. . . an anecdote about Dr. Johnson. (Not in the Life, I think, prob. one of Mrs. Thrale's.)

Johnson was quite deaf & found it difficult to enjoy music. In spite of this, Boswell persuaded him to go along to hear a famous, very innovative & avant-garde young violinist play.

Walking home afterwards, Boswell tried to coax an opinion out of Johnson, but could only get noncommittal grunts.

At last he said: "Well, you must at least allow that what the young man was doing was very difficult."

Johnson: "Difficult, Sir? I wish it had been IMPOSSIBLE!"