..._numeris_que fertur
  LEGE solutis. [Odes, iv. 2. 11.]

Sir Joshua Reynolds, who agrees with me entirely as to Mr. Burke’s. fertility of wit, said, that this was ‘dignifying a pun.’  He also observed, that he has often heard Burke say, in the course of an evening, ten good things, each of which would have served a noted wit (whom he named) to live upon for a twelvemonth.  I find, since the former edition, that some persons have objected to the instances which I have given of Mr. Burke’s wit, as not doing justice to my very ingenious friend; the specimens produced having, it is alleged, more of conceit than real wit, and being merely sportive sallies of the moment, not justifying the encomium which, they think with me, he undoubtedly merits.  I was well aware, how hazardous it was to exhibit particular instances of wit, which is of so airy and spiritual a nature as often to elude the hand that attempts to grasp it.  The excellence and efficacy of a bon mot depend frequently so much on the occasion on which it is spoken, on the particular manner of the speaker, on the person to whom it is applied, the previous introduction, and a thousand minute particulars which cannot be easily enumerated, that it is always dangerous to detach a witty saying from the group to which it belongs, and to set it before the eye of the spectator, divested of those concomitant circumstances, which gave it animation, mellowness, and relief.  I ventured, however, at all hazards, to put down the first instances that occurred to me, as proofs of Mr. Burke’s lively and brilliant fancy; but am very sensible that his numerous friends could have suggested many of a superior quality.  Indeed, the being in company with him, for a single day, is sufficient to shew that what I have asserted is well founded; and it was only necessary to have appealed to all who know him intimately, for a complete refutation of the heterodox opinion entertained by Dr. Johnson on this subject. He allowed Mr. Burke, as the reader will find hereafter [post.  Sept.15 and 30], to be a man of consummate and unrivalled abilities in every light except that now under consideration; and the variety of his allusions, and splendour of his imagery, have made such an impression on all the rest of the world, that superficial observers are apt to overlook his other merits, and to suppose that wit is his chief and most prominent excellence; when in fact it is only one of the many talents that he possesses, which are so various and extraordinary, that it is very difficult to ascertain precisely the rank and value of each.  BOSWELL.  For Malone’s share in this note, see ante, iii. 323, note 2.  For Burke’s Economical Reform Bill, which was brought in on Feb. 11, 1780, see Prior’s Burke, p.184.  For Blue Stocking, see ante, iv. 108.  The ‘tall friend of ours’ was Mr. Langton (ante, i. 336).  For Franklin’s definition, see ante, iii. 245, and for Burke’s classical pun, ib. p. 323.  For Burke’s ‘talent of wit,’ see ante, i. 453, iii. 323, iv.  May 15, 1784, and post, Sept. 15.