_Thursday._--Mr. Metcalf called upon Dr. Johnson, and took him out for
an airing. Mr. Hamilton is gone, and Mr. Metcalf is now the only person
out of this house that voluntarily communicates with the doctor. He has
been in a terrible severe humour of late, and has really frightened all
the people, till they almost ran from him. To me only I think he is now
kind, for Mrs. Thrale fares worse than anybody. 'Tis very strange and
very melancholy that he will not a little more accommodate his manners
and language to those of other people. He likes Mr. Metcalf, however,
and so do I, for he is very clever and entertaining when he pleases.
Poor Dr. Delap confessed to us, that the reason he now came so seldom,
though he formerly almost lived with us when at this place, was his
being too unwell to cope with Dr. Johnson. And the other day Mr. Selwyn
having refused an invitation from Mr. Hamilton to meet the doctor,
because he preferred being here upon a day when he was out, suddenly
rose at the time he was expected to return, and said he must run away,
“for fear the doctor should call him to account.”