tary wanderer in the wild of life, without any direction, or fixed point of view; a gloomy gazer on the world, to which I have little relation. Yet I would endeavour, by the help of you and your brother, to supply the want of closer union by friendship; and hope to have long the pleasure of being, dear Sir, most affectionately yours,

"SAM. JOHNSON."

"[London,] Dec. 24, 1754.

"DEAR SIR,—I am sat down to answer your kind letter, though I know not whether I shall direct it so as that it may reach you; the miscarriage of it will be no great matter, as I have nothing to send but thanks, of which I owe you many, yet if a few should be lost, I shall amply find them in my own mind; and professions of respect, of which the profession will easily be renewed while the respect continues; and the same causes which first produced can hardly fail to preserve it. Pray let me know, however, whether my letter finds its way to you.

Poor dear Collins!-Let me know whether you think it would give him pleasure if I should write to him. I have often been near his state, and therefore have it in great commiseration.

"I sincerely wish you the usual pleasures of this joyous season, and more than the usual pleasures, those of contemplation on the great event which this festival commemorates. I am, dear Sir, your most affectionate and most humble servant, "SAM. JOHNSON."

CHAPTER XII.

1755-1758.

❤omson réceives the Degree of M. A. by Diploma-Correspondence with Warton and the authorities of the University of Oxford-Publication of the Dictionary of the English Language-Remarkable Definitions-Abridgment of the Dictionary-The Universal VisiterThe Literary Magazine-Defence of Tea-Pulpit Discourses-Proposals for an Edition of Shakspeare-Jonas Hanway-Soame Jenyns-Charles Burney.

IN 1755 we behold him to great advantage; his degree of Master of Arts conferred upon him, his Dictionary published, his correspondence animated, his benevolence exercised.

LETTER 31.

TO THE REV. THOMAS WARTON.

"[London,] Feb. 1, 1755. "DEAR SIR,-I wrote to you some weeks ago, but believe did not direct accurately, and therefore know not whether you had my letter. I would, likewise, write to your brother, but know not where to find him. I now begin to see land, after having wandered, according to Mr. Warburton's phrase, in this vast sea of words. What reception I shall meet with on the shore, I know not: whether the sound of bells, and acclamations of the people, which Ariosto talks of in his last Canto,' or a general murmur of dislike, I know not: whether I shall find upon the coast a Calypso that will court, or a Polypheme that will resist. But if Polypheme comes, have at his eye. I hope, however, the critics will let me be at peace; for though I do not much fear their skill and strength, I am a little afraid of myself, and would not willingly feel so much ill-will in my bosom as literary quarrels are apt to excite.

"Mr. Baretti is about a work for which he is in great want of Crescimbeni, which you may have again when you please.

"There is nothing considerable done or doing among us here. We are not, perhaps, as innocent as villagers, but most of us seem to be as idle. I hope, however, you are busy; and should be glad to know what you are doing. I am, dearest Sir, your humble servant,

"SAM. JOHNSON."

"[London,] Feb. 4, 1755.

"DEAR SIR,—I received your letter this day, with great sense of the favour that has been done me; for which I return my most sincere thanks: and entreat you to pay to Mr. Wise such returns as I ought to make for so much kindness so little deserved.

"I sent Mr. Wise the Lexicon, and afterwards wrote to him; but know not whether he had either the book or letter. Be so good as to contrive to inquire.

2

"But why does my dear Mr. Warton tell me nothing of himself? Where hangs the new volume? Can I help? Let not the past labour be lost, for want of a little more: but snatch what time you can from the Hall, and the pupils, and the coffee-house, and the parks, and complete your design. I am, dear Sir, &c. SAM. JOHNSON.

LETTER 33.

3

TO THE SAME.

"[London,] Feb. 13, 1755.

"DEAR SIR, I had a letter last week from Mr. Wise, but have yet heard nothing from you, nor know in what state my affair stands; of which I beg you to inform me, if you can, to-morrow, by the return of the post.

"Mr. Wise sends me word, that he has not had the Finnick Lexicon yet, which I sent some time ago; and if he has not, you must inquire after it. However, do not let your letter stay for that.

"Your brother, who is a better correspondent than you, and not much better, sends me word, that your pupils keep you in College: but do they keep you from writing too? Let them, at least, give you time to write to, dear Sir, your most affectionate, &c., SAM. JOHNSON."

LETTER 34.

TO THE SAME.

"[London,] Feb. 1755.

4

"DEAR SIR,-Dr. King was with me a few minutes before your letter; this,

1 His degree had now past the suffrages of the heads of colleges; but was not yet finally granted by the university.-WARTON.

2 On Spenser.-WARTON.

3 The walks near Oxford so called.-C.

4 Principal of Saint Mary Hall at Oxford. He brought with him the diploma from OxfordWARTON.

however, is the first instance in which your kind intentions to me have ever been frustrated. I have now the full effect of your care and benevolence; and am far from thinking it a slight honour or a small advantage; since it will put the enjoyment of your conversation more frequently in the power of, dear Sir, your most obliged and affectionate,

"SAM. JOHNSON."

"P. S. I have enclosed a letter to the Vice-Chancellor, which you will read; and, if you like it, seal and give him."

As the public will doubtless be pleased to see the whole progress of this well-earned academical honour, I shall insert the Chancellor of Oxford's letter to the University, the diploma, and Johnson's letter of thanks to the Vice-Chancellor.

LETTER 35.

TO THE REV. DR. HUDDESFORD,

[President of Trinity College,] Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford: to be communicated to the Heads of Houses, and proposed in Convocation.

"MR. VICE-CHANCELLOR, AND GENTLEMEN :

"Grosvenor street, Feb. 4, 1755.

"Mr. Samuel Johnson, who was formerly of Pembroke College, having very eminently distinguished himself by the publication of a series of essays, excellently calculated to form the manners of the people, and in which the cause of religion and morality is everywhere maintained by the strongest powers of argument and language; and who shortly intends to publish a Dictionary of the English tongue, formed on a new plan, and executed with the greatest labour and judgment; I persuade myself that I shall act agreeably to the sentiments of the whole University, in desiring that it may be proposed in convocation to confer on him the degree of Master of Arts by diploma, to which I readily give my consent; and am, Mr. Vice-Chancellor, and Gentleman, your affectionate friend and servant, ARRAN."

Term. Scti

Hilarii.

1755.

"DIPLOMA MAGISTRI JOHNSON.

"CANCELLARIUS, Magistri, et Scholares Universitatis Oxoniensis omnibus ad quos hoc presens scriptum pervenerit, salutem in Domino sempiternam.

"Cùm eum in finem gradus academici à majoribus nostris instituti fuerint, ut viri ingenio et doctrinâ præstantes titulis quoque præter cæteros insignirentur; cùmque vir doctissimus Samuel Johnson è Collegio Pembrochiensi, scriptis suis popularium mores informantibus dudum literato orbi innotuerit; quin et linguæ patriæ tum ornandæ tum stabiliendæ (Lexicon scilicet Angelicanum summo studio, summo à se judicio congestum propediem editurus) etiam nunc utilissimam impendat operam; Nos igitur Cancellarius, Magestri, et Scholares antedicti,

1 I suppose Johnson means, that my kind intention of being the first to give him the good news of the degree being granted was frustrated, because Dr. King brought it before my intelligence arrived.-WARTON,

ne virum de literis humanioribus optimè meritum diutius inhonoratum prætereamus in solenni Convocatione Doctorum, Magistorum, Regentium, et non Regentium, decimo die Mensis Februarii Anno Domini Millessimo Septingentisimo Quinquagesimo quinto habitâ, præfatum virum Samuelem Johnson (conspirantibus omnium suffragiis) Magistrum in Artibus renunciavimus et constituimus; eumque, virtute præsentis diplomatis, singulis juribus, privilegiis, et honoribus ad istum gradum quàquà pertinentibus frui et gaudere jussimus.

"In cujus rei testimonium sigillum Universitatis Oxoniensis præsentibus apponi fecimus.

"Datum in Domo nostræ Convocationis die 20°

Mensis Feb. Anno Dom. prædicto.

"Diploma supra scriptum per Registrarium lectum erat, et ex decreto venerabilis Domûs communi Universitatis sigillo munitum" 1

LETTER 36.

"Londini. 4to Cal. Mart. 1755,

"VIRO REVERENDO [GEORGIO] HUDDESFORD, S. T. P. Universitatis Oxoniensis Vice-Cancellario Dignissimo, S. P. D.

"SAMUEL JOHNSON.

"INGRATUS planè et tibi et mihi videar, nisi quanto me gaudio affecerint, quos nuper mihi honores (te, credo, auctore), decrevit Senatus Academicus, literarum, quo tamen nihil levius, officio, significem: ingratus etiam, nisi comitatem, quâ vir eximius 2 mihi vestri testimonium amoris in manus tradidit, agnoscam et laudem. Si quid est, undè rei tam gratæ accedat gratia, hoc ipso magis mihi placet, quod eo tempore in ordines Academicos denuò cooptatus sim, quo tuam imminuere auctoritatem, famamque Oxonii lædere, omnibus modis conantur homines vafri, nec tamen acuti: quibus ego, prout viro umbratico licuit, semper restiti, semper restiturus. Qui enim, inter has rerum procellas, vel tibi vel Academiæ defuerit, illum virtuti et literis, sibique et posteris, defuturum existimo. Vale."

LETTER 37.

TO THE REV. THOMAS WARTON.

'[LONDON,] March 20, 1755. "DEAR SIR,-After I received my diploma, I wrote you a letter of thanks, with a letter to the Vice-Chancellor, and sent another to Mr. Wise; but have heard from nobody since, and begin to think myself forgotten. It is true, I sent you a double letter, and you may fear an expensive correspondent; but I would have taken it kindly, if you had returned it treble; and what is a double letter to a petty king, that having fellowship and fines, can sleep without a Modus in his head? 3

i The original is in my possession.-B.

2 We may conceive what a high gratification it must have been to Johnson to receive his diploma from the hands of the great Dr. King, whose principles were so congenial with his own.-B.

3 "These fellowships are pretty things;

We live indeed like petty kings,