of the many anecdotes that have
been written about habitues of the London coffee houses of the
seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

[Illustration: DR. JOHNSON'S SEAT AT THE CHESHIRE CHEESE]

Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), the lexicographer, was one of the most
constant frequenters of the coffee houses of his day. His big, awkward
figure was a familiar sight as he went about attended by his satellite,
young James Boswell, who was to write about him for the delight of
future generations in his marvelous _Life of Johnson_. The intellectual
and moral peculiarities of the man found a natural expression in the
coffee house. Johnson was fifty-four and Boswell only twenty-three when
the two first met in Tom Davies' book-shop in Covent Garden. The story
is told by Boswell with great particularity and characteristic naivete:

Mr. Davies mentioned my name, and respectfully introduced me to
him. I was much agitated, and recollecting his prejudice against
the Scotch, of which I had heard so much, I said to Davies, "Don't
tell him where I come from." "From Scotland," cried Davies
roguishly. "Mr. Johnson," said I, "I do indeed come from Scotland,
but I cannot help it." I am willing to flatter myself that I meant
this as a light pleasantry to sooth and conciliate him, and not as
a humiliating abasement at the expense of my country. But however
that might be, this speech was somewhat unlucky, for with that
quickness of wit for which he was so remarkable, he seized the
expression, "come from Scotland!" which I used In the sense of
being of that country; and, as if I had come away from it, or left
it, he retorted, "That, sir, I find is what a great many of your
countrymen cannot help."

Nothing daunted, however, Boswell within a week called upon Johnson in
his chambers. This time the doctor urged him to tarry. Three weeks later
he said to him, "Come to me as often as you can." Within a fortnight
thereafter Boswell was giving the great man a sketch of his own life and
Johnson was exclaiming, "Give me your hand; I have taken a liking to
you."

[Illustration: ORIGINAL COFFEE ROOM, OLD COCK TAVERN]

When people began to ask, "Who is this Scotch cur at Johnson's heels?"
Goldsmith replied: "He is not a cur; he is only a bur. Tom Davies flung
him at Johnson in sport, and he has the faculty of sticking."

Thus began one of the strangest friendships, out of which deve