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Letters of James Boswell to the Rev. W. J. Temple
Letters of James Boswell to the Rev W J Temple Author:James Boswell Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III Makes the acquaintance of Dr. Johnson—Character of a true friend—Mr. Dempster—Criticism—Supper -with Mr. Johnson— BoswelFs new plan of life—The pe... more »nsive Gray and the apothecary Gray—Bob Temple—Johnson on the art of study—Boswell on the advantages of adversity—Dr. Johnson's rooms in the Temple— Supper at the Turk's Head—Preparation for travel—Dr. Johnson accompanies him to Harwich—Writes him a letter of precepts. The year 1763 was to Boswell a memorable one ; " for in it," says he, " I had the happiness to obtain the acquaintance of that extraordinary man whose Memoirs I am now writing—an acquaintance which I shall ever esteem as one of the most fortunate circumstances in my life " The amusing account of his first meeting with Dr. Johnson, "on Monday, the i6th of May, when I was sitting in Mr. Davies's back parlour, after I had drunk tea with him and Mrs. Davies," is one of those graphic accounts which will be found nowhere but in BoswelPs wonderful work. The narrative tells us the whole story, however much to his disadvantage : how he was snubbed in all ways ; how he was " stunned" by the Doctor's reply to his " light pleasantry " as to " coming from Scotland," but not being able to help it ; how this " light pleasantry," he is willing to flatter himself, was " meant to soothe and conciliate " the great object of his admiration, and " not as a humiliating abasement at the expense of my country ; " how, being " eager to take any opening to get into conversation with him, I ventured to say, ' Oh, Sir, I cannot think Mr. Garrick would " Life of Johnson," anno 1763. grudge such a trifle to you ' " (an order to the Play) ; how he was forthwith crushed by the prompt retort, " I know no right you have to talk to me on the subject; " how, feeling somewhat mortified, h...« less