The print in the _European Magazine_ is an accurate representation of the appearance of this ancient and gloomy house in the dark corner; but it had many comforts, and "a large garden," in which I have been; it is now all built upon, and has been covered for nearly half a century. Some yet living may have visited Dr. Johnson there: I have often conversed with others who are dead that did--the late Mr. Bowyer Nichols, Mr. Cradock (of Leicestershire), Mr. A. Strahan, and others mentioned in the Doctor's works, when gratifying their curiosity by showing them over the house; and it has fallen to my lot to do so to many literary characters. Indeed as to the place where Dr. Johnson lived and died, there is no more room for doubt than as to where old London bridge stood. I have many times been with the late Mr. James Boswell (son of Dr. Johnson's biographer) in the rather dismal parlour--which spot, it is not to be wondered at, had a peculiar attraction for _him_. There is _no_ kind of foundation for assigning Dr. Johnson's residence to that where Cobbett lived or wrote--it was a mere joke. As to the "Johnson's Head" tavern, it was an upholsterer's manufactory at the time of Dr. Johnson's death. I myself knew an old man of the name of _Hale_ residing in it, and carrying on that occupation so early as 1800, who had doubtless been there before Dr. Johnson's death; his son followed him, and continued till about 1826-1830 in those premises. By the same token (as Paddy says), while now addressing "N. & Q." (though nearly 300 miles from the spot) I am writing at a table Hale sen. made for me in that house in 1818. The greater part of Mr. Bensley's extensive premises was _twice_ burned down; but on neither occasion was Allen's house destroyed. It yet stands, though so altered and improved as not to resemble the original edifice. Mr. Tyler's counting-house, by the iron gate at the S. W. corner, however, is left just as used by Allen (except a passage cut off at the end), the panelling, &c., just the same, being the _only_ part remaining unaltered: there was then, of course, no door out to the stone steps, as there stood Dr. Johnson's parlour. In this counting-house, no doubt, Dr. Johnson often was; and in the adjoining parlour he often fed. It was a very old-fashioned room, as I well remember it upwards of half a century ago. His better parlour, or drawing-room, was large and handsomely furnished for the period, with three windows, and two ancient pier-glasses fixed to tables, gilt and adorned according to the taste of the times. Mr. Bensley bought these and a few other household matters, which remained _in statu quo_ till 1805-1808. I have seen some prints of the inside of Dr. Johnson's house, which do not give a very accurate idea of the appearance of the rooms, &c.; but, I repeat it, the view of the front in the _European Magazine_ is excellent.