r assistance,
but am strongly affected by Mrs. Davies's tenderness; and when I think
she can do me good, shall be very glad to call upon her. I had ordered
friends to be shut out; but one or two have found the way in; and if
you come you shall be admitted: for I know not whom I can see, that will
bring more amusement on his tongue, or more kindness in his heart. I am,
&c.

'June 18, 1783.'

'SAM. JOHNSON.'

It gives me great pleasure to preserve such a memorial of Johnson's
regard for Mr. Davies, to whom I was indebted for my introduction
to him. He indeed loved Davies cordially, of which I shall give the
following little evidence. One day when he had treated him with too
much asperity, Tom, who was not without pride and spirit, went off in
a passion; but he had hardly reached home when Frank, who had been sent
after him, delivered this note:--'Come, come, dear Davies, I am always
sorry when we quarrel; send me word that we are friends.'

Such was the general vigour of his constitution, that he recovered from
this alarming and severe attack with wonderful quickness; so that in
July he was able to make a visit to Mr. Langton at Rochester, where he
passed about a fortnight, and made little excursions as easily as at
any time of his life. In August he went as far as the neighbourhood of
Salisbury, to Heale, the seat of William Bowles, Esq., a gentleman whom
I have heard him praise for exemplary religious order in his family. In
his diary I find a short but honourable mention of this visit:--'August
28, I came to Heale without fatigue. 30, I am entertained quite to my
mind.'

While he was here he had a letter from Dr. Brocklesby, acquainting him
of the death of Mrs. Williams, which affected him a good deal. Though
for several years her temper had not been complacent, she had valuable
qualities, and her departure left a blank in his house. Upon this
occasion he, according to his habitual course of piety, composed a
prayer.

I shall here insert a few particulars concerning him, with which I have
been favoured by one of his friends.

'He spoke often in praise of French literature. "The French are
excellent in this, (he would say,) they have a book on every subject."
From what he had seen of them he denied them the praise of superiour
politeness, and mentioned, with very visible disgust, the custom they
have of spitting on the floors of their apartments. "This, (said the
Doctor), is as gross a thing as can well be d