“Let us pray for one another, that the time, whether long or short, that shall yet be granted us, may be well spent; and that when this life, which at the longest is very short, shall come to an end, a better may begin which shall never end.”

On April 9th he writes: 

“DEAREST MADAM,—­That you are gradually recovering your tranquillity, is the effect to be humbly expected from trust in God.  Do not represent life as darker than it is.  Your loss has been very great, but you retain more than almost any other can hope to possess.  You are high in the opinion of mankind; you have children from whom much pleasure may be expected; and that you will find many friends, you have no reason to doubt.  Of my friendship, be it worth more or less, I hope you think yourself certain, without much art or care.  It will not be easy for me to repay the benefits that I have received; but I hope to be always ready at your call.  Our sorrow has different effects; you are withdrawn into solitude, and I am driven into company. I am afraid of thinking what I have lost.  I never had such a friend before.  Let me have your prayers and those of my dear Queeny.

“The prudence and resolution of your design to return so soon to your business and your duty deserves great praise; I shall communicate it on Wednesday to the other executors.  Be pleased to let me know whether you would have me come to Streatham to receive you, or stay here till the next day.”

Johnson was one of the executors and took pride in discharging his share of the trust.  Mrs. Thrale’s account of the pleasure he took in signing the documents and cheques, is incidentally confirmed by Boswell: 

“I could not but be somewhat diverted by hearing Johnson talk in a pompous manner of his new office, and particularly of the concerns of the brewery, which it was at last resolved should be sold.  Lord Lucan tells a very good story, which, if not precisely exact, is certainly characteristical; that when the sale of Thrale’s brewery was going forward, Johnson appeared bustling about, with an ink-horn and pen in his button-hole, like an excise-man; and on being asked what he really considered to be the value of the property which was to be disposed of, answered, ’We are not here to sell a parcel of boilers and vats, but the potentiality of growing rich beyond the dreams of avarice.’”

The executors had legacies of 200_l._ each; Johnson, to the surprise of his friends, being placed on no better footing than the rest.  He himself was certainly disappointed.  Mrs. Thrale says that his complacency towards Thrale was not wholly devoid of interested motives; and she adds that his manner towards Reynolds and Dr. Taylor was also softened by the vague expectation of being named in their wills.  One of her marginal notes is:  “Johnson mentioned to Reynolds that he had been told by Taylor he was to be his heir.  His fondness for Reynolds, ay, and for Thrale, had a dash of interest to keep it warm.”  Again, on his saying to Reynolds, “I did not mean to offend you,”—­“He never would offend Reynolds:  he had his reason.”