s; in a word, that there was
a collusion between Johnson and the earl's adversaries. Fired with
these suppositions, he first expressed his resentment, by giving Johnson
notice to quit the farm which he possessed on the estate; but finding
the trustees had confirmed the lease, he determined to gratify his
revenge by assassination, and laid his plan accordingly. On Sunday, the
thirteenth day of January, he appointed this unhappy man to come to
his house on the Friday following, in order to peruse papers, or settle
accounts; and Johnson went thither without the least suspicion of what
was prepared for his reception; for although he was no stranger to
his lordship's dangerous disposition, and knew he had some time before
incurred his displeasure, yet he imagined his resentment had entirely
subsided, as the earl had of late behaved to him with remarkable
complacency. He therefore, at the time appointed, repaired to his
lordship's house at Stanton, in Leicestershire, at the distance of a
short mile from his own habitation, and was admitted by a maid-servant.
The earl had dismissed every person in the house, upon various
pretences, except three women who were left in the kitchen. Johnson,
advancing to the door of his apartment, was received by his lordship,
who desired him to walk into another room, where he joined him in a few
minutes, and then the door was locked on the inside. After a great deal
of warm expostulation, the earl insisted upon his subscribing a paper,
acknowledging himself a villain; and on his refusing to comply with this
demand, declared he would put him to death. In vain the unfortunate
man remonstrated against this cruel injustice, and deprecated the
indignation of this furious nobleman. He remained deaf to all his
entreaties, drew forth a pistol, which he had loaded for the purpose,
and commanding him to implore heaven's mercy on his knees, shot him
through the body while he remained in that supplicating attitude. The
consequence of this violence was not immediate death; but his lordship,
seeing the wretched victim still alive and sensible, though agonized
with pain, felt a momentary motion of pity. He ordered his servants to
convey Mr. Johnson up stairs to a bed, to send for a surgeon, and give
immediate notice of the accident to the wounded man's family. When Mr.
Johnson's daughter came to the house, she was met by the earl, who told
her he had shot her father on purpose, and with deliberation. The same