Volume 1

The life of Samuel Johnson, L.L.D. Comprehending an account of his studies, and numerous works, in chronological order : a series of his epistolary correspondence and conversations with many eminent persons and various original pieces of his composition, never before published / by James Boswell.

  • Boswell, James, 1740-1795.
Date:
1816
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The life of Samuel Johnson, L.L.D. Comprehending an account of his studies, and numerous works, in chronological order : a series of his epistolary correspondence and conversations with many eminent persons and various original pieces of his composition, never before published / by James Boswell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    378/540 (page 328)
    1759. ^tat. 50. ing, though slowly, in his edition of Shakspeare. He, however, from that liberality which never failed, when called upon to assist other labourers in lite- rature, found time to translate for Mrs. Lennox's English version of Brumoy. A Dissertation on the Greek Comedy,” and The General Conclusion of the Book.” An enquiry into the state of foreign countries was an object that seems at all times to have interested Johnson. Hence Mr. Newbery found no great dif- ficulty in persuading him to write the Introduction to a collection of voyages and travels published by him under the title ofThe World Displayed:” the first volume of which appeared this year, and the remaining volumes in subsequent years. I would ascribe to this year the following letter to transferred, with the most shameless rapacity, into the weekly of monthly compilations, and their right, at least for the present, alienated from them, before they could themselves be said to enjoy it. But they would not willingly be thought to want tenderness, even for men by whom no tenderness hath been shewn. Tlie past is without remedy, and shall be without resentment. But those who have been thus busy with their sickles in the fields of their neigh- bours, are henceforward to take notice, that the time of impunity is at an end. Whoever shall, without our leave, lay the hand of rapine upon our papers, is to expect that we shall vindicate our due, by the means which justice prescribes, and which are warranted by the immemorial prescriptions of honourable trade. We shall lay hold, in our turn, on their copies, degrade them from the pomp of wide margin and diffuse typography, contract them into a narrow space, and sell them at an humble price; yet not with a view of growing rich by confiscations, for we tliink not much better of money got by punishment than by crimes. We shall therefore, when our losses are repaid, give what profit shall remain to the Magdalens; for we know not who can be more properly taxed for the support of penitent prostitutes, than prostitutes in whom there yet appears neither penitence nor shame.”