s all the invidiousness of self-praise, and all the reproach of
falsehood.'

On Tuesday, April 28, he was engaged to dine at General Paoli's,
where, as I have already observed, I was still entertained in elegant
hospitality, and with all the ease and comfort of a home. I called on
him, and accompanied him in a hackney-coach. We stopped first at the
bottom of Hedgelane, into which he went to leave a letter, 'with good
news for a poor man in distress,' as he told me. I did not question him
particularly as to this. He himself often resembled Lady Bolingbroke's
Lively description of Pope; that 'he was un politique aux choux et aux
raves.' He would say, 'I dine to-day in Grosvenor-square;' this might be
with a Duke: or, perhaps, 'I dine to-day at the other end of the town:'
or, 'A gentleman of great eminence called on me yesterday.' He loved
thus to keep things floating in conjecture: Omne ignotum pro magnifico
est. I believe I ventured to dissipate the cloud, to unveil the mystery,
more freely and frequently than any of his friends. We stopped again at
Wirgman's, the well-known toy-shop, in St. James's-street, at the corner
of St. James's-place, to which he had been directed, but not clearly,
for he searched about some time, and could not find it at first; and
said, 'To direct one only to a corner shop is TOYING with one.' I
suppose he meant this as a play upon the word toy: it was the first time
that I knew him stoop to such sport. After he had been some time in the
shop, he sent for me to come out of the coach, and help him to choose
a pair of silver buckles, as those he had were too small. Probably this
alteration in dress had been suggested by Mrs. Thrale, by associating
with whom, his external appearance was much improved. He got better
cloaths; and the dark colour, from which he never deviated, was
enlivened by metal buttons. His wigs, too, were much better; and during
their travels in France, he was furnished with a Paris-made wig,
of handsome construction. This choosing of silver buckles was a
negociation: 'Sir, (said he,) I will not have the ridiculous large ones
now in fashion; and I will give no more than a guinea for a pair.' Such
were the PRINCIPLES of the business; and, after some examination, he was
fitted. As we drove along, I found him in a talking humour, of which I
availed myself. BOSWELL. 'I was this morning in Ridley's shop, Sir; and
was told, that the collection called Johnsoniana has sold very much.'