Ludi- following imaginary Ode by him to Mrs. Thrale,1 crous imi- which appeared in the news-papers: tations "Cervisial coctor's viduate dame, This, and a thousand other such attempts, are totally unlike the original, which the writers imagined they were turning into ridicule. There is not similarity enough for burlesque, or even for caricature. Mr. COLMAN, in his "Prose on several occasions," has "A Letter from LEXIPHANES; Containing Proposals for a Glossary or Vocabulary of the Vulgar Tongue: intended as a Supplement to a larger DicTIONARY. It is evidently meant as a sportive sally 1 Johnson's wishing to unite himself with this rich My bosom glows with amorous fire, of ridicule on Johnson, whose style is thus imitated, of Johnwithout being grossly overcharged. "It is easy to son's foresee, that the idle and illiterate will complain that style I have increased their labours by endeavouring to diminish them; and that I have explained what is more easy by what is more difficult―ignotum per ignotius. I expect, on the other hand, the liberal acknowledgements of the learned. He who is buried in scholastick retirement, secluded from the assemblies of the gay, and remote from the circles of the polite, will at once comprehend the definitions, and be grateful for such a seasonable and necessary elucidation of his mother-tongue.' Annexed to this letter is a short specimen of the work, thrown together in a vague and desultory manner, not even adhering to alphabetical concatenation.1 The serious imitators of Johnson's style, whether intentionally or by the imperceptible effect of its strength and animation, are, as I have had already occasion to observe, so many, that I might introduce quotations from a numerous body of writers in our language, since he appeared in the literary world. I shall point out the following: 1 "HIGLEDY PIGGLEDY,--Conglomeration and confusion. "HODGE-PODGE,—A culinary mixture of heterogeneous ingredients; applied metaphorically to all discordant combinations. "TIT FOR TAT,-Adequate retaliation. "SHILLY SHALLY,-Hesitation and irresolution. "FEE! FA! FUM!-Gigantick intonations. "RIGMAROLE,—Discourse, incoherent and rhapsodical. "CRINCUM-CRANCUM, volution. Lines of irregularity and in "DING DONG,-Tintinabulary chimes, used metaphorically to signify dispatch and vehemence." Serious imitations WILLIAM ROBERTSON, D.D. "In other parts of the globe, man, in his rudest state, appears as Lord of the creation, giving law to various tribes of animals which he has tamed and reduced to subjection. The Tartar follows his prey on the horse which he has reared, or tends his numerous herds which furnish him both with food and clothing; the Arab has rendered the camel docile, and avails himself of its persevering strength; the Laplander has formed the rein-deer to be subservient to his will; and even the people of Kamschatka have trained their dogs to labour. This command over the inferiour creatures is one of the noblest prerogatives of man, and among the greatest efforts of his wisdom and power. Without this, his dominion is incomplete. He is a monarch who has no subjects; a master without servants; and must perform every operation by the strength of his own arm. EDWARD GIBBON, ESQ. "Of all our passions and appetites, the love of 1 "History of America: " Vol. I. quarto, p. 332. 2 Chap. IV. 10 MISS BURNEY. "My family, mistaking ambition for honour, and rank for dignity, have long planned a splendid connection for me, to which, though my invariable repugnance has stopped any advances, their wishes and their views immoveably adhere. I am but too certain they will now listen to no other. I dread, therefore, to make a trial where I despair of success ; I know not how to risk a prayer with those who may silence me by a command." 1 REVEREND MR. NARES.2 "In an enlightened and improving age, much perhaps is not to be apprehended from the inroads of mere caprice; at such a period it will generally be perceived, that needless irregularity is the worst of all deformities, and that nothing is so truly elegant in language as the simplicity of unviolated analogy. -Rules will, therefore, be observed, so far as they are known and acknowledged: but, at the same time, the desire of improvement having been once excited will not remain inactive; and its efforts, 1 "Cecilia," Book VII. Chap. I. 2 The passage which I quote is taken from that gentleman's "ELEMENTS OF ORTHOEPY; containing a distinct View of the whole Analogy of the ENGLISH Language, so far as relates to Pronunciation, Accent, and Quantity," London, 1784. I beg leave to offer my particular acknowledgements to the authour of a work of uncommon merit and great utility. I know no book which contains, in the same compass, more learning, polite literature, sound sense, accuracy of arrangement, and perspicuity of expression. of John son's style Serious unless assisted by knowledge, as much as they are imitations prompted by zeal, will not unfrequently be found pernicious; so that the very persons whose intention it is to perfect the instrument of reason, will deprave and disorder it unknowingly. At such a time, then, it becomes peculiarly necessary that the analogy of language should be fully examined and understood; that its rules should be carefully laid down; and that it should be clearly known how much it contains, which being already right should be defended from change and violation; how much it has that demands amendment; and how much that, for fear of greater inconveniencies, must, perhaps, be left, unaltered, though irregular.” A distinguished authour in "THE MIRROR,' a periodical paper, published at Edinburgh, has imitated Johnson very closely. Thus, in No. 16.— "The effects of the return of spring have been frequently remarked as well in relation to the human mind as to the animal and vegetable world. The reviving power of this season has been traced from the fields to the herds that inhabit them, and from the lower classes of beings up to man. Gladness and joy are described as prevailing through universal Nature, animating the low of the cattle, the carol of the birds, and the pipe of the shepherd." The Reverend Dr. Knox, master of Tunbridgeschool, appears to have the imitari aveo of Johnson's style perpetually in his mind: and to his assiduous, 1 That collection was presented to Dr. Johnson, I believe by its authours; and I heard him speak very well of it. |