on of his
Dictionary, Garrick being asked by Johnson what people said of it, told
him, that among other animadversions, it was objected that he cited
authorities which were beneath the dignity of such a work, and mentioned
Richardson. "Nay, (said Johnson,) I have done worse than that: I have
cited THEE, David."'

'When in good humour he would talk of his own writings with a wonderful
frankness and candour, and would even criticise them with the closest
severity. One day, having read over one of his Ramblers, Mr. Langton
asked him, how he liked that paper; he shook his head, and answered,
"too wordy." At another time, when one was reading his tragedy of Irene
to a company at a house in the country, he left the room; and somebody
having asked him the reason of this, he replied, "Sir, I thought it had
been better."'

'He related, that he had once in a dream a contest of wit with some
other person, and that he was very much mortified by imagining that his
opponent had the better of him. "Now, (said he,) one may mark here the
effect of sleep in weakening the power of reflection; for had not my
judgement failed me, I should have seen, that the wit of this supposed
antagonist, by whose superiority I felt myself depressed, was as much
furnished by me, as that which I thought I had been uttering in my own
character."'

'Of Sir Joshua Reynolds, he said, "Sir, I know no man who has passed
through life with more observation than Reynolds."'

'He repeated to Mr. Langton, with great energy, in the Greek, our
SAVIOUR'S gracious expression concerning the forgiveness of Mary
Magdalen, '[Greek text omitted]. "Thy faith hath saved thee; go
in peace." He said, "the manner of this dismission is exceedingly
affecting."'

'Talking of the Farce of High Life below Stairs, he said, "Here is a
Farce, which is really very diverting when you see it acted; and yet one
may read it, and not know that one has been reading any thing at all."'

'He used at one time to go occasionally to the green room of Drury-lane
Theatre, where he was much regarded by the players, and was very easy
and facetious with them. He had a very high opinion of Mrs. Clive's
comick powers, and conversed more with her than with any of them. He
said, "Clive, Sir, is a good thing to sit by; she always understands
what you say." And she said of him, "I love to sit by Dr. Johnson; he
always entertains me." One night, when The Recruiting Officer was acted,
he said to Mr. Holla