As a curious instance how little a man knows,or wishes to know,his own character in the world,or,rather,as a convincing proof that Johnson's roughness was only external,and did not proceed from his heart,I insert the following dialogue.JOHNSON.'It is wonderful,Sir,how rare a quality good humour is in life.We meet with very few good humoured men.'I mentioned four of our friends,none of whom he would allow to be good humoured.One was ACID,another was MUDDY,and to the others he had objections which have escaped me.Then,shaking his head and stretching himself at ease in the coach,and smiling with much complacency,he turned to me and said,'I look upon MYSELF as a good humoured fellow.'The epithet FELLOW,applied to the great Lexicographer,the stately Moralist,the masterly critick,as if he had been SAM Johnson,a mere pleasant companion,was highly diverting;and this light notion of himself struck me with wonder.I answered,also smiling,'No,no,Sir;that will NOT do.You are good natured,but not good humoured:you are irascible.You have not patience with folly and absurdity.I believe you would pardon them,if there were time to deprecate your vengeance;but punishment follows so quick after sentence,that they cannot escape.
I had brought with me a great bundle of Scotch magazines and news-papers,in which his Journey to the Western Islands was attacked in every mode;and I read a great part of them to him,knowing they would afford him entertainment.I wish the writers of them had been present:they would have been sufficiently vexed.One ludicrous imitation of his style,by Mr.Maclaurin,now one of the Scotch Judges,with the title of Lord Dreghorn,was distinguished by him from the rude mass.'This (said he,)is the best.But Icould caricature my own style much better myself.'He defended his remark upon the general insufficiency of education in Scotland;and confirmed to me the authenticity of his witty saying on the learning of the Scotch;--'Their learning is like bread in a besieged town:every man gets a little,but no man gets a full meal.''There is (said he,)in Scotland,a diffusion of learning,a certain portion of it widely and thinly spread.A merchant there has as much learning as one of their clergy.
No sooner had we made our bow to Mr.Cambridge,in his library,than Johnson ran eagerly to one side of the room,intent on poring over the backs of the books.Sir Joshua observed,(aside,)'He runs to the books,as I do to the pictures:but I have the advantage.I can see much more of the pictures than he can of the books.'Mr.Cambridge,upon this,politely said,'Dr.Johnson,Iam going,with your pardon,to accuse myself,for I have the same custom which I perceive you have.But it seems odd that one should have such a desire to look at the backs of books.'Johnson,ever ready for contest,instantly started from his reverie,wheeled about,and answered,'Sir,the reason is very plain.Knowledge is of two kinds.We know a subject ourselves,or we know where we can find information upon it.When we enquire into any subject,the first thing we have to do is to know what books have treated of it.
This leads us to look at catalogues,and the backs of books in libraries.'Sir Joshua observed to me the extraordinary promptitude with which Johnson flew upon an argument.'Yes,(said I,)he has no formal preparation,no flourishing with his sword;he is through your body in an instant.'
Johnson was here solaced with an elegant entertainment,a very accomplished family,and much good company;among whom was Mr.
Harris of Salisbury,who paid him many compliments on his Journey to the Western Islands.
The common remark as to the utility of reading history being made;--JOHNSON.'We must consider how very little history there is;Imean real authentick history.That certain Kings reigned,and certain battles were fought,we can depend upon as true;but all the colouring,all the philosophy of history is conjecture.'
BOSWELL.'Then,Sir,you would reduce all history to no better than an almanack,a mere chronological series of remarkable events.'Mr.Gibbon,who must at that time have been employed upon his History,of which he published the first volume in the following year,was present;but did not step forth in defence of that species of writing.He probably did not like to TRUST himself with JOHNSON!
The Beggar's Opera,and the common question,whether it was pernicious in its effects,having been introduced;--JOHNSON.'As to this matter,which has been very much contested,I myself am of opinion,that more influence has been ascribed to The Beggar's Opera,than it in reality ever had;for I do not believe that any man was ever made a rogue by being present at its representation.
At the same time I do not deny that it may have some influence,by making the character of a rogue familiar,and in some degree pleasing.'Then collecting himself as it were,to give a heavy stroke:'There is in it such a LABEFACTATION of all principles,as may be injurious to morality.'
While he pronounced this response,we sat in a comical sort of restraint,smothering a laugh,which we were afraid might burst out.
We talked of a young gentleman'smarriage with an eminent singer,and his determination that she should no longer sing in publick,though his father was very earnest she should,because her talents would be liberally rewarded,so as to make her a good fortune.It was questioned whether the young gentleman,who had not a shilling in the world,but was blest with very uncommon talents,was not foolishly delicate,or foolishly proud,and his father truely rational without being mean.Johnson,with all the high spirit of a Roman senator,exclaimed,'He resolved wisely and nobly to be sure.He is a brave man.Would not a gentleman be disgraced by having his wife singing publickly for hire?No,Sir,there can be no doubt here.I know not if I should not PREPARE myself for a publick singer,as readily as let my wife be one.'