Of the craft and selfishness of the doctor's negro-servant,
the following is a notable instance. At the time of his
master's death, Mrs. Herne's maintenance was about £30 in
arrear. I was applied to for the money, and shewed the bill
to him, upon which he immediately went to the mad-house, and
insisted with the keeper thereof, that it should be charged on
the legacy; but he refused to do it, saying, that the lunatic
was placed there by Dr. Johnson, and that it was a debt incurred
in his life-time, and, by consequence, payable out of his
effects. When this would not do, this artful fellow came
to me, and pretended that he could bring a woman to
swear that there was nothing due; and, upon my telling
him, that I should, notwithstanding, pay the bill, he said,
he saw there was no good intended for him, and in anger
left me. (Hawkins)
Close this window and go
back to the text