[1266] In a new edition of this book, which was published in the following year, the editor states, that either 'through hurry or inattention some obscene jests had unluckily found a place in the first edition.' See post, April 28, 1778.
[1267] See ante, ii. 338, note 2.
[1268] The number of the asterisks, taken with the term worthy friend, renders it almost certain that Langton was meant. The story might, however, have been told of Reynolds, for he wrote of Johnson:—'Truth, whether in great or little matters, he held sacred. From the violation of truth, he said, in great things your character or your interest was affected; in lesser things, your pleasure is equally destroyed. I remember, on his relating some incident, I added something to his relation which I supposed might likewise have happened: "It would have been a better story," says he, "if it had been so; but it was not."' Taylor's Reynolds, ii. 457. Mrs. Piozzi records (Anec. p. 116):—'"A story," says Johnson, "is a specimen of human manners, and derives its sole value from its truth, When Foote has told me something, I dismiss it from my mind like a passing shadow; when Reynolds tells me something, I consider myself as possessed of an idea the more."'
[1269] Boswell felt this when, more than eight years earlier, he wrote:—'As I have related Paoli's remarkable sayings, I declare upon honour that I have neither added nor diminished; nay, so scrupulous have I been, that I would not make the smallest variation, even when my friends thought it would be an improvement. I know with how much pleasure we read what is perfectly authentick.' Boswell's Corsia, ed. 1879, p. 126. See post, iii. 209.
[1270] In his Life of Browne (Works, vi. 478) he sayd of 'innocent frauds':—'But no fraud is innocent; for the confidence which makes the happiness of society is in some degree diminished by every man whose practice is at variance with his words.' 'Mr. Tyers,' writes Murphy (Life, p. 146), 'observed that Dr. Johnson always talked as if he was talking upon oath.' Compared with Johnson's strictness, Rouseau's laxity is striking. After describing 'ces gens qu'on appelle vrais dans le monde,' he continues;—'L'homme que j'appele vrai fait tout le contraire. En choses parfaitnement indifferentes la vérité qu'alors l'autre respecte si fort le touche fort peu, et il ne se fera guére de scrupule d'amuser une compagnie par des faits controuvé, dont il ne résulte aucun jugement injuste ni pour ni contre qui que ce soit vivant ou mort.' Les Réveries: IVine Promenade.
[1271] No doubt Mrs. Fermor (ante, p. 392.)
[1272] No. 110.
[1273] No. 52.
[1274] But see ante, ii. 365, and Boswell's Hebrides, Aug. 19.
[1275] See ante, ii. 8, and post, April 7, 1778.