those whom vanity or interest make the followers of ministers, concerning the necessity of confidence in our governours, and the presumption of prying with profane eyes into the recesses of policy, it is evident that this reverence can be claimed only by counsels yet unexecuted, and projects suspended in deliberation. But when a design has ended in miscarriage or success, when every eye and every ear is witness to general discontent, or general satisfaction, it is then a proper time to disentangle confusion and illustrate obscurity; to show by what causes every event was produced, and in what effects it was likely to terminate; to lay down with distinct particularity what rumour always huddles in general exclamation, or perplexes by indigested narratives; to show whence happiness or calamity is derived, and whence it may be expected; and honestly to lay before the people what inquiry can gather of the past, and conjecture can estimate of the future." Here we have it assumed as an incontrovertible principle, that in this country the people are the superintendents of the conduct and measures of those by whom government is administered; of the beneficial effect of which the present reign afforded an illustrious example, when addresses from all parts of the kingdom controlled an audacious attempt to introduce a new power subversive of the crown'. A still stronger proof of his patriotick spirit appears in his review of an "Essay on Waters, by Dr. Lucas 2," of whom, after describing him as a man well known to the world for his daring defiance to power, when he thought it exerted on the side of wrong, he thus speaks: are very short accounts of the pieces noticed, and I mention them only that Dr. Johnson's opinion of the works may be known; but many of them are examples of elaborate criticism, in the most masterly style. In his review of the "Memoirs of the Court of Augustus," he has the resolution to think and speak from his own mind, regardless of the cant transmitted from age to age, in praise of the ancient Romans. Thus: "I know not why any one but a schoolboy in his declamation should whine over the commonwealth of Rome which grew great only by the misery of the rest of mankind. The Romans, like others, as soon as they grew rich, grew corrupt; and in their corruption sold the lives and freedoms of themselves, and of one another." Again, "A people, who while they were poor robbed mankind; and as soon as they became rich robbed one another." In his review of the Miscellanies in prose and verse, published by Elizabeth Harrison, but written by many hands, he gives an eminent proof at once of his orthodoxy and candour. "The authours of the essays in prose seem generally to have imitated, or tried to imitate, the copiousness and luxuriance of Mrs. Rowe. This, however, is not all their praise; they have laboured to add to her brightness of imagery, her purity of sentiments. The poets have had Dr. Watts before their eyes; a writer who, if he stood not in the first class of genius, compensated that defect by a ready application of his powers to the promotion of piety. The attempt to employ the ornaments of romance in the decoration of religion was, I think, first made by Mr. Boyle's Martyrdom of Theodora; but Boyle's philosophical studies did not allow him time for the cultivation of style: and the completion of the great design was reserved for Mrs. Rowe. Watts was one of the first who taught the dissenters to write and speak like other men, by showing them that elegance might consist with piety. They would have both done honour to a better society, for they had that charity which might well make their failings forgotten, and with which the whole Christian world might wish for com[Mr. Boswell means Mr. Fox's celebrated munion. India Bill, as an adversary of which he distin-heresies of an age, to which every opinion They were pure from all the guished himself as much as a man in a private is become a favourite that the universal station could do.-ED.] church has hitherto detested!" "The Irish ministers drove him from his native country by a proclamation, in which they charge him with crimes of which they never intended to be called to the proof, and oppressed him by methods equally irresistible by guilt and innocence. "Let the man thus driven into exile, for having been the friend of his country, be received in every other place as a confessor of liberty; and let the tools of power be taught in time, that they may rob, but cannot impoverish." 2 Some of his reviews in this magazine [Dr. Lucas was an apothecary in Dublin, who brought himself into public notice and a high degree of popularity by his writings and speeches against the government. He was elected representative of the city of Dublin in 1761; and a marble statue to his honor is erected in the Royal Exchange of that city. He died in Nov. 1771. ---ED.] Dr. "This praise the general interest of mankind requires to be given to writers who please and do not corrupt, who instruct and do not weary. But to them all human eulogies are vain, whom I believe applauded by angels, and numbered with the just." His defence of tea against Mr. Jonas Hanway's violent attack upon that elegant | epitaph upon his monument, which I have and popular beverage, shows how very well transcribed: a man of genius can write upon the slightest subject, when he writes, as the Italians say, con amore: I suppose no person ever enjoyed with more relish the infusion of that fragrant leaf than Johnson. The quantities which he drank of it at all hours were so great, that his nerves must have been uncommonly strong, not to have been extremely relaxed by such an intemperate use of it. He assured me that he never felt the least inconvenience from it; which is a proof that the fault of his constitution was rather a too great tension of fibres, than the contrary. Mr. Hanway wrote an angry answer to Johnson's review of his Essay on Tea, and Johnson, after a full and deliberate pause, made a reply to it; the only instance, I believe, in the whole course of his life, when he condescended to oppose any thing that was written against him. I suppose when he thought of any of his little antagonists, he was ever justly aware of the high sentiment of Ajax in Ovid: "Iste tulit pretium jam nunc certaminis hujus, Qui, cùm victus erit, mecum certasse feretur." But, indeed, the good Mr. Hanway laid himself so open to ridicule, that Johnson's animadversions upon his attack were chiefly to make sport. The generosity with which he pleads the cause of Admiral Byng is highly to the honour of his heart and spirit. Though Voltaire affects to be witty upon the fate of that unfortunate officer, observing that he was shot "pour encourager les autres," the nation has long been satisfied that his life was sacrificed to the political fervour of the times 2. In the vault belonging to the Torrington family, in the church of Southhill, in Bedfordshire, there is the following 1 [Sir John Hawkins calls his addiction to it unmanly, and almost gives it the colour of a crime. The Rev. Mr. Parker, of Henley, is in possession of a teapot which belonged to Dr. Johnson, and which contains above two quarts. -ED.] 2 [Nothing can be more unfounded than the assertion that Byng fell a martyr to political party. It is impossible to read the trial without being convinced that he had misconducted himself; and the extraordinary proceedings in both houses of parliament subsequent to his trial prove at once the zeal of his friends to invalidate the finding of the Court-Martial, and the absence of all reason for doing so. By a strange coincidence of circumstances, it happened that there was a total change of ministry between his condemnation and his death; so that one party presided at his trial and another at his execution :-there can be no stronger proof that he was not a political martyr. See this subject treated at large in the Quarterly Review, for March, 1822, article Lord Oxford's Memoirs.-ED.] "TO THE PERPETUAL DISGRACE THE HONOURABLE JOHN BYNG, ESQ. PERSECUTION, MARCH 14, IN THE YEAR 1757; Johnson's most exquisite critical essay in the Literary Magazine, and indeed any where, is his review of Soame Jenyns's "Inquiry into the Origin of Evil." Jenyns was possessed of lively talents, and a style eminently pure and easy, and could very happily play with a light subject, either in prose or verse; but when he speculated on that most difficult and excruciating question, the Origin of Evil, he "ventured far beyond his depth," and accordingly, was exposed by Johnson, both with acute argument and brilliant wit. I remember when the late Mr. Bicknell's humourous performance, entitled "The Musical Travels of Joel Collyer," in which a slight attempt is made to ridicule Johnson, was ascribed to Soame Jenyns, "Ha! (said Johnson) I thought I had given him enough of it."' His triumph over Jenyns is thus described by my friend Mr. Courtenay in his "Poetical Review of the literary and moral Character of Dr. Johnson; " performance of such merit, that had I not been honoured with a very kind and partial notice in it, I should echo the sentiments of men of the first taste loudly in its praise: The source of evil hidden still from man; "When specious sophists with presumption scan 3 Some time after Dr. Johnson's death, there appeared in the newspapers and magazines [the following] illiberal and petulant attack upon him, in the form of an Epitaph, under the name of Mr. Soame Jenyns, very unworthy of that gentleman, who had quietly submitted to the critical lash while Johnson lived. It assumed, as characteristicks of him, all the vulgar circumstances of abuse which had circulated amongst the ignorant. [EPITAPH. By Soame Jenyns, Esq. "Here lies poor JOHNSON. Reader, have a care, Tread lightly, lest you rouse a sleeping bear; Tyers, Biogr. Sketch, p. 11. [It was about this time that Mr. [ pun upon his favourite liquor he heard with Tyers, by the introduction of Chris- a smile. Though his time seemed to be topher Smart, formed that acquaint- bespoke, and quite engrossed, his house was ance with Johnson which lasted to always open to all his acquaintance, new the doctor's death, with, it is believed, un- and old. His amanuensis has given up his abated cordiality. 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 variCome when you would, early or late (for ety and length, that it began with poetry and Johnson desired to be called from bed when ended at fluxions." He always talked as if a visitor was at the door) the tea-table was he was talking upon oath. He was the sure to be spread, Te veniente die, TE de- wisest person, and had the most knowledge cedente.-With TEA he cheered the morn-in ready cash, that Tyers ever knew. John Johnson, whose hearing was not always good, understood Smart called him by the name of Thyer, that eminent scholar, librarian of Manchester, and a nonjuror. This mistake was rather beneficial than otherwise to Mr. Tyers. Johnson had been much indisposed all that day, and repeated a psalm he had just translated, during his affliction, into Latin verse, and did not commit to paper. For so retentive was his memory, that he could always recover whatever he lent to that faculty. Smart in return recited some of his own Latin compositions. He had translated with success, and to Mr. Pope's satisfaction, his St. Cecilian Ode. son'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 was hardly ever disappointed. His manner was interesting: the tone of his voice, and the sincerity of his expressions, even when they did not captivate This was an unbecoming indulgence of puny resentment, at a time when he himself was at a very advanced age, and had a near prospect of descending to the grave. I was truly sorry for it ; for he was then become an avowed and (as my Lord Bishop of London, who had a serious conversation with him on the subject, assures me) a sincere Christian. He could not expect that John-your affections, or carry conviction, preson's numerous friends would patiently bear to have the memory of their master stigmatized by no mean pen, but that, at least, one would be found to retort. Accordingly, this unjust and sarcastick Epitaph, was met in the same publick field by an answer, in terms by no means soft, and such as wanton provocation only could justify: EPITAPH, Prepared for a creature not quite dead yet. Who judging only from his wretched self, A mighty genius at this elf displeas'd, With a strong critick grasp the urchin squeez'd. For thirty years its coward spleen it kept, Till in the dust the mighty Genius slept: Then stunk and fretted in expiring snuff, And blink'd at JOHNSON with its last poor puff." [The answer was no doubt by Mr. Boswell himself, and does more credit to his zeal than his poetical talents.-ED.] vented contempt. If the line, by Pope, on his father, can be applied to Johnson, it is characteristick of him, who never swore, nor told a lie. If the first part is not confined to the oath of allegiance 1, 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 Magliabechi2, as exhibited before the printed account of him by Mr. Spence. No man dared to take liberties [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.-ED.] 2 [Librarian to the Grand Dukes of Florence, and celebrated for vast erudition and extreme slovenliness. He died in 1714, aged 80.-ED.] 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." He had great knowledge in the science of human nature, and of the fashions and customs of life, and knew the world well. He had often in his mouth this line of Pope, "The proper study of mankind is man." He was desirous of surveying life in all its modes and forms, and in all climates. He once offered to attend his friend Vansittart 1 to India, who was invited there to make a fortune; but it did not take place. He talked much of travelling into Poland, to observe the life of the Palatines, the account of which struck his curiosity very much. His benevolence to mankind was known The proprietors of the Universal History wished him to take any part in that voluminous work. But he declined their offer 2.] This gentleman, whom he familiarly called Tom Tyers, was the son of Mr. Jonathan Tyers, the founder of that excellent place of publick amusement, Vauxhall Gardens, which must ever be an estate to the proprietor, as it is peculiarly adapted to the taste of the English nation; there being a mixture of curious show, gay exhibition, musick, vocal and instrumental, not too refined for the general ear,—for all which only a shilling is paid 3; and, though last, not least, good eating and drinking for those who choose to purchase that regale. Mr. Thomas Tyers was bred to the law; but having a handsome fortune, vivacity of temper, and eccentricity of mind, he could not confine himself to the regularity of practice. He therefore ran about the world with a pleasant carelessness, amusing every body by his desultory conversation. He abounded in anecdote, but was not sufficiently attentive to accuracy 4. I therefore cannot 2 founded on Mr. Tyers's later observations, yet, [Although much of the foregoing extract is made at the commencement of their acquaintance, as it refers more particularly to the impression when there is little said by Mr. Boswell of Dr. Johnson's personal history, it is thought right to insert the whole in this place. Here, too, is added Mr. Boswell's account of Mr. Tyers, which, in the former editions, is found sub anno 1778.ED.] to all who knew him. Though so declared a friend to the church of England and even a friend to the convocation, it assuredly was not in his wish to persecute for speculative notions. He used to say, he had no quarrel with any order of men, unless they disbelieved in revelation and a future state. He would indeed have sided with Sacheverell against Daniel Burgess, if he thought the church was in danger. His hand and his 3 In summer, 1792, additional and more exheart were always open to charity. The pensive decorations having been introduced, the objects under his own roof were only a few price of admission was raised to two shillings. I of the subjects for relief. He was ever at cannot approve of this. The company may be the head of subscription in cases of distress. more select; but a number of the honest comHis guinea, as he said of another man of a monalty are, I fear, excluded from sharing in elebountiful disposition, was always ready.gant and innocent entertainment. An attempt to He wrote an exhortation to publick bounty. He drew up a paper to recommend the French prisoners, in the last war but one, to the English benevolence; which was of service. He implored the hand of benevolence for others, even when he almost seemed a proper object of it himself. It may be inserted here, that Johnson, soon after his coming to London, had thought of writing a history of the revival of learning. The booksellers had other service to offer him. But he never undertook it. [This proposition of an adventure to India is nowhere else, that the editor has seen, alluded to. Dr. Vansittart, of Oxford, was a great friend of Johnson's, and it is possible that he may have been invited by his younger brother, Mr. Henry Vansittart, when Governor of Bengal, to join him in India, and Dr. Vansittart might perhaps have had some idea of including Johnson in the arrangement. It seems doubtful whether Johnson was personally acquainted with Mr. Henry Vansittart.-ED.] abolish the one-shilling gallery at the playhouse has been very properly counteracted.-BOSWELL. The admission has been since raised to four shillings, without improving, it is said, either the class of company, or the profits of the proprietors. ED.] 4 [Mr. Boswell, who was justly proud of the happy diligence with which he made daily notes of Dr. Johnson's conversation, is too apt to blame every other reporter of anecdotes for inaccuracy." We have seen, and shall have future occasions to observe, that his own written records are sometimes liable to the same imputation, and of course still more so must be the relations of those who not only made no notes, but who, at the time, never comtemplated writing. Mr. Tyers very modestly calls his pamphlet a sketch, and he certainly writes, as Mr. Boswell says, in a careless and desultory style; but there seems, on examination, no reason to doubt the accuracy of his facts; indeed, all the other biographers (not excepting Mr. Boswell himself) have either borrowed from Tyers, or have told the same stories in the same way as he has done, and thus vouched for his general accuracy.-ED.] Chronicle still subsists, and from what I observed, when I was abroad, has a more extensive circulation upon the continent than any of the English newspapers. It was constantly read by Johnson himself; and it is but just to observe, that it has all along been distinguished for good sense, accuracy, moderation, and delicacy. venture to avail myself much of a biographical sketch of Johnson which he published, being one among the various persons ambitious of appending their names to that of my illustrious friend. That sketch is, however, an entertaining little collection of fragments. Those which he published of Pope and Addison are of higher merit; but his fame must chiefly rest upon his "Political Conferences," in which he introduces several eminent persons delivering their sentiments in the way of dialogue, and discovers a considerable share of learning, various knowledge, and discernment of character. This much may I be allowed to say of a man who was exceedingly obliging to me, and who lived with Dr. Johnson in as easy a manner as almost any of his very numer-years lived in his neighbourhood, &c. he ous acquaintance. This year Mr. William Payne, brother of the respectable bookseller of that name, published "An Introduction to the Game of Draughts," to which Johnson contributed a Dedication to the Earl of Rochford *, and a Preface, both of which are admirably adapted to the treatise to which they are prefixed. Johnson, I believe, did not play at draughts after leaving college, by which he suffered; for it would have afforded him an innocent soothing relief from the melancholy which distressed him so often. I have heard him regret that he had not learned to play at cards; and the game at draughts we know is peculiarly calculated to fix the attention without straining it. There is a composure and gravity in draughts which insensibly, tranquillizes the mind; and, accordingly, the Dutch are fond of it, as they are of smoking, of the sedative influence of which, though he himself never smoked, he had a high opinion 1. [Sir J. HawkHawk. ins heard him say that insanity had grown more frequent since smoking had gone out of fashion.] Besides, there is in draughts some exercise of the faculties; and, accordingly, Johnson wishing to dignify the subject in his Dedication with what is most estimable in it, observes, "Triflers may find or make anything a trifle: but since it is the great characteristick of a wise man to see events in their causes, to obviate consequences, and ascertain contingencies, your lordship will think nothing a trifle by which the mind is inured to caution, foresight, and circumspection." p. 312. As one of the little occasional advantages which he did not disdain to take by his pen, as a man whose profession was literature, he this year accepted of a guinea from Mr. Robert Dodsley, for writing the introduction to "The London Chronicle," an evening newspaper; and even in so slight a performance exhibited peculiar talents. This Another instance of the same nature has been communicated 2 to me by the Rev. Dr. Thomas Campbell 3, who has done himself considerable credit by his own writings. "Sitting with Dr. Johnson one morning alone, he asked me if I had known Dr. Madden, who was authour of the premiumscheme 4 in Ireland. On my answering in the affirmative, and also that I had for some begged of me that when I returned to Ireland, I would endeavour to procure for him a poem of Dr. Madden's called Boulter's Monument 5. The reason (said he) why I wish for it is this: when Dr. Madden came to London, he submitted that work to my castigation; and I remember I blotted a great many lines, and might have blotted many more without making the poem worse 6. However, the doctor was very 2 [Hawkins had told the same story on Johnson's written authority, but Boswell is always reluctant to have any obligations to Hawkins.— ED.] 3 [See post, 6th April, 1775.-ED.] 4 In the college of Dublin, four quarterly examinations of the students are held in each year, in various prescribed branches of literature and science; and premiums, consisting of books impressed with the college arms, are judged by exto those who have most distinguished themselves aminers (composed generally of the junior fellows), in the several classes, after a very rigid trial, which lasts two days: this regulation, which has subsisted about seventy years, has been attended with the most beneficial effects. Dr. Samuel Madden was the first proposer in that university. They were instituted about the year 1734. He was also one of the founders of the Dublin Society for the encouragement of arts and agriculture. In addition to the premiums which were and are still annually given by that society for this purpose, Dr. Madden gave others from his own fund. Hence he was usually called "Premium Mad den."-MALONE. and primate of Ireland. He died in Sept. 27, 5 Dr. Hugh Boulter, archbishop of Armagh, time, one of the lords justices of that kingdom. 1742, at which time he was, for the thirteenth Johnson speaks of him in high terms of commendation, in his Life of Ambrose Philips.-Bos |