er coffee, we went to afternoon service in St. Clement's church.
Observing some beggars in the street as we walked along, I said to him
I supposed there was no civilized country in the world, where the misery
of want in the lowest classes of the people was prevented. JOHNSON.
'I believe, Sir, there is not; but it is better that some should be
unhappy, than that none should be happy, which would be the case in a
general state of equality.'

When the service was ended, I went home with him, and we sat quietly by
ourselves.

Upon the question whether a man who had been guilty of vicious actions
would do well to force himself into solitude and sadness; JOHNSON. 'No,
Sir, unless it prevent him from being vicious again. With some people,
gloomy penitence is only madness turned upside down. A man may be
gloomy, till, in order to be relieved from gloom, he has recourse again
to criminal indulgencies.'

On Wednesday, April 10, I dined with him at Mr. Thrale's, where were Mr.
Murphy and some other company. Before dinner, Dr. Johnson and I passed
some time by ourselves. I was sorry to find it was now resolved that the
proposed journey to Italy should not take place this year. He said, 'I
am disappointed, to be sure; but it is not a great disappointment.' I
wondered to see him bear, with a philosophical calmness, what would have
made most people peevish and fretful. I perceived, however, that he had
so warmly cherished the hope of enjoying classical scenes, that he could
not easily part with the scheme; for he said: 'I shall probably contrive
to get to Italy some other way. But I won't mention it to Mr. and Mrs.
Thrale, as it might vex them.' I suggested, that going to Italy might
have done Mr. and Mrs. Thrale good. JOHNSON. 'I rather believe not, Sir.
While grief is fresh, every attempt to divert only irritates. You must
wait till grief be DIGESTED, and then amusement will dissipate the
remains of it.'

I said, I disliked the custom which some people had of bringing their
children into company, because it in a manner forced us to pay foolish
compliments to please their parents. JOHNSON. 'You are right, Sir. We
may be excused for not caring much about other people's children, for
there are many who care very little about their own children. It may be
observed, that men, who from being engaged in business, or from their
course of life in whatever way, seldom see their children, do not care
much about them. I myself should not ha