[1099] Dr. A. Carlyle (Auto. p. 291) says of Blair’s conversation that ’it was so infantine that many people thought it impossible, at first sight, that he could be a man of sense or genius.  He was as eager about a new paper to his wife’s drawing-room, or his own new wig, as about a new tragedy or a new epic poem.’  He adds, that he was ’capable of the most profound conversation, when circumstances led to it.  He had not the least desire to shine, but was delighted beyond measure to shew other people in their best guise to his friends.  “Did not I shew you the lion well to-day?” used he to say after the exhibition of a remarkable stranger.’  He had no wit, and for humour hardly a relish.  Robertson’s reputation for wisdom may have been easily won.  Dr. A. Carlyle says (ib. p. 287):—­’Robertson’s translations and paraphrases on other people’s thoughts were so beautiful and so harmless that I never saw anybody lay claim to their own.’  He may have flattered Johnson by dexterously echoing his sentiments.

[1100] In the Marmor Norfolciense (ante, i. 141) Johnson says:—­’I know that the knowledge of the alphabet is so disreputable among these gentlemen [of the army], that those who have by ill-fortune formerly been taught it have partly forgot it by disuse, and partly concealed it from the world, to avoid the railleries and insults to which their education might make them liable.’  Johnson’s Works, vi.  III.  See ante, iii. 265.

[1101] ’One of the young ladies had her slate before her, on which I wrote a question consisting of three figures to be multiplied by two figures.  She looked upon it, and quivering her fingers in a manner which I thought very pretty, but of which I knew not whether it was art or play, multiplied the sum regularly in two lines, observing the decimal place; but did not add the two lines together, probably disdaining so easy an operation.’  Johnson’s Works, ix. 161.

[1102]

     ‘Words gigantic.’

FRANCIS.  Horace, Ars Poet.. 1. 97.

[1103] One of the best criticks of our age ’does not wish to prevent the admirers of the incorrect and nerveless style which generally prevailed for a century before Dr. Johnson’s energetick writings were known, from enjoying the laugh that this story may produce, in which he is very ready to join them.’  He, however, requests me to observe, that ’my friend very properly chose a long word on this occasion, not, it is believed, from any predilection for polysyllables, (though he certainly had a due respect for them,) but in order to put Mr. Braidwood’s skill to the strictest test, and to try the efficacy of his instruction by the most difficult exertion of the organs of his pupils.’  BOSWELL.  ’One of the best critics of our age’ is, I believe, Malone.  See ante, p. 78, note 5.

[1104] It was here that Lord Auchinleck called him Ursa Major.  Ante, p. 384.