 surprised to hear me say I was disappointed in their conversation. »A man
may be very entertaining and instructive upon paper, (said he) and exceedingly
dull in common discourse. I have observed, that those who shine most in private
company, are but secondary stars in the constellation of genius - A small stock
of ideas is more easily managed, and sooner displayed, than a great quantity
crowded together. There is very seldom any thing extraordinary in the appearance
and address of a good writer; whereas a dull author generally distinguishes
himself by some oddity or extravagance. For this reason, I fancy, that an
assembly of Grubs must be very diverting.«
    My curiosity being excited by this hint, I consulted my friend Dick Ivy, who
undertook to gratify it the very next day, which was Sunday last. - He carried
me to dine with S--, whom you and I have long known by his writings. - He lives
in the skirts of the town, and every Sunday his house is open to all unfortunate
brothers of the quill, whom he treats with beef, pudding, and potatoes, port,
punch, and Calvert's entire butt beer. - He has fixed upon the first day of the
week for the exercise of his hospitality, because some of his guests could not
enjoy it on any other, for reasons that I need not explain. I was civilly
received in a plain, yet decent habitation, which opened backwards into a very
pleasant garden, kept in excellent order; and, indeed, I saw none of the outward
signs of authorship, either in the house or the landlord, who is one of those
few writers of the age that stand upon their own foundation, without patronage,
and above dependence. If there was nothing characteristic in the entertainer,
the company made ample amends for his want of singularity.
    At two in the afternoon, I found myself one of ten mess-mates seated at
table; and, I question, if the whole kingdom could produce such another
assemblage of originals. Among their peculiarities, I do not mention those of
dress, which may be purely accidental. What struck me were oddities originally
produced by affectation, and afterwards confirmed by habit. One of them wore
spectacles at dinner, and another, his hat flapped; though (as Ivy told me) the
first was noted for having a seaman's eye, when a bailiff was in the wind; and
the other was never known to labour under any weakness or defect of vision,
except about five years ago, when he was complimented with a couple of
