The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: Comprehending an Account of His Studies and Numerous Works, ... By James Boswell, Esq |
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Page 3
... that , in my 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 ...
... that , in my 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 ...
Page 117
The infirmity to which Mr. Pope alludes , appeared to me also , as I have
elsewheres observed , to be of the convulsive kind , and of the nature of that
distemper called St. Vitus's dance ; and in this opinion I am confirmed by the
description ...
The infirmity to which Mr. Pope alludes , appeared to me also , as I have
elsewheres observed , to be of the convulsive kind , and of the nature of that
distemper called St. Vitus's dance ; and in this opinion I am confirmed by the
description ...
Page 156
mined by your Lordship's opinion , to interpose my own judgement , and shall
therefore endeavour to support what appears to me most consonant to grammar
and reason . Ausonius thought that modesty forbade him to plead inability for a
task ...
mined by your Lordship's opinion , to interpose my own judgement , and shall
therefore endeavour to support what appears to me most consonant to grammar
and reason . Ausonius thought that modesty forbade him to plead inability for a
task ...
Page 163
9 But “ The Vanity of Human Wishes ” is , in the opinion of the best judges , as
high an effort of ethick poetry as any language can shew . The instances of
variety of disappointment are chosen so judiciously , and painted so strongly ,
that , the ...
9 But “ The Vanity of Human Wishes ” is , in the opinion of the best judges , as
high an effort of ethick poetry as any language can shew . The instances of
variety of disappointment are chosen so judiciously , and painted so strongly ,
that , the ...
Page 181
Whether this be more than a pleasing dream , or a just opinion of separate spirits
, is , indeed , of no great importance to us , when we consider ourselves as acting
under the eye of GoD : yet , surely , there is something pleasing in the belief ...
Whether this be more than a pleasing dream , or a just opinion of separate spirits
, is , indeed , of no great importance to us , when we consider ourselves as acting
under the eye of GoD : yet , surely , there is something pleasing in the belief ...
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Common terms and phrases
able acknowl acquaintance admiration afterwards answer appears asked attention authour believe called character College common consider conversation copy DEAR SIR death desire Dictionary doubt edition effect English Essay evid excellent expect expressed favour Garrick gave give given hand happy heard History honour hope human imagination instance John Johnson kind King knowledge known lady Langton language late learning letter literary lived London Lord Magazine manner March master means mentioned merit mind nature never obliged observed occasion once opinion original Oxford particular passed perhaps period person pleased pleasure poem present publick published reason received remarkable remember respect shew soon spirit suppose sure talk thing thought tion told translation truth University wish write written wrote young
Popular passages
Page 227 - Having carried on my work thus far with so little obligation to any favourer of learning, I shall not be disappointed though I should conclude it, if less be possible, with less ; for I have been long wakened from that dream of hope, in which I once boasted myself with so much exultation, " My Lord, " Your Lordship's most humble " Most obedient servant,
Page 226 - 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 226 - I waited in your outward rooms, or was repulsed from your door ; during which time I have been pushing on my work through difficulties, of which it is useless to complain, and have brought it, at last, to the verge of publication, without one act of assistance,* one word of encouragement, or one smile of favour. Such treatment I did not expect, for I never had a Patron before. " The shepherd in Virgil grew at last acquainted with Love, and found him a native of the rocks.
Page 194 - Whoever wishes to attain an English style, familiar but not coarse, and elegant but not ostentatious, must give his days and nights to the volumes of...
Page 372 - ... which he might be extricated. He then told me that he had a novel ready for the press, which he produced to me.
Page 225 - I have been lately informed by the proprietor of ' The World,' that two papers, in which my ' Dictionary ' is recommended to the public, were written by your lordship. To be so distinguished, is an honour, which, being very little accustomed to favours from the great, I know not well how to receive, or in what terms to acknowledge. " When, upon some slight encouragement, I first visited your lordship, I was overpowered, like...
Page 54 - His acquaintance with books was great ; and what he did not immediately know he could at least tell where to find. Such was his amplitude of learning, and such his copiousness of communication, that it may be doubted whether a day now passes in which I have not some advantage from his friendship.
Page 164 - Where then shall Hope and Fear their objects find? Must dull suspense corrupt the stagnant mind? Must helpless man, in ignorance sedate, Roll darkling down the torrent of his fate?
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 xxxii - After my death I wish no other herald, No other speaker of my living actions, To keep mine honour from corruption, But such an honest chronicler as Griffith.
Bibliographic information
| Title | The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: Comprehending an Account of His Studies and Numerous Works, ... By James Boswell, Esq Eighteenth century The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.: Comprehending an Account of His Studies and Numerous Works, ... By James Boswell, Esq, James Boswell |
| Author | James Boswell |
| Publisher | H. Baldwin and Son, 1799 |
| Original from | Oxford University |
| Digitized | 18 Jun 2007 |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |