there had been an execution of two or three criminals at Oxford on a Monday. Soon afterwards, one day at dinner, I was saying that Mr. Swinton(), the chaplain of the gaol, and also a frequent preacher before the university, a learned man, but often thoughtless and absent, preached the condemnation-sermon on repentance, before the convicts, on the preceding day, Sunday; and that in the close he told his audience, that he should give them the remainder of what he had to say on the subject, the next Lord's Day. Upon which, one of our company, a doctor of divinity, and a plain matter-of-fact man, by way of offering an apology 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!" (2)

a more commodious chimney at the side? - C. [Does it not mean, that, after the Revolution, stoves were so placed, that they warmed only those who got good places near them? FONNEREAU. It is probably a mere jest against modern improvements.]

(1) [The Rex John Swinton, B. D. of Ch. Ch., one of the chief writers of the Universal History, died in 1777, aged 79.] (2) Curis acuens mortalia corda. Poverty was the stimulus which made Johnson exert a genius naturally, it may be supposed, more vigorous than Meeke's, and he was now beginning to enjoy the fame, of which so many painful years of distress and penury had laid the foundation. Meeke had lived an easy life of decent competence; and on the whole, perhaps, as little envied Johnson, as Johnson him: the goodness and justice of Providence equalise, to a degree not always visible at first sight, the happiness of mankind — nec vixit malè qui natus moriensque fefellit. Meeke died about September, 1743..- C

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

LETTER 27. TO MR. CHAMBERS.

"DEAR SIR,

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 done by any body else; or stay till he comes, according to your own convenience. It is for an Italian literato.

(1) Sir Robert Chambers was born in 1737, at Newcastle-onTyne, 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." — C.

"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 beer. 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, nis friends thought that, if proper exertions were made, the University of Oxford would pay him the compliment.

LETTER 28. TO THE REV. T. WARTON.

66

[London,] Nov. 28. 1754.

"DEAR SIR, - 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 habitation among you.

"The books which I promised to Mr. Wise, I have not been 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 ! (1)-Would a letter give him any pleasure? I have a mind to write.

"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 Servitour (3) transcribe the quotations, and interleave them with references, to save

time. fatigue.

This will shorten the work, and lessen the

"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.

"SAM. JOHNSON."

LETTER 29.

TO THE SAME.

"[London,] Dec. 21. 1754.

"DEAR SIR, I am extremely sensible of the favour done me, both by Mr. Wise and yourself. The book (4) cannot, I think, be printed in less than six weeks, nor probably so soon; and I will keep back the titlepage 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 expense of the affair; and I will take care that you may have it ready at your hand.

"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

(1) Collins (the poet) was at this time at Oxford, on a visit to Mr. Warton; but labouring under the most deplorable languor of body, and dejection of mind. WARTON. He died at his native city, Chichester, in 1756. See Johnson's Life of him.]

(2) Of publishing a volume of observations on Spenser. WARTON.

(3) Young students of the lowest rank are so called.WARTON.

(4) His Dictionary. - WARTON.