��DEAR SIR,

On Monday I purpose to be at Oxford, where I shall perhaps stay a week, from whence I shall come to Birmingham, and so to Lichfield. At Lichfield my purpose is to pass a week or so, but whether I shall stay there in my way to Ashbourne, or in [returning] from it, you may, if you please, determine. When I come thither I will write to you or perhaps I may find a letter at Mrs. Porter's.

I am, Sir, Your affectionate servant,

SAM: JOHNSON.

��DEAR SIR,

I was sorry, and so was Mr. Boswel 3 , that we were sum moned away so soon 4 . Our effort of travelling in the Evening was useless. We did not get home till Friday morning. Mrs.Thrale and her girl are gone to Bath 5 . The blow was very heavy upon them.

The Expedition however still proceeds 6 , so that I shall be but a short time here. If Mr. Langdon will be so kind as to send

to the publick, which I here dare you 6 i$s. on April 8, 1891. Letters,

to refute. Your rage I defy. Your i. 387.

abilities, since your Homer, are not 3 In the Preface to the Letters of

so formidable; and what I hear of Johnson (p. 15) I have pointed out

your morals inclines me to pay re- that Johnson always wrote his friend's

gard, not to what you shall say, but name Boswel. Boswell's father fol-

to what you shall prove. You may lowed this spelling, as was shown

print this if you will. when the Auchinleck Library was

SAM. JOHNSON.' dispersed. In many of the books

1 From the original in the Buffalo was inscribed Alex. Boswel.

Library. 4 They were summoned to London

For his trip to the Midland Coun- on the sudden death of Mr. Thrale's

ties this summer, see Letters, i. 323- son. Life, ii. 468 ; iii. I.

365. * Ante, ii. 295 ; Life, iii. 6.

2 -From the original in the posses- 6 To Italy. Life, iii. 6. It was

sion of Mr. R. B. Adam of Buffalo. given up a few days later. Ib. iii. 27.

This letter was sold by auction for Ante, i. 263.

the

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