The Life of Samuel Johnson, vol 2 | Page 4

wholly to the salvation of our own souls. A youthful
passion for abstracted devotion should not be encouraged[25].'
I introduced the subject of second sight, and other mysterious
manifestations; the fulfilment of which, I suggested, might happen by
chance. JOHNSON. 'Yes, Sir; but they have happened so often, that
mankind have agreed to think them not fortuitous[26].'
I talked to him a great deal of what I had seen in Corsica, and of my
intention to publish an account of it. He encouraged me by saying, 'You
cannot go to the bottom of the subject; but all that you tell us will be
new to us. Give us as many anecdotes as you can[27].'

Our next meeting at the Mitre was on Saturday the 15th of February,
when I presented to him my old and most intimate friend, the Reverend
Mr. Temple[28], then of Cambridge. I having mentioned that I had
passed some time with Rousseau in his wild retreat[29], and having
quoted some remark made by Mr. Wilkes, with whom I had spent many
pleasant hours in Italy, Johnson said (sarcastically,) 'It seems, Sir, you
have kept very good company abroad, Rousseau and Wilkes!' Thinking
it enough to defend one at a time, I said nothing as to my gay friend,
but answered with a smile, 'My dear Sir, you don't call Rousseau bad
company. Do you really think him a bad man?' JOHNSON. 'Sir, if you
are talking jestingly of this, I don't talk with you. If you mean to be
serious, I think him one of the worst of men; a rascal who ought to be
hunted out of society, as he has been. Three or four nations have
expelled him; and it is a shame that he is protected in this country[30].'
BOSWELL. 'I don't deny, Sir, but that his novel[31] may, perhaps, do
harm; but I cannot think his intention was bad.' JOHNSON. 'Sir, that
will not do. We cannot prove any man's intention to be bad. You may
shoot a man through the head, and say you intended to miss him; but
the Judge will order you to be hanged. An alleged want of intention,
when evil is committed, will not be allowed in a court of justice.
Rousseau, Sir, is a very bad man. I would sooner sign a sentence for his
transportation, than that of any felon who has gone from the Old Bailey
these many years. Yes, I should like to have him work in the
plantations[32].' BOSWELL. 'Sir, do you think him as bad a man as
Voltaire?' JOHNSON. 'Why, Sir, it is difficult to settle the proportion
of iniquity between them[33].'
This violence seemed very strange to me, who had read many of
Rousseau's animated writings with great pleasure, and even edification,
had been much pleased with his society[34], and was just come from
the Continent, where he was very generally admired. Nor can I yet
allow that he deserves the very severe censure which Johnson
pronounced upon him. His absurd preference of savage to civilised
life[35], and other singularities, are proofs rather of a defect in his
understanding, than of any depravity in his heart. And notwithstanding
the unfavourable opinion which many worthy men have expressed of
his 'Profession de Foi du Vicaire Savoyard', I cannot help admiring it

as the performance of a man full of sincere reverential submission to
Divine Mystery, though beset with perplexing doubts; a state of mind
to be viewed with pity rather than with anger.
On his favourite subject of subordination, Johnson said, 'So far is it
from being true that men are naturally equal[36], that no two people
can be half an hour together, but one shall acquire an evident
superiority over the other.'
I mentioned the advice given us by philosophers, to console ourselves,
when distressed or embarrassed, by thinking of those who are in a
worse situation than ourselves. This, I observed, could not apply to all,
for there must be some who have nobody worse than they are.
JOHNSON. 'Why, to be sure, Sir, there are; but they don't know it.
There is no being so poor and so contemptible, who does not think
there is somebody still poorer, and still more contemptible.'
As my stay in London at this time was very short, I had not many
opportunities of being with Dr. Johnson; but I felt my veneration for
him in no degree lessened, by my having seen mullorum hominum
mores et urbes[37]. On the contrary, by having it in my power to
compare him with many of the most celebrated persons of other
countries[38], my admiration of his extraordinary mind was increased
and confirmed.
The roughness, indeed, which sometimes appeared in his manners, was
more striking to me now, from my having been accustomed to the
studied smooth