sies, and so mingled with ceremonies borrowed "As to the course of the Nile, its waters, af from the Jews, that little, besides the name of ter the first rise, run towards the East, about the Christianity, is to be found among them. The length of a musket-shot: then, turning northAbyssins cannot properly be said to have either ward, continue hidden in the grass and weeds cities or houses; they live in tents or cottages for about a quarter of a league, when they remade of straw or clay, very rarely building with appear amongst a quantity of rocks. The Nile stone. Their villages or towns consist of these from its source proceeds with so inconsiderable .huts; yet even of such villages they have but a current, that it is in danger of being dried up few; because the grandees, the viceroys, and the by the hot season; but soon receiving an increase emperor himself, are always in camp, that they from the Gemma, the Keltu, the Bransa, and the may be prepared, upon the most sudden alarm, other smaller rivers, it expands to such a breadth to meet every emergence, in a country which is in the plains of Boad, which is not above three engaged every year either in foreign wars or in- days' journey from its source, that a muskettestine commotions. Ethiopia produces very ball will scarcely fly from one bank to the other. near the same kinds of provision as Portugal, Here it begins to run northward, winding, howthough, by the extreme laziness of the inhabit-ever, a little to the East for the space of nine or ants, in a much less quantity. What the an- ten leagues, and then enters the so-much-talkedcients imagined of the torrid zone being a part of Lake of Dambia, flowing with such violent of the world uninhabitable, is so far from being true, that the climate is very temperate. The blacks have better features than in other countries, and are not without wit and ingenuity. Their apprehension is quick, and their judgment sound. There are in the climate two harvests in the year: one in winter, which lasts through the months of July, August and September; the other in the Spring. They have, in the greatest plenty, raisins, peaches, pomegranates, sugar-canes, and some figs. Most of these are ripe about Lent, which the Abyssins keep with great strictness. The animals of the country are the lion, the elephant, the rhinoceros, the unicorn, horses, mules, oxen, and cows without number. They have a very particular custom, which obliges every man, that has a thousand cows, to save every year one day's milk of all his herd, and make a bath with it for his relations. This they do so many days in each year, as they have thousands of cattle; so that, to express how rich a man is, they tell you he bathes so many times. "Of the river Nile, which has furnished so much controversy, we have a full and clear description. It is called by the natives, Abavi, the Father of Water. It rises in Sacala, a province of the kingdom of Goiama, the most fertile and agreeable part of the Abyssinian dominions. On the Eastern side of the country, on the declivity of a mountain, whose descent is so easy, that it seems a beautiful plain, is that source of the Nile, which has been sought after at so much expense and labour. This spring, or rather these two springs, are two holes, each about two feet diameter, a stone's cast distant from each other. One of them is about five feet and a half in depth. Lobo was not able to sink his plummet lower, perhaps, because it was stopped by roots, the whole place being full of trees. A line of ten feet did not reach the bottom of the other. These springs are supposed by the Abyssins to be the vents of a great subterraneous lake. At a small distance to the South, is a village called Guix, through which you ascend to the top of the mountain, where there is a little hill, which the idolatrous Agaci hold in great veneration. Their priest calls them together to this place once a year: and every one sacrifices a cow, or more, according to the different degrees of wealth and devotion Hence we have sufficient proof, that these nations always paid adoration to the Deity of this famous river. rapidity, that its waters may be distinguished through the whole passage, which is no less than six leagues. Here begins the greatness of the Nile. Fifteen miles further, in the land of Alata, it rushes precipitately from the top of a high rock, and forms one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Lobo says, he passed under it without being wet, and resting himself, for the sake of the coolness, was charmed with a thousand delightful rainbows, which the sunbeams painted on the water, in all their shining and lively colours.* The fall of this mighty stream, from so great a height, makes a noise that may be heard at a considerable distance; but it was not found, that the neighbouring inhabitants were deaf. After the cataract, the Nile collects its scattered stream among the rocks, which are so near each other, that in Lobo's time, a bridge of beams, on which the whole imperial army passed, was laid over them. Sultan Sequed has since built a stone bridge of one arch, in the same place, for which purpose he procured ma sons from India. Here the river alters its course, and passes through various kingdoms, such as Amhara, Olaca, Choaa, Damot, and the kingdom of Goiama, and, after various windings, returns within a short day's journey of its spring. To pursue it through all its mazes, and accompany it round the kingdom of Goiama, is a journey of twenty-nine days. From Abyssinia, the river passes into the countries of Fazulo and Ombarca, two vast regions little known, inhabited by nations entirely different from the Abyssins. Their hair, like that of the other blacks in those regions, is short and curled. In the year 1615, Rassela Christos, Lieutenant-General to Sultan Sequed, entered those kingdoms in a hostile manner; but, not being able to get intelligence, returned without attempting any thing. As the empire of Abyssinia terminates at these descents, Lobo followed the course of the Nile no farther, leaving it to range over barbarous kingdoms, and convey wealth and plenty into Egypt, which owes to the annual inundations *This, Mr. Bruce, the late traveller, avers to be a downright falsehood. He says, a deep pool of water reaches to the very foot of the rock; and allowing that there was a seat or bench (which there is not) in the middle of the strength, to have arrived at it. But it may be asked, can pool, it is absolutely impossible, by any exertion of human Mr. Bruce say, what was the face of the country in the year 1622, when Lobo saw the magnificent sight which he formed since; and Lobo, perhaps, was content to sit down has described? Mr. Bruce's pool of water may have been without a bench. of this river its envied fertility.* Lobo knows want of encouragement. Johnson, it seems, nothing of the Nile in the rest of its passage, differed from Boileau, Voltaire, and D'Alembert, except that it receives great increase from many who had taken upon them to proscribe all mo other rivers, has several cataracts like that al-dern efforts to write with elegance in a dead ready described, and that few fish are to be found in it; that scarcity is to be attributed to the river horse and the crocodile, which destroy the weaker inhabitants of the river. Something, likewise, must be imputed to the cataracts, where fish cannot fall without being killed. Lobo adds, that neither he, nor any with whom he conversed about the crocodile, ever saw him weep; and therefore all that hath been said about his tears must be ranked among the fables invented for the amusement of children. language. For a decision pronounced in so high a tone, no good reason can be assigned. The interests of learning require that the diction of Greece and Rome should be cultivated with care; and he who can write a language with correctness, will be most likely to understand its idiom, its grammar, and its peculiar graces of style. What man of taste would willingly forego the pleasure of reading Vida, Fracastorius, Sannazaro, Strada, and others, down to the late elegant productions of Bishop Lowth? As to the causes of the inundations of the The history which Johnson proposed to himself Nile, Lobo observes, that many an idle hypothe- would, beyond all question, have been a valuable sis has been framed. Some theorists ascribe it addition to the history of letters; but his project to the high winds, that stop the current, and failed. His next expedient was to offer his as force the water above its banks. Others pre- sistance to Cave, the original projector of the tend a subterraneous communication between Gentleman's Magazine. For this purpose he the Ocean and the Nile, and that the sea, when sent his proposals in a letter, offering, on rea. violently agitated, swells the river. Many are sonable terms, occasionally to fill some pages of opinion, that this mighty flood proceeds from with poems and inscriptions never printed bethe melting of the snow on the mountains of fore; with fugitive pieces that deserved to be reEthiopia ; but so much snow and such prodigious vived, and critical remarks on authors ancient heat are never met with in the same region. and modern. Cave agreed to retain him as a Lobo never saw snow in Abyssinia, except on correspondent and contributor to the Magazine. Mount Semen in the kingdom of Tigre, very What the conditions were cannot now be remote from the Nile; and on Namara, which known; but certainly they were not sufficient is, indeed, not far distant, but where there never to hinder Johnson from casting his eyes about falls snow enough to wet, when dissolved, the him in quest of other employment. Accordingfoot of the mountain. To the immense labours ly, in 1735, he made overtures to the Rev. Mr. of the Portuguese, mankind is indebted for the Budworth, Master of a Grammar-school at knowledge of the real cause of these inundations, Brerewood, in Staffordshire, to become his asso great and so regular. By them we are in- sistant. This proposition did not succeed. Mr. formed, that Abyssinia, where the Nile rises, is Budworth apprehended, that the involuntary full of mountains, and in its natural situation, is motions, to which Johnson's nerves were submuch higher than Egypt; that in the winter, from ject, might make him an object of ridicule with June to September, no day is without rain; that his scholars, and, by consequence, lessen their the Nile receives in its course, all the rivers, respect for their master. Another mode of adbrooks, and torrents, that fall from those moun- vancing himself presented itself about this time. tains, and, by necessary consequence, swelling Mrs. Porter, the widow of a mercer in Birming above its banks, fills the plains of Egypt with ham, admired his talents. It is said that she had inundations, which come regularly about the about eight hundred pounds; and that sum to a month of July, or three weeks after the begin-person in Johnson's circumstances was an affluning of the rainy season in Ethiopia. The different degrees of this flood are such certain indications of the fruitfulness or sterility of the ensuing year, that it is publicly proclaimed at Cairo how much the water hath gained during the night." ent fortune. A marriage took place, and to turn his wife's money to the best advantage, he pro jected the scheme of an academy for education. Gilbert Walmsley, at that time Registrar of the Ecclesiastical Court of the Bishop of Litchfield, Such is the account of the Nile and its inun- was distinguished by his erudition, and the podations, which it is hoped will not be deemed an liteness of his manners. He was the friend of improper or tedious digression, especially as the Johnson, and, by his weight and influence enwhole is an extract from Johnson's translation. deavoured to promote his interest. The celeHe is all the time the actor in the scene, and in brated Garrick, whose father, Captain Garrick, his own words relates the story. Having finish-lived at Litchfield, was placed in the new semied this work, he returned, in February 1734, tonary of education, by that gentleman's advice.his native city, and, in the month of August fol- Garrick was then about eighteen years old. An lowing, published proposals for printing by sub-accession of seven or eight pupils was the most scription the Latin Poems of Politian, with the History of Latin Poetry, from the Era of Petrarch, to the time of Politian; and also the life of Politian, to be added by the Editor, Samuel Johnson. The book to be printed in thirty octavo sheets, price five shillings. It is to be regretted that this project failed for *After comparing this description with that lately given by Mr. Bruce, the reader will judge whether Lobo is to lose the honour of having been at the head of the Nile near two centuries before any other European traveller. that could be obtained, though notice was given by a public advertisement, that at Edial, near Litchfield, in Staffordshire, young gentlemen are boarded and taught the Latin and Greek Languages, by Samuel Johnson. The undertaking proved abortive. Johnson having now abandoned all hopes of promoting his fortune in the country, determined to become an adventurer in the world at large. His young pupil, Garrick, had formed the same resolution; See the Gentleman's Magazine for 1736, p. 418 Sa and, accordingly, in March, 1737, they arrived pleted: a like design was offered to the_public, in London together. Two such candidates for under the patronage of Dr. Zachary Pearce; fame, perhaps never before that day entered and by that contention both attempts were frusthe metropolis together. Their stock of money trated. Johnson had been commended by Pope was soon exhausted. In his visionary project for the translation of the Messiah into Latin of an academy, Johnson had probably wasted verse; but he knew no approach to so eminent a his wife's substance; and Garrick's father had man. With one, however, who was connected little more than his half-pay. The two fellow- with Pope, he became acquainted at St. John's travellers had the world before them, and each Gate; and that person was no other than the was to choose his road to fortune and to fame. well-known Richard Savage, whose life was afThey brought with them genius, and powers of terwards written by Johnson, with great elemind, peculiarly formed by nature for the differ- gance, and a depth of moral reflection. Savage ent vocations to which each of them felt himself was a man of considerable talents. His adinclined. They acted from the impulse of young dress, his various accomplishments, and, above minds, even then meditating great things, and all, the peculiarity of his misfortunes, recomwith courage anticipating success. Their friend mended him to Johnson's notice. They be Mr. Walmsley, by a letter to the Rev. Mr. Col- came united in the closest intimacy. Both had son, who, it seems, was a great mathematician, great parts, and they were equally under the exerted his good offices in their favour. He gave pressure of want. Sympathy joined them in a notice of their intended journey. "Davy Gar-league of friendship. Johnson has been often rick," he said, "will be with you next week; heard to relate, that he and Savage walked and Johnson, to try his fate with a tragedy, and round Grosvenor-square till four in the mornto get himself employed in some translation ing; in the course of their conversation reformeither from the Latin or French. Johnson is a ing the world, dethroning princes, establishing very good scholar and a poet, and I have great new forms of government, and giving laws to hopes will turn out a fine tragedy writer. If it the several states of Europe; till, fatigued at should be in your way, I doubt not but you will length with their legislative office, they began to be ready to recommend and assist your country- feel the want of refreshment, but could not inusmen." Of Mr. Walmsley's merit, and the ex- ter up more than fourpence-halfpenny. cellence of his character, Johnson has left a vage, it is true, had many vices: but vice could beautiful testimonial at the end of the Life of never strike its roots in a mind like Johnson's, Edward Smith. It is reasonable to conclude, seasoned early with religion, and the principles of that a mathematician, absorbed in abstract spe- moral rectitude. His first prayer was composed culations, was not able to find a sphere of action in the year 1738. He had not at that time refor two men who were to be the architects of nounced the use of wine; and, no doubt, occatheir own fortune. In three or four years after- sionally enjoyed his friend and his bottle. The wards Garrick came forth, with talents that as- love of late hours, which followed him through tonished the public. He began his career at life, was, perhaps, originally contracted in comGoodman's-fields, and there, monstratus fatis pany with Savage. However that may be, their Vespasianus! he chose a lucrative profession, connexion was not of long duration. In the and consequently soon emerged from all his dif-year 1738, Savage was reduced to the last disficulties. Johnson was left to toil in the hum-tress. Mr. Pope, in a letter to him, expressed ble walks of literature. A tragedy, as appears his concern for "the miserable withdrawing of by Walmsley's letter, was the whole of his stock. his pension after the death of the Queen;" and This, most probably, was IRENE; but, if then gave him hopes that, "in a short time, he should finished, it was doomed to wait for a more happy find himself supplied with a competence, with period. It was offered to Fleetwood, and reject-out any dependence on those little creatures ed. Johnson looked round him for employment. whom we are pleased to call the Great. The Having, while he remained in the country, cor- scheme proposed to him was, that he should reresponded with Cave, under a feigned name, he tire to Swansea in Wales, and receive an allownow thought it time to make himself known to ance of fifty pounds a year, to be raised by suba man whom he considered as patron of litera- scription; Pope was to pay twenty pounds. This ture. Cave had announced, by public advertise-plan, though finally established, took more than ment, a prize of fifty pounds for the best poem on Life, Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell; and this circumstance diffused an idea of his liberality. Johnson became connected with him in business, and in a close and intimate acquaintOf Cave's character it is unnecessary to say any thing in this place, as Johnson was afterwards the biographer of his first and most useful patron. To be engaged in the translation of some important book was still the object which Johnson had in view. For this purpose he proposed to give the History of the Council of Trent, with copious notes, then lately added to a French edition. Twelve sheets of this work were printed, for which Johnson received forty-nine pounds, as appears by his receipt in the possession of Mr. Nichols, the compiler of that enter- Johnson at that time lodged at Greenwich. taining and useful work, the Gentleman's Maga- He there fixes the scene, and takes leave of his zine, Johnson's translation was never com-friend; who, he says in his Life, parted from ance. a year before it was carried into execution. In "Though grief and fondness in my breast rebel, . GENIUS OF DR. JOHNSON. him with tears in his eyes. The poem, when It happened, finished, was offered to Cave. however, that the late Mr. Dodsley was the purchaser, at the price of ten guineas. It was published in 1738; and Pope, we are told, said, "The author, whoever he is, will not be long concealed:" alluding to the passage in Terence, Ubi, ubi est, diu celari non potest. Notwithstand ing that prediction, it does not appear that, besides the copy-money, any advantage accrued to the author of a poem, written with the elegance and energy of Pope. Johnson, in August 1738, went, with all the fame of his poetry, to offer himself a candidate for the mastership of the school at Appleby, in Leicestershire. The statutes of the place required, that the person chosen should be a Master of Arts. To remove this objection, the then Lord Gower was induced to write to a friend, in order to obtain for Johnson a Master's degree in the University of Dublin, by the recommendation of Dr. Swift. The letter was printed in one of the Magazines, and was as follows: Trentham, Aug. 1st."@ This scheme miscarried. There is reason to think, that Swift declined to meddle in the business; and to that circumstance Johnson's known dislike of Swift has been often imputed. It is mortifying to pursue a man of merit through all his difficulties; and yet this narra tive must be, through many following years, the history of Genius and Virtue struggling with Adversity. Having lost the school at Appleby, Johnson was thrown back on the metropolis. Bred to no profession, without relations, friends, or interest, he was condemned to drudgery in the service of Cave, his only patron. In November 1738 was published a translation of Crousaz's Examen of Pope's Essay on Man; "containing a succinct View of the System of the Fatalists, and a Confutation of their Opinions; with an Illustration of the Doctrine of FreeWill; and an inquiry, what view Mr. Pope might have in touching upon the Leibnitzian Philosophy, and Fatalism. By Mr. Crousaz, Lausanne." This translation has been geneProfessor of Philosophy, and Mathematics at rally thought a production of Johnson's pen; but it is now known, that Mrs. Elizabeth Carter has acknowledged it to be one of her early performances. It is certain, however, that Johnson was eager to promote the publication. He considered the foreign philosopher as a man zealous in the cause of religion; and with him he was willing to join against the system of the Fatalists, and the doctrine of Leibnitz. It is well known that Warburton wrote a vindication of Mr. Pope, but there is reason to think that Johnson conceived an early prejudice against the Essay on Man; and what once took root in a mind like his, was not easily eradicated. His letter to Cave on this subject is still extant, and may well justify Sir John Hawkins, who inferred that Johnson was the translator of Crousaz. The conclusion of the letter is remarkable. "I am yours, IMPRANSUS." If by that Latin word was meant that he had not dined, because he wanted the means, who can read it, even at this hour, without an aching heart? With a mind naturally vigorous, and quickened by necessity, Johnson formed a multiplicity of projects; but most of them proved abortive. A number of small tracts issued from his pen with wonderful rapidity; such as "MARMOR NORFOLCIENSE; or an Essay on an ancient prophetical Inscription, in Monkish Rhyme, discovered at Lynn in Norfolk. By Probus Britan nicus." This was a pamphlet against Sir Robert Walpole. According to Sir John Hawkins, a warrant was issued to apprehend the Author, who retired with his wife to an obscure lodging near Lambeth Marsh, and there eluded the Johnson was never search of the messengers. But this story has no foundation in truth. known to mention such an incident in his life; and Mr. Steele (late of the Treasury) caused diligent search to be made at the proper offices, and no trace of such a proceeding could be found. In the same year (1739) the Lord Chamberlain prohibited the representation of a Brooke. tragedy, called GUSTAVUS VASA, by Henry Under the mask of irony, Johnson published "A Vindication of the Licenser from the malicious and scandalous Aspersions of Mr. Brooke." Of these two pieces Sir John Hawkins says, "they have neither learning nor wit, |