become a nobleman, and as you say excessively rich[1], I should, were I a youth of quality ten years hence, hesitate between a girl so neglected, and a negro.'
It was indeed astonishing how he could remark such minutenesses with a sight so miserably imperfect; but no accidental position of a ribband escaped him, so nice was his observation, and so rigorous his demands of propriety[2]. When I went with him to Litchfield and came down stairs to breakfast at the inn[3], my dress did not please him, and he made me alter it entirely before he would stir a step with us about the town, saying most satirical things concerning the appearance I made in a riding-habit; and adding, ''Tis very strange that such eyes as yours cannot discern propriety of dress: if I had a sight only half as good, I think I should see to the centre.'
My compliances however were of little worth: what really surprised me was the victory he gained over a Lady little accustomed to contradiction, who had dressed herself for church at Streatham one Sunday morning, in a manner he did not approve, and to whom he said such sharp and pungent things concerning her hat, her gown, &c. that she hastened to change them, and returning quite another figure received his applause, and thanked him for his reproofs, much to the amazement of her husband, who could scarcely believe his own ears.
- ↑ Perhaps Lord Sandys (ante, p. 316, n. 3), who became a nobleman a year after his marriage.
- ↑ 'I supposed him,' writes Boswell, 'to be only near-sighted; and indeed I must observe, that in no other respect could I discern any defect in his vision; on the contrary, the force of his attention and perceptive quickness made him see and distinguish all manner of objects, whether of nature or of art, with a nicety that is rarely to be found. ... The ladies with whom he was acquainted agree, that no man was more nicely and minutely critical in the elegance of female dress.' Life, i. 41.
'His blindness,' wrote Miss Burney, 'is as much the effect of absence [of mind] as of infirmity, for he sees wonderfully at times. He can see the colour of a lady's top-knot, for he very often finds fault with it.' Mme. D'Arblay's Diary, ii. 174.
- ↑ The Swan. Life, v. 428. Boswell and Johnson in 1776 stayed at the Three Crowns. Ib. ii. 461. In 1779 Boswell passed a night at the George. Ib. iii. 411. All three inns still exist.
