morrow, with all that it inhabits, would be most prized in other days and countries, by the students of us and of our history.' To the influence of Boswell's we owe, probably three fourths of what is most entertaining, as well as no inconsiderable portion of whatever is most instructive, in all the books of memoirs that have subsequently appeared."-No. xci. 1832.

In this edition will be found some Notices of Michael Johnson, father of the Doctor; and the whole of the extraordinary Fragment, first published in 1805, under the title of "An Account of the Life of Dr. Samuel Johnson, from his Birth to his Eleventh Year, written by Himself."

CONTENTS OF

OF VOL. I.

CHAPTER I.

1709-1716.

Introduction-Johnson's Birth and Parentage-He inherits from his Father "a vile Melan-

choly "-His account of the Members of his Family-Traditional Stories of his Precocity-

Taken to London to be touched by Queen Anne for the Scrofula,

25

CHAPTER II.

1716-1728.

Johnson goes to School at Lichfield-Particulars of his boyish days-Removed to the School

of Stourbridge-Specimens of his School Exercises and early Verses-He leaves Stour-

bridge, and passes two years with his Father,

41

CHAPTER III.

1728-1731.

Enters at Pembroke College, Oxford-His College Life-The "Morbid Melancholy " lurking

in his Constitution gains strength-Translates Pope's Messiah into Latin Verse-His Course

of Reading at Oxford-Quits College,

54

CHAPTER IV.

1731-1736.

Johnson leaves Oxford-Death of his Father-Mr. Gilbert Walmesley-Captain Garrick-

Mrs. Hill Boothby-" Molly Aston"-Johnson becomes Usher of Market-Bosworth School-

Removes to Birmingham-Translates Lobo's Voyages to Abyssinia-Returns to Lichfield-

Proposes to print the Latin Poems of Politian-Offers to write for the Gentleman's Magazine

-His juvenile Attachments-Marries-Opens a private Academy at Edial-David Garrick

his Pupil-Commences "Irene,"

70

CHAPTER V.

1737-1738.

Johnson goes to London with David Garrick-Takes Lodgings in Exeter Street-Retires to

Greenwich, and proceeds with "Irene "-Projects a Translation of the History of the

Council of Trent-Returns to Lichfield, and finishes "Irene "-Removes to London with his

Wife-Becomes a Writer in the Gentleman's Magazine,

89

CHAPTER VI.

1738-1741.

Johnson publishes "London, a Poem"-Letters to Cave relating thereto-Endeavours, with-

out Success, to obtain the Degree of Master of Arts-Recommended by Pope to Earl Gower

-The Earl's Letter on his Behalf-Begins a Translation of Father Paul Sarpi's History-

Publishes "A Complete Vindication of the Licensers of the Stage," and "Marmor Norfol-

ciense"-Pope's Note to Richardson concerning him-Characteristic Anecdotes-Writes the

Debates in Parliament. under the Disguise of "the Senate of Lilliput,"

102

CHAPTER VII.

1741-1744.

Johnson finishes "Irene "-Writes " Essay on the Account of the Conduct of the Duchess of

Marlborough "-Lives of Burman and Sydenham-" Proposals for printing Bibliotheca

Harleiana"-Projects a History of Parliament-Writes "Considerations on the Dispute

between Crousaz and Warburton, on "Pope's Essay on Man "-" Dedication to James's

Dictionary "____66

-"Friendship, an Ode "-His extreme Indigence at this Time-His Acquaint-

ance with Savage-Anecdotes-Publishes "The Life of Richard Savage "-Case of the

Countess of Macclesfield-Writes "Preface to the Harleian Miscellany,"

128

"Miscellaneous Observations on Macbeth," and "Proposals for a new Edition of Shakspeare"

-"Prologue, spoken by Garrick, on the opening of Drury Lane Theatre "-Prospectus of

the Dictionary of the English Language-Progress of the Work-Kink's Head Club in Ivy

Lane-Visit to Tunbridge Wells-"Life of Roscommon"-"Preface to Dodsley's Precep-

tor"-"Vision of Theodore the Hermit "-"The Vanity of Human Wishes "-"Irene "

acted at Drury Lane,

146

CHAPTER IX.

1750-1751.

Johnson begins "The Rambler"-His Prayer on commencing the Undertaking-Obligations

to Correspondents-Adversaria-Success of the Rambler-Collected into Volumes-

"Beauties" of the Rambler-Writes a Prologue, to be spoken by Garrick, for the Benefit

of Milton's Grand-daughter-" Life of Cheynel "-Lauder's Forgery against Milton-

Mrs. Anna Williams,

165

CHAPTER X.

1752-1753.

Progress of the Dictionary-Conclusion of the Rambler-Death of Mrs. Johnson-Prayer on

that Occasion-Inscription-Epitaph-Francis Barber-Robert Levett-Sir Joshua Reynolds

-Bennet Langton-Topham Beauclerk-Johnson assists Hawkesworth in "The Adven-

turer," Mrs. Charlotte Lennox,

192

CHAPTER XI.

1754.

Johnson writes the "Life of Cave "-The Dictionary-Lord Chesterfield-His alleged Neglect

of Johnson-His Papers in " The World," in Recommendation of the Dictionary-Letter to

the Earl-Bolingbroke's Works edited by Mallet-Johnson visits Oxford for the purpose of

consulting the Libraries-His Conversations with Mr. Warton, Mr. Wise, and others-Sir

Robert Chambers-Letters to Warton-Collins,
212

CHAPTER XII.

1755-1758.

Johnson receives the Degree of M. A. by Diploma-Correspondence with Warton and the au-

thorities of the University of Oxford-Publication of the Dictionary of the English Lan-

guage-Remarkable Definitions-Abridgment of the Dictionary-The Universal Visiter-

The Literary Magazine-Defence of Tea-Pulpit Discourses-Proposals for an Edition of

Shakspeare-Jonas Hanway-Soame Jenyns-Charles Burney,

228

"The Idler-Letters to Warton-Letters to Bennet Langton-Illness of Johnson's Mother-

Letters to her, and to Miss Porter-His Mother's Death-" Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia "

-Miscellanies-Excursion to Oxford-Francis Barber-John Wilkes-Smollett-Letter to

Mrs. Montagu-Mrs. Ogle-Mylne the Architect,

267

CHAPTER XIV.

1760-1763.

Miscellaneous Essays-Origin of Johnson's Acquaintance with Murphy-Akenside and Rolt-

Mackenzie and Eccles-Letters to Baretti-Painting and Music-Sir George Staunton-

Letter to a Lady soliciting Church Preferment for her Son-The King confers on Johnson a

Pension of £300 a Year-Letters to Lord Bute-Visit to Devonshire, with Sir Joshua Rey-

nolds-Character of Collins-Dedication of Hoole's Tasso,

286