��already repeated in so many books and pamphlets, that 'tis perhaps scarcely worth while to write down the conversation between him and a friend of that nation who always resides in London, and who at his return from the Hebrides asked him, with a firm tone of voice, What he thought of his country? ' That it is a very vile country to be sure, Sir V (returned for answer Dr. Johnson.) Well, Sir ! replies the other somewhat mortified, God made it. ' Certainly he did (answers Mr. John son again) ; but we must always remember that he made it for
Scotchmen, and comparisons are odious, Mr. S 2 ; but God
made hell.'
Dr. Johnson did not I think much delight in that kind of conversation which consists in telling stories : ' every body (said he) tells stories of me, and I tell stories of nobody 3 . I do not recollect (added he), that I have ever told you, that have been always favourites, above three stories ; but I hope I do not play the Old Fool, and force people to hear uninteresting narratives, only because I once was diverted with them myself.' He was [not] however an enemy to that sort of talk from the famous Mr. Foote, 'whose happiness of manner in relating was such (he said) as subdued arrogance and roused stupidity 4 : His stories were truly like those of Biron in Love's Labour Lost 5 , so very attractive.
That aged ears play'd truant with [at] his tales, And younger hearings were quite ravish'd ; So sweet and voluble was his discourse.
1 ' Seeing Scotland/ said Johnson, tween him and a jest, and he is ' is only seeing a worse England. It sometimes mighty coarse.' Ib. iii. is seeing the flower gradually fade 69. See ib. for the way in which he away to the naked stalk.' Life, iii. pleased Johnson against his will ; 248. Letters, ii. 55, where Johnson wishes
2 Perhaps Mr. Strahan. for a Footeana, and ante, p. 225.
3 Ante, p. 226. 5 Love's Labour's Lost, Act ii. sc. I.
4 ' Foote,' he said, ' is very enter- 1. 74.
taining, with a kind of conversation These lines with the preceding
between wit and buffoonery.' Life, ones were inscribed by Beauclerk
ii. 155. 'He has a great range for under Garrick's portrait. Life, iv.
wit ; he never lets truth stand be- 96.
Of
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