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too much consequence. "His success," he remarks, "wrought no good effects upon his mind and conduct : it elated him too much, and betrayed him into a forgetfulness of his origin, and a neglect of his early acquantance; and on this I have heard Johnson remark, in terms that sufficiently express a knowledge of his character, and a resentment of his behaviour. It is probable that he might use the same language to Hawkesworth himself, and also reproach him with the acceptance of an academical honour to which he could have no pretensions, and which Johnson, conceiving it to be irregular, as many yet do, held in great contempt: thus much is certain, that soon after the attainment of its the intimacy between them ceased."-On this passage we may be permitted to remark, that it is exceedingly probable that at least an equal share of blame in this separation may if the truth were exactly known, rest with Johnson, whose harsh, magisterial, and overbearing disposition is well known. If he reproached Hawkesworth with having accepted a honorary degree, it is at least equally probable that it might have proceeded from jealousy in him, as from a contempt of such an honour; and Johnson, if he accused Hawkesworth of vanity, may eventually be accused of the same failing when he accepted that conferred upon him by the university, for which he was no better qualified by the study of the law than Hawkesworth himself. In the estimation of all thinking men it surely can signify but little, whether such a compliment be conveyed to the party complimented by a person in authority as an archbishop, or by a corporation of persons in authority as an university. The intention in both instances being the same; not to point out the qualification of the

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individual dignified for any particular pursuit, nor his proficiency in any particular science, but simply as a reward for literary exertions, and talents employed to useful and ornamental purposes. If Johnson was entitled to the degree of L.L.D. so was Hawkesworth. That Hawkesworth neglected his early acquaintance is not probable, it is even less credible that he should have assumed any airs of superiority over such a man as Johnson whom he had always looked upon as his master. But it is exceedingly probable that having succeeded in the world, acquired reputation, and some wealth, he considered that he had a character to sustain and was not disposed to submit to taunts, insults, or reproaches even from this self elevated despot; more particularly when conscious that he had not deserved them.

There are some reasons to hope that the breach of friendship between Johnson and Hawkesworth was not so complete as this account of Sir John Hawkins would lead us to suspect. We shall have occasion to shew that Johnson employed himself in writing marginal notes to one of Hawkesworth's dramatic performances, offered to Garrick, and that, after his death, the widow of Dr. Hawkesworth submitted the "regulations" of an intended publication to his memory, to Dr. Johnson.

After the conclusion of the Adventurer, Dr. Hawkesworth turned his attention to the stage, and produced an Oratorio with the title of " Zimri," which was favourably received; he also made some alterations in a comedy of Dryden's, and in Southern's tragedy of Oroonoko. E

In 1761 he brought forward upon the stage of Drury Lane an entertainment with the title of "Edgar

and Emmeline;" a fairy tale which still retains slight possession of the stage, and is an elegant work of its kind.

Dr. Hawkesworth had acquired, as he well deserved, considerable reputation for the construction of the eastern tales published in the Adventurer, which induced him to apply to the composition of a romance of that description at more extended length. This was published in 1761 with the title of "Almoran and Hamet," and is too well known to require further notice in this place. This production was originally of the dramatic kind, and we have before us, the following account of it in a letter from Mrs. Hawkesworth to Mrs. Duncombe, of the date of December 1781. “Mr. Pratt has availed himself of the story of Almoran and Hamet, by which he is supposed to have gained 5 or 6007. I have not yet read although I saw the performance, but have the pleasure to hear those parts particularly applauded, where the sentiments were clothed in their original dress: and indeed the language was in many places verbatim; at least I think on comparing the play with the story, I shall find it so. The original story was written for the stage in three acts: but the transformations and machinery staggered Mr. Garrick, who had just lost 3000l. in scenes and decorations for the Chinese Festival, which was not suffered to be exhibited on account of some French dancers, it being the beginning of a French war; the whole was destroyed, and the house was so damaged, that Garrick made a kind of a vow that he never would risk such an expence again. But I have the play with Johnson's and Garrick's marginal notes; and if Dr. Hawkesworth would have expunged the machinery, it

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would have been performed. It was however a favou rite part, and he thought that when Garrick's wounds were healed he would probably accept it as it was; However, Dr. Hawkesworth thought the sentiments peculiarily adapted for the use of a young monarch, and he was tempted to give it in another garb to the public."

In 1760 a correspondence occurred between Dr. Hawkesworth and Mr. Highmore the painter, respecting the publication of the latter on the subject of Perspective. We doubt not our readers will allow that the following extracts exhibit the character of Dr. Hawkesworth in a strong point of view :

Dr. Hawkesworth to Jos. Highmore, Esq.

DEAR SIR,

I have not been in bed one night before three o'clock in the morning, nor out of doors one forenoon since I had the pleasure of seeing you. I am almost overwhelmed with fatigue, and if I were to stay much longer in town, my life would not only be short but miserable. I sent word however to Jeffery as you desired me, that you was ready; I find to my great mortification that he never called upon you until to-day, and he says you declined putting the copy into his hands, 'till it had been first in mine. He may however, get forward by preparing the plates, and even by engraving them; and as soon as he has the copy, his servant. can attend me at short intervals for such parts as I can dispatch during my present state of hurry and dissipation. I have not a moment, nor a second to spare, for myself, nor even for my friends; the rituals of life distress and destroy me: pray

remember me with the kindness and the pity of friendship, and believe me there is nothing I regret more, than the want of more frequent opportunities to assure you how truly I am your faithful and affectionate humble servant,

"J. HAWKESWORTH. "Ihave not visited one family twice except your own."

Jos. Highmore, Esq. to Dr. Hawkesworth in answer. "DEAR SIR,

"I am sensibly affected by the distresses you represent, yet cannot but think that the greater part might be avoided by such a resolution as you would recommend to others in like cases; and without which a man can never assure himself of any enjoyment. Surely too great a sacrifice is made to complaisance ;-health has a stronger claim than any rituals. I am sorry that should be endangered by application, and especially by dissipation, which is so much less excusable :-forgive my preachment. As to the papers, when I said they were ready, it was understood for your perusal, but I shall never think them ready for the press without that sanction, nor will your friends; and since you have been so good as to give both them and me hopes of this favor, and even to flatter me in particular, so far as to say that you should have pleasure in the task, I should be grieved indeed that your kind promise should subject you to any inconvenience. Now as at this particular season affairs of another kind demand your regard, and for which you have but a short, and that a limited time, it will within that period be impossible either to find the leisure, or bestow the attention to those papers which the subject requires.

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