The Life of Samuel Johnson, Ll. D
Description:... This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1787 edition. Excerpt: ... tion to him, or the distresses they severally laboured ynder Any other supposition would be injurious to the memory of a man, who, by his private memoranda in my possession, appears to have applied near a fourth part of his income in acts of beneficence. The above facts are so connected with the transactions of Dr. Johnson in the latter days of his lise, that they are part of his history; and the mention of them may serve as a caveat against ostentatious bounty, favour to negroes, and testamentary dispositions in extremis. *"- It will afford some satisfaction to the compassionate reader to know, thai the means of benefiting Heely, and some others of Dr. Johnson') relations, whom he had either totally neglected, or slightly i noticed, have been found out and rendered practicable by Mr, Lan"ton. That gentleman, to whom the doctor had given his ma., nuscnpt Latin poems, haviug got for them of the booksellers 201. with that benignity which is but one of his excellent qualities, had determined to divide the fame among the doctor's relations. And whereas the doctor died indebted to the estate of the late Mr. Beauclerk, in the sum of 30I. lady Diana Beauclerk, his relict and executrix, upon the receipt thereof, and being informed of Mr. Langton's intention, in a spirit of true benevolence requested, that she might be permitted to add that sum to the former, and, accordingly, deposited it in his hands. Part of this money has been applied in relieving the wants of Heely and his wise, and the rest will be disposed of among those relations that shall appear to stand most in need of help; and. as a farther relief to Heely, and for the benefit of the idiot-boy, measures are taking to compel the father to maintain him, and eventually to...
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