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And this was not merely because Boswell was "the best travelling companion in the world," or even because he was, what Johnson also called him, "a man who finds himself welcome wherever he goes and makes new friends faster than he can want them," but also for graver reasons.
Complaints were not seldom uttered at the time. Goldsmith has urged that Boswell wished to make a monarchy of what ought to be a republic. Goldsmith, who would have been the last man to find serious fault with the dictator, thought the dictatorship objectionable.
"Have him away!" cried Sir John Kingston. "What need to question further so obstinate a man?" So they had him away not being able to answer him and Agnes Silverside was called in his stead. She was very calm, but as determined as Purcas. "Come hither, Mistress!" said Boswell, roughly.
JOHNSON. 'Ask any man if he'd wish not to know of such an injury. BOSWELL. 'Would you tell your friend to make him unhappy? JOHNSON. 'Perhaps, Sir, I should not; but that would be from prudence on my own account.
We rather think, that, apart from the pleasure of saying he had been there, Boswell was really drawn to Italy by the fact that it was classic ground, and this not so much by its association with great events as with great men, for whom, with all his weaknesses, he had an invincible predilection.
Having no power at court, Boswell cast himself on the mercy of lesser folks and managed, by way of secret nods and whispers, to gain the coöperation of sympathetic-looking shop girls in order to array Priscilla in garments that would secure her and him from impudent stares and offensive leers. The evenings following these shopping expeditions were devoted to "casting up accounts."
What can you tell of countries so well known as those upon the continent of Europe, which you have visited? BOSWELL. 'But I can give an entertaining narrative, with many incidents, anecdotes, jeux d'esprit, and remarks, so as to make very pleasant reading. JOHNSON. 'Why, Sir, most modern travellers in Europe who have published their travels, have been laughed at: I would not have you added to the number . The world is now not contented to be merely entertained by a traveller's narrative; they want to learn something . Now some of my friends asked me, why I did not give some account of my travels in France.
She is in the right for two reasons; first, because she has the world with her, who have been praising Garrick these thirty years; and secondly, because she is rewarded for it by Garrick . Why should she flatter me? I can do nothing for her. You, Madam, have been flattering me all the evening; I wish you would give Boswell a little now.
And Boswell was characteristically oblivious of the slur on his gifts as a host. But that, perhaps, is a trifle compared with the complacency with which he records further snubbings administered to him at that tavern.
Nobody has a right to put another under such a difficulty, that he must either hurt the person by telling the truth, or hurt himself by telling what is not true. BOSWELL. 'A man often shews his writings to people of eminence, to obtain from them, either from their good-nature, or from their not being able to tell the truth firmly, a commendation, of which he may afterwards avail himself. JOHNSON. 'Very true, Sir.
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