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 Cave on this subject is still extant, and may well justify Sir John Hawkins, who inferred that Johnson was the translator of Crousaz J. The conclusion of the letter is remarkable. ' I am yours, IMPRANSUS.' If by that Latin word was meant that he had not dined, because he wanted the means, who can read it, even at this hour, without an aching heart 2 ?

With a mind naturally vigorous, ang 1 quickened by necessity, Johnson formed a multiplicity of "projects ;* but most of them proved abortive. A number of small tracts issued from his pen with wonderful rapidity ; such as ' MARMOR NORFOLCIENSE ; or an Essay on an ancient prophetical Inscription, in Monkish Rhyme, [lately] discovered at Lynn [near Lynne] in Norfolk. By Probus Britannicus! This was a pamphlet against Sir Robert Walpole. According to Sir John Hawkins, a warrant was issued to apprehend the Author, who retired with his wife to an obscure lodging near Lambeth Marsh, and there eluded the search of the messengers 3 . But this story has no foundation in truth. Johnson was never known to mention such an incident in his life ; and Mr. Steele (late of the Treasury) caused diligent search to be made at the proper offices, and no trace of such a proceeding could be found 4 . In the same year (1739) the Lord Chamberlain prohibited the representation of a tragedy, called GUSTAVUS VASA, by Henry Brooke. Under the mask of irony Johnson published, 'A Vindication of the Licencer from the malicious and scandalous Aspersions of Mr. Brooke V Of these two pieces Sir John Hawkins says, ' they have neither learning nor wit ; not a single ray of that genius which has since blazed forth 6 ;' but as they have been lately re-printed,

1 Hawkins, p. 67. once a dreary marsh, and still in

2 Life, i. 137. The original of parts called Lambeth Marsh. . . . this letter, owing to this one word Most of this tract is become firm impransus^ was sold in 1888 for 46. land, and covered with most useful Letters, i. 3. buildings, even to the edge of the

3 Hawkins, p. 72. river.' Pennant, in his London (1790, p. 4 Life, i. 141.

30), writes: 'From Lambeth I re- 5 Ib. i. 140.

turned by the water-side, near the end 6 Hawkins, p. 78. Murphy's quo-

of Westminster Bridge, along a tract tation is inaccurate.

the

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