andthatopinion，asithadbeeninpartformeduponDr。Johnson’sjudgment，receivesmoreandmoreconfirmationbyhearingwhat，sincehisdeath，Dr。Johnsonhassaidconcerningthem；afeweveningsago，hewasatMr。Vesey’s，whereLordAlthorpe，whowasoneofanumerouscompanythere，addressedDr。JohnsononthesubjectofMr。Beauclerk’sdeath，saying，“OurCLUBhashadagreatlosssincewemetlast。“Hereplied，“Aloss，thatperhapsthewholenationcouldnotrepair!“TheDoctorthenwentontospeakofhisendowments，andparticularlyextolledthewonderfuleasewithwhichheutteredwhatwashighlyexcellent。Hesaid，that“nomaneverwassofreewhenhewasgoingtosayagoodthing，fromaLOOKthatexpressedthatitwascoming；or，whenhehadsaidit，fromalookthatexpressedthatithadcome。“AtMr。Thrale’s，somedaysbeforewhenweweretalkingonthesamesubject，hesaid，referringtothesameideaofhiswonderfulfacility，“ThatBeauclerk’stalentswerethosewhichhehadfelthimselfmoredisposedtoenvy，thanthoseofanywhomhehadknown。“
　　’OntheeveningIhavespokenofabove，atMr。Vesey’s，youwouldhavebeenmuchgratified，asitexhibitedaninstanceofthehighimportanceinwhichDr。Johnson’scharacterisheld，IthinkevenbeyondanyIeverbeforewaswitnessto。Thecompanyconsistedchieflyofladies，amongwhomweretheDuchessDowagerofPortland，theDuchessofBeaufort，whomIsupposefromherrankImustnamebeforehermotherMrs。Boscawen，andhereldersisterMrs。Lewson，whowaslikewisethere；LadyLucan，LadyClermont，andothersofnotebothfortheirstationandunderstandings。AmongthegentlemenwereLordAlthorpe，whomIhavebeforenamed，LordMacartney，SirJoshuaReynolds，LordLucan，Mr。Wraxal，whosebookyouhaveprobablyseen，TheTourtotheNorthernPartsofEurope；averyagreeableingeniousman；Dr。Warren，Mr。Pepys，theMasterinChancery，whomIbelieveyouknow，andDr。Barnard，theProvostofEton。AssoonasDr。Johnsonwascomeinandhadtakenachair，thecompanybegantocollectroundhim，tilltheybecamenotlessthanfour，ifnotfive，deep；thosebehindstanding，andlisteningovertheheadsofthosethatweresittingnearhim。TheconversationforsometimewaschieflybetweenDr。JohnsonandtheProvostofEton，whiletheotherscontributedoccasionallytheirremarks。’
　　Onhisbirth-day，Johnsonhasthisnote：’Iamnowbeginningtheseventy-secondyearofmylife，withmorestrengthofbody，andgreatervigourofmind，thanIthinkiscommonatthatage。’Butstillhecomplainsofsleeplessnightsandidledays，andforgetfulness，orneglectofresolutions。Hethuspatheticallyexpresseshimself，——’SurelyIshallnotspendmywholelifewithmyowntotaldisapprobation。’
　　Mr。Macbean，whomIhavementionedmorethanonce，asoneofJohnson’shumblefriends，adeservingbutunfortunateman，beingnowoppressedbyageandpoverty，JohnsonsolicitedtheLordChancellorThurlow，tohavehimadmittedintotheCharterhouse。I
　　takethelibertytoinserthisLordship’sanswer，asIameagertoembraceeveryoccasionofaugmentingtherespectablenotionwhichshouldeverbeentertainedofmyillustriousfriend：——
　　’TODR。SAMUELJOHNSON。
　　’London，October24，1780。
　　’SIR，’Ihavethismomentreceivedyourletter，datedthe19th，andreturnedfromBath。
　　’InthebeginningofthesummerIplacedoneintheChartreux，withoutthesanctionofarecommendationsodistinctandsoauthoritativeasyoursofMacbean；andIamafraid，thataccordingtotheestablishmentoftheHouse，theopportunityofmakingthecharitysogoodamendswillnotsoonrecur。Butwheneveravacancyshallhappen，ifyou’llfavourmewithnoticeofit，Iwilltrytorecommendhimtotheplace，eventhoughitshouldnotbemyturntonominate。Iam，Sir，withgreatregard，yourmostfaithfulandobedientservant，’THURLOW。’
　　BeingdisappointedinmyhopesofmeetingJohnsonthisyear，sothatIcouldhearnoneofhisadmirablesayings，Ishallcompensateforthiswantbyinsertingacollectionofthem，forwhichIamindebtedtomyworthyfriendMr。Langton，whosekindcommunicationshavebeenseparatelyinterwoveninmanypartsofthiswork。Veryfewarticlesofthiscollectionwerecommittedtowritingbyhimself，henothavingthathabit；whichheregrets，andwhichthosewhoknowthenumerousopportunitieshehadofgatheringtherichfruitsofJohnsonianwitandwisdom，musteverregret。I
　　howeverfound，inconversationswithhim，thatagoodstoreofJohnsonianawastreasuredinhismind；andIcomparedittoHerculaneum，orsomeoldRomanfield，whichwhendug，fullyrewardsthelabouremployed。Theauthenticityofeveryarticleisunquestionable。Fortheexpression，I，whowrotethemdowninhispresence，ampartlyanswerable。
　　’ThereisnothingmorelikelytobetrayamanintoabsurditythanCONDESCENSION；whenheseemstosupposehisunderstandingtoopowerfulforhiscompany。’
　　’HavingaskedMr。Langtonifhisfatherandmotherhadsatfortheirpictures，whichhethoughtitrightforeachgenerationofafamilytodo，andbeingtoldtheyhadopposedit，hesaid，“Sir，amongtheanfractuositiesofthehumanmind，Iknownotifitmaynotbeone，thatthereisasuperstitiousreluctancetositforapicture。“’
　　’JohnGilbertCooperrelated，thatsoonafterthepublicationofhisDictionary，GarrickbeingaskedbyJohnsonwhatpeoplesaidofit，toldhim，thatamongotheranimadversions，itwasobjectedthathecitedauthoritieswhichwerebeneaththedignityofsuchawork，andmentionedRichardson。“Nay，saidJohnson，Ihavedoneworsethanthat：IhavecitedTHEE，David。“’
　　’Wheningoodhumourhewouldtalkofhisownwritingswithawonderfulfranknessandcandour，andwouldevencriticisethemwiththeclosestseverity。Oneday，havingreadoveroneofhisRamblers，Mr。Langtonaskedhim，howhelikedthatpaper；heshookhishead，andanswered，“toowordy。“Atanothertime，whenonewasreadinghistragedyofIrenetoacompanyatahouseinthecountry，helefttheroom；andsomebodyhavingaskedhimthereasonofthis，hereplied，“Sir，Ithoughtithadbeenbetter。“’
　　’Herelated，thathehadonceinadreamacontestofwitwithsomeotherperson，andthathewasverymuchmortifiedbyimaginingthathisopponenthadthebetterofhim。“Now，saidhe，onemaymarkheretheeffectofsleepinweakeningthepowerofreflection；forhadnotmyjudgementfailedme，Ishouldhaveseen，thatthewitofthissupposedantagonist，bywhosesuperiorityIfeltmyselfdepressed，wasasmuchfurnishedbyme，asthatwhichIthoughtI
　　hadbeenutteringinmyowncharacter。“’
　　’OfSirJoshuaReynolds，hesaid，“Sir，IknownomanwhohaspassedthroughlifewithmoreobservationthanReynolds。“’
　　’HerepeatedtoMr。Langton，withgreatenergy，intheGreek，ourSAVIOUR’SgraciousexpressionconcerningtheforgivenessofMaryMagdalen，’[Greektextomitted]。“Thyfaithhathsavedthee；goinpeace。“Hesaid，“themannerofthisdismissionisexceedinglyaffecting。“’
　　’TalkingoftheFarceofHighLifebelowStairs，hesaid，“HereisaFarce，whichisreallyverydivertingwhenyouseeitacted；andyetonemayreadit，andnotknowthatonehasbeenreadinganythingatall。“’
　　’HeusedatonetimetogooccasionallytothegreenroomofDrury-
　　laneTheatre，wherehewasmuchregardedbytheplayers，andwasveryeasyandfacetiouswiththem。HehadaveryhighopinionofMrs。Clive’scomickpowers，andconversedmorewithherthanwithanyofthem。Hesaid，“Clive，Sir，isagoodthingtositby；shealwaysunderstandswhatyousay。“Andshesaidofhim，“IlovetositbyDr。Johnson；healwaysentertainsme。“Onenight，whenTheRecruitingOfficerwasacted，hesaidtoMr。Holland，whohadbeenexpressinganapprehensionthatDr。JohnsonwoulddisdaintheworksofFarquhar；“No，Sir，IthinkFarquharamanwhosewritingshaveconsiderablemerit。“’
　　’HisfriendGarrickwassobusyinconductingthedrama，thattheycouldnothavesomuchintercourseasMr。Garrickusedtoprofessananxiouswishthatthereshouldbe。Theremight，indeed，besomethinginthecontemptuousseverityastothemeritofacting，whichhisoldpreceptornourishedinhimself，thatwouldmortifyGarrickafterthegreatapplausewhichhereceivedfromtheaudience。ForthoughJohnsonsaidofhim，“Sir，amanwhohasanationtoadmirehimeverynight，maywellbeexpectedtobesomewhatelated；“yethewouldtreattheatricalmatterswithaludicrousslight。Hementionedoneevening，“ImetDavidcomingoffthestage，drestinawoman’sriding-hood，whenheactedinTheWonder；Icamefulluponhim，andIbelievehewasnotpleased。“’
　　’OnceheaskedTomDavies，whomhesawdrestinafinesuitofclothes，“Andwhatartthouto-night？“Tomanswered，“TheThaneofRoss；“whichitwillberecollectedisaveryinconsiderablecharacter。“Obrave!“saidJohnson。
　　’OfMr。Longley，atRochester，agentlemanofveryconsiderablelearning，whomDr。Johnsonmetthere，hesaid，“Myheartwarmstowardshim。Iwassurprisedtofindinhimsuchaniceacquaintancewiththemetreinthelearnedlanguages；thoughIwassomewhatmortifiedthatIhaditnotsomuchtomyself，asIshouldhavethought。“’
　　’Talkingoftheminutenesswithwhichpeoplewillrecordthesayingsofeminentpersons，astorywastold，thatwhenPopewasonavisittoSpenceatOxford，astheylookedfromthewindowtheysawaGentlemanCommoner，whowasjustcomeinfromriding，amusinghimselfwithwhippingatapost。Popetookoccasiontosay，“Thatyounggentlemanseemstohavelittletodo。“Mr。Beauclerkobserved，“Then，tobesure，Spenceturnedroundandwrotethatdown；“andwentontosaytoDr。Johnson，“Pope，Sir，wouldhavesaidthesameofyou，ifhehadseenyoudistilling。“JOHNSON。
　　“Sir，ifPopehadtoldmeofmydistilling，Iwouldhavetoldhimofhisgrotto。“’
　　’Hewouldallownosettledindulgenceofidlenessuponprinciple，andalwaysrepelledeveryattempttourgeexcusesforit。Afriendonedaysuggested，thatitwasnotwholesometostudysoonafterdinner。JOHNSON。“Ah，Sir，don’tgivewaytosuchafancy。AtonetimeofmylifeIhadtakenitintomyheadthatitwasnotwholesometostudybetweenbreakfastanddinner。“’
　　’Dr。Goldsmith，uponoccasionofMrs。Lennox’sbringingoutaplay，saidtoDr。JohnsonatTHECLUB，thatapersonhadadvisedhimtogoandhissit，becauseshehadattackedShakspeareinherbookcalledShakspeareIllustrated。JOHNSON。“Anddidnotyoutellhimhewasarascal？“GOLDSMITH。“No，Sir，Ididnot。Perhapshemightnotmeanwhathesaid。“JOHNSON。“Nay，Sir，ifhelied，itisadifferentthing。“Colmanslilysaid，butitisbelievedDr。
　　Johnsondidnothearhim，“Thentheproperexpressionshouldhavebeen，——Sir，ifyoudon’tlie，you’rearascal。“’
　　’HisaffectionforTophamBeauclerkwassogreat，thatwhenBeauclerkwaslabouringunderthatsevereillnesswhichatlastoccasionedhisdeath，Johnsonsaid，withavoicefaulteringwithemotion，“Sir，IwouldwalktotheextentofthediameteroftheearthtosaveBeauclerk。“’
　　’JohnsonwaswellacquaintedwithMr。Dossie，authourofatreatiseonAgriculture；andsaidofhim，“Sir，oftheobjectswhichtheSocietyofArtshavechieflyinview，thechymicaleffectsofbodiesoperatinguponotherbodies，heknowsmorethanalmostanyman。“Johnson，inordertogiveMr。DossiehisvotetobeamemberofthisSociety，paidupanarrearwhichhadrunonfortwoyears。
　　OnthisoccasionhementionedacircumstanceascharacteristickoftheScotch。“Oneofthatnation，saidhe，whohadbeenacandidate，againstwhomIhadvoted，cameuptomewithacivilsalutation。Now，Sir，thisistheirway。AnEnglishmanwouldhavestomachedit，andbeensulky，andneverhavetakenfurthernoticeofyou；butaScotchman，Sir，thoughyouvotenineteentimesagainsthim，willaccostyouwithequalcomplaisanceaftereachtime，andthetwentiethtime，Sir，hewillgetyourvote。“’
　　’Talkingonthesubjectoftoleration，onedaywhensomefriendswerewithhiminhisstudy，hemadehisusualremark，thattheStatehasarighttoregulatethereligionofthepeople，whoarethechildrenoftheState。Aclergymanhavingreadilyacquiescedinthis，Johnson，wholoveddiscussion，observed，“But，Sir，youmustgoroundtootherStatesthanyourown。YoudonotknowwhataBraminhastosayforhimself。Inshort，Sir，Ihavegotnofurtherthanthis：Everymanhasarighttoutterwhathethinkstruth，andeveryothermanhasarighttoknockhimdownforit。
　　Martyrdomisthetest。“’
　　’GoldsmithonedaybroughttoTHECLUBaprintedOde，whichhe，withothers，hadbeenhearingreadbyitsauthourinapublickroomattherateoffiveshillingseachforadmission。Oneofthecompanyhavingreaditaloud，Dr。Johnsonsaid，“Bolderwordsandmoretimorousmeaning，Ithinkneverwerebroughttogether。“
　　’TalkingofGray’sOdes，hesaid，“Theyareforcedplantsraisedinahot-bed；andtheyarepoorplants；theyarebutcucumbersafterall。“Agentlemanpresent，whohadbeenrunningdownOde-writingingeneral，asabadspeciesofpoetry，unluckilysaid，“Hadtheybeenliterallycucumbers，theyhadbeenbetterthingsthanOdes。“——
　　“Yes，Sir，saidJohnson，foraHOG。“’
　　’Itisveryremarkable，thatheretainedinhismemoryveryslightandtrivial，aswellasimportantthings。Asaninstanceofthis，itseemsthataninferiourdomestickoftheDukeofLeedshadattemptedtocelebratehisGrace’smarriageinsuchhomelyrhimesashecouldmake；andthiscuriouscompositionhavingbeensungtoDr。Johnsonhegotitbyheart，andusedtorepeatitinaverypleasantmanner。Twoofthestanzaswerethese：——
　　“WhentheDukeofLeedsshallmarriedbeToafineyoungladyofhighquality，HowhappywillthatgentlewomanbeInhisGraceofLeeds’sgoodcompany。