’To JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ.

’DEAR SIR,

’Like all other men who have great friends, you begin to feel the pangs of neglected merit; and all the comfort that I can give you is, by telling you that you have probably more pangs to feel, and more neglect to suffer.  You have, indeed, begun to complain too soon; and I hope I am the only confidant of your discontent.  Your friends have not yet had leisure to gratify personal kindness; they have hitherto been busy in strengthening their ministerial interest[777].  If a vacancy happens in Scotland, give them early intelligence; and as you can serve Government as powerfully as any of your probable competitors, you may make in some sort a warrantable claim.

’Of the exaltations and depressions of your mind you delight to talk, and I hate to hear.  Drive all such fancies from you.

’On the day when I received your letter, I think, the foregoing page was written; to which, one disease or another has hindered me from making any additions.  I am now a little better.  But sickness and solitude press me very heavily.  I could bear sickness better, if I were relieved from solitude[778].

’The present dreadful confusion of the publick[779] ought to make you wrap yourself up in your hereditary possessions, which, though less than you may wish, are more than you can want; and in an hour of religious retirement return thanks to GOD, who has exempted you from any strong temptation to faction, treachery, plunder[780], and disloyalty.

’As your neighbours distinguish you by such honours as they can bestow, content yourself with your station, without neglecting your profession.  Your estate and the Courts will find you full employment; and your mind, well occupied, will be quiet.

’The usurpation of the nobility, for they apparently usurp all the influence they gain by fraud and misrepresentation, I think it certainly lawful, perhaps your duty, to resist.  What is not their own they have only by robbery.

’Your question about the horses gives me more perplexity.  I know not well what advice to give you.  I can only recommend a rule which you do not want;—­give as little pain as you can.  I suppose that we have a right to their service while their strength lasts; what we can do with them afterwards I cannot so easily determine.  But let us consider.  Nobody denies that man has a right first to milk the cow, and to sheer the sheep, and then to kill them for his table.  May he not, by parity of reason, first work a horse, and then kill him the easiest way, that he may have the means of another horse, or food for cows and sheep?  Man is influenced in both cases by different motives of self-interest.  He that rejects the one must reject the other.

’I am, &c.

‘SAM.  JOHNSON.’

‘London, Dec. 24, 1783.’

’A happy and pious Christmas; and many happy years to you, your lady, and children.’

The late ingenious Mr. Mickle[781], some time before his death, wrote me a letter concerning Dr. Johnson, in which he mentions,—­