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 custom to speak in a disparaging and most unworthy manner x. We gave our sentiments, and undoubtedly of high panegyric, on the Tale of a Tub] of which Dr. Johnson insisted, in his usual positive manner, that it was impossible that Swift should have been the author, it was so eminently superior to all his other works 2. I expressed my own conviction, that it was written by Swift, and that, in many of his productions, he showed a genius not unequal to the composition of the Tale of a Tub. The Doctor desired me to name one. I replied, that I thought Gulliver's Travels 3 not unworthy of the performance he so ex clusively admired. He would not admit the instance ; but said, that ' if Swift was really the author of the Tale of a Tub, as the best of his other performances were of a very inferior merit, he should have hanged himself after he had written it.'

Johnson said on the same day, ' Swift corresponded minutely with Stella and Mrs. Dingley 4, on his importance with the ministry, from excessive vanity that the women might exclaim, " What a great man Dr. Swift is ! " '

Among other topics, Warburton claimed our attention. Gold smith took a part against Warburton whom Johnson strenuously defended, and, indeed, with many strong arguments, and with bright sallies of eloquence 5. Goldsmith ridiculously asserted, that Warburton was a weak writer. This misapplied character istic Dr. Johnson refuted. I shall never forget one of the happy metaphors with which he strengthened and illustrated his refuta tion. ' Warburton/ said he, ' may be absurd, but he will never be weak : \\& flounders well/

1 Ante, i. 373, 479; ii. 211. 5 Johnson said: 'I treated War-

2 Ib. 1.452 ; ii. 318 ; v. 44 ; Works, burton with great respect both in my viii. 197. Preface and in my Notes ' to Shake-

3 Life, ii. 319. In his Life of Gay speare. Ib. iv. 288. The notes are Johnson says of that writer's ' little often contemptuous and sarcastic : poems ' : * Those that please least ' I am well informed (writes Bos- are the pieces to which Gulliver well) that Warburton said of John- gave occasion ; for who can much son, " I admire him, but cannot bear delight in the echo of an unnatural his style;" and that Johnson being fiction?' Works, viii. 71. told of this said, "That is exactly

4 Life, iv. 177. my case as to him." ' Ib. iv. 48.

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