"I am glad of your hindrance in your Spenserian 1754. design, yet I would not have it delayed. Three Etat. hours a day stolen from sleep and amusement will pro- 45. duce it. Let a Servitour2 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. 66 DEAR SIR, TO THE SAME. "SAM. JOHNSON." 3 "I AM extremely sensible of the favour done me, both by Mr. Wise and yourself. The book cannot, I 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 may have it ready at your hand. you "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 "What becomes of poor dear Collins? I wrote him a letter which he never answered. I suppose writing is very troublesome to him. That man is no common loss. The moralists all talk of the uncertainty of fortune, and the transitoriness of beauty but it is yet more dreadful to consider that the powers of the mind are equally liable to change, that understanding may make its appearance and depart, that it may blaze and expire." See Biographical Memoirs of the late Reverend Dr. Joseph Warton, by the Rev. erend John Wool, A. M. 4to. 1806. Mr. Collins, who was the son of a hatter at Chichester, was born December 25, 1720, and was released from the dismal state here so pathetically described, in 1756. M.] 1" of publishing a volume of observations on the best of Spencer's works. It was hindered by my taking pupils in this College." 2 « Young students of the lowest rank at Oxford are so called." Etat. 1755. of which are a number of Eglogues; so he writes it, from Egloga, which are probably the first in our lan46. guage. 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. I have mentioned it to none of my friends, for fear of 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. Οίμι. τι δ' άμι ; Θνῆτα γὰρ πεπόνθαμην. I have ever since seemed to myself broken off from "Most affectionately your's, "[London,] Dec. 21, 1754. 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. 66 TO THE REVEREND MR. THOMAS WARTON. 66 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 4" Of the degree at Oxford." the people, which Ariosto talks of in his last Canto, or 1755. a general murmur of dislike, I know not: whether I Etat. shall find upon the coast a Calypso that will court, or a 46. Polypheme that will resist. But if Polypheme comes, have at his eye. 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, 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 are doing. "I am, dearest Sir, "[London,] Feb. 4, 1755. 66 DEAR SIR, "Your humble servant, TO THE SAME. you SAM. JOHNSON." "I RECEIVED your letter this day, with great sense of the favour that has been done me; 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? 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." 5" His degree had now past, according to the usual form, the suffrages of the heads of Colleges; but was not yet finally granted by the University. It was carried without a single dissentient voice." • "On Spenser." 1755. Etat. 46. 66 DEAR SIR, TO THE SAME. "I HAD a letter last week from Mr. Wise, but have yet heard nothing from you, nor know in what state my affair stands; 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 Fennick 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. 66 DEAR SIR, TO THE SAME. "SAM. JOHNSON." "DR. KING 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." I have now the full 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. I have enclosed a letter to the Vice Chancellor,' which you will read; and, if you like it, seal and give him. ["London,] Feb. 1755." "" Of the degree." * "Principal of Saint Mary Hall at Oxford. He brought with him the diploma from Oxford." "I suppose Johnson means that my kind intention of being the first to give him the good news of the degree being granted was frustrated, because Dr. King brought it before my intelligence arrived." 1 " Dr. Huddesford, President of Trinity College." As the Publick will doubtless be pleased to see the 1755. whole progress of this well-earned academical honour, Etat. I shall insert the Chancellor of Oxford's letter to the 46. University, the diploma, and Johnson's letter of thanks to the Vice-Chancellor. "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 agreeable 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. 1755. "DIPLOMA MAGISTRI JOHNSON. “CANCELLARIUS, Magistri et Scholares Universitatis Oxoniensis omnibus ad quos hoc presens scriptum pervenerit, salutem in Domino sempiternam. "Cùm eum in finem gradus academici à majoribus nostris instituti fuerint, ut viri ingenio et doctrind præstantes titulis quoque præter cæteros insignirentur ; cùmque vir doctissimus Samuel Johnson è Collegio Pembrochiensi, scriptis suis popularium mores informantibus 2 Extracted from the Convocation-Register, Oxford. |