putrefaction quotes

Talking of the Comedy of 'The Rehearsal', he said 'It has not enough wit to keep it sweet.' This was easy;he therefore caught himself, and pronounced a more rounded sentence; 'It hasnot vitalityenoughtopreserve it from putrefaction.'

- Samuel known as Dr Johnson Johnson
  Remark,  Jun. Quoted in  James Boswell The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791), vol.4.