 19. Dr. Adams expostulated with Johnson, and suggested that his not being admitted when he called on him was probably not to be imputed to Lord Chesterfield, for his lordship had declared to Doddsley that he would have turned off the best servant he ever had if he had known that he denied him to a man who would have always been more than welcome. And in confirmation of this he insisted on Lord Chesterfield's general affability and easiness of access, especially to literary men. Sir, said Johnson, that is not Lord Chesterfield. He is the proudest man this day existing. No, said Dr. Adams, there is one person at least as proud. I think by your own account you are the prouder man of the two. But mine, replied Johnson instantly, was defensive pride. This, as Dr. Adams well observed, was one of those happy turns for which he was so remarkably ready. Even now having explicitly avowed his opinion of Lord Chesterfield, did not refrain from expressing himself concerning that nobleman with pointed freedom. This man, said he, I thought had been a lord among wits, but I find he is only a witt among lords. And when his letters to his natural son were published, he observed that they teach the morals of a whore and the manners of a dancing master. Note, that collection of letters cannot be vindicated from the serious charge of encouraging, in some passages, one of the vices most destructive to the good order and comfort of society, which his lordship represents as mere fashionable gallantry, and in others of inculcating the base practice of dissimilation, and recommending, with disproportionate anxiety, a perpetual attention to external elegance of manners. But it must at the same time be allowed that they contain many good precepts of conduct, and much genuine information upon life and manners, very happily expressed, and that there was considerable merit in paying so much attention to the improvement of one who was dependent upon his lordship's protection. It has probably been exceeded in no instance by the most exemplary parent, and though I can by no means approve of confounding the distinction between lawful and illicit offspring, which is, in effect, insulting the civil establishment of our country, to look no higher, I cannot help thinking it laudable to be kindly attentive to those of whose existence we have, in any way, been the cause. Mr. Stanhope's character has been unjustly represented as diametrically opposed to what Lord Chesterfield wished him to be. He has been called dull, gross, and awkward, but I knew him at Dresden, when he was envoy to that court, and though he could not boast of the graces, he was in truth a sensible, civil, well-behaved man. End of note. The character of a respectable hot-and-tot in Lord Chesterfield's letters has been generally understood to be meant for Johnson, and I have no doubt that it was, but I remember when the literary property of those letters was contested in the Court of Session in Scotland, and Mr. Henry Dundas, one of the counsel for the proprietors, read this character as an exhibition of Johnson. Mr. David Dowrymple, Lord Hales, one of the judges, maintained with some warmth that it was not intended as a portrait of Johnson, but of a late noble lord, distinguished for obtruse science. I have heard Johnson himself talk of the character, and say that it was meant for George, Lord Littleton, which I could by no means agree, for his lordship had nothing of that violence which is a conspicuous feature in the composition. Finding my lustrious friend could bear to have it supposed that it might be meant for him, I said laughingly that there was one trait which unquestionably did not belong to him. He throws his meat anywhere but down his throat. Sir, said he, Lord Chesterfield never saw me eat in his life. On the 6th of March came out Lord Bollingbroke's works, published by Mr. David Mallett. The wild and pernicious ravings under the name of philosophy, which were thus ushered into the world, gave great offense to all well-principled men. Johnson, hearing of their tendency, which nobody disputed, was roused with just indignation, and pronounced this memorable sentence upon the noble author and his editor. Sir, he was a scoundrel and a coward, a scoundrel for charging a blunderbuss against religion and morality, a coward because he had not resolution to fire it off himself, but let half a crown to a beggarly Scotchman to draw the trigger after his death. Garrick, who I can attest from my own knowledge, had his mind seasoned with pious reverence, and sincerely disapproved of the infidel writings of several, whom in the course of his almost universal gay intercourse with men of eminence he treated with external civility, distinguished himself upon this occasion. Mr. Pelham, having died on the very day on which Lord Bollingbroke's works came out, he wrote an elegant ode on his death, beginning, Let others hail the rising sun, I bow to that whose courses run. In which is the following stanza. The same sad mourn to church and state. So for our sins twas fixed by fate, a double stroke was given, black as the whirlwinds of the north. St. John's fell genius issued forth, and Pelham fled to heaven. Johnson this year found an interval of leisure to make an excursion to Oxford for the purpose of consulting the libraries there. Of this and of many interesting circumstances concerning him, during a part of his life when he conversed but little with the world, I am enabled to give a particular account, by the liberal communication of the reverend Mr. Thomas Wharton, who obligingly furnished me with several of our common friend's letters, which he illustrated with notes. These I shall insert in their proper places. To the reverend Mr. Thomas Wharton, sir. It is but an ill return for the book with which you were pleased to favor me, to have delayed my thanks for it till now. I am too apt to be negligent, but I can never deliberately show my disrespect to a man of your character, and I now pay you a very honest acknowledgement for the advancement of the literature of our native country. You have shown to all who shall hereafter attempt the study of our ancient authors, the way to success, by directing them to the perusal of the books which those authors had read. Of this method Hughes and men much greater than Hughes seem never to have thought. The reason why the authors, which are yet read of the sixteenth century are so little understood, is that they are read alone, and no help is borrowed from those who lived with them or before them. Some part of this ignorance I hope to remove by my book, which now draws towards its end, but which I cannot finish to my mind without visiting the libraries at Oxford, which I therefore hope to see in a fortnight. I know not how long I shall stay or where I shall lodge, but I shall be sure to look for you at my arrival, and we shall easily settle the rest. I am, dear sir, your most obedient, etc., Sam Johnson. London, July 16th, 1754 Of his conversation while at Oxford at this time, Mr. Wharton preserved and communicated to me the following memorial, which though not written with all the care and attention, which that learned and elegant writer bestowed on those compositions which he intended for the public eye, is so happily expressed in an easy style that I should injure it by any alteration. When Johnson came to Oxford in 1754, the long vacation was beginning and most people were leaving the place. This was the first time of his being there after quitting the university. The next morning after his arrival, he wished to see his old college, Pembroke. I went with him. He was highly pleased to find all the college servants which he had left there still remaining, particularly a very old butler, and expressed great satisfaction at being recognized by them and conversed with them familiarly. He waited on the master, Dr. Radcliffe, who received him very coldly. Johnson at least expected that the master would order a copy of his dictionary, now near publication, but the master did not choose to talk on the subject, never asked Johnson to dine nor even to visit him while he stayed at Oxford. After we had left the lodgings, Johnson said to me, There lives a man who lives by the revenues of literature and will not move a finger to support it. If I come to live at Oxford, I shall take up my boat at Trinity. We then called on the Reverend Mr. Meek, one of the fellows, and of Johnson standing. Here was a most cordial greeting on both sides. On leaving him, Johnson said, I used to think Meek had excellent parts when we were boys together at the college, but alas, lost in a convent solitary gloom. I remember at the classical lecture in the hall, I could not bear Meek's superiority, and I tried to sit as far from him as I could that I might not hear him construe. As we were leaving the college, he said, Here I translated Pope's Messiah. Which do you think is the best line in it? My own favorite is Valus Aramellicus Fundent Saronica Nubis. I told him I thought it a very sonorous hexometer. I did not tell him it was not in the Virgilian style. He much regretted that his first tutor was dead, for whom he seemed to retain the greatest regard. He said, I once had a whole morning sliding in Christ Church Meadow, and missed his lecture and logic. After dinner, he sent for me to his room. I expected a sharp rebuke for my idleness, and went with a beating heart. When we were seated, he told me he had sent for me to drink a glass of wine with him, and to tell me he was not angry with me for missing his lecture. This was, in fact, a most severe reprimand. Some more of the boys were then sent for, and we spent a very pleasant afternoon. Besides Mr. Meek, there was only one other fellow of Pembroke now resident, from both of whom Johnson received the greatest civilities during his visit, and they pressed him very much to have a room in the college. In the course of this visit, 1754, Johnson and I walked three or four times to Ellesfield, a village beautifully situated about three miles from Oxford, to see Mr. Wise, Radclivian librarian with whom Johnson was much pleased. At this place, Mr. Wise had fitted up a house and gardens in a singular manner, but with great taste. Here was an excellent library, particularly a valuable collection of books in Northern literature, with which Johnson was often very busy. One day Mr. Wise read to us a dissertation which he was preparing for the press, entitled A History in Chronology of the Fabulous Ages. Some old divinities of Thrace, related to the Titans, and called the Cabiri, made a very important part of the theory of this piece. And in conversation afterwards, Mr. Wise talked much of his Cabiri. As we returned to Oxford in the evening, I outwalked Johnson, and he cried out, Sufiamina, a Latin word which came from his mouth with peculiar grace, and was as much to say, put on your drag chain. Before we got home I again walked too fast for him, and now he cried out, Why, you walk as if you were pursued by all the Cabiri in a body. In an evening we frequently took long walks from Oxford into the country, returning to supper. Once in our way home we viewed the ruins of the abbeys of Osny and Ruli near Oxford. After at least half an hour's silence Johnson said, I viewed them with indignation. We had then a long conversation on Gothic buildings, and in talking of the form of old halls, he said, In these halls the fireplace was anciently always in the middle of the room, till the whigs removed it on one side. About this time there had been an execution of two or three criminals at Oxford on a Monday. Soon afterwards, one day at dinner, I was saying that Mr. Swinton, the chaplain of the jail, and also a frequent preacher before the university, a learned man, but often thoughtless and absent, preached the condemnation sermon on repentance before the convicts on the preceding day, Sunday, and that in the close he told his audience that he should give them the remainder of what he had to say on the subject the next Lord's Day. Upon which one of our company, a doctor of divinity, and a plain matter-of-fact man, by way of offering an apology for Mr. Swinton, gravely remarked that he had probably preached the same sermon before the university. Yes, sir, says Johnson, but the university were not to be hanged the next morning. I forgot to observe before that when he left Mr. Meek, as I have told above, he added, About the same time of life Meek was left behind at Oxford to feed on a fellowship, and I went to London to get my living. Now, sir, see the difference of our literary characters. The following letter was written by Dr. Johnson to Mr. Chambers of Lincoln College, soon afterwards Sir Robert Chambers, one of the judges in India, to Mr. Chambers of Lincoln College. Dear sir, the commission which I delayed to trouble you with at your departure I am now obliged to send you, and beg that you will be so kind as to carry it to Mr. Wharton of Trinity, to whom I should have written immediately, but that I know not if he be yet come back to Oxford. In the catalog of Manuscript of Great Britain, C. Volume 1, page 18, Manuscript Vaudel Martirium, Martirium sub-Juliacco actore Theofalacto. It is desired that Mr. Wharton will inquire and send word what will be the cost of transcribing this manuscript. Volume 2, page 32, number 1022, 58 column. No. Commentaria in Acta Apostol. Comment in Septum Apostolis Catholicus. He is desired to tell what is the age of each of these manuscripts, and what it will cost to have a transcript of the first two pages of each. If Mr. Wharton be not in Oxford, you may try if you can get it done by anybody else, or stay till he comes, according to your own convenience. It is for an Italian literato. The answer is to be directed to his Excellency, Mr. Zahn, Venetian resident, Soho Square. I hope, dear sir, that you do not regret the change of London for Oxford. Mr. Beretti as well, and Miss Williams, and we shall all be glad to hear from you whenever you shall be so kind to write to, sir, your most humble servant, Sam Johnson, November 21st, 1754. The degree of Master of Arts, which it has been observed could not be obtained for him at an early period of his life, was now considered as an honor of considerable importance in order to grace the title page of his dictionary, and his character in the literary world being by this time deservedly high, his friends thought that, if proper exertions were made, the University of Oxford would pay him the compliment. To the reverend Mr. Thomas Wharton, dear sir, I am extremely obliged to you and to Mr. Wise for the uncommon care which you have taken of my interest. If you can accomplish your kind design, I shall certainly take me a little habitation among you. The books which I promised to Mr. Wise I have not been able to procure, but I shall send him a Phinec dictionary, the only copy perhaps in England, which was presented to me by a learned swede. But I keep it back that it may make a set of my own books of the new edition, with which I shall accompany it more welcome. You will assure him of my high gratitude. Poor dear Collins, would a letter give him any pleasure? I have a mind to write. I am glad of your hindrance in your spendsyrian design, yet I would not have it delayed. Three hours a day stolen from sleep and amusement will produce it. Let a servitor transcribe the quotations and interleave them with references to save time. This will shorten the work and lessen the fatigue. Can I do anything to promoting the diploma? I would not be wanting to cooperate with your kindness of which whatever be the effect I shall be, dear sir, your most obliged, etc., Sam Johnson, London, November 28th, 1754, to the same. Dear sir, I am extremely sensible of the favored done me, both by Mr. Wise and yourself. The book cannot, I think, be printed in less than six weeks, nor probably so soon, and I will keep back the title page for such an insertion as you seem to promise me. Be pleased to let me know what money I shall send you for bearing the expense of the affair, and I will take care that you may have it ready at your hand. I had lately the favor of a letter from your brother, with some account of poor Collins, for whom I am much concerned. I have a notion that by very great temperance, or more properly abstinence, he may yet recover. There is an old English and Latin book of poems by Barclay called The Ship of Fools, at the end of which are a number of echelogues, so he writes from Eglogia, which are probably the first in our language. If you cannot find the book, I will get Mr. Doddsley to send it you. I shall be extremely glad to hear from you, again, to know if the affair proceeds. I have mentioned it to none of my friends for fear of being laughed at for my disappointment. You know, poor Mr. Doddsley has lost his wife. I believe he is much affected. I hope he will not suffer so much as I yet suffer for the loss of mine. I have ever since seemed to myself broken off for mankind, a kind of solitary wanderer in the wild of life, without any direction or fixed point of view, a gloomy gazer on a world to which I have little relation. Yet I would endeavor, by the help of you and your brother, to supply the want of closer union, by friendship, and I hope to have long the pleasure of being, dear sir, most affectionately yours, Sam Johnson, London, December 21st, 1754. 1755. Atat 46. In 1755 we behold him to great advantage, his degree of Master of Arts conferred upon him, his dictionary published, his correspondence animated, his benevolence exercised. To the reverend Mr. Thomas Wharton, dear sir, I wrote to you some weeks ago, but I believe I did not direct accurately, and therefore know not whether you had my letter. I would likewise write to your brother, but I know not where to find him. I now begin to see land after having wandered, according to Mr. Warbutton's phrase, in this vast sea of words, what reception I shall meet with on the shore I know not, whether the sound of bells and acclamations of the people, which Ariosto talks of in his last canto, or a general murmur of dislike, I know not, whether I shall find upon the coast a colipso that will court, or a polypheme that will resist. But if polypheme comes, have it as I. I hope, however, the critics will let me be at peace, for though I do not much fear their skill and strength, I am a little afraid of myself, and would not willingly feel so much ill-will in my abysm, as literary quarrels are apt to excite. Mr. Beretti is about a work for which he is in great want of Crescent Benny, which you may have again when you please. There is nothing considerable done or doing among us here. We are not, perhaps, as innocent as villagers, but most of us seem to be as idle. I hope, however, you are busy and should be glad to know what you are doing. I am, dearest sir, your humble servant, Sam Johnson, London, February 4th, 1755, to the same. Dear sir, I received your letter this day with a great sense of the favor that has been done me, for which I return my most sincere thanks, and entreat you to pay Mr. Wise such returns as I ought to make for so much kindness so little deserved. I sent Mr. Wise the lexicon and afterwards wrote to him, but know not whether he had either the book or the letter. Be so good as to contrive to inquire. But why does my dear Mr. Wharton tell me nothing of himself? Where hangs the new volume? Can I help? Let not the past labor be lost for want of a little more, but snatch what time you can from the hall and the pupils and the coffee house and the parks and complete your design. I am, dear sir, and et cetera, Sam Johnson, February 4th, 1755, to the same. Dear sir, I had a letter last week from Mr. Wise but have yet heard nothing from you, nor know in what state my affair stands, of which I beg you to inform me, if you can, tomorrow by the return of the post. Mr. Wise sends me word that he has not had the phoenix lexicon yet, which I sent some time ago, and if he has it not you must inquire after it. However, do not let your letter stay for that. Your brother, who is a better correspondent than you, and not much better, sends me word that your pupils keep you in college, but do they keep you from writing, too? Let them at least give you time to write to, dear sir, your most affectionate, and et cetera, Sam Johnson. London, February 13th, 1755, to the same. Dear sir, Dr. King was with me a few minutes before your letter. This, however, is the first instant in which your kind intentions to me have ever been frustrated. I have now the full effect of your care and benevolence, and am far from thinking at a slight honor or a small advantage, since it will put the enjoyment of your conversation more frequently in the power of, dear sir, your most obliged and affectionate Sam Johnson. P.S. I have enclosed a letter to the Vice Chancellor, which you will read, and if you like it, seal and give it him. London, February 1755. As the public will doubtless be pleased to see the whole progress of this well-earned academic honor, I shall insert the Chancellor of Oxford's letter to the university, the diploma, and Johnson's letter of thanks to the Vice Chancellor, to the reverend Dr. Huddlesford, Vice Chancellor of the University of Oxford, to be communicated to the heads of houses and proposed in convocation. Mr. Vice Chancellor and gentlemen, Mr. Samuel Johnson, who was formerly of Pembroke College, having very eminently distinguished himself by the publication of a series of essays, excellently calculated to form the manners of the people, and in which the cause of religion and morality is everywhere maintained by the strongest powers of argument and language, and who shortly intends to publish a dictionary of the English tongue, formed on a new plan, and executed with the greatest labor and judgment. I persuade myself that I shall act agreeably to the sentiments of the whole university, in desiring that it may be proposed in convocation, to confer on him the degree of Master of Arts by Diploma, to which I readily give my consent, and am Mr. Vice Chancellor and gentlemen, your affectionate friend and servant, Aran, Grovener Street, February 4, 1755, term SETI, Hillary, 1755. Diploma, Magistri Johnson, a note from your reader. The Diploma is here entirely in Latin, which I do not read. It is signed Dr. Huddlesford, the Academic Vice Chancellor of Oxford, and dated February 20, 1755, of Oxford. Here also is included Dr. Johnson's acceptance letter, also entirely in Latin. End note. To the reverend Mr. Thomas Wharton, dear sir. After I received my diploma, I wrote to you a letter of thanks, with a letter to the Vice Chancellor, and sent another to Mr. Wise, but have heard from nobody since, and begin to think myself forgotten. It is true I sent you a double letter, and you may fear an expensive correspondent, but I would have taken it kindly if you had returned it treble. And what is a double letter to a petty king that having fellowship and fines can sleep without a modus in his head? Dear Mr. Wharton, let me hear from you and tell me something I care not what, so I hear it but from you. Something I will tell you, I hope to see my dictionary bound and lettered next week. Vastimole Superbris. And I have a great mind to come to Oxford at Easter, but you will not invite me. Shall I come uninvited, or stay here where nobody perhaps would miss me if I went? A hard choice, but such is the world, to dear sir, yours, etc., Sam Johnson. London, March 20, 1755. To the same, dear sir. Though not to write when a man can write so well, is an offense sufficiently heinous, yet I shall pass it by. I am very glad that the Vice Chancellor was pleased with my note. I shall impatiently expect you at London that we may consider what to do next. I intend in the winter to open a bibliotech, and remember that you are to subscribe a sheet a year. Let us try likewise if we cannot persuade your brother to subscribe another. My book is now coming in Luminous Auras. What will be its fate I know not, nor think much, because thinking is to no purpose. It must stand the censure of the great vulgar and the small, of those that understand it and that understand it not. But in all this I suffer not alone. Every writer has the same difficulties, and perhaps every writer talks of them more than he thinks. You will be pleased to make my compliments to all my friends, and be so kind at every idle hour as to remember, dear sir, yours, etc., Sam Johnson. London, March 25th, 1755. Dr. Adams told me that this scheme of a bibliotech was a serious one, for upon his visiting him one day he found his parlor floor covered with parcels of foreign and English literary journals, and he told Dr. Adams he meant to undertake a review. How, sir, said Dr. Adams, can you think of doing it alone? All branches of knowledge must be considered in it. Do you know mathematics? Do you know natural history? Johnson answered, Why, sir, I must do as well as I can. My chief purpose is to give my countrymen a view of what is doing in literature upon the continent, and I shall have, in a good measure, the choice of my subject, for I shall select such books as I best understand. Dr. Adams suggested that as Dr. Mahdi had just then finished his bibliotech Britannique, which was a well-executed work, giving foreigners an account of British publications, he might with great advantage assume him as an assistant. He, said Johnson, the little black dog, I throw him into the Thames. The scheme, however, was dropped. In one of his little memorandum books, I find the following hints for his intended review or literary journal. The annals of literature, foreign as wealth as domestic, imitate Leclerc, bail, barbaric, infelicity of journals in England, works of the learned, we cannot take in all, sometimes copy from foreign journalists, always tell. To Dr. Birch, March 29, 1755, Sir. I have sent some parts of my dictionary, such as were at hand, for your inspection. The favor which I beg is that if you do not like them, you will say nothing. I am, sir, your most affectionate, humble servant, Sam Johnson. To Mr. Samuel Johnson, Norfolk Street, April 23, 1755, Sir. The part of your dictionary which you have favored me with the sight of has given me such an idea of the whole that I most sincerely congratulate the public upon the acquisition of a work long wanted, and now executed with an industry, accuracy, and judgment, equal to the importance of the subject. You might perhaps have chosen one in which your genius would have appeared to more advantage, but you could not have fixed upon any other in which your labors would have done such substantial service to the present age and to posterity. I am glad that your health has supported the application necessary to the performance of so vast a task, and can undertake to promise you as one, though perhaps the only reward of it, the approbation and thanks of every well-wisher to the honor of the English language. I am with the greatest regard, sir, your most faithful and most affectionate, humble servant, Theodore Birch. Mr. Charles Birney, who has since distinguished himself so much in the science of music, and obtained a doctor's degree from the University of Oxford, had been driven from the capital by bad health, and was now visiting at Lynne Regis in Norfolk. He had been so much delighted with Johnson's rambler and the plan of his dictionary that when the great work was announced in the newspapers as nearly finished, he wrote to Dr. Johnson, begging to be informed when and in what manner the dictionary would be published, in treating if it should be by subscription, or he should have any books at his own disposal to be favored with six copies for himself and friends. In answer to this application, Dr. Johnson wrote the following letter, of which to use Dr. Birney's own words, if it be remembered that it was written to an obscure young man, who at this time had not much distinguished himself even in his own profession, but whose name could never have reached the author of the rambler, the politeness and urbanity may be opposed to some of the stories which have lately circulated of Dr. Johnson's natural rudeness and ferocity. To Mr. Birney in Lynne Regis, Norfolk. If you imagine that by delaying my answer I intended to show any neglect of the notice with which you have favored me, you will neither think justly of yourself nor of me. Your civilities were offered with too much elegance not to engage attention, and I have too much pleasure in pleasing men like you not to feel very sensibly the distinction which you have bestowed upon me. Few consequence of my endeavors to please or to benefit mankind have delighted me more than your friendship thus voluntarily offered, which now I have it I hope to keep, because I hope to continue to deserve it. I have no dictionaries to dispose of for myself, but shall be glad to have you direct your friends to Mr. Doddsley, because it was by his recommendation that I was employed in the work. When you have leisure to think upon me, let me be favored with another letter, and another yet when you have looked into my dictionary. If you find faults I shall endeavor to mend them, if you find none I shall think you blinded by kind partiality, but to have made you partial in his favor will very much gratify the ambition of, Sir, your most obliged and most humble servant, Sam Johnson, Cough Square, Fleet Street, April 8th, 1755. Mr. Andrew Miller, bookseller in the Strand, took the principal charge of conducting the publication of Johnson's Dictionary, and as the patients of the proprietors was repeatedly tried and almost exhausted, by their expecting that the work would be completed within the time which Johnson had sanguinly supposed, the learned author was often goaded to dispatch, more especially as he had received all the copy money by different drafts, a considerable time before he had finished his task. When the messenger who carried the last sheet to Miller returned, Johnson asked him, well, what did he say? Sir, answered the messenger, he said, thank God I have done with him. I am glad, replied Johnson with a smile, that he thanks God for anything. It is remarkable that those with whom Johnson chiefly contracted for his literary labors were Scotchman, Mr. Miller and Mr. Strayhan. Miller, though himself no great judge of literature, had good sense enough to have for his friends very able men to give them their opinion and advice in the purchase of copyright, the consequence of which was his acquiring a large fortune with great liberality. I respect Miller, sir, he has raised the price of literature. The same praise may be justly given to Pankock, the eminent bookseller of Paris. Mr. Strayhan's liberality, judgment and success are well known. To Bennet Langton, Esquire, at Langton near Spillsby, Lincolnshire. Sir. It has been long observed that men do not suspect faults which they do not commit. Your own elegance of manners and punctuality of complacence did not suffer you to impute to me that negligence of which I was guilty and which I have not since atoned. I received both your letters and received them with pleasure proportionate to the esteem which so short an acquaintance strongly impressed, and which I hope to confirm by nearer knowledge, though I am afraid that gratification will be for a time withheld. I have indeed published my book of which I beg to know your father's judgment and yours, and I have now stayed long enough to watch its progress into the world. It has you see no patrons, and I think it has yet no opponents, except the critics of the coffee-house whose outcries are soon dispersed into the air and are thought on no more. From this, therefore, I am at liberty and think of taking the opportunity of this interval to make an excursion, and why not then into Lincolnshire? Or, to mention a stronger attraction, why not to dear Mr. Langton? I will give the true reason which I know you will approve. I have a mother more than eighty years old who has counted the days to the publication of my book, in hopes of seeing me, and to her if I can disengage myself here, I resolve to go. As I know, dear sir, that to delay my visit for a reason like this will not deprive me of your esteem. I beg it may not lessen your kindness. I have very seldom received an offer of friendship which I so earnestly desire to cultivate and mature. I shall rejoice to hear from you, till I can see you, and will see you as soon as I can, for when the duty that calls me to Litchfield is discharged, my inclination will carry me to Langton. I shall delight to hear the ocean roar, or see the stars twinkle in the company of men to whom nature does not spread her volumes, or utter her voice in vain. Do not, dear sir, make the slowness of this letter a precedent for delay, or imagine that I approve the incivility that I have committed, for I have known you enough to love you, and sincerely to wish a further knowledge, and I assure you, once more, that to live in a house that contains such a father and such a son will be accounted a very uncommon degree of pleasure. By, dear sir, your most obliged and most humble servant, Sam Johnson, May 6, 1755. To the Reverend Dr. Thomas Wharton, dear sir, I am grieved that you should think me capable of neglecting your letters, and beg you will never admit any such suspicion again. I purpose to come down next week if you shall be there, or any other week that shall be more agreeable to you. Therefore, let me know. I can stay this visit but a week, but intend to make preparations for a longer stay next time, being resolved not to lose sight of the university. How goes Apollonius? Don't let him be forgotten. Some things of this kind must be done to keep us up. Pay my compliments to Mr. Wise and all my other friends. I think to come to Kettle Hall. I am, sir, your most affectionate, et cetera, Sam Johnson. London, May 13, 1755. To the same. Dear sir, it is strange how many things will happen to intercept every pleasure, though it be only that of two friends meeting together. I have promised myself every day to inform you when you might expect me at Oxford, and have not been able to fix a time. The time, however, is, I think, at last come, and I promise myself to repose in Kettle Hall one of the first nights of the next week. I am afraid my stay with you cannot be long, but what is the inference? We must endeavor to make it cheerful. I wish your brother could meet us that we might go and drink tea with Mr. Wise in a body. I hope he will be at Oxford, or at his nest of British and Saxon antiquities. I shall expect to see Spencer finished, and many other things began. Doddsley has gone to visit the Dutch. The dictionary sells well. The rest of the world goes on as it did. Dear sir, your most affectionate, and, et cetera, Sam Johnson. London, June 10, 1755. To the same. Dear sir, to talk of coming to you, and not yet to come, has an air of trifling which I would not willingly have among you, and which I believe you will not willingly impute to me, when I have told you that since my promise two of our partners are dead, and I was solicited to suspend my excursion till we could recover from our confusion. I have not laid aside my purpose, for every day makes me more impatient of staying from you. But death you know hears not supplications, nor pays any regard to the convenience of mortals. I hope now to see you next week, but next week is but another name for tomorrow which has been noted for promising and deceiving. I am, et cetera, Sam Johnson. London, June 24, 1755. To the same. Dear sir, I told you that among the manuscripts are some things of Sir Thomas Moore. I beg you to pass an hour in looking on them, and procure a transcript of the ten or twenty first lines of each, to be compared with what I have, that I may know whether they are yet published. The manuscripts are these. Catalog of Baudelian Manuscripts, Page 122 F3 Sir Thomas Moore 1. Fall of Angels 2. Creation and Fall of Mankind 3. Determination of the Trinity for the Rescue of Mankind 4. Five Lectures of Our Savior's Passion 5. Of the Institution of the Sacrament 3. Lectures 6. How to Receive the Blessed Body of Our Lord Sacramentally 7. Neominia, the New Moon 8. De Tristitiae Tadio, Pavore, Eoretition Christi, Ante Capsionum Ages Catalog, Page 154 Life of Sir Thomas Moore Question Weather Ropers Page 363 De Resignation Magnes Siglili in Magnus Regis Per D. Tomum Morum Page 364 Mori Defensio Moris If you procure the young gentleman in the library to write out what you think fit to be written, I will send to Mr. Prince, the bookseller, to pay him what you shall think proper. Be pleased to make my compliments to Mr. Wise and all my friends. I am, sir, your affectionate and etc. Sam Johnson, London, August 7, 1755 The Dictionary with the Grammar and History of the English Language being now at length published in two volumes, Folio. The world contemplated with wonder so stupendous a work achieved by one man, while other centuries had thought such undertakings fit only for whole academies. Vast as his powers were, I cannot but think that his imagination deceived him, when he supposed that by constant application he might have performed the task in three years. Let the preface be attentively perused, in which is given in a clear, strong, and glowing style, a comprehensive, yet particular view of what he had done, and it will be evident that the time he employed upon it was comparatively short. I am unwilling to swell my book with long quotations from what is in everybody's hands, and I believe there are few prose compositions in the English language that are read with more delight, or are more impressed upon the memory than that preliminary discourse. One of its excellencies has always struck me with peculiar admiration. I mean the perspicuity with which he has expressed abstract scientific notions. As an instance of this, I shall quote the following sentence. When the radical idea branches out into parallel ramifications, how can a consecutive series be formed of senses in their own nature collateral? We have here an example of what has been often said, and I believe with justice that there is for every thought a certain nice adaptation of words, which none other could equal, and which when a man has been so fortunate as to hit, as he has attained, in that particular case, the perfection of language. The extensive reading which was absolutely necessary for the accumulation of authorities, and which alone may account for Johnson's retentive mind being enriched with a very large and various store of knowledge and imagery, must have occupied several years. The preface furnishes an eminent instance of a double talent, of which Johnson was fully conscious. Sir Joshua Reynolds heard him say, There are two things which I am confident I can do very well. One is an introduction to any literary work, stating what it is to contain, and how it should be executed in the most perfect manner. The other is a conclusion, showing from various causes why the execution has not been equal to what the author promised to himself and to the public. How should puny scribblers be abashed and disappointed, when they find him displaying a perfect theory of lexographical excellence, yet at the same time candidly and modestly allowing that he had not satisfied his own expectations? Here was a fair occasion for the exercise of Johnson's modesty, when he was called upon to compare his own arduous performance, not with those of other individuals, in which case his inflexible regard to truth would have been violated had he affected diffidence. But with speculative perfection, as he who can outstrip all his competitors in the race, may yet be sensible of his deficiency when he runs against time. Well might he say that the English dictionary was written with little assistance of the learned, for he told me that the only aid which he received was a paper containing twenty etymologies sent to him by a person then unknown, who he was afterwards informed was Dr. Pierce, Bishop of Rochester. The etymologies, though they exhibit learning and judgment, are not, I think, entitled to the first praise among the various parts of his immense work. The definitions have always appeared to me such astonishing proofs of acuteness and intellect and precision of language as indicated a genius of the highest rank. This it is which marks the superior excellence of Johnson's dictionary over others equally or even more of alumnus, and must have made it a work of much greater mental labor than mere lexicons or word books, as the Dutch call them. They who will make the experiment of trying how they can define a few words of whatever nature will soon be satisfied of the unquestionable justice of this observation, which I can assure my readers is founded upon much study and upon communication with more minds than my own. A few of his definitions must be admitted to be erroneous, thus windward and leeward, though directly of opposite meaning, are defined identically the same way. As to which inconsiderable specs it is enough to observe that his preface announces that he was aware there might be many such mistakes in so immense a work, nor was he at all disconcerted when an instance was pointed out to him. A lady once asked him how he came to define pasturn the knee of a horse. Instead of making an elaborate defense, as she expected, he at once answered, Ignorance, madam, pure ignorance. His definition of network has been often quoted with sportive malignity, as obscuring a thing in itself very plain. But to these frivolous censures no other answer is necessary than that which we are furnished by his own preface. To explain requires the use of terms less obtuse than that which is to be explained, and such terms cannot always be found. For as nothing can be proved but by supposing something intuitively known, and evident without proof, so nothing can be defined but by the use of words too plain to admit of definition. Sometimes easier words are changed into harder, as burial into sepulchre, or interment, dry into desiccative, or dryness, into sicity, or aridity, fit into paroxysm, for the easiest word, whatever it be, can never be translated into one more easy. His introducing his own opinions, and even prejudices, under general definitions of words, while at the same time the original meaning of the words is not explained, as his tory, wig, pension, oats, excise, and a few more cannot be fully defended, and must be placed to the account of capricious and humorous indulgence. Note. He thus defines excise, a hateful tax levied upon commodities, and a judged not by the common judges of property, but wretches hired by those to whom excise is paid. The commissioners of excise being offended by the severe reflection consulted Mr. Murray, then Attorney General, to know whether redress could be legally obtained. I wish to have procured for my readers a copy of the opinion which he gave, and which may now be justly considered as history, but the mysterious secrecy of office, it seems, would not permit it. I am, however, informed by very good authority, that its import was, that the passage might be considered as actionable, but that it would be more prudent in the board not to prosecute. Johnson never made the smallest alteration in this passage. We find he still retained his early prejudice against excise, for in the idler, number sixty-five, there is the following very extraordinary paragraph. The authenticity of Clarendon's history, though printed with the sanction of one of the first universities of the world, had not an unexpected manuscript been happily discovered, would, with the help of factuous credulity, have been brought into question by the two lowest of all human beings, a scribbler for a party, and a commissioner of excise. The persons to whom he alludes were Mr. John Oldmixon and George Duckett Esquire. Talking to me upon this subject when we were at Ashbourne in seventeen seventy-seven, he mentioned a still stronger instance of the predominance of his private feelings in the composition of this work, than any now to be found in it. You know, sir, Lord Gower forsook the old Jacobite interest. When I came to the word Renegado, after telling that it meant one who deserts to the enemy a revolter, I added, sometimes we say a Gower. Thus it went to the press, but the printer had more wit than I, and struck it out. Let it, however, be remembered that this indulgence does not display itself only in sarcasm toward others, but sometimes in playful allusion to the notions commonly entertained of his own laborious task. Thus Grubb Street, the name of a street in London, much inhabited by writers of small histories, dictionaries, and temporary poems, once any mean production is called Grubb Street, lexographer, a writer of dictionaries, a harmless drudge. At the time when he was concluding his very eloquent preface, Johnson's minds appears to have been in such a state of depression that we cannot contemplate without wonder the vigorous and splendid thoughts which so highly distinguished that performance. I, says he, may surely be contented without the praise of perfection, which if I could obtain in this gloom of solitude what would it avail me? I have protracted my work till most of those whom I wish to please have sunk into the grave, and success and miscarriage are empty sounds. I therefore dismiss it with frigid tranquility, having little to fear or hope from censure or from praise. That this indifference was rather temporary than an habitual feeling appears, I think, from his letters to Mr. Wharton, and however he may have been affected for the moment, certain it is that the honors which his great work procured him, both at home and abroad, were very grateful to him. His friend the Earl of Cork and Oury, being at Florence, presented it to the Academia de la Crusca. The Academy sent Johnson their vocabulario, and the French Academy sent him their dictionnaire, which Mr. Langton had the pleasure to convey to him. It must undoubtedly seem strange that the conclusion of his preface should be expressed in terms so desponding, when it is considered that the author was then only in his forty-sixth year. But we must ascribe its gloom to that miserable dejection of spirits to which he was constitutionally subject, and which was aggravated by the death of his wife two years before. I have heard it ingeniously observed by a lady of rank and elegance, that his melancholy was then at its meridian. It pleased God to grant him almost thirty years of life after this time, and once, when he was in a placid frame of mind, he was obliged to own to me that he had enjoyed happier days, and had many more friends since that gloomy hour than before. It is a sad saying that most of those whom he wished to please had sunk into the grave, and his case at forty-five was singularly unhappy, unless the circle of his friends was very narrow. I have often thought that as longevity is generally desired, and I believe generally expected, it would be wise to be continually adding to the number of our friends, that the loss of some may be supplied by others. Friendship, the wine of life, should like a well-stocked cellar be thus continually renewed, and it is consolatory to think that although we can seldom add what will equal the generous first growths of our youth, yet friendship becomes insensibly old in much less time than is commonly imagined, and not many years are required to make it very mellow and pleasant. Warmth will, no doubt, make a considerable difference. Men of affectionate temper and bright fancy will coalesce a great deal sooner than those who are cold and dull. CHAPTER XXI. The proposition which I have now endeavored to illustrate was, at a subsequent period of his life, the opinion of Johnson himself. He said to Sir Joshua Reynolds, if a man does not make new acquaintance as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man, Sir, should keep his friendship in constant repair. The celebrated Mr. Wilkes, whose notions and habits of life were very opposite to his, but who was ever eminent for literature and vivacity, salid forth with a little jus d'esprit upon the following passage in his grammar of the English tongue, prefix to the dictionary. H. seldom, perhaps, never begins any but the first syllable. In an essay printed in The Public Advertiser, this lively writer enumerated many instances in opposition to this remark. For example, the author of this observation must be a man of a quick apprehension and of a most comprehensive genius. The position is undoubtedly expressed with too much latitude. This light sally, we may suppose, made no great impression on our lexographer, for we find that he did not alter the passage till many years afterwards. He had the pleasure of being treated in a very different manner by his old pupil, Mr. Garrick, in the following complementary epigram. On Johnson's dictionary. Talk of war with a Briton he'll boldly advance, that one soldier will beat ten of France. Would we alter the boast from the sword to the pen? Our odds are greater still, still greater our men. In the deep minds of science, though Frenchmen may toil, can their strength be compared to lock Newton and boil? Let them rally their heroes, send forth all their powers. Their verse men and prose men then march them with ours. First Shakespeare and Milton, like gods in the fight, have put their whole drama and epic to flight. In satires, epistles, and odes would they cope, their numbers retreat before Dryden and Pope. And Johnson, well armed like a hero of yore, has beat forty French and will beat forty more. Johnson this year gave at once a proof of his benevolence, quickness of apprehension, and admirable art of composition, in the assistance which he gave to Mr. Zachariah Williams, father of the blind lady whom he had you mainly received under his roof. Mr. Williams had followed the profession of physics in Wales, but having a very strong propensity to the study of natural philosophy, had made many ingenious advances towards a discovery of the longitude, and repaired to London in hopes of obtaining the great parliamentary reward. He failed of success, but Johnson, having made himself master of his principles and experiments, wrote for him a pamphlet, published in Quarto, with a following title, an account of an attempt to ascertain the longitude at sea, by an exact theory of the variation of the magnetical needle, with a table of the variations at the most remarkable cities in Europe, from the year 1660 to 1680. Dagger. To diffuse it more extensively, it was accompanied with an Italian translation on the opposite page, which it is supposed was the work of Sr. Barretti, an Italian of considerable literature, who, having come to England a few years before, had been employed in the capacity both of a language master and an author, and formed an intimacy with Dr. Johnson. This pamphlet Johnson presented to the Bodleian Library. On a blank leaf of it is pasted a paragraph cut out of a newspaper, containing an account of the death and character of Williams, plainly written by Johnson. In July this year he had formed some scheme of mental improvement, the particular purpose of which does not appear. But we find, in his Prayers and Meditations, page 25, a prayer entitled On the Study of Philosophy as an Instrument of Living, and after it follows a note, this study was not pursued. On the thirteenth of the same month he wrote in his journal the following scheme of life for Sunday. Having lived, as he with tenderness of conscience expresses himself, not without an habitual reverence for the Sabbath, yet without that attention to its religious duties which Christianity requires. One, to rise early, and in order to it, to go to sleep early on Saturday. Two, to use some extraordinary devotion in the morning. Three, to examine the tenor of my life, and particularly the last week, and to mark my advances in religion or recession from it. Four, to read the scripture methodically with such helps as are at hand. Five, to go to church twice. Six, to read books of divinity, either speculative or practical. Seven, to instruct my family. Eight, to wear off by meditation any worldly soil contracted in the week. Seventeen, fifty-six. Atat forty-seven. In seventeen fifty-six Johnson found that the great fame of his dictionary had not set him above the necessity of making provision for the day that was passing over him. No royal or noble patron extended a munificent hand to give independence to the man who had conferred stability on the language of his country. We may feel indignant that there should have been such unworthy neglect, but we must at the same time congratulate ourselves when we consider that to this very neglect, operating to rouse the natural indolence of his constitution, we may owe many valuable productions, which otherwise perhaps might never have appeared. He had spent, during the progress of the work, the money for which he had contracted to write his dictionary. We have seen that the reward of his labor was only fifteen hundred and seventy-five pounds, and when the expense of aminises and paper and other articles are deducted, his clear profit was very inconsiderable. I once said to him, I am sorry, sir, you did not get more for your dictionary. His answer was, I am sorry, too, but it was very well. The booksellers are generous, liberal-minded men. He, upon all occasions, did ample justice to their character in this respect. He considered them as the patrons of literature, and indeed, although they have eventually been considerable gainers by his dictionary, it is to them that we owe its having been undertaken and carried through at the risk of great expense, for they were not absolutely sure of being indemnified. On the first day of this year we find, from his private donations, that he had then recovered from sickness, and in February that his eye was restored to its use. The pious gratitude with which he acknowledges mercies upon every occasion is very edifying, as is the humble submission which he breathes when it is the will of his heavenly Father to try him with affliction. As such dispositions become the state of man here and are the true effects of religious discipline, we cannot but venerate Johnson in one of the most exercised minds that our holy religion hath ever formed. If there be any thoughtless enough to suppose such exercise the weakness of a great understanding, let them look up to Johnson and be convinced that what he so earnestly practiced must have a rational foundation. His works this year were an abstract or epitome in octavo of his folio dictionary, and a few essays and a monthly publication entitled The Universal Visitor. Christopher Smart, with whose unhappy vacillation of mine he sincerely sympathized, was one of the stated undertakers of this miscellany, and it was to assist him that Johnson sometimes employed his pen. All the essays marked with two asterisks have been ascribed to him, but I am confident from internal evidence that of these neither the life of Chaucer, reflections on the state of Portugal, nor an essay on architecture, were written by him. I am equally confident upon the same evidence that he wrote further thoughts on agriculture, dagger, being the sequel of a very inferior essay on the same subject, and which, though carried on as if by the same hand, is both in thinking and expression so far above it, and so strikingly peculiar as to leave no doubt of its true parent, and that he also wrote a dissertation on the state of literature and authors, dagger, a dissertation on the epitaphs written by Pope. The last of these indeed he afterwards added to his idler, why the essays truly written by him are marked in the same manner with some which he did not write, I cannot explain, but with deference to those who have ascribed to him the three essays which I have rejected, they want all the characteristic marks of Johnstonian composition. He engaged also to superintend and contribute largely to another monthly publication entitled the Literary Magazine or Universal Review, the first number of which came out in May this year. What were his emoluments from this undertaking, and what other writers were employed in it I have not discovered? He continued to write in it with intermissions till the fifteenth number, and I think that he never gave better proofs of the force, acuteness, and vivacity of his mind than in this miscellany, whether we consider his original essays or his reviews of the works of others. The preliminary address, Dagger, to the public, is a proof how this great man could embellish with the graces of superior composition even so trite a thing as the plan of a magazine. His original essays are an introduction to the political state of Great Britain, Dagger, remarks on the Militia Ball, Dagger, observations on his Britannic Majesty's treaties with the Empress of Russia, and the Land Grave of Hessa Castle, Dagger, observations on the present state of affairs, Dagger, and memoirs of Frederick III, King of Prussia, Dagger. In all these he displays extensive political knowledge and sagacity, expressed with uncommon energy and perspicuity, without any of those words which he sometimes took a pleasure in adopting in imitation of Sir Thomas Brown, of whose Christian morals he this year gave an addition, with his life prefix to it, which is one of Johnson's best biographical performances. In one instance only in these essays has he indulged his brownism. Dr. Robertson, the historian, mentioned it to me as having at once convinced him that Johnson was the author of the memoirs of the King of Prussia. Speaking of the pride which the old king, the father of his hero, took in being master of the tallest regiment in Europe, he says, to review this towering regiment was his daily pleasure, and to perpetuate it was so much his care that when he met a tall woman he immediately commanded one of his titanian retinue to marry her, that they might propagate prosperity. For this Anglo-Laschen word, prosperity, Latin had, however, the authority of Addison. His reviews are of the following books. Birch's History of the Royal Society, Dagger. Murphy Gray's In Journal, Dagger. Wharton's Essay on the Writings and Genius of Pope, Volume I, Dagger. Hampton's Translations of Polybius, Dagger. Blackwell's Memoirs of the Court of Augustus, Dagger. Russell's Natural History of Aleppo, Dagger. Sir Isaac Newton's Arguments in a Proof of a Deity, Dagger. Bourlaise's History of the Isles of Silly, Dagger. Holmes' Experiments on Bleaching, Dagger. Brown's Christian Morals, Dagger. Hales on Distilling Sea Water, Ventilators and Ships, and Curing an Ill Taste in Milk, Dagger. Lucas' Essays on Waters, Dagger. Keith's Catalog of the Scottish Bishops, Dagger. Brown's History of Jamaica, Dagger. Philosophical Translations, Volume 49, Dagger. Mrs. Lennox's Translation of Sully's Memoirs. Miscellaneous by Elizabeth Harrison, Dagger. Evans' Map and Account of the Middle Colonies in America, Dagger. Letter on the Case of Admiral Bing. Appeal to the People Concerning Admiral Bing. Hanway's Eight Days Journey and Essays on Tea. The Cadet, A Military Treatise, Dagger. Some further particulars in relation to the Case of Admiral Bing by a Gentleman of Oxford. The Conduct of the Ministry relating to the present war impartially examined Dagger. A Free Inquiry into the Nature and Origin of Evil. All these, from internal evidence, were written by Johnson. Some of them I know he avowed, and have marked them with an asterisk accordingly. Mr. Thomas Davies, indeed, ascribed to him the review of Mr. Burke's Inquiry into the Origin of our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful, and Sir John Hawkins, with equal discernment, has inserted it in his collection of Johnson's works, whereas it has no resemblance to Johnson's composition and is well known to have been written by Mr. Murphy, who has acknowledged it to me and many others. It is worthy of remark in justice to Johnson's political character, which has been misrepresented as objectively submissive to power, that his observations on the present state of affairs glow with as an animated spirit of constitutional liberty as can be found anywhere. Thus he begins. The time has now come in which every Englishman expects to be informed of the national affairs, and in which he has a right to have that expectation gratified. For whatever may be urged by ministers or those whom vanity or interests make the followers of ministers, concerning the necessity of confidence in our governors, and the presumption of prying with profane eyes into the recesses of policy, it is evident that this reverence can be claimed only by councils yet unexecuted and projects suspended in deliberation. But when a design has ended in miscarriage or success, when every eye and every ear is witnessed to general discontent or general satisfaction, it is then a proper time to disentangle confusion and illustrate obscurity, to show by what causes every extent was produced, and in what effects it is likely to terminate. To lay down with distinct particularity what rumor always huddles in general exclamation, or perplexes by ingested narratives, to show whence happiness or calamity is derived, and whence it may be expected, and honestly to lay before the people what inquiry can gather of the past and conjecture can estimate of the future. Here we have it assumed as an inconvertible principle that in this country the people are the superintendents of the conduct and measures of those by whom government is administered, of the beneficial effect of which the present reign afforded an illustrious example, when addresses from all parts of the kingdom controlled an audacious attempt to introduce a new power, subversive of the crown. A still stronger proof of his patriotic spirit appears in his review of an essay on Waters by Dr. Lucas, of whom describing him as a man well known to the world for his daring defiance of power when he thought it exerted on the side of wrong he thus speaks. The Irish ministers drove him from his native country by a proclamation, in which they charged him with crimes of which they never intended to call the proof, and oppressed by methods equally irresistible by guilt and innocence. Let the man thus driven into exile, for having been the friend of his country, be received in every other place as a confessor of liberty, and let the tools of power be taught in time that they may rob, but cannot impoverish. Some of his reviews in this magazine are very short accounts of the pieces noted, and I mention them only that Dr. Johnson's opinion of the works be known, but many of them are examples of elaborate criticism in the most masterly style. In his review of the memoirs of the Court of Augustus, he has the resolution to think and speak from his own mind, regardless of the cant transmitted from age to age, in praise of the ancient Romans. Thus, I know not why any one, but a schoolboy in his declamation, should whine over the commonwealth of Rome, which grew great only by the misery of the rest of mankind. The Romans, like others, as soon as they grew rich, grew corrupt, and in their corruption sold the lives and freedoms of themselves and of one another. Again, a people who, while they were poor, robbed mankind, and as soon as they became rich, robbed one another. In his review of the miscellaneous in prose and verse, published by Elizabeth Harrison, but written by many hands, he gives an eminent proof at once of his orthodoxy and candor. The authors of the essays in prose seem generally to have imitated, or tried to imitate, the copiousness and luxuries of Mrs. Rowe. This, however, is not all their praise. They have labored to add to her brightness of imagery, her purity of sentiments. The poets have had Dr. Watts before their eyes. A writer who, if he stood not in the first class of genius, compensated that defect by a ready application of his powers to the promotion of piety. The attempt to employ the ornaments of romance and the decoration of religion was, I think, first made by Mr. Boyle's martyrdom of Theodora. But Boyle's philosophical studies did not allow him time for the cultivation of style, and the completion of the great design was reserved for Mrs. Rowe. Dr. Watts was one of the first who taught the dissenters to write and speak like other men, by showing them that elegance might consist with piety. They would have both done honor to a better society, for they had that charity which might well make their failings be forgotten, and with which the whole Christian world might wish for communion. They were pure from all the heresies of an age, to which every opinion is become a favorite that the universal church has hitherto detested. This praise, the general interest of mankind, requires to be given to writers who please and do not corrupt, who instruct and do not weary. But to them all human eulogies are vain, whom I believe applauded by angels and numbered with the just. His defense of tea against Mr. Jonas Hardaway's violent attack upon that elegant and popular beverage shows how very well a man of genius can write upon the slightest subject. When he writes, as the Italians say, I suppose no person ever enjoyed with more relish the infusion of that fragrant leaf than Johnson. The quantities which he drank of it at all hours were so great that his nerves must have been uncommonly strong, not to have been extremely relaxed by such an intemperate use of it. He assured me that he never felt the least inconvenience from it, which is a proof that the fault of his constitution was rather a too great tension of fibers than the contrary. Mr. Hanway wrote an angry answer to Johnson's review of his essay on tea, and Johnson, after a full and deliberate pause, made a reply to it, the only instance I believe in the whole course of his life when he condescended to oppose anything that was written against him. I suppose when he thought of any of his little antagonists he was ever justly aware of the sentiment of Ajax and Ovid. Istitulit pretium jamnunc certemisnes hugis qui convictis erit meccum certas feritur. But indeed the good Mr. Hanway laid himself so open to ridicule that Johnson's animate versions upon his attack were chiefly to make sport. The generosity with which he pleads the cause of Admiral Bing is highly to the honor of his heart and spirit. Though Voltaire affects to be witty upon the fate of that unfortunate officer, observing that he was shot pour encourager les autres, the nation has been long satisfied that his life was sacrificed to the political fervor of the times. In the vault belonging to the Torrington family, in the Church of Soudil in Bedfordshire, there is the following epitaph upon his monument, which I have transcribed. To the perpetual disgrace of public justice, the honorable John Bing Esquire, Admiral of the Blue, fell a martyr to political persecution, March 14 in the year 1757, when bravery and loyalty were insufficient securities for the life and honor of a naval officer. Johnson's most exquisite critical essay in the literary magazine, and indeed anywhere, is his review of Soham Jenin's inquiry into the origin of evil. Jenin's was possessed of lively talents, and a style eminently pure and easy, and could very happily play with a light subject, either in prose or verse. But when he speculated on that most difficult and excruciating question, the origin of evil, he ventured far beyond his depth, and accordingly was exposed by Johnson, both with acute argument and brilliant wit. I remember when the late Mr. Bicknell's humorous performance entitled The Musical Travelers of Joe Collier, in which a slight attempt is made to ridical Johnson was ascribed to Soham Jenin's. Ha! said Johnson. I thought I had given him enough of it. His triumph over Jenin's is thus described by my friend Mr. Courtney in his poetical review of the literary and moral character of Dr. Johnson. A performance of such merit, that had I not been honored with a very kind and partial notice in it, I should echo the sentiments of men of the first taste loudly in its praise. When specious sophists with presumption scan the source of evil hidden still for man revive Arabian tales and vainly hope to rival St. John and his scholar Pope, through metaphysics spread the gloom of night by reason star he guides our aching sight. The bounds of knowledge marks and points the way to pathless waste where wildered sages stray, where like a farthing lick-boy Jenin stands and the dim torch drops from his feeble hands. Note. Sometime after Dr. Johnson's death there appeared in the newspapers and magazines an illiberal and petulant attack upon him in the form of an epitaph under the name of Mr. Som Jenin's very unworthy of that gentleman who had quietly submitted to the critical lash while Johnson lived. It assumed, as characteristic of him, all the vulgar circumstances of abuse which had circulated amongst the ignorant. It was an unbecoming indulgence of puny resentment at a time when he himself was at a very advanced age and had a near prospect of descending to the grave. I was truly sorry for it for he was then become an avowed and as my Lord Bishop of London who had a serious conversation with him on the subject assures me a sincere Christian. He could not expect that Johnson's numerous friends would patiently bear to have the memory of their master stigmatized by no mean pen. But that at least one would be found to retort. Accordingly this unjust and sarcastic epitaph was met in the same public field by an answer. In terms by no means soft and such as wanton provocation only could justify. Epitaph prepared for a creature not quite dead yet. Here lies a little ugly nauseous elf who judging only from its wretched self feebly attempted petulant and vain the origin of evil to explain. A mighty genius at this elf displeased with a strong critic grasped the urchin seized. For thirty years its coward spleen it kept till in the dust the mighty genius slept. Then stunk and fretted in expiring snuff and blinked at Johnson with its last poor puff. End of note. This year Mr. William Payne brother of the respectable bookseller of that name published an introduction to the game of drops. To which Johnson contributed a dedication to the Earl of Rocheford and a preface both of which are admirably adapted to the treatise to which they are prefixed. Johnson, I believe, did not play at drops after leaving college by which he suffered for it would have afforded him an innocent soothing relief from the melancholy which distressed him so often. I have often heard him regret that he had not learnt to play at cards and the game of drops we know is peculiarly calculated to fix the attention without straining it. There is a composure and gravity in drops which insensibly tranquilizes the mind and accordingly the Dutch are fond of it as they are of smoking of the sedative influence of which, though he himself never smoked, he had a high opinion. Besides, there is in drops some exercise of the faculties and accordingly Johnson wishing to dignify the subject in his dedication with what is most estimable in it observes. Triflers may find or make anything a trifle, but since it is the great characteristic of a wise man to see events in their courses to obviate consequences and ascertain contingencies, your lordship will think nothing a trifle by which the mind is enured to caution, foresight, and circumspection. End of section 21 To find out more information and to learn how you can volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org The Life of Samuel Johnson Volume 1 by James Boswell Section 22 As one of the little occasional advantages, which he did not disdain to take by his pen, as a man whose profession was literature, he this year accepted of a guinea from Mr. Robert Doddsley for writing the introduction to The London Chronicle, an evening newspaper, and even in so slight a performance exhibited peculiar talents. This chronicle still subsists, and from what I observed when I was abroad, has a more extensive circulation upon the continent than any of the English newspapers. It was constantly read by Johnson himself, and it is but just to observe that it has all along been distinguished for good sense, accuracy, moderation, and delicacy. Another instance of the same nature has been communicated to me by the Reverend Dr. Thomas Campbell, who has done himself considerable credit by his own writings. Quote Sitting with Dr. Johnson one morning alone, he asked me if I had known Dr. Madden, who was author of the premium scheme in Ireland. On my answering in the affirmative, and also that I had for some years lived in his neighborhood, etc., he begged of me that when I returned to Ireland, I would endeavor to procure for him a poem of Dr. Madden's called Bolter's Monument. The reason said he, why I wish for it, is this. When Dr. Madden came to London, he submitted that work to my castigation, and I remember I blotted a great many lines, and might have blotted many more without making the poem worse. However, the doctor was very thankful and very generous, for he gave me 10 guineas, which was to me at that time, a great sum. End quote. He this year resumed his scheme of giving an addition of Shakespeare with notes. He issued proposals of considerable length, in which he showed that he perfectly well knew what a variety of research such an undertaking required, but his indolence prevented him from pursuing it with that diligence, which alone can collect those scattered facts that genius, however acute, penetrating and luminous, cannot discover by its own force. It is remarkable that at this time his fancied activity was for the moment so vigorous that he promised his work should be published before Christmas, 1757. Yet nine years elapsed before it saw the light. His throws in bringing it forth had been severe and remittant, and at last we may almost conclude that the Caesarean operation was performed by the knife of Churchill, whose upbraiding satire, I dare say, made Johnson's friends urge him to dispatch. Quote. He, for subscribers, baits his hook and takes your cash, but wears the book. No matter where. Wise fear, you know, forbids the robbing of a foe. But what, to serve our private ends, forbids the cheating of our friends. About this period he was offered a living of considerable value in Lincolnshire, if he were inclined to enter into holy orders. It was a rectory in the gift of Mr. Langton. The father of his much-valued friend. But he did not accept of it. Partly, I believe, from a conscientious motive. Being persuaded that his temper and habits rendered him unfit for that assiduous and familiar instruction of the vulgar and ignorant, which he held to be an essential duty in the clergymen. And partly because his love of a London life was so strong that he would have thought himself an exile in any other place, particularly if residing in the country. Whoever would wish to see his thoughts upon that subject displayed in their full force may peruse the adventurer number 126. 1757. A tot 48. In 1757 it does not appear that he published anything, except some of those articles in the literary magazine, which have been mentioned. That magazine, after Johnson ceased to write in it, gradually declined, though the popular epithet of anti-Gallican was added to it. And in July 1758 it expired. He probably prepared a part of his Shakespeare this year, and he dictated a speech on the subject of an address to the throne after the expedition to Rochefort, which was delivered by one of his friends. I know not in what public meeting. It is printed in The Gentleman's Magazine for October 1785 as his, and bears sufficient marks of authenticity. By the favor of Mr. Joseph Cooper Walker of The Treasury, Dublin I have obtained a copy of the following letter from Johnson to the venerable author of Dissertations on the History of Ireland to Charles O'Connor Esquire. Sir, I have lately by favor of Mr. Faulkner seen your account of Ireland and cannot forbear to solicit a prosecution of your design. Sir William Temple complains that Ireland is less known than any other country as to its ancient state. The natives have had little leisure and little encouragement for inquiry and strangers, not knowing the language, have had no ability. I have long wished that the Irish literature was cultivated. Ireland is known by tradition to have been once the seat of piety and learning and surely it would be very acceptable to all those who are curious either in the original of nations or the affinities of languages to be further informed of the revolution of a people so ancient and once so illustrious. What relation there is between the Welch and Irish language or between the language of Ireland and that of Biscay deserves inquiry? Of these provincial and unextended tongues its seldom happens that more than one are understood by any one man and therefore it seldom happens that a fair comparison can be made. I hope you will continue to cultivate this kind of learning which has too long lain neglected and which if it be suffered to remain in oblivion for another century may perhaps never be retrieved. As I wish well to all useful undertakings I would not forbear to let you know how much you deserve in my opinion from all lovers of study and how much pleasure your work has given to sir your most obliged and most humble servant Sam Johnson London April 9th 1757 to the Reverend Mr. Thomas Wharton Dear sir Dr. Marcele of Padua a learned gentleman and good Latin poet has a mind to see Oxford I've given him a letter to Dr. Huddesford and shall be glad if you will introduce him and show him anything in Oxford I am printing my new edition of Shakespeare I long to see you all but cannot conveniently come yet You might write to me now and then if you were good for anything but honoris mulant moris Professors forget their friends I shall certainly complain to Miss Jones I am your most obliged and humble servant Sam Johnson London June 21st 1757 Pleased to make my compliments to Mr. Whisk Mr. Bernie having enclosed to him an extract from the review of his dictionary in the Bibliothèque des Savants and a list of subscribers to his Shakespeare which Mr. Bernie had procured in Norfolk he wrote the following answer To Mr. Bernie in Lin Norfolk Sir that I may show myself sensible of your favors and not commit the same fault a second time I may case to answer the letter which I received this morning The truth is the other likewise was received and I wrote an answer But being desirous to transmit you some proposals and receipts I waited till I could find a convenient conveyance and day was passed after day till other things drove it from my thoughts Yet not so but that I remember with great pleasure your commendation of my dictionary Your praise was welcome not only because I believe it was sincere but because praise has been very scarce A man of your candor will be surprised when I tell you that among all my acquaintance there were only two who upon the publication of my book did not endeavor to depress me with threats of censure from the public or with objections learned from those who had learned them from my own preface Yours is the only letter of goodwill that I've received Though indeed I am promised something of that sort from Sweden How my new edition will be received I know not The subscription has not been very successful I shall publish about March If you can direct me how to send proposals I should wish that they were in such hands I remember, sir, in some of the first letters with which you favored me you mentioned your lady May I inquire after her? In return for the favors which you have shown me it is not much to tell you that I wish you and her all that can conduce to your happiness I am, sir, your most obliged and most humble servant Sam Johnson Go square December 24th, 1757 In 1758 we find him it should seem in as easy and pleasant a state of existence as constitutional happiness ever permitted him to enjoy to Bennett Langton Esquire at Langton Lincolnshire Dearest sir I must indeed have slept very fast not to have been awakened by your letter None of your suspicions are true I am not much richer than when you left me and what is worse my omission of an answer to your first letter will prove that I am not much wiser But I go on as I formerly did designing to be some time or other both rich and wise and yet cultivate neither mind nor fortune Do you take notice of my example and learn the danger of delay When I was as you are now towering in the confidence of 21 little did I suspect that I should be at 49 what I now am But you do not seem to need my admonition You are busy in acquiring and in communicating knowledge and while you are studying enjoy the end of study by making others wiser and happier I was much pleased with the tale that you told me of being tutor to your sisters I who have no sisters or brothers look with some degree of innocent envy on those who may be said to be born to friends and cannot see without wonder how rarely that native union is afterwards regarded It sometimes indeed happens that some supervenient cause of discord may overpower this original amity But it seems to me more frequently thrown away with levity or lost by negligence than destroyed by injury or violence We tell the ladies that good wives make good husbands I believe it is a more certain position that good brothers make good sisters I am satisfied with your stay at home as juvenile with his friend's retirement to Kyumei I know that your absence is best though it be not best for me Quod sedem figere kumis distenet Langton is a good Kumei but who must be Sibila Mrs. Langton is as wise as Sibyl and as good and will live if my wishes can prolong life till she shall in time be as old But she differs in this that she has not scattered her precepts to the wind at least not those which she bestowed upon you The two wartons just looked into the town and were taken to see Kleine where David says they were starved for a want of company to keep them warm David and Dadi have had a new quarrel and I think cannot conveniently quarrel anymore Kleine was well acted by all the characters but Bellamy left nothing to be desired I went the first night and supported it as well as I might for Dadi, you know, is my patron and I would not desert him The play was very well received Dadi, after the danger was over went every night to the stage side and cried at the distress of poor Kleine I have left off housekeeping and therefore made presence of the game which you were pleased to send to me The pheasant I gave to Mr. Richardson the buster to Dr. Lawrence and the pot I placed with Ms. Williams to be eaten by myself She desires that her compliments and good wishes may be accepted by the family and I make the same request for myself Mr. Reynolds has within these few days raised his price to 20 guineas ahead and Ms. is much employed in miniatures I know not anybody else whose prosperity has increased since you left them Murphy is to have his orphan of China acted next month and is therefore, I suppose, happy I wish I could tell you of any great good to which I was approaching but at present my prospects do not much delight me However, I am always pleased when I find that you, dear sir, remember your affectionate, humble servant, Sam Johnson January 9th, 1758 to Mr. Bernie at the Lynn Norfolk Sir, your kindness is so great and my claim to any particular regard from you so little that I am at a loss how to express my sense of your favors but I am indeed much pleased to be thus distinguished by you I'm ashamed to tell you that my Shakespeare will not be out so soon as I promised my subscribers but I did not promise them more than I promised myself It will, however, be published before summer I have sent you a bundle of proposals which I think do not profess more than I have hitherto performed I've printed many of the plays and hitherto left very few passages unexplained Where I am quite at a loss I confess my ignorance which is seldom done by commentators I have likewise enclosed 12 receipts Not that I mean to impose upon you the trouble of pushing them with more impurity than may seem proper but that you may rather have more than fewer than you shall want The proposals you will disseminate as there shall be an opportunity I once printed them at length in the Chronicle and some of my friends I believe Mr. Murphy who formerly wrote the Graze in Journal introduced them with a splendid encomium Since the life of Brown I have been a little engaged from time to time in the Literary Magazine but not very lately I have not the collection by me and therefore cannot draw out a catalogue of my own parts but will do it and send it Do not buy them for I will gather all those that have anything of mine in them and send them to Mrs. Burney as a small token of gratitude for the regard which she is pleased to bestow upon me I am, sir, your most obliged and most humble servant Sam Johnson London March 8th 1758 Dr. Burney has kindly favored me with the following memorandum which I take the liberty to insert in his own genuine easy style I love to exhibit sketches of my illustrious friend by various eminent hands Quote Soon after this Mr. Burney during a visit to the capital had an interview with him in Go Square where he dined and drank tea with him and was introduced to the acquaintance of Mrs. Williams After dinner Mr. Johnson proposed to Mr. Burney to go up with him into his garret which, being accepted, he found there about five or six Greek folios a deal writing desk and a chair and a half Johnson, giving to his guest the entire seat tottered himself on one with only three legs and one arm Here he gave Mr. Burney Mrs. Williams history and showed him some volumes of his Shakespeare already printed to prove that he was in earnest Upon Mr. Burney's opening the first volume at the Merchant of Venice he observed to him that he seemed to be more severe on Warburton than Theobald Oh poor Tib, said Johnson He was ready knocked down to my hands Warburton stands between me and him But sir, said Mr. Burney you'll have Warburton upon your bones, won't you? No sir, he'll not come out he'll only growl in his den But you think sir that Warburton is a superior critic to Theobald? Oh sir, he'd make two and fifty Theobalds cut into slices The worst of Warburton is that he has a rage for saying something when there's nothing to be said Mr. Burney then asked him whether he had seen the letter which Warburton had written in answer to a pamphlet addressed to the most impudent man alive He answered it in the negative Mr. Burney told him it was supposed to be written by Malay The controversy now raged between the friends of Pope and Bowlingbrook and Warburton and Malay were the leaders of the several parties Mr. Burney asked him then if he had seen Warburton's book against Bowlingbrook's philosophy No sir, I have never read Bowlingbrook's impiety and therefore am not interested about its computation On the 15th of April he began a new periodical paper entitled The Idler which came out every Saturday in a weekly newspaper called The Universal Chronicle or Weekly Gazette published by Newberry These essays were continued till April 5th, 1760 Of 103 their total number 12 were contributed by his friends of which numbers 33, 93, and 96 were written by Mr. Thomas Wharton Number 67 by Mr. Langton and number 76, 79, and 82 by Sir Joshua Reynolds The concluding words of number 82 and pollute his canvas with deformity being added by Johnson as Sir Joshua informed me The Idler is evidently the work of the same mind which produced The Rambler but has less body and more spirit It has more variety of real life and greater facility of language He describes the miseries of idleness with the lively sensations of one who has felt them and in his private memorandums while engaged in it we find This year I hope to learn diligence Many of these excellent essays were written as hastily as an ordinary letter Mr. Langton remembers Johnson when on a visit at Oxford asking him one evening how long it was till the post went out and on being told about half an hour he exclaimed Then we shall do very well He upon this instantly sat down and finished an idler which it was necessary should be in London the next day Mr. Langton having signified a wish to read it Sir said he you shall not do more than I have done myself He then folded it up and sent it off Yet there are in the idler several papers which show as much profundity of thought and labour of language as any of this great man's writings No. 14 Robbery of time No. 24 Thinking No. 41 Death of a friend No. 43 Flight of time No. 51 Domestic greatness unattainable No. 52 Self-denial No. 58 Actual How short of fancied Excellence No. 89 Physical evil Moral good And his concluding paper on The horror of the last Will prove this assertion I know not why a motto the usual trapping of periodical papers is prefixed to very few of the idlers as I have heard Johnson commend the custom and he never could be at a loss for one his memory being stored with innumerable passages of the classics In this series of essays he exhibits admirable instances of grave humor of which he had an uncommon share Nor on some occasions has he repressed that power of sophistry which he possessed in so eminent a degree In number 11 he treats with the utmost contempt the opinion that our mental faculties depend in some degree upon the weather an opinion which they who have never experienced its truth are not to be envied and of which he himself could not but be sensible as the effects of weather upon him were very visible yet thus he declaims Surely nothing is more reproachful to a being endowed with reason than to resign its powers to the influences of the air and live in dependence on the weather and the wind for the only blessings which nature has put into our power tranquility and benevolence This distinction of seasons is produced only by imagination operating on luxury To temperance every day is bright and every hour is propitious to diligence He that shall resolutely excite his faculties or exert his virtues will soon make himself superior to the seasons and may set at defiance the morning mist and the evening damp the blasts of the east and the clouds of the south I think the Romans call it stoicism but in this number of his idler his spirits seem to run riot for in the wantonness of his disquisition he forgets for a moment even the reverence for that which he held in high respect and describes the attendant on a court as one whose business is to watch the looks of a being weak and foolish as himself alas it is too certain that where the frame has delicate fibers and there is a fine sensibility such influences of the air are irresistible He might as well have bid defiance to the egg the palsy and all other bodily disorders such boasting of the mind is false elevation his unqualified ridicule of rhetorical gesture or action is not surely a test of truth yet we cannot help admiring how well it is adapted to produce the effect which he wished quote neither the judges of our laws nor the representatives of our people would be much affected by labored gesticulation or believe any man the more because he rolled his eyes or puffed his cheeks or spread abroad his arms or stamped the ground or thumped his breast or turned his eyes sometimes to the ceiling and sometimes to the floor. End of section 22. This recording by Christian Paco at communistrevolution.org.