The Life of Samuel Johnson - James Boswell [399]
‘MADAM, – You must not think me uncivil in omitting to answer the letter with which you favoured me some time ago. I imagined it to have been written without Mr. Boswell’s knowledge, and therefore supposed the answer to require, what I could not find, a private conveyance.
‘The difference with Lord Auchinleck is now over; and since young Alexander has appeared, I hope no more difficulties will arise among you; for I sincerely wish you all happy. Do not teach the young ones to dislike me, as you dislike me yourself; but let me at least have Veronica’s kindness, because she is my acquaintance.
‘You will now have Mr. Boswell home; it is well that you have him; he has led a wild life. I have taken him to Lichfield, and he has followed Mr. Thrale to Bath. Pray take care of him, and tame him. The only thing in which I have the honour to agree with you is, in loving him; and while we are so much of a mind in a matter of so much importance, our other quarrels will, I hope, produce no great bitterness. I am, Madam, your most humble servant,
‘May 16, 1776.’ ‘Sam. JOHNSON.’
‘Mr. BOSWELL to DR. JOHNSON
‘Edinburgh, June 25, 1776.
‘You have formerly complained that my letters were too long. There is no danger of that complaint being made at present; for I find it difficult for me to write to you at all. [Here an account of having been afflicted with a return of melancholy or bad spirits.]
‘The boxes of booksb which you sent to me are arrived; but I have not yet examined the contents….
‘I send you Mr. Maclaurin’s paper for the negro, who claims his freedom in the Court of Session.’
‘DR. JOHNSON to MR. BOSWELL
‘DEAR SIR, – These black fits, of which you complain, perhaps hurt your memory as well as your imagination. When did I complain that your letters were too long?c Your last letter, after a very long delay, brought very bad news. [Here a series of reflections upon melancholy, and – what I could not help thinking strangely unreasonable in him who had suffered so much from it himself, – a good deal of severity and reproof, as if it were owing to my own fault, or that I was, perhaps, affecting it from a desire of distinction.]
‘Read Cheyne’s English Malady; but do not let him teach you a foolish notion that melancholy is a proof of acuteness….
‘To hear that you have not opened your boxes of books is very offensive. The examination and arrangement of so many volumes might have afforded you an amusement very seasonable at present, and useful for the whole of life. I am, I confess, very angry that you manage yourself so ill….
‘I do not now say any more, than that I am, with great kindness, and sincerity, dear Sir, your humble servant,
‘July 2, 1776.’ ‘sam. JOHNSON.’
‘It was last year determined by Lord Mansfield, in the Court of King’s Bench, that a negro cannot be taken out of the kingdom without his own consent.’
‘DR. JOHNSON to MR. BOSWELL
‘DEAR SIR, – I make haste to write again, lest my last letter should give you too much pain. If you are really oppressed with overpowering and involuntary melancholy, you are to be pitied rather than reproached….
‘Now, my dear Bozzy, let us have done with quarrels and with censure. Let me know whether I have not sent you a pretty library. There are, perhaps, many books among them which you never need read through; but there are none which it is not proper for you to know, and sometimes to consult. Of these books, of which the use is only occasional, it is often sufficient to know the contents, that, when any question arises, you may know where to look for information.
‘Since I wrote, I have looked over Mr. Maclaurin’s plea, and think it excellent. How is the suit carried on? If by subscription, I commission you to contribute, in my name, what is proper. Let nothing be wanting in such a case. Dr. Drummond,a I see, is superseded. His father would have grieved; but he lived to obtain the pleasure of his son’s election, and died before that pleasure was abated.
‘Langton’s lady has brought him a girl, and both are well; I dined with him the other day….
‘It vexes me to