The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-05-19
WHOLE NO. 1851.
DIR. JoHNsoN's PUDDING.
AN AMUSING INcIDENT.

! AN ABUSING INCIDENTs
Last summer made an excursion 10 Scot
land, with the intention of completing my
series of views, and went over the same
ground described by the learned tourists,
DR.. Johnson and Boswell. ] am in the habit
OF taking very long walks on these occa-
slons; and perceivlng storm threaten, /
made the best of my way to small build
ing. arrived in time at a neat little inn,
and was received by respectable looking
man and wife, who did all in their power to
make me comfortable. After eating some
excellent fried mutton-chops, and drinking
quart of ale, asked the landlord to sit
down, and partake of bowl of whiskey-
punch. found him, as the Scotch genef-
ally are, very intelligent, and full of anec-
dote, OF which the following May serve as a
Sir," said the landlord, "ths mn was
formerly kept by Andrew McGregor, re-
latlon of mine and these hard bottomed
chairs lin which we are now sitting) were,
years ago, filled by the great tourists, DR..
johnson and Boswell, travelling like the lion
and jackall. Boswell generally preceded
the Doctor in search of food, and being
much pleased with the look of the house,
followed his nose into the larder, where he
saw fine leg of mutton. He ordered 1t TO
be roasted with the utmost expedition, and
gave particular orders for nice pudding
3" Now" says he, snake the best of all
puddings." Elated with his good luck, he
Immediately went out in search of his friend,
and saw the giant of learning slowly adj
vancing on a pony.
"My dear sir" said Boswell, out of breath
with joy, "good newsn' 81 have just be-
spoke, at a comfortable and clean inn here,
delicious leg of mutton: it is now getting
ready, and fatter myself we shall make
most excellent meal" Johnson looked
pleased" and hope," said he, you havo
bespoke pudding" "Sir, you will have
your favoriie pudding" replied the other.
Johnson got off the pony, and the poor
animal, relieved from the giant, smelt his
way into the stable. Boswell ushered the
Doctor into the house and left him to pre-
pare for his delicious treat. johnson feel
ing his coat rather damp, from the mist of
the mountains, went into the kitchen, and
threw his upper garment on chair before
the fire: he sat on the hob, near a little
boy who was very busy attending the meat.
Johnson occasionally peeped from behind
his coat, while the boy kept basting the
mutton. Johnson did not like the appear
ance of his head when he shifted the bast-
ing-ladle from one hand the other hand was
never idle, and the Doctor thought at the
same time, he saw something fall on the
1aIcUt upon which hS ostSrmined eat no
mutton on that day. The dinner was an
nonnced; Boswell exclaimed, My dear
Doctor, here comes the mutton-what pic
ture! done to turn, and looks SO beauti-
fully brownm The Doctor Uttered. After
a short grace Boswell said
:" | suppose am to carve, as usual; what
part shall help you to-" The Doctor re-
piled
"My dear Bozzy, did not ike to tell you
before, but | am determined to abstain from
meat to-day"
go dear! this is great disappointment"
said Bozzy.
"Say no more; shall make myself ample
amends with the pudding"
Boswell commenced the attack, and made
the first cut at the mutton. 'How the gra-
w runs what fne-favored fat, so nice and
brown too. Oh, sir, you would have relish
ed this prime piece of mutton"
The meat being removed, in came the
long wished for pudding. The Doctor look
ed joyous, fell eagerly to, and in a few min
utes nearly finished all the pudding! The
table was cleared, and Boswell said
"Doctor, while was eating the mutton
you seemed frequently inclined to laugh;
pray tell me what tickled your fancy 2"
The Doctor then literally told him all that
had passed at the kitchen fire, about the boy
and the basting. Boswell turned as pale
as a parsnip, ard, sick of himself and the
company, darted out Of the room. Some
what relieved, on returning, he insisted on
seeing the dirty little rascally boy, whom
he severely reprimanded before Johnson.
The poor boy cried the Doctor laughed.
"You little, filthy, Swelling hound" said
Boswell, "when you basted the meat, why
did you not put on the cap saw you In this
morning? %
al couldn't, sir" said the boy.
"No! why couldn't yoa~ said Roswell.
" Because my nanny took 1t from me to
boil the pudding in %
The Doctor gathered up his herculean
frame, stood erect, touched the ceiling with
his wig, stared or squinted- indeed, looked
any way, but the right tcag. AT last. with
mouth wide open (none of the smallest,) and
stomach heaving, he with some difficulty re-
covered his breath and looking at Boswell
with dignied contempt, he roared out, with
the lungs of Stentor-
"Mr. Boswell, sir: leave off laughing,
and under pain of my eternal displeasure,
never utter a single syllable of this abom-
Unable adventure to any soul living while
YOU breathe" "And so, sir" said mine
host, "you have the positive fact from the
simple mouth Of your humSle servant"
.fngelo's "reminiscences.
Books AND READERS. The majority Of read
ers ramble through books, as postboys ride
,brou0h fowns-mereIv for dispatch and ,vhan