It is remarkable, that Johnson's last quoted letter to Mr. Cave concludes with a fair confession that he had not a dinner; and it is no less remarkable, that, though in this state of want himself, his benevolent heart was not insensible to the necessities of an humble labourer in literature, as appears from the very next letter:
'To Mr. Cave.
[No date.]
'Dear Sir,
'You may remember I have formerly talked with you about a Military Dictionary. The eldest Mr. Macbean[1], who was with Mr. Chambers[2] has very good materials for such a work, which I have seen, and will do it at a very low rate[3]. I think the terms of War and Navigation might be comprised, with good explanations, in one 8vo. Pica, which he is willing to do for twelve shillings a sheet, to be made up a guinea at the second impression. If you think on it, I will wait on you with him.
'I am, Sir,
'Your humble servant,
'Sam. Johnson.
'Pray lend me Topsel on Animals[4].'
I must not omit to mention, that this Mr. Macbean was a native of Scotland.
In the Gentleman's Magazine of this year, Johnson gave a Life of Father Paul;* and he wrote the Preface to the Volume[5] which, though prefixed to it when bound, is always published with the Appendix, and is therefore the last composition belonging to it. The ability and nice adaptation
- ↑ See Post, under Dec. 30, 1747. and Oct. 24, 1780.
- ↑ See Post, 1750.
- ↑ This book was published. Boswell. I have not been able to find it.
- ↑ The Historie of four-footed beasts and serpents. By Edward Topsell. London, 1607. Isaac Walton, in the Complete Angler, more than once quotes Topsel. See p. 99 in the reprint of the first edition, where he says:—'As our Topsel hath with great diligence observed.'
- ↑ In this preface he describes some pieces as 'deserving no other fate than to be hissed, torn, and forgotten.' Johnson's Works, v. 346.
