Friday, September 19, after breakfast Dr. Johnson and I set out in Dr. Taylor’s chaise to go to Derby.  The day was fine, and we resolved to go by Keddlestone, the seat of Lord Scarsdale, that I might see his Lordship’s fine house.  I was struck with the magnificence of the building; and the extensive park, with the finest verdure, covered with deer, and cattle, and sheep, delighted me.  The number of old oaks, of an immense size, filled me with a sort of respectful admiration:  for one of them sixty pounds was offered.  The excellent smooth gravel roads; the large piece of water formed by his Lordship from some small brooks, with a handsome barge upon it; the venerable Gothick church, now the family chapel, just by the house; in short, the grand group of objects agitated and distended my mind in a most agreeable manner.  ’One should think (said I,) that the proprietor of all this must be happy.’—­’Nay, Sir, (said Johnson,) all this excludes but one evil—­poverty.’

Our names were sent up, and a well-drest elderly housekeeper, a most distinct articulator, shewed us the house; which I need not describe, as there is an account of it published in Adam’s Works in Architecture.  Dr. Johnson thought better of it to-day than when he saw it before; for he had lately attacked it violently, saying, ’It would do excellently for a town-hall.  The large room with the pillars (said he,) would do for the Judges to sit in at the assizes; the circular room for a jury-chamber; and the room above for prisoners.’  Still he thought the large room ill lighted, and of no use but for dancing in; and the bed-chambers but indifferent rooms; and that the immense sum which it cost was injudiciously laid out.  Dr. Taylor had put him in mind of his appearing pleased with the house.  ’But (said he,) that was when Lord Scarsdale was present.  Politeness obliges us to appear pleased with a man’s works when he is present.  No man will be so ill bred as to question you.  You may therefore pay compliments without saying what is not true.  I should say to Lord Scarsdale of his large room, “My Lord, this is the most costly room that I ever saw;” which is true.’

Dr. Manningham, physician in London, who was visiting at Lord Scarsdale’s, accompanyed us through many of the rooms, and soon afterwards my Lord himself, to whom Dr. Johnson was known, appeared, and did the honours of the house.  We talked of Mr. Langton.  Johnson, with a warm vehemence of affectionate regard, exclaimed, ’The earth does not bear a worthier man than Bennet Langton.’  We saw a good many fine pictures, which I think are described in one of Young’s Tours.  There is a printed catalogue of them which the housekeeper put into my hand; I should like to view them at leisure.  I was much struck with Daniel interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dream by Rembrandt.  We were shown a pretty large library.  In his Lordship’s dressing-room lay Johnson’s small Dictionary:  he shewed it to me, with some eagerness, saying, ’Look’ye!  Quae terra nostri non plena laboris.’  He observed, also, Goldsmith’s Animated Nature; and said, ’Here’s our friend!  The poor Doctor would have been happy to hear of this.’