on it, were true as related, there was something supernatural. That
rests upon his word; and there it remains.'

I staid all this day* with him at Streatham. He talked a great deal, in
very good humour.

* Wednesday, May 13.--ED.

Looking at Messrs. Dilly's splendid edition of Lord Chesterfield's
miscellaneous works, he laughed, and said, 'Here now are two speeches
ascribed to him, both of which were written by me: and the best of it
is, they have found out that one is like Demosthenes, and the other like
Cicero.'

BOSWELL. 'Is not modesty natural?' JOHNSON. 'I cannot say, Sir, as we
find no people quite in a state of nature; but I think the more they
are taught, the more modest they are. The French are a gross, ill-bred,
untaught people; a lady there will spit on the floor and rub it with
her foot. What I gained by being in France was, learning to be better
satisfied with my own country. Time may be employed to more advantage
from nineteen to twenty-four almost in any way than in travelling; when
you set travelling against mere negation, against doing nothing, it is
better to be sure; but how much more would a young man improve were he
to study during those years. Indeed, if a young man is wild, and must
run after women and bad company, it is better this should be done
abroad, as, on his return, he can break off such connections, and begin
at home a new man, with a character to form, and acquaintances to make.
How little does travelling supply to the conversation of any man who
has travelled; how little to Beauclerk!' BOSWELL. 'What say you to Lord
------?' JOHNSON. 'I never but once heard him talk of what he had
seen, and that was of a large serpent in one of the Pyramids of Egypt.'
BOSWELL. 'Well, I happened to hear him tell the same thing, which made
me mention him.'

I talked of a country life. JOHNSON. 'Were I to live in the country, I
would not devote myself to the acquisition of popularity; I would live
in a much better way, much more happily; I would have my time at my own
command.' BOSWELL. 'But, Sir, is it not a sad thing to be at a distance
from all our literary friends?' JOHNSON. 'Sir, you will by and by have
enough of this conversation, which now delights you so much.'

As he was a zealous friend of subordination, he was at all times
watchful to repress the vulgar cant against the manners of the great;
'High people, Sir, (said he,) are the best; take a hundred ladies of
quality, you'll find the