"my dear sir,
"As the present melancholy occasion must bring you, and perhaps Mrs. Johnson, to London, permit me to request the favour of your remaining with us, and taking a bed at our house during your stay.
"If my grief for the loss of my first and best friend were less excessive, I might endeavour to moderate your's; but I want consolation too much myself to offer it to others.
"My wife joins in my request to you and Mrs. Johnson, and we both remain ever your faithful but disconsolate friends,
"Sophia and Henry Fuseli."
"Joseph Johnson, Esq."
Mr. Johnson was regretted not only by a numerous circle of private friends, but by the literary world in general. Many authors now living, and others who have paid the debt of nature, were fostered by his bounty, and but for his encouragement the world would have been deprived of most of the beautiful poems of Cowper; for, when "The Task," not being appreciated by the public, met with a very tardy sale, its author had made up his mind to write no more. Mr. Johnson, who was well aware of the merits of this poem, urged him to proceed, stating, that he had no doubt it would finally receive that favour from the public which it so justly merited. This expectation was afterwards realized to its utmost extent, and the author received from his publisher a handsome but unexpected gratuity.[56]
Mr. Johnson was a man of probity, liberality, and sound sense, with an acute judgment. The author of this memoir, who witnessed the urbanity of his manners, and partook of the hospitality of his table at least once a-week for some years, can bear testimony to these, as well as to the good sense which he exercised, and the prudence with which he allayed the occasional contests of his irritable guests, many of whom were distinguished men of letters, of various characters, and conflicting opinions. And although the conversation took a free range, yet the placid equanimity of their host regulated in some degree its freedom, and kept it within due bounds. Fuseli was always a favoured guest at this table; when absent, which rarely happened, a gloom for the time pervaded the company: but, when present, his acute taste in poetry, oratory, and the fine arts; his original opinions, singular ideas, and poignant wit, enlivened the conversation, and rendered him a delightful companion. On these occasions, however, Johnson was rather a listener than a contributor; but he enjoyed the animated remarks and retorts of his amusing friend, and in his will left him a handsome legacy.
Fuseli wrote the following epitaph, which gives a just and unvarnished character of this amiable man, and which is placed on his tomb in the church-yard of Fulham:—
HERE LIE THE REMAINS OF
JOSEPH JOHNSON, LATE OF ST. PAUL'S, LONDON,
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON THE 20TH DAY OF
DECEMBER, 1809, AGED 72 YEARS.
A MAN
EQUALLY DISTINGUISHED BY PROBITY, INDUSTRY,
AND DISINTERESTEDNESS IN HIS INTERCOURSE
WITH THE PUBLIC, AND EVERY DOMESTIC AND SOCIAL
VIRTUE IN LIFE; BENEFICENT WITHOUT
OSTENTATION, EVER READY TO PRODUCE MERIT
AND TO RELIEVE DISTRESS; UNASSUMING IN PROSPERITY,
NOT APPALLED BY MISFORTUNE; INEXORABLE
TO HIS OWN, INDULGENT TO THE WANTS
OF OTHERS; RESIGNED AND CHEERFUL UNDER THE
TORTURE OF A MALADY WHICH HE SAW GRADUALLY
DESTROY HIS LIFE.