’Bayle’s Dictionary is a very useful work for those to consult who love the biographical part of literature, which is what I love most.’

Talking of the eminent writers in Queen Anne’s reign, he observed, ’I think Dr. Arbuthnot the first man among them.  He was the most universal genius, being an excellent physician, a man of deep learning, and a man of much humour.  Mr. Addison was, to be sure, a great man; his learning was not profound; but his morality, his humour, and his elegance of writing, set him very high.’

Mr. Ogilvie was unlucky enough to choose for the topick of his conversation the praises of his native country.  He began with saying, that there was very rich land round Edinburgh.  Goldsmith, who had studied physick there, contradicted this, very untruly, with a sneering laugh.  Disconcerted a little by this, Mr. Ogilvie then took new ground, where, I suppose, he thought himself perfectly safe; for he observed, that Scotland had a great many noble wild prospects.  Johnson.  ’I believe, Sir, you have a great many.  Norway, too, has noble wild prospects; and Lapland is remarkable for prodigious noble wild prospects.  But, Sir, let me tell you, the noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees, is the high road that leads him to England!’ This unexpected and pointed sally produced a roar of applause.  After all, however, those, who admire the rude grandeur of Nature, cannot deny it to Caledonia.

On Saturday, July 9, I found Johnson surrounded with a numerous levee, but have not preserved any part of his conversation.  On the 14th we had another evening by ourselves at the Mitre.  It happening to be a very rainy night, I made some common-place observations on the relaxation of nerves and depression of spirits which such weather occasioned; adding, however, that it was good for the vegetable creation.  Johnson, who, as we have already seen, denied that the temperature of the air had any influence on the human frame, answered, with a smile of ridicule.  ’Why yes, Sir, it is good for vegetables, and for the animals who eat those vegetables, and for the animals who eat those animals.’  This observation of his aptly enough introduced a good supper; and I soon forgot, in Johnson’s company, the influence of a moist atmosphere.

Feeling myself now quite at ease as his companion, though I had all possible reverence for him, I expressed a regret that I could not be so easy with my father, though he was not much older than Johnson, and certainly however respectable had not more learning and greater abilities to depress me.  I asked him the reason of this.  Johnson.  ’Why, Sir, I am a man of the world.  I live in the world, and I take, in some degree, the colour of the world as it moves along.  Your father is a Judge in a remote part of the island, and all his notions are taken from the old world.  Besides, Sir, there must always be a struggle between a father and son while one aims at power and the other at independence.’