world for our enemies, when the King and parliament have lost even the titular dominion of America, and the real power of Government every where else.  Thus Empires are broken down when the profits of administration are so great, that ambition is satisfied with obtaining them, and he that aspires to greatness needs do nothing more than talk himself into importance.  He has then all the power which danger and conquest used formerly to give; he can raise a family and reward his followers.

’Mr. Burke has just sent me his Speech upon the affairs of India, a volume of above a hundred pages closely printed.  I will look into it; but my thoughts seldom now travel to great distances.

’I would gladly know when you think to come hither, and whether this year you will come or no.  If my life be continued, I know not well how I shall bestow myself.

’I am, Sir,

’Your affectionate &c.,

‘SAM.  JOHNSON.’

‘London, Jan. 24, 1784.’

[811] See post, v. 48.

[812] See post, p. 271.

[813] I sent it to Mr. Pitt, with a letter, in which I thus expressed myself:—­’My principles may appear to you too monarchical:  but I know and am persuaded, they are not inconsistent with the true principles of liberty.  Be this as it may, you, Sir, are now the Prime Minister, called by the Sovereign to maintain the rights of the Crown, as well as those of the people, against a violent faction.  As such, you are entitled to the warmest support of every good subject in every department.’  He answered:—­’I am extremely obliged to you for the sentiments you do me the honour to express, and have observed with great pleasure the zealous and able support given to the CAUSE OF THE PUBLICK in the work you were so good to transmit to me.’  BOSWELL.  Five years later, and two years before The Life of Johnson was published, Boswell wrote to Temple:—­’As to Pitt, he is an insolent fellow, but so able, that upon the whole I must support him against the Coalition; but I will work him, for he has behaved very ill to me.  Can he wonder at my wishing for preferment, when men of the first family and fortune in England struggle for it?’ Letters of Boswell, p. 295.  Warburton said of Helvetius, whom he disliked, that, if he had met him, ‘he would have worked him.’  Walpole’s Letters, iv. 217.

[814] Out of this offer, and one of a like nature made in 1779 (ante, iii. 418), Mr. Croker weaves a vast web of ridiculous suspicions.

[815] From his garden at Prestonfield, where he cultivated that plant with such success, that he was presented with a gold medal by the Society of London for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce.  BOSWELL.

[816] In the original effusion.  Johnson’s Works, vii. 402.

[817] Who had written him a very kind letter.  BOSWELL.

[818] On Jan. 12 the Ministry had been in a minority of 39 in a House of 425; on March 8 the minority was reduced to one in a House of 381.  Parliament was dissolved on the 25th.  In the first division in the new Parliament the Ministry were in a majority of 97 in a House of 369. Parl.  Hist. xxiv. 299, 744, 829.