y of a Ghost in Cock-lane, which, in the year 1762, had gained very
general credit in London. Many of my readers, I am convinced, are to
this hour under an impression that Johnson was thus foolishly deceived.
It will therefore surprize them a good deal when they are informed upon
undoubted authority, that Johnson was one of those by whom the imposture
was detected. The story had become so popular, that he thought it should
be investigated; and in this research he was assisted by the Reverend
Dr. Douglas, now Bishop of Salisbury, the great detector of impostures;
who informs me, that after the gentlemen who went and examined into the
evidence were satisfied of its falsity, Johnson wrote in their presence
an account of it, which was published in the newspapers and Gentleman's
Magazine, and undeceived the world.

Our conversation proceeded. 'Sir, (said he) I am a friend to
subordination, as most conducive to the happiness of society. There is a
reciprocal pleasure in governing and being governed.'

'Dr. Goldsmith is one of the first men we now have as an authour, and he
is a very worthy man too. He has been loose in his principles, but he is
coming right.'

I complained to him that I had not yet acquired much knowledge, and
asked his advice as to my studies. He said, 'Don't talk of study now. I
will give you a plan; but it will require some time to consider of it.'
'It is very good in you (I replied,) to allow me to be with you thus.
Had it been foretold to me some years ago that I should pass an evening
with the authour of The Rambler, how should I have exulted!' What I then
expressed, was sincerely from the heart. He was satisfied that it was,
and cordially answered, 'Sir, I am glad we have met. I hope we shall
pass many evenings and mornings too, together.' We finished a couple of
bottles of port, and sat till between one and two in the morning.

As Dr. Oliver Goldsmith will frequently appear in this narrative, I
shall endeavour to make my readers in some degree acquainted with his
singular character. He was a native of Ireland, and a contemporary with
Mr. Burke at Trinity College, Dublin, but did not then give much promise
of future celebrity. He, however, observed to Mr. Malone, that 'though
he made no great figure in mathematicks, which was a study in much
repute there, he could turn an Ode of Horace into English better than
any of them.' He afterwards studied physick at Edinburgh, and upon the
Continent; and I ha