The Life of Samuel Johnson

Early in 1779, Garrick dies. The death occasions Boswell to recollect “with affection as well as admiration” (1009) how well Garrick treated him, both when he first arrived in London and afterward.

In April, Boswell falls ill with an inflamed foot; Johnson comes to visit him, bringing with him Sir Joshua Reynolds. Boswell welcomes the company as “the most pleasing opiate to pain that could have been administered” (1024). The incident illustrates the closeness of the three friends and Johnson’s kindliness toward friends in need. Boswell tells us that he reports this incident “as an antidote to the false and injurious notions of [Johnson’s] character” and to “infuse every drop of genuine sweetness into my biographical cup” (1023). He takes every opportunity to emphasize Johnson’s softer side.

For many months, Boswell and Johnson do not see each other; therefore, their friendship is carried on in letters. Boswell tests Johnson’s constancy as a friend and correspondent by not writing for a while and seeing how Johnson reacts. When Johnson writes back with an air of worry and affectionate regard—“What can possibly have happened, that keeps us two such strangers to each other?” (1027)—Boswell is satisfied of Johnson’s constancy and replies that they should write more often: “[t]he very sight of your hand-writing would comfort me” (1030).