be imputed to him as a crime, which we all so irresistibly feel and practise ; we all make a greater exertion in the presence of new men than old acquaintance ; it is undoubtedly true that Garrick divided his attention among so many, that but little was left to the share of any individual x ; like the extension and dissipation of water into dew, there was not quantity united sufficiently to quench any m.an's thirst ; but this is the inevitable state of things : Garrick, no more than another man, could unite what, in their natures, are incompatible.
GIB. But Garrick not only was excluded by this means from real friendship, but accused of treating those whom he called friends with insincerity and double dealings.
JOHNS. Sir, it is not true ; his character in that respect is misunderstood: Garrick was, to be sure, very ready in promising, but he intended at that time to fulfil his promise ; he intended no deceit ; his politeness or his good-nature, call it which you will, made him unwilling to deny ; he wanted the courage to say No, even to unreasonable demands. This was the great error of his life : by raising expectations which he did not, perhaps could not, gratify, he made many enemies ; at the same time it must be remembered, that this error proceeded from the same cause which produced many of his virtues. Friendships from want of temper too suddenly taken up, and too violent to continue, ended as they were like to do, in disappointment ; enmity suc ceeded disappointment ; his friends became his enemies ; and those having been fostered in his bosom, well knew his sensibility to reproach, and they took care that he should be amply sup plied with such bitter potions as they were capable of adminis tering ; their impotent efforts he ought to have despised, but he felt them ; nor did he affect insensibility.
GIB. And that sensibility probably shortened his life.
JOHNS. No, Sir, he died of a disorder of which you or any
1 ' I mentioned that Mr. Wilkes had no man to whom he wished to
had attacked Garrick to me, as a unbosom himself. He found people
man who had no friend. JOHNSON, always ready to applaud him, and
" I believe he is right, Sir w <6i'Aot, that always for the same thing : so
ou <f>i\os He had friends, but no he saw life with great uniformity." *
friend. Garrick was so diffused, he Life, iii. 386.
other
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