第182章

Johnson at the Temple in London,where he had then chambers,he happened to arrive there before he was up;and being shewn into the room where he was to breakfast,finding himself alone,he examined the contents of the apartment,to try whether he could undiscovered steal anything to send to his friend Bewley,as another relick of the admirable Dr.Johnson.But finding nothing better to his purpose,he cut some bristles off his hearth-broom,and enclosed them in a letter to his country enthusiast,who received them with due reverence.The Doctor was so sensible of the honour done him by a man of genius and science,to whom he was an utter stranger,that he said to Dr.Burney,"Sir,there is no man possessed of the smallest portion of modesty,but must be flattered with the admiration of such a man.I'll give him a set of my Lives,if he will do me the honour to accept of them."In this he kept his word;and Dr.Burney had not only the pleasure of gratifying his friend with a present more worthy of his acceptance than the segment from the hearth-broom,but soon after of introducing him to Dr.Johnson himself in Bolt-court,with whom he had the satisfaction of conversing a considerable time,not a fortnight before his death;which happened in St.Martin's-street,during his visit to Dr.Burney,in the house where the great Sir Isaac Newton had lived and died before.'

In one of his little memorandum-books is the following minute:--'August 9,3P.M.,aetat.72,in the summer-house at Streatham.

'After innumerable resolutions formed and neglected,I have retired hither,to plan a life of greater diligence,in hope that I may yet be useful,and be daily better prepared to appear before my Creator and my Judge,from whose infinite mercy I humbly call for assistance and support.

'My purpose is,'To pass eight hours every day in some serious employment.

'Having prayed,I purpose to employ the next six weeks upon the Italian language,for my settled study.'

In autumn he went to Oxford,Birmingham,Lichfield,and Ashbourne,for which very good reasons might be given in the conjectural yet positive manner of writers,who are proud to account for every event which they relate.He himself,however,says,'The motives of my journey I hardly know;I omitted it last year,and am not willing to miss it again.'

But some good considerations arise,amongst which is the kindly recollection of Mr.Hector,surgeon at Birmingham:'Hector is likewise an old friend,the only companion of my childhood that passed through the school with me.We have always loved one another;perhaps we may be made better by some serious conversation,of which however I have no distinct hope.'He says too,'At Lichfield,my native place,I hope to shew a good example by frequent attendance on publick worship.'

1782:AETAT.73.]--In 1782,his complaints increased,and the history of his life this year,is little more than a mournful recital of the variations of his illness,in the midst of which,however,it will appear from his letters,that the powers of his mind were in no degree impaired.

At a time when he was less able than he had once been to sustain a shock,he was suddenly deprived of Mr.Levett,which event he thus communicated to Dr.Lawrence:--'SIR,--Our old friend,Mr.Levett,who was last night eminently cheerful,died this morning.The man who lay in the same room,hearing an uncommon noise,got up and tried to make him speak,but without effect,he then called Mr.Holder,the apothecary,who,though when he came he thought him dead,opened a vein,but could draw no blood.So has ended the long life of a very useful and very blameless man.I am,Sir,your most humble servant,'Jan.17,1782.'

'SAM.JOHNSON.'

In one of his memorandum-books in my possession,is the following entry:--'January 20,Sunday.Robert Levett was buried in the church-yard of Bridewell,between one and two in the afternoon.He died on Thursday 17,about seven in the morning,by an instantaneous death.He was an old and faithful friend;I have known him from about 46.Commendavi.May GOD have mercy on him.

May he have mercy on me.'

On the 30th of August,I informed him that my honoured father had died that morning;a complaint under which he had long laboured having suddenly come to a crisis,while I was upon a visit at the seat of Sir Charles Preston,from whence I had hastened the day before,upon receiving a letter by express.

In answer to my next letter,I received one from him,dissuading me from hastening to him as I had proposed;what is proper for publication is the following paragraph,equally just and tender:--'One expence,however,I would not have you to spare:let nothing be omitted that can preserve Mrs.Boswell,though it should be necessary to transplant her for a time into a softer climate.She is the prop and stay of your life.How much must your children suffer by losing her.'

My wife was now so much convinced of his sincere friendship for me,and regard for her,that,without any suggestion on my part,she wrote him a very polite and grateful letter:--'DR.JOHNSON TO MRS.BOSWELL.

'DEAR LADY,--I have not often received so much pleasure as from your invitation to Auchinleck.The journey thither and back is,indeed,too great for the latter part of the year;but if my health were fully recovered,I would suffer no little heat and cold,nor a wet or a rough road to keep me from you.I am,indeed,not without hope of seeing Auchinleek again;but to make it a pleasant place Imust see its lady well,and brisk,and airy.For my sake,therefore,among many greater reasons,take care,dear Madam,of your health,spare no expence,and want no attendance that can procure ease,or preserve it.Be very careful to keep your mind quiet;and do not think it too much to give an account of your recovery to,Madam,yours,&c.

'London,Sept.7,1782.'

'SAM.JOHNSON.'