' Upon that day there was a Call of The LITERARY CLUB; but
Johnson apologised for his absence by the following note:--
'MR. JOHNSON knows that Sir Joshua Reynolds and the other gentlemen
will excuse his incompliance with the call, when they are told that Mr.
Thrale died this morning.--Wednesday.'
Mr. Thrale's death was a very essential loss to Johnson, who, although
he did not foresee all that afterwards happened, was sufficiently
convinced that the comforts which Mr. Thrale's family afforded him,
would now in a great measure cease. He, however, continued to shew a
kind attention to his widow and children as long as it was acceptable;
and he took upon him, with a very earnest concern, the office of one of
his executors, the importance of which seemed greater than usual to him,
from his circumstances having been always such, that he had scarcely
any share in the real business of life. His friends of THE CLUB were in
hopes that Mr. Thrale might have made a liberal provision for him for
his life, which, as Mr.
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