[Greek text omitted]

I have ever since seemed to myself broken off from mankind; a kind of
solitary wanderer in the wild of life, without any direction, or
fixed point of view: a gloomy gazer on a world to which I have little
relation. Yet I would endeavour, by the help of you and your brother,
to supply the want of closer union, by friendship: and hope to have long
the pleasure of being, dear Sir, most affectionately your's,

'[London.] Dec. 21, 1754.'

'SAM. JOHNSON.'

* 'His Dictionary'--WARTON.

1755: AETAT. 46.]--In 1755 we behold him to great advantage; his degree
of Master of Arts conferred upon him, his Dictionary published, his
correspondence animated, his benevolence exercised.

Mr. Charles Burney, who has since distinguished himself so much in the
science of Musick, and obtained a Doctor's degree from the University
of Oxford, had been driven from the capital by bad health, and was now
residing at Lynne Regis, in Norfolk. He had been so much delighted with
Johnson's Rambler and the Plan of his Dictionary, that when the great
work was announced in the news-papers as nearly finished,' he wrote
to Dr. Johnson, begging to be informed when and in what manner
his Dictionary would be published; intreating, if it should be by
subscription, or he should have any books at his own disposal, to be
favoured with six copies for himself and friends.