Yet Johnson assured me, that he had not taken upon him to add more than 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 Anglo-Latin diction, and to his example we are to ascribe Johnson's sometimes indulging himself in this kind of phraseology.3 Johnson's comprehension 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; ["But how severely with themselves proceed The men, who wrote such verse as we can read! Pour the full tide of eloquence along, Serenely pure, and yet divinely strong, Rich with the treasures of each foreign tongue." POPE.] 2 ["Words must be chosen and be placed with skill: Is made at first familiar to the ear: But he that hopes to have new words allow'd, 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 so 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, With Johnson's flame melodious BURNEY glows, Near Johnson STEEVENS stands on scenic ground, In Varius or in Virgil, what he likes In Plautus or Cæcilius? Why should I ROSCOMMON.] 3 The observation of his having imitated Sir Thomas Browne has been made by many people; and lately it has been insisted on, and illustrated by a variety of quotations from Browne, in one of the popular Essays [called "Winter's Evenings"] written by the Rev. Mr. Knox, master of Tunbridge-school, whom I have set down in my list as one of those who have sometimes not unsuccessfully imitated Dr. Johnson's style. — BOSWELL. 4 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 par fcularly prejudiced aga nst the Scots, it was because they were more in his way because he thought their success in England rather exceeded the due proportion 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 esteem'd a Scot. -COURTENAY. Its influence wide improved our letter'd isle, Till, gathering force, they more and more expand, And with new virtue fertilise the land." 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.1 It has of late been the fashion to compare the style of Addison and Johnson, and to depreciate, I think very unjustly, the style of Addison as nerveless and feeble, because it has not the strength and energy of that of Johnson. Their prose may be balanced like the poetry of Dryden and Pope. Both 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 tastes into their minds by an imperceptible influence. Johnson writes like a teacher. He dictates to his readers as if from an academical 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 under 1 Mr. Burke said pleasantly, that "his ladies were all Johnsons in petticoats." Mr. Murphy (Life, p. 159.) passes somewhat of the same censure on the letter in the 12th Rambler, from a young woman that wants a place : yet such 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. — CROKER. 2 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 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. - CROKER. 3 Gibbon says, "By the judicious advice of Mr. Mallet, I was directed to the writings of Swift and Addison: wit and simplicity are their common attributes, but the style of Swift is supported by manly original vigour; that of Addison is adorned by the emale graces of elegance and mildness." Yet his own over-ornate and complicated style is the very reverse of what he praises in Swift and Addison. - CROKER. 4 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 dis. crimination to be just. Let any one who doubts it, try to translate one of Addison's Spectators into Latin, French, or value that beautiful style, which has pleasingly conveyed to us much instruction and entertainment.3 Though comparatively weak, opposed to Johnson's Herculean vigour, let us the character of his style, as given by Johnson not call it positively feeble. Let us remember himself: "What he attempted, he performed; he is never feeble, and he did not wish to be energetic; 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 attain an English style, familiar, but not coarse, and elegant, but not ostentatious, must give his days and nights to the volumes of Addison." 5 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 lived in London, and hung loose upon society." 6 The concluding paper of his Rambler is at once dignified and pathetic. I cannot, however, but wish, that he had not ended it with an unnecessary Greek verse, translated also into an English couplet. [Αὐτῶν ἐκ μακάρων ἀντάξιος εἴη ἀμοιβή. "Celestial powers! that piety regard, From you my labours wait their last reward."] It is too much like the conceit of those dramatic poets, who used to conclude each act with a rhyme; and the expression in the first 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 impossible. 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. 5 I shall probably, in another work, maintain the merit of Addison's poetry, which has been very unjustly depreciated. BOSWELL. Mr. Boswell never, that I know of, executed this intention. CROKER. 6 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 supplied by Mr. Elphinston to the first thirty numbers of the Rambler were published in the Gentleman's Magazine for September, 1750. MALONE. Those of the next twenty-seven numbers, marked with the initials of the translators, are to be found in the same magazine for October, 1752, with two admirable improvements by Johnson himself of the former translation of the mottos to Nos. 7. and 12., the first of which is already quoted, antè, p. 39. As to Mr. Francis Lewis, I am afraid that he did" hang very loose on society." A person of those names, and I have no doubt the same, was born in Hereford in 1715, graduated at Ch. Ch. Oxford in 1740, and was, soon after, admitted priest-vicar of the Cathedral and College of Hereford. Here his conduct was very irregular, and in 1751, being burser of the College, he absconded with a large balance; for this he was deprived and expelled; and then, no doubt, came to live by his wits in London. CROKER, 1846. 7 Not in the original edition, in folio. — MALONE. cam wetra” though poet, many, who would, perhaps, have contributed to starve him when alive, have heaped expensive pageants upon his grave.' Stato Christevica be consoles batud t have been stace, "I shall cd and learn I can be numwho have given vix Geace to truth." Rece, boog now engaged in Aca's smaller pieces, cocowing letter to that 10 92 BIRCH. 71113 sao giết nhang, May 12. 1750. Cie voeg dat you are now preparing Noc with a new edition of Ralegh's I have taken the liberty to ip, which fell by chance within ccccive no proofs of forgery in my it; and the owner tells me, that, as c hand writing is Sir Walter's. If and reason to conclude it genuine, it kness to the owner, a blind person', to od is to the booksellers. I am, sir, your SAM. JOHNSON." Mix ist abhorrence of Milton's political o soda uda ever strong, But this did not preyou a warm admiration of Milton's great medical merit, to which he has done illustrious ice, beyond all who have written upon the wsprek And this year he not only wrote a Pologue, which was spoken by Mr. Garrick be the acting of Comus at Drury Lane Cheatre, for the benefit of Milton's granddaughter, 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: STR. That a certain degree of reputation is acquired merely by approving the works of genius, and testifying a regard to the memory of authors, is a truth too evident to be denied; and therefore to ensure a participation of fame with a celebrated Mrs. Williams is probably the person meant. — BOSWELL. 2 Mr. Auditor Benson, in 1737, erected a monument to Milton in Westminster Abbey, and did not omit to inscribe his own name on it, an ostentation which Pope satirises. See Dunciad, b. iii. 325. and iv. 110. CROKER. She survived this benefit but three years, and died childless, 9th May, 1754. It is remarkable that none of our great, and few even of our second-rate poets, have left posterity Shakespeare, Jonson, Otway, Milton, Dryden, Rowe, Addison, Pope, Swift, Gay, Johnson, Goldsmith, Cowper, have left no inheritors of their names. - CROKER. 4 For the honour of letters, the dignity of sacred poetry, the spirit of the English nation, and the glory of human nature, it is to be regretted that we do not find a more liberal assistance. Tonson, the bookseller, whose family had been enriched by the sale of the poet's writings, gave twenty pounds, and Bishop Newton, his biographer, brought a large contribution; but all their efforts, joined to the allurements of Johnson's pen and Garrick's performance, procured only 1301. Anderson. WRIGHT. 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. "It is to be hoped, nay it is expected, that the elegant and nervous writer, whose ju 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. "Whoever, then, would be thought capable of pleasure in reading the works of our incomparable Milton, and not so destitute of gratitude as to refuse to lay out a trifle in rational and elegant entertainment, for the benefit of his living remains, for the exercise of their own virtue, the increase of their reputation, and the pleasing consciousness of doing good, should appear at Drury Lane theatre to-morrow, April 5., when Comus will be performed for the benefit of Mrs. Elizabeth Foster, grand-daughter to the authors, and the only surviving branch of his family. "N.B. There will be a new prologue on the occasion, written by the author of Irene, and there will be added to the Masque a dramatic spoken by Mr. Garrick; and, by particular desire, satire, called Lethe, in which Mr. Garrick will perform."4 In 1751 we are to consider him as carrying on both his Dictionary and Rambler. But he also wrote "The Life of Cheynel," in the miscellany called "The Student;' and the Rev. Dr. Douglas having with uncommon acuteness clearly detected a gross forgery and imposition upon the public by William Lauder, a Scotch shoolmaster, 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.5 dicious 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 antè, p. 35. I cannot find, however, that Johnson pubely responded to Dr. Douglas's call, which surely he ought to have done. CROKER, 1846. Lauder afterwards went to Barbadoes, where he some time taught school. His behaviour there was mean and despicable, and he passed the remainder of his life in universal contempt. He died about the year 1771. NICHOLS. 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 Impostor 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. - CROKER. 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 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 a 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 judgment to suppose that Johnson, who so nobly praised the poetical excellence of Milton in a Postscript to this very "discovery," as he then supposed it, could, at the same time, exult in a persuasion that the great poet's reputation was likely to suffer by it? This is an inconsistency of which 1 "Proposals [evidently written by Johnson] for printing the Adamus Exul of Grotius, with a Translation and Notes by William Lauder, A. M." Gent. Mag. 1747, p. 404.MALONE. 2 But is it not extraordinary that Johnson, who had himself meditated a history of modern Latin poetry (see antè, p. 23.), 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.CROKER. 3 This proposition of an indez rerum to a novel will 1 Johnson was incapable; nor can anything more be fairly inferred 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 epic 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 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 fabric, 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 materials were collected; Nature, or demolished other buildings to embellish whether its founder dug them from the quarries of his own. blast the laurels of Milton? Is this the language of one who wished to JOHNSON TO RICHARDSON. "March 9. 1750-1. "DEAR SIR, Though Clarissa wants no help from external splendour, I was glad to see her improved in her appearance, but more glad to find that she was now got above all fears of prolixity, and confident enough of success to supply whatever had been hitherto suppressed. I never indeed found a hint of any such defalcation, but I regretted it; for though the story is long, every letter is short. "I wish you would add an index rerum3, that when the reader recollects any incident, he may easily find it, which at present he cannot do, unless he knows in which volume it is told; for Clarissa is not a performance to be read with eagerness, and laid aside for ever; but will be occasionally consulted by the busy, the aged, and the studious; and therefore I beg that this edition, by which I suppose posterity is to abide, may want nothing that can facilitate its use. I am, sir, yours, &c. -Rich. Cor. "SAM. JOHNSON." Though Johnson's circumstances were at this appear extraordinary, but Johnson was at this time very anxious to cultivate the favour of Richardson, who lived in an atmosphere of flattery, and Johnson found it necessary to fall into the fashion of the society. Mr. Northcote relates, that Johnson introduced Sir Joshua Reynolds and his sister to Richardson, but hinted to them, at the same time, that if they wished to see the latter in good humour, they must expatiate on the excellences of Clarissa; and Mrs. Piozzi tells us, that when talking of Richardson, he once said, "You think I love flattery-and so I do; but a little too much always disgusts me: that fellow, Richardson, on the contrary, could not be contented to sail quietly down the stream of reputation without longing to taste the froth from every stroke of the oar."- CROKER. 2.ch, tode was very Nasore, con. wy on a time when xx gt be obtained At the request of &ae, Mr. Samuel wita, who before had couch her gratis if the e experiment it was Valine bumour was not ie to take effect. She had God of Mrs. Johnson for some y si never resided in the house; e of performing the intended Se boue; and, upon the failure of his dwelling till he removed 4m 1765, upon his taking a house cot Street, he invited her thither, house, in Bolt Court, she succesVader of her life. The loss of her Vi abatement of her cheerfulness, and caption of her studies. With the vale friends, she translated from the Mcrae "the Life of the Emperor Julian,” blished, by subscription, a quarto volume ose and verse, and thereby increased her ve hundred pounds, which, being prudently Ved an income that, under such protection as ed from Dr. Johnson, was sufficient for her was a woman of an enlightened understanding; Called, in her person, and easily provoked to a possessing, nevertheless, some excellent moral A which no one was more conspicuous than to promote the welfare and happiness of others, at she gave a signal proof, by her solicitude in favour titution for the maintenance and education of poor ied sourales in the parish of St. Sepulchre, London, sup1 by the voluntary contributions of ladies; and, as the id drum-stone of a fund for its future subsistence, she be-ached to it the whole of the little which she had been able accumulate, To the endowments and qualities here Ascribed to her, may be added a larger share of experimental prock ace than is the lot of most of her sex. Johnson, in many Avances, found her an able counsellor, and seldom showed b wladam more than when he hearkened to her advice. Teturn, she received from his conversation the advantages of Teligious and moral improvement, which she cultivated so, as 4. In wal messure to smooth the constitutional asperity of When these particulars are known, this inti•hich began with compassion, and terminated in a kuse p that subsisted till death dissolved it, will be easily stor - Hawkins, p. 322. Ers, Willams was a person extremely interesting. She had akommen irmness of mind, a boundless curiosity, retentive wentory, and strong judgment. She had various powers of Her personal afflictions and slender fortune she seemed to forget, when she had the power of doing an act of & nuness: she was social, cheerful, and active, in a state of body that was truly deplorable. Her regard to Dr. Johnson was formed with such strength of judgment and firm esteem, that her voice never hesitated when she repeated his maxims, at recited his good deeds; though upon many other occasions her want of sight led her to make so much use of her ear, as to affect her speech. Mrs. Williams was blind before she was acquainted with Dr. Johnson. She had many resources, though none very great. With the Miss Wilkinsons she generally passed a part of the year, and received from them presents, and from the first who died, a legacy of clothes and money. The last of them. Mrs. Jane, left her an annual rent; but from the blundering manner of the will, I fear she never reaped the benefit of it. The lady left money to erect a hospital for ancient maids: but the number she had allotted being too great for the donation, the Doctor (Johnson) said, it would be better to expunge the word maintain, and put in to starve such a number of old maids. They asked him what name should be given it: he replied, 'Let it be called JENNY'S WHIM. [The name of a well-known tavern near Chelsea in former days]-"Lady Phillips made her a small annual allowance, and some other Welsh ladies, to all of whom she was related. Mrs. Montague, on the death of Mr. Montague, settled upon her (by deed) ten pounds per annum. As near as I can calculate, Mrs. Williams had about thirty-five or forty pounds a year. The furniture she used [in her apartment in Dr. Johnson's house] was her own; her expenses were small, tea and bread and butter being at least half of her nourishment. Sometimes she had a servant or charwoman to do the ruder offices of the house; but he was herself active and industrious. I have frequently seen her at work. Upon remarking one day her facility in moving about the house, searching into drawers, and finding books, without the help of sight, Believe me (said she), persons who cannot do these common offices without sight, did but little while they enjoyed that blessing. Scanty circumstances, bad health, and blindness, are surely a sufficient apology for her being sometimes impatient: her natural disposition was good, friendly, and humane."— Lady Knight. (Antè, p. 24.) I see her now-a pale, shrunken old lady, dressed in scarlet, made in the handsome French fashion of the time (1775), with a lace cap, with two stiffened projecting wings on the temples, and a black lace hood over it. Her temper has been recorded as marked with Welsh fire, and this might be excited by some of the meaner inmates of the upper floors [of Dr. Johnson's house]; but her gentle kindness to me I never shall forget, or think consistent with a bad temper. I know nobody from whose discourse there was a better chance of deriving high ideas of moral rectitude. Miss Hawkins's Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 152. See post, sub November, 1766. —— CROKER. 3 Here the author's memory failed him, for, according to the account given in a former page (see p. 63.), we should here read March 17.; but, in truth, as has been already observed, the Rambler closed on Saturday the fourteenth of March; at which time Mrs. Johnson was near her end, for she died on the following Tuesday, March 17. Had the concluding paper of that work been written on the day of her death, it would have been still more extraordinary than it is, considering the extreme grief into which the author was plunged by that event. The melancholy cast of that con |