第1章

INTRODUCTION

Mrs。Piozzi，byhersecondmarriage，wasbyherfirstmarriagetheMrs。

ThraleinwhosehouseatStreathamDoctorJohnsonwas，aftertheyearofhisfirstintroduction，1765，indaysofinfirmity，anhonouredandacherishedfriend。TheyearofthebeginningofthefriendshipwastheyearinwhichJohnson，fifty—sixyearsold，obtainedhisdegreeofLL。D。fromDublin，and——thoughhenevercalledhimselfDoctor——wasthenceforthcalledDoctorbyallhisfriends。

BeforehermarriageMrs。PiozzihadbeenMissHestherLynchSalusbury，ayoungladyofagoodWelshfamily。Shewasbornintheyear174O，andsheliveduntiltheyear1821。Shecelebratedhereightiethbirthdayonthe27thofJanuary，182O，byaconcert，ball，andsuppertosixorsevenhundredpeople，andledoffthedancingattheballwithanadoptedsonforpartner。WhenJohnsonwasfirstintroducedtoher，asMrs。Thrale，shewasalively，plumplittlelady，twenty—fiveyearsold，shortofstature，broadofbuild，withananimatedface，touched，accordingtothefashionoflifeinherearlyyears，withrouge，whichshecontinuedtousewhenshefoundthatithadspoilthercomplexion。Herhandswererathercoarse，butherhandwritingwasdelicate。

HenryThrale，whomshemarried，wastheheadofthegreatbreweryhousenowknownasthatofBarclayandPerkins。HenryThrale’sfatherhadsucceededEdmundHalsey，whobeganlifebyrunningawayfromhisfather，amilleratSt。Albans。Halseywastakeninasaclerk—of—all—workattheAnchorBrewhouseinSouthwark，becameahouse—clerk，ableenoughtopleaseChild，hismaster，andhandsomeenoughtopleasehismaster’sdaughter。HemarriedthedaughterandsucceededtoChild’sBrewery，mademuchmoney，andhadhimselfanonlydaughter，whomhemarriedtoalord。HenryThrale’sfatherwasanephewofHalseys，whohadworkedinthebreweryfortwentyyears，when，afterHalsey’sdeath，hegavesecurityforthirtythousandpoundsasthepriceofthebusiness，towhichanoblelordcouldnotsucceed。Inelevenyearshehadpaidthepurchase—money，andwasmakingalargefortune。Tothisbusinesshisson，whowasJohnson’sfriend，HenryThrale，succeeded;anduponThrale’sdeathitwasboughtfor15O，OOOpoundsbyamemberoftheQuakerfamilyofBarclay，whotookThrale’soldmanager，Perkins，intopartnership。

Johnsonbecame，after1765，familiarinthehouseoftheThralesatStreatham。Therewasmuchcompany。Mrs。Thralehadatasteforliteraryguestsandliteraryguestshad，ontheirpart，atasteforhergooddinners。Johnsonwasthelion—in—chief。TherewasDr。Johnson’sroomalwaysathisdisposal;andatidywigkeptforhisspecialuse，becausehisownwasapttobesingedupthemiddlebyclosecontactwiththecandle，whichheput，beingshort—sighted，betweenhiseyesandabook。

Mrs。Thralehadskillinlanguages，readLatin，French，Italian，andSpanish。Shereadliterature，couldquoteaptly，andputknowledgeaswellasplayfullifeintoherconversation。Johnson’sregardfortheThraleswasveryreal，anditwasheartilyreturned，thoughMrs。Thralehad，likeherfriend，someweaknesses，incommonwithmostpeoplewhofeedlionsandwishtopassforwitsamongthewitty。

AboutfourteenyearsafterJohnson’sfirstacquaintancewiththeThrales——

whenJohnsonwasseventyyearsoldandMrs。Thralenearforty——thelittlelady，whohadalsolostseveralchildren，wasunhappyinthethoughtthatshehadceasedtobeappreciatedbyherhusband。Herhusband’stemperbecameaffectedbythecommercialtroublesof1762，andMrs。ThralebecamejealousoftheregardbetweenhimandSophyStreatfield，arichwidow’sdaughter。UnderJanuary，1779，shewroteinher\"Thraliana，\"\"Mr。Thralehasfalleninlove，reallyandseriously，withSophyStreatfield;butthereisnowonderinthat;sheisverypretty，verygentle，soft，andinsinuating;hangsabouthim，dancesroundhim，crieswhenshepartsfromhim，squeezeshishandslily，andwithhersweeteyesfulloftearslookssofondlyinhisface——andallforloveofme，asshepretends，thatIcanhardlysometimeshelplaughinginherface。AmanmustnotbeaMANbutanITtoresistsuchartillery。\"Mrs。ThralegoesontorecordconquestsmadebythisirresistibleSophyinotherdirections，showingthesametemperofjealousy。Thralediedonthe4thofApril，1781。

Mrs。Thralehadenteredinher\"Thraliana\"underJuly，178O，beingthenatBrighton，\"IhavepickedupPiozzihere，thegreatItaliansinger。Heisamazinglylikemyfather。HeshallteachHesther。\"Onthe25thofJuly，1784，beingatBath，herentrywas，\"Iamreturnedfromchurchthehappywifeofmylovely，faithfulPiozzi……subjectofmyprayers，objectofmywishes，mysighs，myreverence，myesteem。\"Heragethenwasforty—four，andonthe13thofDecemberinthesameyearJohnsondied。Thenewspapersofthedaydealthardlywithher。Theycalledheranamorouswidow，andPiozziafortune—hunter。Hereldestdaughter（afterwardsViscountessKeith）refusedtorecognisethenewfather，andshutherselfupinahouseatBrightonwithanurse，Tib，whereshelivedupontwohundredayear。Twoyoungersisters，whowereatschool，livedafterwardswiththeeldest。Onlythefourthdaughter，theyoungest，wentwithhermotherandhermother’snewhusbandtoItaly。Johnson，too，wasgrievedbythemarriage，andhadshownit，buthadwrittenafterwardsmostkindly。Mrs。

PiozziinFlorencewasplayingatliteraturewiththepoetastersof\"TheFlorenceMiscellany\"and\"TheBritishAlbum\"whenshewasworkingatthese\"AnecdotesoftheLateSamuelJohnson。\"HerbookofanecdoteswasplannedatFlorencein1785，theyearafterherfriend’sdeath，finishedatFlorenceinOctober，1785，andpublishedintheyear1786。Thereisatouchofbitternessinthebookwhichshethoughtofsoftening，buther\"lovely，faithfulPiozzi\"wishedittoremain。

H。M。

AUTHOR’SPREFACE。

Ihavesomewhereheardorreadthattheprefacebeforeabook，liketheporticobeforeahouse，shouldbecontrivedsoastocatch，butnotdetain，theattentionofthosewhodesireadmissiontothefamilywithin，orleavetolookoverthecollectionofpicturesmadebyonewhoseopportunitiesofobtainingthemweknowtohavebeennotunfrequent。IwishnottokeepmyreaderslongfromsuchintimacywiththemannersofDr。Johnson，orsuchknowledgeofhissentimentsasthesepagescanconvey。TourgemydistancefromEnglandasanexcuseforthebook’sbeingill—writtenwouldberidiculous;itmightindeedserveasajustreasonformyhavingwrittenitatall;because，thoughothersmayprintthesameaphorismsandstories，I

cannotHEREbesurethattheyhavedoneso。AstheDukesays，however，totheWeaver，inAMidsummerNight’sDream，\"Neverexcuse;ifyourplaybeabadone，keepatleasttheexcusestoyourself。\"

IamawarethatmanywillsayIhavenotspokenhighlyenoughofDr。

Johnson;butitwillbedifficultforthosewhosaysotospeakmorehighly。IfIhavedescribedhismannersastheywere，Ihavebeencarefultoshowhissuperioritytothecommonformsofcommonlife。Itissurelynodispraisetoanoakthatitdoesnotbearjessamine;andhewhoshouldplanthoneysuckleroundTrajan’scolumnwouldnotbethoughttoadorn，buttodisgraceit。

WhenIhavesaidthathewasmoreamanofgeniusthanoflearning，ImeannottotakefromtheonepartofhischaracterthatwhichIwillinglygivetotheother。TheeruditionofMr。Johnsonprovedhisgenius;forhehadnotacquireditbylongorprofoundstudy：norcanIthinkthosecharactersthegreatestwhichhavemostlearningdrivenintotheirheads，anymorethanIcanpersuademyselftoconsidertheRiverJeniscaassuperiortotheNile，becausethefirstreceivesnearseventytributarystreamsinthecourseofitsunmarkedprogresstothesea，whilethegreatparentofAfricanplenty，flowingfromanalmostinvisiblesource，andunenrichedbyanyextraneouswaters，exceptelevennamelessrivers，pourshismajestictorrentintotheoceanbysevencelebratedmouths。

ButImustconcludemypreface，andbeginmybook，thefirstIeverpresentedbeforethepublic;fromwhoseawfulappearanceinsomemeasuretodefendandconcealmyself，IhavethoughtfittoretirebehindtheTelamonianshield，andshowaslittleofmyselfaspossible，wellawareoftheexceedingdifferencethereisbetweenfencingintheschoolandfightinginthefield。Studious，however，toavoidoffending，andcarelessofthatoffencewhichcanbetakenwithoutacause，Iherenotunwillinglysubmitmyslightperformancetothedecisionofthatgloriouscountry，whichIhavethedailydelighttohearapplaudedinothers，aseminentlyjust，generous，andhumane。

ANECDOTESOFTHELATESAMUELJOHNSON，LL。D。

Toomuchintelligenceisoftenaspernicioustobiographyastoolittle;

themindremainsperplexedbycontradictionofprobabilities，andfindsdifficultyinseparatingreportfromtruth。IfJohnsonthenlamentedthatsolittlehadeverbeensaidaboutButler，Imightwithmorereasonbeledtocomplainthatsomuchhasbeensaidabouthimself;fornumberlessinformersbutdistractorcloudinformation，asglasseswhichmultiplywillforthemostpartbefoundalsotoobscure。Ofalife，too，whichforthelasttwentyyearswaspassedintheveryfrontofliterature，everyleaderofaliterarycompany，whetherofficerorsubaltern，naturallybecomeseitherauthororcritic，sothatlittlelessthantherecollectionthatitwasONCEtherequestofthedeceased，andTWICEthedesireofthosewhosewillIeverdelightedtocomplywith，shouldhaveengagedmetoaddmylittlebooktothenumberofthosealreadywrittenonthesubject。Iusedtourgeanotherreasonforforbearance，andsay，thatallthereaderswould，onthissingularoccasion，bethewritersofhislife：likethefirstrepresentationoftheMasqueofComus，which，bychangingtheircharactersfromspectatorstoperformers，wasACTEDbythelordsandladiesitwasWRITTENtoentertain。Thisobjectionis，however，nowatanend，asIhavefoundfriends，farremoteindeedfromliteraryquestions，whomayyetbedivertedfrommelancholybymydescriptionofJohnson’smanners，warmedtovirtueevenbythedistantreflectionofhisglowingexcellence，andencouragedbytherelationofhisanimatedzealtopersistintheprofessionaswellaspracticeofChristianity。

SamuelJohnsonwasthesonofMichaelJohnson，abookselleratLichfield，inStaffordshire;averypiousandworthyman，butwrong—headed，positive，andafflictedwithmelancholy，ashisson，fromwhomaloneIhadtheinformation，oncetoldme：hisbusiness，however，leadinghimtobemuchonhorseback，contributedtothepreservationofhisbodilyhealthandmentalsanity，which，whenhestayedlongathome，wouldsometimesbeabouttogiveway;andMr。Johnsonsaid，thatwhenhisworkshop，adetachedbuilding，hadfallenhalfdownforwantofmoneytorepairit，hisfatherwasnotlessdiligenttolockthedooreverynight，thoughhesawthatanybodymightwalkinatthebackpart，andknewthattherewasnosecurityobtainedbybarringthefrontdoor。\"THIS，\"sayshisson，\"wasmadness，youmaysee，andwouldhavebeendiscoverableinotherinstancesoftheprevalenceofimagination，butthatpovertypreventeditfromplayingsuchtricksasrichesandleisureencourage。\"Michaelwasamanofstilllargersizeandgreaterstrengththanhisson，whowasreckonedverylikehim，butdidnotdelightintalkingmuchofhisfamily：\"Onehas，\"sayshe，\"SO

littlepleasureinrecitingtheanecdotesofbeggary。\"Oneday，however，hearingmepraiseafavouritefriendwithpartialtendernessaswellastrueesteem：\"Whydoyoulikethatman’sacquaintanceso？\"saidhe。

\"Because，\"repliedI，\"heisopenandconfiding，andtellsmestoriesofhisunclesandcousins;Ilovethelightpartsofasolidcharacter。\"

\"Nay，ifyouareforfamilyhistory，\"saysMr。Johnson，good—humouredly，\"_I_canfityou：Ihadanuncle，CorneliusFord，who，uponajourney，stoppedandreadaninscriptionwrittenonastonehesawstandingbythewayside，setup，asitproved，inhonourofamanwhohadleapedacertainleapthereabouts，theextentofwhichwasspecifieduponthestone：’Whynow，’saysmyuncle，’Icouldleapitinmyboots;’andhedidleapitinhisboots。Ihadlikewiseanotheruncle，Andrew，\"continuedhe，\"myfather’sbrother，whokepttheringinSmithfield（wheretheywrestledandboxed）forawholeyear，andneverwasthrownorconquered。Herenowareunclesforyou，Mistress，ifthat’sthewaytoyourheart。\"Mr。Johnsonwasveryconversantintheartofattackanddefencebyboxing，whichsciencehehadlearnedfromthisuncleAndrew，Ibelieve;andIhaveheardhimdescantupontheagewhenpeoplewerereceived，andwhenrejected，intheschoolsonceheldforthatbrutalamusement，muchtotheadmirationofthosewhohadnoexpectationofhisskillinsuchmatters，fromthesightofafigurewhichprecludedallpossibilityofpersonalprowess;though，becausehesawMr。Thraleonedayleapoveracabrioletstool，toshowthathewasnottiredafterachaseoffiftymilesormore，HEsuddenlyjumpedoverittoo，butinawaysostrangeandsounwieldy，thatourterrorlestheshouldbreakhisbonestookfromuseventhepoweroflaughing。

MichaelJohnsonwaspastfiftyyearsoldwhenhemarriedhiswife，whowasupwardsofforty，yetIthinkhersontoldmesheremainedthreeyearschildlessbeforehewasbornintotheworld，whosogreatlycontributedtoimproveit。Inthreeyearsmoreshebroughtanotherson，Nathaniel，wholivedtobetwenty—sevenortwenty—eightyearsold，andofwhosemanlyspiritIhaveheardhisbrotherspeakwithprideandpleasure，mentioningonecircumstance，particularenough，thatwhenthecompanywereonedaylamentingthebadnessoftheroads，heinquiredwheretheycouldbe，ashetravelledthecountrymorethanmostpeople，andhadneverseenabadroadinhislife。Thetwobrothersdidnot，however，muchdelightineachother’scompany，beingalwaysrivalsforthemother’sfondness;andmanyoftheseverereflectionsondomesticlifeinRasselastooktheirsourcefromitsauthor’skeenrecollectionsofthetimepassedinhisearlyyears。

Theirfather，Michael，diedofaninflammatoryfeverattheageofseventy—six，asMr。Johnsontoldme，theirmotherateighty—nine，ofagradualdecay。Shewasslightinherperson，hesaid，andratherbelowthanabovethecommonsize。Soexcellentwashercharacter，andsoblamelessherlife，thatwhenanoppressiveneighbouronceendeavouredtotakefromheralittlefieldshepossessed，hecouldpersuadenoattorneytoundertakethecauseagainstawomansobelovedinhernarrowcircle：

anditisthisincidenthealludestointhelineofhis\"VanityofHumanWishes，\"callingher\"Thegeneralfavouriteasthegeneralfriend。\"

Norcouldanyonepaymorewillinghomagetosuchacharacter，thoughshehadnotbeenrelatedtohim，thandidDr。Johnsononeveryoccasionthatoffered：hisdisquisitiononPope’sepitaphplacedoverMrs。Corbetisaproofofthatpreferencealwaysgivenbyhimtoanoiselesslifeoverabustlingone;buthowevertastebegins，wealmostalwaysseethatitendsinsimplicity;thegluttonfinishesbylosinghisrelishforanythinghighlysauced，andcallsforhisboiledchickenatthecloseofmanyyearsspentinthesearchofdainties;theconnoisseursaresoonwearyofRubens，andthecriticsofLucan;andtherefinementsofeverykindheapeduponcivillifealwayssickentheirpossessorsbeforethecloseofit。

AttheageoftwoyearsMr。JohnsonwasbroughtuptoLondonbyhismother，tobetouchedbyQueenAnneforthescrofulousevil，whichterriblyafflictedhischildhood，andleftsuchmarksasgreatlydisfiguredacountenancenaturallyharshandrugged，besidedoingirreparabledamagetotheauricularorgans，whichnevercouldperformtheirfunctionssinceI

knewhim;anditwasowingtothathorribledisorder，too，thatoneeyewasperfectlyuselesstohim;thatdefect，however，wasnotobservable，theeyeslookedbothalike。AsMr。Johnsonhadanastonishingmemory，IaskedhimifhecouldrememberQueenAnneatall？\"Hehad，\"hesaid，\"aconfused，butsomehowasortofsolemn，recollectionofaladyindiamonds，andalongblackhood。\"

Thechristeningofhisbrotherherememberedwithallitscircumstances，andsaidhismothertaughthimtospellandpronouncethewords’littleNatty，’syllablebysyllable，makinghimsayitoverintheeveningtoherhusbandandhisguests。Thetrickwhichmostparentsplaywiththeirchildren，thatofshowingofftheirnewly—acquiredaccomplishments，disgustedMr。Johnsonbeyondexpression。Hehadbeentreatedsohimself，hesaid，tillheabsolutelyloathedhisfather’scaresses，becauseheknewtheyweresuretoprecedesomeunpleasingdisplayofhisearlyabilities;

andheused，whenneighbourscameo’visiting，torunupatreethathemightnotbefoundandexhibited，such，asnodoubthewas，aprodigyofearlyunderstanding。Hisepitaphupontheduckhekilledbytreadingonitatfiveyearsold——

\"HereliespoorduckThatSamuelJohnsontrodon;

Ifithadliv’dithadbeengoodluck，Foritwouldhavebeenanoddone\"——

isastrikingexampleofearlyexpansionofmindandknowledgeoflanguage;

yethealwaysseemedmoremortifiedattherecollectionofthebustlehisparentsmadewithhiswitthanpleasedwiththethoughtsofpossessingit。

\"That，\"saidhetomeoneday，\"isthegreatmiseryoflatemarriages;theunhappyproduceofthembecomestheplaythingofdotage。Anoldman’schild，\"continuedhe，\"leadsmuchsuchalife。Ithink，asalittleboy’sdog，teasedwithawkwardfondness，andforced，perhaps，tositupandbeg，aswecallit，todivertacompany，whoatlastgoawaycomplainingoftheirdisagreeableentertainment。\"Inconsequenceofthesemaxims，andfullofindignationagainstsuchparentsasdelighttoproducetheiryoungonesearlyintothetalkingworld，IhaveknownMr。Johnsongiveagooddealofpainbyrefusingtoheartheversesthechildrencouldrecite，orthesongstheycouldsing，particularlyonefriendwhotoldhimthathistwosonsshouldrepeatGray’s\"Elegy\"tohimalternately，thathemightjudgewhohadthehappiestcadence。\"No，pray，sir，\"saidhe，\"letthedearsbothspeakitatonce;morenoisewillbythatmeansbemade，andthenoisewillbesoonerover。\"Hetoldmethestoryhimself，butIhaveforgotwhothefatherwas。

Mr。Johnson’smotherwasdaughtertoagentlemaninthecountry，suchasthereweremanyofinthosedays，whopossessing，perhaps，oneortwohundredpoundsayearinland，livedontheprofits，andsoughtnottoincreasetheirincome。Shewas，therefore，inclinedtothinkhigherofherselfthanofherhusband，whoseconductinmoneymattersbeingbutindifferent，shehadatrickofteasinghimaboutit，andwas，byherson’saccount，veryimportunatewithregardtoherfearsofspendingmorethantheycouldafford，thoughsheneverarrivedatknowinghowmuchthatwas，afaultcommon，ashesaid，tomostwomenwhopridethemselvesontheireconomy。Theydidnot，however，asIcouldunderstand，liveilltogetheronthewhole。\"Myfather，\"sayshe，\"couldalwaystakehishorseandrideawayfororderswhenthingswentbadly。\"Thelady’smaidennamewasFord;

andtheparsonwhositsnexttothepunch—bowlinHogarth’s\"ModernMidnightConversation\"washerbrother’sson。ThisFordwasamanwhochosetobeeminentonlyforvice，withtalentsthatmighthavemadehimconspicuousinliterature，andrespectableinanyprofessionhecouldhavechosen。HiscousinhasmentionedhiminthelivesofFentonandofBroome;

andwhenhespokeofhimtomeitwasalwayswithtenderness，praisinghisacquaintancewithlifeandmanners，andrecollectingonepieceofadvicethatnomansurelyeverfollowedmoreexactly：\"Obtain，\"saysFord，\"somegeneralprinciplesofeveryscience;hewhocantalkonlyononesubject，oractonlyinonedepartment，isseldomwanted，andperhapsneverwishedfor，whilethemanofgeneralknowledgecanoftenbenefit，andalwaysplease。\"Heusedtorelate，however，anotherstorylesstothecreditofhiscousin’spenetration，howFordonsomeoccasionsaidtohim，\"Youwillmakeyourwaythemoreeasilyintheworld，Isee，asyouarecontentedtodisputenoman’sclaimtoconversationexcellence;theywill，therefore，morewillinglyallowyourpretensionsasawriter。\"Canone，onsuchanoccasion，forbearrecollectingthepredictionsofBoileau’sfather，whenstrokingtheheadoftheyoungsatirist？——\"Cepetitbonhomme，\"sayshe，\"n’apointtropd’esprit，MAISILnedirajamaismaldepersonne。\"Sucharetheprognosticsformedbymenofwitandsense，asthesetwocertainlywere，concerningthefuturecharacterandconductofthoseforwhosewelfaretheywerehonestlyanddeeplyconcerned;andsolatedothosefeaturesofpeculiaritycometotheirgrowth，whichmarkacharactertoallsucceedinggenerations。

Dr。JohnsonfirstlearnedtoreadofhismotherandheroldmaidCatharine，inwhoselaphewellrememberedsittingwhilesheexplainedtohimthestoryofSt。GeorgeandtheDragon。Iknownotwhetherthisistheproperplacetoaddthatsuchwashistenderness，andsuchhisgratitude，thathetookajourneytoLichfieldfifty—sevenyearsafterwardstosupportandcomfortherinherlastillness;hehadinquiredforhisnurse，andshewasdead。Therecollectionofsuchreadingashaddelightedhiminhisinfancymadehimalwayspersistinfancyingthatitwastheonlyreadingwhichcouldpleaseaninfant;andheusedtocondemnmeforputtingNewbery’sbooksintotheirhandsastootriflingtoengagetheirattention。\"Babiesdonotwant，\"saidhe，\"tohearaboutbabies;theyliketobetoldofgiantsandcastles，andofsomewhatwhichcanstretchandstimulatetheirlittleminds。\"WheninanswerIwouldurgethenumerouseditionsandquicksaleof\"TommyPrudent\"or\"GoodyTwo—Shoes。\"\"Rememberalways，\"saidhe，\"thattheparentsBUYthebooks，andthatthechildrenneverreadthem。\"

Mrs。Barbauld，however，hadhisbestpraise，anddeservedit;nomanwasmorestruckthanMr。Johnsonwithvoluntarydescentfrompossiblesplendourtopainfulduty。

Ateightyearsoldhewenttoschool，forhishealthwouldnotpermithimtobesentsooner;andattheageoftenyearshismindwasdisturbedbyscruplesofinfidelity，whichpreyeduponhisspiritsandmadehimveryuneasy，themoresoasherevealedhisuneasinesstonoone，beingnaturally，ashesaid，\"ofasullentemperandreserveddisposition。\"Hesearched，however，diligentlybutfruitlessly，forevidencesofthetruthofrevelation;andatlength，recollectingabookhehadonceseeninhisfather’sshop，entitled\"DeVeritateReligionis，\"etc。，hebegantothinkhimselfhighlyculpableforneglectingsuchameansofinformation，andtookhimselfseverelytotaskforthissin，addingmanyactsofvoluntary，andtoothersunknown，penance。Thefirstopportunitywhichoffered，ofcourse，heseizedthebookwithavidity，butonexamination，notfindinghimselfscholarenoughtoperuseitscontents，sethisheartatrest;and，notthinkingtoinquirewhethertherewereanyEnglishbookswrittenonthesubject，followedhisusualamusements，andconsideredhisconscienceaslightenedofacrime。Heredoubledhisdiligencetolearnthelanguagethatcontainedtheinformationhemostwishedfor，butfromthepainwhichguilthadgivenhimhenowbegantodeducethesoul’simmortality，whichwasthepointthatbelieffirststoppedat;andfromthatmoment，resolvingtobeaChristian，becameoneofthemostzealousandpiousonesournationeverproduced。Whenhehadtoldmethisoddanecdoteofhischildhood，\"I

cannotimagine，\"saidhe，\"whatmakesmetalkofmyselftoyouso，forI

reallynevermentionedthisfoolishstorytoanybodyexceptDr。Taylor，noteventomyDEAR，DEARBathurst，whomIlovedbetterthaneverIlovedanyhumancreature;butpoorBathurstisdead！\"Herealongpauseandafewtearsensued。\"Why，sir，\"saidI，\"howlikeisallthistoJeanJacquesRousseau——aslike，Imean，asthesensationsoffrostandfire，whenmychildcomplainedyesterdaythattheiceshewaseatingBURNEDhermouth。\"

Mr。Johnsonlaughedattheincongruousideas，butthefirstthingwhichpresenteditselftothemindofaningeniousandlearnedfriendwhomIhadthepleasuretopasssometimewithhereatFlorencewasthesameresemblance，thoughIthinkthetwocharactershadlittleincommon，furtherthananearlyattentiontothingsbeyondthecapacityofotherbabies，akeensensibilityofrightandwrong，andawarmthofimaginationlittleconsistentwithsoundandperfecthealth。Ihaveheardhimrelateanotheroddthingofhimselftoo，butitisonewhicheverybodyhasheardaswellasme：how，whenhewasaboutnineyearsold，havinggottheplayofHamletinhishand，andreadingitquietlyinhisfather’skitchen，hekeptonsteadilyenoughtill，comingtotheGhostscene，hesuddenlyhurriedupstairstothestreetdoorthathemightseepeopleabouthim。

Suchanincident，ashewasnotunwillingtorelateit，isprobablyineveryone’spossessionnow;hetolditasatestimonytothemeritsofShakespeare。Butoneday，whenmysonwasgoingtoschool，anddearDr。

Johnsonfollowedasfarasthegardengate，prayingforhissalvationinavoicewhichthosewholistenedattentivelycouldhearplainenough，hesaidtomesuddenly，\"Makeyourboytellyouhisdreams：thefirstcorruptionthatenteredintomyheartwascommunicatedinadream。\"\"Whatwasit，sir？\"saidI。\"Donotaskme，\"repliedhe，withmuchviolence，andwalkedawayinapparentagitation。Ineverdurstmakeanyfurtherinquiries。HeretainedastrongaversionforthememoryofHunter，oneofhisschoolmasters，who，hesaid，oncewasabrutalfellow，\"sobrutal，\"addedhe，\"thatnomanwhohadbeeneducatedbyhimeversenthissontothesameschool。\"Ihave，however，heardhimacknowledgehisscholarshiptobeverygreat。Hisnextmasterhedespised，asknowinglessthanhimself，Ifound，butthenameofthatgentlemanhasslippedmymemory。Mr。Johnsonwashimselfexceedinglydisposedtothegeneralindulgenceofchildren，andwasevenscrupulouslyandceremoniouslyattentivenottooffendthem;hehadstronglypersuadedhimselfofthedifficultypeoplealwaysfindtoeraseearlyimpressionseitherofkindnessorresentment，andsaid\"heshouldneverhavesolovedhismotherwhenamanhadshenotgivenhimcoffeeshecouldillafford，togratifyhisappetitewhenaboy。\"\"Ifyouhadhadchildren，sir，\"saidI，\"wouldyouhavetaughtthemanything？\"\"Ihope，\"

repliedhe，\"thatIshouldhavewillinglylivedonbreadandwatertoobtaininstructionforthem;butIwouldnothavesettheirfuturefriendshiptohazardforthesakeofthrustingintotheirheadsknowledgeofthingsforwhichtheymightnotperhapshaveeithertasteornecessity。

Youteachyourdaughtersthediametersoftheplanets，andwonderwhenyouhavedonethattheydonotdelightinyourcompany。Nosciencecanbecommunicatedbymortalcreatureswithoutattentionfromthescholar;noattentioncanbeobtainedfromchildrenwithouttheinflictionofpain，andpainisneverrememberedwithoutresentment。\"Thatsomethingshouldbelearnedwas，however，socertainlyhisopinionthatIhaveheardhimsayhoweducationhadbeenoftencomparedtoagriculture，yetthatitresembleditchieflyinthis：\"Thatifnothingissown，nocrop，\"sayshe，\"canbeobtained。\"Hiscontemptoftheladywhofanciedhersoncouldbeeminentwithoutstudy，becauseShakespearewasfoundwantinginscholasticlearning，wasexpressedintermssogrossandsowellknown，Iwillnotrepeatthemhere。

Torecollect，however，andtorepeatthesayingsofDr。Johnson，isalmostallthatcanbedonebythewritersofhislife，ashislife，atleastsincemyacquaintancewithhim，consistedinlittleelsethantalking，whenhewasnotabsolutelyemployedinsomeseriouspieceofwork;andwhateverworkhedidseemedsomuchbelowhispowersofperformancethatheappearedtheidlestofallhumanbeings，evermusingtillhewascalledouttoconverse，andconversingtillthefatigueofhisfriends，orthepromptitudeofhisowntempertotakeoffence，consignedhimbackagaintosilentmeditation。

TheremembranceofwhathadpassedinhisownchildhoodmadeMr。Johnsonverysolicitoustopreservethefelicityofchildren：andwhenhehadpersuadedDr。Sumnertoremitthetasksusuallygiventofillupboys’

timeduringtheholidays，herejoicedexceedinglyinthesuccessofhisnegotiation，andtoldmethathehadneverceasedrepresentingtoalltheeminentschoolmastersinEnglandtheabsurdtyrannyofpoisoningthehourofpermittedpleasurebykeepingfuturemiserybeforethechildren’seyes，andtemptingthembybriberyorfalsehoodtoevadeit。\"BobSumner，\"saidhe，\"however，Ihaveatlengthprevailedupon。Iknownot，indeed，whetherhistendernesswaspersuaded，orhisreasonconvinced，buttheeffectwillalwaysbethesame。PoorDr。Sumnerdied，however，beforethenextvacation。\"

Mr。Johnsonwasofopinion，too，thatyoungpeopleshouldhavePOSITIVE，notGENERAL，rulesgivenfortheirdirection。\"Mymother，\"saidhe，\"wasalwaystellingmethatIdidnotBEHAVEmyselfproperly，thatIshouldendeavourtolearnBEHAVIOUR，andsuchcant;butwhenIrepliedthatsheoughttotellmewhattodo，andwhattoavoid，heradmonitionswerecommonly，forthattimeatleast，atanend。\"

ThisIfearwas，however，atbestamomentaryrefugefoundoutbyperverseness。NomanknewbetterthanJohnsoninhowmanynamelessandnumberlessactionsBEHAVIOURconsists——actionswhichcanscarcelybereducedtorule，andwhichcomeundernodescription。Oftheseheretainedsomanyverystrangeones，thatIsupposenoonewhosawhisoddmannerofgesticulatingmuchblamedorwonderedatthegoodlady’ssolicitudeconcerningherson’sBEHAVIOUR。

Thoughhewasattentivetothepeaceofchildreningeneral，nomanhadastrongercontemptthanheforsuchparentsasopenlyprofessthattheycannotgoverntheirchildren。\"How，\"sayshe，\"isanarmygoverned？Suchpeople，forthemostpart，multiplyprohibitionstillobediencebecomesimpossible，andauthorityappearsabsurd，andneversuspectthattheyteasetheirfamily，theirfriends，andthemselves，onlybecauseconversationrunslow，andsomethingmustbesaid。\"

Ofparentalauthority，indeed，fewpeoplethoughtwithalowerdegreeofestimation。IonedaymentionedtheresignationofCyrustohisfather’swill，asrelatedbyXenophon，when，afterallhisconquests，herequestedtheconsentofCambysestohismarriagewithaneighbouringprincess，andI

addedRollin’sapplauseandrecommendationoftheexample。\"Doyounotperceive，then，\"saysJohnson，\"thatXenophononthisoccasioncommendslikeapedant，andPereRollinapplaudslikeaslave？IfCyrusbyhisconquestshadnotpurchasedemancipation，hehadconqueredtolittlepurposeindeed。Canyouforbeartoseethefollyofafellowwhohasinhiscarethelivesofthousands，whenhebegshispapapermissiontobemarried，andconfesseshisinabilitytodecideinamatterwhichconcernsnoman’shappinessbuthisown？\"Mr。Johnsoncaughtmeanothertimereprimandingthedaughterofmyhousekeeperforhavingsatdownunpermittedinhermother’spresence。\"Why，shegetsherliving，doesshenot，\"saidhe，\"withouthermother’shelp？Letthewenchalone，\"continuedhe。Andwhenwewereagainoutofthewomen’ssightwhowereconcernedinthedispute：\"Poorpeople’schildren，dearlady，\"saidhe，\"neverrespectthem。Ididnotrespectmyownmother，thoughIlovedher。Andoneday，wheninangershecalledmeapuppy，Iaskedherifsheknewwhattheycalledapuppy’smother。\"Weweretalkingofayoungfellowwhousedtocomeoftentothehouse;hewasaboutfifteenyearsold，orless，ifI

rememberright，andhadamanneratoncesullenandsheepish。\"Thatlad，\"

saysMr。Johnson，\"lookslikethesonofaschoolmaster，which，\"addedhe，\"isoneoftheveryworstconditionsofchildhood。Suchaboyhasnofather，orworsethannone;henevercanreflectonhisparentbutthereflectionbringstohismindsomeideaofpaininflicted，orofsorrowsuffered。\"

IwillrelateonethingmorethatDr。JohnsonsaidaboutbabyhoodbeforeI

quitthesubject;itwasthis：\"Thatlittlepeopleshouldbeencouragedalwaystotellwhatevertheyhearparticularlystrikingtosomebrother，sister，orservantimmediately，beforetheimpressioniserasedbytheinterventionofneweroccurrences。HeperfectlyrememberedthefirsttimeheeverheardofHeavenandHell，\"hesaid，\"becausewhenhismotherhadmadeoutsuchadescriptionofbothplacesasshethoughtlikelytoseizetheattentionofherinfantauditor，whowastheninbedwithher，shegotup，anddressinghimbeforetheusualtime，senthimdirectlytocallafavouriteworkmaninthehouse，towhomheknewhewouldcommunicatetheconversationwhileitwasyetimpresseduponhismind。Theeventwaswhatshewished，anditwastothatmethodchieflythatheowedhisuncommonfelicityofrememberingdistantoccurrencesandlongpastconversations。\"

AttheageofeighteenDr。Johnsonquittedschool，andescapedfromthetuitionofthosehehatedorthosehedespised。Ihaveheardhimrelateveryfewcollegeadventures。HeusedtosaythatourbestaccountsofhisbehaviourtherewouldbegatheredfromDr。AdamsandDr。Taylor，andthathewassuretheywouldalwaystellthetruth。Hetoldme，however，onedayhow，whenhewasfirstenteredattheUniversity，hepassedamorning，incompliancewiththecustomsoftheplace，athistutor’schambers;but，findinghimnoscholar，wentnomore。Inabouttendaysafter，meetingthesamegentleman，Mr。Jordan，inthestreet，heofferedtopassbywithoutsalutinghim;butthetutorstopped，andinquired，notroughlyneither，whathehadbeendoing？\"Slidingontheice，\"wasthereply，andsoturnedawaywithdisdain。Helaughedveryheartilyattherecollectionofhisowninsolence，andsaidtheyendureditfromhimwithwonderfulacquiescence，andagentlenessthat，wheneverhethoughtofit，astonishedhimself。Hetoldme，too，thatwhenhemadehisfirstdeclamation，hewroteoverbutonecopy，andthatcoarsely;andhavinggivenitintothehandofthetutor，whostoodtoreceiveitashepassed，wasobligedtobeginbychanceandcontinueonhowhecould，forhehadgotbutlittleofitbyheart;sofairlytrustingtohispresentpowersforimmediatesupply，hefinishedbyaddingastonishmenttotheapplauseofallwhoknewhowlittlewasowingtostudy。Aprodigiousrisk，however，saidsomeone。\"Notatall！\"exclaimsJohnson。\"Noman，Isuppose，leapsatonceintodeepwaterwhodoesnotknowhowtoswim。\"

Idoubtnotbutthisstorywillbetoldbymanyofhisbiographers，andsaidsotohimwhenhetolditmeonthe18thofJuly，1773。\"Andwhowillbemybiographer，\"saidhe，\"doyouthink？\"\"Goldsmith，nodoubt，\"repliedI，\"andhewilldoitthebestamongus。\"\"Thedogwouldwriteitbest，tobesure，\"repliedhe;\"buthisparticularmalicetowardsme，andgeneraldisregardfortruth，wouldmakethebookuselesstoall，andinjurioustomycharacter。\"\"Oh！astothat，\"saidI，\"weshouldallfastenuponhim，andforcehimtodoyoujustice;buttheworstis，theDoctordoesnotKNOW

yourlife;norcanItellindeedwhodoes，exceptDr。TaylorofAshbourne。\"

\"Why，Taylor，\"saidhe，\"isbetteracquaintedwithmyHEARTthananymanorwomannowalive;andthehistoryofmyOxfordexploitsliesallbetweenhimandAdams;butDr。Jamesknowsmyveryearlydaysbetterthanhe。AftermycomingtoLondontodrivetheworldaboutalittle，youmustallgotoJackHawkesworthforanecdotes。Ilivedingreatfamiliaritywithhim（thoughI

thinktherewasnotmuchaffection）fromtheyear1753tillthetimeMr。

Thraleandyoutookmeup。Iintend，however，todisappointtherogues，andeithermakeyouwritethelife，withTaylor’sintelligence，or，whichisbetter，doitmyself，afteroutlivingyouall。Iamnow，\"addedhe，\"keepingadiary，inhopesofusingitforthatpurposesometime。\"Heretheconversationstopped，frommyaccidentallylookinginanoldmagazineoftheyear1768，whereIsawthefollowinglineswithhisnametothem，andaskediftheywerehis：——

VersessaidtobewrittenbyDr。SamuelJohnson，attherequestofagentlemantowhomaladyhadgivenasprigofmyrtle。

\"Whathopes，whatterrors，doesthygiftcreate，Ambiguousemblemofuncertainfate;

Themyrtle，ensignofsupremecommand，ConsignedbyVenustoMelissa’shand：

Notlesscapriciousthanareigningfair，Nowgrants，andnowrejectsalover’sprayer。

Inmyrtleshadesoftsingsthehappyswain，Inmyrtleshadesdespairingghostscomplain：

Themyrtlecrownsthehappylovers’heads，Theunhappylover’sgravethemyrtlespreads：

Oh，then，themeaningofthygiftimpart，Andeasethethrobbingsofananxiousheart！

Soonmustthisbough，asyoushallfixhisdoom，AdornPhilander’shead，orgracehistomb。\"

\"Why，now，dobutseehowtheworldisgapingforawonder！\"criesMr。

Johnson。\"Ithinkitisnowjustfortyyearsagothatayoungfellowhadasprigofmyrtlegivenhimbyagirlhecourted，andaskedmetowritehimsomeversesthathemightpresentherinreturn。Ipromised，butforgot;

andwhenhecalledforhislinesatthetimeagreedon——’Sitstillamoment，’saysI，’dearMund，andI’llfetchthemthee，’sosteppedasideforfiveminutes，andwrotethenonsenseyounowkeepsuchastirabout。\"

Uponrevisingtheseanecdotes，itisimpossiblenottobestruckwithshameandregretthatonetreasurednomoreofthemup;butnoexperienceissufficienttocuretheviceofnegligence。Whateveroneseesconstantly，ormightseeconstantly，becomesuninteresting;andwesuffereverytrivialoccupation，everyslightamusement，tohinderusfromwritingdownwhat，indeed，wecannotchoosebutremember，butwhatweshouldwishtorecollectwithpleasure，unpoisonedbyremorsefornotrememberingmore。WhileI

writethis，Ineglectimpressingmymindwiththewondersofartandbeautiesofnaturethatnowsurroundme;andshalloneday，perhaps，thinkonthehoursImighthaveprofitablypassedintheFlorentineGallery，andreflectingonRaphael’sSt。Johnatthattime，asuponJohnson’sconversationinthismoment，mayjustlyexclaimofthemonthsspentbymemostdelightfullyinItaly——

\"ThatIprizedeveryhourthatpassedby，Beyondallthathadpleasedmebefore;

Butnowtheyarepast，andIsighAndIgrievethatIprizedthemnomore。\"

SHENSTONE。

Dr。JohnsondelightedinhisownpartialityforOxford;andoneday，atmyhouse，entertainedfivemembersoftheotherUniversitywithvariousinstancesofthesuperiorityofOxford，enumeratingthegiganticnamesofmanymenwhomithadproduced，withapparenttriumph。AtlastIsaidtohim，\"Why，therehappenstobenolessthanfiveCambridgemenintheroomnow。\"\"Ididnot，\"saidhe，\"thinkofthattillyoutoldme;butthewolfdon’tcountthesheep。\"Whenthecompanywereretired，wehappenedtobetalkingofDr。Barnard，theProvostofEton，whodiedaboutthattime;andafteralongandjusteulogiumonhiswit，hislearning，andhisgoodnessofheart，\"Hewastheonlyman，too，\"saysMr。Johnson，quiteseriously，\"thatdidjusticetomygoodbreeding;andyoumayobservethatIamwell—bredtoadegreeofneedlessscrupulosity。Noman，\"continuedhe，notobservingtheamazementofhishearers，\"nomanissocautiousnottointerruptanother;nomanthinksitsonecessarytoappearattentivewhenothersarespeaking;nomansosteadilyrefusespreferencetohimself，orsowillinglybestowsitonanother，asIdo;nobodyholdssostronglyasI

dothenecessityofceremony，andtheilleffectswhichfollowthebreachofit，yetpeoplethinkmerude;butBarnarddidmejustice。\"\"’Tispity，\"

saidI，laughing，\"thathehadnotheardyoucomplimenttheCambridgemenafterdinnerto—day。\"\"Why，\"repliedhe，\"IwasinclinedtoDOWNthemsureenough;butthenafellowDESERVEStobeofOxfordthattalksso。\"Ihaveheardhimatothertimesrelatehowheusedsositinsomecoffee—housethere，andturnM————’s\"C—r—ct—c—s\"intoridiculeforthediversionofhimselfandofchancecomers—in。\"The’Elf—da，’\"sayshe，\"wastooexquisitelypretty;Icouldmakenofunoutofthat。\"Whenuponsomeoccasionshewouldexpresshisastonishmentthatheshouldhaveanenemyintheworld，whilehehadbeendoingnothingbutgoodtohisneighbours，I

usedtomakehimrecollectthesecircumstances。\"Why，child，\"saidhe，\"whatharmcouldthatdothefellow？IalwaysthoughtverywellofM————nforaCAMBRIDGEman;heis，Ibelieve，amightyblamelesscharacter。\"Suchtrickswere，however，themoreunpardonableinMr。Johnson，becausenoonecouldharanguelikehimaboutthedifficultyalwaysfoundinforgivingpettyinjuries，orinprovokingbyneedlessoffence。Mr。Jordan，histutor，hadmuchofhisaffection，thoughhedespisedhiswantofscholasticlearning。\"Thatcreaturewould，\"saidhe，\"defendhispupilstothelast：

noyoungladunderhiscareshouldsufferforcommittingslightimproprieties，whilehehadbreathtodefend，orpowertoprotectthem。IfIhadhadsonstosendtoCollege，\"addedhe，\"Jordanshouldhavebeentheirtutor。\"

SirWilliamBrowne，thephysician，wholivedtoaveryextraordinaryage，andwasinotherrespectsanoddmortal，withmoregeniusthanunderstanding，andmoreselfsufficiencythanwit，wastheonlypersonwhoventuredtoopposeMr。Johnsonwhenhehadamindtoshinebyexaltinghisfavouriteuniversity，andtoexpresshiscontemptoftheWhiggishnotionswhichprevailatCambridge。HEdiditonce，however，withsurprisingfelicity。HisantagonisthavingrepeatedwithanairoftriumphthefamousepigramwrittenbyDr。Trapp——

\"Ourroyalmastersaw，withheedfuleyes，Thewantsofhistwouniversities：

TroopshetoOxfordsent，asknowingwhyThatlearnedbodywantedloyalty：

ButbookstoCambridgegave，aswelldiscerningThatthatrightloyalbodywantedlearning。\"

Which，saysSirWilliam，mightwellbeansweredthus：——

\"TheKingtoOxfordsenthistroopofhorse，ForToriesownnoargumentbutforce;

WithequalcaretoCambridgebookshesent，ForWhigsallownoforcebutargument。\"

Mr。Johnsondidhimthejusticetosayitwasoneofthehappiestextemporaneousproductionsheevermetwith，thoughheoncecomicallyconfessedthathehatedtorepeatthewitofaWhigurgedinsupportofWhiggism。SaysGarricktohimoneday，\"WhydidnotyoumakemeaTory，whenwelivedsomuchtogether？YoulovetomakepeopleTories。\"\"Why，\"

saysJohnson，pullingaheapofhalfpencefromhispocket，\"didnotthekingmaketheseguineas？\"

OfMr。Johnson’sToryismtheworldhaslongbeenwitness，andthepoliticalpamphletswrittenbyhimindefenceofhispartyarevigorousandelegant。

HeoftendelightedhisimaginationwiththethoughtsofhavingdestroyedJunius，ananonymouswriterwhoflourishedintheyears1769and177O，andwhokepthimselfsoingeniouslyconcealedfromeveryendeavourtodetecthimthatnoprobableguesswas，Ibelieve，everformedconcerningtheauthor’sname，thoughatthattimethesubjectofgeneralconversation。

Mr。Johnsonmadeusalllaughoneday，becauseIhadreceivedaremarkablyfineStiltoncheeseasapresentfromsomepersonwhohadpackedanddirecteditcarefully，butwithoutmentioningwhenceitcame。Mr。Thrale，desiroustoknowwhowewereobligedto，askedeveryfriendastheycamein，butnobodyownedit。\"Dependuponit，sir，\"saysJohnson，\"itwassentbyJUNIUS。\"

The\"FalseAlarm，\"hisfirstandfavouritepamphlet，waswrittenatourhousebetweeneighto’clockonWednesdaynightandtwelveo’clockonThursdaynight。WereadittoMr。ThralewhenhecameverylatehomefromtheHouseofCommons;theotherpoliticaltractsfollowedintheirorder。

IhaveforgottenwhichcontainsthestrokeatJunius，butshallforeverrememberthepleasureitgavehimtohavewrittenit。Itwas，however，intheyear1775thatMr。EdmundBurkemadethefamousspeechinParliamentthatstruckevenfoeswithadmiration，andfriendswithdelight。Amongthenamelessthousandswhoarecontentedtoechothosepraisestheyhavenotskilltoinvent，_I_ventured，beforeDr。Johnsonhimself，toapplaudwithrapturethebeautifulpassageinitconcerningLordBathurstandtheAngel，which，saidourDoctor，hadIbeeninthehouse，IwouldhaveansweredTHUS：——

\"Suppose，Mr。Speaker，thattoWhartonortoMarlborough，ortoanyoftheeminentWhigsofthelastage，thedevilhad，notwithanygreatimpropriety，consentedtoappear，hewould，perhaps，insomewhatlikethesewords，havecommencedtheconversation：

\"’Youseem，mylord，tobeconcernedatthejudiciousapprehensionthatwhileyouaresappingthefoundationsofroyaltyathome，andpropagatingherethedangerousdoctrineofresistance，thedistanceofAmericamaysecureitsinhabitantsfromyourarts，thoughactive。ButIwillunfoldtoyouthegayprospectsoffuturity。Thispeople，nowsoinnocentandharmless，shalldrawtheswordagainsttheirmothercountry，andbatheitspointinthebloodoftheirbenefactors;thispeople，nowcontentedwithalittle，shallthenrefusetosparewhattheythemselvesconfesstheycouldnotmiss;andthesemen，nowsohonestandsograteful，shall，inreturnforpeaceandforprotection，seetheirvileagentsintheHouseofParliament，theretosowtheseedsofsedition，andpropagateconfusion，perplexity，andpain。Benotdispirited，then，atthecontemplationoftheirpresenthappystate：Ipromiseyouthatanarchy，poverty，anddeathshall，bymycare，becarriedevenacrossthespaciousAtlantic，andsettleinAmericaitself，thesureconsequencesofourbelovedWhiggism。’\"

ThisIthoughtathingsoveryparticularthatIbeggedhisleavetowriteitdowndirectly，beforeanythingcouldintervenethatmightmakemeforgettheforceoftheexpressions。AtrickwhichIhave，however，seenplayedoncommonoccasions，ofsittingsteadilydownattheotherendoftheroomtowriteatthemomentwhatshouldbesaidincompany，eitherBYDr。

JohnsonorTOhim，Ineverpractisedmyself，norapprovedofinanother。

Thereissomethingsoill—bred，andsoincliningtotreacheryinthisconduct，thatwereitcommonlyadoptedallconfidencewouldsoonbeexiledfromsociety，andaconversationassembly—roomwouldbecometremendousasacourtofjustice。Asetofacquaintancejoinedinfamiliarchatmaysayathousandthingswhich，asthephraseis，passwellenoughatthetime，thoughtheycannotstandthetestofcriticalexamination;andasalltalkbeyondthatwhichisnecessarytothepurposesofactualbusinessisakindofgame，therewillbeeverfoundwaysofplayingfairlyorunfairlyatit，whichdistinguishthegentlemanfromthejuggler。Dr。Johnson，aswellasmanyofmyacquaintance，knewthatIkeptacommon—placebook，andheonedaysaidtomegood—humouredlythathewouldgivemesomethingtowriteinmyrepository。\"Iwarrant，\"saidhe，\"thereisagreatdealaboutmeinit。Youshallhaveatleastonethingworthyourpains，soifyouwillgetthepenandinkIwillrepeattoyouAnacreon’s’Dove’directly;buttellatthesametimethatasIneverwasstruckwithanythingintheGreeklanguagetillIreadTHAT，soIneverreadanythinginthesamelanguagesincethatpleasedmeasmuch。Ihopemytranslation，\"continuedhe，\"isnotworsethanthatofFrankFawkes。\"Seeingmedisposedtolaugh，\"Nay，nay，\"saidhe，\"FrankFawkeshasdonethemveryfinely。\"

\"Lovelycourierofthesky，Whenceandwhitherdostthoufly？

Scatt’ring，asthypinionsplay，Liquidfragrancealltheway。

Isitbusiness？isitlove？

Tellme，tellme，gentleDove。

’SoftAnacreon’svowsIbear，VowstoMyrtalethefair;

Gracedwithallthatcharmstheheart，Blushingnature，smilingart。

Venus，courtedbyanode，OnthebardherDovebestowed。

Vestedwithamaster’srightNowAnacreonrulesmyflight;

Histhelettersthatyousee，Weightychargeconsignedtome;

Thinknotyetmyservicehard，Joylesstaskwithoutreward;

Smilingatmymaster’sgates，Freedommyreturnawaits。

ButtheliberalgrantinvainTemptsmetobewildagain。

CanaprudentDovedeclineBlissfulbondagesuchasmine？

Overhillsandfieldstoroam，Fortune’sguestwithoutahome;

Underleavestohideone’shead，Slightlysheltered，coarselyfed;

NowmybetterlotbestowsSweetrepast，andsoftrepose;

NowthegenerousbowlIsipAsitleavesAnacreon’slip;

Voidofcare，andfreefromdread，Fromhisfingerssnatchhisbread，Thenwithlusciousplentygay，Roundhischamberdanceandplay;

Orfromwine，ascouragesprings，O’erhisfaceextendmywings;

Andwhenfeastandfrolictire，Dropasleepuponhislyre。

Thisisall，bequickandgo，Morethanallthoucanstnotknow;

Letmenowmypinionsply，Ihavechatteredlikeapie。’\"

WhenIhadfinished，\"Butyoumustremembertoadd，\"saysMr。Johnson，\"thatthoughtheseverseswereplanned，andevenbegun，whenIwassixteenyearsold，InevercouldfindtimetomakeanendofthembeforeIwassixty—eight。\"

Thisfacilityofwriting，andthisdilatorinessevertowrite，Mr。Johnsonalwaysretained，fromthedaysthathelayabedanddictatedhisfirstpublicationtoMr。Hector，whoactedashisamanuensis，tothemomenthemademecopyoutthosevariationsinPope’s\"Homer\"whichareprintedinthe\"Poets’Lives。\"\"Andnow，\"saidhe，whenIhadfinisheditforhim，\"I

fearnotMr。Nicholsonofapin。\"Thefine’Rambler，’onthesubjectofProcrastination，washastilycomposed，asIhaveheard，inSirJoshuaReynolds’sparlour，whiletheboywaitedtocarryittopress;andnumberlessaretheinstancesofhiswritingunderimmediatepressureofimportunityordistress。HetoldmethatthecharacterofSoberinthe’Idler’wasbyhimselfintendedashisownportrait，andthathehadhisownoutsetintolifeinhiseyewhenhewrotetheEasternstoryof\"Gelaleddin。\"Oftheallegoricalpapersinthe’Rambler，’LabourandRestwashisfavourite;butScrotinus，themanwhoreturnslateinlifetoreceivehonoursinhisnativecountry，andmeetswithmortificationinsteadofrespect，wasbyhimconsideredasamasterpieceinthescienceoflifeandmanners。ThecharacterofProsperointhefourthvolumeGarricktooktobehis;andIhaveheardtheauthorsaythatheneverforgavetheoffence。Sophronwaslikewiseapicturedrawnfromreality，andbyGelidus，thephilosopher，hemeanttorepresentMr。Coulson，amathematician，whoformerlylivedatRochester。Themanimmortalisedforpurringlikeacatwas，ashetoldme，oneBusby，aproctorintheCommons。

Hewhobarkedsoingeniously，andthencalledthedrawertodriveawaythedog，wasfathertoDr。Salter，oftheCharterhouse。Hewhosangasong，andbycorrespondentmotionsofhisarmchalkedoutagiantonthewall，wasoneRichardson，anattorney。Thelettersigned\"Sunday\"waswrittenbyMissTalbot;andhefanciedthebilletsinthefirstvolumeofthe’Rambler’weresenthimbyMissMulso，nowMrs。Chapone。ThepaperscontributedbyMrs。Carterhadmuchofhisesteem，thoughhealwaysblamedmeforpreferringthelettersigned\"Chariessa\"totheallegory，wherereligionandsuperstitionareindeedmostmasterlydelineated。

WhenDr。Johnsonreadhisownsatire，inwhichthelifeofascholarispainted，withthevariousobstructionsthrowninhiswaytofortuneandtofame，heburstintoapassionoftearsoneday。ThefamilyandMr。Scottonlywerepresent，who，inajocoseway，clappedhimontheback，andsaid，\"What’sallthis，mydearsir？Why，youandIandHERCULES，youknow，werealltroubledwithMELANCHOLY。\"Astherearemanygentlemenofthesamename，Ishouldsay，perhaps，thatitwasaMr。ScottwhomarriedMissRobinson，andthatIthinkIhaveheardMr。ThralecallhimGeorgeLowis，orGeorgeAugustus，Ihaveforgotwhich。Hewasaverylargeman，however，andmadeoutthetriumviratewithJohnsonandHerculescomicallyenough。

TheDoctorwassodelightedathisoddsallythathesuddenlyembracedhim，andthesubjectwasimmediatelychanged。IneversawMr。Scottbutthatonceinmylife。

Dr。Johnsonwasliberalenoughingrantingliteraryassistancetoothers，I

think;andinnumerablearetheprefaces，sermons，lectures，anddedicationswhichheusedtomakeforpeoplewhobeggedofhim。Mr。Murphyrelatedinhisandmyhearingoneday，andhedidnotdenyit，thatwhenMurphyjokedhimtheweekbeforeforhavingbeensodiligentoflatebetweenDodd’ssermonandKelly’sprologue，Dr。Johnsonreplied，\"Why，sir，whentheycometomewithadeadstaymakerandadyingparson，whatcanamando？\"HeSAID，however，that\"hehatedtogiveawayliteraryperformances，oreventosellthemtoocheaply。Thenextgenerationshallnotaccuseme，\"addedhe，\"ofbeatingdownthepriceofliterature。Onehates，besides，evertogivethatwhichonehasbeenaccustomedtosell。Wouldnotyou，sir，\"

turningtoMr。Thrale，\"rathergiveawaymoneythanporter？\"

Mr。Johnsonhadnever，byhisownaccount，beenaclosestudent，andusedtoadviseyoungpeoplenevertobewithoutabookintheirpocket，tobereadatbye—timeswhentheyhadnothingelsetodo。\"Ithasbeenbythatmeans，\"saidhetoaboyatourhouseoneday，\"thatallmyknowledgehasbeengained，exceptwhatIhavepickedupbyrunningabouttheworldwithmywitsreadytoobserve，andmytonguereadytotalk。Amanisseldominahumourtounlockhisbookcase，sethisdeskinorder，andbetakehimselftoseriousstudy;butaretentivememorywilldosomething，andafellowshallhavestrangecreditgivenhim，ifhecanbutrecollectstrikingpassagesfromdifferentbooks，keeptheauthorsseparateinhishead，andbringhisstockofknowledgeartfullyintoplay。Howelse，\"addedhe，\"dothegamestersmanagewhentheyplayformoremoneythantheyareworth？\"

HisDictionary，however，couldnot，onewouldthink，havebeenwrittenbyrunningupanddown;buthereallydidnotconsideritasagreatperformance;andusedtosay\"thathemighthavedoneiteasilyintwoyearshadnothishealthreceivedseveralshocksduringthetime。\"

WhenMr。Thrale，inconsequenceofthisdeclaration，teasedhimintheyear1768togiveaneweditionofit，because，saidhe，therearefourorfivegrossfaults：\"Alas！sir，\"repliedJohnson，\"therearefourorfivehundredfaultsinsteadoffourorfive;butyoudonotconsiderthatitwouldtakemeupthreewholemonths’labour，andwhenthetimewasexpiredtheworkwouldnotbedone。\"Whenthebooksellerssethimaboutit，however，someyearsafter，hewentcheerfullytothebusiness，saidhewaswellpaid，andthattheydeservedtohaveitdonecarefully。Hisreplytothepersonwhocomplimentedhimonitscomingoutfirst，mentioningtheillsuccessoftheFrenchinasimilarattempt，iswellknown，and，Itrust，hasbeenoftenrecorded。\"Why，whatwouldyouexpect，dearsir，\"saidhe，\"fromfellowsthateatfrogs？\"Ihave，however，oftenthoughtDr。JohnsonmorefreethanprudentinprofessingsoloudlyhislittleskillintheGreeklanguage;forthoughheconsidereditasaproofofanarrowmindtobetoocarefulofliteraryreputation，yetnomancouldbemoreenragedthanheifanenemy，takingadvantageofthisconfession，twittedhimwithhisignorance;andIrememberwhentheKingofDenmarkwasinEnglandoneofhisnoblemenwasbroughtbyMr。ColmantoseeDr。Johnsonatourcountryhouse，andhavingheard，hesaid，thathewasnotfamousforGreekliterature，attackedhimontheweakside，politelyaddingthathechosethatconversationonpurposetofavourhimself。OurDoctor，however，displayedsocopious，socompendiousaknowledgeofauthors，books，andeverybranchoflearninginthatlanguage，thatthegentlemanappearedastonished。Whenhewasgonehome，saysJohnson，\"Now，forallthistriumphImaythankThrale’sXenophonhere，asIthink，exceptingthatONE，IhavenotlookedinaGreekbookthesetenyears;butseewhathastemydearfriendswereallin，\"continuedhe，\"totellthispoorinnocentforeignerthatIknownothingofGreek！Oh，no，heknowsnothingofGreek！\"withaloudburstoflaughing。

WhenDaviesprintedthe\"FugitivePieces\"withouthisknowledgeorconsent，\"How，\"saidI，\"wouldPopehaveraved，hadhebeenservedso！\"\"Weshouldnever，\"repliedhe，\"haveheardthelaston’t，tobesure;butthenPopewasanarrowman。Iwill，however，\"addedhe，\"stormandblusterMYSELFalittlethistime，\"sowenttoLondoninallthewrathhecouldmusterup。