Johnson's Life and Genius.
��and close to the grave of the late Mr. Garrick \ The funeral service was read by his friend Dr. Taylor 2 .
A black marble over his grave has the following inscription :
SAMUEL JOHNSON, LL.D. obiit XIII die Decembris,
Anno Domini
MDCCLXXXIV. suae LXXV.
��If we now look back, as from an eminence, to view the scenes of life, and the literary labours in which Dr. Johnson was engaged, we may be able to delineate the features of the man, and to form an estimate of his genius.
/f~~As a man, Dr. Johnson stands displayed in open day-light. /Nothing remains undiscovered 3 . Whatever he said is known ; without allowing him the usual privilege of hazarding
��1 Life, iv. 419; Letters, ii. 434. Close to Johnson's grave is one to
Sir Archibald Campbell, who, among other distinctions, was ' heretable usher of the white rod.' In Chester's Westminster Abbey Registry, p. 438, the entry next before Johnson's interment is, 'Dec. 18 Elizabeth Broughton, wife of John Broughton the celebrated pugilist.' She was buried in the cloisters. The pu gilist himself was buried there a few years later. In 1750 he had been beaten in 'a grand boxing- match by Slack the butcher of Nor wich.' Gentleman's Magazine, 1750, p. 184.
2 In a note on Johnson's last letter (Letters, ii. 426), I quote Taylor's endorsement : * My answer ... he resented extremely.' I add Mrs. Piozzi's statement that on account of this answer, ' Dr. Johnson quar-
VOL. I. G
��relied with his truest friend, Dr. Taylor.' The quarrel had been made up. See post, in Mr. Hoole's Anec dotes.
' A dissatisfaction was expressed in the public papers that he was not buried with all possible funeral rites and honours. The executors did not think themselves justified in doing more than they did. For only a little cathedral service, accompanied with light and music, would have raised the price of interment. In this matter fees run high. His funeral expenses amounted to more than /200.' Gentleman's Magazine, 1785, p. 86.
It was owing to the expense of the funeral that Goldsmith's body lies in an unknown grave in the Temple Churchyard, and not in Westminster Abbey. Goldsmith's Works, ed. 1801, i. 115.
3 Ante, p. 296. g sentiments,
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