’A merrier man,
      Within the limit of becoming mirth,
      I never spent an hour’s talk withal. 
      His eye begets occasion for his wit;
      For every object that the one doth catch,
      The other turns to a mirth-moving jest;
      Which his fair tongue (Conceit’s expositor)
      Delivers in such apt and gracious words,
      That aged ears play truant at his tales,
      And younger hearings are quite ravished: 
      So sweet and voluble is his discourse[316].’

We were all in fine spirits; and I whispered to Mrs. Boscawen, ’I believe this is as much as can be made of life.’  In addition to a splendid entertainment, we were regaled with Lichfield ale[317], which had a peculiar appropriated value.  Sir Joshua, and Dr. Burney, and I, drank cordially of it to Dr. Johnson’s health; and though he would not join us, he as cordially answered, ’Gentlemen, I wish you all as well as you do me.’

The general effect of this day dwells upon my mind in fond remembrance; but I do not find much conversation recorded.  What I have preserved shall be faithfully given.

One of the company mentioned Mr. Thomas Hollis, the strenuous Whig, who used to send over Europe presents of democratical books, with their boards stamped with daggers and caps of liberty.  Mrs. Carter said, ’He was a bad man.  He used to talk uncharitably.’  JOHNSON.  ’Poh! poh!  Madam; who is the worse for being talked of uncharitably?  Besides, he was a dull poor creature as ever lived:  And I believe he would not have done harm to a man whom he knew to be of very opposite principles to his own.  I remember once at the Society of Arts, when an advertisement was to be drawn up, he pointed me out as the man who could do it best.  This, you will observe, was kindness to me.  I however slipt away, and escaped it.’

Mrs. Carter having said of the same person, ’I doubt he was an Atheist[318].’  JOHNSON.  ’I don’t know that.  He might perhaps have become one, if he had had time to ripen, (smiling.) He might have exuberated into an Atheist.’

Sir Joshua Reynolds praised Mudge’s Sermons[319].  JOHNSON.  ’Mudge’s Sermons are good, but not practical.  He grasps more sense than he can hold; he takes more corn than he can make into meal; he opens a wide prospect, but it is so distant, it is indistinct.  I love Blair’s Sermons.  Though the dog is a Scotchman, and a Presbyterian, and every thing he should not be, I was the first to praise them[320].  Such was my candour.’ (smiling.) MRS. BOSCAWEN.  ’Such his great merit to get the better of all your prejudices.’  JOHNSON.  ’Why, Madam, let us compound the matter; let us ascribe it to my candour, and his merit.’