Samuel Johnson (Meynell & Chesterton)/Chapter 12c

To the Reverend Joseph Warton

How little can we venture to exult in any intellectual powers or literary attainments, when we consider the condition of poor Collins. I knew him a few years ago full of hopes and full of projects, versed in many languages, high in fancy, and strong in retention. This busy and forcible mind is now under the government of those who lately would not have been able to comprehend the least and most narrow of its designs.

March 8th, 1754.