His necessary attendance while his play was in
rehearsal, and during its performance, brought him acquainted with
many of the performers of both sexes, which produced a more favourable
opinion of their profession than he had harshly expressed in his Life of
Savage. With some of them he kept up an acquaintance as long as he and
they lived, and was ever ready to shew them acts of kindness. He for a
considerable time used to frequent the Green Room, and seemed to take
delight in dissipating his gloom, by mixing in the sprightly chit-chat
of the motley circle then to be found there. Mr. David Hume related to
me from Mr. Garrick, that Johnson at last denied himself this amusement,
from considerations of rigid virtue; saying, 'I'll come no more behind
your scenes, David; for the silk stockings and white bosoms of your
actresses excite my amorous propensities.'
1750: AETAT. 41.]--In 1750 he came forth in the character for which
he was eminently qualified, a majestick teacher of moral and religious
wisdom.
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