第26章

suppose，bywayoftryingmydisposition，’Isnotthisveryfine？’

HavingnoexquisiterelishofthebeautiesofNature，andbeingmoredelightedwith’thebusyhumofmen，’Ianswered，’Yes，Sir；

butnotequaltoFleet-street。’JOHNSON。’Youareright，Sir。’

Iamawarethatmanyofmyreadersmaycensuremywantoftaste。

Letme，however，sheltermyselfundertheauthorityofaveryfashionableBaronetinthebrilliantworld，who，onhisattentionbeingcalledtothefragranceofaMayeveninginthecountry，observed，’Thismaybeverywell；but，formypart，Ipreferthesmellofaflambeauattheplayhouse。’

WestaidsolongatGreenwich，thatoursailuptheriver，inourreturntoLondon，wasbynomeanssopleasantasinthemorning；

forthenightairwassocoldthatitmademeshiver。Iwasthemoresensibleofitfromhavingsatupallthenightbefore，recollectingandwritinginmyjournalwhatIthoughtworthyofpreservation；anexertion，which，duringthefirstpartofmyacquaintancewithJohnson，Ifrequentlymade。Irememberhavingsatupfournightsinoneweek，withoutbeingmuchincommodedinthedaytime。

Johnson，whoserobustframewasnotintheleastaffectedbythecold，scoldedme，asifmyshiveringhadbeenapaltryeffeminacy，saying，’Whydoyoushiver？’SirWilliamScott，oftheCommons，toldme，thatwhenhecomplainedofahead-acheinthepost-chaise，astheyweretravellingtogethertoScotland，Johnsontreatedhiminthesamemanner：

’Atyourage，Sir，Ihadnohead-ache。’

WeconcludedthedayattheTurk’sHeadcoffee-houseverysocially。

HewaspleasedtolistentoaparticularaccountwhichIgavehimofmyfamily，andofitshereditaryestate，astotheextentandpopulationofwhichheaskedquestions，andmadecalculations；

recommending，atthesametime，aliberalkindnesstothetenantry，aspeopleoverwhomtheproprietorwasplacedbyProvidence。Hetookdelightinhearingmydescriptionoftheromantickseatofmyancestors。’Imustbethere，Sir，(saidhe)andwewillliveintheoldcastle；andifthereisnotaroominitremaining，wewillbuildone。’Iwashighlyflattered，butcouldscarcelyindulgeahopethatAuchinleckwouldindeedbehonouredbyhispresence，andcelebratedbyadescription，asitafterwardswas，inhisJourneytotheWesternIslands。

AfterwehadagaintalkedofmysettingoutforHolland，hesaid，’ImustseetheeoutofEngland；IwillaccompanyyoutoHarwich。’

IcouldnotfindwordstoexpresswhatIfeltuponthisunexpectedandverygreatmarkofhisaffectionateregard。

Nextday，Sunday，July31，ItoldhimIhadbeenthatmorningatameetingofthepeoplecalledQuakers，whereIhadheardawomanpreach。JOHNSON。’Sir，awoman’spreachingislikeadog’swalkingonhishinderlegs。Itisnotdonewell；butyouaresurprizedtofinditdoneatall。’

OnTuesday，August2(thedayofmydeparturefromLondonhavingbeenfixedforthe5th，)Dr。JohnsondidmethehonourtopassapartofthemorningwithmeatmyChambers。Hesaid，that’healwaysfeltaninclinationtodonothing。’Iobserved，thatitwasstrangetothinkthatthemostindolentmaninBritainhadwrittenthemostlaboriouswork，TheEnglishDictionary。

Ihadnowmadegoodmytitletobeaprivilegedman，andwascarriedbyhimintheeveningtodrinkteawithMissWilliams，whom，thoughunderthemisfortuneofhavinglosthersight，Ifoundtobeagreeableinconversation；forshehadavarietyofliterature，andexpressedherselfwell；butherpeculiarvaluewastheintimacyinwhichshehadlonglivedwithJohnson，bywhichshewaswellacquaintedwithhishabits，andknewhowtoleadhimontotalk。

Afterteahecarriedmetowhathecalledhiswalk，whichwasalongnarrowpavedcourtintheneighbourhood，overshadowedb

后续内容为VIP可读请开通VIP，或购买此章节