SOME XVIII CENTURY

MEN OF LETTERS

BIOGRAPHICAL

ESSAYS

BY

THE REV WHITWELL ELWIN

SOME TIME EDITOR OF THE

QUARTERLY REVIEW

WITH A MEMOIR

EDITED BY HIS SON

WARWICK ELWIN

VOL II

STERNE-FIELDING-

GOLDSMITH-BOSWELL AND DR. JOHNSON-

GRAY

WITH PORTRAITS, ETC.

LONDON

JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET

CONTENTS

OF THE SECOND VOLUME

STERNE

Introductory Note-Parentage and birth-School at Halifax-Cam-

bridge-Ordination and marriage—First volumes of Tristram Shandy

-Bishop Warburton's patronage and criticisms-Publication of

Sermons-Hopes of promotion-Second portion of Tristram Shandy

-Third portion of Tristram Shandy-Illness-His "Shandeism"

-Residence in France-Scuffle with death in 1764-His vagrant

courtships-Relations with his wife-Fourth portion of Tristram

Shandy-Second instalment of Sermons—Infidelity and profanity—

Tour in France and Italy, 1765—Last portion of Tristram Shandy—

Mrs. Draper-Illness and anxiety in 1767-Publication of the Senti-

mental Journey-Last days-Death-Burial and memorial tablet-

Debts-Appearance and character-Genius-Tristram Shandy and

its characters-Scenes from Tristram Shandy-Literary qualities of

Tristram Shandy-The Sentimental Journey-The Sermons-

Sterne's moral obliquity

pages 1-81

FIELDING

Introductory Note-Ancestry and birth-School-days-Arrival in

London-Love in several Masques—His play-writing-Tom Thumb,

the Mock Doctor, and the Miser-Bartholomew Fair booth-Court-

ships and marriage-East Stower-Manager of Haymarket Theatre

-Student of the Middle Temple in 1737-Anonymous writing-

Called to the Bar-Publication of Joseph Andrews—Its characters—

Richardson's resentment-Death of child, 1742-Death of Wife-

Second marriage-The Wedding-day and the Miscellanies-Essays

on Conversation and Characters of Men-The Journey from this

World to the next-Jonathan Wild-The True Patriot and the

Jacobites' Journal-Bow Street Magistrate-Publication of Tom

Jones-His patrons-Amelia-The Covent Garden Journal-Legal

pamphlets and services-Voyage to Lisbon-Death-Appearance

and character-Literary qualities-Joseph Andrews-Tom Jones-

Amelia

83-152

GOLDSMITH

Introductory Note - Anomaly of Goldsmith's character - Dublin

University-Early wanderings-Travels on the Continent-Poor

physician-Usher at Peckham Academy-Assistant to Griffiths, the

publisher-Life of Grub Street authors-Dissolvement of engage-

ment with Griffiths-Poor authorship-Return to Peckham in 1758

-Nomination as physician at Coromandel-Failure to qualify at

Surgeons' Hall-Writing for the Monthly Review-Poverty and

depression-Life in Green Arbour Court-Enquiry into Present

State of Learning-The Bee-The Citizen of the World-Instances

of Goldsmith's credulity-Meeting with Dr. Johnson-His addiction

to dress-Compiler for Newbery-The Cock Lane ghost-Life of

Beau Nash-Removal to Islington, 1762-Letters from a Nobleman

to his Son-Arrest, and Dr. Johnson's intervention-The Traveller

-The Literary Club-Advance towards fame-Removal to the

Temple in 1764-The Vicar of Wakefield-The Good-natured Man-

History of Rome-Professor of History to Royal Academy-His

benevolence and simplicity-The Deserted Village-Visit to France

in 1770-Lives of Parnell and Bolingbroke-History of England-

Political opinions-She Stoops to Conquer-Extravagance and debts

-History of Animated Nature-Project for Dictionary of Arts and

Sciences-Retaliation - Death-Appearance and characteristics—

pages 153-233

Genius

BOSWELL AND DR. JOHNSON

Introductory Note

BOSWELL

Testimonies to his ability-The Life of Johnson-Skill in reporting talk

and character-Literary Lives-His venerations-Social qualities-

Religious opinions — Vanity— Dissoluteness and extravagance —

Attachments-Relations with Dr. Johnson

--

DR. JOHNSON

237-266

Greatness of character-Birth and infancy-His mother-His father-
Ill health and touch for the King's Evil-Mental precocity-Dame
Oliver's instruction-Lichfield Grammar School-Character as a boy
-Stourbridge School-Interregnum at Lichfield-Habits of reading
-At Oxford-Mr. Jorden, his tutor at Pembroke College-College
traits-Return to Lichfield-Second period at Oxford-Knowledge
of classics Political creed-Law's Serious Call - Ambitions-
Gelaleddin-Death of his father-Usher at Market Bosworth, 1732
-Translation of Lobo's Voyage-Proposals to Cave-Application
for Solihull Grammar School-Early loves-Mrs. Porter-Miss