“Ah, sir, to introduce facts into any controversy on a point of art would indeed be a departure,” said Goldsmith solemnly. “I cannot countenance a proceeding which threatens to strangle the imagination.” “And you require yours to be particularly healthy just now, Doctor. Did you not tell us that you were about to write a Natural History?” said Garrick. “Well, I remarked that I had got paid for doing so--that's not just the same thing,” laughed Goldsmith. “Ah, the money is in hand; the Natural History is left to the imagination,” said Reynolds. “That is the most satisfactory arrangement.” “Yes, for the author,” said Burke. “Some time ago it was the book which was in hand, and the payment was left to the imagination.” “These sallies are all very well in their way,” said Garrick, “but their brilliance tends to blind us to the real issue of the question that Dr. Goldsmith introduced, which I take it was, Why should not acting be included among the arts? As a matter of course, the question possesses no more than a casual interest to any of the gentlemen present, with the exception of Mr. Burke and myself. I am an actor and Mr. Burke is a statesman--another branch of the same profession--and therefore we are vitally concerned in the settlement of the question.” “The matter never rose to the dignity of being a question, sir,” said Johnson. “It must be apparent to the humblest intelligence--nay, even to Boswell's--that acting is a trick, not a profession--a diversion, not an art. I am ashamed of Dr. Goldsmith for having contended to the contrary.” “It must only have been in sport, sir,” said Boswell mildly. “Sir, Dr. Goldsmith may have earned reprobation,” cried Johnson, “but he has been guilty of nothing so heinous as to deserve the punishment of having you as his advocate.” “Oh, sir, surely Mr. Boswell is the best one in the world to pronounce an opinion as to what was said in sport, and what in earnest,” said Goldsmith. “His fine sense of humour----” “Sir, have you seen the picture which he got painted of himself on his return from Corsica?” shouted Johnson. “Gentlemen, these diversions may be well enough for you,” said Garrick, “but in my ears they sound as the jests of the crowd must in the ears of a wretch on his way to Tyburn. Think, sirs, of the position occupied by Mr. Burke and myself at the present moment. Are we to be branded as outcasts because we happen to be actors?” “Undoubtedly you at least are, Davy,” cried Johnson. “And good enough for you too, you rascal!” “And, for my part, I would rather be an outcast with David Garrick than become chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury,” said Goldsmith. “Dr. Goldsmith, let me tell you that it is unbecoming in you, who have relations in the church, to make such an assertion,” said Johnson sternly. “What, sir, does friendship occupy a place before religion, in your estimation?”