preceded by Boswell's "Journal of a Tour in the Hebrides," and Mrs. Piozzi's "Anecdotes of Johnson," both in 1785, the year following Johnson's death, and Sir John Hawkins's "Life of Johnson," in 1787. Johnson, who was aware of Boswell's intention to write his life, had read the MS. of the "Journal of a Tour in the Hebrides," and had expressed himself as satisfied with Boswell as a chronicler. Boswell was not sparing in expressing his contempt for Mrs. Piozzi's lively book, and Sir John's heavy, but not unreadable biography. His scorn for these two far from worthless, but somewhat inaccurate, works, was no doubt due to jealousy of long standing. The high regard that Johnson had for Mrs. Thrale, and the compliment that he paid to his old friend Hawkins in asking him to become his literary executor must have exasperated if not provoked his jealousy. Boswell anticipated a great success for his book, and wisely protected his interests by entering at Stationers' Hall as distinct publications, Johnson's famous letter to Lord Chesterfield, and his conversation with George III, thus placing these passages beyond the reach of the book-making pirates of the day. Boswell's hopes were entirely realized the "Life" was completely successful from the first, but its author raised a veritable hornet's nest by the freedom with which he dealt with persons still living. Its publication was signalized by the appearance of a host of lampoons, satirical verses and caricatures: Peter Pindar, a Grub Street satirist, joined forces with Rowlandson in an amusing brochure entitled "Bozzy and Piozzi.” The book, however, was still in a process of crystallization: to the original two volumes quarto published in 1791 a supplementary volume was added in 1794, followed almost immediately by a second edition in three volumes octavo, but in this edition the new material was badly arranged. Boswell was preparing a third edition when he died. Edmund Malone, the author's friend and literary adviser, who had revised the "Tour in the Hebrides" and the first edition of the "Life," then took up the work, and following Boswell's plan published in 1799 a new (and third) edition in four octavo volumes. This edition was a vast improvement on the preceding ones, as it was revised and contained a number of new notes and some additional letters. In the fourth edition, issued in 1804, the book may be said. to have practically assumed the form in which it is now known. Two more editions were issued by Malone, namely, the fifth, published in 1807, just a century ago, from which the present reprint has been made, and the sixth, revised by the author's son, James Boswell, Jun., published in 1811, a year before Malone's death. In 1831 appeared John Wilson Croker's edition, copiously annotated and expanded by the inclusion of a large number of Johnson's letters, Boswell's " Journal of a Tour in the Hebrides," also anecdotes selected from Mrs. Piozzi's collection, and extracts from the "Life" by Hawkins, and the memoirs of other writers. Boswell's text, moreover, or rather Johnson's talk, was ingenuously refined of any expressions that Croker believed "might offend female delicacy" and the charming irresponsibility of Mrs. Piozzi's style in her memorabilia was brought into line with the rest of Croker's notes. This edition corrected of its blunders and considerably revised long From Boswell's point of view it is absurd and inadequate enough, and the animadversions of Macaulay and Carlyle are familiar and to the point. Boswell's text is presented immersed knee-deep in a sea of annotation, pompous, wordily expressed and often superfluous, which threatens to swamp it. It cannot therefore be regarded as a satisfactory presentation of Boswell's work, but considered as a vast and valuable granary of Johnsoniana, amassed and carefully stored in the very nick of time, and just before the disappearance of the last few of those who had been in any way associated with Johnson and his circle, it is of immense use and importance. No student or editor of Boswell can afford to neglect it. It is unnecessary, and would perhaps be unwise, to attempt to enumerate the various editions of Boswell's masterpiece. More than one illustrated edition has appeared. Croker's second edition in ten volumes, contained a number of steel plates, and an edition issued by Mr. H. G. Bohn was illustrated with the same pictures and some additional plates. A reprint in the Illustrated National Library also appeared about fifty years ago with a profusion of woodcuts. Among others must be mentioned that of the Rev. Alexander Napier, who issued the work in 1884 in four volumes, together with two containing the "Tour in the Hebrides" and "Johnsoniana. Dr. Birkbeck Hill's edition, in six volumes, comprising the "Life," the "Tour," and a remarkable index, appeared in 1887, and for its accuracy and exhaustive annotations it must be regarded as one of the best that have yet been published, although the mass of notes is apt to be rather confusing. Other reprints of Boswell's work have been edited by Mr. Augustine Birrell (illustrated), Mr. Mowbray Morris (Globe Edition), Mr. Austin Dobson, and Mr. Percy Fitzgerald. In this reprint I have given Boswell's text as revised and edited by Malone, and not encumbered I hope with too many or needless notes. I have divided the book into chapters and have added a chronological table of events in Johnson's life. Malone's own notes and those of other early annotators that are printed in his edition, I have thought well to give; there are many from Croker's edition, and I have added some of my own, which are enclosed in brackets with or without my initials. Boswell's notes are those not enclosed in brackets-the rest may be identified as follows:-M., Edmund Malone; B., Dr. Charles Burney; N., John Nicholls; J.B.O., James Boswell, junior; J.B., J. Blakeway; and K., Dr. Michael Kearney. I have, moreover, attempted to supply a pictorial commentary to the text in the hope of assisting the reader to realize as far as possible Johnson's life and the times in which he lived. My aim has been to present a series of portraits of the Doctor and his contemporaries, with views of his haunts and habitations; and instead of burdening the text with footnotes, I have endeavoured to provide the pictures with any necessary explanation. These illustrations have been collected from a variety of sources; a large number are reproductions of specimens from the fine collection of mezzotint engravings preserved in the print-room at the British Museum. And here I should like to take the opportunity of acknowledging the courtesy of the officials in that department—and more especially that of Mr. Alfred Whitman. Besides engraved portraits and views, I have been so fortunate as to obtain permission to reproduce many original paintings, some of them for the first time. For these privileges it is a pleasure to thank their respective owners, and due acknowledgment will be found in every case beneath the pictures. By an unfortunate oversight the picture of the Pelican Inn at Bath on page 629 was not, as it should have been, credited to Messrs. Meehan & Son, of Bath, the illustration from which it was made having originally appeared in their publication, "Famous Houses of Bath." Among the painters represented, Johnson's old friend, Sir Joshua Reynolds, is easily first. The most industrious painter of his age, he may be said to have held the unofficial post of limner to the Literary Club. But all the most considerable portrait-painters of the day have been pressed into service. I desire to thank Mr. Thomas Seccombe, Mr. Arthur Reynolds and Mr. Walter de la Mare for many valuable suggestions in connection with the descriptions of the illustrations, and Mr. William Collinge for much kind assistance. September, 1907. ROGER INGPEN. Birth and Infancy of Johnson-His Parents-Anecdotes of his Childhood-Is Touched by Queen Anne for the King's Evil-School days at Lichfield-His Kinsmen Cornelius Ford and the Rev. Dr. Ford- Sent to School at Stourbridge-Attempts at Translation and Composition-Return Home Goes to Pembroke College, Oxford-His Tutor-Latin Translation of Pope's “Messiah ”—Attack of Hypochondria-Religious Impressions-Course of Reading-Love of Literature-Apparent Recklessness-Real State of Mind-Struggles with Poverty-Leaves the University Death of Johnson's Father-Society at Lichfield-Tribute to Walmsley's Memory-Usher at Market Bosworth School-Removes to Birmingham-Mr. Hector, Mr. Porter, etc.-Translates Lobo's Voyage to Abyssinia "-Return to Lichfield-Birmingham Again-First Letter to Cave-Youthful Love Verses-Marriage to Mrs. Porter-Her Family-The Wedding-Opens an Academy at Edial— Johnson Arrives in London with Garrick-First Residence and Mode of Life in Town-Goes to Green- wich-Progress of " Irene "-Projected Translation of Father Paul's "Council of Trent "—Goes back to Lichfield-MS. of "Irene "-Extracts-Returns to London with Mrs. Johnson-First Contri- bution to the Gentleman's Magazine-Reports Debates in Parliament-"London" published- Pope Admires it-Remarks and Extracts-Conditional Offer of Mastership of a County School- Johnson's Intention to Study Law-Letters to Cave-The Gentleman's Magazine-" Marmor Norfol- ciense "-Pope's Letter about Johnson-Anecdotes of Johnson by Reynolds and Hogarth-Mis- cellaneous Writings-Debates in Parliament-Encounter with Osborne the Bookseller-Letters to Cave on Literary Projects-Ode on Friendship-Embarrassed Circumstances Life of Savage" published-The Mystery of Savage's parentage-Preface to Harleian Miscellany-" Miscellaneous Observations of the Tragedy of Macbeth "-Garrick, Manager of Drury Lane Theatre-Johnson's "Prologue on its Opening-" Plan of the Dictionary Addressed to Lord Chesterfield-Residence in Gough Square Founding the Club in Ivy Lane-Writes “Life "The Vanity of Human Wishes" published-" Irene" performed at Drury-lane Theatre-Starts the Rambler-Re-published in Edinburgh-General Estimate of the Work-Prologue to performed for the benefit of Milton's Grand-daughter-His letter in Favour of the Undertaking Progress of the Dictionary and the Rambler—Lauder's Forgeries—Account of Miss Williams-Close of the Rambler-Commencement of Hawkesworth's Adventurer-Death of Mrs. Johnson-Robert Levett -Johnson's Friendship with Reynolds-Langton-Beauclerk-Contributions to the Adventurer- Extract from the Diary-Mrs. Lennox's Shakspeare Illustrated" Johnson's "Life of Cave Lord Chesterfield's Papers on the Dictionary in the World · Reply to Chesterfield-Visit to Oxford-Receives his Degree of M.A.-Projected “Bibliothèque ' Letters, Remarks, etc., Relating to the Dictionary-Garrick's Panegyric-Johnson's Pamphlet on Samuel Richardson-Johnson's Opinion of the Booksellers-Writes in the Universal Visiter and Literary Magazine-Defence of Tea against Jonas Hanway-Admiral Byng-Answer to Soame Jenyns-Proposals for an edition of Shakspeare-Declines Offer of Preferment in the Church— Letters to Warton, Langton, etc.-Burney's Interview with Johnson at Gough Square pp. 180-195 Accession of George III-The Address of the Painters to the King-Projected History of the War- Murphy's "Poetical Epistle" to Johnson-Account of their Acquaintance-Letters to Langton, Baretti, etc.-Johnson's Pension-Visits Plymouth with Reynolds-Letters to Lord Bute and Baretti-Writes on William Collins in the "Poetical Calendar" First meeting of Johnson and Boswell in Davis's Shop—Record of Conversation-Boswell Visits Johnson at the Temple-Description of Johnson-Meeting at " The Mitre" Tavern-Table Talk on Gray. Oliver Goldsmith-Johnson, Goldsmith and the "Vicar of Wakefield "-Boswell Sups at the Mitre with Johnson and Goldsmith, and their conversation-Tea with Mrs. Williams-Boswell not yet Admitted to this Privilege-Subsequent Interviews with Johnson, and Table Talk Johnson's Conversation with Boswell-Their Visit to Greenwich-Johnson and Boswell at Harwich- Fellow Passengers on the Road-Boswell embarks for Holland-His Correspondence with Johnson -Johnson's Visit to Langton-The Literary Club Founded-Visits Cambridge-Diploma of LL.D., Boswell's Return to England-Voltaire's Comparison of Pope and Dryden-Goldsmith's "Traveller " and "Deserted Village "-Renewal of the Suppers at the Mitre-Johnson on Rousseau-Table Talk— Letters to Bennet Langton-Boswell's Thesis-Mrs. Anna Williams's Miscellanies-Johnson Suggests Johnson and George III-His Visit to Lichfield and Parting with Catherine Chambers-He writes a Prologue for Goldsmith's Good-natured Man "-Boswell's Corsica "-Fielding and Richardson Contrasted-The Douglas Cause-St. Kilda-Johnson on Conjugal Infidelity-Chastity and the Choice of a Wife-Baretti's" Italy "-Johnson Visits Oxford-Returns to London-His Contempt for Popular Liberty-Dr. Kenrick's Pamphlet-Johnson Sends Francis Barber to School-On Thomson |