’I must desire your opinion of this scheme by the next post, for the opportunity will be lost if we do not now seize it, the Scholarships being necessarily filled up on Tuesday.

’I depend on your proposed allowance of a hundred a year, which must the first year be a little enlarged because there are some extraordinary expenses, as

Caution (which is allowed in his last quarter). . 7 0 0 Thirds. (He that enters upon a room pays two thirds of the furniture that he finds, and
receives from his successor two thirds of what
he pays; so that if he pays L20 he receives L13 6s. 8d., this perhaps may be) 12 0 0 Fees at entrance, matriculation &c., perhaps 2 0 0 His gown (I think) 2 10 0
________
L 23 10 0

’If you send us a Bill for about thirty pounds we shall set out commodiously enough.  You should fit him out with cloaths and linen, and let him start fair, and it is the opinion of those whom I consult, that with your hundred a year and the petty scholarship he may live with great ease to himself, and credit to you.

’Let me hear as soon as is possible.

’In your affair with the university, I shall not be consulted, but I hear nothing urged against your proposal.

’I am, Sir,
’Your humble servant,
‘SAM.  JOHNSON.’

’Oct. 24, 1764.

’My compliments to Mrs. Strahan.

‘To Mr. Strahan, Printer, in New Street, Shoe-lane, London.’

My friend, Mr. C. J. Faulkner, Fellow and Tutor of University College, has given me the following extracts from the College records:—­

’Oct. 30-31, 1764.  Candidatis examinatis electi sunt Gulielmus Jones et Georgius Strahan in vacuas Exhibitiones Dmi Simonis Benet Baronetti.’

Gulielmus Jones is the famous oriental scholar, Sir William Jones, whose portrait adorns the Hall of his ancient College (ante, ii. 25, n. 2).

On April 16, 1767, is found the election of ’Georgium Strahan, sophistam in perpetuum hujus Collegii Socium.’

He vacated his fellowship in 1773.

The value of a Bennet scholarship in 1764 was ten pounds a year, with rooms added, the rent of which was reckoned as equal to two pounds more.  A fellowship on the same foundation was worth about twenty pounds, with a yearly dividend added to it that amounted to about thirty pounds.  ‘Fines’ (ante, iii. 323) and other extra payments might easily raise the value to more than sixty pounds.

The ‘caution’ is the sum deposited by an undergraduate with the College Bursar or Steward as a security for the payment of his ‘battells’ or account.  Johnson in 1728 had to pay at Pembroke College the same sum (seven pounds) that George Strahan in 1764 had to pay at University College. Ante, i. 58, n. 2.