The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL. D, Vol. 1 of 2: Including a Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Excerpt from The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL. D, Vol. 1 of 2: Including a Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides

IT were superfluous to expatiate on the merits, at least as a source of amuse ment, Of Boswell's life OF johnson. Whatever doubts may have existed as to the prudence or the propriety Of the original publication - however naturally private confidence was alarmed, or individual vanity offended, the voices of criticism and complaint were soon drowned in the general applause. And no wonder: the work combines within itself the four most entertaining classes Of writing - biography, memoirs, familiar letters, and that assemblage Of literary anecdotes which the French have taught us to distinguish by the termination flna.

It was originally received with an eagerness and relished with a zest Which undoubtedly were sharpened by the curiosity which the unexpected publication Of the words and deeds Of so many persons still living could not but excite. But this motive has gradually become weaker, and may now be said to be ex tinct; yet we do not find that the popularity Of the work, though somewhat changed in quality, is really diminished; and as the interval which separates us from the actual time and scene increases, so appear to increase the interest and delight which we feel at being introduced, as it were, into that distinguished society Of which Dr. Johnson formed the centre, and Of which his biographer is the historian.

But though every year thus adds something to the interest and instruction which this work affords, something is, on the other hand, deducted from the amusement which it gives, by the gradual Obscurity that time throws over the persons and incidents of private life: many circumstances known to all the world when Mr. Boswell wrote, are already Obscure to the best informed, and wholly forgotten by the rest of mankind 1.

For instance, when he relates (vol. I. P. That a great personage called the English Divines Of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries Giants, we guess that George III. Was the great personage; but all the editor's inquiries (and some of His Majesty's illustrious family have condescended to permit these inquiries to extend even to them) have failed to ascertain to what person or on what occasion that happy expression was used.

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