Books, Arts & Manners: A Visit with Dr. Johnson

On Monday, April 1, I called upon Dr. Johnson, and found him in company with four young gentlemen whose names I cannot now recall, except that of Mr. Sobran, an earnest, foppish young fellow, who teazed Dr. Johnson with pedantick recollection of remarks ascribed to him by Mr. James Boswell. For some time Mr. Sobran failed to perceive Johnson’s annoyance. sobran. “I think it a great evil that capital punishment has fallen into disuse. He that takes another’s life, justly forfeits his own. Beside, the example of his death may prevent another murder.” Johnson. “I don’t think so, Sir.” wills. “No indeed; for no man murders with the expectation that he will be detected. Therefore the murderer’s death, which cannot restore the life of his victim, can serve no purpose, and must be merely vindictive.” Johnson (smiling). “You have said well, Sir. A man drunkenly supposes his neighbor to have cheated him at gaming, and breaks his head, with no thought of the magistrate.” SOBRAN. “Why, Dr. Johnson, I am surprized that you should agree with Mr. Wills on this matter.” Johnson. “Why, Sir?” sobran. “Mr. Boswell relates, in his Tour to the Hebrides, that you spoke of the ancient law which requires blood for blood as eternal and immutable.” Johnson (angrily). “Don’t Boswellise me, Sir; if Boswell says so, Boswell lies.” sobran. “But, Sir, your own Rambler mentions those who have forfeited their lives, by crimes against the commonly accepted morals of mankind.” Johnson. “I was a young fool when I wrote that, Sir; and I find it the commonly accepted opinion of young fools” (laughing exultantly) .

I observed, that Mr. Mailer had done more than any living author to propagate wisdom and virtue. “Sir (said Johnson, his eyes sparkling benignantly), you are right.”

On Monday, April 1, I called upon Dr. Johnson, and found him in company with four young gentlemen whose names I cannot now recall, except that of Mr. Sobran, an earnest, foppish young fellow, who teazed Dr. Johnson with pedantick recollection of remarks ascribed to him by Mr. James Boswell. For some time Mr. Sobran failed to perceive Johnson’s annoyance. sobran. “I think it a great evil that capital punishment has fallen into disuse. He that takes another’s life, justly forfeits his own. Beside, the example of his death may prevent another murder.” Johnson. “I don’t think so, Sir.” wills. “No indeed; for no man murders with the expectation that he will be detected. Therefore the murderer’s death, which cannot restore the life of his victim, can serve no purpose, and must be merely vindictive.” Johnson (smiling). “You have said well, Sir. A man drunkenly supposes his neighbor to have cheated him at gaming, and breaks his head, with no thought of the magistrate.” SOBRAN. “Why, Dr. Johnson, I am surprized that you should agree with Mr. Wills on this matter.” Johnson. “Why, Sir?” sobran. “Mr. Boswell relates, in his Tour to the Hebrides, that you spoke of the ancient law which requires blood for blood as eternal and immutable.” Johnson (angrily). “Don’t Boswellise me, Sir; if Boswell says so, Boswell lies.” sobran. “But, Sir, your own Rambler mentions those who have forfeited their lives, by crimes against the commonly accepted morals of mankind.” Johnson. “I was a young fool when I wrote that, Sir; and I find it the commonly accepted opinion of young fools” (laughing exultantly) .

I observed, that Mr. Mailer had done more than any living author to propagate wisdom and virtue. “Sir (said Johnson, his eyes sparkling benignantly), you are right.”