√ Century of Experience Evidence Name of Reader / Listener / Reading Group Author of Text Title of Text Form of Text 1700-1799 '[Johnson opined that] Burton's "Anatomy of Melancholy" is a valuable work. It is, perhaps, overloaded with quotation. But there is a great spirit and great power in what... Samuel Johnson Robert Burton Anatomy of Melancholy, The Print : Book1700-1799 'Boswell. "But, Sir, may there not be very good conversation without a contest for superiority." Johnson. "No animated conversation, Sir; for it cannot be but one or othe... Samuel Johnson Jason de Nores [edition of Horace with commentary] Print : Book1700-1799 'Boswell. "But, Sir, may there not be very good conversation without a contest for superiority." Johnson. "No animated conversation, Sir; for it cannot be but one or othe... Samuel Johnson Richard Bentley [edition of Horace with commentary] Print : Book1700-1799 ' [Johnson said] "When Lord Lyttelton's 'Dialogues of the Dead' came out, one of which is between Apicius, an ancient epicure, and Dartineuf, a modern epicure, Dodsley sa... Samuel Johnson John Campbell Political Survey of Great Britain, A Print : Book1700-1799 'I censured some ludicrous fantastick dialogues between two coach horses and other such stuff, which Baretti had lately published. He joined with me and said, "Nothing od... Samuel Johnson Laurence Sterne Life and Opinions of Tristam Shandy Print : Book1700-1799 'He spoke slightingly of Dyer's "Fleece".— "The subject, Sir, cannot be made poetical. How can a man write poetically of serges and druggets ? Yet you will hear many peop... Samuel Johnson John Dyer Fleece, The Print : Book1700-1799 'He spoke slightingly of Dyer's "Fleece".— "The subject, Sir, cannot be made poetical. How can a man write poetically of serges and druggets ? Yet you will hear many peop... Samuel Johnson James Grainger Sugar Cane, The Print : Book1700-1799 'He spoke slightingly of Dyer's "Fleece".— "The subject, Sir, cannot be made poetical. How can a man write poetically of serges and druggets ? Yet you will hear many peop... Samuel Johnson James Grainger Poetical translation of the elegies of Tibullus, A... Print : Book1700-1799 '[At the home of the Quaker Mr Lloyd] I having asked to look at Baskerville's edition of "Barclay's Apology", Johnson laid hold of it; and the chapter on baptism happenin... Samuel Johnson Robert Barclay Apology for the True Christian Divinity Print : Book1700-1799 ' [Johnson said] The excellent Mr. Nelson's "Festivals and Fasts," which has, I understand, the greatest sale of any book ever printed in England, except the Bible, is a ... Samuel Johnson Robert Nelson Companion for the Festivals and Fasts of the Churc... Print : Book1700-1799 ' [Johnson said] The excellent Mr. Nelson's "Festivals and Fasts," which has, I understand, the greatest sale of any book ever printed in England, except the Bible, is a ... Samuel Johnson Joseph Holden Pott [sermons on church holidays] Print : Unknown1700-1799 'Mr. Seward mentioned to us the observations which he had made upon the strata of earth in volcanoes, from which it appeared, that they were so very different in depth at... Samuel Johnson Patrick Brydone Tour Through Sicily and Malta. In A Series of Lett... Print : Book1700-1799 'Johnson had with him upon this jaunt, "Il Palmerino d'Inghilterra", a romance praised by Cervantes; but did not like it much. He said, he read it for the language, by wa... Samuel Johnson Francisco de Morais Il Palmerino d'Inghilterra Print : Book1700-1799 'He recommended Dr. Cheyne's books. I said, I thought Cheyne had been reckoned whimsical. "So he was, (said he,) in some things; but there is no end of objections. There ... Samuel Johnson George Cheyne English Malady, The: or, A Treatise of Nervous Dis... Print : Book1700-1799 'He recommended Dr. Cheyne's books. I said, I thought Cheyne had been reckoned whimsical. "So he was, (said he,) in some things; but there is no end of objections. There ... Samuel Johnson George Cheyne Essay on Health and Long Life Print : Book1700-1799 '[Dr Johnson] expressed his disapprobation of Dr. Hurd, for having published a mutilated edition under the title of "Select Works of Abraham Cowley". Mr. Murphy thought i... Samuel Johnson Abraham Cowley Selected Works Print : Book1700-1799 'We talked of Flatman's Poems; and Mrs. Thrale observed, that Pope had partly borrowed from him "The dying Christian to his Soul". Johnson repeated Rochester's verses upo... Samuel Johnson Thomas Flatman [Poems] Print : Book1700-1799 'Mr. Murphy said, that "The Memoirs of Gray's Life" set him much higher in his estimation than his poems did; "for you there saw a man constantly at work in literature". ... Samuel Johnson Thomas Gray [Memoirs] Print : Book1700-1799 'Mr. Murphy said, that "The Memoirs of Gray's Life" set him much higher in his estimation than his poems did; "for you there saw a man constantly at work in literature". ... Samuel Johnson Mark Akenside [Poems] Print : Book1700-1799 'Mr. Murphy said, that "The Memoirs of Gray's Life" set him much higher in his estimation than his poems did; "for you there saw a man constantly at work in literature". ... Samuel Johnson William Mason [Poems] Print : Book1700-1799 'Talking of the Reviews, Johnson said, "I think them very impartial: I do not know an instance of partiality". He mentioned what had passed upon the subject of the "Month... Samuel Johnson Monthly Review Print : Serial / periodical1700-1799 'Talking of the Reviews, Johnson said, "I think them very impartial: I do not know an instance of partiality". He mentioned what had passed upon the subject of the "Month... Samuel Johnson Critical Review Print : Serial / periodical1700-1799 'Talking of "The Spectator", he said, "It is wonderful that there is such a proportion of bad papers, in the half of the work which was not written by Addison; for there ... Samuel Johnson Henry Grove 'Novelty' [essay in The Spectator] Print : Serial / periodical1700-1799 'Dr. Johnson said, "Thomson had a true poetical genius, the power of viewing every thing in a poetical light. His fault is such a cloud of words sometimes, that the sense... Samuel Johnson James Thomson [Poems] Print : Book1700-1799 ' [Johnson said] You may find wit and humour in verse, and yet no poetry. "Hudibras" has a profusion of these; yet it is not to be reckoned a poem. 'The Spleen', in Dodsl... Samuel Johnson Ibbot 'Fit of the Spleen, A' Print : Book1700-1799 'I observed the great defect of the tragedy of "Othello" was, that it had not a moral; for that no man could resist the circumstances of suspicion which were artfully sug... Samuel Johnson William Shakespeare Othello Print : Book1700-1799 'He said, he wished to see John Dennis's "Critical Works" collected. Davies said they would not sell. Dr. Johnson seemed to think otherwise.'
Samuel Johnson John Dennis [critical works] Print : Serial / periodical, presumably not in a book if Johnson wanted them to be collected1700-1799 'He told us, he read Fielding's "Amelia" through without stopping'. Samuel Johnson Henry Fielding Amelia Print : Book1700-1799 'Sir Joshua [Reynolds] mentioned Mr. Cumberland's "Odes", which were just published. JOHNSON. "Why, Sir, they would have been thought as good as Odes commonly are, if Cum... Samuel Johnson Richard Cumberland [Odes] Print : Book1700-1799 'He told me that "so long ago as 1748 he had read 'The Grave, a Poem', but did not like it much." I differed from him; for though it is not equal throughout, and is seldo... Samuel Johnson Robert Blair 'The Grave, a Poem' Print : Unknown1700-1799 'On Monday, April 29, he and I made an excursion to Bristol, where I was entertained with seeing him enquire upon the spot, into the authenticity of 'Rowley's Poetry,' as... Samuel Johnson Thomas Chatterton [poems supposedly by Thomas Rowley] Manuscript : Unknown1700-1799 'Johnson said of Chatterton, "This is the most extraordinary young man that has encountered my knowledge. It is wonderful how the whelp has written such things".'
Samuel Johnson Thomas Chatterton [poems supposedly by Thomas Rowley] Manuscript : Unknown1700-1799 ' [Johnson said] The little volumes entitled "Respublicae", which are very well done, were a bookseller's work'.
Samuel Johnson Respublicae Print : Book1700-1799 ' [Johnson said] Lord Chesterfield's "Letters to his Son", I think, might be made a very pretty book. Take out the immorality, and it should be put into the hands of ever... Samuel Johnson Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield Letters to his Son Print : Book1700-1799 'I read (said he [Johnson],) Sharpe's letters on Italy over again, when I was at Bath. There is a great deal of matter in them.' Samuel Johnson Samuel Sharp Letters from Italy, describing the Customs and Man... Print : Book1700-1799 ' [Johnson said] Lord Hailes's "Annals of Scotland" have not that painted form which is the taste of this age; but it is a book which will always sell, it has such a stab... Samuel Johnson David Dalrymple, Lord Hailes Annals of Scotland Print : Book1700-1799 'I asked him whether he would advise me to read the Bible with a commentary, and what commentaries he would recommend. JOHNSON. "To be sure, Sir, I would have you read th... Samuel Johnson William Lowth [biblical commentaries - old testament] Print : Book1700-1799 'I asked him whether he would advise me to read the Bible with a commentary, and what commentaries he would recommend. JOHNSON. "To be sure, Sir, I would have you read th... Samuel Johnson Patrick [biblical commentaries - old testament] Print : Book1700-1799 'I asked him whether he would advise me to read the Bible with a commentary, and what commentaries he would recommend. JOHNSON. "To be sure, Sir, I would have you read th... Samuel Johnson Henry Hammond A Paraphrase and Annotations Upon All the Books of... Print : Book1700-1799 'BOSWELL. "Yet Cibber was a man of observation?" JOHNSON. "I think not." BOSWELL. "You will allow his 'Apology' to be well done". JOHNSON. "Very well done, to be sure, Si... Samuel Johnson Colley Cibber [Plays] Print : Book1700-1799 'BOSWELL. "Yet Cibber was a man of observation?" JOHNSON. "I think not." BOSWELL. "You will allow his 'Apology' to be well done". JOHNSON. "Very well done, to be sure, Si... Samuel Johnson Colley Cibber An Apology for the Life of Mr. Colley Cibber Print : Book1700-1799 '[Johnson said] He [Colley Cibber] abused Pindar to me, and then shewed me an Ode of his own, with an absurd couplet, making a linnet soar on an eagle's wing. I told him ... Samuel Johnson Colley Cibber [an Ode] Manuscript : Unknown1700-1799 'Dr. Johnson and Mr. Wilkes talked of the contested passage in Horace's "Art of Poetry", "[italics] Difficile est proprie communia dicere.[end italics]' Mr. Wilkes accord... Samuel Johnson Horace Ars poetica Print : Book1700-1799 '[Boswell having complained that he was suffering from melancholy, Johnson wrote] 'Read Cheyne's "English Malady"; but do not let him teach you a foolish notion that mela... Samuel Johnson George Cheyne English Malady, The Print : Book1700-1799 ' [letter from Johnson to Boswell] Since I wrote, I have looked over Mr. Maclaurin's plea, and think it excellent. [ a legal case Boswell was involved in] How is the suit... Samuel Johnson [legal documents relating to Mr Maclaurin] Manuscript : Unknown1700-1799 '[letter from Boswell to Johnson] I have, since I saw you, read every word of Granger's "Biographical History". It has entertained me exceedingly, and I do not think him ... Samuel Johnson James Granger Biographical History of England from Egbert the Gr... Print : Book1700-1799 '[letter from Johnson to Boswell] Xenophon observes, in his "Treatise of Oeconomy", that if every thing be kept in a certain place, when any thing is worn out or consumed... Samuel Johnson Xenophon Oeconomicus Print : Book1700-1799 ' [publisher Mr Strahan] received from Johnson on Christmas-eve, a note in which was the following paragraph:
"I have read over Dr. Blair's first sermon with more tha... Samuel Johnson Hugh Blair [a sermon] Manuscript : Unknown1700-1799 ' [letter from Johnson to Boswell] Dr. Blair is printing some sermons. If they are all like the first, which I have read, they are [italics] sermones aurei, ac auro magis... Samuel Johnson Hugh Blair [A Sermon] Manuscript : Unknown1700-1799 ' [letter from Johnson to Boswell] Please to return Dr. Blair thanks for his sermons. The Scotch write English wonderfully well.' Samuel Johnson Hugh Blair Sermons Print : Book1700-1799 '[letter from Johnson to Charles O' Connor] Dr. Leland begins his history too late: the ages which deserve an exact enquiry are those times (for such there were) when Ire... Samuel Johnson Thomas Leland History of Ireland from the Invasion of Henry II, ... Print : Book1700-1799 '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 ... Samuel Johnson William Dodd [letter] Manuscript : Letter1700-1799 'In the afternoon I tried to get Dr. Johnson to like the Poems of Mr. Hamilton of Bangour, which I had brought with me: I had been much pleased with them at a very early ... Samuel Johnson William Hamilton 'Ah the poor shepherd's mournful fate' Print : Book1700-1799 'In the afternoon I tried to get Dr. Johnson to like the Poems of Mr. Hamilton of Bangour, which I had brought with me: I had been much pleased with them at a very early ... Samuel Johnson William Hamilton [imitations of Horace] Print : Book1700-1799 'In the afternoon I tried to get Dr. Johnson to like the Poems of Mr. Hamilton of Bangour, which I had brought with me: I had been much pleased with them at a very early ... Samuel Johnson William Hamilton 'Inscription in a Summer house' Print : Book1700-1799 'In the afternoon I tried to get Dr. Johnson to like the Poems of Mr. Hamilton of Bangour, which I had brought with me: I had been much pleased with them at a very early ... Samuel Johnson William Hamilton [poem on Winter] Print : Book1700-1799 'He [Johnson] observed, that a gentleman of eminence in literature [Thomas Warton] had got into a bad style of poetry of late. "He puts (said he) a very common thing in a... Samuel Johnson Thomas Warton [poems] Print : Book1700-1799 ' [Johnson] praised Blair's sermons: "Yet", said he, (willing to let us see he was aware that fashionable fame, however deserved, is not always the most lasting,) "perhap... Samuel Johnson Hugh Blair Sermons Print : Book1700-1799 'He [Johnson] was much diverted with an article which I shewed him in the "Critical Review" of this year, giving an account of a curious publication, entitled, "A Spiritu... Samuel Johnson Critical Review Print : Serial / periodical1700-1799 'I talked to him [Johnson] of Forster's "Voyage to the South Seas", which pleased me; but I found he did not like it. "Sir, (said he,) there is a great affectation of fin... Samuel Johnson George Forster Voyage Round the World in his Britannic Majesty's ... Print : Book1700-1799 'Mr. Burke's "Letter to the Sheriffs of Bristol, on the affairs of America", being mentioned, Johnson censured the composition much, and he ridiculed the definition of a ... Samuel Johnson Edmund Burke Letter To The Sheriffs Of Bristol Print : Unknown1700-1799 'Talking of Rochester's Poems, he said, he had given them to Mr. Steevens to castrate for the edition of the poets, to which he was to write Prefaces. Dr. Taylor (the onl... Samuel Johnson Gilbert Burnet Some passages of the life and death of the Right H... Print : Book1700-1799 'Talking of Rochester's Poems, he said, he had given them to Mr. Steevens to castrate for the edition of the poets, to which he was to write Prefaces. Dr. Taylor (the onl... Samuel Johnson John Wilmot, Lord Rochester [Poems] Print : Book1700-1799 'I asked whether Prior's Poems were to be printed entire: Johnson said they were. I mentioned Lord Hailes's censure of Prior, in his Preface to a collection of "Sacred Po... Samuel Johnson Matthew Prior [Poems] Print : Book1700-1799 'He repeated a good many lines of Horace's "Odes", while we were in the chaise. I remember particularly the Ode [italics] Eheu fugaces [italics].
He said, the dispute... Samuel Johnson Horace Odes Print : Book1700-1799 'He repeated a good many lines of Horace's "Odes", while we were in the chaise. I remember particularly the Ode [italics] Eheu fugaces [italics].
He said, the dispute... Samuel Johnson Virgil Aeneid Print : Book1700-1799 'He repeated a good many lines of Horace's "Odes", while we were in the chaise. I remember particularly the Ode [italics] Eheu fugaces [italics].
He said, the dispute... Samuel Johnson Homer Iliad and Odyssey Print : Book1700-1799 'He [Johnson] told me that Bacon was a favourite authour with him; but he had never read his works till he was compiling the "English Dictionary", in which, he said, I mi... Samuel Johnson Francis Bacon Print : Book1700-1799 'He praised Grainger's "Ode on Solitude", in Dodsley's "Collection", and repeated, with great energy, the exordium:-
"O Solitude, romantick maid,
Whether by nodding... Samuel Johnson James Grainger 'Ode on Solitude' Print : Book1700-1799 'Johnson. "I have been reading Thicknesse's Travels, which I think are entertaining." Boswell. "What, Sir, a good book?" Johnson. "Yes, Sir, to read once; I do not say yo... Samuel Johnson Philip Thicknesse Observations on the Customs and Manners of the Fre... Print : Book1700-1799 'He [Johnson] was very silent this evening ; and read in a variety of books ; suddenly throwing down one, and taking up another.'
Samuel Johnson Print : Book1700-1799 'I had lent him "An Account of Scotland, in 1702," written by a man of various enquiry, an English chaplain to a regiment stationed there. JOHNSON. "It is sad stuff, Sir,... Samuel Johnson Martin Martin Description of the Western Isles of Scotland Print : Book1700-1799 'I had lent him "An Account of Scotland, in 1702," written by a man of various enquiry, an English chaplain to a regiment stationed there. JOHNSON. "It is sad stuff, Sir,... Samuel Johnson Thomas Morer Short Account of Scotland Print : Book1700-1799 'He [Johnson] was for a considerable time occupied in reading "Memoires de Fontenelle" leaning and swinging upon the low gate into the court, without his hat.'
Samuel Johnson abbe Trublet Mémoires pour servir a l'histoire de la vie et des... Print : Book1700-1799 'Sir John Pringle had expressed a wish that I would ask Dr. Johnson's opinion what were the best English sermons for style. I took an opportunity to-day of mentioning sev... Samuel Johnson Francis Atterbury [Sermons] Print : Unknown1700-1799 'Sir John Pringle had expressed a wish that I would ask Dr. Johnson's opinion what were the best English sermons for style. I took an opportunity to-day of mentioning sev... Samuel Johnson John Tillotson [Sermons] Print : Unknown1700-1799 'Sir John Pringle had expressed a wish that I would ask Dr. Johnson's opinion what were the best English sermons for style. I took an opportunity to-day of mentioning sev... Samuel Johnson Robert South [Sermons] Print : Unknown1700-1799 'Sir John Pringle had expressed a wish that I would ask Dr. Johnson's opinion what were the best English sermons for style. I took an opportunity to-day of mentioning sev... Samuel Johnson Seed [Sermons] Print : Unknown1700-1799 'Sir John Pringle had expressed a wish that I would ask Dr. Johnson's opinion what were the best English sermons for style. I took an opportunity to-day of mentioning sev... Samuel Johnson John Jortin [Sermons] Print : Unknown1700-1799 'Sir John Pringle had expressed a wish that I would ask Dr. Johnson's opinion what were the best English sermons for style. I took an opportunity to-day of mentioning sev... Samuel Johnson George Smallridge [Sermons] Print : Unknown1700-1799 'Sir John Pringle had expressed a wish that I would ask Dr. Johnson's opinion what were the best English sermons for style. I took an opportunity to-day of mentioning sev... Samuel Johnson Samuel Clarke [Sermons] Print : Unknown1700-1799 'Sir John Pringle had expressed a wish that I would ask Dr. Johnson's opinion what were the best English sermons for style. I took an opportunity to-day of mentioning sev... Samuel Johnson Samuel Ogden [Sermons] Print : Unknown1700-1799 'I found him at home in the morning. He praised Delany's "Observations on Swift ;" said that his book and Lord Orrery's might both be true, though one viewed Swift more, ... Samuel Johnson Patrick Delany Observations upon Lord Orrery's Remarks on the Lif... Print : Book1700-1799 'I found him at home in the morning. He praised Delany's "Observations on Swift ;" said that his book and Lord Orrery's might both be true, though one viewed Swift more, ... Samuel Johnson John Boyle, 5th earl of Orrery Remarks on the life and writings of Dr. Jonathan S... Print : Book1700-1799 'The Bishop said, it appeared from Horace's writings that he was a cheerful contented man. Johnson. "We have no reason to believe that, my Lord. Are we to think Pope was ... Samuel Johnson Edward Young Print : Book1700-1799 'Langton. "There is not one bad line in that poem [Goldsmith's 'The Traveller']— no one of Dryden's careless verses." Sir Joshua. "I was glad to hear Charles Fox say, it ... Samuel Johnson Oliver Goldsmith Traveller, The Print : Unknown1700-1799 'After wandering about in a kind of pleasing distraction for some time, I got into a corner, with Johnson, Garrick, and Harris. GARRICK: (to Harris.) "Pray, Sir, have you... Samuel Johnson Aeschylus Print : Book1700-1799 'After wandering about in a kind of pleasing distraction for some time, I got into a corner, with Johnson, Garrick, and Harris. GARRICK: (to Harris.) "Pray, Sir, have you... Samuel Johnson Homer Iliad and Odyssey Print : Book1700-1799 'JOHNSON. "Sir William Temple was the first writer who gave cadence to English prose. Before his time they were careless of arrangement, and did not mind whether a senten... Samuel Johnson Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon Print : Book1700-1799 'JOHNSON. "Sir William Temple was the first writer who gave cadence to English prose. Before his time they were careless of arrangement, and did not mind whether a senten... Samuel Johnson William Temple Print : Book1700-1799 'He [Johnson] told us, that he had given Mrs. Montagu a catalogue of all Daniel Defoe's works of imagination; most, if not all of which, as well as of his other works, he... Samuel Johnson Daniel Defoe Print : Book1700-1799 ' [Johnson said] "Sir, you know the notion of confinement may be extended, as in the song, "Every island is a prison." There is, in Dodsley's 'Collection', a copy of vers... Samuel Johnson Robert Dodsley Collection of Poems by Several Hands Print : Book1700-1799 ' [Johnson said] "Sir, you know the notion of confinement may be extended, as in the song, "Every island is a prison." There is, in Dodsley's 'Collection', a copy of vers... Samuel Johnson Edmund Smith 'Thales; a monody, sacred to the memory of Dr. Poc... Print : Unknown1700-1799 'I this evening boasted, that although I did not write what is called stenography, or short-hand, in appropriated characters devised for the purpose, I had a method of my... Samuel Johnson William Robertson History of America Print : Book1700-1799 '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 eff... Samuel Johnson William Dodd Thoughts in Prison Print : Book1700-1799 'Books of Travels having been mentioned, Johnson praised Pennant very highly, as he did at Dunvegan, in the Isle of Sky. Dr. Percy, knowing himself to be the heir male of... Samuel Johnson Thomas Pennant Tour in Scotland in 1769, A Print : Book1700-1799 'JOHNSON. "He's [Pennant] a [italics] Whig [end italics], Sir; a [italics]sad dog [end italics]. (smiling at his own violent expressions, merely for [italics] political [... Samuel Johnson Thomas Pennant Tour in Scotland in 1769 Print : Book1700-1799 'Johnson had said that he could repeat a complete chapter of "The Natural History of Iceland", from the Danish of Horrebow, the whole of which was exactly thus:--
"CH... Samuel Johnson Niels Horebow Natural history of Iceland, The Print : Book1700-1799 'Before dinner Dr. Johnson seized upon Mr. Charles Sheridan's "Account of the late Revolution in Sweden", and seemed to read it ravenously, as if he devoured it, which wa... Samuel Johnson Charles Sheridan History of the late revolution in Sweden , A Print : Book1700-1799 'DILLY. "Mrs. Glasse's "Cookery", which is the best, was written by Dr. Hill. Half the trade know this.' JOHNSON. "Well, Sir. This shews how much better the subject of co... Samuel Johnson Hannah Glass Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy Print : Book1700-1799 'JOHNSON. "O! Mr. Dilly-you must know that an English Benedictine Monk at Paris has translated "The Duke of Berwick's Memoirs", from the original French, and has sent the... Samuel Johnson James Fitzjames, 1st Duke of Berwick Memoirs of the Marshall Duke of Berwick Manuscript : Unknown1700-1799 'Dr. Mayo having asked Johnson's opinion of Soame Jenyns's "View of the Internal Evidence of the Christian Religion";--JOHNSON. "I think it a pretty book; not very theolo... Samuel Johnson Soame Jenyns View of the Internal Evidence of the Christian Rel... Print : Book1700-1799 'JOHNSON. "The fallacy of that book [Mandeville's "Fable of the Bees"] is, that Mandeville defines neither vices nor benefits. He reckons among vices everything that give... Samuel Johnson Bernard Mandeville Fable of the Bees: or, Private Vices, Publick Bene... Print : Book1700-1799 'Soon after the Honourable Daines Barrington had published his excellent "Observations on the Statutes", Johnson waited on that worthy and learned gentleman; and, having ... Samuel Johnson Daines Barrington Observations on the Statutes, chiefly the more anc... Print : Book1700-1799 'We talked of a lady's verses on Ireland. MISS REYNOLDS. "Have you seen them, Sir?" JOHNSON. "No, Madam. I have seen a translation from Horace, by one of her daughters. S... Samuel Johnson Miss Lucan [translation from Horace] Manuscript : Unknown1700-1799 'He begged of General Paoli to repeat one of the introductory stanzas of the first book of Tasso's "Jerusalem", which he did, and then Johnson found fault with the simile... Samuel Johnson Lucretius Print : Book1700-1799 'He begged of General Paoli to repeat one of the introductory stanzas of the first book of Tasso's "Jerusalem", which he did, and then Johnson found fault with the simile... Samuel Johnson Homer Print : Book1700-1799 'He begged of General Paoli to repeat one of the introductory stanzas of the first book of Tasso's "Jerusalem", which he did, and then Johnson found fault with the simile... Samuel Johnson Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War Print : Book'We talked of antiquarian researches. JOHNSON. "All that is really known of the ancient state of Britain is contained in a few pages. We can know no more than what the ol... Samuel Johnson John Whitaker History of Manchester Print : Book'He [Johnson] said, "I read yesterday Dr. Blair's sermon on Devotion, from the text 'Cornelius, a devout man.' His doctrine is the best limited, the best expressed: there... Samuel Johnson Hugh Blair [Sermon on Devotion] Print : Unknown'He [Johnson] said, "I have been reading Lord Kames's 'Sketches of the History of Man'. In treating of severity of punishment, he mentions that of Madame Lapouchin, in Ru... Samuel Johnson Henry Home, Lord Kames Sketches of the History of Man Print : Book'He [Johnson] said, "I have been reading Lord Kames's 'Sketches of the History of Man'. In treating of severity of punishment, he mentions that of Madame Lapouchin, in Ru... Samuel Johnson Jean Chappe d'Auteroche Print : Book'Looking at Messrs. Dilly's splendid edition of Lord Chesterfield's miscellaneous works, he laughed, and said, "Here now are two speeches ascribed to him, both of which w... Samuel Johnson Samuel Johnson [speeches attributed to Lord Chesterfield] Print : Book'Looking at Messrs. Dilly's splendid edition of Lord Chesterfield's miscellaneous works, he laughed, and said, "Here now are two speeches ascribed to him, both of which w... Samuel Johnson Henry Home, Lord Kames Sketches of the History of Man Print : Book'Looking at Messrs. Dilly's splendid edition of Lord Chesterfield's miscellaneous works, he laughed, and said, "Here now are two speeches ascribed to him, both of which w... Samuel Johnson Edward Hyde, First Earl of Clarendon History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in Englan... Print : Book'This year the Reverend Mr. Horne published his "Letter to Mr. Dunning on the English Particle"; Johnson read it, and though not treated in it with sufficient respect, he... Samuel Johnson George Horne Letter to Mr Dunning on the English Particle Print : Unknown'He [Johnson] said, "the lyrical part of Horace never can be perfectly translated; so much of the excellence is in the numbers and the expression. Francis has done it the... Samuel Johnson Horace [Odes] Print : Book'We had a quiet comfortable meeting at Mr. Dilly's; nobody there but ourselves. Mr. Dilly mentioned somebody having wished that Milton's "Tractate on Education" should be... Samuel Johnson John Milton Tractate: Of Education Print : Pamphlet'We had a quiet comfortable meeting at Mr. Dilly's; nobody there but ourselves. Mr. Dilly mentioned somebody having wished that Milton's "Tractate on Education" should be... Samuel Johnson John Locke Some Thoughts Concerning Education Print : Unknown'We had a quiet comfortable meeting at Mr. Dilly's; nobody there but ourselves. Mr. Dilly mentioned somebody having wished that Milton's "Tractate on Education" should be... Samuel Johnson Isaac Watts [Poems] Print : Book'Johnson this year expressed great satisfaction at the publication of the first volume of "Discourses to the Royal Academy", by Sir Joshua Reynolds, whom he always consid... Samuel Johnson Joshua Reynolds Discourses Delivered at the Royal Academy Print : Book'My arrival interrupted for a little while the important business of this true representative of Bayes[a clergyman who wanted Johnson's opinions on his literary works]; u... Samuel Johnson William Tasker Ode to the Warlike Genius of Britain Manuscript : Unknown'My arrival interrupted for a little while the important business of this true representative of Bayes[a clergyman who wanted Johnson's opinions on his literary works]; u... Samuel Johnson Horace Carmen Seculare Manuscript : Unknown'[Johnson said] "I remember a passage in Goldsmith's "Vicar of Wakefield", which he was afterwards fool enough to expunge: 'I do not love a man who is zealous for nothing... Samuel Johnson Oliver Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield Manuscript : Unknown'Talking of the wonderful concealment of the authour of the celebrated letters signed [italics] Junius [end italics]; he said, "I should have believed Burke to be Junius,... Samuel Johnson Junius [pseud.] Letters of Junius Print : Serial / periodical'[Johnson said] "King James says in his 'Daemonology', 'Magicians command the devils: witches are their servants. The Italian magicians are elegant beings'."' Samuel Johnson King James I Daemonology Print : Book'On Monday, May 3, I dined with him at Mr. Dilly's; I pressed him this day for his opinion on the passage in Parnell, concerning which I had in vain questioned him in sev... Samuel Johnson Thomas Parnell Hermit, The Print : Book'Having regretted to him that I had learnt little Greek, as is too generally the case in Scotland; that I had for a long time hardly applied at all to the study of that n... Samuel Johnson Sylvanus First Book of the Iliad Print : Book'Having regretted to him that I had learnt little Greek, as is too generally the case in Scotland; that I had for a long time hardly applied at all to the study of that n... Samuel Johnson John Dawson Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Print : Book'Having regretted to him that I had learnt little Greek, as is too generally the case in Scotland; that I had for a long time hardly applied at all to the study of that n... Samuel Johnson Georgii Pasoris Lexicon Graeco-Latinum in Iesu Christi Domini Nost... Print : Book'Having regretted to him that I had learnt little Greek, as is too generally the case in Scotland; that I had for a long time hardly applied at all to the study of that n... Samuel Johnson Hesiod Print : Book'[letter from Johnson to Boswell] 'The bearer of this is Dr. Dunbar, of Aberdeen, who has written and published a very ingenious book'. Samuel Johnson James Dunbar Essays on the History of Mankind in Rude and Culti... Print : Book'[from the 1780 Johnsoniana passed to boswell by Bennet Langton] Theocritus is not deserving of very high respect as a writer; as to the pastoral part, Virgil is very evi... Samuel Johnson Theocritus Print : Book'[from the 1780 Johnsoniana passed to boswell by Bennet Langton] Theocritus is not deserving of very high respect as a writer; as to the pastoral part, Virgil is very evi... Samuel Johnson Virgil Eclogues Print : Book'[from the 1780 Johnsoniana passed to boswell by Bennet Langton] Theocritus is not deserving of very high respect as a writer; as to the pastoral part, Virgil is very evi... Samuel Johnson Sicilian Gossips Print : Book'[from the 1780 Johnsoniana passed to Boswell by Bennet Langton] 'Callimachus is a writer of little excellence. The chief thing to be learned from him is his account of R... Samuel Johnson Callimachus Print : Book'[from the 1780 Johnsoniana passed to Boswell by Bennet Langton] 'Mattaire's account of the Stephani is a heavy book. He seems to have been a puzzle-headed man, with a la... Samuel Johnson Mattaire [various works including Latin verses] Print : Book'[from the 1780 Johnsoniana passed to Boswell by Bennet Langton] 'When in good humour he would talk of his own writings with a wonderful frankness and candour, and would ... Samuel Johnson Samuel Johnson Rambler, The Print : Book, Serial / periodical'[from Bennet Langton's collection of 1780 Johnsoniana, passed to Boswell] Of the Preface to Capel's "Shakspeare", he said, "If the man would have come to me, I would hav... Samuel Johnson Capel [Preface to edition of Shakespeare] Print : Book'[from Bennet Langton's collection of 1780 Johnsoniana, passed to Boswell] 'Talking of the "Farce of High Life below Stairs", he said, "Here is a Farce, which is really v... Samuel Johnson James Townley High Life Below Stairs Print : Book'[from Bennet Langton's collection of 1780 Johnsoniana, passed to Boswell] 'One night at The Club he produced a translation of an Epitaph which Lord Elibank had written i... Samuel Johnson Lord Elibank [Epitaph on his Lady] Manuscript : Unknown'[from Bennet Langton's collection of 1780 Johnsoniana, passed to Boswell] Talking of Gray's "Odes", he said, "They are forced plants raised in a hot-bed; and they are po... Samuel Johnson Thomas Gray Odes Print : Book1700-1799 '[from the Johnsoniana imparted by Bennet Langton to Boswell in 1780] Spanish plays, being wildly and improbably farcical, would please children here, as children are ent... Samuel Johnson [Spanish Plays] Print : Book1700-1799 '[from the Johnsoniana imparted by Bennet Langton to Boswell in 1780] Spanish plays, being wildly and improbably farcical, would please children here, as children are ent... Samuel Johnson [Greek tragedies] Print : Book1700-1799 '[from the Johnsoniana imparted by Bennet Langton to Boswell in 1780] Spanish plays, being wildly and improbably farcical, would please children here, as children are ent... Samuel Johnson Homer Print : Book1700-1799 '[from the Johnsoniana imparted by Bennet Langton to Boswell in 1780] Spanish plays, being wildly and improbably farcical, would please children here, as children are ent... Samuel Johnson Virgil Print : Book1700-1799 '[from the Johnsoniana imparted by Bennet Langton to Boswell in 1780] As I recollect, Hammond introduces a hag or witch into one of his love elegies, where the effect is ... Samuel Johnson James Hammond Love Elegies Print : Book1700-1799 '[from the Johnsoniana imparted by Bennet Langton to Boswell in 1780] 'A gentleman, by no means deficient in literature, having discovered less acquaintance with one of t... Samuel Johnson Clenardus Greek Grammar Print : Book1700-1799 '[from the Johnsoniana imparted by Bennet Langton to Boswell in 1780] 'Of Dodsley's "Publick Virtue, a Poem", he said, "It was fine blank (meaning to express his usual co... Samuel Johnson Robert Dodsley Publick Virtue, a Poem Print : Book1700-1799 '[from the Johnsoniana imparted by Bennet Langton to Boswell in 1780] Mr. Langton, when a very young man, read Dodsley's "Cleone, a Tragedy", to him, not aware of his ext... Samuel Johnson Robert Dodsley Cleone, a Tragedy Print : Book1700-1799 '[from the Johnsoniana imparted by Bennet Langton to Boswell in 1780] Mr. Langton, when a very young man, read Dodsley's "Cleone, a Tragedy", to him, not aware of his ext... Samuel Johnson Thomas Otway Print : Book1700-1799 '[from the Johnsoniana imparted by Bennet Langton to Boswell in 1780] In the latter part of his life, in order to satisfy himself whether his mental faculties were impair... Samuel Johnson Thomas a Kempis Imitation of Christ Print : Book1700-1799 '[from the Johnsoniana imparted by Bennet Langton to Boswell in 1780] Johnson one day gave high praise to Dr. Bentley's verses in Dodsley's "Collection", which he recited... Samuel Johnson Richard Bentley Print : Book1700-1799 '[from the Johnsoniana imparted by Bennet Langton to Boswell in 1780] As an instance of the niceness of his taste, though he praised West's translation of Pindar, he poin... Samuel Johnson Pindar Odes Print : Book1700-1799 '[from the Johnsoniana imparted by Bennet Langton to Boswell in 1780] He apprehended that the delineation of characters in the end of the first Book of the "Retreat of th... Samuel Johnson Xenophon Anabasis Print : Book1700-1799 ''It gives me much pleasure to observe, that however Johnson may have casually talked, yet when he sits, as "an ardent judge zealous to his trust, giving sentence" upon t... Samuel Johnson Edward Young Night Thoughts Print : Book1700-1799 ''It gives me much pleasure to observe, that however Johnson may have casually talked, yet when he sits, as "an ardent judge zealous to his trust, giving sentence" upon t... Samuel Johnson Edward Young Love of Fame, The Universal Passion Print : Book1700-1799 '[Johnson said of Rev. Zacariah Mudge] The general course of his life was determined by his profession; he studied the sacred volumes in the original languages; with what... Samuel Johnson Zachariah Mudge Sermons Print : Book1700-1799 '[Johnson said of Rev. Zacariah Mudge] The general course of his life was determined by his profession; he studied the sacred volumes in the original languages; with what... Samuel Johnson Zachariah Mudge [notes on the Psalms] Print : Unknown1700-1799 'Sir Joshua Reynolds praised "Mudge's Sermons". JOHNSON. "'Mudge's Sermons' are good, but not practical. He grasps more sense than he can hold; he takes more corn than he... Samuel Johnson Zachariah Mudge Sermons Print : Book1700-1799 'Sir Joshua Reynolds praised "Mudge's Sermons". JOHNSON. "'Mudge's Sermons' are good, but not practical. He grasps more sense than he can hold; he takes more corn than he... Samuel Johnson Hugh Blair Sermons Print : Book1700-1799 'Johnson praised the Earl of Carlisle's Poems, which his Lordship had published with his name, as not disdaining to be a candidate for literary fame. My friend was of opi... Samuel Johnson Frederick Howard, 5th Earl of Carlisle Tragedies and Poems Print : Book1700-1799 'He talked little to us in the carriage, being chiefly occupied in reading Dr. Watson's second volume of "Chemical Essays", which he liked very well, and his own "Prince ... Samuel Johnson Samuel Johnson Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia Print : Book1700-1799 'He talked little to us in the carriage, being chiefly occupied in reading Dr. Watson's second volume of "Chemical Essays", which he liked very well, and his own "Prince ... Samuel Johnson Richard Watson Chemical Essays Print : Book1700-1799 '[letter from Johnson to Thomas Astle] Your notes on Alfred appear to me very judicious and accurate, but they are too few. Many things familiar to you, are unknown to me... Samuel Johnson Thomas Astle [notes on the will of King Alfred] Print : Book1700-1799 'Soon after this time I had an opportunity of seeing, by means of one of his friends, a proof that his talents, as well as his obliging service to authours, were ready as... Samuel Johnson George Crabbe Village, The Manuscript : Unknown1700-1799 'Johnson thought the poems published as translations from Ossian had so little merit, that he said, 'Sir, a man might write such stuff for ever, if he would [italics]aban... Samuel Johnson James Macpherson [Ossian poems] Print : Book1700-1799 'He [Johnson] gave much praise to his friend, Dr. Burney's elegant and entertaining travels, and told Mr. Seward that he had them in his eye, when writing his "Journey to... Samuel Johnson Charles Burney Continental Travels 1770-72 Print : Book1700-1799 'Such was his sensibility, and so much was he affected by pathetick poetry, that, when he was reading Dr. Beattie's "Hermit" in my presence, it brought tears into his eye... Samuel Johnson James Beattie Hermit, The Print : Book1700-1799 'He disapproved much of mingling real facts with fiction. On this account he censured a book entitled "Love and Madness"'.
Samuel Johnson Love and Madness Print : Book1700-1799 'Sir William Chambers, that great Architect, whose works shew a sublimity of genius, and who is esteemed by all who know him for his social, hospitable, and generous qual... Samuel Johnson William Chambers Designs of Chinese buildings, furniture, dresses, ... Manuscript : Unknown1700-1799 'Johnson asked Richard Owen Cambridge, Esq., if he had read the Spanish translation of Sallust, said to be written by a Prince of Spain, with the assistance of his tutor,... Samuel Johnson Virgil Aeneid Print : Book1700-1799 'BOSWELL. "Pray, Sir, is the 'Turkish Spy' a genuine book?" JOHNSON. "No, Sir. Mrs. Manley, in her 'Life', says that her father wrote the first two volumes: and in anothe... Samuel Johnson Delarivier Manley Adventures of Rivella, or the History of the Autho... Print : Book1700-1799 'BOSWELL. "Pray, Sir, is the 'Turkish Spy' a genuine book?" JOHNSON. "No, Sir. Mrs. Manley, in her 'Life', says that her father wrote the first two volumes: and in anothe... Samuel Johnson John Dunton Life and Errours of John Dunton Print : Book1700-1799 '[Johnson said] There is in "Camden's Remains", an epitaph upon a very wicked man, who was killed by a fall from his horse, in which he is supposed to say,
'Between t... Samuel Johnson William Camden Remains Concerning Britain Print : Book1700-1799 'Horace having been mentioned; BOSWELL. "There is a great deal of thinking in his works. One finds there almost every thing but religion". SEWARD. "He speaks of his retur... Samuel Johnson Horace [ode] 'Parcus deorum cultur et infrequens Print : Book1700-1799 'Lord Hailes had sent him a present of a curious little printed poem, on repairing the University of Aberdeen, by David [italics] Malloch [end italics], which he thought ... Samuel Johnson David Mallet [a poem about Aberdeen] Print : Unknown1700-1799 '[Johnson said] The books that we do read with pleasure are light compositions, which contain a quick succession of events. However, I have this year read all Virgil thro... Samuel Johnson Virgil Aeneid Print : Book1700-1799 '[Johnson said] The books that we do read with pleasure are light compositions, which contain a quick succession of events. However, I have this year read all Virgil thro... Samuel Johnson Virgil Eclogues Print : Book1700-1799 '[Johnson said] The books that we do read with pleasure are light compositions, which contain a quick succession of events. However, I have this year read all Virgil thro... Samuel Johnson Virgil Georgics Print : Book1700-1799 '[Johnson said] The books that we do read with pleasure are light compositions, which contain a quick succession of events. However, I have this year read all Virgil thro... Samuel Johnson Homer odyssey Print : Book1700-1799 'I asked him what works of Richard Baxter's I should read. He said, "Read any of them; they are all good".' Samuel Johnson Richard Baxter Print : Book1700-1799 ''He spoke often in praise of French literature. "The French are excellent in this, (he would say,) they have a book on every subject".' Samuel Johnson [French literature] Print : Book1700-1799 'Baxter's "Reasons of the Christian Religion", he thought contained the best collection of the evidences of the divinity of the Christian system.' Samuel Johnson Richard Baxter Reasons of the Christian Religion, The Print : Book1700-1799 'The Earl of Carlisle having written a tragedy, entitled "The Father's Revenge", some of his Lordship's friends applied to Mrs. Chapone to prevail on Dr. Johnson to read ... Samuel Johnson Frederick Howard, 5th Earl of Carlisle Father's Revenge, The Manuscript : Unknown1700-1799 'In this letter [to Boswell from Mr Mickle] he relates his having, while engaged in translating the "Lusiad", had a dispute of considerable length with Johnson, who, as u... Samuel Johnson Luis Vaz de Camoens Lusiads Print : Book1700-1799 '[william Mickle said] Dr. Johnson told me in 1772, that, about twenty years before that time, he himself had a design to translate the "Lusiad", of the merit of which he... Samuel Johnson Luis Vaz de Camoens Lusiads Print : Book1700-1799 ' [letter from Johnson to bookseller Mr Dilly] There is in the world a set of books which used to be sold by the booksellers on the bridge, and which I must entreat you t... Samuel Johnson Richard Burton Admirable Curiosities, Rarities, and Wonders in En... Print : Book1700-1799 ' [letter from Johnson to bookseller Mr Dilly] There is in the world a set of books which used to be sold by the booksellers on the bridge, and which I must entreat you t... Samuel Johnson Richard Baxter Call to the Unconverted to Turn and Live Print : Book1700-1799 '[Letter from Johnson to Boswell] 'I have just advanced so far towards recovery as to read a pamphlet; and you may reasonably suppose that the first pamphlet which I read... Samuel Johnson James Boswell Letter to the People of Scotland on the Present St... Print : Pamphlet1700-1799 'He had dined that day [30th May 1784] at Mr. Hoole's, and Miss Helen Maria Williams being expected in the evening, Mr. Hoole put into his hands her beautiful "Ode on the... Samuel Johnson Helen Maria Williams Ode on the Peace, An Print : Unknown1700-1799 'Dr. Newton, the Bishop of Bristol, having been mentioned, Johnson, recollecting the manner in which he had been censured by that Prelate, thus retaliated:-"Tom knew he s... Samuel Johnson Thomas Newton Dissertations on the Prophecies Which Have Remarka... Print : Book1700-1799 'Dr. Newton, the Bishop of Bristol, having been mentioned, Johnson, recollecting the manner in which he had been censured by that Prelate, thus retaliated:-"Tom knew he s... Samuel Johnson Thomas Newton Account of his Own Life Print : Book1700-1799 'Next morning at breakfast, [10th June 1784] he pointed out a passage in Savage's "Wanderer", saying, "These are fine verses". "If (said he) I had written with hostility ... Samuel Johnson Richard Savage Wanderer, The Print : Book1700-1799 'On Friday, June 11, we talked at breakfast, of forms of prayer. JOHNSON. "I know of no good prayers but those in the 'Book of Common Prayer'". DR. ADAMS, (in a very earn... Samuel Johnson Book of Common Prayer Print : Book1700-1799 'On Friday, June 11, we talked at breakfast, of forms of prayer. JOHNSON. "I know of no good prayers but those in the 'Book of Common Prayer'". DR. ADAMS, (in a very earn... Samuel Johnson [various books of prayer] Print : Book1700-1799 'JOHNSON. "I do not approve of figurative expressions in addressing the Supreme Being; and I never use them. Taylor gives a very good advice: 'Never lie in your prayers; ... Samuel Johnson Jeremy Taylor Golden Grove; or a Manuall of daily prayers and li... Print : Book1700-1799 '[present at tea on June 12th was] the Reverend Herbert Croft, who, I am afraid, was somewhat mortified by Dr. Johnson's not being highly pleased with some "Family Discou... Samuel Johnson Herbert Croft [Family Discourses] Print : Book1700-1799 'Mrs. Kennicot related, in his [Johnson's] presence, a lively saying of Dr. Johnson to Miss Hannah More, who had expressed a wonder that the poet who had written "Paradis... Samuel Johnson John Milton Print : Book1700-1799 '[speaking of some verses in the notes to Pope's Dunciad, Boswell and Miss Seward wonder who they are by] He was prompt with his answer: "Why, Sir, they were written by o... Samuel Johnson Mr Lewis [verses on Pope in notes to the 'Dunciad'] Print : Book
