disordered, by the uncertainty and irregularity of the directors, it will be a rash attempt for me; and, besides, they have only vehicles sufficient for themselves; so that I shall have another resting time, before they return again to stay a few days; and then they all go to Lichfield race, from whence Mr. Fitzherbert and Gernier only return back. Now, I have not only told you the state of my health, but of affairs here, that you may know both how I do, and what I do.

"And, while I am writing all this, I really feel ashamed; conscious how little I merit to be thought of consequence enough for any body to desire such information concerning me, particularly you, who I am persuaded might select a friend among the most worthy. Do not call this feigned humility, or, in other words, the worst sort of pride. "Tis truth, I assure you.

"Will you come into Derbyshire? But why do I ask? You say you will. In the mean time, I will endeavour, with God's blessing, to lay in a stock of health, that I may have the pleasure of walking with you in Dovedale, and many other pleasures I hope for.

"You desire longer letters; here you have one-but such a one as I am afraid will not make you repeat that desire. However, it will be a proof of my willingness to gratify your request whenever it is in my power, and that I never say little to Mr. Johnson by choice, but when I can hear him talk.

"The least degree of your quiet is a treasure which I shall take the utmost care of-but yet, from very certain experience, and the truest regard to your peace, I must advise to take it out of all human hands. Young's experience strongly speaks with mine—

Lean not on earth; 't will pierce thee to the heart;

A broken reed, at best; but oft a spear;

On its sharp point Peace bleeds, and Hope expires.'

Yet such has been the amazing mercy of God to me, that now I can say-It is good for me that I have been afflicted.' Looking over some old papers lately, I found two lines I had scratched out, which were prophetic of what has since happened to me—

"Variety of pain will make me know,

That greatest bliss is drawn from greatest woe.'

But this, perhaps, you say, is far from being a dissuasive. Why, as to the event here, 'tis indeed the contrary. But, in general, the disappointment and pain is certain, the event not so. There is no peace but that one which the Prince of Peace, king of Salem, left to his disciples- Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.' No; for in another place, our Saviour says, In the world ye shall have tribulation' Seek, and you will surely find.' You do me the honour to call me your monitress; and you see I endeavour to execute the duty of one.

Peace and happiness here and for ever do I most ardently wish you; as I am truly, dear sir, your greatly obliged and affectionate friend, "H. BOOTHBY.

"Miss's love.

"N. B.-I intended to have concluded this, where I talked of a longer letter on the other side, but went on imperceptibly as it were. Remember you are a whole sheet in my debt after you receive this."

LETTER XXVIII.

"8th September, 1755.

"DEAR SIR,-It is as impossible for me to forbear writing, as it is to say a tenth part of what I would say. Two letters I have from you demand a vast deal; yet not more than I am willing to give, was I able; but Mr. Fitzherbert has been at home above a week, and company, &c. have prevented my doing any thing but attend to domestic employments. I do not allow you to be a judge with regard to your conferring obligations. I am to judge and estimate in this But, now you know my thoughts, if the repetition displeases,

I shall avoid it.

"Your letters are indeed very different from the common dialect of daily correspondence, and as different from the style of a school dogmatist. Much sense in few and well-chosen words. Daily correspondence does not commonly afford, nor a school dogmatist, delicate praise. So much for your letters. As to what you say of mine, dear sir, if they please you, I am perfectly satisfied. And, high as I rate your judgment, it gives me more pleasure to think I owe much of your applause to the partiality of a kind friend, than I should receive from unbiassed criticism; were it publicly to pronounce me superior to all the Arindas, Sevignés, &c. in epistolary excellence.

"I have been fourteen miles to-day, was out by eight in the morning (some hours before your day begins), despatched several important things, am tired, but could not suffer another post to go without an assurance that I am, dear sir, your affectionate friend, and obliged one too, "H. BOOTHBY."

LETTER XXIX.

"Tissington, 20th Sept., 1755. "DEAR SIR,-Were I at liberty, it would not be in my power to enhance the value of my letters by their scarcity. You should have them, till you cried out Hold your hand.' But you cannot imagine the half of what I have to do; and I assure you I have on your account put off writing to others from time to time, till now I am ashamed. Be silent at Dr. Lawrence's as to me, for I have been long in debt there: I intended to have paid to-day, but you won't let me. This way I consider-I must go to Derby on Monday, to stay some

days-no writing then-and, therefore, I must write to Mr. Johnson now, and defer the rest-why I must write to Mr. Johnson, rather than to others, he may find out.'

"You do not pity me, when I am whirled round by a succession of company; yet you are anxious for my health. Now this is, though perhaps unknown to you, really a contradiction. For one day's crowd, with the preceding necessary preparations to receive them, the honours, as it is called, of a large table, with the noise, &c. attending, pulls down my feeble frame more than any thing you can imagine. To that, air, gentle exercise, and then quiet and rest, are most friendly. You have often declared you cannot be alone; and I, as often, that I could not be long, unless I was some hours in every day alone. I have found myself mistaken; for yet I am in being, though for some time past I have seldom had one half hour in a day to myself; and I have learned this profitable lesson, that resignation is better than indulgence; and time is too precious a thing for me to have at my own disposal. Providence has given it to others, and, if it may profit them, I shall rejoice. It is all I desire.

"I can only be sorry that the text in the Corinthians1 does not prove to you what I would have it, and add to my prayers for you that it may prove it.

"Miss Fitzherbert is very well, and all my dear flock. She sends her love to you.

"You will prolong your visit to this part of the world, till some of us are so tired of it that we shall be moving towards you. Consider, it is almost October. When do you publish? Any news relating to you will be acceptable: if it is good, I shall rejoice; if not, hope to lessen any pain it may give you by the sharing it, as, dear sir, your truly affectionate friend, "H. BOOTHBY."

LETTER XXX.

"Tissington, 11th October, 1755. "DEAR SIR,—I have been so great a rambler lately, that I have not had time to write. A week at Derby; another between Stafford and some other relations. The hurrying about proved too much for my strength, and disordered me a good deal; but now, thank God, I am better again. Your letter I met here, as I always do every one you write, with much pleasure. I expected this pleasure; and as I should have met disappointment if I had not had a letter, so the pleasure of one was increased. Few things can disappoint me; I look for no satisfaction from them; but you may greatly, as you have given me a confidence in your highly valued friendship. Complaints

for want of time will be one of those which must be made by all, whose hope is not full of immortality; and to this, the previous review of life, and reflections you have made, are necessary. I am persuaded you had not time to say more, or you could not have concluded your last as you did. A moment's reflection would have prevented a needless wish.

"Have you read Mr. Law? not cursorily, but with attention? I wish you would consider him. 'His appeal to all that doubt, &c.' I think the most clear of all his later writings; and, in recommending it to you, I shall say no more or less than what you will see he says in his advertisement to the reader.

1

"In less than a month we are to be in Cavendish-square. Mr. Fitzherbert has fixed Friday se'nnight for going to town himself, and we are to follow soon after that time. Need I say, I shall be glad to see you? No-you know I shall; and, unless duty calls to Lichfield, I wish rather to have that visit deferred, till it may give me an opportunity of seeing you here on our return in the summer. Consider of this, and contrive so, if possible, as that both in summer and winter I may have the pleasure of your conversation; which will greatly cheer the gloom of one season, and add to the smiles of the other. Such influence has such a friend on, dear sir, your obliged and affectionate humble servant, "H. BOOTHBY.

"My dear Miss Fitzherbert is well, very well, and has never given me one alarm since we came here. She sends you her love very sincerely."

"DR. JOHNSON TO MISS BOOTHBY.

"Saturday 2, [27th Dec. 1755.] "DEAREST DEAR,-I am extremely obliged to you for the kindness of your inquiry. After I had written to you, Dr. Lawrence came, and would have given some oil and sugar, but I took rhenish and water, and recovered my voice. I yet cough much, and sleep ill. I have been visited by another doctor to-day; but I laughed at his balsam of Peru. I fasted on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and felt neither hunger nor faintness. I have dined yesterday and to-day, and found little refreshment. I am not much amiss; but can no more sleep than if my dearest lady were angry at, madam, your, &c.

[His mother was still alive and resident in Lichfield, but he never again visited that town during her life. See ante, vol. i. p. 274.n. p. 360.-—ED.]

2

[Probably Saturday, 27th December, 1755. These undated notes it is not easy to arrange; but the order the editor has assigned to them seems probable and is consistent with the contents. It seems that while Johnson was labouring under some kind of feverish cold, Miss Boothby herself fell ill of a disease, of which she died in a fortnight.—ED.]

LETTER XXXI.

"Sunday night, (December, 1755 '.)

“My dear sir,—I am in trouble about you; and the more, as I am not able to see how you do myself-pray send me word. You have and the first moment I can, you sincere my prayers; dear sir, your affectionate friend,

shall "H. BOOTHBY.

see,

"I beg you would be governed by the good doctor while you are sick; when you are well, do as you please."

"DR. JOHNSON TO MISS BOOTHBY.

"30th December, 1755.

"DEAR MADAM,-It is again midnight, and I am again alone. With what meditation shall I amuse this waste hour of darkness and vacuity? If I turn my thoughts upon myself, what do I perceive but a poor helpless being, reduced by a blast of wind to weakness and misery? How my present distemper was brought upon me I can give no account, but impute it to some sudden succession of cold to heat; such as in the common road of life cannot be avoided, and against which no precaution can be taken.

"Of the fallaciousness of hope and the uncertainty of schemes, every day gives some new proof; but it is seldom heeded, till something rather felt than seen awakens attention. This illness, in which I have suffered something, and feared much more, has depressed my confidence and elation; and made me consider all that I had promised myself, as less certain to be attained or enjoyed. I have endeavoured to form resolutions of a better life; but I form them weakly, under the consciousness of an external motive. Not that I conceive a time of sickness, a time improper for recollection and good purposes, which I believe diseases and calamities often sent to produce, but because no man can know how little his performance will answer to his promises; and designs are nothing in human eyes till they are realised by execution.

"Continue, my dearest, your prayers for me, that no good resolution may be vain. You think, I believe, better of me than I deserve. I hope to be in time what I wish to be; and what I have hitherto satisfied myself too readily with only wishing.

"Your billet brought me, what I much wished to have, a proof that I am still remembered by you at the hour in which I most desire it.

"The Doctor is anxious about you. He thinks you too negligent

1 In Dr. Johnson's hand writing.-WRIGHT. [Probably Sunday, 28th Dec. 1755. Miss Boothby seems to have come to town in the preceding month.-ED.]

2 [Doctor Lawrence.-ED.]