' Still he thought the large room ill
lighted, and of no use but for dancing in; and the bed-chambers
but indifferent rooms; and that the immense sum which it cost was
injudiciously laid out. Dr. Taylor had put him in mind of his APPEARING
pleased with the house. 'But (said he,) that was when Lord Scarsdale was
present. Politeness obliges us to appear pleased with a man's works when
he is present. No man will be so ill bred as to question you. You may
therefore pay compliments without saying what is not true. I should say
to Lord Scarsdale of his large room, "My Lord, this is the most COSTLY
room that I ever saw;" which is true.'
Dr. Manningham, physician in London, who was visiting at Lord
Scarsdale's, accompanyed us through many of the rooms, and soon
afterwards my Lord himself, to whom Dr. Johnson was known, appeared, and
did the honours of the house. We talked of Mr. Langton. Johnson, with
a warm vehemence of affectionate regard, exclaimed, 'The earth does
not bear a worthier man than Bennet Langton.
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