ous difference between the external form of one of your
Presbyterian churches in Scotland, and a church in Italy; yet the
doctrine taught is essentially the same.

In the morning we had talked of old families, and the respect due to
them. JOHNSON. 'Sir, you have a right to that kind of respect, and
are arguing for yourself. I am for supporting the principle, and am
disinterested in doing it, as I have no such right.' BOSWELL. 'Why, Sir,
it is one more incitement to a man to do well.' JOHNSON. 'Yes, Sir, and
it is a matter of opinion, very necessary to keep society together.
What is it but opinion, by which we have a respect for authority, that
prevents us, who are the rabble, from rising up and pulling down you who
are gentlemen from your places, and saying, "We will be gentlemen in our
turn?" Now, Sir, that respect for authority is much more easily granted
to a man whose father has had it, than to an upstart, and so Society is
more easily supported.' BOSWELL. 'At present, Sir, I think riches seem
to gain most respect.' JOHNSON. 'No, Sir, riches do not gain hearty
respect; they only procure external attention. A very rich man, from low
beginnings, may buy his election in a borough; but, coeteris paribus,
a man of family will be preferred. People will prefer a man for whose
father their fathers have voted, though they should get no more money,
or even less. That shows that the respect for family is not merely
fanciful, but has an actual operation. If gentlemen of family would
allow the rich upstarts to spend their money profusely, which they are
ready enough to do, and not vie with them in expence, the upstarts would
soon be at an end, and the gentlemen would remain: but if the gentlemen
will vie in expence with the upstarts, which is very foolish, they must
be ruined.'

On Monday, March 23, I found him busy, preparing a fourth edition of
his folio Dictionary. Mr. Peyton, one of his original amanuenses, was
writing for him.

He seemed also to be intent on some sort of chymical operation. I was
entertained by observing how he contrived to send Mr. Peyton on an
errand, without seeming to degrade him. 'Mr. Peyton,--Mr. Peyton, will
you be so good as to take a walk to Temple-Bar? You will there see a
chymist's shop; at which you will be pleased to buy for me an ounce of
oil of vitriol; not spirit of vitriol, but oil of vitriol. It will cost
three half-pence.' Peyton immediately went, and returned with it, and
told him it