Page:Johnsonian Miscellanies II.djvu/393

 the way, to see Dr. Johnson. Strachan J and Langton there. No hopes ; though a great discharge had taken place from the legs.

1 2th. Came down about ten; read reviews, wrote to Mrs. Siddons, and then went to the ice ; came home only in time to dress and go to my mother's to dinner. About half past seven went to Dr. Johnson's, where I stayed, chiefly in the outer room, till past eleven. Strachan there during the whole time ; during part Mr. Hoole ; and latterly Mr. Cruikshank and the apothecary. I only went in twice, for a few minutes each time : the first time I hinted only what they had before been urging ; namely, that he would be prevailed upon to take some sustenance, and desisted upon his exclaiming. ' 'Tis all very childish; let us hear no more of it V The second time I came in, in consequence of a consultation with Mr. Cruikshank and the apothecary, and addressed him formally. After premising that I considered what I was going to say as a matter of duty ; I said that I hoped he would not suspect me of the weakness of importuning him to take nourishment for the purpose of prolonging his life for a few hours or days. I then stated what the reason was, that it was to secure that which I was persuaded he was most anxious about ; namely, that he might preserve his faculties entire to the last moment. Before I had quite stated my meaning, he interrupted me by saying, that he had refused no sustenance but inebriating sustenance; and proceeded to give instances where, in compliance with the wishes of his physician, he had taken even a small quantity of wine. I readily assented to any objec tions he might have to nourishment of that kind, and observing that milk was the only nourishment I intended, flattered myself that I had succeeded in my endeavours, when he recurred to his general refusal, and ' begged that there might be an end of it/ I then said, that I hoped he would forgive my earnestness or something to that effect, when he replied eagerly, that from me nothing would be necessary by way of apology ; adding, with great fervour, in words which I shall (I hope) never forget, ' God bless you, my dear Windham, through Jesus Christ ;' and con cluding with a wish 'that we might [share] in some humble portion of that happiness which God might finally vouchsafe to 1 Rev. George Strahan. 2 Ante^ ii. 159.

VOL. II. C c repentant

�� �