The Life of Samuel Johnson: 1709-March 18, 1776

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.

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