’Huggins, the translator of Ariosto, and Mr. Thomas Warton, in the early part of his literary life, had a dispute concerning that poet, of whom Mr. Warton in his Observations on Spenser’s Fairy Queen, gave some account, which Huggins attempted to answer with violence, and said, “I will militate no longer against his nescience.”  Huggins was master of the subject, but wanted expression.  Mr. Warton’s knowledge of it was then imperfect, but his manner lively and elegant[18].  Johnson said, “It appears to me, that Huggins has ball without powder, and Warton powder without ball."’

’Talking of the Farce of High Life below Stairs[19], 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[20], 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[21].”  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. Holland[22], who had been expressing an apprehension that Dr. Johnson would disdain the works of Farquhar; “No, Sir, I think Farquhar a man whose writings have considerable merit."’

’His friend Garrick was so busy in conducting the drama, that they could not have so much intercourse as Mr. Garrick used to profess an anxious wish that there should be[23].  There might, indeed, be something in the contemptuous severity as to the merit of acting, which his old preceptor nourished in himself, that would mortify Garrick after the great applause which he received from the audience.  For though Johnson said of him, “Sir, a man who has a nation to admire him every night, may well be expected to be somewhat elated[24];” yet he would treat theatrical matters with a ludicrous slight.  He mentioned one evening, “I met David coming off the stage, drest in a woman’s riding-hood, when he acted in The Wonder[25]; I came full upon him, and I believe he was not pleased."’

’Once he asked Tom Davies, whom he saw drest in a fine suit of clothes, “And what art thou to-night?” Tom answered, “The Thane of Ross[26];” (which it will be recollected is a very inconsiderable character.) “O brave!” said Johnson.’

’Of Mr. Longley, at Rochester, a gentleman of very considerable learning, whom Dr. Johnson met there, he said, “My heart warms towards him.  I was surprised to find in him such a nice acquaintance with the metre in the learned languages; though I was somewhat mortified that I had it not so much to myself, as I should have thought[27]."’