Boswell.  ’Pray, Mr. Dilly, how does Dr. Leland’s History of Ireland sell?’ Johnson. (bursting forth with a generous indignation,) ’The Irish are in a most unnatural state; for we see there the minority prevailing over the majority.  There is no instance, even in the ten persecutions, of such severity as that which the protestants of Ireland have exercised against the Catholicks.  Did we tell them we have conquered them, it would be above board:  to punish them by confiscation and other penalties, as rebels, was monstrous injustice.  King William was not their lawful sovereign:  he had not been acknowledged by the Parliament of Ireland, when they appeared in arms against him.’

He and Mr. Langton and I went together to the club, where we found Mr. Burke, Mr. Garrick, and some other members, and amongst them our friend Goldsmith, who sat silently brooding over Johnson’s reprimand to him after dinner.  Johnson perceived this, and said aside to some of us, ‘I’ll make Goldsmith forgive me;’ and then called to him in a loud voice, ’Dr. Goldsmith,—­something passed to-day where you and I dined; I ask your pardon.’  Goldsmith answered placidly, ’It must be much from you, Sir, that I take ill.’  And so at once the difference was over, and they were on as easy terms as ever, and Goldsmith rattled away as usual.

In our way to the club to-night, when I regretted that Goldsmith would, upon every occasion, endeavour to shine, by which he often exposed himself, Mr. Langton observed, that he was not like Addison, who was content with the fame of his writings, and did not aim also at excellency in conversation, for which he found himself unfit; and that he said to a lady who complained of his having talked little in company, ’Madam, I have but ninepence in ready money, but I can draw for a thousand pounds.’  I observed, that Goldsmith had a great deal of gold in his cabinet, but, not content with that, was always taking out his purse.  Johnson.  ‘Yes, Sir, and that so often an empty purse!’

Goldsmith’s incessant desire of being conspicuous in company, was the occasion of his sometimes appearing to such disadvantage as one should hardly have supposed possible in a man of his genius.  When his literary reputation had risen deservedly high, and his society was much courted, he became very jealous of the extraordinary attention which was every where paid to Johnson.  One evening, in a circle of wits, he found fault with me for talking of Johnson as entitled to the honour of unquestionable superiority.  ’Sir, (said he,) you are for making a monarchy of what should be a republick.’

He was still more mortified, when talking in a company with fluent vivacity, and, as he flattered himself, to the admiration of all who were present; a German who sat next him, and perceived Johnson rolling himself, as if about to speak, suddenly stopped him, saying, ’Stay, stay,—­Toctor Shonson is going to say something.’  This was, no doubt, very provoking, especially to one so irritable as Goldsmith, who frequently mentioned it with strong expressions of indignation.