_Monday, Sept. 21_.--I have had a thousand delightful conversations with
Dr. Johnson, who, whether he loves me or not, I am sure seems to have
some opinion of my discretion, for he speaks of all this house to me
with unbounded confidence, neither diminishing faults, nor exaggerating
praise.
Whenever he is below stairs he keeps me a prisoner, for he does not
like I should quit the room a moment; if I rise he constantly calls out,
“Don't you go, little Burney!”
Last night, when we were talking of compliments and of gross speeches,
Mrs. Thrale most justly said, that nobody could make either like Dr.
Johnson. “Your compliments, sir, are made seldom, but when they are made
they have an elegance unequalled; but then when you are angry! who dares
make speeches so bitter and so cruel?”
Dr. J.-Madam, I am always sorry when I make bitter speeches, and I never
do it, but when I am insufferably vexed.
Mrs. T-Yes, Sir; but you suffer things to vex you, that nobody else
would vex at. I am sure I have had my share of scoldings from _you_!
Dr. J-It is true, you have; but you have borne it like an angel, and you
have been the better for it.
Mrs. T.-That I believe, sir: for I have received more instruction from
you than from any man, or any book: and the vanity that you should think
me worth instructing, always overcame the vanity[71] of being found
fault with. And so you had the scolding, and I the improvement.
F.B.-And I am sure both make for the honour of both!
Dr J.-I think so too. But Mrs. Thrale is a sweet creature, and never
angry; she has a temper the most delightful of any woman I ever knew.
Mrs. T.-This I can tell you, sir, and without any flattery--I not only
bear your reproofs when present, but in almost everything I do in your
absence, I ask myself whether you would like it, and what you would say
to it. Yet I believe there is nobody you dispute with oftener than me.
F.B.-But you two are so well established with one another, that you can
bear a rebuff that would kill a stranger.
Dr. J.-Yes; but we disputed the same before we were so well established
with one another.
Mrs. T.-Oh, sometimes I think I shall die no other death than hearing
the bitter things he says to others. What he says to myself I can bear,
because I know how sincerely he is my friend, and that he means to mend
me; but to others it is cruel.
Dr. J.-Why, madam, you often provoke me to say severe things, by
unreasonable commendation. If you would not call for my praise, I would
not give you my censure; but it constantly moves my indignation to be
applied to, to speak well of a thing which I think contemptible.
F.B.-Well, this I know, whoever I may hear complain of Dr. Johnson's
severity, I shall always vouch for his kindness, as far as regards
myself, and his indulgence.
Mrs. T.-Ay, but I hope he will trim you yet, too!
Dr. J.-I hope not: I should be very sorry to say anything that should
vex my dear little Burney.
F.B.-If you did, sir, it would vex me more than you can imagine. I
should sink in a minute.
Mrs. T.-I remember, sir, when we were travelling in Wales, how you
called me to account for my civility to the people. 'Madam,' you said,
'let me have no more of this idle commendation of nothing. Why is
it, that whatever you see, and whoever you see, you are to be so
indiscriminately lavish of praise?' 'Why! I'll tell you, sir,' said I,
'when I am with you and Mr. Thrale, and Queeny, I am obliged to be civil
for four!'
There was a cutter for you! But this I must say, for the honour of
both--Mrs. Thrale speaks to Dr. Johnson with as much sincerity, (though
with greater softness,) as he does to her.