of a copy of it, and to be permitted to insert it in my Life of Dr. Johnson.  His Lordship was so good as to comply with my request, and has thus enabled me to enrich my work with a very fine piece of writing, which displays both the critical skill and politeness of my illustrious friend; and perhaps the curiosity which it will excite, may induce the noble and elegant Authour to gratify the world by the publication[771] of a performance, of which Dr. Johnson has spoken in such terms.

’To MRS. CHAPONE.

’MADAM,

’By sending the tragedy to me a second time[772], I think that a very honourable distinction has been shewn me, and I did not delay the perusal, of which I am now to tell the effect.

’The construction of the play is not completely regular; the stage is too often vacant, and the scenes are not sufficiently connected.  This, however, would be called by Dryden only a mechanical defect[773]; which takes away little from the power of the poem, and which is seen rather than felt.

’A rigid examiner of the diction might, perhaps, wish some words changed, and some lines more vigorously terminated.  But from such petty imperfections what writer was ever free?

’The general form and force of the dialogue is of more importance.  It seems to want that quickness of reciprocation which characterises the English drama, and is not always sufficiently fervid or animated.

’Of the sentiments I remember not one that I wished omitted.  In the imagery I cannot forbear to distinguish the comparison of joy succeeding grief to light rushing on the eye accustomed to darkness.  It seems to have all that can be desired to make it please.  It is new, just, and delightful[774].

’With the characters, either as conceived or preserved, I have no fault to find; but was much inclined to congratulate a writer, who, in defiance of prejudice and fashion, made the Archbishop a good man, and scorned all thoughtless applause, which a vicious churchman would have brought him.

’The catastrophe is affecting.  The Father and Daughter both culpable, both wretched, and both penitent, divide between them our pity and our sorrow.

’Thus, Madam, I have performed what I did not willingly undertake, and could not decently refuse.  The noble writer will be pleased to remember, that sincere criticism ought to raise no resentment, because judgement is not under the controul of will; but involuntary criticism, as it has still less of choice, ought to be more remote from possibility of offence.

’I am, &c.,

‘SAM.  JOHNSON.’

‘November 28, 1783.’

I consulted him on two questions of a very different nature:  one, whether the unconstitutional influence exercised by the Peers of Scotland in the election of the representatives of the Commons[775], by means of fictitious qualifications, ought not to be resisted;—­the other, What, in propriety and humanity, should be done with old horses unable to labour.  I gave him some account of my life at Auchinleck:  and expressed my satisfaction that the gentlemen of the county had, at two publick meetings, elected me their Praeses or Chairman[776].