show he was in earnest” (smiling).-He, at an after period, added the following stanza : “Thus I spoke; and speaking sigh’d, Scarce repressed the starting tear; Come, my lad, and drink some beer.”1 I cannot help thinking the first stanza very good solemn poetry, as also the first three lines of the second. Its last line is an excellent burlesque surprise on gloomy sentimental inquirers. And, perhaps, the advice as good as can be given to a low-spirited, dissatisfied being :- -“Don't trouble your head with sickly thinking : take a cup and be merry.” 1 As some of my readers may be gratified by reading the progress of this little composition, I shall insert it from my notes.-" When Dr. Johnson and I were sitting tête-à-tête at the Mitre Tavern, May 9, 1778, he said, 'Where is bliss' would be better. He then added & ludicrous stanza, but would not repeat it, lest I should take it down. It was somewhat as follows; the last line I am sure I remember :"While I thus cried, seer, The hoary replied, Come, my lad, and drink some beer.' In spring, 1779, when in better humour, he made the second stanza, as in the text. There was only one variation afterwards made on my suggestion, which was changing hoary, in the third line, to smiling, both to avoid a sameness with the epithet in the first line, and to describe the hermit in his pleasantry. He was then very well pleased that I should preserve it.”-BOSWELL. KEDDLESTONE, THE SEAT OF LORD SCARSDALE--DR. MANNINGHAM-BENNET LANGTON, ARRIVAL AT DERBY-DR. BUTTER-DR. NICHOLS-ANECDOTE OF DR. DODD-BLAIR'S AND FRIDAY, September 19, after breakfast, Dr. Johnson and I set out in Dr. Taylor's chaise to go to Derby. The day was fine, and we resolved to go by Keddlestone, the seat of Lord Scarsdale, that I might see his Lordship’s fine house. I was struck with the magnificence of the building; and the extensive park, with the finest verdure, covered with deer, and cattle, and sheep, delighted me. The number of old oaks, of an immense size, filled me with a sort of respectful admiration, For one of them, 60l. was offered. The excellent smooth gravel roads ; the large piece of water formed by his Lordship from some small brooks, with a handsome barge upon it: the venerable Gothic church, show he was in earnest” (smiling).-He, at an after period, added the following stanza : "Thus I spoke; and speaking sigh'd, Scarce repressed the starting tear; Come, my lad, and drink some beer."1 I cannot help thinking the first stanza very good solemn poetry, as also the first three lines of the second. Its last line is an excellent burlesque surprise on gloomy sentimental inquirers. And, perhaps, the advice as good as can be given to a low-spirited, dissatisfied being :-“Don't trouble your head with sickly thinking : take a cup and be merry." 1 As some of my readers may be gratified by reading the progress of this little composition, I shall insert it from my notes.-“When Dr. Johnson and I were sitting tête-à-tête at the Mitre Tavern, May 9, 1778, he said, 'Where is bliss' would be better. He then added a ludicrous stanza, but would not repeat it, lest I should take it down. It was somewhat as follows; the last line I am sure I remember :While I thus cried, seer, The hoary replied, Come, my lad, and drink some beer.' In spring, 1779, when in better humour, he made the second stanza, as in the text. There was only one variation afterwards made on my suggestion, which was changing hoary, in the third line, to smiling, both to avoid a sameness with the epithet in the first line, and to describe the hermit in his pleasantry. He was then very well pleased that I should preserve it." —BOSWELL. CHAPTER VI.-1777. KEDDLESTONE, THE SEAT OF LORD SCARSDALE-DR. MANSINGHAN-BEXXET LANGTON ARRIVAL AT DERBY—DR. BUTTER—DR. NICHOLS-ANECDOTE OF DR, DODDBLAIR'S SERMONS-EARLY RISING AND ITS DIFFICULTIESSLEEP-Jonssox's OPINION OF WATERDRINKING – RUTTY'S “ SPIRITUAL DIARY" – AUTOBIOGRAPHERS - BLAIR'S LECTURES — JOHNSON'S STYLE OF WRITING – “BIOGRAPHIA BEITAXXICA" - MELANCHOLY MADNESS – LONDON SOCIETY – BOSWELL'S ANCESTOP, LORD DOUGLAS – THE LEGAL PROFESSION—ASHBOURSE CHURCH – INTIMACY BETWEEN JOHNSON AND DR. TAYLORJOHNSON'S CONVERSATION AL POWERS-MES. MACAULAY-DUKE OF DEVONSHIRR-BTEKE'S LETTER ON AMERICA - llax DIYFERENCES AVOSG CHRISTIAKS— Museo CAMPBELLJOHNSON AND THE DEAD CAT - LORD ROCHESTER'S POEXS – PRIOR-HYPOCHONDRIAC READINGHOWER AND VIRGIL —LORD BACOX-SELF-VINDICATION. AND FRIDAY, September 19, after breakfast , Dr. Johnson and I set out in Dr. Taylor's chaise to go to Derby. The day was fine, and we resolved to go by Keddlestone, the seat of Lord Scarsdale, that I migha see his Lordship’s fine house. I was struck with the magnificence of the building; and the extensive park, with the finest verdure, coment with deer, and cattle, and sheep, delighted me. The number of a oaks, of an immense size, filled me with a sort of respectful admirata. For one of them, 60l. was offered. The excellent smooth gravel is brooks, with a handsome barge upon it: the venerable Gotha the large piece of water formed by his Lozdship from some som ld to now the family chapel, just by the house ; in short, the grand group of objects agitated and distended my mind in a most agreeable manner. “One should think,” said I, “ that the proprietor of all this must be happy.”—“Nay, Sir,” said Johnson, "all this excludes but one evil — poverty."1 Our names were sent up, and a well-dressed elderly housekeeper, a most distinct articulator, showed us the house; which I need not describe, as there is an account of it published in “ Adams' Works in Architecture.” Dr. Johnson thought better of it to-day than when he saw it before ; for he had lately attacked it violently, saying, It would do excellently for a town-hall. The large room with the pillars," said he, “would do for the judges to sit in at the assizes ; the circular room for a jury-chamber; and the room above for prisoners.” Still he thought the large room ill-lighted, and of no use but for dancing in ; and the bed-chambers but indifferent rooms; and that the immense sum which it cost was injudiciously laid out. Dr. Taylor had put him in mind of his appearing pleased with the house. But,” said he, “ that was when Lord Scarsdale was present. Politeness obliges us to 1 When I mentioned Dr. Johnson's remark to a lady of admirable good sense and quickness of understanding, she observed, “It is true, all this excludes only one evil; but how much good does it let in?”—To this observation much praise has been justly given. Let me then now do myself the honour to mention that the lady who made it was the late Margaret Montgomerie, my very valuable wife, and the very affectionate mother of my children, who, if they inherit her good qualities, will have no reason to complain of their lot. Dos magna parentum virtus.-Boswell. |