Yet Johnson assured me, that he had not taken upon him to add more that four or five words to the English language, of his own formation; and he was very much offended at the general licence by no means "modestly taken” in his time, not only to coin new words, but to use many words in senses quite different from their established meaning, and those frequently very fantastical. Sir Thomas Browne, whose Life Johnson wrote, was remarkably fond of AngloLatin diction; and to his example we are to ascribe Johnson's sometimes indulging himseif in this kind of phraseology. Johnson's comprehenson of mind was the mould for his language. Had his conceptions been narrower, his expression would have been easier. His sentences have a dignified march; and it is certain, that his example has given a general elevation to the language of his country, for many of our best writers have approached very near to him; and, from the influence which he has had upon our composition, scarcely any thing is written now that is not better expressed than was usual before he appeared to lead the national taste. This circumstance, the truth of which must strike every critical reader, has been happily enforced by Mr. Courtenay, in his "Moral and Literary Character of Dr. Johnson," that I cannot prevail on myself to withhold it, notwithstanding his, perhaps, too great partiality for one of his friends: "By nature's gifts ordain'd mankind to rule, * The observation of his having imitated Sir Thomas Browne has been made by many people, and lately it has been insisted on, and illusbased by a vanety of quotations from Browne, one of the popular Essays written by the Rev. M. Koox, master of Tunbridge-school, whom I bare set down in my list of those who have someties not unsuccessfully imitated Dr. Johnson's ayla-BOSWELL And you, Malone, to critic learning dear, Johnson's language, however, must be allowed to be too masculine for the delicate gentleness of female writing. His ladies, therefore, seem strangely formal, even to ridicule; and are well denominated by the names which he has given them, as Misella, Zozima, Properantia, Rhodoclia 3. It has of late been the fashion to compare the style of Addison and Johnson, and to depreciate 4, I think, very unjustly, the style 2 The following observation in Mr. Boswell's Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides may sufficiently account for that gentleman's being "now scarcely esteemed a Scot" by many of his countrymen: "If he (Dr. Johnson) was particularly prejudiced against the Scots, it was because they success in England rather exceeded the due prowere more in his way; because he thought their portion of their real merit; and because he could not but see in them that nationality, which, I believe, no liberal-minded Scotchman will deny." Mr. Boswell, indeed, is so free from national prejudices, that he might with equal propriety have been described as "Scarce by South Britons now esteemed a Scot." COURTENAY. 3 [Mr. Burke said pleasantly, that "his ladies were all Johnsons in petticoats." Mr. Murphy (Life, p. 159) seems to pass somewhat of the same censure on the letter in the 12th Rambler, from a young woman that wants a place: yetsuch is the uncertainty of criticism-this is the paper quoted by Mr. Chalmers, as an example of such ease and familiarity of style, which made him almost doubt whether it was Johnson's Brit. Ess. vol. xix. p. 44.—ED.] 4 [Where did Mr. Boswell discover this, except in Sir J. Hawkins, who says (p. 270), with more than usual absurdity and bad taste, "I find Piozzi, p. 153. [His manner of criticising and commending Addison's prose was the same in conversation as we read it in his printed strictures, and many of the expressions used have been heard to fall from him on common occasions. It was notwithstanding observable enough (or Mrs. Piozzi fancied so), that he never liked, though he always thought fit, to praise it; and his praises resembled those of a man who extols the superiour elegance of high painted porcelain, while he himself always chooses to eat off plate. She told him so one day, and he neither denied it nor appeared displeased. of Addison as nerveless and feeble, because | attain an English style, familiar but not it has not the strength and energy of that coarse, and elegant but not ostentatious, of Johnson. Their prose may be balanced must give his days and nights to the volumes like the poetry of Dryden and Pope. Both of Addison 2." are excellent, though in different ways. Addison writes with the ease of a gentleman. His readers fancy that a wise and accomplished companion is talking to them; so that he insinuates his sentiments and taste into their minds by an imperceptible influence. Johnson writes like a teacher. He dictates to his readers as if from an acadernical chair. They attend with awe and admiration; and his precepts are impressed upon them by his commanding eloquence. Addison's style, like a light wine, pleases every body from the first. Johnson's, like a liquor of more body, seems too strong at first, but, by degrees, is highly relished; and such is the melody of his periods, so much do they captivate the ear, and seize upon the attention, that there is scarcely any writer, however inconsiderable, who does not aim, in some degree, at the same species of excellence. But let us not ungratefully undervalue that beautiful style, which has pleasingly conveyed to us much instruction and entertainment. Though comparatively weak, opposed to Johnson's Herculean vigour, let us not call it positively feeble. Let us remember the character of his style, as given by Johnson himself: "What he attempted he performed; he is never feeble, and he did not wish to be energetick; he is never rapid, and he never stagnates. His sentences have neither studied amplitude, nor affected brevity; his periods, though not diligently rounded, are voluble and easy. Whoever wishes to an opinion gaining ground, not much to the advantage of Mr. Addison's style, the characteristics of which are feebleness and inanity-I speak of that alone, for his sentiments are excellent and his humour exquisite." What the worthy knight meant by inanity, as applied to Addison's style, is not worth inquiring.-ED.] When Johnson showed me a proof-sheet of the character of Addison, in which he so highly extols his style, I could not help observing, that it had not been his own model, as no two styles could differ more from each other. "Sir, Addison had his style, and I have mine." When I ventured to ask him, whether the difference did not consist in this, that Addison's style was full of idioms, colloquial phrases, and proverbs; and his own more strictly grammatical and free from such phraseology and modes of speech as can never be literally translated or understood by foreigners; he allowed the discrimination to be just. Let any one who doubts it, try to translate one of Addison's Spectators into Latin, French, or Italian; and though so easy, familiar, and elegant, to an Englishman, as to give the intellect no trouble; yet he would find the transfusion into another language extremely difficult, if not impos Piozzi, p. 45. But his opinion of Steele's essays was not so favourable. "They are too thin (said he) for an Englishman's taste; mere superficial observations on life and manners, without erudition enough to make them keep, like the light French wines, which turn sour with standing awhile, for want of body, as we call it."] Though the Rambler was not concluded till the year 1752, I shall, under this year, say all that I have to observe upon it. Some of the translations of the mottos, by himself, are admirably done. He acknowledges to have received "elegant translations" of many of them from Mr James Elphinston; and some are very happily translated by a Mr. F. Lewis, of whom I never heard more, except that Johnson thus described him to Mr. Malone: "Sir, he liv ed in London, and hung loose upon society 4." The concluding paper of his Ram sible. But a Rambler, Adventurer, or Idler, of Johnson, would fall into any classical or European language, as easily as if it had been originally conceived in it.-BURNEY. I shall probably, in another work, maintain the merit of Addison's poetry, which has been very unjustly depreciated.-BOSWELL. [Mr. Boswell never, that the editor knows of, executed this intention.-ED.] 3 [This illustration (which Mr. Boswell has applied to Addison and Johnson) seems, in this instance, not very happy, and still less just. Steele's Essays have outlived a century, and are certainly not yet sour to any good taste.-ED.] 4 In the Gentleman's Magazine for October, 1752, p. 468, he is styled the Rev. Francis Lewis, of Chiswick." The late Lord Macartney, while he resided at Chiswick, at my request, made some inquiry concerning him at that place, but no intelligence was obtained. The translations of the mottos supplied by Mr. Elphinston appeared first in the Edinburgh edition of the Rambler, and in some instances were revised and improved, probably by Johnson, be bler is at once dignified and pathetick. I cannot, however, but wish that he had not ended it with an unnecessary Greek verse, translated also into an English couplet: not only wrote a Prologue, which was spoken by Mr. Garrick before the acting of Comus at Drury-lane theatre, for the benefit of Milton's grand-daughter, but took a very zealous interest in the success of the charity. On the day preceding the performance, he published the following letter in the "General Advertiser," addressed to the printer of that paper: Ασταν οι μακαρων αντάξιες των αμοιβή. Celestial powers! that piety regard, From you my labours wait their last reward." It is too much like the conceit of those dramatick poets, who used to conclude each act with a rhyme; and the expression in "SIR,-That a certain degree of reputathe first line of his couplet, "Celestial tion is acquired merely by approving the powers," though proper in Pagan poetry, works of genius, and testifying a regard to is ill suited to Christianity, with "a con- the memory of authours, is a truth too eviformity" to which he consoles himself. dent to be denied; and therefore to ensure a How much better would it have been to participation of fame with a celebrated poet, have ended with the prose sentence, "I shall many, who would, perhaps, have contrinever envy the honours which wit and learn-buted to starve him when alive, have heaping obtain in any other cause, if I can be numbered among the writers who have given ardour to virtue, and confidence to truth." His friend Dr. Birch being now engaged in preparing an edition of Ralegh's smaller pieces, Dr. Johnson wrote the following letter to that gentleman: "TO DR. BIRCH. "Gough Square, May 12, 1750. ed expensive pageants upon his grave3. "It must, indeed, be confessed, that this method of becoming known to posterity with honour is peculiar to the great, or at least to the wealthy; but an opportunity now offers for almost every individual to secure the praise of paying a just regard to the illustrious dead, united with the pleasure of doing good to the living. To assist industrious indigence, struggling with distress, and debilitated by age, is a display of virtue, and an acquisition of happiness and honour. "Sra,-Knowing that you are now preparing to favour the publick with a new edition of Ralegh's miscellaneous pieces, I have "Whoever, then, would be thought cataken the liberty to send you a manuscript, pable of pleasure in reading the works of which fell by chance within my notice. I our incomparable Milton, and not so destiperceive no proofs of forgery in my exami- tute of gratitude as to refuse to lay out a nation of it; and the owner tells me, that, as trifle in rational and elegant entertainment, he has heard, the handwriting is Sir Wal- for the benefit of his living remains, for the ter's. If you should find reason to conclude exercise of their own virtue, the increase of it genuine, it will be a kindness to the owner, their reputation, and the pleasing consciousa blind person, to recommend it to the book-ness of doing good, should appear at Drurysellers. I am, sir, your most humble ser vant, "SAM. JOHNSON." His just abhorrence of Milton's political notions was ever strong. But this did not prevent his warm admiration of Milton's great poetical merit, to which he has done ilustrious justice, beyond all who have written upon the subject. And this year he lane theatre to-morrow, April 5, when Comus will be performed for the benefit of Mrs Elizabeth Foster, grand-daughter to the authour, and the only surviving branch of his family. "N. B. There will be a new prologue on the occasion, written by the authour of Irene, and spoken by Mr. Garrick; and, by particular desire, there will be added to the Masque a dramatick satire, called Lethe, in which Mr. Garrick will perform." fore they were inserted in the London octavo ediThe translations of the mottos affixed to the first thirty numbers of the Rambler were pubIn 1751 we are to consider him as carryisted, from the Edinburgh edition, in the Gentle-ing on both his Dictionary and Rambler. m's Magazine for September, 1750, before But he also wrote "The Life of Cheynel*,” [These of the next twenty-seven numbers, mark- in the miscellany called "The Student;" the work was collected into volumes.-MALONE. ed with the initials of the translators, are to be foead in the same magazine for October, 1752, wth two admirable improvements of the former translation of the mottos to Nos. 7 and 11, one of which is already quoted, ante, p. 54.—ED.] | Not in the original edition, in folio.MALONE. Mrs. Williams is probably the person meant. -BOSWELL. 3 Alluding probably to Mr. Auditor Benson, [who erected a monument to Milton in Westminster Abbey.-ED.] See the Dunciad, b. iv. —MALONE. 4 [She survived this benefit but three years, and died without issue. It is remarkable that none of our great, and few of our second-rate poets have left posterity.—ED.] and the Rev. Dr. Douglas having with uncommon acuteness clearly detected a gross forgery and imposition upon the publick by William Lauder, a Scotch schoolmaster, who had, with equal impudence and ingenuity, represented Milton as a plagiary from certain modern Latin poets, Johnson, who had been so far imposed upon as to furnish a Preface and Postscript to his work, now dictated a letter for Lauder, addressed to Dr. Douglas, acknowledging his fraud in terms of suitable contrition 1. This extraordinary attempt of Lauder was no sudden effort. He had brooded over it for many years: and to this hour it is uncertain what his principal motive was, unless it were a vain notion of his superiority, in being able, by whatever means, to deceive mankind. To effect this, he produced certain passages from Grotius, Masenius, and others, which had a faint resemblance to some parts of the "Paradise Lost." In these he interpolated some fragments of Hog's Latin translation of that poem, alleging that the mass thus fabricated was the archetype from which Milton copied. These fabrications he published from time to time in the Gentleman's Magazine; and exulting in his fancied success, he in 1750 ventured "It is to 1 Lest there should be any person, at any future period, absurd enough to suspect that Johnson was a partaker in Lauder's fraud, or had any knowledge of it, when he assisted him with his masterly pen, it is proper here to quote the words of Dr. Douglas, now Bishop of Salisbury, at the time when he detected the imposition. be hoped, nay it is expected, that the elegant and nervous writer, whose judicious sentiments and inimitable style point out the author of Lauder's Preface and Postscript, will no longer allow one to plume himself with his feathers, who appeareth so little to deserve assistance: an assistance which I am persuaded would never have been communicated, had there been the least suspicion of those facts which I have been the instrument of conveying to the world in these sheets." Milton no Plagiary, 2d edit. p. 78. And his lordship has been pleased now to authorise me to say, in the strongest manner, that there is no ground whatever for any unfavourable reflection against Dr. Johnson, who expressed the strongest indignation against Lauder.—BOSWELL. [See, however, note in p. 95.-Ed.] [In the Gentleman's Magazine for 1754, is a short account of a renewed attack by Lauder on Milton's character, in a pamphlet entitled "The Grand Imposter detected, or Milton convicted of Forgery against King Charles I."-Mr. Chalmers thinks that this review was probably written by Johnson; but it is, on every account, very unlikely. The article is trivial, and seems to be written neither in the style nor sentiments of Johnson.-ED.] Lauder afterwards went to Barbadoes, where he died very miserably about the year 1771.MALONE. to collect them into a pamphlet, entitled "An Essay on Milton's Use and Imitation of the Moderns in his Paradise Lost." To this pamphlet Johnson wrote a Preface, in full persuasion of Lauder's honesty, and a Postscript recommending, in the most persuasive terms, a subscription for the relief of the grand-daughter of Milton, of whom he thus speaks: "It is yet in the power of a great people to reward the poet whose name they boast, and from their alliance to whose genius they claim some kind of superiority to every other nation of the earth; that poet, whose works may possibly be read when every other monument of British greatness shall be obliterated; to reward him, not with pictures or with medals, which, if he sees, he sees with contempt, but with tokens of gratitude, which he, perhaps, may even now consider as not unworthy the regard of an immortal spirit." Surely this is inconsistent with "enmity towards Milton," which Sir John Hawkins imputes to Johnson upon this occasion, adding, “I could all along observe that Johnson seemed to approve not only of the design, but of the argument; and seemed to exult in a persuasion, that the reputation of Milton was likely to suffer by this discovery. That he was not privy to the imposture, I am well persuaded; that he wished well to the argument, may be inferred from the preface, which indubitably was written by Johnson." Is it possible for any man of clear judgement to suppose that Johnson, who so nobly praised the poetical excellence of Milton in then supposed it, could, at the same time, a postscript to this very "discovery," as he exult in a persuasion that the great poet's reputation was likely to suffer by it? This is an inconsistency of which Johnson was incapable; nor can any thing more be fairly interred from the Preface, than that Johnson, who was alike distinguished for ardent curiosity and love of truth?, was pleased with an investigation by which both were gratified. That he was actuated by these motives, and certainly by no unworthy desire to depreciate our great epick poet, is evident from his own words; for, after mentioning the general zeal of men of genius and literature, " to advance the honour, and distinguish the beauties of Paradise Lost," he says, "Among the inquiries to which this 2 [But is it not extraordinary that Johnson, who had himself meditated a history of modern Latin poetry (see ante, p. 32), should not have shown his curiosity and love of truth by, at least, comparing Lauder's quotations with the original authors? It was, we might say, his duty to have done so, before he so far pronounced his judgment as to assist Lauder; and had he attempted but to verify a single quotation, he must have immediately discovered the fraud.-ED.] ardour of criticism has naturally given occasion, none is more obscure in itself, or more worthy of rational curiosity, than a retrospect of the progress of this mighty genius in the construction of his work; a view of the fabrick gradually rising, perhaps, from small beginnings, till its foundation rests in the centre, and its turrets sparkle in the skies; to trace back the structure through all its varieties, to the simplicity of its first plan; to find what was first projected, whence the scheme was taken, how it was improved, by what assistance it was executed, and from what stores the matenals were collected; whether its founder dug them from the quarries of Nature, or demolished other buildings to embellish his own," -Is this the language of one who wishes to blast the laurels of Milton? 1 "Proposals (written evidently by Johnson) for printing the ADAMUS EXUL of Grotius, with ■ Translation and Notes by Wm. Lauder, A. M." Gent. Mag. 1747. vol. 17, p. 404.-MALONE. [Mrs. Charlotte Lenox was born in 1720. Her father, Colonel Ramsay, Lieutenant Goveruor of New York, sent her over to England at the age of fifteen; but, unfortunately, the relative to whose care she was consigned was either dead or in a state of insanity on Miss Ramsay's arrival. A lady who heard of, and pitied so extraordinary a disappointment, interested Lady Rockingham in the fate of Miss Ramsay; and the result was, that she was received into her ladyship's family, where she remained till she fancied that a gendeman who visited at the house had become of Harriot Stuart," which in the spring of 1751 was ready for publication. One evening at the [Ivy-lane] club, Johnson proposed the celebrating the birth of Mrs. Lenox's first literary child, as he called her book, by a whole night spent in festivity. Upon his mentioning it to Sir J. Hawkins, he told him he had never sat up a whole night in his life; but Johnson continuing to press him, and saying, that he should find great delight in it, he, as did all the rest of our company, consented. The place appointed was the Devil tavern, and there, about the hour of eight, Mrs. Lenox and her husband, and a lady of her acquaintance, still [1785] living, as also the club, and friends to the number of near twenty, assembled. The supper was elegant, and Johnson had directed that a magnificent hot apple-pie should make a part of it, and this he would have stuck with bay leaves, because, forsooth, Mrs. Lenox was an authoress, and had written verses; and further, he had prepared for her a crown of laurel, with which, but not till he had invoked the muses by some ceremonies of his own invention, he encircled her brows. The night passed, as must be imagined, in pleasant conversation and harmless mirth, intermingled at different periods with the refreshments of coffee and tea. About five, Johnson's face shone with meridian splendour, though his drink had been only lemonade; but the far greater part of the company had deserted the colours of Bacchus, and were with difficulty rallied to partake of a second refreshment of coffee, which was scarcely ended when the day began to dawn. This phenomenon began to put them in mind of the reckoning; but the Waiters were all so overcome with sleep, that it was two hours before a bill could be had, and it was not till near eight that the creaking of the street door gave the signal of departure.] ["TO MR. RICHARDSON. "March 9, 1750-1. enamoured of her; though she is said to have been very plain in her person. This fancied passon led her into some extravagances of vanity and alousy, which terminated her residence with Lady Kockingham. Her moral character, however, was never impeached, and she obtained some countenance and protection from the Duchess of Newcastle; but was chiefly dependant for a liveRich. Cor. Bhood on her own literary exertions. In 1747, v. 5. p. 281, she published a volume of poems, and became, "DEAR SIR,—Though Clarissa wants no probably about that time, known to Mr. Strahan, help from external splendour, I was glad to the printer, in consequence of which she became see her improved in her appearance, but aquainted with and married a Mr. Lenox, who more glad to find that she was now got above was in Mr. Strahan's employ, but in what capaci- all fears of prolixity, and confident enough ty is not known. She next published, in 1751, the novel of Harriot Stuart, mentioned in the text, ced to great distress. Besides her acquaintance a winch it is supposed she gave her own history. with Dr. Johnson (who was always extremely The Duchess of Newcastle honoured her by stand-kind to her), and other literary characters, she ig godmother to her first child, who was called Herietta Holles, and did her the more substantial fits of procuring for Mr. Lenox the place of tadewater in the customs, and for herself an apartment in Somerset-house. Nothing more is remembered of Mr. Lenox, except that he, at a later period of life, put forward some claim to a beetah peerage. Mrs. Lenox lost her apart 3 by the pulling down of Somerset-house; and, in the latter part of her life, was redu had the good fortune to become acquainted, at Mr. Strahan's, with the late Right Hon. George Rose, who liberally assisted her in the latter years of her life-particularly in her last illness, and was at the expense of her burial in the beginning of January, 1804. For most of the foregoing details, the editor is indebted to his friend the Right Hon. Sir Georgo Rose, whose venerable mother still remembers Mrs. Lenox.-ED.] |