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 ��voice call Sam T ! ' What answer did the doctor make to your story, Sir, said I ? ' None in the world,' ( replied he ;) and suddenly changed the conversation. Now as Mr. Johnson had a most un shaken faith, without any mixture of credulity, this story must either have been strictly true, or his persuasion of its truth the effect of disordered spirits. I relate the anecdote precisely as he told it me ; but could not prevail on him to draw out the talk into length for further satisfaction of my curiosity.

As Johnson was the firmest of believers without being credu lous 2, so he was the most charitable of mortals without being what we call an active friend. Admirable at giving counsel, no man saw his way so clearly ; but he would not stir a finger for the assistance of those to whom he was willing enough to give advice : besides that, he had principles of laziness, and could be indolent by rule. To hinder your death, or procure you a dinner, I mean if really in want of one ; his earnestness, his exertions could not be prevented, though health and purse and ease were all destroyed by their violence. If you wanted a slight favour, you must apply to people of other dispositions ; for not a step would Johnson move to obtain a man a vote in a society, to repay a compliment which might be useful or pleasing, to write a letter of request, or to obtain a hundred pounds a year more for a friend, who perhaps had already two or three. No force could urge him to diligence, no importunity could conquer his resolution of standing still 3.

1 This is most likely an inaccurate had to admit that 'it is still un- report of the following incident which decided whether or not there has happened a long time before his ever been an instance of the spirit mother's death : ' Dr. Johnson said, of any person appearing after death, that one day at Oxford, as he was All argument is against it; but all turning the key of his chamber, he belief is for it.' Ib. iii. 230. He was heard his mother distinctly call Sam. ' willing to believe in second sight ; She was then at Lichfield ; but no- but I never could,' he said, ' advance thing ensued.' Life, iv. 94. my curiosity to conviction.' Jb. ii.

2 * I would be a Papist if I could 10, n. 3.

(he said) ; but an obstinate ratio- 3 Boswell quotes most of this para- nality prevents me.' Ib. iv. 289. He graph and refers to Mrs. Piozzi's longed for more evidence of the own contradiction of her assertion spiritual world (ib. iv. 299); but he (ante, p. 180). He continues: 'I

'What

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