LETTER V.

"Bath, 11th March, 1754.

"DEAR SIR,—It is impossible for me not to pay due regard to your kind solicitude for my better health. I shall therefore begin this letter, as you enjoin me, with an account of it, and tell you it really is better. The waters did not agree with me for some days after I began drinking them; but a little medicinal assistant administered by Dr. Hartley has so reconciled us, that for a week past they have been very salutary, given me an appetite, strength to use exercise without fatigue, whole nights of sweet sleep, and, what some people here would even prefer to these, better looks. For all these I am truly thankful to the giver of all good. You are doubtful whether I am not hurt by needless anxiety. Be no longer so; but be sure I am not: "sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof," is my preservative from all anxious thought for the morrow. I look not forward but to an eternity of peace and joy, and in this view all vain solicitude for the things of this life is taken away.

"You find pleasure in writing letters, and to me. I will put a stop to your further inquiry into the cause of this, by most truly assuring you, you give me a very great pleasure in reading your letters. I earnestly wish to be indeed your friend; and as far as I am capable of being such, I beg you always to be certain you are conferring an obligation when you confide in me, or command me. Immediately after I received your last letter, I tripped to the bookseller's for the Gentleman's Magazine: many masterly strokes in the picture would have made the hand known to me, had not you named it. You will not be displeased when I tell you, one circumstance drew from me a silent tear, viz. ' one of the last acts of reason,' &c. and this melting was part from natural tenderness, part from sympathy. How then can I condemn your sorrow? Yet I must, even because I have myself formerly been overwhelmed with fruitless grief for the loss of a friend; and therefore by miserable experience can warn all from splitting on this rock. Fly from it. Many are the resources shown to fly to; but believe me, there is but one that can avail—religion.

In the Gentleman's Magazine for February, 1753, p. 81, is inserted the thirtieth number of the "Adventurer," dated February 17, 1753, which was written by Dr. Johnson. In the same Magazine, the account of the tragedy of the Gamester seems also to have been written by him.-WRIGHT. [Mr. Wright's note is careless and erroneous to an almost incredible degree. The thirtieth number of the Adventurer was not written by Dr. Johnson, whose first paper is the thirty-fourth. Nor does Miss Boothby allude to the Gentleman's Magazine for February, 1753, but to that for 1754; and in which there is not (any more than in the former) any paper of the Adventurer written by Johnson. The "picture" alluded to is Johnson's Life of Cave, the first article in the Magazine for February, 1754—and in that the passage referred to is to be found, descriptive of Cave's death: "One of the last acts of reason which he exerted was, to press the hand which is now writing this little narrative."-ED.]

My situation here allows me but a very small portion of time to myself. Mr. Fitzherbert loves company, and has a good deal. I have some acquaintance, and a few friends here, who by turns engage me. Thus, though I never go into the public scenes here, I can seldom be alone: but I was determined to secure half an hour, to thank you, and to tell you, whenever you favour me with your letters, no engagements shall prevent my assuring you, I receive them in every place with the greatest pleasure, and am, and shall be, dear sir, your affectionate friend, "H. BOOTHBY.

"Overlook all defects."

LETTER VI.

"Bath, 1st April, 1754.

"DEAR SIR,―That you find my health and well-being of consequence enough to be solicitous about, is a consideration so pleasing to me, that it is impossible your inquiries after them should ever be troublesome; and I have so high an opinion of your judgment, that, were I so situated as to consult it properly, and clearly state my questions, no nervous fine lady in Bath can more frequently have recourse to her doctor for advice, than I should have to you for yours in every doubtful point of conduct. The extreme cold has affected me; but, on the whole, I am, thank God, better than when I first came to this place; and so cheerful, that those of my acquaintance who think there is no other use for spirits but to enjoy life in public, to speak in their own style, wonder I do not frequent the rooms, balls, &c. But the dreaming part of my life is over, and all my pursuits are bent towards the securing

'A sober certainty of waking bliss.'

I fly from dissipation to serious recollection, a sort of labour which is succeeded by a cheerful rest.

"Sir Charles Grandison I have not read. The reflection of having thrown away much precious time formerly in useless and unprofitable reading makes me extremely cautious; and I am in a bookseller's shop, like a bee in a garden, which you have seen fly round and round, from flower to flower, nor ever rests on any till it finds one which will yield pure honey. So I just touched Sir Charles Grandison in my examining flight; but, from my instinct, found there was no honey for me. Yet I am far from saying there may not be miel très doux for other kind of bees. However, I find the few to whose judgment I pay the greatest deference agree with you. Mr. Richardson's intention I honour; but to apply your own words truly1 on this occa

1

[Johnson, in one of his letters, had evidently expressed some apprehension, that, with the best intentions, he might be troublesome." Miss Boothby hints that such an apprehension on his part was unfounded.--ED.]

sion-The best intention may be troublesome.' And perhaps the same way and manner of executing may weary. His mistaking the manners and life of those whom you truly say we condescend to call great people, is, I think, very pardonable. It would not be worth a naturalist's while to spend the greatest part of his time in observing the various tinctures a camelion takes from every body it approaches ; and yet he must do so, to give a true representation of the colours of its life. You can make the application.

"I am entirely of your opinion with regard to education. I will labour all I can to produce plenty. But sanguine hopes will never tempt me to feel the torture of cutting disappointment. I have seen even Paul plant and Apollos water in vain, and am convinced God only can give the increase1. Mine is a fruitful soil. Miss Fitzherbert is yet every thing I can wish. Her eldest brother, a fine lively boy; but, entre nous, too indulgent a father will make it necessary for him to be sent to school-the sooner the better. Do you know of any school where a boy of six years old would be taken care of, chiefly as to his morals, and taught English, French, &c., till of a fit age for a public school?

"You do not say a word of the Dictionary. Miss Fitzherbert and I are impatient for its publication. I know you will be so indulgent to a friend, as to let me have the pleasure of hearing from you soon. My sincere regard and best wishes will always attend you, as I am, dear sir, your obliged and affectionate friend, "H. BOOTHBY.

"A rainy day has prevented my drinking the waters, or I should have hazarded the head-ache, rather than have been longer silent.”

LETTER VII.

"Bath, 20th May, 1754.

"DEAR SIR,-How was I surprised this morning, when, on opening a letter from you, with the pleasing expectation of its being a reply to one I wrote to you above a week ago, I found you kindly complaining of my silence. The reflections you begin your letter with seemed to me, at first, as if you had mistaken in directing me, as I well knew I felt, and had very lately expressed, a regard you could not have the least doubt of. The servant assures me he put my letter into the post-box himself. The post-master assures me, none put there ever fail. Yet somehow this has failed.'' I shalf be sorry if it does not reach you, as there were some parts of it (for it was no short one) wrote with the freedom and confidence of friendship; and the whole sufficient to prove I am never long silent, but from necessity. If this wanderer does at last find you, dear sir, sig

["I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase." 1 Cor. iii. 6. ED.]

nify its arrival as soon as possible to me. I would not have any thing lost which would be of the least value to you. But if it is lost, my intention and execution of it will still remain as testimonies for me; and if it is possible any one of your friends could give occasion for imputations of inconstancy and unkindness, you may be assured I am, on motives which are invariable, dear sir, your affectionate friend, "H. BOOTHBY.

"We are to leave this place on Tuesday the 28th, and set out for Tissington, where I long to be. I hope to take much better health thither, for the use of my dear little nursery."

LETTER VIII.

"Tissington, 5th June, 1754.

"DEAR SIR,—The first leisure moment I have, is most justly due to the compliance with your kind request to be informed of our arrival here; and with much pleasure I tell you, that, after a very good journey of four days, we were met with the bloom of health, and the endearing smiles of innocence, last Friday, at Tissington. The sensations of joy and thankfulness I experienced on this interview with the little creatures are not to be described: but, I am persuaded, no heart but hers who bequeathed them to me, ever so truly owned and received them as children.

"The loss of that letter I can no way account for-think no more of it. The subject of part of it was my then situation, and some reflections on the exceeding decline of conversation I observed in general: in which there seemed to be no other propriety than that of trifling French words to trifling somethings, not worthy of being called thoughts. I mentioned Adventurers, &c. and expressed, as well as I could, my particular satisfaction in Mr. Johnson's bullion, or rather pure sterling, amidst the tinsel base-mixed stuff I met with, and the high value I set on his letters. I gave you an abstract of Farneworth's History, which I have not time to repeat. I thank you for thinking of a school, and recommending one. Your recommendation would immediately fix me, if I alone was to determine. Two have been particularly recommended to Mr. Fitzherbert, Fulham and Wandsworth; and we have for some time been making all the inquiry we can into both. The last I have many objections to. I shall be much obliged to you for a more particular account of your friend; as-how many boys he takes-his rules and rates-and also if he has a French and dancing-master. I am strongly biassed towards a man you speak so well of. That-well instructed in virtue, is the thing I want: and a visit from you now and then, to confirm this instruction, is a high inducement. To some proper place I hope I shall be permitted to take this dear boy this summer, when I also

hope for the pleasure of seeing you. I know it will be a pleasure to you to assist me in an affair of such consequence, on many accounts; and I shall not say any more to Mr. Fitzherbert about Fulham till I hear from you; which, I assure you, I never do without great satisfaction; as I am, dear sir, your obliged and affectionate friend,

"H. BOOTHBY. "Excuse the effects of hurry. I have a cold I brought from Bath; otherwise I am in much better health than I have been for above twelve months past."

LETTER IX.

"Tissington, 1st July, 1754. establishment of custom And as an excuse seems

“DEAR SIR,—Truth is my delight: no will, I hope, ever make me deviate from it. to me a kind of screen, which has at least the appearance of concealing something we would not have seen, I make none. Nor shall I now say more upon my long silence, than that I have thought and felt it such myself, and from thence leave you to infer that it has been unavoidable. Your last letter was such a one as I expected from you on such a subject-that is, so clear, full, candid, sensible, kind, and friendly, as I hardly ever saw from any other. If I had your talent of expression, I could expatiate on this letter with great pleasure; but as I have not, I must deny myself this indulgence, and treasure up those observations I have made for my own use, which if I could in the best manner express, you do not need for yours. I communicated what you said of Mr. Elphinston' to Mr. Fitzherbert, who desires me to say, with his regard to you, that he is much obliged to you, but upon the whole, Mr. Elphinston is not the person he would choose. Though Mr. Fitzherbert is no warm party man, yet I believe, the "Scotchman" and "Nonjuror" would be insuperable objections. Fulham, I think, will be chosen, at least for a time. The hope of your seeing this dear boy sometimes is a comfortable one; thank you for it. His going from home, and at a distance, I am sure you would see the necessity of, could I lay before you the reasons which daily urge me to feel it. Less evils must be submitted to, with the view of avoiding greater. I cannot help, with much pity, regarding a mere fox-hunter as an animal little superior to those he pursues, and dreading every path that seems to lead towards this miserable chase. 7.

་་་་་

101

'My health continues tolerable, thank God; yours, and every other

good, I sincerely wish you. If present resolutions hold, I may have the pleasure of seeing and conversing with you; however, I hope that of hearing from you. I beg you never to let me lose one of your

Mr. James Elphinston, who kept a school at Kensington.-WRIGHT. [See ante, vol. i. p. 186. We gather from this letter that Mr. Elphinston was a nonjuror.ED.]