' JOHNSON. 'Yes, Sir; and Foote
would have answered the ostler.--When Burke does not descend to be
merry, his conversation is very superiour indeed. There is no proportion
between the powers which he shews in serious talk and in jocularity.
When he lets himself down to that, he is in the kennel.' I have in
another place opposed, and I hope with success, Dr. Johnson's very
singular and erroneous notion as to Mr. Burke's pleasantry. Mr. Windham
now said low to me, that he differed from our great friend in this
observation; for that Mr. Burke was often very happy in his merriment.
It would not have been right for either of us to have contradicted
Johnson at this time, in a Society all of whom did not know and value
Mr. Burke as much as we did. It might have occasioned something more
rough, and at any rate would probably have checked the flow of Johnson's
good-humour. He called to us with a sudden air of exultation, as the
thought started into his mind, 'O! Gentlemen, I must tell you a very
great thing.
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