Concerning this unfortunate poet, Christopher Smart, who was confined in a mad-house, he had, at another time, the following conversation with Dr. Burney:—­Burney.  ’How does poor Smart do, Sir; is he likely to recover?’ Johnson.  ’It seems as if his mind had ceased to struggle with the disease; for he grows fat upon it.’  Burney.  ’Perhaps, Sir, that may be from want of exercise.’  Johnson.  ’No, Sir; he has partly as much exercise as he used to have, for he digs in the garden.  Indeed, before his confinement, he used for exercise to walk to the ale-house; but he was carried back again.  I did not think he ought to be shut up.  His infirmities were not noxious to society.  He insisted on people praying with him; and I’d as lief pray with Kit Smart as any one else.  Another charge was, that he did not love clean linen; and I have no passion for it.’—­Johnson continued.  ’Mankind have a great aversion to intellectual labour; but even supposing knowledge to be easily attainable, more people would be content to be ignorant than would take even a little trouble to acquire it.’

Talking of Garrick, he said, ’He is the first man in the world for sprightly conversation.’

When I rose a second time he again pressed me to stay, which I did.

He told me, that he generally went abroad at four in the afternoon, and seldom came home till two in the morning.  I took the liberty to ask if he did not think it wrong to live thus, and not make more use of his great talents.  He owned it was a bad habit.  On reviewing, at the distance of many years, my journal of this period, I wonder how, at my first visit, I ventured to talk to him so freely, and that he bore it with so much indulgence.

Before we parted, he was so good as to promise to favour me with his company one evening at my lodgings; and, as I took my leave, shook me cordially by the hand.  It is almost needless to add, that I felt no little elation at having now so happily established an acquaintance of which I had been so long ambitious.

I did not visit him again till Monday, June 13, at which time I recollect no part of his conversation, except that when I told him I had been to see Johnson ride upon three horses, he said, ’Such a man, Sir, should be encouraged; for his performances shew the extent of the human powers in one instance, and thus tend to raise our opinion of the faculties of man.  He shews what may be attained by persevering application; so that every man may hope, that by giving as much application, although perhaps he may never ride three horses at a time, or dance upon a wire, yet he may be equally expert in whatever profession he has chosen to pursue.’

He again shook me by the hand at parting, and asked me why I did not come oftener to him.  Trusting that I was now in his good graces, I answered, that he had not given me much encouragement, and reminded him of the check I had received from him at our first interview.  ’Poh, poh! (said he, with a complacent smile,) never mind these things.  Come to me as often as you can.  I shall be glad to see you.’