170 Anecdotes of Johnson published by G. Kearsley.

nation, particularly in respect to the fruits. ' Why, yes, Sir/ said the Doctor ; ' I have found out that gooseberries will grow there against a south wall ; but the skins are so tough, that it is death to the man who swallows one of them V

Being asked his opinion of hunting, he said, * It was the labour of the savages of North America, but the amusement of the gentlemen of England */

When Johnson was told of Mrs. Thrale's marriage with Piozzi, the Italian singer, he was dumb with surprise for some moments ; at last, recovering himself, he exclaimed with great emotion,

• Varium et mutabile semper fcemina 3 ! '

1 * Things which grow wild here the sloe to perfection?' Life, ii.

must be cultivated with great care 77.

in Scotland. Pray, now, (throwing 2 For his fox-hunting see ante, i.

himself back in his chair, and 287.

laughing) are you ever able to bring 3 Aeneid, iv. 569.

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