rious importance, but all of conspicuous merit. In 1747 he published the plan of his English Dictionary' in a letter to the Earl of CHESTERFIELD, equally distinguished for its elegant language and great philological powers. In 1749 he produced The Vanity of Human Wishes,' in imitation of the tenth Satire of Juvenal; a poem of uncommon classical beauty, and replete with the finest maxims of morality. In this year, also, his tragedy of Irene' was brought upon the stage by his friend GARRICK, who was now become patentee of Drury-lane. As a poem, Irene ranks high for lofty sentiments and majestic language; but it is deficient in dramatic situation, and seldom appeals powerfully to the heart. The exertions and influence of GARRICK alone secured it from unanimous damnation; but after it had weathered the storm of popular opposition for nine nights, it was numbered with those that sleep. The 'Life of Savage' has been always mentioned as one of JOHNSON's most admired productions, and is indeed a gem of biography. It displays a deep insight into human life and character, and exhibits an individual portrait, such as few besides Johnson could have finished. Mr. BOSWELL has started doubts in favour of Lady MACCLESFIELD, but they are not satisfactorily supported; and the concurrence of all circumstances is against that unnatural woman. This beautiful memoir was originally communicated

Compare JOHNSON's Life of SAVAGE with BosWELL, vol. i. p. 131, et seq.

to the Gentleman's Magazine, and afterwards published separately, in 1744.

The variety of topics on which he had exercised his thoughts and his pen, probably suggested to him the next work in which he engaged, and on which a large share of his reputation is founded. This was his periodical paper, entitled 'The RAMBLER, which commenced in March 1750, and was continued at the rate of two papers a week, till March 1752. When it is considered that the contributions of other writers did not amount to more than ten papers *, the reader will rather admire the fertility of the author's mind in producing so much that is excellent, than criticise the general sameness of style and matter, and the occasional triteness of sentiment, disguised by pompous diction. JOHNSON, in this performance, appears as the warm and steadfast friend of religion and morality; and the English language does not afford compositions in which practical ethics are treated with more acuteness of observation, richness of illustration, and dignity of expression, than in many of these essays. In the walk of literary criticism he has also displayed much sagacity and sound judgment. These are the points in which the excellence of the RAMBLER consists: whenever the writer aims at representing actual life and manners, he betrays the very limited sphere of his knowledge, and his incapacity for adapting his style to light and gay topicst.'

They did not amount to more than five.-ED.
+ AIKIN's Biography, vol. v. p. 542.

This character by Dr. AIKIN, of the RAMBLER, is far below its merits: though Dr. JOHNSON, as a delineator of manners, cannot be compared with STEELE and ADDISON, yet his knowledge of the human heart was not a whit less profound than theirs. In 1752 JOHNSON was deprived of his wife; and though this dispensation was quite in the course of nature, yet he gave himself up to much ungovernable affliction. It was a part of JOHNSON's malady, that he could never comtemplate death, even remotely, without great discomposure: but when it advanced into his own little circle, and narrowed that, he was always formidably affected. He was evidently more depressed by the melancholy denunciations in the New Testament, than elevated by its promises; yet on the whole, he could never bring himself solemnly to record his belief in the doctrine of everlasting agonies. But he approached the subject at all times too tremblingly, and did not allow his great mind to examine, what, examining, it had unavoidably demolished!

6

In 1753 the ADVENTURER' was established by Dr. HAWKESWORTH, and JOHNSON became a liberal contributor notwithstanding the weightier avocation of his Dictionary,' on which he was now deeply engaged. It made its appearance in 1755, JOHNSON having been previously admitted by the senate of Oxford, to the honorary degree of M. A.-a distinction by which the university rather did honour to itself, than added any thing to the consolidated

glory of JOHNSON. Lord CHESTERFIELD had announced the coming publication in 'The WORLD,' and it is said, anticipated with some confidence the dedication; but his conduct to JOHNSON had all along been marked with too much of his characteristic heartlessness, that his vanity was to be so gratified. On the contrary, it was not even to escape with impunity; for the great lexicographer addressed him a letter so full of pointed irony and stern reproof, as must have covered with humiliation that insolent and unfeeling peer.

Notwithstanding the great fame and popularity of his Dictionary,' JOHNSON was still left to struggle against adversity; and in 1756, with shame and indignation we record it, the man who had deserved so splendidly of literature and his country, was under an arrest for the paltry sum of five pounds eighteen shillings! In the years immediately following, JOHNSON published The IDLER,' and his tale of RASSELAS,' which were both met from the press with the full gale of popularity and favour. Of RASSELAS, we are assured by Mr. BoswELL that JOHNSON wrote it to defray his mother's funeral expenses, and liquidate some small debts that she had left. He told Sir JOSHUA REYNOLDS, that he composed it in the evenings of one week, sent it to the press in portions as it was written, and had never since read it over. Mr. STRAHAN, Mr. JOHNSON, and Mr. DODSLEY, purchased it for a hundred pounds, but afterwards paid him twenty-five pounds more, when it came to a second edi

tion*. RASSELAS has been translated into most European languages, and is a very splendid performance, abounding in noble sentiments, and enriched with all the varied and magnificent imagery of the East; but its views of human life are gloomy and dispiriting, and impart to all outward objects a hue of unsatisfactory sadness.

In 1762, a representation having been made to his Majesty of JOHNSON's unprovided situation, GEORGE III. ordered him a pension of three hundred pounds a year, which he accepted, though not at first without some hesitation and reluctance; but at last, he came to consider it as a matter of right, for services rendered to his country. Indeed, so long as public services are to be paid from the public purse, we know not whence is to arise the claimant, who shall advance a better title than JOHNSON.-His edition of Shakspeare, published in 1765, is valuable principally for the capital disquisition in its preface, on the beauties and defects of our immortal dramatist. It is a masterly piece of criticism; but the edition disappointed the too high expectations that had been raised, and even did not go unattacked in the literary circles. JOHNSON's memorable interview with royalty in the library at Buckingham-house, in 1767, is interestingly related by BoswELL: he rather answered the King's questions than furnished any conversation himself, but he preserved throughout his characteristic originality of manner.

⚫ Boswell, vol. 1. p. 279.