Both Sir Joshua and I were so sanguine in our expectations,that we expatiated with confidence on the liberal provision which we were sure would be made for him,conjecturing whether munificence would be displayed in one large donation,or in an ample increase of his pension.He himself catched so much of our enthusiasm,as to allow himself to suppose it not impossible that our hopes might in one way or other be realised.He said that he would rather have his pension doubled than a grant of a thousand pounds;'For,(said he,)though probably I may not live to receive as much as a thousand pounds,a man would have the consciousness that he should pass the remainder of his life in splendour,how long soever it might be.'
Considering what a moderate proportion an income of six hundred pounds a year bears to innumerable fortunes in this country,it is worthy of remark,that a man so truly great should think it splendour.
As an instance of extraordinary liberality of friendship,he told us,that Dr.Brocklesby had upon this occasion offered him a hundred a year for his life.A grateful tear started into his eye,as he spoke this in a faultering tone.
Sir Joshua and I endeavoured to flatter his imagination with agreeable prospects of happiness in Italy.'Nay,(said he,)I must not expect much of that;when a man goes to Italy merely to feel how he breathes the air,he can enjoy very little.'
Our conversation turned upon living in the country,which Johnson,whose melancholy mind required the dissipation of quick successive variety,had habituated himself to consider as a kind of mental imprisonment.'Yet,Sir,(said I,)there are many people who are content to live in the country.'JOHNSON.'Sir,it is in the intellectual world as in the physical world;we are told by natural philosophers that a body is at rest in the place that is fit for it;they who are content to live in the country,are FIT for the country.'
Talking of various enjoyments,I argued that a refinement of taste was a disadvantage,as they who have attained to it must be seldomer pleased than those who have no nice discrimination,and are therefore satisfied with every thing that comes in their way.
JOHNSON.'Nay,Sir;that is a paltry notion.Endeavour to be as perfect as you can in every respect.'
I accompanied him in Sir Joshua Reynolds's coach,to the entry of Bolt-court.He asked me whether I would not go with him to his house;I declined it,from an apprehension that my spirits would sink.We bade adieu to each other affectionately in the carriage.
When he had got down upon the foot-pavement,he called out,'Fare you well;'and without looking back,sprung away with a kind of pathetick briskness,if I may use that expression,which seemed to indicate a struggle to conceal uneasiness,and impressed me with a foreboding of our long,long separation.
I remained one day more in town,to have the chance of talking over my negociation with the Lord Chancellor;but the multiplicity of his Lordship's important engagements did not allow of it;so I left the management of the business in the hands of Sir Joshua Reynolds.
Soon after this time Dr.Johnson had the mortification of being informed by Mrs.Thrale,that,'what she supposed he never believed,'was true;namely,that she was actually going to marry Signor Piozzi,an Italian musick-master.He endeavoured to prevent it;but in vain.If she would publish the whole of the correspondence that passed between Dr.Johnson and her on the subject,we should have a full view of his real sentiments.As it is,our judgement must be biassed by that characteristick specimen which Sir John Hawkins has given us:'Poor Thrale!I thought that either her virtue or her vice would have restrained her from such a marriage.She is now become a subject for her enemies to exult over;and for her friends,if she has any left,to forget,or pity.'
It must be admitted that Johnson derived a considerable portion of happiness from the comforts and elegancies which he enjoyed in Mr.
Thrale's family;but Mrs.Thrale assures us he was indebted for these to her husband alone,who certainly respected him sincerely.
Having left the PIOUS NEGOCIATION,as I called it,in the best hands,I shall here insert what relates to it.Johnson wrote to Sir Joshua Reynolds on July 6,as follows:--'I am going,I hope,in a few days,to try the air of Derbyshire,but hope to see you before I go.Let me,however,mention to you what I have much at heart.If the Chancellor should continue his attention to Mr.Boswell's request,and confer with you on the means of relieving my languid state,I am very desirous to avoid the appearance of asking money upon false pretences.I desire you to represent to his Lordship,what,as soon as it is suggested,he will perceive to be reasonable,--That,if I grow much worse,Ishall be afraid to leave my physicians,to suffer the inconveniences of travel,and pine in the solitude of a foreign country;That,if I grow much better,of which indeed there is now little appearance,I shall not wish to leave my friends and my domestick comforts;for I do not travel,for pleasure or curiosity;yet if I should recover,curiosity would revive.In my present state,I am desirous to make a struggle for a little longer life,and hope to obtain some help from a softer climate.Do for me what you can.'
