' BOSWELL. 'No; he'd think he
could TRY them all.' JOHNSON. 'Yes, if he could catch them: but they'd
try him much sooner. No, Sir; were Socrates and Charles the Twelfth of
Sweden both present in any company, and Socrates to say, "Follow me,
and hear a lecture on philosophy;" and Charles, laying his hand on
his sword, to say, "Follow me, and dethrone the Czar;" a man would be
ashamed to follow Socrates. Sir, the impression is universal; yet it is
strange.'
He talked of Mr. Charles Fox, of whose abilities he thought highly, but
observed, that he did not talk much at our CLUB. I have heard Mr.
Gibbon remark, 'that Mr. Fox could not be afraid of Dr. Johnson; yet he
certainly was very shy of saying any thing in Dr. Johnson's presence.'
He expressed great indignation at the imposture of the Cock-lane Ghost,
and related, with much satisfaction, how he had assisted in detecting
the cheat, and had published an account of it in the news-papers. Upon
this subject I incautiously offended him, by pressing him with too many
questions, and he shewed his displeasure.
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