He seemed to take a pleasure in speaking in his own style; for when he had carelessly missed, he would repeat the thought translated into it. Talking of the Comedy of "The Rehearsal," he said, "It has not wit enough to keep it sweet." This was easy;-he therefore caught himself, and pronounced a more rounded sentence, "It has not vitality enough to preserve it from putrefaction." 1 He censured a writer of entertaining Travels for assuming a feigned character, saying (in his sense of the word) "He carries out one lye; we know not how many he brings back." Though he had no taste for painting, he admired much the manner in which Sir Joshua Reynolds treated of his art, in his "Discourses to the Royal Academy." He observed of a passage one day, "I think I might as well have said this myself." And once when Mr. Langton was sitting by him, he read one of them very eagerly, and expressed himself thus: "Very well, Master Reynolds; very well, indeed. But it will not be understood." No man was more ready to make an apology when he had censured unjustly than Johnson. When a proof-sheet of one of his works was brought to him, he found fault with the mode in which a part of it was arranged, refused to read it, and in a passion desired that the compositor might be sent to him. The compositor was Mr. Manning, a decent sensible man, who had composed about one half of his "Dictionary," when in Mr. Strahan's printing-house; and a great part of his "Lives of the Poets," when in Mr. Nichols's printing-house; and now (in his seventy-seventh year) when in Mr. Baldwin's printing-house, has composed a part of this work conminded Johnson of his having been in company with him on a former occasion, 'I do not remember it, Sir.' The physician still insisted; adding that he that day wore so fine a coat that it must have attracted his notice. 'Sir, (said Johnson,) had you been dipt in Pactolus, I should not have noticed you.' a Compositor, in the art of printing, means, the person who adjusts the types in the order in which they are to stand for printing; one who arranges what is called the form, from which an impression is taken. Cor. et Ad.-After line 16, read-" When I observed to him that Painting was so far inferior to Poetry, that the story or even emblem which it communicates must be previously known, and mentioned as a natural and laughable instance of this, that a little miss, on seeing a picture of Justice with the scales, had exclaimed to me, 'See, there's a woman selling sweetmeats;' he said, 'Painting, Sir, can illustrate, but cannot inform.'" This saying has been registered in two other note-books, Mr. Malone's and Mrs. Piozzi's. This again helps us to estimate Boswell's incomparable superiority as a reporter. "On a high eulogium being pronounced upon it (The Rehearsal) he said, 'It had not wit enough to keep it sweet: it had not sufficient vitality to preserve it from putrefaction."" He adds that Mrs. Thrale had caught something VOL. III. of this story, and marred it in the telling. observe how infisecond version of 7 cerning him. By producing the manuscript, he at once satisfied Dr. Johnson that he was not to blame. Upon which Johnson candidly and earnestly said to him, "Mr. Compositor, I ask your pardon. Mr. Compositor, I ask your pardon, again and again." His generous humanity to the miserable was almost beyond example. The following instance is well attested: Coming home late one night, he found a poor woman lying in the street, so much exhausted that she could not walk; he took her upon his back, and carried her to his house, where he discovered that she was one of those wretched females who had fallen into the lowest state of vice, poverty, and disease. Instead of harshly upbraiding her, he had her taken care of with all tenderness for a long time, at a considerable expence, till she was restored to health, and endeavoured to put her into a virtuous way of living. He thought Mr. Caleb Whitefoord, singularly happy in hitting on the signature of Papyrius Cursor, to his ingenious and diverting cross-readings of the news-papers; it being a real name of an ancient Roman, and clearly expressive of the thing done in this lively conceit. He once in his life was known to have uttered what is called a bull; Sir Joshua Reynolds, when they were riding together in Devonshire, complained that he had a very bad horse, for that even This circumstance therefore alluded to in Mr. Courtenay's "Poetical Character,” of him is strictly true. Cor. et Ad.-To above note add, "My informer was Mrs. Desmoulins, who lived many years in Dr. Johnson's house." This little scene has suggested a noble passage to Mr. Carlyle, which also furnishes the key to what so mysteriously attracts and fascinates in Boswell's narrative: "Strange power of reality! Not even this poorest of occurrences, but now, after seventy years are come and gone, has a meaning. Do but consider that it is true; that it did in very deed occur. That unhappy outcast, with all her sins and woes, lawless desires, too complex mischances, her wailings and her riotings, has departed utterly. Alas! her siren finery has got all besmutched, ground, generations since, into dust and smoke. She is no longer here, but far from us, in the bosom of eternity. Whence we too came, whither we too are bound. ... It is well worth an artist's while to examine for himself what it is that gives each pitiful incident their memorableness; his aim likewise is, above all things, to be memorable. Half the effect we already perceive depends on the object, on its being real, on its being really seen. The other half will depend on the observer; and the question now is, How are real objects to be so seen; on what quality of observing, or of style in describing, does this so intense pictorial power depend? Often a slight circumstance contributes curiously to the result. Some little, and perhaps, to appearance, accidental feature is presented; a light gleam, which instantaneously excites the mind and urges it to complete the picture and evolve the meaning thereof for itself. . One grand invaluable secret there is which includes all the rest. To have an open loving breast, and what follows from the possession of such. This it is that opens the whole mind, quickens every faculty of the intellect to do its fit work, that of knowing; and therefore, by sure consequence, of vividly uttering forth."-Miscel., art, Biography, p. 14 ed. 1847. when going down hill he moved slowly step by step. "Ay (said Johnson) and when he goes up hill, he stands still." He had a great aversion to gesticulating in company. He called once to a gentleman1 who offended him in that point, "Don't attitudenise." And when another gentleman thought he was giving additional force to what he uttered, by expressive movements of his hands, Johnson fairly seized them, and held them down. An authour of considerable eminence having engrossed a good share of the conversation in the company of Johnson, and having said nothing but what was very trifling and insignificant; Johnson when he was gone, observed to us, "It is wonderful what a difference there sometimes is between a man's powers of writing and of talking. writes with great spirit, but is a poor talker; had he held his tongue we might have supposed him to have been restrain'd by modesty; but he has spoken a great deal to-day; and you have heard what stuff it was." A gentleman having said that a congé d'elire, has not perhaps the force of a command, but may be considered only as a strong recommendation. "Sir, (replied Johnson, who overheard him,) it is such a recommendation, as if I should throw you out of a twopair-of-stairs window, and recommend to you to fall soft.”▪ Mr. Steevens, who passed many a social hour with him during their long acquaintance, which commenced when they both lived in the Temple, has preserved a good number of particulars concerning him, most of which are to be found in the department of Apothegms, &c. in the Collection of "Johnson's Works." But he has been pleased to favour me with the following, which are original : "One evening, previous to the trial of Baretti, a consultation of his friends was held at the house of Mr. Cox, the Solicitor, in Southampton-buildings, Chancery-lane. Among others present were, Mr. Burke and Dr. Johnson, who differed in sentiments concerning the tendency of some part of the defence the prisoner was to make. When the meeting was over, Mr. Steevens observed, that the This has been printed in other publications, "fall to the ground." But Johnson himself gave me the true expression which he had used, as above; meaning that the recommendation left as little choice in the one case as the other. Second Edition.-Line 13, 1 Mr. Croker knew this gentleman, who was Sir Richard Musgrave, the same who used to protest that "he would clean shoes" for Dr. Johnson. Dr. Beattie was then in town, and the asterisks probably stand for his name. Mr. Croker, who had not seen the variation, imagined that Robertson was intended. question between him and his friend had been agitated with rather too much warmth. 'It may be so, Sir, (replied the Doctor,) for Burke and I should have been of one opinion, if we had had no audience.'" "Dr. Johnson once assumed a character in which perhaps even Mr. Boswell never saw him. His curiosity having been excited by the praises bestowed on the celebrated Torré's fireworks at Marybone-Gardens, he desired Mr. Steevens to accompany him thither. The evening had proved showery; and soon after the few people present were assembled, publick notice was given, that the conductors to the wheels, suns, stars, &c. were so thoroughly watersoaked, that it was impossible any part of the exhibition should be made. 'This is a mere excuse (says the Doctor) to save their crackers for a more profitable company. Let us but hold up our sticks, and threaten to break those coloured lamps that surround the Orchestra, and we shall soon have our wishes gratified. The core of the fire-works cannot be injured; let the different pieces be touched in their respective centers, and they will do their offices as well as ever.'-Some young men who overheard him, immediately began the violence he had recommended, and an attempt was speedily made to fire some of the wheels which appeared to have received the smallest damage; but to little purpose were they lighted, for most of them completely failed.—The authour of 'The Rambler,' however, may be considered on this occasion, as the ringleader of a successful riot, though not as a skilful pyro technist." "It has been supposed that Dr. Johnson, so far as fashion was concerned, was careless of his appearance in publick. But this is not altogether true, as the following slight instance may show :-Goldsmith's last Comedy was to be represented during some courtmourning; and Mr. Steevens appointed to call on Dr. Johnson, and carry him to the tavern where he was to dine with others of the Poet's friends. The Doctor was ready dressed, but in coloured cloaths; yet being told that he would find every one else in black, received the intelligence with a profusion of thanks, hastened to change his attire, all the while repeating his gratitude for the information that had saved him from an appearance so improper in the front row of a front box. 'I would not (added he) for ten pounds, have seemed so retrograde to any general observance.'" "He would sometimes found his dislikes on very slender circumstances. Happening one day to mention Mr. Flexman, a Dissenting minister, with some compliment to his exact memory in chronological matters; the Doctor replied,' Let me hear no more of him, Sir. That is the fellow who made the Index to my Ramblers, and set down the name of Milton thus :-Milton, Mr. John.'" Mr. Steevens adds this testimony, "It is unfortunate however for Johnson, that his particularities and frailties can be more distinctly traced than his good and amiable exertions. Could the many bounties he studiously concealed, the many acts of humanity he performed in private, be displayed with equal circumstantiality, his defects would be so far lost in the blaze of his virtues, that the latter only would be regarded." Though from my very great admiration of Johnson, I have wondered that he was not courted by all the great and all the eminent persons of his 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 the course of this work a numerous variety of names have been mentioned, to which many might be added. cannot omit Lord and Lady Lucan, at whose house he often enjoyed all that an elegant table, and the best company can contribute to happiness; he found hospitality united with extraordinary accomplishments, and embellished with charms of which no man could be insensible. I On Tuesday, June 22, I dined with him at THE LITERARY CLUB, the last time of his being in that respectable society. The other members present were the Bishop of St. Asaph, Lord Eliot, Lord Palmerston, Dr. Fordyce, and Mr. Malone. He looked ill; but had such a manly fortitude, that he did not trouble the company with melancholy complaints. They all shewed evident marks of concern about him, with which he was much pleased, and he exerted himself to be as entertaining as his indisposition allowed him. The anxiety of his friends to preserve so estimable a life, as long as human means might be supposed to have influence, made them plan for him a retreat from the severity of a British winter, to the mild climate of Italy. This scheme was at last brought to a serious resolution at General Paoli's, where I had often talked of it. One essential matter, however, I understood was necessary to be previously settled, which was obtaining such an addition to his income, as would be sufficient to enable him to defray the expense in a manner becoming the first literary character of a great nation, and, independent of all his other merits, the Authour of THE DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. The person to whom I above al1 Cor. et Ad.-Line 10: For "great" read "high." Second Edition.-"Great" restored. |