![JOHNSON, Samuel (1709-1784), lexicographer, essayist. Autograph note signed (“Mr. Johnson”), in text, to Elizabeth Way (1746-1825), [London] 6 May 1782. 1 page, oblong card (2 ½ x 3 ¾ in.).](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2015/NYR/2015_NYR_03750_0083_000(johnson_samuel_lexicographer_essayist_autograph_note_signed_in_text_to094530).jpg?w=1)
PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
JOHNSON, Samuel (1709-1784), lexicographer, essayist. Autograph note signed (“Mr. Johnson”), in text, to Elizabeth Way (1746-1825), [London] 6 May 1782. 1 page, oblong card (2 ½ x 3 ¾ in.).
Details
JOHNSON, Samuel (1709-1784), lexicographer, essayist. Autograph note signed (“Mr. Johnson”), in text, to Elizabeth Way (1746-1825), [London] 6 May 1782. 1 page, oblong card (2 ½ x 3 ¾ in.).
A rare Johnson autograph note: “Mr Johnson is truly sensible of dear Mrs Way’s kindness. He hopes that he is now better, but he is still very much disturbed.” This is the second of two notes he sent to Way about his poor health. Two days previously he postponed a planned engagement to meet with Mrs Way and Lady Sheffield due to his “very frequent and violent cough” and “an oppressive and distressful difficulty of breathing.” Way evidently wrote to express her concern, which prompted this reply. Johnson suffered much in the first half of 1782, first from the death of his great friend and lodger, Dr Robert Levett in January, then by a severe cold that lasted more than two months, from January to late March. He recovered only to fall ill again at the end of April.
Elizabeth Way was the eldest daughter of Dr William Cooke, the provost of King’s College, Cambridge, the sister-in-law to Lady Sheffield, and a friend of Edward Gibbon, fellow member of Johnson’s famed Literary Club. Gibbon likely made the introduction. Johnson manuscripts have become scarce in recent years. Eleven examples have appeared at auction in the last ten years; only two in the last five years. Published in Redford 4:36.
A rare Johnson autograph note: “Mr Johnson is truly sensible of dear Mrs Way’s kindness. He hopes that he is now better, but he is still very much disturbed.” This is the second of two notes he sent to Way about his poor health. Two days previously he postponed a planned engagement to meet with Mrs Way and Lady Sheffield due to his “very frequent and violent cough” and “an oppressive and distressful difficulty of breathing.” Way evidently wrote to express her concern, which prompted this reply. Johnson suffered much in the first half of 1782, first from the death of his great friend and lodger, Dr Robert Levett in January, then by a severe cold that lasted more than two months, from January to late March. He recovered only to fall ill again at the end of April.
Elizabeth Way was the eldest daughter of Dr William Cooke, the provost of King’s College, Cambridge, the sister-in-law to Lady Sheffield, and a friend of Edward Gibbon, fellow member of Johnson’s famed Literary Club. Gibbon likely made the introduction. Johnson manuscripts have become scarce in recent years. Eleven examples have appeared at auction in the last ten years; only two in the last five years. Published in Redford 4:36.