...that of Gray." He called Gray " a barren rascal," " a mechanical poet," and told Boswell that " he was dull everywhere. He was dull in a new way, and that made many people think him great." He accused him of " effeminacy," of " fantastic foppery," and of being " fastidious." But it does not...
I understand he was reserved, and might appear dull in company; but surely he was not dull in poetry. 
