I had paid a visit to General Oglethorpe in the morning, and was told by him that Dr. Johnson saw company on Saturday evenings, and he would meet me at Johnson’s that night.  When I mentioned this to Johnson, not doubting that it would please him, as he had a great value for Oglethorpe, the fretfulness of his disease unexpectedly shewed itself; his anger suddenly kindled, and he said, with vehemence, ’Did not you tell him not to come?  Am I to be hunted in this manner?’ I satisfied him that I could not divine that the visit would not be convenient, and that I certainly could not take it upon me of my own accord to forbid the General.

I found Dr. Johnson in the evening in Mrs. Williams’s room, at tea and coffee with her and Mrs. Desmoulins, who were also both ill; it was a sad scene, and he was not in very good humour.  He said of a performance that had lately come out, ’Sir, if you should search all the madhouses in England, you would not find ten men who would write so, and think it sense.’

I was glad when General Oglethorpe’s arrival was announced, and we left the ladies.  Dr. Johnson attended him in the parlour, and was as courteous as ever.  The General said he was busy reading the writers of the middle age.  Johnson said they were very curious.  OGLETHORPE.  ’The House of Commons has usurped the power of the nation’s money, and used it tyrannically.  Government is now carried on by corrupt influence, instead of the inherent right in the King.’  JOHNSON.  ’Sir, the want of inherent right in the King occasions all this disturbance.  What we did at the Revolution was necessary:  but it broke our constitution[527].’  OGLETHORPE.  ‘My father did not think it necessary.’

On Sunday, March 23, I breakfasted with Dr. Johnson, who seemed much relieved, having taken opium the night before.  He however protested against it, as a remedy that should be given with the utmost reluctance, and only in extreme necessity.  I mentioned how commonly it was used in Turkey, and that therefore it could not be so pernicious as he apprehended.  He grew warm and said, ’Turks take opium, and Christians take opium; but Russel, in his Account of Aleppo[528], tells us, that it is as disgraceful in Turkey to take too much opium, as it is with us to get drunk.  Sir, it is amazing how things are exaggerated.  A gentleman was lately telling in a company where I was present, that in France as soon as a man of fashion marries, he takes an opera girl into keeping; and this he mentioned as a general custom.  ’Pray, Sir, (said I,) how many opera girls may there be?’ He answered, ‘About fourscore.’  Well then, Sir, (said I,) you see there can be no more than fourscore men of fashion who can do this[529].’