the money for which he
had contracted to write his Dictionary. We have seen that the reward of
his labour was only fifteen hundred and seventy-five pounds; and when
the expence of amanuenses and paper, and other articles are deducted,
his clear profit was very inconsiderable. I once said to him, 'I am
sorry, Sir, you did not get more for your Dictionary.' His answer was,
'I am sorry, too. But it was very well. The booksellers are generous,
liberal-minded men.' He, upon all occasions, did ample justice to
their character in this respect. He considered them as the patrons of
literature; and, indeed, although they have eventually been considerable
gainers by his Dictionary, it is to them that we owe its having been
undertaken and carried through at the risk of great expence, for they
were not absolutely sure of being indemnified.

He this year resumed his scheme of giving an edition of Shakspeare with
notes.* He issued Proposals of considerable length, in which he
shewed that he perfectly well knew what a variety of research such an
undertaking required; but his indolence prevented him from pursuing it
with that diligence which alone can collect those scattered facts that
genius, however acute, penetrating, and luminous, cannot discover by its
own force. It is remarkable, that at this time his fancied activity
was for the moment so vigorous, that he promised his work should be
published before Christmas, 1757. Yet nine years elapsed before it
saw the light. His throes in bringing it forth had been severe and
remittent; and at last we may almost conclude that the Caesarian
operation was performed by the knife of Churchill, whose upbraiding
satire, I dare say, made Johnson's friends urge him to dispatch.

'He for subscribers bates his hook,
And takes your cash; but where's the book?
No matter where; wise fear, you know,
Forbids the robbing of a foe;
But what, to serve our private ends,
Forbids the cheating of our friends?'

* First proposed in 1745--ED.

About this period he was offered a living of considerable value in
Lincolnshire, if he were inclined to enter into holy orders. It was
a rectory in the gift of Mr. Langton, the father of his much
valued friend. But he did not accept of it; partly I believe from
a conscientious motive, being persuaded that his temper and habits
rendered him unfit for that assiduous and familiar instruction of
the vulgar and ignorant which he held to