The explanation in the text: “The scene of our illustration is Uttoxeter market, and the reason of Dr. Johnson’s singular conduct before a gathering of people, young and old, is thus explained by himself. He was talking, towards the end of his life, with a young clergyman, the Rev. Henry White. He said that he had been, on the whole, an obedient son. But he added: ‘Once, indeed, I was disobedient; I refused to attend my father to Uttoxeter market. Pride was the source of that refusal, and the remembrance of it was painful. A few years ago I desired to atone for this fault. I went to Uttoxeter in very bad weather, and stood for some time bareheaded in the rain, on the spot where my father’s stall used to stand. In contrition I stood, and I hope that the penance was expiatory.’ ”