HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. [201 



became acquainted with Beauclerk and Langton, two gentlemen of 

 rank, wit, and genius, in whose society he sometimes indulged in 

 freaks of gaity, scarcely reconcileable with his general character 

 for morality. Yet it does not appear that in any instance the gay 

 Beauclerk seduced him into the purlieus of vice ; but < ertain it is, 

 that he sometimes indulged himself in nocturnal festivity with that 

 witty companion, which was incompatible with the character of the 

 author of the Rambler. 



In 1754 Lord Chesterfield, who had formerly treated Johnson 

 with neglect when he applied to him for patronage, was now induced 

 by a desire of reconciliation, to publish two papers in " The World," 

 in recommendation of the Dictionary, which his Lordship fore- 

 saw would confer a new accession of popularity on the author. But 

 Johnson now felt conscious of his own superiority, and could no 

 longer brook the idea of receiving favour from a nobleman who had 

 so far deviated from his characteristic politeness as to treat with 

 neglect the first application of a man of genius. He therefore 

 thought it necessary, in his own defence, to undeceive the public, 

 by publishing the following letter to his Lordship : 



u To the Right Hon. the EABL OF CHESTERFIELD. 



" MY LORD, " February, 1755. 



" I have been lately informed by the proprietor of The World, 

 that two papers, in which my Dictionary is recommended to the 

 public, were written by your Lordship. To be so distinguished, 

 is an honour which, *being very little accustomed to favours from 

 the great, I know not well how to receive, or in what terms to ac- 

 knowledge. 



" When, upon some slight encouragement, I first visited your 

 Lordship, I was overpowered, like the rest of mankind, by the en- 

 chantment of your address ; and could not forbear to wish that I 

 might boast myself Le vainqiteur du vainqutur a't: la tcrrc ; tiiat I 

 might obtain that regard for which I saw the worlu contending; 

 but I found my attendance so little encouraged, that neither pride 

 nor modesty would suffer me to continue it. When I had once ad- 

 dressed your Lordship in public, I had exhausted all the art of 

 pleasing which a retired and uiicourtly scholar can possess. 1 had 

 done all that I could ; and no man is well pleased to have his all 

 neglected, be it ever so little. 



" Seven years, my Lord, are now past since I waited in your 

 outer rooms, or was repulsed from your door; during which time I 



