during my travels, written to him from loca solennia,
places in some measure sacred. That as I had written to
him from the tomb of Melancthon ('), sacred to learning
and piety, I now wrote to him from the palace of Pascal
Paoli, sacred to wisdom and liberty; knowing that, how-
ever his political principles may have been represented, he
had always a generous zeal for the common rights of hu-
manity. I gave him a sketch of the great things I had
seen in Corsica, and promised him a more ample relation.
Mr. Johnson was pleased with what I wrote here; for I
received at Paris an answer from him, which I keep as a
valuable charter:-"When you return, you will return
to an unaltered, and, I hope, an unalterable friend.
that you have to fear from me is the vexation of disap-
pointing me. Come home, however, and take your
chance. I long to see you, and to hear you; and hope
that we shall not be so long separated again. Come home,
and expect such a welcome as is due to him whom a wise
and noble curiosity has led where, perhaps, no native of
this country ever was before."

All

(1) BOSWELL'S LETTER TO DR. JOHNSON FROM THE TOMB OF MELANCTHON. "Sunday, 30th Sept. 1764.

"MY EVER DEAR AND MUCH-RESPECTED SIR,-You know my solemn enthusiasm of mind. You love me for it, and I respect myself for it, because in so far I resemble Mr. Johnson. You will be agreeably surprised when you learn the reason of my writing this letter. I am at Wittemberg in Saxony. I am in the old church where the Reformation was first preached, and where some of the reformers lie interred. I cannot resist the serious pleasure of writing to Mr. Johnson from the tomb of Melancthon. My paper rests upon the grave-stone of that great and good man, who was undoubtedly the worthiest of all the reformers. He wished to reform abuses which had been introduced into the church; but had no private resentment to gratify. So mild was he, that when his aged mother consulted him with anxiety on the perplexing disputes of the times, he advised her to keep to the old religion.' At this tomb, then, my ever dear and respected friend I vow to thee an eternal attachment. It shall be my study to do what I can to render your life happy; and if you die before me, I shall endeavour to do honour to your memory; and, elevated by the remembrance of you, persist in noble piety. May God, the father of all beings, ever bless you! and may you continue to love your most affectionate friend and devoted servant,

"JAMES BOSWELL."

THE END.

LONDON:

Trinted by A. SPOTTISWOODE,
New-Street-Square.