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 36 Extracts from James Boswell's Letters

You would observe some stupid lines on Mr. Burke in the 'Oracle' by Mr. Boswelll I instantly wrote to Mr. Burke, expressing my indignation at such impertinence, and had next morning a most obliging answer. Sir William Scott told me I could have no legal redress. So I went civilly to Bell, and he promised to mention handsomely that James Boswell, Esq. was not the author of the lines z. The note, however, on the subject was a second impertinence. But I can do nothing. I wish Fox, in his bill upon libels 2, would make a heavy penalty the con sequence of forging any person's name to any composition, which, in reality, such a trick amounts to.

In the night between the last of February and first of this month, I had a sudden relief from the inexplicable disorder, which occasionally clouds my mind and makes me miserable 3 , and it is amazing how well I have been since. Your friendly admonition as to excess in wine has been often too applicable ; but upon this late occasion I erred on the other side. However, as I am now free from my restriction to Courtenay 4, I shall be much upon my guard ; for, to tell the truth, I did go too deep the day before yesterday; having dined with Michael Angelo Taylor 5, and then supped at the London Tavern with the stewards of the Humane Society, and continued till I know not what hour in the morning. John Nichols was joyous to a pitch of bacchanalian vivacity. I am to dine with him next Monday ; an excellent city party, Alderman Curtis, Deputy Birch 6, &c. &c. I rated him gently on his saying so little of your Shake speare 7. He is ready to receive more ample notice. You may

1 Life, i. 190, n. 4. [ed. 1799, p. 247. See also ib. p.

2 On Feb. 21 Fox had given notice 295]. Windham replied : ' Mr. that he intended to bring before the Taylor is fair game enough, and House ' the conduct of the Court of likes that or any other way whatever King's Bench in giving judgment of obtaining notice.' Mme. D'Ar- and sentence upon libels.' Parl. blay's Diary, iv. 139.

Hist, xxviii. 1261. 6 < Every Alderman has his Deputy,

3 Life, i. 343 ; iii. 421. chosen out of the Common Council, Ante, ii. 21. and in some of the wards that are

5 Miss Burney complained to very large the Alderman has two Windham that her father and M. A. Deputies.' Dodsley's London, i. 147. Taylor ' had been most impertinently 7 In the Gentleman's Magazine, of coupled ' in the Probationary Odes which Nichols was editor.

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