BOSWELL. 'Pray, Sir, what did he say was the appearance?' JOHNSON. 'Why,
Sir, something of a shadowy being.'
On Friday, April 10, I dined with him at General Oglethorpe's, where we
found Dr. Goldsmith.
I started the question whether duelling was consistent with moral
duty. The brave old General fired at this, and said, with a lofty
air, 'Undoubtedly a man has a right to defend his honour.' GOLDSMITH.
(turning to me,) 'I ask you first, Sir, what would you do if you were
affronted?' I answered I should think it necessary to fight. 'Why then,
(replied Goldsmith,) that solves the question.' JOHNSON. 'No, Sir, it
does not solve the question. It does not follow that what a man would
do is therefore right.' I said, I wished to have it settled, whether
duelling was contrary to the laws of Christianity. Johnson immediately
entered on the subject, and treated it in a masterly manner; and so far
as I have been able to recollect, his thoughts were these: 'Sir, as men
become in a high degree refined, various causes of offence arise; which
are considered to be of such importance, that life must be staked to
atone for them, though in reality they are not so.
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