[172] ‘I never,’ writes Mrs. Piozzi, ’heard Johnson pronounce the words, “I beg your pardon, Sir,” to any human creature but the apparently soft and gentle Dr. Burney.’  Burney had asked her whether she had subscribed L100 to building a bridge. ’"It is very comical, is it not, Sir?” said I, turning to Dr. Johnson, “that people should tell such unfounded stories.”  “It is,” answered he, “neither comical nor serious, my dear; it is only a wandering lie.”  This was spoken in his natural voice, without a thought of offence, I am confident; but up bounced Burney in a towering passion, and to my much amaze put on the hero, surprising Dr. Johnson into a sudden request for pardon, and protestation of not having ever intended to accuse his friend of a falsehood.’  Hayward’s Piozzi, i. 312.

[173] In the original, ‘nor.’ Works, viii. 311.

[174] In the original, ‘either wise or merry.’

[175] In the original, ‘stands upon record’.

[176] Works, viii. 316.  Surely the words ‘had not much to say’ imply that Johnson had heard the answer, but thought little of its wit.  According to Mr. Croker, the repartee is given in Ruffhead’s Life of Pope, and this book Johnson had seen. Ante, ii. 166.

[177] Let me here express my grateful remembrance of Lord Somerville’s kindness to me, at a very early period.  He was the first person of high rank that took particular notice of me in the way most flattering to a young man, fondly ambitious of being distinguished for his literary talents; and by the honour of his encouragement made me think well of myself, and aspire to deserve it better.  He had a happy art of communicating his varied knowledge of the world, in short remarks and anecdotes, with a quiet pleasant gravity, that was exceedingly engaging.  Never shall I forget the hours which I enjoyed with him at his apartments in the Royal Palace of Holy-Rood House, and at his seat near Edinburgh, which he himself had formed with an elegant taste.  BOSWELL.

[178] Ante, iii. 392.

[179] Boswell, I think, misunderstands Johnson.  Johnson said (Works, viii. 313) that ’Pope’s admiration of the Great seems to have increased in the advance of life.’  His Iliad he had dedicated to Congreve, but ’to his latter works he took care to annex names dignified with titles, but was not very happy in his choice; for, except Lord Bathurst, none of his noble friends were such as that a good man would wish to have his intimacy with them known to posterity; he can derive little honour from the notice of Cobham, Burlington, or Bolingbroke.’  Johnson, it seems clear, is speaking, not of the noblemen whom Pope knew in general, but of those to whom he dedicated any of his works.  Among them Lord Marchmont is not found, so that on him no slight is cast.