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338 presuming to trouble you with a request, that a stranger’s petition, if it cannot be easily granted, can be easily refused.

[“Some of the apartments are now vacant in which I am encouraged to hope that by application to your lordship I may obtain a residence. Such a grant would be considered by me as a great favour; and I hope that to a man who has had the honour of vindicating his Majesty’s Government, a retreat in one of his houses may not be improperly or unworthily allowed.

[“I therefore request that your lordship will be pleased to grant such rooms in Hampton Court as shall seem proper to

“My Lord, “Your lordship’s most obedient, “And most faithful humble servant, "

“April 11, 1776.”

[Indorsed, “Mr. Saml. Johnson to the Earl of Hertford, requesting apartments at Hampton Court. 11th May, 1776.” And within, a memorandum of the answer.

[“Lord C. presents his compliments to Mr. Johnson, and is sorry he cannot obey his commands, having already on his hands many engagements unsatisfied.”

[How this curious incident escaped the prying biographer who would have made so much of it, is difficult to surmise. The presumption is that it was