CHAPTER V. 1737-1738. Takes Johnson goes to London with David Garrick. and proceeds with " Irene." Returns to - Projects a Translation of the History of the Council of Trent. · Lichfield, and finishes "Irene." Removes to London with his Wife. Becomes a Writer in the Gentleman's Magazine. JOHNSON now thought of trying his fortune in London, the great field of genius and exertion, where talents of every kind have the fullest scope and the highest encouragement. It is a memorable circumstance, that his pupil, David Garrick, went thither at the same time (1), with intent to complete (1) Both of them used to talk pleasantly of this their first journey to London. Garrick, evidently meaning to embellish a little, said one day in my hearing, "We rode and tied." And the Bishop of Killaloe (Dr. Barnard) informed me, that at another time, when Johnson and Garrick were dining together in a pretty large company, Johnson humorously ascertaining the chronology of something, expressed himself thus: -"That was the year when I came to London with two-pence halfpenny in my pocket." Garrick overhearing him, exclaimed, "Eh? what do you say? with two-pence halfpenny in your pocket?"Johnson." Why, yes; when I came with two-pence halfpenny in my pocket, and thou, Davy, with three-halfpence in thine." BOSWELL. This may have been said in raillery, but could not have been true. Indeed, Boswell, in the next page, acknowledges that Johnson had a little money at his arrival; but, however that may be, Garrick, a young gentleman coming to town, not as an adventurer, but to complete his education and prepare for the bar, could not have been in such indigent circumstances. CROKER. his education, and follow the profession of the law, from which he was soon diverted by his decided preference for the stage. This joint expedition of those two eminent men to the metropolis was many years afterwards noticed in an allegorical poem on Shakspeare's mulberry tree, by Mr. Lovibond, the ingenious author of "The Tears of Old-May-day.” (1) They were recommended to Mr. Colson (*), an eminent mathematician and master of an academy, by the following letter from Mr. Walmesley : LETIER 2. TO THE REV. MR. COLSON. "Lichfield, March 2. 1737. "DEAR SIR, - I had the favour of yours, and am extremely obliged to you; but I cannot say I had a greater affection for you upon it than I had before, being long since so much endeared to you, as well by an early friendship, as by your many excellent and valuable (1) [Edward Lovibond was a gentleman of fortune, residing at Hampton, whose works were little known in his own day, and are now quite neglected, though Dr. Anderson has introduced them into the Scotch edition of the British Poets. According to the information of Mr. Chalmers, he was a director of the East India Company. He died in 1773.] (2) [The Rev. John Colson became, in 1709, first master or the free-school at Rochester. In 1739, he was appointed Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge; and died in December, 1759. "Mrs. Piozzi," observes Mr. Croker, "has stated, that the character of Gelidus, in the 24th Rambler, was meant to represent Mr. Colson; but this may be doubted, for, as Mr. Colson resided constantly at Rochester till his removal to Cambridge, it is not likely that Mr. Walmesley's letter could produce any intercourse or acquaintance between him and Johnson; and it appears, from Davies's Life of Garrick (vol. 1. D. 14.), a work revised by Johnson, that Mr. Colson's character could have no resemblance to the absurdities of Gelidus."] qualifications; and, had I a son of my own, it would be my ambition, instead of sending him to the university, to dispose of him as this young gentleman is. "He, and another neighbour of mine, one Mr. Samuel Johnson, set out this morning for London together. Davy Garrick to be with you early the next week, and Mr. Johnson to try his fate with a tragedy, and to see to get himself employed in some translation, either from the Latin or the French. Johnson is a very good scholar and poet, and I have great hopes will turn out a fine tragedy-writer. If it should any way lie in your way, doubt not but you would be ready to recommend and assist your countryman, "G. WALMESLEY." How he employed himself upon his first coming to London is not particularly known. (1) I never heard that he found any protection or encouragement by the means of Mr. Colson, to whose academy David Garrick went. Mrs. Lucy Porter told me, that Mr. Walmesley gave him a letter of introduction to Lintot his bookseller, and that Johnson wrote some things for him; but I imagine this to be a mistake, for I have discovered no trace of it, and I am pretty sure he told me, that Mr. Cave was the first publisher by whom his pen was engaged in London. He had a little money when he came to town, and he knew how he could live in the cheapest manner. His first lodgings were at the house of Mr. Norris, (1) One curious anecdote was communicated by himself to Mr. John Nichols. Mr. Wilcox, the bookseller, on being informed by him that his intention was to get his livelihood as an author, eyed his robust frame attentively, and, with a significant look, said, "You had better buy a porter's knot." He, however, added, "Wilcox was one of my best friends." |