poetical." Her poem of "The Three Warnings" (the subject she owned not to be original) is highly interesting and serious, and literally comes home to every body's business and bosom. She took, or caused such care to be taken, of Johnson, during an illness of continuance, that Goldsmith told her, "he owed his recovery to her attention." She moreover taught him to lay up something of his income every year.

and Rambler.

293. The Dictionary During the printing of his Dictionary, the Ramblers came out periodically; for he could do more than one thing at a time. He declared, that he wrote them by way of relief from his application to his Dictionary, and for the reward. He told me, that he had no expectation they would have been so much read and admired. What was amusement to him was instruction to others. Goldsmith declared, that a system of morals might be drawn from these essays this idea has been taken up and executed by a publication in an alphabetical series of moral maxims. (1)

294. Levett's Epitaph.

His dependant, Levett, died suddenly under his roof. He preserved his name from oblivion, by writing an epitaph for him (2), which shows that his poetical fire was not extinguished, and is so appropriate, that it could belong to no other person in the world. Johnson said, that the remark of appropriation was just criticism: his friend was induced to pronounce, that he would not have so good an epitaph written for himself. Pope has nothing equal to it in his sepulchral poetry.

295. Johnson's Library.

Johnson had a large but not a splendid library, near five thousand volumes. Many authors, not in hostility

(1) ["The Beauties of Johnson." Mr. Boswell states, that Dr. Johnson was gratified by seeing this selection, and wrote to the publisher the following note: "Mr. Johnson sends compliments to Mr. Kearsley, and begs the favour of seeing him as soon as he can. Mr. Kearsley is desired to bring with him the last edition of what he has honoured with the name of BEAUTIES. May 20. 1782."]

(2) [See Nos. 536 and 585.]

with him, presented him with their works. But his study did not contain half his books. He possessed the chair that belonged to the Ciceronian Dr. King of Oxford, which was given him by his friend Vansittart. It answers the purposes of reading and writing, by night or by day; and is as valuable in all respects as the chair of Ariosto, as delineated in the preface to Hoole's liberal translation of that poet. Since the rounding of this period, intelligence is brought, that this literary chair is purchased by Mr. Hoole. Relics are venerable things, and are only not to be worshipped. On the reading-chair of Mr. Speaker Onslow, a part of this historical sketch was

written.

296. Late Hours.

Night was his time for composition. Indeed, he literally turned night into day, Noctes vigilabat ad ipsum mane; but not like Tigellius in Horace. Perhaps he never was a good sleeper, and, while all the rest of the world was in bed, he chose his lamp, in the words of Milton,

"in midnight hour

Were seen in some high lonely tower."

He wrote and lived perhaps at one time only from day to day, and, according to vulgar expression, from sheet to sheet. There is cause to believe, he would not have written unless under the pressure of necessity. "Magister artis ingenique largitor venter," says Persius. He wrote to live, and, luckily for mankind, lived a great many years

to write.

297. Strong Liquors.

It never was said of him, that he was overtaken with liquor, -a declaration Bishop Hoadly makes of himself. But he owned, that he drank his bottle at a certain time of life. Like Solomon, who tried so many things for curiosity and delight, he renounced strong liquors; and he might have said, as that king is made to do by Prior,— "I drank, I liked it not; 'twas rage, 'twas noise,

An airy scene of transitory joys."

298. Rapid Composition.

He asserted, and valued himself upon it, that he wrote the "Life of Savage" in six and thirty hours. In one night he also composed, after finishing an evening in Holborn, his "Hermit of Teneriffe." He sat up a whole night to compose the preface to the " Preceptor."

299. Gesticulations.

Though he seemed to be athletic as Milo himself, and in his younger days performed several feats of activity, he was to the last a convulsionary. He has often stepped aside to let nature do what she would with him. His gestures, which were a degree of St. Vitus's dance, in the street attracted the notice of many-the stare of the vulgar, but the compassion of the better sort. I have often looked another way, as the companions of Peter the Great were used to do, while he was under the short paroxysm. (')

300. Conversation.

Though his time seemed to be bespoke, and quite engrossed, his house was always open to all his acquaintance, new and old. His amanuensis has given up his pen, the printer's devil has waited on the stairs for a proof sheet, and the press has often stood still, while his visitors were delighted and instructed. No subject ever came amiss to him. He could transfer his thoughts from one thing to another with the most accommodating facility. He had the art, for which Locke was famous, of leading people to talk on their favourite subjects, and on what they knew best. By this he acquired a great deal of information. What he once heard he rarely forgot. They gave him their best conversation, and he generally made them pleased with themselves, for endeavouring to please him.

Poet Smart used to relate," that his first conversation with Johnson was of such variety and length, that it began with poetry and ended at fluxions." He always talked as if he was talking upon oath. He was the wisest per

(1) [See No. 353.]

son, and had the most knowledge in ready cash, that I ever had the honour to be acquainted with. Johnson's advice was consulted on all occasions. He was known to be a good casuist, and therefore had many cases submitted for his judgment. His conversation, in the judgment of several, was thought to be equal to his correct writings. Perhaps the tongue will throw out more animated expressions than the pen. He said the most common things in the newest manner. He always commanded attention and regard. His person, though unadorned with dress, and even deformed by neglect, made you expect something, and you were hardly ever disappointed. disappointed. His manner was interesting the tone of his voice, and the sincerity of his expressions, even when they did not captivate your affections, or carry conviction, prevented contempt. If the line, by Pope, on his father, can be applied to Johnson, it is characteristic of him, who never swore, nor told a lie. If the first part is not confined to the oath of allegiance ('), it will be useful to insert it :

"Nor dared an oath, nor hazarded a lie."

It must be owned, his countenance, on some occasions, resembled too much the medallic likeness of Magliabechi (2), as exhibited before the printed account of him by Mr. Spence. No man dared to take liberties with him, nor flatly contradict him; for he could repel any attack, having always about him the weapons of ridicule, of wit, and of argument. It must be owned, that some who had the desire to be admitted to him thought him too dogmatical, and as exacting too much homage to his opinions, and came no more. For they said while he presided in his library, surrounded by his admirers, he would, “like Cato, give his little senate laws."

301. Knowledge of Life.

He had great knowledge in the science of human nature, and of the fashions and customs of life, and knew the

(1) [Mr. Tyers seems to mean that the oath of allegiance is the only justifiable oath; and, in allusion, perhaps, to Johnson's political principles, he insinuates, that even that oath he would not have willingly taken.-C.]

(2) [Librarian to the Grand Dukes of Florence, and celebrated for vast erudition and extreme slovenliness. He died in 1714, aged 80.-C.]