Goldsmith could sometimes take adventurous liberties with him, and escape unpunished.  Beauclerk told me that when Goldsmith talked of a project for having a third Theatre in London, solely for the exhibition of new plays, in order to deliver authours from the supposed tyranny of managers, Johnson treated it slightingly; upon which Goldsmith said, ’Ay, ay, this may be nothing to you, who can now shelter yourself behind the corner of a pension;’ and that Johnson bore this with good-humour.

Johnson praised the Earl of Carlisle’s Poems[368], which his Lordship had published with his name, as not disdaining to be a candidate for literary fame.  My friend was of opinion, that when a man of rank appeared in that character, he deserved to have his merit handsomely allowed[369].  In this I think he was more liberal than Mr. William Whitehead[370], in his Elegy to Lord Villiers, in which under the pretext of ‘superiour toils, demanding all their care,’ he discovers a jealousy of the great paying their court to the Muses:—­

’------to the chosen few
Who dare excel, thy fost’ring aid afford,
Their arts, their magick powers, with honours due
Exalt;—­but be thyself what they record[371].’

Johnson had called twice on the Bishop of Killaloe[372] before his Lordship set out for Ireland, having missed him the first time.  He said, ’It would have hung heavy on my heart if I had not seen him.  No man ever paid more attention to another than he has done to me[373]; and I have neglected him, not wilfully, but from being otherwise occupied.  Always, Sir, set a high value on spontaneous kindness.  He whose inclination prompts him to cultivate your friendship of his own accord, will love you more than one whom you have been at pains to attach to you.’

Johnson told me, that he was once much pleased to find that a carpenter, who lived near him, was very ready to shew him some things in his business which he wished to see:  ’It was paying (said he) respect to literature.’

I asked him if he was not dissatisfied with having so small a share of wealth, and none of those distinctions in the state which are the objects of ambition.  He had only a pension of three hundred a year.  Why was he not in such circumstances as to keep his coach?  Why had he not some considerable office?  JOHNSON, ’Sir, I have never complained of the world[374]; nor do I think that I have reason to complain.  It is rather to be wondered at that I have so much.  My pension is more out of the usual course of things than any instance that I have known.  Here, Sir, was a man avowedly no friend to Government at the time, who got a pension without asking for it.  I never courted the great; they sent for me; but I think they now give me up.  They are satisfied; they have seen enough of me.’  Upon my observing that I could not believe this, for they must certainly be highly pleased by his conversation; conscious of his own superiority, he answered, ’No, Sir;