by his enthusiasm?’ Here, however, I think Dr. Johnson mistaken.  He who wishes to be successful, or happy, ought to be enthusiastical, that is to say, very keen in all the occupations or diversions of life.  An ordinary gentleman-farmer will be satisfied with looking at his fields once or twice a day:  an enthusiastical farmer will be constantly employed on them; will have his mind earnestly engaged; will talk perpetually, of them.  But Dr. Johnson has much of the nil admirari[346] in smaller concerns.  That survey of life which gave birth to his Vanity of Human Wishes early sobered his mind.  Besides, so great a mind as his cannot be moved by inferior objects:  an elephant does not run and skip like lesser animals.  Mr. Robertson sent a servant with us, to shew us through Lord Findlater’s wood, by which our way was shortened, and we saw some part of his domain, which is indeed admirably laid out.  Dr. Johnson did not choose to walk through it.  He always said, that he was not come to Scotland to see fine places, of which there were enough in England; but wild objects,—­mountains, —­waterfalls,—­peculiar manners; in short, things which he had not seen before.  I have a notion that he at no time has had much taste for rural beauties.  I have myself very little[347].

Dr. Johnson said, there was nothing more contemptible than a country gentleman living beyond his income, and every year growing poorer and poorer[348].  He spoke strongly of the influence which a man has by being rich.  ’A man, (said he,) who keeps his money, has in reality more use from it, than he can have by spending it.’  I observed that this looked very like a paradox; but he explained it thus:  ’If it were certain that a man would keep his money locked up for ever, to be sure he would have no influence; but, as so many want money, and he has the power of giving it, and they know not but by gaining his favour they may obtain it, the rich man will always have the greatest influence.  He again who lavishes his money, is laughed at as foolish, and in a great degree with justice, considering how much is spent from vanity.  Even those who partake of a man’s hospitality, have but a transient kindness for him.  If he has not the command of money, people know he cannot help them, if he would; whereas the rich man always can, if he will, and for the chance of that, will have much weight.’  BOSWELL.  ’But philosophers and satirists have all treated a miser as contemptible.’  JOHNSON.  ’He is so philosophically; but not in the practice of life[349].’  BOSWELL.  ’Let me see now:—­I do not know the instances of misers in England, so as to examine into their influence.’  JOHNSON.  ’We have had few misers in England.’  BOSWELL.  ‘There was Lowther[350].’  JOHNSON.  ’Why, Sir, Lowther, by keeping his money, had the command of the county, which the family has now lost, by spending it[351]; I take it he lent a great deal; and that is the way to have influence, and yet preserve one’s wealth.  A man may lend his money upon very good security, and yet have his debtor much under his power.’  BOSWELL.  ’No doubt, Sir.  He can always distress him for the money; as no man borrows, who is able to pay on demand quite conveniently.’