Page:Johnsonian Miscellanies I.djvu/98

 8o Prayers and Meditations.

On Easter day I was at Church early, and there prayed over my Prayer, and commended Tetty and my other Friends. I was for some time much distressed, but at last obtained, I hope from the God of peace, more quiet than I have enjoyed for a long time. I had made no resolution, but as my heart grew lighter, my hopes revived and my courage increased, and I wrote with my pencil in my common prayer book, Vita ordinanda. Biblia legenda. Theologiae opera danda. Serviendum et laetandum x. Scrupulis obsistendum.

I then went to the altar, having I believe, again read my prayer. I then went to the table and communicated, praying for some time afterwards, but the particular matter of my prayer I do not remember.

I dined by an appointment with Mrs. Gardiner 2, and passed the afternoon with such calm gladness of Mind as it is very long since I felt before. I came home and began to read the Bible. I passed the night in such sweet uninterrupted sleep, as I have not known since I slept at Fort Augustus 3.

On Monday I dined with Sheward 4, on Tuesday with Para dise 5 ; the mornings have been devoured by company, and one intrusion has through the whole week succeeded to another.

At the beginning of the year I proposed to myself a scheme of life, and a plan of study, but neither life has been rectified nor study followed. Days and months pass in a dream, and I am afraid that my memory grows less tenacious, and my observation less attentive. If I am decaying, it is time to make haste. My nights are restless and tedious, and my days drowsy. The flatulence which torments me, has sometimes so obstructed my

1 Quoted in the Life, iii. 99. Ib. v. 134. For another good night's

2 ' The wife of a tallow-chandler rest see ante, p. 44.

on Snow Hill, not in the learned 4 Mentioned/^/, p. 102. Johnson

way, but a worthy good woman.' twice mentions a Mrs. Sheward in

Ib. \. 242. his Letters, ii. 310, 314.

3 Where he arrived after a ride of 5 Life, iv. 364, and Letters^ i. 314. thirty-two miles on Aug. 30, 1773.

breath,

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