The Best of the Worlds Classics, Vol. V - Great Britain and Ireland III | Page 4

should be told when Dr. Johnson came next
to the library. Accordingly, the next time that Johnson did come, as
soon as he was fairly engaged with the book, on which, while he sat by
the fire, he seemed quite intent, Mr. Barnard stole round to the
apartment where the King was, and in obedience to his Majesty's
commands mentioned that Dr. Johnson was then in the library. His
Majesty said that he was at leisure, and would go to him; upon which
Mr. Barnard took one of the candles that stood on the King's table and
lighted his Majesty through a suite of rooms, till they came to a private
door into the library of which his Majesty had the key. Being entered,
Mr. Barnard stept forward hastily to Dr. Johnson, who was still in a
profound study, and whispered him, "Sir, here is the King." Johnson
started up, and stood still. His Majesty approached him, and at once
was courteously easy.
His Majesty began by observing that he understood he came sometimes
to the library; and then mentioned his having heard that the Doctor had
been lately at Oxford, and asked him if he was not fond of going thither.
To which Johnson answered that he was indeed fond of going to
Oxford sometimes, but was likewise glad to come back again. The
King then asked him what they were doing at Oxford. Johnson
answered, he could not much commend their diligence, but that in
some respect they were mended, for they had put their press under
better regulations, and at that time were printing Polybius. He was then
asked whether there were better libraries at Oxford or Cambridge. He
answered, he believed the Bodleian was larger than any they had at
Cambridge; at the same time adding, "I hope, whether we have more
books or not than they have at Cambridge, we shall make as good use

of them as they do." Being asked whether All-Souls or Christ Church
library was the largest, he answered, "All-Souls library is the largest we
have, except the Bodleian." "Ay" (said the King), "that is the public
library."
His Majesty inquired if he was then writing anything. 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 labors, then said, "I do not think you borrow much from
anybody."
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 shown 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 good 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 much 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 the most general, most scholastic 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 just then published. Johnson said he thought his style pretty
good,