But errour is
dangerous indeed, if you err when you choose a religion for yourself.'
MRS. KNOWLES. 'Must we then go by implicit faith?' JOHNSON. 'Why,
Madam, the greatest part of our knowledge is implicit faith; and as to
religion, have we heard all that a disciple of Confucius, all that a
Mahometan, can say for himself?' He then rose again into passion, and
attacked the young proselyte in the severest terms of reproach, so that
both the ladies seemed to be much shocked.
We remained together till it was pretty late. Notwithstanding occasional
explosions of violence, we were all delighted upon the whole with
Johnson. I compared him at this time to a warm West-Indian climate,
where you have a bright sun, quick vegetation, luxuriant foliage,
luscious fruits; but where the same heat sometimes produces thunder,
lightning, earthquakes, in a terrible degree.
April 17, being Good Friday, I waited on Johnson, as usual. I observed
at breakfast that although it was a part of his abstemious discipline
on this most solemn fast, to take no milk in his tea, yet when Mrs.
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