Cave on this subject is still extant, and may well justify Sir John Hawkins, who inferred that Johnson was the translator of Crousaz J . The conclusion of the letter is remarkable. ' I am yours, IMPRANSUS.' If by that Latin word was meant that he had not dined, because he wanted the means, who can read it, even at this hour, without an aching heart 2 ?
With a mind naturally vigorous, ang 1 quickened by necessity, Johnson formed a multiplicity of "projects ;* but most of them proved abortive. A number of small tracts issued from his pen with wonderful rapidity ; such as ' MARMOR NORFOLCIENSE ; or an Essay on an ancient prophetical Inscription, in Monkish Rhyme, [lately] discovered at Lynn [near Lynne] in Norfolk. By Probus Britannicus! This was a pamphlet against Sir Robert Walpole. According to Sir John Hawkins, a warrant was issued to apprehend the Author, who retired with his wife to an obscure lodging near Lambeth Marsh, and there eluded the search of the messengers 3 . But this story has no foundation in truth. Johnson was never known to mention such an incident in his life ; and Mr. Steele (late of the Treasury) caused diligent search to be made at the proper offices, and no trace of such a proceeding could be found 4 . In the same year (1739) the Lord Chamberlain prohibited the representation of a tragedy, called GUSTAVUS VASA, by Henry Brooke. Under the mask of irony Johnson published, 'A Vindication of the Licencer from the malicious and scandalous Aspersions of Mr. Brooke V Of these two pieces Sir John Hawkins says, ' they have neither learning nor wit ; not a single ray of that genius which has since blazed forth 6 ;' but as they have been lately re-printed,
1 Hawkins, p. 67. once a dreary marsh, and still in
2 Life, i. 137. The original of parts called Lambeth Marsh. . . . this letter, owing to this one word Most of this tract is become firm impransus^ was sold in 1888 for 46. land, and covered with most useful Letters, i. 3. buildings, even to the edge of the
3 Hawkins, p. 72. river.' Pennant, in his London (1790, p. 4 Life, i. 141.
30), writes: 'From Lambeth I re- 5 Ib. i. 140.
turned by the water-side, near the end 6 Hawkins, p. 78. Murphy's quo-
of Westminster Bridge, along a tract tation is inaccurate.
the
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