On Friday, April 3, I dined with him in London, in a company* where
were present several eminent men, whom I shall not name, but distinguish
their parts in the conversation by different letters.

* The Club. Hill identifies E. as Burke and J. as Sir
Joshua Reynolds.--ED.

E. 'We hear prodigious complaints at present of emigration. I am
convinced that emigration makes a country more populous.' J. 'That
sounds very much like a paradox.' E. 'Exportation of men, like
exportation of all other commodities, makes more be produced.' JOHNSON.
'But there would be more people were there not emigration, provided
there were food for more.' E. 'No; leave a few breeders, and you'll have
more people than if there were no emigration.' JOHNSON. 'Nay, Sir, it is
plain there will be more people, if there are more breeders. Thirty cows
in good pasture will produce more calves than ten cows, provided they
have good bulls.' E. 'There are bulls enough in Ireland.' JOHNSON.
(smiling,) 'So, Sir, I should think from your argument.'

E. 'I believe, in any body of men in England, I should have been in the
Minority; I have always been in the Minority.' P. 'The House of
Commons resembles a private company. How seldom is any man convinced by
another's argument; passion and pride rise against it.' R. 'What would
be the consequence, if a Minister, sure of a majority in the House of
Commons, should resolve that there should be no speaking at all upon his
side.' E. 'He must soon go out. That has been tried; but it was found it
would not do.' . . . .

JOHNSON. 'I have been reading Thicknesse's Travels, which I think are
entertaining.' BOSWELL. 'What, Sir, a good book?' JOHNSON. 'Yes, Sir,
to read once; I do not say you are to make a study of it, and digest it;
and I believe it to be a true book in his intention.'

E. 'From the experience which I have had,--and I have had a great
deal,--I have learnt to think BETTER of mankind.' JOHNSON. 'From my
experience I have found them worse in commercial dealings, more disposed
to cheat, than I had any notion of; but more disposed to do one another
good than I had conceived.' J. 'Less just and more beneficent.' JOHNSON.
'And really it is wonderful, considering how much attention is necessary
for men to take care of themselves, and ward off immediate evils which
press upon them, it is wonderful how much they do for others. As it is
said of the greatest liar, that he tells more truth than falsehood;
so