* Croker identifies her as Mrs. Macaulay.  See p. 119.—­Ed.

I talked of the cheerfulness of Fleet-street, owing to the constant quick succession of people which we perceive passing through it.  Johnson.  ’Why, Sir, Fleet-street has a very animated appearance; but I think the full tide of human existence is at Charing-cross.’

He made the common remark on the unhappiness which men who have led a busy life experience, when they retire in expectation of enjoying themselves at ease, and that they generally languish for want of their habitual occupation, and wish to return to it.  He mentioned as strong an instance of this as can well be imagined.  ’An eminent tallow-chandler in London, who had acquired a considerable fortune, gave up the trade in favour of his foreman, and went to live at a country-house near town.  He soon grew weary, and paid frequent visits to his old shop, where he desired they might let him know their melting-days, and he would come and assist them; which he accordingly did.  Here, Sir, was a man, to whom the most disgusting circumstance in the business to which he had been used was a relief from idleness.’

On Wednesday, April 5, I dined with him at Messieurs Dilly’s, with Mr. John Scott of Amwell, the Quaker, Mr. Langton, Mr. Miller, (now Sir John,) and Dr. Thomas Campbell, an Irish clergyman, whom I took the liberty of inviting to Mr. Dilly’s table, having seen him at Mr. Thrale’s, and been told that he had come to England chiefly with a view to see Dr. Johnson, for whom he entertained the highest veneration.  He has since published A Philosophical Survey of the South of Ireland, a very entertaining book, which has, however, one fault;—­that it assumes the fictitious character of an Englishman.

We talked of publick speaking—­Johnson.  ’We must not estimate a man’s powers by his being able, or not able to deliver his sentiments in publick.  Isaac Hawkins Browne, one of the first wits of this country, got into Parliament, and never opened his mouth.  For my own part, I think it is more disgraceful never to try to speak, than to try it and fail; as it is more disgraceful not to fight, than to fight and be beaten.’  This argument appeared to me fallacious; for if a man has not spoken, it may be said that he would have done very well it he had tried; whereas, if he has tried and failed, there is nothing to be said for him.  ’Why then, (I asked,) is it thought disgraceful for a man not to fight, and not disgraceful not to speak in publick?’ Johnson.  ’Because there may be other reasons for a man’s not speaking in publick than want of resolution:  he may have nothing to say, (laughing.) Whereas, Sir, you know courage is reckoned the greatest of all virtues; because, unless a man has that virtue, he has no security for preserving any other.’

On Thursday, April 6, I dined with him at Mr. Thomas Davies’s, with Mr. Hicky, the painter, and my old acquaintance Mr. Moody, the player.