260 Recollections of Dr. Johnson
It was remarkable in Dr. Johnson that no external circum stances ever prompted him to make any apology, or to seem even sensible of their existence. Whether this was the effect of Philosophic pride, or of some partial notion respecting high breeding is doubtful x .
It is very certain that he piqued himself much upon his know ledge of the rules of true politeness, and particularly on his most punctilious observances of them towards the ladies. A remark able instance of this was his never suffering any lady to walk from his house to her carriage, through Bolt Court, unattended by himself to hand her into it (at least I have reason to suppose it to be his general custom, from his constant performance of it to those with whom he was the most intimately acquainted) ; and if any obstacle prevented it from driving off, there he would stand by the door of it, and gather a mob around him. Indeed they would begin to gather the moment he appear'd handing the lady .down the steps into Fleet Street. But to describe his ap pearance, his important air (that indeed cannot be described) but his morning Habiliments, from head to foot, would excite the utmost astonishment in my reader, how a man in his senses could think of steping [sic] outside his door in them, or even to be seen at home in them. Sometimes he exhibited himself at the distance of eight or ten doors distant from Bolt Court, to get at the carriage, to the no small diversion of the populace 2 .
And I am certain to all who love laughing a description of his dress from head to foot would be highly acceptable, and in general, I believe, be thought the most curious part of my Book. But I forbear, merely out of respect to his memory, to give the
him into his garret, which being she should have found her in a better accepted, he there found about five manner." The parson made no apo- or six Greek folios, a deal writing- logics, though he was in his half- desk, and a chair and a half. Johnson cassock, and a flannel night-cap, giving to his guest the entire seat, He said they were heartily welcome tottered himself on one with only to his poor cottage.' Joseph An- three legs and one arm.' Life, i. 328. drews, Bk. iv. ch. 9.
1 ' Mrs. Adams said " she was 2 See Life, ii. 405, for Beauclerk's
ashamed to be seen in such a pickle, account of Johnson's ( doing the
and that her house was in such a honours of his literary residence to
litter ; but that if she had expected a foreign lady of quality,' and ante,
such an honour from her Ladyship, ii. 180.
slightest
�� �
