But all that Dr. Burney possessed, either of spirited resistance or
acquiescent submission to misfortune, was again to be severely tried
in the summer that followed the spring of this unkindly year; for the
health of his venerated Dr. Johnson received a blow from which it never
wholly recovered; though frequent rays of hope intervened from danger
to danger; and though more than a year and a half were still allowed to
his honoured existence upon earth.
Mr. Seward first brought to Dr. Burney the alarming tidings, that this
great and good man had been afflicted by a paralytic stroke. The
Doctor hastened to Bolt Court, taking with him this Memorialist, who
had frequently and urgently been desired by Dr. Johnson himself, during
the time that they lived so much together at Streatham, to see him
often if he should be ill. But he was surrounded by medical people, and
could only admit the Doctor. He sent down, nevertheless, the kindest
message of thanks to the truly-sorrowing daughter, for calling upon
him; and a request that, “when he should be better, she would come to
him again and again.”
From Mrs. Williams, with whom she remained, she then received the
comfort of an assurance that the physicians had pronounced him not to
be in danger; and even that they expected the illness would be speedily
overcome. The stroke had been confined to the tongue.
Mrs. Williams related a very touching circumstance that had attended
the attack. It had happened about four o’clock in the morning, when,
though she knew not how, he had been sensible to the seizure of a
paralytic affection. He arose, and composed, in his mind, a prayer
in Latin to the Almighty, That however acute might be the pains for
which he must befit himself, it would please him, through the grace and
mediation of our Saviour, to spare his intellects, and to let all his
sufferings fall upon his body.
When he had internally conceived this petition, he endeavoured to
pronounce it, according to his pious practice, aloud—but his voice was
gone!—He was greatly struck, though humbly and resignedly. It was not,
however, long, before it returned; but at first with very imperfect
articulation.
Dr. Burney, with the zeal of true affection, made time unceasingly
for inquiring visits: and no sooner was the invalid restored to the
power of reinstating himself in his drawing-room, than the Memorialist
received from him a summons, which she obeyed the following morning.
She was welcomed with the kindest pleasure; though it was with
difficulty that he endeavoured to rise, and to mark, with wide extended
arms, his cordial gladness at her sight; and he was forced to lean back
against the wainscot as impressively he uttered, “Ah!—dearest of all
dear ladies!—”
He soon, however, recovered more strength, and assumed the force to
conduct her himself, and with no small ceremony, to his best chair.
“Can you forgive me, Sir,” she cried, when she saw that he had not
breakfasted, “for coming so soon?”
“I can less forgive your not coming sooner!” he answered, with a smile.
She asked whether she might make his tea, which she had not done since
they had left poor Streatham; where it had been her constant and
gratifying business to give him that regale, Miss Thrale being yet too
young for the office.
He readily, and with pleasure consented.
“But, Sir,” quoth she, “I am in the wrong chair.” For it was on his own
sick large arm chair, which was too heavy for her to move, that he had
formally seated her; and it was away from the table.
“It is so difficult,” cried he, with quickness, “for any thing to be
wrong that belongs to you, that it can only be I that am in the wrong
chair to keep you from the right one!”
This playful good-humour was so reviving in shewing his recovery, that
though Dr. Burney could not remain above ten minutes, his daughter,
for whom he sent back his carriage, could with difficulty retire at
the end of two hours. Dr. Johnson endeavoured most earnestly to engage
her to stay and dine with him and Mrs. Williams; but that was not in
her power; though so kindly was his heart opened by her true joy at
his re-establishment, that he parted from her with a reluctance that
was even, and to both, painful. Warm in its affections was the heart
of this great and good man; his temper alone was in fault where it
appeared to be otherwise.
When his recovery was confirmed, he accepted some few of the many
invitations that were made to him, by various friends, to try at
their dwellings, the air of the country. Dr. Burney mentioned to him,
one evening, that he had heard that the first of these essays was to
be made at the house of Mr. Bowles; and the Memorialist added, that
she was extremely glad of that news, because, though she knew not
Mr. Bowles, she had been informed that he had a true sense of this
distinction, and was delighted by it beyond measure.
“He is so delighted,” said the Doctor, gravely, and almost with a sigh,
“that it is really—shocking!”
“And why so, Sir?”
“Why?” he repeated, “because, necessarily, he must be disappointed! For
if a man be expected to leap twenty yards, and should really leap ten,
which would be so many more than ever were leapt before, still they
would not be twenty; and consequently, Mr. Bowles, and Mr. every body
else would be disappointed.”