THE IDLER. Duplex libelli dos est, quod risum movet, Et quod prudenti vitam consilio monet.-PHÆDRUS 1 No. 4. SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1758.* Πάντας γὰρ φιλέεσκε.—Hom.2 HARITY, or tenderness for the poor, which is now justly considered, by a great part of mankind, as inseparable from piety, and in which almost all the goodness of the present age consists, is, I 1 Phædrus, bk. i., prologue, 1. 3. 2 Iliad, vi. 15. "A friend to human race."-POPE. * J. Cradock says that Dr. Percy the night of his arrival in London from Northumberland remembered that he had to preach a charity-sermon next day. "Being much fatigued, suddenly recollecting that Johnson's fourth Idler was exactly to his purpose, he had freely engrafted the greatest part of it. His discourse was much admired; but being requested to print it, he most strenuously opposed the honour intended him, till he was assured by the Governors that it was necessary, as the annual contributions greatly depended on it. He earnestly requested that I would call upon Dr. Johnson, think, known only to those who enjoy, either immediately or by transmission, the light of revelation. Those ancient nations who have given us the wisest models of government, and the brightest examples of patriotism, whose institutions have been transcribed by all succeeding legislatures, and whose history is studied by every candidate for political or military reputation, have yet left behind them no mention of alms-houses hospitals, of places where age might repose, or sickness be relieved. or The Roman emperors, indeed, gave large donatives to the citizens and soldiers, but these distributions were always reckoned rather popular than virtuous: nothing more was intended than an ostentation of liberality, nor was any recompence expected, but suffrages and acclamations. Their beneficence was merely occasional; he that ceased to need the favour of the people, ceased likewise to court it; and, therefore, no man thought it either necessary or wise to make any standing provision for the needy, to look forwards and state particulars. I assented; and endeavoured to introduce the subject with all due solemnity; but Johnson was highly diverted, and laughing, said:-'Pray, Sir, give my kind respects to Dr. Percy, and tell him I desire he will do whatever he pleases in regard to my Idler; it is entirely at his service."-Cradock's Memoirs, ed. 1828, i. 242. The sermon, I have no doubt, was the one preached before the Sons of the Clergy on May 11, 1769; published by J. and F. Rivington. It is in the Bodleian Library. Johnson's thoughts are borrowed, but not his words. |