Thrale's.
'TO SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS.
'DEAR SIR,--It is inconvenient to me to come out, I should else have
waited on you with an account of a little evening Club which we are
establishing in Essex-street, in the Strand, and of which you are
desired to be one. It will be held at the Essex Head, now kept by an old
servant of Thrale's. The company is numerous, and, as you will see by
the list, miscellaneous. The terms are lax, and the expences light. Mr.
Barry was adopted by Dr. Brocklesby, who joined with me in forming the
plan. We meet thrice a week, and he who misses forfeits two-pence.
'If you are willing to become a member, draw a line under your name.
Return the list. We meet for the first time on Monday at eight. I am,
&c.
'Dec. 4, 1783.'
'SAM. JOHNSON.'
It did not suit Sir Joshua to be one of this Club. But when I mention
only Mr. Daines Barrington, Dr. Brocklesby, Mr. Murphy, Mr. John
Nichols, Mr. Cooke, Mr. Joddrel, Mr. Paradise, Dr. Horsley, Mr.
Windham,* I shall sufficiently obviate the misrepresentation of it by
Sir John Hawkins, as if it had been a low ale-house association, by
which Johnson was degraded.
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