To Mr. Ryland, Merchant in London.
Dear Sir,—I have slackened in my diligence of correspondence, certainly not by ingratitude or less delight to hear from my friends, and as little would I have it imputed to idleness, or amusement of any other kind. The truth is that I care not much to think on my own state. I have for some time past grown worse, the water makes slow advances, and my breath though not so much obstructed as in some former periods of my disorder is very short. I am not however heartless. The water has, since its first great effusion, invaded me thrice, and thrice has retreated. Accept my sincere thanks for your care in laying down the stone[50] wh you and young Mr. Ryland have done. I doubt not of finding [it] well done, if ever I can make my mind firm enough to visit it. I am now contriving to return, and hope to be yet no disgrace to our monthly meeting[51] when I shall be with you, as my resolution is not very steady and as chance must have some part in the opportunity, I cannot tell. Do not omit to write, for your letters are a great part of my comfort.
I am,
Dear Sir
Your most humble servant
Sam Johnson
Pray write.
Lichfield, Oct. 30, 1784.
THE TWO LAST PAGES OF THE MS. JOURNAL OF MRS. THRALE'S TOUR IN WALES, JULY-SEPTEMBER, 1774, DESCRIBING THE DINNER AT BURKE'S.
Six months before his death he writes thus to Mr. Nicoll on the subject of Cook's voyages:—
To Mr. Nicoll,
Bookseller,
In the Strand, London.