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The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 September 2020
Summary
[1780]
[Paper Apart ‘3 Continuation’; 1st ed. ii. 329] Being disappointed in my hopes of meeting Johnson this year so that I [myself del] could [collect⎰record>] hear none of his ƛadmirableƛ sayings I shall compensate for this want by inserting a collection of them for which I am indebted [MS 356] to my worthy friend Mr. Langton ƛwhose kind communications have been separately interwoven in many parts of this workƛ. A [very small proportion⎰part of them were>] [very small part of this collection was>] [few parts of this collection were>] very few articles of this collection were committed to writing by himself, he not having [accustomed himself to del] that habit which he [himself del] regrets and which those who know the numerous opportunities he had of gathering the [richest fruits of Johnsonian wit and wisdom>] [richest fruits of our illustrious friend's wit and wisdom>] rich fruits of Johnsonian wit and wisdom must ever regret. I however found in conversations with him that a [great>] good store of Johnsoniana was [in his mind⎰treasured & I compared it⎰him>] treasured in his mind & I compared it to Herculaneum or some old Roman field, which when dug, fully rewards the labour employed. The authenticity of every Article is [fully authenticated>] unquestionable. [For the arrangement and partly for the expression⎰style, I who wrote them down [MS 357] in his presence am answerable.⎰must answer.
Johnsoniana from Mr. Langton>]
For the expression, I who wrote them down in his presence am partly answerable.
[LJ No. 1] ‘Theocritus is not deserving of very high Respect as a Writer[;] as to the Pastoral part Virgil is very evidently superior.
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- James Boswell's 'Life of Johnson'An Edition of the Original Manuscript, in Four Volumes; Vol. 4: 1780–1784, pp. 1 - 332Publisher: Edinburgh University PressPrint publication year: 2020