'Christopher Thomson was a "zealous" Methodist until he discovered Shakespeare, Miilton, Sterne and Dr Johnson at a circulating library. When his absence from Sunday chapel was noticed, "I was called to account for it; by way of defence I pleaded my desire for, and indulgence in, reading. This appeared rather to aggravate than serve my cause. It was evidently their opinion, that all books, except such as they deemed religious ones, ought not to be read by young men. I ventured somewhat timidly to hint, that it was possible for a young man to read novels, and other works of fiction, and still keep his mind free from irreligion and vice...".'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Christopher Thomson Print: Book
'While he read little but the Bible and religious periodicals, his son was working his way through the Rhymney Workmen's Institute Library and Cassell's National Library of 3d paperbacks. MacAulay's essays, Goldsmith's History of England, Far from the Madding Crowd, Self-Help, Josephus, Plutarch, Shakespeare, Pepys, Johnson's Lives of the Poets, and The Sorrows of Young Werther were among the books Jones read, often on his employer's time. (He hid them under the ledger at the Rhymney Iron Works, where he worked a thirteen hour day as a timekeeper for 9s. a week.)'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Jones Print: Book
My companions at the breakfast-table through this summer were many of our popular English Classics. Among these may be enumerated "The Death of Abel" which I read emphatically aloud. Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Pope's Homer, Cicero's Letters, Elizabeth, or the Exile of Siberia, Dr Johnson's Rasselas, with many other works of established reputation.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: John Cole Print: Book
'[Janet Hamilton] had a heavy literary diet as a child - history by Rollin and Plutarch, Ancient Universal History, Pitscottie's Chronicles of Scotland, as well as the Spectator and Rambler. She could borrow books by Burns, Robert Fergusson and other poets from neighbours, and at age eight she found "to my great joy, on the loom of an intellectual weaver", Paradise Lost and Allan Ramsay's poems'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Janet Hamilton Print: Book, Serial / periodical, might have been the serial versions or, more likely, bound as a book
Byron's Ravenna Journal (4 January-27 February 1821), 9 January 1821: 'Dined. Read Johnson's "Vanity of Human Wishes" ...'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron Print: Book
Byron's Ravenna Journal (4 January-27 February 1821), 10 January 1821: 'Midnight. I have been turning over different Lives of the Poets. I rarely read their works, unless an occasional flight over the classical ones, Pope, Dryden, Johnson, Gray, and those who approach them nearest ...'
Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: George Gordon Lord Byron
'James Murray, a Glasgow woodcarver, represented the kind of reader Dent and Rhys were trying to reach. He credited Everyman magazine with "opening up an entirely new set of ideas to which I had previously been a stranger. I became familiar with the names and works of all the truly great authors and poets, and was now throughly convinced I had been misplaced in my life's work". His reading ranged from Rasselas to Looking Backward'.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: James Murray Print: Book
'[William Robertson] Nicoll's boyhood reading included Scott, Disraeli, the Brontes, Bulwer Lytton, Shelley, Johnson, Addison, Steele, Goldsmith, Emerson, Lowell, Longfellow ...' [Nicoll's father a Scottish clergyman who amassed library of 17,000 volumes.]
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: William Robertson Nicoll Print: Book
'In 1768, Burney read in rapid succession Elizabeth and Richard Griffith's "A Series of Genuine Letters between Henry and Frances" (1757) ... Oliver Goldsmith's "The Vicar of Wakefield" (1766); and Samuel Johnson's "Rasselas" (1759).'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Frances Burney Print: Book
I send you by George (who in Fred?s absence on business, is kind enough to be the bearer of this) the volume which contains the Life of Savage. I have turned down the leaf. Now do read it attentively; if you do, I know from your excellent understanding you will be delighted. If you slur it, you will think it dry.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Dickens Print: Book
"After waiting a considerable period for the remittance, the box was forced, and found to contain a vast quantity of brickbats and an odd volume of Johnson's 'Lives of the Poets'. The poring over of that volume possibly helped to decide that I should turn versifier."
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: John Bedford Leno Print: Book
"For [Sir James] Fellowes, a prospective biographer ... [Hester Lynch Piozzi] annotated books by and about herself: Nathaniel Wraxall's Historical Memoirs of My Own Time (1815), the Johnson Anecdotes and Letters, and her own Observations and Retrospection."
Unknown
Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Hester Lynch Piozzi
H. J. Jackson discusses extensive annotations by Hester Lynch Piozzi in 1818 copy of Rasselas in the Houghton Library, Harvard (her marginalia include anecdotes and remembered quotes from Johnson, as well as comments on the text).
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Hester Lynch Piozzi Print: Book
H. J. Jackson notes exception to William Beckford's usual practice of "only occasionally" adding comments to his books: "His copy of an 1816 edition of Samuel Johnson's Diary of a Journey into North Wales follows the general pattern, but by the time he was through with it, Beckford was sufficiently annoyed to include a long summary note, signed with his initials."
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: William Beckford Print: Book
'Burney haunted the Thrales' library at Streatham, hiding her book when a man appeared: "she instantly put away [her] book", in this instance a translation of Cicero, when Mr Seward entered the library, or hid under her gloves his "Life of Waller" when Johnson approached.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Frances Burney Print: Unknown
'Though I have constantly been a purchaser of the Ramblers from the first five that you were so kind as to present me with, yet I have not had time to read any farther than those first five, till within these two or three days past. But I can go no further than the thirteenth, now before me, till I have acquainted you, that I am inexpressibly pleased with them. I remember not a thing in the Spectators, in those Spectators that I read, for I never found time... to read them all, that half so much struck me; and yet I think of them highly.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Richardson Print: Serial / periodical
'... I also enlarged my acquaintance with English literature, read Johnson's "Lives of the Poets", and, as a consequence, many of their productions also. Macpherson's "Ossain", whilst it gave me a glimpse of our most ancient love, interested my feelings and absorbed my attention. I also bent my thoughts on more practical studies, and at one time had nearly the whole of Lindsey Murray's Grammar stored in my memory, although I never so far benefited by it as to become ready at pausing.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Bamford Print: Book
'For three years I continued a regular subscriber to the circulating library, during which time I read various works, including Milton's, Shakespeare's, Sterne's, Dr Johnson's, and many others. It was a usual practice for me to sit up to read after the family had retired for the night. I remember it was on one of these occasions that I read Lewis's "Monk". On rising from my seat to go to bed, I was so impressed with dongeon horror, that I took the candle and ? up stairs, not daring to look either right or left, lest some Lady Angela should plunge a dagger into me!'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Christopher Thomson Print: Book
'Mary reads greek & Rassalas in the evening Hookham calls.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin Print: Unknown
'Mary reads greek and Rassalas in the evening Hookham calls - M. reads the Sorcerer'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin Print: Book
'In the room is a library to which we can at any time resort, consisting of Tillotson, Blair, Howe and Watt's Sermons, Sherlock on Death, Watts' world to come, Rollin's "Ancient History", Josephur, Hervey's "Meditations", Hervey's letters, Edwards on the religions, Affections, Pope, Kirke White, Cowper, Milton, Henry + Scott's Commentary, Sherlock on a Future state, etc, etc. Of these made some use of Blair, Rollin, Hervey, Sherlock on Death, Dr Johnson's poems, etc.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: John Cole Print: Book
'There, I flatter myself I have constructed you a Smartish Letter, considering my want of Materials. But like my dear Dr Johnson I beleive [sic] I have dealt more in Notions than Facts.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen Print: Book
[Marginalia]
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Taylor Coleridge Print: Book
'a wet day have finished the life of savage in Johnsons "lives of the poets"'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: John Clare Print: Book
'It [central London] was truly a wonder world, for I seeing it not merely with my eyes of flesh but with the eyes of heightened imagination; -seeing it not only through spectacles manufactured by an optician, but through glasses supplied by magicians names Charles Dickens, Walter Scott, William Makepeace Thackeray, Joseph Addison, Daniel Defoe, Henry Fielding, Toby Smollett, Sam Johnson and Will Shakespeare himself. Had I scraped an acquaintance with all these before I was fifteen? I knew them well! -and that was the trouble. I was book hungry, and I found a land where books were accessible in a quantity and variety sufficient to satisfy even my uncontrolled voracity.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas A. Jackson Print: Book
J.H. Ewing's diary entry, July 23: 'Johnson's Meditations'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Juliana Horatia Ewing Print: Book
'My chief acquaintance with the writers of the eighteenth century is derived from reading to Aunt Lyddy papers in the [italics]Spectator[end italics] and [italics]The Rambler[end italics], Mason's plays, Addison's [italics]Cato[end italics], etc. This we were often called to do when we were invited to dine with Aunt Clarke [reader's great-aunt, to whom "Lyddy," Sewell's father's unmarried sister, a companion].'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Sewell Print: Serial / periodical
'Perused Johnson's "London", and "Vanity of Human Wishes". His Numbers are strong in sense, and smooth in flow; but want that varied grace, and inextinguishable spirit, which constitute the essential charm of Pope's...'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green Print: Book
'Perused Johnson's "London", and "Vanity of Human Wishes". His Numbers are strong in sense, and smooth in flow; but want that varied grace, and inextinguishable spirit, which constitute the essential charm of Pope's...'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green Print: Book
'Looked over Johnson's vigorous defence of Shakespear against the charge of violating, whether from neglect or disdain, the Unities of Time and Place in his Dramas...'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green Print: Book
'Finished a cursory perusal of Johnson's "Lives of the Poets", with a view to the principles on which his critical decisions are founded...'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Green Print: Book
'read the Rambler - S reads Montaigne's essays'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Godwin Print: Book, Serial / periodical, could have been original periodicals or later collected volumes
'I have read since last October a good deal of the history relating to the East ...: not much of books not connected with India [but included] Johnson's "Lives" (I had read them before)...'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Mountstuart Elphinstone Print: Book
'Finish the memoirs - of Cumberland - read the Rambler'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Mary Shelley Print: Serial / periodical
'Friday Sept. 16th. Rise at nine -- Breakfast -- Read Rasselas -- & De l'origine de l'inegalite
[d]es Hommes'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Claire Clairmont Print: Book
'My chief acquaintance with the writers of the eighteenth century is derived from reading to Aunt Lyddy papers in the "Spectator" and "The Rambler", Mason's plays, Addison's "Cato" etc. This we were often called upon to do when we were invited to dine with Aunt Clarke'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Missing Sewell Print: Serial / periodical, possibly bound as a book
'[Rev Charles Burney's] Abridgement of Pearson's Exposition of the Creed, is printed, though not yet published. He gave to my father & me each a Copy. His Motto, I think a most happy one, taken from some work of the great Bentley's - "The most excellent Bishop Pearson - the very dust of whose writings is gold". - I have read above half the volume; it is all fudge to call it a book for the use of [underlined] young persons [end underlining] - Unless they are such Young Persons as Moll, who reads Lock on Human Understanding in two days, & says it is easy, & fancies she understands it - And the same farce she played regarding Butler's Analogy, the toughest book (allowed by learned men) in the English language, which she spoke of with the familiar partiality I would speak of Tom Hickerthrift, & bamboozled me into trying to read - and, Good Lord! when I had pored over a dozen pages & shook my ears, and asked myself - "Well, Sal, how dost like it? Dost understand one word?" "O, yes; all the [underlined] words [end underlining], but not one of their meanings when put together." "Why, then, Sal; put the book away; and say nothing about it; but say thy prayers in peace, & leave the reasons [underlined] why [end underlining] thou art impelled to say them, and all the [underlined] fatras [end underlining] of analyzation, to those who have more logical brains, or more leisure to read what they do not comprehend". But, however, a great part of Dr Charles's abridgement, I flatter myself I [underlined] do [end underlining] understand; and what is too deep for me, Moll may explain. He has retained a heap of hard words, which send me to Dr Johnson's dictionary continually - Some of them, are expressive, & worth reviving, others, we have happier substitutes for, and it was ungraceful to admit them, and shewed a false and pedantic taste'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Sarah Harriet Burney Print: Book
'Adam Smith, Sir [-] informed me, was no admirer of the Rambler or the Idler, but was pleased with the pamphlet respecting the Falkland Islands, as it displayed in such forcible language, the madness of modern wars. Of Swift, he made frequent and honourable mention, and regarded him, both in style and sentiment, as a pattern of correctness. He often quoted some of the short poetical addresses to Stella, and was particularly pleased with the couplet,
Say Stella, - feel you no content,
Reflecting on a life well-spent?
Smith had an invincible dislike to blank verse, Milton's only excepted. "they do well", said he, "to call it blank, for blank it is". Beattie's Minstrel he would not allow to be called a poem; for he said it had no plan, beginning or end. He did not much admire Allan Ramsay's "Gentle Shepherd", but preferred the "Pastor Fido", of which he spoke with rapture'.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Adam Smith
'Do you not think the contrast of the manners between Melbourne House and Devonshire House [in "Glenarvon"] well drawn? One of our friends, well read in Johnson, told me most of the serious parts were extracts from the "Rambler". I have not had time or patience to compare them.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: anon Print: Serial / periodical
'In this [producing a biography of Johnson] he has not been very successful, as I have found upon a perusal of those papers, which have been since transferred to me. Sir John Hawkins's ponderous labours, I must acknowledge, exhibit a [italics] farrago [end italics], of which a considerable portion is not devoid of entertainment to the lovers of literary gossiping; but besides its being swelled out with long unnecessary extracts from various works [...], a very small part of it relates to the person who is the subject of the book; and, in that, there is such an inaccuracy in the statement of facts, as in so solemn an author is hardly excusable, and certainly makes his narrative very unsatisfactory'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown
'He appears, from his early notes or memorandums in my possession, to have at various times attempted, or at least planned, a methodical course of study, according to computation, of which he was all his life fond, as it fixed his attention steadily on something without, and prevented his mind from preying upon itself. Thus I find in his handwriting the number of lines in each of two of Euripides' Tragedies, of the Georgicks of Virgil, of the first six books of the Aeneid, of Horace's Art of Poetry, of three of the books of Ovid's Metamorphosis, of some parts of Theocritus, and of the tenth satire of Juvenal; and a table, shewing at the rate of various numbers a day (I suppose verses to be read), what would be, in each case, the total amount in a week, month, and year'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown
'The hand-writing [in the original sketch for "Irene"] is very difficult to read, even by those who were best acquainted with Johnson's mode of penmanship which at all times was very particular. The King having accepted of this manuscript as a literary curiosity, Mr Langton made a fair and distinct copy of it, which he ordered to be bound up with the original and the printed tragedy; and the volume is deposited in the King's library.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown
'The hand-writing [in the original sketch for "Irene"] is very difficult to read, even by those who were best acquainted with Johnson's mode of penmanship which at all times was very particular. The King having accepted of this manuscript as a literary curiosity, Mr Langton made a fair and distinct copy of it, which he ordered to be bound up with the original and the printed tragedy; and the volume is deposited in the King's library.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Mr Langton Manuscript: Unknown
'The hand-writing [in the original sketch for "Irene"] is very difficult to read, even by those who were best acquainted with Johnson's mode of penmanship which at all times was very particular. The King having accepted of this manuscript as a literary curiosity, Mr Langton made a fair and distinct copy of it, which he ordered to be bound up with the original and the printed tragedy; and the volume is deposited in the King's library.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: George III Manuscript: Unknown
'Mr Peter Garrick told me, that Johnson and he went together to the Fountain tavern, and read it over, and that he afterwards solicited Mr Fleetwood, the patentee of Drury-lane theatre, to have it acted at his house'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Johnson Manuscript: Unknown
'Mr Peter Garrick told me, that Johnson and he went together to the Fountain tavern, and read it over, and that he afterwards solicited Mr Fleetwood, the patentee of Drury-lane theatre, to have it acted at his house'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Peter Garrick Manuscript: Unknown
'The Reverend Dr Douglas, now Bishop of Salisbury, to whom I am indebted for some obliging communications, was then a student at Oxford, and remembers well the effect which "London" produced. Every body was delighted with it; and there being no name to it, the first buzz of the literary circles was "here is an unknown poet, greater even than Pope".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: John Douglas Print: Unknown
'This Epitaph [on 'Philips, a musician'] is so exquisitely beautiful that I remember even Lord Kames, strangely prejudiced as he was against Dr Johnson, was compelled to allow it very high praise'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Henry Home, Lord Kames Print: Unknown
'Sir Joshua Reynolds told me, that upon his return from Italy he met with it [Johnson's "Life of Savage"] in Devonshire, knowing nothing of its authour [sic], and began to read it while he was standing with his arm leaning against a chimney piece. It seized his attention so strongly, that, not being able to lay down the book till he had finished it, when he attempted to move, he found his arm totally benumbed'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Joshua Reynolds Print: Book
'Dr Taylor told me, that Johnson sent his [italics] Plan [end italics; for Johnson's dictionary] to him in manuscript, for his perusal; and that when it was lying on his table, Mr William Whitehead happened to pay him a visit, and being shewn it, was highly pleased with such parts of it as he had time to read, and begged to take it home with him, which he was allowed to do; that from him it got into the hands of a noble Lord, who carried it to Lord Chesterfield'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Dr Taylor Manuscript: Unknown
'Dr Taylor told me, that Johnson sent his [italics] Plan [end italics; for Johnson's dictionary] to him in manuscript, for his perusal; and that when it was lying on his table, Mr William Whitehead happened to pay him a visit, and being shewn it, was highly pleased with such parts of it as he had time to read, and begged to take it home with him, which he was allowed to do; that from him it got into the hands of a noble Lord, who carried it to Lord Chesterfield'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: William Whitehead Manuscript: Unknown
'[extract of a letter from the Earl of Orrery to Dr Birch] I have just now seen the specimen of Mr Johnson's dictionary, addressed to Lord Chesterfield. I am much pleased with the plan, and I think the specimen is one of the best that I have ever read. Most specimens disgust, rather than prejudice us in favour of the work to follow; but the language of Mr Johnson's is good, and the arguments are properly and modestly expressed'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: John Boyle, 5th Earl of Orrery Manuscript: Unknown
'His "Vanity of Human Wishes" has less of common life, but more of a philosophick dignity than his "London". More readers, therefore, will be delighted with the pointed spirit of "London", than with the profound reflection of "The Vanity Of Human Wishes". Garrick, for instance, observed in his sprightly manner, with more vivacity than regard to just discrimination, as is usual with wits, "When Johnson lived much with the Herveys, and saw a good deal of what was passing in life, he wrote his 'London', which is lively and easy. When he became more retired, he gave us his 'Vanity of Human Wishes', which is as hard as Greek. Had he gone on to imitate another satire, it would have been as hard as Hebrew".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Unknown
'His "Vanity of Human Wishes" has less of common life, but more of a philosophick dignity than his "London". More readers, therefore, will be delighted with the pointed spirit of "London", than with the profound reflection of "The Vanity Of Human Wishes". Garrick, for instance, observed in his sprightly manner, with more vivacity than regard to just discrimination, as is usual with wits, "When Johnson lived much with the Herveys, and saw a good deal of what was passing in life, he wrote his 'London', which is lively and easy. When he became more retired, he gave us his 'Vanity of Human Wishes', which is as hard as Greek. Had he gone on to imitate another satire, it would have been as hard as Hebrew".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: David Garrick Print: Unknown
'His "Vanity of Human Wishes" has less of common life, but more of a philosophick dignity than his "London". More readers, therefore, will be delighted with the pointed spirit of "London", than with the profound reflection of "The Vanity Of Human Wishes". Garrick, for instance, observed in his sprightly manner, with more vivacity than regard to just discrimination, as is usual with wits, "When Johnson lived much with the Herveys, and saw a good deal of what was passing in life, he wrote his 'London', which is lively and easy. When he became more retired, he gave us his 'Vanity of Human Wishes', which is as hard as Greek. Had he gone on to imitate another satire, it would have been as hard as Hebrew".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: David Garrick Print: Unknown
'he was not altogether unprepared as a periodical writer; for I have in my possession a small duodecimo volume, in which he has written, in the form of Mr Locke's "Common-Place Book", a variety of hints for essays on different subjects. He has marked upon the first blank leaf of it, "to the 128th page, collections for 'The Rambler'"; and in another place, "In fifty -two there were seventeen provided; in 97-21; in 190-25".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: UnknownManuscript: duodecimo book
'Mrs Johnson, in whose judgement and taste he had great confidence, said to him, after a few numbers of "The Rambler" had come out, "I thought very well of you before; but I did not imagine you could have written anything equal to this".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Johnson Print: Serial / periodical
'I profess myself to have ever had a profound veneration for the astonishing force and vivacity of mind which "The Rambler" exhibits [Boswell then talks at length of the philosophical merits of the essays] I may shortly observe that the "Rambler" furnishes such an assemblage of discourses on practical religion and moral duty, of critical investigations, and allegorical and oriental tales, that no mind may be thought very deficient that has, by constant study and meditation, assimilated to itself all that may be found there'. [Boswell singles out numbers 7, 110, 54 and 32]
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical
'["Rambler"] No 32 on patience, even under extreme misery, is wonderfully lofty, and as much above the rant of stoicism, as the Sun of Revelation is brighter than the twilight of Pagan philosophy. I never read the following sentence without feeling my frame thrill: "I think there is some reason for questioning whether the body and mind are not so proportioned, that the one can bear all which can be inflicted on the other; whether virtue cannot stand its ground as long as life, and whether a soul well principled, will not be sooner separated than subdued".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical
'I have seen some volumes of Dr Young's copy of "The Rambler", in which he has marked the pasages which he thought particularly excellent, by folding down a corner of the page; and such as he rated in a super-eminent degree, are marked by double folds'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book, Serial / periodical
'I have seen some volumes of Dr Young's copy of "The Rambler", in which he has marked the pasages which he thought particularly excellent, by folding down a corner of the page; and such as he rated in a super-eminent degree, are marked by double folds'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Edward Young Print: Book, Serial / periodical
'[Robert Dodsley] then told Dr Adams, that Lord Chesterfield had shewn him the letter [in which Johnson refused his patronage]. "I should have imagined (replied Dr Adams) that Lord Chesterfield would have concealed it". "Poh! (said Dodsley) do you think a letter from Johnson could hurt Lord Chesterfield? Not at all, Sir. It lay upon his table where any body might see it. He read it to me; said, 'this man has great powers', pointed out the severest passages, and observed how well they were expressed".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Dodsley Manuscript: Letter
'[Robert Dodsley] then told Dr Adams, that Lord Chesterfield had shewn him the letter [in which Johnson refused his patronage]. "I should have imagined (replied Dr Adams) that Lord Chesterfield would have concealed it". "Poh! (said Dodsley) do you think a letter from Johnson could hurt Lord Chesterfield? Not at all, Sir. It lay upon his table where any body might see it. He read it to me; said, 'this man has great powers', pointed out the severest passages, and observed how well they were expressed".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield Manuscript: Letter
'In one of his little memorandum-books I find the following hints for his intended "Review or Literary Journal":
"[italics] The Annals of Literature, foreign as well as domestick. [end italics] Imitate Le Clerk - Bayle - Barberac. Infelicity of Journals in England. Works of the learned. We cannot take in all. Sometimes copy from foreign Jouralists. Always tell".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Codex, memorandum book
'The part of your "Dictionary" which you have favoured me with the sight of has given me such an idea of the whole, that I most sincerely congratulate the publick upon the acquisition of a work long wanted, and now executed with an industry, accuracy, and judgement, 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 labours would have done such substantial service to the present age and to posterity'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Thomas Birch Print: Book
'[Mr Charles Burney] 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 his "Dictionary" would be published; intreating, if it should be by subscription, or he should have any books at his own disposal, to be favoured with six copies for himself and his friends'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Burney Print: Unknown
'[Mr Charles Burney] 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 his "Dictionary" would be published; intreating, if it should be by subscription, or he should have any books at his own disposal, to be favoured with six copies for himself and his friends'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Burney Print: Serial / periodical
'Let the Preface [to Johnson's Dictionary] 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 timed he employed upon it [the Dictionary] was relatively short. [Boswell then comments on the great praise the Dictionary received] One of its excellencies has always struck me with peculiar admiration: I mean the perspicuity with which he has expresed abstract scientifick notions.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book
'all the esays [in the "Universal Visitor"] marked with two [italics] asterisks [end italics] 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"; being the sequel of a very inferiour 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, as to leave no doubt of its true parent; and that he also wrote "A Dissertation on the State of Literature and Authors", and "A Dissertation on the Epitaphs Written by Pope".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical
'Yet there are in the "Idler" several papers which shew as much profundity of thought, and labour of language, as any of this great man's writings'. [Boswell mentions numbers 14, 24, 41, 43, 51, 52, 58 and 89]
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical
'This Tale ["Rasselas"], with all the charms of oriental imagery, and all the force and beauty of which the English language is capable, leads us through the most important scenes of human life, and shews us that this stage of our being is full of "vanity and vexation of spirit". [Boswell comments on its value] Voltaire's "Candide", written to refute the system of Optimism, which it has accomplished with brilliant success, is wonderfully similar in its plan and conduct to Johnson's "Rasselas"; insomuch, that I have heard Johnson say, that if they had not been published so closely one after the other that there was not time for imitation, it would have been vain to deny that the scheme of that which came latest was taken from the other. Though the proposition illustrated by both these works was the same, namely, that in our present state there is more evil than good, the intention of the writers was very different. Voltaire, I am afraid, meant only by wanton profanness to obtain a sportive victory over religion, and to discredit the belief of a superintending Providence: Johnson meant, by shewing the unsatisfactory nature of things temporal, to direct the hopes of man to things eternal'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book
Texts discussed and quoted from at length in E. M. Forster, Commonplace Book (1930) include Samuel Johnson, Rasselas, to which Forster refers as 'a charming and important (why decried as dull?) composition'.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Edward Morgan Forster Print: Book
Texts discussed and quoted from at length in E. M. Forster, Commonplace Book (1930) include Samuel Johnson, Life of Savage, to which Forster refers as 'Good tempered account of a trying friend [...] S[avage]. reminds me of what I've just heard of Cyril Conolly [sic]. Lord Tyrconnel= Logan Pearsall Smith.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Edward Morgan Forster Print: Book
Texts discussed and quoted from in E. M. Forster, Commonplace Book (1930) include Samuel Johnson, Preface to the English Dictionary and Plan (addressed to Chesterfield).
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Edward Morgan Forster Print: Book
Texts discussed and quoted from in E. M. Forster, Commonplace Book (1930) include Samuel Johnson, Preface to the English Dictionary and Plan (addressed to Chesterfield).
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Edward Morgan Forster Print: Book
[under heading 'Johnson on Othello]: 'Consulted original ed. to see if Raleigh misses out much. Naturally J. is stupider than he suggests: but was not stupid.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Edward Morgan Forster Print: Book
'I at this time kept up a very frequent correspondence with Sir David [Dalrymple]; and I read to Dr. Johnson to-night the following passage from the letter which I had last received from him:
"It gives me pleasure to think that you have obtained the friendship of Mr. Samnel Johnson. He is one of the best moral writers which England has produced. At the same time, I envy you the free and undisguised converse with such a man. May I beg you to present my respects to him, and to assure him of the veneration which I entertain for the author of the 'Rambler' and of 'Rasselas'? Let me recommend this work to you; with the 'Rambler' you certainly are acquainted. In 'Rasselas' you will see a tender-hearted operator, who probes the wound only to heal it. Swift, on the contrary, mangles human nature. He cuts and slashes, as if he took pleasure in the operation, like the tyrant who said, [italics] Ita feri ut se sentiat emori [end italics]." Johnson seemed to be much gratified by this just and well-turned compliment.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: David Dalrymple Print: Serial / periodical
'I at this time kept up a very frequent correspondence with Sir David [Dalrymple]; and I read to Dr. Johnson to-night the following passage from the letter which I had last received from him:
"It gives me pleasure to think that you have obtained the friendship of Mr. Samnel Johnson. He is one of the best moral writers which England has produced. At the same time, I envy you the free and undisguised converse with such a man. May I beg you to present my respects to him, and to assure him of the veneration which I entertain for the author of the 'Rambler' and of 'Rasselas'? Let me recommend this work to you; with the 'Rambler' you certainly are acquainted. In 'Rasselas' you will see a tender-hearted operator, who probes the wound only to heal it. Swift, on the contrary, mangles human nature. He cuts and slashes, as if he took pleasure in the operation, like the tyrant who said, [italics] Ita feri ut se sentiat emori [end italics]." Johnson seemed to be much gratified by this just and well-turned compliment.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: David Dalrymple Print: Book
'I was much pleased to find myself with Johnson at Greenwich, which he celebrates in his "London" as a favourite scene. I had the poem in my pocket, and read the lines aloud with enthusiasm :
On Thames's banks in silent thought we stood,
Where Greenwich smiles upon the silver flood :
Pleas'd with the seat which gave Eliza birth,
We kneel, and kiss the consecrated earth.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book
'He wrote a review of Grainger's "Sugar Cane, a Poem", in the "London Chronicle". He told me, that Dr. Percy wrote the greatest part of this review; but, I imagine, he did not recollect it distinctly, for it appears to be mostly, if not altogether, his own'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical
'From one of his Journals I transcribed what follows :
"At church, Oct.—65.
" To avoid all singularity; [italics] Bonaventura [end italics]
" To come in before service, and compose my mind by meditation, or by reading some portions of scripture. [italics] Tetty [end italics].
" If I can hear the sermon, to attend it, unless attention be more troublesome than useful.
" To consider the act of prayer as a reposal of myself upon God, and a resignation of all into his holy hand." '
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown
'He allowed high praise to Thomson, as a poet; but when one of the company said he was also a very good man, our moralist contested this with very great warmth, accusing him of gross sensuality and licentiousness of manners. I was very much afraid that in writing Thomson's "Life", Dr. Johnson would have treated his private character with a stern severity, but I was agreeably disappointed; and I may claim a little merit in it, from my having been at pains to send him authentic accounts of the affectionate and generous conduct of that poet to his sisters, one of whom, the wife of Mr. Thomson, schoolmaster, of Lanark, I knew, and was presented by her with three of his letters, one of which Dr. Johnson has inserted in his "Life".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book
'After dinner our conversation first turned upon Pope. Johnson said, his characters of men were admirably drawn, those of women not so well. He repeated to us, in his forcible melodious manner, the concluding lines of the "Dunciad". While he was talking loudly in praise of those lines, one of the company ventured to say, "Too fine for such a poem:— a poem on what?" Johnson, (with a disdainful look,) "Why, on [italics] dunces [italics]. It was worth while being a dunce then. Ah, Sir, hadst [italics] thou [italics] lived in those days! It is not worth while being a dunce now, when there are no wits." Bickerstaff observed, as a peculiar circumstance, that Pope's fame was higher when he was alive, than it was then. Johnson said, his Pastorals were poor things, though the versification was fine. He told us, with high satisfaction, the anecdote of Pope's enquiring who was the author of his "London," and saying, he will be soon [italics] deterré [italics]. He observed, that in Dryden's poetry there were passages drawn from a profundity which Pope could never reach. He repeated some fine lines on love, by the former, (which I have now forgotten,) and gave great applause to the character of Zimri. Goldsmith said, that Pope's character of Addison shewed a deep knowledge of the human heart. Johnson said, that the description of the temple, in "The Mourning Bride," was the finest poetical passage he had ever read; he recollected none in Shakspeare equal to it'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Alexander Pope Print: Unknown
'His description of its [the situation in the Falklands] miseries in this pamphlet ['Thoughts on the late Transactions respecting Falkland's Islands'] is one of the finest pieces of eloquence in the English language. Upon this occasion, too, we find Johnson lashing the party in opposition with unbounded severity, and making the fullest use of what he ever reckoned a most effectual argumentative instrument,—contempt. His character of their very able mysterious champion, Junius, is executed with all the force of his genius, and finished with the highest care.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell
'We talked of his two political pamphlets, "The False Alarm," and "Thoughts concerning Falkland's Islands." Johnson. "Well, sir, which of them did you think the best?" Boswell. "I liked the second best." Johnson. "Why, sir, I liked the first best; and Beattie liked the first best. Sir, there is a subtlety of disquisition in the first that is worth all the fire of the second".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell
'We talked of his two political pamphlets, "The False Alarm," and "Thoughts concerning Falkland's Islands." Johnson. "Well, sir, which of them did you think the best?" Boswell. "I liked the second best." Johnson. "Why, sir, I liked the first best; and Beattie liked the first best. Sir, there is a subtlety of disquisition in the first that is worth all the fire of the second".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell
'At this time it appears from his "Prayers and Meditations," that he had been more than commonly diligent in religious duties, particularly in reading the Holy Scriptures'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown
'Johnson, though remarkable for his great variety of composition, never exercised his talents in fable, except we allow his beautiful tale published in Mrs. Williams's "Miscellanies" to be of that species. I have, however, found among his manuscript collections the following sketch of one:
" Glowworm lying in the garden saw a candle in a neighbouring palace,—and complained of the littleness of his own light;—another observed wait a little ;—soon dark,—have outlasted [many] of these glaring lights which are only brighter as they haste to nothing".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book
'Johnson, though remarkable for his great variety of composition, never exercised his talents in fable, except we allow his beautiful tale published in Mrs. Williams's "Miscellanies" to be of that species. I have, however, found among his manuscript collections the following sketch of one:
" Glowworm lying in the garden saw a candle in a neighbouring palace,—and complained of the littleness of his own light;—another observed wait a little ;—soon dark,—have outlasted [many] of these glaring lights which are only brighter as they haste to nothing".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown
' [Letter from Johnson to Boswell] Last night I corrected the last page of our "Journey to the Hebrides".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Johnson Print: proofs
'In his [Johnson's] manuscript diary of this year, there is the following entry:
"Nov. 27. Advent Sunday. I considered that this day, being the beginning of the ecclesiastical year, was a proper time for a new course of life. I began to read the Greek Testament regularly at 160 verses every Sunday. This day I began the Acts.
In this week I read Virgil's 'Pastorals'. I learned to repeat the 'Pollio' and 'Gallus'. I read carelessly the first 'Georgick'."
Such evidences of his unceasing ardour, both for "divine and human lore," when advanced into his sixty-fifty year, and notwithstanding his many disturbances from disease, must make us at once honour his spirit, and lament that it should be so grievously clogged by its material tegument. It is remarkable, that he was very fond of the precision which calculation produces. Thus we find in one of his manuscript diaries, "12 pages in 4to Gr. Test, and 30 pages in Beza's folio, comprize the whole in 10 days".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown
'[Letter from Boswell to Johnson] Be pleased to accept of my best thanks for your "Journey to the Hebrides", which came to me by last night's post. I did really ask the favour twice; but you have been even with me by granting it so speedily. [italics] Bis dat qui cito dat [end italics]. Though ill of a head cold, you kept me up the greatest part of last night: for I did not stop till I had read every word of your book. I looked back to our first talking of a visit to the Hebrides, which was many years ago, when sitting by ourselves in the Mitre tavern, in London, I think about [italics] witching time o'night [end italics]; and then exulted in contemplating our scheme fulfilled, and a [italics]monumentum perenne [end italics] of it erected by your superiour abilities. I shall only say, that your book has afforded me a high gratification. I shall afterwards give you my thoughts on particular passages. In the mean time, I hasten to tell you of your having mistaken two names, which you will correct in London, as I shall do here, that the gentlemen who deserve the valuable compliments which you have paid them, may enjoy their honours. In page 106, for [italics] Gordon [end italics], read [italics] Murchison [end italics]; and in page 357, for [italics] Maclean [end italics] read [italics] Macleod [end italics].'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book
'[Letter from Boswell to Johnson] Lord Hailes writes to me [...] "I am singularly obliged to Dr. Johnson for accurate and useful criticisms. Had he given some strictures on the general plan of the work, it would have added much to his favours". He is charmed with your verses on Inchkenneth, says they are very elegant, but bids me tell you he doubts whether " [italics] Legitimat faciunt pectora pura preces [end italics]" be according to the rubrick ; but that is your concern; for, you know, he is a Presbyterian.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: David Dalrymple, Lord Hailes Manuscript: Unknown, in latin
'His "Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland" is a most valuable performance. It abounds in extensive philosophical views of society, and in ingenious sentiment and lively description. A considerable part of it, indeed, consists of speculations which many years before he saw the wild regions which we visited together probably had employed his attention, though the actual sight of those scenes undoubtedly quickened and augmented them. Mr. Orme, the very able historian, agreed with me in this opinion, which he thus strongly expressed:— "There are in that book thoughts which, by long revolution in the great mind of Johnson, have been formed and polished like pebbles rolled in the ocean!"'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book
'His "Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland" is a most valuable performance. It abounds in extensive philosophical views of society, and in ingenious sentiment and lively description. A considerable part of it, indeed, consists of speculations which many years before he saw the wild regions which we visited together probably had employed his attention, though the actual sight of those scenes undoubtedly quickened and augmented them. Mr. Orme, the very able historian, agreed with me in this opinion, which he thus strongly expressed:— "There are in that book thoughts which, by long revolution in the great mind of Johnson, have been formed and polished like pebbles rolled in the ocean!"'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Dr Orme Print: Book
'The observations of my friend Mr. Dempster in a letter written to me, soon after he had read Dr. Johnson's book, are so just and liberal that they cannot be too often repeated:
"There is nothing in the book, from beginning to end, that a Scotchman need to take amiss. What he says of the country is true; and his observations on the people are what must naturally occur to a sensible, observing, and reflecting inhabitant of a convenient metropolis, where a man on thirty pounds a year may be better accommodated with all the little wants of life than Col or Sir Allan.
I am charmed with his researches concerning the Erse language, and the antiquity of their manuscripts. I am quite convinced; and I shall rank Ossian and his Fingals and Oscars amongst the nursery tales, not the true history of our country, in all time to come.
Upon the whole, the book cannot displease, for it has no pretensions. The author neither says he is a geographer, nor an antiquarian, nor very learned in the history of Scotland, nor a naturalist, nor a fossilist. The manners of the people and the face of the country are all he attempts to describe, or seems to have thought of. Much were it to be wished that they who have traveled into more remote, and of course more curious regions, had all possessed his good sense".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Mr Dempster Print: Book
'Mr. Knox, another native of Scotland, who has since made the same tour, and published an account of it, is equally liberal. "I have read (says he) his [Johnson's] book again and again, traveled with him from Berwick to Glenelg, through countries with which I am well acquainted; sailed with him from Glenelg to Rasay, Sky, Rum, Col, Mull, and Icolmkill, but have not been able to correct him in any matter of consequence. I have often admired the accuracy, the precision, and the justness of what he advances, respecting both the country and the people.
The Doctor has every where delivered his sentiments with freedom, and in many instances with a seeming regard for the benefit of the inhabitants, and the ornament of the country. His remarks on the want of trees and hedges for shade, as well as for shelter to the cattle, are well founded, and merit the thanks, not the illiberal censure of the natives. He also felt for the distresses of the Highlanders, and explodes-with great propriety the bad management of the grounds, and the neglect of timber in the Hebrides".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Mr Knox Print: Book
'Mr. Tytler, the acute and able vindicator of Mary Queen of Scots, in one of his letters to Mr. James Elphinstone, published in that gentleman's "Forty Years' Correspondence," says, "I read Dr. Johnson's Tour with very great pleasure. Some few errors he has fallen into, but of no great importance, and those are lost in the numberless beauties of his work.
If I had leisure, I could, perhaps, point out the most exceptionable places; but at present I am in the country, and have not his book at hand. It is plain he meant to speak well of Scotland; and he has in my apprehension done us great honour in the most capital article, the character of the inhabitants".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Mr Tytler Print: Book
Unfavourable as I am constrained to say my opinion of this pamphlet [Johnson's 'Taxation no Tyranny; an answer to the Resolutions and Address of the American Congress'] was, yet, since it was congenial with the sentiments of numbers at that time, and as every thing relating to the writings of Dr. Johnson is of importance in literary history, I shall therefore insert some passages which were struck out, it does not appear why, either by himself or those who revised it. They appear printed in a few proof leaves of it in my possession, marked with corrections in his own handwriting. I shall distinguish them by Italicks. [various passages are then reproduced]'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell
Unfavourable as I am constrained to say my opinion of this pamphlet [Johnson's 'Taxation no Tyranny; an answer to the Resolutions and Address of the American Congress'] was, yet, since it was congenial with the sentiments of numbers at that time, and as every thing relating to the writings of Dr. Johnson is of importance in literary history, I shall therefore insert some passages which were struck out, it does not appear why, either by himself or those who revised it. They appear printed in a few proof leaves of it in my possession, marked with corrections in his own handwriting. I shall distinguish them by Italicks. [various passages are then reproduced]'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: proof leaves of a pamphlet with handwritten corrections
'[quoting from the pamphlet "A Letter to Dr. Samuel Johnson, occasioned by his late Political Publications." by joseph Towers] "I would, however, wish you to remember, should you again address the publick under the character of a political writer, that luxuriance of imagination or energy of language will ill compensate for the want of candour, of justice, and of truth. And I shall only add, that should I hereafter be disposed to read, as I heretofore have done, the most excellent of all your performances, 'The Rambler,' the pleasure which I have been accustomed to find in it will be much diminished by the reflection that the writer of so moral, so elegant, and so valuable a work was capable of prostituting his talents in such productions as 'The False Alarm,' the 'Thoughts on the Transactions respecting Falkland's Islands,' and 'The Patriot.' "
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Towers Print: Serial / periodical
'[quoting from the pamphlet "A Letter to Dr. Samuel Johnson, occasioned by his late Political Publications." by joseph Towers] "I would, however, wish you to remember, should you again address the publick under the character of a political writer, that luxuriance of imagination or energy of language will ill compensate for the want of candour, of justice, and of truth. And I shall only add, that should I hereafter be disposed to read, as I heretofore have done, the most excellent of all your performances, 'The Rambler,' the pleasure which I have been accustomed to find in it will be much diminished by the reflection that the writer of so moral, so elegant, and so valuable a work was capable of prostituting his talents in such productions as 'The False Alarm,' the 'Thoughts on the Transactions respecting Falkland's Islands,' and 'The Patriot.' "
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Towers
'[quoting from the pamphlet "A Letter to Dr. Samuel Johnson, occasioned by his late Political Publications." by joseph Towers] "I would, however, wish you to remember, should you again address the publick under the character of a political writer, that luxuriance of imagination or energy of language will ill compensate for the want of candour, of justice, and of truth. And I shall only add, that should I hereafter be disposed to read, as I heretofore have done, the most excellent of all your performances, 'The Rambler,' the pleasure which I have been accustomed to find in it will be much diminished by the reflection that the writer of so moral, so elegant, and so valuable a work was capable of prostituting his talents in such productions as 'The False Alarm,' the 'Thoughts on the Transactions respecting Falkland's Islands,' and 'The Patriot.' "
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Towers
'[quoting from the pamphlet "A Letter to Dr. Samuel Johnson, occasioned by his late Political Publications." by Joseph Towers] "I would, however, wish you to remember, should you again address the publick under the character of a political writer, that luxuriance of imagination or energy of language will ill compensate for the want of candour, of justice, and of truth. And I shall only add, that should I hereafter be disposed to read, as I heretofore have done, the most excellent of all your performances, 'The Rambler,' the pleasure which I have been accustomed to find in it will be much diminished by the reflection that the writer of so moral, so elegant, and so valuable a work was capable of prostituting his talents in such productions as 'The False Alarm,' the 'Thoughts on the Transactions respecting Falkland's Islands,' and 'The Patriot.' "
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Towers
'I found his " Journey" the common topick of conversation in London at this time, wherever I happened to be. At one of Lord Mansfield's formal Sunday evening conversations, strangely called [italics] Levees [end italics], his Lordship addressed me, "We have all been reading your travels, Mr. Boswell." I answered, "I was but the humble attendant of Dr. Johnson." The Chief Justice replied, with that air and manner which none who ever saw and heard him can forget, "He speaks ill of nobody but Ossian".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: William Murray, First Earl Mansfield Print: Book
'Johnson was here solaced with an elegant entertainment, a very accomplished family, and much good company; among whom was Mr. Harris of Salisbury, who paid him many compliments on his "Journey to the Western Islands".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Mr Harris Print: Book
'That ingenious and elegant gentleman's [Shenstone's] opinion of Johnson appears in one of his letters to Mr. Greaves, dated Feb. 9, 1760. "I have lately been reading one or two volumes of the Rambler; who, excepting against some few hardnesses in his manner, and the want of more examples to enliven, is one of the most nervous, most perspicuous, most concise, [and] most harmonious prose writers I know. A learned diction improves by time".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: William Shenstone Print: Serial / periodical
'On Sunday, March 31, I called on him, and shewed him as a curiosity which I had discovered, his "Translation of Lobo's Account of Abyssinia", which Sir John Pringle had lent me, it being then little known as one of his works. He said, "Take no notice of it" or "don't talk of it". He seemed to think it beneath him, though done at six-and-twenty. I said to him, "Your style, Sir, is much improved since you translated this".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book
'When I read this [Johnson's argument regarding a legal case on the liberty of the pulpit in which Boswell was involved] to Mr. Burke, he was highly pleased, and exclaimed, "Well; he does his work in a workman-like manner".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown
'[letter from Boswell to Johnson] Your paper on "Vicious Intromission" is a noble proof of what you can do even in Scotch law.'
Unknown
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell
' [letter from Boswell to Johnson] I have not yet distributed all your books [presumably a new edition of the "Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland"]. Lord Hailes and Lord Monboddo have each received one, and return you thanks. Monboddo dined with me lately, and having drank tea, we were a good while by ourselves, and as I knew that he had read the "Journey superficially", as he did not talk of it as I wished, I brought it to him, and read aloud several passages; and then he talked so, that I told him he was to have a copy [italics] from the authour [end italics]. He begged [italics] that [end italics] might be marked on it'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book
' [letter from Boswell to Johnson] I have not yet distributed all your books [presumably a new edition of the "Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland"]. Lord Hailes and Lord Monboddo have each received one, and return you thanks. Monboddo dined with me lately, and having drank tea, we were a good while by ourselves, and as I knew that he had read the "Journey superficially", as he did not talk of it as I wished, I brought it to him, and read aloud several passages; and then he talked so, that I told him he was to have a copy [italics] from the authour [end italics]. He begged [italics] that [end italics] might be marked on it'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Burnett, Lord Monboddo Print: Book
' [letter from Sir Alexander Dick to Johnson] I had yesterday the honour of receiving your book of your "Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland", which you was so good as to send me, by the hands of our mutual friend, Mr. Boswell, of Auchinleck; for which I return you my most hearty thanks; and after carefully reading it over again, shall deposit in my little collection of choice books, next our worthy friend's "Journey to Corsica". As there are many things to admire in both performances, I have often wished that no Travels or Journeys should be published but those undertaken by persons of integrity and capacity to judge well, and describe faithfully, and in good language, the situation, condition, and manners of the countries past through.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Alexander Dick Print: Book
'[letter from Boswell to Johnson] You forget that Mr. Shaw's "Erse Grammar" was put into your hands by myself last year. Lord Eglintoune put it into mine. I am glad that Mr. Macbean approves of it. I have received Mr. Shaw's Proposals for its publication, which I can perceive are written [italics] by the hand of a MASTER [end italics]' [Master here refers to Johnson]
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Unknown
'[letter from Boswell to Johnson] I lately read Rasselas over again with great satisfaction'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book
'On Monday, September 15, Dr. Johnson observed, that every body commended such parts of his "Journey to the Western Islands", as were in their own way. "For instance, (said he,) Mr. Jackson (the all-knowing) told me there was more good sense upon trade in it, than he should hear in the House of Commons in a year, except from Burke. Jones commended the part which treats of language; Burke that which describes the inhabitants of mountainous countries'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Burke Print: Book
'On Monday, September 15, Dr. Johnson observed, that every body commended such parts of his "Journey to the Western Islands", as were in their own way. "For instance, (said he,) Mr. Jackson (the all-knowing) told me there was more good sense upon trade in it, than he should hear in the House of Commons in a year, except from Burke. Jones commended the part which treats of language; Burke that which describes the inhabitants of mountainous countries'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Mr Jackson Print: Book
'On Monday, September 15, Dr. Johnson observed, that every body commended such parts of his "Journey to the Western Islands", as were in their own way. "For instance, (said he,) Mr. Jackson (the all-knowing) told me there was more good sense upon trade in it, than he should hear in the House of Commons in a year, except from Burke. Jones commended the part which treats of language; Burke that which describes the inhabitants of mountainous countries'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Mr Jones Print: Book
'He [Johnson] wrote also "The Convict's Address to his unhappy Brethren", a sermon delivered by Dr. Dodd [ a clergyman condemned to deatn for fraud], in the chapel of Newgate
According to Johnson's manuscript it began thus after the text, What shall I do to be saved?--
"These were the words with which the keeper, to whose custody Paul and Silas were committed by their prosecutors, addressed his prisoners, when he saw them freed from their bonds by the perceptible agency of divine favour, and was, therefore, irresistibly convinced that they were not offenders against the laws, but martyrs to the truth".
Dr. Johnson was so good as to mark for me with his own hand, on a copy of this sermon which is now in my possession, such passages as were added by Dr. Dodd. They are not many: whoever will take the trouble to look at the printed copy, and attend to what I mention, will be satisfied of this.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown
'I have no doubt that a good many sermons were composed for Taylor [with whom Johnson and Boswell were staying] by Johnson. At this time I found, upon his table, a part of one which he had newly begun to write: and [italics] Concio pro Tayloro [end italics] appears in one of his diaries. When to these circumstances we add the internal evidence from the power of thinking and style, in the collection which the Reverend Mr. Hayes has published, with the [italics] significant [end italics] title of "Sermons [italics] left for publication [end italics] by the Reverend John Taylor, LL.D.", our conviction will be complete.
I, however, would not have it thought, that Dr. Taylor, though he could not write like Johnson, (as, indeed, who could?) did not sometimes compose sermons as good as those which we generally have from very respectable divines. He showed me one with notes on the margin in Johnson's hand-writing; and I was present when he read another to Johnson, that he might have his opinion of it, and Johnson said it was "very well". These, we may be sure, were not Johnson's; for he was above little arts, or tricks of deception.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown
'I told him, that his "Rasselas" had often made me unhappy; for it represented the misery of human life so well, and so convincingly to a thinking mind, that if at any time the impression wore off, and I felt myself easy, I began to suspect some delusion.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book
'Looking at Messrs. Dilly's splendid edition of Lord Chesterfield's miscellaneous works, he laughed, and said, "Here now are two speeches ascribed to him, both of which were written by me: and the best of it is, they have found out that one is like Demosthenes, and the other like Cicero".
He censured Lord Kames's "Sketches of the History of Man" for misrepresenting Clarendon's account of the appearance of Sir George Villiers's ghost, as if Clarendon were weakly credulous; when the truth is, that Clarendon only says, that the story was upon a better foundation of credit, than usually such discourses are founded upon; nay, speaks thus of the person who was reported to have seen the vision, "the poor man, if he had been at all waking"; which Lord Kames has omitted.'
Century: Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Johnson Print: Book
'[letter from Boswell to Johnson] 'I am eager to see more of your Prefaces to the Poets; I solace myself with the few proof sheets which I have'.
Century: Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: proof sheets
'[ letter from Boswell to Johnson] The Bishop, to whom I had the honour to be known several years ago, shews me much attention; and I am edified by his conversation. I must not omit to tell you, that his Lordship admires, very highly, your "Prefaces to the Poets".'
Century: Reader/Listener/Group: Beilby Porteus Print: Book
'[from the 1780 Johnsoniana passed to Boswell by Bennet Langton] 'When in good humour he would talk of his own writings with a wonderful frankness and candour, and would even criticise them with the closest severity. One day, having read over one of his "Ramblers", Mr. Langton asked him, how he liked that paper; he shook his head, and answered, "too wordy". At another time, when one was reading his tragedy of "Irene" to a company at a house in the country, he left the room; and somebody having asked him the reason of this, he replied, "Sir, I thought it had been better".'
Century: Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Johnson Print: Book, Serial / periodical
'[from the 1780 Johnsoniana passed to Boswell by Bennet Langton] 'When in good humour he would talk of his own writings with a wonderful frankness and candour, and would even criticise them with the closest severity. One day, having read over one of his "Ramblers", Mr. Langton asked him, how he liked that paper; he shook his head, and answered, "too wordy". At another time, when one was reading his tragedy of "Irene" to a company at a house in the country, he left the room; and somebody having asked him the reason of this, he replied, "Sir, I thought it had been better".'
Century: Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Johnson Print: Unknown
'So easy is his style in these "Lives", that I do not recollect more than three uncommon or learned words; one, when giving an account of the approach of Waller's mortal disease, he says, "he found his legs grow tumid"; by using the expression his legs swelled, he would have avoided this; and there would have been no impropriety in its being followed by the interesting question to his physician, 'What that swelling meant?' Another, when he mentions that Pope had emitted proposals; when published or issued would have been more readily understood; and a third, when he calls Orrery and Dr. Delany, writers both undoubtedly veracious, when true, honest, or faithful, might have been used. Yet, it must be owned, that none of these are hard or too big words; that custom would make them seem as easy as any others; and that a language is richer and capable of more beauty of expression, by having a greater variety of synonimes.
His dissertation upon the unfitness of poetry for the aweful subjects of our holy religion, though I do not entirely agree with with him, has all the merit of originality, with uncommon force and reasoning.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book
'[Johnson was fair to Milton's poetic genius, despite hating his politics] Indeed even Dr. Towers, who may be considered as one of the warmest zealots of [italics] The Revolution Society[end italics] itself, allows, that "Johnson has spoken in the highest terms of the abilities of that great poet, and has bestowed on his principal poetical compositions the most honourable encomiums".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Dr Towers Print: Book
''It gives me much pleasure to observe, that however Johnson may have casually talked, yet when he sits, as "an ardent judge zealous to his trust, giving sentence" upon the excellent works of Young, he allows them the high praise to which they are justly entitled. "The 'Universal Passion' (says he) is indeed a very great performance,--his distichs have the weight of solid sentiment, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth."
But I was most anxious concerning Johnson's decision upon "Night Thoughts", which I esteem as a mass of the grandest and richest poetry that human genius has ever produced; and was delighted to find this character of that work: "In his 'Night Thoughts', he has exhibited a very wide display of original poetry, variegated with deep reflections and striking allusions; a wilderness of thought, in which the fertility of fancy scatters flowers of every hue and of every odour. This is one of the few poems in which blank verse could not be changed for rhime but with disadvantage". And afterwards, "Particular lines are not to be regarded; the power is in the whole; and in the whole there is a magnificence like that ascribed to Chinese plantation, the magnificence of vast extent and endless diversity".
But there is in this Poem not only all that Johnson so well brings in view, but a power of the [italics] Pathetick [end italics] beyond almost any example that I have seen. He who does not feel his nerves shaken, and his heart pierced by many passages in this extraordinary work, particularly by that most affecting one, which describes the gradual torment suffered by the contemplation of an object of affectionate attachment, visibly and certainly decaying into dissolution, must be of a hard and obstinate frame.
To all the other excellencies of "Night Thoughts" let me add the great and peculiar one, that they contain not only the noblest sentiments of virtue, and contemplations on immortality, but the Christian Sacrifice, the Divine Propitiation, with all its interesting circumstances, and consolations to "a wounded spirit" solemnly and poetically displayed in such imagery and language, as cannot fail to exalt, animate, and soothe the truly pious. No book whatever can be recommended to young persons, with better hopes of seasoning their minds with [italics] vital religion [end italics], than Young's "Night Thoughts".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book
'He talked little to us in the carriage, being chiefly occupied in reading Dr. Watson's second volume of "Chemical Essays", which he liked very well, and his own "Prince of Abyssinia", on which he seemed to be intensely fixed; having told us, that he had not looked at it since it was first published. I happened to take it out of my pocket this day, and he seized upon it with avidity.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Johnson Print: Book
'Dr. Burney related to Dr. Johnson the partiality which his writings had excited in a friend of Dr. Burney's, the late Mr. Bewley, well known in Norfolk by the name of the [italics] Philosopher of Massingham [end italics]: who, from the "Ramblers" and Plan of his "Dictionary", and long before the authour's fame was established by the "Dictionary" itself, or any other work, had conceived such a reverence for him, that he urgently begged Dr. Burney to give him the cover of the first letter he had received from him, as a relick of so estimable a writer.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: William Bewley Print: Serial / periodical
'Dr. Burney related to Dr. Johnson the partiality which his writings had excited in a friend of Dr. Burney's, the late Mr. Bewley, well known in Norfolk by the name of the [italics] Philosopher of Massingham [end italics]: who, from the "Ramblers" and Plan of his "Dictionary", and long before the authour's fame was established by the "Dictionary" itself, or any other work, had conceived such a reverence for him, that he urgently begged Dr. Burney to give him the cover of the first letter he had received from him, as a relick of so estimable a writer.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: William Bewley Print: Book
'A clergyman at Bath wrote to him, that in "The Morning Chronicle", a passage in "The Beauties of Johnson" [unauthorised collection of Johnson's words], article DEATH, had been pointed out as supposed by some readers to recommend suicide, the words being, "To die is the fate of man; but to die with lingering anguish is generally his folly"; and respectfully suggesting to him, that such an erroneous notion of any sentence in the writings of an acknowledged friend of religion and virtue, should not pass uncontradicted.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Lancelot St Albyn Print: Newspaper
'I have this day read Rasselas which is a book I like as it leads to deep affection'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Gurney Print: Book
'Two very valuable articles, I am sure, we have lost [when Johnson, dying, burnt many of his papers] , which were two quarto volumes, containing a full, fair, and most particular account of his own life, from his earliest recollection. I owned to him, that having accidentally seen them, I had read a great deal in them; and apologizing for the liberty I had taken, asked him if I could help it. He placidly answered, "Why, Sir, I do not think you could have helped it". I said that I had, for once in my life, felt half an inclination to commit theft. It had come into my mind to carry off those two volumes, and never see him more. Upon my inquiring how this would have affected him, "Sir, (said he,) I believe I should have gone mad".'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: quarto volumes
'one Day in the Year 1768 I saw some Verses with his name in a Magazine these are they [the poem follows] I thought they were not his so I asked him; A young fellow replied he about forty Years ago, had a Sprig of Myrtle given him by a Girl he courted, and asked me to write him some Verses upon it - I promised but forgot; & when the Lad came a Week after for them, I said I'll go fetch them so ran away for five Minutes, & wrote the nonsense you are so troubled about; & which these Blockheads are printing now so pompously with their L.L.:D'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Hester Lynch Thrale Print: Serial / periodical
'that Piety which dictated the serious Papers in the Rambler will be for ever remembred [sic], for ever I think - revered. That ample Repository of religious Truth, moral Wisdom & accurate Criticism breathes indeed the genuine Emanations of its Author's Mind; express'd too in a Style so natural to him, & so much like his common Mode of conversing, that I was myself not much astonished when he told me, that he had scarcely read over one of thesed inimitable Essays before they were sent to the Press'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Hester Lynch Thrale Print: Serial / periodical
'Another favourite Passage too in the same Author [Metastasio's Adriano]; which Baretti made his Pupil - my eldest Daughter get by heart - Johnson translated into Blank Verse - [italics] sur le Champ [end italics]: Baretti wrote it down from his Lips, and I write it now from Baretti's Copy, which is almost worne out with lying by in the folds'. [the verses are given in Italian and English]
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Hester Lynch Thrale Manuscript: Unknown
'Mr Murphy's Grecian Daughter is I think unquestionably the best of all our modern Tragedies, & all its Merit is the Power it has over our Passions too; for nobody I believe ever dreamed of repeating a line on't:
Now though to move Terror & Pity those two throbbing Pulses of the Drama, be the first Thing required in a Tragedy; there are others which are necessary to make it complete, as Sentiment Diction &c. 'tis entertaining enough to observe the effect of each style separately - & we shall have Cato and Irene at one End; the Earl of Essex and George Barnwell at the other'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Hester Lynch Thrale Print: Book
'Goldsmith talks of cows shedding their Horns, & Thompson makes his Hens and Chicks to be
Fed & defended by the fearless Cock.
whereas the Cock hates the Chickens, & takes all their Meat from them. [Thrale continues to critique Goldsmith's knowledge of natural history] Pennant speaks most rationally about Natural History of any of our Countrymen, and among the Foreigners, Buffon makes amends to [italics] most [end italics] readers by his elegant Style & profound Ratiocination for his frequent Mistakes in the Facts.-
Johnson in his Irene frequently mentions singing Birds though I believe the Birds about Constantinople are nearly mute: Thompson observes that in hot Climates the Birds scarce ever sing'
Century: Reader/Listener/Group: Hester Lynch Thrale Print: Book
'The two [italics] wittiest [end italics] things in our Language in Verse & Prose are Dr Young's Conjectures on Original Composition I think, and Dr Swift's Ballad on the South Sea.
The two Tragedies which go nearest one's Heart I think - in our Language I mean - are Southern's Fatal Marriage and Lillo's Fatal Curiosity.
The two best Comic Scenes in our Language according to my Taste are the Scene between Squire Richard & Myrtilla in the Provoked Husband, and that between Sir Joseph Wittol, Nol Bluff and Sharper in the Old Batchelor - not the kicking scene but the friendly one.
The two best [italics] Declamatory [end italics] Scenes where the Sentiments and Language are most perfect, seem to be the Scene between Juba and Syphax in Addison's Cato, & that between the two Ladies in Johnson's Irene. I know that both are unDramatic, the latter more peculiarly so, than ever was, or ever ought to have been hazarded - but for Language & Sentiment it is most Superb. - Superieure as the French say.
Johnson says the finest Tragic Scene in our Language, for Drama sentiment, Language, Power over the Heart, & every Requisite for Theatre or Closet, is the Tomb Scene in the Mourning Bride.
[italics] I [end italics] think, that trying to be [italics] every [end italics] thing it escapes being [italics] anything [end italics]'
Century: Reader/Listener/Group: Hester Lynch Thrale Print: Book
'1: August 1779.] Johnson has been diverting himself with imitating Potter's Aeschylus in a translation of some verses of Euripides - he has translated them seriously besides, & given them to Burney for his history of Musick. here are the Burlesque ones - but they are a [italics] Caricatura [end italics] of Potter whose Verses are obscure enough too. [the verses are given] Poor Potter! he does write strange unintelligible Verses to be sure, but I think none as bad as these neither'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Hester Lynch Thrale Manuscript: Unknown
'What a fine Book is "Law's Serious Call"! written with such force of Thinking, such purity of Style, & such penetration into human Nature; the Characters too so neatly, nay so highly finished: yet nobody reads it I think, from the Notion of its being a Religious work most probably. Johnson has however studied it hard I am sure, & many of the Ramblers apparently took their Rise from that little Volume, as the Nile flows majestically from a Source dificult to be discovered or even discerned.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Hester Lynch Thrale Print: Serial / periodical
'such is my Tenderness for Johnson, when he is out of my Sight I always keep his Books about me, which I never think of reading at any other Time: but they remind me of [italics] him [end italics], & please me more than even his Letters; for in [italics] them [end italics] he is often scrupulous of opening his heart & has an Idea they will be seen sometime, perhaps published'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Hester Lynch Thrale Print: Book
'Johnson's newly written Lives are delightful, but he is too hard on Prior's Alma: he will be keenly reproached for his Toryism, but what cares he? he calls himself a Tory, & glories in it. he should have been more sparing of Praise to the Fair Penitent I think, because the Characters are from Massinger - I care not how much good is said of the language; but Old Phil: has the Merit of that Contrast, more happy perhaps than any on our Stage, of the Gay Rake, and the virtuous dependent Gentleman'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Hester Lynch Thrale Print: proof sheets
'I love Johnson's Prose better than Addison's, I like the Dunciad beyond all Pope's Poems; I delight in Young's Satires & in Rubens's Painting, Cowley captivates my Heart; & when I read Bruyere, I often catch myself kissing the Book for fondness of the Author['s] strong-marked Characters, glowing Colours, striking Sentiments - to please - H:L: T.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Hester Lynch Thrale Print: Book
'What a strange Book is Burton's "Anatomy of Melancholy"! & how it has been plunder'd! Milton took his Allegro and Penseroso from the Verses at the beginning, Savage his Speech of Suicide in the Wanderer from Page 216. Swift his Tale of the Woman that held water in her Mouth to regain her Husband's Love by Silence - 'tis printed in the Tatler; Johnson got his Story of the Magnet that detects unchaste Wives from the same Farrago, & even Shakespear I believe the Trick put on the Tinker Christopher Sly in the taming of the Shrew. See page 277 of Burton.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Hester Lynch Thrale Print: Serial / periodical
'I must write out Johnson's Latin Version of the Messiah from Pope, I obtained the Copy of a Clergyman here, one Mr Graves, who wrote the Spiritual Quixote'. [the Latin verses follow]
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Hester Lynch Thrale Manuscript: Unknown
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 6 December 1792: 'Juvenal is a grand nervous Satirist — your refined criticks prefer the sneering strokes of Horace — for me I think otherwise — Johnsons London & Vanity of Human Wishes are two of the noblest compositions in our language — the satire of the first is already become obsolete & some centuries hence posterity will believe the supple French Fop only a creation of some drunken Englishmans brain. the last will retain its original beauty even if 1600 years hence some future Bard should imitate Johnson in some future language.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, 6 December 1792: 'Juvenal is a grand nervous Satirist — your refined criticks prefer the sneering strokes of Horace — for me I think otherwise — Johnsons London & Vanity of Human Wishes are two of the noblest compositions in our language — the satire of the first is already become obsolete & some centuries hence posterity will believe the supple French Fop only a creation of some drunken Englishmans brain. the last will retain its original beauty even if 1600 years hence some future Bard should imitate Johnson in some future language.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
Robert Southey to Grosvenor Charles Bedford, c. 21-22 November 1795, 'This is a foul country. the tinners inhabit the most agreable part of it for they live underground. above it is most dreary — desolate. my Sans Culotte like Johnsons in Scotland becomes a valuable piece of timber — & I — as most dull & sullenly silent fellow. such effects has place!'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Robert Southey Print: Book
'We know comparatively little of [Jane Austen's] literary tastes. Some are peculiar. Her fondness
for the gentle, close truth and quiet power of Cowper is consistent; but it is perplexing to find
that the grave, moral, austere Dr. Johnson was her favourite prose writer. The coarseness of
Fielding she could not forgive, and though she admired "Sir Charles Grandison," she thought
Richardson tedious.'
Century: 1700-1799 / 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Jane Austen Print: Unknown
[Elizabeth Carter to Catherine Talbot, 13 June 1755:]
'How do you like Mr Johnson's Dictionary? I have only seen part of the Preface, which was like himself. I have just been reading Mr Swift's account of the Dean, a book at which I am greatly scandalized. I do not remember ever to have met with so open and shameful a vindication of that species of idolatry which is the absolute ruin of all virtue, the worship of the world.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Elizabeth Carter Print: Book
[Catherine Talbot to Elizabeth Carter, 24 February 1756:]
'We have looked in Johnson [i.e. his Dictionary] for [italics] Athlete [end italics], no such word there, nor any thing of the kind but Athletic, with explanations every body knows.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Catherine Talbot and family Print: Book
'These last letters of Johnson are a treat to me. I enjoy poking out bits of news in them.'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Emma Darwin
Pits said he had read Hurlothrumbo to some ladies till he was mad, and they were mad, and they were all mad; Strut commended the epilogue.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Pits
'Meeting held at Gower Cottage. 8th May ’43
Muriel Stevens in the Chair
1. Minutes of last meeting read & signed
[...]
3. Knox Taylor opened our study of Johnson & his Circle by giving us a most
comprehensive picture of the background of this period.
4. Howard Smith told us of Johnson’s life and publications.
5. Isabel Taylor read Johnson’s famous letter to Lord Chesterfield.
6. Roger Moore read ‘The Wedding Day’ by Boswell & an account of his first
meeting with Johnson.
7. F. E. Pollard described Johnson’s Circle. He spoke of Garrick, Sir Joshua
Reynolds, Burke, Godlsmith, Boswell, Richardson, Fielding, Mrs. Thrale and her
daughter Hester & others and A. B Dilks read from Johnson’s “Vanity of Human
Wishes.”
8. Mention must be made of the excellent refreshments provided by our hostess
and the Secretary regrets that owing to lack of time, she has in these minutes
done Scant justice to a most thoughtfully prepared & extremely interesting
evening.
[signed as a true record by] Howard R Smith
22/6/43 [at the club meeting held at Frensham: see Minute Book, p. 155: ‘We
adjourned indoors & the minutes of the last meeting were read, corrected and
signed.’]'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Isabel Taylor Print: Book
'Meeting held at Gower Cottage. 8th May ’43
Muriel Stevens in the Chair
1. Minutes of last meeting read & signed
[...]
3. Knox Taylor opened our study of Johnson & his Circle by giving us a most
comprehensive picture of the background of this period.
4. Howard Smith told us of Johnson’s life and publications.
5. Isabel Taylor read Johnson’s famous letter to Lord Chesterfield.
6. Roger Moore read ‘The Wedding Day’ by Boswell & an account of his first
meeting with Johnson.
7. F. E. Pollard described Johnson’s Circle. He spoke of Garrick, Sir Joshua
Reynolds, Burke, Goldsmith, Boswell, Richardson, Fielding, Mrs. Thrale and her
daughter Hester & others and A. B Dilks read from Johnson’s “Vanity of Human
Wishes.”
8. Mention must be made of the excellent refreshments provided by our hostess
and the Secretary regrets that owing to lack of time, she has in these minutes
done Scant justice to a most thoughtfully prepared & extremely interesting
evening.
[signed as a true record by] Howard R Smith
22/6/43 [at the club meeting held at Frensham: see Minute Book, p. 155: ‘We
adjourned indoors & the minutes of the last meeting were read, corrected and
signed.’]'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Bruce Dilks Print: Book
