“Why, sir,” said Mrs. Thrale, " don’t you remember he says he would, but that he should get nothing by it?”

" Why, ay, true,” cried the doctor, see-sawing very solemnly, “that, indeed, is some palliation for his forbearance.  But I must not have you so fond of the Scotch, my little Burney; make your hero what you will but a Scotchman.  Besides, you write Scotch—­you say ’the one’—­my dear, that’s not English, Never use that phrase again.”

“Perhaps,” said Mrs. Thrale, “it may be used in Macartney’s letter, and then it will be a propriety.”

“No, madam, no!” cried he; “you can’t make a beauty of it — it is in the third volume; put it in Macartney’s letter, and welcome—­ that, or any thing that is nonsense.”

(85

“Why, surely,” cried I, “the poor man is used ill enough by the Branghtons.”

“But Branghton,” said he, “only hates him because of his wretchedness—­poor fellow!—­But, my dear love, how should he ever have eaten a good dinner before he came to England?  And then he laughed violently at young Branghton’s idea.

“Well,” said Mrs. Thrale, “I always liked Macartney; he is a very pretty character, and I took to him, as the folks say.” " Why, madam,” answered he, “I like Macartney myself. yes, poor fellow, I liked the man, but I love not the nation.”  And then he proceeded, in a dry manner, to make at once sarcastic reflections on the Scotch, and flattering speeches to me.(49)

    Dr. Johnson on some “Ladies” Of his acquaintance

Saturday.—­Dr. Johnson was again all himself; and so civil to me!—­even admiring how I dressed myself!  Indeed, it is well I have so much of his favour — for it seems he always speaks his mind concerning the dress of ladies, and all ladies who are here obey his injunctions implicitly, and alter whatever he disapproves.  This is a part of his character that much surprises me:  but notwithstanding he is sometimes so absent, and always so near sighted, he scrutinizes into every part of almost everybody’s appearance.  They tell me of a Miss Brown, who often visits here, and who has a slovenly way of dressing.  “And when she comes down in a morning,” says Mrs. Thrale, “her hair will be all loose, and her cap half off; and then Dr. Johnson, who sees something is wrong, and does not know where the fault is, concludes it is in the cap, and says, “My dear, what do you wear such a vile cap for?” “I’ll change it, Sir!” cries the poor girl, “if you don’t like it.”  Ay, do,’he says; and away runs poor Miss Brown; but when she gets on another, it’s the same thing, for the cap has nothing to do with the fault.  And then she wonders Dr. Johnson should not like the cap, for she thinks it very pretty.  And so on with her gown, which he also makes her change; but if the poor girl 86

were to change through all her wardrobe, unless she could put her things on better, he would still find fault.”