bat interested warmly in all yours, both in heart and mind. "I hope our difference is only in words, or that in time our sentiments will be so much the same as to make our expressions clear and plain. As you say, every moment brings the tinie nearer in which we must think alike. O may this time (or rather end of time to us) which will fully disclose truth, also with it disclose eternal happiness to us! You see I cannot help praying for you, nor shall I ever, as I am truly, dear sir, your affectionate friend, "H. BOOTHBY. "My little flock all well; Miss much at your service, and has a high regard for you. If you mention me at the doctor's, mention me as one who is always glad of paying regard there, and hearing well of them." LETTER XXV. "30th July, 1755. "DEAR SIR, Why, my good friend, you are so bountiful and so kind that I must thank you, and say I am truly grateful, though I have not time for more, as I have been obliged to write several letters to-day, and cannot easily write much. Your account of Mr. Williams's departure was very sweet to me'. He is happy without doubt, and, instead of condoling with, I most heartily rejoice with Miss Williams from this assurance, which I trust she has as strongly as I, and then she must be every moment thankful. "I am not so well as I have been. The damp weather has affected me. But my dear children are all well; and some sunshine will revive me again. This is only to let you see I think of you, and, as I ought, receive every instance of your regard when I assure you it increases mine, and makes me more and more, dear sir, your grateful and affectionate friend, "H. BOOTHBY. "I will tell you some time what I think of Anacreon?." LETTER XXVI. 13th August, 1755. "DEAR SIR,-You was at Oxford then? And I was vain enough to conclude you was not in town, or I should have heard from you sooner, and you have not lessened my vanity by thinking of and writing to me, in a place where so many objects suited to your taste would be courting your attention-so many of the learned seeking your conversation. This is a new obligation, of which I am very sensible. Yet I had rather seen a letter dated from Lichfield, because then I should have hoped soon to see Mr. Johnson himself, and for an opportunity of conversing with him. (When the term "sweet" is applied on such an occasion, it is not surprising that we meet strange expressions scattered through the correspondence -ED.} 2 [Had he sent to Miss Boothby the translation of Anacreon's Dove, which he gave to Mrs. Thrale in 1777 ? When dictating it to that lady he said, "I never was much struck with any thing in the Greek language till I read that, so I never read any thing in the same language, since, that pleased me as much. I hope my translation," continued he, "is not worse than that of Frank Fawkes." Seeing her disposed to lauzh, "Nay, nay," said he, Frank Fawkes has done them very finely." When she had finished writing, "But you must remember to add," eaid Dr.Johnson, "that though these verses were planned, and even begun, when I was sixteen years old, I never could find time to make an end of them before I was sixty-eight."--ED.] "I am at present preparing to receive Mr. Fitzherbert, Mr. and Mrs. Alleyne, Mr. Gernier, &c. If you have been in town this week, probably you have seen Mr. Fitzherbert. I hope he would not neglect to inquire after the most valuable acquaintance he has there. Our scene here will be much changed. But all is, and ought to be, variable in this life; and I expect the change with much inward tranquillity. The interval of rest and quiet I have had has greatly contributed to the amendment of my health. I walked a mile yesterday without great fatigue; and hope I shall be able to support the labours to come. I am not careful, however, for the morrow. That is in the hands of the almighty and all-merciful God. There I trust; and pray-Give me this day my daily bread.' "Miss is still tuning-no wonder that you have inspired her with awe. She is disturbed she does not write; yet cannot satisfy herself with any mental composition. She has yet been working for you. I leave her to herself, and hope she will produce something. "Remember that the more people I see the more I shall rejoice in a letter from you. Turtlefeasts and venison-feasts I delight not in. Treat me sometimes, as often as you can, with what will be really a feast; and in the best manner I am able I will thank you, and be ever, as now, dear sir, your grateful and affectionate friend, "H. BOOTHBY." LETTER XXVII. "Tissington, 20th August, 1755. "DEAR SIR,-Every where I find myself in your thoughts-at Oxford-in town. How shall I reward this kind attention to a friend, this tender solicitude for her health and welfare? Your partiality will I know make you reply,' By neglecting no means to procure and preserve them.' This is what I am sensible I owe to the most inconsiderable creature whom it pleases a good Providence to benefit in the last degree by me; and much more to a friend. Pain and sickness do most certainly produce the consequences you observe; and often do I reflect with the greatest wonder and gratitude on all those various occasions in which it has pleased God to visit me with these, that he should never leave me without that medicine of life-a friend. "I am glad you saw Mr. Fitzherbert, and that he repeated his invitation to Tissington. He and his company arrived here on Thursday last, all at a loss what to do with themselves in still life. They set out yesterday to Derby race, and return on Friday, with some forty more people, to eat a turtle; weight, a hundred and thirty. This feast I, who, you know, love eating, am preparing for them. It will be a day of fatigue. But then how sweet and comfortable it will be, to lie down and rest at night! The sleep of a labouring man is business is to prepare a feast, not to eat. During sweet, whether he eateth little or much. My the time of our having been here alone, I have found great good from rest and quiet, and the strength gained in this interval of repose enables me to support the hurry of company, and the necessary cares for their reception and entertainment, much better than I could do for a long time before I left London. But I am not so well as I was a fortnight since. The pain in my side is increased, as I find it will be on all occasions where I am obliged to prolong exercise to the least degree of fatigue, and in my present situation there is no avoiding these sometimes. But I have respite seasonably, thank God, as now. And next week Mr. Fitzherbert and his guests go to dance at Buxton, and see the Peak. You will perhaps think a tour round the Peak would be no bad thing for me; and I should think so too; but as this will be ordered, or disordered, by the uncertainty and irregularity of the directors, it will be a rash attempt for me; and, besides, they have only vehicles sufficient for themselves; so that I shall have another resting time, before they return again to stay a few days; and then they all go to Lichfield race, from whence Mr. Fitzherbert and Gernier only return back. Now, I have not only told you the state of my health, but of affairs here, that you may know both how I do, and what I do. "And, while I am writing all this, 1 really feel ashamed; conscious how little I merit to be thought of consequence enough for any body to desire such information concerning me, particularly you, who I am persuaded might select a friend among the most worthy. Do not call this feigned humility, or, in other words, the worst sort of pride. "Tis truth, I assure you. "Will you come into Derbyshire? But why do I ask? You say you will. In the mean time, I will endeavour, with God's blessing, to lay in a stock of health, that I may have the pleasure of walking with you in Dovedale, and many other pleasures I hope for. "You desire longer letters; here you have one --but such a one as I am afraid will not make you repeat that desire. However, it will be a proof of my willingness to gratify your request whenever it is in my power, and that I never say little to Mr. Johnson by choice, but when I can hear him talk. "The least degree of your quiet is a treasure which I shall take the utmost care of-but yet, from very certain experience, and the truest regard to your peace, I must advise to take it out of all human hands. Young's experience strongly speaks with mine 'Lean not on earth; 't will pierce thee to the heart; A broken reed, at best; but oft a spear; On its sharp point Peace bleeds, and Hope expires.' Yet such has been the amazing mercy of God to me, that now I can say It is good for me that I have been afflicted.' Looking over some old papers lately, I found two lines I had scratched out, which were prophetic of what has since happened to me— Variety of pain will make me know, the world ye shall have tribulation'—' Seek, and you will surely find.' You do me the honour to call me your monitress; and you see I endeavour to execute the duty of one. Peace and happiness here and for ever do I most ardently wish you; as I am truly, dear sir, your greatly obliged and affectionate friend, "H. BOOTHBY. "Miss's love. "N. B.-I intended to have concluded this, where I talked of a longer letter on the other side, but went on imperceptibly as it were. Remember you are a whole sheet in my debt after you receive this."' LETTER XXVIII. "8th September, 1755. "DEAR SIR,-It is as impossible for me to forbear writing, as it is to say a tenth part of what I would say. Two letters I have from you de mand a vast deal; yet not more than I am willing to give, was I able; but Mr. Fitzherbert has been at home above a week, and company, &c. have prevented my doing any thing but attend to domestic employments. I do not allow you to be a judge with regard to your conferring obligations. I am to judge and estimate in this case. But, now you know my thoughts, if the repetition displeases, I shall avoid it. "Your letters are indeed very different from the common dialect of daily correspondence, and as different from the style of a school dogu.atist. Much sense in few and well-chosen words. Daily correspondence does not commonly afford, nar a school dogmatist, delicate praise. So much for your letters. As to what you say of mine, dear sir, if they please you, I am perfectly satis fied. And, high as I rate your judgment, it gives me more pleasure to think I owe much of your applause to the partiality of a kind friend, than I should receive from unbiassed criticista ; were it publickly to pronounce me superior to all the Arindas, Sevignés, &c. in epistolary excellence. "I have been fourteen miles to-day, was out by eight in the morning (some hours before your day begins), despatched several important things, am tired, but could not suffer another post to go without an assurance that I am, dear sir, your affectionate friend, and obliged one too, "H. BOOTHBY." LETTER XXIX. "Tissington, 20.h Sept., 1753. "DEAR SIR,-Were I at liberty, it would not be in my power to enhance the value of my letters by their scarcity. You should have them, till you cried out Hold your hand. But you cannot imagine the half of what I have to do; and I assure you I have on your account put off That greatest bliss is drawn from greatest woe.' writing to others from time to time, till now I am But this, perhaps, you say, is far from being a ashamed. Be silent at Dr. Lawrence's as to me, dissuasive. Why, as to the event here, 't is in- for I have been long in debt there: I intended to deed the contrary. But, in general, the disap- have paid to-day, but you won't let me. This pointment and pain is certain, the event not so. way I consider-I must go to Derby on Monday, There is no peace but that one which the Prince to stay some days-no writing then-and, thereof Peace, king of Salem, left to his disciples-fore, I must write to Mr. Johnson now, and de 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto fer the rest-why I must write to Mr. Johnson, you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.' rather than to others, he may find out.' No; for in another place, our Saviour says, 'In “You do not pity me, when I am whirled round by a succession of company; yet you are anxious for my health. Now this is, though perhaps unknown to you, really a contradiction. For one day's crowd, with the preceding necessary preparations to receive them, the honours, as it is called, of a large table, with the noise, &c. attending, pulls down my feeble frame more than any thing you can imagine. To that, air, gentle exercise, and then quiet and rest, are most friendly. You have often declared you cannot be alone; and I, as often, that I could not be long, unless I was some hours in every day alone. I have found myself mistaken; for yet I am in being, though for some time past I have seldom had one half hour in a day to myself; and I have learned this profitable lesson, that resignation is better than indulgence; and time is too precious a thing for me to have at my own disposal. Providence has given it to others, and if it may profit them, I shall rejoice. It is all I desire. "I can only be sorry that the text in the Corinthians does not prove to you what I would have it, and add to my prayers for you that it may prove it. “Miss Fitzherbert is very well, and all my dear flock. She sends her love to you. "In less than a month we are to be in Cavendish-square. Mr. Fitzherbert has fixed Friday se'nnight for going to town himself, and we are to follow soon after that time. Need I say, I shall be glad to see you? No-you know I shall; and, unless duty calls to Lichfield, I wish rather to have that visit deferred, till it may give me an opportunity of seeing you here on our return in the summer. Consider of this, and contrive so, if possible, as that both in summer and winter 1 may have the pleasure of your conversation; which will greatly cheer the gloom of one season, and add to the smiles of the other. Such influence has such a friend on, dear sir, your obliged and affectionate humble servant, "H. BOOTHBY. "My dear Miss Fitzherbert is well, very well, and has never given me one alarm since we came here. She sends you her love very sincerely." DR. JOHNSON TO MISS BOOTHBY. Saturday 4, (27th Dec. 1755.) "Dearest DEAR,-1 am extremely obliged to you for the kindness of your inquiry. After I had written to you, Dr. Lawrence came, and would have given some oil and sugar, but I took rhenish and water, and recovered my voice. I yet cough much, and sleep ill. I have been vis "You will prolong your visit to this part of the world, till some of us are so tired of it that we shall be moving towards you. Consider, it is al-ited by another doctor to-day; but I laughed at most October. When do you publish? Any news relating to you will be acceptable: if it is good, I shall rejoice; if not, hope to lessen any pain it may give you by the sharing it, as, dear sir, your truly affectionate friend, "H. BOOTHBY." LETTER XXX. "Tissington, 11th October, 1755. "DEAR SIR,-I have been so great a rambler lately, that I have not had time to write. A week at Derby; another between Stafford and some other relations. The hurrying about proved too much for my strength, and disordered me a good deal; but now, thank God, I am better again. Your letter I met here, as I always do every one you write, with much pleasure. I expected this pleasure; and as I should have met disappointinent if I had not had a letter, so the pleasure of one was increased. Few things can disappoint me: I look for no satisfaction from them; but you may greatly, as you have given me a confidence in your highly valued friendship. Complaints for want of time will be one of those which must be made by all, whose hope is not full of immortality; and to this, the previous review of life, and reflections you have made, are necessary. I am persuaded you had not time to say more, or you could not have concluded your last as you did. A moment's reflection would have prevented a needless wish. "Have you read Mr. Law? not cursorily, but with attention? I wish you would consider him. His appeal to all that doubt, &c.' I think the most clear of all his later writings; and, in recommending it to you, I shall say no more or less than what you will see he says in his advertisement to the reader. his balsam of Peru. I fasted on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and felt neither hunger nor faintness. I have dined yesterday and to-day, and found little refreshment. I am not much amiss; but can no more sleep than if my dearest lady were angry at, madam, your, &c. LETTER XXXI. "Sunday night, (December, 1755 3.) "MY DEAR SIR,-I am in trouble about you; and the more, as I am not able to see how you do myself-pray send me word. You have my sincere prayers; and the first moment I can, you shall see, dear sir, your affectionate friend, "H. BOOTHBY. "I beg you would be governed by the good doctor while you are sick; when you are well, do as you please." DR. JOHNSON TO MISS BOOTHBY. "30th December, 1755. "DEAR MADAM,-It is again midnight, and I am again alone. With what meditation shall I amuse this waste hour of darkness and vacuity? If I turn my thoughts upon myself, what do I perceive but a poor helpless being, reduced by a blast of wind to weakness and misery? How my present distemper was brought upon me I can give no account, but impute it to some sudden 3 [His mother was still alive and resident in Lichfield, but he never again visited that town during her life. See ante, vol. i. pp. 124 n. and 161.-ED.] 4 [Probably Saturday, 27th December, 1755. These undated notes it is not easy to arrange; but the order the Editor has assigned to them seems probable, and is consistent with the contents. It seems that while Johnson was labouring under some kind of feverish cold, Miss Boothby herself fell ill of a disease of which she died in a fortnight.-ED.] 5 In Dr. Johnson's handwriting-WRIGHT. [Proba bly Sunday, 28th Dec. 1755. Miss Boothby seems to have come to town in the preceding month.-ED.] succession of cold to heat; such as in the common | fer the rest, till I am more able. Dear sir, your road of life cannot be avoided, and against which affectionate friend, "H. BOOTнEY. no precaution can be taken. "Give Cooper some tickets. "I am glad you sent for the hock. Mr. Fitzherbert has named it more than once. "Thank you for saving me from what indeed might have greatly hurt me, had I heard or seca in a paper such a "Of the fallaciousness of hope and the uncertainty of schemes, every day gives some new proof; but it is seldom heeded, till something rather felt than seen awakens attention. This illness, in which I have suffered something, and feared much more, has depressed my confidence and elation; and made me consider all that I had "DR. JOHNSON TO MISS BOOTHBY. promised myself, as less certain to be attained or "Wednesday, December 31, 1733. enjoyed. I have endeavoured to form resolutions "MY SWEET ANGEL,-I have read your of a better life; but I form them weakly, under book, I am afraid you will think without any the consciousness of an external motive. Not great improvement; whether you can read my that I conceive a time of sickness, a time improp-notes, I know not. You ought not to be offended; er for recollection and good purposes, which II am perhaps as sincere as the writer. In all believe diseases and calamities often sent to pro- things that terminate here I shall be much guided duce, but because no man can know how little by your influence, and should take or leave by his performance will answer to his promises; and your direction; but I cannot receive my religion designs are nothing in human eyes till they are from any hunan band. I desire however to be realised by execution. instructed, and am far from thinking myself perfect. "Continue, my dearest, your prayers for me, that no good resolution may be vain. You think, I believe, better of me than I deserve. I hope to be in time what I wish to be; and what I have hitherto satisfied myself too readily with only wishing. "Your billet brought me, what I much wished to have, a proof that I am still remembered by you at the hour in which I must desire it. "I beg you to return the book when you have looked into it. I should not have written what was in the margin, had I not had it from you, or had I not intended to show it you. "It affords me a new conviction, that in these books there is little new, except new forms of expression; which may be sometimes taken, even by the writer, for new doctrines. "The doctor is anxious about you. He "I sincerely hope that God, whom you so thinks you too negligent of yourself; if you will much desire to serve aright, will bless you, and promise to be cautious, I will exchange promises, restore you to health, if he sees it best. Surely no as we have already exchanged injunctions. How- human understanding can pray for any thing tem ever, do not write to me more than you can easi-poral otherwise than conditionally. Dear angel, ly bear; do not interrupt your ease to write at all. "Mr. Fitzherbert sent to-day to offer me some wine; the people about me say I ought to accept it. I shall therefore be obliged to him if he will send me a bottle. "There has gone about a report that I died today, which I mention, lest you should hear it and be alarmed. You see that I think my death may alarm you; which, for me, is to think very highly of earthly friendship. I believe it arose from the death of one of my neighbours. You know Des Cartes' argument, 'I think; therefore I am.' It is as good a consequence, 1 write; therefore I am alive. I might give another, I am alive; therefore I love Miss Boothby;' but that I hope our friendship may be of far longer duration than life. I am, dearest madam, with sincere affection, yours, "SAM. JOHNSON." "MISS BOOTHBY TO DR. JOHNSON. 1 [Dr. Lawrence.-ED.] 3 [Probably not one of Law's works, mentioned in the letter of the 11th October. Dr. Johnson told Mr. Boswell (ante, vol. i. p. 24) that Law's Serious Call was the first book that ever awoke him to a sense of real religion. The work, whatever it was, lent him by Miss Boothby, he does not seem to have approved.-ED.] do not forget me. My heart is full of tenderness. "It has pleased God to permit me to be much better; which I believe will please you. "Give me leave, who have thought och on medicine, to propose to you an easy, and I think a very probable remedy for indigestion and lubricity of the bowels. Dr. Lawrence has told me your case. Take an ounce of dried orange peel finely powdered, divide it into scruples, and take one scruple at a time in any manner; the best way is perhaps to drink it in a glass of hot red port, or to eat it first, and drink the wine after it. If you mix cinnamon or nutmeg with the powder, it were not worse; but it will be more bulky, and so more troublesome. This is a medicine not disgusting, not costly, easily tried, and if not found useful, easily left off1. "I would not have you offer it to the doctor as mine. Physicians do not love intruders; yet do not take it without his leave. But do not be easily put off, for it is in my opinion very likely to help you, and not likely to do you harm: do not take too much in haste; a scruple ence in three hours, or about five scruples a day, will be sufficient to begin; or less, if you find any aversion. I think using sugar with it might be bad; if syrup, use old syrup of quinces; but even that I do not like. I should think better of conserve of sines. Has the doctor mentioned the bark? In powder you could hardly take it; perhaps you might take the infusion. "Do not think me troublesome, I am full of I love you and honour you, and am very care. 4 [See ante, vol. i. p. 512-ED. unwilling to lose you. A dieu je vous recom- "TO THE SAME. (From Mrs. Piozzi's Collection, vol. ii. p. 391.) "1st January, 1755 1. "DEAREST MADAM,-Though I am afraid your illness leaves you little leisure for the reception of airy civilities, yet I cannot forbear to pay you my congratulations on the new year; and to declare my wishes, that your years to come may be many and happy. In this wish indeed I include myself, who have none but you on whom my heart reposes; yet surely I wish your good, even though your situation were such as should permit you to communicate no gratifications to, dearest madam, your, &c." "TO THE SAME. (From Mrs. Piozzi's Collection, vol. ii. p. 392.) may die in thy favour, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. I commend, &c. W. and H. B* "Transcribed June 26, 1768 3." [On a close examination of the foregoing correspondence, it will be seen that the personal communications between Dr. Johnson and Miss Boothby were very limited, and that even during her few and short visits to London their intercourse was hardly as frequent as politeness would have required from common acquaintances. The Editor admits that several of Miss Boothby's letters contain expressions which, if we did not consider the ages of the parties and all the other circumstances of the case, would sound like something more tender than mere platonism; but the slight intercourse between them during the lady's subsequent visits to town seems to refute that inference. The general phraseology of Johnson's notes, and the terms "my dearest" and "my angel," seem strange; but it must be recollected that dearest dear, and similar superlatives of tenderness, were usual with him in addressing Miss Reynolds and other ladies for whom he confessedly felt nothing but friendship; and they were addressed to Miss Boothby when she was dying, and when the hearts of both were softened by sickness and affliction, and warmed by spiritual communication. "[January 3d, 1756.] "DEAREST MADAM,- Nobody but you can recompense me for the distress which I suffered on Monday night. Having engaged Dr. Lawrence to let me know, at whatever hour, the state in which he left you; I concluded, when he stayed so long, that he stayed to see my dearest expire. I was composing myself as I could to hear what yet I hoped not to hear, when his servant brought ine word that you were better. Do you continue As to the supposed rivalry between him and to grow better? Let my dear little Miss inform Lord Lyttelton for Miss Boothby's favour (see me on a card. I would not have you write, lestante, p. 276), it must be either a total mistake or it should hurt you, and consequently hurt likewise, dearest madam, yours, &c." "TO THE SAME. "Thursday, 8th January, 1756. "HONOURED MADAM,-I beg of you to endeavour to live. I have returned your Law; which, however, I earnestly entreat you to give me. I am in great trouble; if you can write three words to me, be pleased to do it. I am afraid to ay much, and cannot say nothing when my cearest is in danger. "The all-merciful God have mercy on you! I am, madam, your, &c." "Miss Boothby died Friday, January 16, 1756; upon whose death Dr. Johnson composed the following prayer. Prayers and Meditations,' &c. p. 25. "Hill Boothby's death, January, 1756.-0 Lord God, Almighty disposer of all things, in whose hands are life and death, who givest comforts and takest them away, I return thee thanks for the good example of Hill Boothby, whom thou hast now taken away; and implore thy grace that I may improve the opportunity of instruction which thou hast afforded me, by the knowledge of her life, and by the sense of her death; that I may consider the uncertainty of my present state, and apply myself earnestly to the duties which thou hast set before me, that, living in thy fear, I 1 [Johnson throughout his life was liable to the inadvertence of using the date of the old year in the first days of the new; and has evidently, the Editor thinks, done so in this case; as it does not seem that Miss Boothby was ill in January, 1755.-ED ] an absurd exaggeration. Lord Lyttelton was, during the whole of the acquaintance of Dr. Johnson and Miss Boothby, a married man, fondly attached to his wife, and remarkable for the punctilious propriety of his moral conduct; and the preference shown by Miss Boothby, and which is said to have rankled in Johnson's heart, could have been nothing more than some incident in a morning visit, when Lord Lyttelton and Johnson may have met in Cavendish-square, (for it seems certain that they never met in the country). We have seen in the cases of Lord Chesterfield (vol. i. pp. 110-11, n,) and of Miss Cotterell (vol. i. p. 104) how touchy Johnson was on such occasions, and how ready he was to take offence at any thing that looked like slight. Some preference or superior respect shown by Miss Boothby to Lord Lyttelton's rank and public station (he was chancellor of the exchequer in 1755) no doubt offended the sensitive pride of Johnson, and occasioned the dislike which he confessed to Mrs. Thrale he felt for Lord Lyttelton; but an amorous rivalry between them is not only absurd, but impossible.—ED.] No. VIII. [NOTE on the words balance of misery, p. 387.] THE Reverend Mr. Ralph Churton, Fellow of Brazen-Nose College, Oxford, has favoured me 2 [These initials mean, no doubt, Mr. Williams, who died a few months before, and Hill Boothby.-ED.] 3 [It is not easy to say why Dr. Johnson marked sev eral of his prayers, as transcribed. Such a fact appears quite immaterial, but no doubt had some particular object.-ED.] |
