��and very fully was he persuaded of its superiority over every other talent bestowed by heaven on man. His chapter upon that particular subject in his Rasselas x , is really written from the fulness of his heart, and quite in his best manner I think. I am not so sure that this is the proper place to mention his writing that surprising little volume in a week or ten days' time, in order to obtain money for his journey to Lichfield when his mother lay upon her last sickbed 2 .
Promptitude of thought indeed, and quickness of expression, were among the peculiar felicities of Johnson : his notions rose up like the dragon's teeth sowed by Cadmus all ready clothed, and in bright armour too, fit for immediate battle 3 . He was therefore (as somebody is said to have expressed it) a tremendous converser 4 , and few people ventured to try their skill against an antagonist with whom contention was so hopeless. One gentleman however, who dined at a nobleman's house in his company and that of Mr. Thrale, to whom I was obliged for the anecdote, was willing to enter the lists in defence of King William's character 5 , and having opposed and contradicted Johnson two or three times petulantly enough ; the master of the house began to feel uneasy, and expected disagreeable con sequences : to avoid which he said, loud enough for the Doctor to hear, Our friend here has no meaning now in all this, except just to relate at club to-morrow how he teized Johnson at dinner to-day this is all to do himself honour. No, upon my word, replied the other, I see no honour in it, whatever you may do. ( Well, Sir ! (returned Mr. Johnson sternly) if you do not see the honour, I am sure I feel the disgrace'
1 Chapter x. formal preparation, no flourishing
2 Johnson probably began Rasselas with his sword ; he is through your in order to obtain money for his body in an instant." ' Life, ii. 365. journey to Lichfield, but he did not 4 George Garrick called him ' a get it finished in time. Life, \. 341 ; tremendous companion.' Id. i. 496, Letters, i. 79. n. I ; iii. 139.
3 'Sir Joshua observed to me 5 Johnson called William III ' one the extraordinary promptitude with of the most worthless scoundrels that which Johnson flew upon an argu- ever existed.' Ib. ii. 342. See also ment. " Yes, (said I,) he has no ib. v. 255.
A young
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