The Statesman.
London, England, 1820-02-05 00:00:00

.

THE LATE £LYU IWO PR. JOHNSO,N.

The eelebtratial Dr. Johnson used frequently to visit
the splendid Library' at the gneen's House. The King,
hen lie he-s r.I of %WC expressed a desire to hare an in-
erview with the philosepher. Areortiingly, the next
•inie he repaired to the Isbrary. Mr. raiment, the Libra-
rian, eontrived to give intimation uf the eirenmstance to
cis Majesty, who immediately proceet2eal to meet I • .
rise Doctor was immersed in a profound wady as he sat
near the Are with a herr. book in his Lad.
" Being entered. Nit. Bernird stepped forward hastily,
and whispered to him, " Sir, Sir, here is the King."
Johnson started op, and at I still. His Majesty ap-
'coached him, and at once was cautiously easy.
" His Majesty began by observing.thet he understood
be came sometimes to the library, and then mentioned
his having heard that the Poem. hail hero lately at Us-
:ord, and asked him if be was not fond of going thither.
To whirls Johnson answered, that he was indeed fond
of going to t Word sometimes, hut he is as likewise glad
o ems' hack again. 'rite King they asked him what
-bey were &Om: at Word ? Johnson answered he could
lot much commend their diligence, but that in some re-
Teets they were mended, for they hail pat their press
tinder Wier regulations, and were at that time printing
Po/glide,. Il was then asked, whether there were better
ibra ries at tlyferd or Cambridge. He answered, he be-
lieved the /3,414iz0t was larger than any they had at
Cambridge, at the saute time adding, • I hope, whether
wehare wore books or not thanthryliave at Cambridge,
ire shall make as good use of them as they do.' Being
asked whether All Souls or Christ Clareli library was
the largest, he answered, ' All Souls library is the
largest we have, exerpt the liodleiati."l.lye,' said the
King, that is the indilie library.
" His !Majesty inquired if he was then writing any
:Ring? lie answered, hr was not, for be had pretty
well. told lite world what he knew, and must read to
h acquire 1110 Th kOOtrietige. The king, as it should seem,
with a view to urge hint to rely on his own stnres, as an
original writer, anti to continue his lalemrs, then said,
' I do not think you borrow tench from any body.'
Johnson said, he hail already clone Isis part as a writer.—
I alma haet though! so to:. (said the King) if yon
Sod sot stittoi a,. Seth...* Johuson observed to me upon
that • ten 111•111 C,1111.1 hare paid a handsomer cum-
plinsent, and it trea.fitbr tr Kriie to poy— it was deri-
sive!' 11 hen asketi by another friend, at Sir Joshua
Keywolds', whether he wade any reply to this high
70tiapliweut be answered, • No. Sir ; whets the King
sad said it, it was to lie so. It was not for me to bandy
iviiities with uq Sovereiru.' Perhaps no man who hail
pent his whole life in Courts could hair shown a more
•iiceand dignified sense of tree politeness than Johnsen
lid is this instance.
•• His Majesty lie.ing observed to him that lie thought
he must have read a great deal, Johnson answered, that
me thought more than Ise read ; that lie had mid a great
!eal in thy early part of Isis life, but having fallen into
ill-health, he had not town able to read much compared
.with others; for i swami!, he had not read wadi cow-
?are.] with Ur. Warburton. Upon which the King said,
that he heard Dr. Warburton was a matt of melt gene-
ral knowledge, that you could scarcely talk with bins
'•
m any subject on which be was not qualilied to speak,
oal that his learning resembled tiarrck's aetiug in its
universality. His Majesty then talked of tke acctru.
versy between Warburton and Loath, which he seemed
o have read, and asked Johnson what he thought of it ?
Johnson answersM, • Warburton has ;he most general,
vest scholastic, lea:I:lag; Lowth is the more correct
schOlai. AG not 1. ;,11 ItIA of thion calls munettlest.'
rite King was pleased to say he was of the unto opi.
lion ; adding, • Viii do not think, then, Dr. Johnson,
that there a .Is noels argument in the ease Johnson
said he slid not think there was • Why, truly,' said the
King. ' when once it comes to call names, argument is
'retie well a: AO MI..
" 116 31siesty then asked hien what he thought of
fiord Ityttli•lon's Ilistery, whirl] was then just published.
Johnson said, he thought his style pretty good, but that
Ise had hiamed Henry the Second too naieh. • Why,'
said the King. ' they seldom do these things by halves.'
• No. Sir,' ai:swered Johnson, • not to Kings.' But,
fearing to he misunderstood, hr proceeded to explain
himself, and insmetlitorly subjoined : "rhat for those
who spoke now of Kings than they deserved, he could
html no excuse: but that he could more easily conceive
how some might speak better of them than they de-
servtol, without any ill intention; for as Kings hail
Huth more in their power to give, those n•lio were fa-
rondo' by them would frequently from gratitude exalt-
ti:erate their praises ; and, as this proceeded from a good
motive, it was certainly excusable, as far as error was
excusable;
" The King then asked him what he oho nght of Dr.
Johroom stotweetol, that he was en ineenious
wan, hot hail to. veracity; and iminenliately tor
is an instance of it, an assertion of that writer,i hat lee had
seen obieets magnified to a much greater degree by toting
:Itze or
ow four s
e,tiiir t
J,:isistrit
iz.ci3. aitvtarvtiionneetlisatn.ilistyiiisi
nitetittg
wointeh.
tnierosoripes Loons, ill it the more of them lie looks
through the los the object will appear.' Why (replied
the King), thi, i 3 not only telling an untruth, but tell-
ing it clumsily ; for, if that be the ease, nety one
ho ran look through a microscope will be able to de-
ect him.'
" I now (said Johnson to his friends, when relating
what had passed), 6114311 to consider that I was &pre-
•iating this man um the estimation of his Sovereign, and
that it was time for me to say something that might be
more (avant-able.' Ile added, therefore, that Dr. Hill
waswassisvillistantling, a very carious observer; and if
he would have lwen contented to tell the world no more
than he knew, he might have been a very considerable
man, and needed nut to have recourse to such wean ex-
pedients to raise his reputation.
" The King then talked of literary journals, men-
tioned particnlarly the Joni-nal des Saran:, and asked
Johnson if it was well dune. Johnson said, it was for-
merly well shout', and gave some account of the permits
who began it, and carried it on for some rears, enlarg-
ing at the same time on the nature and use ofsneli works.
The King asked him if it was well dour now. Johnson
answered, be hail no reason to think that it was, 'rite
Mug then asked him if,there were any other literary
funnels published in this kingdom except the rurally
and Critical Reticles; and on heitig answered there was
no other, his Majesty asked which of them was the best.
Johnson answered. ilt it the Monthly Renew was dune
with most rare, tho Oritirat upon the best principles;
eldlng,.that the authors of the Monthly Reties were
.netnies to the church. This the King said lie was
sorry to hear.
" The conversation next turned on the Philosophical
Tranractions, when Johnson observed, that ',icy had
now a lietor me.hod of aria %ging their materials than
t.ormerly. • said the King, 'they are ()Miffed tl
Or. Johnson for olio for Isiehlojesty had heard, and
tenteuilsered the circumstance, which Johnson himself

I'sad fore..
" His litsjeqly espreese.l a d'eaire to have the literary
bi sgrapby of this country atilt eternted, 31141 . pro-
wait Ito Dr. Johnsod to undertake it. Johnson srkni•
led his rpoidineis to cutoply with his Ilajestyi %sidles.
" Oneself/. the u hole .if this interview, John.on talk: 41
,o hid Majesty uitis profound respect. but still its his

Cite gltatt6inatt.

1,0 N 110 N:

SATURUAY, FEBRUARY 5, MI

Paris Papers of Wednesday have come to hand
this morning. The same mystery still continues to
hang over the affairs of Spain ; and the numerous
correspondences and details which appear in the
French papers can scarcely be considered in any
other view than as surmises and vague repo-As.
'The following is an extract from a letter, dated
!run, on the frontiers of Spain :
" Ala Irid is calm and tranquil, and no movement, is
pereeiled lint that occasioned by idle curiosity. The
horses of the King's guards are constantly saddled. The
two Castiles ure perfectly quiet, as well as niseay, Na-
varre, .krragott, and Catalonia, hut there is some fer-
mentation at Valencia. It is certain that the American
Independents had diffused a number of prodatuttions
among the expeditionary artny. An order has been
given on the frontiers next the Pyrennere, to observe a
strict scrutiny with respect to all foreigners nho enter
Spain."

No further particulars of any consequence are
mentioned in these papers except the following

" tieneral O'Donnell, brother of the Count Abisbal,
after hav;ng broken np the ramp of St. Hoch, had ar-
rived at Meals its los Oarnles with the regiments of
the Prince and of America.

•• lieneral.O'Lawlor %vas ou the lath at Ronda, and
was to arrive on the 13th at Ant►guera, the hetyl•gla:cr-
ters of the army.
lieneral Freyre wag at Se% ille nn the Stb ; be Lad
3,000 men, and was waiting fur 5,000 and some militia.
•• On the 13tIt the Royalists were at Port St. Mary.

'• The ollicyr who repulsed the Insurgents at 4.-orta-
Dura writes Irons Cadiz, the 12th, to Madrid, that it was
then impo.sible to force the passage without sacrificing
4,000 men.

" No part of the people of Ca'iis appear dispo.ed to
take part in the insurrection. The Royal Navy k its:
movable in its fidelity.
" The port oldie rorta-Dnra, from which the Insur-
gents who attempted to surprise radix were repulsed.
is now secure against .411 possible attacks."

General Freyre,it issaid, has issued the subjoined
Proclamation

N Simmons—The King, onr Master, has selected roe
to disperse the factions individuals, who, forgetting the
benefits which he has lavished on them, li4ten to nufblng
but the dirtites of their personal interest, u hi' lead
them to their mils.

"They have established themselves on the sberes of
the ocean, in hopes of eatending to his fleets the disposi-
tion► that leads them astray. Let as defend the rights of
a Prince whose name served as a rallying point tulips-
niards in cbacing away the eagles which hail itesiiled
Spain.
We were ►ictorions, and broke the chains that fet-
tered us; and in I‘l4 the whole nation raised to, the
throne him who had reigned in their hearts.
" Let us maintain inviolable this throne, which wiper-
son can attack with impunity, without stetting every
heart ; for reason condemns him who opposes himself.t•
the general will. Justice pnnishes him; and thisillia-
preme Being, by whom kings reign, seals with hi* alit
powerful hand te reprobation of those gailty men, who,
in the pride of their spirit, erect themselves into arbiters
of the conduct of Monarchs.

" Soldiers, the moment of exterminating them is ar-
rived.—Let ns rush boldly npott them; let Its he faithfull
executor. of the justice and the mercy of our well•be-
loeed King, recognized and respected by the *bole
melon.

Jan. 14, 1820.- " Fe nett"
A public Sitting of the Chamber of Deputies
was appointed to take place on Wednesday
An artic!e. dated Vienna, 510th January, states,
that a report was current that a project was in eon-
templation tending to the reduction of the troops.
The report of a change in the present system off
finance gains ground. The Deputies of the Gelman t
Commerce linve not yet entered upon any Mai*
business. They aro waiting for instruction. n
- • i
Madero I•%:Nus.—Five per 721 r. 11$ e. ; *dr
•tiong, 14:12 Ir. FiO e. ev. 4

Extract of a letter Irniu St. Thome, datiori
Dk comber 19:—
" Frow M .rgrritta we learn that the number of reps F
kr troops in that ishonisnitiouni to shout 3,501/ men, eirtiv
2,114 Creole'. the lrid Legion, consisting of shout •

i

MAN.

11,500 s and a few English, French, and Ilerinans. An
expedition is fitting out, which is supposed is going
lagainst l'nmana.••
• Extract of a letter from the Sabine, dated
'Deeember 4:—

• We learn that Colonel Penog, Commandant of San
Antonio, with 44J0 Spaniards, appeared on the I.atiks ofj

that river, and that Captain Beard, with II detachment)
! of American troops, was preparing to dispute their pas. j
: sage into the country of the United States, when the'
. Spanish Otlicer sent a flag of trove, with assurance ofj
I his friendly views, and deprecating all ideas of open'
I hostilities. The Spaniards had previously captured all
I the Americans whom they fell in with, not only the sol-1
I diens of General Long and the ilanianche traders, but
those who had peaceably settled in Texas as cultivators
t, of the soil. By the tetorn of the flag Captain heard
I transmitted a letter, demanding from the Spanish tota-
-1 mangler the release of all the American prisoners, except II
j ouch as had violated the laws of nations. This Annum'
was immediately complied with, and permission was
giver to the Americans to secure their property. An
American (Miter was dispatelie,l to see the arrangement 1
I completed." 1

The Andromache and Slaney British men of war left
Valparaiso on the 14th September, but neither of thee.
lead made their appearance off Lima, in consequence of
which the trade in the South Seas was completely at the
merry of the nunierafts Insurgent cruisers, and the mer-
chants of Lima were compelled to pay 4j per vent.
freight to the United States' ship Macedonia, fur money
intended to be shipped for payment of debts in Europe.

The newspapers of London, and evon of the
country too, are so filled with encomiums and anec-
dotes on Kings, and of his late MAJESTI in par-
ticular, that we trust it will not, by our Readers,
be thought impertinent if we say something of the
rights and prerogatives of the QUEEN CON‘ORT, or
with of a reigning KING, who, by virtue of her
marriage, is participant of divers prerogatives
above other women. And, first, she is a public
person, exempt and distinct from the KiNG, and
not, like other married women, so closely connected
as to have lost all legal or separate existence, so long
as the marriage continues. For the QUEEN is of
ability to purchase lends, and to convey them, to
make leases, to grant copyholds, and to do other
acts of ownership, without the concurrence of her

lord, which no other married woman can do, a pri-
i ilege as old as the Saxon tem.
She is even capable of taking n grant from the
KING, which no other wile is from her husband.
, The QLEF.N of ENGLAND hash sep,rate Courts and
Offices distinct from the Ktx..; 'a, not only in matters
1 of ceremony, but even of law.
1 She may likewise sue and he sued alone, with-
-1 ont joining her husband. She may also lia‘e a
separate property in goods as well as lands, and
has a right to dispose of them by Will. The
QLEEN bath also many exceptions, and minute
prerogatives. For instance, she pays no toll, nor
is she liable to any amereement in any Court ;
but, in general, unless where the law has expressly
declared her exempted, she is upon the same foot-
ing with other subjects; being, to all intents and
purposes, the KING.s subject, and not his equal, in
like manner as in the imperial law.
The QUEEN bath also sonic pecuniary advan-
tages, which form a distinct revenue ; as, in the
first place, she is entitled to an ancient perquisite,
etititied Queen-geld, or Anryna Regintr, which is
!a royal resenne. belonging to every Qt:F.EN CON.
ISORT during her marriage with the KING, and due'
: from every person who bath made a voluntary of-
fering
or fire to the KING, amounting to ten marks I,
or upwards. for and in consideration of any privi-
leges, grants, licences, pardons, or other matter 1
iii royal favour conferred upon him by the KixG;
and it is dire in the proportion of one-tenth part
more, over and above the entire offering or tine
made to the KING, and becomes an actual debt of
record to the QuFF.N's DIA.:Ea-I.v by the mere re-
cording of the fine. Another ancient perquisite
belonging to the QUEEN CO:WIRT, mentioned by
all old writers, and therefore only worth notice, is
this:—that on the taking of a whale on the coasts,
Which is a Royal fish, it shall lie divided between
the KING and Qt:FEN, the head only being, the
Ktxci's property, and the tail of it the QUEEN'S. i
HARGRAVE, in his State Trials, observes, that i
ANN BOLEVN (the wife of the notorious King
HENRY VIII.) was convicted of high treason in
the Court of the Lord High Steward. One of;
the charges against this unhappy QUEEN was,'
that she had said—" that IIieKING never had had her
i heart ;" a declaration, if made, in which there was
probably more truth than discretion ; but this was,
. adjudged to be a slander of her own issue, and
therefore high treason, according to a statute which
~sod been passed about two years before for her
[
honour and protection.

The stirerstitions mind might well enough con-
dude that Heaven was chastising nations for the
milker their people. There is not one with whom
.ws•-nre.eonnected, and conwruiog which we have.
's Ithowledge of what is doing, but has experienced
I Artput cahunity, or is experiencing it. The ambi-
-4/01) Awl self-interest of a few men draw upon the
mhple community the severest afflictions. They,
ris vaMI , endeavour to controul the eery elements •
• •
il011r! aud then, however, they receive a terrible
check, as a lesson to their pride and conceit. The j

hurricanes in the West Indies are a tevereali
curring example ; and now the inundation of
land is another. The sufferinza of the pout
at this time are truly heart-rending, and poi
in mind of JEAN JACQUES ROASSF.AC's
the Academy of Dijon, and for which he /ha.

its prize. wherein he endeavours to prove tbe
dition of man in general is not bettered but do.
rated by the high state of civilization, and 6.1
encouragement held out to the promoters 0(
arts and sciences.

I

Of all the instances of depravity and inn%
fraud, practised now-a-days, the most shoclusc,
pears to he, that of a zing of knaves laying
heeds together to dupe the humane and ehtrh
out of the money which. from pare benevola
they give in the way of ea/pl./1./Woo.
instance of this kind is now before the publie
teapot be too mr.cli exposed, nor the inhn
devisers too severely treated.

di:in;ssal of the Earl FiTzwitttsu frodki
Lieutenancy. and the appointment of Lord LI
cm.t.ts in his place. is a circumitan,ce. that aim
die away in the public mind. The circumstap
thotezh at present a single one, puts Qs in alio,
who'. happened in the time of the First ettuni
when, after the dissolution of the Parliament id
in 1633, all the 111:1gistrates, Judges, Justinsl
Peace, (~:overnors, und Lords-lieutenatits,
changed, and the most violent Tories put inl4
pinees.—The accounts of Graham and Barleys
wicked Attorney and Solicitor of JAMES the%
con's illegal prosecutions, having been ins
by the Committee appointed in relation
State prisoners, it appeared " that, from the id
1670 to the year legq, they had memo

40,000 pounds (a vast sum in these days). •
of the Exchequer, which they alleged to hi
paid to witnesses, jurors. counsellors, sod di
persons concerned in their prosecntions of
ments, informations, and trials of person I
tended criminal elutes of sedition, Rel. asil
son, in the name and on the behalf of the fiat.
If the people of Eiiiilarei, oppressed and distren

as they now• arc, should, in some new way, il
their impatience under such grievances, lad
present Ministers continue in power, it is impm

to say to what extent their advice to the N
Sovereign may not be carried. If the loaltyi
such a Noblen.au as the Earl FITZWILLUX 16
sufficient to hold him in place (known as he isalt
favourable to the Crown and the Aristovacy)pen
at a loss :o .•e %%her it can honeadly be looisiks

The Funds have been very steady there le
dnys past. with a tendency to be rattle' betty
the market opened yesterday with Consols MIN
the .lecount, and many became buyers at MI: 6
opened at the latter price t!►is morning, and le
been at 681 buyers; this inaction of the prim I
casions little business to be doing even for the A
count ; but as the settling day draws nea-, RFi
is on the 25th instant, we may reasonably ex
a change.

Mr. Rttoc•c it.w, on Monciay last, drew a oho
on the batiking-lionse of Messrs. Coma mil
for loot.. " On ileCottftt tfike QUEEN of ENGUJI
ai her agent, for the first time under that title.
It is said that the new form of the Ritual for I
Pra,ers is not settled. According to the axial
form, if no order to the contrary shall be ism
prayers must be put tip to-morrow, i n all the chard
for their most excellent Majesties, the hiso I
Qu6KN.

By the demive of the late KINC, T tilkeisOld et
to a vast amount have falleu in to the lessors,
had granted thew for the life of hie
Tbe Grocers' Corepany of London lose the te

by this 'sent, of estates in the north of huh.
from which they had derived more th a MO
10011113111111R1.
Report says, that onr respected end most re
able Member, Mr. Smith, will probably decline
seat in Parliament—mid 3lr. 31acdosalti and Mt.
leave each beets mentioned as the probable canal.'
Norwich en that interest. The former kehdalei
think, will not offer himself for this city. Mr.J.lkt
it is also rumoured will declare himself. We tali
this to he not less ituprohable. The ineorrupt, hap
and upright Mr. Ilarbord, is consigned by thee 4
wish to set' Norwich honeurei by such a represeandi
to the probable selection of his torture antagonists,
to the unmerited desertion of those who supports!
on the previous declaration of his determined is
etice. All, however, is coujectore at present.
county will scarcely, we think, escape a severe teed
and) artuotith., it is also said, will he folio ht fee.
Rory, we belteve, will certainly offer for Ansel
(Aeretrith Mfr.:airy.)
The ensuing election at Arundel is likely N
warmly contested, four candidates having Mites! 11,
' selves, viz. I.orti Viscount Bury, Arthur Ado*.
Robert and Sir. John
canvass was cow eie need on Monday.
Ii•LWAY CORPORATIOX.--114 have
pt
ins
a
state, that the tritaty which was de int W.
fledges Eyre atol Mr. Ibly is at an end. and Mgt
Eyre has declared his determination to snsttin &tit
of Independence. This determination makes thrill
of Mr. Blake certain. The last contest cost Mrt I
ten thousand poniLls—it did not cost the mimeo/
as malty hundred::, and they tot the see 1. The 11
bold Interest now registered is font times eon 01
tot. than at the last electien.—(Dmies &MAO' Pal
'fhe Grand Jury at the Liverpool 8,41100,1
fottmd a erre Lill against Paul Cerslerell, the 41tlPV.
stable of Warrington, Joseph !amine/4444
Cooper, and Richard Stoll,, for the essaallt SIP
Charles IVolseley in the month of October bt
case has excited considerable interest in Lancasik
it appears that it is nut likely to be brotighl
within the r resent Sessions.

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