was not extinguished, and is so appropriate, that it could belong to no other person in the world. Johnson said, that the remark of appropriation was just criticism his friend was induced to pronounce, that he would not have so good an epitaph written for himself. Pope has nothing equal to it in his sepulchral poetry. 295. Johnson's Library.

Johnson had a large but not a splendid library, near five thousand volumes. Many authors, not in hostility with him, presented him with their works. But his study did not contain half his books. He possessed the

chair that belonged to the Ciceronian Dr. King of Oxford, which was given him by his friend Vansittart. It answers the purposes of reading and writing, by night or by day; and is as valuable in all respects as the chair of Ariosto, as delineated in the preface to Hoole's liberal translation of that poet. Since the rounding of this period, intelligence is brought, that this literary chair is purchased by Mr. Hoole. Relics are venerable things, and are only not to be worshipped. On the reading-chair of Mr. Speaker Onslow, a part of this historical sketch was written.

296. Late Hours.

Night was his time for composition. Indeed, he literally turned night into day, Noctes vigilabat ad ipsum manc; but not like Tigellius in Horace. Perhaps he never was a good sleeper, and, while all the rest of the world was in bed, he chose his lamp, in the words of Milton,

"in midnight hour

Were seen in some high lonely tower."

He wrote and lived perhaps at one time only from day to day, and, according to vulgar expression, from sheet to sheet. There is cause to believe, he would not have written unless unde the pressure of necessity.

'Magister artis ingenique largitor venter,” says Persius. He wrote to live, and, luckily for mankind, lived a great Inany years to write.

297. Strong Liquors.

It never was said of him, that he was overtaken with liquor, a declaration Bishop Hoadly makes of himself. But he owned, that he drank his bottle at a certain time of life. Like Solomon, who tried so many things for curiosity and delight, he renounced strong liquors; and he might have said, as that king is made to do by Prior,

"I drank, I liked it not; twas rage, 'twas noise,

An airy scene of transitory joys."

293. Rapid Composition.

He asserted, and valued himself upon it, that he wrote the "Life of Savage" in six and thirty hours. In one night he also composed, after finishing an evening in Holborn, his "Hermit of Teneriffe." He sat up a whole night to compose the preface to the "Preceptor."

299. Gesticulations.

Though he seemed to be athletic as Milo himself, and in his younger days performed several feats of activity, he was to the last a convulsionary. He has often stepped aside to let nature do what she would with him. His gestures, which were a degree of St. Vitus's dance, in the street attracted the notice of many the stare of the vulgar, but the compassion of the better sort. I have often looked another way, as the companions of Peter the Great were used to do while he was under the short paroxysm. (1)

(1) [See antè, Vol. 1 p. 161. and Vol. IV. p. 9.}

300. Conversation.

Though his time seemed to be bespoke, and quite engrossed, his house was always open to all his acquaintance, new and old. His amanuensis has given up his pen, the printer's devil has waited on the stairs for a proof sheet, and the press has often stood still, while his visitors were delighted and instructed. No subject ever came amiss to him. He could transfer his thoughts from one thing to another with the most accommodating facility. He had the art, for which Locke was famous, of leading people to talk on their favourite subjects, and on what they knew best. By this he acquired a great deal of information. What he once heard he rarely forgot. They gave him their best conversation, and he generally made them pleased with themselves, for endeavouring to please him.

Poet Smart used to relate," that his first conversation with Johnson was of such variety and length, that it began with poetry and ended at fluxions." He always talked as if he was talking upon oath. He was the wisest person, and had the most knowledge in ready cash that I ever had the honour to be acquainted with. Johnson's advice was consulted on all occasions. He was known to be a good casuist, and therefore had many cases submitted for his judgment. His conversation, in the judgment of several, was thought to be equal to his correct writings. Perhaps the tongue will throw out more animated expressions than the pen. He said the most common things in the newest manner. He always

commanded attention and regard. His person, though unadorned with dress, and even deformed by neglect, made you expect something, and you were hardly ever disappointed. His manner was interesting: the tone of his voice, and the sincerity of his expressions, even when they did not captivate your affections, or carry conviction, prevented contempt. If he line, by Pope,

on his father, can be applied to Jeznson, it is characteristic of him, who never swore, nor told a lie. If the first part is not confined to the oath of allegiance (), it will be useful to insert it:

'Nor dared an oath, nor hazarded a lie."

It must be owned, his countenance, on some occasions, resembled too much the medallic likeness of Maglia bechi (2), as exhibited before the printed account of him by Mr. Spence. No man dared to take liberties with him, nor flatly contradict him; for he could repel any attack, having always about him the weapons of ridicule, of wit, and of argument. It must be owned, that some who had the desire to be admitted to him thought him too dogmatical, and as exacting too much homage to his opinions, and came no more. For they said while he presided in his library, surrounded by his admirers, he would, "like Cato, give his little senate laws."

301. Knowledge of Life.

He had great knowledge in the science of human nature, and of the fashions and customs of life, and knew the world well. He had often in his mouth this line of Pope:

"The proper study of mankind is man."

He was desirous of surveying life in all its modes and forms, and in all climates. He once offered to attend his friend Vansittart (3) to India, who was invited there

(1) Mr. Tyers seems to mean that the oath of allegiance is the only justifiable oath; and in allusion, perhaps, to Johnson's political principles, he insinuates, that even that oath he would not have willingly taken. - C.

(2) Librarian to the Grand Dukes of Florence, and celebrated for vast erudition and extreme slovenliness. He died in 1714, aged 80. - C.

(3) Dr. Johnson had some thoughts of going to India with another friend (Mr. Fowke, see ante, Vol. VI. p. 136.); but this proposition as to Mr. Vansittart, is nowhere else, that I have

He

to make a fortune; but it did not take place. talked much of travelling into Poland, to observe the life of the Palatines, the account of which struck his curiosity very much.

302. Johnson's Benevolence.

His benevolence to mankind was known to all who knew him. Though so declared a friend to the church of England, and even a friend to the convocation, it assuredly was not in his wish to persecute for speculative notions. He used to say, he had no quarrel with any order of men, unless they disbelieved in revelation and a future state. He would, indeed, have sided with Sacheverell against Daniel Burgess, if he thought the church was in danger. His hand and his heart were always open to charity. The objects under his own roof were only a few of the subjects for relief. He was ever at the head of subscription in cases of distress. His guinea, as he said of another man of a bountiful disposition, was always ready. He wrote an exhortation to public bounty. He drew up a paper to recommend the French prisoners, in the last war but one, to the English benevolence; which was of service. He implored the hand of benevolence for others, even when he almost seemed a proper object of it himself.

303. Johnson's Eyesight.

His eyesight was not good; but he never wore spectacles; not on account of such a ridiculous vow as Swift made not to use them, but because he was assured they would be of no service to him. He once declared

seen, alluded to. Dr. Vansittart, of Oxford, was a great friend of Johnson's, and it is possible that he may have been invited by his younger brother, Mr. Henry Vansittart, when governor of Bengal, to join him in India; and Dr. Vansittart might perhaps have had some idea of including Johnson in the arrange ment.- C.