“All friends remember you very kindly, and our little club at the Q. Arms never fail to devote a bumper to you, except when they are in the humour of drinking none but scoundrels.  I send my best compliments to Mrs. Smollett and two other ladies, and beg you’ll write me as soon as suits you:  and with black ink.  I am always, my dear Doctor, most affectionately yours,—­

“JOHN ARMSTRONG.”

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The letter to Wilkes had been written many years before, to obtain his assistance in procuring the release of Johnson’s black servant, who had been impressed.  It was couched in free terms respecting Dr. Johnson, and was probably now given by Wilkes to the press in the hope that it might do its author harm with the Cham, or at least cause the latter some annoyance.

Armstrong’s next letter finds him arrived in Italy, and on the eve of repairing to his friend at Leghorn.

DR. ARMSTRONG TO DR. SMOLLETT.

“Rome, 2nd June, 1770.

“Dear Doctor,—­I arrived here last Thursday night, and since that have already seen all the most celebrated wonders of Rome.  But I am most generally disappointed in these matters; partly, I suppose, from my expectations being too high.  But what I have seen has been in such a hurry as to make it a fatigue:  besides, I have strolled about amongst them neither in very good humour nor very good health.

“I have delayed writing till I could lay before you the plan of my future operations for a few weeks.  I propose to post it to Naples about the middle of next week, along with a Colonel of our Country, who seems to be a very good-natured man.  After remaining a week or ten days there, I shall return hither, and, after having visited Tivoli and Frascati, set out for Leghorn, if possible, in some vessel from Civita Vecchia; for I hate the lodgings upon the road in this country.  I don’t expect to be happy till I see Leghorn; and if I find my Friend in such health as I wish him, or even hope for him, I shall not be disappointed in the chief pleasure I proposed to myself in my visit to Italy.  As you talked of a ramble somewhere towards the South of France, I shall be extremely happy to attend you.

“I wrote to my brother from Genoa, and desired him to direct his answer to your care at Pisa.  If it comes, please direct it, with your own letter, for which I shall long violently look, care of Mr. Francis Barazzi at Rome.  I am, with my best compliments to Mrs. Smollett and the rest of the ladies, &c.,

“JOHN ARMSTRONG.”

* * * * *