I should like to see a translation of it
in poetical prose like the book of Ruth or Job.' ROBERTSON. 'Would you,
Dr. Johnson, who are master of the English language, but try your hand
upon a part of it.' JOHNSON. 'Sir, you could not read it without the
pleasure of verse.
Dr. Robertson expatiated on the character of a certain nobleman; that he
was one of the strongest-minded men that ever lived; that he would sit
in company quite sluggish, while there was nothing to call forth his
intellectual vigour; but the moment that any important subject was
started, for instance, how this country is to be defended against a
French invasion, he would rouse himself, and shew his extraordinary
talents with the most powerful ability and animation. JOHNSON. 'Yet this
man cut his own throat. The true strong and sound mind is the mind that
can embrace equally great things and small. Now I am told the King of
Prussia will say to a servant, "Bring me a bottle of such a wine, which
came in such a year; it lies in such a corner of the cellars.
Pages:
811
812
813
814
815
816
817
818
819
820
821
822
823
824
825
826
827
828
829
830
831
832
833
834
835