emper; till, by degrees, I diverted his attention to other
topicks.

Talking of Miss ------, a literary lady, he said, 'I was obliged to
speak to Miss Reynolds, to let her know that I desired she would not
flatter me so much.' Somebody now observed, 'She flatters Garrick.'
JOHNSON. 'She is in the right to flatter Garrick. She is in the right
for two reasons; first, because she has the world with her, who have
been praising Garrick these thirty years; and secondly, because she is
rewarded for it by Garrick. Why should she flatter ME? I can do nothing
for her. Let her carry her praise to a better market. (Then turning to
Mrs. Knowles.) You, Madam, have been flattering me all the evening; I
wish you would give Boswell a little now. If you knew his merit as well
as I do, you would say a great deal; he is the best travelling companion
in the world.'

Somebody mentioned the Reverend Mr. Mason's prosecution of Mr. Murray,
the bookseller, for having inserted in a collection of Gray's Poems,
only fifty lines, of which Mr. Mason had still the exclusive property,
under the statute of Queen Anne; and that Mr. Mason had persevered,
notwithstanding his being requested to name his own terms of
compensation. Johnson signified his displeasure at Mr. Mason's conduct
very strongly; but added, by way of shewing that he was not surprized at
it, 'Mason's a Whig.' MRS. KNOWLES. (not hearing distinctly,) 'What! a
Prig, Sir?' JOHNSON. 'Worse, Madam; a Whig! But he is both.'

Of John Wesley, he said, 'He can talk well on any subject.' BOSWELL.
'Pray, Sir, what has he made of his story of a ghost?' JOHNSON. 'Why,
Sir, he believes it; but not on sufficient authority. He did not take
time enough to examine the girl. It was at Newcastle, where the ghost
was said to have appeared to a young woman several times, mentioning
something about the right to an old house, advising application to be
made to an attorney, which was done; and, at the same time, saying the
attorneys would do nothing, which proved to be the fact. "This (says
John,) is a proof that a ghost knows our thoughts." Now (laughing,) it
is not necessary to know our thoughts, to tell that an attorney will
sometimes do nothing. Charles Wesley, who is a more stationary man, does
not believe the story. I am sorry that John did not take more pains to
inquire into the evidence for it.' MISS SEWARD, (with an incredulous
smile,) 'What, Sir! about a ghost?' JOHNSON. (with solemn vehemence,)
'Yes