Page:Johnsonian Miscellanies II.djvu/464

 456 Letters of Dr. Johnson.

at my heart and because I am not conscious that I ever deserved it. I have not perhaps been always careful enough to please but you can charge me, and I can charge myself with no offence which a Brother may not forgive.

If you ask me what I suffer from you, I can answer that I suffer too much in the loss of your notice ; but to that is added the neglect of the world which is the consequence of yours.

If you ask what will satisfy me, I shall be satisfied with such a degree of attention when I visit you, as may set me above the contempt of your servants, with your calling now and then at my lodgings and with your inviting me from time to time with such parties as I may properly appear in. This is not much for a sister who has at least done you no harm, and this I hope you will promise by your answer to this letter ; for a refusal will give me more pain than you can desire or intend to inflict.

I am, &c.

DEAR MADAM,

This is my letter, which at least I like better than yours. But take your choice, and if you like mine alter any thing that you think not ladylike. I shall call at about one.

��SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS TO Miss REYNOLDS x.

Richmond 2.

DEAR SISTER,

I am very much obliged to you for your kind and generous

thy inside now is, as I told thee ten x From the original in the posses- year since I will not shut the door sion of Lady Colomb. This letter is against thee. But it may be, thy endorsed by Miss Reynolds: 'I be- soul is past all recovery. If so, I shall lieve in '81.'

never see thee more. Thy vissitation 2 On Aug. 25, 1780, Johnson wrote

is not yet come : and who knows in to Mrs. Thrale : * I have not dined

what shape it will come : or whether out for some time but with Renny

it will come at all. Wo be to thee if [Miss Reynolds] or Sir Joshua ; and

it does not come. next week Sir Joshua goes to Devon-

From thy best friend shire, and Renny to Richmond, and

ELIZ. JOHNSON. I am left by myself.' Letters, ii. 201.

Nov. 8t%, 1776.' ' Sir Joshua's house is delightfully

She declined his offer to receive situated, almost at the top of Rich-

into his house one of her sons 'who mondHill.' Mme. D'Arblay's Z^Vwj,

had shown some talent in drawing.' ii. 143.

Taylor's Reynolds, i. 461.

offer

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