The others of the party went northward by one of the streets off the Strand into Coventry street, and thence toward Sir Joshua's house in Leicester Square, Burke walking in front with his arm through Goldsmith's, and Garrick some way behind with Reynolds. Goldsmith was very eloquent in his references to the magnanimity of Johnson, who, he said, in spite of the fact that he had been grossly insulted by an impostor calling himself his, Goldsmith's, cousin, had consented to receive the dedication of the new comedy. Burke, who understood the temperament of his countryman, felt that he himself might surpass in eloquence even Oliver Goldsmith if he took for his text the magnanimity of the author of “The Good Natured Man.” He, however, refrained from the attempt to prove to his companion that there were other ways by which a man could gain a reputation for generosity than by permitting the most distinguished writer of the age to dedicate a comedy to him. Of the other couple Garrick was rattling away in the highest spirits, quite regardless of the position of Reynolds's ear-trumpet. Reynolds was as silent as Burke for a considerable time; but then, stopping at a corner so as to allow Goldsmith and his companion to get out of ear-shot, he laid his hand on Garrick's arm, laughing heartily as he said-- “You are a pretty rascal, David, to play such a trick upon your best friends. You are a pretty rascal, and a great genius, Davy--the greatest genius alive. There never has been such an actor as you, Davy, and there never will be another such.” “Sir,” said Garrick, with an overdone expression of embarrassment upon his face, every gesture that he made corresponding. “Sir, I protest that you are speaking in parables. I admit the genius, if you insist upon it, but as for the rascality--well, it is possible, I suppose, to be both a great genius and a great rascal; there was our friend Benvenuto, for example, but----” “Only a combination of genius and rascality could have hit upon such a device as that bow which you made, Davy,” said Reynolds. “It presented before my eyes a long vista of Goldsmiths--all made in the same fashion as our friend on in front, and all striving---and not unsuccessfully, either--to maintain the family tradition of the Goldsmith bow. And then your imitation of your imitation of the same movement--how did we contain ourselves--Burke and I?” “You fancy that Burke saw through the Dean, also?” said Garrick. “I'm convinced that he did.” “But he will not tell Johnson, I would fain hope.” “You are very anxious that Johnson should not know how it was he was tricked. But you do not mind how you pain a much more generous man.” “You mean Goldsmith? Faith, sir, I do mind it greatly. If I were not certain that he would forthwith hasten to tell Johnson, I would go to him and confess all, asking his forgiveness. But he would tell Johnson and never forgive me, so I'll e'en hold my tongue.”