LXXII. Concerning snakes.
'There are no snakes to be met with throughout the whole island.'
Mr. Topham Beauclerk came in the evening, and he and Dr. Johnson and I
staid to supper. It was mentioned that Dr. Dodd had once wished to be a
member of THE LITERARY CLUB. JOHNSON. 'I should be sorry if any of
our Club were hanged. I will not say but some of them deserve it.'
BEAUCLERK. (supposing this to be aimed at persons for whom he had at
that time a wonderful fancy, which, however, did not last long,) was
irritated, and eagerly said, 'You, Sir, have a friend, (naming him) who
deserves to be hanged; for he speaks behind their backs against
those with whom he lives on the best terms, and attacks them in the
newspapers. HE certainly ought to be KICKED.' JOHNSON. 'Sir, we all do
this in some degree, "Veniam petimus damusque vicissim." To be sure it
may be done so much, that a man may deserve to be kicked.' BEAUCLERK.
'He is very malignant.' JOHNSON. 'No, Sir; he is not malignant.
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