The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL. D., Comprehending an Account of His Studies, and Numerous Works, in Chronological Order: A Series of His Epistolary Correspondence and Conversations with Many Eminent Persons; and Various Original Pieces of His Composition, Never Before Published; the Whole Exhibiting a View of Literature and Literary Men in Great Britain, for Near Half a Century During which He Flourished, Volume 1G. Cowie, 1824 |
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Page 93
... Sure this is love , which heretofore I conceived the dream of idle maids , and wanton poets . " Though no comets or prodigies foretold the ruin of Greece , signs which heaven must by another miracle enable us to understand , yet might ...
... Sure this is love , which heretofore I conceived the dream of idle maids , and wanton poets . " Though no comets or prodigies foretold the ruin of Greece , signs which heaven must by another miracle enable us to understand , yet might ...
Page 94
... Sure , thou art an er- rour of nature , and an exception to the rest of thy sex , and art immortal ; for sentiments like thine were never to sink into nothing . I thought all the thoughts of the fair had been to select the graces of the ...
... Sure , thou art an er- rour of nature , and an exception to the rest of thy sex , and art immortal ; for sentiments like thine were never to sink into nothing . I thought all the thoughts of the fair had been to select the graces of the ...
Page 102
... Sure the most bitter is a scornful jest . " • I own it pleased me to find amongst them one trait of the manners of the age in London , in the last century , to shield from the sneer of English ridicule , what was some time ago too ...
... Sure the most bitter is a scornful jest . " • I own it pleased me to find amongst them one trait of the manners of the age in London , in the last century , to shield from the sneer of English ridicule , what was some time ago too ...
Page 111
... sure , though moderate , income for his life ; and an offer being made to him of the mastership of a school , provided he could obtain the degree of In a billet written by Mr. Pope in the following year , this Master of Arts , Dr. Adams ...
... sure , though moderate , income for his life ; and an offer being made to him of the mastership of a school , provided he could obtain the degree of In a billet written by Mr. Pope in the following year , this Master of Arts , Dr. Adams ...
Page 114
... sure your humanity , and propensity to relieve merit in distress , will incline you to serve the poor man , with- out my adding any more to the trouble I have already given you , than assuring you that I am , with great truth , Sir ...
... sure your humanity , and propensity to relieve merit in distress , will incline you to serve the poor man , with- out my adding any more to the trouble I have already given you , than assuring you that I am , with great truth , Sir ...
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Popular passages
Page 223 - The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labours, had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it. I hope it is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received, or to be unwilling that the public should consider me as owing that to a patron which Providence has enabled me to do for myself.
Page 370 - I believe, Sir, you have a great many. Norway, too, has noble wild prospects ; and Lapland is remarkable for prodigious noble wild prospects. But, Sir, let me tell you, the noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees, is the high road that leads him to England !' .This unexpected and pointed sally produced a~roar of applause.
Page 171 - Dictionary, he answered the stated calls of the press twice a week from the stores of his mind, during all that time ; having received no assistance, except four billets in No. 10, by Miss Mulso, now Mrs. Chapone ; No. 30, by Mrs.
Page 376 - Why, Sir, if the fellow does not think as he speaks, he is lying ; and I see not what honour he can propose to himself from having the character of a liar. But if he does really think that there is no distinction between virtue and vice, why, Sir, when he leaves our houses let us count our spoons.
Page 171 - Somebody talked of happy moments for composition, and how a man can write at one time and not at another. "Nay," said Dr Johnson, "a man may write at any time if he will set himself doggedly to it.
Page 369 - King, though he should command, cannot force a Judge to condemn a man unjustly ; therefore it is the Judge whom we prosecute and punish. Political institutions are formed upon the consideration of what will most frequently tend to the good of the whole, although now and then exceptions may occur. Thus it is better in general that a nation should have a supreme legislative power, although it may at times be abused. And then, Sir, there is this consideration, that if the abuse be enormous, Nature will...
Page 410 - Here lies our good Edmund, whose genius was such, We scarcely can praise it, or blame it too much; Who, born for the universe, narrow'd his mind, And to party gave up what was meant for mankind.
Page 256 - I have protracted my work till most of those whom I wished to please have sunk into the grave, and success and miscarriage are empty sounds. I therefore dismiss it with frigid tranquillity, having little to fear or hope from censure or from praise.
Page 401 - Sir, a woman's preaching is like a dog's walking on his hind legs. It is not done well ; but you are surprised to find it done at all.
Page 256 - Ashbourne in 1777, he mentioned a still stronger instance of the predominance of his private feelings in the composition of this work than any now to be found in it. "You know, sir, Lord Gower forsook the old Jacobite interest. When I came to the word renegado, after telling that it meant 'one who deserts to the enemy, a revolter,' I added, 'Sometimes we say a Gower.' Thus it went to the press; but the printer had more wit than I, and struck it out.