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ther 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. 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 you are doing.

"I am, dearest sir,

"Your humble servant,

[London] Feb. 4, 1755."

"SAM. JOHNSON."

66 DEAR SIR,

TO THE SAME.

"I RECEIVED your letter this day, with great sense of the favour that has been done me; for which

1" 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."

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 inquire.

1

"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."

66 DEAR SIR,

2

TO THE SAME.

"I HAD a letter last week from Mr. Wise, but have yet heard nothing from you, nor know in what affair stands; of which I beg you to inform me, if you can, to-morrow, by the return of the post.

state

my

"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 inquire 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

1" On Spenser."
2" Of the degree.".

from writing too? Let them, at least, give you time

"Your most affectionate, &c.

to write to, dear sir,

"[London] Feb. 13, 1755.”

SAM. JOHNSON."

TO THE SAME.

"DEAR SIR,

"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. a I have now the full effect of your care and benevo lence; 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,

3

"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."

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

1" Principal of Saint Mary Hall at Oxford. He brought with him the diploma from Oxford."

2 "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."

3" Dr. Huddesford, President of Trinity College."

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.

66

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

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"Mr. Vice-Chancellor, and Gentlemen,

"Your affectionate friend and servant,

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"CANCELLARIUS, Magistri, et Scholares Universitatis Oxoniensis omnibus ad quos hoc presens scriptum pervenerit, salutem in Domino sempiternam,

1 Extracted from the Convocation-Register, Oxford.

"Cum eum in finem gradus academici à majoribus nostris instituti fuerint, ut viri ingenio et doctrind præstantes titulis quoque præter cæteros insignirentur; cumque vir doctissimus Samuel Johnson è Collegio Pembrochiensi, scriptis suis popularium mores informantibus dudum literato orbi innotuerit; quin et lingue patriæ tum ornandæ tum stabilienda (Lexicon scilicet Anglicanum summo studio, summo à se judicio congestum propediem editurus) etiam nunc utilissimam impendat operam; Nos igitur Cancellarius, Magistri, et Scholares antedicti, nè virum de literis humanioribus optimè meritum diutius inhonoratum prætereamus, in solenni Convocatione Doctorum, Magistrorum, Regentium, et non Regentium, decimo die Mensis Februarii Anno Domini Millesimo Septingentesimo Quinquagesimo quinto habitâ, præfatum virum Samuelem Johnson (conspirantibus omnium suffragiis) Magistrum in Artibus renunciavimus et constituimus; eumque, virtute præsentis diplomatis, singulis juribus privilegiis et honoribus ad istum gradum quàquà pertinentibus frui et gaudere jussimus.

"In cujus rei testimonium sigillum Universitatis Oxoniensis præsentibus apponi fecimus.

"Datum in Domo nostræ Convocationis die 20o Mensis Feb. Anno Dom. prædicto.

"Diploma supra scriptum per Registrarium lectum erat, et ex decreto venerabilis Domus communi Universitatis sigillo munitam.” 1

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"Londini, 4to Cal. Mart. 1755.

VIRO REVERENDO — HUDDESFORD, S. T. P. UNIVERSITATIS OXONIENSIS VICE-CANCELLARIO DIGNISSIMO, S. P. D.

(6 SAM. JOHNSON.

"INGRATUS planè et tibi et mihi videar, nisi quanto me gaudio affecerint, quos nuper mihi honores 1 The original is in my possession.

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