tice with the scales, had exclaimed to me, "See, there's a woman selling sweetmeats;' he said, "Painting, Sir, can illustrate, but cannot inform." 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 that of Mr. Nichols; and who (in his seventy-seventh year) when in Mr. Baldwin's printing-house, composed a part of the first edition of this work concerning 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." titudenise." 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 author of considerable eminence having engrossed a good share of the conversation in the company of Johnson, and having said nothing but what was 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 restrained by modesty: but he has spoken a great deal today; and have you 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 two pair of stairs window, and recommend to you to fall soft."+ ance, 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 Apophthegms, &c. in the Collection of "Johnson's Works." But he has been pleased to favour me with the following, which are original: His generous humanity to the miserable Mr. Steevens, who passed many a social was almost beyond example. The follow-hour with him during their long acquainting 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 expense, 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 newspapers; 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 when going downhill he moved slowly step by step. "Ay, (said Johnson) and when he goes uphill, he stands still." He had a great aversion to gesticulating in company. He called once to a gentleman who offended him in that point, "Don't at • Compositor in the Printing-house means, the person who adjusts the types in the order in which they are to stand for printing; and arranges what is called the form, from which an impression is taken. + The circumstance therefore alluded to in Mr. Courtenay's "Poetical Character" of him is strictly true. My informer was Mrs. Desmoulins, who lived many years in Dr. Johnson's house. "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 question between him and his friend had been agitated with rather too much It may be so, Sir, (replied the Doctor,) for Burke and I should have been of one opinion, if we had had no audience.' warnith. "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 Marylebone-Gardens, he desired Mr. Steevens to accompany him thither. The evening had proved showery; and soon after the few people present were assembled, public notice was given, that the conductors to the wheels, suns, stars, &c., were so thoroughly water-soaked, that it 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. more severely blown about by of his m that h that the m Mrs. Thrale has published,* as Johnson's, "Though fraught with all learning kept s It may be worth remarking. A -posed to have infrnce, De him a zebrent from the Leftist witter, u the mid ce Its scheme wa E at beaght Seratus rescintan at Geeni Pas are I had uten taked of 2. One ex matter, bowere. I mderstand was essary to be p prerasly settled, which es obtaining such an admire to his mean would be sufficient to enable hum to driny the expense in a manner becoming the first kes of THE DICTIONARY OF THE Exsust pening LANGUAGE. The person to whom i abore dissent all others thought I should apply to nego ent to his tiate this business, was the Lord Chancel tters; the lor, because I knew that be highly valued no more of Johnson, and that Johnson highly valued who made the his Lordship; so that it was no degradation set down the of my illustrious friend to solicit for him ton, Mr. John." the favour of such a man. I have mentiontestimony: "Ited what Johnson said of him to me when be for Johnson, that was at the bar; and after his Lordship was alties can be more advanced to the seals, he said of him. "1 good and amiable would prepare myself for no man in Enge many bounties he land but Lord Thurlow. When I am te be the case (said the many acts of hu- meet with him, I should wish to know a day private, be display before." How he would have prepared himstantiality, his defects self, I cannot conjecture. Would he have atter only would be re- in every view, so as to be in readiness to arin the blaze of his vir- selected certain topics, and considered them gue them at all points? and what may we suppose those topics to have been? I once my very high admiration of e wondered that he was not the great and all the eminent | shop, as I always d not worth their vantage." An author of vanity being 1. there is not a • Edward Lord Thurlow, [who died September 11. time, it ought fairly to be 1806. M.] 23, I visited him ving been present fifteen men execuI said to him, I was was not machinery, that .fatality planned and direme Being, as it had in dness and misery, so many h, as that by which my mind led. machinery, it would be better n these respects, though less not being a system of moral governHe agreed with me now, as he did, upon the great question of the y of the human will, which has been in ges perplexed with so much sophistry; But, Sir, as to the doctrine of Necessity, To man believes it. If a man should give me arguments that I do not see, though I could not answer them, should I believe that I do not see?" It will be observed, that Johnson at all times made the just distinction between doctrines contrary to reason, and doctrines above reason. Talking of the religious dicipline proper for unhappy convicts, he said, "Sir, one of our regular clergy will probably not impress their minds sufficiently: they should be at It is strange that Sir John Hawkins should have related that the application was made by Sir Joshua Reynolds, when he could so easily have been informed of the truth by inquiring of Sir Joshua. Sir John's carelessness to ascertain facts is very remarkable. tended by a Methodist preacher; or a Popish priest." Let me, however, observe, in justice to the Reverend Mr. Vilette, who has been Ordinary of Newgate for no less han eighteen years, in the course of which attended many hundreds of wretched that his earnest and humane exe been very effectual. His igence is highly praisecrits a distinguished re y, June 24, I dined with him 's, where were the Rev. Mr. Knox, master of Tunbridger. Smith, Vicar of Southil, Br. Mr. Pinkerton, author of various performances, and the Rev. Dr. At my desire old Mr. Sheridan was ted, as I was earnest to have Johnson ...d him brought together again by chance, that a reconciliation might be effected. Mr. Sheridan happened to come early, and hav ing learnt that Dr. Johnson was to be there, went away; so I found, with sincere regret, that my friendly intentions were hopeless. I recollect nothing that passed this day, except Johnson's quickness, who, when Dr. Beattie observed, as something remarkable which had happened to him, that he had chanced to see both No. 1 and No. 1000, of the hackney-coaches, the first and the last; Why, Sir, (said Johnson,) there is an equal chance for one's seeing those two numbers as any other two." He was clearly right; yet the seeing of the two extremes, each of which is in some degree more conspicuous than the rest, could not but strike one in a stronger manner than the sight of any other two numbers.-Though I have neglected to preserve his conversation, it was perhaps at this interview that Dr. Knox formed the notion of it which he has exhibited in his "Winter Evenings." On Friday, June 25, I dined with him at General Paoli's, where he says, in one of his letters to Mrs. Thrale, "I love to dine." There was a variety of dishes much to his taste, of all which he seemed to me to eat so much, that I was afraid he might be hurt by it; and I whispered 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 a very short time. Would you refuse any slight gratifications to a man under sentence of death? There is a bu mane custom in Italy, by which persons in that melancholy situation are indulged with having whatever they like best to eat and drink, even with expensive delicacies.” † A friend of mine happened to be passing by a field congregation in the environs of London, when a Methodist preacher quoted this passage with triumph. I trust that THE CITY OF LONDON, now happily in unison with THE COURT, will have the justice and generosity to obtain preferment for this Reverend Gentleman, now a worthy old servant of that magnificent Corporation. was impossible any part of the exhibition | should be made. 6 This is a mere excuse (says the Doctor,) to save their crackers for a more profitable company. Let us both 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 centres, 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 author of The Rambler, however, may be considered, on this occasion, as the ringleader of a successful riot, though not as a skilful pyrotechnist." "It has been supposed that Dr. Johnson, so far as fashion was concerned, was careless of his appearance in public. But this it not altogether true, as the following slight instance may shew:-Goldsmith's last Comedy was to be represented during some court-mourning; 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 clothes; 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 high 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 author 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 has been mentioned, to which many might be added. I 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. 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 kind 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 essen. tial 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 Author of THE DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. The person to whom I above all others thought I should apply to nego tiate this business, was the Lord Chancellor, because I knew that he highly valued Johnson, and that Johnson highly valued his Lordship; so that it was no degradation of my illustrious friend to solicit for him the favour of such a man. I have mentioned what Johnson said of him to me when he was at the bar; and after his Lordship was advanced to the seals, he said of him, “I would prepare myself for no man in England but Lord Thurlow. When I am to meet with him, I should wish to know a day before." How he would have prepared himself, I cannot conjecture. Would he have selected certain topics, and considered them in every view, so as to be in readiness to argue them at all points? and what may we suppose those topics to have been? I once • Edward Lord Thurlow, [who died September 11, 1806. M.] started the curious inquiry 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 in opinion with me; and I therefore, though personally very little known to his Lordship, wrote | to him, stating the case, and requesting his good offices for Dr. Johnson. I mentioned that I was obliged to set out for Scotland early in the following week, so that if his Lordship should have any commands for me as to this pious negotiation, he would be pleased to send them before that time; otherwise Sir Joshua Reynolds would give all attention to it. This application was made not only without any suggestion on the part of Johnson himself, but was utterly unknown to him, nor had ne the smallest suspicion of it. Any insinuations, therefore, which since his death have been thrown out, as if he had stooped to ask what was superfluous, are without any foundation. But, had he asked it, it would not have been superfluous; for though the money he had saved proved to be more than his friends imagined, or than I believe he himself, in his carelessness concerning worldly matters knew it to be, had he travelled upon the Continent, an augmentation of his income would by no means have been unnecessary. On Wednesday, June 23, I visited him in the morning, after having been present at the shocking sight of fifteen men executed before Newgate. I said to him, I was sure that human life was not machinery, that is to say, a chain of fatality planned and directed by the Supreme Being, as it had in it so much wickedness and misery, so many instances of both, as that by which my mind was now clouded. tended by a Methodist preacher ; or a Popish priest." Let me, however, observe, in justice to the Reverend Mr. Vilette, who has been Ordinary of Newgate for no less than eighteen years, in the course of which he has attended many hundreds of wretched criminals, that his earnest and humane exhortations have been very effectual. His extraordinary diligence is highly praiseworthy, and merits a distinguished reward. On Thursday, June 24, I dined with him at Mr. Dilly's, where were the Rev. Mr. (now Dr.) Knox, master of Tunbridgeschool, Mr. Smith, Vicar of Southil, Dr. Beattie, Mr. Pinkerton, author of various literary performances, and the Rev. Dr. Mayo. At my desire old Mr. Sheridan was invited, as I was earnest to have Johnson and him brought together again by chance, that a reconciliation might be effected. Mr. Sheridan happened to come early, and hav ing learnt that Dr. Johnson was to be there, went away; so I found, with sincere regret, that my friendly intentions were hopeless. I recollect nothing that passed this day, except Johnson's quickness, who, when Dr. Beattie observed, as something remarkable which had happened to him, that he had chanced to see both No. 1 and No. 1000, of the hackney-coaches, the first and the last; Why, Sir, (said Johnson,) there is an equal chance for one's seeing those two numbers as any other two." He was clearly right; yet the seeing of the two extremes, each of which is in some degree more conspicuous than the rest, could not but strike one in a stronger manner than the sight of any other two numbers.-Though I have neglected to preserve his conversation, it was perhaps at this interview that Dr. Knox formed the notion of it which he has exhi. bited in his "Winter Evenings." 66 Were it machinery, it would be better than it is in these respects, though less no- On Friday, June 25, I dined with him at ble, as not being a system of moral govern- General Paoli's, where he says, in one of his ment. He agreed with me now, as he letters to Mrs. Thrale, "I love to dine." always did, upon the great question of the There was a variety of dishes much to his liberty of the human will, which has been in taste, of all which he seemed to me to eat so all ages perplexed with so much sophistry; much, that I was afraid he might be hurt by "But, Sir, as to the doctrine of Necessity, it; and I whispered to the General my fear, no man believes it. If a man should give and begged he might not press him. "Alas! me arguments that I do not see, though I (said the General,) see how very ill he looks; could not answer them, should I believe he can live but a very short time. Would that I do not see ?" It will be observed, you refuse any slight gratifications to a man that Johnson at all times made the just dis-under sentence of death? There is a bu tinction between doctrines contrary to reason, and doctrines above reason. Talking of the religious dicipline proper for unhappy convicts, he said, " Sir, one of our regular clergy will probably not impress their minds sufficiently: they should be at It is strange that Sir John Hawkins should have related that the application was made by Sir Joshua Reynolds, when he could so easily have been informed of the truth by inquiring of Sir Joshua. Sir John's carelessness to ascertain facts is very remarkable. mane custom in Italy, by which persons in that melancholy situation are indulged with having whatever they like best to eat and drink, even with expensive delicacies." A friend of mine happened to be passing by a field congregation in the environs of London, when a Methodist preacher quoted this passage with triumph. I trust that THE CITY OF LONDON, now happily in unison with THE COURT, will have the justice and gene rosity to obtain preferment for this Reverend Gentleman, now a worthy old servant of that magnificent Corporation. |