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"Congreve's conversation must surely have been at least equally pleasing with his writings.

"It apparently [requires] presupposes a similar knowledge of many characters. "Reciprocation of [similes] conceits. "The dialogue is quick and [various] sparkling.

"Love for Love; a comedy [more drawn from life] of nearer alliance to life.

"The general character of his miscellanies is, that they show little wit and [no] little virtue.

"[Perhaps] certainly he had not the fire requisite for the higher species of lyrick poetry,"

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"For [another] a different purpose. [A furious] an unnecessary and outrageous zeal,

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[Something which] what he called and thought liberty.

"[A favourer of innovation] lover of contradiction.

"Warburton's [censure] objections. "His rage [for liberty] of patriotism. "Mr. Dyson with [a zeal] an ardour of friendship."

In the Life of Lyttelton, Johnson seems to have been not favourably disposed towards that nobleman. Mrs. Thrale suggests that he was offended by [Miss Hill Boothby's 2] preference of his lordship to him3. [After mentioning the death of Mrs.

1 [The reader will observe that the whig term "accession," which might imply legality, was altered into a statement of the simple fact of King George's "arrival.". "-ED.]

2 [Mr. Boswell had, instead of Miss Boothby's name, inserted that of Molly Aston; an error which he would not have forgiven to Mrs. Piozzi. -ED.]

3 Let not my readers smile to think of Johnson's being a candidate for female favour; Mr. Peter Garrick assured me that he was told by a lady, that, in her opinion, Johnson was " a very seducing man.” Disadvantages of person and

Piozzi,

p. 124.

| Fitzherbert and Johnson's high admiration of her, she adds, "The friend of this lady, Miss Boothby 4, succeeded her in the management of Mr. Fitzherbert's family, and in the esteem of Dr. Johnson; though he told me, she pushed her piety to bigotry, her devotion to enthusiasm; that she somewhat disqualified herself for the duties of this life, by her perpetual aspirations after the next: such was, however, the purity of her mind, he said, and such the graces of her manner, that Lord Lyttelton and he used to strive for her preference with an emulation that occasioned hourly disgust, and ended in lasting animosity. You may see,' said he to me, 'when the Poets' Lives were printed, that dear Boothby is at my heart still. would delight on that fellow Lyttelton's company all I could do, and I cannot forgive even his memory the preference given by a mind like hers."" Baretti has been heard to say, that, when this lady died, Dr. Johnson was almost distracted with grief, and that his friends about him had much to do to calm the violence of his emotions 5.]

She

mauner may be forgotten, where intellectual pleasure is communicated to a susceptible mind; and that Johnson was capable of feeling the most delicate and disinterested attachment appears from the following letter, which is published by Mrs. Thrale, with some others to the same person, of which the excellence is not so apparent:

"TO MISS BOOTHBY.

"January, 1755. "DEAREST MADAM,-Though I am afraid your illness leaves you little leisure for the reception of airy civilities, yet I cannot forbear to pay you my congratulations on the new year; and to declare my wishes that your years to come may be many and happy. In this wish, indeed, I include myself, who have none but you on whom my heart reposes; yet surely I wish your good, even though your situation were such as should permit you to communicate no gratifications to, dearest, dearest madam, your, &c. "SAM. JOHNSON."

4 Miss Hill Boothby, who was the only daughter of Brook Boothby, Esq. and his wife, Elizabeth Fitzherbert, was somewhat older than John

son.

She was born October 27, 1708, and died January 16, 1757. Six Letters addressed to her by Johnson in the year 1755 are printed in Mrs. Piozzi's Collection; and a prayer composed by him on her death may be found in his "Prayers and Meditations." His affection for her induced him to preserve and bind up in a volume thirty-three of her Letters, which were purchased from the widow of his servant, Francis Barber, and published by R. Phillips in 1805.-MALONE.

[Notwithstanding the mention of the "heart" in Mrs. Piozzi's anecdote and in the foregoing letter, there seems no reason to suppose that (as Miss Seward asserted) this was really an affair of

I can by no means join in the censure bestowed by Johnson on his lordship, whom he calls " poor Lyttelton," for returning thanks to the critical reviewers, for having kindly commended " his "Dialogues of the Dead." Such " acknowledgments," says my friend, "never can be proper, since they must be paid either for flattery or for justice." In my opinion, the most upright man, who has been tried on a false accusation, may, when he is acquitted, make a bow to his jury. And when those, who are so much the arbiters of literary merit, as in a considerable degree to influence the public opinion, review an authour's work, placido lumine, when I am afraid mankind in general are better pleased with severity, he may surely express a grateful sense of their civility.

VARIOUS READINGS IN THE LIFE OF LYT

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of Lincoln's-inn, now a clergyman1, the honour to adopt a Life of Young, written by that gentleman, who was the friend of Dr. Young's son, and wished to vindicate him from some very erroneous remarks to his prejudice. Mr. Croft's performance was subjected to the revision of Dr. Johnson, as appears from the following note to Mr. John Nichols 2:

"This Life of Dr. Young was written by a friend of his son. What is crossed with black is expunged by the authour, what is crossed with red is expunged by me. If you find any thing more that can be well omitted, I shall not be sorry to see it yet shorter."

It has always appeared to me to have a considerable share of merit, and to display a pretty successful imitation of Johnson's style. When I mentioned this to a very eminent literary character 3, he opposed me vehemently, exclaiming, "No, no, it is not a good imitation of Johnson; it has all his pomp without his force; it has all the nodosities of the oak without its strength." This was an image so happy, that one might have thought he would have been satisfied with it; but he was not. setting his mind again to work, he added, with exquisite felicity, "It has all the contortions of the sibyl, without the inspiration."

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And

Mr. Croft very properly guards us against supposing that Young was a gloomy man; and mentions, that "his parish was indebted to the good-humour of the authour of the Night Thoughts' for an assembly and a bowling-green." A letter he is said to have been "very pleasant in from a noble foreigner is quoted, in which conversation."

the heart" an early attachment" (see ante, vol. i. p. 29). The other letters, of which Boswell says that "their merit is not so apparent," (but which will be found in the Appendix), are written in still warmer terms of affection: Miss Boothby is" a sweet angel,” and “ a dear angel,” and his heart is full of tenderness;" but when the whole series of letters is read, it will be Mr. Langton, who frequently visited him, seen that the friendship began late in the life of informs me that there was an air of benevoboth parties; that it was wholly platonic, or to lence in his manner, but that he could obspeak more properly, spiritual; and that the let-tain from him less information than he had ters in which these very affectionate expressions occur, were written when Johnson believed that Miss Boothby was dying. It must also be observed, that it is very unlikely that Johnson should seriously confess that he had been so unjust to Lord Lyttelton from any private pique; and it seems, by his letters to Mrs. Thrale (ante, 1st Aug. 1780, p. 236), that he had no such feeling towards Lyttelton, and that he had applied to his lordship's friends, to write the life; and finally, it is to be noted, Lord Lyttelton married his second lady in 1749, and Johnson does not seem to have known Miss Boothby till 1754. In short, the Editor has no doubt, nor will any one who reads the letters, and considers how little personal intercourse there could have been between Miss Boothby and Dr. Johnson, that the whole story is a mistake, founded, perhaps, on some confusion between Miss Boothby and Miss Aston, and countenanced, it must be admitted, by the warm expressions of the letters.-ED.]

hoped to receive from one who had lived so much in intercourse with the brightest men of what has been called the Augustan age of England; and that he showed a degree of eager curiosity concerning the common occurrences that were then passing, which appeared somewhat remarkable in a man of such intellectual stores, of such an advanced age, and who had retired from life with declared disappointment in his expec

tations.

An instance at once of his pensive turn of mind, and his cheerfulness of temper,

[Afterwards Sir Herbert Croft, bart. He died at Paris, after a residence of fifteen years in that city, April 27, 1816. See Gent. Mag. for May, 1816.-ED.]

2 Gentleman's Magazine, vol. iv. p. 10.BOSWELL.

3 Mr. Burke.-MALONE.

appeared in a little story, which he himself | few poems in which blank verse could not told to Mr. Langton, when they were walking in his garden: "Here (said he) I had put a handsome sun-dial, with this inscription, Eheu fugaces! which (speaking with a smile) was sadly verified, for by the next morning my dial had been carried off 1."

be changed for rhyme, 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."

It gives me much pleasure to observe, that however Johnson may have casually But there is in this poem not only all that talked, yet when he sits, as "an ardent Johnson so well brings in view, but a power judge zealous to his trust, giving sentence" of the pathetic beyond almost any example upon the excellent works of Young, he that I have seen. He who does not feel allows them the high praise to which they his nerves shaken, and his heart pierced by are justly entitled. "The Universal Pas- many passages in this extraordinary work, sion," says he, "is indeed a very great particularly by that most affecting one, performance, his distichs have the weight which describes the gradual torment suffer of solid sentiment, and his points the sharp-ed by the contemplation of an object of ness of resistless truth." affectionate attachment visibly and certain[The person spoken of in John-ly decaying into dissolution, must be of a Piozzi, son's strictures on the poetry of hard and obstinate frame. 66 Young, as a lady of whose praise he would have been justly proud," was Mrs. Thrale, who was a great admirer of Young, and one day forced Johnson to prefer Young's description of night to the so-muchadmired ones of Dryden and Shakspeare, as more forcible and more general. Every reader is not either a lover or a tyrant, but every reader is interested when he hears

p. 45.

that

"Creation sleeps; 't is as the general pulse

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 vital religion, than " Young's Night Thoughts."

In the Life of Swift, it appears to me that

Of life stood still, and nature made a pauseAn awful pause-prophetic of its end." "This," said he, "is true; but remember that taking the compositions of Young in general, they are but like bright stepping-Johnson had a certain degree of prejudice stones over a miry road: Young froths, against that extraordinary man, of which I and foams, and bubbles, sometimes very have elsewhere had occasion to speak. Mr. vigorously; but we must not compare the Thomas Sheridan imputed it to a supposed noise made by your tea-kettle here with the apprehension in Johnson, that Swift had roaring of the ocean."] not been sufficiently active in obtaining for But I was most anxious concerning Johu-him an Irish degree when it was solicited2; son's decision upon 66 Night Thoughts," but of this there was not sufficient evidence; which I esteem as a mass of the grandest and let me not presume to charge Johnson and richest poetry that human genius has with injustice, because he did not think so ever produced; and was delighted to find highly of the writings of this authour, as I this character of that work : "In his have done from my youth upwards. Yet Night Thoughts,' he has exhibited a very that he had an unfavourable bias is evident, wide display of original poetry, variegated were it only from that passage in which with deep reflection and striking allusions: he speaks of Swift's practice of saving, as a wilderness of thought, in which the fer-"first ridiculous, and at last detestable;" tility of fancy scatters flowers of every hue and of every odour. This is one of the

1 The late Mr. James Ralph told Lord Macartney, that he passed an evening with Dr. Young at Lord Melcombe's (then Mr. Doddington), at Hammersunith. The doctor happening to go out into the garden, Mr. Doddington observed to him, on his return, that it was a dreadful night, as in truth it was, there being a violent storm of rain No, sir," replied the doctor, "it is

and wind. 66
a very fine night. The Lord is abroad!"-Bos-

WELL

and yet, after some examination of circumstances, finds himself obliged to own, that "it will perhaps appear that he only liked one mode of expense better than another, and saved merely that he might have something to give."

One observation which Johnson makes in Swift's Life should be often inculcated: "It may be justly supposed, that there was in his conversation what appears so frequently in his letters, an affectation of

2 Sce vol. i. p. 50.

familiarity with the great, an ambition of momentary equality, sought and enjoyed by the neglect of those ceremonies which custom has established as the barriers between one order of society and another. This transgression of regularity was by himself and his admirers termed greatness of soul; but a great mind disdains to hold any thing by courtesy, and therefore never usurps what a lawful claimant may take away. He that encroaches on another's dignity, puts himself in his power; he is either repelled with helpless indignity, or endured by clemency and condescension."

nicely critical in composition, to whom they will be an acceptable selection 1.

"Spence's Anecdotes," which are frequently quoted and referred to in Johnson's "Lives of the Poets," are in a manuscript collection, made by the Reverend Mr. Joseph Spence 2, containing a number of particulars concerning eminent men. To each anecdote is marked the name of the person on whose authority it is mentioned. This valuable collection is the property of the Duke of Newcastle, who, upon the application of Sir Lucas Pepys, was pleased to permit it to be put into the hands of Dr. Johnson, who I am sorry to think made but an awkward return. "Great assistance," says he, "has been given me by Mr. Spence's Collection, of which I consider the communication as a favour wor

VARIOUS READINGS IN THE LIFE OF SWIFT. "Charity may be persuaded to think that it might be written by a man of a peculiar [opinions] character, without ill in-tay of publick acknowledgment:" but he tention.

"He did not [disown] deny it. "[To] by whose kindness it is not unlikely that he was [indebted for] advanced to his benefices.'

"[With] for this purpose he had recourse to Mr. Harley.

"Sharpe, whom he [represents] describes as the harmless tool of others' hate.'

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has not owned to whom he was obliged; so that the acknowledgment is unappropriated to his grace.

While the world in general was filled with admiration of Johnson's "Lives of the Poets," there were narrow circles in which prejudice and resentment were fostered, and from which attacks of different sorts issued against him 3. By some violent whigs he was arraigned of injustice to Milton; by some Cambridge men of depreciating Gray; and his expressing with a dignified freedom what he really thought of George, Lord Lyttelton, gave offence to some of the friends of that nobleman, and particularly produced a declaration of war against him from Mrs. Montagu, the ingenious essayist on Shakspeare, between

[Mr. Chalmers here records a curious literary anecdote that when a new and enlarged edition of

the "Lives of the Poets" was published in 1783, Mr. Nichols, in justice to the purchasers of the preceding editions, printed the additions in a separate pamphlet, and advertised thatit might be had gratis. Not ten copies were called for. It may be presumed that the owners of the former editions had bound their sets; but it must also be observed, that the alterations were not considerable.—ED.]

2 The Rev. Joseph Spence, A. M. Rector of Great Harwood in Buckinghamshire, and Prebendary of Durham, died at Byfleet in Surrey, He was a fellow of New ColAugust 20, 1768.

lege in Oxford, and held the office of Professor of Poetry in that University from 1728 to 1738.MALONE. [See ante, p. 228. n.—ED.]

3 From this disreputable class, I except an ingenious though not satisfactory defence of Hanmond, which I did not see till lately, by the favour of its authour, my amiable friend, the Reverend Mr. Bevil, who published it without his name. It is a juvenile performance, but elegantly written, with classical enthusiasm of sentiment, and yet with a becoming modesty, and great res pect for Dr. Johnson.---BOSWELL.

whom and his lordship a commerce of reciprocal compliments had long been carried on. In this war the smaller powers in alliance with him were of course led to engage, at least on the defensive, and thus I for one was excluded from the enjoyment of "A Feast of Reason," such as Mr. Cumberland has described, with a keen yet just and delicate pen, in his "Observer." These minute inconveniences gave not the least disturbance to Johnson. He nobly said, when I talked to him of the feeble though shrill outcry which had been raised, "Sir, I considered myself as intrusted with a certain portion of truth. I have given my opinion sincerely; let them show where they think me wrong."

While my friend is thus contemplated in the splendour derived from his last and perhaps most admirable work, I introduce him with peculiar propriety as the correspondent of Warren Hastings! a man whose regard reflects dignity even upon Johnson; a man, the extent of whose abilities was equal to that of his power; and who, by those who are fortunate enough to know him in private life, is admired for his literature and taste, and beloved for the candour, moderation, and mildness of his character. Were I capable of paying a suitable tribute of admiration to him, I should certainly not withhold it at a moment 2 when it is not possible that I should be suspected of being an interested flatterer. But how weak would be my voice after that of the millions whom he governed! His condescending and obliging compliance with my solicitation, I with humble gratitude acknowledge; and while by publishing his letter to me, accompanying the valuable communication, I do eminent honour to my great friend, I shall entirely disregard any invidious suggestions that, as I in some degree participate in the honour, I have, at the same time, the gratification of my own vanity in view.

"TO JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ.

"Park-lane, 2d Dec. 1790. "SIR, I have been fortunately spared the troublesome suspense of a long search, to which, in performance of my promise, I had devoted this morning, by lighting upon the objects of it among the first papers that I laid my hands on; my veneration for your great and good friend, Dr. Johnson, and the pride, or I hope something of a better sentiment, which I indulge in possessing such

1 [Mr. Boswell has always appeared willing to record Dr. Johnson's sarcasms against Mrs. Montagu, leaving unnoticed many expressions of regard and respect of which he could not have been ignorant. Could the circumstance alluded to in' the text have biassed him?-Er.]

2 January, 1791.-BOSWELL. [Mr. Hastings's impeachment was still pending.-ED.]

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memorials of his good will towards me, ing induced me to bind them in a parcel containing other select papers, and labelled with the titles appertaining to them. They consist but of three letters, which I believe were all that I ever received from Dr. Johnson. Of these, one, which was written in quadruplicate, under the different dates of its respective despatches, has already been made publick, but not from any communication of mine. This, however, I have joined to the rest; and have now the pleasure of sending them to you, for the use to which you informed me it was your desire to destine them.

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My promise was pledged with the condition, that if the letters were found to contain any thing which should render them improper for the publick eye, you would dispense with the performance of it. You will have the goodness, I am sure, to pardon my recalling this stipulation to your recollection, as I shall be loth to appear negligent of that obligation which is always implied in an epistolary confidence. In the reservation of that right I have read them over with the most scrupulous attention, but have not seen in them the slightest cause on that ground to withhold them from you. But, though not on that, yet on another ground I own I feel a little, yet but a little, reluctance to part with them: I mean on that of my own credit, which I fear will suffer by the information conveyed by them, that I was early in the possession of such valuable instructions for the beneficial employment of the influence of my late station, and (as it may seem) have so little availed myself of them. Whether I could, if it were necessary, defend myself against such an imputation, it little concerns the world to know. I look only to the effect which these relicks may produce, considered as evidences of the virtues of their authour: and believing that they will be found to display an uncommon warmth of private friendship, and a mind ever attentive to the improvement and extension of useful knowledge, and solicitous for the interests of mankind, I can cheerfully submit to the little sacrifice of my own fame, to contribute to the illustration of so great and venerable a character. They cannot be better applied, for that end, than by being intrusted to your hands. Allow me, with this offering, to infer from it a proof of the very great esteem with which I have the honour to profess myself, sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

"WARREN HASTINGS.^

"P. S. At some future time, and when you have no further occasion for these papers, I shall be obliged to you if you will re turn them."

The last of the three letters thus gracious

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