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 298 Recollections of Dr. Johnson

rejoiced to see ; and no wonder, for I have often heard him speak of Sir John in terms expressive of great esteem and much cordiality of friendship x. On his asking Dr. Johnson when he had seen Dr. Hawkesworth, he roared out with great vehemency, 'Hawkesworth is grown a coxcomb, and I have done with him 2 /

We drank tea that afternoon at Sir John Hawkins's, and on our return I was surprised to hear Dr. Johnson's minute criticism on Lady Hawkins's dress, with every part of which almost he found fault 3.

Few people, I have heard him say, understood the art of carving better than himself ; but that it would be highly inde corous in him to attempt it in company, being so near-sighted, that it required a suspension of his breath during the operation 4.

It must be owned, indeed, that it was to be regretted that he did not practise a little of that delicacy in eating, for he appeared to want breath more at that time than usual. It is certain that he did not appear to the best advantage at the hour of repast 5 ; but of this he was perfectly unconscious, owing probably to his being totally ignorant of the characteristic expressions of the human countenance 6, and therefore he could have no conception that his own expressed when most pleased any thing displeasing to others ; for though, when particularly directing his attention towards any object to spy out defects or perfections, he generally succeeded better than most men 7 ; partly, perhaps, from a desire to excite admiration of his perspicacity, of which he was not a little ambitious yet I have heard him say, and I have often

1 Ante, ii. 81. Hawkins lived at Sept. 24, 1764, quotes the opinion of Twickenham. 'my poor little inoffensive friend

2 Malone says that 'Johnson was Hawkesworth.' Hume MSS., Royal fond of him, but latterly owned that Society of Edinburgh. For what Bos- Hawkesworth who had set out a well calls his ' provoking effrontery/ modest, humble man was one of see Life, i. 253.

the many whom success in the 3 Ante, i. 337.

world had spoiled. He was latterly, - 4 According to Baretti Miss-

as Sir Joshua Reynolds told me, an Williams, though blind, often carved,

affected insincere man, and a great Life, ii. 99, n. 2. Boswell, who dined

coxcomb in his dress. He had no with Johnson more than once, does

literature whatever.' Prior's Malone, not mention who carved,

p. 441. 5 Ante, ii. 105. 6 Ante, i. 457.

F. Greville, writing to Hume on 7 Life, i. 41.

perceived

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