v. 154.

[986] This address does not offend against the rule that Johnson lays
down in his _Essay on Epitaphs_ (_Works_, v. 263), where he says:--'It
is improper to address the epitaph to the passenger.' The impropriety
consists in such an address in a church. He however did break through
his rule in his epitaph in Streatham Church on Mr. Thrale, where he
says:--'Abi viator.' _Ib._ i. 154.

[987] In _Humphry Clinker_ (Letter of Aug. 28), which was published a
few months before Smollett's death, is his _Ode on Leven-Water_.

[988] The epitaph which has been inscribed on the pillar erected on the
banks of the Leven, in honour of Dr. Smollett, is as follows. The part
which was written by Dr. Johnson, it appears, has been altered; whether
for the better, the reader will judge. The alterations are distinguished
by Italicks.

Siste viator!
Si lepores ingeniique venam benignam,
Si morum callidissimum pictorem, Unquam es miratus,
Immorare paululum memoriae
TOBIAE SMOLLET, M.D.
Viri virtutibus _hisce_
Quas in homine et cive
Et laudes et imiteris,
Haud mediocriter ornati:
Qui in literis variis versatus,
Postquam felicitate _sibi propria_
Sese posteris commendaverat,
Morte acerba raptus
Anno aetatis 51,
Eheu: quam procul a patria!
Prope Liburni portum in Italia, Jacet sepultres.
Tali tantoque viro, patrueli suo, Cui in decursu lampada
Se potius tradidisse decuit, Hanc Columnam,
Amoris, eheu! inane monumentum In ipsis Leviniae ripis,
Quas _versiculis sub exitu vitae illustratas_
Primis infans vagitibus personuit, Ponendam curavit
JACOBUS SMOLLET de Bonhill. Abi et reminiscere,
Hoc quidem honore, Non modo defuncti memoriae,
Verum etiam exemplo, prospectum esse;
Aliis enim, si modo digni sint,
Idem erit virtutis praemium!

BOSWELL.

[989] Baretti told Malone that, having proposed to teach Johnson
Italian, they went over a few stanzas of Ariosto, and Johnson then grew
weary. 'Some years afterwards Baretti said he would give him another
lesson, but added, "I suppose you have forgotten what we read before."
"Who forgets, Sir?" said Johnson, and immediately repeated three or four
stanzas of the poem.' Baretti took down the book to see if it had been
lately opened, but the leaves were covered with dust. Prior's _Malone_,
p. 160. Johnson had learnt to translate Italian before he knew Ba