' THRALE. 'There
may be few people absolutely ruined by deep play; but very many are much
hurt in their circumstances by it.' JOHNSON. 'Yes, Sir, and so are very
many by other kinds of expence.' I had heard him talk once before in the
same manner; and at Oxford he said, 'he wished he had learnt to play at
cards.' The truth, however, is, that he loved to display his ingenuity
in argument; and therefore would sometimes in conversation maintain
opinions which he was sensible were wrong, but in supporting which, his
reasoning and wit would be most conspicuous. He would begin thus: 'Why,
Sir, as to the good or evil of card-playing--' 'Now, (said Garrick,) he
is thinking which side he shall take.' He appeared to have a pleasure in
contradiction, especially when any opinion whatever was delivered with
an air of confidence; so that there was hardly any topick, if not one of
the great truths of Religion and Morality, that he might not have been
incited to argue, either for or against. Lord Elibank had the highest
admiration of his powers.
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