The life of Samuel Johnson, , comprehending an account of his studies and numerous works, in chronological order; a series of his epistolary correspondence and conversations with many eminent persons . esented the character of aplain independent English Squire. As this family will frequently bementioned in the course of the following pages, and as a false notionhas prevailed that Mr. Thrale was inferior, and in some degree insig-nificant, compared with Mrs. Thrale, it may be proper to give a true Bevil: Give me leave to say, that we merchants are a species of gentry that have growninto th
The life of Samuel Johnson, , comprehending an account of his studies and numerous works, in chronological order; a series of his epistolary correspondence and conversations with many eminent persons . esented the character of aplain independent English Squire. As this family will frequently bementioned in the course of the following pages, and as a false notionhas prevailed that Mr. Thrale was inferior, and in some degree insig-nificant, compared with Mrs. Thrale, it may be proper to give a true Bevil: Give me leave to say, that we merchants are a species of gentry that have growninto the world this last centuiy, and are as honourable, and almost as useful as you landedfolks, that have always thought yourselves so much above us; for your trading forsooth isextended no farther than a load of hay, or a fat ox. You are pleasant people, indeed! becaixseyou are generally bred up to be lazy, therefore, I warrant you, industry is dishonourable. —BOSWELL. 288 BOSWELLS LIFE OF JOHNSON. [1765. state of the case, from the authority of Johnson himself in his ownwords. I know no man, said he, who is more master of his wife andfamily than Thrale. If he but holds up a finger he is obeyed. It is. MR. AND MliS. THKALE. a great mistake to suj^pose that she is above him in literary is more flippant, but he has ten times her learning ; he is a regulai-scholar, but her learning is that of a school-boy in one of the loweiforms. My readers may naturally wish for some representation of thefigures of this couple. Mr. Thrale was tall, well-proportioned, andstately. As for Madam, or my Mistress, by which epithets Johnsonused to mention Mrs. Thrale, she was short, plump, and brisk. Shehas herself given us a lively view of the idea which Johnson had of i^erperson, on her appearing before him in a dark-coloured gown : loalittle creatures should never wear those sort of clothes, however ; theyare unsuitable in every way. What! have not all insects gay colours ?Mr. Thrale g
Size: 1772px × 1411px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthorboswellj, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, bookyear1859
