for Mr. Swinton, gravely remarked, that he had probably preached the same sermon before the university: 'Yes, Sir (says Johnson), but the university were not to be hanged the next morning.'

"I forgot to observe before, that when he left Mr. Meeke (as I have told above), he added, About the same time of life, Meeke was left behind at Oxford to feed on a fellowship, and I went to London to get my living: now, Sir, see the difference of our literary characters!""

The following letter was written by Dr. Johnson to Mr. Chambers, of Lincoln College, now Sir Robert Chambers, one of the judges in India :1

TO MR. CHAMBERS, OF LINCOLN COLLEGE.

"DEAR SIR,

"London, Nov. 21. 1754.

"The commission which I delayed to trouble you with at your departure, I am now obliged to send you; and beg that you will be so kind as to carry it to Mr. Warton, of Trinity, to whom I should have written immediately, but that I know not if he be yet come back to Oxford.

"In the catalogue of MSS. of Gr. Brit., see vol. i. page 18. MSS. Bodl. MARTYRIUM XV. martyrum sub Juliano, auctore Theophylacto. "It is desired that Mr. Warton will inquire, and send word, what will be the cost of transcribing this manuscript.

"Vol. ii. p. 32. Num. 1022. 58. COLL. Nov.-Commentaria in Acta Apostol.-Comment. in Septem Epistolas Catholicas.

"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

1 Communicated by the Reverend Mr. Thomas Warton, who had the original.

Sir Robert Chambers was born in 1737, at Newcastle-on-Tyne, and educated at the same school with Lord Stowell and his brother, the Earl of Eldon, and afterwards (like them) a member of University College. It was by visiting Chambers, when a fellow of University, that Johnson became acquainted with Lord Stowell; and when Chambers went to India, Lord Stowell, as he expressed it to me, "seemed to succeed to his place in Johnson's friendship."-Croker.

Nov. 18.1742.
I was forced to make so many journeys.
to the White Horse, that with
travelling with a servant and painder st
cost me near 20. I could have spent as
much about the Cross, but thought I should
have but little thanks for it; though I
believe I could have settled it's age
meaning thereby with greater exactness
than I have done. But let others pursue

the

and

enquiry, it is enough for me that I have shewn the monument.

Four Ducarrell

Granci Wise,

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; 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, "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 REV. MR. THOMAS WARTON.

"DEAR SIR,

"[London,] Nov. 28. 1754.

"I am extremely obliged to you and to Mr. Wise, for the uncommon care which you have taken of my interest; if you can accomplish your kind design, I shall certainly take me a little habita tion among you.

"The books which I promised to Mr. Wise, I have not been yet 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: 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! 3-Would a letter give him any pleasure? I have a mind to write.

1

1 In procuring him the degree of M.A., by diploma, at Oxford.Warton.

2 Lately Fellow of Trinity College, and at this time Radclivian Librarian at Oxford. He was a man of very considerable learning, and eminently skilled in Roman and Anglo-Saxon antiquities. He died in 1767.— Warton.

3 Collins (the poet) was at this time at Oxford, on a visit to Mr.

"I am glad of your hindrance in your Spenserian design,' yet I would not have it delayed. Three hours a day stolen from sleep and amusement will produce 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 anything 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.

"SAM. JOHNSON."

Warton; but labouring under the most deplorable languor of body, and dejection of mind.-Warton.

In a letter to Dr. Joseph Warton, written some months before (March 8, 1754), Dr. Johnson thus speaks of Collins: "But how little can we venture to exult in any intellectual power or literary attainments, when we consider the condition of poor Collins. I knew him a few years ago full of hopes and full of projects, versed in many languages, high in fancy, and strong in retention. This busy and forcible mind is now under the government of those who lately would not have been able to comprehend the least and most narrow of its designs. What do you hear of him? Are there hopes of his recovery? Or is he to pass the remainder of his life in misery and degradation? perhaps with complete consciousness of his calamity.-P. 219.

In a subsequent letter to the same gentleman (Dec. 24, 1754) he thus feelingly alludes to their unfortunate friend: "Poor, dear Collins! Let me know whether you think it would give him pleasure if I should write to him. I have often been near his state, and therefore have it in great commiseration."- P. 229.

Again, April 9, 1756: "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."-P. 239.

See Biographical Memoirs of the late Reverend Dr. Joseph Warton, by the Reverend 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.— Malone.

1 of publishing a volume of observations on Spenser. It was hindered by my taking pupils in this College.-Warton.

2 Young students of the lowest rank are so called.-Warton.