The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL. D., Including A Journal of His Tour to the ...
(공)저: James Boswell
left us,
LETTER 99. TO BENNET LANGTON, ESQ.
At Langton. " Johnson's Court, Fleet Street, May 10. 1766. " DEAR SIR, — In supposing that I should be more than commonly affected by the death of Peregrine Langton (1), you were not mistaken ; he was one of those whom I loved at once by instinct and by reason. I have seldom indulged more hope of any thing than of being able to improve our acquaintance to friendship. Many a time have I placed myself again at Langton, and imagined the pleasure with which I should walk to Partney (7) in a summer morning ; but this is no longer possible. We must now endeavour to preserve what is
his example of piety and economy. I hope you make what inquiries you can, and write down what
The little things which distinguish domestic characters are soon forgotten : if you delay to inquire, you will have no information ; if you neglect to write, information will be vain. (3)
" His art of life certainly deserves to be known and studied. He lived in plenty and elegance upon an income which, to many, would appear indigent, and to most, scanty. How he lived, therefore, every man has an interest in knowing. His death, I hope, was peaceful ; it was surely happy.
"I wish I had written sooner, lest, writing now, J should renew your grief ; but I would not forbear saying what I have now said.
" This loss is, I hope, the only misfortune of a family to whom no misfortune at all should happen, if my wishes could avert it. Let me know how you all go
Has Mr. Langton got him the little horse that I
is told you.
(1) Mr. Langton's uncle. (2) The place of residence of Mr. Peregrine Laugton. (3) See Appendix, No. III.
recommended ? It would do him good to ride about his estate in fine weather.
"Be pleased to make my compliments to Mrs. Langton, and to dear Miss Langton, and Miss Di, and Miss Juliet, and to every body else.
" The Club holds very well together. Monday is my night. (1) I continue to rise tolerably well, and read more than I did. I hope something will yet come I am, Sir, your most affectionate servant,
" SAM. JOHNSON."
(1) Of his being in the chair of the Literary Club, which at this time met once a week in the evening.
No. I. - THE CLUB.
The following complete list of THE CLUB, (referred to in p. 272.), with the dates of the elections of all the members, and of the deaths of those deceased, from its foundation to the present time, and the observations prefixed and annexed, have been obligingly furnished by Mr. Hatchett, the present treasurer.
« THE CLUB was founded in 1764, by Sir Joshua Reynolds and Dr. Samuel Johnson, and for some years met on Monday evenings. In 1772, the day of meeting was changed to Friday; and about that time, instead of supping, they agreed to dine together once in every fortnight, during the sitting of parliament.
" In 1773, the Club, which, soon after its foundation, con-. sisted of twelve members, was enlarged to twenty; March 11. 1777, to twenty-six ; November 27. 1778, to thirty; May 9. 1780, to thirty-five; and it was then resolved that it never should exceed forty.
" It met originally at the Turk's Head, in Gerrard Street, and continued to meet there till 1783, when their landlord died, and the house was soon afterwards shut up. They then removed to Prince's, in Sackville Street; and on his house being soon afterwards shut up, they removed to Baxter's, which afterwards became Thomas's, in Dover Street. In January, 1792, they removed to Parsloe's, in St. James's Street; and, on February 26. 1799, to the Thatched House in the same street.
" From the original foundation to this time, the total number of members is one hundred and eleven. Esto perpetua.
C. H. " Belle Vue House, Chelsea, March 10. 1835.
Died.
1.-1764
Sir Joshua Reynolds
Feb. 23. 1792. 2Dr. Samuel Johnson
Dec. 13. 1784. 3.Rt Hon. Edmund Burke
July 9. 1797. Christopher Nugent, M.D.
Nov. 12. 1775. 5. Bennet Langton, Esq.
Dec. 18. 1801. 6.Topham Beauclerk, Esq.
Mar. 11. 1780. 7. Oliver Goldsmith, M. D.
Apr. 4.
1774. 8. Anthony Chamier, Esq.
Oct. 12 1780. 9.
Sir John Hawkins, who soon with.
May 21. 1789.
Elected.
Dieda
10.-1764
Samuel Dyer, Esq.
Sept. 14 1772 11.-1765
Dr. Thomas Percy, Bishop of Dro-
Sept. 30. 1811. 12.-1765 Sir Robert Chambers
May 9. 1803. 13.-1768, Mar. George Colman, Esq.
Aug. 14. 1794. 14.-1773, Mar. Earl of Charlemont.
Aug. 4.
1794. 15.-1773, Mar. David Garrick, Esq.
Jan. 20. 1779. 16.–1773, Apr. 2. Sir William Jones
Apr. 17. 1794. 17.-1773 Agmondesham Vesey, Esq.
Aug. 11. 1785. 18.-1773, Apr. 30. James Boswell, Esq.
May 19. 1795. 19.-1774, Feb. Rt. Hon. Charles James Fox Sept. 18. 1806 20,- - Feb. Sir Charles Bunbury, Bart.
Mar. 31, 1821. 21.- . Feb. Dr. George Fordyce
May 27. 1809. Mar. 4. George Steevens, Esq.
Jan. 22. 1800. 23.Edward Gibbon, Esq.
Jan. 26. 1794 24.-1775, Dec. Adam Smith, Esq.
July 17. 1790. 25.
Dr. Thomas Bernard, Bishop of
July 7. 1806. 26.-1777, Jan. Rev. Dr. Joseph Warton
Feb. 23. 1800. 27.- - Mar. Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Esq. July 7. 1816. Earl of Upper Ossory
Feb 1. 181&