wer of reasoning and eloquence. I
am very sorry that I have no record of that day: but I well recollect my
illustrious friend's having ably shewn, that unless civil institutions
insure protection to the innocent, all the confidence which mankind
should have in them would be lost.

Notwithstanding the complication of disorders under which Johnson now
laboured, he did not resign himself to despondency and discontent, but
with wisdom and spirit endeavoured to console and amuse his mind with
as many innocent enjoyments as he could procure. Sir John Hawkins has
mentioned the cordiality with which he insisted that such of the members
of the old club in Ivy-lane as survived, should meet again and dine
together, which they did, twice at a tavern and once at his house: and
in order to insure himself society in the evening for three days in the
week, he instituted a club at the Essex Head, in Essex-street, then kept
by Samuel Greaves, an old servant of Mr. Thrale's.

'TO SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS.

'DEAR SIR,--It is inconvenient to me to come out, I should else have
waited on you with an account of a little evening Club which we are
establishing in Essex-street, in the Strand, and of which you are
desired to be one. It will be held at the Essex Head, now kept by an old
servant of Thrale's. The company is numerous, and, as you will see by
the list, miscellaneous. The terms are lax, and the expences light. Mr.
Barry was adopted by Dr. Brocklesby, who joined with me in forming the
plan. We meet thrice a week, and he who misses forfeits two-pence.

'If you are willing to become a member, draw a line under your name.
Return the list. We meet for the first time on Monday at eight. I am,
&c.

'Dec. 4, 1783.'

'SAM. JOHNSON.'

It did not suit Sir Joshua to be one of this Club. But when I mention
only Mr. Daines Barrington, Dr. Brocklesby, Mr. Murphy, Mr. John
Nichols, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Joddrel, Mr. Paradise, Dr. Horsley, Mr.
Windham,* I shall sufficiently obviate the misrepresentation of it by
Sir John Hawkins, as if it had been a low ale-house association, by
which Johnson was degraded. Johnson himself, like his namesake Old Ben,
composed the Rules of his Club.

* I was in Scotland when this Club was founded, and during
all the winter. Johnson, however, declared I should be a
member, and invented a word upon the occasion: Boswell (said
he,) is a very CLUBABLE man.' When I came to town I was
proposed by M