[1134] Six weeks later he was willing to hear even of balloons, so long as he got a letter.  ‘You,’ he wrote to Mr. Sastres, ’may always have something to tell:  you live among the various orders of mankind, and may make a letter from the exploits, sometimes of the philosopher, and sometimes of the pickpocket.  You see some balloons succeed and some miscarry, and a thousand strange and a thousand foolish things.’ Piozzi Letters, ii. 412.

[1135] See ante, p. 349, note.

[1136] ’He alludes probably to the place of King’s Painter; which, since Burke’s reforming the King’s household expenses, had been reduced from L200 to L50 per annum.’  Northcote’s Reynolds, ii. 188.  The place was more profitable than Johnson thought.  ’It was worth having from the harvest it brought in by the multiplication of the faces of King and Queen as presents for ambassadors and potentates.’  This is shewn by the following note in Sir Joshua’s price-book:—­’Nov. 28, 1789, remain in the Academy five Kings, four Queens; in the house two Kings and one Queen.’  Taylor’s Reynolds, ii. 449.

[1137] Mr. Nichols published in 1782 Anecdotes of William Bowyer, Printer.  In 1812-15 he brought out this work, recast and enlarged, under the title of Literary Anecdotes of the Eighteenth Century.  See ante, p. 161.

[1138] In the original (which is in the British Museum) not hints but names.

[1139] On Nov. 4, he wrote to Mr. Ryland:—­’I have just received a letter in which you tell me that you love to hear from me, and I value such a declaration too much to neglect it.  To have a friend, and a friend like you, may be numbered amongst the first felicities of life; at a time when weakness either of body or mind loses the pride and the confidence of self-sufficiency, and looks round for that help which perhaps human kindness cannot give, and which we yet are willing to expect from one another.  I am at this time very much dejected....  I am now preparing myself for my return, and do not despair of some more monthly meetings [post, Appendix C].  To hear that dear Payne is better gives me great delight.  I saw the draught of the stone [over Mrs. Johnson’s grave, ante, p. 351].  Shall I ever be able to bear the sight of this stone?  In your company I hope I shall.’  Mr. Morrison’s Autographs, vol. ii.

[1140] To him as a writer might be generally applied what he said of Rochester:—­’His pieces are commonly short, such as one fit of resolution would produce.’ Works, vii. 159.

[1141] Odes, iv.7. Works, i. 137.