FOOTNOTES

[1]From the Gentleman's Magazine, 1742.

[2]Literary Magazine, vol. i. p. 41. 1756.

[3]The first part of this review closed here. What follows did not appear until seven months after. To which delay the writer alludes with provoking severity.

[4]Literary Magazine, vol. i. p, 89. 1756.

[5]From the Literary Magazine, vol. ii. p. 253.

[6]And of such a man, it is to be regretted, that Dr. Johnson was, by whatever motive, induced to speak with acrimony; but, it is probable, that he took up the subject, at first, merely to give play to his fancy. This answer, however, to Mr. Hanway's letter, is, as Mr. Boswell has remarked, the only instance, in the whole course of his life, when he condescended to oppose any thing that was written against him. C.

[7]From the Literary Magazine, 1756.

[8]In all the papers and criticisms Dr. Johnson wrote for the Literary Magazine, he frequently departs from the customary we of anonymous writers. This, with his inimitable style, soon pointed him out, as the principal person concerned in that publication.

[9]The second volume of Dr. Warton's Essay was not published until the year 1782.

[10]This Enquiry, published in 1757, was the production of Soame Jenyns, esq. who never forgave the author of the review. It is painful to relate, that, after he had suppressed his resentment during Dr. Johnson's life, he gave it vent, in a petulant and illiberal mock-epitaph, which would not have deserved notice, had it not been admitted into the edition of his works, published by Mr. Cole. When this epitaph first appeared in the newspapers, Mr. Boswell answered it by another upon Mr. Jenyns, equal, at least, in illiberality.

This review is justly reckoned one of the finest specimens of criticism in our language, and was read with such eagerness, when published in the Literary Magazine, that the author was induced to reprint it in a small volume by itself; a circumstance which appears to have escaped Mr. Boswell's research.

[11]New Practice of Physick.

[12]From the Literary Magazine, 1756.

[13]From the Literary Magazine, 1756.

[14]From the Literary Magazine, 1756.—There are other reviews of books by Dr. Johnson, in this magazine, but, in general, very short, and consisting chiefly of a few introductory remarks, and an extract. That on Mrs. Harrison's Miscellanies maybe accounted somewhat interesting, from the notice of Dr. Watts.

[15]Written by Mr. Tytler, of Edinburgh.

[16]Printed in the Gentleman's Magazine, October, 1760.

[17]First printed in the year 1739.

[18]See his Remains, 1614, p. 337, "Riming verses, which are calledversus leonini, I know not wherefore, (for a lyon's taile doth not answer to the middle parts as these verses doe,) began in the time of Carolus Magnus, and were only in request then, and in many ages following, which delighted in nothing more than in this minstrelsie of meeters."

[19]Dr. Edward Young.

[20]Ambrose Philips, author of the Distrest Mother, &c.

[21]Edward Ward. See Dunciad, and Biographia Dramatica.

[22]Joseph Mitchell. See Biographia Dramatica.

[23]Published first in the Literary Magazine, No. iv. from July 15, to Aug. 15, 1756. This periodical work was published by Richardson, in Paternoster row, but was discontinued about two years after. Dr. Johnson wrote many articles, which have been enumerated by Mr. Boswell, and there are others which I should be inclined to attribute to him, from internal evidence.

[24]In the magazine, this article is promised "to be continued;" but the author was, by whatever means, diverted from it, and no continuation appears.

[25]This was the introductory article to the Literary Magazine, No. i.

[26]From the Literary Magazine, for July, 1756.

[27]See Literary Magazine, No. ii. p. 63.

[28]This short paper was added to some editions of the Idler, when collected into volumes, but not by Dr. Johnson, as Mr. Boswell asserts, nor to the early editions of that work.

[29]In the first edition, this passage stood thus: "Let him not, however, be depreciated in his grave. He had powers not universally possessed; could he have enforced payment of the Manilla ransome,he could have counted it." There were some other alterations suggested, it would appear, by lord North.

[30]The Patriot is of the same cast with Johnson's other political writings. It endeavours to justify the outrages of the house of commons, in the case of the Middlesex election, and to vindicate the harsh measures then in agitation against America: it can only, therefore, be admired as a clever, sophistical composition.—Ed.

[31]For arguments on the opposite side of this question, see the Abbé Raynal's Revolution of America, and Edin. Rev. xl. p. 451.—Ed.

[32]Of this reasoning I owe part to a conversation with sir John Hawkins.

[33]Written for the Gentleman's Magazine, for 1738.

[34]"Erat Hermanni genitor Latine, Græce, Hebraice sciens: peritus valde historiarum et gentium. Vir apertus, candidus, simplex; paterfamilias optimus amore, cura, diligentia, frugalitate, prudentia. Qui non magna in re, sed plenus virtutis, novem liberis educandis exemplum praebuit singulare, quid exacta parsimonia polleat, et frugalitas."Orig. Edit.

[35]"Jungebat his exercitiis quotidianam patrum lectionem, secundum chronologiam, a Clemente Romano exorsus, et juxta seriem seculorum descendens: ut Jesu Christi doctrinam in N. T. traditam, primis patribus interpretantibus, addisceret.

"Horum simplicitatem sincerae doctrinae, disciplinae sanctitatem, vitae Deo Jicatae integritatem adorabat. Subtilitatem scholarum divina postmodum inquinasse dolebat. Aegerrime tulit sacrorum interpretationem ex sectis sophistarum peti; et Platonis, Aristotelis, Thomas Aquinatis, Scoti; suoque tempore Cartesii, cogitata metaphysica adhiberi pro legibus, ad quas eastigarentur sacrorum scriptorum de Deo sentential. Experiebatur acerba dissidia, ingeniorumque subtilissimorum acerrima certamina, odia, ambitiones, inde cieri, foveri; adeo contraria paci cum Deo et homine. Nihil hic magis illi obstabat; quam quod omnes asserant sacram scripturam [Greek: anthropopathos] loquentem, [Greek: theoprepos] explicandam; et [Greek: theoprepouan] singuli definiant ex placitis suae metaphysices. Horrebat inde dominantis sectae praevalentem opinionem, orthodoxiae modum, et regulas, unice dare juxta dictata metaphysicorum, non sacrarum literarum; unde tam variae; sententiae de doctrina simplicissima." —Orig. Edit.

[36]"Circa hoc tempus, lautis conditionibus, lautioribus promissis, invitatus, plus vice simplici, a viro primariae dignationis, qui gratia flagrantissima florebat regis Gulielmi III. ut Hagamcomitum sedem caperet fortunarum, declinavit constans. Contentus videlicet vita libera, remota a turbis, studiisque porro percolendis unice impensa, ubi non cogeretur alia dicere et simulare, alia sentire et dissimulare: affectuum studiis rapi, regi. Sic turn vita erat, aegros visere, mox domi in musaeo se condere, officinam Vulcaniam exercere; omnes medicinae partes acerrime persequi; mathematica etiam aliis tradere; sacra legere, et auctores qui profitentur docere rationem certam amandi Deum."—Orig. Edit.

[37]"Succos pressos bibit noster herbarum cichoreæ, endiviæ; fumariæ; nasturtii aquatici, veronicæ aquatics latifoliæ; copia ingenti; simul deglutiens abundantissime gummi ferulacea Asiatica."—Orig. Edit.

[38]"Aetas, labor, corporisque opima pinguetudo, effecerant, ante annum, ut inertibus refertum, grave, hebes, plenitudine turgens corpus, anhelum ad motus minimos, cum sensu suffocationis, pulsu mirifice anomalo, ineptum evaderet ad ullum motum. Urgebat praecipue subsistens prorsus et intercepta respiratio ad prima somni initia; unde somnus prorsus prohibebatur, cum formidabili strangulationis molestia. Hinc hydrops pedum, crurum, femorum, scroti, praeputii, et abdominis. Quae tamen omnia sublata. Sed dolor manet in abdomine, cum anxietate summa, anhelitu suffocante, et debilitate incredibili; somno pauco, eoque vago, per somnia turbatissimo; animus vero rebus agendis impar. Cum his luctor fessus nec emergo; patienter expectans Dei jussa, quibus resigno data, quae sola amo, et honoro unice."—Orig. Edit.

[39]Doctrinam sacris literis Hebraice et Graece traditarn, solam animae salutarem et agnovit et sensit. Omni opportunitate profitebatur disciplinam, quam Jesus Christus ore et vita expressit, unice tranquillitatem dare menti. Semperque dixit amicis, pacem animi baud reperiundam, nisi in magno Mosis praecepto de sincere amore Dei et hominis bene observato. Neque extra sacra monumenta uspiam inveniri, quod mentem serenet. Deum pius adoravit, qui est. Intelligere de Deo, unice, volebat id, quod Deus de se intelligit. Eo contentus ultra nihil requisivit, ne idolatria erraret. In voluntate Dei sic requiescebat, ut illius nullam omnino rationem indagandam putaret. Hanc unice supremam omnium legem esse contendebat; deliberata constautia perfectissime colendam. De aliis et seipso sentiebat: ut quoties criminis reos ad poenas letales damnatos audiret, semper cogitaret, saspe diceret: "Quis dixerat annon me sint melioresi Utique, si ipse melior, id non mihi auctori tribuendum esse, palam aio, confiteor; sed ita largienti Deo."—Orig. Edit.

[40]This life first appeared in the Gentleman's Magazine, 1739, vol. ix. p. 176. It, throughout, exhibits that ardent fondness for chemistry, which Johnson cherished, and that respect for physicians, which his numerous memoirs of members of that profession, and his attachment to Dr. Bathurst and the amiable and single-hearted Level, evinced.—ED.

[41]This life was first printed in the Gentleman's Magazine for the year 1740.

[42]The name of sir Henry Savil does not occur in the list of the wardens of Wadham college.

[43]From H. Norhone, B.D. his contemporary there.

[44]This life was first printed in the Gent. Mag. for 1740, and Johnson's unceasing abhorrence of Spanish encroachment and oppression is remarkable throughout. See his London, and Idler, 81.—Ed.

[45]This article was first printed in the Gentleman's Magazine for 1740. The proper spelling is Baratier.

[46]The passages referred to in the preceding pages we have printed in italics, for the more easy reference.

[47]Translated from an éloge by Fontenelle, and first printed in the Gentleman's Magazine for 1741.

[48]The practice of Dr. Morin is forbidden, I believe, by every writer that has left rules for the preservation of health, and is directly opposite to that of Cornaro, who, by his regimen, repaired a broken constitution, and protracted his life, without any painful infirmities, or any decay of his intellectual abilities, to more than a hundred years; it is generally agreed that, as men advance in years, they ought to take lighter sustenance, and in less quantities; and reason seems easily to discover, that as the concoctive powers grow weaker, they ought to labour less.—Orig. Edit.

[49]This is an instance of the disposition generally found in writers of lives, to exalt every common occurrence and action into wonder. Are not indexes daily written by men, who neither receive nor expect any loud applauses for their labours?—Orig. Edit.

[50]First printed in the Gentleman's Magazine for 1742.

[51]A more full list is given in the last edition of the Biographical Dictionary, vol. vii.

[52]Originally prefixed to the new translation of Dr. Sydenham's works, by John Swan, M.D. of Newcastle, in Staffordshire, 1742.

[53]Since the foregoing was written, we have seen Mr. Ward's Lives of the Professors of Gresham college; who, in the life of Dr. Mapletoft, says, that, in 1676, Dr. Sydenham published his Observationes medicæ circa morborum acutorum historiam et curationem, which he dedicated to Dr. Mapletoft, who, at the desire of the author, had translated them into Latin; and that the other pieces of that excellent physician were translated into that language by Mr. Gilbert Havers, of Trinity college, Cambridge, a student in physick, and friend of Dr. Mapletolt. But, as Mr. Ward, like others, neglects to bring any proof of his assertion, the question cannot fairly be decided by his authority.—Orig. Edit.

[54]First printed in The Student, 1751.

[55]Vide Wood's Ath. Ox.—Orig. Edit.

[56]Vide Wood's Ath. Ox.—Orig. Edit.

[57]Vide Wood's Hist. Univ. Ox.—Orig. Edit.

[58]Vide Wood's Hist. Antiq. Oxon.—Orig. Edit.

[59]This life first appeared in the Gentleman's magazine for 1754, and is now printed from a copy revised by the author, at my request, in 1781. N.—It was, in the magazine, introduced by a general remark, which we have again prefixed.

[60]This was said in the beginning of the year 1781; and may with truth be now repeated. N.

[61]The London Magazine ceased to exist in 1785. N.

[62]Mr. Cave was buried in the church of St. James, Clerkenwell, without an epitaph; but the following inscription at Rugby, from the pen of Dr. Hawkesworth, is here transcribed from the Anecdotes of Mr. Bowyer, p. 88.

Near this place liesThe body ofJOSEPH CAVE,Late of this parish:Who departed this Life, Nov. 18, 1747,Aged 79 years.Me was placed by Providence in a humble station;ButIndustry abundantly supplied the wants of Nature,AndTemperance blest him withContent and Wealth.As he was an affectionate Father,He was made happy in the decline of lifeBy the deserved eminence of his eldest Son,EDWARD CAVE,Who, without interest, fortune, or connexion,By the native force of his own genius,

[63]First printed in the Literary Magazine for 1756.

[64]Christian Morals, first printed in 1756.

[65]Life of sir Thomas Browne, prefixed to the Antiquities of Norwich.

[66]Whitefoot's character of sir Thomas Browne, in a marginal note.

[67]Life of sir Thomas Browne.

[68]Wood's Athenæ Oxonienses.

[69]Wood.

[70]Life of sir Thomas Browne.

[71]Life of sir Thomas Browne.

[72]Biographia Britannica.

[73]Letter to sir Kenelm Digby, prefixed to the Religio Medici, fol. edit.

[74]Digby's Letter to Browne, prefixed to the Religio Medici, fol. edit.

[75]Life of sir Thomas Browne.

[76]Merryweather's letter, inserted in the Life of sir Thomas Browne.

[77]Life of sir Thomas Browne.

[78]Wood's Athenae Oxonienses.

[79]Wood.

[80]Whitefoot.

[81]Howell's Letters.

[82]Religio Medici.

[83]Life of sir Thomas Browne.

[84]Wood, and Life of sir Thomas Browne.

[85]the end of Hydriotaphia.

[86]Johnson, by trusting; to his memory, has here fallen into an error. Howell, in his instructions for Foreign Travell, has said directly the reverse of what is ascribed to him: "I have beaten my brains," he tells us, "to make one sentence good Italian and congruous Latin, but could never do it; but in Spanish it is very feasible, as, for example, in this stanza:

Infausta Graecia, tu paris gentesLubricas, sed amicitias dolosas,Machinando fraudes cautilosas,Ruinando animas innocentes:

which is good Latin enough; and yet is vulgar Spanish, intelligible to every plebeian."—J. B.

[87]Browne's Remains.—Whitefoot.

Therefore no hereticks desire to spread Their wild opinions likethese epicures. For so their staggering thoughts are computed,And other men's assent their doubt assures.DAVIES.

[89]First printed before his Works in 4to. published by Bennet, 1763.

END OF VOL. VI.

[Transcriber's Note: Footnotes have been numbered and relocated to the end of the work.]

Back to Index Next