to me, and from which an engraving has been made for this work.  Mr. Davies mentioned my name, and respectfully introduced me to him.  I was much agitated; and recollecting his prejudice against the Scotch, of which I had heard much, I said to Davies, ‘Don’t tell where I come from.’—­’From Scotland,’ cried Davies roguishly.  ’Mr. Johnson, (said I) I do indeed come from Scotland, but I cannot help it.’  I am willing to flatter myself that I meant this as light pleasantry to sooth and conciliate him, and not as an humiliating abasement at the expence of my country.  But however that might be, this speech was somewhat unlucky; for with that quickness of wit for which he was so remarkable, he seized the expression ‘come from Scotland,’ which I used in the sense of being of that country; and, as if I had said that I had come away from it, or left it, retorted, ’That, Sir, I find, is what a very great many of your countrymen cannot help.’  This stroke stunned me a good deal; and when we had sat down, I felt myself not a little embarrassed, and apprehensive of what might come next.  He then addressed himself to Davies:  ’What do you think of Garrick?  He has refused me an order for the play for Miss Williams, because he knows the house will be full, and that an order would be worth three shillings.’  Eager to take any opening to get into conversation with him, I ventured to say, ’O, Sir, I cannot think Mr. Garrick would grudge such a trifle to you.’  ’Sir, (said he, with a stern look,) I have known David Garrick longer than you have done:  and I know no right you have to talk to me on the subject.’  Perhaps I deserved this check; for it was rather presumptuous in me, an entire stranger, to express any doubt of the justice of his animadversion upon his old acquaintance and pupil.* I now felt myself much mortified, and began to think that the hope which I had long indulged of obtaining his acquaintance was blasted.  And, in truth, had not my ardour been uncommonly strong, and my resolution uncommonly persevering, so rough a reception might have deterred me for ever from making any further attempts.  Fortunately, however, I remained upon the field not wholly discomfited.

* That this was a momentary sally against Garrick there can be no doubt; for at Johnson’s desire he had, some years before, given a benefit-night at his theatre to this very person, by which she had got two hundred pounds.  Johnson, indeed, upon all other occasions, when I was in his company praised the very liberal charity of Garrick.  I once mentioned to him, ’It is observed, Sir, that you attack Garrick yourself, but will suffer nobody else to do it.’  Johnson, (smiling) ’Why, Sir, that is true.’—­Boswell.

I was highly pleased with the extraordinary vigour of his conversation, and regretted that I was drawn away from it by an engagement at another place.  I had, for a part of the evening, been left alone with him, and had ventured to make an observation now and then, which he received very civilly; so that I was satisfied that though there was a roughness in his manner, there was no ill-nature in his disposition.  Davies followed me to the door, and when I complained to him a little of the hard blows which the great man had given me, he kindly took upon him to console me by saying, ‘Don’t be uneasy.  I can see he likes you very well.’