'
He had, however, all his life habituated himself to consider
conversation as a trial of intellectual vigour and skill; and to this, I
think, we may venture to ascribe that unexampled richness and brilliancy
which appeared in his own. As a proof at once of his eagerness for
colloquial distinction, and his high notion of this eminent friend,
he once addressed him thus:-- '-----, we now have been several hours
together; and you have said but one thing for which I envied you.'
Goldsmith could sometimes take adventurous liberties with him, and
escape unpunished. Beauclerk told me that when Goldsmith talked of a
project for having a third Theatre in London, solely for the exhibition
of new plays, in order to deliver authours from the supposed tyranny
of managers, Johnson treated it slightingly; upon which Goldsmith said,
'Ay, ay, this may be nothing to you, who can now shelter yourself behind
the corner of a pension;' and that Johnson bore this with good-humour.
Johnson had called twice on the Bishop of Killaloe before his Lordship
set out for Ireland, having missed him the first time.
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