THE

L I F E

OF

SAMUEL JOHNSON, LL. D.

COMPREHENDING

AN ACCOUNT OF HIS STUDIES,

AND

NUMEROUS WORKS, IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER;

A SERIES OF HIS

EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE

AND

CONVERSATIONS WITH MANY EMINENT PERSONS ;

AND VARIOUS ORIGINAL PIECES OF HIS COMPOSITION,

NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED:

THE WHOLE EXHIBITING A VIEW OF LITERATURE AND
LITERARY MEN IN GREAT-BRITAIN, FOR NEAR HALF A

CENTURY DURING WHICH HE FLOURISHED.

BY JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ.

.Quò fit ut OMNIS
Votiva pateat veluti descripta tabella
VITA SENIS ......

HORAT.

FIRST AMERICAN FROM THE FIFTH LONDON EDITION.

IN THREE VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

BOSTON:
PUBLISHED BY W. ANDREWS AND L. BLAKE.

THE

L I F E

OF

SAMUEL JOHNSON, LL. D.

IN 1772 Dr. Johnson was altogether quiescent as an authour; but it will be found, from the various evidences which I shall bring together, that his mind was acute, lively and vigorous.

TO SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS.

DEAR SIR,

“ Be pleased to send to Mr. Banks, whose place of residence I do not know, this note, which I have sent open, that, if you please, you may read it. “ When you send it, do not use your own seal.

“ I am, Sir,

* Your most humble servant, 66 Feb. 27, 1772.

" SAM. JOHNSON."

TO JOSEPH BANKS, ESQ.
“Perpetua ambitá bis terrå præmia lactis

“ Hæc habet altrici Capra secunda Jovis.".
SIR,

“ I RETURN thanks to you and to Dr. Solander for the pleasure which I received in yesterday's conversation. I could not recollect a motto for your Goat, but

liecenaar as law. 1943

* Thus translated by a friend :

“ In fame scarce second to the nurse of Jove,

“ This Goat, who twice the world had traversed round, “ Deserving both her master's cate and love,

“ Ease and perpetual pasture now has found.”