Page:Boswell - Life of Johnson.djvu/600

566 ''Julii, Anno Domini millesimo septingentesimo sexageimo-quinto. In cujus rei testimonium singulorum manus et sigillum lo in hisce utimur apposuimnus; vicesimo tertio die Julii. Anno Domini millesimo septingentesimo sexagesimo-quinto.'' This unsolicited mark of distinction, conferred on so great a literary character, did much honour to the judgement and liberal spirit of that learned body. Johnson acknowledged the favour in a letter to Dr. Leland, one of their number; but I have not been able to obtain a copy of it. He appears this year to have been seized with a temporary fit of ambition, for he had thoughts both of studying law and of engaging in politics. His 'Prayer before the Study of Law' is truly admirable:— 'Sept. 26, 1765. 'Almighty, the giver of wisdom, without whose help resolutions are vain, without whose blessing study is ineffectual; enable me, if it be thy will, to attain such knowledge as may qualify me to direct the doubtful, and instruct the ignorant; to prevent wrongs and terminate contentions; and grant that I may use that knowledge which I shall attain, to thy glory and my own salvation, for sake. Amen .' His prayer in the view of becoming a politician is entitled, 'Engaging in with Hn,' no doubt his friend, the Right Honourable William Gerard Hamilton ', for whom, during a long acquaintance, he had a great esteem, and to whose conversation he once paid this high compliment: 'I am very unwilling to be left alone. Sir, and therefore I go with my company down the first pair of stairs, in some hopes that they may, perhaps, return again. I go with you, Sir, as far as the street-door.' In what particular departmetit