216] A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



sum. These amicable offers, however, were not accepted ; the ter- 

 mination of his useful life approached, and his dropsy and asthma 

 were pronounced incurable. 



That terror of death which is said to have preyed on the spirits 

 of Doctor Johnson, has been attributed to his constitutional melan- 

 choly, but there is also reason to suppose that the estimation in 

 which he was held by numerous and respectable friends, the com- 

 fortable accommodations supplied by a competent income, and the 

 gratification arising from a well-earned fame, all contributed to 

 heighten the natural dread of dissolution. Yet he endured the pains 

 of disease with becoming fortitude ; and felt a revival of his filial 

 affection, as the moment approached when he might hope to see his 

 parents in a higher state of existence. 



This appears by the following letter written by him eleven days 

 before his death : 



" To MR. GREENE, Apothecary, at Lichfield. 



"DEAR SIR, 



" I have enclosed the epitaph for my father, mother, and bro- 

 ther, to be all engraved on the large size, and laid in the middle 

 aisle in St. Michael's Church, which I request the clergyman and 

 churchwardens to permit. 



" The first care must be to find the exact place of interment, 

 that the stone may protect the bodies. Then let the stone be 

 deep, massy, and hard ; and do not let the difference of ten pounds 

 or more defeat our purpose. 



" 1 have enclosed ten pounds, and Mrs. Porter will pay you ten 

 more, which I gave her for the same purpose ; and I beg that all 

 possible haste may be made, for I wish to have it done while lam 

 yet alive. Let me know, dear Sir, that you receive this. 



" I am, &c. 

 " Dec. 2, 1784." " SAM. JOHNSON." 



On the Thursday before his death, when Dr. Brocklesby gave 

 his final opinion that he could never recover without a miracle : 

 " Then," said he, " I will take no more physic, not even my opi- 

 ates ; for I have prayed that I may render up my soul to God un- 

 clouded." 



The following authentic and edifying account of the death of 

 Dr. Johnson, was published by his intimate friend Dr. Brocklesby : 



" For some time before his death, all his fears were calmed and 

 absorbed by the prevalence of his faith, and his trust in the me- 

 rits and propitiation of JESUS CHRIST. 



