’The two Wartons just looked into the town, and were taken to see Cleone, where, David* says, they were starved for want of company to keep them warm.  David and Doddy** have had a new quarrel, and, I think, cannot conveniently quarrel any more.  Cleone was well acted by all the characters, but Bellamy left nothing to be desired.  I went the first night, and supported it, as well as I might; for Doddy, you know, is my patron, and I would not desert him.  The play was very well received.  Doddy, after the danger was over, went every night to the stage-side, and cried at the distress of poor Cleone.

     * Mr. Garrick—­Boswell.

     ** Mr. Dodsley, the Authour of Cleone.—­Boswell.

’I have left off housekeeping, and therefore made presents of the game which you were pleased to send me.  The pheasant I gave to Mr. Richardson,* the bustard to Dr. Lawrence, and the pot I placed with Miss Williams, to be eaten by myself.  She desires that her compliments and good wishes may be accepted by the family; and I make the same request for myself.

     * Mr. Samuel Richardson, authour of Clarissa.—­Boswell.

’Mr. Reynolds has within these few days raised his price to twenty guineas a head, and Miss is much employed in miniatures.  I know not any body [else] whose prosperity has increased since you left them.

’Murphy is to have his Orphan of China acted next month; and is therefore, I suppose, happy.  I wish I could tell you of any great good to which I was approaching, but at present my prospects do not much delight me; however, I am always pleased when I find that you, dear Sir, remember, your affectionate, humble servant,

Sam.  Johnson.’

‘Jan. 9, 1758.’

Dr. Burney has kindly favoured me with the following memorandum, which I take the liberty to insert in his own genuine easy style.  I love to exhibit sketches of my illustrious friend by various eminent hands.

’Soon after this, Mr. Burney, during a visit to the capital, had an interview with him in Gough-square, where he dined and drank tea with him, and was introduced to the acquaintance of Mrs. Williams.  After dinner, Mr. Johnson proposed to Mr. Burney to go up with him into his garret, which being accepted, he there found about five or six Greek folios, a deal writing-desk, and a chair and a half.  Johnson giving to his guest the entire seat, tottered himself on one with only three legs and one arm.  Here he gave Mr. Burney Mrs. Williams’s history, and shewed him some volumes of his Shakspeare already printed, to prove that he was in earnest.  Upon Mr. Burney’s opening the first volume, at the Merchant of Venice, he observed to him, that he seemed to be more severe on Warburton than Theobald.  “O poor Tib.! (said Johnson) he was ready knocked down to my hands; Warburton stands between me and him.”  “But, Sir, (said Mr. Burney,) you’ll have Warburton upon your bones, won’t you?” “No,