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a diminution of happiness. There is more happiness in being rational."-B. "But if we could have pleasure always should not we be happy?the greatest part of men would compound for pleasure." . "Supposing we could have pleasure always, an intellectual man would not compound for it. The greatest part of men would compound, because the greatest part of men are gross." B. "I allow there may be greater pleasure than from wine. I have had more pleasure from your conversation. I have indeed; I assure you I have."-7. When we talk of pleasure we mean sensual pleasure. Philosophers tell you, that pleasure is contrary to happiness. Gross men } prefer animal pleasure: So there are men who have preferred living among savages. Now what a wretch must he be who is content with such conversation as can be had among savages!"

whereas if you drink He however owned,

- Dr. Johnson (says Mr. B.) recommended me
to drink water only: "For (said he) you are
then sure not to get drunk;
wine you are never sure.”
that in his opinion a free use of wine did not
shorten life; and said, he would not give less for
the life of a certain Scotch lord (whom he named)
celebrated for hard drinking, than for that of a
sober man. "But stay (said he with his usual in-
telligence and accuracy of enquiry), does it take

much wine to make him drunk?"-I answered,

a great deal either of wine or strong punch.""Then (said he) that is the worse." Mr. Boswell illustrates his friend's observation thus: “A fortress, which soon surrenders, has its walls less shattered than when a long and obstinate resistance is made."

Finding him still persevering in his abstinence from wine, a friend ventured to speak to him of it.-7. "Sir, I have no objection to a man's drinking wine if he can do it in moderation. I found myself apt to go to excess in it, and therefore after having been for some time without it on account of illness, I thought it better not to return to it. Every man is to judge for himself according to the effects which he experiences. One of the fathers tells us, he found fasting made him so peevish that he did not practise it."

Though he often enlarged upon the evil of intoxication, he was by no means harsh and unforgiving to those who indulged in occasional excess in wine. One of his friends came to sup at a tavern with him and some other gentlemen, and too plainly discovered that he had drunk too much at dinner. When one who loved mischief, thinking to produce a severe censure, asked Johnson, a few days afterwards, " Well, Sir, what did your friend say to you as an apology for being in

such a situation?"-Johnson answered, "Sir, he said all that a man should say-he said he was sorry for it."

"I was at one time (says Mr. B.) myself a water-drinker upon trial by Johnson's recommendation; and my friend observed, "Boswell is a bolder combatant than Sir Joshua: he argues for wine without the help of wine; but Sir Joshua with it." SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS (who was of the party)," But to please one's company is a strong motive."-7. (who from drinking only water supposed every body who drank wine to be elevated), "I won't argue any more with you, Sir. You are too far gone."-SIR JOSHUA.

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should have thought so indeed, Sir, had I made such a speech as you have now done."-JOHNSON. (drawing himself in, and blushing), “Nay, don't be angry. I did not mean to offend you.' SIR J. "At first the taste of wine was disagreeable to me; but I brought myself to drink it that I might be like other people. The pleasure of drinking wine is so connected with pleasing your company, that altogether there is something of social goodness in it."-J. "Sir, this is only saying the same thing over again.”—SIR J. “ No, this is new."-7. "You put it in new words, but it is an old thought. This is one of the disadvantages of wine. It makes a man mistake words for thoughts.”—B. “I think it is a new thought,

at least it is in a new attitude."-7. "Nay, Sir, it is only in a new coat; or an old coat with a new facing. It is (laughing heartily), the old dog in a new doublet. An extraordinary instance, however, may occur where a man's patron will do nothing for him unless he will drink: there may be a good reason for drinking."

Mr. Boswell mentioned a nobleman who he believed was really uneasy if his company would not drink hard.-JOHNSON. "That is from having had people about him whom he has been accustomed to command."-BosWELL. "Supposing I should be tête-à-tête with him at table."-7."Sir, there is no more reason for your drinking with him, than his being sober with you.”—B. "Why that is true; for it would do him less hurt to be sober than it would do me to get drunk.”—J. Yes, Sir; and from what I have heard of him one would not wish to sacrifice himself to such a man. If he must always have somebody to drink with him he should buy a slave, and then he would be sure to have it. They who submit to drink as another pleases make themselves his slaves."-B. "But, Sir, you will surely make allowance for the duty of hospitality.-A gentleman who loves drinking comes to visit me."-7. "Sir, a man knows whom he visits; he comes to the table of a sober man."-B. "But, Sir, you and I should not have been so well received in the Highlands

and Hebrides if I had not drunk with our worthy friends. Had I drunk water only, as you did, they would not have been so cordial."-7. "Sir William Temple mentions, that in his travels through the Netherlands he had two or three gentlemen with him, and when a bumper was necessary he put it on them. Were I to travel again through the islands I would have Sir Joshua with me to take the bumpers."-B. "But, Sir, let me put a case: Suppose Sir Joshua should take a jaunt into Scotland; he does me the honour to pay me a visit at my house in the country; I am overjoyed at seeing him; we are quite by ourselves; shall I unsociably and churlishly let him sit drinking by himself?

No, no, my dear Sir

Joshua, you shall not be treated so, I will take a bottle with you."

MARRIAGE.

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To Mr. Boswell on the eve of marriage Johnson said, "Now that you are going to marry, do not expect more from life than life will afford. You may often find yourself out of humour, and you may often think your wife not studious enough to please you; and yet you may have

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