It will be reputable to my work, and
suitable to your professorship, to have something of yours in the notes.
As you have given no directions about your name, I shall therefore put
it. I wish your brother would take the same trouble. A commentary must
arise from the fortuitous discoveries of many men in devious walks of
literature. Some of your remarks are on plays already printed: but I
purpose to add an Appendix of Notes, so that nothing comes too late.
'You give yourself too much uneasiness, dear Sir, about the loss of the
papers[1006]. The loss is nothing, if nobody has found them; nor even then,
perhaps, if the numbers be known. You are not the only friend that has
had the same mischance. You may repair your want out of a stock, which
is deposited with Mr. Allen, of Magdalen-Hall; or out of a parcel which
I have just sent to Mr. Chambers[1007] for the use of any body that will be
so kind as to want them. Mr. Langtons are well; and Miss Roberts[1008],
whom I have at last brought to speak, upon the information which you
gave me, that she had something to say.
'I am, &c.
'SAM. JOHNSON.'
'[London] April 14, 1758.'
[Page 336: Mr. Langton as an undergraduate. A.D. 1758.]
'TO THE SAME.
'DEAR SIR,
'You will receive this by Mr. Baretti, a gentleman particularly intitled
to the notice and kindness of the Professor of poesy. He has time but
for a short stay, and will be glad to have it filled up with as much as
he can hear and see.
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