[702] 'When a friend is carried to his grave, we at once find excuses for every weakness, and palliations of every fault; we recollect a thousand endearments, which before glided off our minds without impression, a thousand favours unrepaid, a thousand duties unperformed; and wish, vainly wish, for his return, not so much that we may receive, as that we may bestow happiness, and recompense that kindness which before we never understood.' Rambler, No. 54.
[703] Pr. and Med. p. 19. BOSWELL.
[704] Hawkins's Life of Johnson, p. 316. BOSWELL.
[705] See post, Oct. 26, 1769, where the Roman Catholic doctrine of purgatory or 'a middle state,' as Johnson calls it is discussed, and Boswell's Hebrides, Oct. 25, 1773.
[706] In the original, 'lawful for me.' Much the same prayer Johnson made for his mother. Pr. and Med. p. 38. On Easter Day, 1764, he records:—'After sermon I recommended Tetty in a prayer by herself; and my father, mother, brother, and Bathurst in another. I did it only once, so far as it might be lawful for me.' Ib. p. 54. On the death of Mr. Thrale he wrote, 'May God that delighteth in mercy have had mercy on thee.' Ib. p. 191; and later on, 'for Henry Thrale, so far as is lawful, I humbly implore thy mercy in his present state.' Ib. p. 197.
[707] Pr. and Med., p. 20. BOSWELL.
[708] Shortly before his death (see post, July 12, 1784) Johnson had a stone placed over her grave with the following inscription:—
Hic conduntur reliquiae
ELIZABETHÆ
Antiqua Jarvisiorum Leicestrienses, ortae;
Formosae, cultae, ingeniosae, piae;
Uxoris, primis nuptiis, Henrici Porter,
Secundis Samuelis Johnson:
Qui multum amatam, diuque defletam
Hoc lapide contexit.
Obiit Londini Mense Mart.
A.D. MDCCLIII
As Mrs. Johnson died in 1752, the date is wrong.
[709] See post, Sept. 21. 1777.