CHAPTER IV.

1731-1736.

Johnson leaves Oxford.

Death of his Father. Mr. Gilbert

-

Captain Garrick. · - Mrs. Hill Boothby.

-

-

Walmesley.

"Molly Aston." Johnson becomes Usher of Market-

Bosworth School. Removes to Birmingham. - Trans-

lates Lobo's Voyage 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."

-

-

-

-

Page 81

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.

1

Returns to Lichfield,

and finishes " Irene." Removes to London with his

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

-

CHAPTER VI.

110

1738-1741.

"London, a Poem."-He endeavours, without Success, to obtain

the Degree of Master of Arts. - Recommended by Pope to

Earl Gower. - The Earl's Letter on his Behalf.

a Translation of Father Paul Sarpi's History. — Publishes

"A Complete Vindication of the Licensers of the Stage"

-and "Marmor Norfolciense.". Pope's Note to Richard-

son concerning him. Characteristic Anecdotes. - Debates

in Parliament, under the Disguise of "the Senate of

Lilliput."

"Irene: "

CHAPTER VII.

1741-1744.

Lives of Burman and Syden-

"Essay on the Account of the Conduct of the

Duchess of Marlborough:

ham: ""Proposals for printing Bibliotheca Harleiana."

Projects a History of Parliament. Writes "Consider-

ations on the Dispute between Crousaz and Warburton on

Pope's Essay on Man: "-"Dedication to James's Dic-

tionary: Friendship, an Ode.". His extreme In-

digence at this Time.

- His Acquaintance with Savage.

Anecdotes. "The Life of Richard Savage.". Case of

the Countess of Macclesfield. -"Preface to the Harleian

Miscellany."

—66

-

-

-

Page 173

CHAPTER VIII.

1745-1749.

"Miscellaneous Observations on Macbeth," and "Pro-

posals for a new Edition of Shakspeare."

-66 Prologue,

spoken by Garrick, on the opening of Drury Lane Theatre."

- Prospectus of the Dictionary of the English Language.-

Progress of the Work.

-

- King's Head Club in Ivy Lane.

Visit to Tunbridge Wells. -"Life of Roscommon."

"Preface to Dodsley's Preceptor.”. "Vision of Theodore

the Hermit."

-

"The Vanity of Human Wishes."

"Irene" acted at Drury Lane.

CHAPTER IX.

-

203

Johnson's Prayer on commencing the

· Obligations to Correspondents.

Success of the Rambler.

-

· Collected into Volumes.

-

-

"Beauties" of the Rambler.-Prologue spoken by Garrick,

for the Benefit of Milton's Grand-daughter. "Life of

Cheynel." Lauder's Forgeries against Milton. - Mrs.

Anna Williams.

--

-

233

CHAPTER X.

1752-1753.

· In-

Progress of the Dictionary. Conclusion of the Rambler. -

Death of Mrs. Johnson. Prayer on that Occasion.

scription. Epitaph. Francis Barber. ·

-

-

-

-

- Robert Levett.

Topham

Sir Joshua Reynolds. Bennet Langton.

Beauclerk. - Johnson assists Hawkesworth in "The Ad-

venturer." -

- Mrs. Charlotte Lenox.

Page 277

APPENDIX.

No. I. MICHAEL JOHNSON, FATHER TO THE DOCTOR

311

No. II. DR. JOHNSON'S ACCOUNT OF HIS OWN EARLY LIFE 316

"AFTER MY DEATH I WISH NO OTHER HERALD,
NO OTHER SPEAKER OF MY LIVING ACTIONS,
TO KEEP MINE HONOUR FROM CORRUPTION,
BUT SUCH AN HONEST CHRONICLER AS GRIFFITH." (')

SHAKSPEARE, Henry VIII.

(1) See Dr. Johnson's letter to Mrs. Thrale, dated Ostick in Skie, September 30. 1773:-"Boswell writes a regular journal of our travels, which, I think, contains as much of what I say and do, as of all other occurrences together; 'for such a faithful chronicler is Griffith."" - Boswell.