he first thing you will meet in the other world, will be
an elegant copy of Shakspeare's works presented to you."' Dr. Johnson
smiled benignantly at this, and did not appear to disapprove of the
notion.

We went to St. Clement's church again in the afternoon, and then
returned and drank tea and coffee in Mrs. Williams's room; Mrs.
Desmoulins doing the honours of the tea-table. I observed that he would
not even look at a proof-sheet of his Life of Waller on Good-Friday.

On Saturday, April 14, I drank tea with him. He praised the late Mr.
Duncombe, of Canterbury, as a pleasing man. 'He used to come to me: I
did not seek much after HIM. Indeed I never sought much after any body.'
BOSWELL. 'Lord Orrery, I suppose.' JOHNSON. 'No, Sir; I never went to
him but when he sent for me.' BOSWELL. 'Richardson?' JOHNSON. 'Yes, Sir.
But I sought after George Psalmanazar the most. I used to go and sit
with him at an alehouse in the city.'

I am happy to mention another instance which I discovered of his SEEKING
AFTER a man of merit. Soon after the Honourable Daines Barrington had
published his excellent Observations on the Statutes, Johnson waited
on that worthy and learned gentleman; and, having told him his name,
courteously said, 'I have read your book, Sir, with great pleasure, and
wish to be better known to you.' Thus began an acquaintance, which was
continued with mutual regard as long as Johnson lived.

Talking of a recent seditious delinquent, he said, 'They should set him
in the pillory, that he may be punished in a way that would disgrace
him.' I observed, that the pillory does not always disgrace. And I
mentioned an instance of a gentleman who I thought was not dishonoured
by it. JOHNSON. 'Ay, but he was, Sir. He could not mouth and strut as he
used to do, after having been there. People are not willing to ask a man
to their tables who has stood in the pillory.'

Johnson attacked the Americans with intemperate vehemence of abuse. I
said something in their favour; and added, that I was always sorry when
he talked on that subject. This, it seems, exasperated him; though he
said nothing at the time. The cloud was charged with sulphureous vapour,
which was afterwards to burst in thunder.--We talked of a gentleman who
was running out his fortune in London; and I said, 'We must get him out
of it. All his friends must quarrel with him, and that will soon drive
him away.' JOHNSON. 'Nay, Sir; we'll send YOU to him. If your compan