The Life of Samuel Johnson - James Boswell [614]
On Saturday, May 17, I saw him for a short time. Having mentioned that I had that morning been with old Mr. Sheridan, he remembered their former intimacy with a cordial warmth, and said to me, ‘Tell Mr. Sheridan, I shall be glad to see him, and shake hands with him.’ BOSWELL. ‘It is to me very wonderful that resentment should be kept up so long.’ JOHNSON. ‘Why, Sir, it is not altogether resentment that he does not visit me; it is partly falling out of the habit, – partly disgust, as one has at a drug that has made him sick. Besides, he knows that I laugh at his oratory.’
Another day I spoke of one of our friends,1131 of whom he, as well as I, had a very high opinion. He expatiated in his praise; but added, ‘Sir, he is a cursed Whig, a bottomless Whig, as they all are now.’
I mentioned my expectations from the interest of an eminent person1132then in power; adding, ‘but I have no claim but the claim of friendship; however, some people will go a great way from that motive.’ JOHNSON. ‘Sir, they will go all the way from that motive.’ A gentleman1133 talked of retiring. ‘Never think of that,’ said Johnson. The gentleman urged, ‘I should then do no ill.’ JOHNSON. ‘Nor no good either, Sir, it would be a civil suicide.’
On Monday, May 16, I found him at tea, and the celebrated Miss Burney, the authour of Evelina and Cecilia, with him. I asked if there would be any speakers in Parliament, if there were no places to be obtained. Johnson. ‘Yes, Sir. Why do you speak here? Either to instruct and entertain, which is a benevolent motive; or for distinction, which is a selfish motive.’ I mentioned Cecilia. Johnson. (with an air of animated satisfaction,) ‘Sir, if you talk of Cecilia, talk on.’
We talked of Mr. Barry’s exhibition of his pictures. Johnson. ‘Whatever the hand may have done, the mind has done its part. There is a grasp of mind there which you find nowhere else.’a
I asked whether a man naturally virtuous, or one who has overcome wicked inclinations, is the best. Johnson. ‘Sir, to you, the man who has overcome wicked inclinations is not the best. He has more merit to himself. I would rather trust my money to a man who has no hands, and so a physical impossibility to steal, than to a man of the most honest principles. There is a witty satirical story of Foote. He had a small bust of Garrick placed upon his bureau. “You may be surprized (said he,) that I allow him to be so near my gold; – but you will observe he has no hands.”’
On Friday, May 29,1134 being to set out for Scotland next morning, I passed a part of the day with him in more than usual earnestness; as his health was in a more precarious state than at any time when I had parted from him. He, however, was quick and lively, and critical as usual. I mentioned one who was a very learned man.1135 Johnson. ‘Yes, Sir, he has a great deal of learning; but it never lies straight. There is never one idea by the side of another; ’tis all entangled: and then he drives it so aukwardly upon conversation.’
I stated to him an anxious thought, by which a sincere Christian might be disturbed, even when conscious of having lived a good life, so far as is consistent with human infirmity; he might fear that he should afterwards fall away, and be guilty of such crimes as would render all his former religion vain. Could there be, upon this aweful subject, such a thing as balancing of accounts? Suppose a man who has led a good life for seven years, commits an act of wickedness, and instantly dies; will his former good life have any effect in his favour? Johnson. ‘Sir, if a man has led a good life for seven years, and then is hurried by passion to do what is wrong, and is suddenly carried off, depend upon it he will have the reward of his seven years’ good life; God will not take a catch of him. Upon this principle Richard Baxter believes that a Suicide may be saved. “If, (says he,) it should be objected that what I maintain may encourage suicide, I answer, I am not to tell a lie to prevent it.”’ Boswell. ‘But does