confident, upon the same evidence, that he wrote Further Thoughts on Agriculture '[+]; being the sequel of a very inferior essay on the same subject, and which, though carried on as if by the same hand, is both in thinking and expression so far above it, and so strikingly peculiar, as to leave no doubt of its true parent; | and that he also wrote A Dissertation on the State of Literature and Authors' [+], and 'A Dissertation on the Epitaphs written by Pope'[*]. The last of these, indeed, he afterwards added to his Idler. Why the essays truly written by him are marked in the same manner with some which he did not write, I cannot explain; but with deference to those who have ascribed to him the three essays which I have rejected, they want all the characteristical marks of Johnsonian composition. He engaged also to superintend and contribute largely to another monthly publication, entitled The Literary Magazine or Universal Review [*], the first number of which came out in May this year. What were his emoluments from this undertaking, and what other writers were employed in it, I have not discovered. He continued to write in it, with intermissions, till the fifteenth number; and I think that he never gave better proofs of the force, acuteness, and vivacity of his mind, than in this miscellany, whether we consider his original essays or his reviews of the works of others. The 'Preliminary Address' [+] to the public is a proof how this great man could embellish with the graces of superior composition even so trite a thing as the plan of a magazine. His original essays are: An Introduction to the Political State of Great Britain' [+]; 'Remarks on the Militia Bill' [+]; Observations on his Britannic Majesty's Treaties with the Empress of Russia and the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel'[+]; 'Observations on the Present State of Affairs '[t]; and 'Memoirs of Frederick III. King of Prussia'[+]. In all these he displays extensive political knowledge and sagacity, expressed with uncommon energy and perspicuity, without any of those words which he sometimes took a pleasure in adopting, in imitation of Sir Thomas Brown, of whose Christian Morals he this year gave an edition, with his 'Life'[*] prefixed to it, which is one of Johnson's best biographical performances. In one instance only in these essays has he indulged his Brownism. Dr. Robertson, the historian, mentioned it to me, as having at once convinced him that Johnson was the author of the Memoirs of the King of Prussia. Speaking of the pride which the old king, the father of his hero, took in being master of the tallest regiment in Europe, he says: To review this towering regiment was his daily pleasure; and to perpetuate it was so much his care, that when he met a tall woman, he immediately commanded one of his Titanian retinue to marry her, that they might propagate procerity.' For this Anglo-Latian word procerity Johnson had, however, the authority of Addison. His reviews are of the following books: 'Birch's History of the Royal Society '[+]; 'Murphy's Gray's-Inn Journal'[+]; 'Warton's Essay on the Writings and Genius of Pope,' vol. i. [+]; 'Hampton's Translation of Polybius '[+]; 'Blackwell's Memoirs of the Court of Augustus '[+]; 'Russell's Natural History of Aleppo' [+]; 'Sir Isaac Newton's Arguments in Proof of a Deity '[+]; 'Borlase's History of the Isles of Scilly' [+]; 'Holme's Experiments on Bleaching '[+]; 'Browne's Christian Morals' [+]; 'Hales on Distilling Sea-Water, Ventilators in Ships, and Curing an ill Taste in Milk '[+]; 'Lucas's Essay on Waters '[+]; 'Keith's Catalogue of the Scottish Bishops'[+]; 'Browne's History of Jamaica '[+]; 'Philosophical Transactions,' vol. xlix.[+]; Mrs. Lennox's Translation of Sully's Memoirs '[*]; 'Miscellanies, by Elizabeth Harrison'[+]; 'Evans's Map and Account of the Middle Colonies in America '[+]; Letter on the Case of Admiral Byng '[*]; ‘Appeal to the People concerning Admiral Byng'[*]; 'Hanway's Eight Days' Journey, and Essay on Tea '[*]; The Cadet, a Military Treatise '[+]; 'Some further Particulars in relation to the Case of Admiral Byng, by a Gentleman of Oxford'[*]; 'The Conduct of the Ministry relating to the Present War impartially examined' [+]; A Free Inquiry into the Nature and Origin of Evil'[*]. All these, from internal evidence, were written by Johnson; some of them I know he avowed, and have marked them with an asterisk accordingly. Mr. Thomas Davis, indeed, ascribed to him the Review of Mr. Burke's Inquiry into the Origin of our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful; and Sir John Hawkins, with equal discernment, has inserted it in his collection of Johnson's works; whereas it has no resemblance to Johnson's composition, and is well known to have been written by Mr. Murphy, who has acknowledged it to me and many others. It is worthy of remark, in justice to Johnson's political character, which has been misrepresented as abjectly submissive to power, that his Observations on the Present State of Affairs glow with as animated a spirit of constitutional liberty as can be found anywhere. Thus he begins: The time is now come, in which every Englishman expects to be informed of the national affairs, and in which he has a right to have that expectation gratified. For, whatever may be urged by Ministers, or those whom vanity or interest make the followers of Ministers, concerning the necessity of confidence in our governors, and the presumption of prying with profane eyes into the recesses of policy, it is evident that this reverence can be claimed only by counsels yet unexecuted, and projects suspended in deliberation. But when a design has ended in miscarriage or success, when every eye and every ear is witness to general discontent or general satisfaction, it is then a proper time to disentangle confusion and illustrate obscurity; to show by what causes every event was produced, and in what effects it is likely to terminate; to lay down with distinct particularity what rumour always huddles in general exclamation, or perplexes by indigested narratives; to show whence happiness or calamity is derived, and whence it may be expected; and honestly to lay before the people what inquiry can gather of the past, and conjecture can estimate of the future.'. Here we have it assumed as an incontrovertible principle, that in this country the people are the superintendents of the conduct and measures of those by whom government is administered; of the beneficial effect of which the present reign afforded an illustrious example, when addresses from all parts of the kingdom controuled an audacious attempt to introduce a new power subversive of the Crown. A still stronger proof of his patriotic spirit appears in his review of an Essay on Waters, by Dr. Lucas, of whom, after describing him as a man well known to the world for his daring defiance of power, when he thought it exerted on the side of wrong, he thus speaks: 'The Irish Ministers drove him from his native country by a proclamation, in which they charge him with crimes of which they never intended to be called to the proof, and oppressed him by methods equally irresistible by guilt and innocence. Let the man thus driven into exile for having been the friend of his country, be received in every other place as a confessor of liberty; and let the tools of power be taught in time, that they may rob, but cannot impoverish.' Some of his reviews in this Magazine are very short accounts of the pieces noticed; and I mention them only that Dr. Johnson's opinion of the works may be known; but many of them are examples of elaborate criticism in the most masterly style. In his review of the Memoirs of the Court of Augustus, he has the resolution to think and speak from his own mind, regard less of the cant transmitted from age to age in praise of the ancient Romans. Thus: "I know not why any one but a schoolboy in his declamation should whine over the Commonwealth of Rome, which grew great only by the misery of the rest of mankind. The Romans, like others, as soon as they grew rich, grew corrupt; and in their corruption sold the lives and freedoms of themselves and of one another.' Again: A people who, while they were poor, robbed mankind; and as soon as they became rich, robbed one another.' In his review of the Miscellanies in prose and verse, published by Elizabeth Harrison, but written by many hands, he gives an eminent proof at once of his orthodoxy and candour: "The authors of the essays in prose seem generally to have imitated, or tried to imitate, the copiousness and luxuriance of Mrs. Rowe. This, however, is not all their praise; they have laboured to add to her brightness of imagery her purity of sentiments. The poets have had Dr. Watts before their eyes, a writer who, if he stood not in the first class of genius, compensated that defect by a ready application of his powers to the promotion of piety. The attempt to employ the ornaments of romance in the decoration of religion, was, I think, first made by Mr. Boyle's Martyrdom of Theodora ; but Boyle's philosophical studies did not allow him time for the cultivation of style; and the completion of the great design was reserved for Mrs. Rowe. Dr. Watts was one of the first who taught the Dissenters to write and speak like other men, by showing them that elegance might consist with piety. They would have both done honour to a better society, for they had that charity which might well make their failings be forgotten, and with which the whole Christian world wish for communion. They were pure from all the heresies of an age to which every opinion is become a favourite, that the universal church has hitherto detested! This praise the general interest of mankind requires to be given to writers who please and do not corrupt, who instruct and do not weary. But to them all human eulogies are vain, whom I believe applauded by angels and numbered with the just.' His defence of tea against Mr. Jonas Hanway's violent attack upon that elegant and popular beverage, shows how very well a man of genius can write upon the slightest subject, when he writes, as the Italians say, con amore. I suppose no person ever enjoyed with more relish the infusion of that fragrant leaf than John son. The quantities which he drank of it at all hours were so great, that his nerves must have been uncommonly strong not to have been extremely relaxed by such an intemperate use of it. He assured me that he never felt the least inconvenience from it, which is a proof that the fault of his constitution was rather a too great tension of fibres than the contrary. Mr. Hanway wrote an angry answer to Johnson's review of his Essay on Tea, and Johnson, after a full and deliberate pause, made a reply to it; the only instance, I believe, in the whole course of his life, when he condescended to oppose anything that was written against him. I suppose, when he thought of any of his little antagonists, he was ever justly aware of the high sentiment of Ajax in Ovid: 'Iste tulit pretium jam nunc certaminis hujus, Quí, cùm victus erit, mecum certasse feretur.'1 But, indeed, the good Mr. Hanway laid himself 1 Losing, he wins, because his name will be Ennobled by defeat, who durst contend with me. - DRYDEN. This year Mr. William Payne, brother of the respectable bookseller of that name, published An Introduction to the Game of Draughts, to which Johnson contributed a Dedication to the Earl of Rochford [*], and a Preface [*], both of which are admirably adapted to the treatise to which they are prefixed. Johnson, I believe, did not play at draughts after leaving College, by which he suffered; for it would have af so open to ridicule, that Johnson's animadversions upon his attack were chiefly to make sport. The generosity with which he pleads the cause of Admiral Byng is highly to the honour of his heart and spirit. Though Voltaire affects to be witty upon the fate of that unfortunate officer, observing that he was shot 'pour encourager les autres,' the nation has long been satisfied that his life was sacrificed to the political fervour of the times. In the vault belong-forded him an innocent soothing relief from the ing to the Torrington family, in the church of Southill in Bedfordshire, there is the following epitaph upon his monument, which I have transcribed : TO THE PERPETUAL DISGRACE THE HONOURABLE JOHN BYNG, ESQ., MARCH 14, IN THE YEAR 1757; WHEN BRAVERY AND LOYALTY Johnson's most exquisite critical essay in the Literary Magazine, and indeed anywhere, is his review of Soame Jenyns's Inquiry into the Origin of Evil. Jenyns was possessed of lively talents, and a style eminently pure and easy, and could very happily play with a light subject, either in prose or verse; but when he speculated on that most difficult and excruciating question, the Origin of Evil, he ventured far beyond his depth,' and accordingly was exposed by Johnson, both with acute argument and brilliant wit. I remember, when the late Mr. Bicknell's humorous performance, entitled The Musical Travels of Joel Collyer, in which a slight attempt is made to ridicule Johnson, was ascribed to Soame Jenyns, 'Ha!' said Johnson, 'I thought I had given him enough of it.' His triumph over Jenyns is thus described by my friend Mr. Courtenay in his Poetical Review of the Literary and Moral Character of Dr. Johnson; a performance of such merit, that had I not been honoured with a very kind and partial notice in it, I should echo the sentiments of men of the first taste loudly in its praise : When specious sophists with presumption scan Some time after Dr. Johnson's death, there appeared in the newspapers and magazines an illiberal melancholy which distressed him so often. I have heard him regret that he had not learned to play at cards; and the game of draughts, we know, is peculiarly calculated to fix the attention without straining it. There is a composure and gravity in draughts which insensibly tranquillizes the mind; and accordingly the Dutch are fond of it, as they are of smoking, of the sedative influence of which, though he himself never smoked, he had a high opinion. Besides, there is in draughts some exercise of the faculties; and accordingly, Johnson, wishing to dignify the subject in his Dedication with what is most estimable in it, observes: Triflers may find or make anything a trifle; but since it is the great characteristic of a wise man to see events in their causes, to obviate consequences and ascertain contingencies, your lordship will think nothing a trifle by which the mind is inured to caution, foresight, and circumspection.' As one of the little occasional advantages and petulant attack upon him, in the form of an Epitaph, under the name of Mr. Soame Jenyns, very unworthy of that gentleman, who had quietly submitted to the critical lash while Johnson lived. It assumed, as characteristics of him, all the vulgar cir cumstances of abuse which had circulated amongst the ignorant. It was an unbecoming indulgence of puny resentment, at a time when he himself was at a very advanced age, and had a near prospect of descending to the grave. I was truly sorry for it, for he was then become an avowed and (as my Lord Bishop of London, who had a serious conversation with him on the subject, assures me) a sincere Christian. He could not expect that Johnson's numerous friends would patiently bear to have the memory of their master stigmatized by no mean pen, but that at least one would be found to retort. Accordingly, this unjust and sarcastic Epitaph was met in the same public field by an answer, in terms by no means soft, and such as wanton provocation only could justify : * ΕΡΙΤΑΡΗ. Prepared for a creature not quite dead yet. A mighty Genius at this elf displeas'd, With a strong critic grasp the urchin squeez'd 1 Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides, 3d edit. p. 48. which he did not disdain to take by his pen, as a man whose profession was literature, he this year accepted of a guinea from Mr. Robert Dodsley for writing the introduction to the London Chronicle, an evening newspaper; and even in so slight a performance exhibited peculiar talents. This Chronicle still subsists, and from what I observed, when I was abroad, has a more extensive circulation upon the Continent than any of the English newspapers. It was constantly read by Johnson himself; and it is but just to observe, that it has all along been distinguished for good sense, accuracy, moderation, and delicacy. Proposals of considerable length,' in which he showed that he perfectly well knew what a variety of research such an undertaking required; but his indolence prevented him from pursuing it with that diligence which alone can collect those scattered facts, that genius, however acute, penetrating, and luminous, cannot discover by its own force. It is remarkable, that at this time his fancied activity was for the moment so vigorous, that he promised his work should be published before Christmas 1757. Yet nine years elapsed before it saw the light. His throes in bringing it forth had been severe and remittent; and at last we may almost conclude that the Cæsarean operation was performed by the knife of Churchill, whose upbraiding satire, I dare say, made Johnson's friends urge him to despatch: He for subscribers baits his hook, And takes your cash but where's the book? But what, to serve our private ends, Another instance of the same nature has been communicated to me by the Rev. Dr. Thomas Campbell, who has done himself considerable credit by his own writings :-'Sitting with Dr. Johnson one morning alone, he asked me if I had known Dr. Madden, who was author of the premium-scheme ' in Ireland. On my answering in the affirmative, and also that I had for some years lived in his neighbourhood, etc., he begged of me that when I returned to Ireland, I would endeavour to procure for him a poem of Dr. Madden's, called Boulter's Monument.? "The reason," said he, "why I wish for it, is this: when Dr. Madden came to London, he sub-rectory in the gift of Mr. Langton, the father of mitted that work to my castigation; and I remember I blotted a great many lines, and might have blotted many more without making the poem worse. However, the Doctor was very thankful, and very generous, for he gave me ten guineas, which was to me at that time a great sum. He this year resumed his scheme of giving an edition of Shakspeare with notes. He issued In the College of Dublin, four quarterly examinations of the students are held in each year, in various prescribed branches of literature and science; and premiums, consisting of books impressed with the About this period he was offered a living of considerable value in Lincolnshire, if he were inclined to enter into holy orders. It was a his much-valued friend. But he did not accept of it; partly, I believe, from a conscientious motive, being persuaded that his temper and habits rendered him unfit for that assiduous and familiar instruction of the vulgar and ignorant which he held to be an essential duty in a clergyman; and partly because his love of a London life was so strong, that he would have thought himself an exile in any other place, particularly if residing in the country. Whoever would wish to see his thoughts upon that subject displayed in their full force, may peruse the Adventurer, No. 126. In 1757 it does not appear that he published College Arms, are adjudged by examiners (composed anything, except some of those articles in the generally of the Junior Fellows) to those who have most distinguished themselves in the several classes, after a very rigid trial, which lasts two days. This regulation, which has subsisted about seventy years, has been attended with the most beneficial effects. Dr. Samuel Madden was the first proposer of premiums in that University. They were instituted about the year 1734. He was also one of the founders of the Dublin Society for the encouragement of arts and agriculture. In addition to the premiums which were and are still annually given by that society for this purpose, Dr. Madden gave others from his own fund. Hence he was usually called 'Premium Madden.'-MALONE. 2 Dr. Hugh Boulter, Archbishop of Armagh, and Primate of Ireland. He died Sept. 27, 1742, at which time he was, for the thirteenth time, one of the Lords Justices of that kingdom. Johnson speaks of him in high terms of commendation, in his Life of Ambrose Phillips.-J. BOSWELL, jun. 3 Dr. Madden wrote very bad verses. See those prefixed to Leland's Life of Philip of Macedon, 4to, 1758. -KEARNEY. Literary Magazine which have been mentioned. That magazine, after Johnson ceased to write in it, gradually declined, though the popular epithet of Antigallican was added to it; and in July 1758 it expired. He probably prepared a part of his Shakspeare this year, and he dictated a speech on the subject of an address to the Throne, after the expedition to Rochfort, which was delivered by one of his friends, I know not in what public meeting. It is printed in the Gentleman's Magazine for October 1785 as his, and bears sufficient marks of authenticity. By the favour of Mr. Joseph Cooper Walker, of the Treasury, Dublin, I have obtained a copy of the following letter from Johnson to the venerable author of Dissertations on the History of Ireland: 1 They have been reprinted by Mr. Malone in the Preface to his edition of Shakspeare.-BoswELL. 'TO CHARLES O'CONNOR, ESQ.1 'LONDON, April 9, 1757. 'SIR,-I have lately, by the favour of Mr. Faulkner, seen your account of Ireland, and cannot forbear to solicit a prosecution of your design. Sir William Temple complains that Ireland is less known than any other country, as to its ancient state. The natives have had little leisure and little encouragement for inquiry; and strangers, not knowing the language, have had no ability. 'I have long wished that the Irish literature were cultivated.2 Ireland is known by tradition to have been once the seat of piety and learning; and surely it would be very acceptable to all those who are curious either in the original of nations or the affinities of languages, to be further informed of the revolution of a people so ancient, and once so illustrious. 'What relation there is between the Welsh and Irish language, or between the language of Ireland and that of Biscay, deserves inquiry. Of these provincial and unextended tongues, it seldom happens that more than one are understood by any one man; and therefore it seldom happens that a fair comparison can be made. I hope you will continue to cultivate this kind of learning, which has too long lain neglected, and which, if it be suffered to remain in oblivion for another century, may perhaps never be retrieved. As I wish well to all useful undertakings, I would not forbear to let you know how much you deserve, in my opinion, from all lovers of study, and how much pleasure your work has given to, sir, your most obliged and most humble servant, 'SAM. JOHNSON.' 'TO THE REVEREND MR. THOMAS WARTON. 'LONDON, June 21, 1757. 'DEAR SIR,-Dr. Marsili, of Padua, a learned 1 Of this gentleman, who died at his seat at Ballinegare, in the county of Roscommon, in Ireland, July 1, 1791, in his 824 year, some account may be found in the Gentleman's Magazine of that date. Of the work here alluded to by Dr. Johnson-Dissertations on the History of Ireland--a second and much improved edition was published by the author in 1766.-MALONE. 2 The celebrated orator, Mr. Flood, has shown himself to be of Dr. Johnson's opinion; having by his will bequeathed his estate, after the death of his wife, Lady Frances, to the University of Dublin: desiring that immediately after the said estate shall come into their possession, they shall appoint two professors, one for the study of the native Erse or Irish language, and the other for the study of Irish antiquities and Irish history, and for the study of any other European language illustrative of, or auxiliary to, the study of Irish antiquities or Irish history; and that they shall give yearly two liberal premiums for two compositions, one in verse, and the other in prose, in the Irish language.'-BOSWELL. Since the above was written, Mr. Flood's will has been set aside, after a trial at bar, in the Court of Exchequer in Ireland.-MALONE. gentleman and good Latin poet, has a mind to see Oxford. I have given him a letter to Dr. Huddesford,' and shall be glad if you will introduce him, and show him anything in Oxford. "I am printing my new edition of Shakspeare. 'I long to see you all, but cannot conveniently come yet. You might write to me now and But then, if you were good for anything. honores mutant mores.2 Professors forget their friends. I shall certainly complain to Miss Jones.3-I am, yours, etc., 'SAM. JOHNSON. 'Please to make my compliments to Mr. Wise.' Mr. Burney having enclosed to him an extract from the review of his Dictionary in the Bibliothèque des Savans, and a list of subscribers to his Shakspeare, which Mr. Burney had procured in Norfolk, he wrote the following answer : 'TO MR. BURNEY, IN LYNNE, Norfolk. 'GOUGH SQUARE, Dec. 24, 1757. 'SIR, That I may show myself sensible of your favours, and not commit the same fault a second time, I make haste to answer the letter which I received this morning. The truth is, the other likewise was received, and I wrote an answer; but being desirous to transmit you some proposals and receipts, I waited till I could find a convenient conveyance, and day was passed after day, till other things drove it from my thoughts; yet not so but that I remember with great pleasure your commendation of my Dictionary. Your praise was welcome, not only because I believe it was sincere, but because praise has been very scarce. A man of your candour will be surprised when I tell you, that among all my acquaintance there were only two, who upon the publication of my book did not endeavour to depress me with threats of censure from the public, or with objections learned from those who had learned them from my own preface. Yours is the only letter of goodwill that I have received; though, indeed, I am promised something of that sort from Sweden. 'How my new edition [of Shakspeare] will be 1 Now, or late, Vice-Chancellor.-WARTON. 2 Mr. Warton was elected Professor of Poetry at Oxford in the preceding year.-WARTON. 3 Miss Jones lived at Oxford, and was often of our parties. She was a very ingenious poetess, and published a volume of poems; and, on the whole, was a most sensible, agreeable, and amiable woman. She was sister to the Rev. River Jones, Chanter of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, and Johnson used to call her the Chantress. I have heard him often address her in this passage from Il Penseroso: |