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168 MEMOIR OF JAMES BOSWELL.
The progress of Boswell's magnum opus has been traced to
the 4th December, 1790. On the 12th of that month the author
wrote to Mr. Temple : — *
" My work has met with a delay for a little while — not a
whole day, however — by an unaccountable neglect in having
paper enough in readiness. I have now before me p. 256. My
utmost wish is to come forth on Shrove Tuesday (8th March)."
Mr. Malone was now in Ireland, and Boswell, in reporting to
him the progress of his undertaking, also communicated the
miserable details of his private embarrassments. In a letter to
Mr. Malone, dated the 18th January, 1791, he writes thus : —
" I have been so disturbed by sad money matters that my
mind has been quite fretful; £500 which I borrowed and lent
to a first cousin, an unlucky captain of an Indiaman, were due
on the 15 th to a merchant in the city. I could not possibly
raise that sum, and was apprehensive of being hardly used.
He, however, indulged me with an allowance to make partial
payments, £150 in two months, £150 in eight months, and the
remainder, with the interests, in eighteen months. How I am
to manage I am at a loss, and I know you cannot help me.
So this, upon my honour, is no hint. I am really tempted to
accept of the £1000 for my life of Johnson. Yet it would go
to my heart to sell it at a price which I think much too low.
Let me struggle and hope. I cannot be out on Shrove
Tuesday as I flattered myself. P. 376 of Vol. II. is ordered
for the press, and I expect another proof to-night. But I
have yet near 200 pages of copy, besides letters, and the death,
which is not yet written."
Writing to Mr. Malone on the 29th January, Boswell makes
these deplorable revelations : —
" I have for some weeks had the most woeful return of
melancholy, insomuch that I have not only had no relish of
anything, but a continual uneasiness and all the prospect
before me for the rest of life has seemed gloomy and hopeless.
The state of my affairs is exceedingly embarrassed. I men-