Placing him at a
publick school is forcing an owl upon day.'
Speaking of a gentleman whose house was much frequented by low company;
'Rags, Sir, (said he,) will always make their appearance where they have
a right to do it.'
Of the same gentleman's mode of living, he said, 'Sir, the servants,
instead of doing what they are bid, stand round the table in idle
clusters, gaping upon the guests; and seem as unfit to attend a company,
as to steer a man of war.'
A dull country magistrate gave Johnson a long tedious account of his
exercising his criminal jurisdiction, the result of which was his having
sentenced four convicts to transportation. Johnson, in an agony of
impatience to get rid of such a companion, exclaimed, 'I heartily wish,
Sir, that I were a fifth.'
Johnson was present when a tragedy was read, in which there occurred
this line:--
'Who rules o'er freemen should himself be free.'
The company having admired it much, 'I cannot agree with you (said
Johnson).
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