upon the question under consideration; "ginning every period with a pompous acand the first speakers in parliament "entire- cent, and reading it with a whine, or with a ly coinciding in the idea which has been kind of spasmodic struggle for utterance; ably stated by an honourable member;" or and this, not from any natural infirmity, "reprobating an idea as unconstitutional, but from a strange singularity, in reading and fraught with the most dangerous con- on, in one breath, as if he had made a resosequences to a great and free country." lution not to respire till he had closed the Johnson called this " modern cant." sentence."]

I perceived that he pronounced the word heard, as if spelt with a double e, heerd, instead of sounding it herd, as is most usually done 2. He said, his reason was, that if it were pronounced herd, there would be a single exception from the English pronunciation of the syllable ear, and he thought it better not to have that exception.

In the evening our gentleman-farmer, and two others, entertained themselves and the company with a great number of tunes on the fiddle. Johnson desired to have "Let Ambition fire thy Mind" played over again, and appeared to give a patient attention to it; though he owned to me that he was very insensible to the power of musick. I told him that it affected me to such a degree, as often to agitate my nerves painfully, pro

He praised Grainger's "Ode on Solitude," in Dodsley's collection, and repeat-ducing in my mind alternate sensations of ed, with great energy, the exordium:

Reyn.

Recoll.

"O Solitude, romantick maid,

Whether by nodding towers you tread;
Or haunt the desert's trackless gloom,
Or hover o'er the yawning tomb;
Or climb the Andes' clifted side,
Or by the Nile's coy source abide:
Or, starting from your half-year's sleep,
From Hecla view the thawing deep:
Or, at the purple dawn of day,
Tadnor's marble waste survey 3—”

pathetic dejection, so that I was ready to shed tears; and of daring resolution, so that I was inclined to rush into the thickest part of the battle. "Sir," said he, "I should never hear of it, if it made me such a fool."

Much of the effect of musick, I am satisfied, is owing to the association of ideas. That air, which instantly and irresistibly excites in the Swiss, when in a foreign land, the maladie du pais, has, I am told, no intrinsick power of sound. And I know from my own experience, that Scotch reels, observing, This, sir, is very no- though brisk, make me melancholy, beble.” [“I shall never forget," says cause I used to hear them in my early Miss Reynolds, to whom Johnson years, at a time when Mr. Pitt called for also repeated these verses, "the concor-soldiers, "from the mountains of the dance of the sound of his voice with the north," and numbers of brave Highlandgrandeur of those images; nor, indeed, the ers were going abroad, never to return. gothic dignity of his aspect, his look and Whereas the airs in "The Beggar's Opemanner, when repeating sublime passages. ra," many of which are very soft, never fail But what was very remarkable, though his to render me gay, because they are assocadence in reading poetry was so judicious-ciated with the warm sensations and high ly emphatical as to give additional force to the words uttered, yet in reading prose, particularly on common or familiar subjects, narrations, essays, letters, &c. nothing could be more injudicious than his manner, be

[I consider the pronunciation of this word, which Boswell justly makes an objection to, as provincial; but I think he must have misapprehended Dr. Johnson's "reason." There are many words, in which these three letters occur, that are pronounced similarly, e. g. earn, learn, &c.; nor would the single exception be an objection, as uniformity is not the jus et norma loquendi in English,—HALL.]

2 In the age of Queen Elizabeth this word was frequently written, as doubtless it was pronounced, hard.-MALONE.

spirits of London. This evening, while
some of the tunes of ordinary composition
were played with no great skill, my frame
was agitated, and I was conscious of a ge-
nerous attachment to Dr. Johnson, as my
preceptor and friend, mixed with an affec-
tionate regret that he was an old man, whom
I should probably lose in a short time. I
thought I could defend him at the point of
him were in full glow. I said to him, "My
my sword. My reverence and affection for
dear sir, we must meet every year,
don't quarrel with me." JOHNSON. "Nay,
sir, you are more likely to quarrel with me,
than I with you. My regard for you is
greater almost than I have words to ex-
press; but I do not choose to be always re-

if

you

3 [In Dodsley's collection, and in Miss Rey-peating it: write it down in the first leaf of nold's Recollections, the two last lines are thus your pocket-book, and never doubt of it given: again."

"Or Tadnor's marble wastes survey,

Or in yon roofless cloister stray."

I talked to him of misery being "the doom of man," in this life, as displayed in

But Bishop Percy, in his Reliques, vol. i. p. 264, his "Vanity of Human Wishes." Yet I corrects them as given in the text. ED.]

observed that things were done upon the

supposition of happiness; grand houses were haps, be necessary, in order to preserve built, fine gardens were made, splendid pla- both men and angels in a state of rectitude, ces of publick amusement were contrived, that they should have continually before and crowded with company. JOHNSON. them the punishment of those who have "Alas, sir, these are only struggles for hap- deviated from it; but we hope that by some piness. When I first entered Ranelagh, it other means a fall from rectitude may be gave an expansion and gay sensation to my prevented. Some of the texts of Scripture mind, such as I never experienced any upon this subject are, as you observe, inwhere else. But, as Xerxes wept when he deed strong; but they may admit of a mitiviewed his immense army, and considered gated interpretation." He talked to me that not one of that great multitude would upon this awful and delicate question in a be alive a hundred years afterwards, so it gentle tone, and as if afraid to be decisive. went to my heart to consider that there was not one in all that brilliant circle that was not afraid to go home and think; but that the thoughts of each individual there would be distressing when alone." This reflection was experimentally just. The feeling of languor, which succeeds the animation of gaiety, is itself a very severe pain; and when the mind is then vacant, a thousand disappointments and vexations rush in and excruciate. Will not many even of my fairest readers allow this to be true?

I suggested, that being in love, and flattered with hopes of success; or having some favourite scheme in view for the next day, might prevent that wretchedness of which we had been talking. JOHNSON. Why, sir, it may sometimes be so as you suppose; but my conclusion is in general but too

true."

While Johnson and I stood in calm conference by ourselves in Dr. Taylor's garden, at a pretty late hour in a serene autumn night, looking up to the heavens, I directed the discourse to the subject of a future state. My friend was in a placid aud most benignant frame of mind. "Sir," said he, "I do not imagine that all things will be made clear to us immediately after death, but that the ways of Providence will be explained to us very gradually." I ventured to ask him whether, although the words of some texts of Scripture seemed strong in support of the dreadful doctrine of an eternity of punishment, we might not hope that the denunciation was figurative, and would not literally be executed. JOHNSON. "Sir, you are to consider the intention of punishment in a future state. We have no reason to be sure that we shall then be no longer liable to offend against God. We do not know that even the angels are quite in a state of security; nay, we know that some of them have fallen. It may therefore, per

1 Pope mentions,

"Stretch'd on the rack of a too easy chair." But I recollect a couplet quite apposite to my subject in "Virtue, an Ethick Epistle," a beautiful and instructive poem, by an anonymous writer, in 1758; who, treating of pleasure in excess, says,. "Till languor, suffering on the rack of bliss, Confess that man was never made for this."-BOSWELL.

After supper I accompanied him to his apartment, and at my request he dictated to me an argument in favour of the negro who was then claiming his liberty, in an action in the court of session in Scotland. He had always been very zealous against slavery in every form, in which I with all deference thought that he discovered" a zeal without knowledge." Upon one occasion, when in company with some very grave men at Oxford, his toast was, "Here's to the next insurrection of the negroes in the West Indies." His violent prejudice against our West Indian and American settlers appeared whenever there was an opportunity. Towards the conclusion of his "Taxation no Tyranny," he says, "how is it that we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of negroes?" and in his conversation with Mr. Wilkes 2 he asked, "Where did Beckford and Trecothick learn English?" That Trecothick could both speak and write good English is well known. I myself was favoured with his correspondence concerning the brave Corsicans. And that Beckford could speak it with a spirit of honest resolution even to his majesty, as his "faithful lord mayor of London," is commemorated by the noble monument erected to him in Guildhall.

The argument dictated by Dr. Johnson [will be found in the Appendix].

I record Dr. Johnson's argument fairly. upon this particular case; where, perhaps, he was in the right. But I beg leave to enter my most solemn protest against his general doctrine with respect to the slave trade. For I will resolutely say, that his unfavourable notion of it was owing to prejudice, and imperfect or false information. The wild and dangerous attempt which has for some time been persisted in to obtain an act of our legislature, to abolish so very important and necessary a branch of commercial interest, must have been crushed at once, had not the insignificance of the zealots who vainly took the lead in it made the vast body of planters, merchants, and others, whose immense properties are involved in that trade, reasonably enough suppose that there could be no danger. The encourage

See ante, p. 76.-BoswELL.

ment which the attempt has received excites his company exceedingly entertaining when my wonder and indignation; and though he had once forced one, by his vehement some men of superior abilities have support- lamentations and piercing reproofs, not to ed it, whether from a love of temporary quit the room, but to sit quietly and make popularity when prosperous, or a love of tea for him, as Mrs. Thrale often did in general mischief when desperate, my opin- London till four o'clock in the morning. ion is unshaken. To abolish a status, At Streatham, she managed better, having which in all ages God has sanctioned, and always some friend who was kind enough man has continued, would not only be rob- to engage him in talk, and favour her rebery to an innumerable class of our fellow- treat.] subjects, but it would be extreme cruelty to African savages, a portion of whom it saves from massacre, or intolerable bondage in their own country, and introduces into a much happier state of life; especially now when their passage to the West Indies and there treatment there is humanely regulated. To abolish that trade would be to

"shut the gates of mercy on mankind.” Whatever may have passed elsewhere concerning it, the house of lords is wise and independent:

Intaminatis fulget honoribus;
Nec sumit aut ponit secures
Arbitrio popularis auræ.

Apoph.

-p. 211.

[Indeed, he has been known to Hawk. say, "Whoever thinks of going to bed before twelve o'clock is a scoundrel." Having nothing in particular to do himself, and having none of his time appropriated, he was a troublesome guest to persons who had much to do.

He rose too as unwillingly as he went to bed.]

Had I been as attentive not to displease him as I ought to have been, I know not but this vigil might have been fulfilled; but I unluckily entered upon the controversy concerning the right of Great Britain to tax America, and attempted to argue in favour of our fellow-subjects on the other side of the Atlantick. I insisted that America might be very well governed, and made to yield sufficient revenue by the means of in

I have read, conversed, and thought much upon the subject, and would recommend to all who are capable of conviction an excel-fluence, as exemplified in Ireland, while the lent tract by my learned and ingenious friend, John Ranby, Esq., entitled "Doubts on the Abolition of the Slave Trade." To Mr. Ranby's "Doubts," I will apply Lord Chancellor Hardwicke's expression in praise of a Scotch law book, called "Dirleton's Doubts:" "HIS doubts," said his lordship, " are better than most people's certainties." When I said now to Johnson, that I was afraid I kept him too late up, No, sir," said he, "I don't care though I sit all night with you." This was an animated speech from a man in his sixty-ninth year.

p. 94-5.

66

[Dr. Johnson, as Mrs. Piozzi rePiozzi, lates, loved late hours extremely, or more properly hated early ones. Nothing was more terrifying to him than the idea of retiring to bed, which he never would call going to rest, or suffer another to call so. "I lie down," said he, "that my acquaintance may sleep; but I lie down to endure oppressive misery, and soon rise again to pass the night in anxiety and pain." By this pathetic manner, which no one ever possessed in so eminent a degree, he used to shock that lady from quitting his company, till she hurt her own health not a little by sitting up with him when she was herself far from well: nor was it an easy matter to oblige him even by compliance, for he always maintained that no one forbore their own gratifications for the sake of pleasing another, and if one did sit up it was probably to amuse one's self. Some right, however, he certainly had to say so, as he made

people might be pleased with the imagination of their participating of the British constitution, by having a body of representatives, without whose consent money could not be exacted from them. Johnson could not bear my thus opposing his avowed opinion, which he had exerted himself with an extreme degree of heat to enforce; and the violent agitation into which he was thrown, while answering, or rather reprimanding me, alarmed me so, that I heartily repented of my having unthinkingly introduced the subject. I myself, however, grew warm, and the change was great, from the calm state of philosophical discussion in which we had a little before been pleasingly employed.

I talked of the corruption of the British parliament, in which I alleged that any question, however unreasonable or unjust, might be carried by a venal majority; and I spoke with high admiration of the Roman senate, as if composed of men sincerely desirous to resolve what they should think best for their country. My friend would allow no such character to the Roman senate; and he maintained that the British parliament was not corrupt, and that there was no occasion to corrupt its members; asserting, that there was hardly ever any question of great importance before parliament, any question in which a man might not very well vote either upon one side or the other. He said there had been none in his time except that respecting America.

with an engraving of the sign of her house; to which she had subjoined, in her own hand-writing, an address in such singular simplicity of style, that I have preserved it pasted upon one of the boards of my original Journal at this time, and shall here insert it for the amusement of my readers:

We were fatigued by the contest, which I took my post-chaise from the Green was produced by my want of caution; and Man, a very good inn at Ashbourne, the he was not then in the humour to slide into mistress of which, a mighty civil gentlewoeasy and cheerful talk. It therefore so hap-man, courtesying very low, presented me pened, that we were after an hour or two very willing to separate and go to bed.-'. On Wednesday, September 24, I went into Dr. Johnson's room before he got up, and finding that the storm of the preceding night was quite laid, I sat down upon his bed-side, and he talked with as much readiness and good humour as ever. He recommended to me to plant a considerable part of a large moorish farm which I had purchased, and he made several calculations of the expense and profit; for he delighted in exercising his mind on the science of num'bers. He pressed upon me the importance of planting at the first in a very sufficient manner, quoting the saying, " In bello non licet bis errare;" and adding, this is equally true in planting."

I spoke with gratitude of Dr. Taylor's hospitality; and as evidence that it was not on account of his good table alone that Johnson visited him often, I mentioned a little anecdote which had escaped my friend's recollection, and at hearing which repeated, he smiled. One evening when I was sitting with him, Frank delivered this message: Sir, Dr. Taylor sends his compliments to you, and begs you will dine with him to-morrow. He has got a hare." "My compliments," said Johnson, "and I'll dine with him-hare of rabbit."

After breakfast I departed, and pursued my journey northwards.

Letters,

["TO MRS. THRALE.

"Ashbourne, 25th Sept. 1777. "Boswell is gone, and is, I hope, v. i. p.. pleased that he has been here; 384, 390. though to look on any thing with pleasure is not very common. He has been gay and good-humoured in his usual way, but we have not agreed upon any other expedition. He had spent more money than he intended, and I supplied him; my deficiencies are again made up by Mr. Thrale's bill, for which I thank him,"] And again.

"M. Killingley's duty waits upon Mr. Boswell, is exceedingly obliged to him for this favour; whenever he comes this way, hopes for a continuance of the same. Would Mr. Boswell name the house to his extensive acquaintance, it would be a singular favour conferred on one who has it not in her power to make any other return but her most grateful thanks, and sincerest prayers for his happiness in time, and in a blessed eternity.

"Tuesday morning."

From this meeting at Ashbourne I derived a considerable accession to my Johnsonian store. I communicated my original Journal to Sir William Forbes, in whom I have always placed deserved confidence; and what he wrote to me concerning it is so much to my credit as the biographer of Johnson, that my readers will, I hope, grant me their indulgence for here inserting it: "It is not once or twice going over it," says Sir William, "that will satisfy me, for I find in it a high degree of instruction as well as entertainment; and I derive more benefit from Dr. Johnson's admirable discussions than I should be able to draw from his personal conversation; for I suppose there is not a man in the world to whom he discloses his sentiments so freely as to yourself."

. I cannot omit a curious circumstance which occurred at Edensor-inn, close by Chatsworth, to survey the magnificence of which I had gone a considerable way out of my road to Scotland. The inn was then kept by a very jolly landlord, whose name, I think, was Malton. He happened to mention that "the celebrated Dr. Johnson had ["Ashbourne, 29th Sept. 1777. been in his house." I inquired who this "Boswell, while he was here, saw Ked- Dr. Johnson was, that I might hear my dlestone and the silk-mills, and took Chats host's notion of him. "Sir," said he, worth in his way home, He says, his wife" Johnson, the great writer; Oddity, as does not love me quite well yet, though we have made a formal peace. He kept his journal very diligently; but then what was there to journalise? I should be glad to see what he says of ... ... I think I told you that I took him to Ilam 2."]

they call him. He's the greatest writer in England; he writes for the ministry; he has a correspondence abroad, and lets them know what's going on."

My friend, who had a thorough dependence upon the authenticity of my relation without any embellishment, as falsehood or [No doubt Dr. Taylor.-ED.] fiction is too gently called, laughed a good [Printed in the Letters by mistake Ham.deal at this representation of himself. ED.]