ADVERTISEMENT TO THE AMERICAN EDITION. THE works of Dr. Johnson have so long stood the test of public opinion, that an apo logy for offering a new edition is hardly necessary. While a part of his works are advantageously known to the general reader, there are many of them, from various causes, which have not been so extensively read. Among these causes, may be stated the fact that some of them have never been published in this country at all; while >thers have never been contained in any uniform edition of his works. It may also he added, that so far as the works of Dr. Johnson have been published, the price lemanded for them has prevented their coming within the reach of the great mass of eaders. The present is the only complete edition of Dr. Johnson's works which has been published in this country. It will be found to contain much that is valuable in itself, beside many papers of much curiosity, including every variety of subject which a mind so comprehensive as his might naturally embrace. The American reader will also here find a surer test by which the intellectual powers of Dr. Johnson may be appreciated;for although these have been acknowledged to be of the highest cast, yet it has been a general impression that they were more particularly confined to one species of literature-that of purifying and elevating the standard of the English language. The Political tracts of Dr. Johnson are but little known to the great mass of readers in this country. The author, with his usual vigour, entered fully into the political feelings of the times in which he lived. The relations between this country and Great Britain at that period, are, as a matter of history, interesting to all Americans. Dr. Johnson defended with much tenacity the original rights of the Indians, and denounced the wrongs imposed upon them by the English and French. In allusion to the war between the French and English, about the year 1756, which began in this country, he says, "The American war between the French and us is therefore only a quarrel between two robbers for the spoils of a passenger. And yet when we had become colonies to Great Britain he equally defended the most odious features وو of government toward the colonies. A specimen of this may be found in a paper entitled "Taxation no tyranny-an answer to the resolutions and address of the American Congress 1775," (vol. ii. p. 425.) Could he have foreseen the progress and termination of the struggle which was then commencing, he might have uttered as a truth, what he then indited as a bitter sarcasm. "The heroes of Boston, if the Stamp Act had not been repealed, would have left their town, their port, and their trade, have resigned the splendour of opulence, and quitted the delight of neighbourhood, to disperse themselves over the country, where they would till the ground, and fish in the rivers. and range the mountains, and be free." As an essayist, Dr. Johnson may be placed upon a par with the writers of the Spectator. Although, in this species of his writing, there may not be found that sprightliness and lively manner which at once wins the attention, yet there is solidity and beauty which will bear thorough and close examination, and stand the severest test of scrutiny and time. A Although not exactly within the compass of the present volumes, we may say a word in relation to the great Dictionary of Dr. Johnson. This is undoubtedly at the head of all similar works in the English language, and will stand as a monument of the author's genius, and unparalleled research and industry, so long as the ian guage shall be spoken and read. Previous to the completion of this work, no general standard for the English lan guage was acknowledged. The intention of the author was to supply this deficiency -in his own words “the chief intent of it is to preserve the purity, and ascertain the meaning of our English idiom." In fulfilling this task, Dr. Johnson accomplished what falls to the lot of few men in any undertaking. He made that work which was the first standard of the English language so perfect, that not one of all who foliowed him, has been able to improve it. Some few indeed have enjoyed an ephemeral celebrity; but while they are gradually sinking into oblivion, the value and beauty of this great work is becoming more and more appreciated. We cannot but admire the determination of Dr. Johnson to undertake this work, which he knew would add little or nothing to his literary fame during his lifetime. "I knew," says he, "that the work in which I engaged is generally considered as a drudgery for the blind, as the proper toil for artless industry; a task that requires neither the light of learning, nor the activity of genius, but may be successfully performed without any higher quality than that of bearing burdens with dull patience, and beating the tract of the alphabet with sluggish resolution." There is one consideration alone which should entitle the works of Dr. Johnson to an attentive, and often repeated perusal. It is the perfection of style and elegance of diction with which they are written. In this they may be set down as models. New York, September 1832. 141 The danger of attempting wit in conversa- tion. The character of Papilius 81 The great rule of action. Debts of justice to be distinguished from debts of charity 82 The virtuoso's account of his rarities 83 The virtuoso's curiosity justified. 84 A young lady's impatience of control 85 The mischiefs of total idleness 86 The danger of succeeding a great author: An introduction to a criticism on Milton's 87 The reasons why advice is generally inef- 88 A criticism on Milton's versification. sions dangerous in English poetry 89 The luxury of vain imagination 90 The pauses in English poetry adjusted 93 The prejudices and caprices of criticism 94 An inquiry how far Milton has accommo- 95 The history of Pertinax, the sceptic 96 Truth, falsehood, and fiction, an allegory 98 The necessity of cultivating politeness 99 The pleasures of private friendship. necessity of similar dispositions 145 Petty writers not to be despised 146 An account of an author travelling in quest 151 149 Benefits not always entitled to gratitude 156 151 The climacterics of the mind 152 Criticism on epistolary writings 153 The treatment incurred by loss of fortune 154 The inefficacy of genius without learning 155 The usefulness of advice. The danger of habits. The necessity of reviewing life 238 107 Properantia's hopes of a year of confusion. 159 The nature and remedies of bashfulness 108 Life sufficient to all purposes if well em- 109 The education of a fop 112 Too much nicety not to be indulged. The 113 The history of Hymenaeus's courtship 115 The sequel of Hymenæus's courtship 119 Tranquillo's account of her lovers opposed 162 Old men in danger of falling into pupilage. 163 The mischiefs of following a patron 164 Praise universally desired. The failings of 165 The impotence of wealth. The visit of Serotinus to the place of his nativity 252 166 Favours not easily gained by the 167 The marriage of Hymenæus and Tranquilla 254 168 Poetry debased by mean expressions. An 247 249 |