His Majesty, having been informed of his occasional visits, was pleased to signify a desire that he should be told when Dr. Johnson came next to the library.  Accordingly, the next time that Johnson did come, as soon as he was fairly engaged with the book, on which, while he sat by the fire, he seemed quite intent, Mr. Barnard stole round to the apartment where the King was, and in obedience to his Majesty’s commands mentioned that Dr. Johnson was then in the library.  His Majesty said that he was at leisure, and would go to him; upon which Mr. Barnard took one of the candles that stood on the King’s table and lighted his Majesty through a suite of rooms, till they came to a private door into the library of which his Majesty had the key.  Being entered, Mr. Barnard stepped forward hastily to Dr. Johnson, who was still in a profound study, and whispered him, “Sir, here is the King.”  Johnson started up, and stood still.  His Majesty approached him, and at once was courteously easy.

His Majesty began by observing that he understood he came sometimes to the library; and then mentioned his having heard that the Doctor had been lately at Oxford, and asked him if he was not fond of going thither.  To which Johnson answered that he was indeed fond of going to Oxford sometimes, but was likewise glad to come back again.  The King then asked him what they were doing at Oxford.  Johnson answered, he could not much commend their diligence, but that in some respect they were mended, for they had put their press under better regulations, and at that time were printing Polybius.  He was then asked whether there were better libraries at Oxford or Cambridge.  He answered, he believed the Bodleian was larger than any they had at Cambridge; at the same time adding, “I hope, whether we have more books or not than they have at Cambridge, we shall make as good use of them as they do.”  Being asked whether All-Souls or Christ-Church library was the largest, he answered, “All-Souls library is the largest we have, except the Bodleian.”  “Ay” (said the King), “that is the public library.”

His Majesty inquired if he was then writing anything.  He answered he was not, for he had pretty well told the world what he knew, and must now read to acquire more knowledge.  The King, as it should seem with a view to urge him to rely on his own stores as an original writer, and to continue his labors, then said, “I do not think you borrow much from anybody.”

Johnson said he thought he had already done his part as a writer.  “I should have thought so too” (said the King), “if you had not written so well.”—­Johnson observed to me, upon this, that “No man could have paid a handsomer compliment; and it was fit for a King to pay.  It was decisive.”  When asked by another friend, at Sir Joshua Reynolds’s, whether he made any reply to this high compliment, he answered, “No, sir.  When the King had said it, it was to be so.  It was not for me to bandy civilities with my Sovereign.”  Perhaps no man who had spent his whole life in courts could have shown a more nice and dignified sense of true politeness than Johnson did in this instance.