P82(1)

To the Printer of the St. J. CHRONICLE.

SIR,

I Cannot help observing, from reading the Spe-
cimen given of Dr. Johnson's Spirit of Prayer,
in your Paper of the 23d Inst, what a strange Com-
pound the most enlightened Men are. To what
End should the Doctor write the History of his
Melancholy ? To what End pray to God for the
Soul of Henry Thrale ? When he was a Boy, he
had read or heard of Bel and the Dragon, Susan-
nah, and Tobit! what then ? Why, it proves that
the poor Doctor had, in religious Matters, and,
perhaps, in religious Matters only, a distempered
Brain. It proves that a Man may be a good
Scholar, a fine Poet, an excellent Critick, and
yet be at Bottom but a weak Man. To confirm
which, I know a Gentleman now living, whose
Writings and Style are justly admired, and who is
considered as an able Scholar, and a sensible Man;
yet he is incapable of perceiving the following un-
questionable Truth, i. e. Supposing there are
more Men upon the Face of the Earth than there
are Hairs on any one Man's Head, there must
then be two Men with the same Number of Hairs
on their Heads. But it puts Johnson's silly Su-
perfections out of all Doubt, when it is considered
that he was weak enough to deprive himself of a
Night's Rest, to hear the Cock-Lane Girl scratch
her B—e. Judge Blencowe, who died about
the Year 1725, wrote a Thousand Sheets of Paper
on the Longitude; and though a Heap of Non-
tense, his virtuous Son, rather than tell him so,
copied it out for the Prefs; yet in all other Re-
spects he seemed as wise and sensible as he was vir-
tuous.

Thetford, seventeen from Norwich, and near the Turnpike Road.

Enquire of Mr. Curtis, at Seagoe's Coffee House, Holbourn, London; or of Mr. Robert Back, Land-Steward, Norwich.

## All the CAPITAL PRIZES in BOTH LOTTERIES

TERIES are included in the following PLANS, namely, Three of 20,000l. four of 10,000l. six of 5,000l. twelve of 2,000l. nineteen of 1,000l. thirty-five of 500l. one hundred and thirty of 100l. two hundred and Fifty of 50l.

Please to observe—A Subscribers to the following Societies in the Irish State Lottery, whether his Ticket is drawn a Prize or Blank, will be presented with a new Subscription grant, to the English State Lottery, entitling him to the same Benefits, and for the Whole of the Drawing; so that he or she become interested in both Lotteries at the EXPENSE OF ONE SUBSCRIPTION ONLY.

IRISH STATE LOTTERY begins drawing the 26th of September, 1785; and the ENGLISH STATE LOTTERY in February, 1786.

## FRIENDLY BENEFICIAL SOCIETIES
for the ensuing IRISH and ENGLISH STATE LOTTERIES, held at HORNSBY and Co's, No. 26, Cornhill; and No. 16, Corner of York-Street, Covent-Garden.

A Variety of Tickets are purchased in the ensuing Irish State Lottery (and this Society engage to purchase the like Number of Tickets in the ensuing English State Lottery) which are, and are to be deposited in the Hands of Messrs. Hornsby and Co. and there to remain for the Benefit of the respective Persons who have already, or shall hereafter become subscribing Members of this Society.

The Society is arranged into three Classes of Subscribers at One Guinea, Half a Guinea, and Six Shillings each, and called the First, Second, and Third Classes.

### FIRST CLASS

A Subscriber of One Guinea will become a Member of the First Class, and will receive a Certificate of his or her Admission, which will bear the same Number as one of the original Tickets in the Irish State Lottery, which is appropriated to this Class, the Original of which will be shown to such Subscriber, and he or they will become entitled to 1200 Guineas, if such Ticket be drawn a 20,000l. Prize, and in Proportion for all the other Prizes in the ensuing Irish State Lottery.

BOSWELL'S VERSION
OF JOHNSONIANA.

HE told us of Cooke, who translated Hesiod,
and lived twenty years on a translation of Plautus,
for which he was always taking subscriptions;
and that he presented Foote to a Club, in the
following singular manner: “This is the nephew
of the gentleman who was lately hung in chains
for murdering his brother.”

He had last night looked into Lord Hailes's
“Remarks on the History of Scotland.” Dr.
Robertson and I said, it was a pity Lord Hailes
did not write greater things. His Lordship had
not then published his “Annals of Scotland.”—
Johnson. “I remember I was once on a visit at
the house of a lady for whom I had a high respect.
There was a good deal of company in the room.
When they were gone, I said to this lady,
‘What foolish talking have we had!’—“Yes,
(said she) but while they talked, you said no-
thing.”—“I was struck with the reproof. How
much better is the man who does any thing
that is innocent, than he who does nothing. Be-
fides, I love anecdotes. I fancy mankind may
come, in time, to write all aphoristically, except
in narrative; grow weary of preparation, and
connection, and illustration, and all those arts by
which a big book is made.—If a man is to wait
till he weaves anecdotes into a system, we may
be long in getting them, and get but few, in
comparison of what we might get.”

We talked of Kennicot's Translation of the Bible, and hoped it would be quite faithful.—Johnson. “Sir, I know not any crime so great that a man could contrive to commit, as poisoning the sources of eternal truth.”

I pointed out to him where there formerly stood
an old wall enclosing part of the college, which
I remember bulged out in a threatening manner,
and of which there was a common saying, as of
Johnson's Study at Oxford, that it would fill

## Gazetteer and Notes

### FRIDAY, SEPT

MR. MILLER respectfully informs his Subscribers and Friends, that his FIRST ASSEMBLY will be on Wednesday the 12th of October, 1785, to be continued on the first Wednesday of the five succeeding months, making in all Six Assemblies, at No. 45, Leadenhall-street, where on Tuesdays and Fridays, the Minuet de la Cour, Dauphin Minuet; the much-admired Minuet de Madame la Comtesse d'Artois, (composed by Mr. Miller, and danced at his last Ball.)

Allemands, Cotillions, Country Dances, &c. are carefully Taught. Ladies only are instructed between the hours of Three and Six. Ladies and Gentlemen the remaining part of the evening. A Cotillion night once a fortnight, by Subscription.

**Non-Subscribers Tickets may be had at the Assembly Room; or at Mr. Miller's, No. 19, Bram's-row, near the Pantheon Chapel, Spa-fields.

N. B. Music Taught by an able Master, at the above Assembly Room.

Half-moon, Cheapfide, Sept. 29, 1785.

LEWIS LEWIS, Nephew and late Partner with Mr. La Foret, late of the London Tavern, Bi-fhopfgate-street, begs leave to inform the Nobility, Gentry, and the Public in general, and particularly those Companies, Societies, and Clubs, who formerly used to honour the house with their commands, that it was this day opened with a very respectable and numerous company, when it was proposed, and unanimously carried, that this house in future be called the NEW LONDON TAVERN, and was toasted as follows, "Proficiency to the New London Tavern, and may it be as successful as the old one."

Lewis Lewis takes this opportunity to inform the Public, that he has neither spared expence or attention, in fitting up and furnishing the said Tavern, so as to render the accommodation equal to any house in the fame line of bufinefs.

He has laid in the very best assortment of every kind of wines
possible to be procured, which added to his utmost exertion in
every other branch of the tavern bufinefs, he humbly presumes
to hope may entitle him to a continuanc of that generous pro-
tection he has hitherto had the satisfaction of being flatt-
with.

SALES by AUCTION.

By Mr. CHRISTIE,

At his Great Room, in Pall-mall, on Wednesday the 5th of
October next,

A COMPACT FREEHOLD FARM; confitting of a neat FARM-HOUSE, BARN, GARDEN, and fundry inclosures, containing FORTY-TWO ACRES of RICH ARABLE, MEADOW, and PAS-TURE LAND, within a ring fence, Situate on a gentle declivity to the river Store, which runs through part of the grounds, and in the parish of SAWBRIDGEWORTH, about twenty-fix miles from London, on the high road leading to BISHOP STORTFORD, in the county of HERTS, much underlet to Mr. John Smith, tenant at will, at the annual rent of

FORTY-TWO POUNDS.

The tenant will show the premises; and printed particulars will be forthwith ready.

By Mr. CHRISTIE,

At his Great Room in Pall-mall, on Wednesday the 5th of
October next, at one o'clock, in Two Longs,

A FREEHOLD ESTATE; confitting of a neat ground-rent, iffuing out of fourteen houses, Situate in Stafford-row, opposite the Queen's Gardens, Buckinghamgate, and Prince's-row, behind the above, leading out of James-street.

Also a FREEHOLD HOUSE, and TWO PIECES of GARDEN GROUND, walled, of fix acres, one piecelett to Mr. Scott, gardener, and the other to Dr. Ayrton, and adjoining to the above premises; the whole of the annual value of

ONE HUNDRED and THIRTY-SIX POUNDS THIRTEEN SHILLINGS and SIXPENCE,

Clear of all deductions, and at the expiration of the tenants' leafes, the whole of the premises will become the property of the purchaser, which is of the annual value of near

SIX HUNDRED POUNDS.

The premises may be viewed with leave of the tenants, and printed particulars may be had in Pall-mall, where a plan of the efflate may be seen.

By Mr. CHRISTIE,

At his Great Room in Pall-mall, on Wednesday the 5th of
October, at one o'clock,

THE UNEXPIRED TERM of fourteen years and half of the IMPROVED LEASE of a neat DWELLING-HOUSE; containing two rooms and drefling room on each floor, defirably Situate on the fourth side of

BENTINCK-STREET, SOHO;

Lett to a tenant at will, at 50l. per annum.

Also, to be LETT, a neat HOUSE, with two rooms on each floor, and fmall garden, &c. Situate on the east side of GREAT PORTLAND-STREET, CAVENDISH-SQUARE.

The premises may be viewed by application to Mr. Chritliey and printed particulars of the House in Bentinck-street, may be had in Pall-mall.

By Mr. CHRISTIE,

At his Great Room in Pall-mall, on Wednesday the 16th
infectant, at one o'clock, in One Lot,

TWO SPACIOUS LEASEHOLD HOUSES, Situate in the STRAND, the corner of VILLER'S-STREET, and HOUSE adjoining, lett on leafe, 19 years of which are unexpired, to Mr. DRURY, Goldsmith and Jeweller, at a nett annual rent of

ONE HUNDRED POUNDS,

Free and clear of out-goings, &c. The premises have been recently put into the moft elegant and subftantial repair, and are held on leafes, 50 years of which are now unexpired.

To be viewed fix days preceding the fale, and printed particulars may be had.

LADIES DRESSING CASES for TRAVELLING,

Likewise every Article in the PERFUMERY, will be found perfectly good of their Kind, and that no Shop ſells cheaper.

GREAT choice of Ladies Dressing Cafes in mahogany and tia, of various fixes, that hold powder, pomatums, combs, effences, and writing, with every conveniency fit for travelling.

Hard Pomatum, strongly ſcented, of an agreeable ſmell, which it will retain in any climate twelve months, 1s. per roll, and ſoft, of equal goodness, 1s. 6d. per pot. Like wife a ſoft Pomatum, in half-pound pots, strongly ſcented, 1s.

A Powder that gives a fine natural bloom to the face, and anſwers all the intents of white paint, without having any of its ſenſes.

P82(4)

SIR,

THE Folly of a Paragraph that appeared in one of the Morning Papers of the 6th Inst. was equal to its Malevolence. It was in these Words: "Dr. Johnson's Fate ought to be a Warning to all celebrated literary Men. Their Works may speak their Praise, and the World may be pleased with their Merit; but if, as Sir Fretful Plagiary says, they have any d-d good matured Friends, they may depend on being made as ridiculous as possible after they are dead."

From this Paragraph those who are at a Distinction from the great Scene of Action, may judge, how little Foundation there is for many of the Calumnies that are every Day thrown out against the most estimable Characters. It was intended to convey an oblique Censure against two very respectable Gentlemen; the Editor of Dr. Johnson's Prayers and Meditations, and the Author of A Tour to the Hebrides. And for what? Because the former, in Compliance with Dr. Johnson's dying Request, has published his private Devotions, for the Instruction of Mankind, and to aid a charitable Institution; and because the latter has published a very entertaining Journal of a Tour which he made in Company with Dr. Johnson; a Book in which the Author has recorded the Sayings and Opinions of that excellent and extraordinary Man on a great Variety of Subjects, and introduced innumerable Anecdotes both of Persons and Things that would have been Irretrievably lost; had not the Diligence and Abilities of Mr. Boswell preferred them for the Amusement and Instruction of Posterity: A Work, which Dr. Johnson himself read, and every Part of which he highly approved of.

I am, Sir, &c.

An Enemy to Noasense and Slander.

E.M.

READING a paragraph yesterday in your paper, which every person of feeling must think too severe, give me leave to ask your correspondent, what could induce him to call those unhappy women who frequent the Green boxes, Vermin? He ought to consider, as has been remarked, that they were all virtuous once, and most of them made otherwife by men of your correspondent's unfeeling disposition. Those Ladies who were shocked and uneasy at their situation on Saturday evening, most probably never enter a theatre above twice a season. How then is it possible it can be to the managers' interest to keep the upper boxes for only persons of character? I would wish to advise your correspondent, in future, to write with less severity, as those unhappy women rather excite pity than contempt.

A WOMAN.

Norton-street, Marylebone, Oct. 9.

THE POET,
A FRAGMENT.

By MR. ROBSON.

FULL oft I've brav'd Adversity's rough tide,
Such waves as roll on Aegian's bold sea!
Been wreck'd and lost, then cast on desart shores,
Gill I've ventur'd forth

Tuesday, 12th 25. 1905

POETS CORNER.

For the St. JAMES's CHRONICLE.
ODE upon INCHKENNETH,
By Dr. JOHNSON.

From Mr. Boswell's Tour to the Hebrides.

INSULA SANCTI KENNETHI.

PARVA quidem regio, sed relligione priorum
Nota, Caledonias panditur inter aquas;

Voce ubi Cennethus populos domuiſſe feroces
Dicitur, et vanos dedocuiſſe deos.

Huc ego delatus placido per cœrula curſu
Scire locum volui quid daret ille novi.

Illic Leniades humili regnabat in aula,
Leniades magnis nobilitatus avis :

Una duas habuit caſa cum genitore puellas,
Quas Amor undarum fingeret eſſe deas :
Non tamen inculti gelidis latuere ſub antris,
Accola Danubii qualia ſævus habet ;

Mollia non deerant vacuæ ſolatia vitæ,
Sive libros poſcant otia, ſive lyram.

Luxerat illa dies, legis gens docta ſupernæ
Spes hominum ac curas cum procul eſſe jubet.

Ponti inter ſtrepitus ſacri non munera cultus
Cessarunt; pietas hic quoque cura fuit :

Quid quod ſacrifi ci verſavit femina libros,
Legitimas faciunt pœora pura preces.

Quo vagor ulterius ? quod ubique requiritur hic eſt;
Hic ſecura quies, hic et honestus amor.

This Day was published, Price 4s. 6d. fewed,

A NEW EDITION, of

THOUGTS on EXECUTIVE JUSTICE,
with respect to our criminal Laws, particularly on the
Circuits. Dedicated to the Judges of Affife, and recom-
mended to the Perusal of all Magistrates; and to all Persons
liable to serve on Crown Juries. With an APPENDIX, oc-
casioned by a Charge given to the Grand Jury for the County
of Surrey.

By a sincere Well-wisher to the Public.

Printed for J. Dodfley, in Pall-Mall.

In the Preſs, and ſpeedily will be published,

OBSERVATIONS on the DISEASES incident to FLEETS in Time of WAR. Being a Narrative of some of the most remarkable naval Expeditions in the late War, so far as relates to Health. With practical Remarks on the Prevention and Cure of the Diseases most commonly occurring among Seamen, particularly in hot Climates.

By GILBERT BLANE, M.D. F.R.S.

Physician extraordinary to the Prince of Wales, Physician to St. Thomas's Hospital, and Physician to the Fleet in the late War.

Printed for the Authour, to be sold by John Murray,
No. 32, Fleet Street, Price 6s. in Boards.

This Day were published,

In Three Volumes, Price 7s. 6d. fewed,

THE FAVOURITE's of FELICITY.
A Novel, in a Series of Letters.

By JOHN POTTER, M.D.

N.B. The Reviewers, speaking of this Production, say,
"This Work, we think easy, natural, and affecting, such as
will afford Pleasure either to the Idle or the Studious; to the
Grave or the Gay.

Printed for W. Caxs, Lamb's Conduit-Street, Holbourn;
T. Becket, Pall-Mall; Mess. Baldwin, Robinsons, and Bew,
Pater-nofter-Row.

Where may be had, by the same Authour,
The Virtuous Villagers, a Novel, in a Series of Letters,

TO the FEMALE SEX. A PHYSICIAN and MAN-MIDWIFE, who has devoted many years to the diseases of Women, added to an extensive practice, now publicly tenders his service to the fair sex, for cure of obstructions, irregularities, weaknesses, nervous diseases, the cruel effects of infidelity in husbands, and the complaints common to a particular period of life, as well as the general causes that prevent pregnancy, or occasion miscarriages, and every other disorder peculiar to the sex. The Doctor's hours of attendance, at his own house, No. 6, Ranelagh-street, Pimlico, are from ten to twelve, and from four to seven, every day. (Sunday excepted) but whenever consulted, whether by the party or friend, he neither hears or reads a case, unless accompanied with a guinea. Women labouring under obstructions from causes they are deftous of concealing, would perhaps consult their own interest in an immediate application to the Doctor. The strict delicacy, honor, and secrecy, will upon, every occasion, be observed.

A Cafe of Re l Dittres. A very aged Couple, from a long series of unforeseen and unavoidable accidents and misfortunes, are reduced from a comfortable situation, to the lowest degree of indigence. All their own endeavours to extricate themselves having proved fruitless, they are under the painful necessity of applying the benevolence of some of the charitable and humane. The smallest donations will be thankfully received at Mr. Carberry's, Plumafflier to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, in Conduit street; at Mr. Diegan's, Apothecary, in St. Alban's street, at Mr.

Dr. JOHNSON'S DICTIONARY.

P82.

Printed verbatim from the Folio Edition.

(11)

This Day is published,

Embellished with a head of the author, engraved by BARTOLOZZI, from the most approved Likerels, and carefully printed on the best French Paper, (the Whole to be completed in Forty-eight Numbers, making TWO elegant Volumes in Quarto).

NUMBER 1. (Price ONE SHILLING)

To be continued WEEKLY, of

A DICTIONARY of the ENGLISH LANGUAGE, in which the words are deduced from their Originals, and illustrated in their different Significations, by Examples from the best Writers.

To which are added, an ENGLISH GRAMMAR, and an HISTORY of the LANGUAGE.

By SAMUEL JOHNSON, L. L. D.

London: Printed for John Fielding, No. 23, Paternoster-row; and by all other booksellers in town and country.

Reasons for giving a preference to Mr. Fielding's large Quarto Edition of Dr. Johnson's Dictionary.

First, Because the paper on which it is printed is inimitably fine, and the type entirely new and beautiful.

Second, The first number is embellished with a Head of Dr. Johnson, engraved by Bartolozzi, who is allowed by every artist and connoisseur in Europe, to be the first engraver in the world.

Third, Because a large Quarto Volume is considered, by every person of taste, as the most convenient and elegant size; it is a proper medium between the diminutive octavo, and the unweildy folio. All the elegant French books are in Quarto; our Gallic neighbours judiciously reprobating the idea of a folio.

Fourth, Because the publisher, being in possession of many original papers respecting Dr. Johnson, has engaged a gentleman of the first literary abilities, to write the History of his Life, which will be given at the conclusion of the work.

Fifth, Because Mr. Fielding's edition will be completed in forty-eight weeks; the proprietors of this valuable work were aware that the public would wish to be in position of it as soon as possible, and could not think of suffering two years to elapse, before they were gratified.

Sixth, Because a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, (i. e.) a capital Engraving now, is better than a promise of an indifferent one in a future year.

Seventh, Because Mr. Fielding has been long preparing this edition, and taken care to procure the type, paper, copper plate, &c. before he began to publish. He entitles too high an esteem for the opinion of the public, to presume to risk their displeasure, by precipitately undertaking a work, and amusing them with promises; he therefore respectfully waited 'till he was perfectly able to perform.

The Plate in Number 1. will be delivered in the order they are applied for; therefore those who are early will be certain of fine impressions. The publisher thinks it would be intuiting the public, were he to say any thing in praise of the like-nefs or execution, when he tells them that it is engraved by Mr. Bartolozzi.

ENTIRE NEWLY PRINTED

ver before

them ? or public credit, or any thing else? They
have but one concern, and that is, the preserva-
tion of their places.

The Duke of Dorset's abilities are as formidable at Paris, as they were acknowledged and admired at home. The financiering genius of Necker, and the political talents of Vergennes, are both respectable in their way; but neither one nor the other, nor indeed any statesman or Minister in his most Christian Majesty's dominions, can contend with the British Ambassador —at a match of cricket!

If we are to give any credit to Dr. Prettyman's scribblers, Lord North, Mr. Fox, and all their friends, are the most contemptible, wretched, insignificant set of beings that ever existed, and that the nation at large considers them to be so; for what purpose is it then that such a number of literary assassins are retained? Why is such pain taken to traduce the characters of men whom every body despises? Is not this a kind of contradiction? And does it not appear as though the ministerial herd were conscious of their weaknesses, and considered it necessary to blacken the actions of others, to prevent an exaltation into their own.

Commodore Thompson is failed for Goree, on the coast of Africa, with positive instructions to enforce from the French an adherence to treaties, if they should not otherwise be inclined to an amicable accommodation. The Commodore was detained at Portsmouth a month beyond the period intended for his failing, in order that the loop which the French had dispatched from Breton with instructions to their naval command might arrive on the coast before him as it was well known that the reception which he would meet with in that quarter from the French officers would be the clearest explanation of what those instructions might be. The Natchitoc loop of war, Capt. Tup, will be dispatched home as soon as possible after their arrival, but the coast, to give the earliest intelligence to the government of the true state of affairs.

The Dutch seem now to be in a more distrest state than ever. Should the Province of Zanzibar persist in its opposition, the Treaty with the Emperor cannot in consistency with the principles of the federal union be carried into effect. This will do.