Although upon most occasions I never heard a more strenuous advocate for
the advantages of wealth, than Dr. Johnson: he this day, I know not from
what caprice, took the other side. 'I have not observed (said he,) that
men of very large fortunes enjoy any thing extraordinary that
makes happiness. What has the Duke of Bedford? What has the Duke of
Devonshire? The only great instance that I have ever known of the
enjoyment of wealth was, that of Jamaica Dawkins, who, going to visit
Palmyra, and hearing that the way was infested by robbers, hired a troop
of Turkish horse to guard him.'
Dr. Gibbons, the Dissenting minister, being mentioned, he said, 'I took
to Dr. Gibbons.' And addressing himself to Mr. Charles Dilly, added, 'I
shall be glad to see him. Tell him, if he'll call on me, and dawdle over
a dish of tea in an afternoon, I shall take it kind.'
The Reverend Mr. Smith, Vicar of Southill, a very respectable man,
with a very agreeable family, sent an invitation to us to drink tea.
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