in order to secure the virtue of one, it pre-supposes more virtue in two than will generally be found.  In the first, such a desire of rectitude and amendment as may incline him to hear his own accusation from the mouth of him whom he esteems, and by whom therefore he will always hope that his faults are not discovered; and in the second, such zeal and honesty as will make him content for his friend’s advantage to lose his kindness.’

[869] Member for Dumfries.

[870] Malone points out that the passage is not in Bacon, but in Boyle, and that it is quoted in Johnson’s Dictionary (in the later editions only), under cross-bow. It is as follows:—­’Testimony is like the shot of a long-bow, which owes its efficacy to the force of the shooter; argument is like the shot of the cross-bow, equally forcible whether discharged by a giant or a dwarf.’  See Smollett’s Works, ed. 1797, i. cliv, for a somewhat fuller account by Dr. Moore of what was said by Johnson this evening.

[871] The Peace made by that very able statesman, the Earl of Shelburne, now Marquis of Lansdown, which may fairly be considered as the foundation of all the prosperity of Great Britain since that time.  BOSWELL.  In the winter of 1782-83, preliminary treaties of peace were made with the United States, France, and Spain; and a suspension of arms with Holland.  The Ode is made up of such lines as the following:—­

     ’While meek philosophy explores
     Creation’s vast stupendous round,
     With piercing gaze sublime she soars,
     And bursts the system’s distant bound.’

Gent.  Mag.; 1783. p. 245.

[872] In the first edition of my Work, the epithet amiable was given.  I was sorry to be obliged to strike it out; but I could not in justice suffer it to remain, after this young lady had not only written in favour of the savage Anarchy with which France has been visited, but had (as I have been informed by good authority), walked, without horrour, over the ground at the Thuillieries, when it was strewed with the naked bodies of the faithful Swiss Guards, who were barbarously massacred for having bravely defended, against a crew of ruffians, the Monarch whom they had taken an oath to defend.  From Dr. Johnson she could now expect not endearment but repulsion.  BOSWELL.

[873] Rogers (Table-Talk, p. 50) described her as ’a very fascinating person,’ and narrated a curious anecdote which he heard from her about the Reign of Terror.

[874] This year, forming as it did exactly a quarter of a century since Handel’s death, and a complete century since his birth, was sought, says the Gent.  Mag. (1784, p. 457) as the first public periodical occasion for bringing together musical performers in England.  Dr. Burney writes (Ann.  Reg. 1784, p. 331):—­’Foreigners must have been astonished at so numerous a band, moving in such exact measure, without the assistance of a Coryphaeus to beat time.  Rousseau says that “the more time is beaten, the less it is kept."’ There were upwards of 500 performers.