(Vol. ii, p. 450, n. 1.)

In Mr. Alfred Morrison’s Collection of Autographs, vol. i. p. 103, mention is made among Boswell’s autographs of verses entitled Lurgan Clanbrassil, a supposed Irish song.’

I have learnt, through Mr. Morrison’s kindness, that ’on the document itself there is the following memorandum, signed, so far as can be made out, H. W. R.:—­

“The enclosed song was written and composed by James Boswell, the biographer of Johnson, in commemoration of a tour he made with Mrs. Rudd whilst she was under his protection, for living with whom he displeased his father so much that he threatened to disinherit him.

“Mrs. Rudd had lived with one of the Perreaus, who were tried and executed for forgery.  She was tried at the same time and acquitted.

“My father having heard that Boswell used to sing this song at the Home Circuit, requested it of him, and he wrote it and gave it him.  H.W.  R."’

“Feb. 1828.”

Christopher Smart.

(Vol. ii, p. 454, n. 3.)

Mr. Robert Browning, in his Parleyings with Christopher Smart, under the similitude of ‘some huge house,’ thus describes the general run of that unfortunate poet’s verse:—­

  ’All showed the Golden Mean without a hint
  Of brave extravagance that breaks the rule. 
  The master of the mansion was no fool
  Assuredly, no genius just as sure! 
  Safe mediocrity had scorned the lure
  Of now too much and now too little cost,
  And satisfied me sight was never lost
  Of moderate design’s accomplishment
  In calm completeness.’

Mr. Browning goes on to liken one solitary poem to a Chapel in the house, in which is found—­

  ’from floor to roof one evidence
  Of how far earth may rival heaven.’

Parleyings with certain People of Importance in their Day (pp. 80-82), London, 1887.

Johnsons discussion on baptism—­with Mr. Lloyd, the Birmingham Quaker.

(Vol. ii, p. 458.)

In Farm and its Inhabitants (ante, p. xlii), a further account is given of the controversy between Johnson and Mr. Lloyd the Quaker, on the subject of Barclay’s Apology.

’Tradition states that, losing his temper, Dr. Johnson threw the volume on the floor, and put his foot on it, in denunciation of its statements.  The identical volume is now in the possession of G. B. Lloyd, of Edgbaston Grove.

’At the dinner table he continued the debate in such angry tones, and struck the table so violently that the children were frightened, and desired to escape.

’The next morning Dr. Johnson went to the bank [Mr. Lloyd was a banker] and by way of apology called out in his stentorian voice, “I say, Lloyd, I’m the best theologian, but you are the best Christian.’” p. 41.  It could not have been ‘the next morning’ that Johnson went to the bank, for he left for Lichfield on the evening of the day of the controversy (ante, ii. 461).  He must have gone in the afternoon, while Boswell was away seeing Mr. Boulton’s great works at Soho (ib. p. 459).