nature, to aid and strengthen moral obligation; they incite to action; a sense of benevolence is no less necessary than a sense of duty. Good affections are an ornament not only to an author but to his writings. He who shows himself upon a cold scent for opportunities to bark and snarl throughout a volume of six hundred pages, may, if he will, pretend to moralize; but GOODNESS OF HEART, or to use that politer phrase, the virtue of a horse or a dog, would redound more to his honour. But Sir John is no more our business is with Johnson. The members of his club were respectable for their rank, their talents, and their literature. They attended with punctuality till about Midsummer 1784, when, with some appearance of health, Johnson went into Derbyshire, and thence to Lichfield. While he was in that part of the world, his friends in town were labouring for his benefit. The air of a more southern climate they thought might prolong a valuable life. But a pension of £. 300 a year was a slender fund for a travelling valetudinarian, and it was not then known that he had saved a moderate sum sum of money. Mr. Boswell and Sir Joshua Reynolds undertook to solicit the patronage of the Chancellor. With Lord Thurlow, while he was at the bar, Johnson was well acquainted. He was often heard to say, "Thurlow is a man of such vigour of mind, "that I never knew I was to meet him but"I was going to say, I was afraid, but that "would not be true, for I never was afraid "of any man; but I never knew that I was "to meet Thurlow, but I knew I had some 66 thing to encounter." The Chancellor undertook to recommend Johnson's case; but without success. To protract if possible the days of a man, whom he respected, he offered to advance the sum of five hundred pounds. Being informed of this at Lichfield, Johnson wrote the following letter. "After a long and not inattentive obser"vation of mankind, the generosity of your Lordship's offer raises in me not less wonder "than gratitude. Bounty, so liberally be"stowed, I should gladly receive if my con "dition "dition made it necessary; for to such a "mind who would not be proud to own his obligations? But it has pleased God to "restore me to so great a measure of health, that, if I should now appropriate so much "of a fortune destined to do good, I could "not escape from myself the charge of advancing a false claim. My journey to the "continent, though I once thought it ne66 cessary, was never much encouraged by 66 my physicians and I was very desirous "that your Lordship should be told it by "Sir Joshua Reynolds as an event very un"certain; for, if I grew much better, I "should not be willing; if much worse, I "should not be able to migrate. Your Lordship was first solicited without my knowledge; but when I was told that you were pleased to honour me with your pa 66 66 66 66 tronage, I did not expect to hear of a re"fusal; yet, as I have had no long time to "brood hopes, and have not ricted in ima"ginary opulence, this cold reception has "been scarce a disappointment; and from your Lordship's kindness I have received a "benefit "benefit which only men like you are able "Your Lordship's most obliged, " and most humble servant, 4 September, 1784." We have in this instance the exertion of two congenial minds; one, with a generous impulse relieving merit in distress; and the other, by gratitude and dignity of sentiment rising to an equal elevation. Dr. It seems, however, that greatness of mind is not confined to greatness of rank. Brocklesby was not content to assist with his medical art; he resolved to minister to his patient's mind, and pluck from his memory the sorrow which the late refusal from a high quarter might occasion. To enable him to visit the south of France in pursuit of health, he offered from his own funds an annuity of one hundred pounds, payable quarterly. This was a sweet oblivious antidote, but it was VOL. I.. K not not accepted for the reasons assigned to the Chancellor. The proposal, however, will do honour to Dr. Brocklesby, as long as liberal sentiment shall be ranked among the social virtues. In the month of October, 1784, we find Dr. Johnson corresponding with Mr. Nichols, the intelligent compiler of the Gentleman's Magazine, and, in the languor of sickness, still desirous to contribute all in his power to the advancement of science and useful knowledge. He says, in a letter to that gentleman, dated Lichfield, October 20, that he should be glad to give so skilful a lover of Antiquities any information. He adds, " At "Ashburne, where I had very little company, "I had the luck to borrow Mr. Bowyer's “Life, a book so full of contemporary 66 history, that a literary man must find some "of his old friends. I thought that I could "now and then have told you some hints "worth your notice: We perhaps may talk 2 life over. I hope we shall be much to gether. You must now be to me what you were before, and what dear Mr. Allen was besides. He was taken unexpectedly 66 away, |