There was this day the most terrible storm of wind and rain that I
ever remember. It made such an awful impression on us all, as to
produce, for some time, a kind of dismal quietness in the house. The
day was passed without much conversation: only, upon my observing that
there must be something bad in a man's mind, who does not like to give
leases to his tenants, but wishes to keep them in a perpetual wretched
dependence on his will, Dr Johnson said, 'You are right: it is a man's
duty to extend comfort and security among as many people as he can. He
should not wish to have his tenants mere Ephemerae--mere beings of an
hour.' BOSWELL. 'But, sir, if they have leases, is there not some
danger that they may grow insolent? I remember you yourself once told
me, an English tenant was so independent, that,--if provoked, he would
throw his rent at his landlord.' JOHNSON. 'Depend upon it, sir, it is
the landlord's own fault, if it is thrown at him. A man may always
keep his tenants in dependence enough, though they have leases. He
must be a good tenant indeed, who will not fall behind in his rent, if
his landlord will let him; and if he does fall behind, his landlord
has him at his mercy. Indeed, the poor man is always much at the mercy
of the rich; no matter whether landlord or tenant. If the tenant lets
his landlord have a little rent before-hand, or has lent him money,
then the landlord is in his power. There cannot be a greater man than
a tenant who has lent money to his landlord; for he has under
subjection the very man to whom he should be subjected.'