Towards the end of this year, Dr. Johnson began again to nearly
monopolize the anxious friendship of Dr. Burney.
On the 16th of November, Dr. Johnson, in the carriage, and under
the revering care of Mr. Windham, returned from Litchfield to the
metropolis; after a fruitless attempt to recover his health by
breathing again his natal air.
The very next day, he wrote the following note to St. Martin’s-street.
“TO DR. BURNEY.
“Mr. Johnson, who came home last night, sends his
respects to dear Dr. Burney; and to all the dear Burneys,
little and great.
“_Bolt Court, 17th Nov. 1784._”
Dr. Burney hastened to this kind call immediately; but had the grief
to find his honoured friend much weakened, and in great pain; though
cheerful, and struggling to revive. All of the Doctor’s family who had
had the honour of admission, hastened to him also; but chiefly his
second daughter, who chiefly and peculiarly was always demanded.
She was received with his wonted, his never-failing partiality; and, as
well as the Doctor, repeated her visits by every opportunity during the
ensuing short three weeks of his earthly existence.
She will here copy, from the diary she sent to Boulogne, an account of
what, eventually, though unsuspectedly, proved to be her last interview
with this venerated friend.