[217] ’In his economy Swift practised a peculiar and offensive parsimony, without disguise or apology.  The practice of saving being once necessary, became habitual, and grew first ridiculous, and at last detestable.  But his avarice, though it might exclude pleasure, was never suffered to encroach upon his virtue.  He was frugal by inclination, but liberal by principle; and if the purpose to which he destined his little accumulations be remembered, with his distribution of occasional charity, it will perhaps appear, that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give.’ Works, viii.222.

[218] Ib. p.225.

[219] Mr. Chalmers here records a curious literary anecdote—­that when a new and enlarged edition of the Lives of the Poets was published in 1783, Mr. Nichols, in justice to the purchasers of the preceding editions, printed the additions in a separate pamphlet, and advertised that it might be had gratis.  Not ten copies were called for.  CROKER.

[220] See ante, p.9, and Boswell’s Hebrides, Oct. 15.

[221] Works, vii.  Preface.

[222] From this disreputable class, I except an ingenious though not satisfactory defence of HAMMOND, which I did not see till lately, by the favour of its authour, my amiable friend, the Reverend Mr. Bevill, who published it without his name.  It is a juvenile performance, but elegantly written, with classical enthusiasm of sentiment, and yet with a becoming modesty, and great respect for Dr. Johnson.  BOSWELL.

[223] Before the Life of Lyttelton was published there was, it seems, some coolness between Mrs. Montagu and Johnson.  Miss Burney records the following conversation in September 1778.  ‘Mark now,’ said Dr. Johnson, ’if I contradict Mrs. Montagu to-morrow.  I am determined, let her say what she will, that I will not contradict her.’  MRS. THRALE.  ’Why to be sure, Sir, you did put her a little out of countenance last time she came.’...DR. JOHNSON.  ’Why, Madam, I won’t answer that I shan’t contradict her again, if she provokes me as she did then; but a less provocation I will withstand.  I believe I am not high in her good graces already; and I begin (added he, laughing heartily) to tremble for my admission into her new house.  I doubt I shall never see the inside of it.’  Yet when they met a few days later all seemed friendly.  ’When Mrs. Montagu’s new house was talked of, Dr. Johnson in a jocose manner, desired to know if he should be invited to see it.  “Ay, sure,” cried Mrs. Montagu, looking well pleased, “or else I shan’t like it."’ Mme. D’Arblay’s Diary, i.118, 126.  ‘Mrs. Montagu’s dinners and assemblies,’ writes Wraxall, ’were principally supported by, and they fell with, the giant talents of Johnson, who formed the nucleus round which all the subordinate members revolved.’  Wraxall’s Memoirs, ed. 1815, i.160.