The Life of Samuel Johnson - James Boswell [553]
‘I then mentioned to him that some people thought that Mr. Addison’s character was so pure, that the fact, though true, ought to have been suppressed. He saw no reason for this. “If nothing but the bright side of characters should be shewn, we should sit down in despondency, and think it utterly impossible to imitate them in any thing. The sacred writers, (he observed,) related the vicious as well as the virtuous actions of men; which had this moral effect, that it kept mankind from despair, into which otherwise they would naturally fall, were they not supported by the recollection that others had offended like themselves, and by penitence and amendment of life had been restored to the favour of Heaven.”
‘March 15, 1782.’ E. M.’
The last paragraph of this note is of great importance; and I request that my readers may consider it with particular attention. It will be afterwards referred to in this work.
Various Readings in the Life of ADDISON.
‘[But he was our first great example] He was, however, one of our earliest examples of correctness.
‘And [overlook] despise their masters.
‘His instructions were such as the [state] character of his [own time] readers made [necessary] proper.
‘His purpose was to [diffuse] infuse literary curiosity by gentle and unsuspected conveyance [among] into the gay, the idle, and the wealthy.
‘Framed rather for those that [wish] are learning to write.
‘Domestick [manners] scenes.’
In his Life of PARNELL, I wonder that Johnson omitted to insert an Epitaph which he had long before composed for that amiable man, without ever writing it down, but which he was so good as, at my request, to dictate to me, by which means it has been preserved.
‘Hic requiescit THOMAS PARNELL, S. T. P.
Qui sacerdos pariter et poeta,
Utrasque partes ita implevit,
Ut neque sacerdoti suavitas poetæ,
Nec poetæ sacerdotis sanctitas, deesset.’995
Various Readings in the Life of PARNELL.
‘About three years [after] afterwards.
‘[Did not much want] was in no great need of improvement.
‘But his prosperity did not last long [was clouded by that which took away all his powers of enjoying either profit or pleasure, the death of his wife, whom he is said to have lamented with such sorrow, as hastened his end.]a His end, whatever was the cause, was now approaching.
‘In the Hermit, the [composition] narrative, as it is less airy, is less pleasing.’
In the Life of BLACKMORE, we find that writer’s reputation generously cleared by Johnson from the cloud of prejudice which the malignity of contemporary wits had raised around it. In this spirited exertion of justice, he has been imitated by Sir Joshua Reynolds, in his praise of the architecture of Vanburgh.
We trace Johnson’s own character in his observations on Blackmore’s ‘magnanimity as an authour.’ ‘The incessant attacks of his enemies, whether serious or merry, are never discovered to have disturbed his quiet, or to have lessened his confidence in himself.’ Johnson, I recollect, once told me, laughing heartily, that he understood it had been said of him, ‘He appears not to feel; but, when he is alone, depend upon it, he suffers sadly.’ I am as certain as I can be of any man’s real sentiments, that he enjoyed the perpetual shower of little hostile arrows, as evidence of his fame.
Various Readings in the Life of BLACKMORE.
‘To [set] engage poetry [on the side] in the cause of virtue.
‘He likewise [established] enforced the truth of Revelation.
‘[Kindness] benevolence was ashamed to favour.
‘His practice, which was once [very extensive] invidiously great.
‘There is scarcely any distemper of dreadful name [of] which he has not [shewn] taught his reader how [it is to be opposed] to oppose.
‘Of this [contemptuous] indecent arrogance.
‘[He wrote] but produced likewise a work of a different