' The phrase my time, like the word age, is usually
understood to refer to an event of a publick or general nature. I
imagined something like an assassination of the King--like a gunpowder
plot carried into execution--or like another fire of London. When asked,
'What is it, Sir?' he answered, 'Mr. Thrale has lost his only son!' This
was, no doubt, a very great affliction to Mr. and Mrs. Thrale, which
their friends would consider accordingly; but from the manner in which
the intelligence of it was communicated by Johnson, it appeared for
the moment to be comparatively small. I, however, soon felt a sincere
concern, and was curious to observe, how Dr. Johnson would be affected.
He said, 'This is a total extinction to their family, as much as if
they were sold into captivity.' Upon my mentioning that Mr. Thrale had
daughters, who might inherit his wealth;--'Daughters, (said Johnson,
warmly,) he'll no more value his daughters than--' I was going to
speak.--'Sir, (said he,) don't you know how you yourself think? Sir, he
wishes to propagate his name.
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