al enquirers. And, perhaps,
the advice is as good as can be given to a low-spirited dissatisfied
being:--'Don't trouble your head with sickly thinking: take a cup, and
be merry.'

Friday, September 19, after breakfast Dr. Johnson and I set out in Dr.
Taylor's chaise to go to Derby. The day was fine, and we resolved to
go by Keddlestone, the seat of Lord Scarsdale, that I might see his
Lordship's fine house. I was struck with the magnificence of the
building; and the extensive park, with the finest verdure, covered with
deer, and cattle, and sheep, delighted me. The number of old oaks, of an
immense size, filled me with a sort of respectful admiration: for one
of them sixty pounds was offered. The excellent smooth gravel roads; the
large piece of water formed by his Lordship from some small brooks, with
a handsome barge upon it; the venerable Gothick church, now the family
chapel, just by the house; in short, the grand group of objects agitated
and distended my mind in a most agreeable manner. 'One should think
(said I,) that the proprietor of all this MUST be happy.'--'Nay, Sir,
(said Johnson,) all this excludes but one evil--poverty.'

Our names were sent up, and a well-drest elderly housekeeper, a most
distinct articulator, shewed us the house; which I need not describe, as
there is an account of it published in Adam's Works in Architecture. Dr.
Johnson thought better of it to-day than when he saw it before; for he
had lately attacked it violently, saying, 'It would do excellently for
a town-hall. The large room with the pillars (said he,) would do for the
Judges to sit in at the assizes; the circular room for a jury-chamber;
and the room above for prisoners.' Still he thought the large room ill
lighted, and of no use but for dancing in; and the bed-chambers
but indifferent rooms; and that the immense sum which it cost was
injudiciously laid out. Dr. Taylor had put him in mind of his APPEARING
pleased with the house. 'But (said he,) that was when Lord Scarsdale was
present. Politeness obliges us to appear pleased with a man's works when
he is present. No man will be so ill bred as to question you. You may
therefore pay compliments without saying what is not true. I should say
to Lord Scarsdale of his large room, "My Lord, this is the most COSTLY
room that I ever saw;" which is true.'

Dr. Manningham, physician in London, who was visiting at Lord
Scarsdale's, accompanyed us through many of the rooms, and soon
afterw