Here he discovered a notion common enough in persons not much accustomed to entertain company, that there must be a degree of elaborate attention, otherwise company will think themselves neglected; and such attention is no doubt very fatiguing.[688] He proceeded:  ’I would not, however, be a stranger in my own county; I would visit my neighbours, and receive their visits; but I would not be in haste to return visits.  If a gentleman comes to see me, I tell him he does me a great deal of honour.  I do not go to see him perhaps for ten weeks; then we are very complaisant to each other.  No, Sir, you will have much more influence by giving or lending money where it is wanted, than by hospitality[689].’

On Saturday, May 17, I saw him for a short time.  Having mentioned that I had that morning been with old Mr. Sheridan, he remembered their former intimacy with a cordial warmth, and said to me, ’Tell Mr. Sheridan, I shall be glad to see him, and shake hands with him[690].’  BOSWELL.  ’It is to me very wonderful that resentment should be kept up so long.’  JOHNSON.  ’Why, Sir, it is not altogether resentment that he does not visit me; it is partly falling out of the habit,—­partly disgust, as one has at a drug that has made him sick.  Besides, he knows that I laugh at his oratory[691].’

Another day I spoke of one of our friends, of whom he, as well as I, had a very high opinion.  He expatiated in his praise; but added, ’Sir, he is a cursed Whig, a bottomless Whig, as they all are now[692].’

I mentioned my expectations from the interest of an eminent person[693] then in power; adding, ’but I have no claim but the claim of friendship; however, some people will go a great way from that motive.’  JOHNSON.  ‘Sir, they will go all the way from that motive.’  A gentleman talked of retiring.  ‘Never think of that,’ said Johnson.  The gentleman urged, ’I should then do no ill.’  JOHNSON.  Nor no good either.  Sir, it would be a civil suicide[694].’

On Monday, May 26, I found him at tea, and the celebrated Miss Burney, the authour of Evelina[695] and Cecilia, with him.  I asked if there would be any speakers in Parliament, if there were no places to be obtained.  JOHNSON.  ’Yes, Sir.  Why do you speak here?  Either to instruct and entertain, which is a benevolent motive; or for distinction, which is a selfish motive.’  I mentioned Cecilia.  JOHNSON. (with an air of animated satisfaction) ‘Sir, if you talk of Cecilia, talk on[696].’

We talked of Mr. Barry’s exhibition of his pictures.  JOHNSON.  ’Whatever the hand may have done, the mind has done its part.  There is a grasp of mind there which you find nowhere else[697].’

I asked whether a man naturally virtuous, or one who has overcome wicked inclinations, is the best.  JOHNSON.  ’Sir, to you, the man who has overcome wicked inclinations is not the best.  He has more merit to himself:  I would rather trust my money to a man who has no hands, and so a physical impossibility to steal, than to a man of the most honest principles.  There is a witty satirical story of Foote.  He had a small bust of Garrick placed upon his bureau, “You may be surprized (said he) that I allow him to be so near my gold;—­but you will observe he has no hands."’