R. C. Waterston

THE

LIFE

OF

SAMUEL JOHNSON, LL.D.

BY

JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ.

A New Edition.

IN FOUR VOLUMES.

VOL. IV.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR G. WALKER, J. AKERMAN, E. EDWARDS, J. HARWOOD,
W. ROBINSONS AND SONS, LIVERPOOL; E. THOMSON, MANCHESTER;
J. NOBLE, HULL; J. WILSON, BERWICK; W. WHYTE AND CO.,
EDINBURGH ; AND R. GRIFFIN AND CO., GLASGOW.

THE

LIFE

OF

SAMUEL JOHNSON, LL. D.

MR. MACBEAN, whom I have mentioned more than once, as one of Johnson's humble friends, a deserving but unfortunate man, being now oppressed by age and poverty, Johnson solicited the Lord Chancellor Thurlow, to have him admitted into the Charter-house. I take the liberty to insert his Lordship's answer, as I am eager to embrace every occasion of augmenting the respectable notion which should ever be entertained of my illustrious friend:

"SIR,

"TO DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON.

London, October 24, 1780.

"I HAVE this moment received your letter dated the 19th, and returned from Bath.

"In the beginning of the summer I placed one in the Chartreux, without the sanction of a recommendation so distinct and so authoritative as yours of Macbean; and I am afraid, that according to the establishment of the House, the opportunity of making the charity so good amends will not soon recur. But whenever a vacancy shall happen, if