' JOHNSON. 'Nay, Sir, it is only in a new
coat; or an old coat with a new facing. (Then laughing heartily,) It
is the old dog in a new doublet.--An extraordinary instance however
may occur where a man's patron will do nothing for him, unless he will
drink: THERE may be a good reason for drinking.'
I mentioned a nobleman, who I believed was really uneasy if his company
would not drink hard. JOHNSON. 'That is from having had people about him
whom he has been accustomed to command.' BOSWELL. 'Supposing I should be
tete-a-tete with him at table.' JOHNSON. 'Sir, there is no more reason
for your drinking with HIM, than his being sober with YOU.' BOSWELL.
'Why, that is true; for it would do him less hurt to be sober, than
it would do me to get drunk.' JOHNSON. 'Yes, Sir; and from what I have
heard of him, one would not wish to sacrifice himself to such a man. If
he must always have somebody to drink with him, he should buy a slave,
and then he would be sure to have it. They who submit to drink as
another pleases, make themselves his slaves.
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