REMARKABLE CHARACTERS who were at Tunbridge Wells with Richardson in 1748. From a drawing by Loggan the Dwarf which was in Tunbridge Wells, an inland watering place of England, chiefly in Kent but partly in Sussex, is situated in I owes its popularity to its chalyblate spring and its romantic the midst of charming and picturesque scenery. The wells are situated near the Parade (or Pantiles), a walk associated with fashion since the time of situation. their discovery. The bouses and shops in the Parade somewhat resemble the Rows at Chester. It was paved with pantiles in the reign of Queen Anne. The town is built in a picturesquely, irregular manner, and a large part of it consists of districts called "parks," occupied by villas and mansions.-Encyclopædia Britannica. 1748 Aug: Dr. Johnson '7 6 The Boron Corman Camester ) Лионут 2 Bp. of Salisburg [ Cilbert) 7 ur Nath. 11 Ed. Pours 3 Id. Harcourt. Mr Pill (Earl of Chathan) 5 Mr. Garrick 10 ct. O2 Efqr On Efqm (the speaker) 5994 14 Lady Lincoln 18 res on flow 19 Miss On flew 20 Mis Johnson 21 Mr. Whision. great author was accustomed to be adored. A gentler wind never puffed mortal vanity. Enraptured spinsters flung tealeaves round him, and incensed him with the coffee-pot. Matrons kissed the slippers they had worked for him. There was a halo of virtue round his night-cap. All Europe had thrilled, panted, admired, trembled, wept over the pages of the immortal little kind honest man with the round paunch. Harry came back quite glowing and proud at having a bow from him. 'Ah!' says he, 'my Lord, I am glad to have seen him!' 'Seen him! why, dammy, you may see him any day in his shop, I suppose?' says Jack, with a laugh. 'My brother declared that he, and Mr. Fielding, I think was the name, were the greatest geniuses in England; and often used to say, that when we came to Europe, his first pilgrimage would be to Mr. Richardson,' cried Harry, always impetuous, honest, and tender when he spoke of the dearest friend. 'Your brother spoke like a man,' cried Mr. Wolfe, his pale face likewise flushing up. 'I would rather be a man of genius, than a peer of the realm*** 'I say, Jack, which would you rather be?—a fat old printer, who has written a story about a confounded girl and a fellow that ruins her, or a Peer of Parliament with ten thousand a year?" This extract has been given at length, because it accurately represents Richardson's fame and influence in his own day. Thackeray, however, supposes this visit to occur in 1756, while Miss Thomson points out that the 1748 journey is the only one that we have any important information about: and the accompanying picture, drawn by Loggan, was owned by Richardson, and the description of the characters are in his own hand-writing. The reference to Dr. Johnson is puzzling; |