The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. |
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Page iii
... of the book would sufficiently guard me against such a strange imputation . But it seems I judged too well of the world ; for , though I could scarcely believe it , I have been undoubtedly informed , that A 2 DEDICATION . iii.
... of the book would sufficiently guard me against such a strange imputation . But it seems I judged too well of the world ; for , though I could scarcely believe it , I have been undoubtedly informed , that A 2 DEDICATION . iii.
Page ix
... seems to me , in my moments of self - complacency , that this extensive biographical work , however inferior in its nature , may in one respect be assimilated to the ODYSSEY . Amidst a thousand entertaining and instructive episodes the ...
... seems to me , in my moments of self - complacency , that this extensive biographical work , however inferior in its nature , may in one respect be assimilated to the ODYSSEY . Amidst a thousand entertaining and instructive episodes the ...
Page xiv
... seems to have been to make sport . Dedication to the Earl of Rochford of , and Preface to Mr. Payne's Introduction to the Game of Draughts . acknowl . Introduction to the London Chronicle , an Evening Paper , which still subsists with ...
... seems to have been to make sport . Dedication to the Earl of Rochford of , and Preface to Mr. Payne's Introduction to the Game of Draughts . acknowl . Introduction to the London Chronicle , an Evening Paper , which still subsists with ...
Page 5
... seems to lay it down as a principle , that every life must be a book , and what's worse it proves a book without a life ; for what do we know of Boileau after all his tedious stuff ? You are the only one , ( and I speak it without a ...
... seems to lay it down as a principle , that every life must be a book , and what's worse it proves a book without a life ; for what do we know of Boileau after all his tedious stuff ? You are the only one , ( and I speak it without a ...
Page 10
James Boswell. " But biography has often been allotted to writers , who seem very little acquainted with the nature of their task , or very negligent about the performance . They rarely afford any other account than might be collected ...
James Boswell. " But biography has often been allotted to writers , who seem very little acquainted with the nature of their task , or very negligent about the performance . They rarely afford any other account than might be collected ...
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Common terms and phrases
acknowl acquaintance admiration afterwards appeared authour believe BENNET LANGTON Bishop bookseller Burney Cave character conversation David Garrick DEAR SIR death Dictionary Dodsley doubt edition Edward Cave elegant eminent endeavour English Essay evid excellent favour Garrick gave genius Gentleman's Magazine give Goldsmith happy heard Hector honour hope house of Stuart humble servant kind King labour lady Langton language Latin learned letter Litchfield literary literature lived London Lord Chesterfield Lucy Porter manner master ment mentioned merit mind never obliged observed occasion opinion Oxford paper Pembroke College person pleased pleasure poem poet praise Preface publick published racter Rambler remarkable Reverend Robert Dodsley SAMUEL JOHNSON Savage Shakespeare shew Sir John Hawkins Sir Joshua Reynolds spirit suppose sure talk thing THOMAS WARTON thought tion told translation truth verses Warton wish write written wrote
Popular passages
Page 247 - 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 246 - 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 the ground, encumbers him with help? 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.
Page 247 - Having carried on my work thus far with so little obligation to any favourer of learning, I shall not be disappointed though I should conclude it, if less be possible, with less ; for I have been long wakened from that dream of hope, in which I once boasted myself with so much exultation, " My Lord, " Your Lordship's most humble " Most obedient servant,
Page 245 - I had exhausted all the art of pleasing which a retired and uncourtly scholar can possess. I had done all that I could, and no man is well pleased to have his all neglected, be it ever so little. Seven years, My Lord...
Page 386 - Mr. Davies mentioned my name, and respectfully introduced me to him. I was much agitated; and recollecting his prejudice against the Scotch, of which I had heard much, I said to Davies, " Don't tell where I come from." —" From Scotland," cried Davies, roguishly. " Mr. Johnson," said I, " I do indeed come from Scotland, but I cannot help it.
Page 499 - How small of all that human hearts endure, That part which laws or kings can cause or cure. Still to ourselves in every place consign'd, Our own felicity we make or find : With secret course, which no loud storms annoy, Glides the smooth current of domestic joy.
Page 386 - Sir, I cannot think Mr. Garrick would grudge such a trifle to you." " Sir, (said he, with a stern look,) I have known David Garrick longer than you have done ; and I know no right you have to talk to me on the subject.
Page 288 - London, much inhabited by writers of small histories, dictionaries, and temporary poems ; whence any mean production is called Grub Street.
Page 331 - , ' Neither your condition nor your character make it fit for me to say much. You have been the best mother, and I believe the best woman in the world. I thank you for your indulgence to me, and beg forgiveness of all that I have done ill, and all that I have omitted to do well.
Page 412 - He is poor and honest, which is recommendation enough to Johnson;" and when I wondered that he was very kind to a man of whom I had heard a very bad character, " He is now become miserable, and that insures the protection of Johnson.