' I knew that Johnson
would let nobody attack Garrick but himself, as Garrick once said to
me, and I had heard him praise his liberality; so to bring out his
commendation of his celebrated pupil, I said, loudly, 'I have heard
Garrick is liberal.' JOHNSON. 'Yes, Sir, I know that Garrick has given
away more money than any man in England that I am acquainted with, and
that not from ostentatious views. Garrick was very poor when he began
life; so when he came to have money, he probably was very unskilful
in giving away, and saved when he should not. But Garrick began to be
liberal as soon as he could; and I am of opinion, the reputation of
avarice which he has had, has been very lucky for him, and prevented his
having many enemies. You despise a man for avarice, but do not hate
him. Garrick might have been much better attacked for living with more
splendour than is suitable to a player: if they had had the wit to have
assaulted him in that quarter, they might have galled him more.
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