��voice call Sam T ! ' What answer did the doctor make to your story, Sir, said I ? ' None in the world,' ( replied he ;) and suddenly changed the conversation. Now as Mr. Johnson had a most un shaken faith, without any mixture of credulity, this story must either have been strictly true, or his persuasion of its truth the effect of disordered spirits. I relate the anecdote precisely as he told it me ; but could not prevail on him to draw out the talk into length for further satisfaction of my curiosity.
As Johnson was the firmest of believers without being credu lous 2 , so he was the most charitable of mortals without being what we call an active friend. Admirable at giving counsel, no man saw his way so clearly ; but he would not stir a finger for the assistance of those to whom he was willing enough to give advice : besides that, he had principles of laziness, and could be indolent by rule. To hinder your death, or procure you a dinner, I mean if really in want of one ; his earnestness, his exertions could not be prevented, though health and purse and ease were all destroyed by their violence. If you wanted a slight favour, you must apply to people of other dispositions ; for not a step would Johnson move to obtain a man a vote in a society, to repay a compliment which might be useful or pleasing, to write a letter of request, or to obtain a hundred pounds a year more for a friend, who perhaps had already two or three. No force could urge him to diligence, no importunity could conquer his resolution of standing still 3 .
1 This is most likely an inaccurate had to admit that 'it is still un- report of the following incident which decided whether or not there has happened a long time before his ever been an instance of the spirit mother's death : ' Dr. Johnson said, of any person appearing after death, that one day at Oxford, as he was All argument is against it; but all turning the key of his chamber, he belief is for it.' Ib. iii. 230. He was heard his mother distinctly call Sam. ' willing to believe in second sight ; She was then at Lichfield ; but no- but I never could,' he said, ' advance thing ensued.' Life, iv. 94. my curiosity to conviction.' Jb. ii.
2 * I would be a Papist if I could 10, n. 3.
(he said) ; but an obstinate ratio- 3 Boswell quotes most of this para- nality prevents me.' Ib. iv. 289. He graph and refers to Mrs. Piozzi's longed for more evidence of the own contradiction of her assertion spiritual world (ib. iv. 299); but he (ante, p. 180). He continues: 'I
'What
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