'I got from my town head the idea that the world was made for us all and not for the few....so became a Socialist. But the war and its shocks and the good books I've read since have brought me out and shown me that I would have done my duty and my country much better that many. "Ambassador Dodd's Diary" helped me a lot. He was sincere and true. I've seen how the few good souls in all countries who warned us re Germany and Japan were ignored and fools went on their way rejoicing in their power luxuries and parties - and ignorance...I see that privilege got these fools into power...Books have helped a lot... this newest is fine, "your M.P." by Tiberius G......And I who know nothing am not satisfied with my education...know I'd have used the chances...'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: unknown Print: Book
'This letter [printed above; from Dr Dodd, a clergyman condemned to death, asking Johnson to help him appeal for clemency to the King] was brought to Dr. Johnson when in church. He stooped down and read it, and wrote, when he went home, the following letter for Dr. Dodd to the King. [reproduced below]'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Johnson Manuscript: Letter
'On Sunday, April 12, I found him at home before dinner; Dr. Dodd's poem entitled "Thoughts in Prison" was lying upon his table. This appearing to me an extraordinary effort by a man who was in Newgate for a capital crime, I was desirous to hear Johnson's opinion of it: to my surprize, he told me he had not read a line of it. I took up the book and read a passage to him. JOHNSON. "Pretty well, if you are previously disposed to like them". I read another passage, with which he was better pleased. He then took the book into his own hands, and having looked at the prayer at the end of it, he said, "What evidence is there that this was composed the night before he suffered? I do not believe it". He then read aloud where he prays for the King, &c. and observed, "Sir, do you think that a man the night before he is to be hanged cares for the succession of a royal family?--Though, he may have composed this prayer, then. A man who has been canting all his life, may cant to the last.--And yet a man who has been refused a pardon after so much petitioning, would hardly be praying thus fervently for the King".
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Johnson Print: Book
'On Sunday, April 12, I found him at home before dinner; Dr. Dodd's poem entitled "Thoughts in Prison" was lying upon his table. This appearing to me an extraordinary effort by a man who was in Newgate for a capital crime, I was desirous to hear Johnson's opinion of it: to my surprize, he told me he had not read a line of it. I took up the book and read a passage to him. JOHNSON. "Pretty well, if you are previously disposed to like them". I read another passage, with which he was better pleased. He then took the book into his own hands, and having looked at the prayer at the end of it, he said, "What evidence is there that this was composed the night before he suffered? I do not believe it". He then read aloud where he prays for the King, &c. and observed, "Sir, do you think that a man the night before he is to be hanged cares for the succession of a royal family?--Though, he may have composed this prayer, then. A man who has been canting all his life, may cant to the last.--And yet a man who has been refused a pardon after so much petitioning, would hardly be praying thus fervently for the King".
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: James Boswell Print: Book
