438 Letters of Dr. Johnson.
I cannot conclude without recommending Miss Williams' s little business to you. She is certainly qualified for her work, as much as any one that will ever undertake it, as she understands chimistry and many other arts with which Ladies are seldom acquainted, and I shall endeavour to put her and her helpmate into method. I can truly say that she deserves all the encouragement that can be given her, far a being more pure from any thing vicious I have never known. j
Sir,
Your most obliged
and most humble servant,
SAM: JOHNSON.
Endorsed Mr. Johnson and Miss W.'s Plan. 28 March, 1754.
��To [SAMUEL RICHARDSON I I. DEAR SIR,
If you have any part of the universal History 2 yet unengaged, there [is] a Gentleman desirous of giving his assistance. To recommend authours is dangerous, I have therefore sent you his Book [which] I think sets him on a level with most of those who are at present employed. I do not know him, but the Gentleman to whom he dedicates informs me that he is diligent and per severing. His Patron will be answerable for any books put into his hands, and perhaps for money if any be advanced, but no request of money has been made to me. [I have said nothing to Mr. Millar 3 for who should judge of an authour but you?] If you approve him you will therefore please to introduce him so as that no offence be given.
��1 From the original in the posses- Universal History, see Letters, ii. sion of Messrs. J. Pearson & Co., 432 ; ante, i. 445.
5 Pall Mall Place, London. 3 Andrew Millar, the bookseller,
The letter is not addressed, but it ' the Maecenas of the age,' as Johnson
can scarcely be doubted that it was called him. Ante, ii. 5. The brackets
written to Richardson. in which this paragraph is enclosed
2 For a list of the writers of the are in the original.
I am
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