when Beauclerk was laboring under that severe illness which at last occasioned his death, Johnson said (with a voice faltering with emotion), "Sir, I would walk to the extent of the diameter of the earth to save Beauclerk."Bennet Langton. When I came to Lichfield, I found my old friend Harry Jackson dead. It was a loss, and a loss not to be repaired, as he was one of the companions of my childhood. I hope we may long continue to gain friends; but the friends. which merit or usefulness can procure us are not able to supply the place of old acquaintance, with whom the days of youth may be retraced, and those images revived which gave the earliest delight. If you and I live to be much older, we shall take great delight in talking over the Hebridean Journey.—Johnson (from a letter to Boswell). Fanny Burney: "Well, this I know, whoever I may hear complain of Dr. Johnson's severity, I shall always vouch for his kindness, as far as regards myself, and his indulgence." Mrs. Thrale: "Ay, but I hope he will trim you yet, too." Dr. Johnson: "I hope not; I should be very sorry to say anything that should vex my dear little Burney.”—Madame D'Arblay. In the evening the company divided pretty much into parties, and almost everybody walked upon the gravel-walk before the windows. I was going to have joined some of them, when Dr. Johnson stopped me, and asked how I did. "I was afraid, sir," said I, “you did not intend to know me again; for you have not spoken to me before since your return from town." "My dear," cried he, taking both my hands, "I was not sure of you, I am so near-sighted, and I apprehended making some mistake." Then drawing me very unexpectedly toward him, he actually kissed me!Madame D'Arblay. Garrick was followed to the Abbey by a long extended train of friends, illustrious for their rank and genius. I saw old Samuel Johnson standing beside his grave, at the foot of Shakspeare's monument, and bathed in tears.- Richard Cumberland. There are always a great many candidates ready when any vacancy happens in the Club, and it requires no small interest and reputation to get elected; but upon Garrick's death, when numberless applications were made to succeed him, Johnson was deaf to them all: he said, "No, there never could be found any successor worthy of such a man ;" and he insisted upon it there should be a year's widowhood in the Club before they thought of a new election.-Hannah More. After supper Dr. Johnson turned the conversation upon silent folks-whether by way of reflection and reproof, or by accident, I know not; but I do know he is provoked with me for not talking more; and I was afraid he was seriously provoked. But a little while ago I went into the musicroom, where he was tête-à-tête with Mrs. Thrale, and calling me to him, he took my hand and made me sit next him, in a manner that seemed truly affectionate. "Sir,” cried I, “I was much afraid I was going out of your favor!" “Why so? what should make you think so?" 'Why, I don't know my silence, I believe. I began to fear you would give me up." "No, my darling! my dear little Burney, no. When I give you up-" "What then, sir ?" said Mrs. Thrale. "Why, I don't know; for whoever would give her up would deserve worse than I can say; I know not what would be bad enough."-Madame D'Arblay. · 66 Edwards: "I have been twice married, Doctor. You, I suppose, have never known what it was to have a wife.” Johnson: "Sir, I have known what it was to have a wife, and (in a solemn, tender, faltering tone) I have known what it was to lose a wife. I had almost broke Boswell. Such were Johnson's tender remembrances of his wife, that after her death, though he had a whole house at command, he would study nowhere but in a garret. Being asked the reason why he chose a situation so incommodious, he answered, “Because in that room only I never saw Mrs. Johnson." George Steevens. Her wedding-ring, when she became his wife, was, after her death, preserved by him, as long as he lived, with an affectionate care, in a little round wooden box, in the inside of which he pasted a slip of paper, thus inscribed by him in fair characters, as follows: "Eheu! Eliz. Johnson, Mart. 17° 1752." -Boswell. He burned many letters during the last week, I am told; and those written by his mother drew from him a flood of tears when the paper they were written on was all consumed. Mr. Sastres saw him cast a melancholy look upon their ashes, which he took up and examined, to see if a word. was still visible.-Mrs. Piozzi. I shall never forget the impression I felt in Dr. Johnson's favor the first time I was in his company, on his saying that, as he returned to his lodgings, at one or two o'clock in the morning, he often saw poor children asleep on thresholds and stalls, and that he used to put pennies into their hands to buy them a breakfast.—Miss Reynolds. *This was twenty-six years after his wife's death. I intended to set out for Scotland next morning;* but Sir Joshua cordially insisted that I should stay another day, that Johnson and I might dine with him, that we three might talk of his Italian tour, and, as Sir Joshua expressed himself, "have it all out." I hastened to Johnson, and was told by him that he was rather better to-day. Boswell: "I am very anxious about you, sir, and particularly that you should go to Italy for the winter, which I believe is your own wish." Johnson: "It is, sir." Boswell: "You have no objections, I presume, but the money it would require. Johnson: "Why, no, sir." Upon which I gave him a particular account of what had been done, and read to him the Lord Chancellor's letter. He listened with much attention, then warmly said, "This is taking prodigious pains about a man." "Oh, sir," said I, with most sincere affection, "your friends would do everything for you." He paused, grew more and more agitated, till tears started into his eyes, and he exclaimed, with fervent emotion, "God bless you all!" I was so affected that I also shed tears. After a short silence, he renewed and extended his grateful benediction: "God bless you all, for Jesus Christ's sake!" We both remained for some time unable to speak. He rose suddenly and quitted the room, quite melted in tenderness. He stayed but a short time, till he had recovered his firmness. Soon after he returned I left him, having first engaged him to dine at Sir Joshua Reynolds's next day. I never was again under that roof which I had so long reverenced.—Boswell. *This was in the spring of 1784, six months before Johnson's death. His friends were anxious that he should go abroad, hoping that his life might thus be prolonged; and a letter had been written to Thurlow, the Lord Chancellor, recommending an increase of Johnson's pension. To this letter Thurlow had given a favorable answer. AUTHORITY AND PREDOMINANCE. THAT superiority over his fellows which he maintained with so much dignity in his march through life was not assumed from vanity and ostentation, but was the natural and constant effect of those extraordinary powers of mind of which he could not but be conscious by comparison; the intellectual difference which in other cases of comparison of characters is often a matter of undecided contest being as clear in his case as the superiority of stature in some men above others. Johnson did not strut or stand on tiptoe; he only did not stoop. From his earliest years his superiority was perceived and acknowledged. He was from the beginning ảvaž åvdpõva king of men. His school-fellow, Mr. Hector, has obligingly furnished me with many particulars of his boyish days, and assured me that he never knew him corrected at school but for talking, and diverting other boys from their business. He seemed to learn by intuition; for, though indolence and procrastination were inherent in his constitution, whenever he made an exertion he did more than any one else. In short, he is a memorable instance of what has been often observed that the boy is the man in miniature, and that the distinguishing characteristics of each individual are the same through the whole course of life. His favorites used to receive very liberal assistance from him; and such was the submission and deference with which he was treated, such the desire to obtain his regard, that three of the boys-of whom Mr. Hector was sometimes one-used to come in the morning as his humble attendants, and carry him to school. One in the middle stooped, while he sat upon his back, and one on each side supported him; and thus he was borne triumphant. Such a proof of the early predominance of intellectual vigor is very remarkable, and does honor to human nature. Talking to me once himself of his being much distinguished at school, he told me 66 they never thought to raise me by comparing me to any |