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parliament with perfect exactness. JOHNSON. Sir, it is impossible. I remember one Angel, who came to me to write for him a preface or dedication to a book upon short-hand, and he professed to write as fast as a man could speak. In order to try him, I took down a book, and read while he wrote; and I favoured him, for I read more deliberately than usual. I had proceeded but a very little way, when he begged I would desist, for he could not follow me." Hearing now for the first time of this preface or dedication, I said, "What an expense, Sir, do you put us to in buying books, to which you have written prefaces or dedications." JOHNSON. "Why, I have dedicated to the royal family all round; that is to say, to the last generation of the royal family." GOLDSMITH. "And perhaps, Sir, not one sentence of wit in a whole dedication." JOHNSON. "Perhaps not, Sir." BOSWELL. "What then is the reason for applying to a particular person to do that which any one may do as well?" JOHNSON. "Why, Sir, one man has greater readiness at doing it than another."

"I spoke of Mr. Harris, of Salisbury, as being a very learned man, and in particular an eminent Grecian. JOHNSON. "I am not sure of that. His friends give him out as such, but I know not who of his friends are able to judge of it." GOLDSMITH. "He is what is much better: he is a worthy humane man." JOHNSON. "Nay, Sir, that is not to the purpose of our argument: that will as much prove that he can play upon the fiddle as well as Giardini, as that he is an eminent Grecian." | GOLDSMITH. "The greatest musical performers have but small emoluments. Giardini, I am told, does not get above seven hundred a year." JOHNSON. "That is indeed but little for a man to get, who does best that which so many endeavour to do. There is nothing, I think, in which the power of art is shown so much as in playing on the fiddle. In all other things we can do something at first. Any man will forge a bar of iron, if you give him a hammer; not so well as a smith, but tolerably. A man will saw a piece of wood, and make a box, though a clumsy one; but give him a fiddle and a fiddlestick, and he can do nothing."

On Monday, April 19., he called on me with Mrs. Williams, in Mr. Strahan's coach, and carried me out to dine with Mr. Elphinston, at his academy at Kensington. A printer having

acquired a fortune sufficient to keep his coach, was a good topic for the credit of literature. Mrs. Williams said, that another printer, Mr. Hamilton, had not waited so long as Mr. Strahan, but had kept his coach several years sooner. JOHNSON. “He was in the right. Life is short. The sooner that a man begins to enjoy his wealth, the better."

Mr. Elphinston talked of a new book that was much admired, and asked Dr. Johnson if he had read it. JOHNSON. "I have looked into it." "What," said Elphinston, "have you not read it through ?" Johnson, offended at being thus pressed, and so obliged to own his cursory mode of reading, answered tartly, "No, Sir; do you read books through?”

He this day again defended duelling, and put his argument upon what I have ever thought the most solid basis; that if public war be allowed to be consistent with morality, private war must be equally so. Indeed we may observe what strained arguments are used to reconcile war with the Christian religion. But, in my opinion, it is exceedingly clear that duelling, having better reasons for its barbarous violence, is more justifiable than war, in which thousands go forth without any cause of personal quarrel, and massacre each other.

On Wednesday, April 21., I dined with him at Mr. Thrale's. A gentleman attacked Garrick for being vain. JOHNSON. "No wonder, Sir, that he is vain; a man who is perpetually flattered in every mode that can be conceived. So many bellows have blown the fire, that one wonders he is not by this time become a cinder." BosWELL. "And such bellows too! Lord Mansfield with his cheeks like to burst: Lord Chatham like an Eolus. I have read such notes from them to him, as were enough to turn his head." JOHNSON. "True. When he whom every body else flatters, flatters me, I then am truly happy." MRS. THRALE. "The sentiment is in Congreve, I think." JOHNSON. "Yes, Madam, in 'The Way of the World:'-—

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1 Mr. Boswell does not include this dedication of " Angel's Stenography," published in 1758, in his list of Johnson's compositions. CROKER.

2 James Harris, Esq., father of the first Earl of Malmesbury, was born in 1709, and died in 1780. In 1801, his son published a magnificent edition of his works in two volumes guarto. -WRIGHT. Johnson had a strong prejudice against Mr. Harris; I know not why. Of the Dedication to his "Hermes," Mrs. Piozzi heard Johnson observe, that, though but fourteen lines long, there were six grammatical faults in it. And see post, 2d Nov. 1773, where he calls him "a coxcomb."- CROKER.

3 The Hamiltons were respectable publishers for three generations.CROKER.

4 Lord Chatham addressed to him, while on a visit at Mount Edgecumbe, the pretty lines:

"Leave, Garrick, leave the landscape, proudly gay,
Docks, forts, and navies, bright'ning all the bay;
To my plain roof repair, primeval seat!
Yet there no wonders your quick eye can meet,
Save should you deem it wonderful to find
Ambition cured, and an unpassion'd mind...
Come, then, immortal spirit of the stage,
Great nature's proxy, glass of every age,
Come, taste the simple life of patriarchs old,

Who, rich in rural peace, ne'er thought of pomp or gold."
-CROKER.

In Corum atque Eurum solitus sævire flagellis
Barbarus, Eolio nunquam hoc in carcere passo8,
Ipsum compedibus qui vinxerat Ennosigæum.1

This does very well, when both the winds and the sea are personified, and mentioned by their mythological names, as in Juvenal; but when they are mentioned in plain language, the application of the epithets suggested by me is the most obvious; and accordingly my friend himself, in his imitation of the passage

which describes Xerxes, has

"The waves he lashes, and enchains the wind.”2.

The modes of living in different countries, and the various views with which men travel in quest of new scenes, having been talked of, a learned gentleman' who holds a considerable office in the law, expatiated on the happiness of a savage life; and mentioned an instance of an officer who had actually lived for some time in the wilds of America, of whom, when in that state, he quoted this reflection with an air of admiration, as if it had been deeply philosophical: "Here am I, free and unrestrained, amidst the rude magnificence of Nature, with this Indian woman by my side, and this gun, with which I can procure food when I want it: what more can be desired for human happiness?" It did not require much sagacity to foresee that such a sentiment would not be permitted to pass without due animadversion. JOHNSON. "Do not allow yourself, Sir, to be imposed upon by such gross absurdity. It is sad stuff; it is brutish. If a bull could speak, he might as well exclaim,-Here am I with this cow and this grass; what being can enjoy greater felicity ?"

We talked of the melancholy end of a gentleman who had destroyed himself. JOHNSON. "It was owing to imaginary difficulties in his affairs, which, had he talked of with any friend, would soon have vanished." BosWELL. “Do you think, Sir, that all who commit suicide are mad?" JOHNSON. "Sir, they are often not universally disordered in their intellects, but one passion presses so upon them, that they yield to it, and commit suicide, as a passionate man will stab another." He added, "I have often thought, that after a man has taken the resolution to kill himself, it is not courage in him to do any thing, however des

1 "The proud Barbarian, whose impatient ire
Chastised the winds that disobeyed his nod
With stripes, ne'er suffered from the Eolian God,
Fetter'd the Shaker of the sea and land." Juv. x. 182.
Gifford.-CROKER.

2 So also Butler, Hudibras, p. ii. c.i. v. 845. :-
แ A Persian Emperor whipt his grannam,
The sea, his mother Venus came on." - MALONE.

3 I presume Mr., afterwards Sir W. W. Pepṛs, a Master in Chancery, a frequent visitor at Streatham, but between whom and Johnson there was not much good will.-CROKER. 4 The gentleman here meant was, no doubt, Johnson's friend, William Fitzherbert, Esq., Member for Derby, who terminated his own existence in January, 1772. — CROKER,

1835.

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perate, because he has nothing to fear." GOLDSMITH. "I don't see that." JOHNSON. " Nay, but, my dear Sir, why should you not see what GOLDSMITH. "It is for fear of something that he has resolved to every one else sees? kill himself: and will not that timid disposition restrain him?" JOHNSON. "It does not sig nify that the fear of something made him resolve; it is upon the state of his mind, after the resolution is taken, that I argue. Suppose a man, either from fear, or pride, or con

science, or whatever motive, has resolved to kill himself; when once the resolution is taken, He he has nothing to fear. take the king of Prussia by the nose, at the then may go and head of his army. He cannot fear the rack, who is resolved to kill himself. When Eustace termined to drown himself, he might, if he Budgel was walking down to the Thames, depleased, without any apprehension of danger, have turned aside, and first set fire to St.

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James's Palace."

[JOHNSON TO GOLDSMITH.

"SIR,

"April 23. 1773.

I beg that you will excuse my absence to the Club; I am going this evening to Oxford." "I have another favour to beg. It is that I

may be considered as proposing Mr. Boswell for a candidate of our society, and that he may be considered as regularly nominated. I am, Sir, your most humble servant, SAM. JOHNSON."]

On Tuesday, April 27., Mr. Beauclerk and I called on him in the morning. As we walked up Johnson's Court, I said, "I have a veneration for this court;" and was glad to find that Beauclerk had the same reverential enthusiasm. We found him alone. We talked of Mr. Andrew Stuart's elegant and plausible Letters to Lord Mansfield: a copy of which had been sent by the author to Dr. Johnson. JOHNSON.

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They have not answered the end. They have not been talked of; I have never heard of them. This is owing to their not being sold. People seldom read a book which is given to them; and few are given. The way to spread a work is to sell it at a low price. No man will send to buy a thing that costs even sixpence, without an intention to read it." BosWELL. May it not be doubted, Sir, whether it be proper to publish letters, arraigning the

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5 This goes far beyond Johnson's original thesis, and is undoubtedly erroneous. Suicide is often attempted to avoid an ignominious death, and would be, no doubt, still more frequently to avoid torture, - CROKER.

A friend and relative of Addison's, who drowned himself [in 1737] to escape a prosecution on account of forging the will of Dr. Tindal, in which Budgel had provided himself with a legacy of 2000. To this Pope alludes:

"Let Budgell charge low Grub Street on his quill, And write whate'er he please—except my will ” CROKER.

7 Boswell makes no mention of this excursion, which, I suppose, did not take place, as Boswell saw him in London on the 27th, and Johnson attended Boswell's election at the Club on the 30th.- CROKER.

8 On the Douglas cause, in 1773. —Croker.

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ultimate decision of an important cause by the supreme judicature of the nation?" JOHNSON. No, Sir, I do not think it was wrong to publish these letters. If they are thought to do harm, why not answer them? But they will do no harm. If Mr. Douglas be indeed the son of Lady Jane, he cannot be hurt: if he be not her son, and yet has the great estate of the family of Douglas, he may well submit to have a pamphlet against him by Andrew Stuart. Sir, I think such a publication does good, as it does good to show us the possibilities of human life. And, Sir, you will not say that the Douglas cause was a cause of easy decision, when it divided your Court as much as it could do, to be determined at all. When your judges are seven and seven, the casting vote of the president must be given on one side or other; no matter, for my argument, on which; one or the other must be taken; as when I am to move, there is no matter which leg I move first. And then, Sir, it was otherwise determined here. No, Sir, a more dubious determination of any question cannot be imagined." He said, "Goldsmith should not be for ever attempting to shine in conversation: he has not temper for it, he is so much mortified when he fails. Sir, a game of jokes is composed partly of skill, partly of chance; a man may be beat at times by one who has not the tenth part of his wit. Now Goldsmith's putting himself against another, is like a man laying a hundred to one, who cannot spare the hundred. It is not worth a man's while. A man should not lay a hundred to one, unless he can easily spare it, though he has a hundred chances for him he can get but a guinea, and may lose a hundred. Goldsmith is in this state. When he contends, if he gets the better, it is a very little addition to a man of his literary reputation if he does not get the better, he is miserably vexed."

991

Johnson's own superlative powers of wit set him above any risk of such uneasiness. Garrick had remarked to me of him, a few days before, "Rabelais and all other wits are nothing compared with him. You may be diverted by them; but Johnson gives you a forcible hug, and shakes laughter out of you, whether you will or no."

Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself. Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals intro

1 I regretted that Dr. Johnson never took the trouble to study a question which interested nations. He would not even read a pamphlet which I wrote upon it, entitled." The Essence of the Douglas Cause;" which, I have reason to flatter myself, had considerable effect in favour of Mr. Douglas; of whose legitimate filiation I was then, and am still, firmly convinced. Let me add, that no fact can be more

duced seldom talk in character. "For instance," said he, "the fable of the little fishes, who saw birds fly over their heads, and, envying them, petitioned Jupiter to be changed into birds. The skill," continued he, "consists in making them talk like little fishes." While he indulged himself in this fanciful reverie, he observed Johnson shaking his sides, and laughing. Upon which he smartly proceeded, Why, Dr. Johnson, this is not so easy as you seem to think: for if you were to make little fishes talk, they would talk like WHALES."

66

Johnson, though remarkable for his great variety of composition, never exercised his talents in fable, except we allow his beautiful [fairy] tale [the Fountains] published in Mrs. Williams's Miscellanies to be of that species. I have, however, found among his manuscript collections the following sketch of one:

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On Thursday, April 29., I dined with him at General Oglethorpe's, where were Sir Joshua Reynolds, Mr. Langton, Dr. Goldsmith, and Mr. Thrale. I was very desirous to get Dr. Johnson absolutely fixed in his resolution to go with me to the Hebrides this year; and I told him that I had received a letter from Dr. Robertson, the historian, upon the subject, with which he was much pleased, and now talked in such a manner of his long intended tour, that I was satisfied he meant to fulfil his engagement.

The custom of eating dogs at Otaheite being mentioned, Goldsmith observed, that this was also a custom in China; that a dog-butcher is as common there as any other butcher; and that when he walks abroad all the dogs fall on him. JOHNSON. "That is not owing to his killing dogs, Sir. I remember a butcher at Lichfield, whom a dog that was in the house where I lived, always attacked. It is the smell of carnage which provokes this, let the animals he has killed be what they may." GOLDSMITH." Yes, there is a general abhorrence in animals at the signs of massacre. you put a tub full of blood into a stable, the horses are like to go mad." JOHNSON. "I doubt that." GOLDSMITH. "Nay, Sir, it is a fact well authenticated." THRALE. "You had better prove it before you put it into your book on natural history. You may do it in my stable if you will." JOHNSON." Nay, Sir, I

If

respectably ascertained, than by the judgment of the most august tribunal in the world; a judgment in which Lord Mansfield and Lord Camden united in 1769, and from which only five of a numerous body entered a protest. - BoswELL. 2 It has already been observed [ante, p. 46.] that one of his first Essays was a Latin poem on a Glow-worm; but whether it be any where extant, has not been ascertained. - MALONE.

would not have him prove it. If he is content to take his information from others, he may get through his book with little trouble, and without much endangering his reputation. But if he makes experiments for so comprehensive a book as his, there would be no end to them; his erroneous assertions would then fall upon himself; and he might be blamed for not having made experiments as to every particular."

The character of Mallet having been introduced, and spoken of slightingly by Goldsmith;-JOHNSON. "Why, Sir, Mallet had talents enough to keep his literary reputation alive as long as he himself lived; and that, let me tell you, is a good deal." GOLDSMITH. "But I cannot agree that it was so. His literary reputation was dead long before his natural death. I consider an author's literary reputation to be alive only while his name will insure a good price for his copy from the booksellers. I will get you (to Johnson) a hundred guineas for any thing whatever that you shall write, if you put your name to it."

Dr. Goldsmith's new play, "She Stoops to Conquer," being mentioned;-JOHNSON. "I know of no comedy for many years that has so much exhilarated an audience, that has answered so much the great end of comedymaking an audience merry."

Goldsmith having said, that Garrick's compliment to the Queen, which he introduced into the play of "The Chances," which he had altered and revised this year, was mean and gross flattery;-JOHNSON. "Why, Sir, I would not write, I would not give solemnly under my hand, a character beyond what I thought really true; but a speech on the stage, let it flatter ever so extravagantly, is formular. It has always been formular to flatter kings and queens; so much so, that even in our church-service we have our most religious king,' used indiscriminately, whoever is king. Nay, they even flatter themselves; we have been graciously pleased to grant.' No modern flattery, however, is so gross as that of the Augustan age, where the emperor was deified;-Præsens Divus habebitur Augustus.' 2 And as to meanness" (rising into warmth)-"how is it mean in a player,- -a showman,—a fellow who exhibits himself for a shilling, to flatter his queen? The attempt, indeed, was dangerous; for if it had missed, what became of Garrick, and what became of the queen? As Sir William Temple says of a great general, it is necessary not only that his designs be formed in a masterly manner, but that they should be attended with

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success. Sir, it is right, at a time when the royal family is not generally liked, to let it be seen that the people like at least one of them." SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS. "I do not perceive why the profession of a player should be despised; for the great and ultimate end of all the employments of mankind is to produce amusement. Garrick produces more amusement than any body." BOSWELL. "You say, Dr. Johnson, that Garrick exhibits himself for a shilling. In this respect he is only on a footing with a lawyer, who exhibits himself for his fee, and even will maintain any nonsense or absurdity, if the case require it. Garrick refuses a play or a part which he does not like: a lawyer never refuses." JOHNSON. "Why, Sir, what does this prove? only that a lawyer is worse. Boswell is now like Jack in 'The Tale of a Tub,' who, when he is puzzled by an argument, hangs himself. He thinks I shall cut him down, but I'll let him hang" (laughing_vociferously). SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS. "Mr. Boswell thinks that the profession of a lawyer being unquestionably honourable, if he can show the profession of a player to be more honourable, he proves his ment."

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3.- · Boswell elected of the Club. Goldsmith in Company, and in his Study. His Roman History. "Talking for Victory." - Pilgrim's Progress.

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Milton. Pope. Man." Puns. Lay

Tree.

Monuments in St. Paul's. "The Whole Duty of Patronage.

The Bread

Savage Life. Reasoning of Brutes.

Toleration. Martyrdom.

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Doctrine of the

Trinity. Government of Ireland. Invocation of Saints. Goldy." — Literary Property. State of Nature. Male Succession. — Influence of the Seasons on the Mind. Projected Visit to the Hebrides.

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ON Friday, April 30., I dined with him at Mr. Beauclerk's, where were Lord Charlemont, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and some more members of the LITERARY CLUB, whom he had obligingly invited to meet me, as I was this evening to be balloted for as candidate for admission into that distinguished society. Johnson had done me the honour to propose me, and Beauclerk was very zealous for me.

Goldsmith being mentioned;-JOHNSON. "It is amazing how little Goldsmith knows. He

3 The allusion is not to the Tale of a Tub, but to the History of John Bull, part iv. chap. ii.; where however Jack does not hang himself for any such reason; but the misrepre sentation turned the laugh against Boswell, and that was all Johnson cared for. - LoCKHART.

8

ultimate decision of an important cause by the supreme judicature of the nation?" JOHNSON. "No, Sir, I do not think it was wrong to publish these letters. If they are thought to do harm, why not answer them? But they will do no harm. If Mr. Douglas be indeed the son of Lady Jane, he cannot be hurt: if he be not her son, and yet has the great estate of the family of Douglas, he may well submit to have a pamphlet against him by Andrew Stuart. Sir, I think such a publication does good, as it does good to show us the possibilities of human life. And, Sir, you will not say that the Douglas cause was a cause of easy decision, when it divided your Court as much as it could do, to be determined at all. When your judges are seven and seven, the casting vote of the president must be given on one side or other; no matter, for my argument, on which; one or the other must be taken; as when I am to move, there is no matter which leg I move first. And then, Sir, it was otherwise determined here. No, Sir, a more dubious determination of any question cannot be imagined." He said, "Goldsmith should not be for ever attempting to shine in conversation: he has not temper for it, he is so much mortified when he fails. Sir, a game of jokes is composed partly of skill, partly of chance; a man may be beat at times by one who has not the tenth part of his wit. Now Goldsmith's putting himself against another, is like a man laying a hundred to one, who cannot spare the hundred. It is not worth a man's while. A man should not lay a hundred to one, unless he can easily spare it, though he has a hundred chances for him he can get but a guinea, and may lose a hundred. Goldsmith is in this state. When he contends, if he gets the better, it is a very little addition to a man of his literary reputation if he does not get the better, he is miserably vexed."

991

Johnson's own superlative powers of wit set him above any risk of such uneasiness. Garrick had remarked to me of him, a few days before, "Rabelais and all other wits are nothing compared with him. You may be diverted by them; but Johnson gives you a forcible hug, and shakes laughter out of you, whether you will or no."

Goldsmith, however, was often very fortunate in his witty contests, even when he entered the lists with Johnson himself. Sir Joshua Reynolds was in company with them one day, when Goldsmith said, that he thought he could write a good fable, mentioned the simplicity which that kind of composition requires, and observed, that in most fables the animals intro

1 I regretted that Dr. Johnson never took the trouble to study a question which interested nations. He would not even read a pamphlet which I wrote upon it, entitled." The Essence of the Douglas Cause;" which, I have reason to flatter myself, had considerable effect in favour of Mr. Douglas; of whose legitimate filiation I was then, and am still, firmly convinced. Let me add, that no fact can be more

duced seldom talk in character. "Fe stance," said he, “the fable of the little who saw birds fly over their heads, and, en them, petitioned Jupiter to be change birds. The skill," continued he, "consi making them talk like little fishes." WI indulged himself in this fanciful rever observed Johnson shaking his sides, and 1 ing. Upon which he smartly proc Why, Dr. Johnson, this is not so easy seem to think for if you were to make fishes talk, they would talk like WHALES.

66

Johnson, though remarkable for his variety of composition, never exercis talents in fable, except we allow his be [fairy] tale [the Fountains] published in Williams's Miscellanies to be of that s I have, however, found among his mant collections the following sketch of one:

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On Thursday, April 29., I dined wit at General Oglethorpe's, where wer Joshua Reynolds, Mr. Langton, Dr. smith, and Mr. Thrale. I was very d to get Dr. Johnson absolutely fixed resolution to go with me to the Hebrid year; and I told him that I had rece letter from Dr. Robertson, the historian the subject, with which he was much p and now talked in such a manner of hi intended tour, that I was satisfied he m fulfil his engagement.

The custom of eating dogs at Otaheite mentioned, Goldsmith observed, that th also a custom in China; that a dog-but as common there as any other butcher that when he walks abroad all the dogs him. JOHNSON. "That is not owing killing dogs, Sir. I remember a butc Lichfield, whom a dog that was in the where I lived, always attacked. It smell of carnage which provokes this, animals he has killed be what they GOLDSMITH. "Yes, there is a general rence in animals at the signs of massac you put a tub full of blood into a stat horses are like to go mad." JOHNS doubt that." GOLDSMITH. "Nay, Sir, fact well authenticated." THRALE. "Y better prove it before you put it int book on natural history. You may do it stable if you will." JOHNSON. " Nay,

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