Page:Johnsonian Miscellanies II.djvu/71

 and rather apologized that it might not become me, perhaps, too strongly to contradict Dr. Johnson. ' Nay, Sir,' replied he, hastily, 'if I had not wished to have heard your arguments, I should not have disputed with you at all.' All went on quite pleasantly afterwards. We sat late, and something being men tioned about my going to Bath, when taking leave, Johnson very graciously said, ' I should have a pleasure in meeting you there V Either Boswell or Davies immediately whispered to me. 'You're landed 2 .'

The next time I had the pleasure of meeting him was at the Literary Club dinner at the coffee-house in St. James's Street 3 , to which I was introduced by my partial friend, Dr. Percy. Johnson that day was not in very good humour. We rather waited for dinner. Garrick came late, and apologized that he had been to the House of Lords, and Lord Camden insisted on conveying him in his carriage 4. Johnson said nothing, but he looked a volume. The party was numerous. 1 sat next Mr. Burke at dinner. There was a beef-steak pie placed just before us ; and I remarked to Mr. Burke that something smelt very disagreeable, and looked to see if there was not a dog under the table. Burke with great good humour said, ' I believe, Sir, I can tell you what is the cause ; it is some of my country

1 Three days later Johnson went to breakfast with Garrick, who was very Bath with the Thrales. Letters, i. 391. vain of his intimacy with Lord Cam-

2 ' My record upon this occasion den, he accosted me thus : " Pray does great injustice to Johnson's ex- now, did you did you meet a little pression, which was so forcible and lawyer turning the corner, eh?"- brilliant, that Mr. Cradock whispered " No, Sir, (said I.) Pray what do me, "O that his words were written you mean by the question?" "Why, in a book ! " ' Life, iii. 39. (replied Garrick, with an affected in-

When, thirteen years earlier, Bos- difference, yet as if standing on tip- well was introduced to Johnson in the toe,) Lord Camden has this moment same parlour, Davies said to him, as left me. We have had a long walk he was leaving, 'Don't be uneasy, together." JOHNSON. "Well, Sir, I can see he likes you very well.' Garrick talked very properly. Lord Ib. i. 395. Camden was a little lawyer to be

3 Croker says that to this club no associating so familiarly with a stranger is ever invited. Croker's player.'" Life, iii. 311.

Boswell, ix. 237 n. It met for some 'Lord Camden,' Bentham said,

time at Parsloe's, St. James's Street. ' was a hobbledy-hoy, and had no

4 ' I told Johnson ' (writes Boswell) polish of manners.' Bentham's 'that one morning, when I went to Works, x. 118.

butter

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