strokes :-beginning at the upper part of the face, or the under-at the right side or the left side. Indeed when one considers what variety of sounds can be uttered by the windpipe, in the compass of a very small aperture, we may be convinced how many degrees of difference there may be in the application of a razor!" Never surely was there a more ludicrous combination. What could have been passing in the mind of this lively writer when he seriously brought the skill of a shaver, or "a thousand shavers," into comparison with that mysterious work of nature, the human voice? But these harmless foibles may be pardoned in one who at an early age had the sense and virtue to attach himself to such a man as Dr. JOHNSON, and to collect his colloqui-, al wit and wisdom, with a foresight that they would one day be read with as much avidity as they were accumulated; and that the most distinguished characters of the age would be happy to contribute to this monument in honour of one whom they esteemed "the brightest ornament of the eighteenth century*."

The failing in Dr. JOHNSON's character, which has been held up by his enemies in the strongest light, was the roughness of his temper. But this has been the favourite topic of objection and reproach chiefly with those who did not know, or were unwilling to confess that it was more than balanced by a gentleness and tenderness of heart, by a most friendly disposition, and by a love of society and social habits, such as seldom

*Mr. MALONE'S Preface to his edition of SHAKSPEARE. It may be necessary to add that Mr. MALONE has contributed many valuable articles to the last edition of BOSWELL'S Life of JOHNSON, published a few months ago.

;

are combined in the same character. For his occasional rudeness many excuses may be offered; Mr. BoswELL'S candour has not suffered him to conceal the best, when he says that he was too easily provoked by "absurdity and folly." Much of his peevishness evidently arose from the illtimed and ridiculous questions put to him by some of his visitors. They considered him as a man who was never to sit silent, never to give place to the conversation of others, but to be perpetually interrogated about every thing and by every body, that every body might go away and report in their circle what they said to JoKNSON, and what JOHNSON said to them. Whether well or ill, melancholy or cheerful, he was thus perpetually goaded and pricked, perpetually dragged into opinions which were sometimes inconsistent, and forced to make replies which were sometimes rude and angry. When these cases occur, and many of them are very obvious in Mr. BOSWELL'S work, they may surely "be passed over as the involuntary blows of a man agitated by the spasms of a convulsion*." although, when deprived of patience by teazing impertinence, his learning only conferred "that superiority which swells the heart of the lion in the desert, where he roars without reply, and ravages without resistancet," yet when treated with the respect due to him, and in the company where respect was reciprocal, a "little child might lead him.”

For

So many instances are given of the warmth of his friendship, and the tenderness of his heart, that it would be difficult to produce the name of a man who possessed these virtues, but epecially

* RAMBLER, No. 11.

RAMBLER, No. 72.

the last, in higher perfection. It is well known that he gave a fourth part at least of his income in charity, and his charity was of no common kind. It was such as we may say, without hazard of contradiction, few philanthropists would have courage or patience to imitate. Not content with bestowing his alms on the casual poor, he collected objects from the distressed of his acquaintance, received them into his house, as soon as he was rich enough to be master of a house, and gave them that shelter and assistance which scarcely any man thinks himself obliged to give unless to those who are connected by the nearer ties of blood. Dr. JOHNSON had no choice in the selection of the objects of this domestic charity, but their sufferings; to be poor and needy was sufficient recommendation, and to be peevish, discontented, and ungrateful, was neither a bar to their reception nor a plea for dismissing them. He literally fed and supported a set of objects who were torments to him by their evil and unthankful tempers; who sometimes drove him from his home to seek relief in company; and always made it in a certain degree uncomfortable. Yet this never stinted the measure of his kindness: in answer to any suggestions that might be offered by his friends on this subject, he had a ready answer, honourable to his head and heart; "If I dismiss them, who will take them in?"Out of the many instances upon record of this rigorous charity, the following may be selected as an eminent and almost matchless proof of tenderness of heart, and of the unwearied desire he had to administer those comforts to others which he frequently wanted himself. It is related by him in a private letter-" Mrs. Williams is in the country to try if she can im

prove her health; she is very ill. Matters have come so about that she is in the country with very good accommodation: but age, and sickness, and pride, have made her so peevish, that I was forced to bribe the maid to stay with her, by a secret stipulation of half a crown a week over her wages."

Such was the man whom some have reviled for his rudeness and his petulance, and by repeating a single anecdote to his disadvantage have multiplied it in imagination to a thousand; and have concluded, contrary to all evidence, that his whole conversation was repulsive, and his whole conduct unsocial. Yet, during his long life, no man's company was more courted by persons distinguished for genius or rank; and those who knew him most intimately held him in the highest veneration. Such respect paid by all who were admitted into his society, must have had a solid foundation; and without the knowledge we have now acquired of him, we must have looked upon that man as elevated beyond the common order who could procure such esteem, and preserve such attachments. And elevated he certainly was by morals, genius, and wisdom. With all his defects, not a single vice has been imputed to him; while he is allowed to have possessed every virtue in principle, and, as far as his limited means permitted, to have excelled in the practice. Every man who knew him was made wiser and better by the association; nor will it ever be forgotten, that in his presence neither wealth nor rank could protect those who dared to utter the language of irreligion or licentiousness.

His conversation abounded in information; on every topic of the most trifling kind he threw a new light; and many who thought they had settled their opinions, were surprised when by some unexpected illustration he proved that they had overlooked the point on which the whole depend ed. By a habit he appears to have early acquired of considering a question in every possible view, he was sometimes ready to take either side, and for the sake of contest or information, to argue contrary to his real opinion. This gave to conversation the spur and variety in which he delighted, but never was allowed to interfere with his preceptive duties; when he wrote for the public, he supported religion and morality upon their genuine principles, and delivered the senti ments which he honestly believed were the best calculated to promote the interests of truth and virtue. Indeed few men have more strictly adhered to truth on every occasion. His reverence for it was such that he never lost sight of its obligations in the most minute occurrences, and did not scruple to check the lax vivacity of his intimate friends, and those to whom he was most indebted.

It is however far from our intention to exhibit him as a perfect character. Such praise is foolishly given to a man in this state of being; nor is it necessary to attribute more to him than he claimed for himself. Compared to men in general, with regard to literary accomplishments, he was entitled to a just superiority, and he was conscious of it; and what man has ever excelled without being conscious of it? But it is hoped none will look upon him with less reverence, when they behold him as a fallible and peccant being, as a dependent creature entreating Heaven