’Chymistry was always an interesting pursuit with Dr. Johnson.  Whilst he was in Wiltshire, he attended some experiments that were made by a physician at Salisbury, on the new kinds of air.  In the course of the experiments frequent mention being made of Dr. Priestley, Dr. Johnson knit his brows, and in a stern manner inquired, “Why do we hear so much of Dr. Priestley?” He was very properly answered, “Sir, because we are indebted to him for these important discoveries.”  On this Dr. Johnson appeared well content; and replied, “Well, well, I believe we are; and let every man have the honour he has merited."’

’A friend was one day, about two years before his death, struck with some instance of Dr. Johnson’s great candour.  “Well, Sir, (said he,) I will always say that you are a very candid man.”  “Will you, (replied the Doctor,) I doubt then you will be very singular.  But, indeed, Sir, (continued he,) I look upon myself to be a man very much misunderstood.  I am not an uncandid, nor am I a severe man.  I sometimes say more than I mean, in jest; and people are apt to believe me serious:  however, I am more candid than I was when I was younger.  As I know more of mankind I expect less of them, and am ready now to call a man A good man, upon easier terms than I was formerly."’

On his return from Heale he wrote to Dr. Burney:—­

’I came home on the 18th at noon to a very disconsolate house.  You and I have lost our friends; but you have more friends at home.  My domestick companion is taken from me.  She is much missed, for her acquisitions were many, and her curiosity universal; so that she partook of every conversation.  I am not well enough to go much out; and to sit, and eat, or fast alone, is very wearisome.  I always mean to send my compliments to all the ladies.’

His fortitude and patience met with severe trials during this year.  The stroke of the palsy has been related circumstantially; but he was also afflicted with the gout, and was besides troubled with a complaint which not only was attended with immediate inconvenience, but threatened him with a chirurgical operation, from which most men would shrink.  The complaint was a sarcocele, which Johnson bore with uncommon firmness, and was not at all frightened while he looked forward to amputation.  He was attended by Mr. Pott and Mr. Cruikshank.

Happily the complaint abated without his being put to the torture of amputation.  But we must surely admire the manly resolution which he discovered while it hung over him.

He this autumn received a visit from the celebrated Mrs. Siddons.  He gives this account of it in one of his letters to Mrs. Thrale:—­

’Mrs. Siddons, in her visit to me, behaved with great modesty and propriety, and left nothing behind her to be censured or despised.  Neither praise nor money, the two powerful corrupters of mankind, seem to have depraved her.  I shall be glad to see her again.  Her brother Kemble calls on me, and pleases me very well.  Mrs. Siddons and I talked of plays; and she told me her intention of exhibiting this winter the characters of Constance, Catharine, and Isabella, in Shakspeare.’