CHAPTER VI.

1771.

"Thoughts on the late Transactions respecting Falkland's Islands."-Lord George Grenville.-Junius. ·Design of bringing Johnson into Parliament. Mr. Strahan. Lord North.

Mr. Flood.

Boswell's Marriage. Visit to Lichfield and Ash

bourne.

Dr. Beattie. Lord Monboddo. - St.

-

Thirty-nine Articles. Thirtieth of January. Royal Marriage Act. Old Families. Mimickry. Foote. Mr. Peyton. Origin of Languages.— Irish and Gaelic. - Flogging at Schools. - Lord Mansfield. -Sir Gilbert Elliot.

IN 1771 he published another political pamphlet, entitled "Thoughts on the late Transactions respecting Falkland's Islands," in which, upon materials furnished to him by ministry, and upon general topics, expanded in his rich style, he successfully endeavoured to persuade the nation that it was wise and laudable to suffer the question of right to remain undecided, rather than involve our country in another war. It has been suggested by some, with what truth I shall not take upon me to decide, that he rated the consequence of those islands to Great Britain too low. But however this may be, every humane mind must surely applaud the earnestness

with which he averted the calamity of war; a calamity so dreadful, that it is astonishing how civilised, nay, Christian nations, can deliberately continue to renew it. His description of its miseries, in this pamphlet, is one of the finest pieces of eloquence in the English language. Upon this occasion, too, we find Johnson lashing the party in opposition with unbounded severity, and making the fullest use of what he ever reckoned a most effectual argumentative instrument,contempt. His character of their very able mysterious champion, Junius, is executed with all the force of his genius, and finished with the highest care. He seems to have exulted in sallying forth to single combat against the boasted and formidable hero, who bade defiance to "principalities and powers, and the rulers of this world." (')

This pamphlet, it is observable, was softened in one particular, after the first edition; for the conclusion of Mr. George Grenville's character stood thus: "Let him not, however, be depreciated in his grave. He had powers not universally possessed: could he have enforced payment of the Manilla ransom he could have counted it." Which, instead of retaining its sly sharp point, was reduced to a mere flat unmeaning expression, or, if I may use the word,— truism: "He had powers not universally possessed:

(1) He often delighted his imagination with the thoughts of having destroyed Junius. One day I had received a remarkably fine Stilton cheese as a present from some person who had packed and directed it carefully, but without mentioning whence it came. Mr. Thrale, desirous to know who they were obliged to, asked every friend as they came in, but nobody owned it. "Depend upon it, Sir," says Johnson, "it was sent by Junius," Piozzi.

ETAT. 62.

POLITICAL PAMPHLETS.

153

and if he sometimes erred, he was likewise some times right."

LETTER 128. TO BENNET LANGTON, ESQ.

"March 20. 1771.

"DEAR SIR,-After much lingering of my own, and much of the ministry, I have, at length, got out my paper. But delay is not yet at an end. Not many had been dispersed, before Lord North ordered the sale to stop. His reasons I do not distinctly know. You may try to find them in the perusal. Before his order, a sufficient number were dispersed to do all the mischief, though, perhaps, not to make all the sport that might be expected from it.

"Soon after your departure, I had the pleasure of finding all the danger past with which your navigation was threatened. I hope nothing happens at home to abate your satisfaction; but that Lady Rothes (1), and Mrs. Langton and the young ladies, are all well.

"I was last night at the Club. Dr. Percy has written a long ballad in many fits; it is pretty enough. He has printed, and will soon publish it. Goldsmith is at Bath, with Lord Clare. (2) At Mr. Thrale's, where I

(1) Mr. Langton married, May 24. 1770, Jane Lloyd, widow of John, eighth Earl of Rothes, who died in 1767.-M.

(2) Robert Nugent, an Irish gentleman, who married the sister and heiress of Secretary Craggs. He was created, in 1767, Baron Nugent and Viscount Clare, and in 1777, Earl Nugent. His only daughter married the first Marquis of Buckingham, on whose second son the title of Baron Nugent devolved. Lord Nugent wrote some odes and light pieces, which had some merit and a great vogue. He died in 1788. Goldsmith addressed to him his lively verses called "The Haunch of Venison." The characters exhibited in this piece are very comic, and were no doubt drawn from nature; but Goldsmith ought to have confessed that he had borrowed the idea and some of the details from Boileau.-C.

am now writing, all are well. I am, dear Sir, your most humble servant,

"SAM. JOHNSON." (1)

Mr. Strahan, the printer, who had been long in intimacy with Johnson, in the course of his literary labours, who was at once his friendly agent in receiving his pension for him, and his banker in supplying him with money when he wanted it; who was himself now a member of parliament, and who loved much to be employed in political negotiation; thought he should do eminent service, both to government and Johnson, if he could be the means of his getting a seat in the House of Commons. With this view, he wrote a letter to one of the

(1) One evening, in the oratorio season of 1771, Mr. Johnson went with me to Covent Garden; and though he was for the most part an exceeding bad playhouse companion, as his person drew people's eyes upon the box, and the loudness of his voice made it difficult to hear any body but himself, he sat surprisingly quiet, and 1 flattered myself that he was listening to the music. When we got home, however, he repeated these verses, which he said he had made at the oratorio:

ÆTAT. 62.

PARLIAMENT.

155

Secretaries of the Treasury (1), of which he gave me a copy in his own handwriting, which is as follows:

LETTER 119. FROM MR. STRAHAN TO

"New Street, March 30. 1771.

"SIR,-You will easily recollect, when I had the honour of waiting upon you some time ago, I took the liberty to observe to you, that Dr. Johnson would make an excellent figure in the House of Commons, and heartily wished he had a seat there. My reasons are briefly these:

"I know his perfect good affection to his Majesty and his government, which I am certain he wishes to support by every means in his power.

"He possesses a great share of manly, nervous, and ready eloquence; is quick in discerning the strength and weakness of an argument; can express himself with clearness and precision, and fears the face of no man alive.

"His known character, as a man of extraordinary sense and unimpeached virtue, would secure him the attention of the House, and could not fail to give him a proper weight there.

"He is capable of the greatest application, and can undergo any degree of labour, where he sees it necessary, and where his heart and affections are strongly engaged. His Majesty's ministers might therefore securely depend on his doing, upon every proper occasion, the utmost that could be expected from him. They would find him ready to vindicate such measures as tended to promote the stability of government, and resolute and steady in carrying them into execution. Nor is any

(1) The secretaries of the treasury, at this time, were Sir Grey Cooper and James West, Esq.-C.