pun upon his favourite liquor he heard with a smile. v Though his time seemed to be bespoke, and quite engrossed, it is certain his house was open to all his acquaintance, new and old x . His amanuensis has given up his pen, the printer's devil has waited on the stairs for a proof sheet, and the press has often stood still. His visitors were delighted and instructed. No subject ever came amiss to him. He could transfer his thoughts from one thing to another with the most accommodating facility. He had the art, for which Locke was famous, of leading people to talk on their favourite subjects, and on what they knew best 2 . By this he acquired a great deal of information. What he once heard he rarely forgot. They gave him their best conversation, and he generally made them pleased with themselves, for endeavouring to please him. Poet Smart used to relate, ' that the first conversation with him was of such variety and length, that it began with poetry arid ended at fluxions.' He always talked as if he was talking upon oath 3 . He was the wisest person, and had the most knowledge in ready cash 4 , this writer had the honour to be acquainted with Here a little pause must be endured. The poor hand that holds the pen is benumbed by the frost as much as by a torpedo 5 . It is cold within, by the
1 'Johnson, during the whole course said of me what flattered me much,
of his life, had no shyness, real or A clergyman was complaining of
affected, but was easy of access to want of society in the country where
all who were properly recommended, he lived ; and said, ' They talk of
and even wished to see numbers at runts ;' (that is, young cows). 'Sir,
his levee, as his morning circle of (said Mrs. Salusbury,) Mr. Johnson
company might, with strict pro- would learn to talk of runts.' " ' Life,
priety, be called.' Life, i. 247. iii. 337-
2 ' Locke felt pleasure in conversing Tyers forgets to record his own
with all sorts of people, and tried to description of Johnson's talk. ' Tom
profit by their information, which Tyers described me the best : " Sir
arose . . . from the opinion he enter- (said he) you are like a ghost; you
tained that there was nobody from never speak till you are spoken to." '
whom something useful could not be Ib. iii. 307 ; ante, i. 290.
got. And indeed by this means he 3 Life, ii. 434 ; ante, i. 458.
had learned so many things concern- 4 Life, ii. 256.
ing the arts and trade, that he 5 ' Tom Birch is as brisk as a bee
seemed to have made them his par- in conversation ; but no sooner does
ticular study.' King's Life of Locke, he take a pen in his hand, than it
ed. 1858, p. 271. becomes a torpedo to him, and be-
' JOHNSON. " Mrs.Thrale's mother numbs all his faculties.' Ib. i. 159.
fire-side
�� �
