between a man's powers of writing and of talking. ---- writes with greatspirit, but is a poor talker; had he held his tongue we might havesupposed him to have been restrained by modesty; but he has spoken agreat deal to-day; and you have heard what stuff it was.'A gentleman having said that a _conge d'elire_[999] has not, perhaps,the force of a command, but may be considered only as a strongrecommendation; 'Sir, (replied Johnson, who overheard him,) it is such arecommendation, as if I should throw you out of a two-pair of stairswindow, and recommend to you to fall soft[1000].'Mr. Steevens, who passed many a social hour with him during their longacquaintance, which commenced when they both lived in the Temple, haspreserved a good number of particulars concerning him, most of which areto be found in the department of Apothegms, &c. in the Collection of_Johnson's Works_[1001]. But he has been pleased to favour me with thefollowing, which are original:--'One evening, previous to the trial of Barretti[1002], a consultation ofhis friends was held at the house of Mr. Cox, the Solicitor, inSouthampton-buildings, Chancery-lane. Among others present were, Mr.Burke and Dr. Johnson, who differed in sentiments concerning thetendency of some part of the defence the prisoner was to make. When themeeting was over, Mr. Steevens observed, that the question between himand his friend had been agitated with rather too much warmth. "It may beso, Sir, (replied the Doctor,) for Burke and I should have been of oneopinion, if we had had no audience[1003]."'Dr. Johnson once assumed a character in which perhaps even Mr. Boswellnever saw him. His curiosity having been excited by the praises bestowedon the celebrated Torre's fireworks at Marybone-Gardens, he desired Mr.Steevens to accompany him thither. The evening had proved showery; andsoon after the few people present were assembled, publick notice wasgiven, that the conductors to the wheels, suns, stars, &c., were sothoroughly water-soaked, that it was impossible any part of theexhibition should be made. "This is a mere excuse, (says the Doctor,) tosave their crackers for a more profitable company. Let us but hold upour sticks, and threaten to break those coloured lamps that surround theOrchestra, and we shall soon have our wishes gratified. The core of thefireworks cannot be injured; let the different pieces be touched intheir respective centers, and they will do their offices as well asever." Some young men who overheard him, immediately began the violencehe had recommended, and an attempt was speedily made to fire some of thewheels which appeared to have received the smallest damage; but tolittle purpose were they lighted, for most of them completely failed.The authour of _The Rambler_, however, may be considered, on thisoccasion, as the ringleader of a successful riot, though not as askilful pyrotechnist.''It has been supposed that Dr. Johnson, so far as fashion was concerned,was careless of his appearance in publick. But this is not altogethertrue, as the following slight instance may show:--Goldsmith's lastComedy was to be represented during some court-mourning[1004]: and Mr.Steevens appointed to call on Dr. Johnson, and carry him to the tavernwhere he was to dine with others of the Poet's friends. The Doctor wasready dressed, but in coloured cloaths; yet being told that he wouldfind every one else in black, received the intelligence with a profusionof thanks, hastened to change his attire, all the while repeating hisgratitude for the information that had saved him from an appearance soimproper in the front row of a front box. "I would not (added he,) forten pounds, have seemed so retrograde to any general observance[1005]."'He would sometimes found his dislikes on very slender circumstances.Happening one day to mention Mr. Flexman, a Dissenting Minister, withsome compliment to his exact memory in chronological matters; the Doctorreplied, "Let me hear no more of him, Sir. That is the fellow who madethe Index to my _Ramblers_, and set down the name of Milton thus:Milton, _Mr_. John[1006]."'Mr. Steevens adds this testimony:--'It is unfortunate, however, for Johnson, that his particularities andfrailties can be more distinctly traced than his good and amiableexertions. Could the many bounties he studiously concealed, the manyacts of humanity he performed in private, be displayed with equalcircumstantiality, his defects would be so far lost in the blaze of hisvirtues, that the latter only would be regarded.'Though from my very high admiration of Johnson, I have wondered[1007]that he was not courted by all the great and all the eminent persons ofhis time, it ought fairly to be considered, that no man of humble birth,who lived entirely by literature, in short no authour by profession,ever rose in this country into that personal notice which he did. In thecourse of this work a numerous variety of names has been mentioned, towhich many might be added. I cannot omit Lord and Lady Lucan, at whosehouse he often enjoyed all that an elegant table and the best companycan contribute to happiness; he found hospitality united withextraordinary accomplishments, and embellished with charms of which noman could be insensible[1008].On Tuesday, June 22, I dined with him at THE LITERARY CLUB, the lasttime of his being in that respectable society. The other members presentwere the Bishop of St. Asaph, Lord Eliot, Lord Palmerston, Dr. Fordyce,and Mr. Malone. He looked ill; but had such a manly fortitude, that hedid not trouble the company with melancholy complaints. They all shewedevident marks of kind concern about him, with which he was much pleased,and he exerted himself to be as entertaining as his indispositionallowed him.The anxiety of his friends to preserve so estimable a life, as long ashuman means might be supposed to have influence, made them plan for hima retreat from the severity of a British winter, to the mild climate ofItaly[1009]. This scheme was at last brought to a serious resolution atGeneral Paoli's, where I had often talked of it. One essential matter,however, I understood was necessary to be previously settled, which wasobtaining such an addition to his income, as would be sufficient toenable him to defray the expence in a manner becoming the first literarycharacter of a great nation, and, independent of all his other merits,the Authour of THE DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. The person towhom I above all others thought I should apply to negociate thisbusiness, was the Lord Chancellor[1010], because I knew that he highlyvalued Johnson, and that Johnson highly valued his Lordship; so that itwas no degradation of my illustrious friend to solicit for him thefavour of such a man. I have mentioned[1011] what Johnson said of him tome when he was at the bar; and after his Lordship was advanced to theseals[1012], he said of him, 'I would prepare myself for no man inEngland but Lord Thurlow. When I am to meet with him I should wish toknow a day before[1013]'. How he would have prepared himself I cannotconjecture. Would he have selected certain topicks, and considered themin every view so as to be in readiness to argue them at all points? andwhat may we suppose those topicks to have been? I once started thecurious enquiry to the great man who was the subject of this compliment:he smiled, but did not pursue it.I first consulted with Sir Joshua Reynolds, who perfectly coincided inopinion with me; and I therefore, though personally very little known tohis Lordship, wrote to him[1014], stating the case, and requesting hisgood offices for Dr. Johnson. I mentioned that I was obliged to set outfor Scotland early in the following week, so that if his Lordship shouldhave any commands for me as to this pious negociation, he would bepleased to send them before that time; otherwise Sir Joshua Reynoldswould give all attention to it.This application was made not only without any suggestion on the part ofJohnson himself, but was utterly unknown to him, nor had he the smallestsuspicion of it. Any insinuations, therefore, which since his death havebeen thrown out, as if he had stooped to ask what was superfluous, arewithout any foundation. But, had he asked it, it would not have beensuperfluous; for though the money he had saved proved to be more thanhis friends imagined, or than I believe he himself, in his carelessnessconcerning worldly matters, knew it to be, had he travelled upon theContinent, an augmentation of his income would by no means have beenunnecessary.On Wednesday, June 23, I visited him in the morning, after having beenpresent at the shocking sight of fifteen men executed beforeNewgate[1015]. I said to him, I was sure that human life was notmachinery, that is to say, a chain of fatality planned and directed bythe Supreme Being, as it had in it so much wickedness and misery, somany instances of both, as that by which my mind was now clouded. Wereit machinery it would be better than it is in these respects, thoughless noble, as not being a system of moral government. He agreed with menow, as he always did[1016], upon the great question of the liberty ofthe human will, which has been in all ages perplexed with so muchsophistry. 'But, Sir, as to the doctrine of Necessity, no man believesit. If a man should give me arguments that I do not see, though I couldnot answer them, should I believe that I do not see?' It will beobserved, that Johnson at all times made the just distinction betweendoctrines _contrary_ to reason, and doctrines _above_ reason.Talking of the religious discipline proper for unhappy convicts, hesaid, 'Sir, one of our regular clergy will probably not impress theirminds sufficiently: they should be attended by a Methodistpreacher[1017]; or a Popish priest.' Let me however observe, in justiceto the Reverend Mr. Vilette, who has been Ordinary of Newgate for noless than eighteen years, in the course of which he has attended manyhundreds of wretched criminals, that his earnest and humane exhortationshave been very effectual. His extraordinary diligence is highlypraiseworthy, and merits a distinguished reward[1018].On Thursday, June 24, I dined with him at Mr. Dilly's, where were theRev. Mr. (now Dr.) Knox, master of Tunbridge-school, Mr. Smith, Vicar ofSouthill, Dr. Beattie, Mr. Pinkerton, authour of various literaryperformances, and the Rev. Dr. Mayo. At my desire old Mr. Sheridan wasinvited, as I was earnest to have Johnson and him brought together againby chance, that a reconciliation might be effected. Mr. Sheridanhappened to come early, and having learned that Dr. Johnson was to bethere, went away[1019]; so I found, with sincere regret, that myfriendly intentions were hopeless. I recollect nothing that passed thisday, except Johnson's quickness, who, when Dr. Beattie observed, assomething remarkable which had happened to him, that he had chanced tosee both No. 1, and No. 1000, of the hackney-coaches, the first and thelast; 'Why, Sir, (said Johnson,) there is an equal chance for one'sseeing those two numbers as any other two.' He was clearly right; yetthe seeing of the two extremes, each of which is in some degree moreconspicuous than the rest, could not but strike one in a stronger mannerthan the sight of any other two numbers. Though I have neglected topreserve his conversation, it was perhaps at this interview that Dr.Knox formed the notion of it which he has exhibited in his _WinterEvenings_[1020].On Friday, June 25, I dined with him at General Paoli's, where, he saysin one of his letters to Mrs. Thrale, 'I love to dine[1021].' There wasa variety of dishes much to his taste, of all which he seemed to me toeat so much, that I was afraid he might be hurt by it[1022]; and Iwhispered to the General my fear, and begged he might not press him.'Alas! (said the General,) see how very ill he looks; he can live but avery short time. Would you refuse any slight gratifications to a manunder sentence of death? There is a humane custom in Italy, by whichpersons in that melancholy situation are indulged with having whateverthey like best to eat and drink, even with expensive delicacies.'I shewed him some verses on Lichfield by Miss Seward, which I had thatday received from her, and had the pleasure to hear him approve of them.He confirmed to me the truth of a high compliment which I had been toldhe had paid to that lady, when she mentioned to him _The Colombiade_, anepick poem, by Madame du Boccage[1023]:--'Madam, there is not any thingequal to your description of the sea round the North Pole, in your Odeon the death of Captain Cook[1024].'On Sunday, June 27, I found him rather better. I mentioned to him ayoung man who was going to Jamaica with his wife and children, inexpectation of being provided for by two of her brothers settled in thatisland, one a clergyman, and the other a physician. JOHNSON. 'It is awild scheme, Sir, unless he has a positive and deliberate invitation.There was a poor girl, who used to come about me, who had a cousin inBarbadoes, that, in a letter to her, expressed a wish she should comeout to that Island, and expatiated on the comforts and happiness of hersituation. The poor girl went out: her cousin was much surprised, andasked her how she could think of coming. "Because, (said she,) youinvited me." "Not I," answered the cousin. The letter was then produced."I see it is true, (said she,) that I did invite you: but I did notthink you would come." They lodged her in an out-house, where she passedher time miserably; and as soon as she had an opportunity she returnedto England. Always tell this, when you hear of people going abroad torelations, upon a notion of being well received. In the case which youmention, it is probable the clergyman spends all he gets, and thephysician does not know how much he is to get.'We this day dined at Sir Joshua Reynolds's, with General Paoli, LordEliot, (formerly Mr. Eliot, of Port Eliot,) Dr. Beattie, and some othercompany. Talking of Lord Chesterfield;--JOHNSON. 'His manner wasexquisitely elegant[1025], and he had more knowledge than I expected.'BOSWELL. 'Did you find, Sir, his conversation to be of a superiourstyle?' JOHNSON. 'Sir, in the conversation which I had with him I hadthe best right to superiority, for it was upon philology andliterature.' Lord Eliot, who had travelled at the same time with Mr.Stanhope[1026], Lord Chesterfield's natural son, justly observed, thatit was strange that a man who shewed he had so much affection for hisson as Lord Chesterfield did, by writing so many long and anxiousletters to him, almost all of them when he was Secretary of State[1027],which certainly was a proof of great goodness of disposition, shouldendeavour to make his son a rascal. His Lordship told us, that Foote hadintended to bring on the stage a father who had thus tutored his son,and to shew the son an honest man to every one else, but practising hisfather's maxims upon him, and cheating him[1028]. JOHNSON. 'I am muchpleased with this design; but I think there was no occasion to make theson honest at all. No; he should be a consummate rogue: the contrastbetween honesty and knavery would be the stronger. It should becontrived so that the father should be the only sufferer by the son'svillainy, and thus there would be poetical justice.'He put Lord Eliot in mind of Dr. Walter Harte[1029]. 'I know (said he,)Harte was your Lordship's tutor, and he was also tutor to thePeterborough family. Pray, my Lord, do you recollect any particularsthat he told you of Lord Peterborough? He is a favourite of mine, and isnot enough known; his character has been only ventilated in partypamphlets[1030].' Lord Eliot said, if Dr. Johnson would be so good as toask him any questions, he would tell what he could recollect.Accordingly some things were mentioned. 'But, (said his Lordship,) thebest account of Lord Peterborough that I have happened to meet with, isin _Captain Carleton's Memoirs_. Carleton was descended of an ancestorwho had distinguished himself at the siege of Derry[1031]. He was anofficer; and, what was rare at that time, had some knowledge ofengineering[1032].' Johnson said, he had never heard of the book. LordEliot had it at Port Eliot; but, after a good deal of enquiry, procureda copy in London, and sent it to Johnson, who told Sir Joshua Reynoldsthat he was going to bed when it came, but was so much pleased with it,that he sat up till he had read it through[1033], and found in it suchan air of truth, that he could not doubt of its authenticity[1034];adding, with a smile, (in allusion to Lord Eliot's having recently beenraised to the peerage,) 'I did not think a _young Lord_ could havementioned to me a book in the English history that was not known tome[1035].'An addition to our company came after we went up to the drawing-room;Dr. Johnson seemed to rise in spirits as his audience increased. Hesaid, 'He wished Lord Orford's pictures[1036], and Sir Ashton Lever'sMuseum[1037], might be purchased by the publick, because both the money,and the pictures, and the curiosities, would remain in the country;whereas, if they were sold into another kingdom, the nation would indeedget some money, but would lose the pictures and curiosities, which itwould be desirable we should have, for improvement in taste and naturalhistory. The only question was, as the nation was much in want of money,whether it would not be better to take a large price from aforeign State?'He entered upon a curious discussion of the difference between intuitionand sagacity; one being immediate in its effect, the other requiring acircuitous process; one he observed was the _eye_ of the mind, the otherthe _nose_ of the mind[1038].A young gentleman[1039] present took up the argument against him, andmaintained that no man ever thinks of the _nose of the mind_, notadverting that though that figurative sense seems strange to us, as veryunusual, it is truly not more forced than Hamlet's 'In my _mind's eye_,Horatio[1040].' He persisted much too long, and appeared to Johnson asputting himself forward as his antagonist with too much presumption;upon which he called to him in a loud tone, 'What is it you arecontending for, if you _be_ contending?' And afterwards imagining thatthe gentleman retorted upon him with a kind of smart drollery, he said,'Mr. ----, it does not become you to talk so to me. Besides, ridicule isnot your talent; you have _there_ neither intuition nor sagacity.' Thegentleman protested that he had intended no improper freedom, but hadthe greatest respect for Dr. Johnson. After a short pause, during whichwe were somewhat uneasy,--JOHNSON. 'Give me your hand, Sir. You weretoo tedious, and I was too short.' MR. ----. 'Sir, I am honoured by yourattention in any way.' JOHNSON. 'Come, Sir, let's have no more of it. Weoffended one another by our contention; let us not offend the company byour compliments.'He now said, 'He wished much to go to Italy, and that he dreaded passingthe winter in England.' I said nothing; but enjoyed a secretsatisfaction in thinking that I had taken the most effectual measures tomake such a scheme practicable.On Monday, June 28, I had the honour to receive from the Lord Chancellorthe following letter:--'TO JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ. SIR,I should have answered your letter immediately, if, (being much engagedwhen I received it) I had not put it in my pocket, and forgot to open ittill this morning.I am much obliged to you for the suggestion; and I will adopt and pressit as far as I can. The best argument, I am sure, and I hope it is notlikely to fail, is Dr. Johnson's merit. But it will be necessary, if Ishould be so unfortunate as to miss seeing you, to converse with SirJoshua on the sum it will be proper to ask,--it short, upon the means ofsetting him out. It would be a reflection on us all, if such a manshould perish for want of the means to take care of his health.Yours, &c. THURLOW.'This letter gave me a very high satisfaction; I next day went and shewedit to Sir Joshua Reynolds, who was exceedingly pleased with it. Hethought that I should now communicate the negociation to Dr. Johnson,who might afterwards complain if the attention with which he had beenhonoured, should be too long concealed from him. I intended to set outfor Scotland next morning; but Sir Joshua cordially insisted that Ishould stay another day, that Johnson and I might dine with him, that wethree might talk of his Italian Tour, and, as Sir Joshua expressedhimself, 'have it all out.' I hastened to Johnson, and was told by himthat he was rather better to-day. BOSWELL. 'I am very anxious about you,Sir, and particularly that you should go to Italy for the winter, whichI believe is your own wish.' JOHNSON. 'It is, Sir.' BOSWELL. 'You haveno objection, I presume, but the money it would require.' JOHNSON. 'Why,no, Sir.' Upon which I gave him a particular account of what had beendone, and read to him the Lord Chancellor's letter. He listened withmuch attention; then warmly said, 'This is taking prodigious pains abouta man.' 'O! Sir, (said I, with most sincere affection,) your friendswould do every thing for you.' He paused, grew more and more agitated,till tears started into his eyes, and he exclaimed with fervent emotion,'GOD bless you all.' I was so affected that I also shed tears. After ashort silence, he renewed and extended his grateful benediction, 'GODbless you all, for JESUS CHRIST'S sake.' We both remained for some timeunable to speak. He rose suddenly and quitted the room, quite melted intenderness. He staid but a short time, till he had recovered hisfirmness; soon after he returned I left him, having first engaged him todine at Sir Joshua Reynolds's, next day. I never was again under thatroof which I had so long reverenced.On Wednesday, June 30, the friendly confidential dinner with Sir JoshuaReynolds took place, no other company being present. Had I known thatthis was the last time that I should enjoy in this world, theconversation of a friend whom I so much respected, and from whom Iderived so much instruction and entertainment, I should have been deeplyaffected. When I now look back to it, I am vexed that a single wordshould have been forgotten.Both Sir Joshua and I were so sanguine in our expectations, that weexpatiated with confidence on the liberal provision which we were surewould be made for him, conjecturing whether munificence would bedisplayed in one large donation, or in an ample increase of his pension.He himself catched so much of our enthusiasm, as to allow himself tosuppose it not impossible that our hopes might in one way or other berealised. He said that he would rather have his pension doubled than agrant of a thousand pounds; 'For, (said he,) though probably I may notlive to receive as much as a thousand pounds, a man would have theconsciousness that he should pass the remainder of his life insplendour, how long soever it might be.' Considering what a moderateproportion an income of six hundred pounds a year bears to innumerablefortunes in this country, it is worthy of remark, that a man so trulygreat should think it splendour[1041].As an instance of extraordinary liberality of friendship, he told us,that Dr. Brocklesby had upon this occasion offered him a hundred a yearfor his life[1042]. A grateful tear started into his eye, as he spokethis in a faultering tone.Sir Joshua and I endeavoured to flatter his imagination with agreeableprospects of happiness in Italy. 'Nay, (said he,) I must not expect muchof that; when a man goes to Italy merely to feel how he breathes theair, he can enjoy very little.'Our conversation turned upon living in the country, which Johnson,whose melancholy mind required the dissipation of quick successivevariety, had habituated himself to consider as a kind of mentalimprisonment[1043]. 'Yet, Sir, (said I,) there are many people who are