1810.] 
and next to inspired excellence of last 
Sunday’s, filled mie with a transport of 
gratitude and admiration, which still al. 
most totally deprives me of the power of 
‘Speaking it. he first sentiment I was 
capable of expressing, was a rapture of 
thankfulness to the great Creator, and 
comforter of the world ; that still such a 
friend remained in it, and then that I, 
whe can plead so small a claim, or 
promise so poor a return ; that I should 
possess such a share in a_ friendship, 
which orators have preached, poets have 
printed, and princes have wished, in 
vain. But [ shall not tire you with all 
you havemade me feel, nor offend your 
delicacy with praise, as undesired as de- 
served. Be it my glory to improve your 
exalted precepts; and so to cultivate that 
benevolence, as to preserve such a cor- 
respondent, 
The treasure of my dear mother’s Ict- 
ters, which I have been long amassing, 
and which I shall ever guard with vene- 
ration, will greatly facilitate the painful, 
though pious task, you prescribe, which 
it might indeed almost wholly save me; 
but which I am fully determined, by your 
sage advice, literally to perform. If I 
shall eagerly embrace every scheme that 
can perpetuate the memory, and even 
the presence, af my beloved, my honoured 
guardian; that can preserve and invi- 
gorate those important lessons, to which 
I owe alt I have that is valuable; all that 
has heen my past, that constitutes my 
present, or shall found my future hap- 
Piness; with how much greater ardour 
Shall 1 then pursue a method, which I 
am fond to believe may increase the 
felicity of my best benefactress ; or which 
may at least animate a piety, lasting as 
my life, in return of a piety lasting as 
her’s!_ Long may you, dear Sir, possess 
your long-possessed parent; and late 
‘may my duty of congratulation be 
turned into my debt of condolence. 
Some of the friends to whom | come 
municated my letter, have insisted with 
me to put it into the Scot’s Magazine, 
for the benefit of my country. But, 
however sensible i am of its uncommon 
value, and of the consolation it inight 
convey to thousands, who cannot boast 
Such a correspondent, yet certain scra- 
ples have obliged me to deny the bene- 
volent request, in hopes that I shail 
easily prevail with you, Sir, to favour the 
public with an essay, comprising the 
Principal thonghts of the letter, and 
parposely adapted to still more exten- 
yive utility. hough T would not wil 
“Im your's, 
‘ 
Original Letters to and from James Elphinston. 595 
lingly lavish my private treasures, far less 
publish aught without its author’s leave, 
I shall join with no less ardour in the 
public gratitude, that you shall have so 
extended the happiness, without impair- 
ing the honour, conferred on one, whose 
glory it is to subscribe himself, 
Hear Sir, 
Your most obliged friend, 
Edinburgh, _ James ELPHINSTON. 
October 4, 1750. 
To DR. JOHNSON. 
T thought you, dear Sir, in my debt, , 
but alas! my sister’s letter which I yes- 
terday received, praves me very deeply 
And oh! that I were as able 
as willing to pay. Your tender friend- 
ship and exalted genius, flew unasked to 
my aid, when { lost my (then) nearest 
and dearest relation. Oh! that I could 
now minister equal comfort to you, be 
rejt of a nearer and dearer. 
deed (and am proud to own it) par- 
ticipate vour sorrow, if hence it can find 
any alleviation; and do with the mure 
tender sensibility join in mourning your 
loss, that I now can, from tasting a like 
happy union, judge what must have been 
your enjoyment. 
of the latter, were to augment your 
grief; my idea of the former, is scarce to 
myself supportable. It forces, however, 
upon me a consideration, which I have 
hitherto been willing ‘to banish from iny 
mind ; 
must one day be broken; that the hap- 
piest pair one day must part; that one 
shall probably go a moment before the 
other, to complete perhaps the probation 
of both, and prepare their eternal reo 
union. For me, therefore, it is good to 
sorrow wath you, as well as to hope. 
But surely, my dear friend, it were as 
bold as unnecessary, for me to offer any 
hints, either of conselation or counsel, 
to a sufferer, who has so powerfully 
taught the public in general, and me in 
particular, te indulge nature within the 
limits of reason, and to exalt thé man 
iato a christian. 
But since that modesty, which ever 
accompanies superior merit, has 
prompted your grief to seek the aid it 
used to convey; in obedience, I must 
answer, and in justice, declare, that of 
the various liniments which allayed my 
distress, none was equal to your public, 
far less to your private, productions, 
Other sources of solace you know better 
than myself 
mix my tears with your's, and to wish 
. ¥ o4 
I can ine - 
To paint my notion. 
that the strongest human tie. 
J have therefore only to. 
a 
> 
