The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-03-30
ANRCDoTE OF DIR. JOHNSON

In the Pert Folio for March, 1919 is a biosr,ph
iSa' sketch Oh the " Life of John wing, D. D. late
d the University OF TennsyvaEia - which
AS the life of an American we have nerussd viii
considerable interest. Amongst other circumst.n-
ses OF bis life, which entitle him to the cb,ra.,. of
respectable divine. good man, and useful citizen.
VINO nyed without reproach, wa find the foIowin z
snecdote OF DIR. johnson; which, If the reader bs
not already been nausested by Boswell and Pozzi',
memoirs OF this Mammoth of Literature, as he ha.
been aptiy termed, will give good idea OF his gem
sral character.
Among the eminent literary characters whom,
Dr. Ewing met at the hospitabe table of Mr. D;IJv
H'e London bookseller, was the truly great Dr
9ohn'on. he loved to speak to his friend, of this
interview, which serves to illustrate the character
OF man, OF whom every one, who has read. knows
something When Mr.. billy invited DR. Ewjny IN
dlns with him, he added -" You will meet the ore At
Dr. johnson, but you must not contradict him ~ +.
never contradict him." The day arrived, x DR..
Ewing, on entering the parlor of Mr. DilIy fond
several eminent literary characters engaged in
soa'srtston, which, however, was instantly sus.
pended when DIR. Johnson entered the room -
ihsre was general silence. Hs scarcely notieed
any one, bat. seizing book which Law on the g.
ole, read IN Vt attentiyeiy until dinner was snnonp
eed' Here, every one seemed 20 FORGET him .eif
and anxious 10 please him by the mos; assiduou, o.
Ieht'oh' he attended, however, TO nothing but hi,
plNc' ne uid not seem to know that any one wa,
present. until, having saten vorAcousy without ~
hibiting many OF those gyaces which Constituted !.
| great portion OF Chesterield's morality ne re
ell his head slowly, and, looking round the tsble
sSrYeyeH the guests Tor the first time. They were
men engaged ia discussion of the expected con
troVersy with America, and, Sc DR. Ewing Lsd Ia,s
~ Iet hs native country, he, with his usual frarL
ness and without adyerting to or regarding IN.
prsjudiees OF DR. johnson, began TO defend m.
ssuse OF the colonies johnson looked nj hin, ~,
,ternness' and said, Uhaf do you knoze. r;,' a,
hEfsHb1tcf ?' Mr. Dilly's caution was foreoi,sn
and DIR. Ewing sarny replied, that having I'D,
N Aperics during his life, he thought himself ",.i
med TO deliver his opinions on the subject md,
si'cus'on. This produced an animated convs rss
, ton. '"'F'sa
" John'ob's prejudices against the Americans ver,
strong; he considered them, as he always termas
mem rebels and seoundrels, and these emit 81,
we're now by no means sppringly used. 4, is d;s;
cut TO say how far he might have been proroLe
sy opposition in argument, if Gortunste turn bsf
not been given to The dispute. johnson had rodnt,
SAID " Sir what do ToR know in Amer,c, W.,
never read You have bpoks there ,, g ,sr,,o,
rae, sir," replied DR.. Ewing, I" VIC have re,J a.,
RANGER This sivility instantly pacifod bim a,
after The rest Of the company had retired. he 49,
wth pr. Ewing until midnight, speaking sm;o.t,f,
ana eloquentIy, and utterjbg sueh wisdom ss se5o,!
| fslis from toe lips OF man"