After coffee, we went to afternoon service in St. Clement's church.
Observing some beggars in the street as we walked along, I said to him
I supposed there was no civilized country in the world, where the misery
of want in the lowest classes of the people was prevented. JOHNSON.
'I believe, Sir, there is not; but it is better that some should be
unhappy, than that none should be happy, which would be the case in a
general state of equality.'
When the service was ended, I went home with him, and we sat quietly by
ourselves.
Upon the question whether a man who had been guilty of vicious actions
would do well to force himself into solitude and sadness; JOHNSON. 'No,
Sir, unless it prevent him from being vicious again. With some people,
gloomy penitence is only madness turned upside down. A man may be
gloomy, till, in order to be relieved from gloom, he has recourse again
to criminal indulgencies.'
On Wednesday, April 10, I dined with him at Mr. Thrale's, where were Mr.
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