'Well, I am sorry for it. I'll make it up to you twenty
different ways, as you please.' BOSWELL. 'I said to-day to Sir Joshua,
when he observed that you TOSSED me sometimes--I don't care how often,
or how high he tosses me, when only friends are present, for then I fall
upon soft ground: but I do not like falling on stones, which is the
case when enemies are present.--I think this a pretty good image, Sir.'
JOHNSON. 'Sir, it is one of the happiest I have ever heard.'
The truth is, there was no venom in the wounds which he inflicted at
any time, unless they were irritated by some malignant infusion by other
hands. We were instantly as cordial again as ever, and joined in
hearty laugh at some ludicrous but innocent peculiarities of one of our
friends. BOSWELL. 'Do you think, Sir, it is always culpable to laugh at
a man to his face?' JOHNSON. 'Why, Sir, that depends upon the man and
the thing. If it is a slight man, and a slight thing, you may; for you
take nothing valuable from him.
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