are very splendid and magnificent ; and what would please you, there are many very fine pictures; but I do not think their way of life commodious or pleasant.

“Let me know how your health has been all this while. I hope the fine summer has given you strength sufficient to encounter the winter.

“Make my compliments to all my friends; and if your fingers will let you, write to me, or let your maid write to me, if it be troublesome to you. I am, dear Madam,

Your most affectionate humble servant,

“Sam. JOHNSON.”

TO THE SAME.

“ DEAR MADAM,

December, 1775. “Some weeks ago I wrote to you to tell you that I was just come home from a ramble, and hoped that I should have heard from you. I am afraid winter has laid hold on your fingers, and hinders you from writing. However, let somebody write, if you cannot, and tell me how you do, and a little of what has happened at Lichfield among our friends. I hope you are all well.

“When I was in France, I thought myself growing young, but am afraid that cold weather will take part of my new vigour from me. Let us, however, take care of ourselves, and lose no part of our health by negligence.

“I never knew whether you received the Commentary on the New Testament, and the Travels, and the glasses.

Do, my dear love, write to me; and do not let us forget each other. This is the season of good wishes, and I wish you all good. I have not lately seen Mr. Porter, 1 nor heard of him. Is he with you?

“Be pleased to make my compliments to Mrs. Adey, and Mrs. Cobb, and all my friends ; and when I can do any good, let me know. I am, dear Madam,

“Yours most affectionately,

“SAM. JOHNSON.” It is to be regretted, that he did not write an account of his travels in France ; for as he is reported to have once said, that “he could write the life of a broomstick,” 2 so, notwithstanding so many former travellers have exhausted almost every subject for remark in that great kingdom, his very accurate observation, and peculiar vigour of thought and illustration, would have produced a valuable work. During his visit to it, which lasted but about two months, he wrote notes or minutes of what he saw. He promised to show me them, but I neglected to put him in mind of it; and the greatest part of them has been lost, or, perhaps, destroyed in a precipitate burning of his papers a few days before his death, which must ever be lamented. One small paper-book, however, entitled “ FRANCE II.,” has been preserved, and is in my possession. It is a diurnal register of his life and observations, from

Son of Mrs. Johnson, by her first husband.—Boswell. 2 It is probable that the author's memory here deceived him, and that he was thinking of Stella's remark, that Swift could write finely upon a broomstick. See Johnson's Life of Swift.–J. BosWELL, JUN.

was

own character in the world, or, rather as a convincing proof that Johnson's roughness was only external, and did not proceed from his heart, I insert the following dialogue. JOHNSON : “It is wonderful, Sir, how rare a quality good-humour is in life. We meet with very few good-humoured men.” I mentioned four of our friends, none of whom he would allow to be good-humoured. One was acid, another was muddy, and to the others he had objections which have escaped me. Then, shaking his head and stretching himself at ease in the coach, and smiling with much complacency, he turned to me and said, “ I look upon myself as a good-humoured fellow.” The epiihet fellow, applied to the great Lexicographer, the stately Moralist, the masterly Critic, as if he had been Sam Johnson, a mere pleasant companion, was highly diverting ; and this light notion of himself struck me with wonder. I answered, also smiling, “ No, no, Sir; that will not do. You are goodnatured, but not good-humoured : you are irascible. You have not patience with folly and absurdity. I believe you would pardon them, if there were time to deprecate your vengeance ; but punishment follows 80 quick after sentence, that they cannot escape.”

I had brought with me a great bundle of Scotch magazines and newspapers, in which his 65

Journey to the Western Islands attacked in every mode ; and I read a great part of them to him, knowing they would afford him entertainment. I wish the writers of them had been present: they would have been sufficiently vexed. One ludicrous imitation of his style, by Mr. Maclaurin, now one of the Scotch Judges, with the title of Lord Dreghorn, was distinguished by him from the rude mass. This,” said he, “is the best. But I could caricature my own style much better myself.” He defended his remark upon

the general insufficieney of education in Scotland ; and confirmed to me the authenticity of his witty saying on the learning of the Scotch ;—“ Their learning is like bread in a besieged town: every man gets a little, but no man gets a full meal.” “ There is,” said he,“ in Scotland, a diffusion of learning, a certain portion of it widely and thinly spread. A merchant has as much learning as one of their clergy."

He talked of Isaac Walton's Lives, which was one of his most favourite books. Dr. Donne's Life, he said, was the most perfect of them. He observed, that " it was wonderful that Walton who was in a very low situation in life, should have been familiarly received by so many great men, and that at a time when the ranks of society were kept more separate than they are now." He supposed that Walton had then given up business as a linen-draper and sempster, and was only an author ;

his

1

and added, “ that he was a great panegyrist." BosWELL: “ No quality will get a man more friends than a disposition to admire the qualities of others. I do not mean flattery, but a sincere admiration.” Johnson :

Nay, Sir, flattery pleases very generally. In the first place, the flatterer may think what he says to be true ; but in the second place, whether he thinks so or not, he certainly thinks those whom he flatters of consequence enough to be flattered."

No sooner had we made our bow to Mr. Cambridge, in his library, than Johnson ran eagerly to one side of the room intent on poring over the backs of the books. Sir Joshua observed (aside), “ He runs to the books as I do to the pictures ; but I have the advantage. I can see much more of the pictures than he can of the books.” Mr. Cambridge, upon this, politely said, “ Dr. Johnson, I am going, with your pardon, to accuse myself, for I have the same custom which I perceive you have. But it seems odd that one should have such a desire to look at the backs of books." Johnson, ever ready for contest, instantly started from his reverie, wheeled about and answered, Sir, the reason is very plain. Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it. When we inquire into any subject, the first thing we have to do is to know what books have treated of it. This leads us to look at catalogues, and the backs of books in libraries.” Sir Joshua observed to me the extraordinary promptitude with which Johnson flew upon an argument.

Yes,” said I," he has no formal preparation, no flourishing with his sword; he is through your body in an instant."

Johnson was here solaced with an elegant entertainment, a very accomplished family, and much good company ; among whom was Mr. Harris, of Salisbury, who paid him many compliments on his “ Journey to the Western Islands.”

The common remark as to the utility of reading history being made ; -JOHNSON : “We must consider how very little history there is; I mean real authentic history. That certain kings reigned, and certain battles were fought, we can depend upon as true ; but all the colouring, all the philosophy of history, is conjecture.” BoswELL: Then, Sir, you would reduce all history to no better than an almanac, a mere chronological series of remarkable events.” Mr. Gibbon, who must at that time have been employed upon his history, of which he published the first volume in the following year, was present ; but did not step forth in defence of that species of writing. He probably did not like to trust himself with Johnson.

Johnson observed, that the force of our early habits was so great,

66

that though reason approved, nay, though our senses relished a different course, almost every man returned to them. I do not believe there is any observation upon human nature better founded than this ; and, in many cases, it is a very painful truth ; for where early habits have been mean and wretched, the joy and elevation resulting from better modes of life must be damped by the gloomy consciousness of being under an almost inevitable doom to sink back into a situation which we recollect with disgust. It surely may be prevented, by constant attention and unremitting exertion to establish contrary habits of superior efficacy.

“The Beggars' Opera," and the common question, whether it was pernicious in its effects, having been introduced ;-JOHNSON : “ As to this matter, which has been very much contested, I myself am of opinion, that more influence has been ascribed to . The Beggars' Opera,' than it in reality ever had ; for I do not believe that any man was ever made a rogue by being present at its representation. At the same time I do not deny that it may have some influence, by making the character of a rogue familiar, and in some degree pleasing."1 Then collecting himself, as it were, to give a heavy stroke : “ There is in it such a labefactation of all principles as may be injurious to morality.”

While he pronounced this response, we sat in a comical sort of restraint, smothering a laugh, which we were afraid might burst out. In his life of Gay, he has been still more decisive as to the inefficiency of “The Beggars' Opera” in corrupting society. But I have ever thought somewhat differently ; for, indeed, not only are the gaiety and heroism of a highwayman very captivating to a youthful imagination, but the arguments for adventurous depredation are so plausible, the allusions so lively, and the contrasts with the ordinary and more painful modes of acquiring property are so artfully displayed, that it requires a cool and strong judgment to resist so imposing an aggregate: yet, I own, I should be very sorry to have“ The Beggars' Opera " suppressed ; for there is in it so much of real London life, so much brilliant wit, and such a variety of airs, which, from early association of ideas, engage, soothe, and enliven the mind, that no performance which the theatre exhibits delights me more.

The late " worthy” Duke of Queensbury, as Thomson, in his “Seasons,” justly characterises him, told me, that when Gay showed

him “The Beggars' Opera,” his Grace's observation was, “This is a very odd thing, Gay ; I am satisfied that it is either a very good thing, or a very bad thing.” It proved the former, beyond the warmest expectations of the author or his friends. Mr. Cambridge, however, showed us to-day, that there was good reason enough to doubt concerning its success. He was told by Quin, that during the first night of its appearance it was long in a very dubious state ; that there was a disposition to damn it, and that it was saved by the song,

“Oh ponder well ! be not severe!” the audience being much affected by the innocent looks of Polly, when she came to those two lines, which exhibit at once a painful and ridiculous image,

“For on the

rope that hangs my Dear,

Depends poor Polly's life.” Quin himself had so bad an opinion of it, that he refused the part of Captain Macheath, and gave it to Walker, who acquired great celebrity by his grave yet animated performance of it.

We talked of a young gentleman's marriage with an eminent singer, and his determination that she should no longer sing in public, though his father was very earnest she should, because her talents would be liberally rewarded, so as to make her a good fortune. It was questioned whether the young gentleman, who had not a shilling in the world, but was blest with very uncommon talents, was not foolishly delicate, or foolishly proud, and his father truly rational without being mean. JOHNSUN, with all the high spirit of a Roman senator, exclaimed, “ He resolved wisely and nobly to be sure.

He is a brave man. Would not a gentleman be disgraced by having his wife singing publicly for hire ? No, Sir, there can be no doubt here. I know not if I should not prepare myself for a public singer, as readily as let

my

wife be one.” Johnson arraigned the modern politics of this country, as entirely devoid of all principle of whatever kind. “Politics,” said he, “ are now nothing more than means of rising in the world. With this sole view do men engage in politics, and their whole conduct proceeds upon it. How different in that respect is the state of the nation now from what it was in the time of Charles the First, during the Usurpation, and after the Restoration, in the time of Charles the Seco Hudibras affords a strong proof how much hold political principles had then upon the minds of men.

There is in Hudibras a great deal of bullion which will always last. But, to be sure, the brightest strokes of his wit owed their force to the impression of the characters, which was upon men's minds at the time; to their knowing them, at table and in the street ; in short, being familiar with them; and above all, to his satire being directed against those whom a little while before they had hated and