sky,

The flocks defponding o'er the meadows hie,
And Winter's havock humbles human pride;
While prayers of penitence would bribe the
But to th' ungrateful favour is denied.
Infcrib'd appear'd on an emerging pile,
Though fince effac'd by time's all con-
qu'ring fteel,

Subjects who dare mild government revile
Deferve a tyrant's iron fcourge to feel.

J. S.

after fome other incidental converfation, "I would have thee," faid the caliph, teach me a prefcription, by which I may take off any enemy 1 please, and yet at the fame time fhould never be difcovered." Homain declining to give an anfwer, and pleading ignorance, was imprisoned.

Being brought again, after a year's interval, into the caliph's prefence, and ftill perfifting in his ignorance, though threatened with, death, the caliph fmiled upon him, and faid, "Be of good cheer, we were only willing to try thee, that we might have the greater confidence in thee."

gilded horns, and fung fongs when they
became inebriated with their liquor. This
is a better account of the feftivity of our
ancestors than that given by Froiffart, who
fays that the English, in the time of Edward
III. got drunk in great fadnefs, after the
manner of their country.' And we are
told by Fitzftephen, that Becket, when he
was chancellor, ordered his hall to be
ftrewed every day in the winter with fresh
ftraw or hay, and in the fummer with green
leaves, or rufhes, fresh gathered, that the
multitude of knights, which the benches
could not contain, might fit on the floor,
thus rendered clean and gay, without dirt- As Homain upon this bowed down and
ing their fine garments. By many evi- kiffed the earth, "What hindered thee,"
dences it appears, that a luxury in apparel faid the caliph," from granting our re-
was very general among the nobles and queft, when thou faw'ft us appear fo ready
gentry of that age. Even the nuns were to perform what we had threatened?"
not free from it, as may be inferred from a
"Two things," replied Homain," my re-
canon of the Legatine Synod, held at Weft-ligion and my profeffion; my religion,
minfter 1138, which under pain of an ana- which commands me to do good to my
thema, forbids them to use the partycolour- enemies; my profeffion, which was purely
ed fables, called in French petit gris, mar- inftituted for the good of mankind."
tin, ermine, and beaver fkins, or golden" Two noble laws," faid the caliph, and
rings, to curl, or curiously fet their hair. immediately prefented him (according to
William of Poictou takes notice, that the the Eaftern ufage) with rich garments, and
English women, in the reign of William a fum of money..
the Conqueror, excelled in embroidery !
and tells us that the garments of thofe En-
glish noblemen, whom that prince carried LORD BOLINGBROKE's SPEECH
over with him into Normandy, in the first
year of his reign, were richly interwoven
Upon the CONVENTION,
with gold..
Published in the Year 1739.
Addreffed to the Patriots of the present Time.

SPECIMENS of ANCIENT Luxury. HE opulence of the inonks, as well as the number of them, in the times of Henry the fecond, who began his reign 1154, was enormous; and the luxury, in which men profeffing poverty, lived, was fcandalous and offenfive to the common fense of mankind. The table, which was kept by the monks of Canterbury, confifted regularly of fixteen covers, or more, of moft coftly dainties. These were dreffed with the most exquifite cookery to provoke the appetite and please the taste. We are alfo told of an exceffive abundance of wine, particularly claret; of mulberry-wine, mead, and of other ftrong liquors, the variety of which was fo great in these repafts, that no place could be found for ale though the best (fays Giraldus Cambrenfis was made in England, and particularly in Kent.-There is likewife an account, in the fame author, that the prior and monks of St. Swithin, at Winchefter, threw themfelves proftrate at the feet of Henry II. and having adopted the fashions of the Romans, On the prefent important affairs to de

In the time of Henry the fecond it appears, that the whole gentry of England,

the bishop of that diocefe, to whom they fortunes could bear. The men alfo were
were fubject as their abbot, had withdrawn very nice, in the reign of William Rufus,
from them three of the ufual number of in curling and dividing their hair, which on
their dishes. Henry enquired of them, how the fore part of their heads they fuffered to
many there still remained, and being in-grow very long, but cut fhort behind. The
formed they had ten, he faid, that he him- extraordinary fervour of zeal, expreffed
self was contented with three; and impre- by Anfelm, and other churchmen of that
cated a curfe upon the bishop if he did not age, against this fashion, feems ridiculous;
reduce them to that number. I repeat this but we find that they combined it with
account (fays our noble hiftorian) rather the idea of an affected effeminacy, and fup-
to fhew the temperance of the king, than pofed it to indicate a difpofition to an un-
the excess of monks.
natural vice, which was very prevalent in
thofe times. The good prelate, whofe
piety was fo much fcandalized at it, would
have done well to confider, how much
more the celibacy to which he forced the
clergy, and the number of monafteries in
this kingdom, might contribute to encrease
that abominable wickednefs, than any mode
of drefs. And indeed we are told, that his
preaching prevailed with the English to
cut their hair, but could not reform their
morals.

Fitzftephen tells us, that one day there was ferved up to Becket, during his embaffy in France, a fingle difh of eels, which coft five pounds fterling. He adds, that it was talked of all over the country; and well it might. Twenty fhillings in thofe days containing in them as much filver as fixty in thefe, or little lefs, if we eftimate filver at only five times the prefent value, as much was paid for this fingle difh of eels, as if we now bought one for feventy-five pounds fterling or thereabouts. But fuch account exceeds all belief.

In what manner the laity feasted in those days, John of Salisbury has given us a fhort defcription. He fays the houses on fuch occafions were ftrewed with flowers,

An ARABIAN ANECDOTE..

A

bate;

In the midft of them all the Convention was

laid,

Which orderly Sandys defir'd might be read.
Derry down, down, down, derry down.
And what would you read it for, Bolingbroke

cries,

Would the gentleman truft to his fenfes or

eyes?

My maxim (no bad one) fir, always has been
To blame things unheard, and condemn them

unfeen.

By this rule we hope to inflame the whole
nation,
'Tis from this things are brought to this fine:
fituation;

ficia caliph Mottawakel had a phy-The crisis is come, and to all people known,
fician belonging to him, who was When either our party, or England's undone.
Derry down, ...

and the jovial company drank wine out of a Chriftian, named Homain.. One day,

Frederic William, the fecond king of Pruffia, formed a project of this kind, and To the Editor of the COUNTY MAGAZINE. had the happiness to put it in execution. His country was a vaft defert. He laid out only twelve millions of florins in culti-appened to pick up the other day the vating the land, building villages, and worthy of a place in your Magazine, pleafe enclosed; if you think the fubject of it peopling them. He brought families from to infert it. Suabia and Franconia: thither he drew emigrants from Saltsburgh; furnished all

tions upon it, but I fhall prefume to act contrary to fuch practice upon the prefent occafion; and in confequence of fuch prefumption fhall not fum up the evidence to you in the ufual manner, but comment on fuch part of it as tends to establish my obfervations, or fuch as I think may enable you to form fuch a judgment of the cafe of the prifoner at the bar, as may caufe you to bring in a fair, honest, and just verdict: And I cannot but contend, that the notion fo univerfally adopted by the bench, in order to prevent any evidence tending to the innocence or guilt of the prifoner being fuppreffed, at the direction of the judge, founds very well in theory, but is extremely dangerous in practice, in respect to the fafety of the prifoner; because there are, in every cafe, peculiar circumftances, applicable to the prisoner at the bar, which feem neceffary to be explained and enlarged upon by the judge to the jury; and the maxim," that the judge is always to be of counsel for the prifoner," fully authorifes this part of my charge to you; therefore, in my laft mentioned capacity, viz. as counfel for the prifoner, I will proceed to

if the evidence amounts to a pofitive proof of
the crime laid to his charge; if this be fo,
then after fuch evidence hath been given, it is
vain to call upon the prifoner for his de-
fence, for what can it avail him, if you are
previously bound to condemn him, let him
alledge what he may, and however fatis-
factory for the purpofe of acquittal. But,
gentlemen, if, notwithstanding what I have
juft now thrown out, you think yourselves
obliged, according to your oath of office,
to condemn prifoners in general, you will,
upon the prefent occafion, which will fully
anfwer the prefent purpose, think your-
felves equally bound not to find a prifoner
guilty, on mere circumftantial evidence,
as much as you are at least to condemn on
pofitive proof.

The prifoner at the bar fays he is not
fixteen years of age; this affertion, not
having been contradicted, is to be credited by
you, though it is evidence not upon oath;
for prifoners are never fworn to their de-
fence. The prifoner is an apprentice; this,
gentlemen, is a very great aggravation of
his charge, because it is then fetting his
master's house on fire. These aggravating

and then pafs fuch verdict as your confcience, your oath, your humanity, your duty, and your juftice, fuggeft to you, as proper against the unhappy infant prifoner at the bar.

But, gentlemen, I cannot conclude this my charge to you, without pointing out to you the very ill confequences of finding the prifoner guilty, and then recommending him to the Royal mercy; because your verdict of conviction will be fuch an indelible ftigma to him, and fuch a lafting imputation on his character, that I confefs to you, that I fhould have very little fcruple in declaring to you, upon being asked the queftion, whether I thought the execution of your fentence, or his Majefty's gracious compliance with your recommendation, would be the greatest act of justice. I fay, I fhould have very little hesitation indeed, if any at all, to answer in affirmation, and in favour of the execution of your verdict of condemnation.

ANECDOTE of an honest STOCK BROKER.

OME time fince a countryman, hav

make you acquainted with thofe circum- circumftances require (if I may fay fo) aging a legacy left him, was advised by

ftances, which in my humble opinion ought to have great weight with you in paffing on the prifoner, who now ftands at the bar of this court, waiting your determination, whether he fhall be permitted to live thofe number of years, which his extreme youth entitles him to expect, according to the common courfe of nature, or whether he fhall be dragged ignominioufly to the fatal tree, and there fuffer a death too affecting to be further defcribed. If the prifoner is guilty, your verdict cannot too foon exterminate fuch a wretch from the face of the earth; and, if innocent, you cannot too foon proclaim to the world your verdict of acquittal.

I obferved, gentlemen, in the outfet of my charge to you, that there were many circumftances in the prifoner's cafe, which, in my humble opinion, deferve, nay demand your moft ferious confideration. But, gentlemen, I take leave in this early part of the bufinefs to tell you, that whatever I fay on the prefent occafion, I fpeak it with great deference, I mean but as information, not as a direction to you, what to do, or what you ought to do, unless you are with me in opinion; for, if you think my inferences are not fairly drawn, or the premises or evidence not fairly stated, you will be pleased to correct them and me by

your verdict ; for I hold that to be your duty. But i am further to obferve

you, that another notion, very injurious to prifoners, has been adopted among you, and that too from a very early period of time, which is, that you are to give your verdict, and make your delivery, according to the evidence; this has been conftrued to mean, that you are to condemn the prifoner, No. IV. VOL. I.

SOM

an acquaintance to get into the stockjobbing bufinefs, afluring him, that large fortunes had been made in that line. The countryman being ftruck with the thought of increafing his fortune, defired his friend to recommend him to fome perfon acquainted with the public funds; accordingly Mr. L was named. The countryman, in a few days, repaired to town, and on enquiry at the Bank, was introduced to the honeft Broker; when, after telling him his tale, Mr. L-afked the fum he was in poffeffion of. The Countryman replied,

gravating evidence, that is to fay, fuch evi-
dence as Lord Nottingham faid made the
interpofition of counfel on the prifoner's
behalf unneceffary, viz. that the evidence
fhould be fo clear, that no counsel in the
world fhould be able to answer it. The
prifoner has faid that he is not guilty, and
upon this enquiry I have not obferved that
any witnefs has fixed any guilt upon him;
indeed it seems, and that is all, that he did
unfortunately fet his master's houfe on fire.
The witnefles, I fubmit to you, all atteft
to his defence of not guilty. As to fome
expreffions of the prifoner's, and questions
he afked, they were fuch as any one of you five thousand pounds." "What bufinefs
might have afked upon fuch an occafion; have you followed?" He answered, “farm-
he asked "what would become of him, if ing.' "Then (fays he) go on Monday
his master's houfe was burned?" The next to Smithfield, and buy pigs with it."
youth and innocence of the prifoner (for till« Pigs! pigs!" replied the Countryman,
your verdict hath condemned him he is to be "Lord, Sir, I never dealt in pigs.'
confidered as totally innocent) ought to" Then," fays the Broker," let this be
protect him against any unfair interpreta- the first time, for there you will be fure of
tion of his converfation. All the witneffes, a fqueak for your money, but I'll be d-d if
even for the crown, give the prifoner an you have even that here."
extreme good character. I beg leave to de-
fire you will understand that by the law of
England-

A prifoner is not to be convicted on circumftantial evidence only, be it ever fo ftrong; that in cafe the evidence be only circunftantial, the prisoner's good charac

ter

entitles him to an acquittal; and that

"These uncontrovertible rules are founded on another as undeniable, viz. That it is better that ninety-nine guilty perfons be acquitted, than that one innocent individual be condemned."-In the recollection of the above dogmas of the law of England, I wish you to confider the cafe of the prifoner, and apply it to them,

On the Profligacy and confequent Mifery of the Lower Claffes, and on the Means of Prevention.

A Contemplative and benevolent man

can scarcely look down for a moment on the lower walks of life without feeling his compaffion powerfully excited. On whatever fide he turns, he beholds human nature fadly degraded, and finking into the most deplorable wretchedness, in proportion as it recedes from its natural and its attainable perfection. Ye philofo

matized with immortal infamy. That probably have done as thou haft, and fuf-
the vices and miferies of the lower clafles fered as thou fuffereft, had he been born as
chiefly arife from the multiplication of thou waft born, the child of mifery, the
houses of public entertainment, is a truth out-caft of fociety, friendless, homeless,
which none have ever controverted. And unbeloved, unregarded, unknown, and
perhaps no effectual and permanent remedy unknowing of the means and motives
can be applied, without the interpofition of of an honeft industry.
the legiflature, in leffening the number of victim to the laws indeed, and perhaps
Thou falleft a
public houses, and in exacting a ftrict fcru- a juft victim; but I will pity thee, my
tiny into the characters of thofe to whom heart fhall bleed for thee, and venture ftill
licences are allowed.
to predict that the fweet mercy of Heaven
tice.
will mitigate the feverity of human juf-

phers, who exert your ingenuity to explore,
as unneceflary, the little virtue and religion
that remain among us, leave your clofets
awhile, and furvey mankind as they are
found in the purlieus of a great metropolis,
in the haunts of old Drury, of St. Giles's,
of Duke's Place, of Hockley in the Hole,
of the brothel, of the prifon-houfe, and
then fay, whether your hearts do not fmite
you on the recollection that you have ex-
ercifed thofe talents which God Almighty
gave you for benignant purposes, in
Breaking down the fences of morality! it is greatly to be feared, that the defire of
But in the present conftitution of affairs,
Let him who coolly controverts the diftind-raifing a large revenue will ufually fuper-
tion between moral good and evil, and who, fede all moral confiderations. What, in-
inftigated by vice and vanity, boldly fights deed, is the moralift to the financier? lower claffes, and endeavouring, according
He who can enjoy the pleafures of afflu-
ence without confidering the mifery of the
againft the religion of Jefus, and the com- The greatnefs of empire, like that of pri- to his influence and abilities, to alleviate
fortable doctrines of grace and redemption, vate life, is for the most part eftimated by the burthen, probably poffeffes a difpofi-
repair to the cells of the convict, to the riches, exclufively of private virtue and of tion which no riches can render happy.
condemned hole, and spend the midnight intellectual excellence. If then we vainly Charity is characteristic of this country,
hour with the murderer who is doomed to appeal to the legislature, we must feek, in and is, indeed, the natural effect of British
fall a victim on the morrow to the juftice other refources, for the alleviation of a dif- generofity. Our clergy are conftantly re-
of his country. Ah! little think the con- eafe which perhaps the legislature alone can commending it in the metropolis; and the
ceited fophifts, who fit calmly at their
defks, and teach men to laugh at all that is
radically cure.
many palaces of the poor which lift up
ferious and facred, to what an abyss of Now it is certain, that much of the pro- their roofs around it, are eminent and ho
mifery the actual practice of their fpecula-fligacy of the plebeian order arifes from ex- nourable teftimonies, that their preaching
tive opinions will reduce the poor loft child treme ignorance. All men purfue with is not in vain when they recommend mu-
of fallen Adam! If they thought on this, ardour the poffeffion of fome good, real or nificence. There are, however, few cha-
and poffeffed hearts capable of feeling, they imaginary. What is it which muft con-ritable establishments that fo immediately
would fhudder at the tendency of their ftitute this good, and appear fuperior to all tend to fnatch the loweft claffes from wretch-
writings, and henceforth employ their abi- other objects, in the mind of a wretchednefs and ruin as that of the Marine So-
lities in reftoring human nature to happi- born in a cellar or a garret of Kent-ftreet, ciety; and if my praife could contribute
nefs and dignity.
or Broad St. Giles's, almost starved with to effect it, the fame of its inftitutors
The evils arifing from the poverty of cold and hunger during his infancy, beaten, fhould be immortal. But their own bene-
the lower ranks are trifling, when com- reviled, abused, neglected while a boy, and volent hearts, and that GOD, in whose
pared with thofe occafioned by their de- conducted to manhood amidft the moft gracious purpofes they co-operate, are able
pravity. There is, indeed, no real and fhocking examples of cruelty and fraud, of to beftow on them a reward infinitely fupe-
fubftantial happinefs of which poverty, drunkennefs and debauchery? Is it pro- rior to all human glory.
when accompanied with health and inno- bable that, for the moft part, he fhould
cence, is not capable; but wallowing in have an idea of any other good but the the poor, in fuch a manner and degree as
They who inform the understandings of
vice, involved in the perplexities of fraud, poffeffion of money, and the indulgence of to amend their morals, contribute more to
haunted by the fears of detection, and di- the groffeft fenfuality? Can he have any their happiness, than the moft munificent
ftrefied and tormented with the diseases of principles or habits of virtue to restrain
intemperance, it becomes fuch a ftate of him from fecret fraud and open violence? among their pecuniary benefactors. In a
wretchedness and wickednefs as can only His understanding is no lefs rude and un-
great and commercial nation honest indus-
be exceeded in the regions of infernal tor-cultivated than that of the favage, and be- try will feldom be deftitute of employment
ture. And can the rulers of this world comes at laft incapable of admitting any marking the fingular utility and importance
and reward. And here I cannot help re-
poffefs a plenitude of power, without at- inftruction but in the low tricks of a thief, of the clergy. The church doors are open
tempting to exert it in its fulleft force in and the artifices of a proftitute. The
the prevention, or at leaft the mitigation, world exifts not to him, but as it appears duty of human life is afforded gratuitously.
to all; and valuable inftruction in every
of extreme mifery among the lowest, the amidst the vileft, the most degenerate, and Our SAVIOUR, who knew and felt for the
moft numerous, and perhaps the moft ufe- the moft ignorant of the human race. He wretchednefs of the lower claffes, feems to
ful members of the community? I have pursues a fummum bonum, or a chief good, have defigned the gofpel, in a peculiar
no efteem for that fpecies of politics which which appears to him to confift in feizing manner, for the poor; and the poor of this
pretends to purfue a national good indepen- the property of the incautious, and in manner, for the poor; and the poor of this
dently of the happiness of individuals; and ufing his gains, as the inftrument of in-country have the gofpel preached to them,
I cannot help thinking, a fyftem of govern-dulgence, in brutal excefs. Poor unfor- if they are willing to liften to it, in every
ment which derives any part of its wealth tunate brother! for a brother we must ac- part of the kingdom. But it is a melan-
from the wretchedness of the greater part knowledge thee, deformed as thou art with choly truth, that the poor in general, but
of its fubjects, not only defective but dia- rags, and loathfome to the eye of delicacy. to avail themselves of this fingular and un-
efpecially thofe of the metropolis, neglect
bolical. To encourage intoxication for Hapless boy! if thou hadst known purer fpeakable advantage. Those among them
the fake of increasing a revenue, though it pleasures and better objects, thou wouldeft who give very great attention to religion,
may be natural in a confederacy of fharp- probably have fought them with the fame who give very great attention to religion,
ers, is an idea fo mean, fo bafe, fo cruel, eagernefs which has brought thee to the are fometimes led to a ftate approaching to
that the ftatefiman who entertains it, how-gibbet. The dignified ftatefman, the ve-lunacy, by illiterate and fanatical pretenders
ever loaded with civil honours, and re-nerable bifhop, the authoritative judge who to heavenly illumination.
nowned for his wifdom, deferves to be ftig- tries and who condemns thee to die, might

with lefs attention than he had long been
accustomed to, he had a rougher denun-
Ciation: "That woman (cries Johnfon)
is like four fmall-beer, the beverage of
her table, and produce of the wretched
country the lives in: like that, fhe could
never have been a good thing, and even
that bad thing is fpoiled." This was in
the fame vein of afperity, and I believe
with fomething like the fame provocation,
that he obferved of a Scotch lady, "that
The refembled a dead nettle, were she
alive (faid he) fhe would fting."

His defire of doing good was not leffen-
ed by his averfion to a fick chamber: he
would have made an ill man well by any
expence or fatigue of his own, fooner
than any of the canters. Canter indeed
was he none; he would forget to afk peo-

R. Johnfon's defire to go abroad, parDicularly fee Italy, was great; and to he had a longing with too to leave fome La-ple after the health of their neareft relatin verfes at the Grand Chartreux. He tions, and fay in excufe, "That he loved indeed the very act of travelling, and knew they did not care: why fhould they I cannot tell how far one might have (fays he)? every one in this world has taken him in a carriage before he would as much as they can do in caring for have wifhed for refreshment. He was themselves, and few have leifure really to therefore in fome refpects an admirable think of their neighbours diftreffes, howcompanion on the road, as he piqued ever they may delight their tongues with himfelf upon feeling no inconvenience, talking of them." and on defpifing no accommodations. The natural depravity of mankind and On the other hand however, he expected remains of original fin were fo fixed in no one elfe to feel any, and felt exceed- Mr. Johnfon's opinion, that he was iningly inflamed with anger if any one deed a moft acute obferver of their effects; complained of the rain, the fun, or the and ufed to fay fometimes, half in jeft duft. "How (faid he) do other people half in carneft, that they were the rebear them?" As for general uneafinefs, mains of his old tutor Mandeville's inor complaints of long confinement in a ftructions. As a book however, he took carriage, he confidered all lamentations care always loudly to condemn the Fable on their account as proofs of an empty of the Bees, but not without adding, head, and a tongue defirous to talk with-"that it was the work of a thinking out materials of converfation. "A mill man." that goes without grift (faid he) is as good a companion as fuch creatures.

I pitied a friend before him, who had a whining wife that found every thing painful to her, and nothing pleafing "He does not know that the whimpers (fays Johnton); when a door has creaked for a fortnight together, you may obferve -the mafter will fcarcely give fixpence to get it oiled."

Mr. Johnfon made Goldsmith a comi-
cal anfwer one day, when feeming to re-
pine at the fuccefs of Beattie's Effay on
Truth-"Here's fuch a ftir (faid he)
about a fellow that has written one book,
and I have written many." Ah, Doctor
(fays his friend) there go two-and-forty
fixpences you know to one guinea.

They had spent an evening with Eaton
Graham too, I remember hearing it was

Of another lady, more infipid than of at some tavern; his heart was open, and fenfive, I once heard him fay, "She he began inviting away; told what he has fome foftness indeed, but fo has a pil- could do to make his college agreeable, pil-could low." And when one obferved in reply, and begged the vifit might not be delayed. that her husband's fidelity and attachment Goldsmith thanked him, and propofed were exemplary, notwithstanding this low account at which her perfections were rated-"Why Sir (cries the Doctor) being married to thofe fleepy-fouled women, is juft like playing at cards for nothing: no paffion is excited, and the time is filled

I do not however envy a fellow one of thofe honey-fuckle wives for my part, as they are but creepers at beft, and commonly destroy the tree they so tenderly cling about.'

For a lady of quality, fince dead, who received us at her husband's feat in Wales

Johnfon, tired of the buftle, and defirous to think of fomething elfe, cried out at laft, "Why, what would it thou have, dear Doctor! who the plague is hurt with all this nonfenfe? and how is a man the worfe I wonder in his health, purfe, or character, for being called Holofernes?" I do not know (replies the other) how you may relifh being called Holofernes, but I do not like at leaft to play Goodman Dull.

Dr. Johnfon was indeed famous for difregarding public abuse. When the people criticifed and anfwered his pamphlets, papers, &c. "Why now, these fellows are only advertising my book (he would fay); it is furely better a man fhould be abufed than forgotten." When Churchill nettled him however, it is certain he felt the fting, or that poet's works would hardly have been left out of the edition. Of that however I have no right to decide; the bookfellers perhaps did not put Churchill on their lift. I know Mr. Johnfon was exceedingly zealous to declare how very little he had to do with the felection.

The natural roughness of his manner would, notwithstanding the regularity of his motions, burst through them all from time to time; and he once bade a very celebrated lady, who praised him with too much zeal perhaps, or perhaps too ftrong an emphafis (which always offended him) "confider what her flattery was worth before the choaked him with it." A few more winters paffed in the talking world fhewed him the value of that friend's commendations however; and he was very forry for the difgufting fpeech he made her.

We were talking of Richardfon who wrote Clariffa: You think I love flattery (fays Dr. Johnson), and so I do; but a little too much always difgufts me: that fellow Richardson, on the contrary, could not be contented to fail quietly down the stream of reputation, without longing to taste the froth from every stroke

of the oar."

With regard to flight infults from newspaper abufe, I have already declared but as a fly ftings a horse; and the eagle his notions: "They fting one (fays he) will not catch flies." He once told me fetting out with Mr. Johnfon for Buck- however, that Cumyns the famous Qua inghamfhire in a fortnight; "Nay hold, ker, whofe friendship he valued very Dr. Minor (fays the other) I did not in-highly, fell a facrifice to their infults, vite you." having declared on his death-bed to Dr. Johnson, that the pain of an anonymous letter, written in fome of the common prints of the day, faftened on his heart, and threw him into a flow feyer of which

Many fuch mortifications arofe in the courfe of their intimacy to be fure, but few more laughable than when the newfpapers had tacked them together as the pedant and his flatterer in Love's Labour loft. Dr. Goldfmith came to his friend, fretting and foaming, and vowing, vengeance against the printer, &c. till Mr.

he died.

When Garrick was on his laft fick-bed, no arguments, or recitals of fuch facts as I had heard, would perfuade Mr. Johnfon of his danger: he had prepoffeffed