Talking of fame, for which there is so great a desire, I observed how
little there is of it in reality, compared with the other objects of
human attention. 'Let every man recollect, and he will be sensible
how small a part of his time is employed in talking or thinking of
Shakspeare, Voltaire, or any of the most celebrated men that have ever
lived, or are now supposed to occupy the attention and admiration of the
world. Let this be extracted and compressed; into what a narrow space
will it go!' I then slily introduced Mr. Garrick's fame, and his
assuming the airs of a great man. JOHNSON. 'Sir, it is wonderful how
LITTLE Garrick assumes. No, Sir, Garrick fortunam reverenter habet.
Consider, Sir: celebrated men, such as you have mentioned, have had
their applause at a distance; but Garrick had it dashed in his face,
sounded in his ears, and went home every night with the plaudits of a
thousand in his CRANIUM. Then, Sir, Garrick did not FIND, but MADE his
way to the tables, the levees, and almost the bed-chambers of the great.
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