viewing things partially, and only on one side; instancing fortune-hunters, to whom, when they contemplated the fortunes singly and separately, they were dazzling and tempting objects; but, when they came to possess the wives and the fortunes together, they began to suspect they had not made quite so good a bargain.

Boswell gave him an account of the excellent mimicry of a friend of his in Scotland; observing, at the same time, that some people thought it a very mean thing. JOHNSON. "Why, sir, it is making a very mean use of man's powers. But to be a good mimic requires great powers; great acuteness of observation, great retention of what is observed, and great pliancy of organs to represent what is observed. I remember a lady of who was a wonderful

*

quality of this town, Lady mimic, and used to make me laugh immoderately. I have heard she is now gone mad." BOSWELL. "It is amazing how a mimic can not only give you the gestures and voice of a person whom he represents, but even what a person would say on any particular subject." JOHNSON. "Why, sir, you are to consider that the manner and some particular phrases of a person do much to impress you with an idea of him; and you are not sure that he would say what the mimic says in his character." BOSWELL. "I don't think Foote a good mimic, sir." JOHNSON. "No, sir; his imitations are not like. He gives you something different from himself, but not the character which he means to assume. He goes out of himself, without going into other people. He cannot take off any person unless he is strongly marked, such as George Faulkner. He is like a painter who can draw the portrait of a man who has a wen upon his face, and who, therefore, is easily known. If a man hops upon one leg, Foote can hop upon one leg : but he has not that nice discrimination which your friend seems to possess. Foote is, however, very entertaining with a kind of conversation between wit and buffoonery."

When Boswell told him he had been to see an equestrian of the name of Johnson ride upon three horses, he said: “Such a man, sir, should be encouraged; for his performances show the extent of the human powers in one instance, and thus tend to raise our opinion of the faculties of man. He shows what may be attained by persevering application; so that every man may hope that by giving as much application, although perhaps he may never ride three horses at a time, or dance upon a wire, yet he may be equally expert in whatever profession he has chosen to pursue."

On Easter Sunday, April 19, 1772, General Paoli and Boswell paid him a visit before dinner. They talked of the notion that blind persons can distinguish colours by their touch. JOHNSON. "Professor Saunderson mentions his having attempted to do it, but found he was aiming at an impossibility. To be sure a difference in the surface makes the difference of colours; but that difference is so fine that it is not sensible to the touch." PAOLI. “But jugglers and fraudulent gamesters know cards by the touch." JOHNSON. "The cards used by such persons must be less polished than ours commonly are."

They then talked of sounds. PAOLI. "There is no beauty in a simple sound, but only in an harmonious composition of sounds." BOSWELL. "I must beg leave to differ from you, general. Surely there is beauty in the soft and sweet sound of a fine woman's voice." JOHNSON. "No, sir, if a serpent or a toad uttered it, you would think it ugly." BOSWELL. "So you would think, sir, if a beautiful tune were uttered by one of those animals." JOHNSON. "No, sir, it would be admired. We have seen

fine fiddlers whom we liked as little as toads."

A literary lady of large fortune was mentioned as one who did good to many, but by no means "by stealth ;" and, instead of "blushing to find it fame," acted evidently from vanity. JOHNSON. "I have seen no beings who do as much good from benevolence as she does from whatever motive. If there are such under the

earth, or in the clouds, I wish they would come up, or come down. What Soame Jenyns says upon this subject is not to be minded; he is a wit. No, sir, to act from pure benevolence is not posible for finite beings. Human benevolence is mingled with vanity, interest, or some other motive."

Of the difference between man and woman he said: "Where there is no education, as in savage countries, men will have the upper hand of women. Bodily strength, no doubt, contributes to this; but it would be so, exclusive of that; for it is mind that always governs. When it comes to dry understanding, man has the better."

"Though many men

Even between men it is much the same. are nominally entrusted with the administration of hospitals and other public institutions, almost all the good is done by one man, by whom the rest are driven on; owing to confidence in him, and indolence in them."

A gentleman talked of retiring from office. "Never think of that," said Johnson. The gentleman urged, "I should then do no ill." JOHNSON. "No, nor good either. Sir, it would

be a civil suicide."

On the common topic, whether mankind in general have grown worse or better, the following dialogue took place between Johnson and some friends :

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E. 'From the experience which I have had—and I have had a great deal-I have learnt to think better of mankind."

JOHNSON. "From my experience, I have found them worse in commercial dealings, more disposed to cheat, than I had any notion of; but more disposed to do one another good than I had conceived."

I. "Less just, and more beneficent."

JOHNSON. "And really it is wonderful, considering how much attention is necessary for men to take care of themselves, and ward off immediate evils which press upon them—it is wonderful how much they do for others. As it is said of the greatest liar,

that he tells more truth than falsehood; so it may be said of the worst man, that he does more good than evil."

BOSWELL. "Perhaps from experience men may be found happier than we suppose."

JOHNSON. "No, sir; the more we inquire we shall find men less happy."

P. "As to thinking better or worse of men from experience, some cunning people will not be satisfied unless they have put men to the test, as they think. There is a very good story told of sir Godfrey Kneller, in his character of a justice of the peace. A gentleman brought his servant before him, upon an accusation of having stolen some money from him; but it having come out that he had laid it purposely in the servant's way, in order to try his honesty, sir Godfrey sent the master to prison."

JOHNSON. "To resist temptation once is not a sufficient proof of honesty. If a servant, indeed, were to resist the continued temptation of silver lying in a window, as some people let it lie, when he is sure his master does not know how much there is of it, he would give a strong proof of honesty. But this is a proof to which you have no right to put a man. You know, humanly speaking, there is a certain degree of temptation which will overcome any virtue. Now, in so far as you approach temptation to a man, you do him an injury; and, if he is overcome, you share his guilt."

P. "And when once overcome, it is easier for him to be got the better of again."

BOSWELL. "Yes, you are his seducer; you have debauched him. I have known a man resolve to put friendship to the test by asking a friend to lend him money, merely with that view, when he did not want it."

JOHNSON. "That is very wrong, sir. Your friend may be a narrow man, and yet have many good qualities: narrowness may be his only fault. Now you are trying his general character as

a friend by one particular singly, in which he happens to be defective; when in truth his character is composed of many particulars."

J

IV.

MELANCHOLY.

OHNSON once mentioned to Boswell that he had been dis

tressed by melancholy, and for this reason had been

obliged to fly from study and meditation to the dissipating variety of life. Against melancholy he recommended constant occupation of mind, a great deal of exercise, moderation in eating and drinking, and especially to shun drinking at night. Melancholy people, he said, were apt to fly to intemperance for relief, but that it only sunk them much deeper in misery; whereas labouring men, who work hard and live sparingly, are seldom or never troubled with low spirits.

Boswell often teased him with fanciful apprehensions of unhappiness. A moth having fluttered round the candle, and burnt itself, he laid hold of this little incident to admonish him ; saying, with a sly look, and in a solemn but a quiet tone, "That creature was its own tormentor, and I believe its name was BOSWELL."

"A man

Talking of constitutional melancholy, he observed: so afflicted, sir, must divert distressing thoughts, and not combat with them." BOSWELL. "May not he think them down, sir?" JOHNSON. "No, sir: to attempt to think them down is madness. He should have a lamp constantly burning in his bed chamber during the night, and, if wakefully disturbed, take a book, and read, and compose himself to rest. To have the management of the mind is a great art; it may be attained in a considerable degree by experience and habitual exercise."