anecdotes of the late samuel johnson-第26章
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ol his extraordinary memory。 His manner of repeating deserves to be described； though at the same time it defeats all power of description； but whoever once heard him repeat an ode of Horace would be long before they could endure to hear it repeated by another。
His equity in giving the character of living acquaintance ought not undoubtedly to be omitted in his own； whence partiality and prejudice were totally excluded； and truth alone presided in his tongue； a steadiness of conduct the more to be commended； as no man had stronger likings or aversions。 His veracity was； indeed； from the most trivial to the most solemn occasions； strict； even to severity； he scorned to embellish a story with fictitious circumstances； which； he used to say； took off from its real value。 〃A story；〃 says Johnson； 〃should be a specimen of life and manners； but if the surrounding circumstances are false； as it is no more a representation of reality； it is no longer worthy our attention。〃
For the restthat beneficence which during his life increased the comforts of so many may after his death be； perhaps； ungratefully forgotten； but that piety which dictated the serious papers in the 〃Rambler〃 will be for ever remembered； for ever； I think； revered。 That ample repository of religious truth； moral wisdom； and accurate criticism； breathes； indeed； the genuine emanations of its great author's mind； expressed； too； in a style so natural to him； and so much like his common mode of conversing； that I was myself but little astonished when he told me that he had scarcely read over one of those inimitable essays before they went to the press。
I will add one or two peculiarities more before I lay down my pen。 Though at an immeasurable distance from content in the contemplation of his own uncouth form and figure； he did not like another man much the less for being a coxcomb。 I mentioned two friends who were particularly fond of looking at themselves in a glass。 〃They do not surprise me at all by so doing；〃 said Johnson； 〃they see； reflected in that glass； men who have risen from almost the lowest situations in life； one to enormous riches； the other to everything this world can giverank； fame； and fortune。 They see； likewise； men who have merited their advancement by the exertion and improvement of those talents which God had given them； and I see not why they should avoid the mirror。〃
The other singularity I promised to record is this： That though a man of obscure birth himself； his partiality to people of family was visible on every occasion； his zeal for subordination warm even to bigotry； his hatred to innovation； and reverence for the old feudal times； apparent； whenever any possible manner of showing them occurred。 I have spoken of his piety； his charity； and his truth； the enlargement of his heart； and the delicacy of his sentiments； and when I search for shadow to my portrait； none can I find but what was formed by pride； differently modified as different occasions showed it； yet never was pride so purified as Johnson's； at once from meanness and from vanity。 The mind of this man was； indeed； expanded beyond the common limits of human nature； and stored with such variety of knowledge； that I used to think it resembled a royal pleasure ground； where every plant； of every name and nation； flourished in the full perfection of their powers； and where； though lofty woods and falling cataracts first caught the eye； and fixed the earliest attention of beholders； yet neither the trim parterre nor the pleasing shrubbery； nor even the antiquated evergreens； were denied a place in some fit corner of the happy valley。
End
