On his return from Heale he wrote to Dr. Burney:—­

’I came home on the 18th[741] at noon to a very disconsolate house.  You and I have lost our friends[742]; but you have more friends at home.  My domestick companion is taken from me.  She is much missed, for her acquisitions were many, and her curiosity universal; so that she partook of every conversation[743].  I am not well enough to go much out; and to sit, and eat, or fast alone, is very wearisome.  I always mean to send my compliments to all the ladies.’

His fortitude and patience met with severe trials during this year.  The stroke of the palsy has been related circumstantially; but he was also afflicted with the gout, and was besides troubled with a complaint which not only was attended with immediate inconvenience, but threatened him with a chirurgical operation, from which most men would shrink.  The complaint was a sarcocele, which Johnson bore with uncommon firmness, and was not at all frightened while he looked forward to amputation.  He was attended by Mr. Pott and Mr. Cruikshank.  I have before me a letter of the 30th of July this year, to Mr. Cruikshank, in which he says, ’I am going to put myself into your hands;’ and another, accompanying a set of his Lives of the Poets, in which he says, ’I beg your acceptance of these volumes, as an acknowledgement of the great favours which you have bestowed on, Sir, your most obliged and most humble servant.’  I have in my possession several more letters from him to Mr. Cruikshank, and also to Dr. Mudge at Plymouth, which it would be improper to insert, as they are filled with unpleasing technical details.  I shall, however, extract from his letters to Dr. Mudge such passages as shew either a felicity of expression, or the undaunted state of his mind.

’My conviction of your skill, and my belief of your friendship, determine me to intreat your opinion and advice.’—­’In this state I with great earnestness desire you to tell me what is to be done.  Excision is doubtless necessary to the cure, and I know not any means of palliation.  The operation is doubtless painful; but is it dangerous?  The pain I hope to endure with decency[744]; but I am loth to put life into much hazard.’—­’By representing the gout as an antagonist to the palsy, you have said enough to make it welcome.  This is not strictly the first fit, but I hope it is as good as the first; for it is the second that ever confined me; and the first was ten years ago[745], much less fierce and fiery than this.’—­’Write, dear Sir, what you can to inform or encourage me.  The operation is not delayed by any fears or objections of mine.’