Boswell spent some time with Kettle during a boat trip on October 30, 1762. He described him as "a little stirring man who makes a neat livelihood by his business, loves a chat with a companion, a dish of tea with his female acquaintances, the news, the coffee-house, and now and then the public diversions. He is good-tempered and was not displeased at my merrily asking him if his name was spelt just like other kettles. I made this man exceedingly subservient to me. I had seen him before".3