‘Vol. II. pag. 32. Num. 1022. 58. Coll. Nov. –Commentaria in Ada Apostol. — Comment. in Septem Epistolas Catbolicas.
‘He is desired to tell what is the age of each of these manuscripts: and what it will cost to have a transcript of the two first pages of each.
‘If Mr. Warton be not in Oxford, you may try if you can get it done by any body else; or stay till he comes, according to your own convenience. It is for an Italian literato.
‘The answer is to be directed to his Excellency Mr. Zon, Venetian Resident, Soho-Square.
‘I hope, dear Sir, that you do not regret the change of London for Oxford. Mr. Baretti is well, and Miss Williams;a and we shall all be glad to hear from you, whenever you shall be so kind as to write to, Sir, your most humble servant,
‘Nov. 21, 1754.’ ‘SAM. JOHNSON.’
The degree of Master of Arts, which, it has been observed, could not be obtained for him at an early period of his life, was now considered as an honour of considerable importance, in order to grace the title-page of his Dictionary; and his character in the literary world being by this time deservedly high, his friends thought that, if proper exertions were made, the University of Oxford would pay him the compliment.
‘To THE REVEREND MR. THOMAS WARTON
‘DEAR SIR, – I am extremely obliged to you and to Mr. Wise, for the uncommon care which you have taken of my interest:b if you can accomplish your kind design, I shall certainly take me a little habitation among you.
The books which I promised to Mr. Wise,a I have not been able to procure: but I shall send him a Finnick Dictionary, the only copy, perhaps, in England, which was presented me by a learned Swede:115 but I keep it back, that it may make a set of my own books of the new edition, with which I shall accompany it, more welcome. You will assure him of my gratitude.
‘Poor dear Collins!b – Would a letter give him any pleasure? I have a mind to write.
‘I am glad of your hindrance in your Spenserian design,c yet I would not have it delayed. Three hours a day stolen from sleep and amusement will produce it. Let a Servitourd transcribe the quotations, and interleave them with references, to save time. This will shorten the work, and lessen the fatigue.
‘Can I do any thing to promoting the diploma? I would not be wanting to co-operate with your kindness; of which, whatever be the effect, I shall be, dear Sir, your most obliged, &c.
‘[London,] Nov. 28, 1754.’ ‘SAM. JOHNSON.’
To THE SAME
‘DEAR SIR, – I am extremely sensible of the favour done me, both by Mr. Wise and yourself. The booke cannot, think, be printed in less than six weeks, nor probably so soon; and I will keep back the title-page, for such an insertion as you seem to promise me. Be pleased to let me know what money I shall send you, for bearing the expence of the affair; and I will take care that you may have it ready at your hand.
‘I had lately the favour of a letter from your brother, with some account of poor Collins, for whom I am much concerned. I have a notion, that by very great temperance, or more properly abstinence, he may yet recover.
‘There is an old English and Latin book of poems by Barclay, called “The Ship of Fools;” at the end of which are a number of Eglogues; so he writes it, from Egloga, which are probably the first in our language. If you cannot find the book I will get Mr. Dodsley to send it you.
‘I shall be extremely glad to hear from you again, to know, if the affair proceeds.f have mentioned it to none of my ends or ear o being laughed at for my disappointment.
‘You know poor Mr. Dodsley has lost his wife; I believe he is much affected. I hope he will not suffer so much as I yet suffer for the loss of mine.
$$$$.116
I have ever since seemed to myself broken off from mankind; a kind of solitary wanderer in the wild of life, without any direction, or fixed point of view: a gloomy gazer on a 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 your’s,
‘[London,] Dec. 21, 1754.’ ‘Sam. Johnson.’
1755: ætat. 46.] – 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.
‘To THE REVEREND MR. THOMAS WARTON
‘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.117 But if Polypheme comes, have at his eyes. I hope, however, the criticks 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,118 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,
‘[London,] Feb.1,1755.’ ‘SAM. JOHNSON.’
To THE SAME
‘DEAR SIR, – I received your letter this day, with great sense of the favour that has been done me;a 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 enquire.
‘But why does my dear Mr. Warton tell me nothing of himself? Where hangs the new volume?b 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.
‘[London,] Feb. 4, 1755.’ ‘SAM. JOHNSON.’
To THE SAME
‘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;a 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 it not, you must enquire 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.
‘[London,] Feb. 13, 1755.’ ‘SAM. JOHNSON.’
To THE SAME
‘DEAR SIR, – Dr. Kingb was with me a few minutes before your letter; this, however, is the first instance in which your kind intentions to me have ever been frustrated.c have now the ull 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. have enclosed a letter to the Vice-Chancellor,d which you will read; and, if you like it, seal and give him.
‘[London,] Feb. 1755.’
As the Publick 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,e the diploma, and Johnson’s letter of thanks to the Vice-Chanc
ellor.
‘To the Reverend Dr. HUDDESFORD, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford; to be communicated to the Heads of Houses, and proposed in Convocation.
‘MR. VICE-CHANCELLOR, AND GENTLEMEN, – 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 every where 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 judgement; 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 Gentlemen, your affectionate friend and servant,
‘Grosvenor-street, Feb. 4, 1755.’ ‘ARRAN.’
Term. Scti
Hilarii. ‘DIPLOMA MAGISTRI JOHNSON.
1755.
‘CANCELLARIUS, Magistri et Scbolares Universitatis Oxoniensis omnibus ad quos hoc presens scriptum pervenerit, salutem in Domino sempiternam.
‘Cum eum in finem gradus academici ä majoribus nostris instituti fuerint, ut viri ingenio et doctrinä prcestantes titulis quoque prceter cceteros insignirentur; curnque vir doctissimus Samuel Johnson e Collegio Pembrocbiensi, scriptis suis popularium mores informantibus dudum literato orbi innotuerit; quin et Ungute patrice turn ornandce turn stabiliendce (Lexicon scilicet Anglicanum summo studio, summo ä se judicio congestum propediem editurus) etiam nunc utilissimam impendat operam; Nos igitur Cancellarius, Magistri, et Scbolares antedicti, ne virum de literis bumanioribus optime meritum diutius inbon-oratum prcetereamus, in solenni Convocatione Doctorum, Magistrorum, Regentium, et non Regentium, decimo die Mensis Februarii Anno Domini Millesimo Septingentesimo Quinquagesimo quinto babitä, prcefatum virum Samuelem Johnson (conspirantibus omnium suffragiis) Magistrum in Artibus renunciavimus et constituimus; eumque, virtute prcesentis diplomatis, singulis juribus privilegiis et bonoribus ad istum gradum quäquä pertinentibus frui et gaudere jussimus.
‘In cujus rei testimonium sigillum Universitatis Oxoniensis prcesentibus apponi fecimus.
‘Datum in Domo nostra Convocationis die 20o Mensis Feb.
Anno Dom. prcedicto.
‘Diploma supra scriptum per Registrarium lectum erat, et ex decreto vener-abilis Domus communi Universitatis sigillo munitum.’119
‘DOM. DOCTORI HUDDESFORD, OXONIENSIS ACADEMIC VICE-CANCELLARIO.
‘INGRATUS plane et tibi et mibi videar, nisi quanto me gaudio affecerint, quos nuper mibi bonores (te credo auctore) decrevit Senatus Academicus, literarum, quo tarnen nibil levius, officio, significem: ingratus etiam, nisi comitatem, qua vir eximiusa mibi vestri testimonium amoris in manus traaiait, agnoscam et laudem. Si quid est unde rei tarn grates accedat gratia, hoc ipso magis mibi placet, quod eo tempore in ordines Academicos denuo cooptatus sim, quo tuam imminuere auctoritatem, famamque Oxonii Icedere, omnibus modis conantur homines vafri, nee tarnen acuti: quibus ego, prout viro umbratico licuit, semper restiti, semper restiturus. Qui enim, inter has rerum procellas, vel Tibi vel Academics defuerit, ilium virtuti et literis, sibique et posteris, defuturum existimo.120 ’S. JOHNSON.’b
‘To THE REVEREND MR. THOMAS WARTON
‘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?c
‘Dear Mr. Warton, let me hear from you, and tell me something, I care not what, so I hear it but from you. Something I will tell you: – I hope to see my Dictionary bound and lettered, next week; –vastä mole superbus.121 And I have a great mind to come to Oxford at Easter; but you will not invite me. Shall I come uninvited, or stay here where nobody perhaps would miss me if I went? A hard choice! But such is the world to, dear Sir, your, &c.
‘[London,] March 20, 1755.’ ‘SAM. JOHNSON.’
To THE SAME
‘DEAR SIR, – Though not to write, when a man can write so well, is an offence sufficiently heinous, yet I shall pass it by. I am very glad that the Vice-Chancellor was pleased with my note. I shall impatiently expect you at London, that we may consider what to do next. I intend in the winter to open a Bibliotheque,122 and remember, that you are to subscribe a sheet a year; let us try, likewise, if we cannot persuade your brother to subscribe another. My book is now coming in luminis oras.123 What will be its fate I know not, nor think much, because thinking is to no purpose. It must stand the censure of the great vulgar and the small; of those that understand it, and that understand it not. But in all this, I suffer not alone: every writer has the same difficulties, and, perhaps, every writer talks of them more than he thinks.
‘You will be pleased to make my compliments to all my friends: and be so kind, at every idle hour, as to remember, dear Sir, your, &c.
‘[London,] March 25, 1755.’ ‘SAM. JOHNSON.’
Dr. Adams told me, that this scheme of a Bibliothèque was a serious one: for upon his visiting him one day, he found his parlour floor covered with parcels of foreign and English literary journals, and he told Dr. Adams he meant to undertake a Review. ‘How, Sir, (said Dr. Adams,) can you think of doing it alone? All branches of knowledge must be considered in it. Do you know Mathematics? Do you know Natural History?’ Johnson answered, ‘Why, Sir, I must do as well as I can. My chief purpose is to give my countrymen a view of what is doing in literature upon the continent; and I shall have, in a good measure, the choice of my subject, for I shall select such books as I best understand.’ Dr. Adams suggested, that as Dr. Maty had just then finished his Bibliothèque Britannique, which was a well-executed work, giving foreigners an account of British publications, he might, with great advantage, assume him as an assistant. ‘He, (said Johnson) the little black dog! I’d throw him into the Thames.’ The scheme, however, was dropped.
In one of his little memorandum-books I find the following hints for his intended Review or Literary Journal:
‘The Annals of Literature, foreign as well as domestick. Imitate Le Clerk – Bayle – Barbeyrac. Infelicity of Journals in England. Works of the learned. We cannot take in all. Sometimes copy from foreign Journalists. Always tell.’
‘To DR. BIRCH
‘SIR, ‘March 29, 1755.
‘I have sent some parts of my Dictionary, such as were at hand, for your inspection. The favour which I beg is, that if you do not like them, you will say nothing. I am, Sir, your most affectionate humble servant,
‘SAM. JOHNSON.’
‘To MR. SAMUEL JOHNSON
‘SIR, ‘Norfolk-street, April3,1755.
‘The part of your Dictionary which you have favoured me with the sight of has given me such an idea of the whole, that I most sincerely congratulate the publick upon the acquisition of a work long wanted, and now executed with an industry, accuracy, and judgement, equal to the importance of the subject. You might, perhaps, have chosen one in which your genius would have appeared to more advantage; but you could not have fixed upon any other in which your labours would have done such substantial service to the present age and to posterity. I am glad that your health has supported the application necessary to the performance of so vast a task; and can undertake to promise you as one (though perhaps the only) reward of it, the approbation and thanks of every well-wisher to the honour of the English language. I am, with the greatest regard, Sir, your most faithful and most affectionate humble servant, ‘THO. BIRCH.’
Mr. Charles Burney, who has since distinguished himself so much in the science of Musick, and obtained a Doctor’s degree from the
University of Oxford, had been driven from the capital by bad health, and was now residing at Lynne Regis, in Norfolk. He had been so much delighted with Johnson’s Rambler and the Plan of his Dictionary, that when the great work was announced in the news-papers as nearly finished, he wrote to Dr. Johnson, begging to be informed when and in what manner his Dictionary would be published; intreating, if it should be by subscription, or he should have any books at his own disposal, to be favoured with six copies for himself and friends.
In answer to this application, Dr. Johnson wrote the following letter, of which (to use Dr. Burney’s own words) ‘if it be remembered that it was written to an obscure young man, who at this time had not much distinguished himself even in his own profession, but whose name could never have reached the authour of The Rambler, the politeness and urbanity may be opposed to some of the stories which have been lately circulated of Dr. Johnson’s natural rudeness and ferocity.’
‘To MR. BURNEY, in Lynne Regis, Norfolk
‘SIR, – If you imagine that by delaying my answer I intended to shew any neglect of the notice with which you have favoured me, you will neither think justly of yourself nor of me. Your civilities were offered with too much elegance not to engage attention; and I have too much pleasure in pleasing men like you, not to feel very sensibly the distinction which you have bestowed upon me.
‘Few consequences of my endeavours to please or to benefit mankind have delighted me more than your friendship thus voluntarily offered, which now I have it I hope to keep, because I hope to continue to deserve it.
‘I have no Dictionaries to dispose of for myself, but shall be glad to have you direct your friends to Mr. Dodsley, because it was by his recommendation that I was employed in the work.
‘When you have leisure to think again upon me, let me be favoured with another letter; and another yet, when you have looked into my Dictionary. If you find faults, I shall endeavour to mend them; if you find none, I shall think you blinded by kind partiality: but to have made you partial in his favour, will very much gratify the ambition of, Sir, your most obliged and most humble servant, ‘SAM. JOHNSON.’
The Life of Samuel Johnson Page 27
