Life of Johnson.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 885, 5 October 1933, Page 8

Life of Johnson.

JJIS SCHOOLFELLOW and friend, Dr Taylor, told me a pleasant anecdote of Johnson’s triumphing over his pupil David Garrick. When that great actor had played some little time at Goodman’s fields, Johnson and Taylor went to see him perform, and afterwards passed the evening at a tavern with him and old Giffard. Johnson, who was ever depreciating stageplayers, after censuring some mistakes in emphasis which Garrick had committed in the course of that night’s acting, said, “ The players, Sir, have got a * ind of rant, with which they run on, w.chout any regard either to accent or emphasis.” Both Garrick and Giffard were offended at this sarcasm, and endeavoured to refute it; upon which Johnson' rejoined, “ Well now, I’ll give you something to speak, with which you are little acquainted, and then we will see how just my observation is. That shall be the criterion. Let me hear you repeat the ninth commandment, ‘ Thou shalt not bear' false witness against thy neighbour.’ ” Both tried at it, said Dr Taylor, and both mistook the emphasis, which should be upon “ not ” and “ false witness.” Johnson put them right, and enjoyed his victory with great glee.