Johnson was often pressed to wait on Lord Bute, but with a sullen spirit refused to comply '. However that be, Johnson was never heard to utter a disrespectful word of that nobleman 2 . The writer of this essay remembers a circumstance which may throw some light on this subject. The late Dr. Rose, of Chiswick, whom Johnson loved and respected, contended for the pre-eminence of the Scotch writers ; and Ferguson's book on Civil Society, then on the eve of publication, he said, would give the laurel to North Britain. ' Alas ! what can he do upon that subject?" said Johnson: 'Aristotle, Polybius, Grotius, Puffen- dorf, and Burlamaqui, have reaped in that field before him.' ' He will treat it,' said Dr. Rose, ' in a new manner.' ' A new manner ! Buckinger had no hands, and he wrote his name with his toes at Charing-cross, for half a crown apiece; that was a new manner of writing 3 ! ' Dr. Rose replied, ' If that will not satisfy you, I will name a writer, whom you must allow to be the best in the kingdom.' ' Who is that ? ' ' The Earl of Bute, when he wrote an order for your pension.' 'There, Sir,' said Johnson, ' you have me in the toil : to Lord Bute I must allow whatever praise you may claim for him V Ingratitude was no of Johnson's character.
��Being now in the possession of a regular income, Johnson left his chambers in the Temple, and once more became master of
1 Murphy misrepresents Hawkins, 136), who had his information from who says (p. 393): 'It was by James Elphinston, says that 'John- Johnson and his friends thought fit son dined at Mr. Elphinston's but that he should return thanks for this a few days before the pension was distinguishing mark of the royal proposed. He was there asked why favour, and that Lord Bute was the he had shown such dislike to the proper person to convey them. Ac- minister ; because, said he, he gave cordingly he waited on his Lordship, the King a wrong education. He and being admitted to him testified had only taught him, added John- his sense of the obligation ; but having son, to draw a tree'
done this he thought he had done 3 Ante, p. 188.
enough, and never after could be 4 Boswell mentions this story as
prevailed on to knock at his door.' ' having been circulated both in con-
2 He reproached Bute with ' shew- versation and in print ---- When I ing an undue partiality to Scotchmen.' mentioned it to Johnson, " Sir, (said Life, ii. 354. The author of the he) if Rose said this I never heard Memcirs of Dr. Johnson (1785, p. it.'" Life, iv. 168, n. I.
a house
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