��Essay on
��mention it. He was well acquainted with Johnson ; but, having heard much of his independent spirit, and of the downfall of Osborne the bookseller, he did not know but his benevolence might be rewarded with a folio on his head x . He desired the author of these memoirs to undertake the task 2 . This writer thought the opportunity of doing so much good the most happy incident in his life. He went, without delay, to the chambers in the Inner Temple-lane, which, in fact, were the abode of wretchedness. By slow and studied approaches the message was disclosed. Johnson made a long pause : he asked if it was seriously intended ? He fell into a profound meditation, and his own definition of a pensioner occurred to him 3 . He was told, 'That he, at least, did not come within the definition.' He desired to meet next day, and dine at the Mitre Tavern 4 . At that meeting he gave up all his scruples. On the following day Lord Lough- borough conducted him to the Earl of Bute. The conversation that passed was in the evening related to this writer by Dr. Johnson. He expressed his sense of his Majesty's bounty, and thought himself the more highly honoured, as the favour was not bestowed on him for having dipped his pen in faction. ' No, Sir,' said Lord Bute, ' it is not offered to you for having dipped your pen in faction, nor with a design that you ever should 5 .' Sir John Hawkins will have it, that, after this interview,
��who first mentioned this subject to him.' Life, i. 373. For Wedderburne's going on errands for Lord Bute, see ii>. ii. 354-
1 Ante, p. 381.
2 * Mr. Murphy and the late Mr. Sheridan severally contended for the distinction of having been the first who mentioned to Mr. Wedderburne that Johnson ought to have a pension.' Life, i. 374.
3 Pension. ' An allowance made to any one without an equivalent. In England it is generally understood to mean pay given to a state hireling for treason to his country.' Pensioner. ( One who is supported by an allow ance paid at the will of another;
��a dependant.' These definitions re main in the fourth edition, corrected by Johnson in 1773.
4 ' I had learnt that his place of frequent resort was the Mitre tavern in Fleet-street, where he loved to sit up late, and I begged I might be allowed to pass an evening with him there soon, which he promised I should.' Ib. i. 399.
5 In the review of Hawkins's John son in the Monthly Review, Ixxvi. 375, no doubt written by Murphy, it is not design but desire. Murphy adds : ' On the next day Mr. Murphy was in the Temple soon after nine ; he got Johnson ^lp and dressed in due time ; and saw him set off at eleven.'
Johnson
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