as men of inferior powers of mind. His own acquisitions had been made by fits and starts, by violent irruptions into the regions of knowledge; and it could not be expected that his impatience would be subdued, and his impetuosity restrained, so as to fit him for a quiet guide to novices. The art of communicating instruction, of whatever kind, is much to be valued; and I have ever thought that those who devote themselves to this employment, and do their duty with diligence and success, are entitled to very high respect from the community, as Johnson himself often maintained. Yet I am of opinion, that the greatest abilities are not only not required for this office, but render a man less fit for it.

While we acknowledge the justness of Thomson's beautiful remark,

66

Delightful task! to rear the tender thought,
To teach the young idea how to shoot!"

we must consider that this delight is perceptible only by " a mind at ease," a mind at once calm and clear; but that a mind gloomy and impetuous, like that of Johnson, cannot be fixed for any length of time in minute attention, and must be so frequently irritated by unavoidable slowness and error in the advances of scholars, as to perform the duty, with little pleasure to the teacher, and no great advantage to the pupils. Good temper is a most essential requisite in a preceptor. Horace paints the character as bland:

―ut pueris olim dant crustula blandi

Doctores, elementa velint ut discere prima."1

Johnson was not more satisfied with his situation as the master of an academy, than with that of the usher of a school; we need not wonder, therefore, that he did not keep his academy above a year and a half. From Mr. Garrick's account, he did not appear to have been profoundly reverenced by his pupils. His oddities of manner, and uncouth gesticulations, could not but be the subject of merriment to them; and, in particular, the young rogues used to listen at the door

1 Sat. i. I. 25.
F

of his bedchamber, and peep through the key-hole, that they might turn into ridicule his tumultuous and awkward fondness for Mrs. Johnson, whom he used to name by the familiar appellation of Tetty or Tetsey, which, like Betty or Betsey, is provincially used as a contraction for Elizabeth, her Christian name, but which to us seems ludicrous, when applied to a woman of her age and appearance. Mr. Garrick described her to me as very fat, with a bosom of more than ordinary protuberance, with swelled cheeks, of a florid red, produced by thick painting, and increased by the liberal use of cordials; flaring and fantastic in her dress, and affected both in her speech and her general behaviour.' I have seen Garrick exhibit her, by his exquisite talent of mimicry, so as to excite the heartiest bursts of laughter; but he, probably, as is the case in all such representations, considerably aggravated the picture.

That Johnson well knew the most proper course to be pursued in the instruction of youth is authentically ascertained by the following paper in his own handwriting, given about this period to a relation, and now in the possession of Mr. John Nichols :

"SCHEME FOR THE CLASSES OF A GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

"When the introduction, or formation of nouns and verbs, is perfectly mastered, let them learn

"Corderius by Mr. Clarke, beginning at the same time to translate out of the introduction, that by this means they may learn the syntax. Then let them proceed to Erasmus, with an English translation, by the same author.

"Class II. learns Eutropius and Cornelius Nepos, or Justin, with the translation.

"N.B. The first class gets for their part every morning the rules which they have learnt before, and in the afternoon learns the Latin

1

As Johnson kept Garrick much in awe when present, David, when his back was turned, repaid the restraint with ridicule of him and his dulcinea, which should be read with great abatement.-Percy.

2 Mr. Croker is probably right in regarding this paper as setting forth two schemes, the one for a school, the other to direct the studies of some young friend; and also in considering that Boswell exaggerated its importance.-Editor.

rules of the nouns and verbs. They are examined in the rules which they have learnt, every Thursday and Saturday.

"The second class does the same whilst they are in Eutropius; afterwards their part is in the irregular nouns and verbs, and in the rules for making and scanning verses. They are examined as the first.

"Class III. Ovid's Metamorphoses in the morning, and Cæsar's Commentaries in the afternoon.

"Practice in the Latin rules till they are perfect in them; afterwards in Mr. Leeds's Greek Grammar. Examined as before. Afterwards they proceed to Virgil, beginning at the same time to write themes and verses, and to learn Greek; from thence passing on to Horace, &c., as shall seem most proper.

"I know not well what books to direct you to, because you have not informed me what study you will apply yourself to. I believe it will be most for your advantage to apply yourself wholly to the languages, till you go to the university. The Greek authors I think it best for you to read are these :

"Thus you will be tolerably skilled in all the dialects, beginning with the Attic, to which the rest must be referred.

"In the study of Latin, it is proper not to read the latter authors, till you are well versed in those of the purest ages; as Terence, Tully, Cæsar, Sallust, Nepos, Velleius Paterculus, Virgil, Horace, Phædrus.

"The greatest and most necessary task still remains, to attain a habit of expression, without which knowledge is of little use. This is necessary in Latin, and more necessary in English; and can only be acquired by a daily imitation of the best and correctest authors.

"SAM. JOHNSON."

While Johnson kept his academy, there can be no doubt that he was insensibly furnishing his mind with various knowledge; but I have not discovered that he wrote anything

you early the next week, and Mr. Johnson to try his fate with tragedy, and to see to get himself employed in some translation either from the Latin or the French. Johnson is a very good schol and poet, and I have great hopes will turn out a fine tragedy-write If it should any way lie in your way, doubt not but you would ready to recommend and assist your countryman,

"G. WALMSLEY."

How he employed himself upon his first coming to Londo is not particularly known.' I never heard that he found a protection or encouragement by the means of Mr. Colson, whose academy David Garrick went. Mrs. Lucy Porter told m that Mr. Walmsley gave him a letter of introduction to Lint his bookseller, and that Johnson wrote some things for hin but I imagine this to be a mistake, for I have discovered trace of it, and I am pretty sure he told me, that Mr. Cave w the first publisher by whom his pen was engaged in Londo

He had a little money when he came to town, and he kn how he could live in the cheapest manner. His first lodgin were at the house of Mr. Norris, a staymaker, in Exeter Stre adjoining Catherine Street, in the Strand. "I dined,” said "very well for eight-pence, with very good company, at Pine-Apple in New Street, just by. Several of them h travelled. They expected to meet every day; but did know one another's names. It used to cost the rest a shilli for they drank wine; but I had a cut of meat for sixpence, a bread for a penny, and gave the waiter a penny; so that I quite well served, nay, better than the rest, for they gave waiter nothing.""

He at this time, I believe, abstained entirely from fermen

1 One curious anecdote was communicated by himself to Mr. J Nichols. Mr. Wilcox, the bookseller, on being informed by him tha intention was to get his livelihood as an author, eyed his robust fr attentively, and, with a significant look, said, "You had better b porter's knot." He, however, added, "Wilcox was one of my friends." [Second edition, vol. i., p. 78.--Editor.]

2 Cumberland, in his Memoirs, vol. i., p. 355,.says that he heard illustrious scholar (Johnson), who never varied from the truth of assert, that he subsisted himself, for a considerable space of time, the scanty pittance of fourpence halfpenny per day.—Croker.