The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL. D.: Comprehending an Account of His Studies and Numerous Works, in Chronological Order; a Series of His Epistolatory 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 1W. Andrews and L. Blake, 1807 |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 71
Page 3
... merit of a contemporary , mixed with a certain de- gree of vanity not altogether inexcusable , in appear- ing fully sensible of it , where can I find one , in com- plimenting whom I can with more general approba- tion gratify those ...
... merit of a contemporary , mixed with a certain de- gree of vanity not altogether inexcusable , in appear- ing fully sensible of it , where can I find one , in com- plimenting whom I can with more general approba- tion gratify those ...
Page 28
... merit in the execu- tion of the work , I have resolved to adopt and enlarge upon the excellent plan of Mr. Mason , in his Memoirs of Gray . Wherever narrative is necessary to explain , connect , and supply , I furnish it to the best of ...
... merit in the execu- tion of the work , I have resolved to adopt and enlarge upon the excellent plan of Mr. Mason , in his Memoirs of Gray . Wherever narrative is necessary to explain , connect , and supply , I furnish it to the best of ...
Page 40
... merit as he could conceive . " His next instructor in English was a mas- ter , whom , when he spoke of him to me , he familiarly called Tom Brown , who , said he , " published a spell- ing - book , and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE ; but ...
... merit as he could conceive . " His next instructor in English was a mas- ter , whom , when he spoke of him to me , he familiarly called Tom Brown , who , said he , " published a spell- ing - book , and dedicated it to the UNIVERSE ; but ...
Page 53
... merits of his son , and told the company he was a good scholar , and a poet , and wrote Latin verses . His figure and manner appeared strange to them ; but he behaved modestly , and sat silent , till upon something which occurred in the ...
... merits of his son , and told the company he was a good scholar , and a poet , and wrote Latin verses . His figure and manner appeared strange to them ; but he behaved modestly , and sat silent , till upon something which occurred in the ...
Page 66
... merit , had , from his earliest years , secured him a kind reception in the best families at Lichfield . Among these I can mention Mr. Howard , Dr. Swinfen , Mr. Simpson , Mr. Levett , Captain Garrick , father of the great ornament of ...
... merit , had , from his earliest years , secured him a kind reception in the best families at Lichfield . Among these I can mention Mr. Howard , Dr. Swinfen , Mr. Simpson , Mr. Levett , Captain Garrick , father of the great ornament of ...
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Common terms and phrases
66 DEAR SIR acknowl acquaintance admiration afterwards appears authour Baretti BENNET LANGTON Bishop bookseller BOSWELL character compliment conversation death Dictionary Dodsley edition eminent English Essay Etat favour Francis Barber Garrick genius gentleman Gentleman's Magazine give Goldsmith happy heard honour hope house of Stuart humble servant JAMES BOSWELL Johnson Joseph Warton kind King labour lady Langton language late Latin learned letter Lichfield literary lived London Lord Lord Chesterfield Lucy Porter mankind manner mentioned merit mind never obliged observed occasion opinion Oxford paper Pembroke College person pleased pleasure poem poet praise Preface publick published Rambler remarkable Reverend SAMUEL JOHNSON Savage Scotland Shakspeare shew Sir John Hawkins Sir Joshua Reynolds suppose talk tell thing THOMAS WARTON thought Thrale tion told translation truth verses Warton Williams wish write written wrote
Popular passages
Page 206 - Is not a Patron, my Lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in the water and, when he has reached ground, encumbers him with help...
Page 206 - 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 179 - Whoever wishes to attain an English style, familiar but not coarse, and elegant but not ostentatious, must give his days and nights to the volumes of Addison.
Page 156 - Implore His aid, in His decisions rest, Secure whate'er He gives, He gives the best. Yet, when the sense of sacred presence fires, And strong devotion to the skies aspires, Pour forth thy fervours for a healthful mind, Obedient passions, and a will resign'd...
Page 205 - 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 lordship. To be so distinguished, is an honour, which, being very little accustomed to favours from the great, I know not well how to receive, or in what terms to acknowledge. " When, upon some slight encouragement, I first visited your lordship, I was overpowered, like...
Page 357 - What would you give, my lad, to know about the Argonauts ? ' 'Sir, (said the boy,) I would give what I have.' Johnson was much pleased with his answer, and we gave him a double fare. Dr. Johnson then turning to me,
Page 161 - 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 367 - After we came out of the church, we stood talking for some time together of bishop Berkeley's ingenious sophistry to prove the non-existence of matter, and that every thing in the universe is merely ideal. I observed, that though we are satisfied his doctrine is not true, it is impossible to refute it. I never shall forget the alacrity with which Johnson answered, striking his foot with mighty force against a large stone, till he rebounded from it —
Page 42 - I would rather have the rod to be the general terror to all, to make them learn, than tell a child if you do thus or thus, you will be more esteemed than your brothers or sisters. The rod produces an effect which terminates in itself. A child is afraid of being whipped, and gets his task, and there's an end on't ; whereas, by exciting emulation, and comparisons of superiority, you lay the foundation of lasting mischief; you make brothers and sisters hate each other.
Page 481 - Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy, he said, was the only book that ever took him out of bed two hours sooner than he wished to rise.