At Leicester we read in the news-paper that Dr. James was dead.  I thought that the death of an old school-fellow, and one with whom he had lived a good deal in London, would have affected my fellow-traveller much:  but he only said, Ah! poor Jamy.’  Afterwards, however, when we were in the chaise, he said, with more tenderness, ’Since I set out on this jaunt, I have lost an old friend and a young one;—­Dr. James, and poor Harry.’ (Meaning Mr. Thrale’s son.)

I enjoyed the luxury of our approach to London, that metropolis which we both loved so much, for the high and varied intellectual pleasure which it furnishes.  I experienced immediate happiness while whirled along with such a companion, and said to him, ’Sir, you observed one day at General Oglethorpe’s, that a man is never happy for the present, but when he is drunk.  Will you not add,—­or when driving rapidly in a post-chaise?’ Johnson.  ’No, Sir, you are driving rapidly from something, or to something.’

Talking of melancholy, he said, ’Some men, and very thinking men too, have not those vexing thoughts.  Sir Joshua Reynolds is the same all the year round.  Beauclerk, except when ill and in pain, is the same.  But I believe most men have them in the degree in which they are capable of having them.  If I were in the country, and were distressed by that malady, I would force myself to take a book; and every time I did it I should find it the easier.  Melancholy, indeed, should be diverted by every means but drinking.’

We stopped at Messieurs Dillys, booksellers in the Poultry; from whence he hurried away, in a hackney coach, to Mr. Thrale’s, in the Borough.  I called at his house in the evening, having promised to acquaint Mrs. Williams of his safe return; when, to my surprize, I found him sitting with her at tea, and, as I thought, not in a very good humour:  for, it seems, when he had got to Mr. Thrale’s, he found the coach was at the door waiting to carry Mrs. and Miss Thrale, and Signor Baretti, their Italian master, to Bath.  This was not shewing the attention which might have been expected to the ‘Guide, Philosopher, and Friend,’ the Imlac who had hastened from the country to console a distressed mother, who he understood was very anxious for his return.  They had, I found, without ceremony, proceeded on their intended journey.  I was glad to understand from him that it was still resolved that his tour to Italy with Mr. and Mrs. Thrale should take place, of which he had entertained some doubt, on account of the loss which they had suffered; and his doubts afterwards proved to be well-founded.  He observed, indeed very justly, that ’their loss was an additional reason for their going abroad; and if it had not been fixed that he should have been one of the party, he would force them out; but he would not advise them unless his advice was asked, lest they might suspect that he recommended what he wished on his own account.’  I was not pleased that