第89章

JOHNSON.'Why then,Sir,I think that permitting men to preach any opinion contrary to the doctrine of the established church tends,in a certain degree,to lessen the authority of the church,and consequently,to lessen the influence of religion.''It may be considered,(said the gentleman,)whether it would not be politick to tolerate in such a case.'JOHNSON.'Sir,we have been talking of RIGHT:this is another question.I think it is NOT politick to tolerate in such a case.'

BOSWELL.'Pray,Mr.Dilly,how does Dr.Leland's History of Ireland sell?'JOHNSON.(bursting forth with a generous indignation,)'The Irish are in a most unnatural state;for we see there the minority prevailing over the majority.There is no instance,even in the ten persecutions,of such severity as that which the protestants of Ireland have exercised against the Catholicks.Did we tell them we have conquered them,it would be above board:to punish them by confiscation and other penalties,as rebels,was monstrous injustice.King William was not their lawful sovereign:he had not been acknowledged by the Parliament of Ireland,when they appeared in arms against him.'

He and Mr.Langton and I went together to THE CLUB,where we found Mr.Burke,Mr.Garrick,and some other members,and amongst them our friend Goldsmith,who sat silently brooding over Johnson's reprimand to him after dinner.Johnson perceived this,and said aside to some of us,'I'll make Goldsmith forgive me;'and then called to him in a loud voice,'Dr.Goldsmith,--something passed to-day where you and I dined;I ask your pardon.'Goldsmith answered placidly,'It must be much from you,Sir,that I take ill.'And so at once the difference was over,and they were on as easy terms as ever,and Goldsmith rattled away as usual.

In our way to the club to-night,when I regretted that Goldsmith would,upon every occasion,endeavour to shine,by which he often exposed himself,Mr.Langton observed,that he was not like Addison,who was content with the fame of his writings,and did not aim also at excellency in conversation,for which he found himself unfit;and that he said to a lady who complained of his having talked little in company,'Madam,I have but ninepence in ready money,but I can draw for a thousand pounds.'I observed,that Goldsmith had a great deal of gold in his cabinet,but,not content with that,was always taking out his purse.JOHNSON.'Yes,Sir,and that so often an empty purse!'

Goldsmith's incessant desire of being conspicuous in company,was the occasion of his sometimes appearing to such disadvantage as one should hardly have supposed possible in a man of his genius.When his literary reputation had risen deservedly high,and his society was much courted,he became very jealous of the extraordinary attention which was every where paid to Johnson.One evening,in a circle of wits,he found fault with me for talking of Johnson as entitled to the honour of unquestionable superiority.'Sir,(said he,)you are for making a monarchy of what should be a republick.'

He was still more mortified,when talking in a company with fluent vivacity,and,as he flattered himself,to the admiration of all who were present;a German who sat next him,and perceived Johnson rolling himself,as if about to speak,suddenly stopped him,saying,'Stay,stay,--Toctor Shonson is going to say something.'

This was,no doubt,very provoking,especially to one so irritable as Goldsmith,who frequently mentioned it with strong expressions of indignation.

It may also be observed,that Goldsmith was sometimes content to be treated with an easy familiarity,but,upon occasions,would be consequential and important.An instance of this occurred in a small particular.Johnson had a way of contracting the names of his friends;as Beauclerk,Beau;Boswell,Bozzy;Langton,Lanky;Murphy,Mur;Sheridan,Sherry.I remember one day,when Tom Davies was telling that Dr.Johnson said,'We are all in labour for a name to GOLDY'S play,'Goldsmith seemed displeased that such a liberty should be taken with his name,and said,'I have often desired him not to call me GOLDY.'Tom was remarkably attentive to the most minute circumstance about Johnson.I recollect his telling me once,on my arrival in London,'Sir,our great friend has made an improvement on his appellation of old Mr.Sheridan.He calls him now Sherry derry.'

On Monday,May 9,as I was to set out on my return to Scotland next morning,I was desirous to see as much of Dr.Johnson as I could.

But I first called on Goldsmith to take leave of him.The jealousy and envy which,though possessed of many most amiable qualities,he frankly avowed,broke out violently at this interview.Upon another occasion,when Goldsmith confessed himself to be of an envious disposition,I contended with Johnson that we ought not to be angry with him,he was so candid in owning it.'Nay,Sir,(said Johnson,)we must be angry that a man has such a superabundance of an odious quality,that he cannot keep it within his own breast,but it boils over.'In my opinion,however,Goldsmith had not more of it than other people have,but only talked of it freely.

He now seemed very angry that Johnson was going to be a traveller;said 'he would be a dead weight for me to carry,and that I should never be able to lug him along through the Highlands and Hebrides.'

Nor would he patiently allow me to enlarge upon Johnson's wonderful abilities;but exclaimed,'Is he like Burke,who winds into a subject like a serpent?''But,(said I,)Johnson is the Hercules who strangled serpents in his cradle.'