The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL. D., Volume 1

Front Cover
J. M. Dent & Company, 1901 - Authors, English

From inside the book

Contents

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

Popular passages

Page 165 - The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labours, had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it. I hope it is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received, or to be unwilling that the public should consider me as owing that to a patron which Providence has enabled me to do for myself.
Page 218 - Come unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Page 165 - Seven years, My Lord, have now passed since I waited in your outward rooms or was repulsed from your door, during which time I have been pushing on my work through difficulties of which it is useless to complain, and have brought it at last to the verge of publication without one act of assistance, one word of encouragement or one smile of favour. Such treatment I did not expect, for I never had a patron before.
Page 121 - Yet when the sense of sacred presence fires, And strong devotion to the skies aspires, Pour forth thy fervours for a healthful mind, Obedient passions, and a will resign'd...
Page 58 - Lichfield as an officer of the army, and had at this time a house in London, where Johnson was frequently entertained, and had an opportunity of meeting genteel company. Not very long before his death he mentioned this, among other particulars of his life, which he was kindly communicating to me ; and he described this early friend, " Harry Hervey," thus : " He was a vicious man, but very kind to me. If you call a dog HERVEY, I shall love him.
Page 356 - During the whole of this interview, Johnson talked to his Majesty with profound respect, but still in his firm manly manner, with a sonorous voice, and never in that subdued tone which is commonly used at the levee and in the drawing-room.
Page 330 - Redress the rigours of the inclement clime ; Aid slighted truth with thy persuasive strain ; Teach erring man to spurn the rage of gain : Teach him, that states of native strength...
Page 300 - Sir, it is owing to their expressing themselves in a plain and familiar manner, which is the only way to do good to the common people, and which clergymen of genius and learning ought to do from a principle of duty, when it is suited to their congregations ; a practice for which they will be praised by men of sense.
Page xiv - In strains more exalted the salt-box shall join, And clattering and battering and clapping combine ; With a rap and a tap, while the hollow side sounds. Up and down leaps the flap, and with rattling rebounds '." . I mentioned the periodical paper called
Page 430 - I from concealing her, that my wife had at that time almost as numerous an acquaintance in London as I had myself; and was, not very long after, kindly invited and elegantly entertained at Streatham by Mr.

Bibliographic information