SEP 18 '36 ALLEN LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IN VOL. II. 1758-1771 WILLIAM COLLINS, 1721-1759, Frontispiece Monument by Flaxman in Poplar Chapel. SAMUEL JOHNSON, By Sir Joshua Reynolds. Of uncertain date. G. Zöbel sc. (Private plate.) FRANCIS BARBER, . By Sir Joshua Reynolds, from a copy by Henry JAMES BOSWELL, 1740-1795, By Sir Joshua Reynolds (circa 1785). THOMAS SHERIDAN, 1719-1788, OLIVER GOLDSMITH, 1728-1774, • 140 669615 THE LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON, LL.D. IN 1758 we find him, it should seem, in as easy and pleasant a state of existence, as constitutional unhappiness ever permitted him to enjoy. TO BENNET LANGTON, ESQ., AT LANGTON, LINCOLNSHIRE 'DEAREST SIR,-I must have indeed slept very fast, not to have been awakened by your letter. None of your suspicions are true; I am not much richer than when you left me; and, what is worse, my omission of an answer to your first letter will prove that I am not much wiser. But I go on as I formerly did, designing to be some time or other both rich and wise; and yet cultivate neither mind nor fortune. Do you take notice of my example, and learn the danger of delay. When I was as you are now, towering in confidence of twenty-one, little did I suspect that I should be at fortynine what I now am. 'But you do not seem to need my admonition. You are busy in acquiring and in communicating knowledge, and while you are studying, enjoy the end of study by making others wiser and happier. I was much pleased with the tale that you told me of being tutor to your sisters. I, who have no sisters nor brothers, look with some degree of innocent envy on those who may be said to be born to friends; and cannot see, without wonder, how rarely that native union is afterwards regarded. It sometimes, indeed, happens that some supervenient cause of discord may overpower this original amity; VOL. II. |