Within my soul, without controul, Sends forth his proud command. si a divertir dan lugar : de una fuente de cristal, durmiose Cupido, etc. que saltando bordava con perlas Cupido que estàì zeloso blancas flores de un verde arrayà. soñando empeço á llorar, Mientras su madre le hazia porque amando es bien que llore para poder hazer mal, quien no recuerda jamas. nuevos hierros á las flechas, Cantavan los Ruyseñores por estar tan botos ya. al son del claro cristal. Mirava entre los claveles, y el ayre va con las hojas y las perlas que le da lleuandoles el compàs. prestadas la muda noche Consuelate pues que sabes para que se adorne mas. que no ay amor firme ya: Y como en nada no hallase y mientras cantava aquesto remedio para su mal, para alivio de su mal, diuirtido entre mil penas durmiose Cupido al son, etc. Idem, ON THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF OFJohnson's interview with George III. I shall transcribe the account as given by Boswell; with which such pains were taken to make it accurate, that it was submitted before publication for the inspection of the King, by one of his principal secretaries of state. In February, 1767, there happened one of the most remarkable incidents of Johnson's life, which gratified his monarchical enthusiasm, and which he loved to relate with all its circumstances, when requested by his friends. This was his being honoured by a private conversation with his Majesty in the library at the Queen's house. He had frequently visited those splendid rooms, and noble collection of books, which he used to say was more numerous and curious than he supposed any person could have made in the time which the King had employed. Mr. Barnard, the librarian, took care that he should have every accommodation that could contribute to his ease and convenience, while indulging his literary taste in that place: so that he had here a very agreeable resource at leisure hours. His Majesty having been informed of his occasional visits, was pleased to signify a desire that he should be told when Dr. Johnson came next to the library. Accordingly, the next time that Johnson did come, as soon as he was fairly engaged with a book, on which, while he sat by the fire, he seemed quite intent, Mr. Barnard stole round to the apartment where the King wes, and, in obedience to his Majesty's commands, mentioned that Dr. Johnson was then in the library. His Majesty said he was at leisure, and would go to him upon which Mr. Barnard took one of the candles that stood on the King's table, and lighted his Majesty through a suite of rooms, till they came to a private door into the library, of which his Majesty had the key. Being entered, Mr. Barnard stepped forward hastily to Dr. Johnson, who was still in a profound study, and whispered him, "Sir, here is the King." Johnson started up, and stood still. His Majesty approached him, and at once was courteously easy. His Majesty began by observing, that he understood he came sometimes to the library; and then mentioning his having heard that the Doctor had been lately at Oxford, asked him if he was not fond of going thither. To which Johnson answered, that he was indeed fond of going to Oxford sometimes, but was likewise glad to come back again. The King then asked him what they were doing at Oxford. commend their diligence, but that in some respects they were mended, for they had put their press under better regulations, and were at that time printing Polybius. He was then asked whether there were better libraries at Oxford or Cambridge. He answered, he believed the Bodleian was larger than any they had at Cambridge; at the same time adding, "I hope, whe ther we have more books or not than they have at Cambridge, we shall make as good use of them as they do." Being asked whether All-Souls or Christ-Church library was the largest, he answered, "All-Souls library is the largest we have, except the Bodleian." Ay, (said the King,) that is the publick library." Johnson answered, he could not much His Majesty enquired if he was then writing any thing. He answered, he was not, for he had pretty well told the world what he knew, and must now read to acquire more knowledge. The King, as it should seem with a view to urge him to rely on his own stores as an original writer, and to continue his labours, then said "İ do not think you borrow much from any body." Johnson said, he thought he had already done his part as a writer. " I should have thought so too, (said the King,) if you had not written so well."Johnson observed to me, upon this, that "No man could have paid a handsomer compliment; and it was fit for a King to pay. It was decisive." When asked by another friend, at Sir Joshua Reynolds's, whether he made any reply to this high compliment, he answered, "No, Sir. When the King had said it, it was to be so. It was not for me to bandy civilities with my Sovereign." Perhaps no man who had spent his whole life in courts could have shewn a more nice and dignified sense of true politeness than Johnson did in this instance. His Majesty having observed to him that he supposed he must have read a great deal; Johnson answered, that he thought more than he read; that he had read a great deal in the early part of his life, but having fallen into ill health, he had not been able to read much, compared with others : for instance, he said he had not thought it was time for me to say someread much, compared with Dr. Warburton. thing that might be more favourable." He Upon which the King said, that he heard added, therefore, that Dr. Hill was, notDr. Warburton was a man of such general withstanding, a very curious observer; and knowledge, that you could scarce talk with if he would have been contented to tell the him on any subject on which he was not world no more than he knew, he might qualified to speak; and that his learning have been a very considerable man, and resembled Garrick's acting, in its univer- needed not to have recourse to such mean sality. His Majesty then talked of the expedients to raise his reputation. controversy between Warburton and The King then talked of literary journLowth, which he seemed to have read, and als, mentioned particularly the " Journal asked Johnson what he thought of it. des Savans," and asked Johnson if it was Johnson answered " Warburton has most well done. Johnson said, it was formerly general, most scholastic learning ; Lowth very well done, and gave some account of is the more correct scholar. I do not know the persons who began it, and carried it on which of them calls names best." The for some years: enlarging at the same King was pleased to say he was of the time, on the nature and use of such works. same opinion ; adding, “ You do not The King asked him if it was well done think then, Dr. Johnson, that there was now. Johnson answered, he had no reason much argument in the case.” Johnson to think that it was. The King then said, he did not think there was. “Why asked him if there were any other literary truly, (said the King,) when once it comes journals published in this kingdom, except to calling names, argument is pretty well the Monthly and Critical Reviews ; and on at an end." being answered there was no other, his His Majesty then asked him what he Majesty asked which of them was the best : thought of Lord Lyttelton's history, which Johnson answered, that the Monthly Rewas tlien just published. Johnson said, he view was done with most care, the Critical thought his style pretty good, but that he upon the best principles ; adding that the had blamed Henry the Second rather too authours of the Monthly Review were enemuch. “Why, (said the King,) they sel- mies to the Church. This the King said dom do these things by halves.” “No, he was sorry to hear. Sir, (answered Johnson, not to Kings.” The conversation next turned on the But fearing to be misunderstood, he pro- Philosophical Transactions, when Johnson ceeded to explain himself; and imme- observed that they had now a better method diately subjoined, “ That for those who of arranging their materials than formerly, spoke worse of Kings than they deserved, “Ay, (said the King,) they are obliged to he could find no excuse ; but that he could Dr. Johnson for that ;” for his Majesty more easily conceive how some might speak had heard and remembered the circum. better of them than they deserved, without stance, which Johnson himself had forgot. any ill intention ; for, as Kings had much His Majesty expressed a desire to have in their power to give, those who were the literary biography of this country ably favoured by them would frequently, from executed, and proposed to Dr. Johnson to gratitude, exaggerate their praises : and as undertake it. Johnson signified his readithis proceeded from a good motive, it was ness to comply with his Majesty's wishes. certainly excusable, as far as errour could During the whole of this interview, be excusable.” Johnson talked to his Majesty with proThe King then asked him what he found respect, but still in his fir manly thought of Dr. Hill, Johnson answered, manner, with a sonorous voice, and never that he was an ingenious man, but had no in that subdued tone which is commonly veracity; and immediately mentioned, as used at the levee and in the drawing-room. an instance of it, an assertion of that After the King withdrew, Johnson shewed writer, that he had seen objects magnified himself highly pleased with his Majesty's to a much greater degree by using three or conversation, and gracious behaviour. He four microscopes at a time than by using said to Mr. Barnard, “ Sir, they may talk one. Now, (added Johnson,) every one of the King as they will ; but he is the finest acquainted with microscopes knows, that gentleman I have ever seen." And he the more of them he looks through, the afterwards observed to Mr. Langton, less the object will appear.” “Why, (re. “Sir, his manners are those of as fine a plied the King,) this is not only telling an gentleman as we may suppose Lewis the untruth, but telling it clumsily; for, if Fourteenth or Charles the Second.” that be the case, every one who can look through a microscope will be able to detect Nothing in this conversation behim. trays symptoms of that state which I now, (said Johnson to his friends, he complains of in his devotional rewhen relating what had passed,) began to cord (on the 2d of August, 1767) consider that I was depreciating this man when he says that he had been dis the estimation of his Sovereign, and turbed and unsettled for a long time, a and had been without resolution to gainst his opponents is very coarse ; apply to study or to business. Half he does not perform the work of dise of this year he passed at a distance section neatly: he mangles rather from the metropolis, and chiefly at than cuts. When he applies the word Lichfield, where he prayed fervently gabble to the elocution of Chatham, by the death-bed of the old servant we are tempted to compare him to of his family, Catherine Chambers, one of the baser fowl, spoken of by leaving her with a fond farewell, and an ancient poet, that clamour against many tears. There was no greater the bird of Jove. proof of the goodness of Johnson's Not many copies of this pamphlet nature, than his attachment to his had been dispersed, when Lord North domestics. Soon after this he placed stopped the sale, and caused some Francis Barber, a negro boy who alterations to be made, for reasons waited on him, at a school in Hertwhich the author did not himself dise fordshire; and, during his education tinctly comprehend. Johnson's own there, encouraged him to good be- opinion of these two political essays haviour by frequent and very kind was, that there was a subtlety of letters. It is on such occasions that disquisition in the first, that was we are ready to allow the justice of worth all the fire of the second. Goldsmith's vindication of his friend, When questioned by Boswell as to that he had nothing of a bear but the the truth of a report that they had skin. obtained for him an addition to his In the two succeeding years, he pension of 2001. a year, he answered continued to labour under the same that, excepting what had been paid restlessness and anxiety; again him by the booksellers, he had not sought for relief in a long visit to got a farthing for them. Oxford, and another to Brighthelm- About this time, there was a prostone with the Thrales ; and pro- ject for enabling him to take a more duced nothing but a prologue to one distinguished part in politics. The of Goldsmith's comedies. proposition for bringing him into the The repeated expulsion of Wilkes House of Commons came from from his seat, by a vote of the House Strahan the printer, who was himself of Commons, had (in 1770) thrown one of the members; Boswell has the nation into a ferment. Johnson preserved the letter, in which this was rouzed to take the side of the zealous friend to Johnson represented ministry; and endeavoured in a to one of the Secretaries of State pamphlet, called the False Alarm, as the services which might reasonably much by ridicule as by argument, to be expected from his eloquence and support a violent and arbitrary mea- fidelity. The reasons which rendered sure. It appears both from his con- the application ineffectual have not versation and his writings, that he been disclosed to us; but it may be thought there was a point at which questioned whether his powers of resistance might become justifiable; reasoning could have been readily and, surely it is more advisable to called forth on a stage so different check the encroachments of power at from any to which he had been their beginning, than to delay oppo- hitherto accustomed; whether so sition, till it cannot be resorted to late in life he could have obtained without greater hazard to the public the habit of attending to speakers, safety. The ministry were happily sometimes dull, and sometimes per: compelled to give way. They were, plexed; or whether that dictatorial however, glad to have so powerful manner which easily conquered opan arm to fight their battles, and, in position in a small circle, might not the next year (1771) employed him have been borne down by resent. in a worthier cause.' In his tract on ment or scorn in a large and mixed the Falkland Islands, the materials assembly. Johnson would most wilfor which were furnished him by Go- lingly have made the experiment; vernment, he appears to have much and when Reynolds repeated what the better of the argument; for he Burke had said of him, that if he has to show the folly of involving had come early into parliament, he the nation in a war for a question would certainly have been the greatable right, and a possession of doubt- est speaker that ever was there, exful advantage; but his invective a- claimed, “ I should like to try my hand now.” That we may proceed with the most extensive erudition ; with an without interruption to the end of herculean robustness of mind, and nerves Johnson's political career, it should not to be broken with labour ; a man who here be told that he published in could spend twenty years in one pursuit . 1774) a short pamphlet in support of Think of a man, like the universal patrihis friend, Mr. Thrale, who at that him in his prophetic vision, the whole se arch in Milton (who had drawn up before time was one of the candidates in a contested election, and a zealous from his loins), a man capable of placing ries of the generations which were to issue supporter of the government. But in review, after having brought together, his devotion to the powers that be, from the east, the west, the north, and the never led him to so great lengths as south, from the coarseness of the rudest in the following year (1775), when he barbarism, to the most refined and subtle wrote Taxation no Tyranny: an civilization, all the schemes of government Answer to the Resolutions and Ad. which had ever prevailed amongst mandress of the American Congress. kind, weighing, measuring, collating and Now that we look back with impar- comparing them all, joining fact with tiality and coolness to the subject of theory, and calling into council , upon all dispute between the mother country speculations which have fatigued the un. this infinite assemblage of things, all the and her colonies, there are few, I derstandings of profound reasoners in all believe, who do not acknowledge the times! Let us then consider that all these Americans to have been driven into were but so many preparatory steps to qualify resistance by claims, which, if they a man, and such a man, tinctured with no were not palpably unlawful, were at national prejudice, with no domestic affecleast highly inexpedient and unjust. tion to admire, and to hold out to the adBut Johnson was no statist. With miration of mankind the constitution of the nature of man taken individually England. - Appeal from the New to the and in the detail, he was well ac Old Institutes, at the end. quainted; but of men as incor It is to be feared, that the diploma porated into society, of the relations of Doctor of Laws, which was sent between the governors and the go- to Johnson in the same year (1775), verned, and of all the complicated at the recommendation of Lord interests of polity and of civil life, his North, at that time Chancellor of the knowledge was very limited. Bio- University, and Prime Minister, was graphy was his favourite study; his. in some measure intended to be the tory, his aversion. Sooner than hear reward of his obsequiousness. In of the Punic war (says Murphy), this instrument, he is called, with an he would be rude to the person that hyperbole of praise which the Uniintroduced the subject; and, as he versity would perhaps now be more told Mr. Thrale, when a gentleman cautious of applying to any indione day spoke to him at the club of vidual, “ In Literarum Republica Catiline's conspiracy, he withdrew his Princeps jam et Primarius." attention, and thought about Tom He had long meditated a visit to Thumb. In his Taxation no Ty, Scotland, in the company of Bosranny, having occasion to notice a well, and was, at length (in 1773), reference made by the American prevailed on set out. Where he Congress to a passage in Montes- went, and what he saw and heard, is quieu, he calls him in contempt the sufficiently known by the relation fanciful Montesquieu. Yet this is which he gave the world next year, the man, of whom Burke, when his in his Journey to the Western Islands just horror of every thing fanciful in of Scotland, and in his Letters to politics was at its height, has passed Mrs. Thrale. It cannot be said of the noblest eulogium that one mo- him, as he has said of Gray, that dern has ever made on another, and whoever reads his narrative, wishes which the reader will pardon me if that to travel and to tell his travels in my veneration for a great name I had been more of his employment. place here as an antidote to the de- He seems to have proceeded on his traction of Johnson. way, with the view of finding somePlace before your eyes such a man as thing at every turn, on which to exMontesquieu. Think of a genius not ercise his powers of argument or of born in every country, or every time; a raillery. His mind is scarcely ever **]an gifted by nature with a penetrating passire to the objects it encounters, uiline eye; with a judgment prepared but shapes them to its own moods. |