_Burial_ (Vol. v., p. 509.).--To the names already given of those interred
in ground not consecrated, may be added that of the eccentric Samuel
Johnson, formerly a dancing-master, but through his talent, wit, and
gentlemanly manners, became the guest and table companion of the principal
families of Cheshire.
He is not mentioned in Chalmers's _Biog. Dict._, and but very meagrely in
that of Rose. The best notice of him is in the _Biographia Dram._, ed.
1812, as the author of _Hurlothrumbo: or the Supernatural_, and five other
dramatic pieces, the first of which took an amazing run, owing to the
whimsical madness and extravagance which pervade through the whole piece.
Besides these, he is the writer of another strange mystical work, which, as
I do not find it anywhere mentioned, I will give the title of, from my copy
now before me:
"A Vision of Heaven, which is introduc'd with Essays upon Happiness, a
Description of the Court, the Characters of the Quality: Politics,
Manners, Satyr, Wit, Humour, Pastoral, Sublimity, Extasy, {597} Love,
Fire, Fancy and Taste Universal. Written by Mr. Samuel Johnson. Lond.,
for E. Withers, &c., where may be had Hurlothrumbo, 1738." 8vo., two
neat engravings, and six pages of music.
The compilers of the _Biog. Dram._ state that they had not discovered the
date of his death; but we learn from Hanshall's _Hist. of the County
Palatine of Chester_: 1817, 4to. p. 515., that he died in 1773, aged
eighty-two, and was buried in the plantation forming part of the
pleasure-grounds of the Old Hall at Gawsworth, near Macclesfield, in
Cheshire. Over his remains is a stone (now there) with an inscription,
stating that he was so buried at his own desire.