’Two instances of inaccuracy, (adds he,) are peculiarly worthy of notice: 

’It is said, "That natural[1053] roughness of his manner so often mentioned, would, notwithstanding the regularity of his notions, burst through them all from time to time; and he once bade a very celebrated lady, who praised him with too much zeal perhaps, or perhaps too strong an emphasis, (which always offended him,) consider what her flattery was worth, before she choaked him with it."

’Now let the genuine anecdote be contrasted with this.  The person thus represented as being harshly treated, though a very celebrated lady[1054], was then just come to London from an obscure situation in the country.  At Sir Joshua Reynolds’s one evening, she met Dr. Johnson.  She very soon began to pay her court to him in the most fulsome strain.  “Spare me, I beseech you, dear Madam,” was his reply.  She still laid it on.  “Pray, Madam, let us have no more of this;” he rejoined.  Not paying any attention to these warnings, she continued still her eulogy.  At length, provoked by this indelicate and vain obtrusion of compliment, he exclaimed, “Dearest lady, consider with yourself what your flattery is worth, before you bestow it so freely[1055].”

’How different does this story appear, when accompanied with all these circumstances which really belong to it, but which Mrs. Thrale either did not know, or has suppressed.

’She says, in another place[1056], "One gentleman, however, who dined at a nobleman’s house in his company, and that of Mr. Thrale, to whom I was obliged for the anecdote, was willing to enter the lists in defence of King William’s character; and having opposed and contradicted Johnson two or three times, petulantly enough, the master of the house began to feel uneasy, and expect disagreeable consequences; to avoid which, he said, loud enough for the Doctor to hear,—­’Our friend here has no meaning now in all this, except just to relate at club to-morrow how he teized Johnson at dinner to-day; this is all to do himself honour.’ No, upon my word, (replied the other,’) I see no honour in it, whatever you may do.  Well, Sir, (returned Mr. Johnson, sternly,) if you do not see the honour, I am sure I feel the disgrace.”

’This is all sophisticated.  Mr. Thrale was not in the company, though he might have related the story to Mrs. Thrale.  A friend, from whom I had the story, was present; and it was not at the house of a nobleman.  On the observation being made by the master of the house on a gentleman’s contradicting Johnson, that he had talked for the honour, &c., the gentleman muttered in a low voice, “I see no honour in it;” and Dr. Johnson said nothing:  so all the rest, (though bien trouvee) is mere garnish.’

I have had occasion several times, in the course of this work, to point out the incorrectness of Mrs. Thrale, as to particulars which consisted with my own knowledge[1057].  But indeed she has, in flippant terms enough, expressed her disapprobation of that anxious desire of authenticity which prompts a person who is to record conversations, to write them down at the moment[1058].  Unquestionably, if they are to be recorded at all, the sooner it is done the better.  This lady herself says[1059],—­