] Chesterfield is also remembered in connection with Johnson's Dictionary. Johnson had addressed the Plan of that work to Chesterfield, but it was received with neglect, probably unintentional; on publication of the Dictionary, Chesterfield wrote two papers in The World commending it. Thereupon on 7th Feb, 1755 Johnson addressed to him the famous letter in which he bitterly rejected a notice which "had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it."

Is this the origin of Johnson's saying that a patron is like someone who ignores a drowning man only to embarass him with help once he has reached shore?