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A NEW EDI1 ION, being tie EIGHTH,
WHEREIN THE TWO VOLUMES ARE COMPRISED IN
ONE, AND ARRANGED UNDER ONE ALPHABET*
WITH VE&Y CONSIDERABLE ADDITIONS.
T H E
BEAUTIES
O P
Samuel Johnfon, LL.D.
CONSISTING OF
MAXIMS AND OBSERVATIONS,
MORAL, CRITICAL, and MISCELLANEOUS:
TO WHICH ARE NOW ADDED,
BIOGRAPHICAL ANECDOTES
OF THE
DOCTOR,
SELECTED FROM
THE VVORKS OF MRS. PIOZZI; His LIFE,.
RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY P.. v'ELL,
AND OTHER AUTHENTIC TESTIMONIES,
ALSO,
HIS WILL, AND THE SERMON HE WROTE FOR THE
LATE DOCTOR DODD.
L O N DON:
PRINTED FOR C. AND G. KHAR3L2Y, NO
FLEET-fiTRT.
MjDCCjXCZX*
PR
2.5
ADVERTISEMENT
To the SEVENTH EDITION.
The former Editions of this felecUon have been intro
duced into feveral of the moil reputable Schools, for
both Sexes in the Kingdom ; however, the Price of the
two Volumes (viz. Five Shillings) has been, by fome,
thought too much, the whoie is therefore now brought
into one Volume, under one Alphabet, and the Price re
duced to Three Shillings and Sixpence ; and, in order
to render it Hill more complete, the Editor has feltftsd
from Mrs. Piozzi's, and Mr. Bofweli's late Publications,
together with many authentic document, aeon fiderable
number of Biographical and other Anecdotes, including
afele&ion of his Bon Mots. Likewifea Copy of his Will,
and the Sermon which he wrote for the unfortunate Dr.
Dodd, who preached it to his Fellow Convi&s, in the
Chapel of Newgate, a few days before he fufFered.
November 6, 1786.
This ImprefTion (the Eighth) contains; in the Bio
graphical Department, confiderable Augmentations,
extrafted from the Life of the Doctor, recently publifh-
ed in Two 410. Volumes, by Mr. Bofvvell.
Jan. i, 1792.
PREFACE
TO THE
FIRST EDITION,
THE works of Dr. Johnibn have been,
occafionally, fo much the object of my
reading, for their fancy, judgment, and a-
bove all, the interefling and moral obferva-
tions which they contain upon life and man-
ners, that in order to imprefs thofe obfer va
tic^ the better on my mind, I availed my-'
felf of ibme lehure months lail fummer, to
felect them under proper heads, and arrange
them in alphabetical order. As I proceeded
in this work, I found my felf bringing out,
into one view, a body of maxims and obfer-
"jaticns^ which I imagined would be more than
tifeful to my] elf \ hence I thought k a duty in
cumbent on me to publifh them.
Such is the origin of the prefent publica
tion, a publication, that as I feel it has be-
nefitted my felf in the comfit-ing^ lo I truft it
will
will others in the perufal^ and happy fhall I
be, if, by any ceconomy of mine in the works
of fuch a writer, I can contribute to make
them more generally known or remembered^
as by it I am fare I (hall perform an eflential
fervice to mankind.
In refpect to the ufe of felcffion^ (particu
larly as I have here applied it,) Dr. Johnibn
makes the beft apology for me to the public,
in his Idler, vol. ii. p. 185, and which, I hope,
he will accept himfelf as an additional motive
for this undertaking.
" Writers of extenfive comprehension,
(fays he) have incidental remarks upon topics
very remote from the principal fubje6t, which
are often more valuable than formal treatifes,
and which yet are not known, becaufe they
are not promifed in the title. He that col-
lefts tbofe under proper heads, is very laudably
employed^ for tho' he exerts no great abilities
in the work, he facilitates the pro^refs of
others, and by making that eafy of attain
ment, which is already written, may give
fome mind, more vigorous or more adven-
a 3 turous
( vlii }
tnrous than his own, leifure for new thoughts,
and original defigns."
How far this fekction is made with judg
ment, ! muit, however, truit to the deciiion
of the public, well knowing that if it is neg
ligently or ignorantly performed, any thing
1 can fay, will not cxcuie me ; if, on the con
trary, I have done jullice to my defign, my
telling them ib will not accelerate their ap
probation. One thing I can alfure them of,
that I have made my extracts as accurately
andjudiciouily as i could arid that whatever
may be the fate of the' -book, I have been
already repaid for my labours, by the fatis-
f action they have afforded me.
THE EDITOR.
1781.
CON-
CONTENTS.
OIOGRAPHICAL Anecdotes extracted from
Jtf Mrs. Piozzi xiv
Ditto from Mr. Bofwell xxxvii
Ditto from various Authorities xlvi
Ditto from Mr. BofwelPs Life of Johnfon (jufl
publifhed) li
General Rules of the EfTex Head Club Ixxxii
Lilt of the Members of ditto Ixxxiii
Authentic Copy of Dr. Johnfon's Will xcix
Speech of Dr. Dodd, previous to receiving Sentence ciii
Dr. Dodd's Sermon to his fellow Convicts cv
Lift of Dr. Johnfon's Works 295
Page
3
29
ibid.
3
29
18
27
28
21
27
I
Page
Ability
Abilinence
Academy
Accident
Actions
Addrefs
Ad 'Miration
Adverfary
Adverfity
Advertisement
Advice
Affectation
Afiedlion
Age
Age Old, The Vanity
of wifhing for 1 6
Age and Youth 18
Agriculture I i
Agriculture of England 1 2
Ambition 25
Antients 21
Anger 19
Anticipation 29
28
27
J3
28
i
27
26
26
22
27
2:
10
ibid.
13
Aphorifms
Appearances
Applaufe
Army
Art
Arts
Aflurance
Atheiit
Avarice
Auclion
Author
Axioms
B
Beauty
Beauty, Danger of
Benefits
Benevolence
Biography
Books
Bounties Natural
Bi.rldque
Bufinefs
Bu filers
32
3 l
36
31
39
33
39
Calamity
Page
c
Court
62
Calamity
49
Credulity
61
Calumny
69
Crimes
66
Captivity
S 1
Criticifm
55
Care
5
Cunning
63
Caution
69
Cudofity
54
Cenfure
46
Cuilom
46
Chance
48
Change
5*
D
Character
47
Death
7i
Charity
44
Deception
77
Charity to Captives
45
Deception (Self)
ibid.
Cheats
47
Delay
76
Children
61
Delicacy
75
Choice
5
Delufion
8i
City
68
Deperidence
73
Civility
5 2
Deli re
70
Clean linefs
5 1
!)evotion
77
Commerce
4'
Difficulty
81
Community
63
Diffidence
74
Companion
6 1
Diligence
80
Com pa ri ion
67
Di (appointment
75
Competency
5 2
Difeaie
ibid.
Compilation
62 Difgui^e
So
Complaint
48
Diilruft
76
Complaifance
43
Dulaefs
81
Complacency (Self.)
44-
Duplicity
80
Compliment
0- Duties
ibid.
Confidence
40 Duty
79
jells (European)
C 9
E
Conference
5
Eating
94
ioiation
53 Education
*3
Contempt
5 2
titeds not always
pro-
Content ibid
portioned to their
Contr-r verfy
6b
Caufes
9 1
Conveniences ibi i.
r^leaion
9 1
Convict
61
ilegance
92
Copie compared wilh
Blegy
93
Originals
66
imp ire
^7
Courage
^3
Employment
86
Emula-
Page
Page
Emulation
83
Greatnefs
117
England
92
Guilt
115
Enquiry -
83
H.
Envy
Si
Habits
121
Epitaph
90
Happinefs
118
Equanimity
88
Hapoinefs, Domeflic
120
Error
89
Health
I2J
EfTay-Writing
95
Hiftory
124
Efteem
91
Honour
127
Estimation
9-
Hope
122
Evil
87
Humanity
123
Exarrple
82
Humour, Good
125
Excellence
87
Humour, Good, com
ExerciTe
93
pared with Gaiety
T27
Expectation
Hypocrify
ibid.
. F.
I.
Fable
107
Idfenefa
134
Fadtion
108
Jealoufy
128
Falfehcod
ibid
Jefling
ibid.
Fame
94
Ignorance
138
Fancy
107
Ignorance compared
Faftiion
108
with Confidence
139
Father
95
Ignorance compared
Favour
107
with Knowledge
138
Faults
ibid
Imagination
142
Fear
103 Imitation
132
Flattery
ioo| Importance, Self
H3
Felly
ic,;.. impoiuion
1*44
Foreigner
I 3 j Imprifonmeht
For^ivenefs
104.' Improvement,' R-ural
145
Fortitude
rude nee
139.
Fortune
1C 3
Friendfnip
95
mftancy
^46
Frugality
105
Incredulity
G.
icretion
132
Genius
ndolence
>34
Good, Univerfal
: : ''.licence
Government
j i 5 Induiuy
1 1 J
Government, Self
l i6j Innocence
14.6
Gra-.itude
117 [Infult
144
Inter
rjty
( xii
Page
Page
Integrity
137
Vlaxims
183
Intelligence
H3
VIeannefs
174
Intelligence, Foreign
VIemory
ibid.
and DomefUc
J 43
Vlerchant
ibid.
Intereft
146
VIethod
183
Intereft: and Pride
ibid.
Vlind
176
Joy
129
Vlind, Progrefs of
179
Irreiolution
H3
Vlinutenefs
180
Judgment
129
vlirth
181
JuRice
130
Vlifery
ibid.
. K.
VIoderation
184
Kings
149
Vloney
182
Knowledge
J 47
Motives
ibid.
Knowledge, Self
149
N.
Nabobs, &c.Erglifli
184
L.
Narration
185
Language
158
Mations
1 86
Language, Engliih
160
Mature
184
Laws
162
Negligence
185
Laws, Penal
163
Notes
186
Learning
l is
Novelty
185
Letter V/riting
i6 5
Numbers
ibid.
Liberty
j6 4
0.
Life
1 S 1
Oaths
189
London
165
Obligation
ibid.
Love
15?
Obfervation
190
Love, Self
ibid
Opinion
188
Loyalty
i6jj
Opportunity
189
M.
Midnefs
174
P.
Maids, Old
183
Pain
193
Malice
170
Painting
222
Man
ibid
Parents
190
Manners
173
Paffion
191
Marriage
1 66
Paflions, Progrefs of
I 9 2
Marriage, Early
ibid.
Paiienee
216
Marriage, Lace
169
Patriot
I9O
Marriage, Karly and
Patronage
igf
Late, Companion
Peace
214
between
170
P.edantry
213
p
eevilh-
C
Page
21 I
212
21 5
ibid.
216
219
ibid.
214
218
224
221
194
Peeviihnefs
People
Perfection
Perfidy
Perieverance
Philofophy
Phyfician
Piety
Pity
Plagiarifm
Flayer
PJeafure
Pleafures of Local
Emotion 196
Poets and Poetry ibid.
Poet, Dramatic, and
Statefman, Ccinpa-
rifon between 209
Politenefs 223
Politics 205
Poverty 203
Poveity and Idlencfs 20;
Power
Practice
Praife 207
Pr.iyer, its proper Ob
jects 210
Precipitancy 224
Prejudice 2:4
Pride 209
Pfiuo and Envy ibid.
-ility 2 [6
Prom
3
22 ~,
2I 4
rity
Providence
22;
210
222
213
Prudence and Juilice 2)4
Public 227,
Publications, Literary 220
P u blicationSjOcca Cv.- .
Page
PublicationSjPeriodical 220'
Punctuality 213
R.
Raillery 225
Reafon and Fancy 244
Rebellion 238
Recollection 239
Refinement 238
Reflection 237
Relaxation 240
Religion 228
Repentance 241-
Reproof 245
Reputation, Literary 243
Refolucion 226
.d 243
Retaliation 240-
Retirement 239
Revenge 243,
Rhetorician 245
Rhyme 244
229,
s and Power,
Compari ion be cwecn 235.
Rixhes&Underftanding,
pariibn between 23^
r.lc 236-
[li^.r.t 245
RomansAnticnt, Cha
racter of ' ib.-
S.
Satire
Saiirift
Scare
Scepticifrn
arc
oca Tons
245
2|5
3 OlJ.
257
249
?59
259
247
Page
Pag
Sedu&Ion
249
V.
Senfe, Good
258
Vanity 272
Sentences
257
Vaunting 278
Separation
260
Verfe, Blank 277
Shakefpeare
258
Vice ibid.
Shame
256
Virtue 274.
Simile
255
Virtue, Accefs of 277
Singularity
2 53
/irtue, Intentional 276
Sobriety
257
Virtue, Romantic ibidr
Solicitation
254
Solitude
250
U.
Sorrow
ibid.
Jtility 278
Sports, Rural
258
Undemanding ibid.
Statefmen
260
Undertakings, Great ibid.
Study
256
Unities of Time and
Style
251
Place 279
Sublimity
259
Jniverfality 278
Subordination
2s3
SuccefsandMifcarriage 257
Superfluities 258
W.
War 280
Superiority
255
Weaknefs, Female 287
Sufpicion
2 54
Wealth 288
Wickednefs ibid.
T.
Wickednefs, Splendid 290
Temptation
269
Wine 288
Theory
270
Wifdom 284
Things
ibid.
Wit 282
Thoughts
269
Women 285
Time
261
Wonder 290
Time paft
263
World 285
Timidity
Trade
271
265
Writing Letters 289
Writing, Mechanical ibid.
Tragedy
272
Writer of News ibid.
Translation
271
Wrongs ibid.
Travelling
264
Y.
Treaties
270
Youth 290
Trifles
263
Youth, Progrefs of 291
Truth
265 Youth and Age 294
BIO
.4
V
:?
c
3
P i?
*j ._>
j
V
A
* I
BIOGRAPHICAL ANECDOTES
O F
,
Dr. SAMUEL JOHNSO
EXTRACTED FROM
The ProdufHons of Mrs. Piozzi (late Mrs. Tbrale)
Mr. Bo/well, and other authentic Papers.
WITH H I S
WILL, and a Fac-fimile of his HAND-WRITING,
Alfo a SERMON written for Dr, DODD.
Extrads from Mrs. P I O Z Z I.
SAMUEL JOHNSON was the fpn of Michael John-
fo.n, a bookfeller, at Litchfield, in Staffordfhire ; a
very pious and worthy man, but wrong-headed, pofitive,
and afflicted with melancholy, as his fon, from whom
alone I had the information, once told me : his bufmefs,
however, leading him to be much on horfeback, con
tributed to the prefervation of his bodily health, and
mental fatiity ; which, when he flaid long at home,
would fometimes be about to give way ; and Mr John-
fon faid, that when his work-mop, a detached building,
had fallen half down for want of" money to repair it, his
father was not lefs diligent to lock the door every night,
though he faw that a:.y body might walk in at the back
part, and knew that there .--as no fecurity obtained by
barring the front door. " This, (lays his fon, was mad-
nefs, you may fee, and would have been difcoverable in
other inftances of the prevalence of imagination, but
that poverty prevented it from playing fuch tricks as
richer and leifure epc.ru,
Ke had an uncle.*, (Andrew) who kept the ring in
(where they wfeftled and boxed) for a whole
year,
year, and never was thrown or conquered. Mr. John-
f.n was very converfant -n the art at artack and defence
by boxing, which fcience he had learne. From his un
cle Andrew, i believe. Becaufe he faw Mr. Thraleone
day leap over a cabriolet Itool, to (hew that he was not
tired alter a chace of fifty miles or more, he fuddenly
jumped over it too ; but in a way To flrange and fo un
wieldy, that our terror, left he fiiould break his bones^
took from us even the power of laughing.
Michael johnfon was paft fifty years old when he
married his wife, who was upwards of forty, yet I
think her fon tola me (he remained three years childlefs
before he was born into fhe world, who fo greatly con
tributed to improve it. In three years more fhe brought
another fon, Nathaniel, who lived to be twenty-feven or
: y-eight years eld, and of whofe manly fpirit I have
heard his brother fpeak with pride and pleafiue.
Their father Michael died of an inflammatory fever,
at the age of feventy-fix, as Mr. Johnfon told me : their
mother at eighty nine, of a gradual decay. She was
flight in her perfon, he faid, and rather below than
above the common fize. So excellent was her charac
ter, and fo blamelefs her life, that when an oppreftive
neighbour once endeavoured to take from her a little
field ihe poiTefTed, he could perfuade no attorney to un
dertake the caufe againft a woman fo beloved in her
narrow circle.
At the age of two years Mr. Johnfon war. brought up
to London by his mother, to be touched by Queen Anne
for the fcrophulous evil, which terribly afflicted his.
childhood, and left fuch marks as greatly disfigured a
countenance natuially harm, and rugged, befide dcing
irreparable dumaoe to thv auricular organs, which never
could perfoim their functions fince 1 knew him ; and it
was owing to that horrible diforder, too, that one eye
v/as perfectly afelefs to him ; -.hi: defect, however, was
notobfervable, the eye? locked both alike.
The trick which moil parents play with their chil
dren, of fr-ewing off their newly-acquired accomplifh-
ments, difgu'kd Mr. J'.-hnfon her :-, ; he
had been treated fo hiinfelf, he faid, till he; abfojutely
loathed
( xv ii }
loathed his father's carrefles, becaufe he knew the^were
fure to precede Tome unpleafing dilplay of" his early
abilities ; and he ufed, when neighbours came a vifit-
^ing, to run up a tree, that he might not be found and
exhibited, fuch, as no doubt he was, a prodigy of
early underftanding. His epitaph upon the duck he
killed by treading. on it at five years old,.
Here lies poor duck
That Samuel Johnfon trod on ;
If it had.liv'd it h.ui b'en goud luclc,
For it would have been an odd one
is a ftriking example of an early expanfion of mind, and
knowlege of language ; yet he always feemed more
mortified at the recollection of the buflle his parents
made with his wit, than pleafed with the thoughts of
pofiefling it. " Thar, (faid he to me one day) is the
great mifery of late marriages ; the unhappy produce of
them becomes the plaything of dotage : an old man's
child, continued he, leads much fuch a life, I think,
as a little boy's dog, teized with awkward fondncfs,
and forced, perhaps, to fit up and beg as we call it, to
divert a company, who at lail go away complaining of
their difagreea'ole entertainment.'*
Dr. Johnfon firil learned to read of his mother and
her old maid Catharine, in whofe lap he well remem
bered fitting while me explained to him the flory of St.
George and the Dragon.
At eight years old he went to fchool, for his health
would, not peimit him to be fent foor.er. When he was
about nine years old, having g^t the play of H'lmlec in
his hand, and reading it quietly in his father's kitchen,
he kept on Readily enough, till corning to the g;hoil .
fcene, he Hidden iy harried up (lairs to the flreet'docr
that he might fee people about him.
Mr. Jbhnfbn was hiinfe -ngly difpofed to the
general indulgence of children, and was even fcrupu-
loafly and ceremonioufly attentive not to offend them:
he had llrongly pejfuaded himfelf of the difficulty '
always rind toerafe early impre'fiions either
or refcntmcnt, and faid, he ihould never have fo loved
his
( xviii )
his mother when a man, had Oie not given him cofFee,
fhe -ould ill afford, to gratify his appetite when a boy."
Jf you had had children, Sir, fa id J, would you have
taught them any ching? I hope (replied he ] that I
Ihould have willingly lived on bread and water to ob
tain iaftruclion for them.
The remembrance of what had patted in his own
childhood, made Mr Johnfon very folicitous to preferve
the felicity of children ; and when he had pcrfuaded
Dr. Sumner to remit the tafks ufually given to fill up
boys' time during the holidays, he rejoiced exceeding
ly in thefuccefsof his negotiation, and told me that he
had never ceafcd reprefeming to all the eminent fchool-
mailers in England, the abfard tyranny of poifoning
the hour of permitted pleafure, by keeping future mi-
fery before the children's eyes, and tempting them by
bfibery or falsehood it.
At the age of eighteen Dr. Johnfon quitted fchool,
and efcaped from the tuition of ihofe he hated or thofe
he defpifed.
Of his college life I have hea<d but little. Dr. J hn-
fon delighted in his own partiality for Oxford ; and one
day at my houfe, en'lerta^ned five mem. < other
univerfity with various iialances of the fuperiority of
Oxford, enumerating the gif antic names of many men
whom it had pro-] .iced, with appar-^ni trail fflph At Jail
J faid to him, Why there happens to be no lefs than
five Cambridge men in the room now. " I did not
(faid he) think of that till you told me ; but the wolf
don't count the fhee-p."
I have heard h m relate how he ufed to fit in fome
coftee-houfe at Oxford, and turn Mafon's Caradlicus
into ridicule for the diversion ' -.MK! cf chai.ce
comers-in. " TheElfrida (fays he) was too exquisitely
pretty ; I could make no fun o- t of that." W r. > u_r on
fome occafions he would exprefs h's ailoniminert that
he flionld have an enemy in the world, v.hile he had
been doing not! ,>rdto his neighbours, I ufed
to make him recollect thefe circumftahces : " Why child
(faid he) what harm could that do the '-rllc-w ? I always
thought very well of Mafon for a Cunlridge man ; he
is, I believe, a mighty blamelefs characler." Such
tricks were, however, the more unpardonable in Mr.
johnfon, becaufe no one could harangue like hifn about
the difficulty always found in forgiving petty injuries,
or in provoking by needlefs offence.
Mr. Johnfon made us all laugh one day, becaufe I
had received a remarkable fine Stilton ckeefe as a pre-
fent from fome perfon who had packed and diredled it
carefully, but without mentioning whence it came,
Mr. Thrale, defirous to know who we were obliged to,
afked every friend as they came in, but nobody owned
it : " Depend upon it, Sir, (fays Johnfon) it was fent
by Jumus"
The Falfe Alarm, his flrft and favourite pamphlet,
was written at our houfe between eight o'clock on Wed -
nefday night and twelve o'clockon Thurfday night ; we
read it to Mr. Thrale when he came very latejiome
from the houfe of Commons,
Facility of writing, and dilatorinefs ever to write,
Mr. Johnfon always retained, from the days that he lay
a-bed, and di elated his firit publication to Mr. Hector,
who ad~led as his amanuenfis, to the moment he made me
copy out thofe variations in Pope's Homer, which were
printed in the Poets Lives : The fine Rambler on the
fubject of Procrailination was haftily compofed, as I have
heard, in Sir Jofhua Reynolds's parlour, while the boy
waited to carry it to prefs: and numberlefs are the in-
Jtances of his writing under immediate preffure of im
portunity or diftrefs. He tcld me that the character of
Sober in the Idler, was by himfelf intended as his own
portrait ; and that he had his own outfet into life in his
eye when he wrote the eaftern ftory of Gelaleddin. Of
the allegorical papers in the Rambler, Labour and Reft
were his favourite ; but Serotinus, the man who returns
late in life to receive honours in his native country, and
meets with mortification inftead of refpecl, was by him
confidered as a mailer- piece in the fcience of life and
manners. The 'charadler of Profpero in the fourth
volume, Gar rick took to be his : and 1 have heard the
r fay, that he never forgave the offence. Sophron
was likewife a picture drawn from reality ; and by Ge-
lidus
lidusthephilofopher, he meant to reprefent Mr Conl-
on, a mathematician who forme r ly lived at Rochelter.
The man immortalifed for purring like a cat was, as he
told me, one Bufby, a proclor in the Commons. He
who barked fo ingenioufly, and then called the drawer
to drive away the dog, was father to Dr. Salter of the
Charterhoufe. Ke who fung a fong, and by correfpon-
dent motions of his arm chalked out a giant on the wall,
\vasoneRichardfon,an attorney. The letter fignediJun-
da\, was written by Mis Talbot ; and he fancied the
biilets in the firit volume of the Rambler, were fent him
by Mifs Mulfo, now Mrs. Chapone. The papers con
tributed by Mrs. Carter, had much of his eileem, though
he always blamed me for preferring the letter figned
ChaiieiTa to the allegory, where religion and fuperfti-
tion are, indeed, moil maflerly delineated.
Dr. Johnfon was liberal ejrtough in granting literary
afliilance to others, I think; and innumerable are the
prefaces, fermons, leclures, and dedications, which he
ufed to make for pe pie who begged of him. Mr.
Murphy related in his and my hearing one day, and he
did not deny it, that when Murphy joked him the week
_ before for having been fo diligent of late between
Dodd's fermon and Kelly's prologue, that Dr. Johnfon
replied, " Why Sir, when they come to me with a dead
ftay-maker and a dying parfon, what fan a man do."
llejaid, hov\ever, " that he hated to give away literary
performances, or even to fell them too cheaply : the
next generation mall not accufe me (added he) of beat
ing down the price of literature : one hates, beficles,
ever to give that which one has been accullomed to fell ;
would not you, Sir, (returning to Mr. Thrale) rather
give away money than porter.
When Davies printed the Fugitive Pieces without his
knowledge or confent ; How, laid I, would Pope have
raved, had he been ferved fo ? " We mould never
(replied he) have heard the laft on't, to be fuie ; but
then Pope was a narrow man : 1 will, however, added,,
he) ftorm and blufter myfetf a little this time;" fo
vvent to London in all the wraih he could mutter up.
At his return I afoed how the affair ended: " Why
(faid)
{{"aid he) I -was a fierce fellow, and pretended to fje very
angry, and Thomas was a good-natured fellow, and
pretended to be very ferry : fo there the matter ended.
Somebody was praifing Corneille one day in oppoii-
tii n to Shvikefpeare : Corneille is to Shakefpeare (re
plied Mr. Johnfon) as a clipped hedge is to a foreft."
Of a much admired poem, when extolled as beautiful,
(here-plied; "That it had indeed the beauty of a bubble :
the colours are gay, (faid he) but the fubilapce flight."
Of James Harris's Dedication to his Hermes I have
h?ard him obferve, that though but fourteen lines long,
there were fix grammatical faults in ir. A friend was
praifingthe ftyle of Dr. Swift; Mr. Johnfon did not find
himfelr in the humour to agree with him : the critic was
driven From one of his performances to the other. At
length you mufl allow me, fdid the gentleman, that there
axe jirong fafis in the account of the Four la ft Years of
Queen Anne : " Yes, furely Sir, (replies Johnfon) and
fo there are in the Ordinary of Newgate's Account."
When 1 ore day lamented the lofs of a firft coufin,
killed in America " Prithee, my dear, (faid he) have
done with canting: how would the world be worfe for
it, 1 may a(k if ail your relations were fpitted at once
ak?, and roalted for Prcfto's fupper r" Prtfto was
the dog that lay under the table while we talked.
I was ob:Vrvin ; y io the Doctor, that an acquaintance
loft the a! i .->pe of a good eftatc that had
Such a one will grieve (faid 1) at
her friend' nt. " She will fuiTer as much
perhaps, ( ^ your horfe did when your cow
inifcarrL j d."
The piety of Dr. Johnf-n was exemplary and edify
ing : he v v .xac\ to perform every public
duty enjoined by the church, and his fpirit of devotion
had an energy that affected all who ever faw him pray in
private. The coldeft and rnoil languid hearers of the
word muft have frit the-nfclves animated by his manner
of reading the holy fcriptures; and to pray by his lick
bed, required ftrength of body as well as of mind, fo
vehement were his manners, and his tones c-f voice fo
pathetic. J have many times made it my requeft to
heaven
( xxii )
heaven that I might be fpared the fight of his death *
and ] was fpared it !
Mr. Johnfon, though in general a grofs feeder, kept
fall in Lent, particularly the holy week, with a rigour
very dangerous to his general health.
On fome occafion, when he was rnufmgover the fire
in our drawing-room at Streatham, a young gentleman
called to him fuddenly, and 1 fuppofe he thought dif-
refpeftfully, in thefe words : Mr. Johnfon, Would you
advife me to marry ! f< I could advife no'rnan to marry,
Sir, (returns for anfwer in a very angry tone Dr. John
fon) who is not likely to propagate undemanding ;"
and fo left the room.
Sir Joihua Reynolds mentioned fome pidure as excel
lent. " It has often grieved me, Sir, (faid Mr. John
fon) to fee fo much mind as the fzience of painting re
quires, laid out upon fuch perifning materials : why do
not you of tener make ufe of copper : I could wifh your
fuperiority in the art you profefs, to be preferved in
iluff more durable than canvas." Sir Jolhua urged
the difficulty of procuring a plate large enough for hif-
torical fubjecls, and was going to raife further obfer-
vations: '* What foppifh obftacles are thefe! exclaims
on a fudden Dr. Johnfon :) Here is Thrale has a ihou-
fand ton of copper ; you may paint it all round if you
will, I fuppofe; it will ferve him to brew in afterwards :
Will it not, Sir? (to my hufband who fat by). Such
fpeeches may appear offen five to many, but thefe who
knew he was too blind to difcern the perfections of an
art which applies itfeif immediately to our eye-fight,
muft acknowledge he was not wrong.
He delighted nomorein muiic than painting; he was
aim oil as deaf as he tvas blind: travelling with Dr.
Johnfon was for thefe reafcns tirefome enough. Mr.
Thrale loved profpecls, and was morti hed that his friend
could not enjoy the fight of thofe different difpo-
fitions of wood and water, hill and valley, that travel
ling through England and France affords a man. But
when he wifhed to point them out to his companion :
(i Never heed fuch nonfenfe," would be the reply :
" a blade of grafs is always a blade of grafs, whether
in
( xxiii )
in one country or another: let us if we do talk, talk
about fomething ; men and women are my fubjefls of
enquiry ; let us fee how thefe differ from thofe we have
left behind."
When at Verfailles the people mewed us the theatre.
As we flood on the itage looking at fome machinery for
playhoufe purpofes : Now we are here, wha. fiiall we
avft Mr. Johnfon. The Englifhman at Paris : * No
no, (replied he) we will try to aft Henry the Fifth.''
His dillike of the French was well known to both na
tions, I believe.
Joh-n foil's own notions about eating however were
nothing lefs than delicate ; a leg of pork boiled till it
dropped from the bone, a veal pye with plums and fuo-ar,
or the outfideof a fait buttock or beef, were his favour
ite dainties ; with regard to drink, his liking was for
the ftrongeft, as it was not the flavour, but the effeft he
fought for, and profe/ied to defire ; and when I firft
knew him, he ufed to pour capillaire into his Port
wine. For the lail twelve years, however, he left off all
rued liquors. To make himfelf fome amends in
deed, he took his chocolate liberally, pouring in large
quantities of cream, or even melted butter; and was fo
fond of frou, that though he ufually eat feven or eight
large peaches of a morning before break/aft begun, and
treated them wuh proportionate attention after dinner
again, yet I have heard him proteft that he never had
quite at much as he wifhed of wall-fruit, except once
in his life, and that was when we were all together at
Omberfley, the feat of my Lord Sandys.
After a very long fummer, particularly hot and dry, I
was wiming naturally, but thottghtlefsly, for fome rain'
to lay the dull as we drove along the Surry reads. " I
cannot bear ^ replied he, with much afperity and a'n al
tered look) when [ know how many poor families will
perifh next winter for want of that bread which the
profent drought will deny them, to hear ladies fining
for rain, only that their complexions may not fufFer
from the heat, or their clmhes be incommoded by the
dull ; ;^r faame ! le,,ve off foch foppifh lamentations
and ftady to relieve thofe whofe diilreiies are real."
With
( xxiv )
With advifing others to be charitable, however, Dr.
Johnfon did not content himfelf. He gave away all he
had, and all he ever had gotten, except the two thou-
fand pounds he left behind ; and the very fmall portion
of his income which he fpentupon himfelf, with all our
calculation, we never could make more than feventy,
or at moil fourfcore pounds a year, and he pretended to
allow himfel'f an hundred. He had numberlefs depend
ents out of doors as well as in, *' who (as he exprefTed
it) did not like to fee him latterly, unlefs he brought
them money." For thofe people he ufed frequently to
raife contributions on his richer friends ; and this (fays
he) is oneofthethoufandreafons which ought to reftrain
a man fromdrony folitude andufelefs retirement."
The Doctor was very athletic. Garrick told a good
{lory of him. He faid, that in their young days, when
fome {trolling players came to Litchfield, our friend had
fixed his place upon the itage, and got himfelf a chair
accordingly; which, leaving for a few minutes, he
found a man in it at his return, who refufed to give it
back at the firft intreaty :]Mr. Johnfon, however, who
did not think it worth his while to make afccond, took
chair and man and all together, and threw them all at
once into the pit. J afked the Doctor if this was a
fact? " Garrick has not /ported it in the telling (faid
he) it is very near true to be fure."
Mr. Beauclerk too related one day, howon.fome oc-
'cafion he ordered two large maiHffs into his parlour, to
fnew a friend who wasconverfant in canine beauty and
excellence, how the dogs quarrelled, and fattening on
each other, alarmed all the company except Johnfon,
who, feizing one in one hand by the cuff of the neck,
the other in the other hand, faid gravely, " Come gen
tlemen ! where's your difficulty ? put one dog out at the
door, and I will (hew this fierce gentleman the way out
of the window ;" which, lifting up the maftiff and the
fafli, he contrived to do very expeditiouily, and much to
the iaiisfaction of the affrighted company. We inquired
.as to the truth of this curious recital. " The dogs
have been fomewhat magnified, I believe Sir : (was the
reply)
( XXV )
reply) they were, as I remember, two (lout young point
ers; but the ftory has gained but little."
I have forgotten the year, but it could fcarely I
think be later than 1765 or 1766, that he was called
abruptly from our houfe after dinner, and returning in
about three hours, faid, he had been with an enraged
author, whole landlady prefied him for payment within
doors, while the bailiffs befet him without; that he
was drinking himfelf drunk with Madeira to drown
care, and fretting over a novel which when finiihed
was to be his whole fortune ; but he could not get it
done for diflraclion, nor could he ftepout of doors to
offer it to fale. Mr. Johnfon therefore fet away the
bottle, and went to the bookfeller, recommending the
performance, and defiringfome immediate relief; which,
when he brought back to the writer, he callejd the wo
man of the houfe directly to partake of punch, and
pafs their time in merriment.
It was not till ten years after, I dare f*y, that fome*-
thing in Dr. Goldfraith's behaviour {truck me with an,
idea that he was the very man, and then Johnfon con-
fefled that it was fo : the novel was the charming Vicar
ofWakefield.
There was a Mr. Boycetoo, who wrote fome very
elegant verfes printed in the Magazines of five and
twenty years ago, of whcfe ingenuity and dtftrefs I have
heard Dr. Johnfon tell fome curious anecdotes ; parti
cularly, that when he was almoft periftiing with hunger,
and fome money was produced to purchafe him a din
ner, he got a bitof rodft beef, but could not eat it .vith-
out ketchup, and laid out the lait half guinea he pof-
fefled in truffles and mumrooms, eating them in bed
too, for want of clothes, or even aftiirt to IV; up 'n
Mr. Johnfon loved late hours extremely, or m^re pro
perly hated early ones Nothing was mop- terrifying
to him than the idea of retiring to bed, w hich he never
would call go'ng to reft, or fuffer another to call fo.
" I lie down (faid he) that my acquaintance may fieep ;
but I lie down to endure opprefllve mifery,and foon rife
again to pafs the night in anxiety and pain " By this
pathetic manner, which no one ever pofTelTed in fo emi
nent
( xxiv )
nent a degree, he ufcd to mock me from quitting his
company, till I hurt my own health not a little by fit
ting up with him when I was myfelf far from well. I
often made tea for him in London till four o'clock in
the morning. At Streatham indeed I managed better,
having always fome friend who was kind enough to en
gage him in talk, and favour my retreat.
The firft thne I ever faw this extraordinary man was
in the year 1^4, when Mr. Murphy, who had been
long the friend and confidential intimate of Mr.Thrale,
perfuaded him to wiih for Johnfon's converfation, extol
ling it in terms which that of no other perfon could have
deferved, till we were only in doubt how to obtain his
company, and find an excufe for the invitation. The
celebrity of Mr. Woodhoufe, a ihoemaker, whofe verfes
were at that time the fubjecl of common difcourfe, foon,
afforded a pretence, and Mr. Murphy brought Johnfon
to meet him, giving me general cautions not to be fur-
prifed at his figure, drefs, or behaviour. What I recol-
left beft of the day's talk, was his earneftly recommend
ing Addifon's works to Mr. Woodhoufe as a model for
imitation. " Give nights and days, Sir, (faid he) to
the fludy of Addifon, if you mean either to be a good
writer, or what is more worth, an honeil man." When
I faw fomething like the fame expreflion in his criticifm
on that author, lately publimed, I put him in mind of
.ft injunctions to the young poer, to uhich he re-
. " That he vvifhed the Ihoemaker might have re-
membered them as well." Mr. Johnfon liked his'new
acquaintance fo much however, that from that time he
dined with us every Thurfday through the winter.
In the year 1766, his health, which he had always
complained of, grew fo exceedingly bad, that he could
not itir out of his room in the court * he inhabited, for
many weeks together, I think montht.
Mr. Th rile foon after prevailed on him to quit his
..ricn in the court and come with us to Streat
ham, where I undertook the care of his health, and had
the honour and happinefs of contributing to its reltora-
tion. One
then lived in Johnfon's Co'.ivt, Fleet St
removec to Bolt Court, where he died.
f Xxvii )
One day, when he was not pleafed with oar dinner,
I alkcd him if he ever huffed his wife about his din-
rer ? " So often (replied he) that at la ft ihe called to
jne, and faid, Nay, hold, Mr. Johnfon, and do not
make a farce of thanking God for a dinner which in a
few minutes you will proteft not eatable."
Avarice was a vice againft which, however, I never
much heard Mr. Johnfon declaim, till one reprefented
it to him conne&ed with cruelty, or fomefuchdifgrace-
ful companion. " Do not (faid he) difcourage your
children from hoarding, if they have a tafte to it : who
ever .lays up his penny rather than part with it for a
cake, at leaft is not the Have of grofs appetite ; and
(hews befides a preference always to be eileemed, of the
future to the prefent moment. Such a mind may be
made a good one ; but the natural fpendthrift, who
grafps his pleafure greedily and coarfely, and cares for
nothing but immediate indulgence, is very little to be
valued above a negroe*" We talked of Lady Taviftock,
who grieved herielf to death for the lofs of her hufband.
4< She was rich, and wanted employment (fays Johnfon)
fo (he cried till me loft all power of retraining her tears :
other women are forced to outlive their hufoands, who
were juft as much beloved, depend on it ; but they have
no time for grief: and I doubt not, if we had put my
Lady Taviftock into a fmall chandler's mop, and given
her a nurfe-child to tend, her life would have been
faved. The poor and the bufy have no leifure for
fentimental forrow."
I pitied a friend before him, who had a whining
wife that found every thing painful to her, and nothing
pleafing. " He does not know that fhe whimpers,
(fays Johnfon), when a door has creaked fora fortnight
together, you may obferve the mafter will fcarcely
give fixpence to get it oiled.'*
For a lady of quality, fince dead, who received us
at her huiband's feat in Wales with lefs attention than
he had long been accuftomed to, he had a rougher de
nunciation : " That woman (cries Johnfon) is like
four fmall- beer, the beverage of her table."
b Mr.
( xxviii )
Mr. Johnfon's hatred of the Scotch is fo well known,
and fo many of his ban mots exprtliive of that hatred
have been already repented in fo many books arid
pamphlets, that it is perhaps fcarcely worth while to
v/iiie down the converfation between him and a friend
of that nation who always refides in London, and who
at his return from the Hebrides aftied him, with a firm
tone of voice, What he thought of his country?
" That it is a very vile country to be fure, Sir ; (re
turned for anfvver Dr. Johnfon,) Well., Sir ! replies
the other fomevvhat moruhed, God made it, " Cer
tainly h'e did (anfwers Mr. Johufon again) ; bat we
muft always remember tha- he made it for Scotchmen. "
Mr. Johnfon made Dr. Goldimith a comical anf.ver
one day, when kerning to repine at the fuccefs of Beat-
tie's EfTay on Truth---" Here's fuch a far (laid he) a-
bout a fellow that has Britten one book, and 1 have
\vritten many." Ah, Dodor (fays his friend) there
go two-and -forty fixpences you know to oiie guinea.
Dr. Johnfon was indeed famous for difregarding pub
lic abiife When the people criticifed and anfwered his
pamphlets papers, c. " Why now thefe fellows are
only adverting my bock (he, would fay) ; it is furely
better a man mould be ab led than forgotten."
He once bade a very celebrated lady who praifed him
with too much seal perhaps, (which always offended
him), confider what her flattery was worth before Hie
choaked him with it."
We were talking of Richardfon, who wrote ClarifTa :
" You think I love flattery (fays Dr. Johnfon), and fo I
do ; but a little too much always diigufts me : that fel
low Richaidf >n, on thecontrury, could not becontented
to fail quietly down theiheam of reputation, without
longing to taile the froth frcm every itrckeof the oar."
With regard to flight infuh-s from newfpaper abufe, I
have aheady declared his notions : They liing one
(fays he) but as a fly ftings a horie ; and the eagle will
not catch flies.
Mr. Johnfon hated what we call unprofitable chat;
and to a gentleman who had differted fome time about
the natural hiitory of the moufe-**' I wonder what fuch
( xxix )
. one would have faid (cried Jolmfon), if he had ever
had the luck to fee a lion !"
A young fellow, lefs confident of his own abilities,
lamenting one day that he had loll all his Greek " I
believe it happened at the fame time, Sir, (faid John-
fon), that 1 loll ail my large eilate in Yorkfliire."
But however roughly he might be fuddenly provoked
to treat a harml'efs exertion of vanity, he did not wifh
to inflict the pain he gave, and was fometimes very for*
ry when he perceived the people to fmart more than
they deferved. How hardily you treated that man to*
day, faid I once, who harrangued us about gardening,
" 1 am forry (faid he) if I vexed the creature for
there certainly is no harm in a fellow's rattling a rattle-
'box, only don't let him think that he thunders."
A Lincolnshire lady mewed him a grotto me had
been making : Will it not be a pretty cool habitation
in fumrher ? faid die, Mr. Johnfon ! " I think it would*
Madam (replied he) for a toad.'*
All defire of diftinftion had a fure enemy in Mr.
Johnfon. We met a friend driving fix very final! ponies>
and (lopped to admire them. Why does nobody (faid
our doctor) begin the fafhion of driving fix fpavined
horfes, all fpavined of the fame leg ? it would have a
mighty pretty effect, andproduce the diftinclion of do
ing fomething worfe than the common way/'
When Mr. Johnfon had a mind to compliment any
one, he did it with more dignity to himfelf, and better
effect upon the company, than any man* lean recoi
led but few instances indeed, though perhaps that may
be more my fault than his. When Sir Jofhua Reynolds
left the room one day, he faid, There goes a man not
to be fpoiled by profperity." And when Mrs. Monta*
gue (hewed him fome China plates which had once be*
longed to Queen Elizabeth, he told her, " that they
liad no reafon to be aftiamed of their prefent poffefTor,
who was fo little inferior to the firft."
He fometimes rode on Mr. Thrale's old hunter with a
good fi mnefs, and though he would follow the hounds
fifty miles an end fometimes, would never own himfelf
cither tired or amufed. He was> however, proud to be
b 2 amongft
( XXX )
amongft thefportfinen ; and I think no praife ever went
fb dole to his heart, as when Mr. Hamilton called out
one day upon Brighthelmilone Downs, Why Johnfon
rides as well, for ought 1 fee, as^the moft illiterate fel
low in England.
He faid of Edmund Burke, " that you could not
ftand five minutes with that man beneath a fhed while
it rained, but you muft be convinced you had been
Handing with the greateft man you had ever yet feen."
Dr. Johnfon's knowledge of literary hiilory was ex-
teniive and furpri/ing : he knew every adventure of
every book you could namealmoft, and was exceeding
ly pleafed with the opportunity tvhich writing the Poets
Lives gave him to difplay it. . He loved to be fet at
work, and was forry when he came to the end of the bu-,
finefs he was about. I do not feel fo myfelf with re
gard to thefe meets : a fever, which has preyed on me
while J wrote them over for the prefs, will perhaps
leffen my power of doing well the firfl, and probably
the lail work, I mould ever have thought ofprefenting
to the Public. I could doubtlefs wiih fo toconclude it,
as at lead to (hew my zeal for my friend, whofe life, as
I once had the honour and happinefs of being ufeful to,
I mould wifli to record a few particular traits of, that
thofe who read mould emulate his goodnefs ; but fee
ing the neceility of making even virtue and learning
fuch as his agreeable, that all mould be warned againit
fuch coarfenefs of manners, as drove even from him
thofe who loved, honoured, and efleemed him.
I made one day very minute enquiries about the tale
of his knocking down Tom Ofborne the bookfeller,
with his own Dictionary in his (hop. And how was
that afi-air, in earneft ? do tell me, Mr. Johnfon?
" There is nothing to tell, deareft Lady, but that he
was infolent and I beat him, and that he was a block
head and told of it. 1 have beat many a fellow, but
the reft had the wit to hold their tongues."
It was a perpetual miracle that he did not fet hlmfelf
on fire reading a bed, as was his conftant cuflom, when
exceedingly unable to keep clear of mifchief with our
bell help ; and accordingly the fore-top of all his wigs
were i
( xxxi )
were burned by the candle down to the very net-work-
Mr. Thrale's valet-de-chambre, for that reafon, kep c
one always in his own hands, with which he met him a c
the parlour door when the bell had called him down to
dinner, and as he went up flairs to fleep in the afternoon,
the fame man conftantly followed him with another.
No man converfed fo well as he on every fubjed; no
man fo acutely difcerned the reafon of every fa&, the
motive of every a&ion, the end of every defign. He
was indeed often pained by the ignorance or caufe lefs
wonder of thofe who knew lefs than himfelf, though
he feldom drove them away with apparent fcorn, un-
lefs he thought they added prefumption to ftupidity.
1 faw Mr. Johnfon in none but a tranquil uniform
flate, paffing the evening of his life among friends, who
loved, honoured, and admired him : I faw none of the
things he did, except fuch afts of charity as have been
often mentioned in this book, and fuch writings as are
univerfally known. What he faid is all I can relate ; and
from what he faid, thofc who think it worth while to
read thefe Anecdotes, .mult be contented to gather his
character. Mine is a mere candle-light pi&ure of his
latter days, where every thing falls in dark Ihadow ex
cept the face, the index of the mind ; but even that
is feen unfavourably, and with a palenefs beyond whac
nature gave it.
He had a ftrong aver/ion to four-footed favourites,
notwithftanding he had for many years a cat which he
called Hodge, that kept always in his room at Fleet-
ftrcet ; but fo exact was he not to offend the human fpe-
cies by fuperfluous attention to brutes, that when the
creature was grown fick and old, and could eat nothing
bat oyiiers, Mr. Johnfon always went out himfelf to buy
Hodge's dinner, that Francis the Black's delicacy mighc
not be hurt at feeing himfelf employed for the come-
r.iency of a quadruped.
. No one was indeed fo attentive not to offend in all
fuch fort of things, as Dr. Johnfon ; nor fo careful to
maintain the ceremonies of life : and though he told
Mr. Thrale once, that he had never fought to pleafe till
paft thirty years old, con fideringthe matter as hopelefs,
b 3 he
( xxxii )
he had been always ftudious not to make enemies, By
apparent preference of himfelf. It happened very co
mically, that the moment this curions converfation pait,.
of which I was a filent auditrefs, was in the coach, in.
fome diflant province, either Shropfhire or Derbyihire
I believe, and as foon as it was over, Mr. Johnfon rook
out of his pocket a little book arid read, while a gentle
man of no fmail diftinclion for his birth and elegance,
fuddenly rode up to the carriage, and paying us all his
proper compliments, was defuous not to neglect Dr.
Johnfon ; but obferving that he did not fee him, tapt
him gently on the fhoulder 5 Tis Mr. Ch--lm- ley,
fays my hufband; " Well, Sir! and what if it is
Mr. Ch--lm ley !" fays the other fternly, juft lifting
his eyes a moment from his book, and returning to it
again with renewed avidity.
I enquired of him concerninghis account of the ftate
of literature in Scotland, which was repeated up and
down at one time by every body'* How knowledge
was divided among the Scots, like bread in a befieged
town, to every man a mouthful, to no man a bellyful.'
This fiery he likewife acknowledged, and faid befides,
" that fome officious friend had carried it to Lord Bute,
who only anfwered Well, well ! never mind what he
fays he will have the penfion all one."
Another famous reply to a Scotfman who commend
ed the beauty anddignity of Glafgow,till Mr. Johnfon
Hopped him by obferving, " that he probably had never
yetfeen Brentford, was one of the jokes he owned : and
laid himfelf, " that when a gentleman of that country
once mentioned the lovely prafpe&s common in his na
tion, he could not help telling him, that the view of
the London road was the profpecl in which every Scotf
man moft naturally and moft rationally delighted."
He loved the fight of fine foreft trees, however, and
detefted Brighthelmftone Downs, " becaufe it was a
country fo truly defolate (he faid), that if one had a
Blind to hang one's felf for defperationat being obliged
to live there, it would be difficult to find a tree on which,
to fatten the rope." Walking in a wood when it rained,
was, 1 think the only rural image he pleafed his fancy
with |
( xxxiii )
with ; " for (fays he) after one has gathered the apples
in an orchard, one wifhes them well baked, and re
moved to a London eating-houfe for enjoyment."
With fuch notions, who can wonder he pa {Ted his
time uncomfortably enough with us, whom he often
complained of for living fo much in the country;" feed
ing the chickens (as he faid I did) till 1 flarved my
own underrtanding. Get, however, (laid he) a book
about gardening, and ftudy it hard, fince you will pafs
your life w'th birds and flowers, and learn to raife the
largeft turnips, and to breed the biggtft fowls. It was
vain to allure him that the goodnefs of fuch diihes did
not depend on their fize ; he laughed at the people
who covered their canals with foreign fowls, when
(fays he) our own geefe and ganders are twice as large :
if we fetched better animals from diftant nations, there
might be fome fenfe in the preference; but to get cows
from Alderney, or water-fowl from China, only to fee
nature degenerating round one, is a poor ambition in
deed. 5 '
When ill, he conjured me folenrmly to tell him what
I thought : Sir Richard Jebb was perpetually on the
road to Streatham, and Mr. Johnfon feemed to think
himfelf neglefled if the phyfician left him for an hour
only ; I made him a fteady, but, as I thought, a very
gentle harangue, in which I confirmed all that the
Doftor had been faying, ho,v no prefent danger could
be expected ; but that his age and continued ill health
muft naturally arcelerate the arrival of that hour which
can be efcaped by none : " And this (fays Johnfon,
rifing in great anger) is the voice of female friend {hip
I fuppofe, when the hand of the hangman would be
fofter."
I commended a young lady for her beauty and pretty
behaviour one day, however, to whom I thought no ob
jection couki have been made. " I fa-v her (fays Dr.
Johnfon) take a pair of fcifiars in her left hand though ;
and for all her father is now become a nobleman, and
as you fay excetiively rich, I fliould, were 1 a youth
of quality ten years hence, hefitate between a girl fo
ueglecied, and a negro"
fa 4 It
( xxxiv )
ItreaHyfurprifed me to fee the vi&ory he gained.over
a Lady little accuilomed to contradiction, who had.dref-
fed herfelf for church at Streatham one Sunday morn
ing, in a manner he did not approve, and to whom he
faid fuch {harp and pungent things concerning her hat,
her gown, &c. thatihe haitenedto change them, and re
turning quite another figure received hisapplaufe, and
thanked him for his reproofs, much to the amazement of
her hufband, who could fcarcely believe his own ears*
All thefe exadtneffes in a man who was nothing le{s
than exacl: himfelf, made him extremely impracticable
as an inmate, though mod inftruilive as a companion,
and ufeful as a friend. Mr. Thrale too could feme-
times over-rule his rigidity, by faying coldly, There,
there, now we have had enough for one lecture, Dr..
johnfon ;. we will not be upon education any more till
after dinner, if you pleafe or fome fuch fpeech ; but
wh.cn there was nobody to reftrain his diflikes, it was
extremely difficult to find any body with whom he could
converfe, without living always on the verge of aquar-
icl, or of fomething too like aquarrel to be pleating.
Thisdifpofition occurred too often, and I was forced
to tak.e advantage of my loft law fuit, and pleaxl ina
bility of purfe to remain longer in London or its vi
cinage. 1 had been crofTed in my intentions of going
abroad, and found it convenient, for every reafon of
health, peace, and pecuniary circumftances, to retire to
Bath, where I knew Mr. Johnfon would not followme,
and where! could for that reafon command fome little
portion of time for my own ufe; a thing impoffible
while I remained at Streatham or at London, as my
hours, carriage, and fervants had long been at his com
mand, who would not rife in the morning till twelve
o'clock perhaps, and oblige me to make.breakfaft for him
till the bell rung for dinner^ though much difpleafed if
the toilet was neglecled,and though much of the time we
paffed together was fpent in blaming or deriding, very
juftly, my negledl of ceconomy, and wafte of that money
which might make many families happy. The original
reafon of our connection, \\\s particularly difordered 'health
*nd fpirtts, had been long at an end, and he had no
other
{ XXXV )
other ailments than old age, and general infirmity'
which every profeflbr of medicine was ardently zealou ^
and generally attentive to palliate, and to contribute al*
in their power for the prolongation of a life fo valuable*
Veneration for his virtue, reverence for his talents, de
light in his converfation, and habitual endurance of a
yoke my hufband firft put upon me, and of which he
contentedly bore his mare for fixteen or feventeenyears,
made me go on fo long-with Mr Johnfon ; but the per
petual confinement, I will own to have been terrifying in.
the firft years of our friendmip, and irklome in thelait :
nor could I pretend tofupport it without help, .when my
coadjutor was no more. To the afiillance we gave him.
the melter our houfe afforded to his uneafy fancies, and
lo the pains we took to footh or reprefs them, the
world perhaps is indebted for the three political pam
phlets, the new edition and correction of his Dictionary,
and for the Poets Lives, which he would fcarce have
lived, I think, and kept his faculties entire, to have
written, had not inceffant care been exerted at the time
of his firft coming to be our conftantgueft in the coun
try ; and feveral times after that, when he found him-
felf particularly opprefled with difeafes incident to the
moft vi-vid and fervent imaginations. I mall for ever
confider it as the greateft honour which could be con
ferred on anyone, to have been the confidential friend
of Dr. Johnfon's health, and to have in f ;mc meafure,
with Mr.Thrale'safTiftance, faved from cliftrefs at leaft,
if not from worfe, a mind great beyond the compre-
henfion Y>f common mortals, and good beyond all hope^
of imitation from perimabl'e beings.
It is ufual, I know not why, 'when a character is
given, to begin with a defcriptkm of the perfon ; that
which contained the foul of Mr Johnfon deferves to be
particularly defcribed. His ftature was remarkably
high, and his limbs exceedingly large: his Ilrength.
was more than common I believe, and his- activity
had been greater I have heard than fach a form gave
one reafon to expect: his features were ilrongly mark
ed, and his countenance particularly rugged ; though.
the original complexion had certainly been fair, a cir-
b 5 cumilance
( XXX VI )
ccmftance fomewhat unufual : his fight was near, and
otherwife imperfect ; yet his eyes, though of a light-
grey colour, were fo wild, fo piercing, and at times Ib
fierce, that fear was 1 believe the firit emotion in the
hearts of all his beholders. His mind was fo compre-
henfive, that no language but that he ufed could have
expreffed its con tents ; and fo ponderous was his lan
guage, that fentiments lefs lofty and lefs folid than his
were, would have been encumbered, not adorned by it.
As his purfe was ever open to alms-giving, fo-was
his heart tender to thofe who wanted relief, and his
foul fufceptible of gratitude, and of every kind im-
preincn : yet though he had refined his fenfibility, he
had not endangered his quiet, by encouraging in him-
felf a folicitude about trifles, which he treated with the
contempt they de&rve.
No man had ftronger likings or averfions. His vera
city was indeed, from the moft trivial to the moft fo-
lenin occafior.s, Uriel, even to feverity ; he fcorned to
embellifh a (lory with fi circus circumflances, which (he
ufed to fay) took off from its real value. A ftory (fays
Johnfon) mould be a fpecimen of iife and manners ;
but if the furroundingcireumftancesare faife, as it is no,
more a repi efentation of reality, it is no longer worthy
cur attention."
Though a man of obfcure birth himfelf, his partia
lity to people of family was vifible on every occaficn ;
his zeal for fubordination warm even to bigotry ;. hia
hatred of innovation, and reverence for the eld feudal
times, apparent, whenever any pcfiible manner of (hew
ing them occurred. J have fpoken of his piety, his cha
rity, and his truth, the enlargement of his heart, r.nd
the delicacy cf his fentiments. The mind of this man,
was indeed expanded beyond the common limits of
humao nature, and ftored with fuch variety of know
ledge, that I ufed to think it refembled a royal pleafure-
iound, where every plant, of every name and ration,
fiouriihed in the full perfedion.
The account of our author from whence tloe foregoing pnf-
have If ecu extracted, abounds <witb intercjling and
entertaining
( xxxvii )
entertaining information, which the Editor of this volume
begs leave to recommend to the public.
When thefirft Edition of theje Beauties appeared* the
account of Dr. Johnfon, who was then living, was drawn
from fources lefs to be depended upon : however, they were,
though not fo inter eft ing, in general authentic.
Thefe anecdotes of Mrs. PIOZZI'S, at once difplay clofe
obfervation, great attention, a ftrong memory, a lively
imagination and an exilted mind. In a few words, a found
underftanding, and a benevolent heart.
Doctor Johnfon had fo me failings, from which the moft
perfect are not exempt ; thefe arc noticed by Mrs. P. with
the delicacy of Jin cere friendjhip, <whi1ft his virtues are
MoJ} amiably dijplayed,as a pattern for others,.
We will now entertain our Readers with a few Extra&s
from Mr. BOS,WELL'S Defcription of a tour to the
HEBRIDES, in which he accompanied theDocTOR.
Etxraas from Mr. BO S W E L L.
LORD NORTH, at the inftance of the late Mr.
Thrale, had fome notions of bringing Dr. John fen into
parliament ; and they had two meetings {or that pur-
pofe, to which it appears the Doclor " wa nothing
loth. His Lordfhip, however, doubting the fuccefs cf
fuch an experiment, afterwards declined it, which the
Doctor could never forgive, " That fellow, he ufed
fometimes to fay, fpeaking of Lord North, has a mind
as narrow as the neck of a vinegar cruit" and at an
other time, when mentioned as a minifter " No, Sir,,
there is at prefent no minifter in parliament Lord
North's but the agent of a miniiter '*
Mr. Bofwell telling the Doftor, that when he was.
young and freakiia, he one ni^ht a: DruryLane-
theatre, entertained the audience before the play b/
Iruxng li-ke a cow. Soon after this, differing with Dr,
b 6
( xxxviii- )
Johnfon, upon fome fubjeft, the latter replied, " Nay-,,
Sir, if you cannot talk better as a man, I'd have you
ftill bellow like a cow."
The firft night Dr. Johnfon got to Edinburgh, walk
ing up the High -ftreet, arm in arm with Bofwell, at a.
time when the well known effluvia of that capital was
pretty ftrong ; his friend obferved, " Well, now Doc
tor, we are at laft in Scotland." " Yes, Sir, cried the.
Doctor, grumbling, I fmell it in the dark."
Seeing a board on the great door of. the Royal In^
Srmary at Edinburgh with this inscription, " Clean,
your feet "juft after he had quitted the high church,,
which was at that time fhamefully dirty, he turned a-
bout to Dr. Robertfon " There is no occafion for. put
ting fuch a board as this at the doors of your churches.
Being afked to fee the room at Dumferline where
Charles the Firft was born, he replied, " No, I know
that he was born, and it is no matter where."
Speaking of the fuperior afliduity of the Scottifii
over the Englifh clergy,, in inftruSing their pariihion-
e.rs ; Johnfon replied with fome warmth, " I. do, not
believe your people are better mftructed ; if they
are, it is the blind leading the blind, for your clergy
are not inftruled themfelves."
Having loft .his oak flick in Mull, an inconfiderable
little ifland in the Hebrides, he fufpe&ed his guide had
ftolen it but his fellow-traveller endeavouring to per-
faade him it was not fo, and that it would be re-
ftored him again, he replied " No, Sir, itis not to be
expefled that any man in Mull who has got it will part
withit conHder the value offacb a piece oftimlerhereJ*
BIBLE.
Talking of Dr. Kennicott's tranflation of the Bible,
the company expreiTed a wifh it might'be quite faithful.
*' Sir, I know not any crime fo great that a man could
contrive to commit, as poifoning the fources of eternal
truth."
BIOGRAPHY.
" I do not think the life of any literary msn in Eng
land well writ ten ~Be/ide thecommon incidents of life
it
( xxxix )
It fhould tell us his iludies, his mode of living the
means by which he attained to excellence,,, and hi&
opinion of his own works."
He faid, that Dr. Birch had more anecdotes than any
man Bofwell cbferved, "Dr.Per.cy had a great many,
thathe flowed with them like oneof theScotch brooks.* *
" Sir, if Percy is like one of your brooks Birch is
like the River Thames Birch excels Percy, as much
as Percy excels Goldfmith.
CONVERSATION AND READING.
Sir, they fhould be mixed like eating and exercife;.
the one digefts the other.
Q. But is not the man of converfation the readier
and more agreeable man ?
A. Sir, he may have more money about him,
but then you are to confider he has no fortune..
CARDS.
I am forry I have not learned to play at cards it is
very ufeful in life as moderate play generates kind-
nefs and confolidates fociety.
CHARITY.
If thoughtlefsly given, we may neglel the mofl de-
ferving objects, and as every man has but a certain pro
portion to give, if it is lavifhed upon thofe who firft
prefent themfelves, there may be nothing left for fuch
vvho have a better claim. A man ihould firft relieve
thofe who are nearly connected with him by whatever
ties; and then, if he has any thing to fpare, he may
extend his bounty to a wider circle.
LORD THURLOW.
Speaking of the prefent Lord Chancellor, long be^-
fore he came into his prefent high office. " I honour
Thurknv, Sir, he's a fine fellow he looks for the truth
in converfation, and in the refearch fairly puts his
mind to yours,"
S M O A K I N G.
' Smoaking has gone out. To be fare it is a /hock
ing thing, blowing fmqak out of our mouths into other
people
people's mouth, eyes, and nofes, and having the fame
thing done to us.
CLEANLINESS.
I remember when people in England changed a mirt
only once a week.
FIRE.
Formerly good trad ; ?fmen had no fire but in the kit
chen, never in the parlour, but on Sunday. My father,
who was a magiflrate of Litchfield, lived thus : They
never began to have a fire in the p rlour, but on leaving
off bufinefs, or fome great revolution of their life.
DR. DODDRIDGE.
Dr. Doddridge r he obferved, was the author of on
of the fineft epigrams in the Englifh language it is
in Orton's Life of him, the fubje&is his family motto,
*' Dum Vivimus Vivamus."
" Live while you live, the Epicure would fay,
And feize the pleafures of the prefent day;"
. Live while you live, the facred Preacher cries,
And give to God each moment as it flies,
Lord ! in my views, let both united be,
I live in pleafure, when I live to thee"
F O O T E.
When he firft heard of Foote's death, he exclaimed*
" Then we have loft a man who has left a chafm in
fociety that will not readily be filled up."
At another time he obferved, " Foote had little or
no principle he is at times neithergoverned by good-
manners or difcretion and very little by affe&ion
but for a broad laugh thefcoundrel has no fellow."
Q^ by a lady. Pray, Dodtor, don't you look upon
Foote as an infidel ?
A. No Madam. No other than you may call a
dog an infidel, who does not know whether he believer
or not.
c A R R i c K.
" The opinion that many people conceive of players*
being in private life the characters they reprefent on the
ftage, is very ftrong ; Garrick told me, (Dr. Johnfon)
that fome years after he came on the flage, he re*
ceiveJ
f xi; }
ceived a mefiage by an elderly looking gentlewoman :
who told him, there was a certain lady of rank and for
tune who had a great partiality for him, and wanted
to know whether he was married or not. Garrick re
plied in the negative, foe feemed much pleafed, and
faid he {hould foon hear from her again. Many months
pafTed over without his hearing any farther about it
at lait he met the woman accidentally in the ftreet,
whom he interrogated about the delay of her ccmmif-
fion at firlt me Teemed to fhufHe off the queftion, but
He infilling upon knowing, (lie confefied to him, that
the lady having firft feen him in Ranger, fhe was charm
ed with his air and addrefs but foon after having ap
peared in Sharp in the Lying Valet, fhe thought fne
faw fo many mean, mifting qualities about him, that
fhe could by no means put either her perfon or fortune
into his poffeffion."
The other inftance is equally ftrong. A grocer in
the town of Litchfield, a neighbour of Peter Garrick's,
having occnfion to come u'p to London Peter gave him
a letter, recommending him to his brother David. The
iftan came to town late in the evening, and feeing Gar-
rick's name up in the bills for AbelDrugger, he went
to the two {hilling gallery, and then waited in anxious
exped\ion of feeing in the perfon of his countryman
the greateil actor of the age. On Garrick's appearance,
he was for fome time in doubt whether it could be him
of not ; at lad, being convinced of it by the people
around him, he felt himfeif fo difgufted with the mean
appearance and mercenary conduct of the character,
which, by a foolifh combination he attached to the
player, that he went out cf town without delivering
his letter.
On his arrival in LitchfieUl, Peter Garrick afked him,,
" How he was received by his brother, and how he
liked him." " To tell you the truth, fays the man, I
never delivered your letter." " Not delivered my let
ter ! fays Peter, how came that about r" " Why the
fad is, I faw enough of him on the ftage to make that
unneceffary he may be rich, as I dare fay any man
who
who lives like him muft be, but by (and here, faid
the Do&or, the man vociferated an oath) though he is
your brother, Mr. Garrick, he is one of the meaneft
and moft pitiful fellows I ever faw in my life."
It was amongft the memorabilia of Garrick's petty
habits. " That he kept a book of all who had either
praifed or abufed him.''
Meditations on a Pudding, ly D r. Jo H N s o K , in playful
fancy , ridiculing Her<vey y s Meditations.
" Let us ferioufly reflect of what a pudding is com-
pofed. It is compofed of flour that once waved in the
golden grain, and drank the dews of the morning of
milk prefied from the fwelling udder by the gentle hand
of the beauteous milk-maid, whofe beauty and inno
cence might have recommended a worfe draught; who
while (he ftroaked the udder indulged no ambitious
thoughts of wandering in palaces, and formed no
plans for the deftrudtion of our fellow-creatures. Milk
which is drawn from the cow, that ufeful animal that
eats the grafs of the field, and fupplies us~with that
which made the greateft part of the food of mankind, in
the age which the poets have agreed to call Golden.
" It is made with an egg, that miracle of nature,
which the theoretical Rurnet has compared to creation ;
an egg contains water within its beautiful fmcoth fur-
face, and an unformed mafs, which, by the incubation
of the parent, becomes a regular animal, furnimed with
bcnes and finews, and covered with feathers.
" Let us confider can there be more wanting to
complete this meditation on a pudding if more is
wanting, more may be found. It contains fait which
keeps the fea from putrefaction ; fait, which is made
the image of intellectual eflence, contributes to the
formation of a pudding."
LAW.
A lawyer has no bufinefs with the juftice or injuries
of the caufe he undertakes, unlefs his client afks his
opinion, and then he is bound to give it honeftly. The
juftice or injuftice of the caufe is to be decided by the
judge.
" A
( xliii )
"A country is in a bad ftate which is governed on
ly by laws, becaufe a thoufand things occur for which
laws can not provide, and where authority ought not to
interpofe."
LIFE (Its Duties)
Speaking of the difficulty of living in the world with
an abftrafted mind, " Sir, Dr, Cheynehas laid down a
rule to himfelf on this fubjeft, which fhould be im
printed on every mind.'*
" To negledt nothing to fecure my eternal peace
more than if I had been certified I ftiould die within
the day, nor to mind any thing that roy fecular obli
gations and duties demanded of me, lefs than if i had
been enfured to live fifty years."
LAZINESS.
Dr. Johnfon obferving upon fome occasion, that la~
was worfe than the tooth-ache ; Mr. Bofwell re
plied, " I cannot agree with you there ; for a bafon of
cold water, or a horfe-whip will cure lazinefs." " No,
Sir, it will only put off the fit, it will not cure the dif-
eafe; I have been trying to cure lazinefs all my life,
and could not do it."
MIND.
The fuppofition of one man having more imagina
tion another more judgment, is not true it is only
one man has more mind than another. *' Sir, the man
who has vigour may walk to the Eait, as well as the
Weft, if he happens to turn his head that way."
MARRIAGE.
Some cunning men choofe fools for their w r ves
thinking to manage them, but they always fail ; depend
upon it, no woman isthewoife for fenfeand knowledge.
LORD MAN,SFIELD.
A perfon in company faying, That he had heard Lord
Mansfield was not a great Englifh lawyer. " Sir, you
may as well maintain, that a carrier who has driven a
packhorfe between Edinburgh and Berwick for thirty
years, does not know the road, as that Lord Mansfield
does not know the laws of England."
S A R A It
( xliv )
8ARAH, DUCKESS OF MARLBOROUCH.
The Duchefs had no fuperior parts, but was a bole?,
frontlefs woman, who knew how to make the moil of
her opportunities in life.
POLITENESS.
PoTitenefs is of great confequence to fociety it is
fflitimu bene--volnce\{ iuppii^s the place of it amongft
thofe who fee t-ach other often, or but little. Depend
upon it the want of it never fa*ls to produce fomething
difagteeable to one cr other. J have always applied to
good- breeding what Addifon in his Cato fays of ho*
nour:
" Honour's a facred ti*, the law of Kings,
The noble mind's diftinguifhmg perfection,
- That aids and ftrengthers Virtue where it meets hety
*< .And imitates her adUuns where fhe is not."
PROSTITUTION.
On the fubjeft of making women do penance in thfe
church for fornication, he obferved, " It is right, Sir,
infamy is attached to the crime by univerfal opinion as
foon as it is known. I would cot be the man who would
difcover it, if I alone knew it for a woman may re
form. Nor would I commend a perfon who divulges a
woman*sfirft offence; but being once divulged, it ought
to be infamous. Confider of what importance to fociety
the chaftity of women is; upon that all the property in
the world depends. We hang a thief for Mealing a
Jfheep, but the unchaftity of a woman takes fheep and
farm and all from the right owner.
" I have much more reverence for a common profK-
tute than for -a woman who conceals her guilt ; the pro-
ilitute is known; (he cannot deceive, fhe cannot bring
herfelf into the arms of an honeft man without his know-
ledge."
p u L T N E Y (of Bath)
" Pultney was as paltry a fellow as could be; he was
a Whig who pretended to be honeft, and you know iti&
ridiculous for a Whig to pretend to be honeft he can
not hold it out."
C xlv )
Q^ You have heard Quin read Milton, "Do&or?
A Sir, I have heard Q^iin attempt to read Milton.
Q^ What! then you do not like him?
A. Why no, Sir, he read it too much like a player;
by imitating the ieveral characters of the poem ; whereas
his bulinefs was that of a narrator, not an imitator.
SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS.
Speaking of this great artift, he gave the following
eulogium on him as a man:
" Reynolds, Sir, is the moil invulnerable man I
know; the man with whom, if you mould quarrel, you
would find the moil difficulty how to abufe."
SUICIDE.
" There is no fituation a man can poiTibly be in that
lie has a right to put himfelfto death." Suppofe, fays
Mr. Bofvvell, that a man is abfolutely fare, that if he
lives a few days longer, he fhall be detected in a fraud,
the confequence of which will be utter difgrace and ex-
pulfion from fociety. What is he to do then ?" " Then,
Sir, fays Johnfon, let him go to fome place where he is
not known but don't let him go to the devil where he
is known."
SAILOR.
Mr. Bofwell expreffing his wonder, " That a man
who had been preffed on board a man of war, did not
chufe to continue longer than nine months." ' Sir, I
Ihould rather wonder he flayed fo long, if he could help
5t no man will be a failor who has contrivance enough
to get into ajail, for being in a iliip i$ being in a jail A
with the chance of being drowned."
SIR ROBERT W A L P O L .
Sir Robert Walpole, on the whole was a fine fellow,
-and even his enemies thought him fo before his death.
Lord Bath told me, " he was very fure Sir Robert was
of that focial pleafant temper, that he never felt any
thing faid againil him for half an hour in his life. He
then repeated Pope's charter of him :
Seen
( xlvi )
" Seen him I have, but in his happier hour
Of foeial pleafure ill exchang'dtor powerf
' Seen him uncumb^r'd with the venal tribe,
" Smile without art, and win without a bribe."
JOHN W I L K E S.
"It is wonderful to think that all the force of govern
ment was required to prevent Wilkesfrom being chofert
chief magillrate of London, without fuccefs, though the
livery-men knew at the fame time he would rob their
fhops, and debauch their daughter's.
PAUL WHITEHEAD.
QJ* Pray, Dodlor, was not Whitehead profecuted for
his poem, called Manners?"
A. "No, Sir; butDodfley hispubli flier was. White-
head was a man who hung loofe upon fociety, but
Dodfley being a man who kept a mop, and being more
readily found, was called before the houfe of Lords
and after all I think the poem but. a poor performance/*
eoeococscecsoeoooocooooouociocoo
EXTRACTS from various AUTHORITIES;.
UPON the publication of Lord Bolingbroke's philo-
fophical works by David Mallet, Dr. Johnfon was
afked his opinion of the author. " Sir, fays he, I look
upon him to be both zfioundrel and a coward a fcoun-
drel for loading His blunderbufs up to the muzzle,
againft the peace and happinefs of focrety, and a cow
ard for leaving David Mallet to draw the trigger/*
A gentleman obfervingtoDr. Johnfon, thatthere were
lefs vagrant poor in Scotland than in England, and as a
proof of it, faid there was no inftance of a beggar dying
in the.ftreets there; "I believe you're very, right, Sir-,
fays Johnfon, but that does not arife from the want of
vagrants, but the impojfilility of flawing a Scotchman"
Pray, Dr. Johnfon, fays a female fmatterer in poetry,
which was thegreateft poet, Boyce or Derrick? " Oh,
Madam,
( xlvii )
Madam (fays the Dolor) there can be no great differ
ence between zloufeandaflee.
Dr. Johnfon being at dinner at Mrs. Macauley's, the
conversation turned on t\\e equality of mankind, which the
lady of the houfe contended for with all the energy of a
republican. Johnfon made a few mcrt.anfvvers, in hopes
to change the fubjeft, but finding (he would go.on, he
nnifhed his dinner with as much hafle as poilible, and
then giving his plate to the footman, begged he'd take
his place: "Good God! what are you about, Doc
tor," faid the lady? " Oh! nothing, Madam, but to
preferve the equality of mankind.
The emigration of the Scotch to London, being a
converfation between the Doctor and Foote, the latter
faid he believed the number of Scotch in London were
as great in the former as the prefent reign : " 'No,
Sir, you are certainly wrong in your belief; but I fee
how you're deceived, you can't diftinguifh them now as
formerly, for the fellows all come here breeched of late
years."
Pray Doclor, faid a gentleman to him, is Mr. Thrale
a man of coriverfation, or is he only wiie and filent? >
t( Why, Sir, his converfation does not ihew the minute*
hand, but he generally ftrikes thehourvery correctly."
Pray, fays Garrick's mother to Johnfon, " what's
your opinion of my fon David?" ' Why, Madam, re
plied the Docior, David will either be hanged, or be
come a great man."
Upon the publication of the Poems of Ojjian, being
afked by the commentator on that work, , whether he
thought any one man living could write fuch an epic
poem? Johnfon replied very gravely, " Oyes! Sir,
many men, many women, and many children /"
" You knew Mr. Capel, the editor of Shakefpeare,
Dr. Johnfon?" " Yes, Sir, I have feen him at Gar-
rick's!" " And what think you of his abilities?"--
" .Great applicat on, Sir! Were he and f to count the
grains in a bufhel of wheat for a wager, he would cer
tainly prove the winner."
On Dr. Johnfon's return from Scotland, a particular
friend of his was faying, that now he had a view of the
country,
( xlvlii )
country, he was in hopes it would cure him of many pre
judices again ft that nation, particularly in refj.eft to the
fruits. " Vv'hyyes, S r, I have iound out that goofe*
berries will grow there againtf a fouth wall, but the
ikinsare fo tough ihat it is death to the man whofwal-
lows one of them.'*
I remember, lays the Doftar, to have given a /killing
to a peafant in the lile of JSkey, for half a days attend
ance on me, and he was io {truck v,ith-the liberality of
the reward, that he a(ked with feme furprife, whether I
meant it all for him? This raifmg the laugh r.gainftMr.
Bofwell, who was the only Scotchman in company, the
Doctor went on *' I mention this circumilance to mew
the humility of the man's mind; but had it happened
to 1 a peafant of your country (turning- round to snJrifli
gentleman who fat next him) the probability is, that hs
Would not know kvbdt a /hilling was,"
When Dr. Johnion had an audience of the King, by
appointment, in the Queen's library, in the courie of
conve-fation his Majeily a(ked him, " why he did not
continue writing? '* Why, Sire," fays John fon,, " I
thought 1 had done enough I" " So mould I too, Doc-
^or, ;> replied the King, "if you had not written fo
well.'"
Forgetting an appointment he had to fup with Gar-
fick, till near one o'clock in the mornirig, he Tallied out
at that hour, ard knocked at his door in ooirharnpton-
ftreet. Gairick putting his head out of the window,
told him all the company were gone, and that he and
Mrs. Garrick were going to bed. Open the door,
David, fays the Dcctor, I have fomething to tell you
will give you fatisfn&ion." This brought down Gar-
rick, who, after letting him in, impatiently aiiced him
what was the news he had that was to give him fo much
Jatisfadion ? *' W 7 hy fit you down there, fays the Doc
tor, and P II flatter you."
An
* A Aort time before the Dolor's death Mr. Kearfley, Jnconvcr-
fat'ton with him, enquired if that obfervation of his Majefty's was
true 5 he faid it was nearly fo, but his memory was become very de*
fettive
( xlix )
An eminent carcafe butcher, as mesgre in his perfoa
as he wasin his underftanding, bei.ngoue day in a book-
feller's mop, took up a volume of Churchill's Poems*
and by way of mewing his talte, repeated with great af-
fetation, the following line :
(( Who rules o'er freemen fhoulci h'mfe'f be fee.
Then turning to the Doctor, fk What think you ofth.lt.
Sir?'* faid he. " Rank nonfenfe, replied iLe ocher!
it is an afTertion without a proof" and^o# might, with
as much propriety fay,
Who Jlays fat oxen ffiould himfelf be fat."
When Lord Chefterfield's letters to his fon firft came
out, a gentleman was afking the Doctor whether they
did not contain great knowledge of the world ? " O!
yes, Sir, fays Johnfon, very much of modern knowledge.
They inculcate the morals of a <w , and the manners
ef a dancing- mafter" Being afked his opinion of the
writings of a certain fuccefsiul dramatic author, he re
plied, " They were fuchasa wife man mould be amamed
to remember."
Previous to a convivial meeting on the night before
the publication of his firft edition of ohakefpe.ire, Ton-
fon, the publisher, defired a gentleman to afk John fon
for a lift of the fubfcribers? " Why, Sir, fays the
Dolor, ** I have two material reafons a^ainft it: In
the firft place I have loft all their names, and in the fe-
cond, I ha.vejfent ail the money "
Perhaps, faid a gentleman, talking to Dr. Johnfon
on church preferments, " after all, a Conge d'Elire has
not the force of a pofitive command, but implies only
a itrong recommendation" <s Very true, Sir, fays John-
fen, but fuch a ftrong recommendation as if I mould
throw you out of a three pair of ftairs window, and re*
commend you to fall to the ground"
Being afked his opinion of hunting, he faid, <( it was
the labour of the Savages of North America, but the
amttfement of the gentlemen of England."
When he was told of his friend Mrs. Thrale's mar
riage with Piozzi, the Italian finger, he was dumb with
furprize,
furprife for fom^ moments, at lait recovering himfelf,he
exclaimed with great emotion,
Vanum et mutalilt \emperfeem\n4.
The author of the life of Socrates,* who was as thick
as ha was long, once called our author " a literary fa-
vage ;" when Johnfon heard of it he replied " Why
1 expected fome fuch ridiculous obfervations from a lite"
rary punchinello."
When Dr. Percy firft published his collection of an
cient Englith ballads, perhaps he was too laviih in com
mendation of the beautiful fimplicity and poetic merit
he fuppofed himfelf to difcover in them. This circum-
flance provoked Johnfon toobferveoneevening, at Mils
JReynold's tea-table, that he could rhyme as well, and as
elegantly in common narrative and converfation. For
in fiance, fays he,
As with my hat upon my head
I walk'd along the Strand,
I there did meet another man
Witn his hat in his hand.
Or to render fuch poetry fubfervient to my own imme
diate ufe,
I therefore pray thee, Renny dear,
That thou wilt give to me,
With cream and i'u^ar foften'd well,
Another difh of tea.
Nor fear that I, my gentle maid,
Snail long detain the cup,
When once unto the bottom I
Have drank the liquor up.
Yet ht-ar, alas ! this mournful truth,
Nor hear it with a frown :
Thou can'ft not make the tea fo faft
As I can gulp it d.'wn.
And thus he pr ceeded through feveral more ftanzas,
till the Reverend Critic cried out for quarter.
In a converfation on the infancy of fhe American war
a gentleman prefent giving fome remarkable in dances
of the ill-timed lenity and procraftination of boflilities on
our fide; the Doctor obferved, " that a prince who ,
made
* Mr, Cooper.
( 15 )
Inade war upon his enemies 'tenderfy, often diitreited his
ifubjedls cruelly."
He ufed to fay of Gray, the poet, that he was the
Very Torre of poetry. He played his corrufcations fo
fpecioufly, that his fteel duft was miltaken by many for
! a mower of gold*
A gentleman reading to I)r. Johnfon, Garric&'s 0<&,
in the Stratford Jubilee, when he came to the following
couplet:
" The little loves like bees
Cluft'ringanJ climbing up his knees.'*
Could not help exclaiming, fc What damned fluff here
is!" " Very bad to be fure, Sir, fays the JL> odor;
but I mould hope 'tis not my friend David's writing, but
rather Mr s. Garrick's woman."
* I hope, Sir, fays a friend, that the man I recom
mended to fit up with you (during his lalt indifpofition)
was both wakeful and alert. '" Sir, anfwered the Doc
tor, his vigilance was that of a dormoufe, and his ati-
vity that of a ttirnfpit on his firft entrance into a wheel*
ANECDOTES,
EXTRACTED FROM
|M. BOSWELL's LIFE OF JOHNSON.
JOHNSOT^, previous to his removing to the uni-
verfity, read a great deal in a defultory manner,
\vithout any fcheme of ftudy, as chance threw books
in his way, and inclination dirtdled him through
them. He ufed to mention one curious inftance of his
cafual reading when but a boy. Having imagined
that his brother had hid fome apples behind a large
folio upon an upper fhelf in his father's mop, he climbed
up to fearch for them. There were no apples; but
the large folio proved to be Petrarch, whom he had
s { ||feeti mentioiied, in forrie preface^ as one of thereftorers
of
of learning. His curiofity having been thus excited^
he fat down with avidity, and read a great part of the]
book. W 7 hat he read during thefe two yeais, he told
jVIr. B. was not works of mere amufement, * not voy-1
ages and travels, but all literature, Sir, all ancient
writers, all manly; though but little Greek, only fome
of Anacreon and Hefiod ; but in this irregular manner;
(added he) I had looked into a great many bocks,,
which were not commonly known at the univerfities,
where they feldom read any books but what are put in
to their hands by their tutors ; fo that when I came to
Oxford, Dr. Adams, mailer of Pembroke College, told
me, 1 was the bell qualified for the Univerfity that he
had ever known come there;"
No man had a more ardent love of literature, era
higher refpecl for it. His apartment in Pembroke^
College was that upon the fecond floor over the gate-*
way. The enthufiafts of learning will ever contem-
plateicwith veneration. One day, while he was fitting
in it quite alone, Dr Panting, then mafter of the Ccl-.
lege, whom he called " a fine Jacobite fellow," over
heard him uttering this foliloquy, in his flrong empha
tic voice : " Well, I have a mind to fee what is done
in other places of learning. I'll go and vi'fit the Uni-
verfuies abroad. I'll go to France and Italy. I'll go
to Padua. And I'll mind my bufmefs. For an Athe~
nian blockhead Js the worit of all blockheads."
The following curious account of his journey, with
his wife, to church, on the nuptial morn, was given to
Mr. B. by the Doctor himfelf. " Sir, me had read
the old romances, and had got into her head the fantnf-
tical notion that a woman of fpirit ihould ufe her lover
like a dog. So, Sir, at firft me told me that 1 rode
too fart, and me could not keep up with me ; and
when 1 rode a little flower, fhe pafTed me, a'nd com
plained that I lagged behind. I was not to be made
the flave of caprice; and I refolved to begin as I meant
to end. I therefore pufhed on brifkly till I was fairly
out of her fight. The road lay between two hedges, fo
1 \vas fure fhe co-uld not mifs it; and I contrived that
me
foe mould fcon come up with me. When me did, I
Bobferved her to be in tears."
,The following beautiful ODE to FRIENDSHIP, writ
ten at an early period of his life, was never before
printed :
FRIENDSHIP, peculiar boon ofHeav'n,
The noble mind's delight and pride,
To men and angels only giv'n,
To all the lower world deny'd.
While love, unknown among the bleft,
> Parent of tboufand wilddeiires,
The favage rnd the human breaft
Torments alike with racing fires.
With bright, but oftdeftruftive, gler-n,.
Alike o'er all his lightnings fly j
Thy lambent glories only beam
Around the tav'rites of the iky.
Thy gentle flow of guihJefs joys
On fools and villains ne'er defcend }
3n vain forthee the tyrant fighs,
Andhjgs a flatt'rer for a friend.
Direftrefs of the brave and juft,
O guide us ihro' fife's darkfome way !
And let the tortures of miftruft
On felfifh bofarns only prey.
Nor ftall thine ardours ceafe to glow,
When fouls to bliisful climes remove s
What rais'd our virtue hsre below,
Shall aid our happinefs above.
A few days before the iirft of his EfTays, intituled
I the Rambler, came out, there ftarted another compe-
jtitor for fame, in the fame form, under the title of
" The Tatler Revived,'* which was " born but to
idie." Johnfon was not very happy in the choice of
I his title, " The Rambler," which certainly is not
jfuited to a feries of grave and moral difcourfes; which
the Italians have literally, but ludicroufly, tranflated
by // Vagabondo. He gave Sir Jofhua Reynolds the
following account of its getting this name : " What
c 2 mufl
mfft be done, Sir, will be done. When I was to begin I
publiming that paper, I was at a lofs how to name it.jj
1 fat down at night upon my bedfide, and refolved that Jj
I would not go to fleep till I had fixed its title. The!'
Rambler feemed the belt that occurred, and I took-
With what devout and confcientious fentiments thisi'
Paper was undertaken, is evidenced by the following \\
prayer, which he compofed and offered up on the oc-!i
cafion : " Almighty GOD, the giver of all good things,}?
without whofe help all labour is ineffectual, and without]
whofe grace all wifdomis folly; grant, I befeech Thee,;^
that in this undertaking thy Holy Spirit may not bej
with-held from me, but that I may promote thy glory, I
and the falvation ofmyfelf and others: grant thisJj
O LORD, for the fake of thy fon JESUS CHRIST.!
Amen."
The firft paper of the Rambler was publiflied on
Tuefday the zoth of March, 1750; and its author wasj]
enabled to continne it, without interruption, everyrt
Tuefday and Friday, till Saturday the i7th of March,il
1752, on which day it clofed. Notwithftanding hil .
conflitudonal indolence, his depreflion of fpirits, andji
his labour in carrying on his Dictionary, he anfweredH
the ftated calls of the prefs twice a week from the!"
(lores of his mind, during all that time having received^
no afliftance, except four billets in No. 10, by Miilll
Mulfo, now Mrs. Chapone; No. 30, by Mrs Cathe-a
rine Talbot; No 97, by Mr. Samuel RichardfonJ
whom he defcribes in an introductory note, as " Ar
author who has enlarged the knowledge of human na
ture, and taught the paflionr. to move at the commanc
of virtue ;" and Numbers 44 and 100, by Mrs. Eliza
beth Carter.
Pofterity will be aflonifhed when they are told, upor
the authority of Johnfon himfelf, that many of thefi
difcourfes, which we mould fuppofe had been labourer
\vith all the flow attention of literary leifure, wen
written in hafte, as the moment prefTed, without even,
being read over by him before they were printed. II
can be accounted for only in this way; that by reading
ami
and meditation, and a very clofe infpeftion of life, he
had accumulated a great fund of mifcellaneous know
ledge, which, by a peculiar promptitude of mind, was
ever ready at his call, and which he had conftantly
accuftomeci himfelf to clothe in the the moft apt and
energetic expreffion. Sir Jomua Reynolds once afked
him by what means he had attained his extraordinary
accuracy and flow of language, He told him, that he
had early laid it down as a fixed rule to do his beft on
every occaiion ; and in every company to impart what
ever he knew in the moil forcible language he could put
kin; and that by conftant practice, and never fuffering
any carelefs exprefiions to efcape him, or attempting to
deliver his thoughts without arranging them in the clear-
eft manner, it became habitual to him.
As the Rambler was entirely the work of one man,,
there was, of courfe, fuch an uniformity in its texture,
as very much to exclude the charm of variety ? and the
grave, and often folemn call of thinking, which dif-
tinguifhed it from other periodical papers, made it, for
fome time, not generally liked. So flowly did this ex
cellent work, of which twelve editions have now iffued
from the prefs, gain upon the world at large, that even
in the clofing number the author fays, ' i have never
been much a favourite of the public."
Johnfon told Mr. B. with an amiable fondnefs, a
little pleafing circumftance relative to this work. Mrs-
Johnfon, in whofe judgment and tafte he had great
confidence, faid to him, after a few numbers of the
Rambler had come out, " I thought very well of you
before; but I did not imagine you could have written
any thing equal to this." Diftant praife, from what
ever quarter, is not fo delightful as that of a wife whom.
a man loves and efteems. Her approbation may be
faid " to come home to his bofom ;" and being fo near,
its effect is moft fenfible and permanent.
In 1751 we are to confider him as carrying on both
his Dictionary and Rambler. But he alfo wrote " The
Life of Cheynel," in the mifcellany called " The Stu
dent ;" and the Reverend Dr. Douglas having, with
uncommon acutencfs, clearly detedled a grofs forgery
e 3 and
( Ivi )
and impofition npcn the public by William Lauder, ft
Scotch fchoolmaiter, who had, with equal impudence
and ingenuity, reprefented Milton as a plagiary from
certain modern Latin poets, Johnfcn, who ha-d been
ib far impcfed upcn as to furnifh a Preface nnd Poft-
: to his wok, nowdidated a letter for Lauder, ad-
,-d to Dr. Douglas, acknowledging his fraud in.
terms of fuitable contiition.
This extraordinary attempt of Lander was no fudden
effort. He had brooded over it for many years ; and
to this hour it is uncertain what his principal motive
was, unlefs it were a vain notion of his fuperiority, in
being able, by whatever means, to deceive mankind.
To efFedi this, he produced certain paflages from Gro-
tius, Mafenius, and others, which had a faint refem-
blance to Tome parts of the " Paradife Loft." In thefe
he interpolated fome fragments of Hog's Latin tranfla-
tion of that Poem, alledging, that the mafs thus fabri
cated, was the archetype from which Milton copied.
Thefe fabrications he publifhed from time to time in
the Gentleman's Magazine; and, exulting in his fan
cied fuccefs, he, in 1750, ventured to collect them into
a pamphlet, entitled " An Eflay on Milton's Ufe and
Imitation of the Moderns in his Paradife Loft." To
this pamphlet Johnfon wrote a Preface, in full perfua-
fion of Lauder's honefty, and a Poftcript recommend
ing, in the mofr perfuafive terms, a fubfcription for the
relief of a grand-daughter of Milton, of whom he thus
fpeaks : ' It is yet in the power of a great people to re-
ward the poet whofe name they boaft, and from their
alliance to whofe genius they claim fome kind of fupe-
riori.y to every other nation of the earth; that poet,
whofe works may poffibly be read when every other
monument of Britifh greatnefs ftiall be obliterated ; to
reward him, not with picture?, or with medals, which,
if he fees, he fees with contempt, but with tokens of
gratitude, which he, perhaps, may even now confider,
as not unworthy the regard of an immortal fpirit.'
The circle of his friends, in the year 1752, was ex-
tenfive and various, far beyond what has been general
ly imagined, among whom was his duke decus, SJr
Joftiua
Jofiiua Reynolds, and with whom he maintained an
wninterrup"ed intimacy to the lad hour of his Hie.
When Johnfon lived in Caftle-ftreet, Cavendifh-fquare,
he ufcd frequently to viiit two ladies, who lived oppo-
fite to him, Mifs Cotterells, daughters of Admiral
Cotterell. Reynolds ufed alfo to vilit there, and thus
they met. Mr. Reynolds had, from the firft reading
of his moil admirable Life of Savage, conceived a very
high admiration of Johnfon's powers of writing. His
converfation no lefs delighted him; and he cultivated
his acquaintance with the laudable zeal of one who
was ambitious of general improvement. Sir Jofliua,
indeed, was lucky enough at their very firfb meet
ing, to make a remark, which was fo much above the
common-place ftyle of converfation, that Johnfon at
once perceived that Reynolds had the habit of thinking
for himfelf. The ladies were regretting the dea^h of a
friend, to whom they owed great obligations; upon
which Reynolds obferved, "You have, however, the
comfort of being relieved from a burthen of gratitude."
They were mocked a little at this alleviating fuggef-
tion, as too felfifti ; but Johnfou defended it in his
clear and forcible manner, and was much pleafed with
thejwW, the fair view of humaa nature, which it exhi
bited, like fome of the reflections of Rochefaucalt.
Theconfequence was, that he went home with Reynolds,
and fupped with him.
When they were one evening together at the Mifs
Cotterells, the then Duchefs of Argyls and another lady
of high rank came in. Johnfon thinking that the Mifs
Cotterells were too much engrofied by them, and that
he and his friend were neglected as low company, of
whom they werefomewhat aihamed, gr< j w angry ; and
refolving to mock their fuppofed pride, by making
their great vifitors imagine that his friend and he, were
low indeed, he addrefTed himfelf in a loud tone to Mr.
Reynolds, faying, " How much do you think you and
I could get in a week, if we were to work as hard as we
could ?" as if they had been common mechanics,
i Soon after his acquaintance with Mr. Langton com
menced, Johnfon paffed aconfiderable time ac Oxford.
c 4 He
/ , ... %
( Ivin }
He at firfl thought It ftrange that Langton fhould affo j
ciate fo much with Beauclerk, one who had the cha*- j
rafter of being loofe, both in his principles and prao I
tice ; but by degrees, he himfelf was falcinated. Mr: |
Beauclerk's being of the St. Alban's family, and :
having, in fome particulars, a refemblance to Charlea i
the Second, contributed, in Johnfon's imagination, to. j
throw aluftre upon his other qualities; and, in a ihort ;
time, the moral, pious Johnfcn, and the gay, dilTipated
Beauclerk, were companions. " What a coalition I j
(faid Garrick, when he heard of thjs) I mall have my j
eld friend to bail out of the round-houfe." Innume- j
rable were the fcenes in which Johnfon was amufed by
thefe young men. Beauclerk had fuch a propenfity to |
fatire, that at one time Johnfon faid to him, ' You |
never open your mouth but with intention to give pain;,
and you have often given me pain, not from the power
of what you faid, but from feeing your intention.*'
At another time applying to him, with a flight altera* <
tion, a line of Pope, he faid, " Thy love of folly, an4
thy fcorn of fools Everything thou dofl fhews the one*
and every thing thou fay'ft the other." At another
time he faid to him, " Thy body is all vice, and thy
mind all virtue." Beauclerk notfeeming to relim the
compliment, Johnfon faid* < Nay, Sir, Alexander, the^
Great, marching in triumph into Babylon, could not
have defired to have had more faid to him."
Johnfon was fome time with Beauclerk at his houfe
at Windfor, where he was entertained with experiments
in natural philofophy. One Sqnday, when the weather
was very fine, Beauclerk enticed him, infenfibly, to faun-
ter about all the morning. They went into a church
yard, in the time of divine fervice, and Johnfon laid
himfelf down at his eafe upon one of the tomb-ftones.
'Now, Sir, (faid Beauclerk) you are like Hogarth's
Idle Apprentice." When Johnfon got hi$ penfion*
Beauclerk faid to him, in the humourous phrafe of Fal-
flaff, " I hope you'll now purge, and live cleanly like
a gentleman."
One night when Beauclerk and Langton had fupped
at. a. tavern in London, and fat, till about three in the
morning, it*came into their heads to go and knock up-
Johnfon, and fee if they could prevail on him to join
them in a ramble. They Crapped violently at the door
of his chambers in the Temple,, till at laft he appeared
in his fhirt with his little black wig on the top of his
head, inftead of a night-cap, and a poker in his hand,
imagining, probably, that fome ruffians were coming to -
attack him, when he difcovered who they were, and
was told their errand, he fmiled, and with great good
humour agreed to their propofal: " What is it you,
you dogs? I'll have a frifk with you." He was foon
drefled, and they fallied forth together into Covent-
'Garden, where the green-grocers and fruiterers were
beginning to arrange their hampers, juft come in from
the country. Johnfon made fome attempts to help
them ; but the honefl gardeners flared fo at his figure
and manner, and odd interference, that he foon faw
his fervices were not reliihed. They then repaired to
one of the neighbouring taverns, and made a bowl of
that liquor called Bijbop,. which Johnfon had always
liked ? while in joyous contempt of fleep, from which
he had been roufed,, he repeated the feflive lines,
* Short, O fliort then be thy reign,
And give us to ths world again.""
They did not flay long, but walked down to th-e
Thames, took a boat, and rowed to Billingfgate.
Beauclerk and JohnfoH were fo well pleafed with their
amufement,. that they refolved to perfevere in diflipa-
tion for the reft of the day : butLangton deferted them,
being engaged to fareakfaft with fome young ladies.
Johnfon fcolded him for * leaving his focial friends, to
go and fit with a fet of wretched, un-idea?d girls. Gar-
rick being told of this ramble, faid to him fmartly,
" I. heard of, your frolic t'other night. You'll be in the
Chronicle." Upon which Johnfon afterwards obferved,,
44 He duril not do fuch a thing. His <u,ij'e would not
ht him.
The following is that celebrated l&ter to Lord
Chefter field, on the two papers which, he had writ-.
c sea
ten in the World, in recommendation of Johnfon's
Dictionary.
To the Right Hon. the EARL ^CHESTERFIELD.
MY LORD, February, 1755.
I have been lately informed, by the proprietor of
the World, that two papers, in which my Dictionary
is recommended to the public, were written by your
Lord/hip. To be fo diftinguifhed, is an honour, which,
being very little accnflomed to favours from the great,
1 know not well how to receive, or in what terms to
acknowledge.
" When, upon fome flight encouragement, I firft
vifitcd your Lordfhip, I was overpowered, like the reft
of mankind, by the enchantment of your addrefs ; and
could not forbear to with that I might boaft myfelf Le
iiainqueurdii vainqutur de la terre ; that I might obtain
that regard for which I faw the world contending; but
I found myattendance fo little encouraged, that neither
pride nor modefty would fuffer me to continue it.
When 1 had once addrefTed your Lordfhip in public, I
had exhaufted all the art of pleafing which a retired
and uncourtly fcholar can poflefs. I had done all that
J could ; and no man is well pleafed to have his all
neglefted, be it everfo little.
41 Seven years, my Lord, are now paft, fmce I waited
in your outer rooms, or was repulfed from your door;
during which time I have been pufhing on my work
through difficulties, of which it is ufelels to complain,
and have brought it, at Lift, to the verge of publica
tion, without one aft of afliftance*, one word of encou.-
Tagement, or cne {mile of favour. Such treatment I
did not expeft, for I never had a Patron before.
The following note ia fubjoined by Mr. Langton. Dr.
Johnfon, when he gave roe this copy of his letter, defired that I
would annex to it his information to me, that whereas it is faid in
the letter, that < no afliftance has been received/ he did once re
ceive from Lord Chefterfield the fum often pounds; but as that
was fo inconfidcrabk a fum, he thoughtthe mention of it could not
properly find place in a letter of the kind that this was."
" The fhepherd in Virgil grew at laft acquainted
with Love, and found him a native of the rocks.
" Is not a Patron, my Lord, one who looks with
unconcern on a man flruggling for life in the water,
and when he has reached ground, encumbers him
with help? The notice which you have been pleafed
to take of my labours, had it been early, had been
kind ; but it ha:> been delayed till I am indifferent,
and cannot enjoy it; till I am folitary, and cannot
impart it; till I am known, and do not want it. I
hope it is no very cynical afperity not to confefs obli
gations where no benefit has been received, or to be
unwilling that the public (hculd confider me as owing
that to a Patron, which Providence has enabled me to
do for myfelf.
" Having carried on my work thus far, wi'h fo little
obligations to any favourer of learning, I fhall cot be
difappointed though 1 mall conclude it, if lefs be pof-
Jible, with lefs; for i have been long wakened from
that dream of hope, in which I once boalted rnj fdf
with fo much exultation,
My Lord,
Your Lordfhip's moft humble,
Moft obedient fervant,
SAMUEL JOHNSON.'*
Johnfon having now explicitly avowed his opinion
of Lord Chefterfield, did not refrain from expreffing
himfelf concerning that nobleman with pointed free
dom: " This man (faid he) I thought had been a
Lord among -wits ; but, I find, he is only a wit among
Lords! And when his Letters to his natural fon were
published, he obferved, that " they teach the morals
of a whore, and the manners of a dancing-matter."
In 1756 he refumed his fcheme of giving an edition
of Shakefpeare with notes. He iflued propofals of
confiderable length, in which he mewed that he per
fectly well knew what a variety of refearch fuch an un
dertaking required ; but his indolence prevented him,
from purfuing it with that diligence which alone can
c 6 colled
thofe fcattered faas that genius, however acute,.
penetrating, and luminous, cannot difcover by its own
force. It is remarkable, that at this time his fancied
adivity was for the moment fo vigorous, that he pro-
mifed his work fhould be publifhed before Chriflmas,
1757. Yet nine years elapfed before it faw the light.
His throes in bringing it forth had been fevere and re
mittent, and at la ft we may alnioft conclude that the;
Crefarian operation was performed by the knife of
Churchill.
/ " He for fubfcrlbers bates his hook,
And takes your cafli 5 but whcre's the book ?
No matter where ; wife fear, you know,
Forbids the robbing of a foe ;
But what, to ferve our private ends,
Forbids the cheating of our friends ?"
Sunday, July 31, 1763, Mr. S. told him he had
been that morning at a meeting of the people called
Quakers, where he had heard a woman preach. John-
fon faid, " Sir, a woman's preaching is like a dog's
walking on his hinder legs. It is not done well ; but
you are furprized to find it done at all."
The year 1765 was diitinguilhed by his being intro
duced into the faiaily of Mr. Thrale, one of the molt
eminent brewers in England, and Member of Parlia
ment for the Borough of Southwark. Foreigners are
not a little amazed when they hear of brewers, diftil
Jers, and men in fimilar departments of trade, held
forth as perfons of considerable confequence. Johnfon>
ufed to give this account of the rife of Mr. Thrale's
father. " He worked at fix Shillings a week for twenty
years in the great brewery which was afterwards his
own. The proprietor of it had an only daughter, who
was married to a nobleman. It was not fit that a Peeiv
fliould continue the bufmefs. On the old man's death,
therefore, the brewery was to be fold. To find a pur-
chafer for fo large a property was a difficult matter;
and, after fome time, it was fuggeflcd, that it would
be advifeableto treat with Thrale, a fenfible, afiive,.
koneft man, who had been long employed in the houfc,
and to transfer the whole to him for thirty thoufand
pounds, fecurity being taken upon the property. This
was accordingly fettled. In eleven years Thrale paid
the purchafe-money. He acquired a large fortune, and
lived to be Member of Parliament for Southwark. But
what was mod remarkable was the liberality with which
he ufed.his riches. He gave his fon and daughters the
befl education. The efteem which his good conduct
procured him from the nobleman who had married his
mailer's daughter, made him be treated with much at
tention ; and his fon, both at fchool and at the univer-
fity of Oxford, aiTociated with young men of the firfl
rank. His allowance from his father,, after he left
college, was fplendid ; no lefs than a thoufand a year.
This, in a man who had rifen as old Thrale did, was
a very extraordinary inftance of generofity. He ufed
to fay, " If this young dog does not find fo much after
I am gone as he expects, let nim remember that he has
had a great deal in my own time."
Mr. Thrale had married Mifs Hefther Lynch Saluf-
bury, of good Welch extraction, a lady of lively ta
lents, improved by education. That Jx)hnfon's intro
duction into Mr. Thrale's family, which contributed
fo much to the happinefs of his life, was owing to her
defire for his converfation,. is the moil probable and
general fuppofition. But it is not the truth. Mr,
Murphy, who was intimate with Mr. Thrale, having
fpoken very highly of Dr. Johnfon, he was requefled
to make them acquainted. This being mentioned to
Johnfon, ht accepted of an invitation to dinner at
Thrale's, and was fo much pleafed with his reception,
both by Mr. and Mrs. Thrale, and they fo much
pleafed with him, that his invitations to their houfe
were more and more frequent, till at lail he became one
of the family, and an apartment was appropriated to
him, both in their houfe in, Southwark; and in their
yjlla at Streatham..
Nothing could be more fortunate for Johnfon than
this connection. He had at Mr. Thrale's all the
comforts and even luxuries of life; his melancholy
was
x,
was diverted, and his irregular habits leffened, by a-
fociadon with an agreeable and well-erciejed family.
He was treated with the utmoft refpeft, and even affec
tion. The vivacity of Mrs. Thrale's literary talk roufed
him to cheerfulnefs and exertion even when they were
alone. But this was not often the cafe; for he found
here a conitant fucceilion of what gave him the higheil
enjoyment, the fcciety of the learned, the witty, and
the eminent in everyway, who were aflembled in nu
merous companies, called forth his wonderful powers,
and gratified him with admiration, to wh ch no man
could be infenfible.
In the Oftober of this year he at length gave to the
world his edition of Shakfpeare, which, if it had no
other merit bat that of producing his Preface, in which
the excellencies and deii?ls of that immortal bard are
difplayed with a mafterly hand, the nation would have
had no reafon to complain. A blind, indifcriminate
admiration of Shakfpeare had expofed the Britim. na
tion to the ridicule of foreigners, johnfon, by can
didly admitting the faults of his poet, had the more
credit in bellowing on him deferved and indifputable
praife; and doubtlefs none of all his panegyrics have
done him half fo much honour.
Trinity College, Dublin, at this time furprifed
Johnfon with a fpontaneous compliment of the higher!
academical honours, by creating him Dodlor of La-vvs.
This unfolicited mark of diftin&ion, conferred on
fo great a literary character, did much honour to the
judgment and liberal fpiritof that learned body.
He ufed to fay of Goldfmith's Traveller, " There
has not been fo fine a poem fince Pope's time."
And here it is proper to fettle, with authentic pre-
cifion, what has long floated in public report, as to
Johnfon's being himfelf the author of a confiderable
part of that poem. But in the year 1783, he marked
with a pencil the lines which he had furnifhed, which
are only line 420,
<* To flop too fearful, and too faint to go j"
and
( kv ),
and the Concluding ten lines, except the lafl couplet
but one, diftinguilhed by the Italic charader :
How fmall of all that human hearts endure,
That part which kings or laws can caufe or cure f
Still to otufelves in every place coniign'd,
< Our own felicity we make or find }
' With f-cret courfe, which no loud ftorms annoy,
' Glides the fmooth current of domeftic joy.
' The lifted axe, the agonizing ivkecl,
' Luke's iron crotvn } and Damieii's bed sfftfel,
" To men remote from power, but rarely known,
Leave reafon, faith, and conference all our own."
Of the " Deferted Village," he furnished the four
following, which are the laft :
Th;.t trade's proud empire haftes to fwift decay,
" As ocean fweeps the the labour a.mole away :
While fclf dependent power can time defy,
As rocks refift the billows and the fky."
Mr. Cuthbert Shaw, alike diftinguiflied by his ge
nius, misfortunes, andmifconduft, publifhed in 1766,
a Poem, called " The Race, byMercurius Spur, Efq."
.in which he whimfically made the living poets of
England contend for pre-eminence of fame by run
ning:
Prove by their heels the prowefs of the head."
Jn this Poem there was the following portrait of
John fon :
Here Johnfon comes,- unbleft with outward grace,
" His rigid rnurals ffomp'd upon hi? face.
" While ftrong conceptions ftruggle in his brain j
< (For even wit is brought to bed with pain) :
To view him, p rtets w:th their loads would reft,
" And babes cling frighted to the nurfe's breaft.
< With looks convuls'd, he roars in pompous ftrain,
'< And like an angry lion fhnkes his mane.
< The Nine, with terror ftruck. who ne'er had feen
" Aught human with /o horrible a mien,
" Debating whether they /hould ftay or run,
Virtue ft^p s forth, and claims him for her fon.
With
)
With gentle fpecch fhe warns him now
l Nor ftain his glories in the doubtful field j
* But wrapt in confcious worth, content fit downj,
Since fame refolv'd his various pleas to crown,
' Though forc'd his prefent claim to difavow,
< Had long referv'd a chaplet for his brow*
He bows, obeys j for Time fhall firft. expire,
" Ere Johnfon ftay, when Virtue bids retire."
Dr Jbhnfon repeatedly talked of the heinoufiiefs of
the crime of adultery, by which the peace of families
was deftroyed.. 4t He faid confufion of progeny con*-
ftitutes the eflence of the crime ;. and therefore a wo
man who breaks her marriage vows is much more ri-
jninal than a man who does it. A man, to be fure, is
criminal in the fight of God : but he does not do his
wife a very material injury,, if he does not infult her ;,
if, for inftance, from mere wantonnefs of appetite, he
ileals privately to her chambermaid. Sir, a wife
ought not greatly to refent this.. I would not receive
home a daughter who had run away from her hulband
on that account. A wife fhould ftudy to reclaim her,
hulhand by more attention to pleafehim.. Sir, a man
will not, once in a hundred inftances, leave his wife
and go to a harlot, if his wife has not been negligent
of pleafing."
Being afked if it was not hard that one deviation
from chaftity fhould abfolutely ruin a young woman.
Johnfon. *' Why no, Sir ;' it is the greaf principle
which (he is taught. When (he has given up that
principle, fhe has given up every notion of female
honour and virtue, which are all included in chaf-
thy."
When Mr. B. once cenfured a gentleman of his ac
quaintance for marrying a fecond time, as it fhevved
a difregard of his firft wife,, he faid, *' Not at all, Sir.
On the contrary, were he not to marry again, it might
be concluded that his firft wife had given him a difguft
to marriage; but by taking a fecond wife he pays the
highe ft compliment to the firft, by mewing that fhe
made him fo happy as a married man, that he wifhes
lo be fo a fecond time,* 7 "
A*
( Ixvii )
As a proof that Dr. Johnfon poflefled great personal
Courage, Mr. B. gives the following inftances.
On being told one day of the danger there was that
a gun might burft if charged with many balls, he put in
fix or feven, and fired it ofi* againft a wall. Mr.
Langton, when fwimmingwith the Doctor near Ox
ford, cautioned him againft a pool, which was reckon
ed particularly dangerous ; upon which Johnfon di
rectly fwam into it.
One night "he was attacked in the ftreet by four
men, to whom he would not yield, but kept them all
at bay, till the watch came up, and carried both him
and them to the raund-houfe.
Foote, who fo fuccefsfully revived the old comedy,
by exhibiting living characters, had refolved to imitate
Johnfon on the ftage, expecting great profits from his
ridicule of fo celebrated a man. Johnfon being in
formed of his intention, and being at dinner at Mr.
Thomas Davies's the bookfeller, he afked Mr. Davies
" What was the common price of an oak-ftick;" and
being anfwered fix-pence, "Why then, Sir, (faid he) give
me leave to fend your fervant to purchafe me a milling
one. I'll have a double quantity ; for I am told Foote
means to take me off, as he calls it, and I am deter
mined the fellow *lhall not do it with impunity."
Davies took care to acquaint Foote of this, which ef
fectually checked the wantonnefs of the mimic. Mr.
Macpherfon's menaces made Johnfon provide himfelf
with the fame implement of defence; and had he been,
attacked he would have made his corporal prowefs be
felt as much as his intellectual.
His " Journey to the Weftern Iflands of Scotland,"
is a moft valuable performance. It abounds in exten-
five philofophical views of fociety, and in ingenious
fentiments and lively defcription. A confiderable
part of it, indeed, confifts of fpeculations, which
many years before he faw the wild regions which we
vifited together, probably had employed his attention,
though the actual fight of thofe fcenes undoubtedly
quickened and augmented them. Mr. Orme, the very
ible hUtoriajv agreed with Mr. B. in this opinion,.
which.-
( Jxviii )
which he thus ftrongly exprefled: There arc in
that book thoughts, which, by long revolution in the
great mind of Johnfon, have been formed and polifhed
like pebbles rolled in the ocean !"
Jn the year 1776 an Epitaph, which Dr. Johnfon
had written for the monument of Dr. Goldfmith in
Weftminfter Abbey, gave occafion to a remontlrancc
to the Monarch of Literature.
Sir William Forbes, who gave Mr. B. an account
of this circumftance, writes to him thus " I enclofe
the Round Robin. Thisjeu d'efprit took its rife one
day at dinner at our friend Sir Jolhua Reynolds's.
All the company prefent, except myfelf, were friends
and acquaintance of Dr. Goldfmith . The Epitaph,
written for him by Dr. Johnfon, became the fubjeft
of converfation, and various emendations were fug-
gefted, which it was agreed mould be fubmitted to
the Doctor's confideration. But thequeftion was,- who
Ihould have the courage to propofe them to him? At
laft it was hinted, that there could be no way fo good
ps that of a Round Robin, as the failors call it, which
they make ufe of when they enter into a confpiracy,
fo as not to let it be known who puts his name firft or
laft to the paper. This proportion was inftantly afiented
to, and Dr. Barnard, Dean of Derry, now Bifhop of
Killaloe, drew up an addrefs to Dr. Johnfon on the
occafion, replete with wit and humour, but which it
was feared the Doctor might think treated the fubjel
with too much levity. Mr. Burke then, propofed the
addrefs as it ftands in the paper in writing, of which
the following is a copy :
tt ff r e the circumfcr Hers, having read <with great pie afvre,
an intended Epitaph for the Monument of Dr. Gold
fmith, which, confide? ed abfraSedly^ appears to be,
for elegant compofaion, and mnfterly ftyle, in every re-
Jpeft ^worthy of the pen of its learned author, are yet of
opinion, that the character of the deceafed as a writer,
particularly as a Poet, is perhaps not delineated ipitb all
the exaclnefs which Dr. Johnfon is capable of giving
it. Wt therefore, with deference to h.iffitpericrjvclg-
msnt*.
( Ixix )
/?;//, humbly requeft that he would at lea ft take the
trouble of revijing it, and of making fuch additions and
alterations as he Jhall think proper, upon a further pe-
rufal: But if we might 'venture to exprefs our wijhe^
they would lead us to requeft, that he would write th?
Epitaph in Englijh ^ rather than in Latin : as we think
that the memory offo eminent an Englijh writer ought
to be perpetuated in that language to which bis works
are likely to be /o lafting an ornament , which we aljo
know to have bten the opinion of the late Dotfor him"
Self,
^Thos. Franklin. . Barnard.
Ant. Channier. R. J5. Sheridan.
G. Colman, P. Met calf.
Wm. Vackell, E. Gibbon.
J, Reynolds, Jos. War ton.
W. Forbes. Edm. Burke.
te Sir Jofliua agreed to carry it to Dr. Johnfon,
who received it with great good humour, and defired
Sir Jofliua to tell the gentlemen, that he would alter
the Epitaph in any manner they pleafed, as to the
fenfe of it ; but he 'would never confent to dif grace the
iv alls ofWeJlminfter Abbey with an Englijh inscription.'*
Tom Davies, the bookfeller, in 1778, unfortu
nately failed in his circumftances, and much indebted
to Dr. Johnfon's kindnefs for obtaining for him many
alleviations of his diftrefs. Johnfon blamed his foil/
in quitting the ftage, by which he and his wife got
five hundred pounds a year. Mr B. told the Doflor
he believed it was owing to Churchill's attack upon
him ;
' He mouths a fentence as curs mouth a bone."
Johnfon replied, " 1 believe fo too, Sir. But what a
man is he who is to be driven from the flage by a line !
Another line would have driven him from his mop."
Mr. Thomas Davies was foon to have a benefit
at Drury-lane theatre, as fome relief to his unfor
tunate circumitances. Dr. Johnfon, Mr. BoAvell,
and
< Ixx )
their friends, were all warmly interefted for his
fuccefs, and had contributed towards it. However,
they thought there was no harm in having a joke, when
he could not be hurt by it. Mr. B. propofed that he
fhould be brought on to fpeak a Prologue upon the oc-
cafion; and began to mutter fragments of what it
might be : as, that when now grown old, he was'
obliged to cry, " Poor Tom's a-cold', that he owned
he had been driven from the ilage by a Churchill, but
that this was no difgrace, fora Churchill had beat the
French; that he had beenfatyrifed as * 'mouthing a fen-
tence as curs mouth a bone," but he was. now glad of
a bone to.pick. " Nay, (faid Johnfon,) I wouldhave
him to fay,
Mad Tom i come to fee the world again,"
Goldfmith being mentioned one day, Johnfon ob-
ferved that it was long before his merit came to be ac
knowledged. That he once complained to him, in
ludicrous terms of diftrefs, " Whenever I write any
thing the public make a point to know nothing at all
about it : but that his " Traveller" brought him into
high reputation.
John/on, (now in his feventieth year) fiid, " it is
a man's own fault, it is from want of ufe, if his mind,.
grows torpid in old age."
This feafon there was a whimfical fafhion in the
newfpapers, of applying Shakfpeare's words to defcribe
living people well known in the world ; which was
done under the title of " Modern Charatters from
Sbakfpeare ;" many of which were admirably adapted.
The fancy took fo much, that they were afterwards
collected into a pamphlet. Somebody faid to Johnfon,,
that he had not been in thofe characters. " Yes,
(faid he) I have I fhould have been forry to be left
out." He then repeated what had been applied to
him.
" I muft borrow GAR AGANTUA'S mouth.*'
Johnfon had a noble ambition floating in his mind,,
and had, undoubtedly, often fpeculatedon the poffi-
bility
( Ixxi )
fcility of his fuper-eminent powers being rewarded I*
this great and liberal country by the higheft honours of
the ftate. Sir William Scott, upon the death of the
late Lord Litchneld, who was Chancellor of the Uni*
verfuyof Oxford, faid to Johnfon, " What a pity it
is, Sir, that you did not follow the profeflion of the
law! You might have been Lord Chancellor of
Great Britain, and attained to the dignity of the
Peerage; and now that the title of Litchneld, your
native city, is extinft, you might have had it."
Johnfon upon this feemed much agitated; and, in an
angry tone, exclaimed, " Why will you vex me, by
fuggefling this, when it is too late r"
But he did not repine at the profperity of others.
The late Dr. Thomas Leland told Mr. Courtenay,
that when Mr. Edmund Burke fhewed Johnfon his fine
houfe and lands near Beaconsfield, Johnfon coolly faid,
** Non equidem in<video\ miror magis? y
In May 1780, Mr. Bofwell, then at Edinburgh,
received the following letter from Mr Langton:
" The melancholy information you have received
concerning Mr. Beauclerk's death is true. Had his
talents been diredled in any fufficient degree as they
ought, I have always been ftrongly of opinion, that
they were calculated to make an illuflrious figure ; and
that opinion, as it had been in part formed by Dr.
Johnfon's judgment, receives more and more con
firmation by hearing what, fmce his death, Dr. John-
fon has faid concerning them; a few evenings ago he
was at Mr. Vefey's, where Lord Althorpe, who was
one of a numerous company there, addre/Ted Dr.
Johnfon on the fubjecl: of Mr. Beauclerk's death, fay
ing, ' Our club has had a great lof fince we met laft.'
He replied, * A lofs, that perhaps the whole nation
could not repair !' The Doftor then went on to fpeak
of his endowments, and particularly extolled the won
derful eafe with which he uttered what was highly ex
cellent. He faid, that no man ever was fo free when
he was going to fay a good thing, from a look that ex-
prefled that it was coming; or, when he had faid it,
from a look that expreffed that it had come. At Mr.
Thrale's*
( Ixxii )
Three's, fome days before, when we were talking on
the fame fubjt-a, he faid, referring to the fame idea of
his facility, That' Beauclerk's talents were thcfe
which he had felt himfelf more difpofed to envy, than
thofe of any whom he had known.'
" At the evening I have fpoken of above, at Mr.
Vefey's, you would have been much gratified, as it
exhibited "an inftance of the high importance in which
Dr. Johnfon's character is held, I think even beyond
any J was ever before witnefs to. The company confined
chiefly of ladies, among whom were the Duchefs
Dowager of Portland, the Duchefs of Beaufort, whom
I fuppofe, from her rank, I mutt mention before her
mother Mrs. Bofcawen, and her eider fitter Mrs. Lew-
fon, who was likewife there; Lady Lucan, Lady
Clermont, and others of note, both for their Nations
and understandings. Among the gentlemen were,
Lord Akhorpe, whom I have before named, Lord
Macartney, Sir Jofhua Reynolds, Lord Lucan, Mr.
Wraxall, whofe book you have probably feen, ' The
Tour to the Northern Parts of Europe ;' a very agreeable
Ingenious man ; Dr. Warren, Mr. Pepys, the Mailer
in Chancery, whom I believe you know, and Dr.
Barnard, the Provoil of Eton. As foon as Dr. John-
fon was come in and had taken a chair, the company
began to colleft round* him, till they became not lefs
than four or five deep; thofe behind Handing, and
liftening over the heads of thofe that were fitting near
him. ' The converfation for fome time was chiefly be
tween Dr. Johnfon and the Provoft of Eton, while the
others contributed occafionally their remarks. With
out attempting to detail the particulars of the conver
fation, which perhaps if I did, I mould fpin my ac
count out to a tedious length, 1 thought, my dear Sir,
this general account of the refpeft with which our va
lued friend was attended to, might be acceptable.' 7
Of the extraordinary tumults this year, Dr. Johnfon
has given the following concife, lively, and jult ac
count, in his Letters to Mrs. Thrale."
" On Friday the good Proteftants met in St. George's
Fields, at the fummons of Lord George Gordon, and
marching
( Ixxiii )
Marching to Weftminfter, infulted the Lords and
Commons, who all bore it with great tamenefs. At
night the outrages began by the demolition of the
mafs-houfe by Lincoln's-inn.
*' An exact journal of a week's defiance of govern
ment I cannot give you. On Monday, Mr. Struhan,
who had I think been infulted, fpoke to Lord Mansfield,
who had, 1 think, been infulted too, of the licentiouf-
nefs of the populace ; arid his Lordfnip treated it as a
very flight irregularity.
" On Tuefday night they pulled down Fielding's
houfe, and burnt his goods in the ftreet. They had
gutted, on Monday, Sir George SaviJl's houfe, but
the building was faved. On Tuefday evening, leav
ing Fielding's ruins, they went to Newgate to de
mand their companions, who had been feized demo-
lilliing the chapel. The keeper could not releafe
them but by the Mayor's permiilion, which he went
to afk ; at his return he found all the prifoners releafed,
and Newgate in a blaze. They then went to - Bloom f-
bury, and fattened upon Lord Mansfield's hcufe,
which they pulled down ; and as for his goods they
totally burnt them. They have fince gone to Caen-
wood, but a guard was there before th-m. They
plundered fome Papiils, I think, and burnt a Mafs-
houfe in Moorfields the fame night.
" On Wednefdayl walked with Dr. Scott to look
at Newgate, and found it in ruins, with the fire yet
glowing. As I went by, the Proteftants were plun
dering the Seffions-houfe at the Old Bailey. There
were not, I believe, a hundred, but they did their
work at leifure, in full fecurity, without fentinels,
without trepidation, as men lawfully employed in full
day. Such is the cowardice of a commercial place.
On Wednefday they broke open the Fleet, and the
King's Bench, and the Marlhalfea, and Wood- ftrest
Compter, and Clerkenvvell Bridewell, and releafed all
the prifoners.
" At night they fet fire to the Fleet, and to the
King's Bench, and I know not how many other
places,
( Ixxiv )
places, and one might fee the glare of con Uagratiott
fill the fky from many parts. The fight was dreadful*
Some people were threatened : Mr. Strahan advifed
me to take care of myfelf. Such a time of terror yott
have bec'n happy in not feeing.
" The Kingfaid in council, ' That the magiftratef
had not done their duty, but that he would do hi*
Own ; and a proclamation was publimed, directing us
to keep our fervants within doors, as the peace was
now to be preferved by force* The foldiers were fent
out to different parts and the towa is now at quiet.
" The foldiers are Rationed fo as to be every where
within call ; there is no longer any body of rioters*
and the individuals are haunted to their holes, and led
to prifon; Lord George was lalt night fent to th6
Tower. Mr. John Wilkes was this day in my
neighbourhood, to feize the publifhers of a feditious
paper.
' Several chapels have been deftroyed, and feveral
inofFenfwe Papifts have been plundered ; but the high
fport was to burn the gaols. This was a good rabbit
trick. The debtors and the criminals were all fet at
liberty ; but of the criminals, as has always happened,
many are already re taken ; and two pirates have fur-
rendered themfelves, and it is expe&ed that they will
be pardoned.
Government now afts again with its proper force;
and we are all again under the protection of the King
and the Law. 1 thought that it would be agreeable to
you and my matter to have my teftimony to the pub-
lick fecurity: and that you would fleep more quietly
when I told you that you are fafe.
" There has, indeed, bee -i an univerfal panick,
from which the King was the firft that recovered.--^
\Vithouttheconcurrence of his minifters, or the aflift*
ance of the civil maglftrate, he put the foldiers in
roouon, and faved the town from calamities, fuch a
rabble's government mull naturally produce.
The publ ick has efcaped a very heavy calamity*
The rioters attempted the Bank on Wednefday-night,
but in no great number, and, like other thieves, with
no
( Ixxv )
'tto great refolution. Jack Wilkcs headed the part/
that drove them away, it is agreed, that if they
had feized the Bank on Tuefday, at the height of the
panick, when no refinance had been prepared, they
might have carried irrecoverably away whatever they
liad found. Jack, who was always zealous- for order
and decency, declares, that if he be traded with
power, he will not leave a rioter alive. There is,
however, now no longer any need of heroifm or biood-
fhed, no blue ribband is any longer worn."
At a city dinner where were prefent, Mr. Wilkes,
Dr. Beattie, and Mr. Bofwell, the Doctor gave an
entertaining account of Bet Flint, a woman of the
town, who with fome eccentrick talents, and much
effrontery, forced herfelf upon his acquaintance.
" Bet, (faid he) wrote her own Life in verfe, which
me brought to me, wifhing that I would furnifli her
with a Preface to it (laughing). I ufed to fay of her,
that {he was generally flut and drunkard, occaiionally
whore and thief. She had, however, genteel lodg
ings, a fpinnet, on which me played, and a boy that
walked before her chair. Poor Bet was taken up on a
'charge of dealing a counterpane, and tried at the Old
Bailey. Chief Juftice -, who loved a wench,
fummed up favourably, and me was acquitted. After
which, Bet faid, with a gay and fatisfied air, * Now
that the counterpane is my own, I mail make a petd-
Coat of it."
He told his friends that he had in one day written
fix meets of a tranilation from the French, adding,
*' I filould be glad to fee it now. I wifh that I had
copies of all the pamphlets written againft me, as it is
'ope had. Had I known that I mould make fo
much noife in the world, I mould have been at pains
to collecl: them. I believe there is h-rdly a day in
which there is not fomething about me in the news
papers."
The following curious anecdote is from Dr. Barney's
own words: " Dr. Burney related to Dr. Johnfon the
partiality which his writings had excited in a friend of
Dr. Burney's, the late Mr. Bewley, well known in
d Norfolk,
( Ixxvi )
Norfolk, by the name of the Fl-Ucfcpl-cr cfL'^
who, from the Ramblers, and Plan of hisDidio
and long before the author's fame was efbblimed, by
the Dictionary itfelf, or any other work, had con
ceived fuch a reverence for him, that he urgently beg
ged Dr. Burney to give him the cover of the firfi letter
he had received from him, as a relick of fo eftimable
a writer. This was in 1755. In 1760, when Dr.
Burney vifited Dr. Johnfon at the Temple in London,
where he had then chambers, he happened to arrive
there before he was up, and being (hewn into the
room where he was to breakfaft, finding himfelf alone,
he examined the contents of the apartment, to try
whether he could, undifcovered, Heal any thii^
fend to his friend Bewley, as another relick of the ad
mirable Dr. Johnfon. But finding nothing better to
his purpofc, he- cut fome briilles of a hearth-broom,
and enclofed them in a letter to his country enthufiafr.,
who received them with due reverence.
" ^he Doctor was fo fenfible of the honour done
Lim by a man of genius and fcience, to whom he was
; ;er llranger, that he faid to Dr. Burney, " Sir,
there is no man poiTefled of the fmallell portion of'mo-
, but muft be flattered with the admiration of
fuch a man, I'll give him a fet of my Lives, if he will
do me the honour to accept of them."
" In this he kept his vvrd ; and Dr. Burney had not
only the pleafu e of gratifying his friend with a pre*
ore \v :rthy of his acceptance than the fegmejj
of a hearth-broom, but foon after of introducing him I
to Dr. Johnfon himfelf in Bolt-court, with whom hil
had the fatLfaclion of convening a confiderable timrfi
iiot a fortnight before his death, which happened in
St. Martin's-ilreet, during his vifitto Dr. Burnev, in
the houfe where the reat Sir ifaac Newton had lived
In one of his rcp,i(lers of the year 1782, there occurs
the following cuiious paflage: " Jr.n. 20. The mi-
I prayed with Francis, and gave
thanks." It has been the fubjecl of cii/cuilion, whether
it particulars mentioned here, or
that
f Ixxvii )
hat we are to underftand the giving of thanks to be in
confequence of the diflblution of the rniniRry. In
fupport of the lail of thefe conjectures, may be urged
Ins mean opinion of that minlitry, which has fre
quently appeared in the courfe of this work ; and it is
Itrongly confirmed by what he faid on the fubject to
Mr. teward : " I am glad the miniftry is removed.
Such a bunch of imbecility never difgraced a country.
Iftheyfent a meflenger into the City to take up a
printer, the meflenger was taken up inftead of the
printer, and committed by the fitting Alderman. If
they lent one army to the relief of another, the firft
army was defeated and taken before the fecond arrived.
I will not fay what they did was always wrong ; but it
was always done at a wrong time."
In December, 1782, he writes to Mr. B. "Having
I aimoft this whole year in a fuccfffion of difor-
<3ers, I went in October to Brighthelmfton, whither I
came in a /.late of fo much weaknefs that I refted four
in walking between the inn and the lodging.
By phyfic and abitinence I grew better, and am now
reafonably eafy, though at a great diftance from health.
I am afraid, however, that health begins, after feven-
j often long before, to have a meaning different
that which it had at thirty. But it is culpable to
:ur at the eltablifhed order of the creation, as it is
to oppofe it. He that lives, muft grow old, and
iat would rather grow eld than die, has God to
for the infirmities of eld age."
The death of Mr. Thralehad made a vsry material
.ion upon Johnfon, with refpecl to his reception
in that family. The manly authority of the hulband
no longer curbed the lively exuberance of the lady ;-
and as her vanity had been fully gratified, by having
the Col ffus of Literature attached to her for many
year?, (he gradually became lefs afiiduous to pleafe
him.
It has been obferved and wondered at, that Mr.
Charles Fox never talked with any freedom in the pre-
fence of Dr. Johnfon, though it is well known that
his converfation is various, fluent, and exceedingly
d 2 agieeabic
( Ixxviii )
agreeable. Johnfon's experience, however, founded
him in going on thus: " Fox never talks in private
company, not from any determination not to talk, but
becaufe he has not the firft. motion. A man who is
uled to the applaufe of the Houfe of Commons, has no
wifh for that of a private company. A man accuftom-
ed to throw for a thoufand pounds, if' let down to
throw for flxpence, would not be at the pains to count
his dice. Burke's ta,lk is the ebullition-of his mir.d ;
he does not talk from a defire of diitinclion, but be
caufe his mind is full."
Mr. B. and the Doctor once talked of the accufation.
againfl a gentleman for fuppofed delinquencies in In
dia. JOHNSON. *' What foundation there is for ac
cufation I know not, but they will not get at him.
Where bad actions are committed at fo great a dif-
tance, a delinquent can obfcure the evidence till the
fcent becomes cold; there is a cloud between, which
cannot be penetrated, therefore all diftant power is
bad. I am clear that the belt plan for the government
of India is a defpotic governor ; for if he be a good
man, it is evidently the bell government; and fup-
pofing him to be a bad man, it is betrer to have one
plunderer than many. A governor, whofe power is
checked, lets others plunder that he himfelf may be
allowed to plunder. But if defpotic, he fees that the
more he lets others plunder the lefs there will be for
himfelf, fo he reilrains them; and though he himfelf
plunders, the country is a gainer, compared with being
plundered by numbers."
In the autumn of 1783, he received a vifit from the
celebrated Mrs. Sidaons. He gives this account of it
in one of his letters to Mrs. Thrale : " Mrs. Siddons,
in her vifit to me, whh great modefty and
propriety, and left nothing &hind her to be cenfured
c-r defpifed. Neither pr^'fs nor money, the two
powerful corrnpters of mankind, feem to have de
praved her. I {hall be glad to fee her again. Her
brother Kemble calls on me, and pieafes me very
well. Mrs. Siddons and I talked of plays ; and fhe
told me her intention of exhibiting this winter the
characters
( Ixxix )
chara&ers of Conftance, Catherine, and Ifabella, in
Shakfpeare."
When Mrs. Siddons came into the room, there hap
pened to be no chair ready for her, which he obferv-
laid with a fmile, " Madam, you who fo often
occafion a want of feats to other people, will the more
eafily excufe the want of one yourfeif."
Having placed himfelf by her, he with great good
humour entered upon a confidcraticn of the Englifti
drama; and, among other enquiries, particularly afked
her, which of Shakfpeare's characters fhe was moft pleafed
with. Upon her anfwering that Ihe thought the cha-
rafter of Qneen Catherine, in Henry the Eighth, the
moft natural. I think fo too-, Madam, (faid he;) and
whenever you perform it, I will once more hobble out
to the theatre myfelf." Mrs. Siddons promifed me
would do herfelf the honour of acling his favourite part
for him; but many circumftances happened to pre
vent the reprefentation of King Henry the Eighth du
ring the D.o&or's life.
In the courfe of this viiit he thus gave his opinioa
upon the merits of feme of the principal performers
whom he remembered to have feen upon the ftage.
*' Mrs. Porter, in the vehemence of rage, and Mrs.
Clivt in the fprightlinefs of humour, I have never
feen equalled. What Clive did beft, ihe did better
than Garrick; but could not do half fo many things
"well; fhe was a better romp than any I ever favv in
nature. Pritchard, in common life, was a vulgar
"ideot; (he would talk of her gownd : but,, when me ap-
-1 upon the ftage, feemed to be infpired. by
tility and underilanding. I once talked with Colley
Cib'oer, and thought him ignorant of the principles of
his art. Garrick, Madarn, was no declaimer; there
was not one of his own fcene-fhifters, who could not
have fpoken 7o be, or not to be, better than he did;
yet he was the only one whom 1 could call a mailer
both in tragedy and comedy ; though I liked him beft
in comedy. A true conception of character, and na
tural expreflion of it, were his diftinguiming excel
lencies."
d 5 Having
( Ixxx )
Having expatiated, with his ufual force and elo
quence, on Mr. Garrick's extraordinary eminence as
an aftor, he concluded with this compliment to his
focial talents:" And after all, Madam, i thought
him lefs to be envie.d on the ftage than at the head of a
table."
Johnfon, indeed, had thought more upon the fub.
ject of acting than might be generally fuppofed. Talk
ing of it one day to Mr. Kcmble, he faid, " Are you,
Sir, one of thofe enthufiafts who believe yourfelf tranf-
iormed into the very characters you reprefent ? ;> Up
on Mr. Kemble's anfwering he had never felt fo flrong
a perfuafion himfelf; " To be fare not, Sir, (faid
Johnfon). The thing is impoffible. AndifGarrick
really believed himfelf to be that moniler Richard the
Third, he deierved to be hanged every time he per*
formed it."
After the re-eftablimment of his health, as mentioned:
by Mrs. Piozzi, he continued free from any alarming j
complaints till 1783, when, during the night, iu the!
fummer-feafon, he was attacked with a paralytic itroke, |
at his houfein Bolt-court, Fleet-ftreet, which deprived
him of the powers of fpeech. He awoke with the at-
tack, and immediately rung the bell; but on the ap
proach of his fervant could not articulate a fyllable.
Feeling, however, that he retained the full ufe of his
fenfes, he fignified adefire for pen, ink, and paper, and!
wrote the following note to Mr. Allen, a printer, who:
lived next door to him; a very honeil, virtuous, good)
man,whohad been his intimate and confidential friend
for many years.
" DEAR SIR,
" It hath pleafed Almighty God this morning to dc-
" prive me of the powers of fpeech ; and as I do not
( Ixxxi >
f ' know Bat that it might be his further good plcafure
" to deprive me foon of my fenfes, I requeft you wifl
'* on the receipt of this note, come to me, and ac\ for
*< me, as the exigencies of my cafe may require.
" 1 am fincerely your'sj
" S. JOHNSON.
" To Mr. Edmund Allen.'*
Mr. Allen immediately attended him, and fent for
his ufual phyficians, Drs. Heberdsn and Brocklefoy,
who, in the courfc of a few months, recovered him Co
much, that he was able to take the air, and vifit his
friends as ufual.
He continued every day growing better; and as he
found his fpirits much relieved by faciety, it was pro-
pofed by fome friends to eftablifii a club in the neigh
bourhood, which would anfwer that purpofe. The Doc
tor feemed highly pleafed wit! 1 and after
naming fome friends, whom he wifhed to have about
him, they met early in the winter of 1 78 3, at the
head, in Eftex-ftreet, for the firft time, when t!i--2 Doc
tor being unanimously called to the chair, he furprifed
them with a fet of rules drawn by himfelf, as Ben. Jon
fon did his " Leges Convivales" which being read,
and approved of by the reltbf the member;, were re
gularly entered in a book for that purpofe.
Thefe rules, to ufe his own words, are " founded in
frequency and pavfimony ;" and as the public may have
fomecuriofity in feeing fo learned a man as Dr. Johnfori
in his hours of focial relaxation, the following is an
authentic copy of them, together with the names of the
gentlemen whocompofed the club, as they ftood " on
the rota of monthly attendance."
( Ixxxii )
General Rules of the EJJex-Head Club, commenced the
I vtb of Dec ember , 1783.
" To d?.y deep thoughts with me refolve to drench
In mirth which after no repenting draws."
MILTON.
I. THE Club (hall confift of twenty-four members..
The meetings mall be on the Monday, Wednefday*,
and Saturday of every week;, but on the week before
Ecijicr-dry there (hall be no- meeting.
II. Every member is at liberty to introduce a friend
or : ce in a week, but not oftener.
III. Two members mall oblige themfelves to attend
in their turn every night from eight to ten o'clock, or
procure two to attend in their room.
IV. Every member prefen tat the club fiiall fpend at
lead flxpence ; and every man who Hays away, mall for
feit three- pence.
V. The mailer of the houfe {hall keep an account
cf the abfent members, and deliver to the Prefidentof
the night a lift of the forfeits incurred.
VI. When any member returns after abfence, he (hall
immediately lay down his forfeits ; which, if he omits
he Proficient mall require them of him.
VII. There ftiall be no general reckoning, but every
: r fliall ncijuft his own expences.
Vilf. The- night of indifpenfible attendance will
C^ire to every member once a month. Whoever mall
ce months together omit to attend himfelf, or by
fuLftitution nor fiiall make any apology on the fourth
month, mall be ccnfidered as having abdicated the
Club.
IX. When a vacancy is to be filled, the name of the
candidate, and of the member recommending him, (hall
iland in the club-room thee nights: on the fourth he
may be chofen by ballot, fix members at lead being
prefent, and two thirds of the ballot being in his fa
vour, or the majority, mould the numbers not be divi-
iible by three.
* Several of the members being Fellows of :he Royal Society, this
r'^lu \yaj afterwards changed to '1 Juiriiiay for their convenience.
X. The
( Ixxxiii )
X. The matter of the houfe (hall give notice, fix
days before, to each of thofe members whofe turn of
nece/Tary attendance is come.
The notice may be in thefe words : [" Sir, On
the of will be your turn of piefiding at
" the EfTex-head; your company is therefore carneitly
requeiled/ 5 ]
One penny mail be left by each member for the
waiter.
Nightly Rules of the E/ex-head Club.
I. The Prefident will collect feven-pence from each
member at- his en trance, marking his attendance thus\ ;.
and three- pence for every preceding night which is not
marked againlt his name in the book thus \ .
II. The forfeits to be paid over to the landlord. The
feven-pence to be confidered as part of each member's
diftincl: reckoning.
Jli. Two letters of notice are to be forwarded each
night, by the Penny- pott, to the Prefidents of that day
feven-night, as by lift of the members.
IV. When the forfeits are paid, they mould be noted
In the book thus W .
Lift of tt?e members of thzEjJcx-kcad Club, nvbenfirft in-
ftitutedy as they flood on the rota of monthly attendance,.
Dr. Johnfon,
Dr. Horfley,
Dr. Brocklefby,
Jodderell, Efq,
William Cooke, Efq.
W. Ryland, Efq.
- *' Paradife, Efq.
Dr. Burney,
John Hoole, Efq.
Francefco Sabres, Efq.
Mr. Edmund Allen, (Printer)
Hon. Daines Harrington,
James Barry, Efq.
J. Wyatt, Efq.
d 5; Mr,
( Ixxxiv )
Mr. John Nichols, (Printer)
Edward Poore, Efq..
Rt. Hon. Wiiliam Wyndham, M. P.
Thomas Tyers, Efq.
William Cruiklhank, Efq.
W. Sevvard, Efq.
Richard Clarke, Efq. (late Lord Mayor ofLcndon.)*
William Strahan, Efq. M. P.
Arthur Murphy, Efq.
Dr. W. Scott, (now Sir W. Scott.)
The Doctor, when his health permitted it, was a con-
ftant vifitor, and feemed to referve his fpirits and con-
verfation for thofe meetings, to the delight and im
provement of his friends. In this career of innocent re
laxation, the conftant bleeding which he was obliged
to undergo for the necerTary reduction of an afthma
(with which he was afflicted many years) brought on a
dropfy, which again confined him to hishoufe forfome
months in the Spring of 1784.
In the fummer of the fame year he grew fo much bet
ter, that fuppofing the air of Italy might be the beft
means ofre-eftabliihing his health, he hinted in conver-
fation his defire to undertake that journey. His old and
intimate friend Sir Jofima Reynolds, eager to extend a
life fodear to himfelf, and fo valuable to the public, and
yet thinking the Doctor's finances not equal to the pro
ject, mentioned the circumftance to the LordChancellor,
adding, " that if his penlion could be encreafed two
*' hundred a-year more, it would be fully fufHcient for
" the purpofe." His Lordihip met the propofal cor
dially, and took the firft opportunity to fpeak of it to
the K g.
His M y had been previoufly advertifed of the
Doctor's intention, and feemed $o think favourably of
* 178- Mr. Clarke's Mayoralty was diftinguifhedby exemplary
t ) the duties of that high office j wifdom in his conduft,
fsto hisfellow citizen", to whom he was always eafy ot*
n of London un,;nimoufly voted him their
s, in a difti;-. ner, for his Angular fervicas as their
chl - :1 ; itwa', however, hi? character as a private fen-
.h finl procured him the Doctor's friendfliip.
it; but whether he did not conceive the Lord Chancei-
lor's application to be direct, or. that he under ftood Dr.
Johnibn's phyficians had no opinion of this journey,
when it was mentioned to him he waved the convolu
tion.
The Chancellor, on this, wro'te to Dr. Johnfon, in
forming him, that as the return of his health might not
wait the formsof an addition tohis penfion, he might
draw immediately upon him for 500!. which lay at his
banker's for that purpofe.
So liberal and un expected an offer, from a quarter
where he had no right to expedt it, called forth the Doc
tor's gratitude, and he immediately wrote the Lord
Chancellor the following letter :
" My Lord,
<{ AFTER along and not inattentive cbfervation on
" mankind, the generofity of your Lordfhip's offer
" rai-fes in me no lefs wonder - ':;ude. Bounty
" fo liberally bellowed I receive, if my
' condition made it nece to fuch a mind who
* would not be proud to own his^obligation?' Eat it
1 hath pleafed God to reitcre me to fuch a meafure of
' health, that if I mould now appropriate fo much of a
e fortune deftined to do good, i could not efcape from
'elf the charge of advancing a falfe claim. My
* journey to the continent, though I once thought it
* neceflary, was never much encouraged by my phyfi-
4 cian?, and I was very dsfirous that your LOT
tc fiioiild be told of it by Sirjo; .-Ids as anevent
" very uncertain ; for ii' ;<row much better I
<( fhould not be willing, and if much worfe I mould
" net be able to migrate.
" Your L^rdmip was iirft (elicited without my
** kn )-.i t when I was told that you was pleafed
" to honour ine with your patronage, 1 did notexpetl
" to lu-ar ci'a refuf;.!; yet as I have had no long time
*' to brood hope, and have not rioted in imaginary
" opulence, this cold reception has fcarcebeen a difap-
** pointmentj and from yourLordlbip'skindnefsIhaye
d 6 " received.
( Ixxxvl )
'< received a benefit which men like you are able to bs-
'* flow. I ihall now live mibi carior, with a higher
" opinion of my own merit.
I am, my Lord,
Your Lordfnip's molt obliged,
Moil grateful,
And moll humble fervant,
S. JOHNSON."
To the Right Honourable
the Lord Chancellor.
Sept. 1784.
The Doctor was atLitchfield when he wrote this let
ter, on his return from Derbyftiire, in tolerable good
health. However on his arrival in town in Cc~tober,Pro-
vidence thought fit to make all pecuniary as well as me
dic?.! application unnccefTary. The drcpfy returned in
his legs, which fwelied to fuch a thicknefs that his phy-
ficians had no hopes of his recovery. They, however,
continued to vifit him, and prefcribe fuch medicines as
were bcfl calculated to coir. pole and quiet his pains. He
was likewife occafionally vifited by feveralcf his friends,.,
and, at intervals, ppiTefled his ufual fpirks, and flow of
cohverfatio'n.
His conftant friend, as well as phyfician, Dr. Brcck-
lefby, calling upon him one morning, after a night of
much pain and reftleflhefs, he fuddenly repeated thefe
lines ficra Macbeth:.
Oh! Doctor,
C.-nfv them iv.it minifier to a minci difeas'd,
from the memory a rocted forro\v,
Raze out the written troubles of the brain,
And with feme fweet oblivious antidote
Chanfe the full bofom of that perilous fluff
Which weighs upon the heart ?
And when the Dcftor replied in the following words of
the fame author :
Therein the patient
mioifter unto himfelf.'
He
( Ixxxvli )
He exclaimed, " well applied, that's true, that's
more than poetically true."
On the Thurfday before his death, finding himfelf
grow worfe, he inMed on knowing from Dr. B ,
whether there were any hopes of his recovery? The
Doctor at firfl waved the queftion ; but he repeating it
with great eagernefs, the other told him, " that from
the complication of djforders he laboured under, and
the advanced Mate of life he was in, there were but lit
tle hopes." He received his fate with firm nefs; thanked
him, and faid he would endeavour to compcfe himftlf
for the approaching fcene.
The next day, a friend of his hearing the alarming
fentence,and anxious to have every poffible means tried
for his recovery, brought Dr. Warren to him; but he
would take no prefcription ; he faid, " he felt it too
late, the foul then wanted medicine and not the body."
Upon the Dodlor's taking his leave, he told him " he
mull not go till he had given him his fee, and then
prefenting h?.m with a copy of bis Lives of the Poets,
begged his acceptance of it, afTuring him, "that was
alf the fee he had ever given his other two phy-
ficians."
For fome weeks before he died, he received the fa-
crament two, or three times in each week. An inti*
mate friend of his coming into the room one day, after
this ceremony, the Dodlor exclaimed ** Oh ! my friend,
I owe you many obligations through life; but they will
all be more than amply repaid by your taking thismoft
important advice, BE A GOOD CHRISTIAN."
The next night he was at intervals delirious ; and in
one of tbofe fits, feeing a friend at his beglide, he ex
claimed, "What, will thatfellow never havedone talk
ing poetry to me?" He recovered his fenfes before
morning, but fpoke little after this. His heart, however,
was not unemployed, as by his fixed attention, and the
motion of his lips, it was evident he was pouring outhis
foul in prayer. He languiihed in this manner tillfeven
o'clock on Monday evening, the I3th of December,
1784, and then expired without a groan, in the 75th
of his age,
( Ixxxviii )
Dr Brockle&y, who will not be fufpeaed of fanafi*
cifm,' obliged Mr. Bofwell with the following account
of Dr. Johnfon's death :
For fome time before his death all his fears were
calmed and abforbed by the prevalence of his faith,
and his truft in the merits and propitiation of Jefus
" He talked often to me about the neceffity of faith
-in \htfacrifice of Jefus, as neceffary beyond all good
works, whatever, for the falvation of mankind.
'* He preffed me to ftudy Dr. Clarke, and to read
hisfermons. I aflted him why he prefTed Dr. Clarke,
an Arian. ' Becaufe (faid he) he isfullell on the/rc-
pitiatory fncrifce.'
Johnfon having thus in his mind the true ChnUian
fcheme, at once rational and confolatory, uniting
juftice and mercy in the Divinity, with the improve
ment of human nature, while the Holy Sacrament was
celebrating in his apartment, fervently uttered this
prayer:
" Almighty and mod merciful Father, I am now,
as to human eyes it feems, about to commemorate, for
the lail time, the death of thy Son Jefus Chrift, our
Saviour and Redeemer. Grant, O Lord, that my
whole hope and confidence may be in his merits, and
thy mercy; enforce and accept my imperfect repent
ance ; make this commemoradon'available to the con
firmation of my faiih, the eftabliihment of my hope,
and the enlargement of my charity ; and make the
death of thy -Son Jefas Chrifl effectual to my redemp
tion Have mercy upon me, and pardon the multi
tude of my offences. Bids my friends; have mercy
upon all men. Support me, by the Holy Spirit, in
the days of weakntfs, and at the hour of death ; and
receive me, at my death, to everlafdng happinefs, for
the fake of Jefus 'Chriit. Amen."
" The Do&or, from the time that he was certain
his death was near, appeared to be perfectly refigned,
was feldom or never fretful or out of temper, and often
faid to his faithful fervant, * Attend, Francis, to the
falvation
( Ixxxix )
falvation of your foul, which is the object of greatefl:
importance :" he alfo explained to him paiTages in the
fcripture, and feemed to have pleafure in talking upon
religious fubjects.
" On Monday the I3th of December, the day on
which he died, a Mils Morris, daughter to a particu
lar friend of his, called, and faid to Francis, that me
begged to be permitted to fee the Doctor, that flie
might earneflly requeil him to give her his bleffing.
Francis went into t followed by the young
lady, and delivered the mefiage. The Doctor turned
himfelf in the bed, and faid, 'God blefs you my dear!'
Thefevvere the laft words he fpoke. His difficulty of
breathing increafed till about feven o'clock in the eveu-
\vhen Mr. Barber and Mrs. Defl'moulins, who
fitting in the room, obferving that the noife he
made in breathing had ceafed, went to the bed, and
found he was dead."
About two days after his death the following very
agreeable account was communicated to Mr. Malone,
in a letter, by the Honourable Mr. Byng:
" DEAR SIR,
" SINCE I faw you, I have had along converfation
with Cawiloh*, who fat up with Dr. Johnfon from nine
o'clock on Sunday evening till ten o'clockon Monday
morning. And from what I cnn gather from him, it
fhould feem, that Dr. Jchnfon was perfectly compofed,
in hope, and refigned to death. At the i;i
of each hour, they affilted him to iit up in his bed, and
move his legs, which were in much p.un; v.hen here-
gularly addrefled himfelf to fervent prayer ; and i'
times his voice failed him, his fenfes never did,
during that time. The only fuftenance ha received
was cider and water. He faid his mind was prepared,
and the time to his diflblutidn feemed Ion 5. At fix
in the morning he enquired the hour, and, on being
informed, faid that all went on regularly, and he felt
he had but a few hours to liv\
A fsrvaat to the Right Hoa, \V. Wyn ,
"At
" At ten in the morning he parted from CkwftbB',
faying, * You fhould not detain Mr. Windham's
fervant 1 thank you ; bear my remembrance to
your matter.' Cawfton fays, that no man could appear
more collected, more devout, or lefs terrified at the
approaching minute.
" This account, which is fo much more agreeable
than, and fomewhat different from your's, has given
us the fatisfaclion of thinking that that great man died
as he lived, full of refignation, ftrengthened in faith,
and joyful in hope."
A few days before his death he had afked Sir John
Hawkins, as one of his executors, where he fhould be-
buried; and on being anfwered "-Doubtlefs in Weft-
minfter Abbey," feemed to feel a fatisfaction very na
tural to a poet, and indeed very natural to every man
of any imagination, who has no family fepukhre in
which he can be laid with his fathers. Accordingly,
upon Monday, December 20, his remains were depo-
fited in that noble and renowned edifice ; and over his
grave was placed a large blue flag Hone, with this in-
fcription :
SAMUEL JOHNSON, L L. D.
Obiit xiii Die Decembris,
Anno Domini
M. DCC. LXXXIV.
./Ktatis fuie LXXV.
His funeral was attended by a refpe&able number
of his friends, particularly by many ol the members of
the Literary Club, who were then in town ; and was
alfo honoured by the prefence of feveral of the Reve
rend Chapter of Weftminfter. His fchool fellow, Dr.
Taylor, performed the mournful office of reading the
fervice.
As Johnfon had abundant homage paid to him du
ring his life, fo no writer in this nation ever had fuch
an accumulation of literary honours after his death.
A fermon upon that event was preached in St. Mary's
Church, Oxford, before the Univerfity, by the Re
verend Mr, Agutter, of Magdalen College,
His
His body was opened on Wednefday December 15, in
the prefence of Drs. Heberden and Srocklefby, where
the caufes which produced his laft diforder were diico-
verable, but found impracticable ;o have been removed
by medicine. His heart was uncommonly large, as if ana
logous to the extent and liberality of his mind: and what
was very extraordinary, one of his kidneys was entirely
confumed, though he never once complained of any ne
phritic, or gravelly diforder. it is, however, to be con
jectured, that he had f>ne prefentiment of this circum-
itance, as a few months before his death he had an ar
gument wfth his phyficians, on the poilibility of a man's
living after the lofs of one of his kidneys.
Some time previous to his death he 'riade a will, fub-
fcribed only by two witnefTes ; but telling the circum-
itance to fome friend, who knew he had a freehold of
about twelve pounds a year, in Litchfield, in right of his
father, another was drawn ; but fo tardy are fome of the
wifeit men, even in the moll neceiTary ads, when they
awaken the fears of death it was only a few weeks be
fore he died, that the blanks were filled up. On the
fame principle ofdelay, the revifion ofmanymanufcripts
was poftponed, fome of which were burned by the Doctor
the week before he died, to avoid being left in an im
perfect ftate, Among the reft was one book, out of two,
wherein he had noted hints for writing his life, which
he committed to the flames by miftake.
Though I have fubpined an authentic copy of the
Doctor's will to thefe Memoirs, there are two claufes
which, in juftice to him, ought particularly to be ex
plained and commented on. By the firft he has left
an annuity of feventy pounds to his old, faithful black
fervant, Francis Barber, wholived with him for near forty
years, and who, by a faithful and diligent difcharge of
his duty, had deferved this mark of his matter's genero-
fity and friendship. When he had determined on this
legacy for him, he afked Dr. Brocklefby, who happened
to be fitting with him, how much people in general left
to their favourite fervants ? The other anfwered him,
from twenty to fifty pounds a year, but that no noble-
Cian gave more than the laft fum: " Why then," fays
the
( xcli )
the Doctor, "1*11 be Noblffimus, for T have left Frank
fwenty pounds a year; and as it probably will make the
poor fellow's mind eafy, to know that he will be pro
vided for after my death, I'll be obliged to you to tell
him of it."
If we compare this generous action with that of his
brother poet Pope, how fuperior Dr. Johnfon rifes in
generous feelings and grateful remembrance of faithful
fervices ! When the bard of Twickenham died, he left
but one hundred pounds to his faithful fervant Jphn Searle,
and one more on the death of Mrs. Martha Blount, which
was eventual; and yet he diftinguim.es this man, in his .
Epiftle to Dr. Arbuthnot, under the character of good
John.
" Shut, {hut the door, good John, fatigued I faid,
< Tie up the knocker, fay, I'm Tick, I'm dead."
And Dr.Warburton, who had an opportunity of know
ing the fact, call* him, in a note upon this pafTage,
" his old and faithful fervant." But compliments pafs
from the head, generous actions arife from the heart.
The other claufe does his memory equal honour.
When Dr. Johnfon's father died, which is now above
thirty years ago, he owed Mr. Innys, a bookfeller,who
lived in Pater-nofter Row, thirty pounds; after many
enquiries the Doctor found out the defcendant of this
man, and has left him the fum of two hundred pounds, as
a compenfation for the lofs of the principal, and intereft,
for fo many years.
So anxious was this good man to difcharge every part
of his moral character with punctuality, that fome time
before his death he fat down to recollect what little fums
he might owe in the early part of his life to particular
friends, which were never given with a view to be re-
ftored. Among this number he fent a guinea to the font
of an eminent printer, which he had borrowed of his
father many years before, to pay his reckoning at a
tavern.
He likewife recollected borrowing thirtypounds of Sir
Jofhua Reynolds at a great diftance of time; " but this
fum (faid the Doctor to Sir Jolhua, with a manlinefs of
jniad
xc
mind which anfwered for the feelings of his friend be
ing fimilar to his own) I intend to bellow on a charity
which I know you'll approve of."
Dr. Johnfon's figure, even in his youth, could never
have been calculated either " to make women falfe,"
or give him a preference in the fchools of manly, or
military exercifes. His face was formed of large coarfe
features, which, from a ftudious turn, when compofed,
looked fluggim, yet awful and contemplative. He had
likewife nearly loll the fight of one of his eyes, which
made him caurfe every object he looked at in fo fiogular
a manner, as often to create pity, fometimes laughter.
The head at the front of this book is efleemed a good
likenefs; it was etched from a drawing made by Mr.
Trotter after the Doclor had dined, when he was in
clined to take his afternoon nap.
His face, however, was capable of great expreffion,
both in refpeft to intelligence and mildnefs, as all thofe
can witnefs who have feen him in the glow of con-
verfation, or under the influence of grateful feelings.
I am the more confirmedin this opinion by the authority
of a celebrated French phyfiognomift,who has, in a late
publication on his art, given two different etchings of
Dr. Johnfon'shead, to Ihewthecorrefpondence between
the countenance and the mind.
In refpect to perfon, he was rather of the heroic fta-
ture, being above the middle fize; but though ftrong,
broad, and mufcular, his parts were flovenly put toge
ther. When he walked the flreets, what with the con-
ftant roll of his head, and the concomitant motion of his
body, he appeared to make his way by that motion in
dependent of his feet. At other times he was fubjeft to
befeized with fudden convulfions, whkh foagitaied his
whole frame, that to thofe who did not know hisdifor-
der, it had the appearance of madnefs Indeed, to fee
him in moft lituations, he was not favourably diltin-
guimed either by nature or his habits.
His domeiiic arrangements were always frugal, and
he never afpired, even when his fame and reputation
were at thehigheit, to exhibit, either in his drefsor
eftablifhment,
( xciv )
eftablimment, what the world calls a genteel appease
ance
He vifited none of his friends fo confiantlyas the late
Mr. and Mr?. Thrale. In the family of this gentleman
he lived a confiderable part of the year, and they fo
perfectly underftood his habits, and had fuch a proper
relifh lor his converfation, that he feemed more <z/ ^<UM*
there than any where elie. He had a fuite of apartments
for himfelf, both at their town and country- houfe
formed a library principally of his own fdection di
rected the education of the young ladies, and was, in
every re fpect, fo much " the guide, philofopher, and
friend" of the family, that Mr. Thrale, on his death,
left him two hundred pounds, and appointed him one
of his executors
From the larger efs of his perfon, the demands of na
ture were expected to be confiderable, and nature was
true to herfelf. He fed without much delicacy, either in
choice or quantity, but then his dinner was his laft meal
for the day. He formerly drank his bottle, it is faid,
with a view to difpelthatappreheniion^which he dreaded
through life, of approaching infanity. But afterwards
fufpeeting danger from that habit he almoft totally
abandoned it. " For," faid he, in that moral and phi-
lofphic ftrain which generally diltinguifhed his remarks,
** What ferments the fpirits, may alfo derange the in
tellects; and the means employed to counteract dejec
tion may hailen the approach of madnefs."
In his traffic with bookfellers, he (hewed no great re
gard to money-matters. By his Dictionary he no more
than barely fupported himfelf during the many years
that he was employed in that great undertaking. By
his Ramblers, I have before obferved, he did not get
much above two guineas per week; and tho' it is rea-
fonable to fuppofe he might, on a reprefentation of the
encrcafing fame of thofe valuable papers, have got his
ftipend encreafed he did not folicit it " his wants
bsing few, they were competently fupplied."
CHARAC-.
( xcv )
CHARACTER BY MR BOSWELL,
" His figure was large and w~ll-formed, and -hl3
countenance of the call of an ancient ilatr-e; yet his
.ranee was rendered ftrange, and fomewhat un*
couth, by convulfive cramps by the tears of that dif-
temper which it was once imagined the royal touch
could cure, and by a flovenly mode of drefs. He had
the ufe only of one eye; yet ib much does mind go
vern, and even fupply the deficiency of organs, that
his vifual perceptions, as far as they extended, were
uncommonly quick and accurate. So morbid was his
temperament, that he never knew the natural joy of a
free and vigorous ufe of his limbs ; when he walked, it
was like the ftruggling gait of one in fetters; when he
rode, he had no command or direction of his horfe,
but was carried as if in a balloon. That with his
conftitution and habits of life he mould have lived
feventy-five years, is a proof that an inherent vivida,
<vis is a powerful preservative of the human frame.
" He was prone to fuperfcition, but not to credu
lity. Though his imagination might incline him to a
belief of the marvellous and the rayfterious, his vigo
rous reafon examined the evidence with jealoufy. He
was a fincere and zealous Lhriftian, of high Church,
of England and monarchical principles, which he
would not tamely fufler to be queftione " : and had,
perhaps, at an early period, narrowed his mind fome
what too much, both as to religion and politics. His
being irhpreffsd with the danger of extreme latitude in
either, though he was of a very independent ; "pirit, oc-
ied his appearing fomewhat unfavourable to the
prevalence of that noble freedom of fentiment which
is the bed poflfeffion of man. Nor can it be denied,
that he had many prejudices, vvhi-jh, ho -- ever fre
quently fugedted many of hi pointed fayings, that
rather fhewcd a playfulnefs of fancy than any fettled
malignity.
" He was. Heady and inflexible in maintaining the
ations of religion and morality, both from a re
gard for the order of focitty, and from a veneration
for
( xcvi )
for the great fourceof all order; correct, nay ftern in
histafte; hard to pleafe, and eafily ofte-nded; impe
tuous and irritable in his temper, but of a moil hu
mane and benevolent heart, which (hewed itfelf not
only in a moft liberal charity, as far as his circum-
flances would allow, but in many inflances of adive
benevolence.
" He loved praife when it was brought to him ; but
was too proud to feek for it. Ke was fomewhat fuf-
fceptible of Mattery. As he was general and uncon-
fined in his ftudies, he cannot be confidered as a mailer
of any one particular fcience; but he had accumulated
a valt and various collection of learning and knowledge,
which was fo arranged in his mind, as to- be ever in
reaclinefs to be brought forth. But his fuperiority over
other learned men, confiiled chiefly in what may be
called the art of thinking, the art of ufing his mind;
a certain continual power of feizing the ufefulfubftance
of all that he knew, and exhibiting it in a clear and
forcible manner ; fo that knowledge which we often
fee to be no better than lumber in men of dull un-
derftanding, was in him, true, evident, and actual
wifdom .
" His moral precepts are practical ; for they are
drawn from an intimate acquaintance with human na
ture. His mind was fo full of imagery that he might
have been perpetually a poet ; yet it is remarkable,
that however rich his profe is in that refpecl, the po
etical pieces which he wrote were in general not fo,
but rather ilrong fentiment and acute obfervation,
conveyed in good veife, particularly in heroick
couplets.
"Though ufually grave, and even aweful in his
deportment, he pcfiefTed uncommon and peculiar
powers of wit and humour: He frequently indulged
himfelf in colloquial pleafantry; and the heartier!
merriment was often enjoyed in his company, with
this great advantage, that as it was entirely free from
any pciio;. reef vice or impiety, it was falu-
tary to thole who fliared in it.
"He
( xcvli )
He had accuflomed himfelf to fuch accuracy in hie
common converfation, that he at all times delivered
himfelf .with an elegant choice of expreilion,and a flow
deliberate utterance. He united a moil logical head
with a fertile imagination, which gave him an extra
ordinary advantage in arguing; for he could reafon
clofe or wide, as he faw belt for the moment. Exult
ing in his intellectual flrength and dexterity, he
could, when he pleafed, be the greateft fophift that
ever contended in the lifts of declamation ; and, from
a fpirit of contradiction, and a delight in mewing his
powers, he would often maintain the wrong fide with
equal warmth and ingenuity; ib that, when there was
an audience, his reakopinions could feldom be gathered
from his talk; though when he was in company with
a fingle friend, he would difcufs a fubject with genu
ine fairnefs. But he was too confcientious to make
error permanent and pernicious by deliberately writing
it; and in all his numerous works he earneftly incul
cated what appeared to him to be the truth. His piety
was conftant, and was the ruling principle of all his
conduct.
In anfwer to fome infinuations of Sir John Hawkins,
that the mind of Jchnfon was opprefied with a fenfeof
guilt, Mr. Bofwell is candid enough to own, " That
his conduct after he came to London, and had aflbci-
ated with Savage and others, was not fo ftrictly vir
tuous in one refpect, as when he was a younger man.
It was well known that his amorous inclinations were
uncommonly ftrong and impetuous. He owned to
many of his friends that he uled to take women cf the
town to taverns, and hear them relate their hiitory.
In fhort, it muft not be concealed, that like many
other good and pious men, amongrt whom we may
place the Apoftle Paul, upon his own anthority, John-
fon was not from propensities which were ever ' war
ring againlt the law of his mind,' and that in his
combats with them, he was fometimes, though rarely,
overcome."
Some years fince, the Doctor coming up Fleet-ftreet,
at about two o'clock in the morning, was alarmed
with
( xcviii )
With the cries of a perfon feemingly in great diftrefs.
He followed the voice fcr fome time, when by the
glimmer of an expiring lamp, he perceived an unhappy
female, almoft naked and perifhing, on a trufs of
ftraw, who had jud ftrength enough to tell him, " fhe,
was turned out by an inhuman landlord, in that condi
tion, and to beg his charitable affiftance not to let her
die in the ftreet." The Doftor, melted at her ftory, de-
fired her to place her confidence in God, for that under
him he would be her protestor. He accordingly looked
about for a coach to put her into ; but there was none to
be had : " His charity, however, worked too ftrong"
to be cooled by fuch an accident. He kneeled down by
her fide, raifed her in his arms, wrapped his great coat
about her, placed heron his back, and in this condition
carried her home to his houfe.
Next cay, her diforder appearing to be venertal, he
Was ad vi fed to abandon her : but he replied, "that
may be as much her misfortune as her fault ; I am deter
mined to give her the chance of a reformation j he ac
cordingly kept her in his houfe above thirteen weeks,
where (he was regularly attended by a phyfician, who
reftored her to her ufual health.
The Doftor, during this time learned more of her
{lory ; and rinding her to be one of thofe unhappy wo*
men who are impelled to this miferable life more from
necefiity than inclination, he fet on foot a fubfcrip-
tion, and eftabliihed her in a milliner's fhop in the
country, where fhe was living fome years ago in very
confidferable repute.
Dr Johnfon was buried in a public manner, inWeft-
min Her- abbey, on Mor.dny, Dec. 20, 1784, at the foot
of Shakfpeare's monument, in the Poet's Corner, near
the grave of his old and intimate friend David Garrick.
His pall \> as fupported by the Right Honourable Ed
mund Burke, Right Honourable William Wyndham,
Sir Jofeph Banks, Sir Charles Bunbnry, George Col-
man, and Bennet Langton, Efqrs. His executors like-
wife attended, as did a contklerable number of his
friends and acquaintances, who fincerely paid this lail
tribute of affcciion to his memory.
Sir
( xcix )
Sir Jofh.ua Reynolds, immediately after theDoftor's
death, ordered Mr. Hofkins, in St. Martin's Lane,
cafter of "figures to the Royal Academy, to make a
plaifler of Paris call from his face.
The Doctor was fo much pleafed with thefe Beau
ties that he purchafed feveral copies to prefent to his
friends, and when the fecond edition was printing, he
fat twice, at Mr. Kearfley's requeft, to Mr. Trotter.
The etching from that drawing, forms the frontifpiecc
to this volume.
An authentic Copy of Dr. JOHNSON'S WILL,
extracted from the Prerogative Court of Can
terbury.
IN the name of God. Amen. /SAMUEL Jo H N so w ,
Being in full pojjifjion of my faculties, but fearing this night
may put an end to my life, do ordain this my loft will an<
teftament. I bequeath to God afoul polluted with many
Jins, but I hope purified by repentance, and I truji redeemed
by Jefus Chrift. I leave f even hundred and ffty pounds ix
the hands of Bennet Langton, Efq. three hundred pounds in
the hands of Mr. Barclay and Mr. Perkins, brewers ; one
hundred and fifty pounds in the hands of Dr. Percy, Bifiicp
cfDromore ; one thouf and pounds, three per cent, annuities
in the public funds, and one hundred pounds now lying by
me in ready money ; all thefe before^mentioned fums and
property I leave, I fay, to Sir Jojhua Reynolds, Sir John
Hawkins, find Dr. William Scott of Doors Commons^ in
trufl for the following ufes : That is to fay 9 to pay to
the reprefentati-ves of the late William Innys t bookfeller, in.
St. Paul's Church Tard, thefum of two hundred pounds ;
to Mrs. White, my female fervant, one hundred poundsjlock
in the three per cent, annuities aforefaid. *The rtft of the
aforefaid fums of money and property t togtbfr (with my
C "
f c )
looh, plate, and houfoold-furniture, I leave to toe befrt.~
mentioned Sir Jojbua Reynolds, Sir John Hawkins, and
Dotfor William Scott, alfo in trujl, to be applied, after
paying my debts, to the ufe of Francis Barber , my manfer-
<vant, a negro, in fuch manner as they jhall judge me. y? ft
and available to his benefit . And I appoint the of or ef aid
Sir Jojkua Reynolds , Sir John Hawkins, and DocJor Wil
liam Scott, f die executors of this my lajr will and teftament^
hereby revoking all former wills and teftamenis whatfoever*
In witnefs whereof I hereunto fubfcri be my name, and affix
myfeal, this eighth Day of Dec ember , 1784.
SAM. JOHNSON, (L. S.)
Signed, fealed, publijhed, declared and delivered by the
faid tejiator, as his laft will and t eft ament, in the prefencs
of US) the word two being jirft infer ted in the oppojite page*
GEORGE STRAHAN.
JOHN DBS MOULINS.
By way of codicil to my laft will and teftament t /SA
MUEL JOHNSON, give, devife, and bequeath, my mrj/u-
age, or tenement, fetuated at Litchfeld, in the county of
Staffer d> **with tbt appurtenances, in the tenure or occv.pa*
tion of Mrs. Bond, of Litchfeldaforefaid, or of Mr.Hinch-
man, her under tenant, to my executors in truft, to fell and
difpofe of the fame ; and the money arifeng from fuch f ale I
give and bequeath as follows, to Thomas and Benjamin,
the Jons of Fijhcr Jchnfon, late cfLeicefter, and
Whiting, daughter of Thorn as John/on, late of Coventry, and
the grand daughter of the J aid Thomas John/on, one full and
tqual fourth part each ; but in cafetherejballbe more grand
daughters than one of the faid Thomas Johnfon, living at
the time of my deceafe, I give and bequeath the part orjhare
of that one to, and equally between fuch grand-daughters.
1 give and bequeath to the Rev. Mr. Rogers , of Berkley,
near Froome, in the county of Somerfet, the fum of one \
hundred pounds, requeuing him to apply the fame towards
the maintenance of Elizabeth Merne, a lunatic. I alfo give
and bequeath to my god-children, the fan anil daughter of \
Mauritius Low, painter, each oftbtm we hundred poundt \
in the three per ceut.confolidated annuities, to le
applied and difpofed of by and at the difcretion of my execu
tors, in the education or fettlement in the world of them mp
faid legatees. Alfo I gi-~ve and bequeath to Sir John Haw
kins, one of my executors, the Annales Ecclejiaftici of Ba-
roniut and liollingjhed ; and Stowefs Chronicles ; and alfo
an ofla-vo Common Prayer Book. To Bennet Langton,Efq.
I give and bequeath my Polyglot Bible. ToSirJoJhua
Reynolds, my great French Dictionary, by Martiniere, and
my own copy of my folio Englijh Dictionary of the laft revi-
fan. To Dr. William Scott, one of my executors, the Die-
tionnaire de Commerce, and Leflius's tdition of the Greek
Poets. ToMr.Windham, Poeta GreciHeroici,per Henricwtl
Stephanum. To the Rev. Mr. Strahan, Vicar ofljlington^
in ifae eounty ofMiddlefex, Mills' 's Greek Teftament, Beza's
Greek Tejlamcnt by Stephens, all my Latin Bibles, and my
Greek Bible, by Wechelius. To Dr. Heberden, Dr. Brock-
lejly, Dr. Butter, Mr. Cruickjbanks, the Surgeon *who at
tended me, Mr. Holder, my Apothecary, Gerard Hamilton t
Efq. Mrs. Gardiner, ofSno<-w-hill, Mrs. Francis Reynolds^
Mr. Hoole, and the Rev. Mr. Hoole, hisfon, each a book at
their eleQion, to keep as a token of remembrance. I alfo give
and bequeath to Mr. John desMoulins, two hundred pounds
confolidated three per cent, annuities ; and to Mr. Saftres,
the Italian maftcr, the fum of jive pounds, to be laid out
in books of piety for his otuu life. An d where as the f aid
Sennet Langton hath agreed, in confederation of the fum if
Jeven hundred and fifty pounds, mentioned in my will to bein
his hands, to grant and fecure an annuity of fe-uenty pounds,
payable during the life of me and my fervant, Francis
Barber, and the life of the furvivor of us, to Mr. George
Stubbsin truft for us-, my mind and will is, that in cafe of
my deceafe before the f aid agreement flj all be perfected, the
faidfumoffeven hundred and fifty pounds, and the bond
forfecuring the faid fum, Jhallgo to the f aid Francis Bar
ber ; and I hereby give and bequeath to him the fame, in
lieu of the bequeft in his favour contained in my faid will.
And 1 hereby empower my faid Executors to dedutt and re
tain all expences that Jhallcr may be incurred in the execu
tion of my faid will, or of this codicil thereto, outoffuch
(flats and effsfis as I jball die po/e/ed of. All the reft,
C 2
( cii )
rejidue, and remainder of my eft ate and ejfefls, 1 give an
bequeath to my /aid Executor s, in truft for thejaid Francis
Barber, his executors and a Jmintfl rotors. Witnejs my
hand and feal this ninth day of December, 1784.
SAMUEL JOHNSON, (L. S.)
Signed, fealed, publijhed, declared and delivered by thf
f aid Samuel JohnJ on, as and for a codicil to his laft will
and tejiament, in the prefence of us, who in his prefence 9
and at his requeft, and alfo in the prefence of each other t
ha*vt hereunto fubfcribed our names as witnej/es.
JOHN COPLEY.
WILLIAM GIBSOIT*
HENRY COTE.
Proved at London, <wi/& a Codicil, thejixteentb of De
cember, 1784, before the nvorjhipful George Harris,
Doftor of Laws, and Surrogate, by the oath ofSirJoJhua
Reynolds, Knight, Sir John Hawkins, Knight, and Wil
liam Scott, Doflor of Laws, tie Executors named in the
will, to whom adminiftration was granted, having been
frjtfworn duly to adminifter.
HENRY STEVENS,
CEO. GOSTLINC,
JOHN GRENB,
&(c. 13, 1784.
( ciii )
DR. DODD's SPEECH,
Delivered i n Court on Friday the 1 6th of May, 1 7 77,
previous to his receiving Sentence of Death,
Written by Dr. JOHNSON.
MY LORD,
I now (land before you a dreadful example of human
infirmity. I entered upon publick life with the ex
pectations common to young men whofe education has
been liberal, and whofe abilities have been flattered;
and when I became a clergyman, confidered myfelf as
not impairing the dignity of the order. I was not an
idle, nor, I hope, an ufelefs minifter. I taught the
truths of Chriftianity with the zeal of conviction, and
the authority of innocence. My labours were approved,
my pulpit became popular ; and I have reafon to be
lieve, that of thofe who heard me, fome have been pre-
ferved from fin, and fome have been .reclaimed. Con-
defcend, my Lord, to think, if thefe confiderations ag
gravate my crime, how much muft they embitter my
punifhment!
Being diilinguifhed and elated by the confidence of
mankind, I had too much confidence in myfelf; and,
thinking my integrity what others thought it, eftablilhed
in fmcerity, and fortified by religion, I did not confider
the danger of vanity, nor fufpect the deceitfulnefs of my
own heart. The day of conflict came, in which tempta
tion furprifed and overwhelmed me. I committed the
crime which I entreat your Lordmip to believe that my
confcience hourly reprefents to me in its full bulk of mif-
chief and malignity. Many have been overpowered by
temptation, who are now among the penitent in
heaven.
To an aft now waiting the decifion of vindictive
juftice, I will notprefume to oppofe the counterbalance
ofalmoft thirty years (a great part of the life of man)
in exciting and exercifmg charity 5 in relieving
C civ )
fuch diftreflcs as I now feel, in adminiftering thofe con-
Cola dons which I now want. I will not oiherwife exte
nuate my offence, than by declaring, what many cir-
cumftances make probable, that I did not intend to be
finally fraudulent. Nor will it become me to apportion
my punimment, by alledging that my fufferings have
been not much lefs than my guilt. I have fallen from
reputation, which ought to have made mecautious ; and
from a fortune which ought to have given me content,
lam funk at once into poverty and fcorn ; my name
and my crime fill the ballads in the ftreets, the fport of
the thoughtlefs, and the triumph of the wicked.
It may ieem ftrange that, remembering what I have
lately been, I mould Hill with to continue what 1 am,
But contempt of death, how fpecioufly ibever it might
mingle with Heathen virtues, has nothing fu-i table to
Chriftian penitence. Many motives impel me to beg
earneftly for life. I feel the natural horror of a violent
death, and the univerfal dread of untimely diflblution.
"J am defirous of recompenfing the injury I have don j to
the clergy, to the world, and to religion, and to efface
the fcandal of my crime by the example of my repent
ance. But, above all, I wiih to die with thoughts more
compofed, and calmer preparation. The gloom of a
prifon, the anxiety of a trial, and the inevitable vicif-
iitudes of paflion, leave the mind little difpofed to the
holy exercifes of prayer and felf examination. Let not
a little time be denied me, in which I may, by medi.
tation and contrition, be prepared to Hand at the tri
bunal of Omnipotence, andfupporttheprefenceof that
Judge who fhalldi (tribute to all according to their works,
who will receive to pardon the repenting finner, and
> horn' the merciful fhall obtain mercy.
For thefe reafons, amidft mame and mifery, I yet
wifh to live, and mod humbly intreat, that I may be
recommended by your Lordihip to the clemency of his
Majefty.
A SERMON
A SERMON,written by Dr. JoHNSON,and preached
by Dr. DODD, before his Fellow-convi6ls 3 in
the Chapel of Newgate.
9
My dear and unhappy Fellow -prifoners,
CONSIDERING my peculiar circumfhnces and
fituation, I cannot think myfelf juftified, if I do not de
liver to you, in fincere Chriftian love, fome of my fe-
rious thoughts on our prefent awful ftate.
In the fixteenth chapter of the Adls of the Apoftles,
you read a memorable ftory refpecting Paul and Si/as,
who, for preaching the Gofpel,were caft by the magif-
trates into prifon, verfe 23, and, after having received
many ftripes, were committed to the goahr, with a
ftrift charge to keep them fafely. Accordingly he thru ft
them into the inner prifon, and made their feet faft in
the flocks. At midnight Paul and Silas, fupported by
the teftimony of a good confcience, prayed, and fang
praifes to God, and the prifoners heard them ; and fud-
denly there was a great earthquake, fo that the fonnda- .
tions of the prifon were fhaken ; and immediately all
the doors were opened, and every ones chains were
loofed. The keeper of the prifon, awaking out of his
fleep, and feeing the prifon doors open, in thegreateft
diftrefs, as might well be imagined, drew his fvvord,
and would have killed himfelf, fuppofing that the pri
foners were fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, Do
thyfelf no harm, for we are all here. The keeper,
calling for a light, and finding his prifoners thus freed
from their bonds by the imperceptible agency of divine
power, was irrellflibly convinced that thefe men were
rot offenders againfl the law, but martyrs to the truth :
he fprang in therefore, and came trembling, and fell
down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out, and
faid, SIRS, WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED ?
Wbatmujl I do to befaved? is the important queftion,
which it becomes every human being to ftudy from the
firft hour of reafou to the lad : but which we, my fellow
prifoners, ought to confider with particular diligence
and intenfenefs of meditation, Had it not been forgot-
tea
f cvi )
or neglected by us, we had never appeared in this place.
A little time for recollection and amendment is yet al
lowed us by the mercy of the law. Of this little time
let no particle be loit. Let us fill our remaining life
with all the duties which our prefent condition allows
us to pra&ife. Let us make one earneft effort for falva-
tionl And oh! heavenly Father, who defireft not the
death of a ftnner,grant that thiseffort may not beinvain.
To teach others what they muji do to befa<ve.d, has long
been my employment andpi'ofeflion. You fee with what
confufion and cifhonour I now ftand before youno more
in the pulpit of in llruftion, but onihis humble feat with
yourfelves.--You are not to confider me now as a man
authorifed to form the manners, or direcl the confcience,
and fpeaking with the authority of a puftor to his flock.
I am here guilty, like yourfelves, of a capital offence ;
and fentenced, likeyourfelves, to a public and mameful
death. My profefiion, which has given me Wronger
convictions of my duty than moft of you can be fup-
pofed to have attained, and has extended my views to
the confequences of wickednefs farther than your ob-
fervation is likely to have reached, has loaded my fin
with peculiar aggravations; and 1 entreat you to join
your prayers with mine, that my forrow may be pro*
portionate to my guilt !
I am now, like you, enquiring, what I muft do to li
fawd ? and Hand here to communicate to you what tha t
enquiry fuggefts. Hear me with attention, my fellow-
prifoners; and, in your melancholy hours of retirement,
confider well what 1 offer to you from the fincerity of
my good will, andfrom the deepeft conviction of a pe
nitent heart.
Salvation is promifed to us Chriflians, on the terms
of Faith) Obedience, and Repentance. I fhall therefore
cadeavour to mew how, in the fliort interval between
this moment and death, we may exert faith, perform
obedience, undi exercife repentance, in a manner which our
heavenly Father may, in his infinite mercy, vouchfafe to
accept.
J. Faith is the foundation of all Chriftian virtue. It
is that without which it is impojfible to pkaJeGcJ. I fhall
therefore
{ cvii )
therefore confider, nrit, How ^//A is to be particularly
exerted by us in our prefent itate.
Faith is a full and undoubting confidence in the de
clarations made byGod in the holy Scriptures; a fincere
reception of the dodrines taught by our blefled Saviour,
with a firm aflurance that he'died to take away the fins
of the world, and that we have, each of us, a part in
the boundlefs benefits of the univerfal facrifice.
To thisfaitb we mull have recourfeat all times, but
particularly if we find ourfelves tempted to defpair. -
If thoughts arife in our minds, which fuggeft that we
have finned beyond the hope of pardon, and that there
fore it is vain to feek for reconciliation by repentance ;
\ve mud remember how God willeth that every man
fliould be faved, and that thofe who obey his call, how
ever late, mould not be rejected. If we are tempted to
think that the injuries we have done are unrepaired, and
therefore repentance is vain ; let us remember that the
reparation which is impoffible is not required ; that fin-
cerely to will, is to do, in the fight of Him to whom
all hearts are open ; and that what is deficient in our
endeavour is fupplied by the merits of Him who died
to redeem us.
Yet let us likewife be careful, left an erroneous opi
nion of the all-fufhciency of our Saviour's merits lull us
into careleflnefs and fecurity. His merits are indeed
all-fufficient ! but he has prefcribed the terms on which
they are to operate. He died to fave finners, but to
fave only thofe finners that repent. Peter, whodenied
him, was forgiven, but he obtained his pardon by weep
ing bitterly. They who have lived in perpetual regula
rity of duty, and are free from any grofs or vifibletranf-
greflion, are yet but unpr of table few ants : What then
are our, whofe crimes are haftening us to the grave be
fore our time? Let us nvork <witb fear and trembling^
but ftill let us endeavour to work out ourfalvation. Let
us hope without prefumption; let us fear without def-
peration; and let our faith animate us to that which
v/e were to confider,
Secondly, " Sincere Obedience to the laws of God.'*
Our obedience, for the Ihorttime yet remaining, is re-
it rained
( cviii )
i
drained to a narrow circle. Thofe duties which are
called focial and relative, are for the moft part out of
our power. We can contribute very little to the gene-
jalhappinefs of mankind, while on thofewhom kindred
and fricndfhip have allied to us, we have brought dif-
grace and forrow. We can only benefit the publick by
an example of contrition, and fortify our friends againit
temptation by warning and admonition.
The obedience left us now to praclife is " fubmiffion
to the will of God, and calm acquiefcence inhiswifdom
and his juftice." We mull not allow ourfelves to repine
at thofe rhiferies which have followed our offences, but
fuffer, with filent humility and religned patience, the
punilhment which we deferve ; remembering that, ac
cording to the Apo file's decifion, no praife is due to
them who bear w\\h patience to be buffeted for their faults.
When we confider the wickednefs of our pail lives,
and the danger of having been fummoned to the final
judgment without preparation, we (hall, I hope, gradu
ally rife fo much above the conceptions of human na
ture, as to return" thanks to God for what once feemed
the moil dreadful of all evils our detection .and con
viction ! We Ihrink back, by immediate and inflm&ive
terror from the publick eye, turned as it is upon us
with indignation and contempt. Imprifonment is afflic
tive, and ignominious death is fearful! But let us com
pare our condition with that which our actions might
reafonably have incurred. The robber might have died
in the ad of violence, by lawful refinance. The man
of fraud might have funk into the grave, while he was
enjoying the gain of his artifice: and ivbtre then bad
been our hope ? We have now leifure for thought; we
have opportunities of inftru&ion , and whatever we fuf-
fcr from offended laws, may yet reconcile ourfelves to
God, who, if we fincerely^/f^ him, will afluredly be
fund.
But how are we {.Q/eek the Lord? By the way which
he himfelf hath appointed ; by humble, fervent, and fre
quent prayer. Some hours of wormip are appointed us ;
tt us duly obfcrvc them, Some afiiilancc to our devo
tion
tion is fupplied; let us thankfully accept it. But let
ifsnot reft in formality and prefcription: let us call upon
God night and day. When , in the review of the times
which we have paft, any offence arifes to our thoughts,
let us humbly implore forgivenefs; and for thofe faults
(and many there are and muft be) which we cannot re-
collet, let usfolicit mercy in general petitions. But it
muft be our conftant care, that we pray not merely with
our lips; but that when we lament our fins, we are
really humbled in felf- abhorrence;* and that, when we
call for mercy, we raife our thoughts to hope and truft
in the goodnefs of God, and merits of our bleffed Sa
viour, Jefus Chrift.
The reception of the holyfacrament, to which we mail
be called in the moft folemn manner, perhaps a few
hours before we die, is the higheft aft of Chriftian wor-
ftiip. At that awful moment it will become us to drop
for ever all worldly thoughts, to fix our hopes folely
upon Chrift, whofedeath isreprefented ; and to confider
ourfelves as no longer connected with mortality. And
poflibly, it may pleafe God to afford us fome confola-
fion,fomefecret intimations of acceptance and forgive
nefs. But thefe radiations of favour are not always felt by
the fincereft penitents. To the greater part of thofe
whom angels ftand ready to receive, nothing is granted
in this world beyond rational hope; and with hope>
founded on promife, we may well befatisfied.
But fuch promifes of falvajion are made only to the
penitent. It is requifite then that we confider,
Thirdly, " How Repentance is to be exercifed." Re
pentance, in the general ftate of Chriftian life, is fuch a
ibrrow for fin as produces a change of manners, and an
amendment of life. It is that difpofition of mind, by
which he who ft oh * Jfeals no more', by which the wicked
man tier net h away from his wicked nefs, and doetb that
which is lawful and right. And to the man thus re
formed, it is exprefsly promifed, that beJhaUfave hit
chap, xlii, verfe 6,
foul
( c* )'
foul alive* Of this repentance the proofs are vifible,
and the reality certain, always to the penitent, and
commonly to the church with whom he communicates ;
becaufe the date of the mind is discovered by the out
ward actions. But of the repentance which our condi
tion requires and admits, nofuchevidence can appear;
for to us many crimes and many virtues are made im-
poffible by confinement ; and the fhortnefs of the time
which is before us, gives little power, even to ourfelves,
of diflinguiming the effects of terror from thofe of con
viction ; of deciding, whether our prefent forrow for fm
proceeds from abhorrence of guilt or dread of punifh-
ment, whether the violence of our inordinate pafiions
be totally fubdued by the fear of God, or only crufhed
and retrained by the temporary force of prefent cala
mity.
Our repentance is like that of other finners on their
death-bed ; but with this advantage, that our danger is
not greater, and our ftrength is more. Our faculties are
not impaired by weaknefs of body. We come to the
great work not withered by pains, nor clouded by the
fumes of difeafe, but with minds capable of continued
attention, and with bodies of which nve need have no
care! We may therefore better difcharge this tremendous
duty, and better judge of our performance.
Of the efficacy of a death-bed repentance many have
<lifputed ; but we have no leifure for controverfy. Fix
in your minds this decifion, < Repentance is a change
of the heart, of an evil to a good difpofition." When
that change is made, repentance is complete. God will
confider that life as amended, which would have been
amended if he had fpared it. Repentance in the fight
of man, even of the penitent, is not known but by its
fruits j but our Creator fees the fruit, in the bloflbm or
the feed. He knows thofe refolutions which are fixed,
thofe converfions which would be permanent; and will
* There cannot be a ftronger exemplification of this idea than the
conduct of the Coaler, who uttered the queftion, with which *i e
commenced our enquiry What Jhall I do to be faved f -What a
change of mind and manners was wrought in him by the power of
Cod! Read Acts, chap, xvi.
receive
( cxi )
receive them wlio are qualified by holydeflres for works
of righteoufnefs, without exacting from them thofe out
ward duties which the fhonnefs of their lives hindered
them from performing.
Nothing therefore remains, but thatwe apply with all
our fpeed, and with all our itrength, to reilify our de-
fires, and purify our thoughts; 3iat \vefet God before
us in all his goodnefs and .errors; that we confider him
as the Father and the Judge of sll the earth; as a Fa
ther defirous to fave; as a Judge, who can;-.
unrepented iniquity : that we fall down before him felf-
cordt-mned, and excite in our heart' an irtenft- deteila-
tion of thoie crimes which hare provoked him; \v;th ve
hement and Heady refclutior.s, that if life were granted
us, it fliould bt fpent hereafter in the practice of our
duty :* that we pray the Giver of grace to ftrengthen and
imrrefa thefe holy thought , and to a cept our repsnr-
ance, though late, and in its beginnings violent: that
we improve every good motion by drtigent prayer: and
having declared and c or firmed f r-m r faith by the hoi v
comm union, wedeliver ourfelves into his h,inr)$, in firm
hope, that he \\lio created and redeemed us will notfuf-
fer us to perifli. Rom, v. viii. 32.
The condition, without wliich ftrgiveneA is not to be
red, is, that we forgive others. There is nlivav^a
danger left men, fre(h from a trial in which life has been
loft, mould remember with refcntment and malignity
the profecutor, the witne(Tes,or th?judges. It is, indeed,
fcarcely pofiible, that with all the prejudices of an in-
tereil fo weighty, and fo affecting, the convict ihould
* fee 2 Cor. chap. v. verfe 14, i 5.
j- 1 would hare this expreiTion to be particularly attended to
While as-adyini; man, and with ill pollute uncerity o
to declare my fdith II,
^ in
lot of any appointed met'
to that erui as participation in t'nr commur.
i this fer\ice,the Exbertatio
We d't n'.t prefumc, (%:.
O Lird and heavenly Father, >';-:. -\\ ^^
cdly read over this lervict bcf- r a thcv communicate.
f think
think otherwife, than that he has been treated in ionic
part of the procefs with unneccflary feverity. In this
opinion he is perhaps fmgular, and therefore probably
jniftaken. But there is no time for difquifition : we
mull try to find the fhorteft way to peace. It is eafier
to forgive than to reafon right. He that has been in-
jurioufly or unneceiTarily harralTed, has one op ortuni*
ty more of proving his fincerity, by forgiving the wrong,
and praying for his enemy.
It is the duty of a penitent to repair, fo far as he has
the power, the injury which he has done. What we
can do, is commonly nothing more than to leave the
world an example of contrition. On the dreadful day,
when the fentence of the law has its full force, fome
will be found to have affecled a ihamelefs bravery, or
negligent intrepidity. Such is not the proper behaviour
of a convicled criminal. To rejoice in tortures is the
privilege of a martyr; to meet death with intrepidity is
the right only of innocence, if in any human being in
nocence could be found. Of him, whofe life is fhort-
ened by his crimes, the laft duties are humility and felf-
abafement. We owe to God fmcere repentance ; w
owe to man the appearance of repentance. We "ought
not to propagate an opinion, that he who lived in wick-
ednefs can die with courage. If the ferenity or gaiety
with which fome men have ended a life of guilt, were
unfeigned, they can be imputed only to ignorance or
ftupidity, or, what is more horrid, to voluntary intoxi
cation : if they were artificial and hypocritical, they
were adls of deception, the ufelefs and unprofitable
crimes of pride unmodified, and obftinacy unfubdued.
There is yet another crime poiTible, and, as there is
reafon to believe, fornetimes committed in the laft mo
ment, on the margin of eternity. Men have died with
a ftedfaft denial of crimes, of which it is very difficult
to fuppofe them innocent. By what equivocation or re*
ferve they may have reconciled their conferences to falfe-
hood, if their confciences were at all confuked, it is im-
pofTible to know. But if they thought, that when they
were to die, they paid theirlegal forfeit, and that the world
had no further demand upon them ; that therefore they
might,
( cxiii )
might, by keeping their own fecrets, try to leave behind
them adifputable reputation ; and that the falfehood was
harmlefs, becaufe none were injured; they had very
little confidered the nature of fociety. One of the
principal parts of national felicity, arifes from a wife
and impartial adminiftration ofjuftice. Every man re -
pofes upon the tribunal of his country the liability of
pofleffion, and the ferenity of life. He therefore who un-
juftly expofes the courts of judicature to fufpicion, either
of partiality or error, not only does an injury to thofe
who difpenfe the laws, but diminifhes the public con
fidence in the laws themfelves, and fhakes the founda
tion of public tranquillity.
For my own part, I confefs, with deepeft compunc
tion, the crime which has brought me to this place: and
admit the juftice of my fentence, while I am finking
under its feverity. And I earneftly exhort you, my
fellow-prifoners, to acknowledge the offences which
have been already proved ; and to bequeath to our coun
try that confidence in pubJicjuftice, without which there
can be neither peace nor fafety.
As few men fufFer for their firfl offences, and mofl
convicts are confcious of more crimes than have been
brought within judicial cognizance, it is necefTary to
enquire how far confeffion ought to be extended. Peace
of mind, or defire of inftru&ion, may fometimes de
mand, that to the minifter, whofe council is requeued,
a long courfe of evil life mould be difcovered: but of
this every man muft determine for himfelf. To the
public, every man, before he departs from life, is obli-
fed to confefs thole acls which have brought, or may
ring unjuft fufpicion upon others ; and to convey fuch
information, as may enable thofe who have fufFered
lofTes to obtain reftitution.
Whatever good remains in our power we muft dili
gently perform We muft prevent, to the utmoft of
our power, all the evilconfequencesof our crimes. We
muft forgive all who have injured us. We muft, by
fervency of prayer, andconftancy in meditation, endea
vour to reprefs ail worldly pafiions, and generate in our
minds that love of gcodnefp, and hatred of fin, which
> may
( cxiv )
fit us for the fociety of heavenly minds And,
finally, we muft commend and eutruft our fouls to HIM
who died for the fins of men ; with earneft vvifhes and
humble hopes that he will admit us with the labourers
v/ho entered the vineyard at the luji hour, and aiTociate
us with the thief whom he pardoned on the crcfl!
To this great end, you will not refufe to unite with
me, on bended knees, and with humbled hearts, in fer
vent prayer to tiie throne of ^ race ! May the leather of
niercy hear our fupplications, and have compafiiun
upon us !
" O a In rd G d, the righteous JUDGE of
all the ear.h, . videmial juftice d .ft fre-
q j nrly infiidt c upon fiui-et in'ihis life,
tliat thou mayeft by th- ir lad examples ettfcc\u<uly
others from o :.v^ heinous offences ; and
that they themfehes, truly repeni ing of their faults,
may efcape the condemnation of hell lock do^n in
jr.-. rcy upon us, tbyfofrowfulfervaiits, whom thou hail
differed to become the unhappy oitjecia ot oiTended jiif-
tice in thi- world !
'* Give us a thorough frnfe of all thofe evil thoughts^
<rt-cr^, and 'works , which nave fo provoke thy patience
that thou hail beer, pleated to permit this public and
lhameful judgment to fall upon us ; and grant us fuch,
a ^ r:ion of grace and godly fmcerity, chat we may
heartily confefs, and unfe gnedly repent of every breach
of thofe molt holy laws and ordinances, which if a man.
do, he jlall even li'Ut* in them.
ft Let no rootci- bitternefs and malice, no habitual
and deadly fin, either of omiffion or commijion, remain
undiftui bed in our hearts ! But enable us to make our
repentance univerfal, \vithoutthe leaft flattering or de-
ctitful referve, that fo we may clear our confciences be
fore v.--; clofe our eyes.
l * And now that thou haft brought us within the view
of our long home, and made us fenfible that the time
of our dl Solution drawcth near; endue us. we humbly
pray thee, O gracious Father, with fuch Chriftian for
titude, that neither die terrors of thy prefent difpenfa-
tions.
( cxv )
tions, nor the remembrance of our former fins, may
have power to fink our fpirits into a defpondency of thy
.ting mercies in the adorable Son of thy love.
" Wean our thoughts and affections good Lord, from
all the vain and deluiive enjoyments of this tranfucry
world ; that we may not only with patient refignatiou
fubmit to the appointed ftroke of death, but that our
faith and hope may be fo elevated, that we may conceive
a longing defire to be difl'lved from the.e cur earthly
tabernacles, and to be with Chri:l, which is tar better
than all the happincfs we can wsfh for befuies !
44 And in a due fenfe of our own extraordinary want
of forgiveneis at thy hare's, and of our utter unworthi-
nefs of the very lealt of all thy favours, o 1 the meaneft
crumbs which fall from thy table OK ! Miffed Lord
Jefus ! malce us fo truly and un'verfally charitable, that
in an undifiembled compliance with thy own aweful
command, and molt endearing example, we m;;y both
freely forgive, and c'.;n.illy pra\ tor /urmoil inve crate
enemies, perfect tors, and Jiander^rs / Forgive ihfu>. O
Loid, wt- beieech thee, - c-^rn their hearts, ..nd fill ihem
wirh thy love 1
** Thus, may we humbly truft, ourforrowfcl prayers
and tears will be acceptable in thy fighi. r lha;
vie be quali ;eJ, through Chnlr, to exchange rhi.s dif-
mal bodily confinement [and theie u neat) fettero] for
theglorious liberty of the fons d -bus fliall
our legal doonj upon earth be changed into a com^^rt-
able declaration of mercy in the higheft heavens : and
all through thy moft p/ecious and .11 fufficient merits,
O bleded Saviour of mankind ! who, \\ i.li the- l-'ather,
and the Holy Ghoft, livelt and reign eil ever, One
world without end. AMEN.
OF
Of C. and G. KEARSLEY, FLEET-STRI ET, may
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THE BEAUTIES OF SHAKSPEARE,
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MEMOIRS OF HIS LIFE.
THE ELEVENTH EDITION, enlarged and ornamented with
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BEAUTIES,
ACTIONS.
A HINGS may be feen differently, and differ
ently fhewn ; but aftiom are vifible, though mo
tives are fecret.
Life of Cow ley,
AUTHORS.
Thofe writers who lie on the watch for #a-
velty, can have little hope of greatness ; for great
things cannot have efcaped former obfervation.
Ibid.
It is the fault of fome writers, that they purfue
their thoughts to their lajl ramifications j by which
they lofe the grandeur of generality.
Ibid.
There are thofe who condemn authors for a
want of novelty,' which they are only fuppofcd tq
want, from their accufers having already found
fimilar thoughts in later books ; not knowing, or
enquiring, who produced them firft. This treat
ment is unjuft. Let not the original author lofe
by his imitators.
Life of Waller,
B The
( 2 )
The fkilful writer irritat, muket ; makes a due
diftribution of the ftyle and animated parts.
It is for want or this artful intertexture, and
thofe necefiary changes, that ihe whole of a book
may be tedious though all the parts are praifed.
Life of Butler.
He who purpofes to be an author , fhould firft be
ay?tt*/4
Life of Dryden.
The writer who thinks his works formed for
duration, miftakes his intereft when he mentions
his enemies. He degrades his own dignity by
(hewing that he was affected by their ceniures,
and gives lading importance to names, which,
left to themfelves, would vanifh from remem
brance.
Ibid.
To judge rightly of an author, we muft tranf-
port ourfelves to his time, and examine what were
the wants of his contemporaries, and what were
his means of fupplying them. That which is eafy
at one time, was difficult at another.
Ibid.
It is not eafy for any man to write upon litera
ture, or common life, fo as not to make himfelf
known to thofe with whom he familiarly con-
verfes, and who are acquainted with his track of
ftudy, his favourite topics, his peculiar notions,
and his habitual phrafes.
Life of Addifon.
The two moft engaging powers of an author,
are to make new things familiar, and familiar things
new.
Life of Pope.
Next!
( 3 )
Next to the crime of writing contrary to what
i man thinks, is that of writing without thinking.
Life of Savage.
Making any material alterations in the works
of a writer, after his death, is a liberty which,
as it has a manifeft tendency to leflen the confi
dence of fociety, and to confound the characters
of authors by making one man write by the judg
ment of another, cannot be jufHfied by any fup-
pofed propriety of the alteration or kindnefs of
the friend.
Life of Thompfon.
There is nothing more dreadful to an author
than negleft ; compared with which, reproach,
! hatred, and oppofition, are names of happinefs :
: yet this worft, this meaneir, fate, every one who
; dares to write has reafon to fear.
Rambler, vol. i, p. n,
A fuccefsful author is equally in danger of the
diminution of his fame, whether he continues or
i ceafes to write. The regard of the public is not
to be kept but by tribute ; and the remembrance
of paft fervice will quickly languifh, unlefs fuc-
; ceffive performances frequently revive it. Yet in
i every new attempt there is new hazard ; and there
jare few who do not at fome unlucky time, injure
their own characters by attempting to enlarge
them.
Ibid. p. 130,
It ought to be the firft endeavour of a writer,
to diftinguifh nature from cuftom ; or that which
is eftabliihed becaufe it is right, from that which
is right only becaufe it is eftablifhed ; that he may
neither violate eflential principles by a defire of
B 2 novelty,
(. 4 )
novelty, nor debar himfelf from the attainment of
beauties within his view, by a needlefs fear of
breaking rules which no literary dictator had au
thority to enact.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 304.
He that lays out his labours upon temporary
fubjects, eafily finds readers, and quickly lofes
them: for what fhould make the book valued,
when its fubject is no more ?
Idler, vol. 2, p. 37.
Let honeft credulity beware of receiving cha
racters from contemporary writers.
Life of Dryden.
The tafk of an author is either to teach what is
not known, or to recommend known truths by
his manner of adorning them 5 either to let new
light upon the mind, and open new fcenes to the
profpect, or vary the drefs and fituation of com
mon objects, fo as to give them freili grace and
more powerful attractions. To fpread fuch flow
ers over the regions through which the intellect
has already made its progrefs, as may tempt it to
return, and take a fecond view of things haftily
panned over, or negligently regarded.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 13.
Whilfl an author is yet living, we eftimate his
powers by the worft performance. When he is
dead, we rate them by his beft.
Preface to Shakefpeare, p. i.
An author who facrifices virtue to convenience,
and feems to write without any moral purpofe,
even the barbarity of his age cannot extenuate ;
for
( 5 )
for it is always a writer's duty to make the world
better, and juftice is a virtue independent on time
and place.
Ibid, p. 59 & 20.
It is feldom that authors rife much above the
ftandard of- their own age. To add a little to what
is beft will always be fufKctent for prefent praife ;
and thofe who find themfelves exalted into fame, are
willing to credit their encomiafts, and to fpare the
labour of contending with themfelves.
Ibid. p. 44.
He that mifles his end, will never be as much
pleafed as he that attains it, even when he can
impute no part of his failure to himfelf ; and when
the end is to pleafe the multitude, no man, perhaps,
has a right, in things admitting of gradation and
comparifon, to throw the whole blame upon his
judges, and totally to exclude diffidence and fhame
by a haughty confcioumefs of his own excellence.
Life of Cowley.
Many caufes may vitiate a writer's judgment
of his own works. On that which has coft him
much labour he fcts a high value, becaufe he is
unwilling to think he has been diligent in vain ;
wnat has been produced without toilfome effort is
confidered with delight, as a proof of vigorous fa
culties and fertile invention ; and the laft work,
whatever it be, has neceilarily moft of the grace
of novelty.
Life of Milton.
A writer who obtains his full purpofe lofes
himfelf in his own luftre. Of an opinion which
is no longer doubted, the evidence ceafes to be
B 3 examined.
( 6 )
examined. Of an art univerfally pra&ifed the
teacher is forgotten. Learning once made popu
lar is no longer learning ; it has the appearance of
fjmething which we have beftowed upon ourfelves,
as the dew appears to rife from the field which it
refrefhes.
Life of Dryden.
There is a fpecies of writers, who, without
much labour have attained high reputation, and
who are mentioned with reverence, rather for the
pofTeffion than the exertion of uncommon abili
ties.
Life of Smith.
Tedioufnefs, in an author, is the moft fatal of
all faults. Negligence or errors are fmgle and
local, but tedioumefs pervades the whole ; other
faults are cenfured and forgotten, but the power
of tedioufncfs propagates itfelf. He that is weary
the firft hour is more weary the fecond, as bodies
formed into motion, contrary to their tendency,
pafs more and more (lowly through every fuccef-
five interval of fpace.
Life of Prior.
An author who afks a fubfcription foon finds
t'iat he has enemies. All who clo not encourage
him, defame him. He that wants money will
rather be thought angry than poor, and he that
wifhes to fave his money, conceals his avarice by
his malice.
Life of Pope.
An author buftling in the world, (hewing him-
A-lf in public, and emerging occafionally from
time to time into notice, might keep his works
alive by his perfonal influence j but that which
conveys
( 7 )
Conveys little information, and gives no great
pleafure, muft foon give way, as the fucceffion of
things produces new topics of converfation, and
other modes of amufement.
Life of Mallet.
He that expects flights of wit, and fallies of
pleafantry, from a fuccefsful writer, will be often
difappointed. A man of letters, for the moft part,
fpends in the privacies of ftudy, that feafon of life
in which the manners are to be foftened into eafe,
and polifhed into elegance j and when he has
gained knowledge enough to be refpe&ed, has
neglected the minuter arts by which he might have
pleafed.
Rambler, ol. i, p. 83.
He by whofe writings the heart is rectified, the
appetites counteracted, and the paflions reprefTed,
may be confidered as not unprofitable to the great
republic of humanity, even though his own beha
viour fhould not always exemplify his rules. His
inftru&ions may diffufe their influence to regions
in which it will not be inquired, whether the au
thor be good or bad ; to times when all his fault?,
and all his follies mail be loft in forgetfulnefs,
among things of no concern or importance to the
world ; and he may kindle in thoufand*, and ten
thoufands, that flame which burnt but dimly in
himfelf, through the fumes of paflion, or the
damps of cowardice. The vicious moraliil may
be confidered as a taper by which we are lighted
through the labyrinth of complicated paffions ; he
extends his radiance further than his heart, and
guides all that are within view, but burns only
taoie who make too near approaches.
Ibid. vol. z, p. 133.
B 4 But
But the wickednefs of a loofe or profane au
thor, in his writings, is more atrocious than that
of the giddy libertine, or drunken ravifher ; not
only becaufe it extends its effects wider (as a pef-
tilence that taints the air is more deftrudtive than
poifon infufed in a draught) but becaufe it is
committed with cool deliberation. By the in-
frantaneous violence of defire, a good man may
fometimes be furprife.d before reflection can come
to his refcue : when the appetites have ftrength-
ened their influence by habit they are not eafily
relifted or fupprefled ; but for the frigid villainy of
fhidious lewdnefs, for the calm malignity of la
boured impiety, what apology can be invented ?
what puniihment can be adequate to the crime
of him who retires to folitude for the refinement of
debauchery; who tortures his fancy, and rafifacks
his memory, only that he may leave the world lefs
virtuous than he found it ; that he may intercept
the hopes of the rifing generation, and fpread
fnares for the foul with more dexterity.
Ibid, p. 134.
He that commences a writer may be confidered
as a kind of general challenger, whom every one
has a right to attack, fince he quits the common
rank of life, fteps forward beyond the lifts, and
offers his merit to the public judgment. To
commence author, is to claim praife; and no man
can juftly afpire to honour but at the hazard of
di (grace.
Ibid. p. 231.
Authors and lovers always fufFer fome infatua
tion through the fondnefs for their feparate ob-
jecls, which only abfence can fet them free ; and
every man ought to reftore himfelf to the full ex-
ercife
( 9 )
ercife of his judgment, before he does that which
he cannot do improperly without injuring his ho
nour and his quiet.
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 54.
That of conniving at another man printing
his works, and then denying that he gave any
authority, is a ftratagem by which an author,
panting for fame, and yet afraid of feeming to
challenge it, may (at once to gratify his vanity and
preferve the appearance of modefty) enter the lifts
and fecure a retreat ; and this candour might fuf-
fer to pafs undetected as an innocent fraud, but
that, indeed, no fraud is innocent ; for the con
fidence which makes the happinefs of fociety is, in
fome degree, diminifhed .by every man whofe
practice is at variance with his words.
Life of Sir T.Browne, p. 257.
He that teaches us any thing which we knew
.not before, is undoubtedly to be reverenced as a
mafter ; he that conveys knowledge, by more
vpleafing ways, may very properly be loved as a
benefactor ; and he that fupplies life with inno
cent amufement will be certainly carefled as a
pleafing companion.
Idler, vol. a, p. 184.
That Shakefpeare once defigned to have brought
Falftaff on the fcene again, we know from him-
felf ; but whether he could contrive no train of
adventures fuitable to his character, or could
match him with no companions likely to quicken
his humour, or could open no new vein of plei 1 -
fantry, and was afraid to continue the -fame ft rain,
left it mould not find the fame reception ; he ha?-,
in the play of Henry V. for ever difcarded him,
B 5 and
( 10 )
and made hafte to difpatch him ; perhaps for the
fame reafon for which Addifon killed Sir Roger de
C overly, that no other hand might attempt to
exhibit him.
Let meaner authors learn from this example,
that it is dangerous to f^ll the bear which is not yet
hunted to promife to the public what they have
rot written.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 6, p. 55.
It is in vain for the moft fkilful author to cul
tivate barrennefs, or to paint on vacuity. Even
Shakefpeare could not write well without a proper
fubjea.
Ibid. p. 161.
Neither genius nor practice will always fupply a
hafty writer with the moft proper diction.
Ibid. vol. 10, p. 383.
It is the nature of perfonal invective to be foon
unintelligible, and the author that gratifies private
malice animam vulnere ponit, deftroys the efficacy
of his own writings, and facrinces the efteem of
fucceeding times to the laughter of a day.
Jbid. vol. 2, p. 434.
AFFECTION.
As for Affection, thofe that know how to ope
rate upon the paflions of men, rule it by making
it operate in obedience to the notes which pleafe
or difguft it.
Ibid. vol. 3; p. 215.
AFFECTATION.
Affectation naturally counterfeits thofe excel
lences which are placed at the greateft diftance
from.
from poiiibility of attainment, becaufe, knowing
our own defe&s, we e.igerly endeavour to fupply
them with artificial excellence.
Rambler, vol. 4, p. 104.
Affectation is to be always diftinguifiied from
kypocrij)) as being the art of counterfeiting thofe
qualities which we might with innocence and
fafety be known to want. Hypocrify is the ne-
ceflary burthen of villainy ArFe&ation part of
the chofen trappings of folly.
Ibid. vol. i, p. 124. St 125.
Every man fpeaks and writes with an intent to
be underftood ; and it can feldom happen, but he
that underftands himfelf might convey his notions
to another, if content to be underftood, he did not
feek to be admired; but when once he begins to
contrive how his fentiments may be received, not
with moft eafe to his reader, but with moft advan
tage to himfelf, he then transfers his confiderattoa
from words to founds, from (entehces to periods,
and as he grows more elegant, becomes lets intel
ligible.
Idler, vol. i, p. aoi
AGRICULTURE.
Nothing can more fully prove the ingrati
tude of mankind (a crime often charged upon
them, and often denied) than the little regard
which the difpoicrs of honorary rewards have paid
to Agriculture ; which is treated as a fubject fo re
mote from common life by all thofe who do not
immediately hold the plough, or give fodder to the
ox, that there is room to queftion, whether a great
B 6 part
part of mankind has yet been informed that life is
fuftained by the fruits of the earth.
Univerfal Vifiter, p. in.
Agriculture not only gives riches to a nation,
but the only riches we can call our own, and of
which we need not fear either deprivation or di
minution.
Ibid. p. 112.
Of nations, as of individuals, the firft bleffing
is independence. Neither the man nor the peo
ple can be happy to whom any human power can
deny the neceffaries or conveniencies of life.
There is no way of living without foreign affift-
ance but by the produft of our own land improved
by our own labour. Every other fource of plenty
is perifhable or cafual.
Ibid.
AGRICULTURE OF ENGLAND.
Our country is, perhaps, beyond all others, pro
ductive of things neceffary to life. The pine-ap
ple thrives better between the tropics, and better
furs are found in the Northern regions. But
let us not envy thofe unneceHary privileges ; man
kind cannot fubfift upon the indulgencies of na
ture, but muft be fupported by her common gifts;
they muft feed upon bread and be clothed with
wool, and the nation that can furnifh thefe uni-
verfal commodities, may have her mips welcomed
at a thoufand ports, or fit at home, and receive
the tribute of foreign countries, enjoy their arts,
or treafure up their gold.
Ibid. p. 114.
ACADEMY,
( 13 )
ACADEMY.
IN this country an academy for reforming and
eftablijhing the Englijh Language could be expected
to do but little. If an academician's place were
profitable, it would be given by inter eft -^ if attend
ance were gratuitous, it would be rarely paid ;
and no man would endure the leaft difguft. Una
nimity is impofiible, and debate would feparate
the aflembly.
But fuppofe the philological decree made and
promulgated; what would be its authority? In
abfolute governments, there is fometimes a gene
ral reverence paid to all that has the fandion of
power and the countenance of greatnefs. How
little this is the ftate of our country, needs not
be told. We live in an age in which it is a kind
of public fport to refufe all refpecl: that cannot be
enforced. The edicts of an Englifh academy
would probably be read by many, only that they
might be fure to difobey them.
That our language is in perpetual danger of
corruption cannot be denied ; but what preven
tion can be found ? The prefent manners of the
nation would deride authority, and therefore no
thing is left but that every writer mould criticife
himfelf. .
Life of Rofcommon,
AGE.
It has been found by the experience of mankind,
that not even the beft feafons of life are able to
fupply fufficient gratifications without anticipating
uncertain felicities: it cannot, furely, be fuppofed
that old age, worn with labours, harrafTed with
anxieties, and tortured with difeafes, mould have
any gladnefs of its own> or feel any fatisfaclion
from
( 14 )
from the contemplation of the prefent All the
comfort that now can be expeited muft be re
called from the paft, or borrowed from the future :
the paft is very foon exhaufted j all the events or
actions of which the memory can afford pleafure,
are quickly recollefted ; and the future lies be
yond the grave, where it can be reached only by
virtue and devotion.
Piety is the only proper and adequate relief of
decaying man. He that grows old without reli
gious hope, as he declines into imbecility, and
feels pains and forrows inceffantly crowding upon
him, falls into a gulph of bottomlefs miiery, in,
which every reflection muft plunge him deeper,
and where he finds only new gradations of anguifh^
and precipices of horror.
Rambler, vol. 2, p. 91.
Cuftom fo far regulates the fentiments, at lead
of common minds, that I believe men may be ge
nerally obferved to grow lefs tender as they ad
vance in age.
Ibid. p. 140.
To the long catalogue of the inconveniencies of
old age, which moral and fatirical writers have fo
copiouily difplayed, may be often added the lofs of
fame.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 130.
Length of life is diftributed impartially to very
different modes of life in very different climates.
A cottager grows old over his oaten cakes, like a
citizen at a turtle feafr. He is indeed feldom in
commoded by corpulence : Poverty preserves him
from finking under the burthen of himfelf> but he
efcapes no other injury of time.
Weftern Iflands, p. 193.
He
( 15 )
He that would pafs the latter part of his life
\vith honour and decency, muft, when he is young^
confider that he fhall one day be old, and remem
ber, when he is old y that he has once been young.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 304.
Age feldom fails to change the conduct of youth.
We grow negligent of time in proportion as we
have lefs remaining, and fuffer the laft part of life
to fteal from us in languid preparations for future
undertakings, or flow approaches to remote ad
vantages, in v/eak hopes of fome fortuitous oc
currence, or drowfy equilibrations of undeter
mined counfel. Whether it be that the aged hav
ing tatted the pleafures of man's condition, and
found them delufive, become lefs anxious for their
attainment, or that frequent mifcarriages have de-
p reded them to defpair, and frozen them to inac
tivity; or that death f hocks them more as it ad
vances upon them, and they are afraid to remind
themfelves of their decay, ordifcover to their own
hearts that the time of trifling is paft.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 32,
The truth of many maxims of age gives too
little pleafure to be allowed till it is felt, and the
miferies of life would be increafed beyond all hu
man power of endurance, if we were to enter the
world with the fame opinions we carry from it.
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 195.
It is one of the melancholy pleafures of an old
man to recollect the kindnefs cf friends, whofe
kindnefs he fhall experience no more.
Treatife on the Longitude, p. 14.
An
( 16 )
An old age unfupported with matter for dif-
courfe and meditation, is much to be dreaded.
No ftate can be more deftitute than that of him,
who, when tiie delights of fenfe forfake him, has
no pleafures of the mind.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 9, p. 249.
There is fometimes a dotage encroaching upon
wifdom, that produces contradictions. Such a
man is pofitive and confident, becaufe he knows
that his mind was once ftrong, and knows not
that it is become weak. Such a man fails not in
general principles, but fails in the particular ap
plication. He is knowing in retrofpe6t, and ig
norant in forefight. While he depends upon his
memory, and can draw from his repofitories of
knowledge, he utters weighty fentences, and gives
ufeful counfel ; but, as the mind gets enfeebled, he
lofes the order of his ideas, and entangles himfelf
in his own thoughts, till he recovers the leading
principle, and falls again into its former train.
Ibid. vol. 10, p. 241,
THE VANITY OF WISHING FOR OLD AGE.
Enlarge my life with multitude of days,
In health and ficknefs, thus the fuppliant prays;
Hides from himfelf his ftate, and fhuns to know
That life protrafted is protra&ed woe.
Time hovers o'er, impatient to deflroy,
And Ihuts up all the paffages of joy :
In vain the girts their bounteous feafons pour,
The fruit autumnal and the vernal flower ;
"With liftlefs eyes the dotard views the ftore,
He views and wonders that they pleafe no more.
Now pall the taftelefs meats and joylefs wines,
And luxury with fighs her flave refigns.
Approach
( '7 )
Approach ye minftrels, try the foothing drain,
And yield the tuneful lenitives of pain,
No found, alas ! would touch th' impervious ear,
Tho* dancing mountains witriefs Orpheus near.
No lute nor lyre his feeble power attend,
Nor fweeter mufic of a virtuous friend ;
But everlafting dictates crowd his tongue,
Perverfely grave or pofitively wrong.
The dill returning tale, and ling'rkig jeft,
Perplex the fawning niece and pamper'd gueft ;
While growing hopes fcarce awe the gath'ring fneer,
And fcarce a legacy can bribe to hear ;
The watchful guefts ftill hint the lait offence,
The daughter's petulance the fon's expence,
Improve his heady rage with treach'rous (kill,
And mould his paflions till they make his will.
Unnumber'd maladies his joints invade,
Lay fiege to life, and prefs the dire blockade ;
But unextinguini'd av'rice ftill remains,
And dreaded lofTes aggravate his pains;
He turns, with anxious heart and crippled hands,
His bonds of debts and mortgages of lands ;
Or views his coffers with fufpicious eyes,
Unlocks his gold and counts it till he dies.
But grant the virtues of a temp'rate prime
Blefs with an age exempt from fcorn or crime,
An age that melts in unperceiv'd decay,
And glides in modeft innocence away ;
Whofe peaceful day benevolence endears,
Whofe night congratulating confcience cheers,
The gen'ral fav'rite as the gen'ral friend,
Such age there is, and who would wi(h its end?
Yet ev'n on this her load misfortune flings,
To prefs the weary minutes' flagging wings;
New forrow rifes as the day returns,
A fifter fickens, or a daughter mourns.
Now kindred merit fills the fable bier,
Now lacerated friendlhip claims a tear ;
Year
Tear chafes year, decay purfues decay,
Still drops fome joy from with'ring life away;
New forms arife, and diff 'rent views engage,
Superfluous lags the vet'ran on the ftage,
Till pitying Nature figns the laft releafe,
And bids affiifted worth retire to peace.
Vanity of Human Wifhe*.
AGE AND YOUTH.
The notions of the old and young are like li
quors of different gravity and texture, which ne
ver can unite.
Rambler, vol. 2, p. 89.
In youth it is common to meafure right and
wrong by the opinion of the world, and in age
to a& without any meafure but interefr, and to
ofe ihame without fubftituting virtue.
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 198.
Such is the condition of life that fomething is
always wanting to happinefs. In youth we have
warm hopes, which are foon blafted by ramnefs
and negligence, and great defigns, which are de
feated by inexperience. In age we have know
ledge and prudence, without fpirit to exert, or
motives to prompt them : we are able to plan
fchemes and icgulate meafures, but have not time
remaining to bring them to completion.
Ibid.
ARTS.
An art cannot be taught but by its proper
terms ; but it is not always necefTary to teach
the art.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 99*
Every
( '9 )
Every art is improved by the emulation of com
petitors. Thofe who make no advances towards
excellence, may ftand as warnings againft faults.
Preliminary Difcourfe to the London Chronicle, p. 156.
ANGER.
Men of a paffionate temper are fometimes not
without underftanding or virtue, and are there
fore not always treated with the feverity which
their neglect of the eafe of all about them might
juftly provoke. They have obtained a kind of
prefcription for their folly, and are confidered by
their, companions as under a predominant influence
that leaves them not matter of their conduct or
language, as acting without confcioufnefs, and
ruihing into mifchief with a mift before their eyes.
They are therefore pitied rather than cenfured ;
and their fallies are pafled over as the involuntary
blows of a man agitated by the fpafms of a con-
vulfiori.
It is furely not to be obferved without indigna
tion, that men may be found of minds mean
enough to be fatisfied with thh, treatment ; wretches
who are proud to obtain the privilege of madmen^
and can, without fhame, and without regret, con-
fider themfelves as receiving hourly pardons from
their companions, and giving them continual op
portunities of exercifmg their patience and boaft-
ing their clemency.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 6z.
It is told by Prior, in a panegyric on the Duke
of Dorfet, that his fervants ufed to put themfelves
in his way when he was angry, becaufe he was
fure to recompenfe them for any indignities which
he made them fufter. This is the round of a
paffionate
( 20 )
paflionate man's life he contra&s debts when he
is furious, which his virtue (if he has virtue) obli
ges him to difcharge at the return of his reafon.
He fpends his time in outrage .and acknowledg
ment, injury and reparation.
Ibid. p. 65.
Nothing is more defpicable, or more miferable,
than the old age of a paffionate man. When the
vigour of youth fails him, and his amufements pall
with frequent repetition, his occafional rage finks,
by decay of ftrength, into peevifhnefs ; that peevifh-
nefs, for want of novelty and variety, becomes
habitual; the world falls off from around him;
and he is left, as Homer exprefTes it, to devour his
own heart in folitude and contempt.
Ibid. p. 66.
The maxim which Periander of Corinth, one of
the feven fages of Greece, left as a memorial of
his knowledge and benevolence, was, " Be matter
of your anger." He confidered anger as the great
difturber of human life; the chief enemy both of
public happinefs and private tranquillity,and thought
he could not lay on pofterity a ftronger obligation
to reverence his memory, than by leaving them a
falutary caution againft this outrageous paffion.
Pride is undoubtedly the origin of anger ; but
pride, like every other paiiion, if it once breaks
loofe from reafon, counteracts its own purpofes.
A paffionate man, upon the review of his day,
will have very few gratifications to offer to his
pride, when he has confidered how his outrages
were caufed, why they were borne, and in what
they are likely to end at kit.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 60 & 62.
There
. There is an inconfiftency in Anger, very com
mon in life ; which is, That thofe who are vexed
to impatience, are angry to fee others lefs difturbed
than themfelves ; but, when others begin to rave,
they immediately fee in them what they could not
find in themfelves, the deformity and folly of ufe-
lefs rage.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 6, p. 372.
AVARICE.
It is no defence of a covetous man, to inftance
his inattention to his own affairs as if he might
not at once be corrupted by avarice and idlenefs. :
Life of Sheffield. \
Few liften without a defire of conviction to
thofe who advife them to fpare their money.
Idler, vol. i, p. 144.
Avarice is always poor, but poor by her own
fault.
Ibid. vol. 2, p. 126.
Avarice is an uniform and tractable vice ; other
intellectual diftempers are different in different
constitutions of mind. That which foothes the
pride of one, will offend the pride of another ; but
to the favour of the covetous bring money and
nothing is denied.
Prince of Abyfiinia, p. 132.
THE ANCIENTS.
Such is the general confpiracy of human nature
againft contemporary merit, that if we had inhe
rited from antiquity enough to afford employment
for the laborious, and amufement for the idle,
what
( 30. )
what room would have been left for modern ge
nius or modem induftry? Almoft every fubjeft
would have been pre-occnpied, and every ftyle
would have been fixed by a precedent from which
few would have ventured to depart : every writer
would have had a rival whofe fuperiority was al
ready acknowledged, and to whole fame his v/ork
would, even before it was feen, be marked out for
a facrifice.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 77.
Antiquity, like every other quality that attracts
the notice of mankind, has votaries that reverence
it, not from reafon, but from prejudice. Some
feem to admire indifcriminately whatever has been
long preferved, without confidering that time has
fometimes co-operated with chance. All, per
haps, are more willing to honour paft than pre-
fent excellence ; and the mind contemplates ge
nius through the {hades of age as the eye furveys
the fun through artificial opacity.
Preface to Shakefpeare, p. 95.
ADVERSITY.
Adverfity has ever been confidered as the (late
in which a man moft eafily becomes acquainted
with himfelf ; and this effect it muft produce, by
withdrawing flatterers, whofe bufmefs it is to hide
our weaknefles from us ; or by giving loofe to
malice, and licence to reproach ; or, at leaft, by
cutting off thofe pleafures which called us away
from meditation on our own conduct, and reprefi-
ing that pride which too eafily perfuades us that
we merit whatever we enjoy.
Rambler, vol. j, p. 172.
ADVICE.
ADVICE.
The chief rule to be obferved in the exercife of
this dangerous office of giving ADVICE, is to pre-
ferve it pure from all mixture of intereft or vanity;
: to forbear admonition or reproof when our con-
| fciences tell us that they are incited, not by the
i hopes of reforming faults, but the defire of mew-
| ing our difcernment, or gratifying our own pride
i by the mortification of another. It is not indeed
| certain that the moft refined caution will find a
\ proper time for bringing a man to the knowledge
i of his own failings, or the moft zealous benevo-
\ lence reconcile him to that judgment by which
Ithey are deteted. But he who endeavours only
the happinefs of him whom he reproves, will al-
| ways have either the fatisfaclion of obtaining or
s deferving kindnefs : if he fucceeds, he benefits
I his friend ; and if he fails, he has at leaft the con-
! fcioufnefs that he fuffers for only doing well.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 246.
It was the maxim, I think, of Alphonfus of
i Arragon, that dead counfellors are fafeft. The
\ grave puts an end to flattery and artifice, and the
) information we receive from books is pure from
j intereft, fear, and ambition. Dead counfellors
\ are likewife moft inftru&ive, becaufe they are
i heard with patience and with reverence. We are
i not unwilling to believe that man wifer than our-
; felves, from whofe abilities we may receive advan-
5 tage, without any danger of rivalry or oppofition,
\ and who affords us the light of his experience
; without hurting our eyes by flafhes of infolence.
Ibid. vol. 2, p. 191.
if
( 24 )
If we confider the manner in which thofe who
aflame the office of directing the conduct of others
execute their undertaking, it will not be very
wonderful that their labours, however zealous, or
affectionate, are frequently ufelefs. For, what is
the advice that is commonly given ? A few gene
ral maxims, enforced with vehemence and incul
cated with importunity ; but failing for want of
particular reference and immediate application.
Ibid. vol. 2) p. 19.
It is not often that a man can have fo much
knowledge of another as is neceflary to make in-
ftruction ufeful. We arefometimes not ourfelves
confcious of the original motives of our actions,
and when we know them, our firft care is to hide
them from the fight of others, and often from thofe
moft diligently whofe fuperiority either of power
or understanding, may intitle them to infpect our
lives. It is therefore very probable that he, who
endeavours the cure of our intellectual maladies,
miftakes their caufe, and that his prefcriptions
avail nothing, becaufe he knows not which of the
paffions, or defires, is vitiated.
Ibid.
Advice, as it always gives a temporary appear
ance of fuperiority, can never be very grateful,
even when it is moft neceflary, or moft judicious 5
but, for the fame reafon, every one is eager to
ihftrudt his neighbours. To be wife or to be vir
tuous, is to buy dignity and importance at a high
price : but when nothing is neceflary to elevation
but detection of the follies or the faults of others,
no man is fo infenfible to the voice of fame as to
linger on the ground.
Ibid.
Advice
( 25 )
Advice is offenfive, not becaufc it lays us open
to unexpected regret, or convicts us of any fault
which hasefcaped our notice, but becaufe it fhews
that we are known to others as well as ourfelves ;
and the officious monitor is perfecuted with hatred,
not becaufe his accufation is falfe, but becaufe he
alTumes the fuperiority which we are not willing
to grant him, and has dared to detect what we dc-
fire to conceal.
Ibid, vol. 3, p. 2.95.
AMBITION.
Ambition is generally proportioned to men's
capacities : Providence ieldom fends any into the
world with an inclination to attempt great things,
who have not abilities likewife to perform them.
Life of Dr. Boerhave, p. 113.
Ambition, fcornful of reflraint,
Ev'n from the birth, affects fupreme command,
Swells in the breaft, and with refiftlefs force
O'erbears each gentler motion of the mind j
As when a deluge o'erfpreads the plains,
The wand'ring rivulets and filver lakes
Mix undiftingui/h'd in the general roar.
Irene, p. 32.
J Pi Sure of Ambition in the Fate of Cardinal Wolfey.
In full-blown dignity fee Wolfey Hand,
I Law in his voice, and Fortune in his hand,
|To him the church, the realm, their powers confign,
Through him the rays of regal bounty mine.
Still to new heights his rertlefs wifhes tow'r,
Claim leads to claim, and power advances powV ;
^ill conqueft un refilled ceafe to pleafe,
ind rights fubmitted, left him none to feize.
C Ac
At length his Sovereign frowns the train of ftate
Mark the keen glance, and watch the fign to bate ;
Where'er he turns he meets a ftranger's eye,
His fuppliants fcorn him, and his followers fly;
At once is loft the pride of awful Hate,
The golden canopy, the glit'ring plate,
The regal palace, the luxurious board,
The liv'ried army, and the menial lord ;
With age, with cares with maladies opprefsM 3 *
He feeks the refuge of monaftic reft.
Grief adds difeafe, remember'd folly ftings,
And his laft fighs, reproach the fate of kings.
Vanity of Human Wifhes*
ADVEPvSARY.
Candour and tendernefs are in arty relation, and
on all occafions, eminently amiable, but when
they are found in an adverfary, and found fo pre
valent as to overpower that zeal which his caufe
excites, and thatheat which naturally increafes in
the profeciftion 'of argument, apd which may be>
in a great meafure, juftified by the love of truth,,
they certainly appear with particular advantages-;
and it i3"iinpomble rio't to envy thofe who poflefs
the friendship of him whom.it is even fome degree
of good fortune to have known as an enemy.
Letter to Dr. Douglas, p, 3.
ADMIRATION.
Admiration -muft be 'Continued 'by tnat riovcity
which firft produced it; -and how- much foever is
given, there, rmuft i always be reafon to T i magine that
more remains.
Ramble^ vol. 4, p. 257.
A -.man once diftingui&ed, fdon gains ad'mirerjs.
ADDRESS.
ADDRESS.
The ftricteft moralifts allow firms of addrefi t&
be ufed, without much regard to their literal ac
ceptation, when either refpeft or tendernefs re
quires them 5 becaufe they are univerfally known
to denote, not the degree, but the fpecies of our
fentiments.
Idler, vol. I, p. 283.
ASSURANCE.
He whofe flupidity has armed him againft the
(hafts of ridicule, will always at and fpeak with
greater audacity than they whofe fenfibility re-
prefles their ardour, and who dare -never let their
confidence outgrow their abilities.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 252.
ADVERTISEMENT.
Promife large promife, is the foul of an ad-
vertifement.
Idler, vol. i, p. 225.
ABSTINENCE.
To fet the mind above the appetites is the end
of abftinence ; which one of the fathers obferves
to be, not a virtue, but the ground-work of a vir
tue. By forbearing to do what may innocently be
done, we may add hourly new vigour to refolu-
tion, and fecure the power of refinance when plea-
fure or intereft fhall lend their charms to guilt.
Ibid. p. 294.
AUCTION.
He that has lived without knowing to what
height defire may be raifed by vanity, with what
C 2 rapture
( 28 )
rapture baubles are fnatched out of the hands of
rival colle&ors : how the eagernefs of one raifes
cagernefs in another, and one worthlefs purchafe
makes another neceiTary, may, by paffing a ftrw
hours at an auftion^ learn more than can be (hewn
by many volumes of maxims or efiays.
Ibid, vol. a, p. 3i,
ATHEIST.
It has been long obferved that an Atheifl has
no j uft reafon for endeavouring converfions, and yet
none harrafs thofe minds, which they can influence,
with more importunity of felicitation to adopt
their opinions. In proportion as they doubt the
truth of their own do6trines, they are defirous to
gain the atteftation of another understanding., and
induftrioufly labour to win a profelyte ; and ea
gerly catch at the flighteft pretence to dignify their
feet with a celebrated name.
Life of Sir T. Brown, p. 383.
ABILITY,
It was well obferved by Pythagoras, that ability
and neceflity dwell near each other.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 154.
ACCIDENT.
In every performance, perhaps in every great
character, part is the gift of nature, part the con
tribution of accident, and part, very often not the
greateft part, the efFecl: of voluntary election and
regular defign.
Memoirs of the King of Pruflia, p. joo.
ANTI-
ANTICIPATION.
Whatever advantage we fnatch beyond a cer
tain portion allotted us by nature, is like money
fpent before it is due, which at the time of regu
lar payment, will be miffed and regretted.
Idler, vol. z> p, 35.
APPLAUSE.
It frequently happens that applaufe abates dili
gence. Whoever finds himielf to have performed
more than was demanded, will be contented to
fpare the labour of unnecefiary performances, and
fit down to enjoy at eafe his fuperfluities of ho
nour. But long intervals of pleafure diffipate
attention and weaken conftancy; nor is it eafy for
him that has funk from diligence into floth, to
roufe out of his lethargy, to recollect his notions,
re-kindle his curiofity, and engage with his for
mer ardour in the toils of fludy.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 34.
ART.
The nobleft beauties of art are thofe of which
the effect is extended with rational nature, or
at leaft, with the whole circle of poliihed life:
What is lefs than this can only be pretty, the
plaything of faihion, and the amufement of a day.
Life of Weft.
APPEARANCES, (often deceitful)
In the condition of men, it frequently happens
that grief and anxiety lie hid under the golden
robes of profperity, and the gloom of calamity is
"cheered by lecret radiations or hope and comfort ;
C 3 as
( 3 5
as in the works of nature the bog is fometimes
covered with flowers, and the mine concealed in
the barren crags.
Rambler, vol. 3,?, 135.
ARMY,
An army, efpecially a defenfive army, multi
plies itfelf. The contagion of enterprize fpreads
from one heart to another ; zeal for a native, or
deteftation for a foreign fovereign, hope of fudden
greatnefs or riches, friendfhip or emulation be
tween particular men, or what are perhaps more
general and powerful, defire of novelty, and im
patience of inactivity, fill a camp with adventurers,
add rank to rank, and fquadron to fquadron.
Memoirs of the King of Prufila, p. u8
APHORISMS.
We frequently fall into error and folly, not
becaufe the true principles of action are not known,
but becaufe, for a time, they are not remembered :
he may therefore juftly be numbered among the
benefa&ors of mankind, who contracts the great
rules of life into fhort ientences that may be eafily
impreiTed on the memory, and taught by frequent
recollection to recur habitually to the mind.
Rambler, vol. 4, p. 84.
AXIOMS.
Pointed axioms, and acute replies, fly loofe
about the world, and are affigned fucceffively to
thofe whom it may be the falhion to celebrate.
Life of Waller.
BOOKS.
( 3* )
B.
BOOKS.
Such books as make little things too import anf,
may be confidered as fhewing the world under a
falfe appearance, and fo far as they obtain credit
from the young and inexperienced, as mifleading
expectation, and mifguiding practice.
Life of Waller.
He that merely makes a book from books^ may
be ufeful, but can fcarcely be great.
Life of Butler.
That book is good in vain which the reader
throws away. He only is the mafter who keeps
the mind in pleafmg captivity ; whofe pages are
perufed with eagernefs, and in hope of new plea-
lure are perufed again ; and whofe conclufion is
perceived with an eye of forrow, fuch as the tra
veller cafts upon departing day.
Life of Dryden,
" Books" fays Bacon, " can never teach the ufe of
books". The ftudent mud learn by commerce
with mankind to reduce his fpeculations to prac
tice, and accommodate his knowledge to the pur-
pofes of life.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 189.
No man mould think fo highly of himfelf as to
imagine he could receive no lights from books,
nor fo meanly, as to believe he can clifcover no
thing but what is to be learned from them.
Life of Dr, Boerhave, p. 229.
C 4 Books
( 3* >
Books are faithful repertories, which may be a
while neglected or forgotten, but when they are
opened again, will again impart their inftrudtion.
Memory once interrupted is not to be recalled.
Written learning is a fixed luminary, which, after
the cloud that had hidden it is paft away, is
again bright in its proper fration. Tradition is
but a meteor, which, if it once falls, cannot be
rekindled.
Wefiern Minds, p. 259.
When a language begins to teem with books,
it is tending to refinement, as thofe who under
take to teach others muft have undergone fome
labour in improving themfelves ; they let a pro
portionate value on their own thoughts, and wifh
to enforce them by efficacious expreiiions. Speech
becomes embodied and permanent; different modes
and phrafes are compared, and the befl obtain an
eftabiimment. By degrees one age improves
upon another ; exadtnefs is firft obtained and af
terwards elegance. But diction merely vocal is
always in its childhood : as no man leaves his
eloquence behind him, the new generations have
all to learn. There may poffibly be books with
out a polifhed language, but there can be no po-
lilhed language without books.
Ibid, p, 268.
There are books only known to antiquaries and
collectors, which are fought becaufe they are
fcarce ; but they would not have been fcarce had
they been much efteemed.
Preface to Shakfpeare, p. 126.
BENEFITS.
It is not necefTary to refufe benefits from a bad
man, when the acceptance implies no approbation
of
( 33 )
of his crimes: nor has the fubordinate officer any
obligation to examine the opinions or condudt of
thofe under whom he ats, except that he may
.not be made the inftrument of wickednefs.
Life of Acdifon*
BURLESQUE.
Burlefque confifts in a difproportion between
the flyle and the fentiments, or between the ad
ventitious fcntiments and the fundamental fubje6L
It therefore, like all bodies compounded of hetero
geneous parts, contains in it a principle of cor
ruption. All difproportion is unnatural, and from
what is unnatural we can derive only the pleafure
which novelty produces. We admire it a while
as a frrange thing; but when it is no longer
frrange, we perceive its deformity. It is a kind
of artifice, which, by frequent repetition, dete&s
itfelf $ and the reader, learning in time what he is
to expedt, lays down his book ; as the fpeclator
turns a A ay from a fecond exhibition of thofe tricks,
of which the only ufe is, to fhew that they can be
played.
LifeofButlet.
BEAUTY.
If the opinion of Bacon be thought to deferve
much regard, very few fighs would be vented for
eminent an \ fuperlative elegance of form. " For
beautiful women (fays he) are feldom of any great
accomplifhments, becaufe they, for ',he moil part,
ftudy behaviour rather than virtue."
RambUr, voj, i, p. 230.
C We
( 34* )
We recommend the care of their nobler part to
women, and tell them how little addition is made,
by all their arts, to the graces of the mind. But
when was it known that female goodnefs or know
ledge was able to attract that officioufnefs, or in-
ipire that ardour, which beauty produces whenever
it appears ?.
Ibid. vol. 2, p, 74.
The bloom and foftnefs of the female fex are
not to be expected among the lower clafTes of life,
whofe faces are expofed to the rudenefs of the cli
mate, and whofe features are fometime's contradted
by want, and fometimes hardened byblafts. Su
preme beauty is feldom found in cottages, or
workshops, even where no real hardfhips are fuf-
fered. To expand the human face to its full per
fection, it feems neceflary that the mind fhould
co-operate by placidnefs of content, or confciouf-
nefs of fuperiority.
Weftern Iflands, p. 190.
Beauty is fo little fubjecl: to the examination of
reafon, that Pafchal fuppofes it to end where de-
monftration begins, and maintains that, without
incongruity and abfurdity, we cannot fpeak of geo
metrical beauty.
Rambler, vol. 2, p, 219.
Beauty is well known to draw after it the per-
fccutions of impertinence ; to incite the artifices
of envy, and to raife the flames of unlawful love;
yet among ladies whom prudence or modeity have
made moft eminent, who has ever complained of
the inconveniences of an amiable form, or would
have purchafed fafcty by the lofs of charms ?
Ibid. vol. 3, p, 35.
It
( 35 )'
It requires but little acquaintance with the heart,
to know that woman's firft wifh is to be hand-
fome ; and that confequently the readieft method
of obtaining her kindnefs is to praife her beauty.
Ibid, vol. 4, p, 159.
As we are more accuftomed to beauty than de
formity, we may conclude that to be the reafon
why we approve and admire it, as we approve
and admire cuftoms and fafhions of drefs, for no
other reafon than that we are ufed to them : fo that
though habit and cuftom cannot be faid to be the
caufe of beauty, it is certainly the caufe of our
liking it.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 167.
In the works of nature, if we compare one fpe-
cies with another, all are equally beautiful, and
preference is given from cuftom, or fome afTocla-
tion of ideas ; and in creatures of the fame fpecies,
beauty is the medium, or centre, of all its various
forms.
Ibid. p. 172.
Beauty without kindnefs dies unenjoyed, and
undelighting.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. I, p. 191.
Neither man nor woman will have much diffi
culty to tell how beauty makes riches plcafant^ ex
cept by declaring ignorance of what every one
knows, and confeffing irifenfibility of what every
one feels.
Ibid. vol. 2, p. 76.
It is an obfervation countenanced by Shake-
fpeare, and fome of our beft writers, that no wo-*
C 6 man
man can ever be offended with the mention of her
beauty.
Ibid, vol./, F* l ^'
THE DANGER OF BEAUTY.
The teeming mother, anxious for her race,
Begs for each birth the fortune of a face ;
Yet Vane could tell what ills from Beauty fpring,
And Sedley curs'd the form that pleas'd a king.
Ye nymphs of rofy lips and radiant eyes,
Whom pleafure keeps too bufy to be wife ;
Whom joys with foft varieties invite,
By day the frolic, and the dance by night ;
Who frown with vanity, who fmile with art,
And afk the latetl famion of the heart ;
W r hat care, what rules, your heedlefs charms mail
fave,
Each nymph your rival, and each youth your flave 2
Againit your fame with fondnefs, hate combines,
The rival batters, and the lover pines.
With diftant voice neglecled Virtue calls,
Lefs heard and lefs, the faint remonftrance falls :
Tir'd with contempt (he quits the flipp'ry reign,
And Pride and Prudence take her feat in vain ;
In crowds at once, where none the pafs defend,
The harmlefs freedom and the private friend.
The guardians yield by force fuperior pli'd,
By int'relt, Prudence; and by flatt'ry, Pride:
Now Beauty falls betray 'd, defpis'd, diilrert,
And hiffing infamy proclaims the reit.
Vanity of Human Wishes,
BIOGRAPHY.
There has, perhaps, rarely patted a life, of which
a judicious and faithful narrative would not be ufe-
fal. For not only every man has, in the mighty
.jnafs of the world, great numbers in the fame
condition
( 37 )
condition with himfelf, to whom his miftakes and
rnifcarriages, efcapes and expedient?, would be of
immediate and apparent ufe ; but there is fuch an
uniformity in the /rate of man, confidered apart
from adventitious and feparable decorations and
difguifes, that there is fcarce any pofiibility of
good or ill but is common to human, kind.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 37.
The neceffity of complying with times, and of
fparing perfon?, is the great impediment of biogra
phy. Hiftory may be formed from permanent mo*
numents and records, but live : can only be written
from perfonal knowledge, which is growing every
day lefs, and in a fliort time is loft for ever.
What is known can feldom be immediately told,
and when it might be told, is no longer known.
Life of Addifon.
The writer, of his own life has at lead the flrlt
qualification of an hiftorian, the knowledge of the
truth ; and though it may plaufibly be objected,
that his temptations to difguife it, are equal to his
opportunities of knowing it, yet it cannot but be
thought, that impartiality may be expected with
equal confidence from him that relates the paffages
of his own life, as from him that delivers the
tranfa&ions of another. What is collected by
conjecture (and by conjecture only can one man
judge of another's motives or fentiments) is eatlly
modified by fancy or defire; as objects imperfectly
difcerned take forms from the hope or fear of the
beholder. But that which is fully known cannot
be falfified but with reluctance of underftanding,
and alarm of confcience j of underflanding, the
loves
( 38 )
lover of truth jof confcience, the fentinel of vir
tue.
Idler, vol. 2, p, 281,
BUSTLERS.
There is a kind of men who may be claffed un
der the name vibuftlcrs, whofe bujinefs keeps them
in perpetual motion, yet whofe motion always eludes
their bufinefs ; who are always to do what they ne
ver do ; who cannot ftand ftill becaufe they are
wanted in another place, and who are wanted in
many places becaufe they can ftay in none.
Ibid. vol. x, p. 104,
BENEVOLENCE.
That benevolence is always ftrongeft which
arifes from participation of the fame pleafures,
firice we are naturally moft willing to revive in
our minds the memory of perfons with whom the
idea of enjoyment is connected.
Rambler, vol. 2, p. 267.
Men have been known to rife to favour and to
fortune only by being fkilful in the fports with
which their patron happened to be delighted, by
concurring with his tafte for fome particular fpe-
cies of curiofities, by reliihing the fame wine, or
applauding the fame cookery.
Ibid. P . 268.
Even thofe whom wifdom and virtue have
placed above regard to fuch petty recommenda
tions, muft neverthelefs be gained by fimilitude of
manners. The higheft and nobleft enjoyment of
familiar life, the communication 'of knowledge
and reciprocation of fentiments, muft- always pre-
fuppofe
( 39 )
fuppofe a difpofition to the fame. enquiry, and de
light in the fame difcoveries.
Ibid.
BUSINESS.
Whoever is engaged in a multiplicity of bufi-
nefs, muft tranfact much by fubftitution, and leave
fomething to hazard ; and he that attempts to do
all, will wafte his life in doing little.
Idler, vol. i, p. 107.
It very feldom happens to a man that his bufi-
nefs is his pleafure. What is done from neceffity,
is fo often to be done when againft the prefent in
clination, and fo often fills the mind with anxiety,
that an habitual diflike fteals upon us, and we
fhrink involuntarily from the remembrance of our
tafk. This is the- reafon why almoft every one
wifhes to quit his employment : he does not like
another Hate, but is difgufted with his own.
Ibid, vol.2, p. 275.
NATURAL BOUNTIES.
If the extent of the human view could compre
hend the whole frame of the univerfe, perhaps it
would be found invariably true, that Providence
has given that'in greateft plenty, which the condi
tion in life makes of greateft ufe; and that nothing
is penuriOufly imparted, or placed from the reach
of man, of which a more liberal diftribution, or a
more ealy acquifition, would encreafe real and ra
tional felicity,
Ibid, volt i, p. 206*
C.
CONFIDENCE.
Confidence is the common confequence of fuo
cefs. They whofe excellence of any kind has
been loudly celebrated, are ready to conclude that
their powers are univerfal.
Preface to Shakefpcare, p. 49.
Self-confidence is the firft requifite to great un
dertakings, yet he who forms his opinion of him-
felf, without knowing the powers of other men, is
very liable to error.
Life of Pope.
It mny be no lefs dangerous to claim, on cer
tain oceafions, too liule than too much. There
is fome thing captivating Li fpirit and intrepidity,
to which we often yield as to a refifllcfs power ;
nor can he reafonably expect the confidence of
others, who too apparently diftrufts himfelf.
r, vol. i, p. 3.
There would be fewenterprizes of great labour
or hazard undertaken, if we had not the power of
magnifying the advantages which we perfuade
ourfelves to expect from them.
Ibid. p. 9.
Men who have great confidence in their own
penetration, are often, by that confidence deceiv
ed ; they imagine they can pierce through all the in
volutions of intrigue without the diligence neceflary
to weaker minds, and therefore fit idle and fecure.
They
( 4* )
They believe that none can hope to deceive them*'
therefore that none will try.
Memoirs of the King of Pruflla, p. 122,
Nothing is mere fatal to happinefs or virtue
than that confidence which Ratters us with an
opinion of our own (Irength, and, by affuring us
of the power of retreat, precipitates us into ha
zard.
Idler, vol. i, p. 292.
Whatever might be a man's confidence in his
dependants or followers, on general occafions,
there are fome of fuch particular importance, he
ought to truft to none but himfelf, as the fame
credulity that might prevail upon him to truft
another, might induce another to commit the fame
office to a third, and at length, that fome of them
may be deceived.
Life of Drake, p. 198,
Men overpowered with diftrefs eagerly liften to
the firft offers of relief, clofe with every fcheme,
and believe every promife. He that has no longer
any confidence in himfelf, is glad to repofe his
truft in any other that will undertake to guide
him.
Ibid. p. 340.
COMMERCE.
Commerce, however we may pleafe ourfelves
with the contrary opinion, is one of the daughters
of fortune, inconftant and deceitful as her mother.
She choofes her refidencq where Ihe is leaft ex-
( 42 )
pe&ed, and {hifts her abode when her continuance
is, in appearance, mqft firmly fettled.
Univerfal Vifiter, p. 112*
Where there is no commerce nor manufacture^
he that is born poor can fcarcely become rich ;
and if none are able to buy eftates, he that is born
to land, cannot annihilate his family by felling it.
Weftern Iflands, p. 194.
It may deferve to be enquired, Whether a great
nation ought to be totally commercial ? Whether,
amidft the uncertainty of human affairs, too much
attention to one mode of happinefs may not en
danger others ? Whether the pride of riches muft
not fometimes have recourfe to the protection
of courage ? And whether, if it be necefTary to
preferve in fome part of the empire the military
fpirit, it can fubfift more commodioufly in any
place than in remote and unprofitable provinces,
where it can commonly do little harm, and whence
it may be called forth at any fudden exigence ?
It muft however be confefled, that a man who
places honour only in fuccefsful violence, is a
very troublefome and pernicious animal in time of
peace, and that the martial character cannot pre
vail in a whole people, but by the diminution of
all other virtues. He that is accuftomed to re-
folve all right into conqueft, will have very little
tendemefs or equity. All the friendfhip in fuch a
life can be only a confederacy of invafion, or alli
ance of defence. The ftrong muft flourifh by
force, and the weak fubfift by ftratagem.
Ibid. p. s jo & ail.
COM-
( 43 )
COMPLAISANCE.
There are many arts of gracioufnefs and conci
liation which are to be practifed without expence,
and by which thofe may be made our friends, who
have never received from us any real benefit.
Such arts, when they include neither guilt nor
meannefs, it is furely reafonable to learn ; for who
would want that love which is fo eaiily to be
gained ?
Rambler, vol.2, p. 16.
The univerfal axiom in which all complaifance
is included, and from which flow all the formali
ties which cuftom has eftablifhed in civilized na-
^tions, is, " That no man fhould give any prefe
rence to himfelf," a rule fo comprehenfive and
certain, that perhaps it is not eafy for the mind to
imagine an incivility without fuppofmg it to be
broken.
Ibid. p. a6z.
There are, indeed, in every place, fome parti
cular modes of the ceremonial part of good breed
ing, which being arbitrary and accidental, can be
learned only by habitude andconverfation. Such
are the forms of falutation, the different gradations
of reverence, and all the adjuftments of place and
precedence. Thefe, however, may be often violated
without offence, if it be fufficiently evident that
neither maiice nor pride contributed to the failure,
but will not atone, however rigidly obferved, for
the tumour of infolence, or petulance of contempt.
Ibid. p. z6z.
Wifdom and virtue are by no means fufficienf,'
without the fupplemental laws of good breeding,
to
( 44 )
to fecure freedom from degenerating into rude-
riefs, or felf-efteem from fwelling into infolence.
A thoufand incivilities may be committed, and a
thoufand offices nsgle&ed, without any lemorfe of
confcience, or reproach from reafon.
Ibid* p. 261*
If we would have the kindnefs of other?, we
muft endure their follies. He who cannot per-
fuade himfeif to withdraw from fociety, mufl be
content to pay a tribute of his time to a multitude
of tyrants. To the loiterer, who makes appoint
ments which he never keeps ; to tne confulter,
who afks advice which he never takes ; to the
boafler, who blufters only to be praifed ; to the
complainer, who whines only to be pitied ; to the
projector, whofe happinefsis to entertain his friends
with expectations, which all but himfeif know to
be vain j to the ceconomift, who tells of bargains
and fettlements ; to the politician, who predicts
the fate of battles and breach of alliances ; to the
ufurer, who compares the different funds ; and to
the talker, who talks only becaufe he loves to be
talking.
Idler, vol. i, p. 8o
SELF-COMPLACENCY.
He that is pleafed with himfeif, eafily imagines
he fhall pleafe others.
Life of Pope.
CHARITY.
Charity would lofe its name were it influenced
by fo mean a motive as human praife.
Introouftion to the Proceedings of the Commit
tee tot Clothing French Prilonert, p. 158.
To
( 45 )
To do the bed can feldom be the lot of man
It is fuHicient if, wh;.n opportunities are prefcnted,
he is ready to do good. How little virtue coula
be praHfea if beneficence were to wait alwayj for
the moft proper objects, and the nobleit occa-
fions ; occalions that may never happen, and ob
jects that may never be found?
Ibid, p, 159.
That Chanty is beft of which the confequences
are moft exteniive.
Ibid.
Of Charity it is fuperfluous to obferve, that it
could have no place if there were no want ; for
of a virtue which could not be practifed, the omif-
flon could not be culpable. i,vil is not only the
occafional, but the efficient, caufe of charity. We
are incited to the relief of mifery, by the con-
fcioufnefs that we have the fame nature with the
fufFerer ; that we are in danger of the fame dif-
trefTes j and may foaietime implore the fame af-
fiftance.
Idler, vol. a, p. 109.
CHARITY TO CAPTIVES.
The relief of enemies has a tendency to unite
mankind in fraternal afFeclion, to foften the acri
mony of adverfe nations, and difpofe them to peace
and amity. In the mean time it alleviates capti
vity, and takes away fomething from the miferies
of war. The rage of war, however mitigated,
will always fill the world with calamity and horror.
Let it not then be unneceflarily extended : let
animofity and hoflility ceafe together, and no man
be
( 46 }
be longer deemed an enemy than while his fword
is drawn againft us.
Introduction to the Proceedings of the Commit
tee for Clothing French Prifoners, p. 1 59.
CENSURE.
Cenfure is willingly indulged, becaufe it always
implies fome fuperiority. Men pleafe themfelves
with imagining that they have made a deeper fearch,
or wider furvey than others, and detected faults
and follies which efcape vulgar obfervation.
Rambler, vol. i, p, 7.
Thofe who raife envy will eafily incur cenfure.
Idler, vol. i, p. 78.
'CUSTOM.
Eftablifhed cuftom is not eafily broken, till fome
great event fhakes the whole fyftem of things, and.
life feems to re-commence upon new principles.
Weftern Iflands, p, 18.
Cuftom is commonly too ftrong for the moft
refolute refolver, though furnifhed for the aflault
with all the weapons of philofophy. " He that
endeavours to free himfelf from an il] habit (fays
Bacon) muft not change too much at a time, left
he fhould be difcouraged by difficulty ; nor too
little, for then he will make but flow advances."
Idler, 1 vol. j, p. 152*
To advife a man unaccuftomed to the eyes of
the multitude, to mount a tribunal .without per
turbation ; to tell him, whofe life has patted in the
fhades of contemplation, that he muft not be dif*
concerted or perplexed in receiving and returning
the
( 47 )
the compliments of a fplendid afiembly, is to ad-'
vife an inhabitant of Brazil or Sumatra not to
ihiver at an Englifh winter, or him who has al
ways lived upon a plain, to look from a precipice
without emotion. It is to fuppofe cuftom inftan-
taneoufly controllable by reafon, and to endeavour-
to communicate by precept, that which only time
and habit can beftow.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 317.
CHEATS.
Cheats can feldom ftand long againft laughter.
Life of Butler.
CHARACTERS.
In cities, and yet more in courts, the minute
difcriminations of character, which diftinguifli one
man from another, are, for the moil part, ef
faced. The peculiarities of temper and opinion
are gradually worn away by promifcuous converfe,
as angular bodies and uneven furfac.es lofe their
points and afperities, by frequent attrition againft
one another, and approach by degrees to uniform
rotundity.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 792.
The opinions of every man muft be learned'
from himfelf. Concerning his practice it is fafeft
to truft the evidence of others,. t Where thofe tef-
timonies concur, fib higher degree of certainty
can be obtained of his character.
Life of Sir Thomas Browne, p. 286.
To get a name 'can happen but to few. A
name., even iiv the moft commercial nation, is one
of ike few things which cannot be bought 5 it is
the
( 48 )
the free gift of mankind, which muft be deferred
before it will be granted, and is at laft unwillingly
bellowed.
Idler, vol. i, p. 66.
The exhibition of cbarafitr is the firft requifite
jn dramatic fable.
Univerfal Vifiter, p. 118.
CHANCE.
There are few minds fufficiently firm to be
trufted in the hands of chance. Whoever finds
himfelf to anticipate futurity, and exalt pofiibility
to certainty, mould avoid every kind of cafual ad
venture, fmce his grief muft be always proper*
tionate to his hope.
Rambler, vol.4, P* J1 ^
The moft timorous prudence will not always
exempt a man from the dominion of chaace ; a
fubtle and infidious power, who will fometimes
intrude upon the greateft privacy, and embarrafs
the ftri&eft caution.
Ibid. p. 132.
Whatever is left in the hands of chance muft be
fubjet to vicifiitude, and when any eftablimment
is found to be ufeful, it ought to be the next care
to make it permanent.
Idler, vol. i, p. 21.
COMPLAINT.
What cannot be repaired is not to be regretted.
Prince of Abyfiinia, p. 29.
The ufual fortune of complaint, is to excite
contempt more than pity.
Life of Cowley.
To
( 49 )
To hear complaints with patience, even when
complaints are vain, is one of the duties of frienri-
ihip : and though it muft be allowed, that he fuf-
fers molt like a hero who hides his grief in filence,
yet it cannot be denied, that he who complains,
a&s like a man like a focial being, who looks
for help from his fellow-creatures.
Rambler, vol. z t p. 35.
Though feldom any good is gotten by com
plaint, yet we find few forbear to complain but
hofe who are afraid f being reproached as the
authors of their own miferies.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 137,
CALAMITY.
The ftate of the mind opprefled with a fuddeii
calamity is like that of the fabulous inhabitants of
the new created earth, who, when the firft night
came upon them, fuppofed that day would never
return.
Prince of Abyflinia, p. an.
Differences are never fo effectually laid afleep,
as by fome common calamity. An enemy unites
all to whom he threatens danger.
Rambler, vol. z, p. 150.
He that never was acquainted with adverfity,
[fays Seneca) has feen the world but on one fiae y
and is ignorant of half the fcenes of nature. As no
man can enjoy happinefs without thinking that he
enjoys it, the experience of calamity is neceflary to
a juft fenfe of better fortune ; for the good of our
prefent ftate is merely comparative j and the evil
which every man feels will be fuffieient to diilurb
D and
( So )
and harrafs him, if he does not know how much
he efcapes. The luftre of diamonds is invigorated
bv the interpofition of darker bodies ; the lights of
a'pi&ure are created by the" 1 (hades.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 265 & 267.
}4otwith (land ing the warnings of philofophers,
and the daily examples of lories and misfortunes
which life forces upon our obfervation, fuch is the
abforption of our thoughts in the bufmefs of the
prefent day, fuch the refignatioii of our reafon to
empty hopes of future felicity, or fuch our un-
willingnefs to forefee what we dread, that every
calamity comes fuddenly upon us, and not only
prefles us as a burden, but crufhes as a blow.
Idler, vol. i, p. 229.
. The diftance of a calamity from the prefent
time feems to preclude the mind from contact, or
fympathy. Events long paft, are barely known j
they are not confidered.
Weftern Iflands, p. 15.
CARE.
Care will fometimes betray to the appearance of
negligence. He that is catching opportunities
which feldom occur, will fufFer thofe to pafs by
unregarded which he experts hourly to return ; and
he that is fearching for remote things will neglect
thofe that are obvious.
Preface to Di&ionary, fol. p. 8.
CHOICE.
The caufes of good and evil are fo various and
uncertain, fo often entangled with each other, fo
diverfified by various relations, and fo much fub-
jed: to accidents which cannot be forefeen, that he
who would fix his condition upon inconteftible
reafons
reafons of preference, multlive and die enquiring
and deliberating.
Prince of Abyfiinia, p. 109.
CLEANLINESS.
There is a kind of anxious cleanlinefs, which
is always a char acleri flic of a flattern ; it is the
fuperfluous fcrupulofity of guilt, dreading difcovery
and munning fufpicion. It is the violence of an
effort agatnft habit, which being impelled by ex
ternal motives, cannot ftop at the middle point.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 58.
CHANGE.
AH change is of itfelf an evil, which ought
not to be hazarded but for evident advantage.
Plan of an English Dictionary, p. 37.
All change, not evidently for the better, alarms
a mind taught by experience to diftruft itfelf.
Vifion of Theodore, p. 81.
CONSCIENCE.
Tranquillity and guilt, disjoin'd by Heav'n,
Still ftretch in vain their longing arms afar,
Nor dare to pafs th' infuperable bound.
Irene, p. 4?.
CAPTIVITY.
The man whofe mifcarriage in a juft caufe hus
put him in the power of his enemy, may, without
any violation of his integrity, regain his liberty or
preferve his life, by a promife of neutrality ; for
the ftipulation gives the enemy nothing which he
had not before. The neutrality of a captive may
be always fecured by his imprifonment or death.
D 2 He
( 5* )
He that is at the difpofal of another, may not pro*
mife to aid him in any injurious aft, becaufe no
power can compel acStive obedience. He may en
gage to do nothing, but not to do ill.
Life of Cowlcy.
COMPETENCY.
A competency ought to fecure a man from po
verty ; or, if he waftes it, make him afhatned of
publifhing his neceffities.
Life of Dryden
CONTEMPT.
Contempt is a kind of gangrene, which, if it
feizes one part of a charater, corrupts all the reft
by degrees.
Life of BJackmora*
CIVILITY.
The civilities of the great are never thrown
away.
Memoirs of the K. of Pruflia, p. 107.
CONTENT.
The foundation of content mufl fpring up in a
man's own mind; and he who has fo little know
ledge of human nature as to feek happinefs by
changing any thing but his own difpofttion, will
wafte his life in fruitlefs efforts, and multiply the
griefs which he purpofes to remove.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 35,
The neceflity of erecting ourfelves to feme de
gree of intellectual dignity, and of preferving re-
fources of pleafure which may not be wholly at the
mercy of accident, is never more apparent than
when
( 53 )
when we turn our eyes upon thofe whom fortune
has let loofe to their own conduct ; who, not be
ing chained down by their condition to a regular
and ftated allotment of their hours, are obliged to
find themfelves bufmefs or diverfion, and, having
nothing within that can entertain or employ them,
are compelled to try all the arts of deftroying
time.
The general remedy of thofe who are uneafy
without knowing the caufe, is CHANGE OF PLACE.
They are willing to imagine that their pain is the
confequence of fome local inconvenience, and
endtavour to fly from it as children from their
fhadows, always hoping for fome more fatisfa&ory
delight from every netvfcene, and always returning
home with difappointment and complaint. Such
refemble the expedition of cowards, who, for want
of venturing to look behind them, think the ene
my perpetually at their he^ls.
Rambler, vol. j, p, 31, 31, & 34.
CONSOLATION,
No one ought to remind another of misfortunes
of which the fufferer does not complain, and which
there are no means propofed of alleviating. We
have no right to excite thoughts which neceflarily
give pain, whenever they return, and which per
haps might not have revived but by abfurd and un-
feafonable companion.
Rambler, vol. 2, p. 122.
Nothing is more offenfive to a mind convinced
that its diftrefs is without a remedy, and preparing
to jfubmit quietly to irrefiilible calamity, than thofe
D 3 petty
( 54 )
petty and conjectured comforts which unfldlful of-
iicioufnefs thinks it virtue to adminifter.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 5, p. 197.
CURIOSITY.
Curiofity, like all other defires, produces pain
as well as pleafure.
Rambler, vol.4, P- 8.
Curiofity is one of the permanent and certain
charafterifHcs of a vigorous intellect. Every ad
vance into knowledge opens new profpec~ts, and
produces new incitements to further progrefs.
Rambler, vol. 2, p. 287.
Curiofity is the thirfl of the foul ; it inflames
and torments us, and makes us tafle every thing
with joy, however otherwife infipid, by which it
may be quenched.
Ibid. p. 289.
There is no fnare more dangerous to bufy and
excurfive minds than the cobwebs of petty inqulfitive-
nefs, which entangle them in trivial employments
and minute ftudies, and detain them in a middle ftate
between the tedioufnefs of total inactivity and the
fatigue of laborious efforts, enchant them at once
with eafe and novelty, and vitiate them with the
luxury of learning. The neceffity of doing fome-
thing, and the fear of undertaking much, finks the
hiftorian to a genealogift ; the philofopher to a
journalift of the weather; and the mathematician
to a constructor of dials.
Ibid. p. 290.
Favours of ever y kind are doubled when they
are fpeedily conferred. This is particularly true
of
( ss )
of the gratification of CURIOSITY. He that long
delays a ftory, and fuffers his auditor to torment
himfelf with expectation, will feldom be able to
recompenfe the uneafmefs, or equal the hope which
v he fufFers to be raifed.
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 188.
CRITICISM.
The eye of the intellect, like that of the body,
is not equally perfect in all, nor equally adapted
in any to all objects. The end of Criticifm is to
fupply its defects. Rules are the inftruments of
mental viilon, which may, indeed, affifl our facul
ties when properly ufed, but produce confufion
and obfcurity by unfkilful application.
Ibid. p. 91.
In Criticifm, as in every other art, we fail fome-
times by our weaknefs, but more frequently by
our fault. We are fometimes bewildered by ig
norance, and fometimes by prejudice, but we fel
dom deviate far from the right, but when we de
liver ourfelves up to the direction of vanity.
Ibid. p. 92.
Whatever is much read will be much criticifed.
Life of Sir T, Browne, p. 257.
An account of the labours and productions of
the learned was for a long time among the defici
encies of Englifh literature ; but as the caprice of
man is always ftarting from too little to too much,
we have now, among other difturbers of human
quiet, a numerous body of reviewers and re-
markers.
Preliminary Difcourfe to the London Chronicle, p. 156.
D 4 He
( 56 )
He who is taught by a critic to diflike that
which pleafed him in his natural ftate, has the
fame reaibn to complain of his inftruc~tor, as the
madman to rail at his Dotor, who, when he
thought himfelf mafter of Peru, phyficked him to
poverty.
Idler, vol. i, p. 1 6.
No genius was ever blafted by the breath of
critics ; the pclfon, which, if confined, would
have burft the heart, fumes away in empty hiiles,
and malice is fet at eafe with very little danger to
merit.
Ibid. vol. 2, p. 40.
The critic will be led but a little way towards
the juft eftimation of the fublime beauties in works
of genius, who judges merely by rules ; for what
ever part of an art that can be executed or criti-
cifed thus, that part is no longer the work of ge
nius, which implies excellence out of the reach of
rules.
Ibid. p. 130.
That reading may generally be fufpe&ed to be
right) which requires many words to prove it
wrong ; and the emendation wrong, which cannot
without fo much labour appear to be right.
Preface to Shakefpeare, p. 66.
Every man acquainted with critical emenda
tions, muft fee how much eafier they are destroyed
than made, and how willingly every man would
be changing the text, if his imagination would
furnifh alterations.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. i, p. 20.
When
( 57 )
When there are two ways of fetting a pafTage
in an author right, it gives reafon to fufpect that
there may be a third way better than either.
Ibid. vol. 2, p. 381.
The coinage of new words in emendatory cri-
ticifm is a violent remedy, not to be ufed but in
the laft neceffity.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 40.
In the chafms of old writings, which cannot be
filled up with authority, attempting to reftore the
words is impoffible ; all that can be done without
copies, is to note the fault.
Ibid. p. 387.
There is no reafon for critics to perfecute their
predecefTors with fuch implacable anger as they
fometimes do. The dead, it is true, can make no
refiftance ; they may be attacked with great fecu-
rity ; but, fince they can neither feel, nor mend,
the fafety of mauling them feems greater than the
pleafure. Nor, perhaps, would it much mifbe-
feem them to remember, that amidft all our tri
umphs over the rionjenficdl and thefenfelefs^ that we
likewife are men, and as Swift obferved to Bur-
net, " fhall foon be among the dead ourfelves."
Ibid. vol. io> p. 293.
To choofe the beft among many gaod, is one of
the moft hazardous attempts of criticifm.
Life of
What Baudiusfaysof Erafmus feems applicable
to many (critics) : Ma^is habuit quod fugeret^ quam
D 5 quod
( 58 )
qtiod fequeretur. They determine rather what to
condemn than what to approve.
Life of Milton.
In trufting to the fentence of a critic, we arc
in danger, not only from that vanity which exalts
writers too often to the dignity of teaching what
they are yet to learn, but from that negligence
which fometimes fteals upon the moft vigilant
caution, and that fallibility to which the condition
of nature has fubjected every human underftanding,
but from a thoufand extrinfic and accidental caufes,
from every thing which can excite kindnefs or ma
levolence, veneration or contempt.
Rambler, vol.2, p. 228.
Critics, like all the reft of mankind, are very
frequently milled by intereft. The bigotry with
which editors regard the authors whom they il-
1 uft rate -or correct, has been generally remarked.
Dryden was known to have written moft of his
critical difiertations only to recommend the work
upon which he then happened to be employed ;
and Addifon is fufpe&ed to have denied the expe
diency of poetical juftice, becaufe his own Cato
was condemned to periih in a good caufe.
Ibid. p. 229.
There are prejudices which authors, not other-
wife weak or corrupt, have indulged without fcru-
ple ; and perhaps fome of them are fo complicated
with our natural affe&ions, that they cannot eafily
be difentangled from the heart. Scarce any can
hear with impartiality, a .co.nparijon between the
writers of bis o^vn and another country} and though
it cannot, I think, be charged equally on all na
tions,
( 59 )
tions, that they are blinded with this literary pa-
triotifm^ yet there are none that do not look upon
their authors with the fondnefs of affinity, and
efteem them as well for the place of their birtb y
as for their knowledge or their wit.
Ibid. "
The works of a writer whofe genius can em-
bellifh impropriety, and whofe authority can make
error venerable, are proper objects of critical in-
quifition. To expunge faults where there are no
excellences, is a tafk equally ufelefs with that of
the chemift, who employs the arts of feparation
and refinement upon ore in which no precious
metal is contained, to reward his operations.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 198.
Criticifm, though dignified from the earlieft
ages by the labours of men eminent for knowledge
and fagacity, and, fmce the revival of polite lite
rature, the favourite ftudy of European fcholars,
has not yet attained the certainty and Jl ability of
fcience. The rules hitherto received, are feldom
drawn from any fettled principle, or felf-evident
poftulate, or adapted to the natural and invariable
conftitution of things, but will be found, upon ex
amination, the arbitrary edicts of legiflators autho-
rifed only by themfelves, who, out of various
means by which the fame end may be attained,
fele6ted fuch as happened to occur to their own
reflection, and then by a law, which idlenefs and
timidity were too willing to obey, prohibited new
experiments of wit, retrained fancy from the in
dulgence of her innate inclination to hazard and
D 6 adventure,
( 60 )
adventure, and condemned all future flights of ge
nius, to purfue the path of the Meonian eagle.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 310.
For this reafon the laws of every fpecies of
writing have been fettled by the ideas of him who
firft raifed it to reputation, without enquiry whe
ther his performances were not yet fufceptible of
improvement.
IbicI, p. 311.
The care of the theatrical critic fhould be, to
diftinguifh error from inability, faults of inexpe
rience from defects of nature. Action irregular
and turbulent maybe reclaimed ; vociferation ve
hement and confufed maybe reftrained and modu
lated ; the ftalk of the tyrant may become the gait
of a man j the yell of inarticuiute diftrefs may be
reduced to human lamentation. All thefe faults
(hould be, for a time, overlooked, and afterwards
cenfured with gentlenefs and candour. But if in
an actor there appears an utter vacancy of mean
ing, a frigid equality, a ftupid languor, a torpid
apathy, the greateft kindnefs that can be fhewn
him, is a fpeedy fentence of expulfion.
Idler, vol. I, p, 139.
That a proper refpecl: fhould be paid to the rules
of critici fm, will be very readily allowed ; but
there is always an appeal from cnticifm to nature.
Preface to Shakefpeare, p. joz.
This moral precept may be well applied to cri-
ticifm, quoddubitaSy nefeceris.
Ibid. p. 145.
CON*
CONVICT.
Imprifonment is afHi&ive, and ignominious death
is fearful, but let the convift compare his condi
tion with that which his actions might reafonably
have incurred. The robber might have died in
the acl: of violence by lawful refinance. The man
of fraud might have funk into the grave, whilft he
was enjoying the gain of his artifice, and where
then had been their hope ? By imprifoment, even
with the certainty of death before their eyes, they
have leifure for thought ; opportunities for inftruc-
tion ; and whatever they furFer from offended laws,
they may yet reconcile themfelves to God, who,
if he is fmcerely fought for, will moft afluredly
be found.
Convifts Addrefs, p. 12. Generally attributed to the late
Dr. Dodd, bat written for him, whilft under Sentence of
Death, by Dr. Johnfon.
CHILDREN.
It cannot be hoped that out of any progeny,
more than one fhall defer ve to be mentioned.
Life of Roger Afcham, p. 235.
CREDULITY.
We are inclined to believe thofe whom we do
not know, becaufe they never have deceived us.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 157.
Of all kinds of credulity, the moft obftinate and
wonderful is that of political zealots ; of men who
being numbered they know not how, or why, in
any of the parties that divide a ftate, refign the
ufe of their own eyes and ears, and refolve to be
lieve
( 62 )
lieve nothing that does not favour thofe whom
they profefs to follow.
Idler, vol. i, p. 53.
Credulity on one part is a ftrong temptation to
deceit on the other.
Weftern Iflands, p. 276.
COMPILATION.
Particles of fcience are often very widely fcat-
tered. Writers of extenfive comprehenfion have
incidental remarks upon topics very remote from
the principal fubjecl:, which are often^more valua
ble than formal treatifes, and which yet, are not
known becaufe they are not prcmifed in the title.
He that collects thofe under proper heads, is very
laudably employed ; for, though he exerts no great
abilities in the work, he facilitates the progrefs of
others, and by making that eafy of attainment
which is already written, may give fome mind
more vigorous, or more adventurous than his own,
leifure for new thoughts and original defigns.
Ibid, p, 185.
COURT.
It has been always obferved of thofe that fre
quent a court, that they foon, by a kind of con
tagion, catch the regal fpirit of neglecting futu
rity. The minifter forms an expedient to fufpend
or perplex an enquiry into his meafures for a few
months, and applauds and triumphs in his own
dexterity. The peer puts off his creditor for the
prefent day, and forgets that he is ever to fee him
more.
Marmor Norfolcienfe, p, 20.
CUNNING.
( 63 )
CUNNING.
Cunning differs from wifclom as twilight from
open day. He that walks in the fun-fhme, goes
boldly forward by the neareft way ; he fees^that
when the path is itrait and even, he may proceed
in fecurity, and when it is rough and crooked, he
eafily complies with the turns, and avoids the ob
it rudions. But the traveller in the dufk, fears
more as he fees lefs ; he knows there may be dan
ger, and therefore fufpects that he is never fafe,
tries every ftep before he fixes his foot, and mrinks
at every noife, left violence mould approach him.
Cunning dlfcovers little at a time, and has no
other means of certainty than multiplication of
ftratagems, andfuperfluity of fufpicion. Yet men
thus narrow by nature and mean by art, are fome-
times able to rife by the mifcarriages of bravery and
the opennefs of integrity ; and by watching failures
and matching opportunities, obtain advantages
which belong properly to higher characters.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 223 & 227.
COURAGE.
The courage of the Englim vulgar proceeds
from that diffolution of dependence, which obliges
every man to regard his own character. While
every man is fed by his own hand, he has no need
of any fervile arts ; he may always have wages
for his labour, and is no lefs nsceiTary for his em
ployer, than his employer is to him ; while he looks
for no protection from others, he is naturally
roufed to be his own protector, and having no
thing to abate his eiteem of himfelf, he confe-
qucritly afpires to the efteem of others. Thus
every man that crowds our itreets is a man of ho
nour.
C 64 )
nour, difdainful of obligation, impatient of re
proach, and defirous of extending his reputation
among thofe of his own rank ; and as courage is
in moft frequent ufe, the fame of courage is moft
eagerly purfued. From this negleft of fubordina-
tion, it is not to be denied that fome inconve
niences may, from time to time, proceed. The
power of the law does not always Sufficiently fup-
ply the want of reverence, or maintain the proper
diftincrtion, between different ranks ; but good and
evil will grow up in this world together ; and they
who complain in peace, of the infolence of the
populace, mull remember, that their infolence in
peace is bravery in war.
Bravery of English Common Soldiers, p. 3zg,
Perfonal courage is the quality of higher! ef-
teem among a warlike and uncivilized people ;
and with the oftentatious difplay of courage, are
clofely connected promptitude of offence, and
quicknefs of refentment.
Weftern Iflands, p. 99.
We may as eafily make wrong eftimates of our
own courage as our own humility, by miftaking
a fudden effervefcence of imagination for fettled
refolution.
Life of Sir T. Browne, p. aSo*
COMPANION,
There is no man more dangerous than he that,
with a will to corrupt, hath the power to pleafe ;
for neither wit nor honefly ought to think them-
felves fafe with fuch a companion, when they fre
quently fee the beft minds corrupted by them.
Notes upon Shakefp care, vol. 5, p. 612.
There
( 65 )
There are times in which the wife and the
knowing are willing to receive praife, without the
labour of deferving it, in which the moft elevated
mind is willing to defcend, and the moft adive to
be at reft. All therefore are, at fome hour or ano
ther, fond of companions whom they can entertain
upon eafy terms, and who will relieve them from
folitude, without condemning them to vigilance
and caution. We are moft inclined to love when
we have nothing to fear ; and he that encourages
us to pleafe ourfelves, will not be long without
preference in our affection, to thofe whofe learn
ing holds us at the diftance of pupils, or whofe
wit calls all attention from us, and leaves us with
out importance, and without regard.
Rambler, vol. 2, p. 104*
He that amufes himfelf among well-chofen com
panions, can fcarcely fail to receive, from the moft
carelefs and obftreperous merriment which virtue
can allow, fome ufeful hints ; nor can converfe
on the moft familiar topics, without fome cafual
information. The loofe fparkles of thoughtlefs
wit may give new light to the mind, and the gay
contention for paradoxical pofitions rectify the
opinions.
This is the time in which thofe friendmips that
give happinefs or coniblation, relief or fecurity,
are generally formed. A wife and good man is
never fo amiable, as in his unbended and familiar
intervals. Heroic generofity, or philofophical dif-
coveries, may compel veneration and refpeft ; but
love always implies fome kind of natural or vo
luntary equality, and is only to be excited by that
levity and chearfulnefs which difencumbers all
minds
( 66 )
minds from awe and folicitude, invites the modefl
to freedom, and exalts the timorous to confidence.
Ibid. p. 205.
It is difcovered by a very few experiments, that
no man is much pleafed with a companion who
does not increafe, in fome refpedt, his fondnefs
ofhimfelf.
Ibid, p, 295.
CRIMES.
The crime which has been once committed, is
committed again with lefs reluctance.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. z, p. 497.
COPIES COMPARED WITH ORIGINALS.
Copies are known from originals even when
the painter copies his own picture ; fo if an au
thor mould literally translate his he would lofe the
manner of an original. But though copies are
eafily known, good imitations are not detected
with equal certainty, and are by the beft judges
often miftaken. Nor is it true that the writer
has always peculiarities equally diftinguifliable with
thofe of the painter. The peculiar manner of
each arifes from the de-Ire natural to every per
former of facilitating hi? fubfequent works by re
currence to iiis former ideas; this recurrence pro
duces thjt repetition which is called habit. The
painter, whofe work is partly intellectual, and
pai-ily manual, has habits of the mind, the eye,
and the hand : the writer has only habits of the
mind. Yet fome painters have differed as much
from themfelves as from any other ; and it is faid
there is little reiemblance between the firft works
of Rapnuei and the lair..
The
The fame variation may be expected in writers,
and if it be true, as it feems, that they are lefs
fubjeft to habit, the difFerence between their
works may be yet greater.
Ibid. vol. i, p. 123.
COMPLIMENT.
Compliment is, as Armado well exprefles it,
the varnifli of a complete man.
Ibid. vol. 2, p. 385.
No rank in life precludes the efficacy of a well-
timed compliment. When Queen Elizabeth afked
an ambaflador how he liked her ladies, he replied,
" It was hard to judge of flars in the prefence of
the fun."
Ibid. p. 484.
COMPARISON.
Very little of the pain or pleafure which does
not begin and end in ourfelves, is otherwife than
relative. We are rich or poor, great or little, in
proportion to the number that excei us, or fall be
neath us in any of thefe refpects ; and therefore a
man whofe uneafmefs arifes from reflection on any
misfortune that throws him below thofe with
whom he was once equal, is comforted by finding
that he is not yet loweft. Again, when we look
abroad, and behold the multitudes that are groan
ing under evils heavier than thofe which we hav-e
experienced, we fhrink back to our own ftate,
and, inflead of repining that fo much muft be felt,
learn to rejoice that we have not more to f'^l.
By this obfervation of the miferies of others,
fortitude is ftrengthened, and the mind brought to
a more extenfive knowledge of her own powers.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 315.
CITY*
CITY.
There Is fuch a difference between the purfuits
of men in great cities, that one part of the inha
bitants lives to little other purpofe than to wonder
at the reft. Some have hopes and fears, wifhes
and averfions, which never enter into the thoughts
of others ; and enquiry is labourioufly exerted, to
gain that which thofe who poflefs it are ready to
throw away,
Idler, vol. a, p, zo.
COMMUNITY.
There will always be a part, and always a very
large part of every community, that have no care
but for themfelves, and whole care for themfelves
reaches little farther than impatience of immediate
pain, and eagernefs for the neareft good.
Taxation no Tyranny, p. g.
CONVENIENCES.
Conveniences are never mifled, where they
Were never 'enjoyed.
Wcftern Iflands, p. 237,
CONTROVERSY.
Through the mift of controverfy, it can raifc
no wo.>der that the truth is not eafiiy difcovered.
When a quarrel has been long carried on between
individuals, it is often very hard to tell by whom
it was begun. Every fact is darkened by alliance,
by intereit, and by multitudes. Information is
not eafiiy procured from far ; thofe whom the
truth will not favour, will not Hep voluntarily
forth
( 69 )
forth to tell it ; and where there are many agents^
it is eafy for every fmgle a&ion to be concealed.
Obfervations on the State of Affairs, 1756, p. ao
CALUMNY.
As there are to be found in the fervice of envy,
men of every diverfity of temper, and degree of
underftanding, calumny is diffufed by all arts and
methods of propagation. Nothing is too grofs or
too refined, too cruel or too trifling, to be prac-
tifed; very little regard is had to the rules of ho
nourable hoftility, but every weapon is accounted
lawful ; and thofe who cannot make a thruft at
life, are content to keep themfelves in play with
petty malevolence, to teize with feeble blows and
impotent difturbance.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 233.
Thofe who cannot flrike with force, can how
ever poifon their weapon, and weak as they are,
give mortal wounds, and bring a hero to the
grave. So true is that obfervation, u that many
are able to do hurt, but few to do good."
Life of Dr. Boerhave, p. 215,
CAUTION.
There is always a point at which caution, how
ever folicitous, mud limit its prefervatives, becaufe
one terror often counteracts another.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. iz6.
EUROPEAN CONQUESTS.
What mankind has loft and gained by Eu~
ropean conqueftsj it would be long to compare,
and
and very difficult to eftimate. Much knowledge
has been acquired, and much cruelty committed:
the belief of religion has been very little propaga
ted, and its laws have been outrageoufly and enor-
moufly violated. The Europeans have fcarcely
vifited any coaft, but to gratify avarice and ex
tend corruption, to arrogate dominion without
right, and pra<5tife cruelty without incentive. Hap
py had it then been for the opprefled, if the de-
figns of the original invader had flept in his bo-
fom ; and, furely, more happy for the opprefTors !
But there is reafon to hope, that out of much evil
good may be fometimes produced, and that the
light of the gofpel will at laft illuminate the fands
of Africa, and the deferts of America ; though
its progrefs cannot but be flow, when it is fo much
<?bftru6ted by the lives of Chriftians.
Introdudlion to the World Difplayed, p. 178,
D.
DESIRE.
Some defire is neceflary to keep life in motion
and he whole real wants are fupplied, muft admit
thofe of fancy.
Prince of Abyflinia, p. 52.
The defires of man increafe with his acquiil-
tions ; every ftep which he advances brings fome-
thing within his view, which he did not fee be
fore, and which, as foon as he fees it, he begins
to want. Where neceffity ends, curiofity begins ;
and no fooner are we fupplied with every thing
that
that nature can demand, than we fit down to con
trive artificial appetites.
Idler, vol. i, p. 165.
DEATH.
Refleft that life and death, affecting founds !
Are only varied modes of endlefs being :
Reflect that life, like ev'ry other bleffing,
Derives its value from its ufe alone :
Not for itfelf, but for a nobler end,
Th' Eternal gave it, and that end is virtue !
When inconfiftent with a greater good,
Reafon commands to caft the lefs away :
Thus life, with lofs of wealth, is well preferv'd,
And virtue cheaply fav'd with lofs of life.
Irene, p. 41,
The death of great men is not always propor
tioned to their lives. Hannibal, fays Juvenal, did
not perifh by a javelin, or a fword ; the {laughters
of Cannae were revenged by a ring.
Life of Pope.
It was perhaps ordained by Providence, to hin
der us from tyrannifmg over one another, that no
individual fhould be of fuch importance, as to
caufe, by his retirement or death, any chafm in
the world.
Rambler, vol. j, p. 34.
The great difturbers of our happinefs in this
world, are our defires, our griefs, and our fears ;
and to all thefe the confederation of mortality is a
certain and adequate remedy. " Think (fays
Epic~tetus) frequently on poverty, banifhment, and
death.
( 72 )
death, and thou wilt never indulge violent defires,
or give up thy heart to mean fentiments."
Ibid. p. iol
It is remarkable that death increafes our vene
ration for the good, and extenuates our hatred of
the bad.
Ibid, vol. 2, p. 5.
To neglect at any time preparation for death,
is to deep on our poft at a liege ; but to omit it
in old age, is to fleep at an attack.
Ibid. p. 141.
To die is the fate of man ; but to die with lin
gering anguifh, is generally his folly.
Ibid, p. 178,
To rejoice in tortures is the privilege of a mar
tyr ; to meet death with intrepidity is the right
only of innocence (if in any human being inno
cence can be found); but of him whofe life is
fliortened by his crimes, the laft duties are humi
lity and felf-abafement.
Convicts Addrefs, p. 18.
Death is no more than every being muft fufFer,
though the dread of it is peculiar to man.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 2, p. 79,
If all the bleffings of our condition are enjoyed
with a conftant fenfe of the uncertainty of life ; if
we remember that whatever we poflefs is to be in
our hands but a very little time, and that the little
which our moft lively hopes can promife us, may
be made lefs by ten thoufand accidents ; we mall
not much repine at a lofs, of which we cannot
eftimate
( 73 )
efHmate the value, but of which, though we arc
not able to tell the leail amount, we know, with
fufficient certainty, the greatefl, and are convinced
that the greateft is not much to be regretted.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 103.
What are our views of all worldly things (and
the fame appearances they would always have, if
the fame thoughts were always predominant) when
a fharp or tedious ficknefs has let death before our
eyes, and the laft hour feems to be approaching ?
The extenfive influence of greatnefs, the glitter of
Wealth, the praifes of admirers, and the attendance
of fupplicants, have all appeared vain and empty
things. We then find the abfurdity of ftretching
out our arms incefTantly to grafp that which we
cannot keep, and wearing out our lives in endea
vours to add new turrets to the fabric of ambi
tion, when the foundation itfelf is fhaking, and
the ground on which it (lands is mouldering away.
Ibid. p. io2t
Death, fays Seneca, falls heavy upon him, who
is too much known to others, and too little to
himfelf.
Ibid, p. 174.
DEPENDENCE.
There is no ftate more contrary to the dignity
of wifdom, than perpetual and unlimited depen
dence, in which the underftanding lies ufelefs, and
every motion is received from external impulfe.
Reafon is the great dilHndtion of human nature,
the faculty by which we approach to fome degree
of affociation with celeftial intelligences ; but as
the excellence of every power appears only in its
E operations.
( 74 )
operations, not to have reafon, and to have it ufe-'
lefs and unemployed, is nearly the fame.
Rambler, vol.4, p. 12.
Wherever there is wealth, there is dependence
and expectation ; and wherever there will be de
pendence, there will be an emulation of fervility.
Ibid. p. 158.
If it be unhappy to have one patron, what is his
mifery who has many ?
Ibid. vol. i, p. 161.
The dependant who confults delicacy in him*
felf, very little confults his own tranquillity.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 262.
DIFFIDENCE.
The pain of mifcarriage is naturally proper"
tionate to the defire of excellence ; and therefore
till men are hardened by long familiarity with re-
proach, or have attained, by frequent ftruggles
the art of fuppreffing their emotions, Diffidence
is found the infuperable afTociate of underftanding.
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 186.
Diffidence may check refolution and obfrrud
performance, but compenfates its embarralTment
by more important advantages : it conciliates the
proud, and foftens the fevere ; averts envy frorr
excellence, and cenfure from mifcarriage.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 317.
A requeft made with diffidence and timidity ii
eanT
( 75 )
eafily denied, becaufe the petitioner himfelf feems
to doubt its fitnefs.
Ibid. vol. 4, p, 36.
DELICACY.
He that too much refines his delicacy, will al
ways endanger his quiet.
Ibid. p. 221.
Many pains are incident to a man of delicacy,
which the unfeeling woud cannot be perfuaded to
pity ; and which, when they are Separated from
their peculiar and perfonal circumitances, will ne
ver be confidered as important enough to claim
attention or deferve redrefs.
Ibid. p. aij.
DISAPPOINTMENT.
We do not fo often difappoint others as our-
felves, as we do not only think more highly than
others of our own abilities, but allow ourfelves to
form hopes which we never communicate, and
pleafe our thoughts with employments which none
ever will allot us, and with elevations to which we
are never expected to rife.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 203.
DISEASE.
It may be faid that difeafe generally begins that
equality which death completes. The diftinc~tions
which fet one man fo much above another, are
very little perceived in the gloom of a fick cham
ber, where it will be vain to expect entertainment
from the gay or inftru&ion from the wife, where
all human glory is obliterated : the wit is cloud
ed, the reafoner perplexed, and the hero fubdued ;
where the higheft and brighteft of mortal beings
E 2 finds
( 76 )
finds nothing left him but the confcioufnefs of in
nocence.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 290.
DISTRUST.
It is impoflible to fee the long fcrolls in which
every contract is included, with all their appen
dages of feals and atteftation, without wondering
at the depravity of thofe beings who limit be re-
jiraincd from violation of promife by fuch formal
and public evidences, and precluded from equivo
cation and fubterfuge by fuch punctilious minute-
nefs. Among all the fatires to which folly and
wickednefs have given occafion, none is equally
fevere with a bond or a fettlcment.
Ibid, vol. 3, p. 155.
The folly of allowing ourfelves to delay what
we know cannot be finally cfcaped, is one of the
general weaknefles which, in fpite of the inftruc-
tion of mqralifts, and the reinonftrances of reafon,
prevail to a greater or lefs degree in every mind :
even they who moft fteadily withftand it, find it,
if not the moft violent, the moft pertinacious, of
their paffions, always renewing its attacks, and
though often vanquifhed, never deftroyed.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 170.
The certainty that life connot be long, and the
probability that it will be much fhorter than na
ture allows, ought to awaken every man to the
active profecution of whatever he is defirous to
perform. It is true, that no diligence can afcer-
tain fuccefs ; death may intercept the fwifteft ca
reer.
( 77 )
reer, but he who is cut off in the execution of an
honeft undertaking, has at leall the honour of
tailing in his rank, and has fought the battle,
though he miiTed the victory.
Ibid. p. 134.
Timorous thoughts, and cautious difquifitions,
are the dull attendance of delay.
Notes upon Shukefpeare } vol. 6 } p. 116.
DECEPTION.
Deceit and falfehood, whatever conveniencies
they may for a time promife or produce, are, in the
fum of life, obftacles to happinefs. Thole who
profit by the cheat diftruft the deceiver, and the
ttcl by which kindnefs was fought puts an end to
confidence.
Ibid. vol. IO, p. 530.
SELF-DECEPTION.
There is an art of fophiftry by which men have
deluded their ownconfciences, byperfuading them-
felves, that what would be criminal in others, is
virtuous in them ; as if the obligations which are
laid upon us by a higher power, can be over-ruled
by obligations which we lay upon ourfelves.
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 487.
DEVOTION.
Some men's minds are fo divided between hea
ven and earth, that they pray for the profperity of
guilt, while they deprecate its punifhment.
Ibid. vol. 5, p. 579.
Poetical devotion cannot often pleafe. The
doctrines of religion may, indeed, be defended in
3 a Di-
( 78 )
a Didatic poem ; and he who has the power of
arguing in verfe, will not lofe it becaufe his fub-
je6t is facred. A poet may defcribe the beauty
and grandeur of nature ; the flowers of the fpring,
and the harvefts of autumn ; the viciffitudes of the
tide, and the revolutions of the fky ; and praife the
Maker for his works in lines which no reader fhall
lay afide. The fubjecl: of the difputation is not
piety, but the motives to piety ; that of the de-
fcription is not God, but the works of God.
Contemplative piety, or the intercourfe between
God and the human foul, cannot be poetical.
Man admitted to implore the mercy of his Crea
tor, and plead the merits of his Redeemer, is al
ready in a higher ftate than poetry can confer.
The efTence of poetry is invention ; fuch inven
tion as, by producing fome thing unexpected, fur-
prifes and delights. The topics of devotion are
few, and being few, are univerfally known ; but
few as they are, they can be made no more ; they
can receive no grace from novelty of fentiment,
and very little from novelty of expreflion.
Poetry pleafes by exhibiting an idea more grate
ful to the mind than the things themfelves afford.
This effect proceeds from the difplay of thofe parts
of nature which attract, and the concealment of
thofe which repel the imagination : but religion
mufl be fhewn as it is ; fuppreflion and addition
equally corrupt it ; and fuch as it is, it is known
already : from poetry the reader juftly expe&s, and
from good poetry always obtains, the enlargement
of his comprehcnfion, and elevation of his fancy ;
but this is rarely to be hoped by Chriflians from
metrical devotion. Whatever is great, defirable,
or tremendous, is comprifed in the name of the
Supreme Being'. Omnipotence cannot be exalt
ed ;
( 79 )
ed ; infinity cannot be amplified ; perfection can
not be improved.
The employments of pious meditation are faith,
thankfgiving, repentance, and (application. Faith,
invariably uniform, cannot be inverted by fancy
with decorations. Thankfgiving, the moft joyful
of all holy efFufions, yet addreffed to a Being with
out paffions, is confined to a few modes, and is to
be felt rather than exprefTed. Repentance, trem
bling in the prefence of the judge, is not at leifure
for cadence and epithets. Supplication of man to
man may diffufe itfelf through many topics of per-
fuafion ; but fupplication to God can only cry for
mercy.
Of. fentiments purely religious, it will be found
that the moft fimple expreffion is the moft fublime.
Poetry lofes its luftre and its power, becaufe it is
applied to the decorations of fomething more ex
cellent than itfelf. All that verfe can do is to help
the memory, and delight the ear ; and for thefe
purpofes it may be very ufeful : but it fupplies no
thing to the mind. The ideas of Chriftian theo
logy are too fimple for eloquence, too facred for
fiction, and too majeftic for ornament ; to recom
mend them by tropes and figures, is to magnify
by a concave mirror the fideral hemifphere.
Life of Waller.
DUTY.
When we adl: according to our duty, we com
mit the event to him by whofe laws our a&ions
are governed, and who will fufFer none to be fi
nally punilhed for obedience. But, when in prof-
peel: of fome good, whether natural or moralj we
break the rules prefcribed to us, we withdraw
E 4 from
( So )
from the direction of fuperior wifdom, and take
all coniequences upon ourfelves.
Prince of Abyfllnia, p. 203.
DUTIES.
Much of the profperity of a trading nation de
pends upon duties properly apportioned ; fo that
v/hat is neceflary may continue cheap, and what
is of life only to luxury, may in fome meafure
atone to the public for the mifchief done to indi-
viduals. Duties may often be fo regulated, as to
become ufeful, even to thofe that pay them ; and
they may be likewife fo unequally impofed, as
lo difcourage honefty, deprefs induftry, and give
temptation to fraud and unlawful practices.
Preface to Dictionary of Commerce, p. a8g,
DILIGENCE.
Diligence in employments of lefs confequence
is the mod fuccefsful introduction to greater en-
terprizes.
Life of Drake, pi6o.
Diligence is never wholly loft.
Life of Collins,
DUPLICITY.
It is generally the fate of a double dealer ^ to loft
his power, and keep his enemies.
Life of Swift.
DISGUISE.
Difguife can gratify no longer than it deceives.
Life of Somerville.
DUL-
8i
DULNESS.
Dulnefs or deformity are not culpable in them-
felves, but may be very juftly reproached when
they pretend to the honour of wit or the influ
ence of beauty.
Life of Pope.
DELUSION.
If delufion be once admitted, it has no certain
limitation.
Preface to Shakefpeare, p. 113.
DIFFICULTY,
Nothing is difficult, when gain and honour
unite their influence.
Falkland Iflands, p. 4.
E.
ENVY.
He that knows himfelf defpifed, will always be
envious ; and ftill more envious and malevolent
if he is condemned to live in the prefence of thofe
who defpife him*
Prince of Abyflinia, p. 86.
To fee the higheft minds levelled with the
meaneft, may produce fome folace to the confci-
oufnefs of weaknefs, and fome mortification to the
pride of wifdom ; but let it be remembered, that
minds are not levelled in their powers, but when
they are firft levelled in their defires.
Life of Drydan.
E 5 It
( 82 )
It is not only to many more pleafmg to recoi
led thofe faults v/hich place others below them,
than thofe virtues by which they are themfelves
comparatively depreffed, but it is likev/ife more
eafy to neglec~l than to recompenfe ; and though
there are few who will practife a laborious virtue,
there never will be wanting multitudes that will
indulge an eafy vice.
Life of Savage.
The great law of mutual benevolence is, per
haps- ^ftener violated by envy than by intereft.
Intereit can diffufe itfelf but to a narrow compafs.
Intereft requires fome qualities not univerfallybe-
ftowed. Intereft is feldom purfued but at fome
hazard ; but to fpread fufpicion, to invent ca
lumnies, to propagate fcandal, requires neither
talents, nor labour, nor courage.
Rambler, vol. 4, p, 125 & 126.
EXAMPLE.
Every man, in whatever ftation, has, or endea
vours to have, his followers, admirers, and imi
tators ; and has therefore the influence of his ex
ample to watch with care ; he ought to avoid not
only crimes, but the appearance of crimes, and
not only to pradtife virtue, but to applaud, coun
tenance, and fupport it ; for it is poflible, for want
of attention, we may teach others faults from
which ourfelves our free, or, by a cowardly defer-
tion of a caufe, which we ourfelves approve, may
pervert thofe who fix their eyes upon u?, and hav
ing no rule of their own to guide their courfe,
are eafily mi fled by the aberrations of that exam
ple which they choofe for their directions.
Ibid, vol.2, p. 95.
Every
Every art is beft taught by example. Nothing
contributes more to the cultivation of propriety,
than remarks on the works of thofe who have
moft excelled.
Diflertation upon the Epitaphs of Pope, p. 302.
EMULATION.
Where there is emulation, there will be vanity;
and where there is vanity, there will be folly.
Life of Shenftone.
Every man ought to endeavour at eminence, not
by pulling others down, but by raifmg himfelf, and
enjoy the ple.afure of his own fuperiority, whether
imaginary or real, without interrupting others in
the fame felicity. The philofopher may very juftly
be delighted with the extent of his views, and the
artificer with the readinefs of his hands; but let
the one remember, that without mechanical per*-
formances, refined fpeculation is an empty dream ;
and the other, that without theoretical reafoning,
dexterity is little more than a brute inftinct.
Rambler, vol. t, p. 52.
Whatever is done fkilfully, appears to be done
with eafe ; and art, when it is once matured to
habit, vanifhes from obfervation. We are there
fore more powerfully excited to emulation by thofe
who have attained the higheft degree of excel
lence, and whom we can therefore with leaft rea-
fon hope to equal.
Ibid. vol. 3, p, 101.
EDUCATION.
The knowledge of external nature, and of the
fciences which that knowledge requires or in-
E 6 eludes^
( 84 )
eludes, is not the great, or the frequent bufmefs
of the human mind. Whether we provide for
a<5lion or converfation, whether we wifh to be
ufeful or pleafmg, the firfl requifite is the reli
gious and moral knowledge of right and wrong.
The next is an acquaintance with the hiftory of
mankind, and with thofe examples, which may be
faid to embody truth, and prove by events the rea-
fonablenefs of opinions. Prudence and juftice are
virtues and excellences of all times and all places.
We are perpetually moralirts, but we are geome
tricians by chance. Our intercourfe with intel
lectual nature is neceflary ; our fpeculations upon
matter are voluntary, and at leifure.
Life of Milton.
Pyfical knowledge is of fuch rare emergence,
that one man may know another half his life with
out being able to eftimate his {kill in hydroftatics
or aftronomy ; but his moral and prudential cha
racter immediately appears. Thofe authors there
fore, are to be read at fchool, that fupply mod axi
oms of prudence, moft principles of moral truth,
and molt materials for converfation j and thefe
purpofes are beft ferved by poets, orators, and
hiftorians.
Ibid.
It ought always to be fleadily inculcated, that
virtue is the higheft proof of underftanding, and
the only folid bafis of greatnefs ; and that vice is
the natural confequence of narrow thoughts j that
it begins in miftake, and ends in ignominy.
Rambler, vol. j, p. 24.
The general rule of confulting the genius for
particular offices in life is of little ufe, unlefs we
are
( 85 )
are told how the genius can be known. If it is
to be difcovered only by experiment, life will be
loft before the refolution can be fixed j if any other
indications are to be found, they may perhaps be
very eafily difcerned. At lead, if to mifcarry in
the attempt be a proof of having miftaken the di
rection of the genius, men appear not lefs fre
quently deceived with regard to themfelves, than
to others ; and therefore no one has much reafon
to complain that his life was planned out by his
friends, or to be confident that he fhould have had
either more honour or happinefs by being aban
doned to the chance of his own fancy.
Ibid. p. 120.
Many wonders are told of the Art of Educaton,
and the very early ages at which boys are conver-
fant in the Greek and Latin tongues, under fome
preceptors. But thofe who tell, or receive, thofe
ftories, fhould confider, that nobody can be taught
fafter than he can learn. The fpeed of the befl
horfeman muft be limited by the power of his
horfe. Every man that has undertaken to inftrucl:
others, can tell what flow advances he has been
able to make, and how much patience it requires
to recal vagrant inattention, to Simulate fluggifh
indifference, and to rectify abfurd mifapprehennon.
Life of Milton.
It was the labour of Socrates, to turn philofo-
phy from the ftudy of nature to Speculations upon
life ; but there have been, and are, other pre
ceptors, who are turning off attention from life to
nature. They feem to think, that we are placed
here to watch the growth of plants, or the motion
of the ftars ; but Socrates was rather of opinion,
that
( 86 )
that what we had to learn, was how to do
and avoid evil.
Ibid.
The bulk of mankind muft, without the afiift-
ance of education and instruction, be informed
only with the underftanding of a child.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 270.
Neither a capital city, nor a town of commerce,
are adapted for the purpofes of a college : the firft
expofes the ftudents too much to levity and difib-
lutenefs, the other to grofs luxury. In one the
defire of knowledge eafily gives way to the love of
pleafure, and in the other there is danger in yield
ing to the love of money.
Weftern Iflands, p. zi.
EMPLOYMENT.
Employment is the great inftrument of intellec
tual dominion. The mind cannot retire from its
enemy into total vacancy, or turn afide from one
object, but by paffing to another. The gloomy
and the refentful are always found among thole
who have nothing to do^ or who do nothing. We
muft be bufy about good, or evil, and he to whom
the trefent offers nothing, will often be looking
backward on the paft.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 113.
It is the fate of thofe who toil at the lower em
ployments of life, to be rather driven by the fear
of evil, than attracted by the profpec"t of good ; to
be expofed to cenfure, without hope of praife ; to
be difgraced by mifcarriage, or punifhed for neg
lect.
where fuccefs would have been without ap-
plaufe, and diligence without reward,
Preface to Jchnfon's Di&ionary, p. 55.
EVIL.
No evil is infupportahle, but that which is ac
companied with confcioufnefs of wrong.
Prince of AbyfTinia, p. 2964
Eftimable and ufeful qualities joined with an
evil difpofition, give that evil difpofition power
over others, who, by admiring the virtue, are be
trayed to the malevolence. The Tatler, men
tioning the {harpers of his time, obferves, u that
fome of them are men of fuch elegance and know
ledge, that a young man, who falls in their way,
is betrayed as much by his judgement as his paf-
fions."
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 4, p. 7.
It is the nature of man to imagine no evil fo
great, as that which is near him.
Ibid. vol. 5, p. 86.
EMPIRE.
Extended empire, like expanded gold, exchanges
folid ftrength for feeble fplendour.
Irene, p. 16.
EXCELLENCE.
Thofe who attain any excellence, commonly
fpend life in one purfuit ; for excellence is not
often gained upon eafier terms.
Life of Pope.
There
( 88 )
There is a vigilance of obfervation, and ac
curacy of diftin&ion, which books and precepts
cannot confer ; and from this almoft all original
and native excellence proceeds.
Preface to Shakefpeare, p, 123.
They whofe excellence of any kind has been
loudly celebrated, are ready to conclude that their
powers are univerfal.
Ibid. p. 131.
ENQUIRY.
In the zeal of enquiry we do not always reflect
on the filent encroachments of time, or remember
that no man is in more danger of doing little, than
he who flatters himfelf with abilities to do all.
Treatife on the Longitude, p, 14.
EQUANIMITY.
Evil is uncertain, in the fame degree, as good ;
and for the reafon we ought not to hope too fe-
curely, we ought not to fear with too much de
jection. The ftate of the world is continually
changing, and none can tell the refult of the next
viciffitude. Whatever is afloat in the ftream of
time, may, when it is very near us, be driven
away by an accidental blaft, which fhall happen to
crofs the general courfe of the current. The fud-
den accidents by which the powerful are deprefied,
may fall upon thofe whofe malice we fear, and
the greatnefs by which we expect to be overborne,
may become another proof of the falfe flatteries of
fortune. Our enemies may become weak, or we
grow ftrong, before our encounter; or we may
advance againft each other without ever meet
ing.
( 89 )
ing. There are Indeed natural evils, which we
can flatter ourtelves with no hopes of efcaping, and
with little of delaying ; but of the ills which are
apprehended from human malignity, or the op-
pofition of rival interefts, we may always alle
viate the terror, by confidering that our perfecu-
tors are weak, ignorant, and mortal, like our
felves.
Rambler, vol. i t p, 178.
ERROR.
" Errors," fays Dryden, flow upon the fur-
face"; but there are fome who will fetch them
from the bottom.
Notes upon Shakfpeare, vol. 4, p. 393.
It is incumbent on every man who confults
his own dignity, to retract his error as foon as he
difcovers it, without fearing any cenfure fo much
as that of his own mind, As juitice requires that
all injuries mould be repaired, it is tae duty of
him who has feduced others by bad practices, or
falfe notions, to endeavour that fuch as have a-
dopted his errors mould know his retraction, and
that thofe who have learned vice by his example,
ihould, by his example, be taught amendment.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 192.
The men who can be charged with feweft fail
ings, either with refpect to abilities, or virtue, are
generally mod ready to allow them. Cafar wrote
an account of the errors committed by him in his
wars of Gaul ; and Hippocrates, whofe name is,
perhaps, in rational eftimation, greater than Cae-
iar's, warned poflerity againil a miftake into which
he
( 90 )
he had fallen. " So much (fays CELSUS) does tin
open and artlefs confejjion of an error become a man
confcious that he has enough remaining to fupport his
character**
Ibid. p. 191.
That which is ftrange, is delightful ; and a
pleafmg error is not willingly detected.
Weftern Iflands, p. 63.
EPITAPH.
To define an epitaph is ufelefs ; every one knows
it is an infcription on a tomb; an epitaph, there
fore, implies no particular character of writing, but
may be compofed in verfe or profe. It is, indeed,
commonly panegyrical, becaufe we are feldom dif-
tinguifhed with a ft one, but by our friends ; but
it has no rule to retrain, or modify it, except
this, that it ought not to be longer than common
beholders may be expecled to have leifure and
patience to perufe.
Diflertation on the Epitaphs of PopCj p. 30 J
The name of the deceafed fhould never be omit
ted in an epitaph, whofe end is to convey fome ac
count of the dead, and to what purpofe is any
thing told of him whofe name is concealed ? An
epitaph, and a hiftory of a namelefs hero, are
equally abfurd, fmce the virtues and qualities fo
recounted, in either are fcattered, at the mercy of
fortune, to be appropriated by guefs. The name,
it is true, may be read upon the ftone, but what
obligation has it to the poet, whofe verfes wander
'over the earth, and leave their fubjecl: behind
them j and who is forced, like an unskilful
painter,
( 9' )
painter, to make his purpofe known by adven
titious help ?
Ibid. p. 307*
The difficulty of writing epitaphs, is to give a
particular and appropriate praife.
Ibid. p. 314.
ESTEEM.
To raife efteem we muft benefit others j to
procure love, we muft pleafe them.
Rambler, vol. 4, p. 5.
ELECTION.
.Perhaps no election, by a plurality of fuffiragesj
was ever made among human beings, to which it
might not be objected, that voices were not pro
cured by illicit influence.
Memoirs of the King of Prufiia, p. 125.
EXPECTATION.
Expectation, when once her wings are expand
ed, eafily reaches heights which performance ne
ver will attain; and when me has mounted the
fummit of perfection, derides her follower, who
"dies in the puriuit.
Plan of an EngHfli Di&ionary, p. 3Z.
EFFECTS.
(N~ot always proportioned to their Caufes.)
It feems to be almoft the univerfal error of hif-
torians, to fuppofe it politically, as it is phyfically,
true, that every effect: has a proportionate caufe.
In
In the inanimate action of matter upon matter,
the motion producexl can be but equal to the force
of the moving power 5 but the operations of life,
whether public, or private, admit no fuch laws.
The caprices of voluntary agents, laugh at calcu
lation. It is not always there is a frrong reafon
for a great event; obftinacy and flexibility, ma
lignity and kindnefs, give place alternately to each
other; and the reafon of thofe vicifii tildes, how
ever important may be the confequenccs, often
...ind in which the change is made.
FttlklAiid Mauds, p. 3 3.
ELEGANCE.
Elegance is furely to be deiired, if it be not
gained at the expence of dignity. A hero would
wifh to be loved, as well as to be reverenced.
Life of Pope.
Honeiry is not greater where elegance is lefs.
Weftern Jflands*
ENGLAND.
In all ages foreigners have affe&ed to call Eng
land their country; even when, like the Saxons of
old, they came to conquer it.
Manner Norfolcienfe, p. 10.
ESTIMATION,
Little things are not valued, but when they are
done by thofe who can do greater.
Life of Philips.
ELEGY,
( 93 )
ELEGY.
Elegy is the effufion of a contemplative mind,
fometimes plaintive* and always ferious, and
thererefore fuperior to the glitter of flight orna^
hients.
Life of Shenftone.
ESSAY-WRITING.
He that queftions his abilities to arrange the
difilmilar parts of an extenfive plan, or fears to be
loll in a complicated fyflem, may yet hope to ad-
juft a few pages without perplexity ; and if, when
he turns over the repertories of his memory, he
finds his collection too fmall for a volume, he may
yet have enough to furniih an efTay.
Rambler, vol. I, o. 6.
EXERCISE.
Such is the conftitutionof man, that labour may
be ftyled its own reward: nor will any external
incitements be requifite, if it be confidered how
much happinefs is gained, and how much mifery
efcaped, by frequent and violent agitation of the
body.
Ibid* vol. z, p. 177.
Exercife cannot fecure us from that diflblutibn
to which we are decreed ; but, while the foul and
body continue united, it can make the aifociation
pleafing, and give probable hopes that they (hall
be disjoined by an eafy reparation. It was a prin
ciple among the ancients, that acute difeafes are
from heaven, and chronicle, from ourfelves : the
dart
( 94 )
dart of death, indeed, falls from heaven ; but we^i
poifon it by our own milconduct.
Ibid. p. 178.
EATING.
It is not very eafy to fix the principle upon
which mankind have agreed to eat fome animals,
and reject others ; and as the principle is not evi
dent, it is not uniform. That which is fele&ed
as delicate in one country, is, by its neighbours,
abhorred as loathfome. The Neapolitans lately,
refufed to eat potatoes, in a famine : an Engliih-
man is not eaiily perfuaded to dine on fnails with
an Italian, on Frogs with a Frenchman, or on.
horfe-flem with a Tartar. The vulgar inhabitants
of Sky, one of the Weftern iflands of Scotland,
have not only eels, but pork and bacon, in ab
horrence.
Weftern Iflands, p. 136.
F.
FAME.
He that is loudly praifed, will be clamoroufly
cenfured. He that rifes haflily into fame, will be
in danger of finking fuddenly into oblivion.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 25.
The memory of mifchief is no defirable fame.
Prince of Abyfllnia, p. 257.
The true fatisfaftion which is to be drawn from
the confcioufnefs that we fhall fhare*the attention
of
( 95 )
of future times, muft arife from the hope, that
with our names, our virtues fhall be propagated,
and that thofe whom we cannot benefit in our
lives, may receive inftruclion from our example,
and incitemennt from our renown.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 298.
Fame cannot fpread wide, or endure long, that
is not rooted in nature, and manured by art.
That which hopes to refift the blafts of malignity,
and ftand firm againft the attacks of time, muft
contain in itfelf fome original principle of growth.
Ibid, vol.3, p, 292.
He that purfues fame with juft claims, trufts
' his happinefs to the winds ; but he that endea
vours after it by falfe merit, has to fear, not only
the violence oftbejlorm^ but the leaks of bis veffel.
Ibid. vol. i, p. 126.
Every period 6f time has produced thofe bub
bles of artificial fame, which are kept up a while
by the breath of fafhion, and then break at once,
and are annihilated.
Ibid, vol. 3, p. 3.
FATHER.
A Father above the common rate of men, has
commonly a fon below it. Heroum filii noxse.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. i, p. 14.
FRIENDSHIP.
Few love their Friends fo well as not to defire
fuperiority by unexpenfive benefaction.
Falfe Alarm, p. 47.
i
Friendfhip
( 96 )
Friendfhip in letter-writing has no tendency to
fecure veracity; for by whom can a man fo much
wifh to be thought better than he is, as by him
whole kin'dnefs he defires to gain or keep ? Even
in writing to the world there is lefs conftraint ;
the author is not confronted with his reader, and
takes his chance of approbation amongft the dif
ferent difpofitions of mankindv But a letter is ad-
drefled to a fingle mind, of which the prejudices
and partialities are known, and muft therefore
pleafe, if not by favouring them, by forbearing to
Oppofe them*
Life of Pope.
Friend (hip is not always the fequel of obliga
tion.
Life of Thompfon.
Unequal friendfhips are eafily diflblved. This
is often the fault of the fuperior ; yet if we look
without prejudice on the world, wefhall often find
that men, whofe confcioufnefs of their own merit,
lets them above the compliances of fervility, are
apt enough, in their aflbciation with fuperiors, to
watch their own dignity with troublefome and
punctilious jealoufy, and in the fervour of inde
pendence, to exadt that attention which they rc-
fufe to pay.
Life of Grey.
So many qualities are neceflary to the poffibility
of friendfhip, and fo many accidents muft concur
to its rife and its continuance, that the greateit
part of mankind content themfelves without it,
and fupply its place as they can with intereft and
dependence.
Rambler, vol. 2, p. 59.
That
( 97 )
That friendship may be at once fond and lad
ing, there muft not only be equal virtue on each
part, but virtue of the fame kind ; not only the
lame end muft be propofed, but the fame means
muft be approved by both.
Ibid. vol. 2, p. 6 1.
Among the uncertainties of the human ftate,
we are doomed to number the inftahility of friend-
(hip.
Lite of Addifon.
It were happy if, in forming friendmips, virtue
could concur with pleafure; but the greateft
part of human gratifications approach fo nearly to
vice, that few who make the delight of others
their rule of conduct, can avoid difingenuous com
pliances ; yet certainly he that fufFers himfelf to
>e driven or allured from virtue, miftakes his
own intereft, fince he gains fuccour by means for
which his friend, if ever he becomes wife, muft
fcorn him ; and for which, at laft, he mull fcora
himfelf.
Rambler, vol. 4, p. 5,
Many have talked in very exalted language o
the perpetuity of friendfhip : of invincible conftan-
cy and unali enable kindnefs ; and fome examples
lave been feen of men who have continued faith
ful to their earlieft choice, and whofe affe&ions
have predominated over changes of fortune and
contrariety of opinion. But thefe inftances are
memorable, becaufe they are rare. The friend
fhip which is to be prachfed or expected by com
mon mortals, muft take its rife from mutual plea-
fure, and muft end when the power ceafcs of de
lighting each other.
Idler, vol. i, p. 126.
F The
( 98 )
The moft fatal difeafedf fricndfhip is gradual
decay, or diilike hourly increafcd by caufes too
{lender for complaint, and too numerous for re
moval. Thofe who are angry may be reconciled.
Thofe who have been injured may receive a re*
compenfe , but when the deiire of pleating, and
willingnefs to be pleafed, is nlently dimiiuiiicd,
'the renovation of friendihip is hopelefs ; as when
the vital powers fink into languor, there is no
longer any ufe of the phyfician.
Ibid. vol. i, p. 130.
Men only become friends by community of
'pleafures. He who cannot be foftened into gaiety
cannot eafily be melted into kindnef=. Upo;i this
principle Falftaff defpairs of gaining the love of
'Prince John of Laricafrer, for u he could not
make him laugh."
Nctes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 5, p. 560.
The kindnefFes which are firft experienced, are
.;n forgotten.
Life of Walfli.
When Mr. Addifon was made Secretary to the
Marquis of Wharton, then Lord Lieutenant of
.Ireland, he made a law to himfelf, never to remit:
his regular fees in civility to his friends. " For,"
faid he, " I may have an hundred friends ; and,.-
if my fee be two guineas, I mall, by relinquifhingj
my right, lofe two hundred guineas^ and no friend
gain more than two ; there is, therefore, no pro
portion between the good imparted and the evi
iuffered.
Life of Addifon*
Men fometimes fuffer by injudicious kindnefs
and
( 99 )
and become ridiculous without their own fV
by the abfurd admiration of their friends.
Life of Phillip.
There are few who, in the wantonnefs of
thoughtlefs mirth, or heat of tranfientrefentment,
do not fometimes fpeak of their friends and b
factors with levity and contempt, though, in thefr
cooler moments, they want neither fenfe of their
kindnefs nor reverence for their virtues. This
weaknefs is very common, and often proceeds ra
ther from negligence than ingratitude.
Life of Savage,
He cannot be properly chofcn for a friend,
whofe kindnefs is exhaled by its own warmth or
frozen by the fir ft blail of flander ; he cannot be a
ufsful counfeller, who will hear no opinion but his
own ; he will not much invite confidence, whofe
principal maxim is to fufpedt ; nor can the can
dour and franknefs of that man be much efteemed,
.who fpreads his arms to human kind, and makes
every man, without diftinction, a denizen of his
boioin.
Rambler, vol.2, p. 6r,"
One of the Golden Precepts of Pythagoras di
rect us, u That a friend fhould not be hated for
little faults."
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 220.
Friendmip, like love, is deftroyed by long ah-
fence, though it may be increafed by fhort inter-
millions. What we have mifled long enough to
want it, we value more when it is regained ; but
that which has been loft till it is forgotten, will be
F 2 foumi
found at lafl with little glaclncfs, and with ftill left
if a fubftitute has Supplied thje piace.
Idur, vol. i, p. 127.
Among the many .enemies of friendship may be
reckoned fnfpicion and flifeuft. The former is al
ways hardening the cautious, and the latter repel
ling the delicate,.
Ibid. p. 1 30.
Among the pleafmg incidents of life may be
numbered the unexpected renewals of old ac
quaintances.
WeOemlfbncs, p. 24.
All feel the benefits of private friendship, but
few can difcern- the advantages of a well conili-
tuted government ; hence the greater part of man
kind will be naturally prejudiced againft Brutus.
Review of the Memoirs of the Court of Auguiiu?, p. 5.
FLATTERY.
^
In every inftance of vanity it will be found that
the blame ought to be (bared among more than it
generally reaches. All who exalt trifles by im
moderate praife, or inftigate needlcfs emulat on by
invidious incitements, are to be confidered as per-
verters of reafon, and corrupters of the world ;
and (nice every man is obliged to promote happi-
nefs and virtue, he mould be careful not to mif-
lead unwary minds, by appearing to fet too high
a value upon things, by waich no real excellence
is conferred.
Rambler, voL 4, p. 84
To be flattered is grateful, even when we know
that our praifes are not believed by thofe who pro
nounce
( IOX )
nounce them ; for they prove at leaft our power,
and ihevv that our favour is valued, fince it is
purchafed by the meanneis of falfehood.
Ibid. p. izo.
In order that all men may be taught to fpeak
truth, it is necefllury that all likewife Ihould learn
to hc;irit ; for no fpecies of falfehood is more fre
quent than flattery, to which the coward is be
trayed by fear, the dependent by intc-reft, and the
friend by tendernefs. Thofe wiio are neither fcr-
vile, or timorous, are yet defirous to beftowplea-
fure ; and while unjuft demands of praife continue
to be made, tnere will always be ibme waom hope,
fear, or kmdnefs, will diipole to pay them.
Ibid. p. 247.
He that is much flattered, foon learns to flatter
himfelf. We are commonly taught our duty by
fear or iham.e ; and how can they act upon the
man who hears nothing but his own praifes ?
Life of Swiff.
Juft praife is only a debt, but flattery is a pre-
fent.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 294*
Neither our virtues or vices are all our own.
If there were no cowardice, there would be little
infolence. Pride cannot rife to any great degree,
but by the concurrence of blandim-ment, or th-
fufferance of tamenefs. The wretch who would
fhrink and crouch before one who fhould dart his
eyes upon him with the fpirit. of natural equality,
'becomes capricious and tyrannical when he fees
himfelf approached with a downcaft look, and
Y 3 hears
hears the foft addreffes of awe and fervility. To
thofe who are willing to purchafe favour by cringes
and compliance, is to be imputed the haughti-
r.els that leaves nothing to hoped by firmriefs
and integrity.
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 3.
The flatterer is not often detected ; for an ho-
neft mind is not apt to fufpecu, and no one exerts
-ower of difcernment with much vigour when
avours the deceit.
Rambler, vol. 2, p 120.
It is necefTary to the fuccefs of flattery, that it
ccommodated to particular circumftances or
characters, and enter the heart on that fide where
the paflions {land ready to receive it.
Ibid, vol. 3, p. I.
FOLLY.
No man will be found in whofe mind airy no-
fions do not fometimes tyrannife, and force him
to hope or fear beyond the limits of fober pro
bability.
Prince of AbyfiinSa, p. 259.
e folly which is adapted to perfons and times,
has its propriety, and therefore produces no cen-
fure ; but the folly of wife men, .when it happens,
taints their wit, and deftroys the reputation of
:*it.
Notes upon Shakefocare, vol. 4, p. zz ".
As with' folly no man is willing to confefs him-
ntimately acquainted, therefore its |
and pi . ' fee ret.
Review of the Or gin of Evil, p. 10.
FORTUNE,
FORTUNE.
Fortune often delights to dignify what nature
has neglected, and that renown, which cannot be
claimed by intrinfic excellence or greatnefs, is
fometimes derived from unexpected accidents.
Falkland I/lands, p. 2.
When fortune flrikes her hardeft blows, to be
wounded and yet continue calm, requires a gene
rous policy. Perhaps the rirlt emotions of nature
are nearly uniform, and one man differs from ano
ther in the power of endurance, as he is better
regulated by precept and inftru&ion.
Notes upon Shakefpsare, vol.6, p. 128.
Examples need not be fought at any great dif-
tance, to prove that fuper tor ity of fortune has a na
tural tendency to kindle pride, and that pride fel-
dom fails to exert itfelf in contempt and infult.
This is often the effect of hereditary wealth, and
ot honours only enjoyed by the merit of others.
Life of Savage.
FOREIGNER.
To b'e a foreigner-was always in England a rea-
fon of difiike.
Notes upon Shakefpjare, vol. i, p. 265.
All fear is in itfelf painful : and when it con
duces not to fafety, is painful without ute.
Rambler, vol. i, p. io.
Fear is implanted in us as a prefervative from
evil ; but its duty, like that of other pailione, is
F 4 not
( 104 )
not to overbear reafon, but to aflift it ; nor mould
it be differed to tyrannife in the imagination, to
raife phantoms of horror, or befet life with iuper-
numerary diflreifes.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 125.
FORGIVENESS.
Whoever confiders the weaknefs both of himfelf
and other:-;, will not long want perfuafives to for-
givenefs. We know not to what degree of ma
lignity any injury ia to be imputed, or how much
jilt, if we were to infpe6t the mind of him
that committed it, would be extenuated by mif-
take, precipitance, or negligence. We cannot
be certain how much more we feel than was in
tended, or how much we increafe the mifchief to
Qurfelves by voluntur-y aggravations. We may
2 to defign the effects of accident. We may
me blow violent, only becauie we have made
ves delicate and tender ; we are, on c
fide, in dr.ngtr of error and guilt, which we arc
certain t-j :;void only by ipeedy forgivenefs.
) vol. 4, p. 137*
A conllant and unfailing obedience is above the
lerreftrial diligence; and therefore the
progrefs of life could only have been the natural
it of negligent defpair from crime to crime,
.ot the universal perfuafion of'firgfoenefS} to be
obtained by proper means of reconciliation, re
called thofe to the paths of virtue whom their paf-
fions had folicited afide, and animated to new at
tempts and firmer perfeverance thofe whom diffi
culty had difcouragcd, or negligence furprifed.
Ibid. vol. 3.; p. 26.
FRUGALITY.
FRUGALITY.
Frugality may be termed the daughter of pru
dence, the filler of temperance, and the parent of
liberty. He that is extravagant, will quickly be
come poor, and poverty will enforce dependence,
and invite corruption. It will ahnoft always
duce a paflive compliance with the witkednefs of
others, -and there are few who do not learn by de
grees to practife thofe crimes which they ceafe to
cenfure.
Ibid. vol. 2, p. 21.
Without frugality none can be rich, and with it,
very few would be poor.
Ibid,
Though in every age "there are fome who. In*
bold adventures or by favourable accidents, rife
iuddenly into riches, the bulk of mankind muft
owe their affluence to fmall and gradual profits,
below which their expence muft be reiblutely
reduced,
Ibid. p. a 3,
The mercantile wifdom of " a penny faved is
two-pence got," oaaybcac* con
ditions, by obferving, that not only they who pur-
fue any lucrative employment will lave time when
they forbear expence, and that time may be em
ployed to the increafe of p:\Mt ; but that they,
who are above fuch minut-2 coa&derations, will
find by every viJlory over appetite or paiTion, new
ftrength added to the mind, will gain the power
of refilling thofe Solicitations bv which the young
and vivacious are hourly affiliated, and, in i.
fet
( 106 )
cmfelves above the reach of extravagance and
Ibiu. p. 24.
iay, perhaps, be enquired, by thofe who are
iher to cavil than to learn, what is the
'*f .frugality ? To iuch no general
r can be given, -fince the liberty of fpending,
ity of parfimony, may be varied wi.
:t circumitances. Thefe three rules,
. ;iii;v be laid down as not to be departed
" A man's voluntary expences fliould not ex-
I his income."
" Let no man anticipate uncertain profits."
" Let no man fquander againft his inclination."
Ibid.
It: appears evident fa&tjrugaftty is neceflary even
to complete the pleafure of expence \ for it may
nehiliy remarked of thofe who fquander what
they know their fortune not fufficient to allow,
that, in their mo ft jovial expence, there always
breaks out forne proof of difcontent and impa
tience : they either fcatter with a kind of wild def-
peration and afFe&ed lavifhnefs, as criminals brave
the gallows when they cannot efcape it, or pay
their money with a peeviih anxiety, and endeavor
at once to fpend idly, and to fave meanly : having
neither firmnefs to deny their paiiions, nor courage
to gratify them, they murmur at their own enjoy-
ment, and poifon the bowl of pleafure J by reflec
tions on the coft.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 135.
FAVOUR.
( "7 )
FAVOUR.
Favours of every kind are doubled when they
cedily conferred.
Rambler, vol. 4, p. i83.
FANCY.
The fanciful fports of great minds, are never
without fome advantage to knowledge.
Life of Sir Thomas Browne, p. 267.
FAULTS.
Many feeming faults are to be imputed rather
to the nature of the undertaking, than the negli
gence of the performer.
Preface to Johnfon's Di&ionary, p. 71.
FABLE.
A fable, to be well adapted to the ftage, fhould
be fufriciently remo\ ed from the prefent age to ad
mit properly the fictions neceiTary to complete the
plan ; for the mind, which naturally loves truth, is
always moft ofTjnded with the violation of thofe
truths of which we are moft certain ; and we, of
courfe, conceive thofe fads moft certain, which
approach neareft to our own time.
Life of Savage.
To felecl: a fingular event, and fwell it to a gi
ant's bulk by fab'ukus appendages^ has little diffi
culty , for he that for fakes the probable, may al
ways find the marvellous ; and it has little ufe.
We are afteftod only as we believ- ; we are im
proved only as we find foniething to be imitated
or declined.
Life of Gray.
F 6 FASHION.
FASHION.
There are fewenterptrifes fo hopelefs as contefts
with the fa/hion, in which the opponents are not
only made confident by their number?, and ftrong
by their union, but are hardened by contempt of
their a.ntagonifr, whom they always look upon as
a wretch of low notions, contracted views, mean
converfation, and narrow fortune ; who envies the
elevations whlc'.i he cannot reach ; who would
gladly embitter the happinefs which his inelegance
or indigence deny him to partake, and who has
no other end in his advice than to revenge his
own mortification, by hindering thofe whom their
birth and tafte have fet above him, from the en
joyment of their fuperiority, and bringing them
down to a level with himfelf.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 88.
FALSEHOOD.
Though many artifices may be ufed to maintain
;uid, they generally loie their force
by counteracting one another.
Taxation no Tyranny, p. 4.*
FORTITUDE.
mortalirus arduum eft. There is nothing
which human courage will not undertake, and lit
tle that humiiii patience will not endure.
Falkland I funds, p. 17.
FACTION.
In the general cenfure thrown upon fa&sn, it
;.hr;t every fmgle man fhould
In all lead, fays the chemii% tiiere
and in all copper there is gold. But
mingled maiTes are juitly denominated by the
greater
?r quantity; and when the precious particks
are not worth extraction, a faftion, and a
muft be melted down together, to the forms and
offices that chance allots them.
.- Alarm, p. 5Z.
G.
GENIUS.
True genius is a mind of large general pc-
accident! j determined to ibme particular direc-
G^ "vverful when invaded with the glit
ter of aiftuence. Men willingly pay to fortune
that regard which they ov/e to merit, and are plea-
fed when thev have an opportunity at once of gra-
.nity, and pra .eir duty.
of Savage.
Whoever is apt to hope good from others, is
.-iu to pleafe them; but he that believes his
rs ftrong enough to force their ov/n
Life of Gay.
)metimes appeared of fuch tranf
dant abilitie c , that their Qighteft and mofl curfory
performances, excel all that labour and ftud .
enable meaner intellects to com pole. As there
are regions o i the fpontaneous prc
cannot be equalled in other foils, by care and cul
ture, But it is no leis dangerous for any man to
place
place himfelf in this rank of undemanding, and
fancy that he is born to be illuftrions without la
bour, than to omit the care of huibanclry, and ex
pect from his ground the blofibins of Arabia.
Rambler, vol. 4, p. 50.
Mifapplied genius moil commonly proves ridi
culous.
Icier, vol. ^ ) p. 231.
There are men who feem to think nothing fo
i-nc.ch characSteriftic of genius, as to do common
things in an uncommon way; like Hudribr
/,-// the. clock by Algebra, or like the lady in Dr.
Young's Satire, " to drink tea by ilratagem."
Ibid. vol. i, p. 202.
Great powers cannot he exerted but when great
.exigencies make them necenary. Great exigen
cies can happen but fcldorn, and therefore thofe
qualities which have a claim to the veneration of
mankind, lie hid, for the mod part, like fubter-
ranean treafures, over which the foot pafFes as on
common ground, till neceiTity breaks open the
golden cavern.
Ibid. p. 287.
It feems to have been in all ages, the pride of
wit to (hew how it could exalt the low, and am
plify the little. To fpeak not inadequately of
things really, and naturally, great, is a tafk not
only difficult but difagreeable, becaufe the writer
is degraded in hi* own eyes by ffonding in com-
parifon with his fubjeci, to which he can hope to
add nothing from his imagination. But it is a
perpe tual triumph of fancy to expand a fcanty theme,
to raife glittering ideas from obfcure properties, and
to
( III )
oduce to the world an object of wonder, to
which nature had contributed little. To this am
bition, perhap?, we owe the Frogs of Homer, .the
Gnat and the Bees of Virgil, the Butterfly of
Spencer, the Shadow of Woverus, and the Quin-
; of Brown.
Life of Sir Thomas Browne, p. 266.
Genius now and then produces a lucky trifle.
We ftill read the Dove of Anacreon, and Spar
row of Catullus ; and a writer naturally pleafes
himfelf with a performar.ee which owes nothing to
the fubjecl.
Lire of Waller.
By the general confent of critic?, the nrfl praife
of GENIUS is due to the writer of an epic poem,
requires an aflemblage of all the powers which
are fmgiy fufficient for other compoiitions. Poe
try is the art of uniting pleafure with truth, by
Calling imagination to the help of reafon. Epic
y undertakes to teach the mod: important
truths by the rnoft pleafmg precept, and therefore
relates fome great event in the moft affecting man
ner. Hiftory muft fupply the writer with the ru
diments of narration, which he muft improve and
exalt by a nobler art, animate by dramatic energy,
and diverfify by retrofpeftion and anticipation ;
morality muft teach him the exact bounds, and
different {hades, of vice and virtue ; from policy
and the practice of life he has to learn the difcri-
minations of character, and the tendency of the
paffion?, either fmgle or combined, and phyfiolo-
gy muft fupply him with illuftrations and images.
To put thefe 1 materials to poetical ufe, is required
an imagination capable of painting nature, and
realizing fiction j nor is he yet a poet till he has
attained
attained the whole extend on of his language, dif-
tinguiilied all the delicacies of phrafc, and all the
colours of word c , and learned to adjuft the differ
ent founds to all the varieties of metrical incdala-
tion.
Lif= of Milton.
It is certain that no efHmate is more in danger
of erroneous calculations, than thofe by which a
man computes the force of his genius.
Rambl.-r, vol. 3, p. 288.
It is not fafe to judge of the works of genius
merely by the event.
Ibid ; p. 303.
The genius of the Englifh nation is faid to ap
pear rather in improvement than invention.
Idler, vol. i, p. 218.
Thefe who are willing to attribute every thing
to genius, or natural fagacity, independent of a
previous education, are encouraged to this opinion
by lazinefs or pride, being willing to forego the
labour of accurate reading and tedious enquiry,
and to fatisfy themfelves and others with illuftrious
examples.
L : feof Dr. Sydenham.
There are many forcible expreffions which would
never have been found, but by venturing to the ut-
moft verge of propriety, and flights which would
never have been reached, but by thofe who have
had very little fear of the fliame of failing.
Life of Sir T. Brown, p. 283.
As among the works of nature no man can
properly call a river deep, cr a mountain high,
without
( "3 )
without the knowledge of many mountains and
many rivers ; fo, in the productions of genius, no-
can be ilyled excellent till it has been com
pared with other works of the fame kind.
Preface to Shakfpeare, p, iz6
Many works of genius and learning have been
performed in ftates of life, that appear very little
favourable to thought or to enquiry ; fo many,
that he who confiders them, is inclined to think
that he fees enterprife and perfeverance predomi-
nati.u over all external agency, and bidding help
and Hindrance vaniih before them.
Ib'.d, p. 125.
GOVERNMENT.
Governments formed by chance, and gradually
improved by inch expedients as the fucceiiive dif-
covery of their defects happened to fuggeft, are
never to be tried by a regular theory. They arc
fabrics of diffimilar materials, railed by different
architects upon different plans. We muft be con
tent with them as they are ; fhould we 'attempt to
mend their difproportions, we might eafily demo-
lilh, and with diliiculty rebuild them.
Falfc Alarfn, p. 24.
In all political regulations, good cannot be
complete, it can only be predominant.
Wsftern Ifland?, p. 208.
No fcheme of policy has, in any country, yet
brought the rich on equal terms into courts of ju
dicature. Perhaps experience, improving on ex
perience, may in time efFeci it.
Ibid. p. 115.
To
To hinder infurre&ion by driving away the peo
ple, and to govern peaceably, by having no fub-
jecb, is an expedient that argues no great profun
dity of politics. To foften the obdurate, to con
vince the miftaken, to mollify the refentful, are
worthy of a ilatefman ; but it affords a legiflator
little felf-applaufe to confider, that where there was
formerly an infurreclion, there is now a wildernefs.
Ibid, p, 224.
The general ilory of mankind will evince, that
lawful and fettled authority is very feldom refifted
when it is well employed. Grofs corruption or
evident imbecility, is neceflary to the fuppreffion
of that reverence, with which the majority of man
kind look upon their governors, or thofe whom
they fee furrounded by fplendour, and fortified by
power.
Rambler, vol. I, p. 301*
No government could fubfift for a day, if finglc
errors could juftify defection.
Taxation no Tyranny, p. 62.
Government is neceflary to man ; and when
obedience is not compelled, there is no govern
ment.
Ibid. p. 77.
To prevent evil is the great end of government,
the Ciid for which vigilance and feverity are pro-
pen y employed.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 12.
Forms of government are feldom the refult of
much deliberation ; they are framed by chance in
popular
( "5 )
popular aflembliesj or in conquered countries by
defpotic authority.
Idler, vol. i, p. 60.
. In fovereignty there are no gradations. There
may be limited royalty; there may be limited
confulfhip; but there can be no limited government.
There muft in every fociety be fome power or
other from whence there is no appeal, which ad
mits no reftri&ions, which pervades the whole
mafs of the community, regulates and adjuds ail
fubordination, ena&s laws or repeals them, erects
or annuls judicatures, .extends or contracts privi
leges, exempts itfelf from queftion or control, and
bounded only by phyfical neceffity.
Taxation no Tyranny, p. 24.
Few errors and few faults of government can
juftify an appeal to the rabble, who ought not to
judge of what they cannot underftand, and whofe
opinions are not propagated by reafon, but caught
by contagion.
Patriot, p. 7.
As government advances towards perfection,
provincial judicature is, perhaps, in every empire,
gradually abolimed.
Weftsrn Iftands, p. 100.
In all changes of government, there will be
many that fufrer real or imaginary grievances ;
and therefore many will be difiiitisned.
Political State of Great- Britain in 1756, p,44
GUILT.
Guilt is generally afraid of light ; it confiders
MS a natural (belter, and makes night the
confidante
( "6 )
confidante of thofe actions, which cannot be trull-
ed to the tell-tale day.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 6, p. 377.
It may be obferved, perhaps, without excep
tion, that none are fo induftrious to detect wick
ed nefs, or fo ready to impute it, as they whofe
crimes are apparent and contefTed. They envy an
unbiemiihed reputation, and \vhat they envy they
are bufy to deftroy : they are unwilling to fuppofe
themfelves meaner and more corrupt than other*,
and therefore willingly pull down from their ele
vations thole with whom they cannot rife to an
equality.
Rambler, vol. z, p. 126.
Men are willing to try all methods of reconci
ling guilt and quiet, and, w! en tneir underftand-
ings are ftubborn and uncomplying, raife their
paiiions againit them, and hope to overpower
their own knowledge.
Ibid.
SELF-GOVERNMENT.
No man, whole appetites are his matters, can
perform the duties of his nature with ftriclnefs
and regularity. He that would be fuperior to ex
ternal influences, limit rirfl become fuperior to his
own paflions.
Idler, vol. I, p. 293.
UNIVERSAL GOOD.
All fkill ought to be exerted for univerfal good.
Every man has owed much to others, and ought
to pay the kindnefs that he has received.
Prince of Abyflinia, p. 41.
GREATNESS.
( "7 )
GREATNESS.
He that becomes acquainted and is inverted
witn ; / and in 3 iciice, will in a mort time
bj convinced, that, in proportion a c the power of
doing we!! ts enl'M 2 temptations to do ill
are multiplied, and enforced.
Rambler, vol. 2, p. 58.
That awe w'lich g^eat iciivn;> or abil.ties im-
prefs, will b.. i;ievii..i ;./ d iimLh^d by acquji-it-j-.ics^
taough notinng eitujr inea i or cri nLvil ih ju;d he
found ; Lijcadi'j we do tiot e.i.iiy confider* him as
great wacMi oar o\v i ::yj^ ih -w u-^ c , nor
labour to k-cp prefent to our tnougnts die latent
excellences of aim v, v\v. i us all our
weak d nkijy.'of our follies ; who, like us,
i? delicate 1 *vitM l:^.ic a'.ruie.nents, bulled with
triHing employ iiieiitSj and disturbed by little vex
ations.
Idler, vol. i, p. z8 5 & 287.
GRATITUDE.
There are minds io impatient of inferiority,
that their gratitude is a fpjcies of revenge ; aad
they return benefit:s, not becaufe recompenfe is a
pleaiure, but becaufe obligation is a pain.
Rambler, vol. z, p. 192.
The charge againfr ingratitude is -very general.
Al no(t every man can tell what favours he has
conferred upon infentibility, and how much happi-
neis he har bellowed without return ; but, per
haps, if t.iefe patrons and protectors were con
fronted witn any whom they boail of having be
friended, it would often appear that they, confuited
only their own pleaiure or vanity, and repaid them-
felves
'( "8 )
felves their petty donatives by gratifications of in-
folence, and indulgence of 'contempt.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 259.
H.
HAPPINESS.
We are long before we are convinced that hap-
pinefs is never to be found ; and each believes it
poU'efTed by others, to keep alive the hope of ob
taining it for himfeif.
Prince of Abyffinia, p. icS.
Whether perfect happinefs can be procured by
perfect goodnefs, this world will never afford an
'opportunity of deciding. But this:, at leafr, may
be maintained, that we do not always find vifible
happinefs in proportion to viiible virtue.
Ibid. p. 163.
All natural, and almoft alb political evils, are
incident alike to the bad or good. They are con
founded in. the mifery of a famine, and not much
diftmguiihed in the fury of a faction. They /ink
together in a temped, and are driven together from
their country by invaders. All that virtue can
afford is quhincfs of confidence^ a fteady profpet of
a happier itate, which will enable us to endure
every calamity with patience.
Ibid,
He that has no one to love or to confide in,
has little to hope. He wants the radical princi
ple of happinefs,
p, aio.
It
It i?, pcrhap?, a juft obicrv?tion, that v/ith re
gard to outv/ard circumftances, happinefs and
mifery are equally diffufed through all ftates of
human life. In civilized countries, where regular
policies have fecured the neceflaries of life, am
bition, avarice, and luxury, find the mind at leifure
for their reception, and foon engage it in new
purfuits ; purfuits that are to be carried only by
inceffant labour, and whether vain or faccefsful,
produce anxiety and contention. 'Artlorlg favagc
nations imaginary wants find, indeed, no place ;
but their ftrength is exhaufted by necefiary toil?, and
their paiHons agitated, nr t fu-
periority, aiHuence, or precedence, but by perpe
tual care for the prefent day, and by fear c
rifhing for want of common food.
Life of Drake, p. 211.
Whatever be the caufe of happinefs, may be
made likewife the caufe of mifery. The medicine
which, rightly applied, has power to cure, has,
when rafhnefs or ignorance prefcribes it, the fame
power to deflroy.
Difkrtation on Authors, p. ai.
. The happinefs of the generality of people is no
thing, if it is not known, and very little if it is
not envied.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 155. '
It has been obferved in all ages, 1 that the ad-
' vantages of nature or of fortune, have contributed
very little to the promotion of happinefs ; and that
thofe whom the fplendour of their rank or the ex
tent of their capacity, have placed upon the fum-
mits of human life, have not often given any juft
occaiion to envy in thofe who look up .to them
from
from a !o\ver {ration. Whether it be, that appa
rent fuperiority incites great defigns, and great
defigns are naturally liable to fatal miicarriages,
or that the general lot of mankind is mifery, and
the mh fortunes of thofe vvhofe eminence drew
upon them an univerfal attention, have been more
f aitfully recorded, becaufe they were more ge
nerally oblerved, and have, in reality, been only
iiore confpicuous than thofe of others, more frev-
.}uent or more fevere.
Life of Savage.
It fcldom happens that all circumfcances concur
io happinels or fame.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 106.
Happinefs is not found in felf-contcmplat ion ;
it is perceived only when it is refledted from ano
ther.
Idler, vol. I, p. 2^2.
DOMESTIC HAPPINESS.
The great end of prudence is to give chearful"
nefs to thofe hours which fplendour cannot gild,
and acclamation* cannot exhilirate. Thofe foft
interval? of unbended amufement, in which a man
fhrinks to his natural dimenfions, and throws afide
the ornaments or difguifes which he feels, in pri
vacy, to be ufeful incumbrances, and to lofe all
effecl; when they become familiar. To be happy at
home is the ultimate remit of all ambition ; the
end to which every enterprife and labour tends,
and of which every defire prompts the profecution.
It is indeed at home that every man mud be
known, by thofe who would make a juft eflimate
either of his virtue or felicity ; for fmiles and em-
bioidery are alike occaiional, and the mind is
0^ ten
often drefTed for fliow in painted honour, and fic
titious benevolence.
Rambler, vol. 2, p. 82.
The higheft panegyric that domeftic virtue can
receive, is the praife of fervants ; for however va
nity or infolence may look down with contempt
on the fuffrage of men undignified by wealth, and
unenlightened by education, it very feldom happens
that they commend or blame without juftice.
Ibid. p. 84.
HABITS.
No man forgets his original trade ; the right?
of nations and of kings link into queftions of
grammar, if grammarians difcufs them.
Life of Milton.
The difproportions of abfurdity grow Icfs and
lefs vifible, as we are reconciled by degrees to the
deformity of a miftrefs ; and falfehood, by long
ufe, is aiiimilated to the mind, as poifon to the
body.
Rambler, vol. 2, p. 245.
It is not eafy, when we converfe much with
one whofe general character excites our venera
tion, to efcape all contagion of his peculiarities,
even when we do not deliberately think them wor
thy of our notice, and when they would have ex
cited laughter or difguft, had they not been pro
tected by their alliance to nobler qualities, and
accidentally conforted with knowjedge or with
virtue.
Ibid, vol.4, P- 2 *>.
It
( 122 )
It is the peculiar artifice of habit ^ not to fufFer
her power to be felt at firfr.. Thofe whom fhe
Iriids^ file has the addrefs of only appearing to at-
ttnd.
Vifion of Theodore, p. 85.
HOPE.
Our powers owe much of their energy to our
hopes ; poffuni quia poffe videntur.
Life of Milton.
The underftanding of a man, naturally fanguine,
may be eafily vitiated by the luxurious indulgence of
hope, however neceflary to the production of every
thing great or excellent, as fome plants are tlc-
ftroyed by too open an expofure to that fun, which
gives life and beauty to the vegetable world.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 10.
Hope is neceflary in every condition. The mi-
feries of poverty, of ficknefs, of captivity, would,
without this comfort, be infupportable ; nor does
it appear that the happiefi: lot of terreftrial exift-
ence, can fet us above the want of this general
bleffing ; or that life, when the gifts of nature
and fortune are accumulated upon it, would not
ffcill be wretched, were it not elevated and delight
ed by the expectation of fome new pofleffion,
of fome enjoyment yet behind, by which the wifh
fhall be at laft fatisfied, and the heart filled up to
its utmoft extent. Yet hope is very fallacious,
and promifes what it feldorn gives ; but its pro-
mifes are more valuable than the gifts of fortune,
and it feldom fruftrar.es us without a/Turing us of
recompenfing the delay by a great bounty.
- Ibid. vol. 2) p. 75.
When
( "3 )
e there is no hope, there can be no en~
deavourA
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 16.
Hope is the chief bleffing of man, and that hope
only is rational, of which we are certain that it
cannot deceive us.
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 36.
Without hope there can be no caution.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 8l.
It is feldom that we find either men or places
fuch as we expecT: them. He that has pictured a
profpeft upon his fancy, will receive little pleafure
from his eyes ; he that has anticipated the conver-
fation of a wit, will wonder to what prejudice he
owes his reputation. Yet it is necefiary to hope,
though hope mould always be deluded ; for hope
itfelf is happinefs, and its fruftratioris, however
frequent, are yet lefs dreadful than its extinction.
Idler, vol. z> p. 34.
Whatever enlarges hope, will likewife exalt
courage.
Weftern Iflands, p. 383.
HUMANITY.
He does nothing who endeavours to do more
than is allowed to humanity.
Prince of Abyfiinia, p. 179.
HEALTH.
Such is the power of health, that, without its
co-operation, every other comfort is torpid and
lifelefs as the power of vegetation without the fun.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 291.
G 2 Health
( "4 )
Health is fo neceilary to all the duties of life,
as well as the pleafures of life, that the crime of
fquandering it is equal to the folly ; and he that,
for a fhort gratification, brings weaknefs and dif-
eafes upon himfelf, and for the pleaiure of a few
years parTed in the tumults of diversion and cla
mours of merriment, condemns the maturer and
more experienced part of his life to the chamber
and the couch, may be juftiy reproached, not only
as a fpendthrift of his own happinefs, but as a
robber of the public ; as a wretch that has volun
tarily difquaiihed himfelf for the bufmefs of his
fbtion, and refufed that part which Providence
afligns him in the general talk of human nature.
Jbid. p. 289.
The valetudinarian race have made the care of
health ridiculous, by differing it to prevail over all
other confederations ; a? the mifer has brought fru
gality into contempt, by permitting the iove of
money not to mare, but to engrofs his mind.
Jb : d.
HISTORY.
He that records tranfa<5tions in which himfelf
was engaged, has not only an opportunity of
knowing innumerable particulars which cf
fpectators, but has his natural powers exalted by
that ardour which always rifes at the remembrance
of our own importance, and by which every man
is enabled to relate his own actions better than
another's.
IdJer, vol. 2, p. 69.
He that writes the hiflpry of his own times, if
he adheres ftrictly to truth, will write that which
his own times will not eafily endure. He mufl
be
( 125 )
be content to repofite his book till all private paf-
fions {ball ceafe, and love and hatred give way to
curiofity.
Ibid, p. 72.
Thofe familiar hiftories which draw the por
traits of living manners, may perhaps be made of
greater ufe than the folemnities cf profelled mora
lity, and convey the knowledge of vice and virtye
more efficacy than axioms and definitions.
But if the power of example is fo great as to take
poilelTion of the memory by a kind of violence,
and produce effects alinoft without the interven
tion of the will, care ought to be taken, that when
the choice is unreftrained, the bcft examples only
fliould be exhibited, and that which is likely to
operate fo ftrongly, ftiould not be mifchievous or
uncertain in its effects."
Rambler, vol. i, p. 21.
It is not a fufTicient vindication of a character
in hiftory, that it is drawn as it appears; for many
characters ought never to be drawn : nor of a
narrative, that the train of events is agreeable to
obfervation and experience ; for that observation
the -i>jor!d, will be found
much more freo/uouciy to niuke men cunning than
Hi,!, p. 22.
GOOD-HUMOUR.
Good -humour may be defined, a habit of being
jd ; a conftant and perennial fottnefs of man
ner, eafinefs ol approach, and fuavity of difpofi-
lion j like that which every one perceives in him-
ielf, when the nrft tranfports of new felicity have
G 3 fubiided,
fubiided, and his thoughts are only kept in motion
by a flow fucceffion of loft impulses.
Ibid. vol. Z) p. 102.
Good-humour is a ftate between gaiety and un
concern ; the act of a mind at leifure to regard
the gratifications of another.
Ibid.
Surely nothing can be more unreafonable than
to lole the will to pleafe, when we are confcious
of the power, or (hew more cruelty than to choofe
any kind of influence before that of kindnefs and
good-humour. He that regards the welfare of
others, fhould make his virtue approachable, that
it may be loved and copied j and he that confiders
the wants which every man feels, or will feel, of
external affiftance, muft rather wim to be fur-
rounded by thofe that love him, than by thofe that
admire his excellences or folicit his favours ; for
admiration ceafes with novelty, and intercft gains
its end and retires. A man whofe great qualities
want the ornament of fuperficial attra6Hons, is
like a naked mountain with mines of gold, which
will be frequented only till the treafure is exhaufted.
Ibid. p. 105.
Nothing can more {hew the value of good-
Immour, than that it recommends thofe who are
deftitute of all other excellences, and procures re
gard to the trifling, friendihip to the worthlefs,
arid affection to the dull.
Ibid.
Prince Henry, though well acquainted with the
vices and follies of Faljlaff> and though his con
viction compelled him to do juilice to fuperior
qualities,
qualities, yet no fooner fees him lying on the
ground, but he exclaims, " he could have better
Spared a better man." His tendernefs broke out
at the remembrance of the cheerful companion
and the loud buffoon,, with whom he had paffcd
his time in all the luxury of idlenefs, who had
gladded him with urienvied merriment, and whom
he could at once enjoy, and defpife.
Ibid.
GOOD-HUMOUR,
(Compared with Gaiety.)
Gaiety is to good-humour as animal perfumes
to vegetable fragrance. The one overpowers
weak fpirits, the other recreates and revives them.
Gaiety feldom fails to give fome pain ; the hearers
either ftrain their faculties to accompany its tow-
erings, or are left behind in envy or defpair.
Good-humour boafts no faculties, which every
one does not believe in his own power, and pleafes
principally by not offending.
Ibid* p. 1 02.
HYPOCRISY.
The hypocrite (hews the excellency of virtue
by the neceffityhe thinks himfelf under of feeming
to be virtuous.
Ibid, vol. i, p. 125
HONOUR.
Among the Symerons^ or fugitive Negroes in
the South Seas, being a nation that does not fet
them above continual cares for the immediate ne-
ceflaries of life, he that can temper iron berr, is
among them moft efteemed : and, perhaps, it
would be happy for every nation, if honours and
G 4 applaufes
applavj'es were as juftly diftributed, and he were
inoft dirlinguifhed whole abilities were moft ufeful
to fociety. How many chimerical titles to prece
dence, how many falfe pretences to refper, would
this rule bring to the ground !
Life of Drake, p. 175,
J.
JEALOUSY.
That natural jealoufy which makes every man
unwilling to allow much excellence in another,
-always produces a difpofition to believe that the
mind grows old with the body, and that he whom
we are now forced to confefs fuperior, is haftening
daily to a level with ourfelves. Intellectual decay,
doubtlefs, is not uncommon, but it is not univer-
fal. Newton was in his eighty-fifth year impro
ving his chronology, and Waller at eighty-two is
thought to have loft none of his poetical powers,
Life of Waller.
Jealoufy is a paflion compounded of love and
fu/pictVtim
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 4, p 317*
JESTING.
Unlefs men have the prudence not to appear
touched with* the farcafms of a/*/?*r, they fubjecT:
themfelves to his power, and the wife man will
have his folly anatomifcd by a fool.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 306.
Jocafe
\
Jocofe follies and flight offences are only al
lowed by mankind, in him that overpowers them
bv great qualities.
Ibid, vol.4, p. 19.
JOY.
As Iriars have fweetnefs. with their prickle's, fo are
troubles often recompsnfed with joy.
Ibid. p. 121.
JUDGMENT.
Thofe who have no power to judge of paft
times, but by their own, mould always doubt
their conclufions.
Life of Milton.
As laws operate in civil agency, not to the ex
citement of virtue, but the repreifion of wicked-
nefs, fo judgment, in the operations of intellect,
can hinder faults, but not produce excellence.
Life of Prior.
Nothing is more unjuft than to judge of a man
by too iliort an acquaintance, and too flight in-
fpection ; for it often happens, that in the loofe
and thoughtlefs, and dillipated, there is a fecret ra
dical worth, which may moot out by proper cul
tivation. That the fpark of heaven, though
dimmed and obftrufted, is yet not extinguimed,
but may, by the breath of counfel and exhortation,
be kindled into a flame. To imagine that every
one who is not completely good, is irrevocably
abandoned, is to fuppofe that all are capable of the
fame degree of excellence; it is indeed, to exacl:
from all, that perfection which none ever can at
tain. And fince the pureft virtue is confident
with fome vice, and the virtue of the greateft
G 5 . number.
( 130 }
number, with almoft an equal proportion of con
trary qualities, let, none too haftily conclude that
all goodnefs is loft, though it may for a time be
clouded and overwhelmed ; for moft minds are the
(laves of external circumilances, and conform to
any hand that undertakes to mould them, roll
down any torrent of cuftom in which they happen
to be caught, or bend to any importunity that
bears hard againft them.
Rambler, vol.2, p. 94.
Thofe that have done nothing in life, are not
qualified to judge of thofe that have done little.
Plan of an Englifh Dictionary, p. 49.
It is innppffible for thofe that have only known
affluence *nu profperity, to judge rightly of them-
felves and others. The rich and powerful live in
a perpetual mafquerade, in which all about them
wear borrowed characters ; and we only difcover
in what eftimation we are held, when we can no
longer give hopes or fears.
Rambler, vol. z p. 124.
Judgment is forced upon us by experience.
He that reads many books, muft compare one opi
nion, or one ftyle, with another ; and, when he
compares, muft neceflarily diflinguifh, reject, and
prefer.
Life of Pope.
JUSTICE.
One of the principal parts of national felicity,
arifes from a wife and impartial adminifrration of
I" jftice. Every man repofes upon the tribunals of
is country, the {lability of profeffion and the fe-
renity of life. He therefore who unjuftly expofes
the
i;
the courts of judicature to fufpic ion, either of par
tiality or error, not only does an injury to thofe
who difpenfe the laws, but diminifhes the public
confidence in the laws themfelves, and /hakes the
foundation of public tranquillity.
Convi&s Addrefs, p. 2,0.
Of juftice, one of the heathen fages have fhewn,
with great acutenefs, that it was imprefled upon
mankind only by the inconveniencies which in-
juftice*K&& produced. u In the firft ages, (ays he,
men acted without any rule but the impulfe of de-
fire ; they practifed injuftice upon others, and fuf-
fered it from others in return; but, in time, it
was discovered that the pain of fuftering wrong,
was greater than the pleafure of doing it, and
mankind, by a general compact, fubmitted to the
reftraint of laws, and reiigned the pleafure to ef-
cape the pain."
Idler, vol. 2, p. 208.
What the law does in every nation between in
dividuals, juflice ought to do between nations.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 9> p. 58*
INDUSTRY.
Few things are impoflible to induftry and fkill.
Prince of Abyflinia, p. 88.
Many things difficult to defign, prove eafy to
performance.
Ibid. p. 93.
He that {hall walk with vigour three hours a
day, will pafs, in feven years, a fpace equal to the
circumference of the globe.
ibid.
' G 6 Whatever
Whatever bufies the mind without corrupting
it, has, at leaft, this ufe, that it refcues the day
from idlenefs ; and he that is never idle, will not
often be vicious.
Rambler, vol.4, P97
It is below the dignity of a reafonable being, to
owe that ftrength to neceffity which ought always
to a6t at the call of choice, or to need any other
motive to induftry than the defire of performing
his duty.
Ibid. vcl. 3. p, 144.
If it be difficult to perfuade the idle to be bufy,
it is not eafy to convince the bufy that it is fome-
times better to be idle.
Idler, vol. i, p. 195.
INDISCRETION.
We fornetimes fucceed by Indifcretion^ when we
fail by deep laidfchemes.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. io> p. 389.
IMITATION".
No man was ever great by imitation.
Prince of Abyffinia, p. 66.
It is juftly confidered as the greateft excellency
of art, to imitate nature ; but it requires judg
ment to diflinguifh thofe parts of nature which
are inoft proper for imitatation.
Rambler, vol. I, p. 21.
As not every inftance of fimilitude can be con
fidered as a proof of imitation, fo not every imi
tation ought to be ftigmatifed as a plagiarifm :
the adoption of a noble fentiment, or the infer-
tion
tion of a borrowed ornament, may fometimes dif-
play fo much judgment, as will alinoft compenfate
for invention ; and an inferior genius may, with
out any imputation of fervility, purfue the path of
the ancients, provided he declines to tread in their
footfteps.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 231.
The reputation which arifes from the detail, or
tranfpofition of borrowed fcntiments, may fpread
for a while like ivy on the rind of antiquity, but
will be torn away by accident, or contempt, and
fuffered to rot, unheeded, on the ground.
Ibid. p. 292.
When the original is well chofen, and judici-
oufly copied, the imitator often arrives at excel
lence, which he could never have attained without
direction; for few are formed with abilities to dif-
cover new poflibilities of excellence, and to diitin-
guifli themfelves by means never tried before.
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 25.
The Macedonian conqueror, when he was once
invited to hear a man that fung like a nightingale,
replied, with contempt, tc That he had heard the
nightingale herfelf :" and the fame treatment mufl
every man expect, whofe praife is, that he imi
tates another.
Ibid. vol. 2, p. 182*
~ Almoft all the abfurdity of conduct arifes from
the imitation of thofe whom we cannot refemble.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 176.
We are eafily flattered by an imitator, when
we do not fear ever to be rivalled.
Ibid. p. 249.
Imitations
( 134 )
Imitations produce pain or pleafure, not becaufe
they are miftaken for realities, but becaufe they
bring realities to the mind. When the imagina
tion is recreated by a landfcape, the trees are not
fuppofed capable to give us (hade ; but we confider
how we fhould be pleafed with fuch fountains
playing befide us, and fuch woods waving over us.
Preface to Shakefpedre, p. 114.
INDOLENCE,
It is in vain to put wealth within the rearch of
him who will not ftretch out his hand to take it.
Life of King.
Indolence is one of thofe vices from which thofe
\vhom it once infedts are feldom reformed.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 298.
Every other fpecies of luxury operates upon
foine appetite that Ls quickly fatiated, and repuires
fome concurrence of art, or accident, which every
place will not fupply ; but the dcfire of eafe ads
equally at all hours, and the longer it is indulged,
is the more increafed.
Ibid.
He that is himfelf weary, will foon weary the
public. Let him, therefore, lay down his employ
ment, whatever it be, who can no longer exert
his former activity, or attention. Let him not
endeavour to ftruggle with cenfure, or obftinately
infeft the ftage, till a general hifs commands him
to depart.
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 2,58,
IDLENESS.
As pride is fometimes hid under humility, idle-
nefs is often covered by turbulence and hurry.
He
He that ne'glects his known duty, and real em
ployment, naturally endeavours to croud his mind
with fomething that may bar out the remembrance
of his own folly, and does any thing but what he
ought to do, with eager diligence, that he may-
keep himfelf in his own favour.
Idler, vol. j, p. 172,
Perhaps every man may date the predominance
of thofe defires that diflurb his life, and contami
nate his confcience, from fome unhappy hour
when too much leifure expofed him to tiieir in-
curfions ; for he has lived with little obfervation,
either on himfelf, or others, who does not know
that to be idle is to be vicious.
Rambler, vol. 2, p. i8r.
There are faid to be pleafures in madnefs, known
only to madmen. There are certainly miferies in
idlenefs, which the idler can only conceive.
Idler, vol. j, p. 15.
Of all the enemies of idlenefs, want is the moft
formidable. Fame is foon found to be a found,
and love a dream. Avarice and ambition may be
juftly fufpecled of being privy confedrates with
idlenefs ; for when they have, for a while, pro
tected their votaries, they often deliver them up,
to end their lives under her dominion. Want al
ways druggies againft idlenefs ; but want herfelf
is often overcome, and every hour, mews the care
ful obferver thofe who had rather live in eafe than
in plenty.
Ibid. p. 51.
No man is fo much open to conviction as the
idler \ but there is none on whom it operates fo little.
Ibid. p. 175.
The
( 136 )
The drunkard, for a time, laughs over his
wine ; the ambitious man triumphs in the mil-
carriage of his rival ; but the captives of indolence
have neither fuperiority nor merriment*
Vifion of Theodore, p. 94.
It is not only in the /lumber of floth, but in the
diiTipation of ili-dire6ted induftry, that the ihortnefs
of life is generally forgotten. As fome men lofe
their hours in lazinefs, becaufe they fuppofe that
there is time for the reparation of negledl, others
bufy themfelves in providing that no length of
life may want employment ; and it often happens,
that fluggiihnefs and activity are equally furprifed
by the laft fummons, and perifli not more differ
ently from each other, than the fowl that received
the mot in her flight, from her that is killed upon
the bufh.
Rambler, vol. a, p. 99.
Idlenefs can never fecure tranquillity ; the call
of reafon and of conference will pierce the clofeft
pavilion of the fluggard, and, though it may not
have force to drive him from his down, will be
loud enough to hinder him from fleep. Thofe
moments which he cannot refolve to make ufeful,
by devoting them to the great bufmefs of his be
ing, will ftill be ufurped by powers that will not
leave them to his difpofal ; re mode and vexation
will feize upon them, and forbid him to enjoy what
he is fo deiirous to appropriate.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 172.
Thofe who attempt nothing themfelves, think
every thing eafily performed, and confider the un
fuccefsfuJ always as criminal.
Idler, voJi i, p. 5.
( 137 )
The diligence of an idler is fometimes rapid and
impetuous ; as ponderous bodies-, forced into ve
locity, move with violence proportionate to their
weight.
Ibid.
There are fome that profefs idlencfs in its full
dignity; who call themfelves the Idle^ as Bufiris,
in the play, calls himfelf- the proud; who boail
that they do nothing, and thank their flars that
they have nothing to do ; who deep every night
till they can fleep no longer, and rife only that ex-
ercife may enable them to fleep again ; who pro
long the reign of darknefs by double curtains, and
never fee the fun, but to tell him how they hate his
learns ; whofe whole labour is to vary the poilures
cf indulgence ; and whofe day differs from their
night, but as a couch, or chair, differs from a bed.
Ibid. p. 171.
Idlenefs predominates in many lives where it is
not fufpecled; for, being a vice which terminates
in itfelf, it may be enjoyed without injury to
others, and is therefore not watched like fraud,
which endangers property, or like pride, which
naturally feeks its gratifications in another's infe
riority. Idlenefs is a filent and peaceful quality,
that neither raifes envy by oftentation, nor hatred
by oppofition ; and therefore nobody is bufy to
cenfure or detect it.
Ibid. p. 1721
INTEGRITY.
Integrity without knowledge is weak, and ge
nerally ufelefs ; and knowledge without integrity
is dangerous and dreadful.
Prince of Abvffinia, p. 249.
IGNORANCE,
( 138 )
IGNORANCE.
The man who feels himfelf ignorant, fhould, at
leaft, t>e modeft.
Preliminary Difcourfe to the London Chronicle, p. 156.
Ignorance cannot always be inferred from inac
curacy, knowledge is not always prefent.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol.6, p. 101.
Grofs ignorance every man has found equally
dangerous with perverted knowledge. Men left
wholly to their appetites and their inftinclis, with
little fenfe of moral or religious obligation, and
with very faint diftinclions of right and wrong,
can never be fafely employed, or confidently truft-
ed. They can be honeft only by obftinacy, and
diligent only by compulfion or caprice. Some
inftru&ion,- therefore, is neceflary ; and much,
perhaps, may be dangerous.
Review of the Origin of Evil, p. n.
Ignorance is moft eafily kept in fubjeclion by
enlightening the mind with truth, fraud and ufur-
pation would be made lefs practicable, and lefs
fecure.
Introdulion to the World difplayed, p. 180*
, IGNORANCE,
( Compared with Know k age.)
The expectation of ignorance is indefinite, and
that of knowledge often tyrannical. It is hard to
fatisfy thofe who know not what to demand, or
thofe who demand by defign, what they think im-
poiTible to be done.
Preface to Shakefpeare, p. 68.
IGNORANCE,
IGNORANCE,
(Compared with Confidence.)
In things difficult there is danger from igno
rance i in things eafy, from confidence.
Preface to Dictionary, fol. 0.9.
IMPRUDENCE.
Thofe who, in confequence of fuperior capaci
ties and attainments, difregard the common max
ims of life, ought to be reminded, that nothing
will fupply the want of prudence ; and that negli
gence and irregularity, long continued, will make
knowledge ufelefs, wit ridiculous, and genius con
temptible.
Life of Savage.
IMPRISONMENT.
Few are mended by imprifonment ; and he
whofe crimes have made confinement necefTary,
feldom makes any other ufe of his enlargement,
than to do with greater cunning, what he did before
with lefs.
Falfe Alarm, p. 8.
The end of all civil regulations is to fecure pri
vate happinefs from private malignity, to keep in
dividuals from the power of one another. But
this end is apparently neglecled by imprifonment for
debt, when a man, irritated with lofs, is allowed
to be a judge of his own caufe, and to affign the
punifhmeiit of his own pain ; when the diftinclion
between guilt and unhappinefs, between cafualty
and defign, is entrufted to eyes blind with interefr,
to underflandings depraved by refentment.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 122.
In a prifon the awe of the public eye is loft, and
the power of the law is fpent. There are few
fears.
fears, there arc no blufhcs. The lewd inflame
the lewd j the audacious harden the audacious.
Every or.'- ift his
own fcnfibility, and endeavours to practife on
others, the arts which are pratifed on himil-lf, and
the kindnefs of his ailbciatcs by fimilitude of
manners.
Ibid. p. 216.
It is not fo drer.dful in a high fpirit to be impri-
I, as it is defirable in a (late of difgrace to be
fheltercd from the fcorn of the gazers.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 6, p. 343.
The confinement of any debtor in the {loth and
darknefs of a prifon, is a lofs to the' nation, and no
gain to the creditor, for, of the multitude who are
pining in thofe cells of mifery, a very fmall part is
fufpedted of any fraudulent act by which they re
tain what belongs to others. The reft are impri-
foned by the wantonnefs of pride, the malignity of
revenge, or the acrimony of difappointed expec
tation.
Idler, vol. i, p. in.
Since poverty is punimed among us as a crime,
it ought at leaft to be treated with the fame lenity
as other crimes : the offender ought not to languifh
will of him whom he - led, but to be
appeal to the juftice oi ; his country.
There can be no rcafon why any debtor fhould be
imprifoned, but that he may be i ' to p.iy-
nient ; and a term fhould the, :!, in
i the creditor fhould exhibit his accufation of
.iled property. If fuch property car. be dii-
'd, k'-. it be gi'.en to th r; if the
;e is not offered, or cannot be proved, let the
priibncr be difmiiied.
Ibid, p. 123.
Thofe
( HI )
Thofc who made the laws of imprisonment for
v tlebt, have apparently fuppofed, that every defici-
of payment is the crime of the debtor. But
the truth is, that the creditor always ihares the adt,
and often more than fhares the guilt, of improper
!om happens that any man imprifons
another but for debts which he fufrercd to be con
ed in hope of advantage to himfelf, and for
bargains in which he proportioned his profit to his
own opinion of the hazard ; and there is no rea-
fon why oiu fliould punim. the other for a contract
in which both concurred.
Ibid. p. 124.
We fee nation trade with nation, where no pay
ment can be compelled : mutual convenience pro-
> mutual confidence ; and the merchants con
tinue to ilitisfy the demands of each other, though
they have nothing to dread but the lois of trade.
Ibid. p. 125.
It is in vain, then, to continue an inftitution,
which experience fhews to be ineffectual . We
now imprifoned one generation of debtors af-
:iother, but we do not find that their numbers
leflcn. We have now learned that rafhncis and
imprudence will not be deterred from taking credit ;
let us try whether fraud and avarice may be more
eafily rcftraincd from giving it.
Ibid.
He whofe debtor has peri died in prifon, though
he may acquit himfelf of deliberate murder, muft,
at leaft, have his mind clouded with difcontent
when he confulers how much another has fuflvroil
from him j when he thinks of the wife bewailing
her
( H* )
her hufband, or the children begging the bread
which their father would have earned. '
Ibid. p. 217.
IMPOSITION.
There are thofe who having got the cant of the
dtiy-) with a fnperficial readmefi of flight and curfory
converfation, who very often impofe themfelves as!
men of underftanding, upon wife men.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 10, p., 401.
IMAGINATION.
It is the great failing of a ftrong imagination to]
catch greedily at wonders.
Memoirs of the K. of PruHla, p. 118.
A man who once refolves upon ideal difcoveries,
feldom fearches long in vain.
Life of Sir T. BrowHe, p.2,66.
It is a difpofition to feel the force of words, and
to combine the ideas annexed to them with quick-
nefs, that mews one man's imagination to be better
than another's, and diftinguimes a fine tafte from
dulnefs and ftupidity.
Review of the Sublime and Beautiful, p. 57.
Imagination is ufelefs without knowledge. Na
ture gives in vain the power of combination, im-
lefs ftudy and obfervation fupply materials to be
combined.
Life of Butler.
It is ridiculous to oppofe judgment to imagina
tion ; for it does not appear, that men have ne-
cefTarily lefs of one, as they have more of the
other.
Life of Rofeommon.
There
( 143 )
There are fome men of fuch rapid imagination,
that, like the Peruvian torrent, when it brings
down gold, mingles it with fand.
Plan of an Englifli Didlionary, p. 53.
INTELLIGENCE.
Without intelligence man is not focial, he is
only gregarious ; and little intelligence will there
be, where all are conftrained to daily labour, and
every mind mufl wait upon the hand.
Weftern Iflands, p. 317.
FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.
Of remote tranfaftions, the firft accounts are
always confufed, and commonly exaggerated ; and
in domeftic affairs, if the power to conceal is lefs,
the intereft to mifreprefent is often greater ; and
what is fufEciently vexatious, truth feems to fly
from curiofity ; and as many enquiries produce
many narratives, whatever engages the public at
tention, is immediately difguifed by the embellifli-
ments of fiction.
Preliminary Difcourfe to the London Chronicle, p. 154.
IRRESOLUTION.
He that knows not whither to go, is in no hafte
to move.
Life of Swift.
SELF-IMPORTANCE.
Every man is of importance to himfelf, and
therefore, in his own opinion, to others ; and fup-
pofing the world already acquainted with all his
pleafures and his pains, is, perhaps, the firft to
publifh injuries or misfortunes which had never
been known unlefs related by himfelf, and at which
thofe
( H4 )
thofe that hear him will only laugh ; for no man
fympathifes with the forrows of vanity.
Life of Pope.
The man who-threatens the world is always ri
diculous ; for the world can eafily go on without
him, and, in a fhort time, will ceafe to mils him.
Ibid.
No caufe more frequently produces bafhfulnefs
than too high an opinion of our own importance.
He that imagines an aiTembly filled with his merit,
panting with expectation, and humed with atten
tion, eafily terrifies himfelf with the dread of dif-
appolnting them, and {trains his imagination in
purfuit of fomething that may vindicate the vera
city of fame, and fhew that his reputation was not
gained by chance.
Rambler, vol.3, p. 319.
INSULT.
There are innumerable modes of infult, and
tokens of contempt, for which it is not eafy to
find a name, which vaniih to nothing in an attempt
to defcribe them, and yet may, by continual re
petition, make day pafs after day in forrow and
in terror.
Ibid. p. 262.
Whatever be the motive of infult, it is always
beft to overlook it ; for folly fcarcely can deferve
refentmenr, and malice is punifhed by neglect.
Ibid, vol.4, p. 2Zi.
INCREDULITY.
To refufe credit, confers, for a moment, an ap
pearance of fuperiority, which every little mind is
tempted
tempted to aflame, when it may be gained fo cheap
ly, as by withdrawing attention from evidence,
and declining the fatigue of comparing probabi
lities.
Idler, vol. t, p. 195.
The moft pertinacious and vehement demon-
ftrator may be wearied, in time, by continual ne
gation and incredulity, which an old poet, in his
addrefs to Raleigh, calls " the wit of fools," ob-
tunds the arguments which it cannot anfwer, as
woolfacks deaden arrows, though they cannot re
pel them.
Ibid. p. 196.
INDULGENCE.
The man who commits common faults, fhould
not be precluded from common indulgence.
Preliminary Difcourle to the London Chronicle, p, 155.
INCLINATION.
It may reafonably be afTerted, that he who finds
himfelf ftrongly attracted to any particular ftudy,
though it may happen to be out of his propofed
fcheme, if it is not trifling or vicious, had better
continue his application to it, fmce it is likely that
he will, with much more eafe and expedition, at
tain that which a warm inclination Simulates him
to purfue, than that at which a prefcribed law
compels him to toil.
Idler, vol. a, p. 85.
RURAL IMPROVEMENTS.
Whether to plant a walk in undulating curves,
and to place a bench at every turn where there is
an object to catch the view > to make water run
H where
where it will be heard, and to flagnate where it'
will be feen ; to leave intervals where the eye will
be pleafed, and to thicken the plantation where
there is fomething to be hidden, demands any great
powers of mind, we will not enquire. Perhaps a
itirly and fullen (peculator may think fuch perform
ances rather the fport, than the bufmefs of human
reafon. But it muft be at lead confeiled, that to
embellifh the form of nature is an innocent amufe-
ment, and fome praife muft be allowed, by the
moft fupercilious obferver, to him who does beft,
what fuch multitudes are contending to do well.
Life of Shenflone.
INNOCENCE,
There are fome reafoners who frequently con
found innocence with the mere incapacity of guilt ;
but he that never faw, or heard, or thought of
ftrong liquors, cannot be* propofed as a pattern of
fobriety.
Life of Drake, p. 224.
INCONSTANCY.
Inconftancy is in every cafe a markofweaknefs*
Plan of an Engliih Dictionary, p. 37.
INTEREST.
Moft men are animated with greater ardour by
inter eft than by fidelity.
Life of Drake, p, 186.
INTEREST AND PRIDE.
Interefl^ and pride harden the heart ; and it is
vain to difpute againft avarice and power.
Introduction to the World Difpiayed, p, 177.
KNOWLEDGE.
( 147 )
K.
KNOWLEDGE.
Man is not weak ; knowledge is moue ths.ii
equivalent to force.
Prince of Abyfimia, p. 50.
/
As knowledge advances, pleafure pafles from
the eye to the ear; but returns, as it declines, from
the ear to the eye.
Preface to Shakefpeare, p. 34.
Other things may be feized by might or pur-
chafed with money ; but knowledge is to be gain
ed only by fludy, and iludy to be profecuted only
in retirement.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 37.
No degree of knowledge, attainable by man, is
able to let him above the want of hourly afTiftance,
or to extinguish the defire of fond endearments
and tender officioufnefs ; and therefore no one
fliould think it unneceflary to learn thofe arts by
which friendmip maybe gained. Kindnefs ispre-
ferved by a conitant reciprocation of benefits or
interchange of pleafures ; but fuch, benefits only
can be bellowed as others are capable to receive,
and fuch pleafures only imparted as others are
qualified to enjoy. By this defcent from the pin
nacles of art, no honour will be loft ; for the
condefcenfions of learning are always overpaid by
gratitude. An elevated genius employed in little
things, appears, to ufe the fimile of Longinus,
" like the fun in its evening declination j he re
mits his fplendor, but retains his magnitude; and
plcafes more though he dazzles lefs."
Ibid. vol. 5, p. 190*
H 2 The
Kings, without fometimes pacing their time
-without pomp, and without acquaintance with the
various forms of life, and with the genuine paf-
, interefts, defires, and diflrefles, of mankind,
fee the world in a mifl, and bound their views to
a narrow ccmpafs. It was, perhaps, to the private
condition in which Cromwell firft entered the
world, that he owed the fuperiority of underfland-
ing, he had over moft of our kings. In that ftate,
he learned the art of fccret tranfaclion, and the
knowledge by which he was able to oppofe zeal to
2eal 3 and make one enthufiaft deftroy another.
Ibid, p. ico.
It is a pofition long received amongft politi
cians, that the lofs of a king's power is foon fol
lowed by the lofs of life.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 6, p._44<D.
The riches of a king ought not be feen in
his own colters, but in the opulence of his fub-
jeds.
Memoirs of the King of Pruffia, p. 97.
To enlarge dominions, has been the boaft of
many princes ; to diffufe happinefs and fecurity
through wide regions has been granted to few.
Ibid. p. jii,
Monarchs are always furrounded with refined
fpirits, fo penetrating, that they frequently difco-
Marmor Norfolcienfc, p. 17.
LIFE.
L.
LIFE.
Life is not to be counted by the ignorance of
infancy or the imbecility of age. We are long
before we are able to think, and we foon ceaie
from the power of acting.
Prince of Abyfimia, p. 26.
Human life is every where a ftate in which
much is to be endured and little to be enjoyed.
Ibid. p. 78.
Life may be lengthened by care, though death
cannot ultimately be defeated.
Preface to Dift, fol. p. 10.
The great art of life is to play for much and
flake little.
Diffirtation on Authors, p. 29.
It has always been lamented, that of the little
time allotted to man, much muft be fpent upon
fupsrduitles. Every proipect has it:
which we mud bn.-ak: to enlarge our very
flep of our progrefs finds impediments, which,
however eager to go forward, we nxuit flop to
remove.
minary Difcourfe to the London Chronicle, p. 1*3.
An even and unvaried tenor of life always hides
from our apprehenfion the approach of its end.
Succeffion is not perceived but by variation. He
that lives to-day as he lived yefterday, and expects
that as the prdent day, fuch will be to-morrow,
H 4 eauly
( 152 )
.eafily conceives time as running in a circle, and
returning to itfelf. The uncertainty of our ntua-
tion is impreiTed commonly by diffimilitude of
condition, and it is only by rinding life changea
ble, that we are reminded of its fhortiiefs.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 282.
He that embarks in the voyage of life, will al
ways wifli to advance rather by the impulfe of the
wind, than the ftrokes of the oar ; and many
founder in their palFage while they lie waiting for
the gale.
Ibid, vol. i f p, 7.
A minute analyfis of life at once deflroys that
fplendour which dazzles the imagination. What-
foever grandeur can difplay or luxury enjoy, is
procured by offices of which the mind {brink's from
the contemplation. All the delicacies of the table
may be traced back to the mambles arid the dung
hill ; all magnificence of building was hewn from
the quarry, and all the pomp of ornament dug
from among the damps and darknefs of the mine.
Notes upon Shukefpeare, vol. 2, p. 73.
In the different degrees of life, there will be of
ten found much meannefs among the great, and
much grtatmfi among the mean.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 181.
Every man has feen the mean too often proud
of the humility of the great, and perhaps the great
may fometimes be bumbled in tbepraijes of the mean ;
particularly of thofe who commend them without
conviction or difcernmcnt.
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 21.
When
( 'S3 )
When we fee, by fo many examples, how few
are the necefTaries of life, we fhould learn what
madnefs there is in fo much fuperfluity.
Ibid. vol. 8, p. 345.
The main of life is compofed of fmall incidents
and petty occurrences, of wi fries for objects not
remote, and grief for difappointments of no fatal
confequence ; of infe<5t vexations, which ftin-g us
and fly away; and impertinences which buz a
while about us, and are heard no more. Thus a
few pains and a few pleafures, are all the mate
rials of human life ; and of thefe the proportions
are partly allotted by Providence, and partly left
to the arrangement of reafon and choice.
Rambler, vol. 2, p. 82.
Such is the ftate of every age, every fex, and
every condition in life, that all have their cares ei
ther from nature or hsm folly ; whoever, therefore,
that finds himfelf inclined to envy another, fhould
remember that he knows not the real condition
which he defires to obtain, but is certain, that by
indulging a vicious pafiion, he muft leflen that
happinefs which he thinks already too iparingly
bellowed.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 140. '
No man pad the middle point of life, can fit
down to feaft upon the pleafures of youth, without
finding the banquet embittered by the cup of for-
row.
A few years make fuch havoc in human gene*,
rations, that we foon fee ourfelveF deprived of thofe
with whom we entered the world, and whom the
participation of pleafures or fatigues had endeared
to our remembrance. The man of enterprife re-
H 5 counts
( 154 )
counts his adventures and expedients, but is for
ced, at the clofe of the relation, to pay a figh to
the names of thofe that contributed to his fuccefs.
Ife that paffes his life among the gayer part of
mankind, has his remembrance flored with re
marks and repartees of wits, whofe fprightlinefs
and merriment are now loft in perpetual fiience.
The trader, whofe induftry has iupplied the want
of inheritance, repines in iblitary plenty at the ab-
fence of companions, with whom he had planned
out amufements for his latter years ; and the fcho-
Jar, ; whofe merit, after a long feries of efforts, rai -
fes him from obfcurity, looks round in vain from
iiis exaltation for his old friends or enemies, whofe
applauie or mortification would heighten his tri
umph..
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 2,34,
Life, however fhort, is made flill fliorter by
-wafte of time; and its progrefs towards happinefs,
though naturally flow,, is yet retarded by unnecef-
fary labour
Idler, vol. 2,, p. 217.
Life confifts not of a feries of illufrrious actions
or elegant enjoyments ; the greater part of OUT
time pafles in compliance with neceffities, in the
performance, of daily duties, in tjhe removal of
imaTl.inconveniencies, in the procurement of petty
pleafures ; and we are well or ill at eafe as the
mairi'ftream of life glides on fmoothly or is ruf
fled by fmall obftacles and frequent interruption'.
In fhort, die true ftate of every nation is the ftate
Weftern Iflands. p. 44.
If
( 155 )
If to have all that riches can purchafe is to be
rich, if to do all that can be done in a long time
is to live long, he is equally a benefactor to man
kind, who teaches them to protract the duration,
or fhorten the bufinefs of life.
Life of Barretier, p. 141.
LEARNING.
It is not by comparing line with line that the
merit of great' works is to be eftimated ; but by
their general effe&s and ultimate refult.
Life of Dryden.
When learning was firft rifmg on the world, in
the fifteenth century, ages fo long accuftomed to
darknefs, were too much dazzled with its light to
fee any thing diftin&ly. The firft race of fcho-
lars, hence, for the mbft part, were learning to
fpeak rather than to think, and were therefore more
ftudiuus of elegance than truth. The contempo
raries of Boethius thought it fufficient to know
what the ancients had delivered ; the examination
of tenets and fa&s was referved for another gene
ration.
Weftern Wands, p. 28.
In nations where there is hardly the ufa of let
ters, what is once out of fight, is loft for ever.
They think but little, and of their' few thoughts
none are wafted on the part in which they are nei
ther interefted by fe'ar nnr hope. Their only re-
gifters are ftated obfervances and prafhcal repre-
fentations ; for this reafon an age of ignorance is
an age of ceremony. Pageants and proceions,
and commemorations, gradually Ihrink away as
H 6 better
f 156 )
better methods come into ufe, of recording events
and preferring rights.
Ibid. p. 145,
Falfe hopes and falfb terrors are equally to be
avoided. Every man who propofes to grow emi
nent by learning, fhould carry in his mind at once
the difficulty of excellence, and the force of in-
duftry; and remember that fame is not conferred
but as the recompenie of labour ; and that labour,
vigorously continued, has not often failed of its
reward.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 155*
Literature is a kind of intellectual light, which,
like the light of the fun, may fometimes enable
us to fee what we do not like ; but who would wifh
to efcape unpleafmg objects, by condemning him-
felf to perpetual darknefs ?
DifTertation on Authors, p. 22.
It is the great excellence of learning, that it
borrows very little from time or place. It is not
confined to feafon or to climate ; to cities or the
country; but may be cultivated and enjoyed where
no other pleafure can be obtained.
Idler, vcl.2, p. 234.
In refpedl: to the lofs and gain of literature, if
letters were confidered only as a means of pleafure,
it might well be doubted in what degree of efti-
nuition they fhould be held ; but when they are
referred to neceflity, the controverfy is at an end.
It foon appears, that though they may fometimes
incommode us, yet human life v/ould fcarcely rife,
without them, above the common exiftence of
animal nature. We might, indeed, breathe and
eat,
( JS7 )
eat, in univerfal ignorance, but muft want all that
gives pleafure or fecurity, all the embellifhments
and delights, and mod of the conveniences and
comforts of our prefent condition.
. DiHertadon on Authors, p. 2i
L O V E*
It is not hard to love thofe from whom nothing
can be feared.
Life of Addifon,
In love it has been held a maxim, that fuccefs
is moil eafily obtained by indirect, and unper-
ceivcd approaches ; he who too foon profefles
himfelf a lover, raifes obflacles to his own wimes ;
and thofe whom difappointments have taught ex
perience, endeavour to conceal their paffion, till
they believe their miftrefs vvifhes for the difcovery.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 3.
Love being always fubje& to the operations of
time, fuffers change and diminution.
Notes upon Shakcfpeare, vol. 10, p. 366.
SELF-LOVE.
Partiality to ourfelves is feen in a variety of in-
ftances. The liberty of the prefs is a bleffing,
when we are inclined to write againft others ; and
a calamity, when we find ourfelves overborne by
the multitude of our aflkilants ; as the power of
the crown is always thought too great by thofe
who fuffer through its influence, and too little by
thofe in whofe favour it is exerted. A {landing
army is generally accounted neceflary, by thofe
who command, and dangerous and oppreflive by
thofe who fupport it.
Life of Savage.
To
To charge thofe favourable reprefentations
which every man gives of himfelf, with the guilt
of hypocritical faliehood, would (hew more feve-
rity than knowledge. The writer commonly be
lieves himfelf. Almoft every man's thought?,
whilft they are general, are right ; and mod hearts
are pure, whilft temptation is away. It is eafy to
awaken generous fentiments in privacy ; to def-
pife death where there is no danger ; to glow with
benevolence where there is nothing to be given.
Whilft fuch ideas are formed, they are felt, and
felf-love does not fufpecl the gleam of virtue to be
the meteor of fancy.
Life of Pope.
LANGUAGE.
When the matter is low and fcanty, a dead
language, in which nothing is mean, becaufe no
thing is familiar, affords great convenience.
. Life of Addifon.
Language is only the inftrument of fcience,
and words are but the figns of ideas.
Preface to DidHonary, fol. p. 2.
Howeveracademies have beeninftituted to guard
the avenues of their languages ; to retain fugitives
and repulfe intruders ; their vigilance and activity
have hitherto been vain. Sounds are too volatile
and fubtle for legal reftraints ; to enchain fyllables
and lafn the wind are equally the undertakings of
pritle, unwilling to mcafure its defires by its
ilrenr'h. Among a people polifhed by art, and
clafle.I by fubordi nation, thofe who have much lei-
furc to think, will always be enlarging the flock
of ideas ;' and every incr^ife of knowledge, whe
ther real, or fancied, will produce new words, or
combinations
combinations of words. When the mind is un
chained from neceflity, it will range after conve
nience ; when it is left at large in the fields of
fpeculation, it will fhift opinions. As any cuftom
is difufed, the words that exprefled it inuft perifh
with it; as any opinion grows popular, it will in
novate fpeech in the fame proportion as it alters
practice.
Ibid. p. 9.
It is incident to words, as to their authors, to
degenerate from their anceftors, and to change their
manners when they change their country.
Ibid. p. 3.
No nation can trace their language beyond the
fecond period ; and even of that it does not often
happen that many monuments remain.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 6z
Commerce, however neceflary, however lucra
tive, as it depraves the manners, corrupts the
language. They that have frequent intercourse
with (hangers, to whom they endeavour to accom
modate themfelve?, mint- in time learn a mingled
dialed, like the jargon which ferves the traffickers
on the Mediterranean and Indian coafts. This
will not always be confined to the exchange, the
warehoufe, or the port, but will be communicated
by degrees to other ranks of the people, and be at
laft incorporated with the current fpeech.
Preface to Johnfon's Dictionary, p. 81.
Every language has its anomalies, which, though
inconvenient, and in themfelves once unneceilary,
rnuft b'e tolerated among the imperfections of hu
man things, and which require only to be regif-
tered.
tered, that they may not be increafed, and afcer-
tairied, that they may not be confounded.
Ibid. p. 56.
Language is the drefs of thought ; and as the
nobleft mien, or mcft graceful action, would be
degraded and obfcured by a garb appropriated to
the grofs employments of ruftics or mechanic?,
fo the moil heroic fentiments will lofe their eifi-
cacy, and the moil fplendid ideas drop their mag
nificence, if they are conveyed by words ufed com
monly upon low and trivial occaiions, debafed by
vulgar mouths, and contaminated by inelegant ap
plications.
Life of Cowlcy.
When languages are formed upon different
principles, it is impoflible that the fame modes of
expreffion fhould always be elegant in both.
Life of Dryden.
Language proceeds, like every thing elfe, thro'
improvement to degeneracy.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 60.
Every man is more fpeedily inftrucl:ed by his
own language than by any other.
Ibid. p. 218.
Orthography is vitiated among fuch as learn firfl
to fpeak, and then to write, by imperfect notions
of the relations between letters and vocal utter
ance.
Weflern Iflamh, p. 382.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
There is not, gerhaps, one of the liberal arts
which may not be completely learned in the Eng-
lifh language.
Idler, vo4. 2, p. 219.
In
( 161 )
In our language two negatives did not originally
affirm^ but Jhengthcn the negation, This mode of
ipeech was in time changed, but as the change
was made in oppofition to long cufroms, it pro
ceeded gradually, and uniformity was not obtained
but through an intermediate confufion.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 4, p, 34.6.
To our language may be, with great juftnefs,
applied the obwfvationof Quintiliari, " that fpeeclx
was not formed by an analogy fent from heaven."
It did not defcend to us in a ftate of uniformity
and perfection, but was produced by neceffity, and
enlarged by accident, and is therefore compofed of
diflimilar parts, thrown together by negligence, by
affectation, by learning, or by ignorance.
Plan of an English Dictionary, p. 41.
Such was the power of our language in the time
of Queen Elizabeth, that a fpeech might be formed
adequate to all the purpofes of life. If the lan
guage of theology were extracted from Hooker^
and the tranflation of the Bible ; the terms of na
tural knowledge from Bacon ; the phrafes of policy,
War, and navigation, from Raleigh ; the diale-ft of
poetry and fiction from Spenfer and Sidney ; and the
diction of common life from Sdakefpeare^ few ideas
v/ould be loft to mankind for want of EngUJh words
in which they might be expreffed.
Preface to Johnfon's Dictionary, p. 74.
The affluence and comprehenfion of our lan
guage is very illuurioufly difplayed in our poetical
truncations of ancient writers ; a work which the
French feem to relinquim in defpair, and which
we were long unable to perform with dexterity.
Life of Dryden.
From
From the time of Gowcr and Chaucer, the Eng-
lifh writers have fhidied elegance, and advanced
their language, by fucceffive improvements, to as
much harmony as it can eafily receive, and as
much copioufnefs as human knowledge has hitherto
required, till every man now endeavours to excel
others in accuracy, or outfhine them in fplendour
of ft yle ; and the danger is, left care fhould too
fpon pafs to affectation*
Idler, vol. a, p. 63-
LAWS.
It is, perhaps, impoffible to review the laws of
any country, without difcovering many defects,
and many fuperfluities. Laws often continue
when their reafons have ceafed. Laws made for
the firft ftatc of the fociety, continue unabolifhed
when the general form of life is changed. Parts
of the judicial procedure, which were at firft only
accidental, become, in time, efienaal ; "and forma
lities are accumulated on each other, till the art of
litigation requires more ftudy than the difcovery
of right.
Memoirs of the King of Pruflia, p. jiz.
To embarrafs juftice by multiplicity of laws,
or to hazard it by confidence in judges, feems to
be the oppofite rocks on which all civil inftitutions
have been wrecked, and between which, legfflative
wifdom has never yet found an open paflage,
Ibid.
It is obferved, that a corrupt fociety has many
laws.
Idler, vol.. 2, p. 186.
Laws
Laws are often occafional, often capricious,
made always by a few, and fometimes by a fmgle
voice.
Ibid, voJ. i, p. 60.
The firft laws have no laws to enforce them
The firft authority is conftituted by itfelf.
Falfe AlaTrh, p. 12.
Laws that exact obedience, and yield no pro
tection, contravene the firft principles of the
compact of authority.
Weftern Iflands, p. 209.
A man accuftomed to fatisfy himfelf with the
obvious and natural meaning of a fentence, does
not eafJy fhake ofF his habit ; but a true-bred
lawyer never contents himfelf with one fenfe,
when there is another to be found.
Marmor Norfolcienfe, p. 48.
PENAL LAWS.
Death is, as one of the antients obferves,
a of dreadful things the moft dreadful." An evil
beyond which nothing can be threatened by fub-
lunary power, or feared from human enmity or
vengeance. This terror therefore fhould be re-
ferved as the loft refort of authority, as the ftrongefl
and moft operative of prohibitory fanctions, and
placed before the treafure of life to guard from in-
vafion what cannot be reftored. To equal rob
bery with murder, is to reduce murder to robbery,
to confound in common minds the gradations of
iniquity, and incite the commiffion of a greater
crime, to prevent the detedtion of a lefs. If only
murder was punifhed with death, very few robbers
would flain their hands in blood ; but when, by
the
( 1 64 )
the laft act of cruelty, no new danger is incurred,
and greater fecurity may be obtained, upon what
principle ihall we forbid them forbear.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 51.
If thofe whom the wifdoni of our laws has con
demned- to die, had been detected in their rudi
ments of robbery, they might by proper difcipline
and ufeful labour, have been diientangled from
their habits ; they might have efcaped all the temp
tations to fubfequent crimes, and palled their days
in reparation and penitence.
Ibid p. 53.
LIBERTY.
A zeal, which is often thought and called li
berty, fometimes difguifes from the world, and
not rarely from the mind which it poileffes, an en
vious defire of plundering wealth or degrading
greatnefs ; and of which the immediate tendency
is innovation and anarchy, or imperious eagernefs
to fubvert and confound, with very little care
what (hall be eftablifLed.
Life of Akenfide.
It has been obfervcd that they who mod loudly
, do not molt liberally grant it.
Life of Milton.
LOYALTY.
As a man inebriated only by vapour?, foon re
covers in the open air, a nation difcontcnn
madnef?, without any ivJequate caufe, will return
1 allegiance, when a little paufe has
cooled it to reflexion.
Faife Alarm, p. 53.
LET 1 '
LETTER- WRITING.
Letters on public bufmefs Ihould be written
wkh a mind more intent on things than w.ords, and
above tbe afFectation of unfeafonable elegance.
The bufinefs of a ftatefman can be little forwarded
by flowers of rhetoric.
Life of Cowley.
As letters are written on all fubjefts, in all
ftates of mind, they cannot be properly reduced
to fettled rules, or defcribed by any iingle cba-
ra&eriftic ; and we mny f ircly difentangle our
minds from critical embarrafiments, by determi
ning that a letter has no peculiarity but its form ;
and that nothing is to be refufed admiflion, which
would be proper in any other method of treating
the fame fubjedt.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 278.
LONDON.
London is a place too wide for the operation of
petty competition, and private malignity ; where
it might foon become confpicuous, and find
friends as foon as it becomes reputable to be-
fiiuul it.
Life of Thompfan.
MARRIAGE,
166
M.
MARRIAGE.
Marriage has many pains, but celibacy has n*
plcafures.
Prince of Abyfiiniaj p. 158.
The infelicities of marriage are not to be urged
againft its inftitutution, as the miferies of life
prove equally, that life cannot be the gift of heaven.
Ibid, p, 169.
Marriage is not commonly unhappy, but as life
is unhappy, and moft of thofe who complain of
connubial miferies, have as much fatisfaclion as
their natures would have admitted, or their con
duct procured in any other condition.
Rambler, vol. j, p. 272.
When we fee the avaricious and crafty taking
companions to their tables and their beds, without
any inquiry but after farms and money ; or the
giddy and thoughtlefs uniting themfelves for life
to thofe whom they have only feen by the light of
tapers ; when parents make articles for children
without enquiring after their confent ; v/hen fome
marry for heirs to difappoint their brothers ; and
others throw themfelves into the arms of thofe
whom they do not love, becaufe they have found
themfelves rejected were they were more felicitous
to pleafe ; when fome marry becaufe their fer-
vants cheat them ; fome becaufe they fquander
their own money ; fome becaufe their houfes are
peftered with company; fome becaufe they will
live like other people ; and fome becaufe they
are fick of themfelves , we are not fo much in
clined
clined to wonder that marriage is fometimes un-
haypy, as that it appears fo little loaded with ca
lamity; and cannot but conclude, that fociety has'
fomething in itfelf eminently agreeable to human
nature, when we find its pleafures fo great, that
even the ill-choice of a companion can hardly
over-balance them. Thofe, therefore, of the.
above defcription, that mould rail againft matri
mony, mould be informed, that they are neither
to wonder, or repine, that a contract begun on
fuch principles, has ended in difappointment.
Ibid. p. 274 & 276.
Men generally pafs the firfl weeks of matrimo
ny, like thofe who conflder themfelves as taking
the laft draught of pleafure, and reiblve not to
quit the bowl without a furteit.
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 41.
Marriage fhould be confidered as the moft fo-
lernn league of perpetual friendfhip ; a ftate from
which artifice and concealment are to be banifhed
for ever ; and in which every act of diiTnnulation
is a breach of faith.
Ibid, p, 43.
A poet may praife many whom he would be
afraid to marry, and, perhaps, marry one whom
he would have been afhamed to praife. Many
qualities contribute to domeftic happinefs, upon
which poetry has no colours to beftow, and many
airs and iaiiies may delight imagination, which he
who flatters them, never can approve. There are
charms made only for diflant admiration no fpec-
tacle is nobler thaii a blaze.
Life of Waller.
It
It is not likely that the married ftate is emi
nently miferable ; fince we fee fuch numbers,
whom the death of their partners has let free from
it, enter it again.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 273.
The happinefs of fome marriages are celebrated
by their neighbours, becaufe the married couple
happen to grow rich by parfimony, to keep quiet
by infenfibility, and agree to eat and fleep together.
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 42.
A certain diffimilitude of habitudes and fentt-
ments, as leaves each fome peculiar advantages,
and affords that concordla difcors^ that fuitable dif-
agreement, is always necefiary to happy marriages.
Such reafonings, though often formed upon dif
ferent views, terminate generally in the fame con-
clufion. Such thoughts, like rivulets ifluing from
diftant fprihgs, are each impregnated in its courfe
with various mixtures, and tinged by infufions
unknown to the other, yet at laft eafily unite into
one ftream, and purify themfelves by the gentle
efFervefcence of contrary qualities.
Ibid, p, 43.
To die with hufbands, or to live without them,
are the two extremes which the prudence and mo
deration of European ladles have in all ages equally
declined.
Ibid. vol. a, p. 198.
Moft people marry upon mingled motives, be
tween convenience and inclination.
Life of Sir T, Browne, p, 262.
EARLY
169
EARLY MARRIAGES.
From early marriages proceeds the rivalry of
parents and children. The Ton is eager to enjoy
the world before the father is willing to forfake
it ; and there is hardly room at once for two ge
nerations. The daughter begins to bloom before
the mother can be content to fade ; and neither
can forbear to wifh for the ab fence of the other.
Prince of Abyflioia, p. 173.
LATE MARRIAGES.
Thofe who marry late in life will find it dan
gerous to fufpend their fate upon each other, at a
time when opinions are fixed and habits are efta-
blifhed ; when friendfhips have been contracted on
both fides ; when life has been planned into me
thod, and the mind has long enjoyed the contem
plation of its own profpects. They will probably
efcape the encroachment of their children ; but,
in diminution of this advantage, they v/ill be likely
to leave them, ignorant and helplefs, to a guardi
an's mercy ; or, if that fhould not happen, they
muft, at leaft, go out of the world, before they
fee thofe whom they love beft, either wife or great.
From their children, if they have lefs to fear,
they have alfo lefs to hope ; and they lofe, without
equivalent, the joys of early love, and the conve
nience of uniting with manners pliant, and minds
fufceptible of new impreffions, which might wear
away their di Similitudes by King cohabitation, as
foft bodies, by continual attrition, conform their
furfaces to each other.
Ibid. p. 175 & 177.
I COMPARISON
COMPARISON BETWEEN EARLY AND LAI?;
MARRIAGES.
It will be generally found, that thofe who marry
late are beil pleafed with their children ; and thofc
who marry early, with their partners.
Ibid. p. 178.
MALICE.
We fhould notdefpife the malice of the weakeft.
We ftiould remember, that venom fupplies the
want of ftrength ; and that the lion may perifh
by the puncture of an afp.
Rambler, vol. 4, p. 163.
The natural difcontent of inferiority will feldom
fail to operate, in fome degree of malice, againft
him who profeflbs to fuperintend the conduct of
others, efpecially if he feats himfelf uncalled in the
chair of judicature, and exercifes authority by his
own commiilion.
Idler, vol. i, p. 97,
MAN.
Man's fludy of himfelf, and the knowledge of
his own flation in the ranks of being, and his va
rious relations to the innumerable multitudes which
furround him, and with which his Maker has or
dained him to be united, for the reception and
communication of happinefs, mould begin with the
firft glimpfe of reafon, and only end with life itfelf.
Other acquifitions are merely temporary benefits,
except as they contribute to ill uft rate the know
ledge, and confirm the practice, of morality and
piety, which extend their influence beyond the
grave, and increafe our happinefs through endlefs
duration.
Preface to the Preceptor, p. 75.
There
There is an inequality happens to every
in eVery mode of exertion, manual or mental.
The mechanic cannot handle his hammer and his
file, at all times, with equal dexterity ; there are
hours, he knows not why, when bis hand is out.
Life of Milton.
There are men whofe powers operate at leifure
and in retirement, and whole intellectual vigour
deferts them in converfation ; whom merriment
confufes, and objection difconcerts ; whole bafh-
fulnefs reftrains their exertion, and fuffers them
not to fpeak till the time of fpeaking is pail ; or
whofe attention to their own character makes them
unwilling to utter, at hazard, what has not been
confidered, and cannot be recalled.
Life of Dryden,
There are fome men who, in a great meafure,
fupply the place of reading by gleaning from ac
cidental intelligence, and various converfation ;
by a quick appreheniion, a judicious felecHon, and
a happy memory ; by a keen appetite for know
ledge and a powerful digeftion ; by a vigilance
that permits nothing to pafs without notice, and
a habit of reflection that fufFers nothing ufeful to
be loft.
Ibid.
It is not fufficiently confidered, that men more
frequently require to be reminded than informed.
Rambler, vol. i, p. iz
It was faid by Cujadus^ that he never read more
than one book, by which he was not inltructed :
and he that fhall enquire after virtue with ardour
1 2, and
and attention, will feldom find a man by whofe
example orfentimentshe may not be improved.
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 222.
Man is feldom willing to let fall the opinion of
his own dignity. He is better content to want
diligence than power, and fooner confefles the de
pravity of his will, than the imbecility of his
nature.
Idler, vI. 2, p. 204.
Every man is obliged, by the Supreme Matter
of the univerfe, to improve all the opportunities
of good which are afforded him, and to keep in
continual adtivity fuch abilities as are bellowed
upon him. But he has no reafon to repine, though
his abilities are fmall, and his opportunities few.
He that has improved the virtue or advanced the
happinefs of one fellow-creature, he that has
afcertained a fmgle moral proposition or added one
ufcful experiment to natural knowledge, may be
contented with his own performance ; and, with
refpe<ft to mortals like himfelf, may demand, like
Auguftus, to be difmifled, at his departure, with
arplaufe.
Ibid. p. 205.
is made unwillingly acquainted with his
weaknefs ; and meditation (hews him only
how little he can fuftain and how little he can
.perform.
Weftern Iflands-, p. 88.
Such fecms to be the difpofition of man, that
whatever makes a diftinclion produces rivalry.
IbiJ, p. 96.
There
There are men who are always bufy, though
no effects of their activity ever appear ; and al
ways eager, though they have nothing to gain.
Memoirs of the K. of Pruflia, p. 95.
Every man's firft cares are neceHarily domeftic.
Ibid. p. 102.
MANNERS.
The manners of a people are not to be found
in the fchools of learning, or the palaces of great-
nefs, v/here the national character is obfcured, or
obliterated by travel or inftruclion, by philofophy
or vanity j nor is public happinefs to be eftimated
by the aflemblies of the gay or the banquets of
the rich. The great niafs of nations is neither
rich nor gay. They whofe aggregate conftitutes
the people, are found in the ftreets and the vil
lages ; in the fliops and farms ; and from them,
collectively confidered, muft the meaiure of gene
ral profperity be taicen. As they approach to de
licacy, a nation is refined ; as their conveniences
are multiplied, a nation, at leaft a commercial
nation, muft be denominated wealthy.
Wcftern Ifhnds, p. 45.
Such manners as depend upon {landing relations
and general paffions, are co-extended with the race
of man ; but thofe modifications of life, and pe
culiarities of practice, which afe the progeny of
error and perverfcnefs, or, at befr, of ibme acci
dental influence or tranfient perfuafion, mutt pe-
riih with their parents.
Life of Butler.
I 3 MADNESS.
( '74 )
MADNESS.
It is very common for madmen to catch an ac
cidental hint and ftrain it to the purpofc predo
minant in their minds ; hence Shakefpeare makes
Lear pick up a fisck, who from this immediately
thinks to furprife his enemies by a traop of horfe
fnod withyfof&j or felt.
Notes upon Shakefyeare, vol. 9, p. 527,
MEANNESS.
An infallible characterise of meannefs is cruelty.
Falfe Alarm, p. 49.
MERCHANT.
No mercantile man or mercantile nation has
any friendfhip but for money ; and alliance be
tween them will laft no longer than their common
fafcty or common profit is endangered ; no longer
than they have an enemy who threatens to take
from each more than either can fteal from the
other.
Political State of Great-Britaih p. 50.
A merchant's defire is not of glory, but of gain ;
not of public wealth, but of private emolument;
he is therefore rarely to be confulted about war
and peace, or any defigns of wide extent and dii-
tant confequence.
Taxation no Tyranny, p. 9.
MEMORY.
It may be obferved that we are apt to promife
to ourfelves a more lading memory than the chang
ing ilate of human things admits -, late events
obliterate the former ; the civil wars have left in
this
this nation fcarcely any tradition of more ancient
hiftory.
Notes upon Shakefpearc, vol.6, p. 124.
We fufFer equal pain from the pertinacious ad-
heilon of unwelcome images as from the evanef-
cence of thofe which are pleafmg and ufcful ; and
it may be doubted, whether we mould be more
benefited by the art of memory or the art of for-
, getfulnefs.
Idler, vol. 2, p. no.
Forgetfulnefs is ncceiTary to remembrance.
Ibid.
To forget or to remember at pleafure are
equally beyond the pov/er of man. Yet, as me
mory may be affifted by method, and the decays of
knowledge repaired by ftated times of recolledion,
fo the power of forgetting is capable of improve
ment. Reafon will, by a refolute conteft, prevail
over imagination ; and the power may be obtained
of transferring the attention as judgment mall
direa.
Ibid, p, 112.
Memory is like all other human powers, with
which no man can be fatisiied whomeafures them
by what he ca'n conceive or by what hs can clefiVe.
He, therefore, that, after the perufai of a book,
finds few ideas remaining in his mind, is not to
confider the difappointment as peculiar to himfelf,
or to refign all hopes of improvement, becaufe he
does not retain what even the author has, perhaps,
forgotten.
Ibid. p. 1 2O.
The true art of memory is the art of attention.
No man will read with much advantage, who is
I 4 net
not able, at pleafure, to evacuate his mind, and
who brings not to his author an intellet defecated
and pure ; neither turbid with care, nor agitated
with 'pleafure. If the repertories of thought are
already full, what can they receive ? If the mind
is employed on the pad or future, the book will
be held before the eyes in vain.
Ibid. p. 123.
Memory is the purveyor of reafon, the power
which places thofe images before the mind, upon
which the judgment is to be exercifed, and which
treafures up the detern ina ions that are once palled,
as the rules of future action or grounds of fubfe-
quent conclufions.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 24$.
The two offices of memory are collection and
1 ution. By one, images are accumulated, and
by the other, produced for ufe. Collection is al
ways the employment of our firft years, and dif-
tribution commonly that of our advanced age.
Itiler, vol. i, p. 246.
MIND.
An envious and unfocial mind, too proud to give
pleafure and too fallen to receive it, always endea
vours to hide its malignity from the world and
from itfelf, under the plainnefs cf fnnple honefty,
or the dignity of haughty independence.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 2, p. 270.
Of the powers of the mind, it is difficult to
form an eftimate. Many have excelled Milton in
their fir ft elTays, who never rofe to works like
" Paradife LG//."
Life of Milton.
Thofe
Thofe who look upon the mind to depend on
the feafons, and fuppeie the intellect to be fubjecl:
to periodical ebbs and flows, may juftly be derided
as intoxicated by the fumes of a vain imagination.
Sapiens (hmmabitiir aflris. The author that thinks
himfelf weather-bound, will find, with a little help
from hellebore, that he is only idle or exhausted.
But v/hile this notion has pofleffion of the head, it-
produces the inability which it fuppoies.
Ibid.
Another opinion (equally ridiculous) wanders
about the world, and (bmetimes finds, reception
among wife men ; an opinion that reftrains the
operation of the m'nid to particular regions^ and fup-
pofes that a lucklefs mortal may be born in a de
gree of latitude too high or too low for wifdom
or for wit.
Ibid.
The natural flights of the human m'nd are not
from pleafure to pleafure, but from hor.e to hope.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 8.
There feem to be fome minds fuited to great
and others to little employments ; fome formed to
foar aloft and others to grovel on the ground, and
confine their regard to a narrow fphere. Of thefe,
the one is always in danger of becoming ufeiofs by
a daring negligence ; the other, by a fcrupulous
folicitude. The one collects many ideas, but
confufed and indiftindl ; the other is bufied in mi
nute accuracy, but without compafs and without
dignity.
Ibid. p. 260.
There are fome minds fo fertile and comprehen-
five, that they can always feed reflection with new
I 5 fuppiies,
inpplics, and differ nothing from the preclusion of
.
\vithin their own walls, cn< ound enough
d their inhabitants in a fu-
o
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 179.
Such is ht of mental fuperiority, that
none on whom n . Irmly have i
it, would 'puivhuib the gifts of fortune by its !
Ibid. p. 167.
Nothing produces more fingularity of manners,
and incomUncy of life, than the conflict of op-
: the fame mind, i ie that uniformly
purfues any purpofe, wlu-sher good or bad, i
d principle of action ; and, as he mav a-
find afTociatcs who are travelling the- ay, is
coun ;iplc, and ilieltcrcd in the
multitude; but a man actuated at once by different
defires, mult move in a dire-flion peculiar to him-
fclf, and f urler that reproach which v/i: are natu
rally tO IK fi.iw on tlmfe wlio deviate from
the reft of the world, even without inquiring whe
ther tiuy are vvorfe or better.
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 248.
To hnd the nearcfi way from truth to truth, or
.from purpofe to elfect ; Jiot to ufc r-iore inltru-
ments where fewer will be fuffic ient ; not to .
by wheels and levers, what will give way to the
i hand, is the great proof of a healthful and
aind, neither let-bJe with helpk-fs ignor
ance, nor over-burdened with unwieldy know-
Idler, vol. i, p. 202.
PROGRESS.
PROGRESS OF THE MIND.
If we confider the exercifes of the human mind,
it will be found, that in each part of life fome par
ticular faculty is more eminently employed. When
the treafures of knowledge are firft opened before
us, while novelty blooms alike on either hand,
and every thing equally unknown and unexami -
ned, feems of equal value, the power of the foul is
principally exerted in a vivacious and defultory
curioiity. She applie>, by turns, to every object,
enjoys it for a fhort time, and flies with aqual ar
dour to another. She delights to catch up loofc
and unconnected ideas, but (tarts away from fyf-
tems and complications which would obftrud: the
rapidity of her tranhtions, and detain her long in
the fame purfuit.
When a number of diftinct images are collected
by thefe erratic and hafty furveys, the fancy is bu-
fied in arranging them, and combines them into
pleafmg pictures with more refemblance to the
realities of life, as experience advances, and new
observations rectify the former. While the judge
ment is yet uninformed, and unable to compare
the draughts of fiction with their originals, we
are delighted with improbable adventures, im
practicable virtues, and inimitable characters ; but,
in proportion as we have more opportunities of
acquainting ourfelves with living nature, we are
fooner difgufted with copies in which there ap
pears no refemblance. We firft difcard abfurdity
and impoiTibility, then exact greater and greater
degrees of probability, but at laft become cold
and tnfenfibie to the charms of falfehpod, how
ever fpecious ; and, from the imitations of trutn,
which are never perfect, transfer our affedtion
to truth itfelf.
I 6 Now
Now commences the ruin of judgment or
reafon. We begin to find little pleafure but in
comparing arguments, fhtmg proportions, difen-
tangling perplexities, clearing ambiguities, and de
ducing confequences. The painted vales of ima
gination are deferted, and our mtelle&ual activity
is exercifed in winding through the labyrinths of
fallacy, and. toiling with firm and cautious (reps
up the narrow tracks of demonft ration. What
ever may lull vigilance or miflead attention, is
contemptuoufly rejected, and every difguife in
which error may be concealed, is carefully obferv-
ed, till, by degrees, a certain number of i-neon-
teflible or unfufpeted proportions are eftabli fried 3 ,
and at lafl concatenated into arguments or com-
pacSted into fyftenis.
At length, wearinefs fucceeds to labour, and
the mind lies at eafe in the contemplation of her
own attainments, without any defire of new con-
quefts or excursions. This is the age of recol-
Ie6tion and narrative. The opinions are fettled,
and the avenues of apprehenfion fhut againft any
new intelligence ; the days that are to follow mull
pafs in the inculcation of precepts already col
lected, and aflertions of tenets already received ;
nothing is henceforward fo odious as oppofition^
fo infolent as doubt, or fo dangerous as novelty.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. zyi, 272, & 273.
MINUTENESS.
The parts of the greateft things are litttle : what
is little can be but pretty, and by claiming dignity,
becomes ridiculous.
L:fe of Cowley.
MISERY
MISERY.
If mifery be the effect of virtue, it ought to be
reverenced; if of ill fortune, it ought to be pitied ;
and if of vice, not to be infultcd ; becaufe it is,
perhaps, itfelf a punifliment adequate to the crime
by which it was produced ; and the humanity of
that man can deferve no panegyric, who is capa
ble of reproaching a criminal in the hands of the
executioner.
Life of Savage,
The mifery of man proceeds not from any (in
gle crufh of overwhelming evil, but from fmall
vexations continually repeated.
Life of Pope.
That mifery does not make all virtuous, expe
rience too certainly informs us ; but it is no leis
certain, that of what virtue there is, mifery pro
duces far the greater part. Phyfical evil may be
therefore endured with patience, fmce it is the
caufe of moral good j and patience itfelf is one
virtue by which we are prepared for that ftate in
which evil (hall be no more.
Idler, vol. ^ > p. 211.
MIRTH.
Merriment is always the effecT: of a fudden im-
preffion ; the jeft which is expected is already de
ployed .
Idler, vol. 2, p. 32,
Any paffion, too ftrongly agitated, puts an end
to that tranquillity which is necefTary to mirth.
Whatever we ardently wifh to gain, we muft in
the
( I2 )
the fame degree be afraid to lofe ; and fear and
pleafure, cannot dwell together.
Rambler, vol. 4, p. 244.
Real mirth muft be always natural ; and nature
is uniform Men have been wife in different modes,
but they have always laughed the fame way.
L.fe of Cowky.
The perverfenefs of mankind makes it often
mifchievous in men of eminence to give way to
merriment. The idle and the illiterate will often
fhelter themfelves under what they fay in thofe
moments.
Lite of Blackmore.
MONEY.
To mend the world by banifhing money is an
old contrivance of thofe who did not confider that
the quarrels and mifchiefs which arife from mo
ney, as the figiij or ticket, of riches, muft, if mo
ney were to ceafe, arife immediately from riches
themfelves ; and could never be at an end till eve
ry man was contented with his own {hare of the
goods of life.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 6, p. 388,
MOTIVES.
Nothing is more vain than at a diftant time to
examine the motives of difcrimination and partia
lity -, fcr the enquirer, having confidered intereft
and policy, is obliged, at laft, to omit more fre
quent and more ative motives of human conduct j
fuch as caprice, accident, and private affections.
Life of Roger Avcham, p. 248.
METHOD,
METHOD.
As the end of method is perfpicuity, that feries
is fufficiently regular that avoids obfcurity ; and
where there is no obfcurity, it will not be difficult
to difcover method.
Life of Pope.
MAXIMS.
There are maxims treafured up in the mind ra
ther for ihow than ufe, and operate very little upon
a man's conduct, however elegantly he might fome-
times explain, or however forcibly he might incul
cate them.
Life of Savage.
OLD MAIDS.
Old maids fcldom give thole that frequent their
converfation any exalted notions of the bleffings of
liberty ; for, whether it be that they are angry to
fee with what inconfiderate'eagernefs other heedlefs
females rum into flavery, or with what abfurd va
nity the married ladies boaft the change of their
condition, and condemn the heroines who endea
vour to aflert the natural dignity of their fex ; whe
ther they are confcious that, like barren countries,
they are free only becaufe they were never thought
to deferve the trouble of a conquefr, or imagine
that their fincerity is not always unfufpe&ed, when
they declare their contempt of men ; it is certain
that they generally appear to have fome great and
inceiTant caufe of uneafinefs, and that many of
them have been at laft perfuaded, by powerful rhe
toricians, to try the life which they had fo long con
demned, and put on the bridal ornaments at a time
when they leaft became them.
Rambler, vol. I, p. 236.
MODE-
MODERATION 1 ".
Moderation is commonly firm 3 and firmnefs is
commonly fuccefsful.
Falkland Iflancs, p. 32.
It was ont of the maxims of the Spartans, not
to prefs upon a flying army ; and therefore their
enemies were always ready to quit the field, be-
caufe they knew the danger was only in oppofing.
Letter to Douglas, p. 3.
N.
NATURE.
Nothing can pleafe many, and pleafe long, but
juft representations of general nature.
Preface to Shakefpeare, p. 8.
The power of nature is only the power of ufing
to any certain purpofe the materials which dili
gence procures or opportunity fupplies.
Ibid. p. 39.
ENGLISH NABOBS, &C.
Thofe who make an illegal ufe of power in fo
reign countries to enrich themfelves and depend
ants, live with hearts full of that malignity which
fear of detection always generates in them, who
are to defend unjuft acquifiticns againft lawful au
thority ; and, when they come home with riches
thus acquired, they bring minds hardened in evil,
too proud for reproof, and too ftupid for reflection.
They
They offend the high by their infolence, and cor
rupt the low by their examples.
Falkland Iflands, p. n.
NEGLIGENCE.
No man can fafrly do that by others, which
might be done by himfclf. He that indulges ne
gligence, will quickly become ignorant of his own
affairs ; and he that tfufts without referve, will
at laft be deceived.
Rambler, vol. 4, p. 14.
NOVELTY.
To oblige the moft fertile genius to fay only
what is nfWj would be to contrail his volumes to
a few pages.
Idler, vol.2, p. 187.
Every novelty appears more wonderful as it is
more remote from any thing with which experi
ence or teftimony have hitherto acquainted us ;
and if it paiTes further beyond the notions that we
have been accuftomed to form, it becomes at laft
incredible.
Idler, vol.2, p. 195.
NUMBERS.
To count is a modern practice 5 the ancient
method was to guefs ; and when numbers arc
guefled, they are always magnified.
Weftern Jflands, p. 227.
NARRATION.
Nothing can be more difgufting than a narrative
fpangled with conceits ; and conceits are all that
iome narratives fupply.
Life of Cowley.
Every
( '86 )
Every one has fo often detected the fallacioufnefs
of hope, and the inconvenience of teaching him-
iclf to expect what a thoufand accidents may pre
clude, that, when time has abated the confidence
with which youth rufhes out to take pofleffion of
the world, we endeavour, or wifh, to find enter
tainment in the review of life, and to repofe on
real facts, and certain experience. This is, per
haps, one reafon among many, why age delights
in narratives.
Rambler, vol. 4, p. 23*.
NOTES.
Notes to a literary work are often neceflary ;
but they are necefiary evils. Parts are riot to be
examined, till the whole has been furveyed: there
is a kind of intellectual rcmotenefs necefiary for
the comprehenfion of any great work in its full de-
fign, and its true proportions ; a clofe approach
fhews the fmaller niceties, but the beauty of the
whole is difcerned no longer. 9
Preface to Shakfpearc, p. 143.
NATIONS.
Nations have changed their characters ; flavery
is now no v/here more patiently endured than in
countries once inhabited by the zealots of liberty.
Idler, vol. i, p. 160.
Such is the diligence with which, in nations
completely civilized, one part of mankind labours
for another, that wants are fupplied fafter than they
can be formed, and the idle and luxurious find
life ftagnate, for want offome defire to keep it in
motion. This fpecies of cliftrefs furnifhefs a new
fet of occupations ; and multitudes are bufied,
from
from day to day, in finding the rich and the for
tunate fomething to do.
Ibid. p. 166*
It is, perhaps, the character of the pnglifh na
tion to defpife trifles.
Ibid. vol. j, p. 216.
All nations whofe power has been exerted on
the ocean, have fixed colonies in remote parts of
the world ; and while thofe colonies fubfifted, na
vigation, if it did not increafe, was always pre-
ferved from total decay.
Political State of Great. Britain in 1756, p. 48.
It is ridiculous to imagine that the friendfhip
of nations^, whether civil or barbarous, can be
gained or kept, but by kind treatment ; and, furely,
they who intrude uncalled upon the country of a
diftant people, ought to confider the natives as
worthy of common kindnefs.
Ibid. p. 56.
It is obfervable, that moft nations amongft
whom the ufe of clothes ia unknown, paint their
bodies. Such was the practice of the firft inhabi
tants of our own country ; and from this cuftom
did our earlieft enemies, the Pib, owe their de
nomination. This pra<5Hce contributes in fome
degree to defend them from the injuries of winter,
and, in thofe climates where little evaporates by
the pores, may be ufed with no great inconveni
ence; but in hot countries, where perfpiration is
in a great degree neceflary, the natives only ufe
unction to prefcrve them from the other extreme
of weather. So well do either reafon or experi
ence fupply the place of fcience in favage countries.
Life of Drake, p, 202.
It
( '88 )
It is obferved, that among the natives of Eng
land is to be found a greater variety of humour
than in any other country.
Origin and Importance of Fugitive Pieces, p. 3,
o.
OPINION.
The opinion prevalent in one age, as truths
above the reach of controverfy, are confuted and
rejected in another, and rife again to reception in
remoter times. Thus, the human mind is kept
in motion without progrefs. Thus, fometimes,
truth and error, and fometimes contrarieties of
error, take each other's place by reciprocal inva-
fion.
Preface to Shakefpeare, p. 54.
Much of the pain and pleafure of mankind
arifesfrom the conjectures which every one ma^es
of the thoughts o'f others. We all enjoy p'raife
which we do not hear, and refent contempt which
we do not fee.
Idler, vol.2, p. 280.
To think differently, at different times, of po
etical merit, may be cafily allowed. Such opini
ons are often admitted and difmifled without
nice examination. Who is there that has not
found reafon for changing his mind about quef-
tions of greater importance ?
Life of Savage. -
When an opinion, to which there is no temp
tation of interefl, fpreads wide and continues long,
it
it may be reafonably prefumed to have been infufed
by nature or didtated by reafon.
Idler, vol. j, p. 290.
OPPORTUNITY.
To improve the golden moment of opportuni
ty, and catch the good that is within our reach,
is the great art of life. Many wants are fuffered
which might have once been fupplied, and much
time is loft in regretting the time which had been
loft before.
The Patriot, p. i.
He that waits for an opportunity to do much at
once, may breathe out his life in idle wifhes, and
regret, in the laft hour, his ufelefs intentions and
barren zeal.
Idler, vol. i, p. 2,2.
OATHS.
Rafh oaths, whether kept or broken, frequent
ly produce guilt.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 2, p, 402.
OBLIGATION.
To be obliged, is to be in fome refpecl: inferior
to another 5 and few willingly indulge the memory
of an aclion which raifes one whom they have al
ways been accuftomed to think below them, but
fatisfy themfelves with faint praife and penurious
payment, and then drive it from their own minds,
and endeavour to conceal it from the knowledge
of others.
Rambler, vol. 4> p. 37.
OBSER-
OBSERVATION.
An obferver, deeply imprefled by any remarkable
fpeclacle, does not fuppofe that the traces will foon
vanim from his mind, and having commonly no
great convenience for writing, defers the defcrip-
tion to a time of more leifure and better accom
modation. But he who has made the experi
ment, or who is not accuitomed to require ri
gorous accuracy from himfelf, will fcarcely believe
how much a few hours take from certainty of
knowledge and dirtindtnefs of imagery ; how the
fucceflion of objects will be broken, how feparate
parts will be confufed, and how many particular
features anddifcriminations will be comprefled into
one grois and general idea.
Weftern Iflands, p, 343.
P.
PARENTS.
In general, thofe parents have moft reverence,
who moft deferve it > for he that lives well cannot
be defpifed.
Prince of Abyflinia, p. 155.
PATRIOT.
A Patriot is he, whofe public conduct is regu
lated by one fmgle motive, viz. the love of his coun
try ; who, as an agent, in parliament, has for him
felf neither hope nor fear ; neither kindnefs nor
jefentment j but refers every thing to the com
mon intereft,
Patriot, p. 3.
The
The frowns of a prince and the lofs of a rx
on have been found of wonderful efficacy to ab-
:ract men's thoughts from the prefent time, and
11 them with zeal for the liberty and welfare of
Marmor Norfolcienfe, p. 21.
PASSION.
The adventitious peculiarities of perfonal habits
re only fuperficial dies, bright and pleafing for a
?vhile, yet foon fading to a dim tint, without any
c mains of former luftre. But the difcrimination
f true paffion are the colours of nature ; they
pervade the whole mafs, and can only perifh with
he body that exhibits them.
Preface -to Shakefpeare, p. 18.
Paffion, in its firft violence, controls intereft, as
the eddy, for a while, runs againft the ftream.
Taxation no Tyranny, p. 3.
Real paffion runs not after remote allufions and
obfcure opinions. Where there is leifure for fiftiw y
there is little grief.
Life of Milton.
Of any paffion Innate and Irreflftible^ the exig
ence may reafonably be doubted. Human cha-
radtcrs are by no means conftant ; men change
by change. of place, of fortune, of acquaintance;
he who is at one time a lover of pleafure, is at
another a lover of money.
Life of Pope.
It is the fate of almoft every paffion, when it
has panned the bounds which nature prefcribes, to
counteract its own purpofe, Too much rage hin
ders
ders the warrior from circumfpelion ; too much
eagernefs of profit hurts the credit of the trader ;
and too much ardour takes away from the lover
that eafmefs of addrefs with which ladies are de
lighted.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 320.
PROGRESS OF THE PASSIONS.
The paffions ufurp the feparate command of the
fucceilive periods of life. To the happinefs of our
firft years, nothing more feems neceflary than
freedom from reftraint. Every man may remem
ber, that if he was left to himfelf, and indulged in
* ' O
the difpofal of his own time, he was once content
without the fuperaddition of any actual pleafure.
The new world is in itfelf a banquet, and till
we have exhaufted the frefhnefs of life, we have
always about us fufficient gratification. The fun-
ihine quickens us to play, and the {hade invites us
to fleep.
But we foon become urifatisfied with negative
felicity, and are folicited by our fenfes and appe
tites to more powerful delights, as the tafte of him
who has fatisfied his hunger inuft be excited by
artificial ftimulations. The fimplicity of natural
amufements is now pa/Ted, and art and contrivance
muft improve our pleafures; but, in time, art, like
nature, is exhaufted, and the fenfes can no longer
fupply the cravings of the intellect.
The attention is then transferred from pleafure
to intereft, in which pleafure is perhaps included,
though difFufed to a wider extent, and protracted
through new gradations. Nothing now dances be
fore the eyes but wealth and power, nor rings in
the ear but the voice of fame : wealth, to which,
however varioufly denominated, every man at fome
time
time or other afpires ; power, which all wifh to
obtain within their circle of action ; and fame,
which no man, however high or mean, however
wife or ignorant, was yet able to defpife. Now
prudence and forefight exert their influence. No
hour is devoted wholly to any prefent enjoyment,
no at or purpofe terminates in itfelf, but every
motion is referred to fome diftant end 5 the ac-
complifhment of one defign begins another, and
the ultimate wifh is always puihed off to its former
diftance.
At length fame is obferved to be uncertain, and
power to be dangerous. The man.whofc vigour
and alacrity begin to forfake him, by degrees con
tracts his defigns, remits his former multiplicity of
purfuits, and extends no longer his regard to any
other honour than the reputation of wealth, or
any other influence than his power. Avarice is
generally the laft paffion of thofe lives, of which
the nrft part has been fquandered in pleafure, and
the fecond in ambition. He that finks under the
fatigue of getting wealth, lulls his age with the
milder bufmefs of faving it.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 273 & 274.
PAIN.
Pain is lefs fubje6t than pleafure to caprices of
^xpreiTion.
Idler, vol. i, p. 282.
Our fenfe is fo much ftronger of what we fufFer,
than of what we enjoy, that the ideas of pain pre
dominate in almoft every mind. What is recol
lection, but a revival of vexation ; or hiilory, but
a record of wars, treafons, and calamities ? Death,
which is confidered as the greateit evil, happens
K to
( 19* )
to all ; the greateft good, be it what it will, is the
lot but of a part.
Weftern Iflands, p. 250.
PATRONAGE.
A man confpicuous in a high flation, who mul
tiplies hopes, that he may multiply dependents,
may be confidered as a beaft of prey.
Idler, vol. i, p. 79.
To folicit patronage is, at leafl in the event,
to fet virtue to fale. None can be pleafed without
praife, and few can be praifed without falfehood ;
few can be arduous without fervility, and none
can be fervile without corruption.
Rambler, vol. z, p. 298.
PLEASURE.
Whatever profefTes to benefit by pleafing, mufl
pleafe at once. What is perceived by flow de
grees, may gratify us with the confcioufnefs of
improvement, but will never ftrike us with the
fenfe of pleafure.
Life of Cowley.
Pleafure is very feldom found where it is fought;
our brightest blazes of gladnefs are commonly
kindled by unexpected fparks. The flowers which
fcatter their odours from time to time in the paths
of life, grow up without culture from feeds fcat-
tered by chance.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 31.
The great fource of pleafure is variety. Uni
formity muft tire at laft, though it be uniformity;
of excellence. We love to expect, and when ex -
pedtation
( '93 )
pectation is difappointed or gratified, we want to
be again expecting.
Life of Butler.
The merit of pleafmg muft be eftimated by the
means. Favour is not always gained by good ac
tions or laudable qualities. CarelTes and prefer
ments are often beftowed on the auxiliaries of vice,
the procurers of pleafure, or the flatterers of vanity.
Life of Dryden.
Men may be convinced, but they cannot be
ta/*/ againft their will. But though tafte is ob-
ftinate, it is very variable, and time often prevails,
when arguments have failed.
Life of Congrcvc.
Pleafure is only received, when we believe that
Rambler, vol. 2, p. 90.
we give it m return.
Pleafure is feldom fuch as it appears to others,
nor often fuch as we reprefent it to ourfelves.
Idler, vol. j, p. 99.
It is an unhappy ftate, in which danger is hid
under pleafure.
Preface to Shakefpeare, p, 146.
Pleafure in itfelf harmlefs, may become mif-
chievous, by endearing us to a ftate which we
know to be tranfient and probatory. Self-denial
is no virtue in itfelf; nor is it of any other ufe,
than as it difengages us from the allurements of
fenfe. In the itate of future perfection, to which
we all afpire, there will be pleafure without dan
ger, and fecurity without reitraint.
Prince of AbyHinia.
K 2 PLEASURES
( '96 )
PLEASURE'S OF LOCAL EMOTION.
To abftracl: the mind from all local emotion
, would be impoflible, if it were endeavoured ; anc
would be foolifh if it were poflible. Whateve
withdraws us from the power of our fenfes, what-
ever makes the pair, the diftant, or the future
predominate over the prefent, advances us in th<
dignity of thinking beings. Far from me, anc
far from my friends, be- fuch frigid philofoyhy
as may conduct us indifferent and unmoved ove:
any ground which has been dignified by wifdom
bravery, or virtue. That man is little to be en
vied whofe patriotifm would not gain force upor
the plains of Marathon, or whofe piety would nol
grow warmer among the ruins of lona.
Wefternlflands, p. 346.
POETS AND POETRY.
In almoft all countries, the moft ancient poets
are confidered as the belt. Whether it be that
every other kind of knowledge is an acquifition
gradually attained, and poetry is a gift conferred
at once, or that the firft poetry of every nation,
furprifed them as a novelty, and retained the credit
by confent, which it received by accident atfirft;
or whether, as the province of poetry is to defcribe
nature and paffion, which are always the fame, the
firft writers took pofleflion of the moft ftriking
objects for description, and the moft probable oc
currences for fiction, and left nothing tothofethat
followed them but tranfcriptions of the fame events,
and new combinations of the fame images. What
ever be the reafon, it is commonly obferved, that
the early writers are in pofleflion of nature^ and
their follower^ of art.
Prince of Abyfiinia, p. 64 & 65.
Compofitions
( 197 )
Compofitions, merely pretty, have the fate of
other pretty things, and are quitted in time for
fome thing ufeful. They are flowers fragrant and
fair, but of fhort duration ; or they are bloflbins
only to be valued as they foretel fruits.
Life of Waller.
It is a general rule in poetry, that all appropri
ated terms of art, fhould be funk in general ex-
preffions ; becaufe poetry is to fpeak an univerfal
lanp-uas-e. This rule is frill ftroneer with regard
O O O O
to arts not liberal, or confined to few, and there
fore far removed from common knowledge.
Life of Dryden.
A mythological fable feldom pleafes. The rtory
we are accuflomed to rejecl: as falfe, and the man
ners are fo diftant from our own, that we know
them not by fympathy, but by ftudy.
Life of Smith.
No poem mould be long, of which the purpofe
is only to ftrike the fancy, without enlightening
the underftanding by precept, ratiocination, or
narrative. A blaze firfr. pleafes, and then tires
the fight.
Life of Fenton.
After all the refinements of fubtilty, and the
dogmatifm of learning, all claim to poetical ho
nours muft be finally decided by the common fenfe
of readers, uncorrupted with literary prejudices.
Life of Gray.
Though poets profefs fiction, the legitimate end
of nation is the conveyance of truth, and he that
has flattery ready for all whom the viciffitudes of
K 3 the
the world happen to exalt, mult be fcorned as a
proftituted mind, that may retain the glitter of wit,
but has loft the dignity of virtue.
Life of Waller.
It does not always happen that the fuccefs of a
poet is proportionate to his labour. The fame
obfervation may be extended to all works of ima
gination, which are often influenced by caufcs
wholly out of the performer's power, by the hints
of which lie perceives origin, by fudden
elevations of mind which he cannot produce in
himfelf, and which fpmetimes rife when he expe6ts
them lecifL
Diflertation on ths Epitaphs of Pope, p. 320.
Poets are fcarce thought freemen of their- com
pany, without paying fome duties^ or obliging
themfelves to be true to love.
Life of Cowley.
The man that fits down to fuppofe himfelf
charged with treafon or peculation, and heats his
mind by an elaborate purgation of his character
from crimes which he never was within the poffi-
bility of committing, differs only by the infrequcncy
of his folly from the poet who praifes beauty which
he never faw, complains of jealoufy which he ne
ver felt, fuppofes himfelf fometirnes invited, and
fometimes forfaken, fatigues his fancy, and ran-
facks his memory for images which may exhibit
the gaiety of hope, or the gloominefs of defpair ;
and drefles his imaginary Chloris, or Phillis, fome
times in flowers fading as her beauty, and fome
times in 2ems lafting as her virtues.
Ibid.
One
( 199 )
One of the greateft fources of poetical delight
is defcription, or the powers of preienting pictures
to the mind.
Ibid.
Waller's opinion concerning the duty of a poet
wa s " That he fhould blot from his works any
line that did not contain fome motive to virtue."
Life of Waller.
It is in vain for thofe who borrow too many of
their fentiments and illuftrations from the old my-
" ology, to plead the example of the ancient poets.
The deities which they produced fo frequently
were confidered as realities, fofaras to be received
by the imagination, whatever fober reafon might
then determine. But of thefe images time has
tarnifhed the fplendor. A fiction not only detect
ed but deipifed, can never afford a folid bafis to
any pofition, though fometimes it may furnifh a
traniient alluiion, or flight illuftration. No mo
dern monarch can be much exalted by hearing,
that as Hercules has- had his club^ he has his navy.
Ibid.
Thofe who admire the beauties of a great poet,
fometimes force their own judgment into a falfe
approbation of his little pieces, and prevail upon
olves to think that admirable which is only
fm^uhr. All that fliort compofitions can com
monly attain is neatnefs and elegance.
Lite of Milton.
Boffu is of opinion, that the poet's fir ft work is
to find a moral) which his fable is afterwards to'
illuftrate and eftablifh.
ibid.
K 4 Pleafure
( 200 )
Pleafure and terror are indeed the genuine four-
ces of poetry ; but poetical pleafure muft be fuch
as human imagination can at leaft conceive, and
poetical terror fuch as human ftrength and forti
tude may combat.
Ibid.
In every work one part muft be for the fake of
others ; a palace muft have its paflages ; a poem
muft have tranfitions. It is no more to be required
that wit mould be always blazing, than that the
fun fhould ftand at noon. In a great work there
is a viciflitude of luminous and opaque parts, as
there is in the world a fucceflion of day and night.
Ibid,
The occafortal poet is circumfcribed by the nar-
rownefs of his fubjecl:. Whatever can happen to
a man has happened fo often, that little remains
for fancy and invention. Not only matter, but
time is wanting. The poem muft not be delayed
till the occafion is forgotten. Occafional com-
pofitions may however fecure to a writer the praife
both of learning and facility; for they cannot be
the effecl: of long ftudy, and muft be furniflied
immediately from the treafures of the mind.
Life of Dryden.
Knowledge of the fubjecl: is to a poet what ma
terials are to the architect.
Ibid.
Local poetry is a fpecies of compofition, of
which the fundamental fubjecl: is fome particular
landfcape to be poetically defcribed, with the ad
dition of fuch embellimments as may be fupplied
by hiftorical retrofpectionj or incidental medita
tion,
( 201 )
tion, Sir John Denham's Cooper's /////appears to
claim the originality of this kind of poetry among
us.
Life of Denham.
A poem fridgidly dida&ic without rhyme is fo
near to profe, that the reader only fcorns it for
pretending to be verfe.
Life of Rofcommon.
Thofe performances which ftrike with wonder,
are combinations of fkilful genius with happy ca-
fualty.
Life of Pope.
As men are often efteemed who cannot be
loved, fo the poetry of fome writers may fome-
times extort praife when it gives little pleafure.
Life ofCollin*.
For the fame reafon -\hntpaftoralpoetry was the
ftrft employment of the human imagination, it is
generally the firft literary amufement of our minds.
Rambler, vol. i, p. zi8.
The occafions on which paftoral poetry can be
properly produced, are few, and general. The
ftate of a man confined to the employments and
pleafures of the country, is fo little diversified, and
expofed to fo few of thofe accidents which produce
perplexities, terrors, and furprifes, in more com
plicated tranfactions, that he can be fhewn but
leldom in fuch circumftances as attract curiofity.
His ambition is without policy, and his love with
out intrigue. He has no complaints to make of
his rival, but that he is richer than himfelf ; nor
any difafters to lament, but a cruel miftrefs, or a
bad harveft.
Ibid. p. 220.
K 5 If
If we fearch the writings of Virgil, for the true
definition of a pafloral^ it will be found " A poem
in which any action or paffion is reprefented by
its effedts upon a country life."
Ibid. p. 2,24.
Every other power by which the underftanding
is enlightened, or the imagination enchanted, may
be exerciied in profe. But the poet has this pecu
liar fuperiority, that to all the powers which the
perfection of every other cornnofition can require,
he adds the faculty of joining niufic with reafon,
and of acting at once upon the fenfes and the
paffions.
Ibid. vol. 2, p. 184.
Eafy poetry is that in which natural thoughts
are expreiTed, without violence to the language.
Any epithet which c.in be ejected without dimi
nution of the fenfe, any curious iteration of the
fame word, and all unufual, though not ungram-
matical, ftrudlure of fpeech, deftroy the grace of
eafy poetry.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 136.
It is the prerogative of eafy poetry, to be under-
ftood as long as thj language lafts ; but modes of
fpeech, which owe their prevalence only to modifh
folly, or to the eminence of thofe that ufe them,
.die away with their inventors ; and their meaning,
in a few years, is no longer known.
Ibid. p. 139.
Eafy poetry, though it excludes pomp, will ad
mit greatnefs.
ibid.
The
( 203 )
The poets, from the time of Dryden, have gra
dually advanced in embellijhment^ and confequently
departed from fimplicity and cafe.
Ibid. p. 140.
POVERTY.
Poverty has, in large cities, very different ap
pearances. It is often concealed in fplendor, and
often in extravagance. It is the care of a very
great part of mankind to conceal their indigence
from the reft. They fupport themfelves by tem
porary expedients, and every day is loft in con
triving for to-morrow.
Prince of Abyflinia, p. 151.
It is the great privilege of poverty to be happy
unenvied, to be healthful without phyilc, and ie-
cure without a guard. To obtain from the bounty
of nature, what the great and wealthy are com
pelled to procure by the help of artifts, and the at
tendance of flatterers and fpies.
Rambler, vol. 4, p. 229.
( There are natural reafons why poverty does not
eafily conciliate. He that has been confined from
his infancy to the converfation of the loweft clafTes
of mankind, muft neceflarily want thofe accom-
plifhments which are the ufual means of attracting
favour ; and though truth, fortitude, and probity,
give an indifputable right to reverence and kind-
nefs, they will not be diftinguimed by common
eyes, unlefs they are brightened by elegance of
manners, but are caft afide, like unpolifhed gems,
of which none but the artift knows the intrinlc
value, till their afperities are fmoothed, and their
incruftrations rubbed away.
Ibid. p. 35.
K 6 Nature
f 204 )
Nature makes us poor only when we want ne-
cefTaries, but cuftom gives the name of poverty to
the want of fuperfluities.
Idler, vol. I, p. 208.
In a long continuance of poverty, it cannot well
be expected that any character fhould be exactly
uniform. There is a degree of want, by which
the freedom of agency is almoft deftroyed ; and
long affociations with fortuitous companion?, will,
at lafr, relax the ftricStdefs of truth, and abate the
fervor of fmcerity. Of fuchi a man, it is furely
fome degree of praife to fay, that he preferved the
fource of action .unpolluted ; that his principles
were never fhaken ; that his difti nations of right
and wrong were never confounded, and that his
faults had nothing of malignity, or defign, but
proceeded from fome unexpected preflure, or cafual
temptation. A man doubtful of his dinner, or
trembling at- a creditor, is not much difpofed to
abftradted meditation, or remote enquiries.
Life of Collins.
The poor are infenfible of many little vexations
which fometimes imbitter the poiFeiTions and pol
lute the enjoyments of the rich. They are not
pained by cafual incivility, or mortified by the
mutilation of a compliment ; but this happinefs is
like that of a malefactor, who ceafes to feel the
cords that bind him when the pincers are tearing
his fieih.
Review of the Origin of Evil, p. 10.
Some men are poor by their own faults ; fome
by the fault of others.
Life of Roger Afcham, p. 252.
Many
( 205 )
Many men are made the poorer by opulence*.
Life of Sir T. Brown, p. 254,
POVERTY AND IDLENESS.
To be idle and to be poor have always been
reproaches, and therefore every man endeavours,
with his utmoft care, to hide his poverty from
others, and his idlenefs from himfelf.
Idler, vol. 1*, p. 53.
POLITICS.
Political truth is equally in danger from the
praifes of courtiers, and the exclamation of pa
triots.
Life of Waller.
It is convenient, in the conflict of fa&ions, to
have that difaffeclion known which cannot fafely
be puniflied.
Ib : d.
He that changes his party by his humour, is not
more virtuous, than he that changes it by his in-
terefl. He loves himfelf rather than truth.
Life of Milton.
Faction feldom leaves a man honed, however
it might find him.
Ibid.
A wife minifter mould conclude, that the flight
of every honeft man is a lofs to the, community.
That thofe who ate unhappy without guilt, ought
to be relieved i and the life which is overburthen-
ed by accidental calamities, fet at eafe by the care
of the public j and that thofe who by their mii-
condudt have forfeited their claim to favour, ought
rather
( 206 )
rather be made ufeful to the fociety 'which they
have injured, than be driven from it.
Life of Savr.ge.
There is reafon to expect, that as the world is
more enlightened, policy and morality will at laft
be reconciled, and that nations will learn not to
do, what they would not fuller.
Falkland Ifland, p. 10.
The power of a political treatife depends much
on the difpofition of the people. When a nation
is combuitible, a fpark will fet it on fire.
Life of Swift.
When a political defign has ended in mifcarri-
age, or fuccefs; when every eye and every ear is
witnefs to general difcontent, or general fatisfac-
tion, it is then a proper time to difentangle con-
fufion, and illuftrate obfcurity; to mew by what
caufes every event was produced, and in what ef
fects it is likely to terminate ; to lay down with
cliftinct particularity what rumour always huddles
in general exclamations, or perplexes by undigefl>
ed narratives : to {hew whence happinefs or cala
mity is derived, and whence it may be expected,
and honeftly to lay before the people, what enqui
ry can gather of the parr, and conjecture can ef-
timate of the fnture.
Obfervauons on the State of Affairs, 1756, p. 17.
It is not to be expected that phyfical and politi
cal truth fliould meet with equal acceptance, or
gain ground upon the world with equal facility.
The notions of the naturalitl find mankind in a
ftate of neutrality, or, at worft, have nothing to
encounter' but prejudice and vanity ; prejudice
without
( 207 )
without malignity, and vanity without interefh
But the politician's improvements are oppofed by
every pafiionthat can exclude conviction, or fup-
prefs it; by ambition, by avarice, by hope, and
by terror, by public faction, and private ani-
moilty.
Falfe Alarm, p. 4%
PRAISE.
Praife is fo pleafing to the mind of man, that it
oft all our actions.
Rambler, vol. 4, p. 178.
Is the original motive of almoft all our actions.
They who are felclom gorged to the full with
pr.T'fe, may be fafely fed with grofs compliments ;
for the appetite muft be fatisfied before it is dif-
gufted.
Ibid. p. iSo.
That praife is worth nothing of which tlfe price
is known.
Life of Waller.
Praife, like gold and diamonds, owes its value
only to its fcarcity : it becomes cheap as it be
comes vulgar, and will no longer raife expectation,
or animate enterprize. It is, therefore, not only
neceflary that wickednefs, even when it is notfafe
to cenfure it, be denied applaufe, but that good-
nefs be commended only in proportion to its de
gree ; and, that the garlands due to the great be
nefactors of mankind, be not fuffered to fade upon
the brow of him, who can boafl only petty fervi-
ces arid eafy virtues.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. iSi.
The real fatisfaction which praife can afford, is
when what is repeated aloud, agrees with the whif-
pers
( 208 )
pers of conference, by fhewing us that we have
not endeavoured to deferve well in vain.
Ibid. p. 183.
Every man willingly gives value to the praife
which he receives, and confiders the fentence paf-
fed in his favour, as the fentence of difcernment.
We admire in a friend that underftanding which
felefted us for confidence. We admire more. in a
patron that judgment, which inftead of fcattering
bounty indifcriminately, directed it to us; and
thofe performances which gratitude forbids us to
blame, affection will eafily difpofe us to exalt.
Life of Halifax.
To be at once in any great degree loved and
praifed) is truly rare.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 9, p. 176.
Men are feldom fatisfied with praife, introduced
or followed by any mention of defect.
Life of Pope.
Some are lavifh of praife, becaufe they hope to
be repaid.
Rambler, vol. 2, p. 230.
To fcatter praife or blame without regard to
juftice, is to deilroy the diftinclion of good and
evil. Many have no other teft of actions than ge
neral opinion ; and all are fo influenced by a fenfe
of reputation, that they are often retrained by fear
of reproach, and excited by hope of honour, when
other principles have loft their power.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 181.
PRIDE.
PRIDE.
Small things make mean men proud.
Preface to Shakefpeare, p. 280.
Pride is a vice, which pride itfelf inclines every
man to find in others, and to overlook in himfelf.
Life of Sir T. Browae, p. 2,80.
PRIDE AND ENVY.
^ Pride is feldom delicate, it will pleafe itfelf with
very mean advantages ; and envy feels not its own
happinefs, but when it may be compared with the
mifery of others.
Prince of Abyfiinia, p. 60.
COMPARISON BETWEEN A DRAMATIC POET
AND A STATESMAN.
Diftrcfl alike the ilatefman with the wit,
When one a Borough courts and one the Pit ;
The bufy candidates for power and fame
Have hopes, and fears, and willies, juft the fame ;
Difabled both, to combat or to fly,
Muft hear all taunts, and hear without reply :
Uncheck'd, on both loud rabbles vent their rage,
As mongrels bay the lion in the cage.
Th' offended burgefs hoards his angry tale
For that bleft year when all that vote may rail ;
Their fchemes of fpite the poet's foes difmifs
Till that glad night when all that hate may hifs.
This day the powdered curls and golden coat,
Says fwcliing CriJ'pin, begged a cobler's vote.
This night our wit, the pert apprentice cries,
Lies at my feet ; I hifs him and he dies :
The great, 'tis true, can damn th' electing tribe,
The bard can only fupplicate not bribe.
Prologue to the Good-natured Man.
PRAYER.
PRAYER:
(Its prope
Petitions yet remain
Which Heaven may hear nor deem Religion vain ;
Still raife for good the fupplicating voice,
But leave to Heaven the meafure and the choice;
Safe in his power whofe eyes difcern afar
The fecret ambufli of a fpccious prayer ;
Implore his aid, in his deeiiion reft,
Secure whatj'erjie gives, he gives the bell.
Yet when the fenieof facred prefence fires,
And "ftrong devotion to the flues afpires,
Pour forth thy fervours for a healthful mind,
Obedient pajions, and a 'will refigifd;
For. Love which fcarce collective man can fill,
For Patience fovereign o'er tranfmuted ill,
For Faith, that panting for a happier feat,
Counts Death kind Nature's fignai for retreat.
Thefe goods for man tn~ laws of Heaven ordain,
Thefe goods h. grants who grants the pow'r to gain ;
With tiieie, celeitial wifdom calms tlie mind,
And makes the liappinefs ihe does not find.
Vanity of Human Wifhes,
PROSPERITY.
Profperity, as is truly afierted by Seneca, very
much obftrn&s the knowledge of ourfelve?. No
man can form a juft eftimate of w his ov/n powers,
by inactive fpcculation. That fortitude which has
encountered no dangers, that prudence which has
ftirmounted no di , that integrity which
has been attacked by no temptations, can, at befr,
be confidered but as gold not yet brought to the
teil, of which, therefore, tile true value cannot be
afligned. Equally neceflary is fome variety of for
tune
tune to a nearer infpedlion of the manners, prin
ciples, and affections, of mankind.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 268*
Moderation in profperity is a virtue very diffi
cult to all mortals.
Memoirs of the K, of Pruffia, p. 137*
PEEVISHNESS.
Peevifhnefs, though fometimes it arifes from
old age, or the confequence of fome mifery, it is
frequently one of the attendants on the profper-
ous, and is employed by infolence, in exacting
homage ; or by tyranny, in harraffing fubje&ion.
It is the offspring of idlenefs or pride ; of idle-
nefs, anxious for trifles, or pride, unwilling to
endure the lead obilrulion of her wiihes. Such
is the confequence of peeviihnefs, it can be borne
only when it is defpifed.
Rambler, vol.2, p. 114.
It is not eafy to imagine a more unhappy con
dition than that of dependence on a peevifh man.
In every other ftate of inferiority, the certainty of
pleafing is perpetually increafed by a fuller know
ledge of our duty, and kindnefs and confidence are
ftrengthened by every new adl: of trufl and proof
of fidelity. But peevifhnefs facrihces to a mo
mentary offence, the obfcquioufnefs or ufefulnefs
of half a life, and, as more is performed, encreafes
her exactions.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 39.
Peevimnefs is generally the vice of narrow
minds, and except when it is the efFec~t of anguiih
and
( 212 )
and difeafe, by which the refolution is broken, and
the mind made too feeble to bear the lighteft ad
dition to its miferies, proceeds from an unreafon-
able perfuafion of the importance of trifles. The
proper remedy againft it is, to confider the dig
nity of human nature, and the folly of fuffering per
turbation and uneafmefs, from caufes unworthy of
our notice.
Ibid, p. 41.
He that refigns his peace to little cafualties, and
fuffers the courfe of his life to be interrupted by
fortuitous inadvertencies or offences, delivers up
himfelf to the direction of the wind, and lofes all
that conftancy and equanimity, which conftitute
the chief praife of a wife man.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 41.
PEOPLE.
No people can be great who have ceafed to be
virtuous.
Political State of Great-Britain, p. 56.
The profperity of a people is proportionate to
the number of hands and minds ufefully employed.
To the community, fedition is a fever, corruption
is a gangrene, and idlenefs an atrophy. What-
ever body, and whatever fociety walks more than
it requires, muft gradually decay ; and every be
ing that continues to be fed, and ceafes to labour,
takes away fomething from the public ftock.
Idler, vol. I, p. izi.
Great regard mould be paid to the voice of the
people in cafes where knowledge has been forced
upon
upon them by experience^ without long deductions,
or deep refearches.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 159.
PEDANTRY.
It is as poffible to become pedantic by fear of
pedantry, as to be troublefome by ill-timed civi
lity.
Ibid. vol. 4, p, 78.
PUNCTUALITY.
Punctuality is a quality which the intereft of
mankind requires to be diffufed through all the
ranks of life, but which many feem to confider as
a vulgar and ignoble virtue, below the ambition of
greatnefs, or attention of wit, fcarcely requifite
amongft men of gaiety and fpirit, and fold at its
higheft rate, when it is facnficed to a frolic or a
jeit.
Ibid. p. 223.
PRUDENCE.
Prudence is of more frequent ufe than any other
intellectual quality; it is exerted on flight occa-
fions, and called into act by the curfory bufinefs of
common life.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 25.
Prudence operates on life in the fame manner as
rules on compofition ; it produces vigilance rather
than elevation, rather prevents lofs than procures
advantage, and often efcapes naHcarriages, but fel-
dom reaches either power or honour.
Ibid.
PRU-
PRUDENCE AND JUSTICE.
Ariflotle is praifed for naming fortitude, firil
of the cardinal virtues, as that without which no
other virtue can {readily be praclifed ; but he might
with equal propriety, have placed prudence and
jujltce before it j fince without prudence fortitude
is mad, without juftice it is mifchievous.
Life of Pope.
PREJUDICE.
To be prejudiced is always to be weak, yet
there are prejudices fo near to being laudable, that
they have often been praifed, and are always par
doned.
Taxation no Tyranny, p, 3.
PEACE.
Peace is eafily made, when it is neceflary to both
parties.
Memoirs of the King of Prufiia, p. iai.
PRACTICE.
In every art, praftice is much ; in arts manual,
practice is aim oft the whole ; precept can at
moft but warn againft error, it can never bellow
excellence.
Life of Roger Afcham, p. 240.
Uniformity of practice feldom continues long
without good reafon.
Weftern Iflands. p. 361.
PIETY.
Piety is elevation of mind towards the Supreme
Being, and extention of the thought to another life.
The
( "5 )
The other' life is future, and the Supreme Being is
invitlble. None would have recourfe to an invi-
fible power, but that all other fubjecSh had eluded
their hopes. None would fix their attention upon
the future, but that they are discontented with the
prefent. If the fenfes were feafled with perpetual
pleafure, they would always keep the mind in fub-
je6Hon. Reafon has no authority over us, but by
its power to warn us againfr. evil.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 209.
PERFECTION.
To purfue perfection in any fcience, where per-
fetion is unattainable, is like the firft inhabitants
of Arcadia to chafe the fun, which, when they had
reached the hill where he leemed to reft, was ftill
beheld at the fame diftance from them.
Life of Waller.
It feldom happens that all the neceiiary caufes
concur to any great effe&. Will is wanting to
power, or power to will, or both are impeded by
external obftruclions.
Life of Dryden.
An imperial crown cannot be one continued
diamond, the gems mult be held together by fome
lefs valuable matter.
Ibid.
PERFIDY.
Combinations of wickednefs would overwhelm
the world, by the advantage which licentious prin
ciples afford, did not thofe who have long practifed
perfidy, grow faithlefs to each other.
Life of Waller.
PER-
PERSEVERANCE.
No terreftrial greatnefs is more than aggregate
oflittle things, and to inculcate, after the Arabian
proverb, " Drops added to drops, conftitute the
ocean.'
Plan of an Englifh Dictionary, p. 49.
All the performances of human art, at which
we look with praife or wonder, are inilances of
the refiillefs force of perfevarance. It is by this
that the quarry becomes a pyramid, and that dif-
tant countries are united with canals ; it is there
fore of the utmofr. importance that thofe who have
any intention of deviating from the beaten roads
of life, and acquiring a reputation fuperior to names
hourly fwept away by time among the refufe of
fame, fliould add to their reafon and their fpirit,
the power of perfifting in their purpofes, acquire the
art of fapping what they cannot batter, and the
habit of vanquifhing obftinate refinance by obfti-
nate attacks.
Rambler, vol. i, p. z6i & 262.
PRODIGALITY.
He feldom lives frugally who lives by chance.
Hope is always liberal, and they that truft her pro-
mifes, make little fcruple of revelling to-day, on
the profits of to-morrow.
Life of Dryden.
PATIENCE.
If what we fuffer has been brought on us by our-
felves, it is obferved by an antient poet, that patience
is eminently our duty, fince no one ought to be an
gry at feeling that which he has deferved. If we
are
are confcious that we have not contributed to our
own fufferings, if punifhment falls upon innocence,
or difappointment happens to induftry and pru
dence, patience, whether more neceflary or not,
is much eafier, fince our pain is then without ag
gravation, and we have not the bitternefs of re-
morfe to add to the afperity of misfortune.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 195.
In tliofe evils which are allotted us by Provi
dence, fuch as deformity, privation of any of the
fenfes, or old age, it is always to be remembered,
that impatience can have no prefent efFec~t, but to
deprive us of the confolations which our condition
admits, by driving away from us thole, by whofe
converfation, or advice, we might be amufed or
helped ; and that with regard to futurity, it is yet
lefs to be juflified, fince without leflening the pain,
it cuts off the hope of that reward, which he, by
whom it is inflicted, will confer upon them that
bear it well.
Ibid.
In all evils which admit a remedy, impatience
is to be avoided, becaufe it wafles that time and
attention in complaints, that, if properly applied,
might remove the caufe.
Ibid.
In calamities which operate chiefly oh our paf-
fions, fuch as diminution of fortune, lofs of friends,
or declenfion of character, the chief danger of im
patience is upon the firft attack, and many expe
dients have been contrived by which the blow
might be broken. Of thefe, the moft general pre
cept is, not to take pleafure in any thing of which
it is not in our power to fecure the poiTeflion to
L ourielves.
( 218 )
ourfelves. This counfel, when we conficler the
enjoyment of any terreftrial advantage, as oppofite
to a conftant and habitual folicitude for future fe
licity, is undoubtedly juft, and delivered by that
authority which cannot be difputed ; but, in any
other fenfe, is it not like advice not to walk, left
we fhould {tumble, or not to fee, left our eyes
fhould light on deformity ?
It feems reafonable to enjoy bleffings with con
fidence, as well as to refign them with fubmiffion,
and to hope for the continuance of good which we
poflefs without infolencc or voluptuoufnefs, as
for the reftitution of that which we lofe without
defpondency or murmurs.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 197.
The chief fecurity againft the fruitlefs anguifh
of impatience, muft arife from frequent reflection
on the wifdom and goodnefs of the God of Na
ture, in whofe hands are riches and pover
ty, honour and difgrace, pleafure and pain, and
life and death. A fettled conviction of the ten
dency of every thing to our good, and of the pof-
fibility of turning miferies into happinefs, by re
ceiving them rightly, will incline us to blejs the name
of the Lordy whether be gives or takes away.
Ibid. p. 198.
The uncivilized, in all countries, have patience
proportionate to their unfkilfulnefs, and are con
tent to attain their end by very tedious methods.
Weftern Iflands, p. 161.
PITY.
Pity is to many of the unhappy, a fource of
comfort in hopelefs diftrefles, as it contributes to
recom-
recommend them to themfelves, by proving that
they have not loft the regard of others ; and hea
ven feems to indicate the duty even of barren com-
pailion, by inclining us to weep for evils which
we cannot remedy.
Rambler, vol. 2, p. 35.
PHILOSOPHY.
One of the chief advantages derived by the pre-
fent generation from the improvement and diffu-
fion of philofophy, is deliverance from unneceiTa-
ry terrors, and exemption from falfe alarms. The
unufual appearances, whether regular or acciden
tal, which once fpread confternation over ages of
ignorance, are now the recreations of inquifitive
iecurity. The fun is no more lamented when it
is eclipfed, than when it fets, and meteors play
their corrufcations without prognoiKc or predic
tion.
Falfe Alarm, p. i.
The antidotes with which philofophy has me
dicated the cup of life, though they cannot give
it falubrity and fweetnefs, have at lead allayed its
itternefs, and contempered its malignity; the
>alm which me drops upon the wounds of the
mind, abates their pain, though it cannot heal
hem.
Ibid. p. 265.
PHYSICIAN.
A phyfician in a great city, feems to be the
mere plaything of fortune; his degree of reputation
s for the moft part, totally cafual. They that em-
loy him know not his excellence ; they that reject
urn, know not his deficience. By an accurate
L 2 obferver,
( 220 )
obferver, who had looked on the tranfa&ions of
the medical world for half a century, a very curi
ous book might be written on the fortune of phy-
ficians.
Life of Akenfide,
PERIODICAL PUBLICATIONS.
Nothing is fo proper as- the frequent publications
of ftiort papers, (like the Tatlers, Spectators, &c.)
which we read, not as a ftudy, but amufement.
If the fubjecT: be flight, the treatife is likewife fliort.
The bufy may "find time, and the idle may find
patience.
Life of Addifbn.
He that condemns himfelf to compofe on zjlatet
day, will often bring to his tafk an attention diffi-
pated, a memory embarrafled, an imagination over
whelmed, a mind diftracled with anxieties, a body
languifhing with difeafe. He will labour on a bar
ren topic, till it is too late to change it ; or, in the
ardour of invention, diffufe his thoughts into wil(
exuberance, which the prelling hour of publica
tion cannot fufrer judgment to examine 'or re
duce.
Rambler, voh 4, p. 2621
LITERARY PUBLICATIONS.
If nothing may be publimed but what civil au
thority (hall have previoufly approved, power mull
always be the ftandard of truth ; if every dreamer
of innovations may propagate his projects, there
can be no fettlement ; if every rnurmurer at go
vernment may difFufc difcontent, there can be no
peace ; and if every fceptic in theology may teach
his follie c , there can be no religion. The remedy
againft thefe evils is to punilh the authors 5 for
it
it is yet allowed, that every fociety may punifh,
though not prevent, the publication of opinions
which that fociety fhall think pernicious. But
this punimment, though it may crufh the author,
promotes the book ; and it feems not more reafon-
able to leave the right of printing unreftrained,
becaufe writers may be afterwards cenfured, than
it would be to fleep with doors unbolted, becaufe
by our laws we can hang a thief.
Life of Milton.
OCCASIONAL PUBLICATIONS.
There is, perhaps, no nation in which it is fo
neceflfary as in our own, to aflemble, from time to
time, the fmall traces, and fugitive pieces- which
are ocafionally publimed ; for, befide the general
fubjets of enquiry which are cultivated by us in
common with every other learned nation, our con-
ftitution in church and flate, naturally gives birth
to a multitude of performances, which would either
not have been written, or could not have been
made public, in any other place.
Origin and importance of Fugitive Pieces, p. i
PLAYER.
A public pG-fcrmer is fo much in the power of
fpectators, that all unnccelTary feverity is retrained
by that general law of humanity which forbids us
to be cruel where there is nothing to be feared.
Idler, vol. i, p. 138.
In every new performer, fomething muft be
pardoned. No man can, by any force of refolution,
fecure to himfelf the full pofleflion of his pow
ers, under the eye of a large ailembly. Varia-
L 3 tion
( 222 )
iion of gefture, and flexion of voice, are to be
obtained only by experience.
Ibid.
PAINTING.
An historical painter muft have an action not
fucceffive, but inftantaneous ; for the time of a
picture is a lingle moment.
Ibid. p. 252.
Though genius is chiefly exerted in hiftorical
pictures, and the art of the painter of portraits is
often loft in the obfcurity of his fubject ; yet it
is in painting as in life, what is greateft is not al
ways beft. I fhould grieve to fee Reynolds transfer
to heroes and to goddefTes, to empty fplendour and
to airy fiction, that art which is now employed in
diffufing friendfhip, in reviving tendernefs, in
quickening the affections of the abfent, and con
tinuing the prefence of the dead.
Ibid, p. 151.
PROVIDENCE.
If the extent of the human view could compre
hend the whole frame of the univerfe, perhaps it
would be found invariably true, that Providence
has given that in greateft plenty which the condi
tion of life makes of the greateft ufe ; and that no
thing is penurioufly imparted, or placed far from
the reach of men, of which a more liberal diftrU
bution, or more eafy acquifition, would increafe
real and rational felicity.
Ibid. p. 207.
PUBLIC.
Whatever is found to gratify the public, will be
multiplied by the emulation of venders beyond ne-
ceffity
( 223 )
celfity or life. This plenty, indeed, produces
cheapnefs ; but cheapnefs always ends in negli
gence and depravation.
Idler, vol. i, p. 36.
Every man is taught to confider his own hap-
pinefs as combined with the public profperity, and
to think himfelf great and powerful in proportion
to the greatnefs and power of his country.
Taxation no Tyranny, p. 19.
POLITENESS.
Politenefs is one of thofe advantages which we
never eftimate rightly, but by the inconvenience
of its lofs. Its influence upon the manners is
conftant and uniform, fo that, like an equal mo
tion, it efcapes perception. The circumfrances
of every action are fo adjufted to each other, that
we do not fee where any error could have been
committed, and rather acquiefce in its propriety,
than admire its exadlnefs.
Rambler, vol. 2, p. 261*
The true effect of genuine politenefs feems to
b? rather eafe^ than pleafurc. The power of de
lighting mult be conferred by nature, and cannot
be delivered by precepr, or obtained by imitation;
but though it be the privilege of a very fmall num
ber to ravifh and to charm, every man may hope,
by rules and caution, not to give pain, and may,
therefore, by the help of good breeding, enjoy the
'kindnefs of mankind, though he fhould have no
claim to higher diftinclions.
Ibid,
L 4 When
( 224 >
When the pale of ceremony is once broken,
rudenefs and infult foon enter the breach.
Ibid., vol. 4, p. 23.
PRECIPITANCY.
He that too early afpires to honours muft re-
folve to encounter, not only the oppofition of in-
terefir, but the malignity of envy. He that is too
eager to be rich, generally endangers his fortune
in wild adventures and uncertain projects; and he
that haftens too fpeedily to reputation, often raifes
his character by artifices and fallacies, decks him-
felf in colours which quickly fade, or in plumes
which accident may {hake off or competition
pluck away.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 33.
PLAGIARISM.
When the excellence of anew compofition can
no longer be concerted, and malice is compelled to
give way to the unanimity of applaufe, there is yet
this one expedient to be tried the charge ofplagi-
Grijm. By this, the author may be degraded,
though his work be reverenced; and the excellence
which we cannot obfcure, may be fet at fuch a dif-
tance as not to overpower our fainter luftre.
Ibid. p. 224.
The author who imitates his predeceflbrs, only
by furnifhing himfelf with thoughts and elegancies
out of the fame general magazine of literature, can
with little more propriety be reproached as a. pla~
gixry, than the architect can be cenfured as a mean
copier of Angelo, or Wren, becaufe he digs his
marble from the fame quarry, fquares his ftones
by the fame art, and unites them in columns o
the fame orders.
Ibid, p, 225.
POWER.
Power and fuperiority are fo flattering and de
lightful, that, fraught with temptation, and expof-
ed to danger, as they are, fcarcely any virtue is fo
cautious, or any prudence fo timorous, as to de
cline them. Even thofe that have rnoft reverence
for the laws of right, are pleafed with fhewing,
that notfearj but choice^ regulates their behaviour ;
and would be thought to comply, rather than obey.
We love to overlook the boundaries which we do
not wifh to pafs ; and, as the Roman fatyrift re
marks, "he that has no defign to take the life of
another, is yet glad to have it in his hands."
Ibid, p. 48.
PROMISE.
Every fcholar knows the opinion of Horace con
cerning thofe that open their undertakings with
magnificent promifes ; but every man mould know
the dictates of common fen fe and common honefty,
names of greater antiquity than that of Horace,
who directs, that no man Jhould promife what be can
not perform.
Review of the Memoirs of the Court of Auguftus, p, 2.
R.
RAILLERY.
He who is in the exercife of raillery fhould pre
pare himfelf to receive it in turn. When Lewis
L 5 the
( 226 )
the XIV. was afkcd why, with fo much wit, he
never attempted raillery, he anfwered, that he
who praclifed raillery, ought to bear it in his
turn, and that to frand the butt of raillery was
not fuitable to the dignity of a King.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 5, p. 364.
RESOLUTION.
When defperate ills demand a fpeedy cure, dif-
truft is cowardice, and prudence, folly.
Irene, p. 52.
Refolution andfuccefs reciprocally produce each
other.
Life of Drake, p. 1 74.
Marfhal Turenne, among the acknowledge
ments which he ufed to pay in converfation to the
memory of thofe by whom he had been inftrucled
in the art of war, mentioned one, with honour,
who taught him not to fpend bis time in regretting
any mijlake which he bad made^ but to fet bimfelf
immediately, and vigoroufly^ to repair it. Patience
and fubmiffion fhould be carefully diftinguimed
from cowardice and indolence ; we are not to re
pine, but we may lawfully ftruggle ; for the ca
lamities of life, like the neceflities of nature, are
calls to labour, and exercifes of diligence.
Rambler, vol. 2, p. 195.
Some finnnefs and refolution is necefTary to the
difcharge of duty, but it is a v^ry unhappy ftate of
life in which the neceffiiy of fuch ftruggles fre
quently occurs ; for no man is defeated without
fome refentment, which will be continued with
obftinacy, while he believes himfelf in the right,
and
( 227 )
and exerted with bitternefs, if even to his own
conviction, he is detected in the wrong.
Ibid. vol. 2, p. 17.
To have attempted much is always laudable,
even when the enterprize is above the ftrength
that undertakes it. To reft below his own aim,
is incident to every one whofe fancy is active, and
whofe views are comprehenfive ; nor is any man
Satisfied with hiinfelf, becaufe he has done much,
but becaufe he can conceive little.
Preface to Di&ionary, fol. p. 5.
There is nothing which we eftimate fo fallaci-
oufly as the force of our own refolutions, nor any
fallacy which we fo unwillingly and tardily detect.
He that has refolved a thoufand and a thoufand
times, deferted his own purpofe, yet fuffers no
abatement of his confidence, but ftill believes him-
felf his own mafter, and able, by innate vigour of
foul, to prefs forward to his end, through all the
obftructions that uiconveniencies or delights can
put in his way.
Idler, vol. I, p. 150.
Nothing will ever be attempted if all poflible
objections muft be firft overcome.
Prince of Abyflinia, p. 40.
Moft men may review all the lives that have
pafled within their obfervation, without remem
bering one efficacious refolution, or being able to
tell a fmgle inftance of a courfe of practice fudden-
ly changed, in confequence of a change of opinion,
or an eitablimment of determination. Many, in
deed alter their conduct, and are not at fifty,
what they were at thirty ; but they commonly va-
L 6 ried
ried imperceptibly from themfelves, followed the
train of external caufes, and rather fuffered re
formation than made it.
Idler, vol. i, p. 151.
RELIGION.
To be of no church, is dangerous. Religion,
of which the rewards are diftant, and which is ani
mated only by faith and hope, will glide by degrees
out of the mind, unlefs it be invigorated and re-
imprefled by external ordinances, by {rated calls
to worfhip, and the falutary influence of example.
Life of Milton.
That converfion of religion will always be
fufpe6ted, that apparently concurs with intertft.
He that never findsh is error,'till it hinders his pro-
grefs towards wealth and honour^ will not be
thought to love truth only for herfelf. Yet it may
happen, information may come at a commodious
time, arid as truth and intereft are not by any fa
tal neceffity at variance, that one may, by accident,
introduce the other.
Life of Dryden,
Philofophy may infufe ftubbornnefs, but Reli
gion only can give patience.
Idler, vol.i, p. 234.
Malevolence to the clergy, is feldom at a great
diftance from irreverence to Religion.
Life of Dryden.
The great tafk of him who conduces his life by
the precepts of religion, is to make the future pre
dominate over the prefent, to imprels upon his
mind
mind fo ftrong a fenfe of the importance of obe
dience to the divine will, of the value of the re
ward promiled to virtue, and the terrors of the pu-
nifhment denounced againft crimes, as may over
bear all the temptations which temporal hope or
fear can bring in his way, and enable him to
bid equal defiance to joy andforrow, to turn away
at one time from the allurements of ambition, and
pufti forward at another againft the threats of ca
lamity.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 38.
A man who has once fettled his religious opi
nions, does not love to have the tranquillity of his
conviction diflurbed.
Weftern Iflands, p. 280.
Men may differ from each other in many re
ligious opinions, yet all may retain the eflentials
of chriftianity ; men may fometimes eagerly dif-
pute, and yet not differ much from one another.
The rigorous perfecutors of error fliould there
fore enlighten their zeal with knowledge, and
temper their orthodoxy with charity; that charity,
without which, orthodoxy is vain; that charity
" that thinketh no evil," but " hopeth all things,
arid endureth all things."
Life of Sir T. Browne, p. 248,
RICHES.
Poverty is an evil always in our view; an evi
complicated with fo many circumftances of uneafi-
nefs and vexation, that every man is ftudious to
avoid it. Some degree of riches therefore is ic-
quired, that we may be exempt from the gripe of
neceffity. When this purpofe is once attained, we
naturally wilb for more, that the evil which is re
garded
( 230 )
garded with fo much horror,may be yet at a great
er diftance from us ; as he that has at once felt,
or dreaded the paw of a favage, will not be at reft,
till they are parted by fome barrier, which may take
away all poflibilityof a fecond attack.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 231,
Whoever fhall look heedfully upon thofe who
are eminent for their riches, will not think their
condition fuch, as that he fhould hazard his quiet,
and much lefs his virtue, to obtain it ; for all that
great wealth generally gives above a moderate for
tune, is more room for the freaks of caprice, and
more privilege for ignorance and vice ; a quicker
fuccemon of flatteries, and a larger circle of volup-
tucufnefs.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 432.
There is one reafon feldom remarked, which
makes riches lefs defirable. Too much wealth is
generally the occafion of poverty. He whom the
wantonnefs of abundance has once foftened, ea~
fily finks into neglect of his affairs ; and he that
thinks he can afford to be negligent, is not far
from being poor. He will foon be involved in
perplexities, which his inexperience will render in-
furmountable ; he will fly for help to thofe whofe
intereft it is that he fhould be more diftrefled ; and
will be, at laft, torn to pieces by the vultures that
always hover over our fortunes in decay.
Ibid. p. 433.
Wealth is nothing in itfclf ; it is not ufeful but
when it departs from us : its value is found only
in that which it can purchafe, which if we fuppofe
it put to its belt ufe, feems not much to deferve
the
( 231 )
the defire or envy of a wife man. It is certain
that, with regard to corporal enjoyment, money
can neither open new avenues to pleafure, nor
block up the pailages of anguifh. Difeafe and
infirmity flill continue to torture and enfeeble,
perhaps exafperated by luxury, or promoted by
foftnefs.
Ibid, vol.4, p. 29,
With regard to the mind, it has rarely been ob-
ferved, that wealth contributes much to quicken
the difcernment, enlarge the capacity, or elevate
the imagination ; but may, by hiring flattery, or
laying diligence afleep, confirm error, or harden
ftupidity. Wealth cannot confer greatnefs ; for
nothing can make that great, which the degree of
nature has ordained to be little. The bramble may
be placed in a hot-bed, but can never become an
oak. Even Royalty itfelf is not able to give that
dignity, which it happens not to find, but opprefles
feeble minds, though it may elevate the lirong.
The world has been governed in the name of
Kings, whofe exiftence has fcarcely been perceived,
by any real effects beyond their own palaces.-
When, therefore, the defire of wealth is taking hold
of the heart, let us look round and fee how it ope
rates upon thofe whofe induftry or fortune has
obtained it. When we find them opprefled with
their own abundance, luxurious without pleafure,
idle without eafe, impatient and querulous in them-
felves, and defpifed or hated by the reft of man
kind, we lhall foon be convinced, that if the real
wants of our condition are fatisfied, there remains
little to be fought with folicitude, or deiired with
eagernefs.
Ibid. p. 30.
Though
Though riches often prompt extragavant hopes
and fallacious appearances ; there are purpofes to
which a wife man may be delighted to apply them.
They may, by a rational diftribution to thofe who
want them, eafe the pains of helplefs difeafe, ftill
the throbs of refllefs anxiety, relieve innocence
from oppreffioii) and raife imbecility to cheerful-
nefs and vigour. This they will enable a man to
perform ; and this will afford the only happinefs
ordained for our prefent ftate, the confequence of
divine favour, and the hope of future rewards.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 94.
It is obferved of gold, by an old epigrammatift,
" that to have it, is to be in fear, and to want it,
to'be in forrow."
Ibid, p, 155.
Every man is rich or poor, according to the
proportion bet\\ven his defires and enjoyments.
Any enlargement of riches is therefore equally
tleftruc~tive to happinefs with the diminution of pof-
feflion ; and he that teaches another to long for
what he fhall never obtain, is no lefs an enemy to
his quiet, than if he had robbed him of part of his
patrimony.
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 17.
Whofoever rifes above thofe who once pleafed
themfelves with equality, will have many malevo
lent gazers at his eminence. To gain fooner than
others that which all purfue with the fame ardour,
and to which all imagine themfelves entitled, will
for ever be a crime. When thofe who ftarted
with us in the race of life, leave us fo far behind,
that we have little hope to overtake them, we re
venge our difappointment by remarks on the arts
of
( 233 )
ef fupplantation by which they gained the advan
tage, or on the foily and arrogance with which
they poiTefs it ; of them whofe rife we could not
hinder, we folace ourfelves by prognofticating the
fall. Riches, therefore, perhaps do not Ib often
produce crimes as incite accufers.
Ibid. p. 68.
Itmuft, however, be confefled, that as, alt fud-
den changes are dangerous, a quick tranfition
from poverty to abundance can feldom be made
with fafety. He that has long lived within fight
of pleafures which he could not reach, will need
more than common moderation not to lofe his
reafon in unbounded riot, when they are firft put
into his power.
Ibid. p. 69*
Of riches, as of every thing elfe, the hope is
more than the enjoyment. Wiiilft we confider
them as the means to be ufed at fome future time,
for the attainment of felicity, we prefs on our pur-
fuit ardently and vigorouily, and that ardor fe-
cures us from weariri fs of ourfelves ; but no
fooner do we fit down to enjoy our acquiiitions,
than we find them inefficient to fill up the vacui
ties of life.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 115*
It is furely very narrow policy that fuppofes
money to be the chief good.
Life of Milton.
It is not hard to difcover that riches always pro
cure protection for themfelves ; that they dazzle
the eyes of enquiry, divert the celerity of pur-
fuit, or appeafc the ferocity of vengeance. When
any
( 234 )
any man is inconteftably known to have large pof-
feffions, very few think it requifite to enquire by
what practices they were obtained : the refentment
of mankind rages only againft the ftruggles of fee
ble and timorous corruption ; but when it has
furmounted the firfl oppofition, it is afterwards
fupported by favour, and animated by applaufe.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 154.
Money, in whatever hands, will confer power.
Diftrefs will fly to immediate refuge, without
much confideration of remote confequences.
Ibid. p. 222*
Though the rich very rarely defire to be thought
poor, the poor are ftrongly tempted to afTume the
appearance of wealth.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 115.
One caufe, which is not always obferved, of
the infufficiency of riches, is, that they very fel-
dom make their owner rich. To be rich, is to
have more than is defired, and more than is wanted ;
to have fomething which may be fpent without
reluctance, and fcattered without care ; with
which the fudden demands of defire may be gra
tified, the cafual freaks of fancy indulged, or
the unexpected opportunities of benevolence im
proved.
Ibid. p. 116.
When the power of birth and flation ceafes, no
hope remains but from the prevalence of money.
Weftern Iflands, p. 2 16.
Money confounds fubordination, by overpower
ing the diftindions of rank and birth j and weakens
authority,
authority, by fupplying power of refinance, or
expedients for efcape.
Ibid. p. 263.
Nothing is more uncertain than the eftimation
of wealth by denominated money. The precious
metals never retain long the fame proportion to
real commodities, and the fame names in dif
ferent ages do not imply the fame quantity of
metal; fo that it is equally difficult to know how
much money was contained in any nominal fum f
and to find what any fuppofed quantity of gold,
or filver would purchafe ; both which are necef-
fary to the commenfuration of money, or the
adjufrment of proportion between the fame fums
at different periods of time. Bread-corn is the
moil certain ftandard of the neceflaries of life.
Life of Roger Afcham, p. 243.
COMPARISON BETWEEN RICHES AND UNDER
STANDING.
As many more can difcover that a man is richer
than themfelves, fuperiority of underftanding is
not fo readily acknowledged, as that of fortune; nor
is that haughtinefs, which the confcioufnefs of
great abilities incites, borne with the fame fub-
mifiion, as the tyranny of aHluence.
Life of Savage.
COMPARISON BETWEEN RICHES AND POWER*
Power and wealth fupply the place of each other.
Power confers the ability of gratifying our defires
without the confcnt of others ; wealth enables us
to obtain the confent of others to our gratification.
Power, finiply confidercd, whatever it confers on
or.e, muft take from another. Wealth enables its
owner
owner to give it to others, by taking only from
himfelf. Power pleafes the violent and the proud ;
wealth delights the placid and the timorous.
Youth therefore flies at power, and age grovels
after riches.
Weftern Iflands, p. ai6.
RIDICULE.
The afTertion of Shaftelbury, that ridicule is the
teft of truth, is fooliih. If ridicule be applied to
any pofition as the teft of truth, it will then be
come a queftion, whether fuch ridicule be juft,
and this can only be decided by the application of
truth, as the teft of ridicule. Two men fearing,
one a real, and the other a fancied danger, will
be, for awhile, equally expofed to the inevitable
confequences of cowardice, contemptuous cenfure,
and ludicrous reprefentation ; and the true ftate
of both cafes muft be know:i, before it can be de
cided whofe terror is rational, and whole is ridi
culous, who is to be pitieu, and who to be def-
pifed.
Life of Akenfide.
He that indulges himfelf in ridiculing the little
imperfections and weakneiTes of his friends, will
in time rind mankind united againft him. The
man who fees another ridiculed before him, though
he niay, for the prefent, concur in the general
laugh, yet, in a ccol hour, will confider the fame
trick might be played againft himfelf; but when
there is no fenfe of this danger, the natural pride
of human nature rifes againft him, who, by gene
ral cenfures, lays claim to general fuperiority.
Rambler, vol.4, p. Si.
REFLECTION.
( 237 )
'REFLECTION.
It may be laid down as a pofition which will
feldom deceive, that when a man cannot bear his
own company, there is fomething wrong. He muft
fly from himfelf, either becaufe he finds a tedioufnefs
in the equipoife of an empty mind, which having
no tendency to one motion more than another,
but as it is impelled by fome external power, muft
always have recourfe to foreign objects ; or he
muft be afraid of the intrufion of fome unpleafing
ideas, and perhaps is ftruggling to efcape from
the remembrance of a lofs, the fear of a calamity,
or fome other thought of greater horror.
Ibid. vol. j, p. 27.
There are fewer higher gatifications than that
of rerfeiStion on furmounted evils, when they were
not incurred nor protracted by our fault, and nei
ther reproach us with cowardice nor guilt.
Ibid, vol.4, P-233
All ufelefs mifery is certainly folly, and he that
feels evils before they come, may be defervedly
cenfured ; yet furely to dread the future, is more
reafonable than to lament the paft. The bufmefs
of life is to go forward ; he who fees evils in prof-
pe6t, meets it in his way ; but he who catches it
in retrofpection, turns back to find it.
Idler, vol. i, p. m.
There is certainly no greater happinefs than to
be able to look back on a life ufefully and virtuoufly
employed; to trace our own progrefs in exiftence,
by fuch tokens as excite neither fhame nor for-
row. It ought therefore to be the care of thofe
wifh to pafs the laft hours with comfort, to
lay
lay up fuch a treafure of pleafmg ideas, as /hall
fupport the expences of that time, which is to de
pend wholly upon the fund already acquired.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 250 & 252.
The remembrance of a crime committed in
vain, has been confidered as the mofl painful of
all reflections.
Life of Pope.
REBELLION.
To bring mifery on thofe who have not deferved
it, is part of the aggregated guilt of rebellion.
Taxation no Tyranny, p. 61.
Nothing can be more noxious to fociety, than
that erroneous clemency, which, when a rebellion
is fuppreffed, exacts no forfeiture, and eftablilhes
no fecuritiesj but leaves the rebels in their former
ftate.
Ibid. p. 87.
REFINEMENT.
He that pleafes himfelf too much with minute
cxadlnefs, and fubmits to endure nothing in ac-
comodations, attendance, or addrefs, below the
point of perfection, will, whenever he enters the
croud of life, be harrafled with innumerable dif-
trefles, from which thofe who have not, in the
fame manner, increafed their fenfations, find no
difturbance. His exotic foftnefs will fhrink at the
coarfenefs of vulgar felicity, like a plant tranfplan ted
to Northern nurferies, from the dews and fun-fhine
of the tropical regions. It is well known, that ex-
pofed to a microfcrope, the fmootheft polifh of the
moft folid bodies difcovers cavities and prominen
cies 3 and that the foftefl bloom of rofeate virginity
repels
( 239 )
repels the eye with excrefcencies and difcolora-
tions. Thus the fenfes, as well as the percep
tions, may be improved to our own difquiet; and
we may, by diligent cultivation of the powers of
diflike, raife in time an artificial faftidioufnefs,
which mall nil the imagination with phantoms of
turpitude, fhew us the naked fkeleton of every de
light, and prefent us only with the pains of plea-
fure, and the deformities of beauty.
Rambler, vol. 3, p, 37.
RECOLLECTION.
That which is obvious is not always known;
and what is known, is not always prefent. Sud
den fits of inadvertancy will furprife vigilance ;
flight avocations will ieduce attention ; and cafual
eclipfes of the mind will darken learning ; fo that
the writer Ihall often, in vain, trace his memory
at the moment of need, for that which yefterday
he knew with intuitive readinefs, and which will
come uncalled into his thoughts to-morrow.
Preface to Dictionary, fol. p, 10.
RETIREMENT.
There is a time when the claims of the public
are fatisfied ; then a man might properly retire to
review his life, and purify his heart.
Prince of Abyflinia, p. 135.
Some fufpenfion of common affairs, fome paufe
of temporal pain and pleafure, is doubtlefs necef-
fary to him that deliberates for eternity, who is
forming the only plan in which mifcarriage cannot
be repaired, and examining the only queftion- in
which miilake cannot be rectified.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 29.
RESENT-
( 24 )
RESENTMENT.
It is too common for thofe who have unjuftly
differed pain, to inflit it likewife in their turn
with the lame injuftice, and to imagine they have
a right to treat others as they themlelves have been
treated.
Life of Savage.
Refentment is an union of forrow with malignity;
a combination of a pailion which all endeavour to
avoid, with a pailion which all concur to detefl.
The man who retires to meditate mifchief, and to
exafperate his own rage ; whofe thoughts are em
ployed only on means of diftrefs, and contrivances
of ruin; whofe mind never panics from the re
membrance of his own fufferings, but to indulge
fome hope of enjoying the calamities of another,
may juftly be numbered among the moft miferable
of human beings, among thofe who are guilty
without reward, who have neither the gladnefs of
proiperity, nor the calm of innocence.
Rambler, vol.4, p, 137.
RELAXATION.
After the exercifes which the health of the body
requires, and which have themfelves a natural ten
dency to actuate and invigorate the mind, the moft
eligible amufement of a rational being, feems to
be that interchange of thoughts which is pracWed
in free and eafy converfation, where fufpicion is
banifhed by experience, and emulation by benevo
lence ; where every man fpeaks with no other
reftramt than unwillingnefs to offend, and hears
with no othor difpoiition than defire to be pleafed.
Jbid. vol. 2, p. 204.
REPENTANCE.
( 2 4 r )
REPENTANCE.
Repentance is the change of the heart, from
that of an evil to a good difpofition ; it is that dif-
pofition of mind by which " the wicked man turn-
eth away from his wickednefs, and doth that which
is lawful and right ;" and when this change is
made, the repentance is complete.
Convi&s Addrefs, p. 14 & 1 5,
Repentance, however difficult to be praclifed,
is, if it be explained without fuperftition, eafily
underftood. Repentance Is the relmqmfl)ment of any
aRice^from the conviffion that It has offended God.
Sorrow, and fear, and anxiety, are properly not
parts,, but adjuncts of repentance ; yet they are
too clofely connected with it, to be eafily fepa-
rated ; for they not only mark its fincerity, but
promote its efficacy.
No man commits any al of negligence or ob-
frinacy, by which his fafety or happinefs in this
world is endangered, without feeling the pungency
of remorfe. He who is fully convinced, that he
fuffers by his own failure, can never forbear to
trace back his mifcarriage to its firft caufe, to
image to himfelf a contrary behaviour, and to form
involuntary refolutions againft the like fault, even
when he knows that he (hall never again have the
power of committing it. Danger, confidered as
imminent, naturally produces fuch trepidations of
impatience, as leave all human means of fafety be
hind him : he that has once caught an alarm of
terror, is e.very moment feifed with ufelefs anxie
ties, adding one fecurity to another, trembling
with fudden doubts, and diffracted by the perpetual
occurrence of new expedients. If, therefore, he
whofe crimes have deprived him of the favour of
M God,
God, can reflect upon his conduct without dif-
turbance, or can at will banifh the reflexion ; if
he who confiders himfelf as fufpended over the
abyfs of eternal perdition only by the thread of
life, which muft foon part by its own weaknefs,
and which the wing of every minute may divide,
can call his eyes .round him without fhuddering
with horror, or panting with fecurity; what can
he judge of himfelf, but that he is not yet awaken
ed to fufncient conviction, fince every lofs is more
lamented than the lofs of the divine favour, and
every danger more dreaded than the danger of
final condemnation ?
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 28 & 29.
The completion and fum of repentance is a
change of life. That forrow which di6tat.es no
caution, that fear which does not quicken our
efcape, that aufterity which fails to rectify our af-
fe&ions, are vain and unavailing. But forrow
and terror muft naturally precede reformation ;
for what other caufe can produce it ? He, there
fore, that feels himfelf alarmed by his confcience,
anxious for the attainment of a better ftate, and
aiilicted by the memory of his paft faults, may
^uftly conclude, that the great work of repentance
"is b -gun, and hope, by retirement and prayer, the
natural and religious means of nrengthening his
conviction, to itnprefs upon his mind fuch a fenfe
of the divine prefence, as may overpower the
blandimments of fecular delight?, and enable him
to advance from one degree of holinefs to another,
till death ihall fet him free from doubt and con-
teft, mifery and temptation.
What better can we do than proftrate fill
Before him reverent ; and thci e confcis
Humbly
( 243 )
Humbly our faults, and pardon beg, with tears
Wat'ring the ground, and with our fighs the air
Frequenting, lent from hearts contrite, in fign
Of forrow unfcign'd, and humiliation meek ?
Ibid. p. 30.
REVENGE.
Forbearance of revenge, when revenge is with
in reach, is fcarcely ever to be found among
princes.
Memoirs of the King of Pruflia, p. 137.
RESPECT.
Refpedt is often paid in proportion as it is
claimed.
Idler, vol. r, p. 276,
LITERARY REPUTATION.
Of the decline of literary reputation, many
caufes may be affigned. It is commonly loft be-
caufe it never was. deferved, and was conferred at
firft, not by the fuffrage of cmicifm, but by the
fondnefs of friendmip, or fervility of flattery. Many
have loft the final reward of their labours, becaufe
they were too hafty to enjoy it. They fiave laid
[hold on recent occurrences and eminent names,
and delighted their readers with allufions and re
marks, in which all were interested, and to which
therefore all were attentive ; but the effect ceafed
1 with its caufe ; the time quietly came when new
events drove the former from memory, when
the viciflitudes of the world brought new hopes
and fears, transferred the love and hatred of
the public to other agents, and the writers whofe
[works were no longer aflilted by gratitude or
refentment, was left to the cold regard of idle
M 2 curiofitv.
( 244 )
curiofity. But he that writes upon general prin
ciples, or delivers univerfal truths, may hope to
be often read, becaufe his work will be equally
ufeful at all times, and in every country ; but he
cannot expeft it to be received with eagernefs, or
to fpread with rapidity, becaufe defire can have no
particular ftimulation. That which is to be loved
long, is to be loved with reafon, rather than with
paflion.
Ibid, vol, 2. p. 36 & 37.
REASON AND FANCY.
Reafon is like the fun, of which the light is con-
ftant, uniform and lading. Fancy, a meteor of
bright,but tranfitory luftre, irregular in its motion,
and delufive in its direction.
Prince of Abyfiinia, p. 116.
RHYME.
Rhyme, fays Milton, and fays truly, is no ne-
ceffary adjuntt of true poetry . But, perhaps, of po
etry, as a mental operation, metre or mufic is no
neceflary adjunct ; it is, however, by the mufic of
metre that poetry has been difcriminated in all
languages ; and in languages melodioufly con-
flrudted, by a due proportion of long and fhort
fyllable?, metre is fufncient. But one language \
cannot communicate its rules to another. Where
metre is fcanty and imperfect, fome help is necef-
fary. The mufic of the Engliih heroic line frrikes
the ear fo faintly, that it is eafily loft, unlefs all
the fyllables of every line co-operate together^
This co-operation can be only obtained by the
prefervation of every verfe, unmingled with ano-""
ther, as a dirHnft fyftem of founds 3 and this dif-
tindtnefl
tinclnefs is obtained, and preferred, by the artifi:e
cf rhyme.
Life of Milton.
To attempt any further improvement of ver/i-
pcatlon^ beyond what Pope has given us in his
tranflation of Homer's Iliad, will be dangerous.
Art and diligence have now done their beft ; and
what fhall be added, will be the effort of tedious
toil, and needlefs curioiity.
Life of Pcpe.
RHETORICIAN.
There is no credit due to a rhetorician's ac
count either of good or evil.
Life of Roger Afcham, p. 247.
REPROOF.
Reproof fhould notexhauft its power upon petty
failings ; let it watch diligently againft the incur-
fion of vice, and leave foppery and futility to die of
themfelves.
Idler, vol. i, p. 141.
RULES.
Rules may obviate faults, but can never confer
beauties.
Idler, vol, a r p. 26.
CHARACTER OF THE ANCIENT ROMANS.
V/hile they were poor, they robbed mankind ; and
as foon as they became rich, they robbed one another*
Review of the Memoirs of the Court of Au^uftus, p. 6*
RIGHT.
The utmoft exertion of right is always invidi
ous ; and where claims are not eafily determinable,
is always dangerous.
Falkland JflanJs, p. 59.
M 3 SATIRE.
f 246 )
s.
SATIRE.
Perfonal refentment, though no laudable motive
to fatire, can add great force to general principle.
Self-love is a bufy prompter.
Life of Dryden.
All truth is valuable, and fatyrical criticifm may
be confidered as ufeful, when it rectifies error, and
improves judgment. He that refines the public
tafte, is a public benefactor.
Life of Pope.
SATYRIST.
In defence of him who has fatyrized the man he
has once praifed, it may be alledged, that the ob-
jecft of his fatire has changed his principle?, and
that he who was once defervedly commended, may
be afterwards fatyrized with equal juftice, or that
the poet was dazzled with the appearance of vir
tue, and found the man whom he had celebrated,
when he had an opportunity of examining him
more nearly, unworthy of the panegyric which he
had too haftily beftowed ; and that, as falfe fatire
ought to be recanted, for the fake of him whofe
reputation maybe injured, falfe praife ought like-
wife to be obviated, left the diftin6tior\ between
vice and virtue fhould be loft, left a bad man,
Ihould be trufted upon the credit of his encomiaft,
or left others fhould endeavour to obtain the like
praifes by the fame means.' But though thefe
excufes may be often plaufible, and fometimes
juft, they are feldom fatisfa&ory to mankind ; and
the writer who is not conftant to his fubj eel:, quick
ly finks into contempt; his' fatire lofes its force,
and
and his panegyric its value ; and he is-only con-
fldered at one time as a flatterer, and as a calumnia
tor at another. To avoid thefe imputations, it is
only neceflary to follow the rules of virtue, and to
preferve an unvaried regard to truth. For though
it is undoubtedly poffible, that a man, however
cautious, may be fometimes deceived by an artful
appearance of virtue, or a falfe appearance of guilt,
fuch errors will not be frequent; and it will be
allowed, that the name of an author would never
have been made contemptible, had no man ever
faid what he did not think, or milled others but
when he was himfelf deceived.
Life of Savage.
SECRETS.
Secrets are fo feldom kept, that ft may be with
fome reafon doubted, whether a fecret has not
fome fubtle volatility by which it efcapes, imper
ceptibly, at the fmalleft vent, or fome power of
fermentation, by which it expands itfelf, fo as to
burft the heart that will not give it way.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 75.
To tell our own fecrets is generally folly, but
that folly is without guilt. To communicate thofe
with which we are entrufted, is alway? treachery,
and treachery for the moft part combined with
folly.
Ibid. p. 76
The vanity of being known to be trufred with
a fecret, " ally one of the chief motives to
difclofe it ; for, however abfura it may be thought
to boa ft an honour by an aoc which ihews that it
was conferred without merit, yet moil men feem
rather inclined to confefs the want of virtue than
M 4 of
C 248 )
of ImportancCj and more willingly fhew their in
fluence, though at the expence of their probity,
than glide through life with no other pleafure than
the private confcioufnefs of fidelity, v/hich, while
it is preferved, muft be without praife, except
from the fmgle perfon who tries and knows it.
Ibid. p. 75.
The whole do&rine, as well as the practice of
fecrecy, is fo perplexing and dangerous, that next
to him who is compelled to truft, that man is un
happy who is cbofen to be truft cd^ for he is often in
volved in fcruple?, without the liberty of calling
in the help of any other underftanding ; he is fre
quently drawn into guilt, under the appearance of
friendihip and honefty ; and fometimes fubje&ed
to iufpicion by the treachery of others, who are
engaged without his knowledge in the dime
fchemes : for he thai has one confident, has gene
rally more ; and when he is, at lair, betrayed, is
in doubt on whom he {hall fix the crime..
Ibid. p. 79-.
The rules that may be propofed concerning fe
crecy, and which it is not fafe to deviate from,
without long and exact deliberation, are,
Firft, Never to fo licit the knowledge of a fecret ;
nor willingly, nor without many limitations, accept
fuch confidence, when it is offered.
Second, when a fecret is once admitted, to con-
fider the truft as of a very high nature, important
as fociety andfeicred as truth and therefore not
to be violated for any incidental convenience, or flight
appearance of contrary fitnefs.
Ibid. p. 80.
SCEP
SCEPTICISM.
There are fome men of narrow views and gro
veling conceptions, who r without the irrigation
of perfonal malice, treat every new attempt as wild
and chimerical, and look upon every endeavour
to depart from the beaten track, as the rafli effort
of a warm imagination, or the glittering ipecu-
lation of an exalted mind, that may pleafe and
dazzle for a time, but can produce no real, or
lading advantage.
Life of Blake, p. 191.
To play with important truths, to difturb the
repofe of eftablifhed tenets, to fubtilize objections,
and elude proof, is too often the fport of youthful
vanity, of which maturer experience commonly
repents. There is a time when every man is
weary of railing difficulties only to talk himfelf
with the folution, and defires to enjoy truth, with
out the labour, or hazard, of conteft.
Life of Sir T, Browne, p. 279,
SEDUCTION".
There is not perhaps, in all the frores of ideal'
anguiih, a thought more painful than the confci-
oufnefs of having propagated corruption by vitia
ting principles ; of having not only drawn others
from the paths of virtue, but blocked up the way
by which they mould return ; of having blinded
them to every beauty but the paint of pleafure ;
and deafened them to every call, but the alluring
voice of the fjreris of deitruction.
Ran;bler } vol. r, p. 191.
M SOLI-
f 250 )
SOLITUDE.
In folitude, if we efcape the example of bad men,
we like wife want the counfel and converfation of
the good.
Prince of Abyflinia, p. 133.
The life of a Solitary man will be certainly mi-
ferable, but not certainly devout.
Ibid.
To thofe who pafs their time in folitude and re
tirement, it has been juftly objected, that if they
are happy, they are happy only in being ufelefs ;
that mankind is one vaft republic, where every
individual receives many benefits from the labour
of others^ which by labouring in his turn for
others, he is obliged to repay ; and that where
the united efforts of all are not able to exempt all
from mifery, none have a right to withdraw from
their tafk of vigilance, or be idulged in idle wif-
dom and folitary pleafures.
Idler, vol. i, p. icz.
SORROW.
The ftiarpeft and moft melting forrow is that
"which arifes from the lofs of thofe whom we have
loved with tendernefs. But friendihip between
mortals can be contracted on no other terms, than
that one muft fometimes mourn for the other's
death j and this grief will always yield to the fur-
vivor, one confolation proportionate to his afflic
tion; for the pain, whatever it be, that he him-
felf feels, his friend has efcaped.
Rambler, vol. i. p. 104,
It is urged by fome, as a remedy for forrow, to
keep our minds always fufpended in fuch indif
ference.
erence,. that we may change the Objects about us
without emotion. An exaci compliance with this
rule might perhaps cont^bute to tranquillity, but
furely it'woul d never produce happinefs. He that
regard ; none To much as to be afraid of lofing them,
muft live for ever without the gentle pleafures of
fympathy and confidence. He muftfeel no melt
ing confidence, no warmth of benevolence, nor
any of thofe honeft joys which nature annexes to
the power of pleafmg. And as no man can juftly
claim more tendernefs than he pays, he murf for
feit his (hare in that officious and watchful kind-
nefs which love only can dictate, and thofe lenient
endearments by which love only canfoften life.
Ibid. p. 2c 5..
The (afe and general antidote againft forrow, is
employment. It is commonly obferved, that
among foldiers and feaman, though there is much
kindnefs, there is little grief. They fee their
friend fail without any of that lamentation which
is indulged in fecurity and idlenefs, becaufe they
have no leifure to fpare from the care of thcrn-
felves ; and whoever mail keep his thoughts equal
ly bufy, will find himfelf equally unaffected with
irretrievable loiTcs.
Ibid. p. 187.
Sorrow is a kind of ruft to the Soul, which-,
every new idea contributes in its paflage to icour
away. It is the putrefaction of ftagnant life, and
is remedied by exercife and motion.
Ibid-
STYLE.
The polite are always catching at modifh in
novations, and the learned depart from eflablilir.-.I
M. 6 f. rms
( 252 )
forms of fpeech, in hopes of finding or making
better. But propriety refides in that kind of con-
verfation which is above grofFnefs and below re
finement.
Preface to Shakefpeare, p. 18.
Words being arbitrary, muft owe their pow
er to aflbciation, and have the influence, and that
only, which cuftom has given them.
Life of Cowley.
Words too familiar, or too remote, defeat the
purpofe of a poet. From thefe founds, which we
hear on fmall, or coarfe occafions, we do not
eafily receive ftrong impreiTions or delightful ima
ges ; and words to which we are nearly ftrangers,
whenever they occur, draw that attention on tbem-
fcheS) which they fhould convey to things.
Life of Dryden.
An epithet, or metaphor, drawn from nature,
ennobles art; an epithet or metaphor drawn from
art, degrades nature.
Life of Gray.
There is a mode of ftyle for which the matters
of oratory have not as yet found a name ; a ftyle,
by which the moft evident truths are fo obfcured,
that they can no longer be perceived, and the moft
familiar propofitions fo difguifed, that they cannot
be known. Every other kind of eloquence is the
drefs of fenfe, but this is the ma(k by which a true
mailer of his art will fo effectually conceal it, that
a man will as eafily miftake his own pofitions, if
he meets them thus transformed, as he may pafs,
in a mafqueradc, his neareft acquaintance.
Id'er, vol. 1, p. 203.
Few
( 253 )
Few faults of ftyle, whether real or imaginary,
excite the malignity of a more numerous clafs of
readers, than the uie of hard words But words
are only hard to thofe who do not understand
them ; and the critic ought always to enquire,
whether he is incommoded by the fault of the wri
ter, or by his own.
lbid vol. 2 } p. 06.
Every language of a learned nation neceflarily
divides itfelf into diction, fcholaflic and popular,
grave and familiar, elegant and grofs ; and, from
a nice diftincYion of thefe different parts, arifes a
great part of the beauties of ftylc*
Life of Dry den.
It is not eafy to diflinguifh affectation from ha-
Mt; he that has once itudioufly formed a ftyle,
rarely writes afterwards with complete eafe.
Life of Pope.
SINGULARITY.
Singularity, as it implies a contempt of general
practice, is a kind of defiance, which juftly pro
vokes the hiflory of ridicule. He, therefore, who
indulges peculiar habits, is v/orfe than others if he
be not better.
Life of Swift.
SUBORDINATION.
He that encroaches on another's dignity, puts
himf.:lf in his power ; he is either repelled with
helplefs inJignity, or endured by clemency and
condefcenfion. A great mind difdains to hold any
thing by courtefy, and therefore never ufurps what
a lawful claimant may take away.
Jbid.
No
( '54- )
No man can pay a more fervile tribute to the
great, than by fu tiering his liberty, in their prefence,,
to aggrandize him in his own efteem. Between
different ranks of the community, there is necefla-
rily fome diftance. He who is called by his fupe-
rior to pafs the interval, may very properly accept
the invitation ; but petulence and obtrulion, are
rarely produced by magnanimity, nor have often
any nobler caufc, than the pride of importance,
and the malice of inferiority. He who knows him-
felf neceiiary, may fet, while that neceffity laih, a
high value upon himfelf; as in a lower condition,
a fervant eminently fkilful may be faucy, but he is
faucy, becaufe he is fervile.
Ibid..
A due regard to fubo^di nation is the power that
keeps peace and order in- the world.
Notes upon Shakelpeare, vol. o, p. 290.
SOLICITATION.
Every man of known influence has fo many pe
titions which he cannot grant, that he muft necef-
farily offend more than he gratifies; as the prefer
ence given to one, affords all the reft a reafon for
complaint cc When I. give away a place, (faid
Lewis the XI Vth) I make an hundred difcontent-
ed, and one ungrateful."
Life of Swift.
SUSPICION.
Sufpicion is no lefs an enemy to virtue, than to
happinels. He that is already corrupt is naturally
fufpicious ; and he that becomes fufpicious, will
quickly be corrupt.
Rambler, vol. z, p. 145.
He
( 255 )
He that fufFers by impoiture, has too often his
virtue more impaired than his fortune. But as it is
necefTary not to invite robbery by fupinenefs, fo it
is our duty not to fupprefs tendernefs by fufpicion.
It is better to fufrer wrong than to do it ; and
happier to be fometimes cheated, than not to truft.
Ibid. p. 147.
He who is fpontaneoufly fufpiciou?, may be
juftly charged with radical corruption ; for if he
has not known the prevalence of difhonefty by in
formation, nor had time to difcern it with his own
eyes, whence can he take his meafures of judg
ment but from himfeif?
Ibid, vol.4, p. 86.
SUPERIORITY.
The fuperiority of foms is merely local. They
are great^ becaufe their afibciates are little,
Life of Swift.
SCRIPTURE.
Idle and indecent applications offentences taken
from fcripture, is a mode of merriment which a
good man dreads for its profanenefs, and a witty
man difdains for its eafmcis and vulgarity.
L:fe of Pope,
All amplification of f acred ktftory \s frivolous and
vain ; all addition to that whic.n is already fui-
cient for the purpofes of religion, feems not only
ttjl'lefs, but in ibme degree profane.
Life of Cowley,
SIMILE.
A fimile, to be perfect, mud both illuftrate and
ennoble the fubjedtj mud ihevv it to the under-
Handing
( 256 )
ftanding in a clearer view, and difplay it to the
fancy with greater dignity; but either of thefe
qualities may be fufficient to recommend it. In
didactic poetry, of which the great purpofe is in-
flruction, a fimile maybe praifed which illuftrates,
though it does not enoble. In heroics, that majr
be admitted which enobles, though it does not il-
ki ft rate. That it may he complete, it is required to
exhibit, independently of its references, a pleafing.
image j for a iirniie is faid to be a Ihort epifode.
Lite of Pope.
SHAME.
Shame, above every other paflion, propagates
itfelf.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 309.
It is, perhaps, kindly provided by nature, that a?
the feathers and ftrength of a bird grow together,,
and 'her wings are not completed till me is able to
fly; fo forne proportion fhould be obferved in the
human mind, .between judgment and courage.
The precipitation of experience is therefore re-
ffrained by fhame, and we remain (hackled by ti
midity, till we have learned to fpeak and acl with,
propriety,
Ibid. p. 316.
Shame operates rnoil ilrongly in our earlier!
years.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 5, p, 79.
STUDY.
As in life, fo in ftudy, it is dangerous to do
mor^ things than one at a time ; and the mind is
not to be hairafi^d with unneceilary obfirucliomY
in
( 257 )
in a way of which the natural and unavoidable af-
perity is fuch, as too frequently produces defpair.
Preface to the Preceptor, p. 65*
The predominance of a favourite ftudy, affels
all fubordinate operations of the intellect.
LifeofCowley.
SOBRIETY.
Sobriety, or temperance, is nothing but the for
bearance of pleafure; and if peifure was not fol
lowed by pain, who would forbear it !
Idler, vol.2, p, 208.
SCARCITY.
Value is more frequently raifed by fear "city than
by ufe. That which la/ ne^lecteJ when it was
common, riles in eftimation as its quantity be
comes lefs. We feldom L:-.rn the true w.int of
what we have, till it is difcovered that we can have
no more.
Ibid. p. 280.
SENTENCES.
In dl pointed fentences, fcrne degree of accu
racy mud be facrihced to concifencfs.
Bravery of Englifh Common Soldiers, p. 324.
SUCCESS AND MISCARRIAGE.
Succefs and mifcarriage have the fame effects in
all conditions. The profperous are feared, hated,
and flattered ; and the unfortunate avoided, pitied^
and defpifed.
Idler, vol. Z, p. 277.
( 258 )
SHAKESPEARE.
Of all the difputed plays of Shakefpeare, except
Titus Andronicus, it may be afked, if they are taken
from him, to whom ft) all they be given? for it will be
found more credible that Shakefpeare might fome-
times fink below his high eft flighty than that any
other fhould rife up to his lowejL
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. I, p. 216,
Each change of many-coloured life he drew,
Exhauited worlds, and tn^n imagin'd new :
Exigence faw him fpurn her bounded reign,
And panting Time toil'd after him in vain.
Prologue at the opening of Drury-lane Theatre.
SUPERFLUITIES.
Nothing gives fo much offence to the lower
ranks of mankind, as the iight of iupcrfluities
merely oflentatious.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol.6, p. 339.
GOOD-SENSE.
Good-fenfe is a fedate and quiefcent quality,
which manages its poflcliions well, but does not
encreafe them ; it collects few materials for its own
operations, and preferves fafety, but never gains
fupremacy.
Life of Pope.
RURAL SPORTS.
It is probable all the fports of the field are of
Gothic original ; the antients neither hunted by the
fcent, nor ieem much to have praftifed liorfemaii-
fhip as an exercife ; and, though in their works
there is mention of Aucu$>im t i and Pifcathy they
feera
( 259 )
feem no more to have been confidered as diver-
fions, than agriculture, or any other manual labour.
Life of Sir T. Browo, p, 269.
SEASONS. -
It is obferved by Milton, that he who neglects
to viiit the country \nfpring, and rejects the plea-
fures tnat are then in their firft bloom and fra
grance, is guilty of " fullennefs agalnft nature." If
we allot different duties to different feafons, he
maybe charged with equaldifobediencetothe voice
of nature, who looks on the bleak hills, and leaf-
lefs woods, without ferioufiieO and awe. Spiing
is the feafon of gaiety, and winu*r of terror. In
fpring, the heart of tranquillity dances to the me
lody of the groves, and the eye of benevolence
'fparkles at the fight of happinefs and plenty ; in
the vvi liter, cornpaffion melts at univerfal calamity,
and the tear of foftnefs ftarts at the waitings of
hunger, and the cries of creation indiftrefs.
Rambler, vol. 2, p. 149.
SUBLIMITY.
Sublimity is produced by aggregation, and littleness
by i: i''\:-:-/ion. Qreat thoughts are always general,
and con filt in pO/itions riot limitted by exception^,
and in defcriptions not defceuding to minutenefs.
Life of Cowiey.
SCIENCE.
Divide and conquer^ is a principle equally juft in-
fcience as in policy.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 187.
Every fcience has its difficulties which yet call
for folucion, before we attempt new fyftems of
knowledge i
knowledge ; as every country has its forefts and
marines, which it would be wife to cultivate and
<irain, before diftant colonies are proje&edas ane-
ceilary difcharge of the exuberance of inhabitants.
Ibid. p. 292,
It is fometimes difficult to prove the principles
of fcience, becaufe notions cannot always be found
more intelligible than thole which are queftioned.
Taxation no Tyranny, p. J.
STATESMEN.
I know not whether ftatefmen and patrons, do
not fometimes fuffer more reproaches than they
deferve from their dependants, and may not rather
theinfelves complain that they are given up a prey
to pretenfions without merit, and to importunity
without mame. The truth is, that the inconve-
hiencies of attendance are more lamented than felt.
To the greater number, felicitation is its own re
ward : to be feen in good company, to talk of
familiarities with men of power, to be able to tell
the fremeft news, to gratify an inferior circle with
predictions of increafe or decline of favour, and to
be regarded as a candidate for high offices, are
compenfations more than equivalent to the delay
of favours, which, perhaps, he that begs them has
hardly confidence to expect.
I.iler, vcl. x, p. 79..
SEPARATION.
There are few things not purely evil, of which
we can fay, without fome emotion of uneafinefs
"This is the /aft." Thofe who never coulJ agree
together, fhed tears when mutual oifcontent has
determined them to final feperation j of a place
which
which has been frequently vifited, though without
pleafure, the loft look is taken with heavihefs of
heart.
Ibid. vol. 2, p. z8i.
T.
TIME.
He that runs againft time, has an antagonift not
fubject to cafualties.
Life of Pope.
The ftory of Melan&hon affords a flriking lec
ture on the value of time, which was, that when
ever he made an appointment, he expected not only
the hour^ but the minute to be fixed, that the day
might not run out in the idlenefs of fufpenfe.
Rambler, vol. a, p. 39.
When we have deducted all that is abforbed in
Heep, all that is inevitably appropriated to the de
mands of nature, or irrefiftably engrofled by the
tyranny of cuftom ; all that pafles in regulating the
fuperficial decorations of life, or is given up in the
reciprocations of civility to the difpofal of others ;
all that is torn from us by the violence of difeafe,
or (tolen imperceptibly away by laffitude and lan
guor ; we mall find that part of our duration very
Iraall, of which we can truly call ourfelves matters,
or which we can fpend wholly at our own choice.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 13.
Time, like money, may be loft by unreafonable
avarice.
Life of Eurman, p. zq$
Time
( 262 )
Time is the inflexible enemy of all falfe hypo-
thefes.
Treatifeon the Longitude, p. 10.
An Italian philofopher expreffed in his motto,
" That time was his eflate." An eftate, indeed,
which will produce nothing without cultivation,
but will always abundantly repay the labours of
induftry, and fatisfy the moft extenfive defires, if
no part of it be fuffered to lie wafte by negligence,
to be over-run with noxious plants, or laid out for
{how rather than for ufe.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 18.
Time, amongft other injuries, diminifhes the
power of pleafing.
Ibid. p. 216.
Time ought, above all other kinds of property,
to be free from invafion 5 and yet there is no man
who does not claim the power of wafting that time
which is the right of others.
Idler, vol. I, p. 78.
Life is continually ravaged by invaders ; one
deals away an hour, and another a day; one con
ceals the robbery by hurrying us into bufmefs,
another by lulling us with amufement : the depre
dation is continued through a thoufand viciflitudes
of tumult and tranquillity, till, having loft all, we
can lofe no more.
Ibid-
To put every man in pofTeflion of his own time,
and refcue the day from a-fucccflion of ufurpers,
is beyond hope ; yet, perhaps, fome flop might be
put to this unmerciful perfecution, if all would fe-
ricufly reflect, that whoever pays a vifit that is not
defired,
defired, or talks longer than the hearer is willing
to attend, is guilty of an injury which he cannot
repair, and takes away that which he cannot give.
Ibid, p, Si.
Time, with all its celerity, moves flowly to him
whofe whole employment is to watch its flight.
Ibid. p. 1 1 8.
Time is, of all modes of exiflence, moft obfe-
quious to the imagination.
Preface to Shakefpeare, p. 114.
TIME PAST.
Whether it be that life has more vexations than
comforts, or w at is in event juft the fame, that
evil makes deeper impreffions than good, it is cer
tain that few can review the time part, without
heavincfs of heart. He remembers many calami
ties incurred by folly ; many opportunities loft by
negligence. The fhades of the dead rife up be
fore him, and he laments the companions of his
youth, tae partners of his amufements, the aiTill-
ants of his labours, whom the Land of death has
fnatched away.
Idler, vol.' I, p. 249.
TRIFLES.
It may be frequently remarked of the fludious
and fpcculative, that t-iey are proud of trifle-, and
that their amuieinents feern fi ivolous and chiidiih ;
whether it be that men, conlcious of s;reat repu
tation, think there fclves above the reach of cenfure,
and fate in tiu-: admiffipn of negligent indulgencies,
cr that mankind es-p-dt, from elevated genius, an
uniformity of greatncfs, and watch its degradation
with
with malicious wonder, like him, who hiving fol
lowed with his eye an eagle into the clouds, fhould
lament that fhe ever defcended to a perch.
Life of Pope.
Trifles always require exuberance of ornament.
The building which has no ftrength, can be va
lued only for the grace of its decorations. The
pebble muft be polifhed with care, which hopes to
be valued as a diamond, and words ought furely to
be laboured, when they are intended to ftand for
things.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 280.
To proportion the eagernefs of conteft to its
importance, feems too hard a tafk for human wif-
dom. The pride of wit has kept ages bufy in the
difcuffion of ufelefs queftions ; and the pride of
power has deftroyed armies to gain or to keep un
profitable pofleffions.
Falkland Iflands, p. i.
TRAVELLING.
All travel has its advantages; if the paflenger
vifits better countries, he may learn to improve his
own ; and if fortune carries him to worfe, he may
learn to enjoy it.
Weftern Iflands, p. 322.
Ke that would travel for the entertainment of
others, fhould remember, that the great object of
remark is HUMAN LIFE. Every nation has
fomething in its manufactures, its works of genius,
its medicines, its agriculture, its cuftoms, and its
policy. He only is a ufeful traveller, who brings
home fomething by which his country may be be
nefited, who procures fome iupply of want, or
fome
( 265 )
Tome mitigation of evil, which may enable his
readers to compare their condition with that of
others ; to improve it wherever it is worfe, and
wherever it is better, to enjoy it.
Idler, vol.2, p. 253.
It is by ftudying at home, that we mud obtain
he ability-ojf travelling with intelligence and im
provement.
Life of Gray.
TRADE.
Nothing dejects a trader like the interruption
of his profits.
Taxation no Tyranny, p. 3.
The theory of trade is yet but little underftood,
and therefore the practice is often without real ad
vantage to the public ; but it might be carried on
with more general fuccefs, if its principles were
aetter confidered.
Preface to the Preceptor, p. 77,
TRUTH*
Truth is fcarcely to be heard, but by thofe from
whom it can ferve no intereft to conceal it.
Rambler, yol. 3, p. 269.
Truth has no gradations ; nothing which admits
of increafe can befo much what it is, as truth is
truth. There may be -^Jlrange thing, and a thing
more Jl 'range. But if a proportion be truc y there
can be none more true.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 2, p. 136;
N Malice
( 266 )
Malice often bears down truth.
Jbid. vol. 3, p. 222.
Truth, like beauty, varies its faihions, and is
belt recommended i>y different drefTes, to different
minds.
Idler, vol. 2, p. iS6.
' There is no crime more infamous than the vio
lation of truth : 'it is apparent, that men can be
fociable beings no longer than they can believe
each other. When fpeech is employed only as the
vehicle of falfehood, every man muft difunite him-
felf from others, inhabit his own cave, and feek
prey only for himfelf.
Ibid. vol. i, p. 108.
Truth is the balls of all excellence.
Life of Covvley.
Truth is always truth, and reafon is always rea-
Ibn ; they have an intrinfic and unalterable value,
and conititute that intellectual gold which defies
deftruction : but gold maybe fo concealed in bafer
matter, that only a chymift can recover it ; fenfe
maybe fo hidden in unrefined and plebeian words,
that none but philofophers can diftinguim it ; and
both may be fo buried in impurities, as not to pay
the coil of their extraction.
Ibid.
To doubt whether a man of eminence has told
the truth about his own birth, is, in appearance,
to be very deficient in candour j yet nobody carf
live long without knowing, that falfehoods of con
venience or vanity, falfehoods from which no evil
immediately vifible enfues, except the general de
gradation
( 267 )
gradation of human teftimony, are very lightly
uttered, and, once uttered, are fullenly fupported.
Boileau, who defired to be thought a rigorous
and fteady moralift, having told a petty lie to
Lewis XIV. continued it afterwards by falfe dates ;
thinking himfelf obliged, in honour^ (fays his ad
mirer,) to maintain what, when he laid it, wa:>
received.
Life of Congreve.
It were doubtlefs to be wifhed, that truth and
'teafon were uniyerfally prevalent ; that every thing
were efteemed according to its real value, and
that men would fecure themfelves from being dif-
appointed in. their endeavours after happinefs, by
placing it only in virtue, which is always to be
obtained. But, if adventitious and foreign plea-
:fures muft be purfued, it would be, perhaps, of
fome benefit, fince that purfuit muft frequently be
jfs, if it could be taught, that folly might be
an antidote to folly, and one fallacy be obviated
by another.
Life of Savage.
.' Where truth is fufficient to fill the mind, fiction:
i is worfe than ufelefs ; the counterfeit debafes the
1 genuine.
Life of Gray.
; To the pofition of Tully, " that if virtue could
Jhe feen, {he .muft be loved," may be added, that if
! TRUTH could be heard, (he muft be obeyed.
Rambler, vol. z, p. 194,
Truth finds an eafy entrance into the mind,
when fhe is introduced by defire, and attended by
pleafure. But when fhe intrudes uncalled, and
N ^ brings
brings only fear and forrowin her train, the pafFes
of the intellect are barred againft her by prejudice
and paflion ; if fhe fometimes forces her way by
the batteries of argument, fhe feldom long keeps
poflefllon of her conquefts, but is ejected by fome
favoured enemy, or at beft obtains only a nomi
nal fovereignty, without influence, and without
authority.
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 29.
There are many truths which every human be
ing acknowledges and forgets.
JWcr, vol. i, p, 6.
Truth, when it is reduced to practice, eafily be
comes fubjecl: to caprice and imagination, and
many particular afts will be wrong, though their
general principle be- right.
Ibid. p. 291,
The moft ufeful truths are always univerfal, and
unconnected with accidents and cuftoms.
Ibid. vol. 2, p. 76.
Between falfehood and ufelefs truth there is little
difference. As gold, which he cannot fpend, will
make no man rich, fo knowledge, which he can
not apply, will make no man wife.
Ibid, p. 179.
He that conrradi&s acknowledged truth, wil]
always have an audience ; he that vilifies eftablifhec
authority, will always find abettors.
Falkland I/lands, p. 54.
There are truths, which, as they are always
neceliary, do not grow ft ale by repetition.
Review of the Origin of vil, p. 17,
Truth
Truth is befl fupported by virtue.
Introduction to the Proceedings of the Committee for
Clothing French Prifoners, p. 160.
TEMPTATION.
It is a common plea of wickedneis to call temp
tation deftiny.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. i, p. 51*
THOUGHTS.
It is the odd fate of fome thoughts, to be the
wcrfe for being true.
Life of Cov/ley,
Levity of thought naturally produces familiarity
of language, and the familiar part of language
continues long the fame ; the dialogue of Comedy,
when it is tranfcribed from popular manners, and
real life, is read from age to age with equal plea-
fure. The artifices of inverfion, by which the
eftablimed order of works is changed, or of inno
vation, by which new words^ or new meanings of
words^ are introduced, is practifed, not by thofe
who talk to be underitood, but by thofe who write
to be admired.
Ibid,
Though we have many examples of people ex-
ifting without thought, it is certainly a Rate not
much to be defired. He that lives in torpid in-
fenfibility, wants nothing of a carcafe but putre
faction. It is the part of every inhabitant of the
earth, to partake the pains and pleafures of his
fellow beings ; and, as in a road through a country
defert and uniform, the traveller languifhes for
want of amufement, fo the paflage of life will be
N 3 tedious
tedious and irkfcme to him who does not beguile
it by diverfified ideas.
Idler, vol. I, p. 136.
TREATIES.
In forming ftipulations, the commifTaries are
often ignorant, and often negligent. They are
fometimes weary with debate, and contract a te
dious difcuifion into general terms, or refer it to a
former treaty which was never underftcod. The
v/eakcr part is always afraid of requiring explana^
tions; and the ftronger always has an intereft in
leaving the queftion undecided. Thus will it hap
pen, without great caution on either fide, that after
long treaties, folemnly ratified, the rights that had
bcm difputed, are ftill equally open to controverfy.
Observations on the State of Affairs, 1756, p. ai.
THEORY.
It is true, that of far the greater part of things,
v/e muft content ourfelves with fuch knowledge as
defcription may exhibit, or an-ilogy fupply ; but it
.is true, likewife, that thofe ideas are always in
complete, and that, ut leaft till we have com
pared them with realities^ we do not know them
to be jufh As we fee more, we become poflefled
of more certainties, and confequently gain more
principles of reafoning, and found a wider bafis of
.analogy.
Weftern Ifbnds, p. 85.
THINGS.
Things may be not only too little, but too
much known, to be happily illuftrated. To ex
plain, requires the life of terms lefs abftrufe than
that which is to be explained, and fuch terms can
not
not always be found ; for, as nothing can be proved
but by fuppofing fomething intuitively known, and
evident without proof, fo nothing can be defined
but by the ufe of words too plain to admit a de
finition.
Preface to Johnfon's Dictionary, p. 67.
TIMIDITY.
Timidity is a difeafe of the mind, more obfH-
nate and fatal than prefumption ; as every expe
riment will teach prefumption caution, and mif~
carriages will hourly fhew that attempts are not*
always rewarded with fuccefs. But the timid man
perfuades himfelf that every impediment is infu-
perable ; and, in confequence of thinking fo, has
given it, in refpect to himfelf, that ftrength and
weight which it had not before.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 152.
TRANSLATION.
Of every other kind of writing, the antients
have left us models, which all fucceeding ages
have laboured to imitate ; but tran/Iationmayju&lj
be claimed, by the moderns, as their own.
Idler, vol.2, p. 86.
The Arabs were the firft nation who felt the
krdour of translation. When they had fubdued
the Eaftern provinces of the Greek empire, they
found their captives wifer than themfelves, and
made hafle to relieve their wants by imported
knowledge.
Ibid. p. ?g.
The firft book printed in Englifh (about the
year 1490) was a tranflation j Caxton was both
N 4 the
the translator and printer of it ; it was the De~
Jlrnccion of Troye, a book which, in that infancy
of learning, was confidered as the bed account of
the fabulous .*ges ; and which, though now driven
out of notice by authors of no greater ufe or value,
ftill continued to be read, in Caxton's EngHfh, to
the beginning of the prcfent century.
Ibid. p. 92.
Literal travflation, which feme carried to that
exatnefs, u thai the lines- Jhokld wither be more nor
fewer than tbcfs of the original^ prevailed in this
country, with very few examples to the contrary,
till the age of Charles II. when the wits of that
time no longer confined thernfelves to fuch fervile
clofenefs, but translated with freedom, fometimes
with licentioufnefs. There is, undoubtedly, a
mean to be obferved, between a rigid clofenefs and
parapbraflic liber tie*. Dry den faw, very early, that
clofenefs beft preferred an author's ienfe, and that
freedom beft exhibited his fpirit : he, therefore,
will deferve the higher!: praife, who can give a re-
prefentation at once faithful and pleaimg, who
can convey the fame thoughts with the fame graces,
and who, when he tranilates, changes nothing but
the language.
Ibid. p. 04 & 99.
The greateft peft of fpeech, is frequency of
trarjlation. No book was ever turned from one
language into another, without imparting fome-
thing of its native idiom. This is the moft mif-
chievous and comprehenfive innovation : fingle
v/ords may enter by thoufands, and the fabric oi
the tongue continue the fame j but new phrafe-
ology changes much at once 5 it alters not the
fmgk
( 273 )
fingle ftones of the building, but the order of the
columns.
Preface to Johnfon's Di&icnary, p, 83,
TRAGEDY.
The refle&ion that ftrikes the heart at a tragedy,
is not that the evils before us are real evils, but
that they are evils to which we ourfelves may be
expofed. If there be any fallacy, it is not that we
fancy the players, but that we fancy ourfelves,
unhappy for a moment ; but we rather lament the
poffibility than fuppofe the prefence of mifery ; as
a mother weeps over her babe, when file remem
bers that death may take it from her. In fhort,
the delight of tragedy proceeds from our confci-
oufnefs of ficlion ; if we thought murders and
treafons real, they would pleafe no more.
Preface to Shakefpeare, p. 1 14.
V.
VANITY.
Thofe whom their virtue retrains from de
ceiving others, are often difpofed, by their vanity,
to deceive themfelves..
Life of Blackmore.
The vanity of men, in advanced life, is generally
ftrongly excited by the amorous attention of young
women.
Life of Swift.
/
When any one complains of the want of what
he is known to poflefs in an uncommon degree,
N 5 he
( 2/4 )
he : certairily waits with impatience to be contra
dialed.
Rambler, vol. 4, p. i3o,
Vanity is often no- lefs. mifchievous than negli
gence or dimcneir.y,j
Idler, vol. 2, p. 7.1.
The greatefl human virtue bears no proportion
to human vanity.
Rambler, vol. 2, p. 296,
VIRTUE.
" Be virtuous ends purfa'd by virtuous means,
"Nor think th' intention lanclifies the deed."
That maxim publijh'd in an impious age,
Would loofe the wild enthufiaft to deflroy,
And fix the fierce ufurper's bloody title.
Then bigotry might fend her flaves to war,
And bid fuccefs become the tell of truth.
Unpitying mafiacre might waile the world,
And periecudcn boaii the call of heaven.
Irei>e, p, 42
Ke who defires no virtue In his companion, has
no virtue in himfelf. Hence, when the wealthy
and the diffolute connect thernfelves with indigent
companion^, fcr their powers of entertainment,
their, friend/hip amounts to little more than pay
ing the reckoning for them. They only defire to
drink and laugh ; their fondnefs is without bene
volence, and their familiarity without friendmip.
Life of Otway.
Many men millake the love for the practice of
virtue, and are not fo much good men, as the
.friends of goodnefs.
Life of Savage.
Virtue
( 275 )
Virtue is undoubtedly mbft laudable in that flate
which makes it moft' difficult.
Ibid.
Virtue is the fureft foundation both of reputa
tion and fortune, and the rirft ftep to greatnels is
to b~ honcft.
Life of Drake, p. 160.
He that would govern his actions by the laws
of virtue, .muft regulate his thoughts by the laws
of realfon j he muft keep guilt from the recefles of
his heart, and remember that the pleafures of fan
cy and the emotion, of defire, are more dangerous
as they are more hidden, fince they efcape "the awe
of obfervation, and operate equally in every fitu-
ation, without the concurrence of external oppor
tunities.
Rambler, vol. I, p. 48.
To dread no eye and to fufpedt no tongue, is
the great prerogative of innocence; an exemption
granted only to invariable virtue. But guilt has
always its horrors and folicitudes ; and to make it
yet more fhameful and deteftable, it is doomed
often to {land in awe of thofe, to whom nothing
could give influence or weight, but their power
of betraying.
Ibid. vol. 2, p. 85.
Virtue may owe her panegyrics to morality,
but muft derive her authority from religion.
Preface to the Preceptor, p. 76.
Virtue is too often merely local. In fome fitu-
ations, the air difeafes the body j and in others,
poifons the mind.
Idler, vol. 2, p. 2.
There
( 2/6 )
There are fome who, though eafy to commit
fmall crimes, are quickened and alarmed at atro
cious villainies. Of thefe, virtue may be Cud to
fit locfsly, but not caft off.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. jo, p. 6z$.
XVhere there is yet {hame, there may in time
be virtue,
Wefternlflands, p. 10.
There are foiiie interior and fecret virtues which
a man may fornetimes have, without the know
ledge of others ; and may fometimes affiime to
himielf, without fufficient reaibns for his opinion.
Life of Sir T. Browne, p. 280,
ROMANTIC VIRTUE.
Narrations of romantic and impracticable vir
tue, will be read with wonder j but that which is
unattainable is recommended in vain. That good
may be endeavoured, it muft be {hewn to be pof-
fible.
Life of Pope.
INTENTIONAL VIRTUE.
Nothing is more unjuft, however common, than
to charge with hypocrify, him that exprefles zeal
for thofe virtues which he neglecls to practife ;
fmce he may be fincerely convinced of the advan
tages of conquering his pafiions, without having
yet obtained the vidtory ; as a man may be con-
iident of the advantages of a voyage or a journey,
without having courage or induftry to undertake
it, and may honeftly recommend to others, thofe
attempts which he neglects hknfelf.
Rambler, vci; i, p. 83.
EXCESS
EXCESS of VIRTUE.
It maybe laid down as an axiom, that it is more
eafy to take away fuperfluities, than to fupply de
fects; and therefore he that is culpable, becaufe
he has pafled the middle point of virtue, is always
accounted a fairer objedl: of hope, than he who
fails by falling fhort ; as rafhnefs is more pardon
able than cowardice, profuilon than avarice.
Ibid. p. 151.
VICE.
Vices, like difeafes, are often hereditary. The
property of the one is to infect the manners, as
the other poifons the fprings of life.
Idler, vol. i, p. 238.
BLANK VERSE.
The exemption which blank verfe affords from
the neceffity of clofmg the fenfe with the couplet,
betrays luxurious and active minds into fuch in
dulgence, that they pile image upon image, orna
ment upon ornament, and are not eafily perfuaded
to clofe the fenfe at all. Blank verfe will, it is to
be feared, be too often found in defcription, ex
uberant ; in argument, loquacious ; and in narra
tion, tirefome.
Life of Akcnfide.
Blank verfe makes fame approach to that which
is called " the lepidary ftyle" It has neither the
eafmefs of profe, nor the melody of numbers.
Life of Milton.
Blank Verfe, faid an ingenious cntic^feerns to be
verfe only to the eye*
Ibid.
He
He that thinks himfelf capable of aftonifhing,
may write blank verfe; but thofe that hope only to
pleafe, muft condefcend to rhyme.
ibid.
VAUNTING.
Large offers, and iturdy rejections are among
the moft common topics of falfehood.
Ibid,
u.
UNIVERSALITY.
What is fit for every thing, can fit nothing well.
Life of Covvley.
UNDERSTANDING'
As the mind muft govern the hands, fo in every
fociety, the man of intelligence muft direct the
man of labour.
Weftern Iflands, p. 201.
GREAT UNDERTAKINGS.
A large work is difficult, becaufe it is large, even
though all its parts might fmgly be performed with
facility. Where there are many things to be done,
each muft be allowed its (hare of time and labour,
in the proportion only which it bears to the whole ;
nor can it be expected that the ftones which form
the dome of the temple, fhould be fquared and po-
jifhed like the diamond of a ring.
Preface to DidUonary,fc]. p. g,
UTILITY.
The value of a work muft be eftimated by its
u& : it is not enough that a di&ionary delights the
( 279 )
critic, unlefs at the fame time i> inftructs the
learner. It is to little purpofe that an engine a-
mufes the philofopher by the fubtlety of its me-
chanifm, if it requires ib much knowledge in its
application, as to be of no advantage to the com
mon workman.
Plan of an En^ll/h Didlionary, p. 33.
UNITIES OF TIME AND PLACE.
The time required by a dramatic fable elapfes,
for the moft part, between the acts ; for of fo much
of the action as is reprefented, the real and poetical
duration is the fame. If, therefore, in the iirft
aft, preparations fcr war again ft Mithridates^ are
reprefented to be made at Rome, the event of the
war, may, without abfurdity, be reprefented in the
cataftrophe as happening in Pontus. V/e know
that we are neither in Rome, nor Pontus ; that
neither Mithridates^ nor Luculhts^ are before us.
The drama exhibits fucceflive imitations of fuc-
cellive actions ; and why may not the fecond imi
tation rcprcfent an action that happened years kfter
the firft, if it be fo connected with it, that nothing
but time can be fuppofed to intervene ?
The lines, like wife, of a play, relate to fome
action, and an action muft be in fome place; but
the different actions that complete a ftory may be
in places very remote from each other : and where
is the abfurdity of allowing that fpace to reprefent<
firft Athens, and then Sicily, which was always
known to be neither Sicily, nor Athens, but a
modem theatre?
Yet he that, without diminution of any other
excellence, mail preferve all the unities unbroken,
deferves the like applaufe with the architect who
fhall difplay all the orders of architecture in a
citadel,
citadel, without any dedu&ion from its ftrength.
13ut the principal beauty of a citadel is to exclude
the enemy; and the greateft graces of a play are
to copy nature, and inftru^: life.
Preface to Shakefpeare, p. 113 & 1x6.
w.
WAR.
As war is the extremity of evil, it is furely the
duty of thofe whofe flation entruits them with the
care of nations, to avert it from their charge,
There are difeafes of a nanimaljnature which no
thing but amputation can remove ; fo there may,
by the depravation of human paffions, be fome-
times a gangrene in collected life, for which fire
and the fword are the neceifary remedies $ but in
what can (kill or caution be better fhevvn, than in
preventing fuch dreadful operations, while there is
room for gentler methods.
Falkland IHands, p. 41.
The wars of civilized nations make very flow
changes in the fyftem of empire. The public per
ceives fcarcely any alteration, but an increafe of
debt ; and the few individuals who are benefited,
are not fuppofed to have the cleareft right to their
advantages. If he that fhared the danger, enjoyed
the profit ; if he that bled in the battle, grew rich
by victory ; he might fhew his gains without envy.
But, at the conclullon of a long war, how are we
recompenfed for the death of multitudes, and the
expence of millions ; but by contemplating the
fudden glories of pay-mafters and agents, contrac
tors
fors and comrniflloners, whofe equipages {hine like
meteors, and whofe palaces rife like exhalations ?
IbicL p. 43.
Princes have yet this remnant of humanity, that
they think themfclves obliged not to make war
without reafon, though their reafons are not al
ways very fatis factory.
Memoirs of the K. of Prufiia, p. 127.
He muft certainly meet with obftinate oppofi-
tioi'., who makes it equally dangerous to yield as
to refift, and who leaves his enemies no hopes,
but from victory.
Life of Drake, p. 191.
Among the calamities of war, may be juftly
numbered the diminution of the love of truth, by
the falfehoods which intereft di&ates, and credulity
encourages.
Idler, vol. I, p. 169.
The lawfulnefs and juftice of the holy wars have
been much difputed ; but perhaps there is a prin
ciple on which the queftion may be eafily deter
mined. If it be part of the religion of the Ma
hometans to extirpate by the fword all other reli
gions, it is by the laws of felf-defence, lawful for
men of every other religion, and for Ghrtftiaiig
among others, to make war upon Mahomet- is,
{imply as Mahometans, as mer\ obliged by their
own principles to make war upon Chriirians, and
only lying in wait till opportunity fliall promifc
them fuccefs.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 5, p. 454.
That conduct which betrays defigns of future
hoftility, if it does not excite violence, will always
generate malignity; it mufl for ever exclude con
fidence
( 282 )
fidetice and friendfhip, and continue a cold and
{luggim rivalry, by a ily reciprocation of indirect
injuries, without the bravery of war, or the fecu-
rity of peace.
Falkland Ifland, p. 9.
War has means of deftruction more formidable
than the cannon and the fword. Of the thoufands,
and ten thoufands that perifhed in our late contefts
with France and Spain, a very fmall part ever felt
the ftroke of an enemy ; the reft languifhed in
tents and imps, amidii: damps and putrefactions,
pale, torpid, fpiritlefs ahd helplefs, gafping and
groaning, unpitied among men made obdurate by
long continuance of hopelefs mifery, or whelmed
in pits, or heaved into the ocean, without notice,
and without remembrance. By incommodious en
campments, and unwholefome Rations, where cou
rage is ufelefs, and enterprife impracticable, fleets
are filently difpeopled, and armies fluggifhly melted
away.
Ibid. p. 43.
The revolutions of war are fuch as will not fuf-
fer human prefumption to remain long unchecked.
Memoirs of the K. ofPrufiia, p. 138.
There are no two nations confining on each
other, between whom a war may not always be
kindled with plaufible pretences on either part ; as
there is always pacing between them a reciproca
tion of injuries, and fluctuation of encroachments.
Obfcrvaiions on the State of Affairs, 1756, p. 23.
WIT.
Wit is that which is at once natural and new,
and which, though not obvious, is, . upon its firft
production, acknowledged to be juft.
Life of Cov/ley.
Wit
Wit will never make a man rich, but there are
places where riches will always make a wit.
Idler, vol. i, p. 268,
Wit, like every other power, has its boundaries.
Its fuccefs depends on the aptitude of . others to
receive impreilions ; and that as fome bodies, in-
diffbluble by heat, can fet the furnace and crucible
at defiance, there are minds upon which the rays
of fancy may be pointed without effect, and which
no fire of fentimerit can agitate or exalt.
Rambler, vol. 4, p. 78.
It is a calamity incident to grey headed wh^ that
his merriment is unfafhionable. His allufions are
forgotten facts, his illuftrations [are drawn from
notions obfcured by time, his wit therefore may
be called fmgle^ fuch as none has any part in but
himfelf. '
[Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 5, p. 462.
Wit, like all other things fubject by their nature
to the choice of man, has its changes and fafhions,
and at different times takes different forms.
Life of Cowley.
The pride of wit and knowledge is often mor
tified, by finding that they confer no fecurity
againft the common errors which miflead the
weakeft and meaneft of mankind.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 32.
It is common to find men break out into a rage
at any insinuations to the difadvantage of their zvit y
who have borne with great patience reflexions oft
their morals.
Ibid. p. 241*
Wit
Wit being an unexpected copulation of ideas,
the difcovery of Come occult relation between
images in appearance remote from each other ; an
effuuon of wit, therefore, pre-fuppofes an accumu
lation of knowledge ; a memory ftored with no
tions, which the imagination may cull out to com-
pofe new afiemblages. Whatever may be the
native vigour of the mind, file can never form
many combinations from few ideas ; as many
changes can never be rung upon a few bells.
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 187.
Nothing was ever faid with uncommon felicity*
but by the co-operation of chance ; and therefore
wit, as well as valour, muft be content to {hare
its honours with fortune.
Idler, vol. z, p. 32.
V/ISDOM.
The firrt years of man muft make provifion for
the lair. He that never thinks, can never be wife.
Prince of Abyflinia, p. 113.
To be of grave mien, and flow of utterance ;
to look with folicitude, and fpeak with hefitation,
is attainable at will ; but the fhow of wifdom is
ridiculous, when there is nothing to caufe doubt,
as that of valour, where there is nothing to be
feared.
Idler, vol. i, p. aS8.
The two powers which, in the opinion'of Epic-
tetus, conftitute a wife man, are thofe of bearing
W\& forbearing*
Life of Savage.
Wifdom
Wifdora comprehends at once the end and the
means, eftimates eafmefs or difficulty, and is cau
tious or confident in due proportion.
IJier, vol. a, p. 223.
WORLD.
The world is generally willing to fupport thofe
who folicit favour, againft thofe who command
reverence. He is eafily praifed, whom no man can
envy.
Preface to Shakefpejre, p. 51.
Of things that terminate in human life, the
world is the proper judge. To defpife its fen-
tence, if it were poflible, is not juit ; and if it
were juft, is not poffible.
Life of Pope.
To know the world, is neceflary, fince we were
born for the help of one another ; and to know it
early, is convenient, if it be only that we may learn
early to defpife it.
Idler, vol. z, p. 159
WOMEN.
Women arc always moft obferved, when they
feem themfelves leaft to obferve, or to lay out for
obfervation.
Rambler, -vol. a, p. 254.
It is obferved, that the unvaried complaifance
which women have a right of exacting, keeps them
generally unskilled in human nature.
Ibid. vol. 3, p. 269.
Our beft poet feems to have given this character
to women : " That they think ill of nothing that
raifcs
raifes the credit of their beauty, and are ready,
however virtuous, to pardon any acl: which they
they think excited by their own charms.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 2, p. 156,
It is faid of a woman who accepts a worfe match
than thofe which fhe had refufed, that fhe has
paifed through the wood^ and at laft has taken a
crooked flick.
Ibid. p. 28$.
Nothing is more common than for the younger
part of the fex, upon certain occafions, to fay in a
pet what they do not think, or to think for a time
on what they do not finally refolve.
Ibid, vol. 4, p. 105.
As the faculty of writing has been chiefly a
mafculine endowment , the reproach of making the
world miferable, has been always thrown upon the
WOMEN ; and the grave and the merry have
equally thought themfelves at liberty to conclude
either with declamatory complaints or fatirical
cenfures of female folly or ficklenefs.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 108.
Of women it has been always known, that no
cenfure wounds fo deeply, or rankles fo long, as-
that which charges them with Want of beauty.
Ibid. p. 242.
It may be particularly obferved, ofv/omen, that
they are for the moft part good or bad, as they fall,
among thofe who practice vice or virtue ; and that
neither education ;ior reafon gives them much fe-
curity againft the influence of example. Whether
it be, that they have lefs courage to ftand againft
oppofition,
( 287 )
oppofition, or that their defire of admiration makes
them facrifice their principles to the poor pleafure
of worthlefs praife, ,it is certain, whatever be the
cau,fe,that female goodnefs feldom keeps its ground
againft laughter, flattery, or faihion.
Ibid. vol. 2, p, g$.
The wifdom of thofe by whom our female edu
cation was inftituted, fhould always be admired for
having contrived that every woman, of whatever
condition, fhould be taught fome arts of manu
facture, by which the vacuities of reclufe and do
me-it ic leifure may be filled up. Thofe arts are
more neceffary, as the we.akncfs of their fex, and
the general fyitem of life, debar ladies from many
employments, which, by diverfifying the circum-
ftances of men, preferve them from being canker
ed by the ruft of their own thoughts.
Ibid. p. 180.
Women, by whatever fate, always judge ab-
furdly of the intellects of boys. The vivacity and
confidence which attract female admiration, are
feldom produced in the early part of life, 'but by
ignorance, at leaft, if not by ftupidity ; for they
proceed not from confidence ofrigbt^ butfiar/efsrufi
cf wrong. 'Whoever has a clear apprehenflon 5
mult have quick fenfibility ; and where, he has no
iufficient reafoii to truft his own judgment, will
proceed with doubt and caution, becaufe he per
petually dreads the difgrace of error.
Ibid. vol. 4, p. 186.
FEMALE WEAKNESS.
The weaknefs they lament, themfelves create ;
Inftfu&ed from their infant years to court,
With counterfeited ft- ars, the aid of man,
They feem to tfiudder at the milling breeze,
Stars
( 288 )
Start at the light, and tremble in the dark j
Till affectation, ripening to belief,
And folly, frighted at her own chimeras,
Habitual cowardice uiurps the foul.
Irene, p. aS
WEALTH.
Some light might be given to thofe who mall
endeavour to calculate the increafe of Englifh
wealth, by obferving that Latymer, in the time of
Edward VI. mentions it, as a proof of his father's
profperity That though but a yeoman he gave
his daughters jive pounds each for her portion. At
the latter end of Elizabeth, feven hundred pounds
were fuch a temptation to courtfhip, as made all
other motives fufpeted. Congreve makes twelve
thoufand pounds more than a counterbalance to the
affectation of Belinda. No poet would now fly
his favourite character at lefs thanffty tboufand.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. I, p, 317.
WICKEDNESS.
There is always danger left wickednefs, con
joined with abilities, fhould fteal upon efteem,
though it mifles of approbation.
Ibid. vol. 10, p. 628*
WINE.
In the bottle, difcontent feeks for comfort, cow
ardice for courage, and bafhfulnefs for confidence;
but whoever alked fuccour from Bacchus, that
was able to preferve himfelf frrom being enflaved
by his auxiliary ?
Life of Addifon.
WRONGS,
WRONGS,
Men are wrong for want of fenfe, but they are
wrong by halves for want of fpirit.
Taxation no Tyranny, p. 43.
Men eafily forgive wrongs which are not com
mitted againft themfelves.
Notes upon Shakcfpeare, vol.. 4> p. 15?.
The power of doing wrong with impunity, fel-
dom waits long for the will.
Obfervationon ;i>e State of Affair?, 1756, p. ^^,
LETTER- WRITING.
The importance of writing letters with propri
ety, juftly claims to be confidered with care, fince
next to the power of pleafmg with his prefcnce,
very man mould wifh to be able to give delight
at a diflance.
Preface to the Preceptor, p. 63.
MECHANICAL WRITING.
The mechanical art of writing began to be cul
tivated amongft us in the reign of Queen Eliza
beth, and was at that time fo highly valued, that it
contributed much to the fame and fortune of him
who wrote his pages with neatnds, and embel-
lifhed them with elegant draughts and illumina
tions ; it was partly, perhaps, to this encourage
ment, ttiat we nowfurpafs all other nations in this
art.
Life of Roger Afcham, p. z$$
NEWS-WRITER.
In Sir Henry Wotton's jocular definition, " an
ambauador is laid to be a man of virtue, fent a-
broad to tell lies for the advantage of his country."
A news-
A ntws+wrtte^is a man without virtue, who write?
lies at home for his own profit.
Idler, vol, 3, p. 31,
SPLENDID WICKEDNESS.
There have been men fplendidly wicked, whofd
endowments threw a brightnefs on their crimes,
and. whom fcarce any villainy made perfectly de-
tefrable, becaufe they never could be wholly divert
ed of their excellencies : but fuch have been in all
ages, the great corrupters of the world ; and their
refemblance ought no more to be preferved than
the art of murdering without pain.
Rambler, vol. i, p. 22,
WONDER.
All wonder is the effect of novelty upon igno-
ranee.
Life of Yalden.
Wonder is a paufe of reafon, a fudden ceflation
of the mental progrefs, which lafts only while the
underftanding is fixed upon fome fmgle idea, and
is at an end when it recovers force enough to di
vide the object into its parts, or mark the inter
mediate gradations from the firft agent to the laft
confequence.
Rambler, vol. 3, p. 186.
y.
YOUTH.
Youth is of long duration ; and in maturer
age, when the enchantments of fancy (hall ceafe*
and phantoms of delight dance no more about u-s^
we fhall have no comforts but the efteem of wife
men, and the mean of doing good. Let us there
fore
fore flop, while to flop is in our power. Let us
Jive as men, who are fome time to be old, and
to whom it will be the moft dreadful of all evils,
to count their former luxuriance of health, only
by the maladies which riot has produced.
Prince of Abyffinia, p. 113.
That the higheft degree of reverence fhould be
paid to youth, and thai: nothing indecent fhould
be fuffered to approach their eyes, or ears, are pre
cepts extorted by fenfe and virtue from an ancient
writer, by no means eminent for chaftity of
thought. The fame kind, though not the fame
degree of caution is required in every thing which
is laid before them, to fecure them from unjuft
prejudices, perverfe opinions, and incongruous
combinations of images.
Rambler, vol. i, p. ao.
Youth is the time of enterprife and hope : hav
ing yet no occafion for comparing our force with
any oppofing power, we naturally form prefump-
tions in our own favour, and imagine that obftruc-
tion and impediment will give way before us.
Jbid. vol. 3, p. 31.
Youth is the time in which the qualities of mo-
'dcfty and enterprife ought chiefly to be found. Mo-
defty fuits well with inexperience, and enterprife
with health and vigour, and an extenfive profpect
of life.
Ibid. vol. I, p. 75.
THE PROGRESS OF YOUTH.
The youth has not yet difcovered how many
evils are continually hovering about us, and, when
he is fet free from the ihackles of difcipline, looks
abroad into the world with rapture j he fees an
Elyfian
Elyfian region open before him, fo variegated with
beauty, and Ib ftcred with pleafore, that his care
is rather to accumulate good than to fliun evil ; he
flands diffracted hy different forms of delight, and
has no othei\ doubt than which path to follow of
thofe which all lead equally to the bowers of hap-
pi'nefs.
He who has feen only the fuperficies of life, be
lieves every thing to be what it appears, and rarely
fufpedts that external fplendour conceals any latent
forrow or vexation. He never imagines that there
may be greatnefs without fafety, affluence without
content, jollity without friendship, and folitudc
without peace. He fancies himfelf permitted to
cull the bleifings of every condition, and to leave
its inconveniencies to the idle and to the ignorant.
He is inclined to believe no man miferable but by
his own fault j and feldom looks with much pity
upon failings or mifcarriages, becaufe he thinks
them willingly admitted, or negligently incurred.
It is impoftible without pity and contempt to
hear a youth of generous fentiments, and warm
imagination, declaring in the moment of open-
nefs and confidence, his defigns and expe6tations ;
becaufe long life is poilible he coniiders it as cer
tain, and therefore promifes himfelf all the changes
of happinefs, and provides gratification for every
defire.
He is for a time to give himfelf wholly to fro-
lick and diverfion, to range the world in fearch of
pleafure, to delight every eye, and to gain every
heart, and to be celebrated equally for his pleafing
levities and folid attainments, his deep reflections
and fporting repartees.
He then elevates his views to nobler enjoyments,
and finds all the fcattered excellencies of the fe
male world united in a woman, who prefers his
addreffes to wealth and titles. He is afterwards
( 293 )
to engage in bufinefs ; to diifipate difficulty, and
overpower oppofition ; to climb, by the mere force
of merit, to fame and greatnefs, and reward all
thofe who countenanced his rife, or paid due re
gard to his early excellence. At laft he will retire
in peace and honour, contract hrs views to domef-
ticpleafures, form the manners of his childrenlike
himfelf, obfervehow every year expands the beauty
of his daughters, and how his fons catch ardour
from their father's hiftory ; he will give laws to
the neighbourhood, dictate axioms to pofterity,
and leave the world an example of wifdom and of
happinefs.
With hopes like thefe he fallies jocund into life :
to little purpofe is he told that the condition of
humanity admits no pure and unrningled happi
nefs ; that the exuberant gaiety of. youth ends in
poverty or difeafe; that uncommon qualifications,,
and contrarieties or excellence, produce envy e-
qually with applaufe; that whatever admiration
and fondnefs may promjfe him, he muft marry a
wife, like the wives of others, with fome virtues
and fome faults, and be as often di (gutted with her
vices, as delighted with her elegance ; that if he
adventures into the circle of action, he muft expedt.
to encounter men as artful, as daring, as refolute
as himfelf; that of his children fome may be de
formed, and others vicious ; fome may difgrace
him by their follies, fome offend nim by their in-
folence, and fome exhauft him by their profusion.
He hears all this with obftinate incredulity, and
wonders by what malignity old age is. influenced,,
that it cannot forbear to lill his ears with pi:edic~.
tions of mifery.
Among other pleafing errors of young minds is.
the opinion of their own importance.. He that has,
p.ot yet remarked how little attention his concern-,
poraries can fpare from their ownafFairSjConcc
C
all eyes turned upon himfelf, and imagines every
one that approaches him to be an enemy or a fol
lower, an admirer or a fpy. He therefore con-
fiders his fame as involved in the event of every
action. Many of the virtues and vices of youth
proceed from this quick fenfe of reputation. This
it is that gives firmnefs and conftancy, fidelity and
difmtereftednefs, and it is this that kindles refent-
ment for flight injuries, and dictates ail the prin
ciples of fanguinary honour.
But, as time brings him forward in the world,
he foon di (covers that he only fhares fame or re
proach with innumerable partners ; that he is left
unmarked in the obfcurity of the croud ; and that
what he does, whether good or bad, foon gives way
to new objects of regard.
He then eafily fets himfelf free from the anxie
ties of reputation, and conflders praife or cenfure
as a tranfient breath, which, while he hears it, is
puffing away, without any lading mifchief or ad
vantage.
Rambler, vol.4, p. 195,196, 197 & 198.
YOUTH AND AGE.
When we are young we bufy ourfelvcs in form
ing fchemes for fucceeding time, and mifs the gra
tifications that are before us; when we are old we
amufe the langour of age, with the recollection of
youthful pleafures or performances ;. fo that our
life, of which no part is tilled with the bufmefs of
the prefent time > relembles our dreams after dinner,
when the events of the morning are mingled with,
the defigns of the evening.
Notes upon Shakefpeare, vol. 2j p. 749
'be End cf the Beauties.
A CATA-
CATALOGUE
O P
Dr. JOHN SON's WORKS.*
'^TRANSLATION of the
* Voyages of Lobo, published
, '735
A Complete Vindication of the
Licenfers of the Sta^e, from
the malicious and fcand.-ilous
afperfions of Mr. Brooke,, au
thor of Guftavus Vaja> with a
Propofal tor making the Office
of Licenfer more extenfive and
ejFeftual, by an impartial Hand ,
4to, 1739
Mar.morNorfolcienfis, pamphlet/
1739. R printed, with notes,
3 775
Parliamentary-Debates, from 1 740
to 1744, in the Gentleman's
Magazine
Life of Savage, i vol. I2mo..i744
Mifcellaneous Obfervatior.s on
the Tragedy of Mackbeth.wifh
Remarks on Sir Thomas Han-
mer's Edition of Shakefpeare,
and Propolais for a new Edi
tion of Shakefpeare, with a
Specimen, 1745
r, 4 vols. originally pub-
liflied in numbers, 1750
DiUonary of the Englifh Lan-
gu.-ge, in 2 vols. folia, pub-
li/hed 1755
Ditto abridged, in 2r vol?. oftavo
Occafional Pap- rs in the Uni-
verfal Victor, 1756
Ditto in the Literary Magazine,
1756 and 1757
Idler, 2 vols. duodecimo, original -
Jifhed in auinbers, 1758"
Prince of Abyflin-ia, i vol. duo
decimo, 1759
Edition of Sh?kefpeare, 8 volsj
oftavo, 1765
Ditto in conj'jj<5Hon with Mr.
Steevens, 10 vois. oftavo, pub-
lifted 1778
Falkland Ifhnds, Falfe- Alarm,
Patriot, and Taxation no Ty
ranny Pamphlets published
from 1769 to 1775
Tour to the Weftern.Jflands of
Scotland, 1775
Convidts Addreff, 1777
Lives of the Bntifh Poets, 10
/>ils. fmall Oiflavo, i 780
Ditto, 4 vols.lar^c odavo.
* Wben tkefirft edition of the Beauties of Johnfon appfard, be en-
f f/fr fC-.i'jl")' k*w he had procured a liH of bh tu^ks f toho
replied that I: / ad ohu-nied it by diligent enquiry amji;$r t':e literary,
tptrld. lie ohftrvrd that he could not remember half the titles '.fivbat
be bad zvritfpr.. M*. K. a few days after prejer.tcd him <witb a copy,
tt <uubid> be exprejjtd n:uch fatkfatiion.
MISCEL.-
MISCELLANEOUS PIECES of Dr. JOHNSONS
publifhed in Three Volumes, by T. Davies.
Pieces in the Firft Volume.
Review of the Enquiry into the Life of Barreticr
Origin of y>il
Political State of Great Britain
Review of Letters ffcm Sirlfaac
Newton to Dr. Bentiey
Preface to the Preceptor
Vision of Theodore
Memoirs of the King of Pruffia
Dr. Sydenham
' Sir Francis Dr^ke
l\oger Afchhtn
Sir Thomas Browne
Prter Burman
Edwaid Cave
Pieces in the Second Volume.
Origin .and Importance of fmall
Tracts and Fugitive Pieces,
Written for the Introduction
to the Harleian Mifcellany
An Account of the Harleian Li
brary
Plan of an Englifh Dictionary, in
a Letter to the Earl of Chef
terfield, 1747
Preface to tlv folio of Johnfon's
Dictionary
P-ropofais for printing the Dra
in, tic Works of Shakefpeare
Preface to Shakefpeare, publifhed
in 1765
Preliminary Difcourfe to the
London Chronicle
Introduction to Proceedings of
the Committee to make Con
tributions for clothing French
Prifoncrs
Thoughts on .Agriculture, Anci
ent and Modern
Introduction to the World Dif-
played
DilTertation on Pope's Epitaph*
Life of Boerhave
Character or Dr. William Col
lins
Pieces in the Third Volume.
Review of theCourt of Augnftus
A Let'er from a French V efugee
in America, to his Friend, 3,
Gentleman in England
Obfervations on the State of Af-
fairsin 1756
A Defci'iption of the Grotto of
Antiparos
A Review of a Philosophical
Enquiry into the Origin of our
Ideas.
Ideas of the Sublime and Beau
tiful
The Life of Father Paul Sarpi,.
Author of the Hiftory of the
Council of Trent
Preface to a Dictionary of Com
merce
Some Account of the Life of
Benvenuto Cellini
Some Account of the Life and
Writings of Dr. John Eachard,.
Original Papers in behalf of the late Dr. Dodd.
POEMS
( 297 )
POEMS of Dr. JOHNSON, juft publilhed.in One
Volume, by C. and G. KEARSLEY.
London : A Satire, in imitation
of the Third Satire of Juvenal
The Van-ty of Human Wifties,
in imitation of the Tenth ditto
of ditto
Prologue on the Opening of
Dairy Lane Theatre
Ditto to Comas, for the Benefit
of Milton v s Grand daughter
Dittoto the Comedy of the Good -
n.'turfd Man
Ditto to the Comedy of The Word
to the Wife
Verfes written at the requeft of a
Gentleman to whom a Lady
had given a Sprig of Myrtle,
Irene, \ Tragedy
A Latin Verfion of Pope'sMeifjah
Spring, an Ode
Tht Midfummer's Wifh
Autumn
Winter
The Winter's Walk
A Song
An Evening Ode to Stella
The Natural Beauty, to Stella
Stella in Mourning
To Lyce, an elderly Lady
To Lady Firebrace,at BuryAffizes
The Vanity of Wealth
To Mifs , on her giving the
Author a Gold and Silk net
work Purfe of her own weav
ing
To Mifs , on her playing
on the Harpficord
On the D^ath of Dr. Robert Levet
Latin Epitaph on Sir Thomas
Hanmer
Tranllation of the Latin Epitaph
on Sir Thomas Hanmer
Latin Epitaph and Translation
on Dr. Goldfmith
Ditto on Henry Thrale, Efq,
Latin ditto on Maria Saliibury
POSTHUMOUS PIECES.
Transition of the Bellum Catili \ One ditto of Memoirs of his owa
nariunt, from Saliuft Life*
One Volume of Latin Poems I And fome Greet Epigrams.
* Cwjifting of/oofe memorandums. Another volume twa hurriedly
Dr. Jolnjon in a mjjiake t a few days before bh dtatb, along with
Gtber tnanujcripts*
ENTERTAINING
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under the Title of Great Britain, can be considered either as un-
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The following Work is intended to fupply \h it Deficiency in Schorls
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( 299 )
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Ingenlum cuijif, cut metis divinior, atque os
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Johnson, Samuel
3522 The beauties of Samuel
K4 Johnson
1792
