The Life of Samuel Johnson

In September 1777, Boswell and Johnson travel to Ashbourne, where they stay at the home of Dr. Taylor, a schoolmate of Johnson’s. Boswell observes that Johnson during the Ashbourne trip is “more uniformly social, cheerful, and alert, than I had almost ever seen him” (867).

Johnson and Boswell engage in extensive conversation while at Dr. Taylor’s house. Boswell defends acting as a fine art—in his performances, David Garrick “can represent exalted characters, and touch the noblest passions” (863). Johnson makes a mockery of this idea, claiming that acting is not a high art and is something that anyone can do. Johnson’s disdain for actors is a motif throughout the Life.

In this instance, Boswell comes away from the conversation certain that he has “the best side of the argument” and that Johnson is merely using mockery and “fallacious reasoning” (863) to make his point. As presented by Boswell, this exchange illustrates Johnson’s occasional propensity to rely on bombast and faulty reasoning in his arguments, as well as Boswell’s confidence in his own views. Boswell’s writing here creates an exclusive bond with his readers, and he gives the impression of confiding in them, sure that they will see the correctness of his view.