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He made no direct inference from the fact; but from his manner of telling it," adds Boswell, "I could perceive that it appeared to him as something more than an incident in the common course of events."
'Brighthelmstone , Oct. 21, 1776' I again wrote to Dr. Johnson on the 21st of October, informing him, that my father had, in the most liberal manner, paid a large debt for me , and that I had now the happiness of being upon very good terms with him; to which he returned the following answer. 'To JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ.
Assuredly, the standard of Johnson, in whose presence nobody dared to swear or talk loosely, was not a low one either morally or intellectually; yet we find him saying that he held Boswell "in his heart of hearts"; perhaps, indeed, he loved Boswell better than any of his friends.
After the death of Johnson in 1784, followed in 1789 by that of Mrs. Boswell, whom Johnson once justly and generously described as the prop and stay of her husband's life, he had no one left to lean on. And he was not a man strong enough to stand alone. But it is time to insist that, when all this has been confessed, we are very far from having told the whole truth about Boswell.
In another letter he threatens, unless Lord Charlemont returns to England, to bring over the whole club, and let them loose upon him to drive him home by their peculiar habits of annoyance Johnson shall spoil his books; Goldsmith shall pull his flowers; and last, and most intolerable of all, Boswell shall talk to him.
Almost any craft we can find suitably manned ought to be able to do better than that; and if you could summon Charon and ascertain what boats he has at hand, it would be for the good of all concerned." "That's a good plan," said Johnson. "Boswell, see if you can find Charon." "I am here already, sir," returned the ferryman, rising. "Most of my boats have gone into winter quarters, your Honor.
He is as tall as you; and he has not the copper colour of a Laplander. BOSWELL. 'But what motive could he have to make himself a Laplander? JOHNSON. 'Why, Sir, he must either mean the word Laplander in a very extensive sense, or may mean a voluntary degradation of himself.
There was no more question that night of taking off Johnson: Foote had enough to do to defend himself against the cannonade of laughter that Boswell had brought upon him. A man of the mettle Johnson shows in those stories was certain to have no more fears about defending the public than about defending himself.
'He knows those three, said General Boswell to himself. 'De Blacquaire's lawyer gave me their names to-day, said Jervoyce, who had by this time found what he had been fumbling for in the pocket of his overcoat. 'Here they are.
JOHNSON. 'Nay, I shall neither go in jest, nor stay in jest. I shall do what is fit. BOSWELL. 'Ay, sir, but all I desire is, that you will let me tell you when it is fit. JOHNSON. 'Sir, I shall not consult you. BOSWELL. 'If you are to run away from us, as soon as you get loose, we will keep you confined in an island. He was, however, on the whole, very good company.
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