When Mr. Warton wrote his three papers in the Idler, he lived in habits of intimacy and correspondence with Dr. Johnson; he was likewise a member of the Literary Club, and made occasional journeys to London, to attend that, and to enjoy the pleasures of Sir Joshua Reynolds' company, of whom some notice is now to be taken as writer of the Essays Nos. 76, 79, and 82, in this work. fordshire; and in 1782 he published as a speci- mind by curious and elegant literature, his various men a topographical account of his parish of Kid-productions abundantly testify; yet he appears dington. In the same year he entered into the to have wanted the resolution and steady induscelebrated Chattertonian controversy, and pub-try necessary for the completion of a great lished An Inquiry into the Authenticity of the design; and some remarkable instances of inacPoems ascribed to Rowley, which he decidedly curacy or forgetfulness prove that his exertions pronounced to be the fabrication of their pre- were rather desultory than regular. This dispotended editor. His income was augmented in sition was less injurious to him in his poetical this year by presentation to a donative in Somer-capacity than in any other, whence he will probasetshire; and as he was free both from ambition bly live longest in fame as a poet. Scarcely any and avarice, he seems to have looked no farther one of that tribe has noted with finer observation for ecclesiastical promotion. In 1785 the place the minute circumstances in rural nature that of Camden-professor of history at Oxford, vacant afford pleasure in description, or has derived from by the resignation of the present Sir W. Scott, the regions of fiction more animated and pictuwas conferred upon him. He attended to his resque scenery. His pieces are very various in duties so far as to deliver a learned and ingenious subject, and none of them long. He can only inaugural lecture, but that was the limit of his rank among the minor poets; but perhaps few professional exertions. Another office at this volumes in that class will more frequently be time demanded new efforts. At his Majesty's taken up for real amusement. Several editions express desire the post of Poet-laureat, vacated by of his poems were called for in his life-time, and the death of Whitehead, was offered to him; since his death an edition of his works has been and, in accepting it, he laudably resolved to use given by Mr. Mant, in 2 vols. octavo, 1802, with his best endeavours for rendering it respectable. a biographical account of the author prefixed. He varied the monotony of anniversary court compliment by retrospective views of the splendid period of English history and the glories of chivalry, and by other topics adapted to poetical description, though little connected with the proper theme of the day; and though his lyric strains underwent some ridicule on that account, they in general enhanced the literary valuation of laureat odes. His concluding publication was an edition of the juvenile poems of Milton, in which it was his purpose to explain his allusions, point out his imitations, illustrate his beauties, and elucidate his obsolete diction and peculiar phraseology. This was a task of no great effort to one qualified like Warton; and engaging in it, rather than in the completion of his elaborate plans, seems to prove that the indolence of advancing years and a collegiate life was gaining upon him. Of this work the first edition appeared in 1785, and the second in 1791, a short time before his death. He had intended to include in his plan a similar edition of the Paradise Regained, and the Samson Agonistes, of the great author, of whom, notwithstanding religious and political differences, he was a warm admirer; and he left notes on both these pieces. But his constitution now began to give way, though the period of old age was yet distant. In his 62d year an attack of the gout shattered his frame, and was succeeded, in May 1790, by a paralytic seizure, which carried him off at his lodgings in Oxford. His remains were interred, with every academical honour, in the chapel of Trinity College. Sir Joshua Reynolds was the son of a clergyman at Plympton, in Devonshire, and born there in 1723. Being intended for the church, he received a suitable education under his father, and then removed to Oxford, where he took his degrees in arts; but having a great taste for drawing, he resolved to make painting his profession, and accordingly was placed under Hudson the portrait painter. About 1749 he went to Italy, in company with the honourable Mr. Keppel, his early friend and patron. After studying the works of the most illustrious masters two years, Mr. Reynolds returned to London, where he found no encouragement given to any other branch of the art than to portrait painting. He was of course under the necessity of complying with the prevailing taste, and in that walk soon became unrivalled. The first picture by which he distinguished himself, after his return, was the portrait of Mr. Keppel. He did not, however, confine himself to portraits, but painted several historical pictures of high and acknowledged merit. When the royal academy was instituted he was appointed president, which station he held with honour to himself and advantage to the The character of Thomas Warton was mark- arts till 1791, and then resigned it. He was ed by some of those peculiarities which common- also appointed principal painter to the king, and ly fix upon a man the appellation of an humorist; knighted. His literary merits, and other acand a variety of stories current among the col-complishments, procured him the friendship of legians show that he was more intent upon grati- the most distinguished men of genius in his time, fying his own habitual tastes, than regardful of particularly Johnson, Burke, Goldsmith, and the usual modes and decorums of society. But Garrick: and Sir Joshua had the honour of instihe was substantially good-humoured, friendly, tuting the literary club, of which they were memand placid; and if his dislike of form and re-bers. He was likewise a member of the royal straint sometimes made him prefer the company of inferiors to that of equals, the choice was probably in some measure connected with that love of nature, and spirit of independence, which may be discerned in his writings. That he employed a large portion of his time in the cultivation of his society, and of that of antiquaries; and was created doctor of laws by the universities of Oxford and Dublin. Sir Joshua's academical discourses display the soundest judgment, the most refined taste, and a perfect acquaintance with the works of different masters; and are written in a HISTORICAL PREFACE TO THE RAMBLER. clear and elegant style. He died in 1792, and | lies buried in St. Paul's cathedral. Having no children, he bequeathed the principal part of his property to his niece, since married to the Earl of Inchiquin, now Marquis of Thomond. We shall conclude our sketch of the life of this illustrious artist, by quoting his opinion of Dr. Johnson, which is equally honourable to himself and his friend. Speaking of his own discourses, our great artist says, "Whatever merit they have must be imputed, in a great measure, to the education which I may be said to have had under Dr. Johnson. I do not mean to say, though it certainly would be to the credit of these discourses if I could say it with truth, that he contributed even a single sentiment to them; but he qualified my mind to think justly. No man had, like him, the faculty of teaching inferior minds the art of thinking. Perhaps other men might have equal knowledge, but few were so communicative. His great pleasure was to talk to those who looked up to him. It was here he exhibited his wonderful powers. In mixed company, and frequently in company that ought to xi have looked up to him, many, thinking they had a character for learning to support, considered it as beneath them to enlist in the train of his auditors; and to such persons he certainly did not appear to advantage, being often impetuous and over-bearing. The desire of shining in conversation was in him indeed a predominant passion; and if it must be attributed to vanity, let it at the same time be recollected, that it produced that loquaciousness from which his more intimate friends derived considerable advantage. The observations which he made on poetry, on life, and on every thing about us, I applied to our art, with what success others must judge." No. 67 was written by another intimate and affectionate friend of Dr. Johnson's, Bennet Langton, Esq. of Langton in Lincolnshire. His acquaintance with Dr. Johnson commenced soon after the conclusion of the Rambler, which Mr. Langton, then a youth, had read with so much admiration that Mr. Boswell says he came to London chiefly with a view of being introduced to its author. Mr. Langton died December the 18th, 1801. HISTORICAL PREFACE TO THE RAMBLER. THE long space which intervened between the GUARDIAN and the RAMBLER, from 1713 to 1750, was filled up by many attempts of the periodical kind, but scarcely any of these had a reformation of manners and morals for their object. A few valuable papers on general and useful topics appeared, but so incumbered with angry political contests, as to be soon forgotten. Dr. Johnson was the first to restore the periodical essay to its original purpose, and it will appear soon that there is none of his works on which he set a higher value than on his RAMBLER. He seems to have thought, that it would constitute his principal fame, and the learned world appear to have been of the same opinion. Its commencement was a matter of great importance with him; and he was so desirous to benefit the age by this production, that he began to write with the solemnity of preparatory prayer. In the volume of his Devotions, published soon after his death, we find the following, entitled "Prayer on the RAMBLER." "Almighty God, the giver of all good things, without whose help all labour is ineffectual, and without whose grace all wisdom is folly; grant, I beseech thee, that in this my undertaking, thy HOLY SPIRIT may not be withheld from me, but that I may promote thy glory, and the salvation both of myself and others: grant this, O Lord, for the sake of JESUS CHRIST, Amen." The first paper was published on Tuesday, March 20, 1750, and the work continued without the least interruption, every Tuesday and Sa turday, until Saturday, March 14, 1752, on which day it closed. The sale was very inconsiderable, and seldom exceeded five hundred copies: and it is very remarkable that the only paper which had a prosperous sale (No. 97) was one of the very few which Dr. Johnson did not write. It was written by Richardson, author of Clarissa, Pamela, and Sir Charles Grandison. Modern taste will not allow it a very high place, but its style was at that time better adapted to the readers of the RAMBLER than that of Dr. Johnson.-It may here be noticed, that the assistance our author received from correspondents amounted to a very small proportion. The four billets in No. 10, were written by Miss Mulso, afterwards Mrs. Chapone; No. 30, was written by Miss Talbot, and Nos. 44, and 100, by the learned and celebrated Mrs. Carter. Of the characters described in the RAMBLER, some were not altogether fictitious, yet they were not exact portraits. The author employed some adventitious circumstances to produce effect. Prospero, in No. 200, was intended for the celebrated actor Garrick. By Gelidus in No. 24, the author is said to have meant Mr. Coulson, a mathematician, who formerly lived at Rochester. The man "immortalized for purring like a cat," was one Busby, a proctor in the Commons. He who barked so ingeniously, and then called the drawer to drive away the dog, was father to Dr. Saltar of the Charterhouse. He who sung a song, and by correspondent motions sion. After noticing the mistakes Mr. Boswell had fallen into, on the subject of the perfection of the RAMBLERS at their first appearance, the editor of the "Essayists" says, "Is it not surprising that this friend and companion of our illustrious author, who has obliged the public with the most perfect delineation ever exhibited of any human being, and who declared so often that he was determined To lose no drop of that immortal man' of his arm chalked out a giant on the wall, was | words we shall borrow on the present occaone Richardson, an attorney. Polyphilus, in No. 19, is said to have been drawn from the various studies of Floyer Sydenhem, but no produce of his studies is known except his translations. It has been remarked by the editor of the "British Essayists" that the RAMBLER made its way very slowly into the world. This may be true, if spoken of its appearance in numbers. The style was new; it appeared harsh, involved, and perplexed; it required more than a transitory inspection to be understood; but this repulsive appearance was soon overcome: and few works have been more successful, when reprinted in volumes. It was admired by scholars, and recommended by the friends of religion and literature, as a book by which a man might be taught to think and the author lived to see ten large editions printed in England, besides those which were clandestinely printed in other parts of Great Britain, in Ireland, and in America. For some years past the demand for it has been greater than for any of the "British Essayists;" its influence on the literature of the age has been great. Dr. Johnson is certainly not to be imitated with perfect success, yet the attempt to imitate him, where it has neither been servile or artificial, has elevated the style of every species of literary composition. "In every thing we perceive more vigour, more spirit, more elegance. He not only began a revolution in our language, but lived till it was almost completed." It has already been said that Dr. Johnson set a high value on the RAMBLER, and it may now be added that he bestowed a labour upon it, with which he never favoured any other of his works. This circumstance, which escaped the researches of all his biographers, was lately discovered by the editor of the "British Essayists," whose that one so inquisitive after the most trifling circumstance connected with Dr. Johnson's character or history, should have never heard or discovered that Dr. Johnson almost re-wrote the RAMBLER after the first folio edition. Yet the alterations made by him in the second and third editions of the RAMBLER far exceed six thousand; a number which may justify the use of the word re-wrote, although it must not be taken in its literal acceptation. A comparison of the first edition with the fourth or any subsequent edition will show the curious examiner in what these alterations consist. In the mean time we may apply to the author what he says of Pope-'He laboured his works, first to gain reputation, and afterwards to keep it.' He was not content to satisfy; he desired to excel, and therefore always endeavoured to do his best: he did not court the candour, but dared the judgment of his readers; and expecting no indulgence from others, he showed none himself. He examined lines and words with minute and punctilious observation, and retouched every part with indefatigable diligence till he had left nothing to be forgiven." THE RAMBLER. THE difficulty of the first address on any new occasion, is felt by every man in his transactions with the world, and confessed by the settled and regular forms of salutation which necessity has introduced into all languages. Judgment was wearied with the perplexity of being forced upon choice, where there was no motive to preference; and it was found convenient that some easy method of introduction should be established, which, if it wanted the allurement of novelty, might enjoy the security of prescription. Perhaps few authors have presented themselves ⚫ before the public, without wishing that such ceremonial modes of entrance had been anciently established as might have freed them from those dangers which the desire of pleasing is certain to produce, and precluded the vain expedients of softening censure by apologies, or rousing attention by abruptness. The epic writers have found the proemial part of the poem such an addition to their undertaking, that they have almost unanimously adopted the first lines of Homer, and the reader needs only be informed of the subject, to know in what manner the poem will begin. deviation from modesty to recommend their own labours, and imagined themselves entitled by indisputable merit to an exemption from general restraints, and to elevations not allowed in common life. They, perhaps, believed, that when, like Thucydides, they bequeathed to mankind Kτnμa is deì an estate for ever, it was an additional favour to inform them of its value. It may, indeed, be no less dangerous to claim on certain occasions, too little than too much. There is something captivating in spirit and intrepidity, to which we often yield, as to a resistless power; nor can he reasonably expect the confidence of others, who too apparently distrusts himself. Plutarch, in his enumeration of the various occasions on which a man may without just offence proclaim his own excellencies, has omitted the case of an author entering the world; unless it may be comprehended under his general position, that a man may lawfully praise himself for those qualities which cannot be known but from his own mouth; as when he is among strangers, and can have no opportunity of an actual exertion of his powers. That the case of an author is parallel, will scarcely be granted, because he necessarily discovers the degree of his merit to his judges, when he appears at his trial. But it should be remembered, that unless his judges are inclined to favour him, they will hardly be persuaded to hear the cause. In love, the state which fills the heart with a degree of solicitude next that of an author, it has been held a maxim, that success is most easily obtained by indirect and unperceived approaches; he who too soon professes himself a lover, raises But this solemn repetition is hitherto the pe- obstacles to his own wishes, and those whom culiar distinction of heroic poetry; it has never disappointments have taught experience, endeabeen legally extended to the lower orders of lite-vour to conceal their passion till they believe rature, but seems to be considered as an hereditary privilege, to be enjoyed only by those who claim it from their alliance to the genius of Ho mer. The rules which the injudicious use of this prerogative suggested to Horace, may indeed be applied to the direction of candidates for inferior fame; it may be proper for all to remember, that they ought not to raise expectation which it is not in their power to satisfy, and that it is more pleasing to see smoke brightening into flame, than flame sinking into smoke. This precept has been long received, both from regard to the authority of Horace, and its conformity to the general opinion of the world; yet there have been always some, that thought it no their mistress wishes for the discovery. The same method, if it were practicable to writers, would save many complaints of the severity of the age, and the caprices of criticism. If a man could glide imperceptibly into the favour of the public, and only proclaim his pretensions to literary honours when he is sure of not being rejected, he might commence author with better hopes, as his failings might escape contempt, though he shall never attain much regard. But since the world supposes every man that writes, ambitious of applause, as some ladies have taught themselves to believe that every man intends love, who expresses civility, the miscarriage of any endeavour in learning raises an unbounded contempt, indulged by most minds with out scruple, as an honest triumph over unjust | fearful, for to such the shortness of every single claims, and exhorbitant expectations. The arti- paper is a powerful encouragement. He that fices of those who put themselves in this hazard-questions his abilities to arrange the dissimilar ous state, have therefore been multiplied in protion to their fear as well as their ambition; and are to be looked upon with more indulgence, as they are incited at once by the two great movers of the human mind, the desire of good and the fear of evil. For who can wonder that, allured on one side, and frightened on the other, some should endeavour to gain favour by bribing the judge with an appearance of respect which they do not feel, to excite compassion by confessing weakness of which they are not convinced; and others to attract regard by a show of openness and magnanimity, by a daring profession of their own deserts, and a public challenge of honours and rewards? The ostentatious and haughty display of themselves has been the usual refuge of diurnal writers; in vindication of whose practice it may be said, that what it wants in prudence is supplied by sincerity, and who at least may plead, that if their boasts deceive any into the perusal of their performances, they defraud them of but little time. Quid enim? Concurritur-hora Momento cita mors venit, aut victoria lata. The battle join, and in a moment's flight, Death, or a joyful conquest, ends the fight. FRANCIS. The question concerning the merit of the day is soon decided, and we are not condemned to toil through half a folio, to be convinced that the writer has broke his promise. parts of an extensive plan, or fears to be lost in a complicated system, may yet hope to adjust a few pages without perplexity; and if, when he turns over the repositories of his memory, he finds his collection too small for a volume, he may yet have enough to furnish out an essay. He that would fear to lay out too much time upon an experiment of which he knows not the event, persuades himself that a few days will show him what he is to expect from his learning and his genius. If he thinks his own judgment not sufficiently enlightened, he may, by attending to the remarks which every paper will produce, rectify his opinions. If he should with too little premeditation encounter himself by an unwieldy subject, he can quit it without confessing his ignorance, and pass to other topics less dangerous, or more tractable. And if he finds, with all his industry, and all his artifices, that he cannot deserve regard, or cannot attain it, he may let the design fall at once, and, without injury to others or himself, retire to amusements of greater pleasure, or to studies of better prospect. No. 2.] SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1749-50. Ante fugam, absentemque feril gravis ungula campum. Th' impatient courser pants in every vein, STATIUS. POPE. It is one among many reasons for which I purpose to endeavour the entertainment of my countrymen by a short essay on Tuesday and Saturday, that I hope not much to tre those whom I THAT the mind of man is never satisfied with shall not happen to please; and if I am not com- the objects immediately before it, but is always mended for the beauty of my works, to be at breaking away from the present moment, and least pardoned for their brevity. But whether losing itself in schemes of future felicity; and my expectations are most fixed on pardon or that we forget the proper use of the time now in praise, I think it not necessary to discover; for our power to provide for the enjoyment of that having accurately weighed the reasons for arro- which, perhaps, may never be granted us, has gance and submission, I find them so nearly been frequently remarked; and as this practice equiponderant, that my impatience to try the is a commodious subject of raillery to the gay, event of my first performance will not suffer me to and of declamation to the serious, it has been riattend any longer the trepidations of the balance. diculed with all the pleasantry of wit, and exag There are, indeed, many conveniences almost gerated with all the amplifications of rhetoric. peculiar to this method of publication, which may Every instance, by which its absurdity might apnaturally flatter the author, whether he be con- pear most flagrant, has been studiously collectfident or timorous. The man to whom the ex-ed; it has been marked with every epithet of tent of his knowledge, or the sprightliness of his contempt, and all the tropes and figures have been imagination, has, in his own opinion, already called forth against it. secured the praises of the world, willingly takes that way of displaying his abilities which will soonest give him an opportunity of hearing the voice of fame; it heightens his alacrity to think in how many places he shall hear what he is now writing, read with ecstacies to-morrow. He will often please himself with reflecting, that the author of a large treatise must proceed with anxiety, lest, before the completion of his work, the attention of the public may have changed its object; but that he who is confined to no single topic, may follow the national taste through all its variations, and catch the aura popularis, the gale of favour, from what point soever it shall blow. Nor is the prospect less likely to ease the doubts of the cautious, and the terrors of the Censure is willingly indulged, because it always implies some superiority; men please themselves with imagining that they have made a deeper search, or wider survey than others, and detected faults and follies, which escape vulgar observation. And the pleasure of wantoning in common topics is so tempting to a writer, that he cannot easily resign it; a train of sentiments generally received enables him to shine without labour, and to conquer without a contest. It is so easy to laugh at the folly of him who lives only in idea, refuses immediate ease for distant pleasures, and, instead of enjoying the blessings of life, lets life glide away in preparations to enjoy them; it affords such opportunities of triumphant exultation, to exem |