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ing that they were more faithful to their husbands, and more virtuous in every respect,, than in former times; because their understandings. were better cultivated. It was an undoubted proof of his good sense and good disposition, that he was never querulous, never prone to inveigh against the present times, as is so common when superficial minds are on the fret.

He disapproved of the Royal Marriage Bill; "Because (said he) I would not have the people think that the validity of marriage depends on the will of man, or that the right of a King depends on the will of man. I should not have been against making the marriage of any of the royal family, without the approbation of the King and Parliament, highly criminal.”

CHILDREN.

TALKING of the common remark, that affection descends, a gentleman said, that "this was wisely contrived for the preservation of mankind, for which it was not so necessary that there should be affection from children to parents, as from parents to children; nay there would be no harm in that view though children should at a certain age eat their parents."-JOHNSON. "But,

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Sir, if this were known generally to be the case, parents would not have affection for children." -BOSWELL. "True, Sir; for it is in expectation of return that parents are so attentive to their children; and I know a very pretty instance of a little girl of whom her father was very fond, who once when he was in a melancholy fit, and had gone to bed, persuaded him to rise in good humour, by saying, "My dear papa, please to get up, and let me help you on with your clothes, that I may learn to do it when you are an old man."

"I know not (says Mr. B.) how so whimsical a thought came into my mind; but I asked, "If, Sir, you were shut up in a castle, and a newborn child with you, what would you do?"JOHNSON. "Why, Sir, I should not much like my company."-B. " But would you take the trouble of rearing it?" He seemed, as may well be supposed, unwilling to pursue the subject; but upon my persevering in my question, replied, "Why yes, Sir, I would; but I must have all conveniencies. If I had no garden, I would make a shed on the roof, and take it there for fresh air. I should feed it, and wash it much, and with warm water, to please it, not with cold water, to give it pain."-B. " But, Sir, does not heat relax?"-7. "Sir, you are not to imagine the water is to be very hot. I would not coddle the child. No, Sir, the hardy method of treating

children does' no good. I'll take you five children from London, who shall cuff five Highland children. Sir, a man bred in London will carry a burthen, or run, or wrestle, as well as a man brought up in the hardiest manner in the country."-B. "Good living, I suppose, makes the Londoners strong.-7." Why, Sir, I don't know that it does. Our chairmen from Ireland, who are as strong men as any, have been brought up upon potatoes. Quantity makes up for quality."

B. "Would you teach this child that I have furnished you with any thing?"-7. " No, I would not be apt to teach it."-B. "Would not you have a pleasure in teaching it?-7. "No, Sir, I should not have a pleasure in teaching it.”

-B. "Have you not a pleasure in teaching men? There I have you. You have the same pleasure in teaching men that I should have in teaching children."-7. "Why, something about that."-B. "Do you think, Sir, that what is called natural affection is born with us? It seems to me to be the effect of habit, or of gratitude for kindness. No child has it for a parent whom it has not seen."-7." Why, Sir, I think there is an instinctive natural affection in parents toward their children."

EDUCATION.

In a conversation on the educating of children, Mr. Boswell asked Johnson what he thought was best to teach them first." Sir (said he), it is no matter what you teach them first, any more than what leg you shall put into your breeches first. Sir, you may stand disputing which is best to put in first, but in the mean time your breech is bare. Sir, while you are considering which of two things you should teach your child first, another boy has learnt them both."

Johnson himself began to learn Latin with Mr. Hawkins, usher, or under-master of Lichfield school, “A man (said he) very skilful in his little way." With him he continued two years, and then rose to be under the care of Mr. Hunter, the head-master, who, according to his account, "was very severe, and wrong-headedly severe, He used (said he) to beat us unmercifully; and he did not distinguish between ignorance and negligence; for he would beat a boy equally for not knowing a thing, as for neglecting to know it, He would ask a boy a question; and if he did not answer it, he would beat him, without consider ing whether he had an opportunity of knowing how to answer it; for instance, he would call

upon a boy and ask him Latin for a candlestick, which the boy could not expect to be asked. Now, Sir, if a boy could answer every question, there would be no need of a master to teach him."

Johnson, however, was very sensible how much he owed to Mr. Hunter. Mr. Langton one day asked him how he acquired so accurate a knowledge of Latin, in which he was thought not to be exceeded by any man of his time. He said, "My master whipt me very well. Without that, Sir, I should have done nothing." He also told Mr. Langton, that while Hunter was flogging his boys unmercifully, he used to say, "And this I do to save you from the gallows." Johnson, upon all occasions, expressed his approbation of enforcing instruction by means of the rod. " I would rather (said he) have the rod the general terror of all, to make them learn, than tell a child, if you do thus, or thus, you will be more esteemed than your brothers or sisters. The rod produces an effect which terminates in itself. A child is afraid of being whipped, and gets his task, and there's an end on't; whereas, by exciting emulation and comparisons of superiority, you lay the foundation of lasting mischief; you make brothers and sisters hate each other.".

"Johnson's opinion of the most proper course to be pursued in the instruction of youth is as

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