Taylor, though he could
not write like Johnson, (as, indeed, who could?) did not sometimes
compose sermons as good as those which we generally have from very
respectable divines. He shewed me one with notes on the margin in
Johnson's handwriting; and I was present when he read another to
Johnson, that he might have his opinion of it, and Johnson said it was
'very well.' These, we may be sure, were not Johnson's; for he was above
little arts, or tricks of deception.
I mentioned to Johnson a respectable person of a very strong mind, who
had little of that tenderness which is common to human nature; as an
instance of which, when I suggested to him that he should invite his
son, who had been settled ten years in foreign parts, to come home and
pay him a visit, his answer was, 'No, no, let him mind his business.
JOHNSON. 'I do not agree with him, Sir, in this. Getting money is not
all a man's business: to cultivate kindness is a valuable part of the
business of life.'
In the evening, Johnson, being in very good spirits, entertained us with
several characteristical portraits.
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