TO THE SAME.

’DEAR MADAM,

’My last was but a dull letter, and I know not that this will be much more cheerful; I am, however, willing to write, because you are desirous to hear from me.

’My disorder has now begun its ninth week, for it is not yet over.  I was last Thursday blooded for the fourth time, and have since found myself much relieved, but I am very tender and easily hurt; so that since we parted I have had but little comfort, but I hope that the spring will recover me; and that in the summer I shall see Lichfield again, for I will not delay my visit another year to the end of autumn.

’I have, by advertising, found poor Mr. Levett’s brothers in Yorkshire, who will take the little he has left:  it is but little, yet it will be welcome, for I believe they are of very low condition.

’To be sick, and to see nothing but sickness and death, is but a gloomy state; but I hope better times, even in this world, will come, and whatever this world may withhold or give, we shall be happy in a better state.  Pray for me, my dear Lucy.

’Make my compliments to Mrs. Cobb, and Miss Adey, and my old friend Hetty Baily, and to all the Lichfield ladies.

’I am, dear Madam,

’Yours, affectionately,

‘SAM.  JOHNSON.’

’Bolt-court, Fleet-street,

March 19, 1782.’

On the day on which this letter was written, he thus feelingly mentions his respected friend and physician, Dr. Lawrence:—­

’Poor Lawrence has almost lost the sense of hearing; and I have lost the conversation of a learned, intelligent, and communicative companion, and a friend whom long familiarity has much endeared.  Lawrence is one of the best men whom I have known.—­Nostrum omnium miserere Deus[448].’

It was Dr. Johnson’s custom when he wrote to Dr. Lawrence concerning his own health, to use the Latin language[449].  I have been favoured by Miss Lawrence with one of these letters as a specimen:—­

’T.  LAWRENCIO, Medico, S.

’NOVUM frigus, nova tussis, nova spirandi difficultas, novam sanguinis missionem suadent, quam tamen te inconsulto nolim fieri.  Ad te venire vix possum, nec est cur ad me venias.  Licere vel non licere uno verbo dicendum est; catera mihi et Holdero[450] reliqueris.  Si per te licet, imperatur[451] nuncio Holderum ad me deducere.

’Maiis Calendis, 1782.

’Postquam tu discesseris, quo me vertam[452]?’_

TO CAPTAIN LANGTON[453], IN ROCHESTER.

’DEAR SIR,

’It is now long since we saw one another; and whatever has been the reason neither you have written to me, nor I to you.  To let friendship die away by negligence and silence, is certainly not wise.  It is voluntarily to throw away one of the greatest comforts of this weary pilgrimage, of which when it is, as it must be, taken finally away, he that travels on alone, will wonder how his esteem could be so little.  Do not forget me; you see that I do not forget you.  It is pleasing in the silence of solitude to think, that there is one at least, however distant, of whose benevolence there is little doubt, and whom there is yet hope of seeing again[454].