When a man is tired of London......

I have had a couple days to reflect on my recent trip to London. It is such a great city, and as I have now visited many times now, from in the dead of winter to lazy, rainy summers, I find Samuel Johnson’s quote (1777) truer than ever:

"Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford."
— Samuel Johnson (shown below at left)

At the time, Johnson was discussing the great city with his friend and biographer James Boswell. Boswell, the 9^th Laird (Lord) of Auchinleck was a lawyer, born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Living from 1740-1795, he is best remembered for his biography of Dr. Samuel Johnson, generally recognized as one of the greatest English biographies ever written.

Boswell (at right) was studying at the University of Glasgow, when he suddenly decided to run away to London, living the life of a libertine, until his father forced him home, threatening to take away his inheritance. He eventually passed the bar, his father in turn allowing him to return to London if he wished. He did, and at that time, met Johnson. They became fast friends, and in a particular discussion about London in 1777, the famous saying was coined. Introducing himself to Johnson, Boswell said, "Mr. Johnson, I do indeed come from Scotland, but I cannot help it." They became inseparable and enjoyed exploring the town together over twenty years.

Samuel Johnson was a famed English writer, a poet, essayist, literary critic, editor. Boswell wrote his biography, The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. in 1791.