Perhaps I thought
that Seward would not believe it the less to be mine for what I said;
but I would not put it in his power to say I had owned it.'
He said, 'Goldsmith was a plant that flowered late. There appeared
nothing remarkable about him when he was young; though when he had got
high in fame, one of his friends began to recollect something of his
being distinguished at College. Goldsmith in the same manner recollected
more of that friend's early years, as he grew a greater man.'
I mentioned that Lord Monboddo told me, he awaked every morning at four,
and then for his health got up and walked in his room naked, with the
window open, which he called taking an air bath; after which he went to
bed again, and slept two hours more. Johnson, who was always ready to
beat down any thing that seemed to be exhibited with disproportionate
importance, thus observed: 'I suppose, Sir, there is no more in it than
this, he awakes at four, and cannot sleep till he chills himself, and
makes the warmth of the bed a grateful sensation.
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