In the course of this year there was a difference between him and his friend Mr. Strahan; the particulars of which it is unnecessary to relate. Their reconciliation was communicated to me in a letter from Mr. Strahan in the following words :

"The notes I showed you that past between him and me were dated in March last. The matter lay dormant till 27th July, when he wrote to me as follows:

LETTER 324.

TO WILLIAM STRAHAN, ESQ.

"SIR,—It would be very foolish for us to continue strangers any longer: You can never by persistency make wrong right. If I resented too acrimoniously, I resented only to yourself. Nobody ever saw or heard what İ wrote. You saw that my anger was over.; for in a day or two I came to your house. I have given you a longer time; and I hope you have made so good use of it, as to be no longer on evil terms with, Sir, yours, &c.,

"On this I called upon him: and he has since dined with me."

After this time, the same friendship as formerly continued between Dr. Johnson and Mr. Strahan. My friend mentioned to me a little circumstance of his attention, which, though we may smile at it, must be allowed to have its foundation in a nice and true knowledge of human life. "When I write to Scotland," said he, "I employ Strahan to frank my letters, that he may have the consequence of appearing a parliament-man among his countrymen."

LETTER 325.

TO MRS. THRALE.

"Oct. 15, 1778.

"As to Dr. Collier's 1 epitaph, Nollekens has had it so long, that I have for. gotten how long. You never had it. There is a print of Mrs. Montagu, and I shall think myself very ill rewarded for my love and admiration, if she does not give me one; she will give it nobody in whom it will excite more respectful sentiments. But I never could get anything from her but by pushing a face; and so, if you please, you may tell her.

"When I called the other day at Burney's, I found only the young ones at home; at last came the doctor and madam, from a dinner in the country, to tell how they had been robbed as they returned. The doctor saved his purse, but gave them three guineas and some silver, of which they returned him three-and-sixpence, unasked, to pay the turnpike.

1 Dr. Collier, of the Commons, an early friend of Mrs. Thrale's, who died 28-J May, 1777.-C.

"I have sat twice to Sir Joshua, and he seems to like his own performance, He has projected another, in which I am to be busy ; but we can think on it at leisure.

"Mrs. Williams is come home better, and the habitation is all concord and harmony; only Mr. Levett harbours discontent. With Dr. Lawrence's consent, I have, for the last two nights, taken musk: the first night was a worse night than common, the second, a better; but not so much better as that. I dare ascribe any virtue to the medicine. I took a scruple each time."

"Oct. 81, 1778.

"Sir Joshua has finished my picture, and it seems to please everybody, but I shall wait to see how it pleases you. To-day Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Des. moulins had a scold, and Williams was going away; but I bid her not turn tail, and she came back, and rather got the upper hand."

LETTER 326.

TO CAPTAIN LANGTON.1

Warley-Camp.

"Oct. 81, 1778.

"DEAR SIR,-When I recollect how long ago I was received with so much kindness at Warley common, I am ashamed that I have not made some inquiries after my friends.

"Pray how many sheep-stealers did you convict? and how did you punish them? When are you to be cantoned in better habitations? The air grows cold, and the ground damp. Longer stay in the camp cannot be without much danger to the health of the common men, if even the officers can escape. "You see that Dr. Percy is now dean of Carlisle; above five hundred a year, with a power of presenting himself to some good living. He is provided for. The session of the Club is to commence with that of the Parliament. Mr. Banks desires to be admitted; he will be a very honourable accession.

2

“Did the king please you? The Coxheath men, I think, have some reason to complain. Reynolds says your camp is better than theirs. I hope you find yourself able to encounter this weather. Take care of your own health; and, as you can, of your men. Be pleased to make my compliments to all the gentlemen whose notice I have had, and whose kindness I have experienced. I am, dear Sir, &c. SAM. JOHNSON."

I wrote to him on the 18th of August, the 18th of September, and the 6th of November; informing him of my having had another son born, whom I had called James; that I had passed some time

1 Dr. Johnson here addresses his worthy friend, Bennet Langton, Esq., by his title as Captain of the Lincolnshire Militia, in which he has since been most deservedly raised to the rank of Major.-C.

2 Afterwards Sir Joseph.-C.

This was the gentleman who contributed a few notes to this work. He was of Braz:

at Auchinleck; that the Countess of Loudoun, now in her ninetyninth year, was as fresh as when he saw her, and remembered him with respect; and that his mother by adoption, the Countess of Eglintoune, had said to me, "Tell Mr. Johnson, I love him exceedingly;" that I had again suffered much from bad spirits; and that as it was very long since I heard from him, I was not a little uneasy.

The continuance of his regard for his friend, Dr. Burney, appears from the following letters:

LETTER 327.

TO THE REV. DR. WHEELER.1

Oxford.

"London, Nov. 2, 1778.

DEAR SIR,-Dr. Burney, who brings this paper, is engaged in a History of Music; and having been told by Dr. Markham of some MSS. relating to his subject, which are in the library of your college, is desirous to examine them. He is my friend; and therefore I take the liberty of entreating your favour and assistance in his inquiry; and can assure you, with great confidence, that if you knew him he would not want any intervenient solicitation to obtain the kindness of one who loves learning and virtue as you love them.

"I have been flattering myself all the summer with the hope of paying my annual visit to my friends; but something has obstructed me; I still hope not to be long without seeing you. I should be glad of a little literary talk; and glad to show you, by the frequency of my visits, how eagerly I love it, when you talk it. I am, dear Sir, &c.,

LETTER 328.

TO THE REV. DR. EDWARDS. 2

Oxford.

"SAM. JOHNSON."

"London, Nov. 2, 1778. "SIR,-The bearer, Dr. Burney, has had some account of a Welsh manuscript in the Bodleian library, from which he hopes to gain some materials for his History of Music; but being ignorant of the language, is at a loss where to find assistance. I make no doubt but you, Sir, can help him through his difficulties, and therefore take the liberty of recommending him to your favour,

nose College, and a Vinerian Fellow, and died in February, 1822, at his chambers, in the Temple.-HALL. I had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He published an edition of Shakspeare; was very convivial,; and in other respects like his father-though altogether on a smaller scale -C.

1 Benjamin Wheeler was entered at Trinity College, November 12, 1751. In 1776 he was appointed Regius Professor of Divinity and canon of Christ-church.-HALL

2 Edward Edwards entered at Jesus College, 1748, æt. 17; M. A. 1749; B. D. 1756; and D. D. 1760.-HALL

as I am sure you will find him a man worthy of every civility that can be shown, and every benefit that can be conferred.

"But we must not let Welsh drive us from Greek. What comes of Xeno. phon? If you do not like the trouble of publishing the book, do not let your commentaries be lost; contrive that they may be published somewhere. I am, Sir, &c., SAM. JOHNSON."

These letters procured Dr. Burney great kindness and friendly offices from both of these gentlemen, not only on that occasion, but in future visits to the university. The same year Dr. Johnson not only wrote to Joseph Warton in favour of Dr. Burney's youngest son, who was to be placed in the college of Winchester, but accompanied him when he went thither.

We surely cannot but admire the benevolent exertions of this great and good man, especially when we consider how grievously he was afflicted with bad health, and how uncomfortable his home was made by the perpetual jarring of those whom he charitably accom. modated under his roof. He has sometimes suffered me to talk jocularly of his group of females, and call them his Seraglio. He thus mentions them, together with. honest Levett, in one of his letters to Mrs. Thrale: "Williams hates everybody; Levett hates Desmoulins, and does not love Williams; Desmoulins hates them both; Poll' loves none of them."'

1 Dr. Edwards was preparing an edition of Xenophon's Memorabilia, which, however, he did not live to complete -C. It was published in 1785, with a preface by Dr. Owen.

2 Miss Carmichael.-B. I have not learned how this lady was connected with Dr. Johnson. It was no doubt his domestic experience which prompted his complimentary exclamation to Hannah More and her four sisters, "What! five women live happily together ! !”—More's Life, v. i. p. 67.-C. 1885.

These connexions exposed him to trouble and incessant solicitation, which he bore well enough; but his inmates were enemies to his peace, and occasioned him great disquiet: the jealousy that subsisted among them rendered his dwelling irksome to him, and he seldom approached it, after an evening's conversation abroad, but with the dread of finding it a scene of disorder, and of having his ears filled with the complaints of Mrs Williams of Frank's neglect of his duty and inattention to the behests of his master, and of Frank against Mrs. Williams, for the authority she assumed over him, and exercised with an unwarrantable severity. Even those intruders who had taken shelter under his roof, and who, in his absence from home, brought thither their children, found cause to murmur; "their provision of food was scanty, or their dinners ill-dressed;" all which he chose to endure, rather than put an end to their clamours by ridding his home of such thankless and troublesome guests. Nay, so insensible was he of the ingratitude of those whom he suffered thus to hang upon him, and among whom he may be said to have divided an income which was little more than sufficient for his own support, that he would submit to reproach and personal affront from some of them; ever

LETTER 329.

TO JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ.

"Nov. 21, 1778.

"DEAR SIR,-It is indeed a long time since I wrote, and I think you must have some reason to complain; however, you must not let small things disturb you, when you have such a fine addition to your happiness as a new boy, and I hope your lady's health restored by bringing him. It seems very probable that a little care will now restore her, if any remains of her com plaints are left.

"You seem, if I understand your letter, to be gaining ground at Auchin leck, an incident that would give me great delight.

"When any fit of anxiety, or gloominess, or perversion of mind lays hold upon you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaints, but exert your whole. care to hide it; by endeavouring to hide it you will drive it away. Be always busy.

"The Club is to meet with the parliament; we talk of electing Banks, the traveller; he will be a reputable member. Langton has been encamped with his company of militia on Warley-common; I spent five days amongst them; he signalized himself as a diligent officer, and has very high respect in the regiment. He presided when I was there at a court-martial; he is now quartered in Hertfordshire; his lady and little ones are in Scotland. Paoli came to the camp, and commended the soldiers.

"Of myself I have no great matters to say; my health is not restored; my nights are restless and tedious. The best night that I have had these twenty years was at Fort Augustus.

"I hope soon to send you a few Lives to read. I am, dear Sir, your most affectionate,

"SAM: JOHNSON."

About this time the Reverend Mr. John Hussey, who had been some time in trade, and was then a clergyman of the church of England, being about to undertake a journey to Aleppo, and other parts of the East, which he accomplished, Dr. Johnson (who had long been in habits of intimacy with him) honoured him with the following letter :

LETTER 330.

TO MR. JOHN HUSSEY.

"Dec. 29, 1778.

"DEAR SIR, I have sent you the 'Grammar,' and have left you two books more, by which I hope to be remembered; write my name in them; we may, perhaps, see each other no more: you part with my good wishes, nor do I despair of seeing you return. Let no opportunities of vice corrupt you; let

Levett would sometimes insult him, and Mrs. Williams, in her paroxysms of rage, has been known to drive him from her presence.-Hawkins,