How would you like to join a special Johnson Society of Australia packagedtour to the United Kingdom to visit some of the great Johnsonian sacredsites? Your committee has discussed the possibility, and we're now callingfor expressions of interest from members for a tour around September, 1999.
At this stage, of course, we can't produce an itinerary or final costs,but the tour would certainly include Dr Johnson's House in Gough Square,London, a visit to Johnson's burial place in Westminster Abbey, thenceto Lichfield and hopefully to join the annual celebration of Johnson'sbirthday (an account of this interesting ceremony is contained in JohnByrne's report of his recent visit there)., as well as a visit to Pembroke,Johnson's Oxford college. There would also be other places of Johnsonianinterest in the Midlands.
The plan would be to travel by bus, and all accommodation would be pre-arranged.Under the terms of airline packages, we would all have to leave Australiatogether, but could return individually at any time, so that those wishingto extend their visit could do so. Before the tour, we would get in touchwith our corresponding societies in England and no doubt would be ableto arrange meetings and some social get-togethers.
It would be a great opportunity to get to the heart of Johnson countryand to absorb even more of "the Johnsonian ether." We will, ofcourse, be better able to work out costs and travel arrangements when wehave an idea of how many people we can expect on the tour. If you wouldbe interested in joining the projected tour, please write to The Secretary,The Johnson Society of Australia, PO Box 163, Albert Park Vic 3206.