Soon after this time Dr. Johnson had the mortification of being informed by Mrs. Thrale, that, ‘what she supposed he never believed,’ was true; namely, that she was actually going to marry Signor Piozzi, an Italian musick-master.  He endeavoured to prevent it; but in vain.  If she would publish the whole of the correspondence that passed between Dr. Johnson and her on the subject, we should have a full view of his real sentiments.  As it is, our judgement must be biassed by that characteristick specimen which Sir John Hawkins has given us:  ’Poor Thrale!  I thought that either her virtue or her vice would have restrained her from such a marriage.  She is now become a subject for her enemies to exult over; and for her friends, if she has any left, to forget, or pity.’

It must be admitted that Johnson derived a considerable portion of happiness from the comforts and elegancies which he enjoyed in Mr. Thrale’s family; but Mrs. Thrale assures us he was indebted for these to her husband alone, who certainly respected him sincerely.

Having left the pious negociation, as I called it, in the best hands, I shall here insert what relates to it.  Johnson wrote to Sir Joshua Reynolds on July 6, as follows:—­

’I am going, I hope, in a few days, to try the air of Derbyshire, but hope to see you before I go.  Let me, however, mention to you what I have much at heart.  If the Chancellor should continue his attention to Mr. Boswell’s request, and confer with you on the means of relieving my languid state, I am very desirous to avoid the appearance of asking money upon false pretences.  I desire you to represent to his Lordship, what, as soon as it is suggested, he will perceive to be reasonable,—­That, if I grow much worse, I shall be afraid to leave my physicians, to suffer the inconveniences of travel, and pine in the solitude of a foreign country; That, if I grow much better, of which indeed there is now little appearance, I shall not wish to leave my friends and my domestick comforts; for I do not travel, for pleasure or curiosity; yet if I should recover, curiosity would revive.  In my present state, I am desirous to make a struggle for a little longer life, and hope to obtain some help from a softer climate.  Do for me what you can.’

By a letter from Sir Joshua Reynolds I was informed, that the Lord Chancellor had called on him, and acquainted him that the application had not been successful; but that his Lordship, after speaking highly in praise of Johnson, as a man who was an honour to his country, desired Sir Joshua to let him know, that on granting a mortgage of his pension, he should draw on his Lordship to the amount of five or six hundred pounds; and that his Lordship explained the meaning of the mortgage to be, that he wished the business to be conducted in such a manner, that Dr. Johnson should appear to be under the least possible obligation.  Sir Joshua mentioned, that he had by the same post communicated all this to Dr. Johnson.