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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 December 2024
Bennet Langton (bap. 1736–1801) became friendly with Johnson due to his great admiration for the Rambler. He was also a close friend of Topham Beauclerk. Langton was an original member of the Club and also rose to the rank of major in the Lincolnshire militia. In 1770 he married Mary Lloyd (1743–1820), the widow of John Leslie, Earl of Rothes (1698?–1767) and the Lady Rothes referred to in the letter. A well-regarded Greek scholar despite an acute lack of publications, he succeeded Johnson as Professor of Ancient Literature at the Royal Academy in 1788. In this letter Goldsmith declined an invitation to visit Langton and his wife at their home in Lincolnshire. It is also the first time Goldsmith alludes to his comic masterpiece, She Stoops to Conquer. Langton's letter of invitation (also in the British Library) is given in full here:
My dear Sir,
You was so kind, when I had the Pleasure of seeing you in Town, as to speak of having Thoughts of giving me your Company here. I wish very much you would put your kind intention in Execution, in which Lady Rothes, who desires Her best Compliments, very sincerely concurs with me—it was, if you remember, at Joshua Reynolds's that we talked of this, who gave me Hopes too of Letting us see Him. I would have wrote to Him likewise to request that Favour, but in the Papers it was said that he went to France some time ago, and I do not know whether he is yet returned; if He is, and You have an opportunity of seeing Him, will You be so kind as to mention what I have said, and how much we wish for the Pleasure of His Company—I have sent for the History of England, but have not yet receivd it—some short extracts yt. I have already seen have entertained me much. Let me have the Pleasure of hearing from you, Dear Sir, as soon as you conveniently can after you receive this, and then, if you are so good as to say you are coming, I will immediately write you word of the particulars of the Road to this place and Means of conveyance &c—Will you give me Leave to ask in what Forwardness is the Natural History, or whether you are about any other Work that you chuse as yet to speak of? I hope Poetry takes up some of Your attention—tout I will intrude upon you no longer than to say that I am, Dear Sir, with great Respect and Regard
Your obedient humble Servant
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