor Mrs. Williams is very bad, worse than I ever faw her.

* The Tower was a feparate room at Streatham, where Dr. Johnson flept.

LETTER C.

To Mrs. THRA L E.

A

May 12, 1775.

ND fo, my dearest Miftrefs, you lie a bed hatching fufpicions. I did not mean to reproach you, nor meant any thing but refpect, and impatience to know how you did. I wish I could fay or fend any thing to divert you; but I have done nothing and feen nothing. I dined one day with Paoli, and yesterday with Mrs. Southwells, and called on Congreve. Mr. Twifs, hearing that you talked of defpoiling his book of the fine print, has fent you a copy to frame. He is going to Ireland, and I have given him letters to Dr. Leland and Mr. Falkner.

Mr. M- is fo ill that the Lady is not visible; but yesterday I had I know not how much kifs of Mrs. Abington, and very good. looks from Mifs ***** the maid of honour.

Bofwell has made me promife not to go to Oxford till he leaves London; I had no great reafon for hafte, and therefore might as well gratify a friend. I am always proud and pleased to have my company defired. Bofwell would have thought my abfence a lofs, and I knew not who elfe would have confidered my presence as profit. He has entered himfelf at the Temple, and I joined in his bond. He is to plead before the Lords, and hopes very nearly to gain the cost of his journey. He lives much with his friend Paoli, who fays, a man must see Wales to enjoy England.

The book which is now most read, but which, as far as I have gone, is but dull, is Gray's letters, prefixed by Mr. Mafon to his poems. I have borrowed mine, and therefore cannot lend it, and I can hardly recommend the purchase.

I have offended; and, what is stranger, have juftly offended the nation of Rafay. If they could come hither, they would be as fierce as the Americans. Rafay has written to Bofwell an account of the injury done him, by representing his houfe as fubordinate to that of Dunvegan. Bofwell has his letter, and I believe

believe copied my answer. I have appeased him, if a degraded chief can poffibly be appeased; but it will be thirteen days, days of refentment and difcontent, before my recantation can reach him. Many a dirk will imagination, during that interval, fix in my heart. I really question if at this time my life would not be in danger, if distance did not fecure it.

Bofwell will find his way to Streatham before he goes, and will detail this great affair. I would have come on Saturday, but that I am engaged to do Dr. Lawrence a little service on Sunday. Which day fhall I come next week? I hope you will be well enough to see me often. I am, dearest Madam,

Your, &c.

LETTER CI.

To Mrs. THRAL E.

DEAR MADAM,

May 20, 1775.

I

WILL try not to be fullen, and yet when I leave you how fhall I help it. Bof. goes away on Monday; I go in a day or two after him, and will try to be well, and to be as you would have me. But I hope that when I come back you will teach me the value of liberty.

Nurfe tells me that you are all well, and she hopes all growing better. Ralph, like other young gentlemen, will travel for improve

ment.

I have fent you fix guineas and an half; so you may laugh at neglect and parfimony. It is a fine thing to have money. Peyton and Macbean are both ftarving, and I cannot keep them.

*

Muft

* Peyton and Macbean were amanuenfes of Dr. Johnfon. Macbean was a man of great learning, with little

power

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