CHAPTER II.
1766—1769.
Led by attachment to Shakspeare and the natural desire of an intelligent mind, he had at this time in London formed the acquaintance of Dr. Johnson. The introduction took place through one of his friends of the Southwell family, younger brother of the peer of that name, whose manners Johnson so highly commended for “freedom from insolence.” “Edmund Southwell,” said Malone, “lived in intimacy with Johnson for many years. See an account of him in Hawkins’ Life. He died in London, November, 1772. In opposition to the knight’s unfavourable representation of this gentleman, to him I was indebted for my first introduction to Johnson. I take this opportunity to add that he appeared to me a pious man, and was very fond of leading the conversation to religious subjects.” Doubtless, he was proud of an honour valued by men of the highest attainments; and the event was duly communicated to Irish friends. His letters to Chetwood, descriptive of such incidents, are unluckily
