'
On Thursday, April 29, I dined with him at General Oglethorpe's, where
were Sir Joshua Reynolds, Mr. Langton, Dr. Goldsmith, and Mr. Thrale. I
was very desirous to get Dr. Johnson absolutely fixed in his resolution
to go with me to the Hebrides this year; and I told him that I had
received a letter from Dr. Robertson the historian, upon the subject,
with which he was much pleased; and now talked in such a manner of
his long-intended tour, that I was satisfied he meant to fulfil his
engagement.
The character of Mallet having been introduced, and spoken of
slightingly by Goldsmith; JOHNSON. 'Why, Sir, Mallet had talents enough
to keep his literary reputation alive as long as he himself lived; and
that, let me tell you, is a good deal.' GOLDSMITH. 'But I cannot agree
that it was so. His literary reputation was dead long before his natural
death. I consider an authour's literary reputation to be alive
only while his name will ensure a good price for his copy from the
booksellers.
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