done by any body else; or stay till he comes, according to your own convenience. It is for an Italian literato. "The answer is to be directed to his Excellency Mr. Zon, Venetian Resident, Soho Square. "I hope, dear Sir, that you do not regret the change of London for Oxford. Mr. Baretti is well, and Miss Williams; and we shall all be glad to hear from you, whenever you shall be so kind as to write to, Sir, your most humble servant, "SAM. JOHNSON." The degree of Master of Arts, which, it has been observed, could not be obtained for him at an early period of his life, was now considered as an honour of considerable importance, in order to grace the title-page of his "Dictionary;" and his character in the literary world being by this time deservedly high, his friends thought that, if proper exertions were made, the University of Oxford would pay him the compliment. TO THE REV. MR. THOMAS WARTON. "DEAR SIR, "[London,] Nov. 28. 1754. "I am extremely obliged to you and to Mr. Wise, for the uncommon care which you have taken of my interest;1 if you can accomplish your kind design, I shall certainly take me a little habita tion among you. "The books which I promised to Mr. Wise, I have not been yet able to procure: but I shall send him a Finnick Dictionary, the only copy, perhaps, in England, which was presented me by a learned Swede: but I keep it back, that it may make a set of my own books of the new edition, with which I shall accompany it, more welcome. You will assure him of my gratitude. "Poor dear Collins ! -Would a letter give him any pleasure? I have a mind to write. 1 In procuring him the degree of M.A., by diploma, at Oxford.Warton. 2 Lately Fellow of Trinity College, and at this time Radclivian Librarian at Oxford. He was a man of very considerable learning, and eminently skilled in Roman and Anglo-Saxon antiquities. He died in 1767.— Warton. 3 Collins (the poet) was at this time at Oxford, on a visit to Mr. 2 "I am glad of your hindrance in your Spenserian design,' yet I would not have it delayed. Three hours a day stolen from sleep and amusement will produce it. Let a Servitour transcribe the quotations, and interleave them with references, to save time This will shorten the work, and lessen the fatigue. "Can I do anything to promoting the diploma? I would not be wanting to co-operate with your kindness; of which, whatever be the effect, I shall be, dear Sir, your most obliged, &c. "SAM. JOHNSON." Warton; but labouring under the most deplorable languor of body, and dejection of mind.-Warton. In a letter to Dr. Joseph Warton, written some months before (March 8, 1754), Dr. Johnson thus speaks of Collins: “But how little can we venture to exult in any intellectual power or literary attainments, when we consider the condition of poor Collins. I knew him a few years ago full of hopes and full of projects, versed in many languages, high in fancy, and strong in retention. This busy and forcible mind is now under the government of those who lately would not have been able to comprehend the least and most narrow of its designs. What do you hear of him? Are there hopes of his recovery? Or is he to pass the remainder of his life in misery and degradation? perhaps with complete consciousness of his calamity.-P. 219. In a subsequent letter to the same gentleman (Dec. 24, 1754) he thus feelingly alludes to their unfortunate friend: "Poor, dear Collins! Let me know whether you think it would give him pleasure if I should write to him. I have often been near his state, and therefore have it in great commiseration."— P. 229. Again, April 9, 1756: "What becomes of poor dear Collins? I wrote him a letter which he never answered. I suppose writing is very troublesome to him. That man is no common loss. The moralists all talk of the uncertainty of fortune, and the transitoriness of beauty; but it is yet more dreadful to consider that the powers of the mind are equally liable to change, that understanding may make its appearance and depart, that it may blaze and expire.”—P. 239. See Biographical Memoirs of the late Reverend Dr. Joseph Warton, by the Reverend John Wool, A.M. 4to. 1806. Mr. Collins, who was the son of a hatter at Chichester, was born December 25, 1720, and was released from the dismal state here so pathetically described in 1756Malone. 1 Of publishing a volume of observations on Spenser. It was hindered by my taking pupils in this College.- Warton. 2 Young students of the lowest rank are so called.—Warton. "DEAR SIR, TO THE SAME. "[London,] Dec. 21, 1754. "I am extremely sensible of the favour done me, both by Mr. Wise and yourself. The book' cannot, I think, be printed in less page for such an insertion as you seem to promise me. Be pleased to let me know what money I shall send you, for bearing the expense of the affair [of the degree]; and I will take care that you may have it ready at your hand. "I had lately the favour of a letter from your brother, with some account of poor Collins, for whom I am much concerned. I have a notion, that by very great temperance, or more properly abstinence, he may yet recover. "There is an old English and Latin book of poems by Barclay, called 'The Ship of Fools;' at the end of which are a number of Eglogues, so he writes it, from Egloga,-which are probably the first in our language. If you cannot find the book, I will get Mr. Dodsley to send it you. "I shall be extremely glad to hear from you soon, to know if the affair proceeds. I have mentioned it to none of my friends, for fear of being laughed at for my disappointment. "You know poor Mr. Dodsley has lost his wife; I believe he is much affected. I hope he will not suffer so much as I yet suffer for the loss of mine. Οἴμοι· τί δ' οἴμοι; θνῆτα γὰρ πεπόνθαμεν. I have ever since seemed to myself broken off from mankind; a kind In 1755 we behold him to great advantage; his degree of Master of Arts conferred upon him, his Dictionary published, his correspondence animated, his benevolence exercised. 1 1 His Dictionary.-Warton. 2 Eurip. Belleroph. Frag. 24 D. TO THE REVEREND MR. THOMAS WARTON. "DEAR SIR, "[London,] Feb. 1. 1755. "I wrote to you some weeks ago, but believe did not direct accurately, and therefore know not whether you had my letter. I would, likewise, write to your brother, but know not where to find him. I now begin to see land, after having wandered, according to Mr. Warburton's phrase, in this vast sea of words. What reception I shall meet with on the shore, I know not: whether the sound of bells, and acclamations of the people, which Ariosto talks of in his last Canto,' or a general murmur of dislike, I know not whether I shall find upon the coast a Calypso that will court, or a Polypheme that will eat me. But if Polypheme comes, have at his eye. I hope, however, the critics will let me be at peace; for though I do not much fear their skill and strength, I am a little afraid of myself, and would not willingly feel so much ill-will in my bosom as literary quarrels are apt to excite. "Mr. Baretti is about a work for which he is in great want of Crescimbeni, which you may have again when you please. "There is nothing considerable done or doing among us here. We are not, perhaps, as innocent as villagers, but most of us seem to be as idle. I hope, however, you are busy; and should be glad to know what you are doing. I am, dearest Sir, your humble servant, "SAM. JOHNSON." TO THE SAME. "DEAR SIR, "[London,] Feb. 4. 1755. "I received your letter this day, with great sense of the favour that has been done me; for which I return my most sincere thanks: and entreat you to pay to Mr. Wise such returns as I ought to make for so much kindness so little deserved. 1 "Sento venir per allegrezza un tuono Che fremar l'aria, e rimbombar fa l'onde : Odo di squille," &c. Orlando Furioso, c. xlvi. s. 2.—Wright. 2 His degree had now past the suffrages of the heads of colleges; but was not yet finally granted by the university: it was carried without a dissentient voice.-Warton. |