What words were used by Mr. Macpherson in his letter to the venerable Sage, I have never heard; but they are generally said to have been of a nature very different from the language of literary contest.  Dr. Johnson’s answer appeared in the news-papers of the day, and has since been frequently re-published; but not with perfect accuracy.  I give it as dictated to me by himself, written down in his presence, and authenticated by a note in his own handwriting, ’This, I think, is a true copy.’

’Mr. James Macpherson,—­I received your foolish and impudent letter.  Any violence offered me I shall do my best to repel; and what I cannot do for myself, the law shall do for me.  I hope I shall never be deterred from detecting what I think a cheat, by the menaces of a ruffian.

’What would you have me retract?  I thought your book an imposture; I think it an imposture still.  For this opinion I have given my reasons to the publick, which I here dare you to refute.  Your rage I defy.  Your abilities, since your Homer, are not so formidable; and what I hear of your morals, inclines me to pay regard not to what you shall say, but to what you shall prove.  You may print this if you will.’

‘Sam.  Johnson.’

Mr. Macpherson little knew the character of Dr. Johnson, if he supposed that he could be easily intimidated; for no man was ever more remarkable for personal courage.  He had, indeed, an aweful dread of death, or rather, ‘of something after death;’ and what rational man, who seriously thinks of quitting all that he has ever known, and going into a new and unknown state of being, can be without that dread?  But his fear was from reflection; his courage natural.  His fear, in that one instance, was the result of philosophical and religious consideration.  He feared death, but he feared nothing else, not even what might occasion death.  Many instances of his resolution may be mentioned.  One day, at Mr. Beauclerk’s house in the country, when two large dogs were fighting, he went up to them, and beat them till they separated; and at another time, when told of the danger there was that a gun might burst if charged with many balls, he put in six or seven, and fired it off against a wall.  Mr. Langton told me, that when they were swimming together near Oxford, he cautioned Dr. Johnson against a pool, which was reckoned particularly dangerous; upon which Johnson directly swam into it.  He told me himself that one night he was attacked in the street by four men, to whom he would not yield, but kept them all at bay, till the watch came up, and carried both him and them to the round-house.  In the playhouse at Lichfield, as Mr. Garrick informed me, Johnson having for a moment quitted a chair which was placed for him between the side-scenes, a gentleman took possession of it, and when Johnson on his return civilly demanded his seat, rudely refused to give it up; upon which Johnson laid hold of it, and tossed him and the chair