’Dr. Johnson once assumed a character in which perhaps even Mr. Boswell never saw him.  His curiosity having been excited by the praises bestowed on the celebrated Torre’s fireworks at Marybone-Gardens, he desired Mr. Steevens to accompany him thither.  The evening had proved showery; and soon after the few people present were assembled, publick notice was given, that the conductors to the wheels, suns, stars, &c., were so thoroughly water-soaked, that it was impossible any part of the exhibition should be made.  “This is a mere excuse, (says the Doctor,) to save their crackers for a more profitable company.  Let us but hold up our sticks, and threaten to break those coloured lamps that surround the Orchestra, and we shall soon have our wishes gratified.  The core of the fireworks cannot be injured; let the different pieces be touched in their respective centers, and they will do their offices as well as ever.”  Some young men who overheard him, immediately began the violence he had recommended, and an attempt was speedily made to fire some of the wheels which appeared to have received the smallest damage; but to little purpose were they lighted, for most of them completely failed.  The authour of The Rambler, however, may be considered, on this occasion, as the ringleader of a successful riot, though not as a skilful pyrotechnist.’

’It has been supposed that Dr. Johnson, so far as fashion was concerned, was careless of his appearance in publick.  But this is not altogether true, as the following slight instance may show:—­Goldsmith’s last Comedy was to be represented during some court-mourning[1004]:  and Mr. Steevens appointed to call on Dr. Johnson, and carry him to the tavern where he was to dine with others of the Poet’s friends.  The Doctor was ready dressed, but in coloured cloaths; yet being told that he would find every one else in black, received the intelligence with a profusion of thanks, hastened to change his attire, all the while repeating his gratitude for the information that had saved him from an appearance so improper in the front row of a front box.  “I would not (added he,) for ten pounds, have seemed so retrograde to any general observance[1005].”

’He would sometimes found his dislikes on very slender circumstances.  Happening one day to mention Mr. Flexman, a Dissenting Minister, with some compliment to his exact memory in chronological matters; the Doctor replied, “Let me hear no more of him, Sir.  That is the fellow who made the Index to my Ramblers, and set down the name of Milton thus:  Milton, Mr.  John[1006]."’

Mr. Steevens adds this testimony:—­

’It is unfortunate, however, for Johnson, that his particularities and frailties can be more distinctly traced than his good and amiable exertions.  Could the many bounties he studiously concealed, the many acts of humanity he performed in private, be displayed with equal circumstantiality, his defects would be so far lost in the blaze of his virtues, that the latter only would be regarded.’