’I should have known nothing of you or of Langton, from the time that dear Miss Langton left us, had not I met Mr. Simpson, of Lincoln, one day in the street, by whom I was informed that Mr. Langton, your Mamma, and yourself, had been all ill, but that you were all recovered.

’That sickness should suspend your correspondence, I did not wonder; but hoped that it would be renewed at your recovery.

’Since you will not inform us where you are, or how you live, I know not whether you desire to know any thing of us.  However, I will tell you that the club subsists; but we have the loss of Burke’s company since he has been engaged in publick business, in which he has gained more reputation than perhaps any man at his [first] appearance ever gained before.  He made two speeches in the House for repealing the Stamp-act, which were publickly commended by Mr. Pitt, and have filled the town with wonder.

’Burke is a great man by nature, and is expected soon to attain civil greatness.  I am grown greater too, for I have maintained the news-papers these many weeks; and what is greater still, I have risen every morning since New-year’s day, at about eight; when I was up, I have indeed done but little; yet it is no slight advancement to obtain for so many hours more, the consciousness of being.

’I wish you were in my new study; I am now writing the first letter in it.  I think it looks very pretty about me.

’Dyer is constant at the club; Hawkins is remiss; I am not over diligent.  Dr. Nugent, Dr. Goldsmith, and Mr. Reynolds, are very constant.  Mr. Lye is printing his Saxon and Gothick Dictionary; all the club subscribes.

’You will pay my respects to all my Lincolnshire friends.  I am, dear Sir, most affectionately your’s,

’March 9, 1766.

‘Sam.  Johnson.’

Johnson’s-court, Fleet-street.’

The Honourable Thomas Hervey and his lady having unhappily disagreed, and being about to separate, Johnson interfered as their friend, and wrote him a letter of expostulation, which I have not been able to find; but the substance of it is ascertained by a letter to Johnson in answer to it, which Mr. Hervey printed.  The occasion of this correspondence between Dr. Johnson and Mr. Harvey, was thus related to me by Mr. Beauclerk.  ’Tom Harvey had a great liking for Johnson, and in his will had left him a legacy of fifty pounds.  One day he said to me, “Johnson may want this money now, more than afterwards.  I have a mind to give it him directly.  Will you be so good as to carry a fifty pound note from me to him?” This I positively refused to do, as he might, perhaps, have knocked me down for insulting him, and have afterwards put the note in his pocket.  But I said, if Harvey would write him a letter, and enclose a fifty pound note, I should take care to deliver it.  He accordingly did write him a letter, mentioning that he was only paying a legacy a little sooner.  To his letter he added, “P.  S. I am going to part with my wife.”  Johnson then wrote to him, saying nothing of the note, but remonstrating with him against parting with his wife.’