Some Account lxxxix
by the aid of an ear-trumpet52 to partake of
the conversation of his friends with great
facility and address ; and such was the se-
renity of his temper, that what he did not
hear, he never troubled those with whom he
conversed, to repeat. To this gentle com-
posure of mind, Goldsmith alluded, when
in describing Sir Joshua Reynolds he employ-
ed the epithet bland, a word eminently happy,
and characteristick of his easy and placid
manners;52 but taking into our consideration
time near a stove, by which the damp vapours of that edi-
fice were attracted, and affected his head. When in com-
pany with only one person, he heard very well, without the
aid of a trumpet,
Le Sage, the celebrated author of GILBLAS, (as Mr*
Spence mentions in his ANECDOTES,) though very deaf,
enjoyed the conversation of his friends by the same means,
(the aid of a cornette,) and was a very pleasing companion.
53 See RETALIATION, a poem by Dr. Goldsmith, in
which he has drawn the characters of several of his friends,
in the form of epitaphs to be placed on their tombs :
* * * * * *
“ Here Reynolds is laid, and, to tell you my mind.
" He has not left a wiser or better behind :