On the 30th of August, I informed him that my honoured father had died that morning; a complaint under which he had long laboured having suddenly come to a crisis, while I was upon a visit at the seat of Sir Charles Preston, from whence I had hastened the day before, upon receiving a letter by express.

In answer to my next letter, I received one from him, dissuading me from hastening to him as I had proposed; what is proper for publication is the following paragraph, equally just and tender:—­’One expence, however, I would not have you to spare:  let nothing be omitted that can preserve Mrs. Boswell, though it should be necessary to transplant her for a time into a softer climate.  She is the prop and stay of your life.  How much must your children suffer by losing her.’

My wife was now so much convinced of his sincere friendship for me, and regard for her, that, without any suggestion on my part, she wrote him a very polite and grateful letter:—­

’Dr. Johnson to Mrs. Boswell.

’Dear lady,—­I have not often received so much pleasure as from your invitation to Auchinleck.  The journey thither and back is, indeed, too great for the latter part of the year; but if my health were fully recovered, I would suffer no little heat and cold, nor a wet or a rough road to keep me from you.  I am, indeed, not without hope of seeing Auchinleek again; but to make it a pleasant place I must see its lady well, and brisk, and airy.  For my sake, therefore, among many greater reasons, take care, dear Madam, of your health, spare no expence, and want no attendance that can procure ease, or preserve it.  Be very careful to keep your mind quiet; and do not think it too much to give an account of your recovery to, Madam, yours, &c.

‘London, Sept. 7, 1782.’

‘Sam.  Johnson.’

The death of Mr. Thrale had made a very material alteration with respect to Johnson’s reception in that family.  The manly authority of the husband no longer curbed the lively exuberance of the lady; and as her vanity had been fully gratified, by having the Colossus of Literature attached to her for many years, she gradually became less assiduous to please him.  Whether her attachment to him was already divided by another object, I am unable to ascertain; but it is plain that Johnson’s penetration was alive to her neglect or forced attention; for on the 6th of October this year, we find him making a ‘parting use of the library’ at Streatham, and pronouncing a prayer, which he composed on leaving Mr. Thrale’s family:—­

’Almighty God, Father of all mercy, help me by thy grace, that I may, with humble and sincere thankfulness, remember the comforts and conveniences which I have enjoyed at this place; and that I may resign them with holy submission, equally trusting in thy protection when thou givest, and when thou takest away.  Have mercy upon me, O Lord, have mercy upon me.