himself. It is related by him in a private letter -Mrs. Williams is in the country, to try if she can improve her health; she is very ill. Matters have come so about that she is in the country with very good accommodation: but age, and sickness, and pride, have made her so peevish, that I was forced to bribe the maid to stay with her, by a secret stipulation of half a crown a week over her wages". Such was the man whom some have reviled for his rudeness and his petulance, and by repeating a single anecdote to his disadvantage have multiplied it in imagination to a thousand; and have concluded, contrary to all evidence, that his whole conversation was repulsive, and his whole conduct unsocial. Yet during his long life, no man's company was more courted by persons distinguished for genius or rank; and those who knew him most intimately, held him in the highest veneration. Such respect paid by all who were admitted into his society, must have had a solid foundation; and without the knowledge we have now acquired of him, we must have looked upon that man as elevated beyond the common order, who could procure such esteem, and preserve such attachments. And elevated he certainly was, by morals, genius, and wisdom. With all his defects, not a single vice has been imputed to him; while he is allowed to have possessed every virtue in principle, and, as far as his limited means permitted, to have excelled in the practice. Every man who knew him was made wiser and better VOL. XVI. f by the association; nor will it ever be forgotten, that in his presence neither wealth nor rank could protect those who dared to utter the language of irreligion or licentiousness. His conversation abounded in information : on every topic of the most trifling kind he threw a new light; and many who thought they had settled their opinions, were surprised, when by some unexpected illustration he proved that they had overlooked the point on which the whole depended. By a habit he appears to have early acquired of considering a question in every possible view, he was sometimes ready to take either side, and, for the sake of contest or information, to argue contrary to his real opinion. This gave to conversation the spur and variety in which he delighted, but never was allowed to interfere with his preceptive duties; when he wrote for the public, he supported religion and morality upon their genuine principles, and delivered the sentiments which he honestly believed were the best calculated to promote the interests of truth and virtue. Indeed few men have more strictly adhered to truth on every occasion. His reverence for it was such that he never lost sight of its obligations in the most minute occurrences, and did not scruple to check the lax vivacity of his intimate friends, and those to whom he was most indebted. It is however far from our intention to exhibit him as a perfect character. Such praise is foolishly given to man in this state of being; nor is it necessary to attribute more to him than he claimed for himself. Compared to men in general, with regard to literary accomplishments, he was entitled to a just superiority, and he was conscious of it; and what man has ever excelled without being conscious of it? But it is hoped none will look upon him with less reverence, when they behold him as a fallible and peccant being, as a dependant creature entreating Heaven for grace and support; humble and lowly; full of acknowledgements of defects and weaknesses; penitent and sorrowful for his many infirmities; thankful for the mercies he had received; earnest in employing the means of grace; and fervently anxious for the hopes of glory. His Prayers and Meditations' thus exhibit his mind continually struggling with imperfections, and continually supplicating for help where only it can be found; lamenting the loss of time, and undervaluing what he had done, like Grotius, who, at the close of life, exclaimed, Heu! vitam perdidi, operose nihil agendo. But the world has agreed to think more highly of the public services of Dr. Johnson, and to rank him among the most illustrious writers of any age or nation, and among the benefactors to religion, virtue, and learning. Nor can these desultory thoughts on his character be concluded in more appropriate terms than the pathetic tribute paid by an eminent friend on the occasion of his death-"He has * Boswell's Life, vol. 3. p. 700. Mr. Boswell has not given the name of this eminent friend. Mr. Burke was suspected by me; but I learn since that it was William Gerrard Hamilton usually called Single-speech Hamilton. made a chasm, which not only nothing can fill up, but which nothing has a tendency to fill up. Johnson is dead. Let us go to the next best: There is nobody; no man can be said to put you in mind of Johnson.” THE RAMBLER. No. 1. TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 1749-50. Cur tamen hoc libeat potius decurrere campo, JUV. SAT. i. 19. Why to expatiate in this beaten field, ELPHINSTON. 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. Judgement 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 ceremo◄ |