Copy 1, Volume 1

The life of Samuel Johnson, L.L.D. Comprehending an account of his studies, and numerous works, in chronological order : a series of his epistolary correspondence and conversations with many eminent persons and various original pieces of his composition, never before published / by James Boswell.

  • James Boswell
Date:
1816
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The life of Samuel Johnson, L.L.D. Comprehending an account of his studies, and numerous works, in chronological order : a series of his epistolary correspondence and conversations with many eminent persons and various original pieces of his composition, never before published / by James Boswell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    517/540 page 467
    ])ackvvards and forwards, and rubbing his left knee 1764. in the same direction, with the palm of his hand. In the intervals of articulating he made various sounds with his mouth ; sometimes as if ruminating, or what is called chewing the cud, sometimes giving a half whistle, sometimes making his tongue play back- wards from the roof of his mouth, as if clucking like a hen, and sometimes protruding it against his upper gums in front, as if pronouncing quickly under his breath, too^ too^ too : all this accompanied sometimes with a thoughtful look, but more frequently with a smile. Generally when he had concluded a period^, in the course of a dispute, by which time he was a good deal exhausted by violence and vociferation, he used to blow out his breath like a w^hale. This I suppose was a relief to his lungs ; and seemed in him to be a contemptuous mode of expression, as if he had made the arguments of his opponent fly like chaff before the wind. I am fully aware how very obvious an occasion I here give for the sneering jocularity of such as have no relish of an exact likeness ; which to render com- plete, he who draws it must not disdain the slightest strokes. But if witlings should be inclined to attack this account, let them have the candour to quote what T have offered in my defence. He was for some time in the summer at Easton Maudit, Northamptonshire, on a visit to the Reve- rend Dr. Percy, now Bishop of Dromore. Whatever dissatisfaction he felt at what he considered as a slow progress in intellectual improvement, we find that his heart was tender, and his affections warga, as appears from the following very kind letter : H H 2
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