I have mentioned what Johnson said of him to me when he was
at the bar; and after his Lordship was advanced to the seals, he said
of him, 'I would prepare myself for no man in England but Lord Thurlow.
When I am to meet with him I should wish to know a day before.' How he
would have prepared himself I cannot conjecture. Would he have selected
certain topicks, and considered them in every view so as to be in
readiness to argue them at all points? and what may we suppose those
topicks to have been? I once started the curious inquiry to the great
man who was the subject of this compliment: he smiled, but did not
pursue it.
I first consulted with Sir Joshua Reynolds, who perfectly coincided in
opinion with me; and I therefore, though personally very little known
to his Lordship, wrote to him, stating the case, and requesting his good
offices for Dr. Johnson. I mentioned that I was obliged to set out for
Scotland early in the following week, so that if his Lordship should
have any commands for me as to this pious negociation, he would be
pleased to send them before that time; otherwise Sir Joshua Reynolds
would give all attention to it.
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