of the west, the quiet habitation of sanctity and literature. If you could give a history, though imperfect, of the Irish nation, from its conversion to Christianity to the invasion from England, you would amplify knowledge with new views and new objects. Set about it,

therefore, if you can: do what you can easily do without anxious exactness. Lay the foundation, and leave the superstructure to posterity.—I am, Sir, your humble servant, SAM. JOHNSON."

Early in this year came out, in two volumes quarto, the posthumous works of the learned Dr. Zachary Pearce, bishop of Rochester; being "A Commentary, with Notes, on the four Evangelists and the Acts of the Apostles," with other theological pieces. Johnson had now an opportunity of making a grateful return to that excellent prelate (1), who, we have seen, was the only person who gave him any assistance in the compilation of his dictionary. The bishop had left some account of his life and character, written by himself. To this Johnson made some valuable additions †, and also furnished to the editor, the Rev. Mr. Derby(2), a dedication †, which

(1) Mrs. Thrale, in one of her letters, repeats a curious anecdote of this prelate, which she probably had from Dr. Johnson himself: "We will act as Dr. Zachary Pearce, the famous bishop of Rochester, did, when he lost the wife he so much loved - call for one glass to the health of her who is departed never more to return, and then go quietly back to the usual duties of life, and forbear to mention her again from that time to the last day of it."—Lett. v. ii. p. 213. But he survived his lady but a few months, and his death was (if not occasioned) certainly accelerated by her loss. She died 23d Oct. 1773, and he 29th June, 1774, after a union of fifty-one years.-C.

(2) Rector of Southfleet and Longfield in Kent. He had married Bishop Pearce's niece. Johnson, in a letter to Mrs. Thrale, says, "My clerical friend Derby is dead." He died in 1778.

C.

I shall here insert; both because it will appear at this time with peculiar propriety, and because it will tend to propagate and increase that "fervour of loyalty," which in me, who boast of the name of Tory, is not only a principle, but a passion.

"To the King.

"SIR,-I presume to lay before your majesty the last labours of a learned bishop, who died in the toils and duties of his calling. He is now beyond the reach of all earthly honours and rewards; and only the hope of inciting others to imitate him, makes it now fit to be remembered, that he enjoyed in his life the favour of your majesty.

"The tumultuary life of princes seldom permits them to survey the wide extent of national interest, without losing sight of private merit; to exhibit qualities which may be imitated by the highest and the humblest of mankind; and to be at once amiable and great.

"Such characters, if now and then they appear in history, are contemplated with admiration. May it be the ambition of all your subjects to make haste with their tribute of reverence! and as posterity may learn from your majesty how kings should live, may they learn likewise from your people how they should be honoured!

I am, may it please your majesty, with the most profound respect, your majesty's most dutiful and devoted subject and servant."

In the summer he wrote a prologue *, which was spoken before "A Word to the Wise," a comedy by Mr. Hugh Kelly, which had been brought upon the stage in 1770; but he being a writer for ministry in one of the newspapers, it fell a sacrifice to popular fury, and, in the playhouse phrase, was damned. By the generosity of Mr. Harris, the proprietor of

Covent-garden theatre, it was now exhibited for one night, for the benefit of the author's widow and children. To conciliate the favour of the audience was the intention of Johnson's prologue, which, as it is not long, I shall here insert, as a proof that his poetical talents were in no degree impaired.

"This night presents a play, which public rage,
Or right or wrong, once hooted from the stage:
From zeal or malice now no more we dread,
For English vengeance wars not with the dead.
A generous foe regards with pitying eye

The man whom fate has laid where all must lie.
To wit, reviving from its author's dust,
Be kind, ye judges, or at least be just:
Let no renewed hostilities invade
Th' oblivious grave's inviolable shade.
Let one great payment every claim appease,
And him who cannot hurt, allow to please;
To please by scenes, unconscious of offence,
By harmless merriment or useful sense.
Where aught of bright or fair the piece displays,
Approve it only; 'tis too late too praise.
If want of skill or want of care appear,

Forbear to hiss;

By all, like him, must praise and blame be found,
At last, a fleeting gleam or empty sound:
Yet then shall calm reflection bless the night

When liberal pity dignified delight;

When pleasure fired her torch at virtue's flame,

And mirth was bounty with an humbler name.” (1)

(1) Mr. Murphy related in Dr. Johnson's hearing one day, and he did not deny it, that when Murphy joked him for having been so diligent of late between Dodd's sermon and Kelly's prologue, Dr. Johnson replied, "Why, Sir, when they come to me with a dead staymaker and a dying parson, what can a man do?"- Piozzi.

The semile of a letter from Richard

my Remarks

In my firs

on our Hist

But of all plagues, wh Lure from & falfe Historia Is there of Genius one ne'er Thro Francy, thro Affectio whose aim quite honest, To truth save, twixt cont Nor selects on this, or the soleaks, Lives such a man? there do While worthy pens, &

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