tain company, that there must be a degree of elaborate
attention, otherwise company will think themselves neglected; and
such attention is no doubt very fatiguing. He proceeded: 'I would not,
however, be a stranger in my own county; I would visit my neighbours,
and receive their visits; but I would not be in haste to return visits.
If a gentleman comes to see me, I tell him he does me a great deal of
honour. I do not go to see him perhaps for ten weeks; then we are very
complaisant to each other. No, Sir, you will have much more influence by
giving or lending money where it is wanted, than by hospitality.'

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, 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.'

On Monday, May 26, 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.'

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