But what I believe chiefly conduced to fix that general stigma on his character for ill-breeding was his naturally loud and im perious tone of voice x , which apparently heightened his slightest dissenting opinion to a degree of harsh reproof, and, with his corresponding Aspect, had in general an intimidating influence on those who were not much acquainted with him, and often excited a degree of resentment, which his words in their common acceptation had no tendency to provoke. I have often on those occasions heard him express great surprise that what he had said could have given any offence 2 , but rarely, I believe, any sorrow 3 , being conscious of the rectitude of his intentions, which to preserve seem'd his chief concern, the chief object of his meditations, in which not unfrequently he seem'd absorbed even when in company.
It was doubtless very natural for so good a man to keep a strict watch over his mind 4 ; but so very strict as Dr. Johnson apparently did may perhaps in some measure be attributed to his dread of its hereditary tendencies, which, I had reason to believe, he was very apprehensive bordered upon insanity 5 . Probably his studious attention to repel their prevalency, together with his experience of divine assistance, co-operating with his reasoning faculties, may have proved in the highest degree conducive to the exaltation of his piety, the pre-eminency of his wisdom ; and I think it is probable that all his natural defects which so peculiarly debard \sic\ him from unprofitable amuse ments were also conducive to the same end 6 .
1 Ante, i. 451. 'no such weak-nerved people' as to
2 * After musing for some time, he be hurt by being contradicted roughly said, " I wonder how I should have and harshly ; and iv. 295.
any enemies ; for I do harm to no- 3 For his readiness to seek a re- body." ' Life, iv. 1 68. conciliation, see ante, ii. 223.
When he was ill of the palsy, he 4 See ante, ii. 225, where Sir Joshua
wrote to Mrs. Thrale : 'I have in Reynolds also mentions 'the strict
this still scene of life great comfort watch Johnson kept over himself.' in reflecting that I have given very 5 Ante, i. 409. few reason to hate me. I hope 6 In another version of the Recol-
scarcely any man has known me lections Miss Reynolds writes :
closely but for his benefit, or cursorily * Being so peculiarly debarred from
but to his innocent entertainment.' the enjoyment of those amusements
Letters, ii. 314. See also Life, iv. which the eye and the ear 'afford,
280, where he says that he knows doubtless he sought more assiduously
That
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