Life and Writings of Samuel Johnson ...Harper, 1855 - English essays |
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Page viii
... extended treatise . For the purpose of distinguishing the different essays , and as a means for more convenient refer . ence , the editor has considered it expedient to pre- fix to each a short title , indicating the subject viii PREFACE .
... extended treatise . For the purpose of distinguishing the different essays , and as a means for more convenient refer . ence , the editor has considered it expedient to pre- fix to each a short title , indicating the subject viii PREFACE .
Page 13
... means by which he rose to eminence , be- come the favourite objects of inquiry . Curiosity is excited ; and the admires of his works is eager to know his private opinions , his course of study , the particularities of his conduct , and ...
... means by which he rose to eminence , be- come the favourite objects of inquiry . Curiosity is excited ; and the admires of his works is eager to know his private opinions , his course of study , the particularities of his conduct , and ...
Page 15
... mean , in jest , and people are apt to think me se- rious . " * The exercise of that privilege which is enjoyed by every man in society has not been al- lowed to him . His fame has given importance even to trifles ; and the zeal of his ...
... mean , in jest , and people are apt to think me se- rious . " * The exercise of that privilege which is enjoyed by every man in society has not been al- lowed to him . His fame has given importance even to trifles ; and the zeal of his ...
Page 17
... mean time assisted him in the classics . The general direction for his stud- ies which he then received , he related to Mrs. Piozzi . " Obtain , " says Ford , “ some general prin- ciples of every science ; he who can talk only on one ...
... mean time assisted him in the classics . The general direction for his stud- ies which he then received , he related to Mrs. Piozzi . " Obtain , " says Ford , “ some general prin- ciples of every science ; he who can talk only on one ...
Page 18
... mean abili- ties , in one or two instances behaving with inso- lence to that gentleman . Of his general conduct at the university there are no particulars that merit at- tention , except the translation of Pope's Messiah , which was a ...
... mean abili- ties , in one or two instances behaving with inso- lence to that gentleman . Of his general conduct at the university there are no particulars that merit at- tention , except the translation of Pope's Messiah , which was a ...
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Common terms and phrases
appears ardour Brocklesby calamity called cause censure character Colley Cibber consider contempt conversation crimes danger death delight desire dread duty Earse effects elegant eminent endeavour equal essays evil eyes fame favour fear folly frequently future gain Garrick genius Gentleman's Magazine give happiness heart honour hope hopes and fears hour human imagination incited indulge Johnson Jupiter kind knowledge known labour Lauder Learning lence less lives Lord Lord Bute Lucy Porter mankind melancholy ment mind misery moral nature ness never objects observed once opinion ourselves pain passions perhaps Periander pleased pleasure possession praise pride Rambler reason regard rest SAMUEL JOHNSON Satire of Juvenal says seems seldom Sir John Hawkins soon sophism sorrow Streatham suffer things thought tion Topham Beauclerk Trans truth vanity vice vigour virtue wish writer
Popular passages
Page 52 - When, upon some slight encouragement, I first visited your Lordship, I was overpowered, like the rest of mankind, by the enchantment of your address ; and could not forbear to wish that I might boast myself Le vainqueur du vainqueur de la terre...
Page 52 - 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, SAM. JOHNSON.
Page 41 - ... devout prayer to that eternal Spirit who can enrich with all utterance and knowledge, and sends out his seraphim, with the hallowed fire of his altar, to touch and purify the lips of whom he pleases...
Page 51 - Dictionary was written with little assistance of the learned, and without any patronage of the great; not in the soft obscurities of retirement, or under the shelter of academic bowers, but amidst inconvenience and distraction, in sickness and in sorrow.
Page 77 - Ay, but to die, and go we know not where ; To lie in cold obstruction and to rot ; This sensible warm motion to become 120 A kneaded clod ; and the delighted spirit To bathe in fiery floods...
Page 34 - Johnson: one, in particular, praised his impartiality ; observing, that he dealt out reason and eloquence, with an equal hand to both parties. " That is not quite true," said Johnson ; " I saved appearances tolerably well; but I took care that the WHIG DOGS should not have the best of it.
Page 200 - If a man was to compare the effect of a single stroke of the pick • axe, or of one impression of the spade, with the general design and last result, he would be overwhelmed by the sense of their disproportion ; yet those petty operations, incessantly continued, in time surmount the greatest difficulties, and mountains are levelled and oceans bounded by the slender force of human beings.
Page 264 - There are many who think it an act of piety to hide the faults or failings of their friends, even when they can no longer suffer by their detection ; we therefore see whole ranks of characters adorned with uniform panegyrick, and not to be known from one another but by extrinsick and casual circumstances. ' Let me remember, (says Hale) when I find myself inclined to pity a criminal, that there is likewise a. pity due to the country.
Page 260 - All joy or sorrow for the happiness or calamities of others is produced by an act of the imagination, that realizes the event however fictitious, or approximates it however remote, by placing us, for a time, in the condition of him whose fortune we contemplate; so that we feel, while the deception lasts, whatever motions would be excited by the same good or evil happening to ourselves.
Page 261 - I have often thought that there has rarely passed a life of which a judicious and faithful narrative would not be useful.