Beschreibung:

Autograph letter signed "Sam: Johnson" to Hester Lynch Thrale.
London: 18 April 1780. 3pp., folded sheet with final page blank (255 x 195 mm). One paragraph crossed out, but still readable. Later pencil notation on the first page giving the Piozzi Letters citation. Housed in a red cloth folding case. Condition : usual folds. Provenance : A. Edward Newton (bookplate on the folding case) sale, Parke-Bernet 15 May, lot 401; Roger Hawes West (bookplate on the folding case). This charming letter begins with answers to Piozzi's questions regarding the publication of a political pamphlet and a work about Shakespeare (suggested by Hill to be Malone's Supplement to the Johnson and Steevens edition of the plays). "Of the petticoat government I had never heard. Of the Shakespeare, I was once told by Miss Lawrence; and that is all that I know of it. I have not seen nor heard of any body that has seen the wonders. You may be sure I should tell you any thing that would gratify your curiosity…" The letter next turns to the ill health of Henry Thrale. "I cannot see but my master may with stubborn regularity totally recover. But surely, though the invasion has been repelled from life, the waste it has made will require some time and much attention to repair it. You must not grow weary of watching him…" The letter continues with Johnson playfully chastising Piozzi for new poetry about which he was unaware (identified by Redford as her "The Three Warnings"). "Pray, of what wonders do you tell me. You make verses and they are read in publick, and I know nothing about them. This very crime, I think, broke the link of amity between [Samuel] Richardson and Miss Mulso [Hester Mulso Chapone] , after a tenderness and confidence of many years. However you must do a great deal more before I leave you for Lucan or Montague, or any other charmer, if any other charmer would have me." The letter continues concerning Mrs. Walmesley, an anti-corruption bill before Parliament, the Thrale debts to Charles Scrase and Sophia Byron's problems. It closes discussing his own health and a return to the health of Henry Thrale. "Please tell Mr. Thrale, that I think I grow rather less, and that I was last week almost dizzy with vacuity. I repeat my challenge to alternate diet, and doubt not but both of us by adhering to it may live more at ease, and a much longer time. Though I am going to dine with Lady Craven…" Published in Letters (Hyde edition) III: p. 239.