In answer to my next letter, I received one from him, dissuading me from
hastening to him as I had proposed; what is proper for publication
is the following paragraph, equally just and tender:--'One expence,
however, I would not have you to spare: let nothing be omitted that can
preserve Mrs. Boswell, though it should be necessary to transplant her
for a time into a softer climate. She is the prop and stay of your life.
How much must your children suffer by losing her.'
My wife was now so much convinced of his sincere friendship for me, and
regard for her, that, without any suggestion on my part, she wrote him a
very polite and grateful letter:--
'DR. JOHNSON TO MRS. BOSWELL.
'DEAR LADY,--I have not often received so much pleasure as from your
invitation to Auchinleck. The journey thither and back is, indeed,
too great for the latter part of the year; but if my health were fully
recovered, I would suffer no little heat and cold, nor a wet or a rough
road to keep me from you.
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