LOT #45102 |
Sold on Jun 27, 2024 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
Samuel Johnson. Autograph letter signed ("Sam: Johnson"), to [Henry Thrale] ("Dear Sir"). Lichfield, 23 June 1779....
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Description
Johnson writing his ailing friend with words of advice and encouragement
Samuel Johnson. Autograph letter signed ("Sam: Johnson"), to
[Henry Thrale] ("Dear Sir"). Lichfield, 23 June 1779.3 pages, 4to (201 x 163 mm), on a bifolium. Housed in a folding board chemise and leather-backed slipcase.
In the second week of June 1779, Henry Thrale suffered apoplectic seizures when he visited his youngest sister Susannah in London. The visit was to comfort her after the death of her husband, Arnold Nesbitt MP for Cricklade, and hear the will, of which Henry was an executor. Here Henry suffered his first stroke. Hester later speculated that this was brought on by the shock of hearing about Nesbitt's insolvency which had potentially calamitous implications for Thrale.
Hester, Henry Thrale's wife, complained shortly after: "Johnson is away-down at Lichfield or Derby, or God knows where, something always happens when he is away; but Mr Seward has supplied every body's neglect. I expected more Attention from 4 Burney! Murphy's a dissipated Rogue & loves his Friends while they can talk & hear; but Dr Burney's Indifference disgusts me." By the 22 June 1779, she reports "Mr. Thrale has recovered his paralytick Stroke: Doctor Heberden thinks him now wholly out of Danger, as so much Time has elapsed, & the Attack has not been renewed. his Head is as good as ever, his Spirits indeed are low, but they will mend."
Upon hearing the news in Lichfield, Johnson writes the present letter to his ailing friend with words of advice and encouragement:
"To shew you how well I think of your health, I have fent you an hundred pounds to keep for me. It will come within one day of quarter day, and that day you must give me. I came by it in a very uncommon manner, and would not confound it with the rest.
My wicked mistress talks as if she thought it possible for me to be indifferent or negligent about your health or hers. If I could have done any good, I had not delayed an hour to come to you, and I will come very soon to try if my advice can be of any use, or my company of any entertainment.
What can be done you must do for yourself; do not let any uneasy thought settle in your mind. Cheerfulness and exercise are your great remedies. Nothing is for the present worth your anxiety. Vivite Ioeti is one of the great rules of health. I believe it will be good to ride often, but never to weariness, for weariness is itself a temporary resolution of the nerves, and is therefore to be avoided.
Labour is exercise continued to fatigue--exercise is labour used only while it produces pleasure. Above all, keep your mind quiet, do not think with earnestness even of your health, but think on such things as may please without too much agitation; among which I hope is, dear Sir,
Your most obliged and most humble Servant / Sam:Johnson."
Condition: Some minor toning and offsetting; a little brittle with partial split along central vertical fold; short horizontal tear at inner margin crossing one word on second page; closing and signature crossed out in contemporary ink but quite legible.
References: Letter XXVII (pp. 54-55) in Letters to and from the Late Samuel Johnson, by Hester Lynch Piozzi, London, 1788. From the William A. Strutz Library.
View all of [The William A. Strutz Library ]
Auction Info
2024 June 27 Important English and American Literature: The William A. Strutz Library, Part I, Rare Books Signature® Auction #6295 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2024
27th
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 5
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 353
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% on the first $1,000,000 (minimum $49), plus 20% of any amount between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000, plus 15% of any amount over $5,000,000 per lot.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms