to be some
trick, nor did he even look at it. But upon enquiry afterwards he found
that it was a real packet for him, from that very friend in the East
Indies of whom he had been speaking; and the ship which carried it
having come to Portugal, this packet, with others, had been put into the
post-office at Lisbon.

I mentioned a new gaming-club, of which Mr. Beauclerk had given me
an account, where the members played to a desperate extent. JOHNSON.
'Depend upon it, Sir, this is mere talk. WHO is ruined by gaming? You
will not find six instances in an age. There is a strange rout made
about deep play: whereas you have many more people ruined by adventurous
trade, and yet we do not hear such an outcry against it.' THRALE. 'There
may be few people absolutely ruined by deep play; but very many are much
hurt in their circumstances by it.' JOHNSON. 'Yes, Sir, and so are very
many by other kinds of expence.' I had heard him talk once before in the
same manner; and at Oxford he said, 'he wished he had learnt to play at
cards.' The truth, however, is, that he loved to display his ingenuity
in argument; and therefore would sometimes in conversation maintain
opinions which he was sensible were wrong, but in supporting which, his
reasoning and wit would be most conspicuous. He would begin thus: 'Why,
Sir, as to the good or evil of card-playing--' 'Now, (said Garrick,) he
is thinking which side he shall take.' He appeared to have a pleasure in
contradiction, especially when any opinion whatever was delivered with
an air of confidence; so that there was hardly any topick, if not one of
the great truths of Religion and Morality, that he might not have been
incited to argue, either for or against. Lord Elibank had the highest
admiration of his powers. He once observed to me, 'Whatever opinion
Johnson maintains, I will not say that he convinces me; but he never
fails to shew me, that he has good reasons for it.' I have heard Johnson
pay his Lordship this high compliment: 'I never was in Lord Elibank's
company without learning something.'

We sat together till it was too late for the afternoon service. Thrale
said he had come with intention to go to church with us. We went at
seven to evening prayers at St. Clement's church, after having drank
coffee; an indulgence, which I understood Johnson yielded to on this
occasion, in compliment to Thrale.

On Sunday, April 7, Easter-day, after having been at St. Paul's
Cathedral, I came to Dr.