ancient states,
with an energy and a rapidity which shewed him to be master of the
subject, to be perfectly acquainted with every spring and movement of
the various events. I have heard him give what the French call, "Une
catalogue raisonnee" of the most distinguished men in antiquity. His
characters of them were concise, nervous and just. I regret that the
fire with which he spoke upon such occasions, so dazzled me that I could
not recollect his sayings so as to write them down when I retired from
his presence.[123]

[Footnote 123: "I recollect with admiration an animating blaze of
eloquence, which roused every intellectual power in me to the highest
pitch, but must have dazzled me so much, that my memory could not
preserve the substance of his discourse."--Boswell's "Johnson." Date of
July 30, 1763.--ED.]

He just lives in the times of antiquity. He said to me, "A young man who
would form his mind to glory, must not read modern memoirs; ma
Plutarcho, ma Tito Livio; but Plutarch and Titus Livius."

I have seen him fall into a sort of reverie, and break out into sallies
of the grandest and noblest enthusiasm. I recollect two instances of
this. "What a thought? that thousands owe their happiness to you!" And
throwing himself into an attitude, as if he saw the lofty mountain of
fame before him. "THERE is my object (pointing to the summit); if I
fall, I fall at least THERE (pointing a good way up) magnis tamen
excidit ausis."

I ventured to reason like a libertine, that I might be confirmed in
virtuous principles by so illustrious a preceptour.[124] I made light of
moral feelings. I argued that conscience was vague and uncertain; that
there was hardly any vice but what men might be found who have been
guilty of it without remorse. "But," said he, "there is no man who has
not a horrour at some vice. Different vices and different virtues have
the strongest impression on different men! Ma il virtu in astratto e il
nutrimento dei nostri cuori. But virtue in the abstract, is the food of
our hearts."

[Footnote 124: Compare Boswell's discussion with Johnson on May 7th,
1773.--ED.]

Talking of Providence, he said to me with that earnestness with which a
man speaks who is anxious to be believed: "I tell you on the word of an
honest man, it is impossible for me not to be persuaded that GOD
interposes to give freedom to Corsica. A people oppressed like the
Corsicans, are certainly worthy of divine assistance. When we were in