His Majesty, having been informed of his
occasional
visits,
was pleased to signify a desire that he should be told when Dr.
was pleased to signify a desire that he should be told when Dr.
Warner - World's Best Literature - v04 - Bes to Bro
His journal, a book quite
as entertaining as the 'Life,' was not published till 1786, two years
after Johnson's death. As stated before, Boswell's great book, the
## p. 2228 (#426) ###########################################
2228
JAMES BOSWELL
'Life,' was published in 1791. The author also published a number
of minor works which are not worth enumerating.
The position of James Boswell as a classic author is as well estab-
lished as it is unique. It depends entirely on the two books men-
tioned: The Life of Dr. Samuel Johnson' and the Journal of a
Tour to the Hebrides,' which may be considered as one, and indeed
were amalgamated into one in Croker's edition. Further, the inter-
est of these books depends more on the subject-matter than on the
style. No books are better known than these, and none are buried
deeper in oblivion than his other productions, with the possible ex-
ception of the Corsican journal. One is as obscure as the other is
immortal, though from the artistic standpoint they do not differ
greatly in literary merit. But it is not just to say that the value
of Boswell's Life of Johnson' depends entirely on the subject-
matter. It depends rather on a happy relation or co-ordination
between the subject and the author. In consequence, it is hardly
possible to consider Boswell as a writer without some reference to
Samuel Johnson. Not only is Johnson the central figure in the book,
but in a sense he is a joint author of it. About one-third of the
book is in Johnson's words, and this third is decidedly the best part.
Boswell's reputation as a great writer is unique in that it depends
upon greatness as an interviewer and reporter.
Macaulay says, "If Boswell had not been a great fool he never
would have been a great writer. " This is one of those paradoxical
statements to which Macaulay likes to give a glittering plausibility.
It is true that Boswell wrote a great book, and it is also true that in
some regards he was what we are accustomed to designate as a fool;
but to connect the two as cause and effect is like saying that man
was a great athlete because he was lame, or that Lord Byron had a
beautiful face because he had a club-foot, or that Demosthenes was
a great orator because he stammered. Men have been made by their
foibles, but in those cases weakness in some directions has been more
than compensated for by strength in others. Boswell lacked some of
the great literary powers, but he possessed others, and those that he
did possess happened to be precisely the ones necessary to the writer
of the life of Samuel Johnson. Boswell had no imagination, no
moral elevation, no decided wit or power of phrase, no deep insight,
no invention. But he had one power which lies behind all great
realistic literary work; and that is, observation. Johnson furnished
the power of phrase, in which he was as eminent as any Englishman
between Shakespeare and Charles Lamb. The higher powers are not
needed in a transcript of fact. Boswell possessed too an eye for
the externals which indicate character, and—a quality rare in the
eighteenth century - absolute accuracy. Sir Joshua Reynolds said.
## p. 2229 (#427) ###########################################
JAMES BOSWELL
2229
«< Every word of the 'Life' might be depended on as if it were given
on oath. "
It was this habit of painstaking accuracy, rather than good taste,
which led him to avoid the vice of rhetorical amplification. It also
prevented him from missing the point of a joke of which he was
unconscious. As a rule, his 'Johnsoniana' are better than those of
Sir John Hawkins or Mrs. Piozzi, because they are more literal. In
one or two instances an embellishment which improved a story was
rejected by him because it was not true. These powers — observa-
tion, scrupulous accuracy and industry, and enthusiastic admiration
of his hero-were all that he needed for the production of a great
book; for Dr. Johnson was so unaffected, so outspoken, and so enter-
taining a man, and every sentence he uttered was so characteristic,
that realism was a far better method for his biographer than analy-
sis. Perhaps it is always better when the subject is strongly marked.
That Dr. Johnson was a good subject is so evident that the mere
statement is sufficient. Mrs. Thrale-Piozzi's and even Sir John Haw-
kins's books are entertaining simply because they are about him.
The eighteenth-century man presents a number of excellent feat-
ures for literary portraiture, because he is a compound of formality
and explosiveness. The formal manners and dress and ponderous
courtesy of the eighteenth century, combined with an outspoken way
of calling things by their right names and a boyish petulance and
quickness of temper, make a contrast that is essentially humorous,
and more attractive than the philosophic and broad-minded temper
of earlier times or the reticence and indifference of our own day.
Dr. Johnson was a typical eighteenth-century man, and epitomized
these contrasts. Personally, too, he was a man for whom we must
feel the most profound regard and respect. He represents the nor-
mal Englishman, a compound of moral integrity, rooted prejudice,
and hatred of shams, with a mind which works mechanically and a
kind heart. We instinctively recognize this compound as the ances-
tral type of our race, and are drawn to it. The real power of our
race depends upon the simplicity and solid humanity of this central
type, the heavy-armed and disciplined infantry about which are
grouped the more gifted and erratic types, the scouts and light-horse
of civilization. For these general reasons Samuel Johnson seems to
us the best sitter for a literary portrait that ever fell into the hands
of a literary painter, and the excellence of his biography to depend
quite as much upon the fact that it is a life of Samuel Johnson as
upon the fact that it is a life by James Boswell.
Boswell's private character is outside the question in a considera-
tion of his writings. Macaulay calls him a drunkard. If this be
true, it seems a little severe to call a Scotchman to account for
## p. 2230 (#428) ###########################################
2230
JAMES BOSWELL
being intoxicated one hundred years ago. He also speaks of him as
a toady; but he was a friend of Johnson, whose detestation of syco-
phancy was a positive principle. Hume speaks of him as a "friend
of mine, very good-humored, very agreeable, and very mad. " Mac-
aulay's and Carlyle's essays may be considered as mutually corrective.
The truth is that Boswell was absolutely frank, and if a man is
frank about himself on paper he must write himself down a fool,
unless he belongs to a higher type than Boswell or his critics.
Charles & Johnson
AN ACCOUNT OF CORSICA
Η
AVING said so much of the genius and character of the Cor-
sicans, I must beg leave to present my readers with a very
distinguished Corsican character, that of Signor Clemente
de' Paoli, brother of the General.
This gentleman is the eldest son of the old General Giacinto
Paoli. He is about fifty years of age, of a middle size and
dark complexion; his eyes are quick and piercing, and he has
something in the form of his mouth which renders his appearance
very particular. His understanding is of the first rate, and he
has by no means suffered it to lie neglected. He was married,
and has an only daughter, the wife of Signor Barbaggi, one of
the first men in the island.
For these many years past, Signor Clemente, being in a state
of widowhood, has resided at Rostino, from whence the family of
Paoli comes. He lives there in a very retired manner. He is of
a saturnine disposition, and his notions of religion are rather
gloomy and severe. He spends his whole time in study, except
what he passes at his devotions. These generally take up six or
eight hours every day; during all which time he is in church,
and before the altar, in a fixed posture, with his hands and eyes
lifted up to heaven with solemn fervor.
He prescribes to himself an abstemious, rigid course of life, as
if he had taken the vows of some of the religious orders. He is
much with the Franciscans, who have a convent at Rostino. He
wears the common coarse dress of the country, and it is difficult
to distinguish him from one of the lowest of the people.
## p. 2231 (#429) ###########################################
JAMES BOSWELL
2231
When he is in company he seldom speaks, and except upon
important occasions, never goes into public, or even to visit his
brother at Corte. When danger calls, however, he is the first to
appear in the defense of his country. He is then foremost in
the ranks, and exposes himself to the hottest action; for religious.
fear is perfectly consistent with the greatest bravery, according
to the famous line of the pious Racine, -
"I fear my God, and know no other fear. "
In the beginning of an engagement he is generally calm; and
will frequently offer up a prayer to heaven for the person at
whom he is going to fire; saying he is sorry to be under the
necessity of depriving him of life, but that he is an enemy to
Corsica, and Providence has sent him in his way in order that
he may be prevented from doing any further mischief; that he
hopes God will pardon his crimes and take him to Himself.
After he has seen two or three of his countrymen fall at his
side, the case alters. His eyes flame with grief and indignation,
and he becomes like one furious, dealing vengeance everywhere
around him. His authority in the council is not less than his
valor in the field. His strength of judgment and extent of
knowledge, joined to the singular sanctity of his character, give
him great weight in all the public consultations; and his influ-
ence is of considerable service to his brother the General.
A TOUR TO CORSICA
WHI
HILE I stopped to refresh my mules at a little village, the
inhabitants came crowding about me as an ambassador
going to their General. When they were informed of my
country, a strong black fellow among them said, "English! they
are barbarians; they don't believe in the great God. " I told
him, "Excuse me, sir. We do believe in God, and Jesus Christ,
too.
"And in the Pope? " "No. "—"And why? " This was
a puzzling question in these circumstances; for there was a great
audience to the controversy. I thought I would try a method of
my own, and very gravely replied, "Because we are too far off,"
-a very new argument against the universal infallibility of the
Pope. It took, however; for my opponent mused a while, and
then said, "Too far off! Why, Sicily is as far off as England.
Yet in Sicily they believe in the Pope. "-"Oh,” said I, we are
—
## p. 2232 (#430) ###########################################
2232
JAMES BOSWELL
ten times further off than Sicily. " "Aha! " said he; and seemed
quite satisfied. In this manner I got off very well. I question
much whether any of the learned reasonings of our Protestant
divines would have had so good an effect.
-
THE LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON
IT
SEEMS to me in my moments of self-complacency that this
extensive biographical Work, however inferior in its nature,
may in one respect be assimilated to the Odyssey. ' Amidst
a thousand entertaining and instructive episodes the Hero is
never long out of sight; for they are all in some degree con-
nected with him; and He, in the whole course of the History, is
exhibited by the author for the best advantage of his readers:—
"Quid Virtus et quid sapientia possit,
Utile proposuit nobis exemplar Ulyssen. ”
(What may by virtue be done, and what by wisdom accomplished,
Homer affords in Ulysses for us a helpful example. )
Should there be any cold-blooded and morose mortals who
really dislike this book, I will give them a story to apply. When
the great Duke of Marlborough, accompanied by Lord Cadogan,
was one day reconnoitring the army in Flanders, a heavy rain.
came on, and they both called for their cloaks. Lord Cadogan's
servant, a good-humored, alert lad, brought his Lordship's in a
minute. The Duke's servant, a lazy, sulky dog, was so sluggish
that his Grace, being wet to the skin, reproved him, and had for
answer with a grunt, "I came as fast as I could;"
upon which
the Duke calmly said, "Cadogan, I would not for a thousand
pounds have that fellow's temper. "
Mr. Thomas Davies the actor, who then kept a bookseller's
shop in Russel-street, Covent Garden, told me that Johnson was
very much his friend, and came frequently to his house, where
he more than once invited me to meet him; but by some
unlucky accident or other he was prevented from coming to us.
Mr. Thomas Davies was a man of good understanding and
talents, with the advantage of a liberal education. Though some-
what pompous, he was an entertaining companion; and his liter-
ary performances have no inconsiderable share of merit. He was
a friendly and very hospitable man. Both he and his wife (who
## p. 2233 (#431) ###########################################
JAMES BOSWELL
2233
has been celebrated for her beauty), though upon the stage for
many years, maintained a uniform decency of character; and
Johnson esteemed them, and lived in as easy an intimacy with
them as with any family which he used to visit. Mr. Davies
recollected several of Johnson's remarkable sayings, and was one
of the best of the many imitators of his voice and manner, while
relating them. He increased my impatience more and more to
see the extraordinary man whose works I highly valued, and
whose conversation was reported to be so peculiarly excellent.
I
At last, on Monday the 16th of May, when I was sitting in
Mr. Davies' back-parlor, after having drunk tea with him and
Mrs. Davies, Johnson unexpectedly came into the shop; and Mr.
Davies having perceived him through the glass-door in the room
in which we were sitting, advancing toward us, he announced
his awful approach to me, somewhat in the manner of an actor
in the part of Horatio, when he addresses Hamlet on the appear-
ance of his father's ghost,-"Look, my lord, it comes.
found that I had a very perfect idea of Johnson's figure from the
portrait of him painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds soon after he had
published his Dictionary, in the attitude of sitting in his easy-
chair in deep meditation; which was the first picture his friend
did for him, which Sir Joshua very kindly presented to me, and
from which an engraving has been made for this work. Mr.
Davies mentioned my name, and respectfully introduced me to
him. I was much agitated, and recollecting his prejudice against
the Scotch, of which I had heard much, I said to Davies, "Don't
tell where I came from. "-"From Scotland," cried Davies,
roguishly. "Mr. Johnson" (said I), "I do indeed come from
Scotland, but I cannot help it. " I am willing to flatter myself
that I meant this as light pleasantry to soothe and conciliate
him, and not as an humiliating abasement at the expense of my
country. But however that might be, this speech was somewhat
unlucky; for with that quickness of wit for which he was so
remarkable, he seized the expression "come from Scotland,"
which I used in the sense of being of that country; and as if I
had said that I had come away from it, or left it, retorted,
"That, sir, I find, is what a very great many of your country-
men cannot help. " This stroke stunned me a good deal; and
when he had sat down, I felt myself not a little embarrassed,
and apprehensive of what might come next. He then addressed
himself to Davies: -"What do you think of Garrick? He has
## p. 2234 (#432) ###########################################
2234
JAMES BOSWELL
refused me an order for the play of Miss Williams, because he
knows the house will be full, and that an order would be worth
three shillings. " Eager to take any opening to get into conversa-
tion with him, I ventured to say, "Oh, sir, I cannot think Mr.
Garrick would grudge such a trifle to you. " "Sir," (said he, with
a stern look) "I have known David Garrick longer than you
have done; and I know no right you have to talk to me on
the subject. " Perhaps I deserved this check; for it was rather
presumptuous in me, an entire stranger, to express any doubt
of the justice of his animadversion upon his old acquaintance
and pupil. I now felt myself much mortified, and began to
think that the hope which I had long indulged of obtaining his
acquaintance was blasted. And in truth, had not my ardor been
uncommonly strong, and my resolution uncommonly persevering,
so rough a reception might have deterred me for ever from
making any further attempts. Fortunately, however, I remained
upon the field not wholly discomfited; and was soon rewarded by
hearing some of his conversation, of which I preserved the fol-
lowing short minute, without marking the questions and observa-
tions by which it was produced.
"People" (he remarked) "may be taken in once, who imagine
that an author is greater in private life than other men. Un-
common parts require uncommon opportunities for their exer-
tion. "
"In barbarous society, superiority of parts is of real conse-
quence. Great strength or great wisdom is of much value to an
individual. But in more polished times there are people to do
everything for money; and then there are a number of other
superiorities, such as those of birth and fortune and rank, that
dissipate men's attention and leave no extraordinary share of
respect for personal and intellectual superiority. This is wisely
ordered by Providence, to preserve some equality among man-
kind. "
"Sir, this book" (The Elements of Criticism,' which he had
taken up) "is a pretty essay, and deserves to be held in some
estimation, though much of it is chimerical. "
Speaking of one who with more than ordinary boldness
attacked public measures and the royal family, he said, "I think
he is safe from the law, but he is an abusive scoundrel; and
instead of applying to my Lord Chief Justice to punish him, I
would send half a dozen footmen and have him well ducked. "
## p. 2235 (#433) ###########################################
JAMES BOSWELL
2235
"The notion of liberty amuses the people of England, and
helps to keep off the tadium vitæ. When a butcher tells you
that his heart bleeds for his country,' he has in fact no uneasy
feeling. "
"Sheridan will not succeed at Bath with his oratory. Ridi-
cule has gone down before him, and I doubt Derrick is his
enemy. "
>>
"Derrick may do very well, as long as he can outrun his
character; but the moment his character gets up with him, it is
all over. "
It is, however, but just to record that some years afterwards,
when I reminded him of this sarcasm, he said, "Well, but Der-
rick has now got a character that he need not run away from. "
I was highly pleased with the extraordinary vigor of his con-
versation, and regretted that I was drawn away from it by an
engagement at another place. I had for a part of the evening
been left alone with him, and had ventured to make an observa-
tion now and then, which he received very civilly; so that I was
satisfied that though there was a roughness in his manner, there
was no ill-nature in his disposition. Davies followed me to the
door, and when I complained to him a little of the hard blows
which the great man had given me, he kindly took upon him to
console me by saying, "Don't be uneasy. I can see he likes you
very well. »
A few days afterwards I called on Davies, and asked him if
he thought I might take the liberty of waiting on Mr. Johnson
at his chambers in the Temple. He said I certainly might, and
that Mr. Johnson would take it as a compliment. So on Tues-
day the 24th of May, after having been enlivened by the witty
sallies of Messieurs Thornton, Wilkes, Churchill, and Lloyd, with
whom I had passed the morning, I boldly repaired to Johnson.
His chambers were on the first floor of No. 1, Inner-Temple-
lane, and I entered them with an impression given me by the
Reverend Dr. Blair, of Edinburgh, who had been introduced to
him not long before, and described his having "found the giant
in his den"; an expression which, when I came to be pretty
well acquainted with Johnson, I repeated to him, and he was
diverted at this picturesque account of himself. Dr. Blair had
been presented to him by Dr. James Fordyce. At this time the
controversy concerning the pieces published by Mr. James Mac-
pherson as translations of Ossian was at its height. Johnson had
## p. 2236 (#434) ###########################################
2236
JAMES BOSWELL
all along denied their authenticity; and what was still more pro-
voking to their admirers, maintained that they had no merit.
The subject having been introduced by Dr. Fordyce, Dr. Blair,
relying on the internal evidence of their antiquity, asked Dr.
Johnson whether he thought any man of a modern age could
have written such poems. Johnson replied, "Yes, sir, many
men, many women, and many children. " Johnson, at this time,
did not know that Dr. Blair had just published a Dissertation,
not only defending their authenticity, but seriously ranking them
with the poems of Homer and Virgil; and when he was after-
wards informed of this circumstance, he expressed some dis-
pleasure at Dr. Fordyce's having suggested the topic, and said,
"I am not sorry that they got thus much for their pains. Sir,
it was like leading one to talk of a book when the author is
concealed behind the door. "
He received me very courteously; but it must be confessed
that his apartment and furniture and morning dress were suf-
ficiently uncouth. His brown suit of clothes looked very rusty;
he had on a little shriveled unpowdered wig, which was too
small for his head; his shirt-neck and the knees of his breeches
were loose; his black worsted stockings ill drawn up; and he
had a pair of unbuckled shoes by way of slippers. But all these
slovenly particularities were forgotten the moment that he began
to talk. Some gentlemen, whom I do not recollect, were sitting
with him; and when they went away, I also rose; but he said
to me, "Nay, don't go. ". "Sir" (said I), "I am afraid that I
intrude upon you.
It is benevolent to allow me to sit and hear
you. "
He seemed pleased with this compliment, which I sin-
cerely paid him, and answered, "Sir, I am obliged to any man
who visits me. "
-
In February, 1767, there happened one of the most remark-
able incidents of Johnson's life, which gratified his monarchical
enthusiasm, and which he loved to relate with all its circum-
stances, when requested by his friends. This was his being
honored by a private conversation with his Majesty, in the
library at the Queen's house. He had frequently visited those
splendid rooms and noble collection of books, which he used
to say was more numerous and curious than he supposed any
person could have made in the time which the King had em-
ployed. Mr. Barnard, the librarian, took care that he should have
## p. 2237 (#435) ###########################################
JAMES BOSWELL
2237
every accommodation that could contribute to his ease and con-
venience, while indulging his literary taste in that place; so that
he had here a very agreeable resource at leisure hours.
His Majesty, having been informed of his occasional visits,
was pleased to signify a desire that he should be told when Dr.
Johnson came next to the library. Accordingly, the next time.
that Johnson did come, as soon as he was fairly engaged with
the book, on which, while he sat by the fire, he seemed quite
intent, Mr. Barnard stole round to the apartment where the
King was, and in obedience to his Majesty's commands men-
tioned that Dr. Johnson was then in the library. His Majesty
said that he was at leisure, and would go to him; upon which
Mr. Barnard took one of the candles that stood on the King's
table and lighted his Majesty through a suite of rooms, till they
came to a private door into the library of which his Majesty
had the key. Being entered, Mr.
Being entered, Mr. Barnard stepped forward
hastily to Dr. Johnson, who was still in a profound study, and
whispered him, "Sir, here is the King. " Johnson started up,
and stood still. His Majesty approached him, and at once was
courteously easy.
His Majesty began by observing that he understood he came
sometimes to the library; and then mentioned his having heard
that the Doctor had been lately at Oxford, and asked him if he
was not fond of going thither. To which Johnson answered that
he was indeed fond of going to Oxford sometimes, but was like-
wise glad to come back again. The King then asked him what
they were doing at Oxford. Johnson answered, he could not
much commend their diligence, but that in some respect they
were mended, for they had put their press under better regula-
tions, and at that time were printing Polybius. He was then
asked whether there were better libraries at Oxford or Cam-
bridge. He answered, he believed the Bodleian was larger than
any they had at Cambridge; at the same time adding, "I hope,
whether we have more books or not than they have at Cam-
bridge, we shall make as good use of them as they do. " Being
asked whether All-Souls or Christ-Church library was the largest,
he answered, "All-Souls library is the largest we have, except
the Bodleian. " "Ay" (said the King), “that is the public library. ”
His Majesty inquired if he was then writing anything. He
answered he was not, for he had pretty well told the world
what he knew, and must now read to acquire more knowledge.
## p. 2238 (#436) ###########################################
2238
JAMES BOSWELL
The King, as it should seem with a view to urge him to rely on
his own stores as an original writer, and to continue his labors,
then said, "I do not think you borrow much from anybody. "
Johnson said he thought he had already done his part as a
writer. "I should have thought so too" (said the King), “if
you had not written so well. "-Johnson observed to me, upon
this, that "No man could have paid a handsomer compliment;
and it was fit for a King to pay. It was decisive. " When asked
by another friend, at Sir Joshua Reynolds's, whether he made.
any reply to this high compliment, he answered, "No, sir. When
the King had said it, it was to be so. It was not for me to
bandy civilities with my Sovereign. " Perhaps no man who had
spent his whole life in courts could have shown a more nice and
dignified sense of true politeness than Johnson did in this
instance.
His Majesty having observed to him that he supposed he
must have read a good deal, Johnson answered that he thought
more than he read; that he had read a great deal in the early
part of his life, but having fallen into ill health, he had not
been able to read much compared with others: for instance, he
said, he had not read much compared with Dr. Warburton.
Upon which the King said that he heard Dr. Warburton was a
man of much general knowledge; that you could scarce talk with
him on any subject on which he was not qualified to speak: and
that his learning resembled Garrick's acting in its universality.
His Majesty then talked of the controversy between Warburton
and Lowth, which he seemed to have read, and asked Johnson
what he thought of it. Johnson answered, "Warburton has the
most general, most scholastic learning; Lowth is the more cor-
rect scholar. I do not know which of them calls names best. "
The King was pleased to say he was of the same opinion: add-
ing, "You do not think then, Dr. Johnson, that there was much
argument in the case? " Johnson said he did not think there was.
"Why, truly" (said the King), "when once it comes to calling
names, argument is pretty well at an end. "
His Majesty then asked him what he thought of Lord Lyttel
ton's history, which was just then published. Johnson said he
thought his style pretty good, but that he had blamed Henry the
Second rather too much. "Why" (said the King), "they seldom
do these things by halves. " "No, sir" (answered Johnson), “not
to kings. " But fearing to be misunderstood, he proceeded to
## p. 2239 (#437) ###########################################
JAMES BOSWELL
2239
explain himself; and immediately subjoined, "That for those who
spoke worse of kings than they deserved, he could find no
excuse; but that he could more easily conceive how some one
might speak better of them than they deserved, without any ill
intention: for as kings had much in their power to give, those
who were favored by them would frequently, from gratitude,
exaggerate their praises; and as this proceeded from a good
motive, it was certainly excusable as far as error could be
excusable. "
The King then asked him what he thought of Dr. Hill.
Johnson answered that he was an ingenious man, but had no
veracity; and immediately mentioned as an instance of it an
assertion of that writer, that he had seen objects magnified to a
much greater degree by using three or four microscopes at a
time than by using one. "Now" (added Johnson), "every one
acquainted with microscopes knows that the more of them he
looks through, the less the object will appear. " "Why" (replied
the King), "this is not only telling an untruth, but telling it
clumsily; for if that be the case, every one who can look through
a microscope will be able to detect him. "
"I now" (said Johnson to his friends, when relating what
had passed) "began to consider that I was depreciating this
man in the estimation of his Sovereign, and thought it was
time for me to say something that might be more favorable. ”
He added, therefore, that Dr. Hill was notwithstanding a very
curious observer; and if he would have been contented to tell
the world no more than he knew, he might have been a very
considerable man, and needed not to have recourse to such
mean expedients to raise his reputation.
The King then talked of literary journals, mentioned particu-
larly the Journal des Savants, and asked Johnson if it was well
done. Johnson said it was formerly very well done, and gave
some account of the persons who began it, and carried it on for
some years; enlarging at the same time on the nature and use
of such works. The King asked him if it was well done now.
Johnson answered he had no reason to think that it was. The
King then asked him if there were any other literary journals.
published in this kingdom except the Monthly and Critical
Reviews; and on being answered there was no other, his Maj-
esty asked which of them was the best. Johnson answered that
the Monthly Review was done with most care, the Critical upon
## p. 2240 (#438) ###########################################
2240
JAMES BOSWELL
the best principles; adding that the authors of the Monthly
Review were enemies to the Church. This the King said he
was sorry to hear.
The conversation next turned on the Philosophical Trans-
actions, when Johnson observed that they had now a better
method of arranging their materials than formerly. "Ay" (said
the King), "they are obliged to Dr. Johnson for that;" for his
Majesty had heard and remembered the circumstance, which
Johnson himself had forgot.
His Majesty expressed a desire to have the literary biography
of this country ably executed, and proposed to Dr. Johnson to
undertake it. Johnson signified his readiness to comply with his
Majesty's wishes.
During the whole of this interview, Johnson talked to his
Majesty with profound respect, but still in his firm, manly man-
ner, with a sonorous voice, and never in that subdued tone which
is commonly used at the levee and in the drawing-room. After
the King withdrew, Johnson showed himself highly pleased with
his Majesty's conversation and gracious behavior. He said to
Mr. Barnard, "Sir, they may talk of the King as they will; but
he is the finest gentleman that I have ever seen. " And he
afterwards observed to Mr. Langton, "Sir, his manners are those
of as fine a gentleman as we may suppose Lewis the Fourteenth
or Charles the Second. "
At Sir Joshua Reynolds's, where a circle of Johnson's friends
were collected round him to hear his account of this memorable
conversation, Dr. Joseph Warton, in his frank and lively manner,
was very active in pressing him to mention the particulars.
"Come now, sir, this is an interesting matter; do favor us with
it. " Johnson, with great good humor, complied.
He told them:-"I found his Majesty wished I should talk,
and I made it my business to talk. I find it does a man good
to be talked to by his Sovereign. In the first place, a man can-
not be in a passion-" Here some question interrupted him;
which is to be regretted, as he certainly would have pointed out
and illustrated many circumstances of advantage, from being in
a situation where the powers of the mind are at once excited to
vigorous exertion and tempered by reverential awe.
Mr. Macpherson little knew the character of Dr. Johnson if
he supposed that he could be easily intimidated; for no man was
ever more remarkable for personal courage. He had indeed an
1
## p. 2241 (#439) ###########################################
JAMES BOSWELL
2241
awful dread of death, or rather "of something after death"; and
what rational man, who seriously thinks of quitting all that he
has ever known and going into a new and unknown state of
being, can be without that dread? But his fear was from reflec-
tion; his courage natural. His fear, in that one instance, was
the result of philosophical and religious consideration. He feared
death, but he feared nothing else, not even what might occasion
death. Many instances of his resolution may be mentioned. One
day, at Mr. Beauclerk's house in the country, when two large
dogs were fighting, he went up to them and beat them till they
separated; and at another time, when told of the danger there
was that a gun might burst if charged with many balls, he put
in six or seven and fired it off against a wall. Mr. Langton
told me that when they were swimming together near Oxford,
he cautioned Dr. Johnson against a pool which was reckoned
particularly dangerous; upon which Johnson directly swam into
it. He told me himself that one night he was attacked in the
street by four men, to whom he would not yield, but
cept them
all at bay till the watch came up and carried both him and
them to the round-house. In the play-house at Lichfield, as Mr.
Garrick informed me, Johnson having for a moment quitted a
chair which was placed for him between the side-scenes, a gen-
tleman took possession of it, and when Johnson on his return
civilly demanded his seat, rudely refused to give it up; upon
which Johnson laid hold of it and tossed him and the chair into
the pit. Foote, who so successfully revived the old comedy by
exhibiting living characters, had resolved to imitate Johnson on
the stage, expecting great profits from his ridicule of so cele-
brated a man. Johnson being informed of his intention, and
being at dinner at Mr. Thomas Davies's the bookseller, from
whom I had the story, he asked Mr. Davies "what was the
common price of an oak stick "; and being answered sixpence,
"Why then, sir" (said he), "give me leave to send your servant
to purchase a shilling one. I'll have a double quantity; for I am
told Foote means to take me off, as he calls it, and I am deter-
mined the fellow shall not do it with impunity. " Davies took care
to acquaint Foote of this, which effectually checked the wanton-
ness of the mimic. Mr. Macpherson's menaces made Johnson
provide himself with the same implement of defense; and had he
been attacked, I have no doubt that, old as he was, he would have
made his corporal prowess be felt as much as his intellectual.
IV-141
## p. 2242 (#440) ###########################################
2242
JAMES BOSWELL
Mr. Hector was so good as to accompany me to see the great
works of Mr. Bolton [Boulton], at a place which he has called
Soho, about two miles from Birmingham, which the very ingen-
ious proprietor showed me himself to the best advantage. I
wished Johnson had been with us; for it was a scene which I
should have been glad to contemplate by his light. The vastness
and the contrivance of some of the machinery would have
"matched his mighty mind. " I shall never forget Mr. Bolton's
expression to me, "I sell here, sir, what all the world desires to
have-power. " He had about seven hundred people at work.
I contemplated him as an iron chieftain, and he seemed to be
a father to his tribe. One of them came to him, complaining
grievously of his landlord for having distrained his goods.
"Your landlord is in the right, Smith" (said Bolton). "But I'll
tell you what: find you a friend who will lay down one-half of
your rent, and I'll lay down the other half; and you shall have
your goods again. "
From Mr. Hector I now learned many particulars of Dr.
Johnson's early life, which, with others that he gave me at dif-
ferent times since, have contributed to the formation of this
work.
Dr. Johnson said to me in the morning, "You will see, sir, at
Mr. Hector's, his sister Mrs. Careless, a clergyman's widow.
She was the first woman with whom I was in love. It dropped
out of my head imperceptibly; but she and I will always have a
kindness for each other. " He laughed at the notion that a man
can never really be in love but once, and considered it as a mere
romantic fancy.
On our return from Mr. Bolton's, Mr. Hector took me to his
house, where we found Johnson sitting placidly at tea with his
first love; who, though now advanced in years, was a genteel
woman, very agreeable and well-bred,
Johnson lamented to Mr. Hector the state of one of their
schoolfellows, Mr. Charles Congreve, a clergyman, which he thus
described: "He obtained, I believe, considerable preferment in
Ireland, but now lives in London, quite as a valetudinarian,
afraid to go into any house but his own. He takes a short air-
ing in his post-chaise every day. He has an elderly woman,
whom he calls cousin, who lives with him, and jogs his elbow
when his glass has stood too long empty, and encourages him in
drinking, in which he is very willing to be encouraged; not that
## p. 2243 (#441) ###########################################
JAMES BOSWELL
2243
he gets drunk, for he is a very pious man, but he is always
muddy. He confesses to one bottle of port every day, and he
probably drinks more. He is quite unsocial; his conversation is
quite monosyllabical; and when at my last visit I asked him
what o'clock it was, that signal of my departure had so pleasing
an effect upon him that he sprung up to look at his watch like
a greyhound bounding at a hare. " When Johnson took leave of
Mr. Hector, he said, "Don't grow like Congreve; nor let me
grow like him, when you are near me. "
When he talked again of Mrs. Careless to-night, he seemed to
have had his affection revived; for he said, "If I had married
her, it might have been as happy for me. "
Boswell - Pray, sir, do you not suppose that there are fifty
women in the world, with any one of whom a man may be as
happy as with any one woman in particular?
Johnson-Ay, sir, fifty thousand.
Boswell-Then, sir, you are not of opinion with some that
imagine that certain men and certain women are made for each
other; and that they cannot be happy if they miss their counter-
parts.
Fohnson To be sure not, sir. I believe marriages would in
general be as happy, and often more so, if they were all made
by the Lord Chancellor, upon a due consideration of the char-
acters and circumstances, without the parties having any choice
in the matter.
-
I am now to record a very curious incident in Dr. Johnson's
life which fell under my own observation; of which pars magna
fui, and which I am persuaded will, with the liberal-minded, be
much to his credit.
My desire of being acquainted with celebrated men of every
description had made me, much about the same time, obtain an
introduction to Dr. Samuel Johnson and to John Wilkes, Esq. .
Two men more different could perhaps not be selected out of all
mankind. They had even attacked one another with some asperity
in their writings; yet I lived in habits of friendship with both.
I could fully relish the excellence of each; for I have ever
delighted in that intellectual chymistry which can separate good
qualities from evil in the same person.
Sir John Pringle, "mine own friend and my father's friend,"
between whom and Dr. Johnson I in vain wished to establish
## p. 2244 (#442) ###########################################
2244
JAMES BOSWELL
an acquaintance, as I respected and lived in intimacy with both
of them, observed to me once very ingeniously, "It is not in
friendship as in mathematics, where two things, each equal to a
third, are equal between themselves. You agree with Johnson
as a middle quality, and you agree with me as a middle quality;
but Johnson and I should not agree. " Sir John was not suffi-
ciently flexible, so I desisted: knowing indeed that the repulsion
was equally strong on the part of Johnson; who, I know not
from what cause unless his being a Scotchman, had formed a
very erroneous opinion of Sir John. But I conceived an irre-
sistible wish, if possible, to bring Dr. Johnson and Mr. Wilkes
together. How to manage it, was a nice and difficult matter.
My worthy booksellers and friends, Messieurs Dilly in the
Poultry, at whose hospitable and well-covered table I have seen
a greater number of literary men than at any other except that
of Sir Joshua Reynolds, had invited me to meet Mr. Wilkes and
some more gentlemen on Wednesday, May 15th. "Pray" (said I),
"let us have Dr. Johnson. "—"What, with Mr. Wilkes? not for
the world" (said Mr. Edward Dilly): "Dr. Johnson would never
forgive me. "-"Come" (said I), "if you'll let me negotiate for
you, I will be answerable that all shall go well. "
Dilly-Nay, if you will take it upon you, I am sure I shall
be very happy to see them both here.
Notwithstanding the high veneration which I entertained for
Dr. Johnson, I was sensible that he was sometimes a little actu-
ated by the spirit of contradiction, and by means of that I
hoped I should gain my point. I was persuaded that if I had
come upon him with a direct proposal, “Sir, will you dine in
company with Jack Wilkes? " he would have flown into a pas-
sion, and would probably have answered, "Dine with Jack
Wilkes, sir! I'd as
soon dine with Jack Ketch. " I therefore,
while we were sitting quietly by ourselves at his house in an
evening, took occasion to open my plan thus:-
―――――――――
"Mr. Dilly, sir, sends his respectful compliments to you, and
would be happy if you would do him the honor to dine with
him on Wednesday next along with me, as I must soon go to
Scotland. "
Johnson-Sir, I am obliged to Mr. Dilly. I will wait
upon him
-
Boswell-Provided, sir, I suppose, that the company which
he is to have is agreeable to you.
## p. 2245 (#443) ###########################################
JAMES BOSWELL
2245
Johnson - What do you mean, sir? What do you take me
for? Do you think I am so ignorant of the world as to imagine
that I am to prescribe to a gentleman what company he is to
have at his table?
Boswell-I beg your pardon, sir, for wishing to prevent you
from meeting people whom you might not like. Perhaps he may
have some of what he calls his patriotic friends with him.
Johnson-Well, sir, and what then? What care I for his
patriotic friends?
as entertaining as the 'Life,' was not published till 1786, two years
after Johnson's death. As stated before, Boswell's great book, the
## p. 2228 (#426) ###########################################
2228
JAMES BOSWELL
'Life,' was published in 1791. The author also published a number
of minor works which are not worth enumerating.
The position of James Boswell as a classic author is as well estab-
lished as it is unique. It depends entirely on the two books men-
tioned: The Life of Dr. Samuel Johnson' and the Journal of a
Tour to the Hebrides,' which may be considered as one, and indeed
were amalgamated into one in Croker's edition. Further, the inter-
est of these books depends more on the subject-matter than on the
style. No books are better known than these, and none are buried
deeper in oblivion than his other productions, with the possible ex-
ception of the Corsican journal. One is as obscure as the other is
immortal, though from the artistic standpoint they do not differ
greatly in literary merit. But it is not just to say that the value
of Boswell's Life of Johnson' depends entirely on the subject-
matter. It depends rather on a happy relation or co-ordination
between the subject and the author. In consequence, it is hardly
possible to consider Boswell as a writer without some reference to
Samuel Johnson. Not only is Johnson the central figure in the book,
but in a sense he is a joint author of it. About one-third of the
book is in Johnson's words, and this third is decidedly the best part.
Boswell's reputation as a great writer is unique in that it depends
upon greatness as an interviewer and reporter.
Macaulay says, "If Boswell had not been a great fool he never
would have been a great writer. " This is one of those paradoxical
statements to which Macaulay likes to give a glittering plausibility.
It is true that Boswell wrote a great book, and it is also true that in
some regards he was what we are accustomed to designate as a fool;
but to connect the two as cause and effect is like saying that man
was a great athlete because he was lame, or that Lord Byron had a
beautiful face because he had a club-foot, or that Demosthenes was
a great orator because he stammered. Men have been made by their
foibles, but in those cases weakness in some directions has been more
than compensated for by strength in others. Boswell lacked some of
the great literary powers, but he possessed others, and those that he
did possess happened to be precisely the ones necessary to the writer
of the life of Samuel Johnson. Boswell had no imagination, no
moral elevation, no decided wit or power of phrase, no deep insight,
no invention. But he had one power which lies behind all great
realistic literary work; and that is, observation. Johnson furnished
the power of phrase, in which he was as eminent as any Englishman
between Shakespeare and Charles Lamb. The higher powers are not
needed in a transcript of fact. Boswell possessed too an eye for
the externals which indicate character, and—a quality rare in the
eighteenth century - absolute accuracy. Sir Joshua Reynolds said.
## p. 2229 (#427) ###########################################
JAMES BOSWELL
2229
«< Every word of the 'Life' might be depended on as if it were given
on oath. "
It was this habit of painstaking accuracy, rather than good taste,
which led him to avoid the vice of rhetorical amplification. It also
prevented him from missing the point of a joke of which he was
unconscious. As a rule, his 'Johnsoniana' are better than those of
Sir John Hawkins or Mrs. Piozzi, because they are more literal. In
one or two instances an embellishment which improved a story was
rejected by him because it was not true. These powers — observa-
tion, scrupulous accuracy and industry, and enthusiastic admiration
of his hero-were all that he needed for the production of a great
book; for Dr. Johnson was so unaffected, so outspoken, and so enter-
taining a man, and every sentence he uttered was so characteristic,
that realism was a far better method for his biographer than analy-
sis. Perhaps it is always better when the subject is strongly marked.
That Dr. Johnson was a good subject is so evident that the mere
statement is sufficient. Mrs. Thrale-Piozzi's and even Sir John Haw-
kins's books are entertaining simply because they are about him.
The eighteenth-century man presents a number of excellent feat-
ures for literary portraiture, because he is a compound of formality
and explosiveness. The formal manners and dress and ponderous
courtesy of the eighteenth century, combined with an outspoken way
of calling things by their right names and a boyish petulance and
quickness of temper, make a contrast that is essentially humorous,
and more attractive than the philosophic and broad-minded temper
of earlier times or the reticence and indifference of our own day.
Dr. Johnson was a typical eighteenth-century man, and epitomized
these contrasts. Personally, too, he was a man for whom we must
feel the most profound regard and respect. He represents the nor-
mal Englishman, a compound of moral integrity, rooted prejudice,
and hatred of shams, with a mind which works mechanically and a
kind heart. We instinctively recognize this compound as the ances-
tral type of our race, and are drawn to it. The real power of our
race depends upon the simplicity and solid humanity of this central
type, the heavy-armed and disciplined infantry about which are
grouped the more gifted and erratic types, the scouts and light-horse
of civilization. For these general reasons Samuel Johnson seems to
us the best sitter for a literary portrait that ever fell into the hands
of a literary painter, and the excellence of his biography to depend
quite as much upon the fact that it is a life of Samuel Johnson as
upon the fact that it is a life by James Boswell.
Boswell's private character is outside the question in a considera-
tion of his writings. Macaulay calls him a drunkard. If this be
true, it seems a little severe to call a Scotchman to account for
## p. 2230 (#428) ###########################################
2230
JAMES BOSWELL
being intoxicated one hundred years ago. He also speaks of him as
a toady; but he was a friend of Johnson, whose detestation of syco-
phancy was a positive principle. Hume speaks of him as a "friend
of mine, very good-humored, very agreeable, and very mad. " Mac-
aulay's and Carlyle's essays may be considered as mutually corrective.
The truth is that Boswell was absolutely frank, and if a man is
frank about himself on paper he must write himself down a fool,
unless he belongs to a higher type than Boswell or his critics.
Charles & Johnson
AN ACCOUNT OF CORSICA
Η
AVING said so much of the genius and character of the Cor-
sicans, I must beg leave to present my readers with a very
distinguished Corsican character, that of Signor Clemente
de' Paoli, brother of the General.
This gentleman is the eldest son of the old General Giacinto
Paoli. He is about fifty years of age, of a middle size and
dark complexion; his eyes are quick and piercing, and he has
something in the form of his mouth which renders his appearance
very particular. His understanding is of the first rate, and he
has by no means suffered it to lie neglected. He was married,
and has an only daughter, the wife of Signor Barbaggi, one of
the first men in the island.
For these many years past, Signor Clemente, being in a state
of widowhood, has resided at Rostino, from whence the family of
Paoli comes. He lives there in a very retired manner. He is of
a saturnine disposition, and his notions of religion are rather
gloomy and severe. He spends his whole time in study, except
what he passes at his devotions. These generally take up six or
eight hours every day; during all which time he is in church,
and before the altar, in a fixed posture, with his hands and eyes
lifted up to heaven with solemn fervor.
He prescribes to himself an abstemious, rigid course of life, as
if he had taken the vows of some of the religious orders. He is
much with the Franciscans, who have a convent at Rostino. He
wears the common coarse dress of the country, and it is difficult
to distinguish him from one of the lowest of the people.
## p. 2231 (#429) ###########################################
JAMES BOSWELL
2231
When he is in company he seldom speaks, and except upon
important occasions, never goes into public, or even to visit his
brother at Corte. When danger calls, however, he is the first to
appear in the defense of his country. He is then foremost in
the ranks, and exposes himself to the hottest action; for religious.
fear is perfectly consistent with the greatest bravery, according
to the famous line of the pious Racine, -
"I fear my God, and know no other fear. "
In the beginning of an engagement he is generally calm; and
will frequently offer up a prayer to heaven for the person at
whom he is going to fire; saying he is sorry to be under the
necessity of depriving him of life, but that he is an enemy to
Corsica, and Providence has sent him in his way in order that
he may be prevented from doing any further mischief; that he
hopes God will pardon his crimes and take him to Himself.
After he has seen two or three of his countrymen fall at his
side, the case alters. His eyes flame with grief and indignation,
and he becomes like one furious, dealing vengeance everywhere
around him. His authority in the council is not less than his
valor in the field. His strength of judgment and extent of
knowledge, joined to the singular sanctity of his character, give
him great weight in all the public consultations; and his influ-
ence is of considerable service to his brother the General.
A TOUR TO CORSICA
WHI
HILE I stopped to refresh my mules at a little village, the
inhabitants came crowding about me as an ambassador
going to their General. When they were informed of my
country, a strong black fellow among them said, "English! they
are barbarians; they don't believe in the great God. " I told
him, "Excuse me, sir. We do believe in God, and Jesus Christ,
too.
"And in the Pope? " "No. "—"And why? " This was
a puzzling question in these circumstances; for there was a great
audience to the controversy. I thought I would try a method of
my own, and very gravely replied, "Because we are too far off,"
-a very new argument against the universal infallibility of the
Pope. It took, however; for my opponent mused a while, and
then said, "Too far off! Why, Sicily is as far off as England.
Yet in Sicily they believe in the Pope. "-"Oh,” said I, we are
—
## p. 2232 (#430) ###########################################
2232
JAMES BOSWELL
ten times further off than Sicily. " "Aha! " said he; and seemed
quite satisfied. In this manner I got off very well. I question
much whether any of the learned reasonings of our Protestant
divines would have had so good an effect.
-
THE LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON
IT
SEEMS to me in my moments of self-complacency that this
extensive biographical Work, however inferior in its nature,
may in one respect be assimilated to the Odyssey. ' Amidst
a thousand entertaining and instructive episodes the Hero is
never long out of sight; for they are all in some degree con-
nected with him; and He, in the whole course of the History, is
exhibited by the author for the best advantage of his readers:—
"Quid Virtus et quid sapientia possit,
Utile proposuit nobis exemplar Ulyssen. ”
(What may by virtue be done, and what by wisdom accomplished,
Homer affords in Ulysses for us a helpful example. )
Should there be any cold-blooded and morose mortals who
really dislike this book, I will give them a story to apply. When
the great Duke of Marlborough, accompanied by Lord Cadogan,
was one day reconnoitring the army in Flanders, a heavy rain.
came on, and they both called for their cloaks. Lord Cadogan's
servant, a good-humored, alert lad, brought his Lordship's in a
minute. The Duke's servant, a lazy, sulky dog, was so sluggish
that his Grace, being wet to the skin, reproved him, and had for
answer with a grunt, "I came as fast as I could;"
upon which
the Duke calmly said, "Cadogan, I would not for a thousand
pounds have that fellow's temper. "
Mr. Thomas Davies the actor, who then kept a bookseller's
shop in Russel-street, Covent Garden, told me that Johnson was
very much his friend, and came frequently to his house, where
he more than once invited me to meet him; but by some
unlucky accident or other he was prevented from coming to us.
Mr. Thomas Davies was a man of good understanding and
talents, with the advantage of a liberal education. Though some-
what pompous, he was an entertaining companion; and his liter-
ary performances have no inconsiderable share of merit. He was
a friendly and very hospitable man. Both he and his wife (who
## p. 2233 (#431) ###########################################
JAMES BOSWELL
2233
has been celebrated for her beauty), though upon the stage for
many years, maintained a uniform decency of character; and
Johnson esteemed them, and lived in as easy an intimacy with
them as with any family which he used to visit. Mr. Davies
recollected several of Johnson's remarkable sayings, and was one
of the best of the many imitators of his voice and manner, while
relating them. He increased my impatience more and more to
see the extraordinary man whose works I highly valued, and
whose conversation was reported to be so peculiarly excellent.
I
At last, on Monday the 16th of May, when I was sitting in
Mr. Davies' back-parlor, after having drunk tea with him and
Mrs. Davies, Johnson unexpectedly came into the shop; and Mr.
Davies having perceived him through the glass-door in the room
in which we were sitting, advancing toward us, he announced
his awful approach to me, somewhat in the manner of an actor
in the part of Horatio, when he addresses Hamlet on the appear-
ance of his father's ghost,-"Look, my lord, it comes.
found that I had a very perfect idea of Johnson's figure from the
portrait of him painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds soon after he had
published his Dictionary, in the attitude of sitting in his easy-
chair in deep meditation; which was the first picture his friend
did for him, which Sir Joshua very kindly presented to me, and
from which an engraving has been made for this work. Mr.
Davies mentioned my name, and respectfully introduced me to
him. I was much agitated, and recollecting his prejudice against
the Scotch, of which I had heard much, I said to Davies, "Don't
tell where I came from. "-"From Scotland," cried Davies,
roguishly. "Mr. Johnson" (said I), "I do indeed come from
Scotland, but I cannot help it. " I am willing to flatter myself
that I meant this as light pleasantry to soothe and conciliate
him, and not as an humiliating abasement at the expense of my
country. But however that might be, this speech was somewhat
unlucky; for with that quickness of wit for which he was so
remarkable, he seized the expression "come from Scotland,"
which I used in the sense of being of that country; and as if I
had said that I had come away from it, or left it, retorted,
"That, sir, I find, is what a very great many of your country-
men cannot help. " This stroke stunned me a good deal; and
when he had sat down, I felt myself not a little embarrassed,
and apprehensive of what might come next. He then addressed
himself to Davies: -"What do you think of Garrick? He has
## p. 2234 (#432) ###########################################
2234
JAMES BOSWELL
refused me an order for the play of Miss Williams, because he
knows the house will be full, and that an order would be worth
three shillings. " Eager to take any opening to get into conversa-
tion with him, I ventured to say, "Oh, sir, I cannot think Mr.
Garrick would grudge such a trifle to you. " "Sir," (said he, with
a stern look) "I have known David Garrick longer than you
have done; and I know no right you have to talk to me on
the subject. " Perhaps I deserved this check; for it was rather
presumptuous in me, an entire stranger, to express any doubt
of the justice of his animadversion upon his old acquaintance
and pupil. I now felt myself much mortified, and began to
think that the hope which I had long indulged of obtaining his
acquaintance was blasted. And in truth, had not my ardor been
uncommonly strong, and my resolution uncommonly persevering,
so rough a reception might have deterred me for ever from
making any further attempts. Fortunately, however, I remained
upon the field not wholly discomfited; and was soon rewarded by
hearing some of his conversation, of which I preserved the fol-
lowing short minute, without marking the questions and observa-
tions by which it was produced.
"People" (he remarked) "may be taken in once, who imagine
that an author is greater in private life than other men. Un-
common parts require uncommon opportunities for their exer-
tion. "
"In barbarous society, superiority of parts is of real conse-
quence. Great strength or great wisdom is of much value to an
individual. But in more polished times there are people to do
everything for money; and then there are a number of other
superiorities, such as those of birth and fortune and rank, that
dissipate men's attention and leave no extraordinary share of
respect for personal and intellectual superiority. This is wisely
ordered by Providence, to preserve some equality among man-
kind. "
"Sir, this book" (The Elements of Criticism,' which he had
taken up) "is a pretty essay, and deserves to be held in some
estimation, though much of it is chimerical. "
Speaking of one who with more than ordinary boldness
attacked public measures and the royal family, he said, "I think
he is safe from the law, but he is an abusive scoundrel; and
instead of applying to my Lord Chief Justice to punish him, I
would send half a dozen footmen and have him well ducked. "
## p. 2235 (#433) ###########################################
JAMES BOSWELL
2235
"The notion of liberty amuses the people of England, and
helps to keep off the tadium vitæ. When a butcher tells you
that his heart bleeds for his country,' he has in fact no uneasy
feeling. "
"Sheridan will not succeed at Bath with his oratory. Ridi-
cule has gone down before him, and I doubt Derrick is his
enemy. "
>>
"Derrick may do very well, as long as he can outrun his
character; but the moment his character gets up with him, it is
all over. "
It is, however, but just to record that some years afterwards,
when I reminded him of this sarcasm, he said, "Well, but Der-
rick has now got a character that he need not run away from. "
I was highly pleased with the extraordinary vigor of his con-
versation, and regretted that I was drawn away from it by an
engagement at another place. I had for a part of the evening
been left alone with him, and had ventured to make an observa-
tion now and then, which he received very civilly; so that I was
satisfied that though there was a roughness in his manner, there
was no ill-nature in his disposition. Davies followed me to the
door, and when I complained to him a little of the hard blows
which the great man had given me, he kindly took upon him to
console me by saying, "Don't be uneasy. I can see he likes you
very well. »
A few days afterwards I called on Davies, and asked him if
he thought I might take the liberty of waiting on Mr. Johnson
at his chambers in the Temple. He said I certainly might, and
that Mr. Johnson would take it as a compliment. So on Tues-
day the 24th of May, after having been enlivened by the witty
sallies of Messieurs Thornton, Wilkes, Churchill, and Lloyd, with
whom I had passed the morning, I boldly repaired to Johnson.
His chambers were on the first floor of No. 1, Inner-Temple-
lane, and I entered them with an impression given me by the
Reverend Dr. Blair, of Edinburgh, who had been introduced to
him not long before, and described his having "found the giant
in his den"; an expression which, when I came to be pretty
well acquainted with Johnson, I repeated to him, and he was
diverted at this picturesque account of himself. Dr. Blair had
been presented to him by Dr. James Fordyce. At this time the
controversy concerning the pieces published by Mr. James Mac-
pherson as translations of Ossian was at its height. Johnson had
## p. 2236 (#434) ###########################################
2236
JAMES BOSWELL
all along denied their authenticity; and what was still more pro-
voking to their admirers, maintained that they had no merit.
The subject having been introduced by Dr. Fordyce, Dr. Blair,
relying on the internal evidence of their antiquity, asked Dr.
Johnson whether he thought any man of a modern age could
have written such poems. Johnson replied, "Yes, sir, many
men, many women, and many children. " Johnson, at this time,
did not know that Dr. Blair had just published a Dissertation,
not only defending their authenticity, but seriously ranking them
with the poems of Homer and Virgil; and when he was after-
wards informed of this circumstance, he expressed some dis-
pleasure at Dr. Fordyce's having suggested the topic, and said,
"I am not sorry that they got thus much for their pains. Sir,
it was like leading one to talk of a book when the author is
concealed behind the door. "
He received me very courteously; but it must be confessed
that his apartment and furniture and morning dress were suf-
ficiently uncouth. His brown suit of clothes looked very rusty;
he had on a little shriveled unpowdered wig, which was too
small for his head; his shirt-neck and the knees of his breeches
were loose; his black worsted stockings ill drawn up; and he
had a pair of unbuckled shoes by way of slippers. But all these
slovenly particularities were forgotten the moment that he began
to talk. Some gentlemen, whom I do not recollect, were sitting
with him; and when they went away, I also rose; but he said
to me, "Nay, don't go. ". "Sir" (said I), "I am afraid that I
intrude upon you.
It is benevolent to allow me to sit and hear
you. "
He seemed pleased with this compliment, which I sin-
cerely paid him, and answered, "Sir, I am obliged to any man
who visits me. "
-
In February, 1767, there happened one of the most remark-
able incidents of Johnson's life, which gratified his monarchical
enthusiasm, and which he loved to relate with all its circum-
stances, when requested by his friends. This was his being
honored by a private conversation with his Majesty, in the
library at the Queen's house. He had frequently visited those
splendid rooms and noble collection of books, which he used
to say was more numerous and curious than he supposed any
person could have made in the time which the King had em-
ployed. Mr. Barnard, the librarian, took care that he should have
## p. 2237 (#435) ###########################################
JAMES BOSWELL
2237
every accommodation that could contribute to his ease and con-
venience, while indulging his literary taste in that place; so that
he had here a very agreeable resource at leisure hours.
His Majesty, having been informed of his occasional visits,
was pleased to signify a desire that he should be told when Dr.
Johnson came next to the library. Accordingly, the next time.
that Johnson did come, as soon as he was fairly engaged with
the book, on which, while he sat by the fire, he seemed quite
intent, Mr. Barnard stole round to the apartment where the
King was, and in obedience to his Majesty's commands men-
tioned that Dr. Johnson was then in the library. His Majesty
said that he was at leisure, and would go to him; upon which
Mr. Barnard took one of the candles that stood on the King's
table and lighted his Majesty through a suite of rooms, till they
came to a private door into the library of which his Majesty
had the key. Being entered, Mr.
Being entered, Mr. Barnard stepped forward
hastily to Dr. Johnson, who was still in a profound study, and
whispered him, "Sir, here is the King. " Johnson started up,
and stood still. His Majesty approached him, and at once was
courteously easy.
His Majesty began by observing that he understood he came
sometimes to the library; and then mentioned his having heard
that the Doctor had been lately at Oxford, and asked him if he
was not fond of going thither. To which Johnson answered that
he was indeed fond of going to Oxford sometimes, but was like-
wise glad to come back again. The King then asked him what
they were doing at Oxford. Johnson answered, he could not
much commend their diligence, but that in some respect they
were mended, for they had put their press under better regula-
tions, and at that time were printing Polybius. He was then
asked whether there were better libraries at Oxford or Cam-
bridge. He answered, he believed the Bodleian was larger than
any they had at Cambridge; at the same time adding, "I hope,
whether we have more books or not than they have at Cam-
bridge, we shall make as good use of them as they do. " Being
asked whether All-Souls or Christ-Church library was the largest,
he answered, "All-Souls library is the largest we have, except
the Bodleian. " "Ay" (said the King), “that is the public library. ”
His Majesty inquired if he was then writing anything. He
answered he was not, for he had pretty well told the world
what he knew, and must now read to acquire more knowledge.
## p. 2238 (#436) ###########################################
2238
JAMES BOSWELL
The King, as it should seem with a view to urge him to rely on
his own stores as an original writer, and to continue his labors,
then said, "I do not think you borrow much from anybody. "
Johnson said he thought he had already done his part as a
writer. "I should have thought so too" (said the King), “if
you had not written so well. "-Johnson observed to me, upon
this, that "No man could have paid a handsomer compliment;
and it was fit for a King to pay. It was decisive. " When asked
by another friend, at Sir Joshua Reynolds's, whether he made.
any reply to this high compliment, he answered, "No, sir. When
the King had said it, it was to be so. It was not for me to
bandy civilities with my Sovereign. " Perhaps no man who had
spent his whole life in courts could have shown a more nice and
dignified sense of true politeness than Johnson did in this
instance.
His Majesty having observed to him that he supposed he
must have read a good deal, Johnson answered that he thought
more than he read; that he had read a great deal in the early
part of his life, but having fallen into ill health, he had not
been able to read much compared with others: for instance, he
said, he had not read much compared with Dr. Warburton.
Upon which the King said that he heard Dr. Warburton was a
man of much general knowledge; that you could scarce talk with
him on any subject on which he was not qualified to speak: and
that his learning resembled Garrick's acting in its universality.
His Majesty then talked of the controversy between Warburton
and Lowth, which he seemed to have read, and asked Johnson
what he thought of it. Johnson answered, "Warburton has the
most general, most scholastic learning; Lowth is the more cor-
rect scholar. I do not know which of them calls names best. "
The King was pleased to say he was of the same opinion: add-
ing, "You do not think then, Dr. Johnson, that there was much
argument in the case? " Johnson said he did not think there was.
"Why, truly" (said the King), "when once it comes to calling
names, argument is pretty well at an end. "
His Majesty then asked him what he thought of Lord Lyttel
ton's history, which was just then published. Johnson said he
thought his style pretty good, but that he had blamed Henry the
Second rather too much. "Why" (said the King), "they seldom
do these things by halves. " "No, sir" (answered Johnson), “not
to kings. " But fearing to be misunderstood, he proceeded to
## p. 2239 (#437) ###########################################
JAMES BOSWELL
2239
explain himself; and immediately subjoined, "That for those who
spoke worse of kings than they deserved, he could find no
excuse; but that he could more easily conceive how some one
might speak better of them than they deserved, without any ill
intention: for as kings had much in their power to give, those
who were favored by them would frequently, from gratitude,
exaggerate their praises; and as this proceeded from a good
motive, it was certainly excusable as far as error could be
excusable. "
The King then asked him what he thought of Dr. Hill.
Johnson answered that he was an ingenious man, but had no
veracity; and immediately mentioned as an instance of it an
assertion of that writer, that he had seen objects magnified to a
much greater degree by using three or four microscopes at a
time than by using one. "Now" (added Johnson), "every one
acquainted with microscopes knows that the more of them he
looks through, the less the object will appear. " "Why" (replied
the King), "this is not only telling an untruth, but telling it
clumsily; for if that be the case, every one who can look through
a microscope will be able to detect him. "
"I now" (said Johnson to his friends, when relating what
had passed) "began to consider that I was depreciating this
man in the estimation of his Sovereign, and thought it was
time for me to say something that might be more favorable. ”
He added, therefore, that Dr. Hill was notwithstanding a very
curious observer; and if he would have been contented to tell
the world no more than he knew, he might have been a very
considerable man, and needed not to have recourse to such
mean expedients to raise his reputation.
The King then talked of literary journals, mentioned particu-
larly the Journal des Savants, and asked Johnson if it was well
done. Johnson said it was formerly very well done, and gave
some account of the persons who began it, and carried it on for
some years; enlarging at the same time on the nature and use
of such works. The King asked him if it was well done now.
Johnson answered he had no reason to think that it was. The
King then asked him if there were any other literary journals.
published in this kingdom except the Monthly and Critical
Reviews; and on being answered there was no other, his Maj-
esty asked which of them was the best. Johnson answered that
the Monthly Review was done with most care, the Critical upon
## p. 2240 (#438) ###########################################
2240
JAMES BOSWELL
the best principles; adding that the authors of the Monthly
Review were enemies to the Church. This the King said he
was sorry to hear.
The conversation next turned on the Philosophical Trans-
actions, when Johnson observed that they had now a better
method of arranging their materials than formerly. "Ay" (said
the King), "they are obliged to Dr. Johnson for that;" for his
Majesty had heard and remembered the circumstance, which
Johnson himself had forgot.
His Majesty expressed a desire to have the literary biography
of this country ably executed, and proposed to Dr. Johnson to
undertake it. Johnson signified his readiness to comply with his
Majesty's wishes.
During the whole of this interview, Johnson talked to his
Majesty with profound respect, but still in his firm, manly man-
ner, with a sonorous voice, and never in that subdued tone which
is commonly used at the levee and in the drawing-room. After
the King withdrew, Johnson showed himself highly pleased with
his Majesty's conversation and gracious behavior. He said to
Mr. Barnard, "Sir, they may talk of the King as they will; but
he is the finest gentleman that I have ever seen. " And he
afterwards observed to Mr. Langton, "Sir, his manners are those
of as fine a gentleman as we may suppose Lewis the Fourteenth
or Charles the Second. "
At Sir Joshua Reynolds's, where a circle of Johnson's friends
were collected round him to hear his account of this memorable
conversation, Dr. Joseph Warton, in his frank and lively manner,
was very active in pressing him to mention the particulars.
"Come now, sir, this is an interesting matter; do favor us with
it. " Johnson, with great good humor, complied.
He told them:-"I found his Majesty wished I should talk,
and I made it my business to talk. I find it does a man good
to be talked to by his Sovereign. In the first place, a man can-
not be in a passion-" Here some question interrupted him;
which is to be regretted, as he certainly would have pointed out
and illustrated many circumstances of advantage, from being in
a situation where the powers of the mind are at once excited to
vigorous exertion and tempered by reverential awe.
Mr. Macpherson little knew the character of Dr. Johnson if
he supposed that he could be easily intimidated; for no man was
ever more remarkable for personal courage. He had indeed an
1
## p. 2241 (#439) ###########################################
JAMES BOSWELL
2241
awful dread of death, or rather "of something after death"; and
what rational man, who seriously thinks of quitting all that he
has ever known and going into a new and unknown state of
being, can be without that dread? But his fear was from reflec-
tion; his courage natural. His fear, in that one instance, was
the result of philosophical and religious consideration. He feared
death, but he feared nothing else, not even what might occasion
death. Many instances of his resolution may be mentioned. One
day, at Mr. Beauclerk's house in the country, when two large
dogs were fighting, he went up to them and beat them till they
separated; and at another time, when told of the danger there
was that a gun might burst if charged with many balls, he put
in six or seven and fired it off against a wall. Mr. Langton
told me that when they were swimming together near Oxford,
he cautioned Dr. Johnson against a pool which was reckoned
particularly dangerous; upon which Johnson directly swam into
it. He told me himself that one night he was attacked in the
street by four men, to whom he would not yield, but
cept them
all at bay till the watch came up and carried both him and
them to the round-house. In the play-house at Lichfield, as Mr.
Garrick informed me, Johnson having for a moment quitted a
chair which was placed for him between the side-scenes, a gen-
tleman took possession of it, and when Johnson on his return
civilly demanded his seat, rudely refused to give it up; upon
which Johnson laid hold of it and tossed him and the chair into
the pit. Foote, who so successfully revived the old comedy by
exhibiting living characters, had resolved to imitate Johnson on
the stage, expecting great profits from his ridicule of so cele-
brated a man. Johnson being informed of his intention, and
being at dinner at Mr. Thomas Davies's the bookseller, from
whom I had the story, he asked Mr. Davies "what was the
common price of an oak stick "; and being answered sixpence,
"Why then, sir" (said he), "give me leave to send your servant
to purchase a shilling one. I'll have a double quantity; for I am
told Foote means to take me off, as he calls it, and I am deter-
mined the fellow shall not do it with impunity. " Davies took care
to acquaint Foote of this, which effectually checked the wanton-
ness of the mimic. Mr. Macpherson's menaces made Johnson
provide himself with the same implement of defense; and had he
been attacked, I have no doubt that, old as he was, he would have
made his corporal prowess be felt as much as his intellectual.
IV-141
## p. 2242 (#440) ###########################################
2242
JAMES BOSWELL
Mr. Hector was so good as to accompany me to see the great
works of Mr. Bolton [Boulton], at a place which he has called
Soho, about two miles from Birmingham, which the very ingen-
ious proprietor showed me himself to the best advantage. I
wished Johnson had been with us; for it was a scene which I
should have been glad to contemplate by his light. The vastness
and the contrivance of some of the machinery would have
"matched his mighty mind. " I shall never forget Mr. Bolton's
expression to me, "I sell here, sir, what all the world desires to
have-power. " He had about seven hundred people at work.
I contemplated him as an iron chieftain, and he seemed to be
a father to his tribe. One of them came to him, complaining
grievously of his landlord for having distrained his goods.
"Your landlord is in the right, Smith" (said Bolton). "But I'll
tell you what: find you a friend who will lay down one-half of
your rent, and I'll lay down the other half; and you shall have
your goods again. "
From Mr. Hector I now learned many particulars of Dr.
Johnson's early life, which, with others that he gave me at dif-
ferent times since, have contributed to the formation of this
work.
Dr. Johnson said to me in the morning, "You will see, sir, at
Mr. Hector's, his sister Mrs. Careless, a clergyman's widow.
She was the first woman with whom I was in love. It dropped
out of my head imperceptibly; but she and I will always have a
kindness for each other. " He laughed at the notion that a man
can never really be in love but once, and considered it as a mere
romantic fancy.
On our return from Mr. Bolton's, Mr. Hector took me to his
house, where we found Johnson sitting placidly at tea with his
first love; who, though now advanced in years, was a genteel
woman, very agreeable and well-bred,
Johnson lamented to Mr. Hector the state of one of their
schoolfellows, Mr. Charles Congreve, a clergyman, which he thus
described: "He obtained, I believe, considerable preferment in
Ireland, but now lives in London, quite as a valetudinarian,
afraid to go into any house but his own. He takes a short air-
ing in his post-chaise every day. He has an elderly woman,
whom he calls cousin, who lives with him, and jogs his elbow
when his glass has stood too long empty, and encourages him in
drinking, in which he is very willing to be encouraged; not that
## p. 2243 (#441) ###########################################
JAMES BOSWELL
2243
he gets drunk, for he is a very pious man, but he is always
muddy. He confesses to one bottle of port every day, and he
probably drinks more. He is quite unsocial; his conversation is
quite monosyllabical; and when at my last visit I asked him
what o'clock it was, that signal of my departure had so pleasing
an effect upon him that he sprung up to look at his watch like
a greyhound bounding at a hare. " When Johnson took leave of
Mr. Hector, he said, "Don't grow like Congreve; nor let me
grow like him, when you are near me. "
When he talked again of Mrs. Careless to-night, he seemed to
have had his affection revived; for he said, "If I had married
her, it might have been as happy for me. "
Boswell - Pray, sir, do you not suppose that there are fifty
women in the world, with any one of whom a man may be as
happy as with any one woman in particular?
Johnson-Ay, sir, fifty thousand.
Boswell-Then, sir, you are not of opinion with some that
imagine that certain men and certain women are made for each
other; and that they cannot be happy if they miss their counter-
parts.
Fohnson To be sure not, sir. I believe marriages would in
general be as happy, and often more so, if they were all made
by the Lord Chancellor, upon a due consideration of the char-
acters and circumstances, without the parties having any choice
in the matter.
-
I am now to record a very curious incident in Dr. Johnson's
life which fell under my own observation; of which pars magna
fui, and which I am persuaded will, with the liberal-minded, be
much to his credit.
My desire of being acquainted with celebrated men of every
description had made me, much about the same time, obtain an
introduction to Dr. Samuel Johnson and to John Wilkes, Esq. .
Two men more different could perhaps not be selected out of all
mankind. They had even attacked one another with some asperity
in their writings; yet I lived in habits of friendship with both.
I could fully relish the excellence of each; for I have ever
delighted in that intellectual chymistry which can separate good
qualities from evil in the same person.
Sir John Pringle, "mine own friend and my father's friend,"
between whom and Dr. Johnson I in vain wished to establish
## p. 2244 (#442) ###########################################
2244
JAMES BOSWELL
an acquaintance, as I respected and lived in intimacy with both
of them, observed to me once very ingeniously, "It is not in
friendship as in mathematics, where two things, each equal to a
third, are equal between themselves. You agree with Johnson
as a middle quality, and you agree with me as a middle quality;
but Johnson and I should not agree. " Sir John was not suffi-
ciently flexible, so I desisted: knowing indeed that the repulsion
was equally strong on the part of Johnson; who, I know not
from what cause unless his being a Scotchman, had formed a
very erroneous opinion of Sir John. But I conceived an irre-
sistible wish, if possible, to bring Dr. Johnson and Mr. Wilkes
together. How to manage it, was a nice and difficult matter.
My worthy booksellers and friends, Messieurs Dilly in the
Poultry, at whose hospitable and well-covered table I have seen
a greater number of literary men than at any other except that
of Sir Joshua Reynolds, had invited me to meet Mr. Wilkes and
some more gentlemen on Wednesday, May 15th. "Pray" (said I),
"let us have Dr. Johnson. "—"What, with Mr. Wilkes? not for
the world" (said Mr. Edward Dilly): "Dr. Johnson would never
forgive me. "-"Come" (said I), "if you'll let me negotiate for
you, I will be answerable that all shall go well. "
Dilly-Nay, if you will take it upon you, I am sure I shall
be very happy to see them both here.
Notwithstanding the high veneration which I entertained for
Dr. Johnson, I was sensible that he was sometimes a little actu-
ated by the spirit of contradiction, and by means of that I
hoped I should gain my point. I was persuaded that if I had
come upon him with a direct proposal, “Sir, will you dine in
company with Jack Wilkes? " he would have flown into a pas-
sion, and would probably have answered, "Dine with Jack
Wilkes, sir! I'd as
soon dine with Jack Ketch. " I therefore,
while we were sitting quietly by ourselves at his house in an
evening, took occasion to open my plan thus:-
―――――――――
"Mr. Dilly, sir, sends his respectful compliments to you, and
would be happy if you would do him the honor to dine with
him on Wednesday next along with me, as I must soon go to
Scotland. "
Johnson-Sir, I am obliged to Mr. Dilly. I will wait
upon him
-
Boswell-Provided, sir, I suppose, that the company which
he is to have is agreeable to you.
## p. 2245 (#443) ###########################################
JAMES BOSWELL
2245
Johnson - What do you mean, sir? What do you take me
for? Do you think I am so ignorant of the world as to imagine
that I am to prescribe to a gentleman what company he is to
have at his table?
Boswell-I beg your pardon, sir, for wishing to prevent you
from meeting people whom you might not like. Perhaps he may
have some of what he calls his patriotic friends with him.
Johnson-Well, sir, and what then? What care I for his
patriotic friends?
