Record Number: 20786

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Reading Experience:

Evidence:

'[extract of a letter from the Earl of Orrery to Dr Birch] I have just now seen the specimen of Mr Johnson's dictionary, addressed to Lord Chesterfield. I am much pleased with the plan, and I think the specimen is one of the best that I have ever read. Most specimens disgust, rather than prejudice us in favour of the work to follow; but the language of Mr Johnson's is good, and the arguments are properly and modestly expressed'.

Century:

1700-1799

Date:

30 Dec 1747

Country:

England

Time

n/a

Place:

n/a

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

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Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

John Boyle, 5th Earl of Orrery

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Male

Date of Birth:

13 Jan 1707

Socio-Economic Group:

Royalty / aristocracy

Occupation:

man of letters and peer

Religion:

n/a

Country of Origin:

England

Country of Experience:

England

Listeners present if any:
e.g family, servants, friends

n/a

Additional Comments:

n/a

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Text Being Read:

Author:

Samuel Johnson

Title:

[Plan or prospectus for his dictionary]

Genre:

Reference / General works

Form of Text:

Manuscript: Unknown

Publication Details

n/a

Provenance

borrowed (other)
the copy sent to Lord Chesterfield

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Source Information:

Record ID:

20786

Source:

Print

Author:

James Boswell

Editor:

R.W. Chapman

Title:

Life of Johnson

Place of Publication:

Oxford

Date of Publication:

1980

Vol:

n/a

Page:

134

Additional Comments:

n/a

Citation:

James Boswell , R.W. Chapman (ed.), Life of Johnson, (Oxford, 1980), p. 134, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=20786, accessed: 25 April 2024

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Additional Comments:

Originally published 1791.