JOHNSON. 29 



from the Earl, but " as that was so inconsiderable a sum, 

 he thought the mention of it could not properly find a 

 place in a letter of the kind this was/' referring to the 

 passage which speaks very incorrectly of his having re- 

 ceived from Lord Chesterfield " not one act of assistance, 

 one word of encouragement, or one smile of favour." 

 (L, 237.) It seems almost as incorrect to say, that he 

 had never received one smile of favour ; for it is certain 

 that he had been admitted to his society and politely 

 treated. He described him (IV., 353) as of "ex- 

 quisitely elegant manners, with more knowledge than 

 what he expected, and as having conversed with him 

 upon philosophy and literature." The letter which he 

 wrote appears to have been treated with indifference, if 

 not with contempt, by the noble Secretary of State ; for 

 he shewed it to any one that asked to see it, and let it lie 

 on his table open that all might read who pleased. The 

 followers of Johnson quote this as a proof of his dissimu- 

 lation ; possibly he overdid it ; but they should recollect 

 how little any one was likely to feel severely hurt by such 

 a composition, when he could with truth mention, even 

 if he should not choose to do so, that he had given the 

 writer ten pounds without giving him the least offence. 



The stipulated price for the 'Dictionary' was 15751. ; 

 but he had to incur considerable expense in the prepara- 

 tion of it for the press, by having the extracts copied, as 

 well as in the purchase of books which he was obliged to 

 consult. He had for several years to employ three or 

 four amanuenses or clerks, who occupied a room in his 

 house fitted up like an office or a counting-house. In all 

 he employed six, for whom his kindness ever after is 

 known to have been unceasing, and his bounty quite 



