The Life of Samuel Johnson - James Boswell [33]
acknowl.
1751. Life of Cheynel in the Miscellany called ‘The Student.’ acknowl. Letter for Lauder, addressed to the Reverend Dr. John Douglas,
acknowledging his Fraud concerning Milton in Terms of suitable Contrition. acknowl. Dedication to the Earl of Middlesex of Mrs. Charlotte Lennox’s ‘Female Quixote.’ intern. evid.
1753. Dedication to John Earl of Orrery, of Shakspeare Illustrated, by Mrs. Charlotte Lennox. acknowl. During this and the following year he wrote and gave to his much loved friend Dr. Bathurst the Papers in the Adventurer, signed T. acknowl.
1754. Life of Edw. Cave in the Gentleman’s Magazine. acknowl.
1755. A Dictionary, with a Grammar and History, of the English Language. acknowl. An Account of an Attempt to ascertain the Longitude at Sea, by an exact Theory of the Variations of the Magnetical Needle, with a Table of the Variations at the most remarkable Cities in Europe from the year 1660 to 1680. acknowl. This he wrote for Mr. Zachariah Williams, an ingenious ancient Welch Gentleman, father of Mrs. Anna Williams whom he for many years kindly lodged in his House. It was published with a Translation into Italian by Signor Baretti. In a Copy of it which he presented to the Bodleian Library at Oxford, is pasted a Character of the late Mr. Zachariah Williams, plainly written by Johnson. intern. evid. 1756. An Abridgement of his Dictionary. acknowl.
Several Essays in the Universal Visitor, which there is some difficulty in ascertaining. All that are marked with two Asterisks have been ascribed to him, although I am confident from internal Evidence, that we should except from these ‘The Life of Chaucer,’ ‘Reflections on the State of Portugal,’ and ‘An Essay on Architecture:’ And from the same Evidence I am confident that he wrote ‘Further Thoughts on Agriculture,’ and ‘A Dissertation on the State of Literature and Authours.’ The Dissertation on the Epitaphs written by Pope he afterwards acknowledged, and added to his ‘Idler.’
Life of Sir Thomas Browne prefixed to a new Edition of his Christian Morals. acknowl.
In the Literary Magazine; or, Universal Review, which began in January 1756.
His Original Essays are
Preliminary Address. intern. evid.
An introduction to the Political State of Great Britain. intern. evid.
Remarks on the Militia Bill.7 intern. evid.
Observations on his Britannick Majesty’s Treaties with the Empress of Russia and the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel.8 intern. evid. Observations on the Present State of Affairs. intern. evid. Memoirs of Frederick III. King of Prussia. intern. evid.
In the same Magazine his Reviews are of the following Books: ‘Birch’s History of the Royal Society.’ – ‘Browne’s Christian Morals.’ – ‘Warton’s Essay on the Writings and Genius of Pope, Vol. I.’ – ‘Hampton’s Translation of Polybius.’ – ‘Sir Isaac Newton’s Arguments in Proof of a Deity.’ – ‘Borlase’s History of the Isles of Scilly.’ – ‘Home’s Experiments on Bleaching.’ – ‘Browne’s History of Jamaica.’ – ‘Hales on Distilling Sea Water, Ventilators in Ships, and curing an ill Taste in Milk.’ – ‘Lucas’s Essay on Waters.’ – ‘Keith’s Catalogue of the Scottish Bishops.’ – ‘Philosophical Transactions, Vol. XLIX.’ – ‘Miscellanies by Elizabeth Harrison.’ – ‘Evans’s Map and Account of the Middle Colonies in America.’ – ‘The Cadet, a Military Treatise.’ – ‘The Conduct of the Ministry relating to the present War Impartially examined.’ intern. evid.
‘Mrs. Lennox’s Translation of Sully’s Memoirs.’ – ‘Letter on the Case of Admiral Byng.’9 – ‘Appeal to the People concerning Admiral Byng.’ – ‘Hanway’s Eight Days’ Journey, and Essay on Tea.’ – ‘Some further Particulars in Relation to the Case of Admiral Byng, by a Gentleman of Oxford.’ acknowl.
Mr. Jonas Hanway having written an angry Answer to the Review of his Essay on Tea, Johnson in the same Collection made a Reply to it. acknowl. This is the only Instance, it is believed, when he condescended to take Notice of any Thing that had been written against him; and here his chief Intention seems to have been to make Sport.
Dedication