382 Northamptonshire-Nottingham-Oxford-Rutland: [Nov. 1, Elizabeth, second daughter of Mr. J. D. the Commercial Shipping Company, 40.Whincop, merchant, of the same place. Mrs. Ann Carr, widow of Mr. R. 77, all of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Mr. Stoakeley, ship-master, to Miss Rix, Died.] At Norwich, aged 50, T. A. Kerrisen, esq. In 1798, he was chosen Sheriff; in 1803, was elected Alderman, and in 1806, served the office of Mayor of this city. E. Heagren, esq. of Quarles, 79. The Rev. St. John Priest, A. M. Master of Scarning Free School, Rector of Reipham with Kerdiston, and of Billingford, and Vicar of Parham with Hacheston, in Suffolk. He was Secretary of the Norfolk Agricultural Society from its first commencement in 1800. Suddenly, at Lynn, aged 32, Capt. F. Burton, of the West Norfolk Militia. At Bracondale, in child-bed, together with the infant, in her 28th year, the wife of Capt. C. W. Hillier, R. N. múch lamented. At Beeston Regis, Miss Cremer, the only daughter of the late C. C. esq. of Cringleford. Sophia, youngest daughter of J. W. Thomlinson, esq. of Cley. At Woon Norton, 59, W. Norris, esq. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. Birth.] Mrs. Hart, wife of Mr. H. farmer, of Ravensthorpe, of three fine girls, all likely to live. At Titchmarsh, the Hon. Mrs. Powys, of a daughter. At Haslebeech, the lady of J. Nethercoat, esq. of a daughter. Married.] At Thrapston, Mr. Dunnage, of Hitchin, to the widow of Mr. J. Hardwick, of Wellingborough. At Brixworth, Mr. J. Watts, of Kislingbury, to Miss Hill, of the former place. Mr. G. Willis, solicitor, of Tring, to Miss A. Boyd, eldest daughter of Mr. D. B. of the same place. Died.] Mr. T. Broughton, stationer, of Wellingborough, 31.-And on the 25th of Sept. his sister Martha, aged 35, both of declines. Aged 18, Ann, youngest daughter of Mr. J. Roper, of Potterspury. At Northampton, Mr. R. Sharpe, draper. NORTHUMBERLAND. A respectable farmer, within five miles of Hexham, has a daughter who has just completed her twelfth year, of such amazing bulk, that she is supposed to weigh sixteen stone! Married.] Mr. Wm. Wallace, to Mrs. Ann Alder. Mr. Donkin, to Miss E. Lindsay, youngest daughter of Mr. Geo. L. Pasture House, Alnwick. NOTTINGHAMSHIRE. Alderman Wolley is the new Mayor of Nottingham. of P. Dickonson, esq. of a son and heir. Married.] At Wollaton, Mr. J. Hedderley, chymist, of Nottingham, to the daughter of Mr. Sleight, of the former place. to Miss Jane Mason, of Nottingham. At Brookhill, after a long illness, Mrs. OXFORDSHIRE. The fine estate of P. T. Wykham, esq. at sold by auction for 37,000). Aston Rowant, near Tetsworth, was lately Married.] At Oxford, Mr. Wm. Briant, At Adderbury, Mr. Gent, surgeon, of Died.] The Rev. E. Neve, Rector of At Oxford, aged 73, Mr. E. Goodyer. At Bampton, 82, Mrs. Ann Townsend, relict of Mr. Wm. T. many years a respectable farmer of that place. RUTLANDSHIRE. Married.] At Oakham, Mr. J. Batson, the late Mr. M. Betts, of Oakham. formerly of Leicester, to the daughter of Died.] At Preston, aged 16, Louisa, of that parish, and youngest surviving niece of the Rev. H. Shield, Rector daughter of the late W. S. esq. of Frieston, near Grantham. Mr. J. Parker, sen. advanced in years. Shrewsbury. Mount Pleasant, to Mary, daughter of Mr. At Shrewsbury, Mr. Perkins, of Wilderley, to Miss Jane Burley. Mr. F. Whitwell, to Miss Peake. Mrs. Hodges, of Wattlesborough Hall. Lee, esq. solicitor, Shrewsbury, 46. At Meole, 84, Mrs. Davis, late of Died.] At Newcastle, 96, Mr. Mills. At Broseley, 85, the Rev. J. Cope; a 1818.] Somerset-Stafford-Suffolk-Surrey-Sussex-Warwick. 383 SOMERSETSHIRE. A Savings' Bank has been instituted at Wells, under the patronage of the venerable Bishop of the diocese, who is its president, and a numerous list of nobility and gentry. The bank was opened on the 19th, and a considerable sum received as deposits. A government packet will in future sail from Bristol every Thursday for Dublin; and the Waterford vessels will sail on the 8th and 15th of each month. H. Brooke, esq. is the new mayor of Bristol, and G. H. Tugwell, esq. of Bath. Births.] At Bath, the lady of W. Sowerby, esq. of a daughter. The lady of the Hon. and Rev. Mr. St. Leger, of a daugh ter. Married.] At Bristol, William, eldest son of the Rev. T. A. Salmon, B.D. Prebendary of Wells, to Mary, daughter of F. Campbell, esq. of Huntingdon.-G. O. Vigano, esq. Milan, to Jane, youngest daughter of the late James Smith, esq. Twerton. At Midsomer-Norton, Captain G. T. Scobell, R.N. to Hester, youngest daughter of C. Savage, esq. of that place, and niece of John Purnell, esq. of Woodborough-house. Died.] At Bath, suddenly, Miss Kennelly, only sister of Lieut. K. of the 87th regt. 25. The lamented death of this young lady was caused by the rupture of a blood-vessel. -At an advanced age, at her house in Lambridge-place, Catherine, relict of the Rev. Dr. A. Walter, and only surviving sister of R. Bendyshe, esq. Barrington-hall, Cambridge. At Yeovil, W. Cayme, esq. 72. Hospitable, kind, and generous; his loss will be long felt, and his death sincerely lamented by a very extensive circle of friends. STAFFORDSHIRE. Hydrophobia.-A remarkable instance of this dreadful malady has occurred in the son of a labouring man, named Jukes, residing at Goldthorn Hill, near Wolverhampton.-The boy, who was about 15 years old, was bit in August, 1817, but felt no symptom till lately, when he was affected with vomitting, purging, loss of appetite, and pain in the head. He got worse; and after enduring all the symptoms of hydrophobia, died shortly afterwards. Married.] At Wolverhampton, Captain John Hamilton, of the 42d foot, to Miss H. P. Clemson, of Willenhall. Died.] Jane, wife of George Molineaux, esq. of Wolverhampton, 71. At an advanced age, Mrs. Harrison, relict of Mr. J. H. of Wolverhampton. Mrs. Pearson, wife of Mr. J. B. of Snowhill. Charlotte, youngest daughter of the late T. Byerley, esq. of Etruria. SUFFOLK. Birth.] At Ipswich, the lady of Major Purvis, of Darsham House, of a daughter, since dead. Married.] At Woodbridge, the Rev. W. Strong, son of the Archdeacon of Northampton, to Miss Skeeles of the former place. At Ipswich, Mr. John Rudland, to Miss Sophia Denham.-F. G. Y. Leeke, esq. of Yaxley Hall, to Ann, only daughter of Mr. C. Clube, of Hoxne. At Walpole, Mr. Mully, of Snape, to Miss Baxter, of Walpole. Died.] At Ipswich, Mary, wife of T. C. Colls, esq.-Mr. Thomas Cook, Surveyor of the Customs, at Ipswich. At Stowmarket, much respected, whilst on a visit at her grandfather's, Mr. E. Prentice, Miss S. Barnard, of Bildeston, 25. SURREY. A new corn market and storehouse is begun to be erected at Guildford. Birth.] At Farncomb, the lady of the Rev. F. Parson, rector of West Lynn, of a daughter. Married.] Mr. Wm. Barnes, of Woking, to Miss Jane Plume, youngest daughter of the late Mr. D. P. of Stansfield. At Wandsworth, S. Burlingham, merchant, of Worcester, to the second daughter of E. Moggridge, gent. of Temple-place, Surrey-road. At Croydon, H. E. Stables, esq. of the Temple, youngest son of K. S. esq. of Abingdon-street, to the only child of the late Capt. J. Stokes, 47th regt. Died.] At Dulwich, A. Morgan, esq. of Savage-gardens, 71. At the Vicarge, Shalford, Catharine, wife of the Rev. H. K. Creed, and second daughter of Col. Herries, 27. At Richmond, at an advanced age, Mrs. Sandby, relict of W. S. esq. late of Tedding ton. SUSSEX. In the garden of Mr. Gold, at Jindlins Farm, Shipley, one dwarf French-bean produced the astonishing number of 268! Died.] At Catsfield, C. Eversfield, esq.. of Denne Park, late of the Royal Hussars. WARWICKSHIRE. Land, which a few years ago might have been purchased at 601. per acre, at Leamington Spa, now brings 5d. per yard,which is at the rate of 1,200 guineas per acre!— In 1800, there was scarce accommodation for three gentlemen's carriages in the place; yet at the last Warwick races, upwards of 200 carriages from thence passed through the turnpike in the space of a few hours. Married.] At Leamington, T. R. W. France, esq. of Preston, to Miss Freer, of Malvern Hall. At Harborne, Mr. J. Owlett, of Deritend, to Miss Ann Roberts, of the same place. At Birmingham, Mr. R. Charles, of Dudley, to Anne, eldest daughter of Mr. T. Potter of Kidderminster. Died.] At Ashsted, Mr. Sleigh, wife of Captain S. of the 99th foot. Miss Charlotte O. Byerley, of War wick. 384 Westmoreland-Wilts-Worcester-York-Wales, &c. [Nov: 1, WESTMORELAND. Extraordinary Somnambulism.-On the 17th inst. John Hogarth, of Firebank, a young man, who for some time since has gone to Howgill school, arose from his bed fast asleep, and went a distance of two and a half miles before he awoke, when he found himself sitting in Howgill Chapel porch, adjoining the school! He afterwards went above a mile, to a friend's house, to borrow some clothes, as his only covering was a shirt and a night-cap. He had not received any injury, though the air was frosty, excepting in his feet, which were bruised. The following day, on the road by which he went, were found his Greek Testament and Bible, which he had been reading the night before, according to custom; and a slate was also found at the school-door. It appears that he had called to see a friend as usual by the way, and on approaching the door, he said, " "What! are you in bed yet?" and being asked what he wanted, replied, "I am going to school, sure," and marched off. Died.] At Burton-in-Kendal, 89, Elizabeth, relict of Mr. J. Hodgson. At Aydon Fell House, Mr. L. Winship, 69. WILTSHIRE. J. Atkinson, Esq. is the new mayor of Salisbury. Married.] At Mere, Mr. Taylor, one of the proprietors of the Bristol Mirror, to Ann, only daughter of the Rev. R. Howell, Mere Vicarage. Died.] At Edington, Miss Wollen, daughter of the Rev. Dr. W. vicar of Bridgwater. At Malmesbury, Mr. A. Howell, an eminent and much-respected farmer, of Sherston-Magna. WORCESTERSHIRE. The new mayor of Worcester is H. Cham berlayne, esq.; and of Evesham, D. Edge, ese. Births.] At Kempsey House, the lady of E. Amphlett, esq. of a daughter. At the Vicarage, Powick, the lady of the Rev. R. St. Aubyn, of a son. Married.] T. Woodyatt, esq. eldest son of Dr. W. of Worcester, to Harriet, youngest daughter of the late M. Biddulph, esq. of Ledbury. The Rev. Mr. Bowles, of Upton-uponSevern, to Ann, eldest daughter of the late Rev. J. Stillingfleet, Prebendary of Worcester Cathedral. Died.] At Worcester, at an advanced age, Mr. B. Penn, hop-merchant. -Aged nearly 100, Mr. John Lilly, formerly of Mitchley Park; and at the very advanced age of 102, Mrs. Clifton. In the parish of Lanvabon, Mrs. E. Matthews, widow of Mr. T. M.; she had attain ed her 100th year. Birth. At the Rectory-house, Pickering, the lady of M. Hayes, esq. of a daughter. Married.] At Hull, Mr. W. Wimble, to Miss Foy. At Bridlington, Mr. W. Wrightson, of Leeds, druggist, to Hannah, eldest daughter of the late Mr. Doeg, surgeon, of the former place. At Middleton Tyas, Wm. Thompson, esq. of Richmond, to Miss Kay, second daughter of R. K. esq. of Moulton, near Richmond. Died.] At Pickering, 73, Wm. Marshall, esq. author of many celebrated agricultural works. At Beverley, 52, C. J. Berkeley, esq. M.D. At Redness, universally regretted, Cornelius Stovin, esq. 72. Mr. Coupland, distiller, of Leeds, 73. In Lendal, 48, Mrs. Lawson, wife of J. L. esq. M.D. In the Trinity-house at Hull, where he had resided for twenty-four years, in the 90th year of his age, Mr. J. Wilson, the oldest ship-master belonging to that port. He was at Lisbon at the time of the great earth-quake in 1755. WALES. J. W. Hughes, esq. of Tregib, is elected mayor of Carmarthen. Within the last twelve months, at least 100 persons, chiefly consisting of farmers, their sons, and others, employed in agriculture, have left their residences in the neighbour hood of Abergavenny, and embarked for America. Birth.] At the Palace, in Bangor, the lady of Major Hewett, of a son and heir. Married.] Mr. Lodge, surgeon, to Margaret, youngest daughter of Mr. R. Jones, apothecary, of Denbigh. At Abergele, Lieut. Bicknell, to Miss Owen. Died.] Mary Ann, eldest daughter of T. Thomas, of Downing, esq. SCOTLAND. The Right Hon. Kincald Mackenzie is re-elected Lord Provost of Edinburgh. Birth.] Lately, at Edinburgh, the lady of the Hon. Charles Noel, of a son and heir— The lady is since dead. She was only 19 years of age. Died.] At Strachurmore, Dr. Ivie Campbell, 73. At Crookedstone, in Killead, Mr. John Montgomerie, farmer, in his 105th year. His ancestors were distinguished for their longevity, his grandfather reaching 120. At Fountain-hall, near Edinburgh, Capt. A. Brown, R. N. of Johnstonburn. At Edinburgh, Mrs. Dundas, widow of the Right Hon. R. D. of Arniston. Printed by J. Gillet, Crown-court, Fleet-street, London. THE NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE. No. 59.] DECEMBER 1, 1818. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. ACCOUNT OF DR. JOHNSON'S VISIT TO CAMBRIDGE, IN 1765. MR. EDITOR, TO specify the reasons why the following communication has been so long delayed, might be difficult in itself, and certainly is not of the smallest importance. Suffice it to own myself in your debt ever since the year 1814, for an elucidation of a note to one of the Letters on Etymology in your two first volumes, of which I acknowledge myself the author, under the assumed name of Humfree Tellfair. The note in question (see vol. 2. p. 525) is as follows: "Johnson-Farmer. Though liberties have been here taken with the former of these great men, yet the writer of these papers knew him well, which is the same thing as saying, loved, and revered him. Early in 1765, he had the singular happiness of introducing these two literary luminaries to their first personal interview, at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and of enjoying the intellectual banquets that ensued, especially that attempted to be described by Dr. Sharp, of Benc't, in the Gentleman's Magazine, for March of that year." After almost despairing for some time of being able to send you a narrative of Johnson's journey to Cambridge, worthy of your acceptance, I now hope, through the assistance of a dear and very old friend, to transmit you something not derogatory to its illustrious subject. The gentleman here alluded to is the Rev. J. Lettice, then Fellow of Sidney Cellege, (since rector of Peasmarsh, Sussex,) of whose merits, as a writer, the public is already well apprized, and whom in the following narrative, I shall always mention as my friend. My first introduction to Dr. Johnson was owing to the following circumstance. My friend and I had agreed upon attempting a new translation of Plutarch's Lives; but previously, as I was just then going to town, my friend wished me to consult Johnson about it, with It was certainly written to some friend at that time, but it appears not to have found its way into the Gentleman's Magazine until twenty years afterwards, viz. in March 1785. NEW MONTHLY MAG. No, 59. [VOL. X. whom he himself was well acquainted. In consequence, when in town, I procured an interview with Levett, who willingly next morning introduced me to breakfast with the great man, His residence was then in some old-fashioned rooms called, I think, Inner Templelane, No. 1. At the top of a few steps the door opened into a dark and dingy. looking old wainscoted anti-room, through which was the study, and into which a little before noon, came rolling, as if just roused from his cabin, the truly uncouth figure of our literary Colossus, in a strange black wig, too little for him by half, but which, before our next interview, was exchanged for that very respectable brown one in which his friend, Sir Joshua, so faithfully depicted him. I am glad, however, I saw the queer black bob, as his biographers have noticed it, and as it proved that the lustre of native genius can break through Dr. Levett, as he was called, was a native of Hull, and in early life became a waiter in a coffee-house at Paris. The surgeons, who frequented it, finding him attentive to their conversation, raised a subscription for him among themselves, and gave him some in-. structions in anatomy. He also obtained by the same means admission to the lectures on medicine, and thus was enabled to set up for himself; but whether he ever took any degree is uncertain. The rest of his life also is unknown, till he became acquainted with Johnson, who made him his domestic physician, gave him apartments in his house, and treated him with great kindness. After breakfasting with the Doctor, he usually went round among his patients, then attended Hunter's lectures, and returned at night. "All his physical knowledge," said Johnson, "and it is not inconsiderable, was obtained through the ear. Though he buys books, he seldom looks into them, or discovers any power by which he can be supposed to judge of an author's merit." Before he became an inmate of the Doctor's he married a common strumpet, who passed herself off upon him as a heiress, while he did the same upon her as a physician of great practice. They were separated by the intervention of Johnson, with whom Levett resided above twenty years, and died at his house, January, 1782. His memory was honoured by his old patron, with a poetical tribute of affection. VOL. X, 3 D EDITOR. 386 Account of Dr. Johnson's Visit to Cambridge, in 1765. [Dec. 1, He the most disfiguring habiliments. seemed pleased to see a young Cantab in his rooms, and on my acquainting him with the business on which I had taken the liberty of consulting him, he rather encouraged our undertaking than other wise; though after working at it for a few months we found the work too tedious and incompatible with other pursuits, and were obliged to relinquish it. After this, the great man questioned me about Cambridge, and whatever regarded literature, and attended to my answers with great complacency. The situation of these apartments I well remember. I called once more before I left town, but the Dr. was absent, and when Francis Barber, his black servant, opened the door to tell me so, a group of his African countrymen were sitting round a fire in the gloomy anti-room; and on their all turning their sooty faces at once to stare at me they presented a curious spectacle. I repeatedly after wards visited him, both in Johnson'scourt and Bolt-court. "that Mr. Farmer, of your College, is a very clever man, indeed, Sir." And on my asking him whether he knew the fact with respect to the learning of Shakespeare, before that gentleman's publication? Johnson. "Why, yes, Sir, 1 knew in general that the fact was as he represents it; but I did not know it, as Mr. Farmer has now taught it me, by detail, Sir." I was several times the bearer of messages between them; and my suggesting and expressing a hope that we should some time or other have the pleasure of seeing him at Cambridge when I should be most happy to introduce them to each other, might somewhat conduce to his taking the journey I am about to describe. The last time I called upon him was long after the Cambridge visit, and I found with him Mr. Strahan, his son, the Vicar of Islington, and two or three other gentlemen, one of whom was upon his legs taking leave, and saying, Well, Doctor, as you know I shall set off to-morrow, what shall I say for you to Mrs. Thrale, when I see her?" Johnson. " Why, Sir, you may tell her how I am but noa, Sir, noa, she knows that already; and so when you see Mrs. Thrale, you will say to her what it is predestined that you are to say to her, Sir." Amidst the general laugh occasioned by this sally the gentleman retired; and Doctor joining in the merriment, proceeded, "for you know, Sir, when a person has said or done any thing, it was plainly predestinated that he was to say or do that particular thing, He Sir." I recollect but one more interview with him in town, but to describe that would lead me so far out of my way at present, that I believe I must defer this to some future communication. Though I meant at first to confine myself solely to his Cambridge excursion, yet, that we may not lose, as Garrick says, "one drop of this immortal man," permit me to say a few words respecting these different calls. When alone he sometimes asked me to take tea with him; and I can truly say, that I never found him morose or overbearing, though I freely contradicted him, with which he seemed pleased, and in order to lead a young man into a sort of controversy or discussion, he would now and then advance what he did not think. has been aptly compared to a ghost, as he would seldom speak first, but would sit librating in his chair till a question was asked, upon which he would promptly and fluently dilate. The reason for this seems, as a first-rate genius, who feels himself equally prepared to discuss whatever subject may be started, must deem it more to his own honour that he should not chuse the topic himself. When I saw the Doctor again, after we had given up Plutarch, I told him that my friend and Professor Martyn* had undertaken to give an edition in English, with the plates, of the Herculaneum Antiquities. Johnson. "They don't know what they have undertaken; the engravers will drive them mad, Sir." And this perhaps, with other reasons, might prevent their executing more than one volume. At another time, he said, The Rev. Thomas Martyn, fellow of Sidney College, and botanical Professor at Cambridge. Of the journey I principally intended to describe, there is, as I observed, à short account by Dr. Sharp in the Gentlemen's Magazine for March, 1785, in which he there addresses his friend, "I have had Johnson in the chair in which I am now writing. He came down on Saturday with a Mr. Beauclerk, who was a friend at Trinity, (a Mr. Lester, or Leicester.) Caliban, you may be sure, was not roused from his lair till next day noon. He was not heard of till Monday afternoon, when I was sent for home to two gentlemen unknown. He drank his large potations of tea with me, interrupted by many an indignant contradiction and many a noble sentiment, &c. He had a better wig than usual, but one whose curls were not, like Sir Cloudesley's, formed for eternal |