ADVERTISEMENT TO THE THIRD EDITION. ANIMATED by the very favourable reception which two large impressions of this work have had', it has been my study to make it as perfect as I could in this edition, by correcting some inaccuracies which I discovered myself, and some which the kindness of friends or the scrutiny of adversaries pointed out. A few notes are added, of which the principal object is, to refute misrepresentation and cal umny. To the animadversions in the periodical Journals of criticism, and in the numerous publications to which my book has given rise, I have made no answer. Every work must stand or fall by its own merit. I cannot, however, omit this opportunity of returning thanks to a gentleman who published a Defence of my Journal, and has added to the favour by communicating his name to me in a very obliging letter. It would be an idle waste of time to take any particular notice of the futile remarks, to many of which, a petty national resentment, unworthy of my countrymen, has probably 1 Boswell in the 'Advertisement' to the second edition, dated Dec. 20, 1785, says that 'the whole of the first impression has been sold in a few weeks.' Three editions were published within a year, but the fourth was not issued till 1807. A German translation was published in Lübeck in 1787. I believe that in no language has a translation been published of the Life of Johnson. Johnson was indeed, as Boswell often calls him, 'a trueborn Englishman'-so English that foreigners could neither understand him nor relish his Life. V.-I given 4 Advertisement to the Third Edition. given rise; remarks which have been industriously circulated in the publick prints by shallow or envious cavillers, who have endeavoured to persuade the world that Dr. Johnson's character has been lessened by recording such various instances of his lively wit and acute judgment, on every topick that was presented to his mind. In the opinion of every person of taste and knowledge that I have conversed with, it has been greatly heightened; and I will venture to predict, that this specimen of the colloquial talents and extemporaneous effusions of my illustrious fellow-traveller will become still more valuable, when, by the lapse of time, he shall have become an ancient; when all those who can now bear testimony to the transcendent powers of his mind, shall have passed away; and no other memorial of this great and good man shall remain but the following Journal, the other anecdotes and letters preserved by his friends, and those incomparable works, which have for many years been in the highest estimation, and will be read and admired as long as the English language shall be spoken or understood. LONDON, 15th Aug. 1786. J. B. CONTENTS. CONTENTS. DEDICATION. ADVERTISEMENT. INTRODUCTION. Character of Dr. Johnson. He arrives in Scot- August 15. Sir William Forbes. Practice of the law. Emigra- August 16. Ogden on Prayer. Aphoristick writing. Edinburgh August 17. Poetry and Dictionary writing. Scepticism. Eternal August 18. Set out for the Hebrides. Sketch of the authour's Scotland on literary property. character. Trade of Glasgow. ours. Arrive at St. Andrews. Suicide. Inchkeith. Par- liamentary knowledge. Influence of Peers. Popular clam- August 19. Dr. Watson. Literature and patronage. Writing and The Union. Retirement cerning sorrow and content. Instructions for composition. August 20. Effect of prayer. Observance of Sunday. Professor remark on Dr. Johnson. August 21. Want of trees. Arrive at Montrose. Laurence Kirk. Dinner at Monbod- do. Emigration. Homer. Biography and history compared. Decrease Decrease of learning. Causes of it. Promotion of Bishops. Warburton. Lowth. Value of politeness. Dr. Johnson's sentiments concerning Lord Monboddo. Arrive at Aber- August 22. Professor Thomas Gordon. Publick and private edu- Dr. Johnson made a burgess of Aberdeen. Dinner August 24. Goldsmith and Graham. Slains castle. Education Peers. Sir Joshua Reynolds. Earl of Errol. Consequence of August 25. The advantage of being on good terms with relations. Nabobs. Life of country gentlemen. THE LITERARY CLUB. Use and importance of wealth. Leonidas. Paul Whitehead. Derrick. Origin of Evil. Calder-manse. Reasonableness of ecclesiastical sub- August 28. Fort George. Sir Adolphus Oughton. Contest be- Macbeth's Castle. Incorrectness of writers of Trav- August 30. Dr. Johnson on horse-back. A Highland hut. Fort September 6. Corrichatachin. Highland hospitality and mirth. Dr. Johnson's Latin ode to Mrs. Thrale. September 7. Uneasy state of dependence on the weather. State of those who live in the country. Dr. M'Pherson's Disserta- September 8. Rev. Mr. Donald M'Queen. Mr. Malcolm M'Cleod. Sail to Rasay. Fingal. Homer. Elegant and gay enter- September 9. Antiquity of the family of Rasay. Cure of infidelity. September 12. Sail to Portree. Dr. Johnson's discourse on death. Letters from Lord Elibank to Dr. Johnson and the authour. September 13. Distresses and escape of the grandson of King James September 14. Importance of the chastity of women. Dr. Cado- September 15. Sir George M'Kenzie. Mr. Burke's wit, knowledge. September 16. Dr. Johnson's hereditary melancholy. His minute knowledge in various arts. Apology for the authour's ardour September 18. Ancient residence of a Highland Chief. Languages Lady Grange in St. Kilda. Women an over-match for men. erati. Prize-fighting. French and English soldiers. Duelling. September 20. Change of London manners. |