At tea-time, when I went into the library, I found Johnson reading, and Mrs. Thrale in close conference with Mr. Murphy.

“If I,” said Mr. Murphy, looking very archly, “had writte a certain book—­a book I won’t name, but a book I have lately read—­I would next write a comedy.”

“Good,” cried Mrs. Thrale, colouring with pleasure; “you think so too?”

“Yes, indeed; I thought so while I was reading it; it struc me repeatedly.”

" Don’t look at me, Miss Burney,” cried Mrs. Thrale, “for this is no doing of mine.  Well, I wonder what Miss Burney will do twenty years hence, when she can blush no more; for now she can never hear the name of her book.”

Mr. M.-Nay, I name no book; at least no author:  how can I, for I don’t know the author; there is no name given to it:  I only say, whoever wrote that book ought to write a comedy.  Dr. Johnson might write it for aught I know.

F. B.-Oh, yes!

Mr. M.-Nay, I have often told him he does not know his own strength, or he would write a comedy, and so I think.

Dr. j. (laughing)-Suppose Burney and I begin together?

Mr. M.-Ah, I wish you would!  I wish you would Beaumont and Fletcher us!

F.B.-My father asked me, this morning, how my head stood.  If he should have asked me this evening, I don’t know what answer I must have made.

Mr. M.-I have no wish to turn anybody’s head:  I speak what I really think;—­comedy is the forte of that book.  I laughed over it most violently:  and if the author—­I won’t say who [all the time looking away from me]—­will write a comedy I will most readily, and with great pleasure, give any advice or assistance in my power.

“Well, now you are a sweet man!” cried Mrs. Thrale, who looked ready to kiss him.  “Did not I tell you, Miss Burney, that Mr. Murphy was the man?”

Mr. M.-All I can do, I shall be very happy to do; and at least I will undertake to say I can tell what the sovereigns of the upper gallery will bear:  for they are the most formidable part of an audience.  I have had so much experience in this

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sort of work, that I believe I can always tell what will be hissed at least.  And if Miss Burney will write, and will show me—­

.Dr. J.- Come, come, have done with this now; why should you overpower her?  Let’s have no more of it.  I don’t mean to dissent from what you say; I think well of it, and approve of it; but you have said enough of it.

Mr. Murphy, who equally loves and reverences Dr. Johnson, instantly changed the subject.

Yesterday, at night, I asked Dr. Johnson if he would permit me to take a great liberty with him?  He assented with the most encouraging smile.  And then I said,

“I believe, sir, you heard part of what passed between Mr. Murphy and me the other evening, concerning-a a comedy.  Now, if I should make such an attempt, would you be so good as to allow me, any time before Michaelmas, to put it in the coach, for you to look over as you go to town?”