He was one day in company with a very talkative lady, of whom he appeared to take very little notice. * Why, Doctor, I believe you prefer the company of men to that of the ladies.' 1 Madam,' replied he, ' I am very fond of the company of ladies ; I like their beauty, I like their delicacy, I like their vivacity, and I like their silence' European Magazine ', 1798, p. 92.
Johnson the day before he died was visited by Dr. Burney. After having taken an affectionate leave of his old friend he said, taking his hands between his, ' My good friend, do all the good you can V
' You are my model, Sir/ said he to Dr. Burney, soon after he published his Tour to the Hebrides. ' I had that clever dog Burney's Musical Tour 2 in my eye,' said he to many friends on the same occasion. /#., p. 241.
A friend of Johnson, an indolent man, succeeding to a moderate sum of money on the death of his father, asked the Doctor how he should lay it out. ' Half on mortgage,' said he, ' and half in the funds : you have then,' continued he, ' the two best securities for it that your country can afford. Take care, how ever, of the character of the person to whom you lend it on mortgage; see that he is a man of exactness and regularity, and lives within his income. The money in the funds you are sure of at every emergency ; it is always at hand, and may be resorted to on every occasion V /#., p. 302.
1 For a somewhat different version cheap as stinking mackerel/ Johnson of this anecdote, see Life, iv. 410, writes : * In former times the pros- n. I. perity of the nation was known by
2 The Present State of Music in the value of land, as now by the price France and Italy, I vol. 1771, and of stocks. Before Henry the Seventh The Present State of Music in made it safe to serve the king regnant, Germany, &>c. } 2 vols. 1773. Life, it was the practice at every revolution iv. 1 86. for the conqueror to confiscate the
3 Dr. Johnson said : ' It is better estates of those that opposed, and to have five/^r cent, out of land than perhaps of those who did not assist out of money, because it is more se- him. Those, therefore, that foresaw cure ; but the readiness of transfer and a change of Government, and thought promptness of interest make many their estates in danger, were desirous people rather choose the funds.' Life, to sell them in haste for something iv. 164. In a note on Falstaff's that might be carried away.' John- words, 'You may buy land now as son's Shakespeare, ed. 1765, iv. 165.
Dr.
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