'I am, Sir,
'Your most, &c.
'SAM. JOHNSON.'
'February 25, 1777.'
'MR. BOSWELL TO DR. JOHNSON.
'Edinburgh, Feb. 14, 1777.
'My Dear Sir,
'My state of epistolary accounts with you at present is extraordinary. The balance, as to number, is on your side. I am indebted to you for two letters; one dated the 16th of November, upon which very day I wrote to you, so that our letters were exactly exchanged, and one dated the 21st of December last.
'My heart was warmed with gratitude by the truely kind contents of both of them; and it is amazing and vexing that I have allowed so much time to elapse without writing to you. But delay is inherent in me, by nature or by bad habit. I waited till I should have an opportunity of paying you my compliments on a new year. I have procrastinated till the year is no longer new.
* * * * *