Copy 1, Volume 1

The life of Samuel Johnson, L.L.D. Comprehending an account of his studies, and numerous works, in chronological order : a series of his epistolary correspondence and conversations with many eminent persons and various original pieces of his composition, never before published / by James Boswell.

  • James Boswell
Date:
1816
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The life of Samuel Johnson, L.L.D. Comprehending an account of his studies, and numerous works, in chronological order : a series of his epistolary correspondence and conversations with many eminent persons and various original pieces of his composition, never before published / by James Boswell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    married to a nobleman. It was not fit that a peer should continue the business. On the old man’s death, therefore, the brewery was to be sold. To find a purchaser for so large a property was a difficult matter; and, after some time, it was suggested, that it would be adviseable to treat with Thrale, a sensible, active, honest man, who had been employed in the house, and to transfer the whole to him for thirty thousand pounds, security being taken upon the property. This was accordingly settled. In eleven years Thrale paid the purchase-money. He acquired a large fortune, and lived to be a member of Par- liament for Southwark.* But what was most remark- able was the liberality with wdiich he used his riches. He gave his son and daughters the best education. The esteem which his good conduct procured him from the nobleman who had married his master’s daughter, made him be treated with much attention ; and his son, both at school and at the University of Oxford, associated with young men of the first rank. His allowance from his father, after he left college, was splendid ; not less than a thousand a year. This, in a man who had risen as old Thrale did, was a very extraordinary instance of generosity. He used to say, ^ If this young dog does not find so much after I am gone as he expects, lefihim remember that he has had a great deal in my own time.’ ” The son, though in affluent circumstances, had good sense enough to carry on his father’s trade, paling, ermine, on a chief indented vert, three wolves (or gry- phons’) heads, or, cooped at the neck:—Crest on a ducal coronet, a tree, vert. Blakeway.] ^ [In 1733 he served the office of High Sheriff for Surreys and died April 9, 1753. A. Chalmers.]
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