This is a good example of "Johnsonese" in letter-writing. Nowadays we
cannot imagine a letter written in such a style to an intimate friend
of 30 years' standing. But Johnson meant every word of it.
On his death-bed his last requests of Sir Joshua were simpler:
"To forgive him thirty pounds which he had borrowed of him; to read the
Bible; and never to use his pencil on a Sunday."
Sir Joshua readily acquiesced.