INTRODUCTION
Mrs。Piozzi，byhersecondmarriage，wasbyherfirstmarriagetheMrs。
ThraleinwhosehouseatStreathamDoctorJohnsonwas，aftertheyearofhisfirstintroduction，1765，indaysofinfirmity，anhonouredandacherishedfriend。TheyearofthebeginningofthefriendshipwastheyearinwhichJohnson，fifty—sixyearsold，obtainedhisdegreeofLL。D。fromDublin，and——thoughhenevercalledhimselfDoctor——wasthenceforthcalledDoctorbyallhisfriends。
BeforehermarriageMrs。PiozzihadbeenMissHestherLynchSalusbury，ayoungladyofagoodWelshfamily。Shewasbornintheyear174O，andsheliveduntiltheyear1821。Shecelebratedhereightiethbirthdayonthe27thofJanuary，182O，byaconcert，ball，andsuppertosixorsevenhundredpeople，andledoffthedancingattheballwithanadoptedsonforpartner。WhenJohnsonwasfirstintroducedtoher，asMrs。Thrale，shewasalively，plumplittlelady，twenty—fiveyearsold，shortofstature，broadofbuild，withananimatedface，touched，accordingtothefashionoflifeinherearlyyears，withrouge，whichshecontinuedtousewhenshefoundthatithadspoilthercomplexion。Herhandswererathercoarse，butherhandwritingwasdelicate。
HenryThrale，whomshemarried，wastheheadofthegreatbreweryhousenowknownasthatofBarclayandPerkins。HenryThrale’sfatherhadsucceededEdmundHalsey，whobeganlifebyrunningawayfromhisfather，amilleratSt。Albans。Halseywastakeninasaclerk—of—all—workattheAnchorBrewhouseinSouthwark，becameahouse—clerk，ableenoughtopleaseChild，hismaster，andhandsomeenoughtopleasehismaster’sdaughter。HemarriedthedaughterandsucceededtoChild’sBrewery，mademuchmoney，andhadhimselfanonlydaughter，whomhemarriedtoalord。HenryThrale’sfatherwasanephewofHalseys，whohadworkedinthebreweryfortwentyyears，when，afterHalsey’sdeath，hegavesecurityforthirtythousandpoundsasthepriceofthebusiness，towhichanoblelordcouldnotsucceed。Inelevenyearshehadpaidthepurchase—money，andwasmakingalargefortune。Tothisbusinesshisson，whowasJohnson’sfriend，HenryThrale，succeeded;anduponThrale’sdeathitwasboughtfor15O，OOOpoundsbyamemberoftheQuakerfamilyofBarclay，whotookThrale’soldmanager，Perkins，intopartnership。
Johnsonbecame，after1765，familiarinthehouseoftheThralesatStreatham。Therewasmuchcompany。Mrs。Thralehadatasteforliteraryguestsandliteraryguestshad，ontheirpart，atasteforhergooddinners。Johnsonwasthelion—in—chief。TherewasDr。Johnson’sroomalwaysathisdisposal;andatidywigkeptforhisspecialuse，becausehisownwasapttobesingedupthemiddlebyclosecontactwiththecandle，whichheput，beingshort—sighted，betweenhiseyesandabook。
Mrs。Thralehadskillinlanguages，readLatin，French，Italian，andSpanish。Shereadliterature，couldquoteaptly，andputknowledgeaswellasplayfullifeintoherconversation。Johnson’sregardfortheThraleswasveryreal，anditwasheartilyreturned，thoughMrs。Thralehad，likeherfriend，someweaknesses，incommonwithmostpeoplewhofeedlionsandwishtopassforwitsamongthewitty。
AboutfourteenyearsafterJohnson’sfirstacquaintancewiththeThrales——
whenJohnsonwasseventyyearsoldandMrs。Thralenearforty——thelittlelady，whohadalsolostseveralchildren，wasunhappyinthethoughtthatshehadceasedtobeappreciatedbyherhusband。Herhusband’stemperbecameaffectedbythecommercialtroublesof1762，andMrs。ThralebecamejealousoftheregardbetweenhimandSophyStreatfield，arichwidow’sdaughter。UnderJanuary，1779，shewroteinher"Thraliana，""Mr。Thralehasfalleninlove，reallyandseriously，withSophyStreatfield;butthereisnowonderinthat;sheisverypretty，verygentle，soft，andinsinuating;hangsabouthim，dancesroundhim，crieswhenshepartsfromhim，squeezeshishandslily，andwithhersweeteyesfulloftearslookssofondlyinhisface——andallforloveofme，asshepretends，thatIcanhardlysometimeshelplaughinginherface。AmanmustnotbeaMANbutanITtoresistsuchartillery。"Mrs。ThralegoesontorecordconquestsmadebythisirresistibleSophyinotherdirections，showingthesametemperofjealousy。Thralediedonthe4thofApril，1781。
Mrs。Thralehadenteredinher"Thraliana"underJuly，178O，beingthenatBrighton，"IhavepickedupPiozzihere，thegreatItaliansinger。Heisamazinglylikemyfather。HeshallteachHesther。"Onthe25thofJuly，1784，beingatBath，herentrywas，"Iamreturnedfromchurchthehappywifeofmylovely，faithfulPiozzi……subjectofmyprayers，objectofmywishes，mysighs，myreverence，myesteem。"Heragethenwasforty—four，andonthe13thofDecemberinthesameyearJohnsondied。Thenewspapersofthedaydealthardlywithher。Theycalledheranamorouswidow，andPiozziafortune—hunter。Hereldestdaughter（afterwardsViscountessKeith）refusedtorecognisethenewfather，andshutherselfupinahouseatBrightonwithanurse，Tib，whereshelivedupontwohundredayear。Twoyoungersisters，whowereatschool，livedafterwardswiththeeldest。Onlythefourthdaughter，theyoungest，wentwithhermotherandhermother’snewhusbandtoItaly。Johnson，too，wasgrievedbythemarriage，andhadshownit，buthadwrittenafterwardsmostkindly。Mrs。
PiozziinFlorencewasplayingatliteraturewiththepoetastersof"TheFlorenceMiscellany"and"TheBritishAlbum"whenshewasworkingatthese"AnecdotesoftheLateSamuelJohnson。"HerbookofanecdoteswasplannedatFlorencein1785，theyearafterherfriend’sdeath，finishedatFlorenceinOctober，1785，andpublishedintheyear1786。Thereisatouchofbitternessinthebookwhichshethoughtofsoftening，buther"lovely，faithfulPiozzi"wishedittoremain。
H。M。
AUTHOR’SPREFACE。
Ihavesomewhereheardorreadthattheprefacebeforeabook，liketheporticobeforeahouse，shouldbecontrivedsoastocatch，butnotdetain，theattentionofthosewhodesireadmissiontothefamilywithin，orleavetolookoverthecollectionofpicturesmadebyonewhoseopportunitiesofobtainingthemweknowtohavebeennotunfrequent。IwishnottokeepmyreaderslongfromsuchintimacywiththemannersofDr。Johnson，orsuchknowledgeofhissentimentsasthesepagescanconvey。TourgemydistancefromEnglandasanexcuseforthebook’sbeingill—writtenwouldberidiculous;itmightindeedserveasajustreasonformyhavingwrittenitatall;because，thoughothersmayprintthesameaphorismsandstories，I
cannotHEREbesurethattheyhavedoneso。AstheDukesays，however，totheWeaver，inAMidsummerNight’sDream，"Neverexcuse;ifyourplaybeabadone，keepatleasttheexcusestoyourself。"
IamawarethatmanywillsayIhavenotspokenhighlyenoughofDr。
Johnson;butitwillbedifficultforthosewhosaysotospeakmorehighly。IfIhavedescribedhismannersastheywere，Ihavebeencarefultoshowhissuperioritytothecommonformsofcommonlife。Itissurelynodispraisetoanoakthatitdoesnotbearjessamine;andhewhoshouldplanthoneysuckleroundTrajan’scolumnwouldnotbethoughttoadorn，buttodisgraceit。
WhenIhavesaidthathewasmoreamanofgeniusthanoflearning，ImeannottotakefromtheonepartofhischaracterthatwhichIwillinglygivetotheother。TheeruditionofMr。Johnsonprovedhisgenius;forhehadnotacquireditbylongorprofoundstudy：norcanIthinkthosecharactersthegreatestwhichhavemostlearningdrivenintotheirheads，anymorethanIcanpersuademyselftoconsidertheRiverJeniscaassuperiortotheNile，becausethefirstreceivesnearseventytributarystreamsinthecourseofitsunmarkedprogresstothesea，whilethegreatparentofAfricanplenty，flowingfromanalmostinvisiblesource，andunenrichedbyanyextraneouswaters，exceptelevennamelessrivers，pourshismajestictorrentintotheoceanbysevencelebratedmouths。
ButImustconcludemypreface，andbeginmybook，thefirstIeverpresentedbeforethepublic;fromwhoseawfulappearanceinsomemeasuretodefendandconcealmyself，IhavethoughtfittoretirebehindtheTelamonianshield，andshowaslittleofmyselfaspossible，wellawareoftheexceedingdifferencethereisbetweenfencingintheschoolandfightinginthefield。Studious，however，toavoidoffending，andcarelessofthatoffencewhichcanbetakenwithoutacause，Iherenotunwillinglysubmitmyslightperformancetothedecisionofthatgloriouscountry，whichIhavethedailydelighttohearapplaudedinothers，aseminentlyjust，generous，andhumane。
ANECDOTESOFTHELATESAMUELJOHNSON，LL。D。
Toomuchintelligenceisoftenaspernicioustobiographyastoolittle;
themindremainsperplexedbycontradictionofprobabilities，andfindsdifficultyinseparatingreportfromtruth。IfJohnsonthenlamentedthatsolittlehadeverbeensaidaboutButler，Imightwithmorereasonbeledtocomplainthatsomuchhasbeensaidabouthimself;fornumberlessinformersbutdistractorcloudinformation，asglasseswhichmultiplywillforthemostpartbefoundalsotoobscure。Ofalife，too，whichforthelasttwentyyearswaspassedintheveryfrontofliterature，everyleaderofaliterarycompany，whetherofficerorsubaltern，naturallybecomeseitherauthororcritic，sothatlittlelessthantherecollectionthatitwasONCEtherequestofthedeceased，andTWICEthedesireofthosewhosewillIeverdelightedtocomplywith，shouldhaveengagedmetoaddmylittlebooktothenumberofthosealreadywrittenonthesubject。Iusedtourgeanotherreasonforforbearance，andsay，thatallthereaderswould，onthissingularoccasion，bethewritersofhislife：likethefirstrepresentationoftheMasqueofComus，which，bychangingtheircharactersfromspectatorstoperformers，wasACTEDbythelordsandladiesitwasWRITTENtoentertain。Thisobjectionis，however，nowatanend，asIhavefoundfriends，farremoteindeedfromliteraryquestions，whomayyetbedivertedfrommelancholybymydescriptionofJohnson’smanners，warmedtovirtueevenbythedistantreflectionofhisglowingexcellence，andencouragedbytherelationofhisanimatedzealtopersistintheprofessionaswellaspracticeofChristianity。
SamuelJohnsonwasthesonofMichaelJohnson，abookselleratLichfield，inStaffordshire;averypiousandworthyman，butwrong—headed，positive，andafflictedwithmelancholy，ashisson，fromwhomaloneIhadtheinformation，oncetoldme：hisbusiness，however，leadinghimtobemuchonhorseback，contributedtothepreservationofhisbodilyhealthandmentalsanity，which，whenhestayedlongathome，wouldsometimesbeabouttogiveway;andMr。Johnsonsaid，thatwhenhisworkshop，adetachedbuilding，hadfallenhalfdownforwantofmoneytorepairit，hisfatherwasnotlessdiligenttolockthedooreverynight，thoughhesawthatanybodymightwalkinatthebackpart，andknewthattherewasnosecurityobtainedbybarringthefrontdoor。"THIS，"sayshisson，"wasmadness，youmaysee，andwouldhavebeendiscoverableinotherinstancesoftheprevalenceofimagination，butthatpovertypreventeditfromplayingsuchtricksasrichesandleisureencourage。"Michaelwasamanofstilllargersizeandgreaterstrengththanhisson，whowasreckonedverylikehim，butdidnotdelightintalkingmuchofhisfamily："Onehas，"sayshe，"SO
littlepleasureinrecitingtheanecdotesofbeggary。"Oneday，however，hearingmepraiseafavouritefriendwithpartialtendernessaswellastrueesteem："Whydoyoulikethatman’sacquaintanceso？"saidhe。
"Because，"repliedI，"heisopenandconfiding，andtellsmestoriesofhisunclesandcousins;Ilovethelightpartsofasolidcharacter。"
"Nay，ifyouareforfamilyhistory，"saysMr。Johnson，good—humouredly，"_I_canfityou：Ihadanuncle，CorneliusFord，who，uponajourney，stoppedandreadaninscriptionwrittenonastonehesawstandingbythewayside，setup，asitproved，inhonourofamanwhohadleapedacertainleapthereabouts，theextentofwhichwasspecifieduponthestone：’Whynow，’saysmyuncle，’Icouldleapitinmyboots;’andhedidleapitinhisboots。Ihadlikewiseanotheruncle，Andrew，"continuedhe，"myfather’sbrother，whokepttheringinSmithfield（wheretheywrestledandboxed）forawholeyear，andneverwasthrownorconquered。Herenowareunclesforyou，Mistress，ifthat’sthewaytoyourheart。"Mr。Johnsonwasveryconversantintheartofattackanddefencebyboxing，whichsciencehehadlearnedfromthisuncleAndrew，Ibelieve;andIhaveheardhimdescantupontheagewhenpeoplewerereceived，andwhenrejected，intheschoolsonceheldforthatbrutalamusement，muchtotheadmirationofthosewhohadnoexpectationofhisskillinsuchmatters，fromthesightofafigurewhichprecludedallpossibilityofpersonalprowess;though，becausehesawMr。Thraleonedayleapoveracabrioletstool，toshowthathewasnottiredafterachaseoffiftymilesormore，HEsuddenlyjumpedoverittoo，butinawaysostrangeandsounwieldy，thatourterrorlestheshouldbreakhisbonestookfromuseventhepoweroflaughing。
MichaelJohnsonwaspastfiftyyearsoldwhenhemarriedhiswife，whowasupwardsofforty，yetIthinkhersontoldmesheremainedthreeyearschildlessbeforehewasbornintotheworld，whosogreatlycontributedtoimproveit。Inthreeyearsmoreshebroughtanotherson，Nathaniel，wholivedtobetwenty—sevenortwenty—eightyearsold，andofwhosemanlyspiritIhaveheardhisbrotherspeakwithprideandpleasure，mentioningonecircumstance，particularenough，thatwhenthecompanywereonedaylamentingthebadnessoftheroads，heinquiredwheretheycouldbe，ashetravelledthecountrymorethanmostpeople，andhadneverseenabadroadinhislife。Thetwobrothersdidnot，however，muchdelightineachother’scompany，beingalwaysrivalsforthemother’sfondness;andmanyoftheseverereflectionsondomesticlifeinRasselastooktheirsourcefromitsauthor’skeenrecollectionsofthetimepassedinhisearlyyears。
Theirfather，Michael，diedofaninflammatoryfeverattheageofseventy—six，asMr。Johnsontoldme，theirmotherateighty—nine，ofagradualdecay。Shewasslightinherperson，hesaid，andratherbelowthanabovethecommonsize。Soexcellentwashercharacter，andsoblamelessherlife，thatwhenanoppressiveneighbouronceendeavouredtotakefromheralittlefieldshepossessed，hecouldpersuadenoattorneytoundertakethecauseagainstawomansobelovedinhernarrowcircle：
anditisthisincidenthealludestointhelineofhis"VanityofHumanWishes，"callingher"Thegeneralfavouriteasthegeneralfriend。"
Norcouldanyonepaymorewillinghomagetosuchacharacter，thoughshehadnotbeenrelatedtohim，thandidDr。Johnsononeveryoccasionthatoffered：hisdisquisitiononPope’sepitaphplacedoverMrs。Corbetisaproofofthatpreferencealwaysgivenbyhimtoanoiselesslifeoverabustlingone;buthowevertastebegins，wealmostalwaysseethatitendsinsimplicity;thegluttonfinishesbylosinghisrelishforanythinghighlysauced，andcallsforhisboiledchickenatthecloseofmanyyearsspentinthesearchofdainties;theconnoisseursaresoonwearyofRubens，andthecriticsofLucan;andtherefinementsofeverykindheapeduponcivillifealwayssickentheirpossessorsbeforethecloseofit。
AttheageoftwoyearsMr。JohnsonwasbroughtuptoLondonbyhismother，tobetouchedbyQueenAnneforthescrofulousevil，whichterriblyafflictedhischildhood，andleftsuchmarksasgreatlydisfiguredacountenancenaturallyharshandrugged，besidedoingirreparabledamagetotheauricularorgans，whichnevercouldperformtheirfunctionssinceI
knewhim;anditwasowingtothathorribledisorder，too，thatoneeyewasperfectlyuselesstohim;thatdefect，however，wasnotobservable，theeyeslookedbothalike。AsMr。Johnsonhadanastonishingmemory，IaskedhimifhecouldrememberQueenAnneatall？"Hehad，"hesaid，"aconfused，butsomehowasortofsolemn，recollectionofaladyindiamonds，andalongblackhood。"
Thechristeningofhisbrotherherememberedwithallitscircumstances，andsaidhismothertaughthimtospellandpronouncethewords’littleNatty，’syllablebysyllable，makinghimsayitoverintheeveningtoherhusbandandhisguests。Thetrickwhichmostparentsplaywiththeirchildren，thatofshowingofftheirnewly—acquiredaccomplishments，disgustedMr。Johnsonbeyondexpression。Hehadbeentreatedsohimself，hesaid，tillheabsolutelyloathedhisfather’scaresses，becauseheknewtheyweresuretoprecedesomeunpleasingdisplayofhisearlyabilities;
andheused，whenneighbourscameo’visiting，torunupatreethathemightnotbefoundandexhibited，such，asnodoubthewas，aprodigyofearlyunderstanding。Hisepitaphupontheduckhekilledbytreadingonitatfiveyearsold——
"HereliespoorduckThatSamuelJohnsontrodon;
Ifithadliv’dithadbeengoodluck，Foritwouldhavebeenanoddone"——
isastrikingexampleofearlyexpansionofmindandknowledgeoflanguage;
yethealwaysseemedmoremortifiedattherecollectionofthebustlehisparentsmadewithhiswitthanpleasedwiththethoughtsofpossessingit。
"That，"saidhetomeoneday，"isthegreatmiseryoflatemarriages;theunhappyproduceofthembecomestheplaythingofdotage。Anoldman’schild，"continuedhe，"leadsmuchsuchalife。Ithink，asalittleboy’sdog，teasedwithawkwardfondness，andforced，perhaps，tositupandbeg，aswecallit，todivertacompany，whoatlastgoawaycomplainingoftheirdisagreeableentertainment。"Inconsequenceofthesemaxims，andfullofindignationagainstsuchparentsasdelighttoproducetheiryoungonesearlyintothetalkingworld，IhaveknownMr。Johnsongiveagooddealofpainbyrefusingtoheartheversesthechildrencouldrecite，orthesongstheycouldsing，particularlyonefriendwhotoldhimthathistwosonsshouldrepeatGray’s"Elegy"tohimalternately，thathemightjudgewhohadthehappiestcadence。"No，pray，sir，"saidhe，"letthedearsbothspeakitatonce;morenoisewillbythatmeansbemade，andthenoisewillbesoonerover。"Hetoldmethestoryhimself，butIhaveforgotwhothefatherwas。
Mr。Johnson’smotherwasdaughtertoagentlemaninthecountry，suchasthereweremanyofinthosedays，whopossessing，perhaps，oneortwohundredpoundsayearinland，livedontheprofits，andsoughtnottoincreasetheirincome。Shewas，therefore，inclinedtothinkhigherofherselfthanofherhusband，whoseconductinmoneymattersbeingbutindifferent，shehadatrickofteasinghimaboutit，andwas，byherson’saccount，veryimportunatewithregardtoherfearsofspendingmorethantheycouldafford，thoughsheneverarrivedatknowinghowmuchthatwas，afaultcommon，ashesaid，tomostwomenwhopridethemselvesontheireconomy。Theydidnot，however，asIcouldunderstand，liveilltogetheronthewhole。"Myfather，"sayshe，"couldalwaystakehishorseandrideawayfororderswhenthingswentbadly。"Thelady’smaidennamewasFord;
andtheparsonwhositsnexttothepunch—bowlinHogarth’s"ModernMidnightConversation"washerbrother’sson。ThisFordwasamanwhochosetobeeminentonlyforvice，withtalentsthatmighthavemadehimconspicuousinliterature，andrespectableinanyprofessionhecouldhavechosen。HiscousinhasmentionedhiminthelivesofFentonandofBroome;
andwhenhespokeofhimtomeitwasalwayswithtenderness，praisinghisacquaintancewithlifeandmanners，andrecollectingonepieceofadvicethatnomansurelyeverfollowedmoreexactly："Obtain，"saysFord，"somegeneralprinciplesofeveryscience;hewhocantalkonlyononesubject，oractonlyinonedepartment，isseldomwanted，andperhapsneverwishedfor，whilethemanofgeneralknowledgecanoftenbenefit，andalwaysplease。"Heusedtorelate，however，anotherstorylesstothecreditofhiscousin’spenetration，howFordonsomeoccasionsaidtohim，"Youwillmakeyourwaythemoreeasilyintheworld，Isee，asyouarecontentedtodisputenoman’sclaimtoconversationexcellence;theywill，therefore，morewillinglyallowyourpretensionsasawriter。"Canone，onsuchanoccasion，forbearrecollectingthepredictionsofBoileau’sfather，whenstrokingtheheadoftheyoungsatirist？——"Cepetitbonhomme，"sayshe，"n’apointtropd’esprit，MAISILnedirajamaismaldepersonne。"Sucharetheprognosticsformedbymenofwitandsense，asthesetwocertainlywere，concerningthefuturecharacterandconductofthoseforwhosewelfaretheywerehonestlyanddeeplyconcerned;andsolatedothosefeaturesofpeculiaritycometotheirgrowth，whichmarkacharactertoallsucceedinggenerations。
Dr。JohnsonfirstlearnedtoreadofhismotherandheroldmaidCatharine，inwhoselaphewellrememberedsittingwhilesheexplainedtohimthestoryofSt。GeorgeandtheDragon。Iknownotwhetherthisistheproperplacetoaddthatsuchwashistenderness，andsuchhisgratitude，thathetookajourneytoLichfieldfifty—sevenyearsafterwardstosupportandcomfortherinherlastillness;hehadinquiredforhisnurse，andshewasdead。Therecollectionofsuchreadingashaddelightedhiminhisinfancymadehimalwayspersistinfancyingthatitwastheonlyreadingwhichcouldpleaseaninfant;andheusedtocondemnmeforputtingNewbery’sbooksintotheirhandsastootriflingtoengagetheirattention。"Babiesdonotwant，"saidhe，"tohearaboutbabies;theyliketobetoldofgiantsandcastles，andofsomewhatwhichcanstretchandstimulatetheirlittleminds。"WheninanswerIwouldurgethenumerouseditionsandquicksaleof"TommyPrudent"or"GoodyTwo—Shoes。""Rememberalways，"saidhe，"thattheparentsBUYthebooks，andthatthechildrenneverreadthem。"
Mrs。Barbauld，however，hadhisbestpraise，anddeservedit;nomanwasmorestruckthanMr。Johnsonwithvoluntarydescentfrompossiblesplendourtopainfulduty。
Ateightyearsoldhewenttoschool，forhishealthwouldnotpermithimtobesentsooner;andattheageoftenyearshismindwasdisturbedbyscruplesofinfidelity，whichpreyeduponhisspiritsandmadehimveryuneasy，themoresoasherevealedhisuneasinesstonoone，beingnaturally，ashesaid，"ofasullentemperandreserveddisposition。"Hesearched，however，diligentlybutfruitlessly，forevidencesofthetruthofrevelation;andatlength，recollectingabookhehadonceseeninhisfather’sshop，entitled"DeVeritateReligionis，"etc。，hebegantothinkhimselfhighlyculpableforneglectingsuchameansofinformation，andtookhimselfseverelytotaskforthissin，addingmanyactsofvoluntary，andtoothersunknown，penance。Thefirstopportunitywhichoffered，ofcourse，heseizedthebookwithavidity，butonexamination，notfindinghimselfscholarenoughtoperuseitscontents，sethisheartatrest;and，notthinkingtoinquirewhethertherewereanyEnglishbookswrittenonthesubject，followedhisusualamusements，andconsideredhisconscienceaslightenedofacrime。Heredoubledhisdiligencetolearnthelanguagethatcontainedtheinformationhemostwishedfor，butfromthepainwhichguilthadgivenhimhenowbegantodeducethesoul’simmortality，whichwasthepointthatbelieffirststoppedat;andfromthatmoment，resolvingtobeaChristian，becameoneofthemostzealousandpiousonesournationeverproduced。Whenhehadtoldmethisoddanecdoteofhischildhood，"I
cannotimagine，"saidhe，"whatmakesmetalkofmyselftoyouso，forI
reallynevermentionedthisfoolishstorytoanybodyexceptDr。Taylor，noteventomyDEAR，DEARBathurst，whomIlovedbetterthaneverIlovedanyhumancreature;butpoorBathurstisdead！"Herealongpauseandafewtearsensued。"Why，sir，"saidI，"howlikeisallthistoJeanJacquesRousseau——aslike，Imean，asthesensationsoffrostandfire，whenmychildcomplainedyesterdaythattheiceshewaseatingBURNEDhermouth。"
Mr。Johnsonlaughedattheincongruousideas，butthefirstthingwhichpresenteditselftothemindofaningeniousandlearnedfriendwhomIhadthepleasuretopasssometimewithhereatFlorencewasthesameresemblance，thoughIthinkthetwocharactershadlittleincommon，furtherthananearlyattentiontothingsbeyondthecapacityofotherbabies，akeensensibilityofrightandwrong，andawarmthofimaginationlittleconsistentwithsoundandperfecthealth。Ihaveheardhimrelateanotheroddthingofhimselftoo，butitisonewhicheverybodyhasheardaswellasme：how，whenhewasaboutnineyearsold，havinggottheplayofHamletinhishand，andreadingitquietlyinhisfather’skitchen，hekeptonsteadilyenoughtill，comingtotheGhostscene，hesuddenlyhurriedupstairstothestreetdoorthathemightseepeopleabouthim。
Suchanincident，ashewasnotunwillingtorelateit，isprobablyineveryone’spossessionnow;hetolditasatestimonytothemeritsofShakespeare。Butoneday，whenmysonwasgoingtoschool，anddearDr。
Johnsonfollowedasfarasthegardengate，prayingforhissalvationinavoicewhichthosewholistenedattentivelycouldhearplainenough，hesaidtomesuddenly，"Makeyourboytellyouhisdreams：thefirstcorruptionthatenteredintomyheartwascommunicatedinadream。""Whatwasit，sir？"saidI。"Donotaskme，"repliedhe，withmuchviolence，andwalkedawayinapparentagitation。Ineverdurstmakeanyfurtherinquiries。HeretainedastrongaversionforthememoryofHunter，oneofhisschoolmasters，who，hesaid，oncewasabrutalfellow，"sobrutal，"addedhe，"thatnomanwhohadbeeneducatedbyhimeversenthissontothesameschool。"Ihave，however，heardhimacknowledgehisscholarshiptobeverygreat。Hisnextmasterhedespised，asknowinglessthanhimself，Ifound，butthenameofthatgentlemanhasslippedmymemory。Mr。Johnsonwashimselfexceedinglydisposedtothegeneralindulgenceofchildren，andwasevenscrupulouslyandceremoniouslyattentivenottooffendthem;hehadstronglypersuadedhimselfofthedifficultypeoplealwaysfindtoeraseearlyimpressionseitherofkindnessorresentment，andsaid"heshouldneverhavesolovedhismotherwhenamanhadshenotgivenhimcoffeeshecouldillafford，togratifyhisappetitewhenaboy。""Ifyouhadhadchildren，sir，"saidI，"wouldyouhavetaughtthemanything？""Ihope，"
repliedhe，"thatIshouldhavewillinglylivedonbreadandwatertoobtaininstructionforthem;butIwouldnothavesettheirfuturefriendshiptohazardforthesakeofthrustingintotheirheadsknowledgeofthingsforwhichtheymightnotperhapshaveeithertasteornecessity。
Youteachyourdaughtersthediametersoftheplanets，andwonderwhenyouhavedonethattheydonotdelightinyourcompany。Nosciencecanbecommunicatedbymortalcreatureswithoutattentionfromthescholar;noattentioncanbeobtainedfromchildrenwithouttheinflictionofpain，andpainisneverrememberedwithoutresentment。"Thatsomethingshouldbelearnedwas，however，socertainlyhisopinionthatIhaveheardhimsayhoweducationhadbeenoftencomparedtoagriculture，yetthatitresembleditchieflyinthis："Thatifnothingissown，nocrop，"sayshe，"canbeobtained。"Hiscontemptoftheladywhofanciedhersoncouldbeeminentwithoutstudy，becauseShakespearewasfoundwantinginscholasticlearning，wasexpressedintermssogrossandsowellknown，Iwillnotrepeatthemhere。
Torecollect，however，andtorepeatthesayingsofDr。Johnson，isalmostallthatcanbedonebythewritersofhislife，ashislife，atleastsincemyacquaintancewithhim，consistedinlittleelsethantalking，whenhewasnotabsolutelyemployedinsomeseriouspieceofwork;andwhateverworkhedidseemedsomuchbelowhispowersofperformancethatheappearedtheidlestofallhumanbeings，evermusingtillhewascalledouttoconverse，andconversingtillthefatigueofhisfriends，orthepromptitudeofhisowntempertotakeoffence，consignedhimbackagaintosilentmeditation。
TheremembranceofwhathadpassedinhisownchildhoodmadeMr。Johnsonverysolicitoustopreservethefelicityofchildren：andwhenhehadpersuadedDr。Sumnertoremitthetasksusuallygiventofillupboys’
timeduringtheholidays，herejoicedexceedinglyinthesuccessofhisnegotiation，andtoldmethathehadneverceasedrepresentingtoalltheeminentschoolmastersinEnglandtheabsurdtyrannyofpoisoningthehourofpermittedpleasurebykeepingfuturemiserybeforethechildren’seyes，andtemptingthembybriberyorfalsehoodtoevadeit。"BobSumner，"saidhe，"however，Ihaveatlengthprevailedupon。Iknownot，indeed，whetherhistendernesswaspersuaded，orhisreasonconvinced，buttheeffectwillalwaysbethesame。PoorDr。Sumnerdied，however，beforethenextvacation。"
Mr。Johnsonwasofopinion，too，thatyoungpeopleshouldhavePOSITIVE，notGENERAL，rulesgivenfortheirdirection。"Mymother，"saidhe，"wasalwaystellingmethatIdidnotBEHAVEmyselfproperly，thatIshouldendeavourtolearnBEHAVIOUR，andsuchcant;butwhenIrepliedthatsheoughttotellmewhattodo，andwhattoavoid，heradmonitionswerecommonly，forthattimeatleast，atanend。"
ThisIfearwas，however，atbestamomentaryrefugefoundoutbyperverseness。NomanknewbetterthanJohnsoninhowmanynamelessandnumberlessactionsBEHAVIOURconsists——actionswhichcanscarcelybereducedtorule，andwhichcomeundernodescription。Oftheseheretainedsomanyverystrangeones，thatIsupposenoonewhosawhisoddmannerofgesticulatingmuchblamedorwonderedatthegoodlady’ssolicitudeconcerningherson’sBEHAVIOUR。
Thoughhewasattentivetothepeaceofchildreningeneral，nomanhadastrongercontemptthanheforsuchparentsasopenlyprofessthattheycannotgoverntheirchildren。"How，"sayshe，"isanarmygoverned？Suchpeople，forthemostpart，multiplyprohibitionstillobediencebecomesimpossible，andauthorityappearsabsurd，andneversuspectthattheyteasetheirfamily，theirfriends，andthemselves，onlybecauseconversationrunslow，andsomethingmustbesaid。"
Ofparentalauthority，indeed，fewpeoplethoughtwithalowerdegreeofestimation。IonedaymentionedtheresignationofCyrustohisfather’swill，asrelatedbyXenophon，when，afterallhisconquests，herequestedtheconsentofCambysestohismarriagewithaneighbouringprincess，andI
addedRollin’sapplauseandrecommendationoftheexample。"Doyounotperceive，then，"saysJohnson，"thatXenophononthisoccasioncommendslikeapedant，andPereRollinapplaudslikeaslave？IfCyrusbyhisconquestshadnotpurchasedemancipation，hehadconqueredtolittlepurposeindeed。Canyouforbeartoseethefollyofafellowwhohasinhiscarethelivesofthousands，whenhebegshispapapermissiontobemarried，andconfesseshisinabilitytodecideinamatterwhichconcernsnoman’shappinessbuthisown？"Mr。Johnsoncaughtmeanothertimereprimandingthedaughterofmyhousekeeperforhavingsatdownunpermittedinhermother’spresence。"Why，shegetsherliving，doesshenot，"saidhe，"withouthermother’shelp？Letthewenchalone，"continuedhe。Andwhenwewereagainoutofthewomen’ssightwhowereconcernedinthedispute："Poorpeople’schildren，dearlady，"saidhe，"neverrespectthem。Ididnotrespectmyownmother，thoughIlovedher。Andoneday，wheninangershecalledmeapuppy，Iaskedherifsheknewwhattheycalledapuppy’smother。"Weweretalkingofayoungfellowwhousedtocomeoftentothehouse;hewasaboutfifteenyearsold，orless，ifI
rememberright，andhadamanneratoncesullenandsheepish。"Thatlad，"
saysMr。Johnson，"lookslikethesonofaschoolmaster，which，"addedhe，"isoneoftheveryworstconditionsofchildhood。Suchaboyhasnofather，orworsethannone;henevercanreflectonhisparentbutthereflectionbringstohismindsomeideaofpaininflicted，orofsorrowsuffered。"
IwillrelateonethingmorethatDr。JohnsonsaidaboutbabyhoodbeforeI
quitthesubject;itwasthis："Thatlittlepeopleshouldbeencouragedalwaystotellwhatevertheyhearparticularlystrikingtosomebrother，sister，orservantimmediately，beforetheimpressioniserasedbytheinterventionofneweroccurrences。HeperfectlyrememberedthefirsttimeheeverheardofHeavenandHell，"hesaid，"becausewhenhismotherhadmadeoutsuchadescriptionofbothplacesasshethoughtlikelytoseizetheattentionofherinfantauditor，whowastheninbedwithher，shegotup，anddressinghimbeforetheusualtime，senthimdirectlytocallafavouriteworkmaninthehouse，towhomheknewhewouldcommunicatetheconversationwhileitwasyetimpresseduponhismind。Theeventwaswhatshewished，anditwastothatmethodchieflythatheowedhisuncommonfelicityofrememberingdistantoccurrencesandlongpastconversations。"
AttheageofeighteenDr。Johnsonquittedschool，andescapedfromthetuitionofthosehehatedorthosehedespised。Ihaveheardhimrelateveryfewcollegeadventures。HeusedtosaythatourbestaccountsofhisbehaviourtherewouldbegatheredfromDr。AdamsandDr。Taylor，andthathewassuretheywouldalwaystellthetruth。Hetoldme，however，onedayhow，whenhewasfirstenteredattheUniversity，hepassedamorning，incompliancewiththecustomsoftheplace，athistutor’schambers;but，findinghimnoscholar，wentnomore。Inabouttendaysafter，meetingthesamegentleman，Mr。Jordan，inthestreet，heofferedtopassbywithoutsalutinghim;butthetutorstopped，andinquired，notroughlyneither，whathehadbeendoing？"Slidingontheice，"wasthereply，andsoturnedawaywithdisdain。Helaughedveryheartilyattherecollectionofhisowninsolence，andsaidtheyendureditfromhimwithwonderfulacquiescence，andagentlenessthat，wheneverhethoughtofit，astonishedhimself。Hetoldme，too，thatwhenhemadehisfirstdeclamation，hewroteoverbutonecopy，andthatcoarsely;andhavinggivenitintothehandofthetutor，whostoodtoreceiveitashepassed，wasobligedtobeginbychanceandcontinueonhowhecould，forhehadgotbutlittleofitbyheart;sofairlytrustingtohispresentpowersforimmediatesupply，hefinishedbyaddingastonishmenttotheapplauseofallwhoknewhowlittlewasowingtostudy。Aprodigiousrisk，however，saidsomeone。"Notatall！"exclaimsJohnson。"Noman，Isuppose，leapsatonceintodeepwaterwhodoesnotknowhowtoswim。"
Idoubtnotbutthisstorywillbetoldbymanyofhisbiographers，andsaidsotohimwhenhetolditmeonthe18thofJuly，1773。"Andwhowillbemybiographer，"saidhe，"doyouthink？""Goldsmith，nodoubt，"repliedI，"andhewilldoitthebestamongus。""Thedogwouldwriteitbest，tobesure，"repliedhe;"buthisparticularmalicetowardsme，andgeneraldisregardfortruth，wouldmakethebookuselesstoall，andinjurioustomycharacter。""Oh！astothat，"saidI，"weshouldallfastenuponhim，andforcehimtodoyoujustice;buttheworstis，theDoctordoesnotKNOW
yourlife;norcanItellindeedwhodoes，exceptDr。TaylorofAshbourne。"
"Why，Taylor，"saidhe，"isbetteracquaintedwithmyHEARTthananymanorwomannowalive;andthehistoryofmyOxfordexploitsliesallbetweenhimandAdams;butDr。Jamesknowsmyveryearlydaysbetterthanhe。AftermycomingtoLondontodrivetheworldaboutalittle，youmustallgotoJackHawkesworthforanecdotes。Ilivedingreatfamiliaritywithhim（thoughI
thinktherewasnotmuchaffection）fromtheyear1753tillthetimeMr。
Thraleandyoutookmeup。Iintend，however，todisappointtherogues，andeithermakeyouwritethelife，withTaylor’sintelligence，or，whichisbetter，doitmyself，afteroutlivingyouall。Iamnow，"addedhe，"keepingadiary，inhopesofusingitforthatpurposesometime。"Heretheconversationstopped，frommyaccidentallylookinginanoldmagazineoftheyear1768，whereIsawthefollowinglineswithhisnametothem，andaskediftheywerehis：——
VersessaidtobewrittenbyDr。SamuelJohnson，attherequestofagentlemantowhomaladyhadgivenasprigofmyrtle。
"Whathopes，whatterrors，doesthygiftcreate，Ambiguousemblemofuncertainfate;
Themyrtle，ensignofsupremecommand，ConsignedbyVenustoMelissa’shand：
Notlesscapriciousthanareigningfair，Nowgrants，andnowrejectsalover’sprayer。
Inmyrtleshadesoftsingsthehappyswain，Inmyrtleshadesdespairingghostscomplain：
Themyrtlecrownsthehappylovers’heads，Theunhappylover’sgravethemyrtlespreads：
Oh，then，themeaningofthygiftimpart，Andeasethethrobbingsofananxiousheart！
Soonmustthisbough，asyoushallfixhisdoom，AdornPhilander’shead，orgracehistomb。"
"Why，now，dobutseehowtheworldisgapingforawonder！"criesMr。
Johnson。"Ithinkitisnowjustfortyyearsagothatayoungfellowhadasprigofmyrtlegivenhimbyagirlhecourted，andaskedmetowritehimsomeversesthathemightpresentherinreturn。Ipromised，butforgot;
andwhenhecalledforhislinesatthetimeagreedon——’Sitstillamoment，’saysI，’dearMund，andI’llfetchthemthee，’sosteppedasideforfiveminutes，andwrotethenonsenseyounowkeepsuchastirabout。"
Uponrevisingtheseanecdotes，itisimpossiblenottobestruckwithshameandregretthatonetreasurednomoreofthemup;butnoexperienceissufficienttocuretheviceofnegligence。Whateveroneseesconstantly，ormightseeconstantly，becomesuninteresting;andwesuffereverytrivialoccupation，everyslightamusement，tohinderusfromwritingdownwhat，indeed，wecannotchoosebutremember，butwhatweshouldwishtorecollectwithpleasure，unpoisonedbyremorsefornotrememberingmore。WhileI
writethis，Ineglectimpressingmymindwiththewondersofartandbeautiesofnaturethatnowsurroundme;andshalloneday，perhaps，thinkonthehoursImighthaveprofitablypassedintheFlorentineGallery，andreflectingonRaphael’sSt。Johnatthattime，asuponJohnson’sconversationinthismoment，mayjustlyexclaimofthemonthsspentbymemostdelightfullyinItaly——
"ThatIprizedeveryhourthatpassedby，Beyondallthathadpleasedmebefore;
Butnowtheyarepast，andIsighAndIgrievethatIprizedthemnomore。"
SHENSTONE。
Dr。JohnsondelightedinhisownpartialityforOxford;andoneday，atmyhouse，entertainedfivemembersoftheotherUniversitywithvariousinstancesofthesuperiorityofOxford，enumeratingthegiganticnamesofmanymenwhomithadproduced，withapparenttriumph。AtlastIsaidtohim，"Why，therehappenstobenolessthanfiveCambridgemenintheroomnow。""Ididnot，"saidhe，"thinkofthattillyoutoldme;butthewolfdon’tcountthesheep。"Whenthecompanywereretired，wehappenedtobetalkingofDr。Barnard，theProvostofEton，whodiedaboutthattime;andafteralongandjusteulogiumonhiswit，hislearning，andhisgoodnessofheart，"Hewastheonlyman，too，"saysMr。Johnson，quiteseriously，"thatdidjusticetomygoodbreeding;andyoumayobservethatIamwell—bredtoadegreeofneedlessscrupulosity。Noman，"continuedhe，notobservingtheamazementofhishearers，"nomanissocautiousnottointerruptanother;nomanthinksitsonecessarytoappearattentivewhenothersarespeaking;nomansosteadilyrefusespreferencetohimself，orsowillinglybestowsitonanother，asIdo;nobodyholdssostronglyasI
dothenecessityofceremony，andtheilleffectswhichfollowthebreachofit，yetpeoplethinkmerude;butBarnarddidmejustice。""’Tispity，"
saidI，laughing，"thathehadnotheardyoucomplimenttheCambridgemenafterdinnerto—day。""Why，"repliedhe，"IwasinclinedtoDOWNthemsureenough;butthenafellowDESERVEStobeofOxfordthattalksso。"Ihaveheardhimatothertimesrelatehowheusedsositinsomecoffee—housethere，andturnM————’s"C—r—ct—c—s"intoridiculeforthediversionofhimselfandofchancecomers—in。"The’Elf—da，’"sayshe，"wastooexquisitelypretty;Icouldmakenofunoutofthat。"Whenuponsomeoccasionshewouldexpresshisastonishmentthatheshouldhaveanenemyintheworld，whilehehadbeendoingnothingbutgoodtohisneighbours，I
usedtomakehimrecollectthesecircumstances。"Why，child，"saidhe，"whatharmcouldthatdothefellow？IalwaysthoughtverywellofM————nforaCAMBRIDGEman;heis，Ibelieve，amightyblamelesscharacter。"Suchtrickswere，however，themoreunpardonableinMr。Johnson，becausenoonecouldharanguelikehimaboutthedifficultyalwaysfoundinforgivingpettyinjuries，orinprovokingbyneedlessoffence。Mr。Jordan，histutor，hadmuchofhisaffection，thoughhedespisedhiswantofscholasticlearning。"Thatcreaturewould，"saidhe，"defendhispupilstothelast：
noyoungladunderhiscareshouldsufferforcommittingslightimproprieties，whilehehadbreathtodefend，orpowertoprotectthem。IfIhadhadsonstosendtoCollege，"addedhe，"Jordanshouldhavebeentheirtutor。"
SirWilliamBrowne，thephysician，wholivedtoaveryextraordinaryage，andwasinotherrespectsanoddmortal，withmoregeniusthanunderstanding，andmoreselfsufficiencythanwit，wastheonlypersonwhoventuredtoopposeMr。Johnsonwhenhehadamindtoshinebyexaltinghisfavouriteuniversity，andtoexpresshiscontemptoftheWhiggishnotionswhichprevailatCambridge。HEdiditonce，however，withsurprisingfelicity。HisantagonisthavingrepeatedwithanairoftriumphthefamousepigramwrittenbyDr。Trapp——
"Ourroyalmastersaw，withheedfuleyes，Thewantsofhistwouniversities：
TroopshetoOxfordsent，asknowingwhyThatlearnedbodywantedloyalty：
ButbookstoCambridgegave，aswelldiscerningThatthatrightloyalbodywantedlearning。"
Which，saysSirWilliam，mightwellbeansweredthus：——
"TheKingtoOxfordsenthistroopofhorse，ForToriesownnoargumentbutforce;
WithequalcaretoCambridgebookshesent，ForWhigsallownoforcebutargument。"
Mr。Johnsondidhimthejusticetosayitwasoneofthehappiestextemporaneousproductionsheevermetwith，thoughheoncecomicallyconfessedthathehatedtorepeatthewitofaWhigurgedinsupportofWhiggism。SaysGarricktohimoneday，"WhydidnotyoumakemeaTory，whenwelivedsomuchtogether？YoulovetomakepeopleTories。""Why，"
saysJohnson，pullingaheapofhalfpencefromhispocket，"didnotthekingmaketheseguineas？"
OfMr。Johnson’sToryismtheworldhaslongbeenwitness，andthepoliticalpamphletswrittenbyhimindefenceofhispartyarevigorousandelegant。
HeoftendelightedhisimaginationwiththethoughtsofhavingdestroyedJunius，ananonymouswriterwhoflourishedintheyears1769and177O，andwhokepthimselfsoingeniouslyconcealedfromeveryendeavourtodetecthimthatnoprobableguesswas，Ibelieve，everformedconcerningtheauthor’sname，thoughatthattimethesubjectofgeneralconversation。
Mr。Johnsonmadeusalllaughoneday，becauseIhadreceivedaremarkablyfineStiltoncheeseasapresentfromsomepersonwhohadpackedanddirecteditcarefully，butwithoutmentioningwhenceitcame。Mr。Thrale，desiroustoknowwhowewereobligedto，askedeveryfriendastheycamein，butnobodyownedit。"Dependuponit，sir，"saysJohnson，"itwassentbyJUNIUS。"
The"FalseAlarm，"hisfirstandfavouritepamphlet，waswrittenatourhousebetweeneighto’clockonWednesdaynightandtwelveo’clockonThursdaynight。WereadittoMr。ThralewhenhecameverylatehomefromtheHouseofCommons;theotherpoliticaltractsfollowedintheirorder。
IhaveforgottenwhichcontainsthestrokeatJunius，butshallforeverrememberthepleasureitgavehimtohavewrittenit。Itwas，however，intheyear1775thatMr。EdmundBurkemadethefamousspeechinParliamentthatstruckevenfoeswithadmiration，andfriendswithdelight。Amongthenamelessthousandswhoarecontentedtoechothosepraisestheyhavenotskilltoinvent，_I_ventured，beforeDr。Johnsonhimself，toapplaudwithrapturethebeautifulpassageinitconcerningLordBathurstandtheAngel，which，saidourDoctor，hadIbeeninthehouse，IwouldhaveansweredTHUS：——
"Suppose，Mr。Speaker，thattoWhartonortoMarlborough，ortoanyoftheeminentWhigsofthelastage，thedevilhad，notwithanygreatimpropriety，consentedtoappear，hewould，perhaps，insomewhatlikethesewords，havecommencedtheconversation：
"’Youseem，mylord，tobeconcernedatthejudiciousapprehensionthatwhileyouaresappingthefoundationsofroyaltyathome，andpropagatingherethedangerousdoctrineofresistance，thedistanceofAmericamaysecureitsinhabitantsfromyourarts，thoughactive。ButIwillunfoldtoyouthegayprospectsoffuturity。Thispeople，nowsoinnocentandharmless，shalldrawtheswordagainsttheirmothercountry，andbatheitspointinthebloodoftheirbenefactors;thispeople，nowcontentedwithalittle，shallthenrefusetosparewhattheythemselvesconfesstheycouldnotmiss;andthesemen，nowsohonestandsograteful，shall，inreturnforpeaceandforprotection，seetheirvileagentsintheHouseofParliament，theretosowtheseedsofsedition，andpropagateconfusion，perplexity，andpain。Benotdispirited，then，atthecontemplationoftheirpresenthappystate：Ipromiseyouthatanarchy，poverty，anddeathshall，bymycare，becarriedevenacrossthespaciousAtlantic，andsettleinAmericaitself，thesureconsequencesofourbelovedWhiggism。’"
ThisIthoughtathingsoveryparticularthatIbeggedhisleavetowriteitdowndirectly，beforeanythingcouldintervenethatmightmakemeforgettheforceoftheexpressions。AtrickwhichIhave，however，seenplayedoncommonoccasions，ofsittingsteadilydownattheotherendoftheroomtowriteatthemomentwhatshouldbesaidincompany，eitherBYDr。
JohnsonorTOhim，Ineverpractisedmyself，norapprovedofinanother。
Thereissomethingsoill—bred，andsoincliningtotreacheryinthisconduct，thatwereitcommonlyadoptedallconfidencewouldsoonbeexiledfromsociety，andaconversationassembly—roomwouldbecometremendousasacourtofjustice。Asetofacquaintancejoinedinfamiliarchatmaysayathousandthingswhich，asthephraseis，passwellenoughatthetime，thoughtheycannotstandthetestofcriticalexamination;andasalltalkbeyondthatwhichisnecessarytothepurposesofactualbusinessisakindofgame，therewillbeeverfoundwaysofplayingfairlyorunfairlyatit，whichdistinguishthegentlemanfromthejuggler。Dr。Johnson，aswellasmanyofmyacquaintance，knewthatIkeptacommon—placebook，andheonedaysaidtomegood—humouredlythathewouldgivemesomethingtowriteinmyrepository。"Iwarrant，"saidhe，"thereisagreatdealaboutmeinit。Youshallhaveatleastonethingworthyourpains，soifyouwillgetthepenandinkIwillrepeattoyouAnacreon’s’Dove’directly;buttellatthesametimethatasIneverwasstruckwithanythingintheGreeklanguagetillIreadTHAT，soIneverreadanythinginthesamelanguagesincethatpleasedmeasmuch。Ihopemytranslation，"continuedhe，"isnotworsethanthatofFrankFawkes。"Seeingmedisposedtolaugh，"Nay，nay，"saidhe，"FrankFawkeshasdonethemveryfinely。"
"Lovelycourierofthesky，Whenceandwhitherdostthoufly？
Scatt’ring，asthypinionsplay，Liquidfragrancealltheway。
Isitbusiness？isitlove？
Tellme，tellme，gentleDove。
’SoftAnacreon’svowsIbear，VowstoMyrtalethefair;
Gracedwithallthatcharmstheheart，Blushingnature，smilingart。
Venus，courtedbyanode，OnthebardherDovebestowed。
Vestedwithamaster’srightNowAnacreonrulesmyflight;
Histhelettersthatyousee，Weightychargeconsignedtome;
Thinknotyetmyservicehard，Joylesstaskwithoutreward;
Smilingatmymaster’sgates，Freedommyreturnawaits。
ButtheliberalgrantinvainTemptsmetobewildagain。
CanaprudentDovedeclineBlissfulbondagesuchasmine？
Overhillsandfieldstoroam，Fortune’sguestwithoutahome;
Underleavestohideone’shead，Slightlysheltered，coarselyfed;
NowmybetterlotbestowsSweetrepast，andsoftrepose;
NowthegenerousbowlIsipAsitleavesAnacreon’slip;
Voidofcare，andfreefromdread，Fromhisfingerssnatchhisbread，Thenwithlusciousplentygay，Roundhischamberdanceandplay;
Orfromwine，ascouragesprings，O’erhisfaceextendmywings;
Andwhenfeastandfrolictire，Dropasleepuponhislyre。
Thisisall，bequickandgo，Morethanallthoucanstnotknow;
Letmenowmypinionsply，Ihavechatteredlikeapie。’"
WhenIhadfinished，"Butyoumustremembertoadd，"saysMr。Johnson，"thatthoughtheseverseswereplanned，andevenbegun，whenIwassixteenyearsold，InevercouldfindtimetomakeanendofthembeforeIwassixty—eight。"
Thisfacilityofwriting，andthisdilatorinessevertowrite，Mr。Johnsonalwaysretained，fromthedaysthathelayabedanddictatedhisfirstpublicationtoMr。Hector，whoactedashisamanuensis，tothemomenthemademecopyoutthosevariationsinPope’s"Homer"whichareprintedinthe"Poets’Lives。""Andnow，"saidhe，whenIhadfinisheditforhim，"I
fearnotMr。Nicholsonofapin。"Thefine’Rambler，’onthesubjectofProcrastination，washastilycomposed，asIhaveheard，inSirJoshuaReynolds’sparlour，whiletheboywaitedtocarryittopress;andnumberlessaretheinstancesofhiswritingunderimmediatepressureofimportunityordistress。HetoldmethatthecharacterofSoberinthe’Idler’wasbyhimselfintendedashisownportrait，andthathehadhisownoutsetintolifeinhiseyewhenhewrotetheEasternstoryof"Gelaleddin。"Oftheallegoricalpapersinthe’Rambler，’LabourandRestwashisfavourite;butScrotinus，themanwhoreturnslateinlifetoreceivehonoursinhisnativecountry，andmeetswithmortificationinsteadofrespect，wasbyhimconsideredasamasterpieceinthescienceoflifeandmanners。ThecharacterofProsperointhefourthvolumeGarricktooktobehis;andIhaveheardtheauthorsaythatheneverforgavetheoffence。Sophronwaslikewiseapicturedrawnfromreality，andbyGelidus，thephilosopher，hemeanttorepresentMr。Coulson，amathematician，whoformerlylivedatRochester。Themanimmortalisedforpurringlikeacatwas，ashetoldme，oneBusby，aproctorintheCommons。
Hewhobarkedsoingeniously，andthencalledthedrawertodriveawaythedog，wasfathertoDr。Salter，oftheCharterhouse。Hewhosangasong，andbycorrespondentmotionsofhisarmchalkedoutagiantonthewall，wasoneRichardson，anattorney。Thelettersigned"Sunday"waswrittenbyMissTalbot;andhefanciedthebilletsinthefirstvolumeofthe’Rambler’weresenthimbyMissMulso，nowMrs。Chapone。ThepaperscontributedbyMrs。Carterhadmuchofhisesteem，thoughhealwaysblamedmeforpreferringthelettersigned"Chariessa"totheallegory，wherereligionandsuperstitionareindeedmostmasterlydelineated。
WhenDr。Johnsonreadhisownsatire，inwhichthelifeofascholarispainted，withthevariousobstructionsthrowninhiswaytofortuneandtofame，heburstintoapassionoftearsoneday。ThefamilyandMr。Scottonlywerepresent，who，inajocoseway，clappedhimontheback，andsaid，"What’sallthis，mydearsir？Why，youandIandHERCULES，youknow，werealltroubledwithMELANCHOLY。"Astherearemanygentlemenofthesamename，Ishouldsay，perhaps，thatitwasaMr。ScottwhomarriedMissRobinson，andthatIthinkIhaveheardMr。ThralecallhimGeorgeLowis，orGeorgeAugustus，Ihaveforgotwhich。Hewasaverylargeman，however，andmadeoutthetriumviratewithJohnsonandHerculescomicallyenough。
TheDoctorwassodelightedathisoddsallythathesuddenlyembracedhim，andthesubjectwasimmediatelychanged。IneversawMr。Scottbutthatonceinmylife。
Dr。Johnsonwasliberalenoughingrantingliteraryassistancetoothers，I
think;andinnumerablearetheprefaces，sermons，lectures，anddedicationswhichheusedtomakeforpeoplewhobeggedofhim。Mr。Murphyrelatedinhisandmyhearingoneday，andhedidnotdenyit，thatwhenMurphyjokedhimtheweekbeforeforhavingbeensodiligentoflatebetweenDodd’ssermonandKelly’sprologue，Dr。Johnsonreplied，"Why，sir，whentheycometomewithadeadstaymakerandadyingparson，whatcanamando？"HeSAID，however，that"hehatedtogiveawayliteraryperformances，oreventosellthemtoocheaply。Thenextgenerationshallnotaccuseme，"addedhe，"ofbeatingdownthepriceofliterature。Onehates，besides，evertogivethatwhichonehasbeenaccustomedtosell。Wouldnotyou，sir，"
turningtoMr。Thrale，"rathergiveawaymoneythanporter？"
Mr。Johnsonhadnever，byhisownaccount，beenaclosestudent，andusedtoadviseyoungpeoplenevertobewithoutabookintheirpocket，tobereadatbye—timeswhentheyhadnothingelsetodo。"Ithasbeenbythatmeans，"saidhetoaboyatourhouseoneday，"thatallmyknowledgehasbeengained，exceptwhatIhavepickedupbyrunningabouttheworldwithmywitsreadytoobserve，andmytonguereadytotalk。Amanisseldominahumourtounlockhisbookcase，sethisdeskinorder，andbetakehimselftoseriousstudy;butaretentivememorywilldosomething，andafellowshallhavestrangecreditgivenhim，ifhecanbutrecollectstrikingpassagesfromdifferentbooks，keeptheauthorsseparateinhishead，andbringhisstockofknowledgeartfullyintoplay。Howelse，"addedhe，"dothegamestersmanagewhentheyplayformoremoneythantheyareworth？"
HisDictionary，however，couldnot，onewouldthink，havebeenwrittenbyrunningupanddown;buthereallydidnotconsideritasagreatperformance;andusedtosay"thathemighthavedoneiteasilyintwoyearshadnothishealthreceivedseveralshocksduringthetime。"
WhenMr。Thrale，inconsequenceofthisdeclaration，teasedhimintheyear1768togiveaneweditionofit，because，saidhe，therearefourorfivegrossfaults："Alas！sir，"repliedJohnson，"therearefourorfivehundredfaultsinsteadoffourorfive;butyoudonotconsiderthatitwouldtakemeupthreewholemonths’labour，andwhenthetimewasexpiredtheworkwouldnotbedone。"Whenthebooksellerssethimaboutit，however，someyearsafter，hewentcheerfullytothebusiness，saidhewaswellpaid，andthattheydeservedtohaveitdonecarefully。Hisreplytothepersonwhocomplimentedhimonitscomingoutfirst，mentioningtheillsuccessoftheFrenchinasimilarattempt，iswellknown，and，Itrust，hasbeenoftenrecorded。"Why，whatwouldyouexpect，dearsir，"saidhe，"fromfellowsthateatfrogs？"Ihave，however，oftenthoughtDr。JohnsonmorefreethanprudentinprofessingsoloudlyhislittleskillintheGreeklanguage;forthoughheconsidereditasaproofofanarrowmindtobetoocarefulofliteraryreputation，yetnomancouldbemoreenragedthanheifanenemy，takingadvantageofthisconfession，twittedhimwithhisignorance;andIrememberwhentheKingofDenmarkwasinEnglandoneofhisnoblemenwasbroughtbyMr。ColmantoseeDr。Johnsonatourcountryhouse，andhavingheard，hesaid，thathewasnotfamousforGreekliterature，attackedhimontheweakside，politelyaddingthathechosethatconversationonpurposetofavourhimself。OurDoctor，however，displayedsocopious，socompendiousaknowledgeofauthors，books，andeverybranchoflearninginthatlanguage，thatthegentlemanappearedastonished。Whenhewasgonehome，saysJohnson，"Now，forallthistriumphImaythankThrale’sXenophonhere，asIthink，exceptingthatONE，IhavenotlookedinaGreekbookthesetenyears;butseewhathastemydearfriendswereallin，"continuedhe，"totellthispoorinnocentforeignerthatIknownothingofGreek！Oh，no，heknowsnothingofGreek！"withaloudburstoflaughing。
WhenDaviesprintedthe"FugitivePieces"withouthisknowledgeorconsent，"How，"saidI，"wouldPopehaveraved，hadhebeenservedso！""Weshouldnever，"repliedhe，"haveheardthelaston’t，tobesure;butthenPopewasanarrowman。Iwill，however，"addedhe，"stormandblusterMYSELFalittlethistime，"sowenttoLondoninallthewrathhecouldmusterup。