said with less certainty to-day,
what he will do to-morrow, than Garrick; it depends so much on his
humour at the time.' SCOTT. 'I am glad to hear of his liberality. He has
been represented as very saving.' JOHNSON. 'With his domestick saving we
have nothing to do. I remember drinking tea with him long ago, when Peg
Woffington made it, and he grumbled at her for making it too strong.*
He had then begun to feel money in his purse, and did not know when he
should have enough of it.'

* When Johnson told this little anecdote to Sir Joshua
Reynolds, he mentioned a circumstance which he omitted
to-day:--'Why, (said Garrick,) it is as red as blood.'
--BOSWELL

We talked of war. JOHNSON. 'Every man thinks meanly of himself for
not having been a soldier, or not having been at sea.' BOSWELL. 'Lord
Mansfield does not.' JOHNSON. 'Sir, if Lord Mansfield were in a company
of General Officers and Admirals who have been in service, he would
shrink; he'd wish to creep under the table.' BOSWELL. 'No; he'd think he
could TRY them all.' JOHNSON. 'Yes, if he could catch them: but they'd
try him much sooner. No, Sir; were Socrates and Charles the Twelfth of
Sweden both present in any company, and Socrates to say, "Follow me,
and hear a lecture on philosophy;" and Charles, laying his hand on
his sword, to say, "Follow me, and dethrone the Czar;" a man would be
ashamed to follow Socrates. Sir, the impression is universal; yet it is
strange.'

He talked of Mr. Charles Fox, of whose abilities he thought highly, but
observed, that he did not talk much at our CLUB. I have heard Mr.
Gibbon remark, 'that Mr. Fox could not be afraid of Dr. Johnson; yet he
certainly was very shy of saying any thing in Dr. Johnson's presence.'

He expressed great indignation at the imposture of the Cock-lane Ghost,
and related, with much satisfaction, how he had assisted in detecting
the cheat, and had published an account of it in the news-papers. Upon
this subject I incautiously offended him, by pressing him with too many
questions, and he shewed his displeasure. I apologised, saying that 'I
asked questions in order to be instructed and entertained; I repaired
eagerly to the fountain; but that the moment he gave me a hint, the
moment he put a lock upon the well, I desisted.'--'But, Sir, (said he),
that is forcing one to do a disagreeable thing:' and he continued to
rate me. 'Nay, Sir, (said I,) when you have put a lock upon the well,
so that