The London Mercury, Vol. I, Nos. 1-6, November 1919 to April 1920

by Various

SENSIBLE AT BOTTOM

(To the Editor of The London Mercury)

Sir,—May I point out a small inaccuracy in Mr. Shanks's exceedingly interesting essay on Samuel Butler? Mr. Shanks writes, "It is possible to remark of him (Butler), adapting the remark made of Dr. Johnson, that he may have been very sensible at bottom." The passage in Boswell referred to, I think, is a remark made by Johnson of a "printer's devil" who had married a "very respectable author."—Yours, etc.,

A. H. Scott.

Kelstone, Charterhouse, Godalming.
December 15th, 1919.

---