as accurate, his
apprehension quick, and his memory so tenacious, that he was frequently
observed to know what he had learned from others, in a short time,
better that those by whom he was informed; and could frequently
recollect incidents with all their combination of circumstances, which
few would have regarded at the present time, but which the quickness of
his apprehension impressed upon him. He had the art of escaping from his
own reflections, and accommodating himself to every new scene.

To this quality is to be imputed the extent of his knowledge, compared
with the small time which he spent in visible endeavours to acquire it.
He mingled in cursory conversation with the same steadiness of attention
as others apply to a lecture; and amidst the appearance of thoughtless
gaiety lost no new idea that was started, nor any hint that could be
improved. He had therefore made in coffee-houses the same proficiency as
others in their closets; and it is remarkable that the writings of a man
of little education and little reading have an air of learning scarcely
to be found in any other performances, but which perhaps as often
obscures as embellishes them.

His judgment was eminently exact both with regard to writings and to
men. The knowledge of life was indeed his chief attainment; and it is
not without some satisfaction that I can produce the suffrage of Savage
in favour of human nature, of which he never appeared to entertain
such odious ideas as some who perhaps had neither his judgment nor
experience, have published, either in ostentation of their sagacity,
vindication of their crimes, or gratification of their malice.

His method of life particularly qualified him for conversation, of which
he knew how to practise all the graces. He was never vehement or loud,
but at once modest and easy, open and respectful; his language was
vivacious or elegant, and equally happy upon grave and humorous
subjects. He was generally censured for not knowing when to retire; but
that was not the defect of his judgment, but of his fortune: when he
left his company he used frequently to spend the remaining part of the
night in the street, or at least was abandoned to gloomy reflections,
which it is not strange that he delayed as long as he could; and
sometimes forgot that he gave others pain to avoid it himself.

It cannot be said that he made use of his abilities for the direction of
his own conduct; an irregular and dissipated manner