'
When Mr. Langton returned to us, the 'flow of talk' went on. An eminent
authour being mentioned;--JOHNSON. 'He is not a pleasant man. His
conversation is neither instructive nor brilliant. He does not talk as
if impelled by any fulness of knowledge or vivacity of imagination. His
conversation is like that of any other sensible man. He talks with no
wish either to inform or to hear, but only because he thinks it does not
become ------ ------ to sit in a company and say nothing.'
Mr. Langton having repeated the anecdote of Addison having distinguished
between his powers in conversation and in writing, by saying 'I
have only nine-pence in my pocket; but I can draw for a thousand
pounds;'--JOHNSON. 'He had not that retort ready, Sir; he had prepared
it before-hand.' LANGTON. (turning to me,) 'A fine surmise. Set a thief
to catch a thief.'
JOHNSON. 'I shall be at home to-morrow.' BOSWELL. 'Then let us dine by
ourselves at the Mitre, to keep up the old custom, "the custom of the
manor," the custom of the mitre.
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