’Among the early associates of Johnson, at St. John’s Gate, was Samuel Boyse [G-1], well known by his ingenious productions; and not less noted for his imprudence.  It was not unusual for Boyse to be a customer to the pawnbroker.  On one of these occasions, Dr. Johnson collected a sum of money to redeem his friend’s clothes, which in two days after were pawned again.  “The sum, (said Johnson,) was collected by sixpences, at a time when to me sixpence was a serious consideration [G-2].”

’Speaking one day of a person for whom he had a real friendship, but in whom vanity was somewhat too predominant, he observed, that “Kelly [G-3] was so fond of displaying on his side-board the plate which he possessed, that he added to it his spurs.  For my part, (said he,) I never was master of a pair of spurs, but once; and they are now at the bottom of the ocean.  By the carelessness of Boswell’s servant, they were dropped from the end of the boat, on our return from the Isle of Sky [G-4]."’

The late Reverend Mr. Samuel Badcock [G-5], having been introduced to Dr. Johnson, by Mr. Nichols, some years before his death, thus expressed himself in a letter to that gentleman:—­

’How much I am obliged to you for the favour you did me in introducing me to Dr. Johnson! Tantum vidi Virgilium [G-6].  But to have seen him, and to have received a testimony of respect from him, was enough.  I recollect all the conversation, and shall never forget one of his expressions.  Speaking of Dr. P——­ [Priestley], (whose writings, I saw, he estimated at a low rate,) he said, “You have proved him as deficient in probity as he is in learning [G-7].”  I called him an “Index-scholar [G-8];” but he was not willing to allow him a claim even to that merit.  He said, that “he borrowed from those who had been borrowers themselves, and did not know that the mistakes he adopted had been answered by others.”  I often think of our short, but precious, visit to this great man.  I shall consider it as a kind of an aera in my life.’  BOSWELL. [Note:  See Appendix G for notes on this footnote.]

[1241] See ante, i. 152, 501.

[1242] He wrote to Dr. Taylor on Feb. 17, 1776:—­’Keep yourself cheerful.  Lie in bed with a lamp, and when you cannot sleep and are beginning to think, light your candle and read.  At least light your candle; a man is perhaps never so much harrassed (sic) by his own mind in the light as in the dark.’ Notes and Queries, 6th S. v. 423.

[1243] Mr. Croker records ’the following communication from Mr. Hoole himself’:—­’I must mention an incident which shews how ready Johnson was to make amends for any little incivility.  When I called upon him, the morning after he had pressed me rather roughly to read louder, he said, “I was peevish yesterday; you must forgive me:  when you are as old and as sick as I am, perhaps you may be peevish too.”  I have heard him make many apologies of this kind.’