the paradox, that there is no beauty but in utility[519].  “Sir, (said I,) what say you to the peacock’s tail, which is one of the most beautiful objects in nature, but would have as much utility if its feathers were all of one colour.”  He felt what I thus produced, and had recourse to his usual expedient, ridicule; exclaiming, “A peacock has a tail, and a fox has a tail;” and then he burst out into a laugh.  “Well, Sir, (said I, with a strong voice, looking him full in the face,) you have unkennelled your fox; pursue him if you dare.”  He had not a word to say, Sir.’  Johnson told me, that this was a fiction from beginning to end[520].

After musing for some time, he said, ’I wonder how I should have any enemies; for I do harm to nobody[521].’  BOSWELL.  ’In the first place, Sir, you will be pleased to recollect, that you set out with attacking the Scotch; so you got a whole nation for your enemies.’  JOHNSON.  ’Why, I own, that by my definition of oats[522] I meant to vex them.’  BOSWELL.  ’Pray, Sir, can you trace the cause of your antipathy to the Scotch.’  JOHNSON.  ‘I cannot, Sir[523].’  BOSWELL.  ’Old Mr. Sheridan says, it was because they sold Charles the First.’  JOHNSON.  ’Then, Sir, old Mr. Sheridan has found out a very good reason.’

Surely the most obstinate and sulky nationality, the most determined aversion to this great and good man, must be cured, when he is seen thus playing with one of his prejudices, of which he candidly admitted that he could not tell the reason.  It was, however, probably owing to his having had in his view the worst part of the Scottish nation, the needy adventurers, many of whom he thought were advanced above their merits by means which he did not approve.  Had he in his early life been in Scotland, and seen the worthy, sensible, independent gentlemen, who live rationally and hospitably at home, he never could have entertained such unfavourable and unjust notions of his fellow-subjects.  And accordingly we find, that when he did visit Scotland, in the latter period of his life, he was fully sensible of all that it deserved, as I have already pointed out, when speaking of his Journey to the Western Islands.[524]

Next day, Saturday, March 22, I found him still at Mrs. Thrale’s, but he told me that he was to go to his own house in the afternoon[525].  He was better, but I perceived he was but an unruly patient, for Sir Lucas Pepys, who visited him, while I was with him said, ’If you were tractable, Sir, I should prescribe for you.’

I related to him a remark which a respectable friend had made to me, upon the then state of Government, when those who had been long in opposition had attained to power, as it was supposed, against the inclination of the Sovereign[526].  ’You need not be uneasy (said this gentleman) about the King.  He laughs at them all; he plays them one against another.’  JOHNSON.  ’Don’t think so, Sir.  The King is as much oppressed as a man can be.  If he plays them one against another, he wins nothing.’