JOHNSON. 39 



With all his powers of conversation, and all his wil- 

 lingness to mix with the world, it is certain that Johnson 

 never was received in the select circles of distinguished 

 persons, nor indeed was at all in general society ; nor 

 can a better proof be given of the great change which a 

 few years has effected in the social intercourse of London, 

 and of the great contrast which at all times has been 

 exhibited in that of Paris. Johnson was sensible enough 

 of this, but did not repine, for he lived in a small, but 

 highly interesting circle, and there was sufficiently es- 



that caused her taciturnity. This perception calmed him, and he 

 then exhibited a face ' in sorrow more than anger.' His see-sawing 

 abated of its velocity, and again fixing his looks upon the fire, he 

 fell into pensive rumination. From time to time, nevertheless, he 

 impressively glanced upon her his full-fraught eye, that told, had 

 its expression been developed, whole volumes of his regret, his dis- 

 appointment, his astonished indignancy : but now and then it also 

 spoke so clearly and so kindly that he found her sight and her 

 stay soothing to his disturbance, that she felt as if confidentially 

 communing with him, although they exchanged not a word. At 

 length, and with great agitation, he broke forth with ' She cares for 

 no one ! You, only You, she loves still ! but no one and 

 nothing else ! You she still loves,' A half smile now, though of no 

 very gay character, softened a little the severity of his features while 

 he tried to resume some cheerfulness in adding : ' As .... she loves 

 her little finger !" : 



Now Johnson was, perhaps unknown to himself, in love with Mrs. 

 Thrale ; but for Miss Burney's thoughtless folly there can be no ex- 

 cuse. And her father, a person of the very same rank and profession 

 with Mr. Piozzi, appears to have adopted the same senseless cant, as 

 if it were less lawful to marry an Italian musician than an English. 

 To be sure, Miss Burney says that Mrs. Thrale was lineally descended 

 from Adam de Saltsburg, who came over with the Conqueror. But 

 assuredly that worthy, unable to write his name, would have held Dr. 

 Johnson himself in as much contempt as his fortunate rival, and 

 would have regarded his alliance equally disreputable with the 

 Italian's, could his consent have been asked. 



