"Indeed, the freedom with which Dr. Johnson condemns whatever he disapproves, is astonishing; and the strength of words he uses would, to most people, be intolerable; but Mrs. Thrale seems to have a sweetness of disposition that equals all her other excellences, and far from making a point of vindicating herself, she generally receives his admonitions with the most respectful silence."
But it must not be supposed that this was done without an effort. When Boswell speaks of Johnson's "accelerating her pulsation," she adds, "he checked it often enough, to be sure."
Another of the conversations which occurred during this visit is characteristic of all parties:
"We had been talking of colours, and of the fantastic names given to them, and why the palest lilac should be called a soupir étouffé.
"'Why, Madam,' said he, with wonderful readiness, 'it is called a stifled sigh because it is checked in its progress, and only half a colour.'
"I could not help expressing my amazement at his universal readiness upon all subjects, and Mrs. Thrale said to him,
"'Sir, Miss Burney wonders at your patience with such stuff; but I tell her you are used to me, for I believe I torment you with more foolish questions than anybody else dares do.'
"'No, Madam,' said he, 'you don't torment me;—you teaze me, indeed, sometimes.'
"'Ay, so I do, Dr. Johnson, and I wonder you bear with my nonsense.'
"'No, Madam, you never talk nonsense; you have as much sense, and more wit, than any woman I know!'