Nobody repays it with more.
The following letters concerning an Epitaph which he wrote for the
monument of Dr. Goldsmith, in Westminster-Abbey, afford at once a proof
of his unaffected modesty, his carelessness as to his own writings, and
of the great respect which he entertained for the taste and judgement of
the excellent and eminent person to whom they are addressed:
TO SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS.
DEAR SIR,--I have been kept away from you, I know not well how, and
of these vexatious hindrances I know not when there will be an end.
I therefore send you the poor dear Doctor's epitaph. Read it first
yourself; and if you then think it right, shew it to the Club. I am, you
know, willing to be corrected. If you think any thing much amiss, keep
it to yourself, till we come together. I have sent two copies, but
prefer the card. The dates must be settled by Dr. Percy. I am, Sir, your
most humble servant,
'May 16, 1776.'
'SAM. JOHNSON.'
It was, I think, after I had left London this year, that this Epitaph
gave occasion to a Remonstrance to the MONARCH OF LITERATURE, for an
account of which I am indebted to Sir William Forbes, of Pitsligo.
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