'
Though a stern TRUE-BORN ENGLISHMAN, and fully prejudiced against all
other nations, he had discernment enough to see, and candour enough to
censure, the cold reserve too common among Englishmen towards strangers:
'Sir, (said he,) two men of any other nation who are shewn into a room
together, at a house where they are both visitors, will immediately
find some conversation. But two Englishmen will probably go each to a
different window, and remain in obstinate silence. Sir, we as yet do not
enough understand the common rights of humanity.'
Johnson, for sport perhaps, or from the spirit of contradiction, eagerly
maintained that Derrick had merit as a writer. Mr. Morgann* argued with
him directly, in vain. At length he had recourse to this device. 'Pray,
Sir, (said he,) whether do you reckon Derrick or Smart the best poet?'
Johnson at once felt himself roused; and answered, 'Sir, there is no
settling the point of precedency between a louse and a flea.'
* Author of the Essay on the Character of Falstaff.
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