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James Boswell

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Samuel Johnson : [papers left at his death]

'In this [producing a biography of Johnson] he has not been very successful, as I have found upon a perusal of those papers, which have been since transferred to me. Sir John Hawkins's ponderous labours, I must acknowledge, exhibit a [italics] farrago [end italics], of which a considerable portion is not devoid of entertainment to the lovers of literary gossiping; but besides its being swelled out with long unnecessary extracts from various works [...], a very small part of it relates to the person who is the subject of the book; and, in that, there is such an inaccuracy in the statement of facts, as in so solemn an author is hardly excusable, and certainly makes his narrative very unsatisfactory'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

John Hawkins : Life of Samuel Johnson

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Dr Warburton : [Letter to Thomas Birch]

'There is, in the B. Museum, a letter from Bishop Warburton to Dr Birch, on the subject of biography; which, though I am aware it may expose me to a charge of artfully raising the value of my own work, by contrasting it with that of which I have spoken, is so well conceived and expressed, that I cannot refrain from here inserting it: [the letter follows, including this passage] "Almost all the life-writers we have had before Toland and Desmaiseaux, are indeed strange inspid creatures; and yet I had rather read the worst of them, than be obliged to go through with this of Milton's, or the other's life of Boileau, where there is such a dull, heavy succession of long quotations of disinteresting passages, that it makes their method quite nauseous".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Letter

William Mason : Memoirs of Gray

'Instead of melting down my materials into one mass, and constantly speaking in my own person, by which I might have appeared to have more merit in the execution of the work, I have resolved to adopt and enlarge upon the excellent plan of Mr Mason, in his Memoirs of Gray [ie connecting quotations, conversation and letters with narrative]'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

William Mason : [Memoir of William Whitehead]

'That the conversation of a celebrated man, if his talents have been exerted in conversation, will best display his character, is, I trust, too well established in the judgment of mankind, to be at all shaken by a sneering observation of Mr Mason, in his "Memoirs of Mr William Whitehead", in which there is literally no "Life", but a mere dry narrative of facts'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : [memoranda of his reading]

'He appears, from his early notes or memorandums in my possession, to have at various times attempted, or at least planned, a methodical course of study, according to computation, of which he was all his life fond, as it fixed his attention steadily on something without, and prevented his mind from preying upon itself. Thus I find in his handwriting the number of lines in each of two of Euripides' Tragedies, of the Georgicks of Virgil, of the first six books of the Aeneid, of Horace's Art of Poetry, of three of the books of Ovid's Metamorphosis, of some parts of Theocritus, and of the tenth satire of Juvenal; and a table, shewing at the rate of various numbers a day (I suppose verses to be read), what would be, in each case, the total amount in a week, month, and year'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

Samuel Johnson : [original notes for "Irene"]

'The hand-writing [in the original sketch for "Irene"] is very difficult to read, even by those who were best acquainted with Johnson's mode of penmanship which at all times was very particular. The King having accepted of this manuscript as a literary curiosity, Mr Langton made a fair and distinct copy of it, which he ordered to be bound up with the original and the printed tragedy; and the volume is deposited in the King's library.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

[n/a] : Scot's Magazine, The

'I myself recollect such impressions [of reverence, like Johnson displayed for the "Gentleman's Magazine"] from "The Scots Magazine", which was begun at Edinburgh in the year 1739, and has been ever conducted with judgement, accuracy, and propriety'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

Robert Dodsley : Preceptor, The

'Mr Dodsley this year brought out his "Preceptor", oned of the most valuable books for the improvement of young minds that has appeared in any language'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : Vanity of Human Wishes, The

'His "Vanity of Human Wishes" has less of common life, but more of a philosophick dignity than his "London". More readers, therefore, will be delighted with the pointed spirit of "London", than with the profound reflection of "The Vanity Of Human Wishes". Garrick, for instance, observed in his sprightly manner, with more vivacity than regard to just discrimination, as is usual with wits, "When Johnson lived much with the Herveys, and saw a good deal of what was passing in life, he wrote his 'London', which is lively and easy. When he became more retired, he gave us his 'Vanity of Human Wishes', which is as hard as Greek. Had he gone on to imitate another satire, it would have been as hard as Hebrew".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Unknown

Samuel Johnson : [notes collected for periodical articles]

'he was not altogether unprepared as a periodical writer; for I have in my possession a small duodecimo volume, in which he has written, in the form of Mr Locke's "Common-Place Book", a variety of hints for essays on different subjects. He has marked upon the first blank leaf of it, "to the 128th page, collections for 'The Rambler'"; and in another place, "In fifty -two there were seventeen provided; in 97-21; in 190-25".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: UnknownManuscript: duodecimo book

Samuel Johnson : Rambler, The

'I profess myself to have ever had a profound veneration for the astonishing force and vivacity of mind which "The Rambler" exhibits [Boswell then talks at length of the philosophical merits of the essays] I may shortly observe that the "Rambler" furnishes such an assemblage of discourses on practical religion and moral duty, of critical investigations, and allegorical and oriental tales, that no mind may be thought very deficient that has, by constant study and meditation, assimilated to itself all that may be found there'. [Boswell singles out numbers 7, 110, 54 and 32]

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

Samuel Johnson : Rambler, The

'["Rambler"] No 32 on patience, even under extreme misery, is wonderfully lofty, and as much above the rant of stoicism, as the Sun of Revelation is brighter than the twilight of Pagan philosophy. I never read the following sentence without feeling my frame thrill: "I think there is some reason for questioning whether the body and mind are not so proportioned, that the one can bear all which can be inflicted on the other; whether virtue cannot stand its ground as long as life, and whether a soul well principled, will not be sooner separated than subdued".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

Samuel Johnson : Rambler, The

'I have seen some volumes of Dr Young's copy of "The Rambler", in which he has marked the pasages which he thought particularly excellent, by folding down a corner of the page; and such as he rated in a super-eminent degree, are marked by double folds'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book, Serial / periodical

Joseph Addison : [essays]

'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'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book, Serial / periodical

John Hawkesworth : Adventurer, The

'Let me add, that Hawkesworth's imitations of Johnson are sometimes so happy,that it is extremely difficult to distinguish them, with certainty, from the compositions of his great archetype'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

James Boswell : [account given to him by Mrs Williams]

'[referring to a dispute over whether Johnson wrote certain papers in "The Adventurer"] Mrs Williams told me that, "as he had [italics] given [end italics] those Essays to Dr Bathurst, who sold them at two guineas each, he never would own them; nay, he used to say that he did not [italics] write [end italics] them: but the fact was, that he [italics] dictated [end italics] them,while Bathurst wrote". I read to him Mrs Williams's account; he smiled, and said nothing'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke : Philosophical works

'On the 6th of March came out Lord Bolingbroke's works, published by Mr David Mallet. The wild and pernicious ravings, under the name of [italics] Philosophy [end italics], which were thus ushered into the world, gave great offence to all well-principled men.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : [memoranda for a projected literary journal]

'In one of his little memorandum-books I find the following hints for his intended "Review or Literary Journal": "[italics] The Annals of Literature, foreign as well as domestick. [end italics] Imitate Le Clerk - Bayle - Barberac. Infelicity of Journals in England. Works of the learned. We cannot take in all. Sometimes copy from foreign Jouralists. Always tell".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Codex, memorandum book

Samuel Johnson : Dictionary

'Let the Preface [to Johnson's Dictionary] be attentively perused, in which is given, in a clear, strong, and glowing style, a comprehensive, yet particular view of what he had done; and it will be evident, that the timed he employed upon it [the Dictionary] was relatively short. [Boswell then comments on the great praise the Dictionary received] One of its excellencies has always struck me with peculiar admiration: I mean the perspicuity with which he has expresed abstract scientifick notions.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : [essays]

'all the esays [in the "Universal Visitor"] marked with two [italics] asterisks [end italics] have been ascribed to him; but I am confident, from internal evidence, that of these, neither "The Life of Chaucer", "Reflections on the State of Portugal", nor an "Essay on Architecture", were written by him. I am equally confident, upon the same evidence, that he wrote "Further Thoughts on Agriculture"; being the sequel of a very inferiour essay on the same subject, and which, though carried on as if by the same hand, is both in thinking and expression so far above it, as to leave no doubt of its true parent; and that he also wrote "A Dissertation on the State of Literature and Authors", and "A Dissertation on the Epitaphs Written by Pope".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

[n/a] : The Universal Visitor

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

Samuel Johnson : Idler, The

'Yet there are in the "Idler" several papers which shew as much profundity of thought, and labour of language, as any of this great man's writings'. [Boswell mentions numbers 14, 24, 41, 43, 51, 52, 58 and 89]

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

Samuel Johnson : History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia

'This Tale ["Rasselas"], with all the charms of oriental imagery, and all the force and beauty of which the English language is capable, leads us through the most important scenes of human life, and shews us that this stage of our being is full of "vanity and vexation of spirit". [Boswell comments on its value] Voltaire's "Candide", written to refute the system of Optimism, which it has accomplished with brilliant success, is wonderfully similar in its plan and conduct to Johnson's "Rasselas"; insomuch, that I have heard Johnson say, that if they had not been published so closely one after the other that there was not time for imitation, it would have been vain to deny that the scheme of that which came latest was taken from the other. Though the proposition illustrated by both these works was the same, namely, that in our present state there is more evil than good, the intention of the writers was very different. Voltaire, I am afraid, meant only by wanton profanness to obtain a sportive victory over religion, and to discredit the belief of a superintending Providence: Johnson meant, by shewing the unsatisfactory nature of things temporal, to direct the hopes of man to things eternal'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Voltaire [pseud.] : Candide: Or, All for the Best

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Thomas Sheridan : Life of the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Swift, The

'I could not but smile, at the same time that I was offended, to observe Sheridan, in "The Life of Swift", which he afterwards published, attempting, in the writhings of his resentment, to depreciate Johnson, by characterising him as "A writer of gigantick fame in these days of little men"; that very Johnson whom he once so highly admired and venerated'.

Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

Frances Sheridan : Memoirs of Miss Sydney Biddulph, The

'Her [Mrs Sheridan's] novel, entitled "Memoirs of Miss Sydney Biddulph", contains an excellent moral, while it inculcates a future state of retribution; and what it teaches is impressed upon the mind by a series of as deep distress as can affect humanity, in the amiable and pious heroine who goes to her grave unrelieved, but resigned, and full of hope of "heaven's mercy". Johnson paid her this high compliment upon it: "I know not, Madam, that you have a right, upon moral principles, to make your readers suffer so much".'

Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

William Whitehead : [poem on Garrick]

'"Cibber's familiar style, however, was better than that which Whitehead has assumed. [italics] Grand [end italics] nonsense is insupportable. Whitehead is but a little man to inscribe verses to players". I did not presume to controvert this censure, which was tinctured with his prejudice against players; but I could not help thinking that a dramatick poet might with propriety pay a compliment to an eminent performer as Whitehead has very happily done in his verses to Mr Garrick'.

Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Unknown

Charles Churchill : [poems]

'In this depreciation [by Johnson] of Churchill's poetry I could not agree with him. It is very true that the greatest part of it is upon the topicks of the day, on which account, as it brought him great fame and profit at the time, it must proportionally slide out of the publick attention as other occasional objects succeed. But Churchill had extraordnary vigour both of thought and expression. His portraits of the players will ever be valuable to the true lovers of the drama; and his strong caricatures of several eminent men of his age, will not be forgotten by the curious. Let me add, that there are in his works many passages which are of a general nature; and his "Prophecy of Famine" is a poem of no ordinary merit. It is, indeed, falsely injurious to Scotland, but therefore may be allowed a greater share of invention'.

Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Charles Churchill : Prophecy of Famine, The. A Scots Pastoral

Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

[n/a] : Connoisseur, The

'I mentioned the periodical paper called "The Connoisseur." He said it wanted matter. No doubt it has not the deep thinking of Johnson's writings. But surely it has just views of the surface of life, and a very sprightly manner. His opinion of "The World" was not much higher than of "The Connoisseur".'

Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

David Dalrymple : [letter to Boswell]

'I at this time kept up a very frequent correspondence with Sir David [Dalrymple]; and I read to Dr. Johnson to-night the following passage from the letter which I had last received from him: "It gives me pleasure to think that you have obtained the friendship of Mr. Samnel Johnson. He is one of the best moral writers which England has produced. At the same time, I envy you the free and undisguised converse with such a man. May I beg you to present my respects to him, and to assure him of the veneration which I entertain for the author of the 'Rambler' and of 'Rasselas'? Let me recommend this work to you; with the 'Rambler' you certainly are acquainted. In 'Rasselas' you will see a tender-hearted operator, who probes the wound only to heal it. Swift, on the contrary, mangles human nature. He cuts and slashes, as if he took pleasure in the operation, like the tyrant who said, [italics] Ita feri ut se sentiat emori [end italics]." Johnson seemed to be much gratified by this just and well-turned compliment.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Letter

Frederick II King of Prussia : Memoirs of the house of Brandenburg. From the earliest accounts, to the death of Frederick I.

'On Tuesday, July 18, I found tall Sir Thomas Robinson sitting with Johnson. Sir Thomas said, that the King of Prussia valued himself upon three things;—upon being a hero, a musician, and an author. Johnson. "Pretty well, Sir, for one man. As to his being an author, I have not looked at his poetry ; but his prose is poor stuff. He writes just as you may suppose Voltaire's footboy to do, who has been his amanuensis. He has such parts as the valet might have, and about as much of the colouring of the style as might be got by transcribing his works." [Boswell tells how he repeated this to Voltaire, who was amused as he was on bad terms with Frederick the great]. But I think the criticism much too severe; for the "Memoirs of the House of Brandenbergh" are written as well as many works of that kind. His poetry, for the style of which he himself makes a frank apology, "[italics] Jargonnant un francois barbare [end italics]", though fraught with pernicious ravings of infidelity, has, in many places, great animation, and in some a pathetick tenderness.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Frederick II King of Prussia : [poems]

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

David Hume : Enquiry concerning Human Understanding

' [Johnson said] "Hume, and other sceptical innovators, are vain men, and will gratify themselves at any expence. Truth will not afford sufficient food to their vanity; so they have betaken themselves to error. Truth, Sir, is a cow which will yield such people no more milk, and so they are gone to milk the bull. If I could have allowed myself to gratify my vanity at the expence of truth, what fame might I have acquired Every thing which Hume has advanced against Christianity had passed through my mind long before he wrote. Always remember this, that after a system is well settled upon positive evidence, a few partial objections ought not to shake it. The human mind is so limited, that it cannot take in all the parts of a subject, so that there may be objections raised against any thing. There are objections against a plenum, and objections against a vacuum; yet one of them must certainly be true." I mentioned Hume's argument against the belief of miracles, that it is more probable that the witnesses to the truth of them are mistaken, or speak falsely, than that the miracles should be true. [Johnson then argues against this]'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Joseph Warton : Essay on the Genius and Writings of Pope

'He said, Dr. Joseph Warton was a very agreeable man, and his "Essay on the Genius and Writings of Pope," a very pleasing book. I wondered that he delayed so long to give us the continuation of it. Johnson. "Why, Sir, I suppose he finds himself a little disappointed, in not having been able to persuade the world to be of his opinion as to Pope." We have now been favoured with the concluding volume, in which, to use a parliamentary expression, he has explained, so as not to appear quite so adverse to the opinion of the world, concerning Pope, as was at first thought; and we must all agree, that his work is a most valuable accession to English literature'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : London: A Poem in Imitation of the Third Satire of Juvenal

'I was much pleased to find myself with Johnson at Greenwich, which he celebrates in his "London" as a favourite scene. I had the poem in my pocket, and read the lines aloud with enthusiasm : On Thames's banks in silent thought we stood, Where Greenwich smiles upon the silver flood : Pleas'd with the seat which gave Eliza birth, We kneel, and kiss the consecrated earth.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Gisbert Japix : Rymelerie

'[Boswell to Johnson] Of the modern Frisick, or what is spoken by the boors at this day, I have procured a specimen. It is [italics] Gisbert Japix's Rymelerie [end italics], which is the only book that they have. It is amazing that they have no translation of the bible, no treatises of devotion, nor even any of the ballads and story-books which are so agreeable to country people. You shall have Japix by the first convenient opportunity.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : London Chronicle [review of Grainger's "Sugar Cane, a poem"]

'He wrote a review of Grainger's "Sugar Cane, a Poem", in the "London Chronicle". He told me, that Dr. Percy wrote the greatest part of this review; but, I imagine, he did not recollect it distinctly, for it appears to be mostly, if not altogether, his own'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

Samuel Johnson : [journal]

'From one of his Journals I transcribed what follows : "At church, Oct.—65. " To avoid all singularity; [italics] Bonaventura [end italics] " To come in before service, and compose my mind by meditation, or by reading some portions of scripture. [italics] Tetty [end italics]. " If I can hear the sermon, to attend it, unless attention be more troublesome than useful. " To consider the act of prayer as a reposal of myself upon God, and a resignation of all into his holy hand." '

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

James Boswell : [letter to Johnson from Corsica]

'He kept the greater part of mine [letters] very carefully; and a short time before his death was attentive enough to seal them up in bundles, and ordered them to be delivered to me, which was accordingly done. Amongst them I found one, of which I had not made a copy, and which I own I read with pleasure at the distance of twenty years. It is dated November, 1765, at the palace of Pascal Paoli, in Corte, the capital of Corsica, and is full of generous enthusiasm. After giving a sketch of what I had seen and heard in that island, it proceeded thus: "I dare to call this a spirited tour. I dare to challenge your approbation."'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Letter

Jean Jacques Rousseau : Emile

'This violence [of Dr Johnson against Rousseau] seemed very strange to me, who had read many of Rousseau's animated writings with great pleasure, and even edification; had been much pleased with his society, and was just come from the Continent, where he was very generally admired. Nor can I yet allow that he deserves the very severe censure which Johnson pronounced upon him. His absurd preference of savage to civilized life and other singularities are proofs rather of a defect in his understanding than of any depravity in his heart. And notwithstanding the unfavourable opinion which many worthy men have expressed of his "Profession de Foi du Vicaire Savoyard," I cannot help admiring it as the performance of a man full of sincere reverential submission to Divine Mystery, though beset with perplexing doubts: a state of mind to be viewed with pity rather than with anger.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Jean Jacques Rousseau : Discourse on Inequality

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Richardson : [unknown]

'"Sir, (continued he) there is all the difference in the world between characters of nature and characters of manners; and [italics] there [end italics] is the difference between the characters of Fielding and those of Richardson. Characters of manners are very entertaining; but they are to be understood, by a more superficial observer, than characters of nature, where a man must dive into the recesses of the human heart." It always appeared to me that he estimated the compositions of Richardson too highly, and that he had an unreasonable prejudice against Fielding. In comparing those two writers, he used this expression ; "that there was as great a difference between them as between a man who knew how a watch was made, and a man who could tell the hour by looking on the dial-plate." '

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Henry Fielding : [unknown]

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : Lives of the Poets

'He allowed high praise to Thomson, as a poet; but when one of the company said he was also a very good man, our moralist contested this with very great warmth, accusing him of gross sensuality and licentiousness of manners. I was very much afraid that in writing Thomson's "Life", Dr. Johnson would have treated his private character with a stern severity, but I was agreeably disappointed; and I may claim a little merit in it, from my having been at pains to send him authentic accounts of the affectionate and generous conduct of that poet to his sisters, one of whom, the wife of Mr. Thomson, schoolmaster, of Lanark, I knew, and was presented by her with three of his letters, one of which Dr. Johnson has inserted in his "Life".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

James Thomson : [letters to his sister and accounts by them of his character]

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Letter

[n/a] : London Chronicle

'"The London Chronicle", which was the only newspaper he constantly took in, being brought, the office of reading it aloud was assigned to me. I was diverted by his impatience. He made me pass over so many parts of it, that my task was very easy. He would not suffer one of the petitions to the King about the Middlesex election to be read.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Newspaper

Samuel Johnson : Thoughts on the late Transactions respecting Falkland's Islands

'His description of its [the situation in the Falklands] miseries in this pamphlet ['Thoughts on the late Transactions respecting Falkland's Islands'] is one of the finest pieces of eloquence in the English language. Upon this occasion, too, we find Johnson lashing the party in opposition with unbounded severity, and making the fullest use of what he ever reckoned a most effectual argumentative instrument,—contempt. His character of their very able mysterious champion, Junius, is executed with all the force of his genius, and finished with the highest care.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell

Samuel Johnson : Thoughts on the Late Transactions respecting Falkland's Islands

'We talked of his two political pamphlets, "The False Alarm," and "Thoughts concerning Falkland's Islands." Johnson. "Well, sir, which of them did you think the best?" Boswell. "I liked the second best." Johnson. "Why, sir, I liked the first best; and Beattie liked the first best. Sir, there is a subtlety of disquisition in the first that is worth all the fire of the second".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell

Samuel Johnson : False Alarm, The

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell

Charles Drelincourt : Christians Defense against the Fears of Death

'Boswell. "I do not know whether there are any well attested stories of the appearance of ghosts. You know there is a famous story of the appearance of Mrs. Veal, prefixed to 'Drelincourt on Death.'" Johnson. " I believe, Sir, that is given up. I believe the woman declared upon her deathbed that it was a lie".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Mark Akenside : Pleasures of Imagination, The

'[Johnson said] "I see they have published a splendid edition of Akenside's works. One bad ode may be suffered; but a number of them together makes one sick." Boswell. "Akenside's distinguished poem is his 'Pleasures of Imagination': but, for my part, I never could admire it so much as most people do." Johnson. "Sir, I could not read it through." Boswell. "I have read it through; but I do not find any great power in it".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

[unknown] : [legal trial papers]

'I mentioned Elwal the heretick, whose trial Sir John Pringle had given me to read.'

Unknown

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell

Joseph Warton : Essay on the Genius and Writings of Pope

'He censured Ruffhead's "Life of Pope"; -and said, "he knew nothing of Pope, and nothing of poetry." He praised Dr. Joseph Warton's "Essay on Pope"; but said, he supposed we should have no more of it, as the author had not been able to persuade the world to think of Pope as he did. Boswell. "Why, sir, should that prevent him from continuing his work? He is an ingenious counsel who has made the most of his cause: he is not obliged to gain it." Johnson. "But, sir, there is a difference when the cause is of a man's own making".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

George Villiers, Second Duke of Buckingham : Rehearsal, The

'The conversation now turned on critical subjects. Johnson. "Bayes, in 'The Rehearsal', is a mighty silly character. If it was intended to be like a particular man, it could only be diverting while that man was remembered. But I question whether it was meant for Dryden, as has been reported; for we know some of the passages said to be ridiculed were written since 'The Rehearsal'; at least a passage mentioned in the Preface is of a later date." I maintained that it had merit as a general satire on the self-importance of dramatick authours. But even in this light he held it very cheap.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Henry Fielding : Tom Jones

'Fielding being mentioned, Johnson exclaimed, "he was a blockhead :" and upon my expressing my astonishment at so strange an assertion, he said, "What I mean by his being a blockhead is, that he was a barren rascal." Boswell. "Will you not allow, sir, that he draws very natural pictures of human life?" Johnson. "Why, sir, it is of very low life. Richardson used to say, that had he not known who Fielding was, he should have believed he was an ostler. Sir, there is more knowledge of the heart in one letter of Richardson's than in all 'Tom Jones'. I indeed, never read 'Joseph Andrews.'" Erskine. "Surely, sir, Richardson is very tedious." Johnson. "Why, sir, if you were to read Richardson for the story, your impatience would be so much fretted that you would hang yourself. But you must read him for the sentiment, and consider the story as only giving occasion to the sentiment." I have already given my opinion of Fielding ; but I cannot refrain from repeating here my wonder at Johnson's excessive and unaccountable depreciation of one of the best writers that England has produced. "Tom Jones" has stood the test of publick opinion with such success as to have established its great merit, both for the story, the sentiments, and the manners, and also the varieties of diction, so as to leave no doubt of its having an animated truth of execution throughout.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Tacitus : Histories

'We talked of Tacitus, and I hazarded an opinion that with all his merit for penetration, shrewdness of judgment, and terseness of expression, he was too compact, too much broken into hints as it were, and therefore too difficult to be understood. To my great satisfaction Dr. Johnson sanctioned this opinion. "Tacitus, sir, seems to me rather to have made notes for an historical work than to have written a history".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : Prayers and Meditations

'At this time it appears from his "Prayers and Meditations," that he had been more than commonly diligent in religious duties, particularly in reading the Holy Scriptures'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

Francis Osborne : [unknown]

'I expressed a liking for Mr. Francis Osborne's works, and asked him what he thought of that writer. He answered, "A conceited fellow. Were a man to write so now, the boys would throw stones at him." He, however, did not alter my opinion of a favourite authour, to whom I was first directed by his being quoted in "The Spectator," and in whom I have found much shrewd and lively sense, expressed indeed in a style somewhat quaint, which, however, I do not dislike. His book has an air of originality. We figure to ourselves an ancient gentleman talking to us.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Joseph Addison : Spectator, The

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

: London Chronicle

'On Saturday, April 3, the day after my arrival in London this year, I went to his house late in the evening, and sat with Mrs. Williams till he came home. I found in the "London Chronicle" Dr. Goldsmith's apology to the publick for beating Evans, a bookseller, on account of a paragraph 5 in a newspaper published by him, which Goldsmith thought impertinent to him and to a lady of his acquaintance. The apology was written so much in Dr. Johnson's manner that both Mrs. Williams and I supposed it to be his; but when he came home, he soon undeceived us. When he said to Mrs. Williams, "Well, Dr. Goldsmith's manifesto has got into your paper;" I asked him if Dr. Goldsmith had written it, with an air that made him see I suspected it was his, though subscribed by Goldsmith. Johnson. "Sir, Dr. Goldsmith would no more have asked me to write such a thing as that for him than he would have asked me to feed him with a spoon, or to do any thing else that denoted his imbecility. I as much believe that he wrote it as if I had seen him do it".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Newspaper

John Dalrymple : Memoirs of Great Britain and Ireland

'I mentioned Sir John Dalrymple's "Memoirs of Great Britain and Ireland", and his discoveries to the prejudice of Lord Russel and Algernon Sydney. Johnson. " Why, Sir, every body who had just notions of government thought them rascals before. It is well that all mankind now see them to be rascals." Boswell. "But, Sir, may not those discoveries be true without their being rascals?" Johnson. "Consider, Sir, would any of them have been willing to have had it known that they intrigued with France? Depend upon it, Sir, he who does what he is afraid should be known has something rotten about him. This Dalrymple seems to be an honest fellow; for he tells equally what makes against both sides. But nothing can be poorer than his mode of writing, it is the mere bouncing of a school boy: Great He! but greater She! and such stuff." I could not agree with him in this criticism; for though Sir John Dalrymple's style is not regularly formed in any respect, and one cannot help smiling sometimes at his affected grandiloquence, there is in his writing a pointed vivacity, and much of a gentlemanly spirit.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

[unknown] : [books belonging to Johnson]

'[on Good Friday] We went to church both in the morning and evening. In the interval between the two services we did not dine; but he read in the Greek New Testament, and I turned over several of his books.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

William Laud : [diary]

'In Archbishop Laud's Diary I found the following passage, which I read to Dr. Johnson: "1623. February 1, Sunday. I stood by the most illustrious Prince Charles, at dinner. He was then very merry, and talked occasionally of many things with his attendants. Among other things, he said, that if he were necessitated to take any particular profession of life, he could not be a lawyer, adding his reasons: 'I cannot (saith he) defend a bad, nor yield in a good cause.'" Johnson. "Sir, this is false reasoning; because every cause has a bad side: and a lawyer is not overcome, though the cause which he has endeavoured to support be determined against him".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Allan Ramsay : Gentle Shepherd, The

'I spoke of Allan Ramsay's "Gentle Shepherd," in the Scottish dialect, as the best pastoral that had ever been written; not only abounding with beautiful rural imagery, and just and pleasing sentiments, but being a real picture of manners; and I offered to teach Dr. Johnson to understand it. "No, sir (said he), I won't learn it. You shall retain your superiority by my not knowing it".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : [tale in Mrs Williams's 'Miscellanies']

'Johnson, though remarkable for his great variety of composition, never exercised his talents in fable, except we allow his beautiful tale published in Mrs. Williams's "Miscellanies" to be of that species. I have, however, found among his manuscript collections the following sketch of one: " Glowworm lying in the garden saw a candle in a neighbouring palace,—and complained of the littleness of his own light;—another observed wait a little ;—soon dark,—have outlasted [many] of these glaring lights which are only brighter as they haste to nothing".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : [manuscript plan for a fable]

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

William Robertson : History of Scotland 1542 - 1603

' [Johnson said of Goldsmith] "Take him as a poet, his 'Traveller' is a very fine performance; ay, and so is his 'Deserted Village,' were it not sometimes too much the echo of his 'Traveller.' Whether, indeed, we take him as a poet,—as a comick writer,—or as an historian, he stands in the first class." Boswell. "An historian! My dear sir, you surely will not rank his compilation of the Roman History with the works of other historians of this age ?" Johnson. "Why, who are before him?" Boswell. "Hume, —Robertson,—Lord Lyttelton." Johnson. (His antipathy to the Scotch beginning to rise). "I have not read Hume; but, doubtless, Goldsmith's 'History' is better than the [italics] verbiage [end italics] of Robertson, or the foppery of Dalrymple." Boswell. "Will you not admit the superiority of Robertson, in whose 'History' we find such penetration—such painting?" Johnson. "Sir, you must consider how that penetration and that painting are employed. It is not history, it is imagination. He who describes what he never saw draws from fancy. Robertson paints minds as Sir Joshua paints faces in a history piece: he imagines an heroick countenance. You must look upon Robertson's work as romance, and try it by that standard. History it is not. Besides, sir, it is the great excellence of a writer to put into his book as much as his book will hold. Goldsmith has done this in his 'History'. Now Robertson might have put twice as much into his book. Robertson is like a man who has packed gold in wool: the wool takes up more room than the gold. No, sir; I always thought Robertson would be crushed by his own weight,—would be buried under his own ornaments. Goldsmith tells you shortly all you want to know: Robertson detains you a great deal too long. No man will read Robertson's cumbrous detail a second time; but Goldsmith's plain narrative will please again and again. I would say to Robertson what an old tutor of a college said to one of his pupils: 'Read over your compositions, and wherever you meet with a passage which you think is particularly fine, strike it out.' Goldsmith's abridgement is better than that of Lucius Florus or Eutropius; and I will venture to say, that if you compare him with Vertot, in the same places of the Roman History, you will find that he excels Vertot."'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Daines Barrington : [Essay on bird migration]

'Talking of birds, I mentioned Mr. Daines Barrington's ingenions Essay against the received notion of their migration'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Unknown

David Dalrymple, Lord Hailes : Annals of Scotland

' [Letter from Boswell to Johnson] Your critical notes on the specimen of Lord Hailes's "Annals of Scotland" are excellent. I agreed with you on every one of them. He himself objected only to the alteration of [italics] free [end italics] to [italics] brave [end italics], in the passage where he says that Edward "departed with the glory dne to the conqueror of a free people". He says to call the Scots brave would only add to the glory of their conqueror. You will make allowance for the national zeal of our annalist. I now send a few more leaves of the "Annals", which I hope you will peruse, and return with observations, as you did upon the former occasion. Lord Hailes writes to me thus: "Mr. Boswell will be pleased to express the grateful sense which Sir David Dalrymple has of Dr. Johnson's attention to his little specimen".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

Izaak Walton : Lives of Dr John Donne, Sir Henry Wotton, Mr Richard Hooker, Mr George Herbert and Dr Robert Sanderson

'[letter from Boswell, to Johnson] It gives me much pleasure to hear that a republication of "Isaac Walton's Lives" is intended. You have been in a mistake in thinking that Lord Hailes had it in view. I remember one morning, while he sat with you in my house, he said, that there should be a new edition of "Walton's Lives"; and you said that "they should be benoted a little." This was all that passed on that subject. You must, therefore, inform Dr. Horne, that he may resume his plan. I enclose a note concerning it; and if Dr. Horne will write to me, all the attention that I can give shall be cheerfully bestowed, upon what I think a pious work, the preservation and elucidation of Walton, by whose writings I have been pleasingly edified'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : [diary]

'In his [Johnson's] manuscript diary of this year, there is the following entry: "Nov. 27. Advent Sunday. I considered that this day, being the beginning of the ecclesiastical year, was a proper time for a new course of life. I began to read the Greek Testament regularly at 160 verses every Sunday. This day I began the Acts. In this week I read Virgil's 'Pastorals'. I learned to repeat the 'Pollio' and 'Gallus'. I read carelessly the first 'Georgick'." Such evidences of his unceasing ardour, both for "divine and human lore," when advanced into his sixty-fifty year, and notwithstanding his many disturbances from disease, must make us at once honour his spirit, and lament that it should be so grievously clogged by its material tegument. It is remarkable, that he was very fond of the precision which calculation produces. Thus we find in one of his manuscript diaries, "12 pages in 4to Gr. Test, and 30 pages in Beza's folio, comprize the whole in 10 days".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

Samuel Johnson : Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland.

'[Letter from Boswell to Johnson] Be pleased to accept of my best thanks for your "Journey to the Hebrides", which came to me by last night's post. I did really ask the favour twice; but you have been even with me by granting it so speedily. [italics] Bis dat qui cito dat [end italics]. Though ill of a head cold, you kept me up the greatest part of last night: for I did not stop till I had read every word of your book. I looked back to our first talking of a visit to the Hebrides, which was many years ago, when sitting by ourselves in the Mitre tavern, in London, I think about [italics] witching time o'night [end italics]; and then exulted in contemplating our scheme fulfilled, and a [italics]monumentum perenne [end italics] of it erected by your superiour abilities. I shall only say, that your book has afforded me a high gratification. I shall afterwards give you my thoughts on particular passages. In the mean time, I hasten to tell you of your having mistaken two names, which you will correct in London, as I shall do here, that the gentlemen who deserve the valuable compliments which you have paid them, may enjoy their honours. In page 106, for [italics] Gordon [end italics], read [italics] Murchison [end italics]; and in page 357, for [italics] Maclean [end italics] read [italics] Macleod [end italics].'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland

'His "Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland" is a most valuable performance. It abounds in extensive philosophical views of society, and in ingenious sentiment and lively description. A considerable part of it, indeed, consists of speculations which many years before he saw the wild regions which we visited together probably had employed his attention, though the actual sight of those scenes undoubtedly quickened and augmented them. Mr. Orme, the very able historian, agreed with me in this opinion, which he thus strongly expressed:— "There are in that book thoughts which, by long revolution in the great mind of Johnson, have been formed and polished like pebbles rolled in the ocean!"'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

James Macpherson : [Ossian poems, culminating in] Fingal, an Ancient Epic Poem in Six Books, together with Several Other Poems composed by Ossian, the Son of Fingal, translated from the Gaelic Language

'His disbelief of the authenticity of the poems ascribed to Ossian, a Highland bard, was confirmed in the course of his journey by a very strict examination of the evidence offered for it: and although their authenticity was made too much a national point by the Scotch, there were many respectable persons in that country who did not concur in this; so that his judgment upon the question ought not to be decried, even by those who differ from him. As to myself, I can only say, upon a subject now become very uninteresting, that when the fragments of Highland poetry first came out, I was much pleased with their wild peculiarity, and was one of those who subscribed to enable their editor, Mr. Macpherson, then a young man, to make a search in the Highlands and Hebrides for a long poem in the Erse language, which was reported to be preserved somewhere in those regions. But when there came forth an Epick Poem in six books, with all the common circumstances of former compositions of that nature; and when, upon an attentive examination of it, there was found a perpetual recurrence of the same images which appear in the fragments; and when no ancient manuscript to authenticate the work was deposited in any publick library, though that was insisted on as a reasonable proof, [italics] who [end italics] could forbear to doubt?'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : Taxation no Tyranny; an answer to the Resolutions and Address of the American Congress

Unfavourable as I am constrained to say my opinion of this pamphlet [Johnson's 'Taxation no Tyranny; an answer to the Resolutions and Address of the American Congress'] was, yet, since it was congenial with the sentiments of numbers at that time, and as every thing relating to the writings of Dr. Johnson is of importance in literary history, I shall therefore insert some passages which were struck out, it does not appear why, either by himself or those who revised it. They appear printed in a few proof leaves of it in my possession, marked with corrections in his own handwriting. I shall distinguish them by Italicks. [various passages are then reproduced]'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell

Samuel Johnson : Taxation no Tyranny; an answer to the Resolutions and Address of the American Congress

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: proof leaves of a pamphlet with handwritten corrections

Thomas Gray : The Bard: A Pindaric Ode

'Next day I dined with Johnson at Mr. Thrale's. He attacked Gray, calling him a "dull fellow." Boswell. "I understand he was reserved, and might appear dull in company; but surely he was not dull in poetry." Johnson. "Sir, he was dull in company, dull in his closet, dull every where. He was dull in a new way, and that made many people think him GREAT. He was a mechanical poet." He then repeated some ludicrous lines, which have escaped my memory, and said, "Is not that GREAT, like his Odes?" Mrs. Thrale maintained that his Odes were melodious; upon which he exclaimed, "Weave the warp, and weave the woof;" I added, in a solemn tone, "The winding sheet of Edward's race". "[italics] There [end italics] is a good line."—"Ay (said he), and the next line is a good one," (pronouncing it contemptuously;) "Give ample verge and room enough.—" "No, sir, there are but two good stanzas in Gray's poetry, which are in his 'Elegy in a Country Churchyard.'" He then repeated the stanza, "For who to dumb forgetfulness a prey," &c. mistaking one word; for instead of [italics] precincts [end italics] he said [italics]confines [end italics]. He added, "The other stanza I forget".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Unknown

Thomas Gray : Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Unknown

William Mason : Elfrida

'The "Odes to Obscurity and Oblivion," in ridicule of "cool Mason and warm Gray", being mentioned, Johnson said, "They are Colman's best things." [Boswell reports a conversation about their possible joint authorship] Johnson. "The first of these Odes is the best: but they are both good. They exposed a very bad kind of writing." Boswell. "Surely, sir, Mr. Mason's 'Elfrida' is a fine Poem: at least, you will allow there are some good passages in it." Johnson. "There are now and then some good imitations of Milton's bad manner".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

William Mason : Elfrida

'I often wondered at his [Johnson's] low estimation of the writings of Gray and Mason. Of Gray's poetry I have, in a former part of this work, expressed my high opinion; and for that of Mr. Mason I have ever entertained a warm admiration. His "Elfrida" is exquisite, both in poetical description and moral sentiment; and his "Caractacus" is a noble drama. Nor can I omit paying my tribute of praise to some of his smaller poems, which I have read with pleasure, and which no criticism shall persuade me not to like'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

William Mason : Caractacus: A Dramatic Poem

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

William Mason : [minor poems]

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Thomas Campbell : Philosophical Survey of the South of Ireland, in a series of letters

'[Dr Thomas Campbell, who dined with Johnson on 3 April 1775] has since published "A Philosophical Survey of the South of Ireland," a very entertaining book, which has, however, one fault:—that it assumes the fictitious character of an Englishman.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

John Scott : [Elegies]

'Mr. Scott of Amwell's "Elegies" were lying in the room. Dr. Johnson observed "They are very well; but such as twenty people might write." Upon this I took occasion to controvert Horace's maxim, " [italics] mediocribus esse poetis Non Di, non homines non concessere columnae:" [end italics] For here, (I observed,) was a very middle rate poet, who pleased many readers, and therefore poetry of a middle sort was entitled to some esteem; nor could I see why poetry should not, like every thing else, have different gradations of excellence, and consequently of value. Johnson repeated the common remark, that "as there is no necessity for our having poetry at all, it being merely a luxury, an instrument of pleasure, it can have no value, unless when exquisite in its kind".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

[n/a] : [various Scottish magazine reviews of Johnson's 'Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland']

'I had brought with me a great bundle of Scotch magazines and newspapers, in which his "Journey to the Western Islands" was attacked in every mode; and I read a great part of them to him, knowing they would afford him entertainment. I wish the writers of them had been present: they would have been sufficiently vexed. One ludicrous imitation of his style, by Mr. Maclaurin, now one of the Scotch Judges, with the title of Lord Dreghorn, was distinguished by him from the rude mass. "This (said he) is the best. But I could caricature my own style much better myself." He defended his remark upon the general insufficiency of education in Scotland; and confirmed to me the authenticity of his witty saying on the learning of the Scotch;—"Their learning is like bread in a besieged town : every man gets a little, but no man gets a full meal".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

Giuseppe Baretti : [unidentified 'Dialogues']

'I censured some ludicrous fantastick dialogues between two coach horses and other such stuff, which Baretti had lately published. He joined with me and said, "Nothing odd will do long. 'Tristram Shandy' did not last".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

James Grainger : Sugar Cane, The

'He spoke slightingly of Dyer's "Fleece".— "The subject, Sir, cannot be made poetical. How can a man write poetically of serges and druggets ? Yet you will hear many people talk to you gravely of that [italics] excellent [end italics] poem, "The Fleece." Having talked of Grainger's "Sugar-Cane", I mentioned to him Mr. Langton's having told me that this poem, when read in manuscript at Sir Joshua Reynolds's, had made all the assembled wits burst into a laugh, when, after much blank-verse pomp, the poet began a new paragraph thus: "Now, Muse, let's sing of [italics] rats [end italics]". And what increased the ridicule was, that one of the company, who slily overlooked the reader, perceived that the word had been originally [italics] mice [end italics], and had been altered to [italics] rats [end italics], as more dignified. This passage does not appear in the printed work. Dr. Grainger, or some of his friends, it should seem, having become sensible that introducing even [italics] Rats [end italics] in a grave poem might be liable to banter. He, however, could not bring himself to relinquish the idea; for they are thus, in a still more ludicrous manner, periphrastically exhibited in his poem as it now stands: "Nor with less waste the whisker'd vermin race, A countless clan, despoil the lowland cane." Johnson said, that Dr. Grainger was an agreeable man; a man who would do any good that was in his power. His translation of "Tibullus", he thought, was very well done; but "The Sugar Cane, a Poem," did not please him; for, he exclaimed, "What could he make of a sugar cane? One might as well write the 'Parsley Bed, a Poem ;' or ' The Cabbage Garden, a Poem'".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Robert Barclay : Apology for the True Christian Divinity

'[At the home of the Quaker Mr Lloyd] I having asked to look at Baskerville's edition of "Barclay's Apology", Johnson laid hold of it; and the chapter on baptism happening to open, Johnson remarked, "He says there is neither precept nor practice for baptism in the scriptures; that is false." Here he was the aggressor, by no means in a gentle manner; and the good Quakers had the advantage of him; for he had read negligently, and had not observed that Barclay speaks of infant baptism; which they calmly made him perceive'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Patrick Brydone : Tour Through Sicily and Malta. In A Series of Letters to William Beckford Esq.

'Mr. Seward mentioned to us the observations which he had made upon the strata of earth in volcanoes, from which it appeared, that they were so very different in depth at different periods that no calculation whatever could be made as to the time required for their formation. This fully refuted an antimosaical remark introduced into Captain Brydone's entertaining tour, I hope heedlessly, from a kind of vanity which is too common in those who have not sufficiently studied the most important of all subjects. Dr. Johnson, indeed, had said before, independent of this observation, "Shall all the accumulated evidence of the history of the world;—shall the authority of what is unquestionably the most ancient writing be overturned by an uncertain remark such as this?"'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : Translation of Lobo's Account of Abyssinia

'On Sunday, March 31, I called on him, and shewed him as a curiosity which I had discovered, his "Translation of Lobo's Account of Abyssinia", which Sir John Pringle had lent me, it being then little known as one of his works. He said, "Take no notice of it" or "don't talk of it". He seemed to think it beneath him, though done at six-and-twenty. I said to him, "Your style, Sir, is much improved since you translated this".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

William Shakespeare : Othello

'I observed the great defect of the tragedy of "Othello" was, that it had not a moral; for that no man could resist the circumstances of suspicion which were artfully suggested to Othello's mind. JOHNSON. "In the first place, Sir, we learn from "Othello" this very useful moral, not to make an unequal match; in the second place, we learn not to yield too readily to suspicion. The handkerchief is merely a trick, though a very pretty trick; but there are no other circumstances of reasonable suspicion, except what is related by Iago of Cassio's warm expressions concerning Desdemona in his sleep; and that depended entirely upon the assertion of one man. No, Sir, I think "Othello" has more moral than almost any play".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

: [Monthly and Critical Reviews]

'We talked of the Reviews, and Dr. Johnson spoke of them as he did at Thrale's. Sir Joshua [Reynolds] said, what I have often thought, that he wondered to find so much good writing employed in them, when the authours were to remain unknown, and so could not have the motive of fame. JOHNSON. "Nay, Sir, those who write in them, write well, in order to be paid well".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

Robert Blair : 'The Grave, a Poem'

'He told me that "so long ago as 1748 he had read 'The Grave, a Poem', but did not like it much." I differed from him; for though it is not equal throughout, and is seldom elegantly correct, it abounds in solemn thought, and poetical imagery beyond the common reach. The world has differed from him; for the poem has passed through many editions, and is still much read by people of a serious cast of mind.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Unknown

Thomas Chatterton : [poems supposedly by Thomas Rowley]

'On Monday, April 29, he and I made an excursion to Bristol, where I was entertained with seeing him enquire upon the spot, into the authenticity of 'Rowley's Poetry,' as I had seen him enquire upon the spot into the authenticity of 'Ossian's Poetry.' George Catcot, the pewterer, who was as zealous for Rowley, as Dr. Hugh Blair was for Ossian, (I trust my Reverend friend will excuse the comparison,) attended us at our inn, and with a triumphant air of lively simplicity called out, "I'll make Dr. Johnson a convert". Dr. Johnson, at his desire, read aloud some of Chatterton's fabricated verses, while Catcot stood at the back of his chair, moving himself like a pendulum, and beating time with his feet, and now and then looking into Dr. Johnson's face, wondering that he was not yet convinced. We called on Mr. Barret, the surgeon, and saw some of the originals as they were called, which were executed very artificially; but from a careful inspection of them, and a consideration of the circumstances with which they were attended, we were quite satisfied of the imposture, which, indeed, has been clearly demonstrated from internal evidence, by several able criticks.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

Francis Hutcheson : System of Moral Philosophy

' [Johnson said] "There is much talk of the misery which we cause to the brute creation; but they are recompensed by existence. If they were not useful to man, and therefore protected by him, they would not be nearly so numerous". This argument is to be found in the able and benignant Hutchinson's [sic] "Moral Philosophy".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : [a legal argument]

'When I read this [Johnson's argument regarding a legal case on the liberty of the pulpit in which Boswell was involved] to Mr. Burke, he was highly pleased, and exclaimed, "Well; he does his work in a workman-like manner".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

Colley Cibber : Apology for the Life of Mr. Colley Cibber

'BOSWELL. "Yet Cibber was a man of observation?" JOHNSON. "I think not." BOSWELL. "You will allow his 'Apology' to be well done". JOHNSON. "Very well done, to be sure, Sir. That book is a striking proof of the justice of Pope's remark: 'Each might his several province well command, Would all but stoop to what they understand' BOSWELL. "And his plays are good". JOHNSON. "Yes; but that was his trade; [italics] l'esprit du corps [end italics]; he had been all his life among players and play-writers".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Colley Cibber : [Plays]

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

James Granger : Biographical History of England from Egbert the Great to the Revolution

'[letter from Boswell to Johnson] I have, since I saw you, read every word of Granger's "Biographical History". It has entertained me exceedingly, and I do not think him the [italics] Whig [end italics] that you supposed'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : [paper on an aspect of Scottish law]

'[letter from Boswell to Johnson] Your paper on "Vicious Intromission" is a noble proof of what you can do even in Scotch law.'

Unknown

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell

Samuel Johnson : Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland

' [letter from Boswell to Johnson] I have not yet distributed all your books [presumably a new edition of the "Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland"]. Lord Hailes and Lord Monboddo have each received one, and return you thanks. Monboddo dined with me lately, and having drank tea, we were a good while by ourselves, and as I knew that he had read the "Journey superficially", as he did not talk of it as I wished, I brought it to him, and read aloud several passages; and then he talked so, that I told him he was to have a copy [italics] from the authour [end italics]. He begged [italics] that [end italics] might be marked on it'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : [proposals for the publication of William Shaw's 'Erse Grammar']

'[letter from Boswell to Johnson] You forget that Mr. Shaw's "Erse Grammar" was put into your hands by myself last year. Lord Eglintoune put it into mine. I am glad that Mr. Macbean approves of it. I have received Mr. Shaw's Proposals for its publication, which I can perceive are written [italics] by the hand of a MASTER [end italics]' [Master here refers to Johnson]

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Unknown

: [newspapers]

'[letter from Boswell to Johnson] Our worthy friend Thrale's death having appeared in the newspapers, and been afterwards contradicted, I have been placed in a state of very uneasy uncertainty, from which I hoped to be relieved by you: but my hopes have as yet been vain.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Newspaper

Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield : Memoirs and Last Letters

' [letter from Boswell to Johnson] What do you say of Lord Chesterfield's "Memoirs and last Letters"?'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Theophilus Cibber : Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland

'[ letter from Boswell to Johnson, responding to the latter's contention that there existed no adequate 'Life' of Thomson] Since I received your letter I have read his [Thomson's] "Life", published under the name of Cibber, but as you told me, really written by a Mr. Shiels; that written by Dr. Murdoch; one prefixed to an edition of the "Seasons", published at Edinburgh, which is compounded of both, with the addition of an anecdote of Quin's relieving Thomson from prison; the abridgement of Murdoch's account of him, in the "Biographia Britannica", and another abridgement of it in the "Biographical Dictionary", enriched with Dr. Joseph Warton's critical panegyrick on the "Seasons" in his "Essay on the Genius and Writings of Pope": from all these it appears to me that we have a pretty full account of this poet.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Patrick Murdoch : [Life of Thomson, prefixed to an edition of 'The Seasons']

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

anon. : [Life of Thomson, prefixed to an edition of 'The Seasons']

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

: Biographia Britannica

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

: Biographical Dictionary

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Joseph Warton : Essay on the Genius and Writings of Pope

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

David Hume : My Own Life

' [letter from Boswell to Johnson] Without doubt you have read what is called "The Life of David Hume", written by himself, with the letter from Dr. Adam Smith subjoined to it. Is not this an age of daring effrontery?'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia , the

'[letter from Boswell to Johnson] I lately read Rasselas over again with great satisfaction'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : [sermon written for Dr Dodd]

'He [Johnson] wrote also "The Convict's Address to his unhappy Brethren", a sermon delivered by Dr. Dodd [ a clergyman condemned to deatn for fraud], in the chapel of Newgate According to Johnson's manuscript it began thus after the text, What shall I do to be saved?-- "These were the words with which the keeper, to whose custody Paul and Silas were committed by their prosecutors, addressed his prisoners, when he saw them freed from their bonds by the perceptible agency of divine favour, and was, therefore, irresistibly convinced that they were not offenders against the laws, but martyrs to the truth". Dr. Johnson was so good as to mark for me with his own hand, on a copy of this sermon which is now in my possession, such passages as were added by Dr. Dodd. They are not many: whoever will take the trouble to look at the printed copy, and attend to what I mention, will be satisfied of this.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

William Hamilton : [poem on Winter]

'In the afternoon I tried to get Dr. Johnson to like the Poems of Mr. Hamilton of Bangour, which I had brought with me: I had been much pleased with them at a very early age; the impression still remained on my mind; it was confirmed by the opinion of my friend the Honourable Andrew Erskine, himself both a good poet and a good critick, who thought Hamilton as true a poet as ever wrote, and that his not having fame was unaccountable. Johnson, upon repeated occasions, while I was at Ashbourne, talked slightingly of Hamilton. He said there was no power of thinking in his verses, nothing that strikes one, nothing better than what you generally find in magazines; and that the highest praise they deserved was, that they were very well for a gentleman to hand about among his friends. He said the imitation of "Ne sit ancillae tibi amor", &c. was too solemn; he read part of it at the beginning. He read the beautiful pathetick song, 'Ah the poor shepherd's mournful fate', and did not seem to give attention to what I had been used to think tender elegant strains, but laughed at the rhyme, in Scotch pronunciation, [italics] wishes [end italics] and [italics] blushes [end italics], reading [italics] wushes [end italics]--and there he stopped. He owned that the epitaph on Lord Newhall was pretty well done. He read the 'Inscription in a Summer-house', and a little of the imitations of Horace's 'Epistles'; but said he found nothing to make him desire to read on. When I urged that there were some good poetical passages in the book. "Where (said he,) will you find so large a collection without some?" I thought the description of Winter might obtain his approbation: 'See Winter, from the frozen north Drives his iron chariot forth! His grisly hand in icy chains Fair Tweeda's silver flood constrains,' &c. He asked why an 'iron chariot'? and said 'icy chains' was an old image. I was struck with the uncertainty of taste, and somewhat sorry that a poet whom I had long read with fondness, was not approved by Dr. Johnson. I comforted myself with thinking that the beauties were too delicate for his robust perceptions'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

William Hamilton : [poems]

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

: Critical Review

'He [Johnson] was much diverted with an article which I shewed him in the "Critical Review" of this year, giving an account of a curious publication, entitled, "A Spiritual Diary and Soliloquies", by John Rutty, M.D. Dr. Rutty was one of the people called Quakers, a physician of some eminence in Dublin, and authour of several works. This Diary, which was kept from 1753 to 1775, the year in which he died, and was now published in two volumes octavo, exhibited, in the simplicity of his heart, a minute and honest register of the state of his mind; which, though frequently laughable enough, was not more so than the history of many men would be, if recorded with equal fairness.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

Thomas Arnold : Observations on Insanity

'Some of the ancient philosophers held, that all deviations from right reason were madness; and whoever wishes to see the opinions both of ancients and moderns upon this subject, collected and illustrated with a variety of curious facts, may read Dr. Arnold's very entertaining work'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

George Forster : Voyage Round the World in his Britannic Majesty's sloop, Resolution, A

'I talked to him [Johnson] of Forster's "Voyage to the South Seas", which pleased me; but I found he did not like it. "Sir, (said he,) there is a great affectation of fine writing in it". BOSWELL. "But he carries you along with him". JOHNSON, "No, Sir; he does not carry me along with him: he leaves me behind him: or rather, indeed, he sets me before him; for he makes me turn over many leaves at a time".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : [sermon written for John Taylor]

'I have no doubt that a good many sermons were composed for Taylor [with whom Johnson and Boswell were staying] by Johnson. At this time I found, upon his table, a part of one which he had newly begun to write: and [italics] Concio pro Tayloro [end italics] appears in one of his diaries. When to these circumstances we add the internal evidence from the power of thinking and style, in the collection which the Reverend Mr. Hayes has published, with the [italics] significant [end italics] title of "Sermons [italics] left for publication [end italics] by the Reverend John Taylor, LL.D.", our conviction will be complete. I, however, would not have it thought, that Dr. Taylor, though he could not write like Johnson, (as, indeed, who could?) did not sometimes compose sermons as good as those which we generally have from very respectable divines. He showed me one with notes on the margin in Johnson's hand-writing; and I was present when he read another to Johnson, that he might have his opinion of it, and Johnson said it was "very well". These, we may be sure, were not Johnson's; for he was above little arts, or tricks of deception.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

John Taylor : Sermons left for publication by the Reverend John Taylor LL.D.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Robert Plott : Natural History of Staffordshire

'We viewed a remarkable natural curiosity at Islam; two rivers bursting near each other from the rock, not from immediate springs, but after having run for many miles under ground. Plott, in his "History of Staffordshire", gives an account of this curiosity; but Johnson would not believe it, though we had the attestation of the gardener, who said, he had put in corks, where the river Manyfold sinks into the ground, and had catched them in a net, placed before one of the openings where the water bursts out. Indeed, such subterraneous courses of water are found in various parts of our globe.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Gilbert Burnet : Some passages of the life and death of the Right Honourable John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester

'Talking of Rochester's Poems, he said, he had given them to Mr. Steevens to castrate for the edition of the poets, to which he was to write Prefaces. Dr. Taylor (the only time I ever heard him say any thing witty) observed, that "if Rochester had been castrated himself, his exceptionable poems would not have been written". I asked if Burnet had not given a good Life of Rochester. JOHNSON. "We have a good [italics] Death [end italics]: there is not much [italics] Life[end italics]".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Matthew Prior : [Poems]

'I asked whether Prior's Poems were to be printed entire: Johnson said they were. I mentioned Lord Hailes's censure of Prior, in his Preface to a collection of "Sacred Poems", by various hands, published by him at Edinburgh a great many years ago, where he mentions, "those impure tales which will be the eternal opprobrium of their ingenious authour". JOHNSON. "Sir, Lord Hailes has forgot. There is nothing in Prior that will excite to lewdness. If Lord Hailes thinks there is, he must be more combustible than other people". I instanced the tale of Paulo Purganti and his Wife. JOHNSON. "Sir, there is nothing there, but that his wife wanted to be kissed when poor Paulo was out of pocket. No, Sir, Prior is a lady's book. No lady is ashamed to have it standing in her library".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

David Mallet : Life of Francis Bacon, The

'Mallet's "Life of Bacon" has no inconsiderable merit as an acute and elegant dissertation relative to its subject; but Mallet's mind was not comprehensive enough to embrace the vast extent of Lord Verulam's genius and research. Dr. Warburton therefore observed, with witty justness, "that Mallet, in his "Life of Bacon", had forgotten that he was a philosopher; and if he should write the Life of the Duke of Marlborough, which he had undertaken to do, he would probably forget that he was a general".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

John Ranby : Doubts on the Abolition of the Slave Trade

I have read, conversed, and thought much upon the subject, and would recommend to all who are capable of conviction, an excellent Tract by my learned and ingenious friend John Ranby, Esq. entitled "Doubts on the Abolition of the Slave Trade." To Mr. Ranby's "Doubts," I will apply Lord Chancellor Hardwicke's expression in praise of a Scotch Law Book, called "Dirleton's Doubts"; "HIS [italics] Doubts [end italics], (said his Lordship,) are better than most people's [italics] Certainties [end italics]."

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell

Florentius Volusenus [pseud.] : De Animi Tranquillitate

'[letter from Boswell to Johnson] Did you ever look at a book written by Wilson, a Scotchman, under the Latin name of Volusenus, according to the custom of literary men at a certain period. It is entitled "De Animi Tranquillitate" I earnestly desire tranquillity'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

: London Chronicle

'[Letter from Boswell to Johnson] The alarm of your late illness distressed me but a few hours ; for on the evening of the day that it reached me, I found it contradicted in 'The London Chronicle,' which I could depend upon as authentick concerning you, Mr. Strahan being the printer of it'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Newspaper

Robert Sibbald : [manuscript Life]

'I mentioned that I had in my possession the Life of Sir Robert Sibbald, the celebrated Scottish antiquary, and founder of the Royal College of Physicians at Edinburgh, in the original manuscript in his own hand-writing ; and that it was, I believed, the most natural and candid account of himself that ever was given by any man'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

Francis Atterbury : [Funeral Sermon for Lady Cutts]

'[in a conversation about journals, Boswell said] "And as a lady adjusts her dress before a mirrour, a man adjusts his character by looking at his journal." I next year found the very same thought in Atterbury's "Funeral Sermon on Lady Cutts" where, having mentioned her diary, he says, " In this glass she every day dressed her mind." This is a proof of coincidence, and not of plagiarism ; for I had never read that sermon before'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Henry Home, Lord Kames : Sketches of the History of Man

'I looked into Lord Kaimes's "Sketches of the History of Man"; and mentioned to Dr. Johnson his censure of Charles the Fifth, for celebrating his funeral obsequies in his life-time'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Ogden : [Sermons]

'Sir John Pringle had expressed a wish that I would ask Dr. Johnson's opinion what were the best English sermons for style. I took an opportunity to-day of mentioning several to him. "Atterbury?" Johnson. "Yes, Sir, one of the best". Boswell. "Tillotson?". Johnson. "Why, not now. I should not advise a preacher at this day to imitate Tillotson's style: though I don't know; I should be cautious of objecting to what has been applauded by so many suffrages. — South is one of the best, if you except his peculiarities, and his violence, and sometimes coarseness of language. — Seed has a very fine style; but he is not very theological. — Jortin's sermons are very elegant. — Sherlock's style too is very elegant, though he has not made it his principal study. — And you may add Smallridge. All the latter preachers have a good style. Indeed, nobody now talks much of style: everybody composes pretty well. There are no such inharmonious periods as there were a hundred years ago. I should recommend Dr. Clarke's sermons, were he orthodox. However, it is very well known where he is not orthodox, which was upon the doctrine of the Trinity, as to which he is a condemned heretic: so one is aware of it." Boswell. "I like Ogden's "Sermons on Prayer" very much, both for neatness of style and subtilty of reasoning. "Johnson. "I should like to read all that Ogden has written." Boswell. "What I wish to know is, what sermons afford the best specimen of English pulpit eloquence." Johnson. "We have no sermons addressed to the passions, that are good for anything; if you mean that kind of eloquence".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Unknown

Homer : Iliad and Odyssey

'After wandering about in a kind of pleasing distraction for some time, I got into a corner, with Johnson, Garrick, and Harris. GARRICK: (to Harris.) "Pray, Sir, have you read Potter's Aeschylus?" HARRIS. "Yes; and think it pretty." GARRICK. (to Johnson.) "And what think you, Sir, of it?" JOHNSON. "I thought what I read of it verbiage: but upon Mr. Harris's recommendation, I will read a play. (To Mr. Harris.) Don't prescribe two." Mr. Harris suggested one, I do not remember which. JOHNSON. "We must try its effect as an English poem; that is the way to judge of the merit of a translation. Translations are, in general, for people who cannot read the original." I mentioned the vulgar saying, that Pope's Homer was not a good representation of the original. JOHNSON."Sir, it is the greatest work of the kind that has ever been produced" BOSWELL. "The truth is, it is impossible perfectly to translate poetry. In a different language it may be the same tune, but it has not the same tone. Homer plays it on a bassoon; Pope on a flagelet".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Homer : Iliad and Odyssey

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Daniel Defoe : Robinson Crusoe

'He [Johnson] told us, that he had given Mrs. Montagu a catalogue of all Daniel Defoe's works of imagination; most, if not all of which, as well as of his other works, he now enumerated, allowing a considerable share of merit to a man, who, bred a tradesman, had written so variously and so well. Indeed, his "Robinson Crusoe" is enough of itself to establish his reputation'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

William Dodd : Thoughts in Prison

'On Sunday, April 12, I found him at home before dinner; Dr. Dodd's poem entitled "Thoughts in Prison" was lying upon his table. This appearing to me an extraordinary effort by a man who was in Newgate for a capital crime, I was desirous to hear Johnson's opinion of it: to my surprize, he told me he had not read a line of it. I took up the book and read a passage to him. JOHNSON. "Pretty well, if you are previously disposed to like them". I read another passage, with which he was better pleased. He then took the book into his own hands, and having looked at the prayer at the end of it, he said, "What evidence is there that this was composed the night before he suffered? I do not believe it". He then read aloud where he prays for the King, &c. and observed, "Sir, do you think that a man the night before he is to be hanged cares for the succession of a royal family?--Though, he may have composed this prayer, then. A man who has been canting all his life, may cant to the last.--And yet a man who has been refused a pardon after so much petitioning, would hardly be praying thus fervently for the King".

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Soame Jenyns : View of the Internal Evidence of the Christian Religion

'Dr. Mayo having asked Johnson's opinion of Soame Jenyns's "View of the Internal Evidence of the Christian Religion";--JOHNSON. "I think it a pretty book; not very theological indeed; and there seems to be an affectation of ease and carelessness, as if it were not suitable to his character to be very serious about the matter". BOSWELL. "He may have intended this to introduce his book the better among genteel people, who might be unwilling to read too grave a treatise. There is a general levity in the age. We have physicians now with bag-wigs; may we not have airy divines, at least somewhat less solemn in their appearance than they used to be?" JOHNSON. "Jenyns might mean as you say". BOSWELL. "[italics]You[end italics] should like his book, Mrs. Knowles, as it maintains, as you [italics] friends [end italics] do, that courage is not a Christian virtue".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Jonathan Edwards : [on Grace]

'DR. MAYO (to Dr. Johnson). "Pray, Sir, have you read Edwards, of New England, on "Grace"?" JOHNSON. "No, Sir". BOSWELL. "It puzzled me so much as to the freedom of the human will, by stating, with wonderful acute ingenuity, our being actuated by a series of motives which we cannot resist, that the only relief I had was to forget it". MAYO. "But he makes the proper distinction between moral and physical necessity".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

William Marshall : Minutes of Agriculture

'Mr. Allen, the printer, brought a book on agriculture, which was printed, and was soon to be published. It was a very strange performance, the authour having mixed in it his own thoughts upon various topicks, along with his remarks on ploughing, sowing, and other farming operations. He seemed to be an absurd profane fellow, and had introduced in his book many sneers at religion, with equal ignorance and conceit. Dr. Johnson permitted me to read some passages aloud.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia

'I told him, that his "Rasselas" had often made me unhappy; for it represented the misery of human life so well, and so convincingly to a thinking mind, that if at any time the impression wore off, and I felt myself easy, I began to suspect some delusion.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

: [list of Johnson's works compiled by Mr Levett]

' [Boswell lamenting the dificulty of compiling a definitive Johnson bibliography] I once got from one of his friends a list, which there was pretty good reason to suppose was accurate, for it was written down in his presence by this friend, who enumerated each article aloud, and had some of them mentioned to him by Mr. Levett, in concert with whom it was made out; and Johnson, who heard all this, did not contradict it. But when I shewed a copy of this list to him, and mentioned the evidence for its exactness, he laughed, and said, "I was willing to let them go on as they pleased, and never interfered". Upon which I read it to him, article by article, and got him positively to own or refuse; and then, having obtained certainty so far, I got some other articles confirmed by him directly; and afterwards, from time to time, made additions under his sanction'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

Samuel Johnson : Lives of the Poets

'[letter from Boswell to Johnson] 'I am eager to see more of your Prefaces to the Poets; I solace myself with the few proof sheets which I have'.

Century: Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: proof sheets

Joshua Reynolds : Discourses Delivered at the Royal Academy

'Johnson this year expressed great satisfaction at the publication of the first volume of "Discourses to the Royal Academy", by Sir Joshua Reynolds, whom he always considered as one of his literary school. Much praise indeed is due to those excellent "Discourses", which are so universally admired, and for which the authour received from the Empress of Russia a gold snuff-box, adorned with her profile in bas relief, set in diamonds; and containing what is infinitely more valuable, a slip of paper, on which are written with her Imperial Majesty's own hand, the following words: "Pour le Chevalier Reynolds en temoignage du contentement que j'ai ressentie a la lecture de ses excellens discours sur la peinture".'

Century: Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Richard Allestree : Government of the Tongue, The

'On Friday, April 2, being Good-Friday, I visited him in the morning as usual; and finding that we insensibly fell into a train of ridicule upon the foibles of one of our friends, a very worthy man, I, by way of a check, quoted some good admonition from "The Government of the Tongue", that very pious book.'

Century: Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Blaise Pascal : Pensees

'In the interval between morning and evening service, he [Johnson] endeavoured to employ himself earnestly in devotional exercises; and as he has mentioned in his "Prayers and Meditations", gave me "Les Pensees de Pascal", that I might not interrupt him. I preserve the book with reverence. His presenting it to me is marked upon it with his own hand, and I have found in it a truly divine unction.'

Century: Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Thomas Parnell : Hermit, The

'On Monday, May 3, I dined with him at Mr. Dilly's; I pressed him this day for his opinion on the passage in Parnell, concerning which I had in vain questioned him in several letters, and at length obtained it in [italics] due form of law [end italics]. CASE for Dr. JOHNSON'S Opinion; 3rd of May, 1779. "PARNELL, in his "Hermit", has the following passage: "To clear this doubt, to know the world by sight, To find if [italics] books [end italics] and [italics] swains [end italics] report it right: ( For yet by [italics] swains alone [end italics]the world he knew, Whose feet came wand'ring o'er the nightly dew.)" "Is there not a contradiction in its being [italics] first [end italics] supposed that the [italics] Hermit [end italics] knew [italics] both [end italics] what books and swains reported of the world; yet afterwards said, that he knew it by swains [italics] alone? [end italics] [italics] I think it an inaccuracy.--He mentions two instructors in the first line, and says he had only one in the next.[end italics]".'

Century: Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Hugh Blair : [letter concerning Pope and Bolingbroke]

'shall insert as a literary curiosity. [The letter is given. It begins as follows] "TO JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ. DEAR SIR, In the year 1763, being at London, I was carried by Dr. John Blair, Prebendary of Westminster, to dine at old Lord Bathurst's; where we found the late Mr. Mallet, Sir James Porter, who had been Ambassadour at Constantinople, the late Dr. Macaulay, and two or three more. The conversation turning on Mr. Pope, Lord Bathurst told us, that "The Essay on Man" was originally composed by Lord Bolingbroke in prose, and that Mr. Pope did no more than put it into verse: that he had read Lord Bolingbroke's manuscript in his own hand-writing; and remembered well, that he was at a loss whether most to admire the elegance of Lord Bolingbroke's prose, or the beauty of Mr. Pope's verse..."'

Century: Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Letter

Samuel Johnson : Lives of the Poets

'So easy is his style in these "Lives", that I do not recollect more than three uncommon or learned words; one, when giving an account of the approach of Waller's mortal disease, he says, "he found his legs grow tumid"; by using the expression his legs swelled, he would have avoided this; and there would have been no impropriety in its being followed by the interesting question to his physician, 'What that swelling meant?' Another, when he mentions that Pope had emitted proposals; when published or issued would have been more readily understood; and a third, when he calls Orrery and Dr. Delany, writers both undoubtedly veracious, when true, honest, or faithful, might have been used. Yet, it must be owned, that none of these are hard or too big words; that custom would make them seem as easy as any others; and that a language is richer and capable of more beauty of expression, by having a greater variety of synonimes. His dissertation upon the unfitness of poetry for the aweful subjects of our holy religion, though I do not entirely agree with with him, has all the merit of originality, with uncommon force and reasoning.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Herbert Croft : Life of Young

'[Croft's 'Life of Young, adapted by Johnson for his 'Life'] has always appeared to me to have a considerable share of merit, and to display a pretty successful imitation of Johnson's style. When I mentioned this to a very eminent literary character [Edmund Burke], he opposed me vehemently, exclaiming, "No, no, it is not a good imitation of Johnson; it has all his pomp without his force; it has all the nodosities of the oak without its strength". This was an image so happy, that one might have thought he would have been satisfied with it; but he was not. And setting his mind again to work, he added, with exquisite felicity, "It has all the contortions of the Sybil, without the inspiration".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Edward Young : Night Thoughts

''It gives me much pleasure to observe, that however Johnson may have casually talked, yet when he sits, as "an ardent judge zealous to his trust, giving sentence" upon the excellent works of Young, he allows them the high praise to which they are justly entitled. "The 'Universal Passion' (says he) is indeed a very great performance,--his distichs have the weight of solid sentiment, and his points the sharpness of resistless truth." But I was most anxious concerning Johnson's decision upon "Night Thoughts", which I esteem as a mass of the grandest and richest poetry that human genius has ever produced; and was delighted to find this character of that work: "In his 'Night Thoughts', he has exhibited a very wide display of original poetry, variegated with deep reflections and striking allusions; a wilderness of thought, in which the fertility of fancy scatters flowers of every hue and of every odour. This is one of the few poems in which blank verse could not be changed for rhime but with disadvantage". And afterwards, "Particular lines are not to be regarded; the power is in the whole; and in the whole there is a magnificence like that ascribed to Chinese plantation, the magnificence of vast extent and endless diversity". But there is in this Poem not only all that Johnson so well brings in view, but a power of the [italics] Pathetick [end italics] beyond almost any example that I have seen. He who does not feel his nerves shaken, and his heart pierced by many passages in this extraordinary work, particularly by that most affecting one, which describes the gradual torment suffered by the contemplation of an object of affectionate attachment, visibly and certainly decaying into dissolution, must be of a hard and obstinate frame. To all the other excellencies of "Night Thoughts" let me add the great and peculiar one, that they contain not only the noblest sentiments of virtue, and contemplations on immortality, but the Christian Sacrifice, the Divine Propitiation, with all its interesting circumstances, and consolations to "a wounded spirit" solemnly and poetically displayed in such imagery and language, as cannot fail to exalt, animate, and soothe the truly pious. No book whatever can be recommended to young persons, with better hopes of seasoning their minds with [italics] vital religion [end italics], than Young's "Night Thoughts".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Samuel Johnson : [Life of Young in 'Lives of the Poets']

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Hannah More : Bas Bleu; or Conversation

'Miss Hannah More has admirably described a [italics] Blue-stocking Club [end italics], in her "Bas Bleu", a poem in which many of the persons who were most conspicuous there are mentioned.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Unknown

John Shebbeare : Letters on the English Nation

'that gentleman [Dr Shebbeare], whatever objections were made to him, had knowledge and abilities much above the class of ordinary writers, and deserves to be remembered as a respectable name in literature, were it only for his admirable "Letters on the English Nation", under the name of "Battista Angeloni, a Jesuit".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

William Mason : Heroick Epistle to Sir William Chambers

'Johnson and Shebbeare were frequently named together, as having in former reigns had no predilection for the family of Hanover. The authour of the celebrated "Heroick Epistle to Sir William Chambers", introduces them in one line, in a list of those "who tasted the sweets of his present Majesty's reign". Such was Johnson's candid relish of the merit of that satire, that he allowed Dr. Goldsmith, as he told me, to read it to him from beginning to end, and did not refuse his praise to its execution'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Unknown

William Whitehead : 'Elegy to Lord Villiers'

'Johnson praised the Earl of Carlisle's Poems, which his Lordship had published with his name, as not disdaining to be a candidate for literary fame. My friend was of opinion, that when a man of rank appeared in that character, he deserved to have his merit handsomely allowed. In this I think he was more liberal than Mr. William Whitehead, in his "Elegy to Lord Villiers", in which under the pretext of "superiour toils, demanding all their care," he discovers a jealousy of the great paying their court to the Muses:-- "------to the chosen few Who dare excel, thy fost'ring aid afford, Their arts, their magick powers, with honours due Exalt;--but be thyself what they record".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Unknown

George Crabbe : Village, The

'Soon after this time I had an opportunity of seeing, by means of one of his friends, a proof that his talents, as well as his obliging service to authours, were ready as ever. He had revised "The Village", an admirable poem, by the Reverend Mr. Crabbe. Its sentiments as to the false notions of rustick happiness and rustick virtue were quite congenial with his own; and he had taken the trouble not only to suggest slight corrections and variations, but to furnish some lines, when he thought he could give the writer's meaning better than in the words of the manuscript'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

Richard Hurd : Moral and Political Dialogues: being the substance of several conversations between divers eminent persons of the past and present age

'That learned and ingenious Prelate [Dr Hurd] it is well known published at one period of his life "Moral and Political Dialogues", with a woefully whiggish cast. Afterwards, his Lordship having thought better, came to see his errour, and republished the work with a more constitutional spirit.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Giovanni Paolo Marana : Letters written by a Turkish spy, who lived five and forty years undiscovered at Paris: giving an impartial account to the Divan at Constantinople, of the most remarkable transactions of Europe: and discovering several intrigues and secrets ...

'BOSWELL. "Pray, Sir, is the 'Turkish Spy' a genuine book?" JOHNSON. "No, Sir. Mrs. Manley, in her 'Life', says that her father wrote the first two volumes: and in another book, 'Dunton's Life and Errours', we find that the rest was written by one Sault, at two guineas a sheet, under the direction of Dr. Midgeley".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Horace :

'Horace having been mentioned; BOSWELL. "There is a great deal of thinking in his works. One finds there almost every thing but religion". SEWARD. "He speaks of his returning to it, in his Ode 'Parcus Deorum cultor et infrequens'" JOHNSON. "Sir, he was not in earnest: this was merely poetical".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Anacreon :

'I wrote to him, begging to know the state of his health, and mentioned that Baxter's "Anacreon", "which is in the library at Auchinleck, was, I find, collated by my father in 1727, with the MS. belonging to the University of Leyden, and he has made a number of Notes upon it. Would you advise me to publish a new edition of it?".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Hester Lynch Thrale : Letters

'A pleasing instance of the generous attention of one of his [Dr Johnson's] friends has been discovered by the publication of Mrs. Thrale's collection of "Letters". In a letter to one of the Miss Thrales, he writes,-- "A friend, whose name I will tell when your mamma has tried to guess it, sent to my physician to enquire whether this long train of illness had brought me into difficulties for want of money, with an invitation to send to him for what occasion required. I shall write this night to thank him, having no need to borrow".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Thomas a Kempis : Imitation of Christ

'Johnson was very quiescent to-day [17th May 1784] . Perhaps too I was indolent. I find nothing more of him in my notes, but that when I mentioned that I had seen in the King's library sixty-three editions of my favourite "Thomas a Kempis", amongst which it was in eight languages, Latin, German, French, Italian, Spanish, English, Arabick, and Armenian, he said, he thought it unnecessary to collect many editions of a book, which were all the same, except as to the paper and print; he would have the original, and all the translations, and all the editions which had any variations in the text'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Richard Hurd : Sermons

'I brought a volume of Dr. Hurd the Bishop of Worcester's "Sermons", and read to the company some passages from one of them, upon this text, "Resist the Devil, and he will fly from you". James, iv. 7. I was happy to produce so judicious and elegant a supporter of a doctrine, which, I know not why, should, in this world of imperfect knowledge, and, therefore, of wonder and mystery in a thousand instances, be contested by some with an unthinking assurance and flippancy.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Jeremy Taylor : Golden Grove; or a Manuall of daily prayers and litanies

'I mentioned Jeremy Taylor's using, in his forms of prayer, "I am the chief of sinners", and other such self-condemning expressions. "Now, (said I) this cannot be said with truth by every man, and therefore is improper for a general printed form. I myself cannot say that I am the worst of men; I will not say so".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Fulke Greville : Maxims, Characters, and Reflections, Critical, Satyrical, and Moral

'We may apply to him [Johnson] a sentence in Mr. Greville's "Maxims, Characters, and Reflections"; a book which is entitled to much more praise than it has received: "ARISTARCHUS is charming: how full of knowledge, of sense, of sentiment. You get him with difficulty to your supper; and after having delighted every body and himself for a few hours, he is obliged to return home;--he is finishing his treatise, to prove that unhappiness is the portion of man".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

: [books of Voyages to the South Seas]

'These Voyages, (pointing to the three large volumes of "Voyages to the South Sea", which were just come out) who will read them through? A man had better work his way before the mast, than read them through; they will be eaten by rats and mice, before they are read through. There can be little entertainment in such books; one set of Savages is like another." BOSWELL. "I do not think the people of Otaheite can be reckoned Savages". JOHNSON. "Don't cant in defence of Savages". BOSWELL. "They have the art of navigation". JOHNSON. "A dog or a cat can swim". BOSWELL. "They carve very ingeniously". JOHNSON. "A cat can scratch, and a child with a nail can scratch".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

: [a newspaper]

'When I pointed out to him in the newspaper one of Mr. Grattan's animated and glowing speeches, in favour of the freedom of Ireland, in which this expression occurred (I know not if accurately taken): "We will persevere, till there is not one link of the English chain left to clank upon the rags of the meanest beggar in Ireland"; "Nay, Sir, (said Johnson,) don't you perceive that one link cannot clank?".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Newspaper

Anna Seward : [poem on Lichfield]

'I shewed him some verses on Lichfield by Miss Seward, which I had that day received from her, and had the pleasure to hear him approve of them. He confirmed to me the truth of a high compliment which I had been told he had paid to that lady, when she mentioned to him "The Colombiade", an epick poem, by Madame du Boccage:--"Madam, there is not any thing equal to your description of the sea round the North Pole, in your Ode on the death of Captain Cook".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

Robert Burrowes : [Essay on Johnson's style]

'I shall now fulfil my promise of exhibiting specimens of various sorts of imitation of Johnson's style. In the "Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy, 1787", there is an 'Essay on the Style of Dr. Samuel Johnson,' by the Reverend Robert Burrowes, whose respect for the great object of his criticism is thus evinced in the concluding paragraph:-- "I have singled him out from the whole body of English writers, because his universally-acknowledged beauties would be most apt to induce imitation; and I have treated rather on his faults than his perfections, because an essay might comprize all the observations I could make upon his faults, while volumes would not be sufficient for a treatise on his perfections". Mr. BURROWES has analysed the composition of Johnson, and pointed out its peculiarities with much acuteness; and I would recommend a careful perusal of his Essay to those, who being captivated by the union of perspicuity and splendour which the writings of Johnson contain, without having a sufficient portion of his vigour of mind, may be in danger of becoming bad copyists of his manner.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Henry Mackenzie : [imitation of Johnson]

'A distinguished authour in "The Mirror", a periodical paper, published at Edinburgh, has imitated Johnson very closely. Thus, in No. 16,-- "The effects of the return of spring have been frequently remarked as well in relation to the human mind as to the animal and vegetable world. The reviving power of this season has been traced from the fields to the herds that inhabit them, and from the lower classes of beings up to man. Gladness and joy are described as prevailing through universal Nature, animating the low of the cattle, the carol of the birds, and the pipe of the shepherd." The Reverend Dr. KNOX, master of Tunbridge school, appears to have the [italics]imitari aveo [end italics] of Johnson's style perpetually in his mind; and to his assiduous, though not servile, study of it, we may partly ascribe the extensive popularity of his writings. In his "Essays, Moral and Literary", No. 3, we find the following passage:-- "The polish of external grace may indeed be deferred till the approach of manhood. When solidity is obtained by pursuing the modes prescribed by our fore-fathers, then may the file be used. The firm substance will bear attrition, and the lustre then acquired will be durable." There is, however, one in No. 11, which is blown up into such tumidity, as to be truly ludicrous. The writer means to tell us, that Members of Parliament, who have run in debt by extravagance, will sell their votes to avoid an arrest, which he thus expresses:-- "They who build houses and collect costly pictures and furniture with the money of an honest artisan or mechanick, will be very glad of emancipation from the hands of a bailiff, by a sale of their senatorial suffrage". But I think the most perfect imitation of Johnson is a professed one, entitled "A Criticism on Gray's Elegy in a Country Church-Yard", said to be written by Mr. Young, Professor of Greek, at Glasgow, and of which let him have the credit, unless a better title can be shewn. It has not only the peculiarities of Johnson's style, but that very species of literary discussion and illustration for which he was eminent. Having already quoted so much from others, I shall refer the curious to this performance, with an assurance of much entertainment'.

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

Vicesimus Knox : Essays Moral and Literary

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

John Young : Criticism on Gray's Elegy in a Country Churchyard

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Unknown

Samuel Johnson : [MS Autobiography]

'Two very valuable articles, I am sure, we have lost [when Johnson, dying, burnt many of his papers] , which were two quarto volumes, containing a full, fair, and most particular account of his own life, from his earliest recollection. I owned to him, that having accidentally seen them, I had read a great deal in them; and apologizing for the liberty I had taken, asked him if I could help it. He placidly answered, "Why, Sir, I do not think you could have helped it". I said that I had, for once in my life, felt half an inclination to commit theft. It had come into my mind to carry off those two volumes, and never see him more. Upon my inquiring how this would have affected him, "Sir, (said he,) I believe I should have gone mad".'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: quarto volumes

John Gay : [unknown]

'I told him that from reading Gay's writings, I had taken an affection to his Grace's family from my earliest years.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

David Hume : History of England

'I have now one great satisfaction, which is reading Hume's "History". It entertains and instructs me. It elevates my mind and excites noble feelings of every kind.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

David Hume : History of England

'David Hume and John Dryden are at present my companions'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

John Dryden : [unknown]

'David Hume and John Dryden are at present my companions'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

[n/a] : The North Briton

'Some time ago I left off the pamphlet shop in the passage to the Temple Exchange Coffee-house, and took "The North Briton" from the publisher of it, Mr Kearsley in Ludgate Street, hard by Child's. I have it now sent to me regularly by the Penny Post, and I read it with vast relish. There is a poignant acrimony in it that is very relishing. Noble also sends me from time to time a fresh supply of novels from his circulating library, so that I am very well provided with entertainment'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

[unknown] : [novels]

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

[n/a] : Bible

'This forenoon I read the history of Joseph and his brethren, which melted my heart and drew tears from my eyes. It is simply and beautifully told in the Sacred Writings. It is a strange thing that the Bible is so little read. I am reading it regularly at present.'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

David Hume : History of England

'I employed the day in reading Hume's "History", which enlarged my views, filled me with great ideas, and rendered me happy'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

[n/a] : The North Briton

'I then got "The North Briton" and read it at Child's. I shall do so now every Saturday evening'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

[n/a] : [Church service]

'At night at home, I read the Church service by myself with great devotion'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Joseph Addison : The Spectator

'I returned to my friend's chambers and we read some of Mr Addison's papers in "The Spectator" with infinite relish'

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

[unknown] : Lives of the convicts

'In my younger years I had read in the "Lives of the Convicts" so much about Tyburn that I had a sort of horrid eagerness to be there'

the experience of reading in Britain, from 1450 to 1945...

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James Boswell

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Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Letter

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Unknown

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: UnknownManuscript: duodecimo book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book, Serial / periodical

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Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Codex, memorandum book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Serial / periodical

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Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

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Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Unknown

Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

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Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Letter

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

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Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

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Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

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Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Newspaper

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Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Unknown

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book

Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Manuscript: Unknown