Boswell’s Life of Johnson: 274

Edited by Dan Leo, Professor of Basic Remedial Writing Skills for Native English Speakers, Olney Community College; author of Bozzie and Dr. Sam: The Case of the Missing Balloon, the Olney Community College Press.

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{Continuing with excerpts from Johnson’s letters to his friends in the last  summer and fall of his life. – Editor} To SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS:—  Ashbourne, July 21. 'The tenderness with which I am treated by my friends, makes it reasonable to suppose that they are desirous to know the state of my health, and a desire so benevolent ought to be gratified. I came to Lichfield in two days without any painful fatigue, and on Monday came hither, where I purpose to stay: and try what air and regularity will effect. I cannot yet persuade myself that I have made much progress in recovery. My sleep is little, my breath is very much encumbered, and my legs are very weak. The water has encreased a little, but has again run off. The most distressing symptom is want of sleep.' Ashbourne, August 19. 'Having had since our separation, little to say that could please you or myself by saying, I have not been lavish of useless letters; but I flatter myself that you will partake of the pleasure with which I can now tell you that about a week ago, I felt suddenly a sensible remission of my asthma, and consequently a greater lightness of action and motion. Of this grateful alleviation I know not the cause, nor dare depend upon its continuance, but while it lasts I endeavour to enjoy it, and am desirous of communicating, while it lasts, my pleasure to my friends. Hitherto, dear Sir, I had written before the post, which stays in this town but a little while, brought me your letter. Mr. Davies seems to have represented my little tendency to recovery in terms too splendid. I am still restless, still weak, still watery, but the asthma is less oppressive. Poor Ramsay! {Allan Ramsay, “painter to his Majesty”, who died August 10. – Editor} On which side soever I turn, mortality presents its formidable frown. I left three old friends at Lichfield when I was last there, and now found them all dead. I no sooner lose sight of dear Allen, than I am told that I shall see him no more. That we must all die, we always knew; I wish I had sooner remembered it. Do not think me intrusive or importunate, if I now call, dear Sir, on you to remember it.' Sept. 2. 'I am glad that a little favour from the court has intercepted your furious purposes. {Reynolds had been appointed “painter to the King, replacing the deceased Ramsay; his “furious purposes” apparently refers to his intention to resign as President of the Academy had he not been offered the royal position. – Editor} I could not in any case have approved such publick violence of resentment, and should have considered any who encouraged it, as rather seeking sport for themselves, than honour for you. Resentment gratifies him who intended an injury, and pains him unjustly who did not intend it. But all this is now superfluous. I still continue by GOD'S mercy to mend. My breath is easier, my nights are quieter, and my legs are less in bulk, and stronger in use. I have, however, yet a great deal to overcome, before I can yet attain even an old man's health. Write, do write to me now and then; we are now old acquaintance, and perhaps few people have lived so much and so long together, with less cause of complaint on either side. The retrospection of this is very pleasant, and I hope we shall never think on each other with less kindness.' Sept. 9. 'I could not answer your letter before this day, because I went on the sixth to Chatsworth, and did not come back till the post was gone. Many words, I hope, are not necessary between you and me, to convince you what gratitude is excited in my heart, by the Chancellor's liberality and your kind offices. {Referring to the unsuccessful attempt by Johnson’s friends to obtain money from the King to send Johnson to Italy for the winter; however, it appears that the Chancellor never asked the King. – Editor} I did not indeed expect that what was asked by the Chancellor would have been refused, but since it has, we will not tell that any thing has been asked. I have enclosed a letter to the Chancellor which, when you have read it, you will be pleased to seal with a head, or other general seal, and convey it to him; had I sent it directly to him, I should have seemed to overlook the favour of your intervention. My last letter told you of my advance in health, which, I think, in the whole still continues. Of the hydropick tumour there is now very little appearance; the asthma is much less troublesome, and seems to remit something day after day. I do not despair of supporting an English winter. At Chatsworth, I met young Mr. Burke, who led me very commodiously into conversation with the Duke and Duchess. We had a very good morning. The dinner was publick.' {A “publick dinner” was one at a large country house to which any of the neighboring gentry might come without an invitation. – Editor} Sept. 18. 'I flattered myself that this week would have given me a letter from you, but none has come. Write to me now and then, but direct your next to Lichfield. I think, and I hope, am sure, that I still grow better; I have sometimes good nights; but am still in my legs weak, but so much mended, that I go to Lichfield in hope of being able to pay my visits on foot, for there are no coaches. I have three letters this day, all about the balloon, I could have been content with one. Do not write about the balloon, whatever else you may think proper to say.' October 2. 'I am always proud of your approbation, and therefore was much pleased that you liked my letter. When you copied it, you invaded the Chancellor's right rather than mine. The refusal I did not expect, but I had never thought much about it, for I doubted whether the Chancellor had so much tenderness for me as to ask. He, being keeper of the King's conscience, ought not to be supposed capable of an improper petition. All is not gold that glitters, as we have often been told; and the adage is verified in your place {referring to a recent lowering of the stipend for the King’s Painter, from £200 to £50 per annum – Editor} and my favour; but if what happens does not make us richer, we must bid it welcome, if it makes us wiser. I do not at present grow better, nor much worse; my hopes, however, are somewhat abated, and a very great loss is the loss of hope, but I struggle on as I can.' TO MR. JOHN NICHOLS:—  Lichfield, Oct. 20. 'When you were here, you were pleased, as I am told, to think my absence an inconvenience. I should certainly have been very glad to give so skilful a lover of antiquities any information about my native place, of which, however, I know not much, and have reason to believe that not much is known. Though I have not given you any amusement, I have received amusement from you. At Ashbourne, where I had very little company, I had the luck to borrow Mr. Bowyer's Life {Nichols’s Anecdotes of William Bowyer, Printer, published in 1782 – Editor}; a book so full of contemporary history, that a literary man must find some of his old friends. I thought that I could, now and then, have told you some hints worth your notice; and perhaps we may talk a life over. I hope we shall be much together; you must now be to me what you were before, and what dear Mr. Allen was, besides. He was taken unexpectedly away, but I think he was a very good man. I have made little progress in recovery. I am very weak, and very sleepless; but I live on and hope.' This various mass of correspondence, which I have thus brought together, is valuable, both as an addition to the store which the publick already has of Johnson's writings, and as exhibiting a genuine and noble specimen of vigour and vivacity of mind, which neither age nor sickness could impair or diminish. It may be observed, that his writing in every way, whether for the publick, or privately to his friends, was by fits and starts; for we see frequently, that many letters are written on the same day. When he had once overcome his aversion to begin, he was, I suppose, desirous to go on, in order to relieve his mind from the uneasy reflection of delaying what he ought to do. (classix comix™ is made possible in part through the continuing support of the Bob’s Bowery Bar foundation for the Arts & Crafts: “Well, finally we enter the last week of August, and I for one say good riddance! Bring on the cool weather, and if you’re stuck in town over the Labor Day weekend, why not join me at Bob’s Bowery Bar, where I will once again be hosting the Philip Morris Commander Telethon in aid of Brother Mike’s Soup Kitchen, broadcast live on the Dumont Television Network starting at 10pm {EST} Sunday night and running continuously until 4am Tuesday. Joining me will be my special co-hosts Bishop Fulton J, Sheen, the ‘stevedore philosopher’ Eric Hoffer, comedienne Phyllis Diller, and actor Angus Strongbow, with of course my good friend Mr. Tony Winston on the upright Steinway, and, as usual, we expect many surprise guests from the worlds of entertainment and culture both high and low! The bar will fill up early, so if I were you I’d run right over as soon as Dr. Blanche ends!” – Horace P. Sternwall, host and narrator of Bob’s Bowery Bar Presents Philip Morris Commander’s “Blanche Weinberg, Lady Psychiatrist”, broadcast live 8pm Sundays {EST} exclusively on the Dumont Television Network. This week’s presentation: “Nobody Loves a Stale Fruitcake”, by Hilda Peters Smith, starring Kitty Carlisle as “Dr. Blanche”, with special guest star Johnny Ray.)   part 275

Boswell’s Life of Johnson: 273

Edited by Dan Leo, Professor of 18th Century British Medicinal Studies, Olney Community College; author of Bozzie and Dr. Sam: The Case of the Dropsies, the Olney Community College Press.

Artwork personally supervised by rhoda penmarq (layout, pencils, inks, virtual silk-screening by eddie el greco; lettering by roy dismas ); a penmarq productions™/sternwall productions™ co-production in association with Bob’s Bowery Bar Productions™.

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{Continuing with Dr. Johnson’s letters to his friends in his final summer and autumn. – Editor} To MR. WINDHAM:—  August.  'The tenderness with which you have been pleased to treat me, through my long illness, neither health nor sickness can, I hope, make me forget; and you are not to suppose, that after we parted you were no longer in my mind. But what can a sick man say, but that he is sick? His thoughts are necessarily concentered in himself; he neither receives nor can give delight; his enquiries are after alleviations of pain, and his efforts are to catch some momentary comfort. Though I am now in the neighbourhood of the Peak, you must expect no account of its wonders, of its hills, its waters, its caverns, or its mines; but I will tell you, dear Sir, what I hope you will not hear with less satisfaction, that, for about a week past, my asthma has been less afflictive.' Lichfield. October 2.  'I believe you have been long enough acquainted with the phoenomena of sickness, not to be surprised that a sick man wishes to be where he is not, and where it appears to every body but himself that he might easily be, without having the resolution to remove. I thought Ashbourne a solitary place, but did not come hither till last Monday. I have here more company, but my health has for this last week not advanced; and in the languor of disease how little can be done? Whither or when I shall make my next remove I cannot tell; but I entreat you, dear Sir, to let me know, from time to time, where you may be found, for your residence is a very powerful attractive to, Sir, your most humble servant.' 'To MR. PERKINS.  'DEAR SIR,  'I cannot but flatter myself that your kindness for me will make you glad to know where I am, and in what state.  'I have been struggling very hard with my diseases. My breath has been very much obstructed, and the water has attempted to encroach upon me again. {“Water”: edema, or dropsy. – Editor} I past the first part of the summer at Oxford, afterwards I went to Lichfield, thence to Ashbourne, in Derbyshire, and a week ago I returned to Lichfield.  'My breath is now much easier, and the water is in a great measure run away, so that I hope to see you again before winter.  'Please to make my compliments to Mrs. Perkins, and to Mr. and Mrs. Barclay.  'I am, dear Sir,  'Your most humble servant,  'SAM. JOHNSON.'  'Lichfield, Oct. 4, 1784.' 'To THE RIGHT HON. WILLIAM GERARD HAMILTON.  'DEAR SIR,  'Considering what reason you gave me in the spring to conclude that you took part in whatever good or evil might befal me, I ought not to have omitted so long the account which I am now about to give you. My diseases are an asthma and a dropsy, and, what is less curable, seventy-five. Of the dropsy, in the beginning of the summer, or in the spring, I recovered to a degree which struck with wonder both me and my physicians: the asthma now is likewise, for a time, very much relieved. I went to Oxford, where the asthma was very tyrannical, and the dropsy began again to threaten me; but seasonable physick stopped the inundation: I then returned to London, and in July took a resolution to visit Staffordshire and Derbyshire, where I am yet struggling with my diseases. The dropsy made another attack, and was not easily ejected, but at last gave way. The asthma suddenly remitted in bed, on the 13th of August, and, though now very oppressive, is, I think, still something gentler than it was before the remission. My limbs are miserably debilitated, and my nights are sleepless and tedious. When you read this, dear Sir, you are not sorry that I wrote no sooner. I will not prolong my complaints. I hope still to see you in a happier hour, to talk over what we have often talked, and perhaps to find new topicks of merriment, or new incitements to curiosity. I am, dear Sir, &c. SAM. JOHNSON. Lichfield, Oct. 20, 1784.' 'TO JOHN PARADISE, ESQ. DEAR SIR,  Though in all my summer's excursion I have given you no account of myself, I hope you think better of me than to imagine it possible for me to forget you, whose kindness to me has been too great and too constant not to have made its impression on a harder breast than mine. Silence is not very culpable when nothing pleasing is suppressed. It would have alleviated none of your complaints to have read my vicissitudes of evil. I have struggled hard with very formidable and obstinate maladies; and though I cannot talk of health, think all praise due to my Creator and Preserver for the continuance of my life. The dropsy has made two attacks, and has given way to medicine; the asthma is very oppressive, but that has likewise once remitted. I am very weak, and very sleepless; but it is time to conclude the tale of misery. I hope, dear Sir, that you grow better, for you have likewise your share of human evil, and that your lady and the young charmers are well.  I am, dear Sir, &c.  SAM. JOHNSON.  Lichfield, Oct. 20, 1784.' 'To MR. GEORGE NICOL.  'Dear Sir,  'Since we parted, I have been much oppressed by my asthma, but it has lately been less laborious. When I sit I am almost at ease, and I can walk, though yet very little, with less difficulty for this week past, than before. I hope I shall again enjoy my friends, and that you and I shall have a little more literary conversation. Where I now am, every thing is very liberally provided for me but conversation. My friend is sick himself, and the reciprocation of complaints and groans affords not much of either pleasure or instruction. What we have not at home this town does not supply, and I shall be glad of a little imported intelligence, and hope that you will bestow, now and then, a little time on the relief and entertainment of, Sir,  'Yours, &c.  'SAM. JOHNSON.'  'Ashbourne, Aug. 19, 1784.' 'To MR. CRUIKSHANK.  'Dear Sir,  'Do not suppose that I forget you; I hope I shall never be accused of forgetting my benefactors. I had, till lately, nothing to write but complaints upon complaints, of miseries upon miseries; but within this fortnight I have received great relief. Have your Lectures any vacation? If you are released from the necessity of daily study, you may find time for a letter to me.  'I am, dear Sir, yours, &c.  'SAM. JOHNSON.'  'Ashbourne, Sept. 4, 1784.' To MR. THOMAS DAVIES — August 14.  'The tenderness with which you always treat me, makes me culpable in my own eyes for having omitted to write in so long a separation; I had, indeed, nothing to say that you could wish to hear. All has been hitherto misery accumulated upon misery, disease corroborating disease, till yesterday my asthma was perceptibly and unexpectedly mitigated. I am much comforted with this short relief, and am willing to flatter myself that it may continue and improve. I have at present, such a degree of ease, as not only may admit the comforts, but the duties of life. Make my compliments to Mrs. Davies.' (classix comix™ is brought to you by Bob’s Bowery Bar – accept no bourgeois substitutes! “Yes, folks, the dog days are here in force, so if – either through poverty or work obligations, or a devilish combination of the two – you are – like yours truly! – stuck in the city, why not go where I go every single night of my life, the ‘original gangsta’ of bowery bars, Bob’s Bowery Bar! I’ll tell you, as soon as we wrap tonight’s program, myself and all the cast and crew will, in the words of the Bawdy Bard, stay not upon the order of our going, but go at once to Bob’s and order various and sundry of the fine cold beverages on offer! Myself, I’m in the mood for what my good friend Bob likes to call the Arctic A-Bomb: a bracing frozen concoction of cask-aged British Navy rum, fresh-squeezed lime juice, jaggeree, crystalized ginger, a healthy splash of Green Chartreuse, and topped off with a cherry soaked in absinthe – yum’s the word!” – Horace P. Sternwall, host and narrator of Bob’s Bowery Bar Presents Philip Morris Commander’s “Blanche Weinberg, Lady Psychiatrist”, broadcast live 8pm Sundays {EST} exclusively on the Dumont Television Network. This week’s presentation: “Nuts Don’t Always Come in a Paper Bag”, by Herbie Pete Stumptown, starring Kitty Carlisle as “Dr. Blanche”, with special guest stars Louis Prima and Keely Smith.)    part 274

Boswell’s Life of Johnson: 272

Edited by Dan Leo, Professor of 18th Century British Jurisprudential Studies, Olney Community College; author of Bozzie and Dr. Sam: The Case of the Two Hanged Men, the Olney Community College Press.

Art direction by rhoda penmarq (layout, pencils, inks, tie-dyeing by eddie el greco; lettering by roy dismas) for penmarqartitdown™ productions: “High-quality art at low-income prices!” 

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{Continuing Dr. Johnson’s letters to his friends in his final year. – Editor} To MR. HOOLE:—  Ashbourne, Aug. 7.  'Since I was here I have two little letters from you, and have not had the gratitude to write. But every man is most free with his best friends, because he does not suppose that they can suspect him of intentional incivility. One reason for my omission is, that being in a place to which you are wholly a stranger, I have no topicks of correspondence. If you had any knowledge of Ashbourne, I could tell you of two Ashbourne men, who, being last week condemned at Derby to be hanged for a robbery, went and hanged themselves in their cell. But this, however it may supply us with talk, is nothing to you. Your kindness, I know, would make you glad to hear some good of me, but I have not much good to tell; if I grow not worse, it is all that I can say. I hope Mrs. Hoole receives more help from her migration. Make her my compliments, and write again to, dear Sir, your affectionate servant.' Aug. 13. 'I thank you for your affectionate letter. I hope we shall both be the better for each other's friendship, and I hope we shall not very quickly be parted. Tell Mr. Nicholls that I shall be glad of his correspondence, when his business allows him a little remission; though to wish him less business, that I may have more pleasure, would be too selfish. To pay for seats at the balloon is not very necessary, because in less than a minute, they who gaze at a mile's distance will see all that can be seen. About the wings I am of your mind; they cannot at all assist it, nor I think regulate its motion. I am now grown somewhat easier in my body, but my mind is sometimes depressed. About the Club I am in no great pain. The forfeitures go on, and the house, I hear, is improved for our future meetings. I hope we shall meet often and sit long.' Sept. 4. 'Your letter was, indeed, long in coming, but it was very welcome. Our acquaintance has now subsisted long and our recollection of each other involves a great space, and many little occurrences, which melt the thoughts to tenderness. Write to me, therefore, as frequently as you can. I hear from Dr. Brocklesby and Mr. Ryland, that the Club is not crouded. I hope we shall enliven it when winter brings us together.' To DR. BURNEY:—  August 2. 'The weather, you know, has not been balmy; I am now reduced to think, and am at last content to talk of the weather. Pride must have a fall. I have lost dear Mr. Allen, and wherever I turn, the dead or the dying meet my notice, and force my attention upon misery and mortality. Mrs. Burney's escape from so much danger, and her ease after so much pain, throws, however, some radiance of hope upon the gloomy prospect. May her recovery be perfect, and her continuance long. I struggle hard for life. I take physick, and take air; my friend's chariot is always ready. We have run this morning twenty-four miles, and could run forty-eight more. But who can run the race with death?' 'Sept. 4. [Concerning a private transaction, in which his opinion was asked, and after giving it he makes the following reflections, which are applicable on other occasions.] Nothing deserves more compassion than wrong conduct with good meaning; than loss or obloquy suffered by one who, as he is conscious only of good intentions, wonders why he loses that kindness which he wishes to preserve; and not knowing his own fault, if, as may sometimes happen, nobody will tell him, goes on to offend by his endeavours to please. I am delighted by finding that our opinions are the same. You will do me a real kindness by continuing to write. A post-day has now been long a day of recreation.' Nov. 1. 'Our correspondence paused for want of topicks. I had said what I had to say on the matter proposed to my consideration; and nothing remained but to tell you, that I waked or slept; that I was more or less sick. I drew my thoughts in upon myself, and supposed yours employed upon your book. That your book has been delayed I am glad, since you have gained an opportunity of being more exact. Of the caution necessary in adjusting narratives there is no end. Some tell what they do not know, that they may not seem ignorant, and others from mere indifference about truth. All truth is not, indeed, of equal importance; but, if little violations are allowed, every violation will in time be thought little; and a writer should keep himself vigilantly on his guard against the first temptations to negligence or supineness. I had ceased to write, because respecting you I had no more to say, and respecting myself could say little good. I cannot boast of advancement, and in cases of convalescence it may be said, with few exceptions, non progredi, est regredi {“not to go forward is to go backwards” – Editor}. I hope I may be excepted. My great difficulty was with my sweet Fanny {Dr. Burney’s daughter, Fanny Burney, the celebrated young novelist, diarist and playwright, whom Dr. Johnson had met at Mrs. Thrale’s house – Editor} who, by her artifice of inserting her letter in yours, had given me a precept of frugality which I was not at liberty to neglect; and I know not who were in town under whose cover I could send my letter. I rejoice to hear that you are all so well, and have a delight particularly sympathetick in the recovery of Mrs. Burney.' To MR. LANGTON:—  Aug. 25. 'The kindness of your last letter, and my omission to answer it, begins to give you, even in my opinion, a right to recriminate, and to charge me with forgetfulness for the absent. I will, therefore, delay no longer to give an account of myself, and wish I could relate what would please either myself or my friend. On July 13, I left London, partly in hope of help from new air and change of place, and partly excited by the sick man's impatience of the present. I got to Lichfield in a stage vehicle, with very little fatigue, in two days, and had the consolation to find, that since my last visit my three old acquaintance are all dead. July 20, I went to Ashbourne, where I have been till now; the house in which we live is repairing. I live in too much solitude, and am often deeply dejected: I wish we were nearer, and rejoice in your removal to London. A friend, at once cheerful and serious, is a great acquisition. Let us not neglect one another for the little time which Providence allows us to hope. Of my health I cannot tell you, what my wishes persuaded me to expect, that it is much improved by the season or by remedies. I am sleepless; my legs grow weary with a very few steps, and the water breaks its boundaries in some degree. The asthma, however, has remitted; my breath is still much obstructed, but is more free than it was. Nights of watchfulness produce torpid days; I read very little, though I am alone; for I am tempted to supply in the day what I lost in bed. This is my history; like all other histories, a narrative of misery. Yet am I so much better than in the beginning of the year, that I ought to be ashamed of complaining. I now sit and write with very little sensibility of pain or weakness; but when I rise, I shall find my legs betraying me. Of the money which you mentioned, I have no immediate need; keep it, however, for me, unless some exigence requires it. Your papers I will shew you certainly when you would see them, but I am a little angry at you for not keeping minutes of your own acceptum et expensum {“acceptable payment” – Editor}, and think a little time might be spared from Aristophanes, for the res familiares {“everyday matters” – Editor}. Forgive me for I mean well. I hope, dear Sir, that you and Lady Rothes, and all the young people, too many to enumerate, are well and happy. GOD bless you all.' (classix comix™ is made possible in part through the continuing assistance of the Bob’s Bowery Bar Fund for Needy Artists and Scribes: “I hope everyone in our studio and home audiences will tune into the Dumont Television Network this Wednesday at 8pm (Eastern Standard Time) when yours truly will be hosting the twentieth anniversary special of the annual Bob’s Bowery Bar Celebrity Darts Tournament, live from the Prince Hal Room of the historic Hotel St Crispian, and featuring such notables as Happy the Clown, Arnold Stang, Joe E. Lewis, Wally Cox, Artemis Boldwater, Angus Strongbow, and Miss Hyacinth Wilde! Will Miss Wilde take first place for the fourth year in a row? All I know is that Joe E. tells me he’s been practicing two hours every night! Musical accompaniment by Tony Winston and his Winstonians, featuring the lovely chanteuse Shirley De LaSalle, and the Betty Baxter Dancers will be on hand also to strut their stuff. All proceeds to go to Father Jim’s Soup Kitchen on the Bowery.” – Horace P. Sternwall, host and narrator of Bob’s Bowery Bar Presents Philip Morris Commander’s “Blanche Weinberg, Lady Psychiatrist”, broadcast live 8pm Sundays {EST} exclusively on the Dumont Television Network. This week’s play: “The Lonely Loon’s Lost Lullaby”, by Horatia Pryce Shutterworthy, starring Kitty Carlisle as “Dr. Blanche”, with special guest stars Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne.)    part 273