ed mathematician is
represented as being subject to fits of yawning so violent as to
render him incapable of proceeding in his lecture; a story altogether
unfounded, but for the publication of which the law would give no
reparation. This led us to agitate the question, whether legal redress
could be obtained, even when a man's deceased relation was calumniated
in a publication.

On Friday, April 5, being Good Friday, after having attended the morning
service at St. Clement's Church, I walked home with Johnson. We talked
of the Roman Catholick religion. JOHNSON. 'In the barbarous ages, Sir,
priests and people were equally deceived; but afterwards there were
gross corruptions introduced by the clergy, such as indulgencies to
priests to have concubines, and the worship of images, not, indeed,
inculcated, but knowingly permitted.' He strongly censured the licensed
stews at Rome. BOSWELL. 'So then, Sir, you would allow of no irregular
intercourse whatever between the sexes?' JOHNSON. 'To be sure I would
not, Sir. I would punish it much more than it is done, and so restrain
it. In all countries there has been fornication, as in all countries
there has been theft; but there may be more or less of the one, as
well as of the other, in proportion to the force of law. All men will
naturally commit fornication, as all men will naturally steal. And, Sir,
it is very absurd to argue, as has been often done, that prostitutes are
necessary to prevent the violent effects of appetite from violating the
decent order of life; nay, should be permitted, in order to preserve the
chastity of our wives and daughters. Depend upon it, Sir, severe laws,
steadily enforced, would be sufficient against those evils, and would
promote marriage.'

Mr. Thrale called upon him, and appeared to bear the loss of his son
with a manly composure. There was no affectation about him; and he
talked, as usual, upon indifferent subjects. He seemed to me to hesitate
as to the intended Italian tour, on which, I flattered myself, he and
Mrs. Thrale and Dr. Johnson were soon to set out; and, therefore, I
pressed it as much as I could. I mentioned, that Mr. Beauclerk had said,
that Baretti, whom they were to carry with them, would keep them so long
in the little towns of his own district, that they would not have time
to see Rome. I mentioned this, to put them on their guard. JOHNSON.
'Sir, we do not thank Mr. Beauclerk for supposing that we are to be
directed by Barett