Horsefeathers returns! We will try to follow Dr. Johnson's lead in the following exchange with Boswell:
Boswell. "..Have not
you been vexed by all the turbulence of this reign, and by that
absurd vote of the House of Commons, 'That the influence of the
Crown has increased, is increasing, and ought to be diminished'?"
Johnson. "Sir, I have never slept an hour less, nor eat an ounce
less meat. I would have knocked the factious dogs on the head, to
be sure; but I was not vexed." Boswell. "I declare, Sir,
upon my honour, I did imagine I was vexed, and took a pride in
it; but it was, perhaps, cant; for I own I neither ate less, nor
slept less." Johnson. "My dear friend, clear your mind of
cant. You may talk as other people do: you may say to a
man, 'Sir, I am your most humble servant. You are not his
most humble servant. You may say, 'These are sad times; it is a
melancholy thing to be reserved to such times." You don't mind
the times. You tell a man, "I am sorry you had such bad weather
the last day of your journey, and were so much wet." You don't
care six-pence whether he was wet or dry. You may talk in
this manner; it is a mode of talking in Society; but don't
think foolishly."
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