The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL. D., Comprehending an Account of His Studies, and Numerous Works, in Chronological Order: A Series of His Epistolary Correspondence and Conversations with Many Eminent Persons; and Various Original Pieces of His Composition, Never Before Published; the Whole Exhibiting a View of Literature and Literary Men in Great Britain, for Near Half a Century During which He Flourished, Volume 1G. Cowie, 1824 |
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Page 2
... opinion the Publick has confirmed , was the best encouragement for me to persevere in my purpose of producing the whole of my stores . In one respect , this Work , will , in some passages , be different from the former . In my " Tour ...
... opinion the Publick has confirmed , was the best encouragement for me to persevere in my purpose of producing the whole of my stores . In one respect , this Work , will , in some passages , be different from the former . In my " Tour ...
Page 19
... opinion which he has given , " that every man's life may be best written by himself ; had he em- ployed in the preservation of his own history , that clearness of narration and elegance of language in which he has embalmed so many ...
... opinion which he has given , " that every man's life may be best written by himself ; had he em- ployed in the preservation of his own history , that clearness of narration and elegance of language in which he has embalmed so many ...
Page 20
... opinion , his volume , however inadequate and improper as a life of Dr. Johnson , and however discredited by unpardonable inaccuracies in other respects , contains a collection of curious anecdotes and observations , which few men but ...
... opinion , his volume , however inadequate and improper as a life of Dr. Johnson , and however discredited by unpardonable inaccuracies in other respects , contains a collection of curious anecdotes and observations , which few men but ...
Page 27
... opinion , that minute particulars are frequently characteristick , and always amusing , when they relate to a distinguished man . am therefore exceedingly unwilling that any thing , however slight , which my illustrious friend thought ...
... opinion , that minute particulars are frequently characteristick , and always amusing , when they relate to a distinguished man . am therefore exceedingly unwilling that any thing , however slight , which my illustrious friend thought ...
Page 35
... opinion of Dr. Swinfen . Johnson's eyes were very soon discovered to be bad , and to relieve them , an issue was cut in his left arm . At the end of ten weeks from his birth , he was taken home from his nurse , a poor diseased infant ...
... opinion of Dr. Swinfen . Johnson's eyes were very soon discovered to be bad , and to relieve them , an issue was cut in his left arm . At the end of ten weeks from his birth , he was taken home from his nurse , a poor diseased infant ...
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Common terms and phrases
acknowl acquainted admiration afterwards appears authour believe BENNET LANGTON Bishop bookseller Burney Cave character College conversation DEAR SIR death Dictionary Dodsley edition elegant eminent endeavour English Essay evid excellent favour Garrick gave genius Gentleman's Magazine give happy heard Hector honour hope house of Stuart humble servant Johnson Joseph Warton kind King labour lady Langton language Latin learned letter Lichfield literary lived London Lord Chesterfield Lucy Porter mankind manner master mentioned merit mind mother never obliged observed occasion opinion Oxford paper Pembroke College person pleased pleasure poem poet praise Preface publick published Rambler remarkable Reverend Richard Savage Robert Dodsley SAMUEL JOHNSON Savage Shakspeare shew Sir John Hawkins Sir Joshua Reynolds spirit suppose sure talk thing THOMAS WARTON thought Thrale tion told translation truth verses Warton William wish write written wrote
Popular passages
Page 223 - The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labours, had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it. I hope it is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received, or to be unwilling that the public should consider me as owing that to a patron which Providence has enabled me to do for myself.
Page 370 - I believe, Sir, you have a great many. Norway, too, has noble wild prospects ; and Lapland is remarkable for prodigious noble wild prospects. But, Sir, let me tell you, the noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees, is the high road that leads him to England !' .This unexpected and pointed sally produced a~roar of applause.
Page 171 - Dictionary, he answered the stated calls of the press twice a week from the stores of his mind, during all that time ; having received no assistance, except four billets in No. 10, by Miss Mulso, now Mrs. Chapone ; No. 30, by Mrs.
Page 376 - Why, Sir, if the fellow does not think as he speaks, he is lying ; and I see not what honour he can propose to himself from having the character of a liar. But if he does really think that there is no distinction between virtue and vice, why, Sir, when he leaves our houses let us count our spoons.
Page 171 - Somebody talked of happy moments for composition, and how a man can write at one time and not at another. "Nay," said Dr Johnson, "a man may write at any time if he will set himself doggedly to it.
Page 369 - King, though he should command, cannot force a Judge to condemn a man unjustly ; therefore it is the Judge whom we prosecute and punish. Political institutions are formed upon the consideration of what will most frequently tend to the good of the whole, although now and then exceptions may occur. Thus it is better in general that a nation should have a supreme legislative power, although it may at times be abused. And then, Sir, there is this consideration, that if the abuse be enormous, Nature will...
Page 410 - Here lies our good Edmund, whose genius was such, We scarcely can praise it, or blame it too much; Who, born for the universe, narrow'd his mind, And to party gave up what was meant for mankind.
Page 256 - I have protracted my work till most of those whom I wished to please have sunk into the grave, and success and miscarriage are empty sounds. I therefore dismiss it with frigid tranquillity, having little to fear or hope from censure or from praise.
Page 401 - Sir, a woman's preaching is like a dog's walking on his hind legs. It is not done well ; but you are surprised to find it done at all.
Page 256 - Ashbourne in 1777, 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.