His Majesty enquired if he was then writing any thing.  He answered, he was not, for he had pretty well told the world what he knew, and must now read to acquire more knowledge.  The King, as it should seem with a view to urge him to rely on his own stores as an original writer, and to continue his labours, then said ’I do not think you borrow much from any body.’  Johnson said, he thought he had already done his part as a writer.  ’I should have thought so too, (said the King,) if you had not written so well.’—­Johnson observed to me, upon this, that ’No man could have paid a handsomer compliment; and it was fit for a King to pay.  It was decisive.’  When asked by another friend, at Sir Joshua Reynolds’s, whether he made any reply to this high compliment, he answered, ’No, Sir.  When the King had said it, it was to be so.  It was not for me to bandy civilities with my Sovereign.’  Perhaps no man who had spent his whole life in courts could have shewn a more nice and dignified sense of true politeness, than Johnson did in this instance.

His Majesty having observed to him that he supposed he must have read a great deal; Johnson answered, that he thought more than he read; that he had read a great deal in the early part of his life, but having fallen into ill health, he had not been able to read much, compared with others:  for instance, he said he had not read much, compared with Dr. Warburton.  Upon which the King said, that he heard Dr. Warburton was a man of such general knowledge, that you could scarce talk with him on any subject on which he was not qualified to speak; and that his learning resembled Garrick’s acting, in its universality.  His Majesty then talked of the controversy between Warburton and Lowth, which he seemed to have read, and asked Johnson what he thought of it.  Johnson answered, ’Warburton has most general, most scholastick learning; Lowth is the more correct scholar.  I do not know which of them calls names best.’  The King was pleased to say he was of the same opinion; adding, ’You do not think, then, Dr. Johnson, that there was much argument in the case.’  Johnson said, he did not think there was.  ’Why truly, (said the King,) when once it comes to calling names, argument is pretty well at an end.’

His Majesty then asked him what he thought of Lord Lyttelton’s History, which was then just published.  Johnson said, he thought his style pretty good, but that he had blamed Henry the Second rather too much.  ’Why, (said the King,) they seldom do these things by halves.’  ’No, Sir, (answered Johnson,) not to Kings.’  But fearing to be misunderstood, he proceeded to explain himself; and immediately subjoined, ’That for those who spoke worse of Kings than they deserved, he could find no excuse; but that he could more easily conceive how some might speak better of them than they deserved, without any ill intention; for, as Kings had much in their power to give, those who were favoured by them would frequently, from gratitude, exaggerate their praises; and as this proceeded from a good motive, it was certainly excusable, as far as errour could be excusable.’