The shepherd in Virgil grew at last acquainted with Love, and found him a native of the rocks.

Is not a patron, my lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in the water, and when he has reached ground, encumbers him with help?  The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labours, had it been early had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it.  I hope it is no very cynical asperity, not to confess obligations, where no benefit has been received, or to be unwilling that the public should consider me as owing that to a patron, which Providence has enabled me to do for myself.

Having carried on my work thus far with so little obligation to any favourer of learning, I shall not be disappointed though I shall conclude it, if less be possible, with less; for I have been long wakened from that dream of hope in which I once boasted myself with so much exultation.

My Lord,

Your Lordship’s most humble,
most obedient servant.

To JAMES BOSWELL

A silent friend

13 July, 1779.

DEAR SIR,

What can possibly have happened that keeps us two such strangers to each other?  I expected to have heard from you when you came home; I expected afterwards.  I went into the country and returned, and yet there is no letter from Mr. Boswell.  No ill, I hope, has happened; and if ill should happen, why should it be concealed from him who loves you?  Is it a fit of humour, that has disposed you to try who can hold out longest without writing?  If it be, you have the victory.  But I am afraid of something bad; set me free from my suspicions.

My thoughts are at present employed in guessing the reason of your silence; you must not expect that I should tell you anything, if I had anything to tell.  Write, pray write to me, and let me know what is or what has been the cause of this long interruption.

To MRS. THRALE

A great man’s fortitude

19 June, 1783.

ON Monday the 16th, I sat for my picture and walked a considerable way with little inconvenience.  In the afternoon and evening I felt myself light and easy, and began to plan schemes of life.  Thus I went to bed, and in a short time waked and sat up, as has been long my custom, when I felt a confusion and indistinctness in my head, which lasted, I suppose, about half a minute.  I was alarmed, and prayed God, that however he might afflict my body, he would spare my understanding.  This prayer, that I might try the integrity of my faculties, I made in Latin verse.  The lines were not very good, but I knew them not to be very good:  I made them easily, and concluded myself to be unimpaired in my faculties.