I thought
this as excellent in its species of power, as making good verses in ITS
species. Yet I had no respect for this potter. Neither, indeed, has a
man of any extent of thinking for a mere verse-maker, in whose numbers,
however perfect, there is no poetry, no mind. The china was beautiful,
but Dr. Johnson justly observed it was too dear; for that he could have
vessels of silver, of the same size, as cheap as what were here made of
porcelain.
I felt a pleasure in walking about Derby such as I always have in
walking about any town to which I am not accustomed. There is an
immediate sensation of novelty; and one speculates on the way in which
life is passed in it, which, although there is a sameness every where
upon the whole, is yet minutely diversified. The minute diversities in
every thing are wonderful. Talking of shaving the other night at Dr.
Taylor's, Dr. Johnson said, 'Sir, of a thousand shavers, two do not
shave so much alike as not to be distinguished.' I thought this
not possible, till he specified so many of the varieties in
shaving;--holding the razor more or less perpendicular;--drawing long
or short strokes;--beginning at the upper part of the face, or the
under;--at the right side or the left side.
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