'Finished Jortin's "Life of Erasmus"....'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green Print: Book
'Sir John Pringle had expressed a wish that I would ask Dr. Johnson's opinion what were the best English sermons for style. I took an opportunity to-day of mentioning several to him. "Atterbury?" Johnson. "Yes, Sir, one of the best". Boswell. "Tillotson?". Johnson. "Why, not now. I should not advise a preacher at this day to imitate Tillotson's style: though I don't know; I should be cautious of objecting to what has been applauded by so many suffrages. — South is one of the best, if you except his peculiarities, and his violence, and sometimes
coarseness of language. — Seed has a very fine style; but he is not very theological. — Jortin's sermons are very elegant. — Sherlock's style too is very elegant, though he has not made it his principal study. — And you may add Smallridge. All the latter preachers have a good style. Indeed, nobody now talks much of style: everybody composes pretty well. There are no such inharmonious periods as there were a hundred years ago. I should recommend Dr. Clarke's sermons, were he orthodox. However, it is very well known where he is not orthodox, which was upon the doctrine of the Trinity, as to which he is a condemned heretic: so one is aware of it." Boswell. "I like Ogden's "Sermons
on Prayer" very much, both for neatness of style and subtilty of reasoning. "Johnson. "I should like to read all that Ogden has written." Boswell. "What I wish to know is, what sermons afford the best specimen of English pulpit eloquence." Johnson. "We have no sermons addressed to the passions, that are good for anything; if you mean that kind of eloquence".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Johnson Print: Unknown
[Catherine Talbot to Elizabeth Carter, 1 October 1763:]
'The physical [i.e. medical] book I am studying at present is a very pretty treatise, "sur la gaiete," which the author recommends as essential to health, and as health is also essential to gaiety, he prescribes a proper regimen. One part of it I have long been in, for he advises above all things to avoid cards, large assemblies, routs, and strings of engagements for a fortnight beforehand. These he very justly calls chains and shackles, un art de s'ennuier, painful studies, and assujetissemens; 'tis a very pretty book. Talking of books, I will tell you in what a large one you have engaged me -- Dr Jortin's Life of Erasmus. I know you will wonder how [italics] I [end italics] could be tempted to read any thing of [italics] his [end italics], considering how widely (I thank God) we differ in some points; but in good truth, in this book,
so far as I have gone, I have been very much pleased with him in many places, and found a candour that I did not expect.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Catherine Talbot Print: Book
