y mind,' played over again,
and appeared to give a patient attention to it; though he owned to me
that he was very insensible to the power of musick. I told him, that it
affected me to such a degree, as often to agitate my nerves painfully,
producing in my mind alternate sensations of pathetick dejection, so
that I was ready to shed tears; and of daring resolution, so that I was
inclined to rush into the thickest part of the battle. 'Sir, (said he,)
I should never hear it, if it made me such a fool.'

This evening, while some of the tunes of ordinary composition were
played with no great skill, my frame was agitated, and I was conscious
of a generous attachment to Dr. Johnson, as my preceptor and friend,
mixed with an affectionate regret that he was an old man, whom I should
probably lose in a short time. I thought I could defend him at the point
of my sword. My reverence and affection for him were in full glow. I
said to him, 'My dear Sir, we must meet every year, if you don't quarrel
with me.' JOHNSON. 'Nay, Sir, you are more likely to quarrel with me,
than I with you. My regard for you is greater almost than I have words
to express; but I do not choose to be always repeating it; write it down
in the first leaf of your pocket-book, and never doubt of it again.'

I talked to him of misery being 'the doom of man' in this life, as
displayed in his Vanity of Human Wishes. Yet I observed that things were
done upon the supposition of happiness; grand houses were built, fine
gardens were made, splendid places of publick amusement were contrived,
and crowded with company. JOHNSON. 'Alas, Sir, these are all only
struggles for happiness. When I first entered Ranelagh, it gave an
expansion and gay sensation to my mind, such as I never experienced any
where else. But, as Xerxes wept when he viewed his immense army, and
considered that not one of that great multitude would be alive a hundred
years afterwards, so it went to my heart to consider that there was not
one in all that brilliant circle, that was not afraid to go home
and think; but that the thoughts of each individual there, would be
distressing when alone.'

I suggested, that being in love, and flattered with hopes of success;
or having some favourite scheme in view for the next day, might prevent
that wretchedness of which we had been talking. JOHNSON. 'Why, Sir, it
may sometimes be so as you suppose; but my conclusion is in general but
too true.'

While Johnson and