This letter must have been written about the year 1753, for Bathurst is described as a physician of about eight years’ standing.  He took his degree as Bachelor of Medicine at Peterhouse, Cambridge, in 1745, and did not, it should seem, proceed to the higher degree.  In 1757 he was at the Havannah, where he died (ante, i. 242, n. i).  He was Johnson’s beloved friend, of whom ’he hardly ever spoke without tears in his eyes’ (ante, i. 190, n. 2).  The Proposal, I have no doubt, was either written, or at all events revised, by Johnson.  It is quite in his style.  It may be assumed that it is in Bathurst’s handwriting.

II.

An apologetical letter about some work that was passing through the press; undated, but probably written about the years 1753-5.[In the possession of Mr. Frederick Barker.]

’DEAR SIR,

’What you tell me I am ashamed never to have thought on—­I wish I had known it sooner—­Send me back the last sheet; and the last copy for correction.  If you will promise me henceforward to print a sheet a day, I will promise you to endeavour that you shall have every day a sheet to print, beginning next Tuesday.

’I am Sir, Your most, &c.

‘SAM.  JOHNSON.’

‘To Mr. Strahan.’

In all likelihood Johnson is writing about the Dictionary.  The absence of a date, as I have already said, is strong evidence that the letter was written comparatively early.  As the first edition of the Dictionary was in folio a sheet consisted of four pages.  Johnson writing on April 3, 1753 says, ’I began the second vol. of my Dictionary, room being left in the first for Preface, Grammar, and History, none of them yet begun’ (ante, i. 255).  As the book was published on April 15, 1755 (ante, i. 290, n. 1), the printing must have gone on very rapidly, when a start was once made.  By copy he means his manuscript for printing.

III, IV.

Two undated letters about printing the Dictionary.[In the possession of Mr. John Waller, 2, Artesian Road, Westbourne Grove.]

’DEAR SIR,

’I must desire you to add to your other civilities this one, to go to Mr. Millar and represent to him the manner of going on, and inform him that I know not how to manage.  I pay three and twenty shillings a week to my assistants, in each instance having much assistance from them, but they tell me they shall be able to pull better in method, as indeed I intend they shall.  The Point is to get two Guineas.

’Sir, Your humble Servant,
‘SAM.  JOHNSON.’ 
(Address on back.) ‘To Mr. Strahan.’

’SIR,