HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. [195 



Mr, Johnson in 1735, offered to assist Mr. Bud worth, then Head 

 master of the grammar-school at Breewood, Staffordshire, but his 

 offer was declined. He then engaged as tutor in Mr. Whitby's 

 family at Haywood, where the superiority of his memory was fre- 

 quently displayed, on his return from Colwich church on Sunday, 

 by his repeating the greatest part of the sermon, with critical re- 

 marks and illustrations. 



Conscious of the superiority of his natural endowments and ac- 

 quirements, Johnson, who was ever emulous of distinction, did 

 not continue long in this obscure and secluded state. While in 

 Birmingham he had been introduced to Mrs. Porter, the widow of 

 a mercer in that town, and became captivated by her personal 

 charms and accomplishments. The lady was flattered by the ad- 

 dresses of a man of merit, who was nearly twenty years younger 

 than herself, and consented to a matrimonial union. Johnson, al- 

 ways independent in his sentiments, resolved to assert the dignity 

 of a husband, even on his wedding-day, and came off triumphant. 

 " She had read," says he, " the old romances, and had got into 

 her head the fantastical notion that a woman of spirit should use 

 her lover like a dog. So, at first she told me that I rode too fast, 

 and she could not keep up with me ; and when I rode a little 

 glower, she passed me, and complained that I lagged behind. I 

 was not to be made the slave of caprice ; and I resolved to begin 

 as I meant to end. I therefore pushed on briskly till I was fairly 

 out of her sight. The road lay between two hedges, so 1 was sure 

 she could not miss it j and I contrived that she should soon come 

 up with me. When she did, I observed her to be in tears." 



His wife's fortune Was o800. with part of which he rented Edial- 

 hall, and fitted it up as an academy, of which notice was given by a 

 public advertisement, that "At Edial, near Lichfield, young gen- 

 tlemen are boarded, and taught the Latin or Greek languages, 

 by Samuel Johnson." His warm friend, Mr. Gilbert Walmsley, 

 exerted his influence to promote this plan, but only three pupils 

 could be obtained, one of whom was the celebrated David Garrick, 

 then about eighteen years of age. 



Johnson continued at Edial about a year and a half, during which, 

 besides the instruction of his three pupils, he wj;ote Irene, a tra- 

 gedy, which met the approbation of his judicious friend, Mr. 

 Walmsley, who advised him to go to London and offer it to one of 

 the managers of the principal theatres. In March 1737, he left 

 Mrs. Johnson at Lichfield, and went to London, accompanied by 



