Yet it was not a little painful to me to find that in a paragraph of this letter, which I have omitted, he still persevered in arraigning me as before, which was strange in him who had so much experience of what I suffered. I, how ever, wrote to him two as kind letters as I could; the last of which came too late to be read by him, for his illness increased more rapidly upon him than I had apprehended; but I had the consolation of being informed that he spoke of me on his death-bed with affection, and I look forward with humble hope of renewing our friendship in a better world.

I now relieve the readers of this work from any farther personal notice of its author; who, if he should be thought to have obtruded himself too much upon their attention, requests them to consider the peculiar plan of his biographical undertaking.

Soon after Johnson's return to the metropolis, both the asthma and dropsy became more violent and distressful. He had for some time kept a journal in Latin of the state of his illness, and the remedies which he used, under the title of Egri Ephemeris, which he began on the 6th of July, but continued it no longer than the 8th of November; finding, I suppose, that it was a mournful and unavailing register. It is in my possession; and is written with great care and accuracy.

Still his love of literature did not fail. A very few days before his death he transmitted to his friend, Mr. John Nichols, a list of the authors of the Universal History, mentioning their several shares in that work. It has, ac

cording to his direction, been deposited in the British Museum, and is printed in the Gentle man's Magazine for December, 1784.

As the letter accompanying this list (which fully supports the above observation) was written but a week before Dr. Johnson's death, the reader may not be displeased to find it here preserved:

JOHNSON TO NICHOLS.

"December 6. 1784.

"The late learned Mr. Swinton, having one day remarked that one man, meaning, suppose, no

1 It is truly wonderful to consider the extent and constancy of Johnson's literary ardour, notwithstanding the melancholy which clouded and embittered his existence. Besides the numerous and various works which he executed, he had, at different times, formed schemes of a great many more, of which the following catalogue [see Appendix] was given by him to Mr. Langton, and by that gentleman presented to his Majesty. -BOSWELL. This catalogue, as Mr. Boswell calls it, is, by Dr. Johnson himself, intitled DESIGNS," and is written in a few pages of a small duodecimo note-book bound in rough calf. It seems, from the hand, that it was written early in life from the marginal dates it appears that some portions were added in 1752 and 1753. In the first page of this little volume, his late Majesty King George III. wrote with his own hand:" Original Manuscripts of Dr. Samuel Johnson, presented by his friend, -. -Langton, Esq. April 16th,

1785. G. R."-CROKER.

2 History of the Romans: by Mr. Bower.- BOSWELL. — Bishop Warburton, in a letter to Jortin, in 1749, speaks with great contempt of this work as "miserable trash," and "the Infamous rhapsody called the Universal History." Nick. Anec. vol. ii. p. 173. But Mr. Gibbon's more favourable opinion of this work will, as Mr. Markland observes, claim

man but himself, could assign all the parts of the Ancient Universal History to their proper authors at the request of Sir Robert Chambers, or of myself, gave the account which I now transmit to you in his own hand; being willing that of so great a work the history should be known, and that each writer should receive his due proportion of praise from posterity.

"I recommend to you to preserve this scrap of literary intelligence in Mr. Swinton's own hand, or to deposit it in the Museum, that the veracity of this account may never be doubted. I am, Sz. your most humble servant, SAM. JOHNSON." Mr. [Swinton.]

Dissertation on the Peopling of America.
Independency of the Arals

The Cosmogony, and a small part of the History immediately following; by Mr. Sale.

To the birth of Abraham; chiefly by Mr. She vock.

History of the Jews, Gauls, and Spaniards; by Mr. Psalmanazar.

Xenophon's Retreat; by the same. History of the Persians and the Constantinopo litan Empire; by Dr. Campbell.

History of the Romans; by Mr. Bower.

During his sleepless nights he amused himself by translating into Latin verse, from the Greek, many of the epigrams in the "Anth logia." These translations, with some other poems by him in Latin, he gave to his friend Mr. Langton, who, having added a few notes, sold them to the booksellers for a small sum to be given to some of Johnson's relations, which was accordingly done; and they we printed in the collection of his works.

A very erroneous notion had circulated to Johnson's deficiency in the knowledge of the Greek language, partly owing to the modesty' with which, from knowing how much there was

as much attention as the "decrees" of Warburton, who has not improperly been termed by the former "the dictator and tyrant of the world of literature," Gibbon speaks of the "excellence of the first part of the Universal History generally admitted." The History of the Macedonia, also observes," is executed with much erudition, taste, and judgment. This history would be invaluable were al parts of the same merit."- Miscel, Works, v. 411498. Same curious facts relating to this work, and especially these part of it committed to himself, will be found in Psalms Memoirs, p. 291.-CROKER.

3 On the subject of Dr. Johnson's skill in Greek, I have great pleasure in quoting an anecdote told by my late frid Mr. Gifford, in his Life of Ford:

My friend the late Lord Grosvenor had a house at Salt Hill, where I usually spent a part of the summer, and thus became acquainted with that great and good man, Jab Bryant. Here the conversation turned one morning Greek criticism by Dr. Johnson in some volume lying on the table, which I ventured (for I was then young) to drem correct, and pointed it out to him. I could not help thinking that he was something of my opinion, but he was castius and reserved. But, Sir,' said I, willing to overcosse 19

to be learnt, he used to mention his own comparative acquisitions. When Mr. Cumberland' talked to him of the Greek fragments which are so well illustrated in "The Observer," and of the Greek dramatists in general, he candidly acknowledged his insufficiency in that partícular branch of Greek literature. Yet it may be said, that though not a great, he was a good Greek scholar. Dr. Charles Burney, the younger, who is universally acknowledged by the best judges to be one of the few men of this age who are very eminent for their skill in that noble language, has assured me, that Johnson could give a Greek word for almost every English one; and that, although not sufficiently conversant in the niceties of the language, he, upon some occasions, discovered, even in these, a considerable degree of critical acumen. Mr. Dalzel, professor of Greek at Edinburgh, whose skill is unquestionable, mentioned to me, in very liberal terms, the impression which was made upon him by Johnson, in a conversation which they had in London concerning that language. As Johnson, therefore, was undoubtedly one of the first Latin scholars in modern times, let us not deny to his fame some additional splendour from Greek.2

I shall now fulfil my promise of exhibiting specimens of various sorts of imitation of Johnson's style.

66

In the "Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy, 1787," there is an Essay on the Style of Dr. Samuel Johnson," by the Reverend Robert Burrowes, whose respect for the great object of his criticism3 is thus evinced in the concluding paragraph: "I have singled him out from the whole body of English writers, because his universally-acknowledged beauties would be most apt to induce imitation: and I have treated rather on his faults, than his perfections, because an essay might comprise all the observations I could make upon his faults, while volumes would not be sufficient for a treatise on his perfections."

scruples, 'Dr. Johnson himself admitted that he was not a good Greek scholar.'' Sir,' he replied, with a serious and impressive air, it is not easy for us to say what such a man as Johnson would call a good Greek scholar.' I hope that I profited by that lesson-certainly I never forgot it." ford's Works of Ford, vol. i. p. lxii. - CROKER.

Gif

1 Mr. Cumberland assures me that he was always treated with great courtesy by Dr. Johnson, who, in his "Letters to Mrs. Thrale," vol. ii. p. 68., thus speaks of that learned, Ingenious, and accomplished gentleman:" The want of company is an inconvenience, but Mr. Cumberland is a million." -BOSWELL.

2 Johnson professed not to be deeply skilled in Greek, but was not much pleased if his profession was believed. Mrs. Piozzi tells us that when the King of Denmark was in England [in 1768], one of his noblemen was brought by Mr. Colman to see Dr. Johnson at Mr. Thrale's country-house; and having heard, he said, that he was not famous for Greek literature, attacked him on the weak side; politely adding, that he chose that conversation on purpose to favour himself. Dr. Johnson, however, displayed so copious a knowledge of authors, books, and every branch of learning in that language, that the gentleman appeared astonished. When he was gone, Johnson said, "Now for all this triumph I may thank Thrale's Xenophon here, as, I think, excepting that one, I have not looked in a Greek book these ten years: but see what haste my dear friends were all in." continued he, "to tell this poor innocent foreigner that I knew nothing of

Mr. Burrowes has analysed the composition of Johnson, and pointed out its peculiarities with much acuteness; and I would recommend a careful perusal of his Essay to those who being captivated by the union of perspicuity and splendour which the writings of Johnson contain, without having a sufficient portion of his vigour of mind, may be in danger of becoming bad copyists of his manner. I, however, cannot but observe, and I observe it to his credit, that this learned gentleman has himself caught no mean degree of the expansion and harmony which, independent of all other circumstances, characterise the sentences of Johnson. Thus, in the preface to the volume in which the Essay appears, we find,

"If it be said, that in societies of this sort too much attention is frequently bestowed on subjects barren and speculative, it may be answered, that no one science is so little connected with the rest as not to afford many principles whose use may extend considerably beyond the science to which they primarily belong, and that no proposition is so purely theoretical as to be totally incapable of being applied to practical purposes. There is no

apparent connection between duration and the cycloidal arch, the properties of which duly attended to have furnished us with our best regulated methods of measuring time: and he

who had made himself master of the nature and affections of the logarithmic curve is not aware that he has advanced considerably towards ascertaining the proportionable density of the air at its various distances from the surface of the earth."

The ludicrous imitators of Johnson's style are innumerable. Their general method is to accumulate hard words, without considering, that, although he was fond of introducing them occasionally, there is not a single sentence in all his writings where they are crowded together, as in the first verse of the following imaginary Ode by him to Mrs. Thrale^, which appeared in the newspapers :

:

Greek! Oh no! he knows nothing of Greek!" with a loud burst of laughter. It has been said that Dr. Johnson never exerted such steady application as he did for the last ten years of his life in the study of Greek; but frequent passages in his diary and letters contradict this statement. - CROKER.

3 We must smile at a little inaccuracy of metaphor in the preface to the Transactions, which is written by Mr. Burrowes. The critic of the style of Johnson having, with a just zeal for literature, observed, that the whole nation are called on to exert themselves, afterwards says, "They are called on by every tye which can have laudable influence on the heart of man."- BOSWELL. See antè, p. 69. n. 1. CROKER.

4 Johnson's wishing to unite himself with this rich widow was much talked of, but I believe without foundation. The report, however, gave occasion to a poem, not without characteristical merit, entitled "Ode to Mrs. Thrale, by Samuel Johnson, LL.D., on their supposed approaching Nuptials: printed for Mr. Faulder in Bond Street. I shall quote as a specimen the first three stanzas: —

"If e'er my fingers touch'd the lyre,
In satire fierce, in pleasure gay,
Shall not my Thralia's smiles inspire?
Shall Sam refuse the sportive lay?
"My dearest lady! view your slave,

Behold him as your very Scrub;
Eager to write as author grave,
Ör govern well- the brewing-tub.

"Cervisial coctor's viduate dame,
Opins't thou this gigantic frame,
Procumbing at thy shrine,
Shall, catenated by thy charms,
A captive in thy ambient arins,
Perennially be thine ?"

This and a thousand other such attempts are totally unlike the original, which the writers imagined they were turning into ridicule. There is not similarity enough for burlesque, or even for caricature.

Mr. Colman, in his "Prose on several Occasions," has "A Letter from Lexiphanes, containing proposals for a Glossary, or Vocabulary of the Vulgar Tongue; intended as a Supplement to a larger Dictionary." It is evidently meant as a sportive sally of ridicule on Johnson, whose style is thus imitated, without being grossly overcharged : —

"It is easy to foresee that the idle and illiterate will complain that I have increased their labours by endeavouring to diminish them; and that I have explained what is more easy by what is more difficult ignotum per ignotius. I expect, on the other hand, the liberal acknowledgments of the learned. He who is buried in scholastic retirement, secluded from the assemblies of the gay, and remote from the circles of the polite, will at once comprehend the definitions, and be grateful for such a seasonable and necessary elucidation of his mother-tongue."

Annexed to this letter is the following short specimen of the work, thrown together in a vague and desultory manner, not even adhering to alphabetical concatenation.

that I might introduce quotations from a m merous body of writers in our language, s he appeared in the literary world. I a point out the following:

WILLIAM ROBERTSON, D.D. "In other parts of the globe, man, in his rude

state, appears as lord of the creation, giving lavt various tribes of animals which he has tamed wi reduced to subjection. The Tartar follow tr prey on the horse which he has reared, or tents: numerous herds which furnish him both with im and clothing; the Arab has rendered the ca docile, and avails himself of its persevering strea the Laplander has formed the reindeer to be servient to his will; and even the people Kamschatka have trained their dogs to labour This command over the inferior creatures is on the noblest prerogatives of man, and among t greatest efforts of his wisdom and power. Wil this, his dominion is incomplete. He is a me who has no subjects; a master without s and must perform every operation by the streng of his own arm."- History of America, 4to, p. 332.

EDWARD GIBBON, ESQ.

"Of all our passions and appetites, the love of power is of the most imperious and unsocia nature, since the pride of one man requires is submission of the multitude. In the tumu civil discord the laws of society lose their s and their place is seldom supplied by these humanity. The ardour of contention, the pre of victory, the despair of success, the memory “ past injuries, and the fear of future dangers, L contribute to inflame the mind, and to silener i

confusion.

"HODGE-PODGE,

A culinary mixture of heterogeneous ingredients; applied metaphorically to all discordant combinations.

"TIT FOR TAT,- Adequate retaliation. "SHILLY SHALLY, Hesitation and irresolution. "FEE! FA! FUM!- Gigantic intonations. “ RIGMAROLE, — Discourse, incoherent and rhap

sodical.

"To rich felicity thus raised,

My bosom glows with amorous fire,
Porter no longer shall be praised;

'Tis I myself am Thrale's Entire."- Boswell.

Mrs. Carter, in one of her letters to Mrs. Montagu, says, "I once saw him (Dr. Johnson) very indigné when somebody jested about Mrs. Thrale's marrying himself. The choice would, no doubt, have been singular, but much less exceptionable than that which she has made." Letters, vol. iii. p. 221. Mr. Alexander Chalmers, who knew all the parties, says that the report was certainly unfounded. CROKER.

On the original publication of Mr. Boswell's c the press teemed with parodies, or imitations of ba reporting Dr. Johnson's conversation: but they are now & deservedly forgotten, except one by Mr. Alexander mers, which is executed with so much liveliness santry, and is, in fact, so just a criticism on the tighter p of this work, that the reader will be, I believe, murhan to find it preserved. See Appendix," Lessons Bangk or, How to write the Life of one's Friend." - CHOKEL 2 The passage which I quote is taken from that genti "Elements of Orthoepy; containing a distinct Vie whole Analogy of the English Language, so far as rein Pronunciation, Accent, and Quantity," London, 1784 1

of mere caprice; at such a period it will generally e perceived that needless irregularity is the worst of all deformities, and that nothing is so truly legant in language as the simplicity of unviolated nalogy. Rules will, therefore, be observed, so far is they are known and acknowledged: but at the ame time, the desire of improvement having been once excited will not remain inactive; and its fforts, unless assisted by knowledge as much as hey are prompted by zeal, will not unfrequently e found pernicious; so that the very persons whose intention it is to perfect the instrument of eason will deprave and disorder it unknowingly. At such a time, then, it becomes peculiarly neessary that the analogy of language should be ully examined and understood; that its rules should be carefully laid down; and that it should be clearly known how much it contains which, being already right, should be defended from change and violation; how much it has that demands amendment; and how much that, for fear of greater inconveniences, must, perhaps, be left unaltered, though irregular."

"The effects of the return of spring have been frequently remarked, as well in relation to the human mind as to the animal and vegetable world. The reviving power of this season has been traced from the fields to the herds that inhabit them, and from the lower classes of beings up to man. Gladness and joy are described as prevailing through universal nature, animating the low of the cattle, the carol of the birds, and the pipe of the shepherd."

The Reverend Dr. Knox, master of Tunbridge school, appears to have the imitari aveo of Johnson's style perpetually in his mind; and to his assiduous, though not servile, study of it, we may partly ascribe the extensive popularity of his writings.2

leave to offer my particular acknowledgments to the author of a work of uncommon merit and great utility. I know no book which contains, in the same compass, more learning, polite literature, sound sense, accuracy of arrangement, and perspicuity of expression. - BoSWELL.

That collection was presented to Dr. Johnson, I believe, by its authors; and I heard him speak very well of it.BOSWELL.

it were to be wished that he had imitated that great man in every respect, and had not followed the example of Dr. Adam Smith, in ungraciously attacking his venerable Alma Mater, Oxford. It must, however, be observed, that he is much less to blame than Smith: he only objects to certain particulars; Smith, to the whole institution; though indebted for much of his learning to an exhibition which he enjoyed for many years at Baliol College. Neither of them, however, will do any hurt to the noblest university in the world. While I animadvert on what appears to me exceptionable in some of the works of Dr. Knox, I cannot refuse due praise to others of his productions; particularly his sermons, and to the spirit with which he maintains, against presumptuous heretics, the consolatory doctrines peculiar to the Christian Revelation. This he has done in a manner equally strenuous and conciliating. Neither ought I to omit mentioning a remarkable instance of his candour. Notwithstanding the wide difference of our opinions upon the important subject of university education, in a letter to me concerning this work he thus expresses himself: "I thank you for the very great enter

"The polish of external grace may indeed be When deferred till the approach of manhood. solidity is obtained by pursuing the modes prescribed by our forefathers, then may the file be used. The firm substance will bear attrition, and the lustre then acquired will be durable."

There is, however, one in No. 11. which is blown up into such tumidity as to be truly ludicrous. The writer means to tell us, that members of Parliament who have run in debt by extravagance will sell their votes to avoid an arrest3, which he thus expresses:

They who build houses and collect costly pictures and furniture with the money of an honest artisan or mechanic will be very glad of emancipation from the hands of a bailiff by a sale of their senatorial suffrage."

But I think the most perfect imitation of Johnson is a professed one, entitled “A Criticism on Gray's Elegy in a Country Churchyard," said to be written by Mr. Young, professor of Greek, at Glasgow, and of which let him have the credit, unless a better title can be shown. It has not only the particularities of Johnson's style, but that very species of literary discussion and illustration for which he was eminent. Having already quoted so much from others, I shall refer the curious to this performance, with an assurance of much entertainment.*

Yet, whatever merit there may be in any imitations of Johnson's style, every good judge must see that they are obviously different from the original; for all of them are either deficient in its force, or overloaded with its peculiarities; and the powerful sentiment to which it is suited is not to be found.

Johnson's affection for his departed relations seemed to grow warmer as he approached nearer to the time when he might hope to see

tainment your Life of Johnson gives me. It is a most valuable work. Yours is a new species of biography. Happy for Johnson that he had so able a recorder of his wit and wisdom." BoSWELL.

3 Dr. Knox, in his "Moral and Literary" abstraction, may be excused for not knowing the political regulations of his country. No senator can be in the hands of a bailiff. —BOSWELL. Their houses and goods might be seized under an execution. It was said, and I believe truly, that Sheridan once (or more than once) gave a dinner under those circumstances, and that the bailiff's waited at table. — CROKER, 1847.

4 It seems to me to be one of the most insipid and unmeaning volumes ever published. I cannot make out whether it was meant for jest or earnest; but it fails either way, for it has neither pleasantry nor sense. Johnson saw this work, and thus writes of it:-" Of the imitation of my style, in a criticism on Gray's Churchyard, I forgot to make mention. The author is, I believe, utterly unknown, for Mr. Steevens cannot hunt him out. I know little of it, for though it was sent me, I never cut the leaves open. I had a letter with it, representing it to me as my own work; in such an account to the public there may be humour, but to myself it was neither serious nor comical. I suspect the writer to be wrongheaded. As to the noise which it makes, I never heard it, and am inclined to believe that few attacks either of ridicule or invective make much noise but by the help of those that they provoke.". Letters, July 5. 1783.- CROKER.

them again. It probably appeared to him that he should upbraid himself with unkind inattention, were he to leave the world without having paid a tribute of respect to their memory.

DR. JOHNSON TO MR. GREEN, Apothecary, at Lichfield.1

"December 2, 1784.

“DEAR SIR, — I have enclosed the epitaph for my father, mother, and brother, to be all engraven on the large size, and laid in the middle aisle in St. Michael's church, which I request the clergyman and churchwardens to permit.

The first care must be to find the exact place of interment, that the stone may protect the bodies. Then let the stone be deep, massy, and hard; and do not let the difference of ten pounds, or more, defeat our purpose.

"I have enclosed ten pounds, and Mrs. Porter will pay you ten more, which I gave her for the same purpose. What more is wanted shall be sent; and I beg that all possible haste may be made, for I wish to have it done while I am yet alive. Let me know, dear Sir, that you receive this. I am, &c., SAM. JOHNSON."

JOHNSON TO LUCY PORTER.

"DEAR MADAM, ·

"December 2. 1784.

I am very ill, and desire your prayers. I have sent Mr. Green the epitaph, and a power to call on you for ten pounds.

"I laid this summer a stone over Tetty, in the chapel of Bromley in Kent. The inscription is in Latin [p. 78.], of which this is the English. (Here a translation.) That this is done, I thought it fit that you should know. What care will be taken of us, who can tell? May God pardon and bless us, for Jesus Christ's sake. I am, &c.,

"SAM. JOHNSON."

1 A relation of Dr. Johnson. See antè, p. 490.- CROKER. 2 It was not done, Dr. Harwood tells us, till after Johnson's death; and when the church was new paved in 1796, the stone was removed, and, strange and shameful to say, is nowhere to be found. The following is the inscription :

H. S. E.

MICHAEL JOHNSON,

Vir impavidus, constans, animosus, periculorum immemor, laborum patientissimus ; fiducia christiana fortis, fervidusque, pater-familias apprinne strenuus; bibliopola admodum peritus; mente et libris et negotiis exculta; animo ita firmo, ut, rebus adversis diu conflicatus, nec sibi nec suis defuerit: lingua sic temperata, ut ei nihil quod aures, vel pias, vel castas læsisset, aut dolor, vel voluptas unquam expresserit.

Natus Cubleiæ, in agro Derbiensi, Anno 1656.
Obiit 1731.

Apposita est SAra, conjux.

Antiqua FORDORUM gente oriunda; quam domi sedulam, foris paucis notam; nulli molestam, mentis acumine et judicii subtilitate præcellentem ; aliis multum, sibi parum indulgentem: Eternitati semper attentam, omne fere virtutis nomen commendavit.

Nata Nortoniæ Regis, in agro Varvicensi, Anno 1669; Obiit 1759.

Cum NATHANAELE illorum filio, qui natus 1712, cum vires et animi, et corporis multa pollicerentur, Anno 1737, vitam brevem pia morte finivit.— ČROKER, 1831-47.

CHAPTER LXXXII.

1784.

Last Illness, and Death. His Will, Funeral, aui Burial.

My readers are now, at last, to behold SAMUEL JOHNSON preparing himself for that doom, fru which the most exalted powers afford no er him an object of terror: so that, though by Death had always been to emption to man. means happy, he still clung to life with a eagerness at which many have wondered. A

any

time when he was ill, he was very mech pleased to be told that he looked better. A ingenious member of the Eumelian Club'isforms me, that upon one occasion, when le said to him that he saw health returning to cheek, Johnson seized him by the hand in exclaimed, "Sir, you are one of the kinder friends I ever had."

His own statement of his views of futurity will appear truly rational; and may, perhaps, impress the unthinking with seriousness.

"You know," says he to Mrs. Thrale, I never thought confidence with respect to futurity any part of the character of a brave, a wise, or good man. Bravery has no place where it ca avail nothing; wisdom impresses strongly the cutsciousness of those faults, of which it is, perhap itself an aggravation; and goodness, always ing to be better, and imputing every deficient to criminal negligence, and every fault to voluntary corruption, never dares to suppose the conditi of forgiveness fulfilled, nor what is wanting in t crime supplied by penitence.

"This is the state of the best; but what be the condition of him whose heart will not suffi him to rank himself among the best, or among good? Such must be his dread of the approaching trial, as will leave him little attention to the opiran of those whom he is leaving for ever; and the ser nity that is not felt, it can be no virtue to feign" His great fear of death, and the strange dark

3 This lady survived Dr. Johnson just thirteen m She died at Lichfield, in her seventy-first year, January 1786, and bequeathed the principal part of her fortune to the Rev. Mr. Pearson, of Lichfield. — MALONE.

4A club in London, founded by the learned and ingen physician, Dr. Ash, in honour of whose name it was cal Eumelian, from the Greek Eng: though it was war contended, and even put to a vote, that it should have to more obvious appellation of Frazinean, from the LatinBOSWELL.

5 Mrs. Carter, in one of her letters to Mrs. Montags says, "I see by the papers that Dr. Johnson is dead b extent of learning, and exquisite purity of moral writing has left no superior, and I fear very few equals. His r and his piety were founded on the steadiest of Christian principles and faith. His faults, I firmly believe, arose ir the irritations of a most suffering state of nervous con tution, which scarcely ever allowed him a moment's ent To this passage the editor of Mrs. Carter's Letters Hub joins the following note:

"Mrs. Carter told the editor, that in one of the last versations which she had with this eminent meralist, told him that she had never known him say anything trary to the principles of the Christian religion. He sred her hand with great emotion, exclaiming. You know this. and bear witness to it when I am gone!'"- Letters, vol. 11 p. 234.-CHALMERS. "You wonder," she says mathe place," that an undoubted believer and a man of piety shad be afraid of death;' but it is such characters who have enf