'Yet, Sir, (said I,) there are many people who are content to live in
the country.' JOHNSON. 'Sir, it is in the intellectual world as in the
physical world; we are told by natural philosophers that a body is at
rest in the place that is fit for it; they who are content to live in
the country, are FIT for the country.'
Talking of various enjoyments, I argued that a refinement of taste was
a disadvantage, as they who have attained to it must be seldomer pleased
than those who have no nice discrimination, and are therefore satisfied
with every thing that comes in their way. JOHNSON. 'Nay, Sir; that is a
paltry notion. Endeavour to be as perfect as you can in every respect.'
I accompanied him in Sir Joshua Reynolds's coach, to the entry of
Bolt-court. He asked me whether I would not go with him to his house;
I declined it, from an apprehension that my spirits would sink. We bade
adieu to each other affectionately in the carriage. When he had got
down upon the foot-pavement, he called out, 'Fare you well;' and without
looking back, sprung away with a kind of pathetick briskness, if I may
use that expression, which seemed to indicate a struggle to conceal
uneasiness, and impressed me with a foreboding of our long, long
separation.
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