Page:Boswell - Life of Johnson.djvu/629

---

success. Tell Kitty^[1] that I shall never forget her tenderness for her mistress. Whatever you can do, continue to do. My heart is very full.

'I hope you received twelve guineas on Monday. I found a way of sending them by means of the postmaster, after I had written my letter, and hope they came safe. I will send you more in a few days. God bless you all.

'I am, my dear,

'Your most obliged

'And most humble servant,

'Sam. Johnson.'

'Jan. 16, 1759.

'Over the leaf is a letter to my mother.'

'Dear honoured Mother,

'Your weakness afflicts me beyond what I am willing to communicate to you. I do not think you unfit to face death, but I know not how to bear the thought of losing you. Endeavour to do all you [can] for yourself. Eat as much as you can.

'I pray often for you; do you pray for me. I have nothing to add to my last letter.

'I am, dear, dear mother,

' Your dutiful son,

'Sam. Johnson.'

'Jan. 16, 1759'

'To Mrs. Johnson, in Lichfield.

'Dear honoured Mother,

'I fear you are too ill for long letters; therefore I will only tell you, you have from me all the regard that can possibly subsist in the heart. I pray God to bless you for evermore, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

'Let Miss write to me every post, however short.

'I am, dear mother,

'Your dutiful son,

'Sam. Johnson.'

'Jan. 18, 1759.'

'To Miss Porter, at Mrs. Johnson's, in Lichfield.

'Dear Miss,

'I will, if it be possible, come down to you. God grant I may yet [find] my dear mother breathing and sensible. Do not tell her, lest I disappoint her. If I miss to write next post. I am on the road.

'I am, dear mother,

'Your most humble servant,

'Sam. Johnson.'

'Jan. 20. 1759.'

1. Catherine Chambers, Mrs. Johnson's maid-servant. She died in October, 1767. Malone. See Post, ii. 49.

On