addressed himself in a loud tone to Mr. Reynolds, saying, 'How much do
you think you and I could get in a week, if we were to WORK AS HARD as
we could?'--as if they had been common mechanicks.

His acquaintance with Bennet Langton, Esq. of Langton, in Lincolnshire,
another much valued friend, commenced soon after the conclusion of
his Rambler; which that gentleman, then a youth, had read with so much
admiration, that he came to London chiefly with the view of endeavouring
to be introduced to its authour. By a fortunate chance he happened to
take lodgings in a house where Mr. Levet frequently visited; and having
mentioned his wish to his landlady, she 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.'