a judge to condemn a man unjustly; there fore it is the judge whom we profecute and punish. Political inftitutions are formed on the confideration of what will most frequently tend to the good of the whole, although now and then exceptions may occur. Thus, it is better that a nation fhould have a fupreme legislative power, although it may at times be abused. And then, Sir, there is this confideration, that, if the abuse be enormous, nature will rife up, and claiming her original right, overturn a corrupt political Syftem."

well adds,

This generous fentiment," Mr. Bof"which he uttered with great fervour, ftruck me exceedingly, and stirred my blood to that pitch of fancied refiftance, the poffibility of which I am glad to keep in mind, but to which, I trust, I fhall never be forced."

In this year, he also wrote the "Life of Afcham," and the "Dedication to the Earl

of Shaftsbury," prefixed to the edition of his English works, published by Mr. Ben

net.

To enlarge his circle, and to find opportunities for converfation, Johnson once more had recourse to a club. In February 1764, was founded that club, which afterwards became distinguished by the title of the LITERARY CLUB. Sir Joshua Reynolds was the first propofer, to which Johnson acceded; and the original members were, befide himself, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Mr. Burke, Dr. Nugent, Mr. Beauclerk, Mr. Langton, Mr. Chamier, Sir John Hawkins, and Goldsmith. They met at the Turk's Head, in Gerard Street, Soho, on every Monday evening through the year.

He wrote this year" A Review" of Grainger's "Sugar Cane," in the " London Chronicle," in conjunction with Dr. Percy; and an account of Goldfmith's "Traveller," in the Critical Review."

66

About this time, he was afflicted with a fevere return of the hypochondriac diforder, which was ever lurking about him. He was fo ill as to be entirely averse to fociety, the moft fatal fymptom of that malady.

The fucceeding year, 1765, was remarkable for the commencement of his acquaintance with Henry Thrale, Efq. one of the most eminent brewers in England, and member of parliament for Southwark. Mr. Murphy, who was intimate with Mr. Thrale, having fpoken very highly of Johnfon's converfation, he was requested to make them acquainted. This being mentioned to Johnson, he accepted an invitation to dinner at Mr. Thrale's, and was fo much pleafed with his reception, both by Mr. and Mrs. Thrale, and they fo much pleafed with him, that his invitations to their house were more and more frequent; till at laft, in 1776, he became one of the fa

mily; and an apartment was appropriated to him, both in their houfe in Southwark, and in their villa at Streatham.

Nothing could be more fortunate for Johnson than this connection. He had at Mr. Thrale's all the comforts, and even the luxuries of life; his melancholy was diverted, and his irregular habits leffened, by affociation with an agreeable and well-ordered family. He was treated with the utmost respect, and even affection. Johnfon had a very fincere esteem for Mr. Thrale, as a man of excellent principles, a good scholar, well-skilled in trade, of a found understanding, and of manners fuch as presented the character of a plain independent English 'fquire. He understood and valued Johnfon, without remiffion, from their firft acquaintance to the day of his death. Of Mrs. Thrale, now Mrs. Piozzi, a lady of lively parts, improved by education, “less cannot be faid," fays Mr. Tyers, "than

that in one of the latter opinions of Johnfon :" "If fhe was not the wifeft woman in the world, she was undoubtedly one of the wittieft." She took fuch care of him, during an illness of some continuance, that Goldsmith told her, " he owed his life to her attention." "To a natural vivacity in conversation, she had reading enough, and the gods had made her poetical." The vivacity of Mrs. Thrale's literary talk rouzed him to cheerfulness and attention, even when they were alone. But this was not often the cafe; for he found here a conftant fucceffion of what gave him the highest enjoyment. The fociety of the learned, the witty, and the eminent in every way, who were affembled in numerous companies, called forth his wonderful powers, and gratified him with admiration, to which no man could be infenfible.

There is something in the conduct of this worthy poffeffor of wealth, which the mind