"To Mr Francis Barber, at Mrs Clapp's, Bishop-Stortford, Hertfordshire.
Dear Francis,
I am at last sat down to write to you, and should very much blame myself for having neglected you so long, if I did not impute that and many other failings to want of health. I hope not to be so long silent again. I am very well satisfied with your progress, if you can really perform the exercises which you are set....
Let me know what English books you read for your entertainment. You can never be wise unless you love reading.
Do not imagine that I shall forget or forsake you; for if, when I examine you, I find that you have not lost your time, you shall want no encouragement from
Yours affectionately,
Sam. Johnson.
London, Sept. 25, 1770."
After his four years' schooling Francis returned to London and remained a faithful servant till his master's death. When Johnson was making his will he "asked Dr Brocklesby what would be a proper annuity to a favourite servant, and being answered that it must depend on the circumstances of the master; and, that in the case of a nobleman, fifty pounds a year was considered as an adequate reward for many years' faithful service; 'Then (said Johnson,) shall I be nobilissimus, for I mean to leave Frank seventy pounds a year, and I desire you to tell him so.'"
Lastly, we must mention a fireside creature that Johnson loved: