’To Dr. Johnson.

’My dear sir,—­I am in great pain with an inflamed foot, and obliged to keep my bed, so am prevented from having the pleasure to dine at Mr. Ramsay’s to-day, which is very hard; and my spirits are sadly sunk.  Will you be so friendly as to come and sit an hour with me in the evening.  I am ever your most faithful, and affectionate humble servant,

‘South Audley-street, Monday, April 26.’

‘James Boswell.’

’To Mr. Boswell.

’Mr. Johnson laments the absence of Mr. Boswell, and will come to him.—­Harley-street.’

He came to me in the evening, and brought Sir Joshua Reynolds.  I need scarcely say, that their conversation, while they sate by my bedside, was the most pleasing opiate to pain that could have been administered.

Johnson being now better disposed to obtain information concerning Pope than he was last year, sent by me to my Lord Marchmont a present of those volumes of his Lives of the Poets which were at this time published, with a request to have permission to wait on him; and his Lordship, who had called on him twice, obligingly appointed Saturday, the first of May, for receiving us.

On that morning Johnson came to me from Streatham, and after drinking chocolate at General Paoli’s, in South-Audley-street, we proceeded to Lord Marchmont’s in Curzon-street.  His Lordship met us at the door of his library, and with great politeness said to Johnson, ’I am not going to make an encomium upon myself, by telling you the high respect I have for you, Sir.’  Johnson was exceedingly courteous; and the interview, which lasted about two hours, during which the Earl communicated his anecdotes of Pope, was as agreeable as I could have wished.  When we came out, I said to Johnson, that considering his Lordship’s civility, I should have been vexed if he had again failed to come.  ’Sir, (said he,) I would rather have given twenty pounds than not have come.’  I accompanied him to Streatham, where we dined, and returned to town in the evening.

He had, before I left London, resumed the conversation concerning the appearance of a ghost at Newcastle upon Tyne, which Mr. John Wesley believed, but to which Johnson did not give credit.  I was, however, desirous to examine the question closely, and at the same time wished to be made acquainted with Mr. John Wesley; for though I differed from him in some points, I admired his various talents, and loved his pious zeal.  At my request, therefore, Dr. Johnson gave me a letter of introduction to him.

’To the reverend Mr. John Wesley.

’Sir,—­Mr. Boswell, a gentleman who has been long known to me, is desirous of being known to you, and has asked this recommendation, which I give him with great willingness, because I think it very much to be wished that worthy and religious men should be acquainted with each other.  I am, Sir, your most humble servant,