he introduced him to Mr. Levet, who
readily obtained Johnson's permission to bring Mr. Langton to him; as,
indeed, Johnson, during the whole course of his life, had no shyness,
real or affected, but was easy of access to all who were properly
recommended, and even wished to see numbers at his levee, as his morning
circle of company might, with strict propriety, be called. Mr. Langton
was exceedingly surprised when the sage first appeared. He had not
received the smallest intimation of his figure, dress, or manner. From
perusing his writings, he fancied he should see a decent, well-drest, in
short, remarkably decorous philosopher. Instead of which, down from his
bed-chamber, about noon, came, as newly risen, a huge uncouth figure,
with a little dark wig which scarcely covered his head, and his clothes
hanging loose about him. But his conversation was so rich, so animated,
and so forcible, and his religious and political notions so congenial
with those in which Langton had been educated, that he conceived for him
that veneration and attachment which he ever preserved. Johnson was
not the less ready to love Mr. Langton, for his being of a very ancient
family; for I have heard him say, with pleasure, 'Langton, Sir, has
a grant of free warren from Henry the Second; and Cardinal Stephen
Langton, in King John's reign, was of this family.'

Mr. Langton afterwards went to pursue his studies at Trinity College,
Oxford, where he formed an acquaintance with his fellow student, Mr.
Topham Beauclerk; who, though their opinions and modes of life were so
different, that it seemed utterly improbable that they should at all
agree, had so ardent a love of literature, so acute an understanding,
such elegance of manners, and so well discerned the excellent qualities
of Mr. Langton, a gentleman eminent not only for worth and learning, but
for an inexhaustible fund of entertaining conversation, that they became
intimate friends.

Johnson, soon after this acquaintance began, passed a considerable time
at Oxford. He at first thought it strange that Langton should associate
so much with one who had the character of being loose, both in his
principles and practice; but, by degrees, he himself was fascinated.
Mr. Beauclerk's being of the St. Alban's family, and having, in some
particulars, a resemblance to Charles the Second, contributed, in
Johnson's imagination, to throw a lustre upon his other qualities;
and, in a short time, the moral, pious