Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1878, by

HARPER & BROTHERS,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington,

PREFACE.

THE aim of this work is to present, as concisely as possible, the materials for a fair estimate of Dr. Johnson's character. These materials have been drawn from many books, and the best authorities upon the subject have been carefully examined. A systematic analysis of his character has not been attempted; the general arrangement of the book has been adopted merely as that which seemed most convenient and practicable-not for the purpose of deliberate analysis.

Any adequate consideration of Johnson's scholarship and position in literature would have involved a critical examination of his writings too extended for a work of this size. Accordingly, that subject has not been touched upon, save as it has occurred incidentally to other matters.

Boswell's "Life" is, of course, the great storehouse of information concerning Johnson; yet, outside of that remarkable book, there are means of gaining a clearer view of him than we can have of any other man who has lived. And it is to others than Boswell that we must look for many shades of this complex and fascinating character. The materials for a highly interesting and valuable study of Johnson might be gathered without resorting to Boswell. Nearly all his friends and acquaintances left some striking records of him; and we are thus enabled to see him as he appeared to a large circle of brilliant men and

women.

LEADING EVENTS OF JOHNSON'S LIFE.

1709.

Born at Lichfield, September 18th.

1712. Taken to London to be touched by Queen Anne, to cure his scrofula.

1716. Goes to school at Lichfield.

1728. Enters Pembroke College, Oxford, October 31st. 1731. His father dies, December, leaving him very poor. 1732.

Becomes an usher at Market Bosworth School.

1733. Removes to Birmingham, where he supports himself by literary work.

1734, ≥ At Lichfield and Birmingham, trying to earn his living by lit1735. Šerature.

1736. Marries a widow, Mrs. Porter, of Birmingham, July 9th. Opens a boarding-school at Edial.

1737. Goes to London, in company with David Garrick, March 2d. Returns to Lichfield in the summer, and finishes his tragedy of "Irene." Takes his wife to London in the autumn. 1738. Becomes a writer in the "Gentleman's Magazine." Publishes his "London."

1744. Publishes the "Life of Richard Savage."

1747. Publishes his "Plan for a Dictionary of the English Language.” 1749. Publishes his "Vanity of Human Wishes" in January. Garrick produces "Irene" at Drury Lane Theatre, February 6th.

1750. Begins to publish "The Rambler."

1752. His wife dies.

1754. Obtains the degree of Master of Arts from Oxford University.

1755. Publishes his Dictionary.

1756. Issues proposals for an edition of Shakspeare.

1759. His mother dies. He writes "Rasselas."

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LEADING EVENTS OF JOHNSON'S LIFE.

1762. Obtains a pension of £300 a year.

1765.

1773.

1775.

1781.

Created Doctor of Laws by Dublin University. Makes the acquaintance of the Thrales. Publishes his edition of Shakspeare.

Visits the Scottish Hebrides with Boswell.

Receives his diploma as Doctor of Laws from Oxford University. Goes for a few weeks to France with the Thrales. Publishes his "Lives of the Poets."

1783. Has a paralytic attack.

1784. Dies December 13th.