But whether I
had shewn an over-exultation, which provoked his spleen; or whether he
was seized with a suspicion that I had obtruded him on Lord Marchmont,
and humbled him too much; or whether there was any thing more than an
unlucky fit of ill-humour, I know not; but, to my surprize, the result
was,--JOHNSON. 'I shall not be in town to-morrow. I don't care to know
about Pope.' MRS. THRALE. (surprized as I was, and a little angry,) 'I
suppose, Sir, Mr. Boswell thought, that as you are to write Pope's Life,
you would wish to know about him.' JOHNSON. 'Wish! why yes. If it rained
knowledge I'd hold out my hand; but I would not give myself the trouble
to go in quest of it.' There was no arguing with him at the moment. Some
time afterwards he said, 'Lord Marchmont will call on me, and then
I shall call on Lord Marchmont.' Mr. Thrale was uneasy at his
unaccountable caprice; and told me, that if I did not take care to bring
about a meeting between Lord Marchmont and him, it would never take
place, which would be a great pity.
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