oduced the subject.
I myself, however, grew warm, and the change was great, from the calm
state of philosophical discussion in which we had a little before been
pleasingly employed.

We were fatigued by the contest, which was produced by my want of
caution; and he was not then in the humour to slide into easy and
cheerful talk. It therefore so happened, that we were after an hour or
two very willing to separate and go to bed.

On Wednesday, September 24, I went into Dr. Johnson's room before he got
up, and finding that the storm of the preceding night was quite laid,
I sat down upon his bed-side, and he talked with as much readiness and
good-humour as ever. He recommended to me to plant a considerable part
of a large moorish farm which I had purchased, and he made several
calculations of the expence and profit: for he delighted in exercising
his mind on the science of numbers. He pressed upon me the importance
of planting at the first in a very sufficient manner, quoting the saying
'In bello non licet bis errare:' and adding, 'this is equally true in
planting.'

I spoke with gratitude of Dr. Taylor's hospitality; and, as evidence
that it was not on account of his good table alone that Johnson visited
him often, I mentioned a little anecdote which had escaped my friend's
recollection, and at hearing which repeated, he smiled. One evening,
when I was sitting with him, Frank delivered this message: 'Sir, Dr.
Taylor sends his compliments to you, and begs you will dine with him
to-morrow. He has got a hare.'--'My compliments (said Johnson,) and I'll
dine with him--hare or rabbit.'

After breakfast I departed, and pursued my journey northwards. I took
my post-chaise from the Green Man, a very good inn at Ashbourne, the
mistress of which, a mighty civil gentlewoman, courtseying very low,
presented me with an engraving of the sign of her house; to which she
had subjoined, in her own hand-writing, an address in such singular
simplicity of style, that I have preserved it pasted upon one of the
boards of my original Journal at this time, and shall here insert it for
the amusement of my readers:--

'M. KILLINGLEY's duty waits upon Mr. Boswell, is exceedingly obliged to
him for this favour; whenever he comes this way, hopes for a continuance
of the same. Would Mr. Boswell name the house to his extensive
acquaintance, it would be a singular favour conferr'd on one who has it
not in her power to make any other return but her mos