accepted the invitation ; and being introduced by Cave, dressed in a loose horseman's coat, and such a great bushy uncombed wig as he constantly wore *, to the sight of Mr. Browne, whom he found sitting at the upper end of a long table, in a cloud of tobacco-smoke, had his curiosity gratified.
Johnson saw very clearly those offensive particulars that made a part of Cave's character ; but, as he was one of the most quick-sighted men I ever knew in discovering the good and amiable qualities of others, a faculty which he has displayed, as well in the life of Cave, as in that of Savage, printed among his works, so was he ever inclined to palliate their defects ; and, though he was above courting the patronage of a man, whom, in respect of his mental endowments he considered as his inferior, he disdained not to accept it, when tendered with any degree of complacency.
And this was the general tenor of Johnson's behaviour ; for, though his character through life was marked with a rough ness that approached to ferocity, it was in the power of almost ^/ every one to charm him into mildness, and to 1 render him gentle and placid, and even courteous, by such a patient and respectful ^attention as is due to every one,, who,, in his discourse,, signifies a desire either to instruct or delight. Bred to no profession, without relations,, friends, or interest, Johnson was an adventurer v in the wide world,, and had his fortunes to make : the arts of insinuation and address were, in his opinion, too slow in their operation to answer his purpose ; and, he rather chose to display his parts to all the world, at the risque of being thought arro gant, than to wait for the assistance of such friends as he could make, or the patronage of some individual that had power or influence, and who might have the kindness to take him by the hand, and lift him into notice. With all that asperity of manners
��Vicar of Olney twenty-four years. thought he should have been dis-
He was born in 1704 and died in tracted ; but when he had ten or a
1787. Gentleman's Magazine, 1787, dozen he was perfectly easy, and
p. 932. thought no more about the matter.'
'I remember,' writes Cowper, ' hear- Cowper's Works, ed. 1836, iv. 154. ing Moses Browne say, that when ' Hawkins, post, p. 103, describes
he had only two or three children, he this wig.
with
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