'Since you will not inform us where you are,or how you live,Iknow not whether you desire to know any thing of us.However,Iwill tell you that THE CLUB subsists;but we have the loss of Burke's company since he has been engaged in publick business,in which he has gained more reputation than perhaps any man at his [first]appearance ever gained before.He made two speeches in the House for repealing the Stamp-act,which were publickly commended by Mr.Pitt,and have filled the town with wonder.
'Burke is a great man by nature,and is expected soon to attain civil greatness.I am grown greater too,for I have maintained the news-papers these many weeks;and what is greater still,I have risen every morning since New-year's day,at about eight;when Iwas up,I have indeed done but little;yet it is no slight advancement to obtain for so many hours more,the consciousness of being.
'I wish you were in my new study;I am now writing the first letter in it.I think it looks very pretty about me.
'Dyer is constant at THE CLUB;Hawkins is remiss;I am not over diligent.Dr.Nugent,Dr.Goldsmith,and Mr.Reynolds,are very constant.Mr.Lye is printing his Saxon and Gothick Dictionary;all THE CLUB subscribes.
'You will pay my respects to all my Lincolnshire friends.I am,dear Sir,most affectionately your's,'March 9,1766.
'SAM.JOHNSON.'
Johnson's-court,Fleet-street.'
The Honourable Thomas Hervey and his lady having unhappily disagreed,and being about to separate,Johnson interfered as their friend,and wrote him a letter of expostulation,which I have not been able to find;but the substance of it is ascertained by a letter to Johnson in answer to it,which Mr.Hervey printed.The occasion of this correspondence between Dr.Johnson and Mr.Harvey,was thus related to me by Mr.Beauclerk.'Tom Harvey had a great liking for Johnson,and in his will had left him a legacy of fifty pounds.One day he said to me,"Johnson may want this money now,more than afterwards.I have a mind to give it him directly.Will you be so good as to carry a fifty pound note from me to him?"This I positively refused to do,as he might,perhaps,have knocked me down for insulting him,and have afterwards put the note in his pocket.But I said,if Harvey would write him a letter,and enclose a fifty pound note,I should take care to deliver it.He accordingly did write him a letter,mentioning that he was only paying a legacy a little sooner.To his letter he added,"P.S.Iam going to part with my wife."Johnson then wrote to him,saying nothing of the note,but remonstrating with him against parting with his wife.'
In February,1767,there happened one of the most remarkable incidents of Johnson's life,which gratified his monarchical enthusiasm,and which he loved to relate with all its circumstances,when requested by his friends.This was his being honoured by a private conversation with his Majesty,in the library at the Queen's house.He had frequently visited those splendid rooms and noble collection of books,which he used to say was more numerous and curious than he supposed any person could have made in the time which the King had employed.Mr.Barnard,the librarian,took care that he should have every accommodation that could contribute to his ease and convenience,while indulging his literary taste in that place;so that he had here a very agreeable resource at leisure hours.
His Majesty having been informed of his occasional visits,was pleased to signify a desire that he should be told when Dr.Johnson came next to the library.Accordingly,the next time that Johnson did come,as soon as he was fairly engaged with a book,on which,while he sat by the fire,he seemed quite intent,Mr.Barnard stole round to the apartment where the King was,and,in obedience to his Majesty's commands,mentioned that Dr.Johnson was then in the library.His Majesty said he was at leisure,and would go to him;upon which Mr.Barnard took one of the candles that stood on the King's table,and lighted his Majesty through a suite of rooms,till they came to a private door into the library,of which his Majesty had the key.Being entered,Mr.Barnard stepped forward hastily to Dr.Johnson,who was still in a profound study,and whispered him,'Sir,here is the King.'Johnson started up,and stood still.His Majesty approached him,and at once was courteously easy.
His Majesty began by observing,that he understood he came sometimes to the library;and then mentioning his having heard that the Doctor had been lately at Oxford,asked him if he was not fond of going thither.To which Johnson answered,that he was indeed fond of going to Oxford sometimes,but was likewise glad to come back again.The King then asked him what they were doing at Oxford.Johnson answered,he could not much commend their diligence,but that in some respects they were mended,for they had put their press under better regulations,and were at that time printing Polybius.He was then asked whether there were better libraries at Oxford or Cambridge.He answered,he believed the Bodleian was larger than any they had at Cambridge;at the same time adding,'I hope,whether we have more books or not than they have at Cambridge,we shall make as good use of them as they do.'
Being asked whether All-Souls or Christ-Church library was the largest,he answered,'All-Souls library is the largest we have,except the Bodleian.''Aye,(said the King,)that is the publick library.'
