Thepublic，however，listenedwithlittleemotion，butwithmuchcivility，tofiveactsofmonotonousdeclamation。Afterninerepresentationstheplaywaswithdrawn。Itis，indeed，altogetherunsuitedtothestage，and，evenwhenperusedinthecloset，willbefoundhardlyworthyoftheauthor。Hehadnottheslightestnotionofwhatblankverseshouldbe。AchangeinthelastsyllableofeveryotherlinewouldmaketheversificationoftheVanityofHumanWishescloselyresembletheversificationofIrene。Thepoet，however，cleared，byhisbenefitnights，andbythesaleofthecopyrightofhistragedy，aboutthreehundredpounds，thenagreatsuminhisestimation。
AboutayearaftertherepresentationofIrene，hebegantopublishaseriesofshortessaysonmorals，manners，andliterature。ThisspeciesofcompositionhadbeenbroughtintofashionbythesuccessoftheTatler，andbythestillmorebrilliantsuccessoftheSpectator。AcrowdofsmallwritershadvainlyattemptedtorivalAddison。TheLayMonastery，theCensor，theFreethinker，thePlainDealer，theChampion，andotherworksofthesamekind，hadhadtheirshortday。Noneofthemhadobtainedapermanentplaceinourliterature;andtheyarenowtobefoundonlyinthelibrariesofthecurious。AtlengthJohnsonundertooktheadventureinwhichsomanyaspirantshadfailed。Inthethirty—sixthyearaftertheappearanceofthelastnumberoftheSpectatorappearedthefirstnumberoftheRambler。FromMarch1750toMarch1752thispapercontinuedtocomeouteveryTuesdayandSaturday。
FromthefirsttheRamblerwasenthusiasticallyadmiredbyafeweminentmen。Richardson，whenonlyfivenumbershadappeared，pronounceditequal，ifnotsuperior，totheSpectator。YoungandHartleyexpressedtheirapprobationnotlesswarmly。BubbDoddington，amongwhosemanyfaultsindifferencetotheclaimsofgeniusandlearningcannotbereckoned，solicitedtheacquaintanceofthewriter。InconsequenceprobablyofthegoodofficesofDoddington，whowasthentheconfidentialadviserofPrinceFrederic，twoofhisRoyalHighness’sgentlemencarriedagraciousmessagetotheprintingoffice，andorderedsevencopiesforLeicesterHouse。Buttheseoverturesseemtohavebeenverycoldlyreceived。Johnsonhadhadenoughofthepatronageofthegreattolasthimallhislife，andwasnotdisposedtohauntanyotherdoorashehadhauntedthedoorofChesterfield。
BythepublictheRamblerwasatfirstverycoldlyreceived。
Thoughthepriceofanumberwasonlytwopence，thesaledidnotamounttofivehundred。Theprofitswerethereforeverysmall。
Butassoonastheflyingleaveswerecollectedandreprintedtheybecamepopular。TheauthorlivedtoseethirteenthousandcopiesspreadoverEnglandalone。SeparateeditionswerepublishedfortheScotchandIrishmarkets。Alargepartypronouncedthestyleperfect，soabsolutelyperfectthatinsomeessaysitwouldbeimpossibleforthewriterhimselftoalterasinglewordforthebetter。Anotherparty，notlessnumerous，vehementlyaccusedhimofhavingcorruptedthepurityoftheEnglishtongue。Thebestcriticsadmittedthathisdictionwastoomonotonous，tooobviouslyartificial，andnowandthenturgideventoabsurdity。Buttheydidjusticetotheacutenessofhisobservationsonmoralsandmanners，totheconstantprecisionandfrequentbrilliancyofhislanguage，totheweightyandmagnificenteloquenceofmanyseriouspassages，andtothesolemnyetpleasinghumourofsomeofthelighterpapers。OnthequestionofprecedencebetweenAddisonandJohnson，aquestionwhich，seventyyearsago，wasmuchdisputed，posterityhaspronouncedadecisionfromwhichthereisnoappeal。SirRoger，hischaplainandhisbutler，WillWimbleandWillHoneycomb，theVisionofMirza，theJournaloftheRetiredCitizen，theEverlastingClub，theDunmowFlitch，theLovesofHilpahandShalum，theVisittotheExchange，andtheVisittotheAbbey，areknowntoeverybody。Butmanymenandwomen，evenofhighlycultivatedminds，areunacquaintedwithSquireBlusterandMrsBusy，QuisquiliusandVenustulus，theAllegoryofWitandLearning，theChronicleoftheRevolutionsofaGarret，andthesadfateofAningaitandAjut。
ThelastRamblerwaswritteninasadandgloomyhour。MrsJohnsonhadbeengivenoverbythephysicians。Threedayslatershedied。Sheleftherhusbandalmostbroken—hearted。Manypeoplehadbeensurprisedtoseeamanofhisgeniusandlearningstoopingtoeverydrudgery，anddenyinghimselfalmosteverycomfort，forthepurposeofsupplyingasilly，affectedoldwomanwithsuperfluities，whichsheacceptedwithbutlittlegratitude。
Butallhisaffectionhadbeenconcentratedonher。Hehadneitherbrothernorsister，neithersonnordaughter。TohimshewasbeautifulastheGunnings，andwittyasLadyMary。HeropinionofhiswritingswasmoreimportanttohimthanthevoiceofthepitofDruryLaneTheatreorthejudgmentoftheMonthlyReview。ThechiefsupportwhichhadsustainedhimthroughthemostarduouslabourofhislifewasthehopethatshewouldenjoythefameandtheprofitwhichheanticipatedfromhisDictionary。
Shewasgone;andinthatvastlabyrinthofstreets，peopledbyeighthundredthousandhumanbeings，hewasalone。Yetitwasnecessaryforhimtosethimself，asheexpressedit，doggedlytowork。Afterthreemorelaboriousyears，theDictionarywasatlengthcomplete。
Ithadbeengenerallysupposedthatthisgreatworkwouldbededicatedtotheeloquentandaccomplishednoblemantowhomtheprospectushadbeenaddressed。Hewellknewthevalueofsuchacompliment;andtherefore，whenthedayofpublicationdrewnear，heexertedhimselftosoothe，byashowofzealousandatthesametimeofdelicateandjudiciouskindness，thepridewhichhehadsocruellywounded。SincetheRamblershadceasedtoappear，thetownhadbeenentertainedbyajournalcalledtheWorld，towhichmanymenofhighrankandfashioncontributed。IntwosuccessivenumbersoftheWorldtheDictionarywas，tousethemodernphrase，puffedwithwonderfulskill。ThewritingsofJohnsonwerewarmlypraised。ItwasproposedthatheshouldbeinvestedwiththeauthorityofaDictator，nay，ofaPope，overourlanguage，andthathisdecisionsaboutthemeaningandthespellingofwordsshouldbereceivedasfinal。Histwofolios，itwassaid，wouldofcoursebeboughtbyeverybodywhocouldaffordtobuythem。ItwassoonknownthatthesepaperswerewrittenbyChesterfield。ButthejustresentmentofJohnsonwasnottobesoappeased。Inaletterwrittenwithsingularenergyanddignityofthoughtandlanguage，herepelledthetardyadvancesofhispatron。TheDictionarycameforthwithoutadedication。Intheprefacetheauthortrulydeclaredthatheowednothingtothegreat，anddescribedthedifficultieswithwhichhehadbeenlefttostrugglesoforciblyandpatheticallythattheablestandmostmalevolentofalltheenemiesofhisfame，HorneTooke，nevercouldreadthatpassagewithouttears。
Thepublic，onthisoccasion，didJohnsonfulljustice，andsomethingmorethanjustice。Thebestlexicographermaywellbecontentifhisproductionsarereceivedbytheworldwithcoldesteem。ButJohnson’sDictionarywashailedwithanenthusiasmsuchasnosimilarworkhaseverexcited。Itwasindeedthefirstdictionarywhichcouldbereadwithpleasure。Thedefinitionsshowsomuchacutenessofthoughtandcommandoflanguage，andthepassagesquotedfrompoets，divines，andphilosophersaresoskilfullyselected，thataleisurehourmayalwaysbeveryagreeablyspentinturningoverthepages。Thefaultsofthebookresolvethemselves，forthemostpart，intoonegreatfault。Johnsonwasawretchedetymologist。HeknewlittleornothingofanyTeutoniclanguageexceptEnglish，whichindeed，ashewroteit，wasscarcelyaTeutoniclanguage;andthushewasabsolutelyatthemercyofJuniusandSkinner。
TheDictionary，thoughitraisedJohnson’sfame，addednothingtohispecuniarymeans。Thefifteenhundredguineaswhichthebooksellershadagreedtopayhimhadbeenadvancedandspentbeforethelastsheetsissuedfromthepress。Itispainfultorelatethat，twiceinthecourseoftheyearwhichfollowedthepublicationofthisgreatwork，hewasarrestedandcarriedtospunging—houses，andthathewastwiceindebtedforhislibertytohisexcellentfriendRichardson。ItwasstillnecessaryforthemanwhohadbeenformallysalutedbythehighestauthorityasDictatoroftheEnglishlanguagetosupplyhiswantsbyconstanttoil。HeabridgedhisDictionary。HeproposedtobringoutaneditionofShakspearebysubscription;andmanysubscriberssentintheirnamesandlaiddowntheirmoney;buthesoonfoundthetasksolittletohistastethatheturnedtomoreattractiveemployments。Hecontributedmanypaperstoanewmonthlyjournal，whichwascalledtheLiteraryMagazine。Fewofthesepapershavemuchinterest;butamongthemwastheverybestthingthatheeverwrote，amasterpiecebothofreasoningandofsatiricalpleasantry，thereviewofJenyn’sInquiryintotheNatureandOriginofEvil。
Inthespringof1758Johnsonputforththefirstofaseriesofessays，entitledtheIdler。Duringtwoyearstheseessayscontinuedtoappearweekly。Theywereeagerlyread，widelycirculated，andindeed，impudentlypirated，whiletheywerestillintheoriginalform，andhadalargesalewhencollectedintovolumes。TheIdlermaybedescribedasasecondpartoftheRambler，somewhatlivelierandsomewhatweakerthanthefirstpart。
WhileJohnsonwasbusiedwithhisIdlers，hismother，whohadaccomplishedherninetiethyear，diedatLichfield。Itwaslongsincehehadseenher;buthehadnotfailedtocontributelargely，outofhissmallmeans，tohercomfort。Inordertodefraythechargesofherfuneral，andtopaysomedebtswhichshehadleft，hewrotealittlebookinasingleweek，andsentoffthesheetstothepresswithoutreadingthemover。Ahundredpoundswerepaidhimforthecopyright;andthepurchasershadgreatcausetobepleasedwiththeirbargain;forthebookwasRasselas。
ThesuccessofRasselaswasgreat，thoughsuchladiesasMissLydiaLanguishmusthavebeengrievouslydisappointedwhentheyfoundthatthenewvolumefromthecirculatinglibrarywaslittlemorethanadissertationontheauthor’sfavouritetheme，theVanityofHumanWishes;thatthePrinceofAbyssiniawaswithoutamistress，andtheprincesswithoutalover;andthatthestorysettheheroandtheheroinedownexactlywhereithadtakenthemup。Thestylewasthesubjectofmucheagercontroversy。TheMonthlyReviewandtheCriticalReviewtookdifferentsides。
Manyreaderspronouncedthewriterapompouspedant，whowouldneveruseawordoftwosyllableswhereitwaspossibletouseawordofsix，andwhocouldnotmakeawaitingwomanrelateheradventureswithoutbalancingeverynounwithanothernoun，andeveryepithetwithanotherepithet。Anotherparty，notlesszealous，citedwithdelightnumerouspassagesinwhichweightymeaningwasexpressedwithaccuracyandillustratedwithsplendour。Andboththecensureandthepraiseweremerited。
AbouttheplanofRasselaslittlewassaidbythecritics;andyetthefaultsoftheplanmightseemtoinviteseverecriticism。
JohnsonhasfrequentlyblamedShakspeareforneglectingtheproprietiesoftimeandplace，andforascribingtooneageornationthemannersandopinionsofanother。YetShakspearehasnotsinnedinthiswaymoregrievouslythanJohnson。RasselasandImlac，NekayahandPekuah，areevidentlymeanttobeAbyssiniansoftheeighteenthcentury:fortheEuropewhichImlacdescribesistheEuropeoftheeighteenthcentury;andtheinmatesoftheHappyValleytalkfamiliarlyofthatlawofgravitationwhichNewtondiscovered，andwhichwasnotfullyreceivedevenatCambridgetilltheeighteenthcentury。WhatarealcompanyofAbyssinianswouldhavebeenmaybelearnedfromBruce’sTravels。ButJohnson，notcontentwithturningfilthysavages，ignorantoftheirletters，andgorgedwithrawsteakscutfromlivingcows，intophilosophersaseloquentandenlightenedashimselforhisfriendBurke，andintoladiesashighlyaccomplishedasMrsLennoxorMrsSheridan，transferredthewholedomesticsystemofEnglandtoEgypt。Intoalandofharems，alandofpolygamy，alandwherewomenaremarriedwithouteverbeingseen，heintroducedtheflirtationsandjealousiesofourball—rooms。Inalandwherethereisboundlesslibertyofdivorce，wedlockisdescribedastheindissolublecompact。\"Ayouthandmaidenmeetingbychance，orbroughttogetherbyartifice，exchangeglances，reciprocatecivilities，gohome，anddreamofeachother。Such，\"saysRasselas，\"isthecommonprocessofmarriage。\"Suchitmayhavebeen，andmaystillbe，inLondon，butassuredlynotatCairo。AwriterwhowasguiltyofsuchimproprietieshadlittlerighttoblamethepoetwhomadeHectorquoteAristotle，andrepresentedJulioRomanoasflourishinginthedaysoftheoracleofDelphi。
Bysuchexertionsashavebeendescribed，Johnsonsupportedhimselftilltheyear1762。Inthatyearagreatchangeinhiscircumstancestookplace。Hehadfromachildbeenanenemyofthereigningdynasty。HisJacobiteprejudiceshadbeenexhibitedwithlittledisguisebothinhisworksandinhisconversation。
EveninhismassyandelaborateDictionary，hehad，withastrangewantoftasteandjudgment，insertedbitterandcontumeliousreflectionsontheWhigparty。Theexcise，whichwasafavouriteresourceofWhigfinanciers，hehaddesignatedasahatefultax。Hehadrailedagainstthecommissionersofexciseinlanguagesocoarsethattheyhadseriouslythoughtofprosecutinghim。HehadwithdifficultybeenpreventedfromholdinguptheLordPrivySealbynameasanexampleofthemeaningoftheword\"renegade。\"Apensionhehaddefinedaspaygiventoastatehirelingtobetrayhiscountry;apensionerasaslaveofstatehiredbyastipendtoobeyamaster。Itseemedunlikelythattheauthorofthesedefinitionswouldhimselfbepensioned。Butthatwasatimeofwonders。GeorgetheThirdhadascendedthethrone;andhad，inthecourseofafewmonths，disgustedmanyoftheoldfriendsandconciliatedmanyoftheoldenemiesofhishouse。Thecitywasbecomingmutinous。Oxfordwasbecomingloyal。CavendishesandBentincksweremurmuring。
SomersetsandWyndhamswerehasteningtokisshands。TheheadofthetreasurywasnowLordBute，whowasaTory，andcouldhavenoobjectiontoJohnson’sToryism。Butewishedtobethoughtapatronofmenofletters;andJohnsonwasoneofthemosteminentandoneofthemostneedymenoflettersinEurope。Apensionofthreehundredayearwasgraciouslyoffered，andwithverylittlehesitationaccepted。
ThiseventproducedachangeinJohnson’swholewayoflife。Forthefirsttimesincehisboyhoodhenolongerfeltthedailygoadurginghimtothedailytoil。Hewasatliberty，afterthirtyyearsofanxietyanddrudgery，toindulgehisconstitutionalindolence，tolieinbedtilltwointheafternoon，andtosituptalkingtillfourinthemorning，withoutfearingeithertheprinter’sdevilorthesheriff’sofficer。
Onelaborioustaskindeedhehadboundhimselftoperform。HehadreceivedlargesubscriptionsforhispromisededitionofShakspeare;hehadlivedonthosesubscriptionsduringsomeyears:andhecouldnotwithoutdisgraceomittoperformhispartofthecontract。Hisfriendsrepeatedlyexhortedhimtomakeaneffort;andherepeatedlyresolvedtodoso。But，notwithstandingtheirexhortationsandhisresolutions，monthfollowedmonth，yearfollowedyear，andnothingwasdone。Heprayedferventlyagainsthisidleness;hedetermined，asoftenashereceivedthesacrament，thathewouldnolongerdozeawayandtrifleawayhistime;butthespellunderwhichhelayresistedprayerandsacrament。Hisprivatenotesatthistimearemadeupofself—reproaches。\"Myindolence，\"hewroteonEasterEvein1764，\"hassunkintogrossersluggishness。Akindofstrangeoblivionhasoverspreadme，sothatIknownotwhathasbecomeofthelastyear。\"Easter1765came，andfoundhimstillinthesamestate。\"Mytime，\"hewrote，\"hasbeenunprofitablyspent，andseemsasadreamthathasleftnothingbehind。Mymemorygrowsconfused，andIknownothowthedayspassoverme。\"
Happilyforhishonour，thecharmwhichheldhimcaptivewasatlengthbrokenbynogentleorfriendlyhand。HehadbeenweakenoughtopayseriousattentiontoastoryaboutaghostwhichhauntedahouseinCockLane，andhadactuallygonehimselfwithsomeofhisfriends，atoneinthemorning，toStJohn’sChurch，Clerkenwell，inthehopeofreceivingacommunicationfromtheperturbedspirit。Butthespirit，thoughadjuredwithallsolemnity，remainedobstinatelysilent;anditsoonappearedthatanaughtygirlofelevenhadbeenamusingherselfbymakingfoolsofsomanyphilosophers。Churchill，who，confidantinhispowers，drunkwithpopularity，andburningwithpartyspirit，waslookingforsomemanofestablishedfameandTorypoliticstoinsult，celebratedtheCockLaneGhostinthreecantos，nicknamedJohnsonPomposo，askedwherethebookwaswhichhadbeensolongpromisedandsoliberallypaidfor，anddirectlyaccusedthegreatmoralistofcheating。Thisterriblewordprovedeffectual;
andinOctober1765appeared，afteradelayofnineyears，theneweditionofShakspeare。
ThispublicationsavedJohnson’scharacterforhonesty，butaddednothingtothefameofhisabilitiesandlearning。Thepreface，thoughitcontainssomegoodpassages，isnotinhisbestmanner。
Themostvaluablenotesarethoseinwhichhehadanopportunityofshowinghowattentivelyhehadduringmanyyearsobservedhumanlifeandhumannature。ThebestspecimenisthenoteonthecharacterofPolonius。NothingsogoodistobefoundeveninWilhelmMeister’sadmirableexaminationofHamlet。Butherepraisemustend。Itwouldbedifficulttonameamoreslovenly，amoreworthlesseditionofanygreatclassic。Thereadermayturnoverplayafterplaywithoutfindingonehappyconjecturalemendation，oroneingeniousandsatisfactoryexplanationofapassagewhichhadbaffledprecedingcommentators。Johnsonhad，inhisprospectus，toldtheworldthathewaspeculiarlyfittedforthetaskwhichhehadundertaken，becausehehad，asalexicographer，beenunderthenecessityoftakingawiderviewoftheEnglishlanguagethananyofhispredecessors。Thathisknowledgeofourliteraturewasextensiveisindisputable。But，unfortunately，hehadaltogetherneglectedthatverypartofourliteraturewithwhichitisespeciallydesirablethataneditorofShakspeareshouldbeconversant。Itisdangeroustoassertanegative。Yetlittlewillberiskedbytheassertion，thatinthetwofoliovolumesoftheEnglishDictionarythereisnotasinglepassagequotedfromanydramatistoftheElizabethanage，exceptShakspeareandBen。EvenfromBenthequotationsarefew。
Johnsonmighteasily，inafewmonths，havemadehimselfwellacquaintedwitheveryoldplaythatwasextant。Butitneverseemstohaveoccurredtohimthatthiswasanecessarypreparationfortheworkwhichhehadundertaken。HewoulddoubtlesshaveadmittedthatitwouldbetheheightofabsurdityinamanwhowasnotfamiliarwiththeworksofAeschylusandEuripidestopublishaneditionofSophocles。YetheventuredtopublishaneditionofShakspeare，withouthavingeverinhislife，asfarascanbediscovered，readasinglesceneofMassinger，Ford，Decker，Webster，Marlow，Beaumont，orFletcher。
Hisdetractorswerenoisyandscurrilous。Thosewhomostlovedandhonouredhimhadlittletosayinpraiseofthemannerinwhichhehaddischargedthedutyofacommentator。Hehad，however，acquittedhimselfofadebtwhichhadlonglainonhisconscience;andhesankbackintothereposefromwhichthestingofsatirehadrousedhim。Helongcontinuedtoliveuponthefamewhichhehadalreadywon。HewashonouredbytheUniversityofOxfordwithaDoctor’sdegree，bytheRoyalAcademywithaprofessorship，andbytheKingwithaninterview，inwhichhisMajestymostgraciouslyexpressedahopethatsoexcellentawriterwouldnotceasetowrite。Intheinterval，however，between1765and1775Johnsonpublishedonlytwoorthreepoliticaltracks，thelongestofwhichhecouldhaveproducedinforty—eighthours，ifhehadworkedasheworkedonthelifeofSavageandonRasselas。
But，thoughhispenwasnowidle，histonguewasactive。Theinfluenceexercisedbyhisconversation，directlyuponthosewithwhomhelived，andindirectlyonthewholeliteraryworld，wasaltogetherwithoutaparallel。Hiscolloquialtalentswereindeedofthehighestorder。Hehadstrongsense，quickdiscernment，wit，humour，immenseknowledgeofliteratureandoflife，andaninfinitestoreofcuriousanecdotes。Asrespectedstyle，hespokefarbetterthanhewrote。EverysentencewhichdroppedfromhislipswasascorrectinstructureasthemostnicelybalancedperiodoftheRambler。Butinhistalktherewasnopompoustriads，andlittlemorethanafairproportionofwordsin\"osity\"and\"ation\"。Allwassimplicity，ease，andvigour。Heutteredhisshort，weighty，andpointedsentenceswithapowerofvoice，andajustnessandenergyofemphasis，ofwhichtheeffectwasratherincreasedthandiminishedbytherollingsofhishugeform，andbytheasthmaticgaspingsandpuffingsinwhichthepealsofhiseloquencegenerallyended。
Nordidthelazinesswhichmadehimunwillingtositdowntohisdeskpreventhimfromgivinginstructionorentertainmentorally。
Todiscussquestionsoftaste，oflearning，casuistry，inlanguagesoexactandsoforciblethatitmighthavebeenprintedwithoutthealterationofaword，wastohimnoexertion，butapleasure。Heloved，ashesaid，tofoldhislegsandhavehistalkout。Hewasreadytobestowtheoverflowingsofhisfullmindonanybodywhowouldstartasubject，onafellow—passengerinastagecoach，oronthepersonwhosateatthesametablewithhiminaneating—house。Buthisconversationwasnowheresobrilliantandstrikingaswhenhewassurroundedbyafewfriends，whoseabilitiesandknowledgeenabledthem，asheonceexpressedit，tosendhimbackeveryballthathethrew。Someofthese，in1764，formedthemselvesintoaclub，whichgraduallybecameaformidablepowerinthecommonwealthofletters。TheverdictspronouncedbythisconclaveonnewbookswerespeedilyknownoverallLondon，andweresufficienttoselloffawholeeditioninaday，ortocondemnthesheetstotheserviceofthetrunk—makerandthepastry—cook。Norshallwethinkthisstrangewhenweconsiderwhatgreatandvarioustalentsandacquirementsmetinthelittlefraternity。Goldsmithwastherepresentativeofpoetryandlightliterature，Reynoldsofthearts，Burkeofpoliticaleloquenceandpoliticalphilosophy。There，too，wereGibbon，thegreatesthistorian，andJones，thegreatestlinguist，oftheage。Garrickbroughttothemeetingshisinexhaustiblepleasantry，hisincomparablemimicry，andhisconsummateknowledgeofstageeffect。Amongthemostconstantattendantsweretwohigh—bornandhigh—bredgentlemen，closelyboundtogetherbyfriendship，butofwidelydifferentcharactersandhabits;BennetLangton，distinguishedbyhisskillinGreekliterature，bytheorthodoxyofhisopinions，andbythesanctityofhislife;andTophamBeauclerk，renownedforhisamours，hisknowledgeofthegayworld，hisfastidioustaste，andhissarcasticwit。Topredominateoversuchasocietywasnoteasy。
YetevenoversuchasocietyJohnsonpredominated。Burkemightindeedhavedisputedthesupremacytowhichotherswereunderthenecessityofsubmitting。ButBurke，thoughnotgenerallyaverypatientlistener，wascontenttotakethesecondpartwhenJohnsonwaspresent;andtheclubitself，consistingofsomanyeminentmen，istothisdaypopularlydesignatedasJohnson’sClub。
Amongthemembersofthiscelebratedbodywasonetowhomithasowedthegreaterpartofitscelebrity，yetwhowasregardedwithlittlerespectbyhisbrethren，andhadnotwithoutdifficultyobtainedaseatamongthem。ThiswasJamesBoswell，ayoungScotchlawyer，heirtoanhonourablenameandafairestate。
Thathewasacoxcombandabore，weak，vain，pushing，curious，garrulous，wasobvioustoallwhowereacquaintedwithhim。Thathecouldnotreason，thathehadnowit，nohumour，noeloquence，isapparentfromhiswritings。AndyethiswritingsarereadbeyondtheMississippi，andundertheSouthernCross，andarelikelytobereadaslongastheEnglishexists，eitherasalivingorasadeadlanguage。Naturehadmadehimaslaveandanidolater。Hismindresemblesthosecreeperswhichthebotanistscallparasites，andwhichcansubsistonlybyclingingroundthestemsandimbibingthejuicesofstrongerplants。Hemusthavefastenedhimselfonsomebody。HemighthavefastenedhimselfonWilkes，andhavebecomethefiercestpatriotintheBillofRightsSociety。HemighthavefastenedhimselfonWhitfield，andhavebecometheloudestfieldpreacheramongtheCalvinisticMethodists。InahappyhourhefastenedhimselfonJohnson。Thepairmightseemillmatched。ForJohnsonhadearlybeenprejudicedagainstBoswell’scountry。ToamanofJohnson’sstrongunderstandingandirritabletemper，thesillyegotismandadulationofBoswellmusthavebeenasteasingastheconstantbuzzofafly。Johnsonhatedtobequestioned;andBoswellwaseternallycatechisinghimonallkindsofsubjects，andsometimespropoundedsuchquestionsas\"Whatwouldyoudo，sir，ifyouwerelockedupinatowerwithababy？\"Johnsonwasawaterdrinker;
andBoswellwasawine—bibber，andindeedlittlebetterthanahabitualsot。Itwasimpossiblethatthereshouldbeperfectharmonybetweentwosuchcompanions。Indeed，thegreatmanwassometimesprovokedintofitsofpassioninwhichhesaidthingswhichthesmallman，duringafewhours，seriouslyresented。
Everyquarrel，however，wassoonmadeup。Duringtwentyyearsthedisciplecontinuedtoworshipthemaster:themastercontinuedtoscoldthedisciple，tosneerathim，andtolovehim。Thetwofriendsordinarilyresidedatagreatdistancefromeachother。BoswellpractisedintheParliamentHouseofEdinburgh，andcouldpayonlyoccasionalvisitstoLondon。
DuringthosevisitshischiefbusinesswastowatchJohnson，todiscoverallJohnson’shabits，toturntheconversationtosubjectsaboutwhichJohnsonwaslikelytosaysomethingremarkable，andtofillquartonotebookswithminutesofwhatJohnsonhadsaid。Inthiswayweregatheredthematerialsoutofwhichwasafterwardsconstructedthemostinterestingbiographicalworkintheworld。
Soonaftertheclubbegantoexist，Johnsonformedaconnectionlessimportantindeedtohisfame，butmuchmoreimportanttohishappiness，thanhisconnectionwithBoswell。HenryThrale，oneofthemostopulentbrewersinthekingdom，amanofsoundandcultivatedunderstanding，rigidprinciples，andliberalspirit，wasmarriedtooneofthoseclever，kind—hearted，engaging，vain，pertyoungwomen，whoareperpetuallydoingorsayingwhatisnotexactlyright，butwho，doorsaywhattheymay，arealwaysagreeable。In1765theThralesbecameacquaintedwithJohnson;
andtheacquaintanceripenedfastintofriendship。Theywereastonishedanddelightedbythebrilliancyofhisconversation。
Theywereflatteredbyfindingthatamansowidelycelebrated，preferredtheirhousetoanyotherinLondon。Eventhepeculiaritieswhichseemedtounfithimforcivilisedsociety，hisgesticulations，hisrollings，hispuffings，hismutterings，thestrangewayinwhichheputonhisclothes，theravenouseagernesswithwhichhedevouredhisdinner，hisfitsofmelancholy，hisfitsofanger，hisfrequentrudeness，hisoccasionalferocity，increasedtheinterestwhichhisnewassociatestookinhim。Forthesethingswerethecruelmarksleftbehindbyalifewhichhadbeenonelongconflictwithdiseaseandwithadversity。Inavulgarhackwritersuchodditieswouldhaveexcitedonlydisgust。Butinamanofgenius，learning，andvirtuetheireffectwastoaddpitytoadmirationandesteem。JohnsonsoonhadanapartmentatthebreweryinSouthwark，andastillmorepleasantapartmentatthevillaofhisfriendsonStreathamCommon。Alargepartofeveryyearhepassedinthoseabodes，abodeswhichmusthaveseemedmagnificentandluxuriousindeed，whencomparedwiththedensinwhichhehadgenerallybeenlodged。ButhischiefpleasureswerederivedfromwhattheastronomerofhisAbyssiniantalecalled\"theendearingeleganceoffemalefriendship。\"MrsThraleralliedhim，soothedhim，coaxedhim，and，ifshesometimesprovokedhimbyherflippancy，madeampleamendsbylisteningtohisreproofswithangelicsweetnessoftemper。Whenhewasdiseasedinbodyandinmind，shewasthemosttenderofnurses。
Nocomfortthatwealthcouldpurchase，nocontrivancethatwomanlyingenuity，settoworkbywomanlycompassion，coulddevise，waswantingtohissick—room。Herequitedherkindnessbyanaffectionpureastheaffectionofafather，yetdelicatelytingedwithagallantry，which，thoughawkward，musthavebeenmoreflatteringthantheattentionsofacrowdofthefoolswhogloriedinthenames，nowobsolete，ofBuckandMaccaroni。ItshouldseemthatafullhalfofJohnson’slife，duringaboutsixteenyears，waspassedundertheroofoftheThrales。HeaccompaniedthefamilysometimestoBath，andsometimestoBrighton，oncetoWales，andoncetoParis。ButhehadatthesametimeahouseinoneofthenarrowandgloomycourtsonthenorthofFleetStreet。Inthegarretswashislibrary，alargeandmiscellaneouscollectionofbooks，fallingtopiecesandbegrimedwithdust。Onalowerfloorhesometimes，butveryrarely，regaledafriendwithaplaindinner，avealpie，oralegoflambandspinage，andaricepudding。Norwasthedwellinguninhabitedduringhislongabsences。Itwasthehomeofthemostextraordinaryassemblageofinmatesthateverwasbroughttogether。AttheheadoftheestablishmentJohnsonhadplacedanoldladynamedWilliams，whosechiefrecommendationswereherblindnessandherpoverty。But，inspiteofhermurmursandreproaches，hegaveanasylumtoanotherladywhowasaspoorasherself，MrsDesmoulins，whosefamilyhehadknownmanyyearsbeforeinStaffordshire。RoomwasfoundforthedaughterofMrsDesmoulins，andforanotherdestitutedamsel，whowasgenerallyaddressedasMissCarmichael，butwhomhergeneroushostcalledPolly。AnoldquackdoctornamedLevett，whobledanddosedcoal—heaversandhackneycoachmen，andreceivedforfeescrustsofbread，bitsofbacon，glassesofgin，andsometimesalittlecopper，completedthisstrangemenagerie。Allthesepoorcreatureswereatconstantwarwitheachother，andwithJohnson’snegroservantFrank。Sometimes，indeed，theytransferredtheirhostilitiesfromtheservanttothemaster，complainedthatabettertablewasnotkeptforthem，andrailedormaunderedtilltheirbenefactorwasgladtomakehisescapetoStreatham，ortotheMitreTavern。Andyethe，whowasgenerallythehaughtiestandmostirritableofmankind，whowasbuttooprompttoresentanythingwhichlookedlikeaslightonthepartofapurse—proudbookseller，orofanobleandpowerfulpatron，borepatientlyfrommendicants，who，butforhisbounty，musthavegonetotheworkhouse，insultsmoreprovokingthanthoseforwhichhehadknockeddownOsborneandbiddendefiancetoChesterfield。YearafteryearMrsDesmoulins，Polly，andLevett，continuedtotormenthimandtoliveuponhim。
ThecourseoflifewhichhasbeendescribedwasinterruptedinJohnson’ssixty—fourthyearbyanimportantevent。HehadearlyreadanaccountoftheHebrides，andhadbeenmuchinterestedbylearningthattherewassonearhimalandpeopledbyaracewhichwasstillasrudeandsimpleasinthemiddleages。Awishtobecomeintimatelyacquaintedwithastateofsocietysoutterlyunlikeallthathehadeverseenfrequentlycrossedhismind。Butitisnotprobablethathiscuriositywouldhaveovercomehishabitualsluggishness，andhisloveofthesmoke，themud，andthecriesofLondon，hadnotBoswellimportunedhimtoattempttheadventure，andofferedtobehissquire。Atlength，inAugust1773，JohnsoncrossedtheHighlandline，andplungedcourageouslyintowhatwasthenconsidered，bymostEnglishmen，asadrearyandperilouswilderness。AfterwanderingabouttwomonthsthroughtheCelticregion，sometimesinrudeboatswhichdidnotprotecthimfromtherain，andsometimesonsmallshaggyponieswhichcouldhardlybearhisweight，hereturnedtohisoldhauntswithamindfullofnewimagesandnewtheories。Duringthefollowingyearheemployedhimselfinrecordinghisadventures。Aboutthebeginningof1775，hisJourneytotheHebrideswaspublished，andwas，duringsomeweeks，thechiefsubjectofconversationinallcirclesinwhichanyattentionwaspaidtoliterature。Thebookisstillreadwithpleasure。Thenarrativeisentertaining;thespeculations，whethersoundorunsound，arealwaysingenious;andthestyle，thoughtoostiffandpompous，issomewhateasierandmoregracefulthanthatofhisearlywritings。HisprejudiceagainsttheScotchhadatlengthbecomelittlemorethanmatterofjest;
andwhateverremainedoftheoldfeelinghadbeeneffectuallyremovedbythekindandrespectfulhospitalitywithwhichhehadbeenreceivedineverypartofScotland。Itwas，ofcourse，nottobeexpectedthatanOxonianToryshouldpraisethePresbyterianpolityandritual，orthataneyeaccustomedtothehedgerowsandparksofEnglandshouldnotbestruckbythebarenessofBerwickshireandEastLothian。ButevenincensureJohnson’stoneisnotunfriendly。ThemostenlightenedScotchmen，withLordMansfieldattheirhead，werewellpleased。
ButsomefoolishandignorantScotchmenweremovedtoangerbyalittleunpalatabletruthwhichwasmingledwithmucheulogy，andassailedhimwhomtheychosetoconsiderastheenemyoftheircountrywithlibelsmuchmoredishonourabletotheircountrythananythingthathehadeversaidorwritten。Theypublishedparagraphsinthenewspapers，articlesinthemagazines，sixpennypamphlets，five—shillingbooks。OnescribblerabusedJohnsonforbeingblear—eyed;anotherforbeingapensioner;athirdinformedtheworldthatoneoftheDoctor’suncleshadbeenconvictedoffelonyinScotland，andhadfoundthattherewasinthatcountryonetreecapableofsupportingtheweightofanEnglishman。
Macpherson，whoseFingalhadbeenprovedintheJourneytobeanimpudentforgery，threatenedtotakevengeancewithacane。TheonlyeffectofthisthreatwasthatJohnsonreiteratedthechargeofforgeryinthemostcontemptuousterms，andwalkedabout，duringsometime，withacudgel，which，iftheimpostorhadnotbeentoowisetoencounterit，wouldassuredlyhavedescendeduponhim，toborrowthesublimelanguageofhisownepicpoem，\"likeahammerontheredsonofthefurnace。\"
OfotherassailantsJohnsontooknonoticewhatever。Hehadearlyresolvednevertobedrawnintocontroversy;andheadheredtohisresolutionwithasteadfastnesswhichisthemoreextraordinary，becausehewas，bothintellectuallyandmorally，ofthestuffofwhichcontroversialistsaremade。Inconversation，hewasasingularlyeager，acute，andpertinaciousdisputant。Whenatalossforgoodreasons，hehadrecoursetosophistry;and，whenheatedbyaltercation，hemadeunsparinguseofsarcasmandinvective。But，whenhetookhispeninhishand，hiswholecharacterseemedtobechanged。Ahundredbadwritersmisrepresentedhimandreviledhim;butnotoneofthehundredcouldboastofhavingbeenthoughtbyhimworthyofarefutation，orevenofaretort。TheKenricks，Campbells，MacNicols，andHendersons，didtheirbesttoannoyhim，inthehopethathewouldgivethemimportancebyansweringthem。ButthereaderwillinvainsearchhisworksforanyallusiontoKenrickorCampbell，toMacNicolorHenderson。OneScotchman，bentonvindicatingthefameofScotchlearning，defiedhimtothecombatinadetestableLatinhexameter。
\"Maxime，situvis，cupiocontenderetecum。\"
ButJohnsontooknonoticeofthechallenge。Hehadlearned，bothfromhisownobservationandfromliteraryhistory，inwhichhewasdeeplyread，thattheplaceofbooksinthepublicestimationisfixed，notbywhatiswrittenaboutthem，butbywhatiswritteninthem;andthatanauthorwhoseworksarelikelytoliveisveryunwiseifhestoopstowranglewithdetractorswhoseworksarecertaintodie。Healwaysmaintainedthatfamewasashuttlecockwhichcouldbekeptuponlybybeingbeatenback，aswellasbeatenforward，andwhichwouldsoonfalliftherewereonlyonebattledore。NosayingwasoftenerinhismouththanthatfineapophthegmofBentley，thatnomanwaseverwrittendownbutbyhimself。
Unhappily，afewmonthsaftertheappearanceoftheJourneytotheHebrides，Johnsondidwhatnoneofhisenviousassailantscouldhavedone，andtoacertainextentsucceededinwritinghimselfdown。ThedisputesbetweenEnglandandherAmericancolonieshadreachedapointatwhichnoamicableadjustmentwaspossible。Civilwarwasevidentlyimpending;andtheministersseemtohavethoughtthattheeloquenceofJohnsonmightwithadvantagebeemployedtoinflamethenationagainsttheoppositionhere，andagainsttherebelsbeyondtheAtlantic。Hehadalreadywrittentwoorthreetractsindefenceoftheforeignanddomesticpolicyofthegovernment;andthosetracts，thoughhardlyworthyofhim，weremuchsuperiortothecrowdofpamphletswhichlayonthecountersofAlmonandStockdale。ButhisTaxationNoTyrannywasapitiablefailure。Theverytitlewasasillyphrase，whichcanhavebeenrecommendedtohischoicebynothingbutajinglingalliterationwhichheoughttohavedespised。Theargumentsweresuchasboysuseindebatingsocieties。Thepleasantrywasasawkwardasthegambolsofahippopotamus。EvenBoswellwasforcedtoownthat，inthisunfortunatepiece，hecoulddetectnotraceofhismaster’spowers。ThegeneralopinionwasthatthestrongfacultieswhichhadproducedtheDictionaryandtheRamblerwerebeginningtofeeltheeffectoftimeandofdisease，andthattheoldmanwouldbestconsulthiscreditbywritingnomore。
Butthiswasagreatmistake。Johnsonhadfailed，notbecausehismindwaslessvigorousthanwhenhewroteRasselasintheeveningsofaweek，butbecausehehadfoolishlychosen，orsufferedotherstochooseforhim，asubjectsuchashewouldatnotimehavebeencompetenttotreat。Hewasinnosenseastatesman。Heneverwillinglyreadorthoughtortalkedaboutaffairsofstate。Helovedbiography，literaryhistory，thehistoryofmanners;butpoliticalhistorywaspositivelydistastefultohim。Thequestionatissuebetweenthecoloniesandthemothercountrywasaquestionaboutwhichhehadreallynothingtosay。Hefailed，therefore，asthegreatestmenmustfailwhentheyattempttodothatforwhichtheyareunfit;asBurkewouldhavefailedifBurkehadtriedtowritecomedieslikethoseofSheridan;asReynoldswouldhavefailedifReynoldshadtriedtopaintlandscapeslikethoseofWilson。Happily，Johnsonsoonhadanopportunityofprovingmostsignallythathisfailurewasnottobeascribedtointellectualdecay。
OnEasterEve1777，somepersons，deputedbyameetingwhichconsistedoffortyofthefirstbooksellersinLondon，calleduponhim。Thoughhehadsomescruplesaboutdoingbusinessatthatseason，hereceivedhisvisitorswithmuchcivility。TheycametoinformhimthataneweditionoftheEnglishpoets，fromCowleydownwards，wasincontemplation，andtoaskhimtofurnishshortbiographicalprefaces。Hereadilyundertookthetask，ataskforwhichhewaspre—eminentlyqualified。HisknowledgeoftheliteraryhistoryofEnglandsincetheRestorationwasunrivalled。Thatknowledgehehadderivedpartlyfrombooks，andpartlyfromsourceswhichhadlongbeenclosed;fromoldGrubStreettraditions;fromthetalkofforgottenpoetastersandpamphleteerswhohadlongbeenlyinginparishvaults;fromtherecollectionsofsuchmenasGilbertWalmesley，whohadconversedwiththewitsofButton;Cibber，whohadmutilatedtheplaysoftwogenerationsofdramatists;Orrery，whohadbeenadmittedtothesocietyofSwift;andSavage，whohadrenderedservicesofnoveryhonourablekindtoPope。Thebiographerthereforesatedowntohistaskwithamindfullofmatter。Hehadatfirstintendedtogiveonlyaparagraphtoeveryminorpoet，andonlyfourorfivepagestothegreatestname。Butthefloodofanecdoteandcriticismoverflowedthenarrowchannel。Thework，whichwasoriginallymeanttoconsistonlyofafewsheets，swelledintotenvolumes，smallvolumes，itistrue，andnotcloselyprinted。
Thefirstfourappearedin1779，theremainingsixin1781。
TheLivesofthePoetsare，onthewhole，thebestofJohnson’sworks。Thenarrativesareasentertainingasanynovel。Theremarksonlifeandonhumannatureareeminentlyshrewdandprofound。Thecriticismsareoftenexcellent，and，evenwhengrosslyandprovokinglyunjust，welldeservetobestudied。For，howevererroneoustheymaybe，theyareneversilly。Theyarethejudgmentsofamindtrammelledbyprejudiceanddeficientinsensibility，butvigorousandacute。Theythereforegenerallycontainaportionofvaluabletruthwhichdeservestobeseparatedfromthealloy;and，attheveryworst，theymeansomething，apraisetowhichmuchofwhatiscalledcriticisminourtimehasnopretensions。
Savage’sLifeJohnsonreprintednearlyasithadappearedin1744。Whoever，afterreadingthatlife，willturntotheotherliveswillbestruckbythedifferenceofstyle。SinceJohnsonhadbeenateaseinhiscircumstanceshehadwrittenlittleandhadtalkedmuch。When，therefore，he，afterthelapseofyears，resumedhispen，themannerismwhichhehadcontractedwhilehewasintheconstanthabitofelaboratecompositionwaslessperceptiblethanformerly;andhisdictionfrequentlyhadacolloquialeasewhichithadformerlywanted。TheimprovementmaybediscernedbyaskilfulcriticintheJourneytotheHebrides，andintheLivesofthePoetsissoobviousthatitcannotescapethenoticeofthemostcarelessreader。
AmongthelivesthebestareperhapsthoseofCowley，Dryden，andPope。Theveryworstis，beyondalldoubt，thatofGray。
Thisgreatworkatoncebecamepopular。Therewas，indeed，muchjustandmuchunjustcensure:buteventhosewhowereloudestinblamewereattractedbythebookinspiteofthemselves。Malonecomputedthegainsofthepublishersatfiveorsixthousandpounds。Butthewriterwasverypoorlyremunerated。Intendingatfirsttowriteveryshortprefaces，hehadstipulatedforonlytwohundredguineas。Thebooksellers，whentheysawhowfarhisperformancehadsurpassedhispromise，addedonlyanotherhundred。Indeed，Johnson，thoughhedidnotdespise，oraffecttodespise，money，andthoughhisstrongsenseandlongexperienceoughttohavequalifiedhimtoprotecthisowninterests，seemstohavebeensingularlyunskilfulandunluckyinhisliterarybargains。HewasgenerallyreputedthefirstEnglishwriterofhistime。Yetseveralwritersofhistimesoldtheircopyrightsforsumssuchasheneverventuredtoask。Togiveasingleinstance，RobertsonreceivedfourthousandfivehundredpoundsfortheHistoryofCharlesV。;anditisnodisrespecttothememoryofRobertsontosaythattheHistoryofCharlesV。isbothalessvaluableandalessamusingbookthantheLivesofthePoets。
Johnsonwasnowinhisseventy—secondyear。Theinfirmitiesofagewerecomingfastuponhim。Thatinevitableeventofwhichheneverthoughtwithouthorrorwasbroughtneartohim;andhiswholelifewasdarkenedbytheshadowofdeath。Hehadoftentopaythecruelpriceoflongevity。Everyyearhelostwhatcouldneverbereplaced。Thestrangedependentstowhomhehadgivenshelter，andtowhom，inspiteoftheirfaults，hewasstronglyattachedbyhabit，droppedoffonebyone;and，inthesilenceofhishome，heregrettedeventhenoiseoftheirscoldingmatches。
ThekindandgenerousThralewasnomore;anditwouldhavebeenwellifhiswifehadbeenlaidbesidehim。Butshesurvivedtobethelaughing—stockofthosewhohadenviedher，andtodrawfromtheeyesoftheoldmanwhohadlovedherbeyondanythingintheworldtearsfarmorebitterthanhewouldhaveshedoverhergrave。Withsomeestimableandmanyagreeablequalities，shewasnotmadetobeindependent。Thecontrolofamindmoresteadfastthanherownwasnecessarytoherrespectability。Whileshewasrestrainedbyherhusband，amanofsenseandfirmness，indulgenttohertasteintrifles，butalwaystheundisputedmasterofhishouse，herworstoffenceshadbeenimpertinentjokes，whitelies，andshortfitsofpettishnessendinginsunnygoodhumour。Buthewasgone;andshewasleftanopulentwidowofforty，withstrongsensibility，volatilefancy，andslenderjudgment。Shesoonfellinlovewithamusic—masterfromBrescia，inwhomnobodybutherselfcoulddiscoveranythingtoadmire。Herpride，andperhapssomebetterfeelings，struggledhardagainstthisdegradingpassion。Butthestruggleirritatedhernerves，souredhertemper，andatlengthendangeredherhealth。ConsciousthatherchoicewasonewhichJohnsoncouldnotapprove，shebecamedesiroustoescapefromhisinspection。Hermannertowardshimchanged。Shewassometimescoldandsometimespetulant。ShedidnotconcealherjoywhenheleftStreatham;sheneverpressedhimtoreturn;and，ifhecameunbidden，shereceivedhiminamannerwhichconvincedhimthathewasnolongerawelcomeguest。Hetooktheveryintelligiblehintswhichshegave。Heread，forthelasttime，achapteroftheGreektestamentinthelibrarywhichhadbeenformedbyhimself。InasolemnandtenderprayerhecommendedthehouseanditsinmatestotheDivineprotection，and，withemotionswhichchokedhisvoiceandconvulsedhispowerfulframe，leftforeverthatbelovedhomeforthegloomyanddesolatehousebehindFleetStreet，wherethefewandevildayswhichstillremainedtohimweretorunout。Here，inJune1783，hehadaparalyticstroke，fromwhich，however，herecovered，andwhichdoesnotappeartohaveatallimpairedhisintellectualfaculties。Butothermaladiescamethickuponhim。
Hisasthmatormentedhimdayandnight。Dropsicalsymptomsmadetheirappearance。Whilesinkingunderacomplicationofdiseases，heheardthatthewomanwhosefriendshiphadbeenthechiefhappinessofsixteenyearsofhislifehadmarriedanItalianfiddler;thatallLondonwascryingshameuponher;andthatthenewspapersandmagazineswerefilledwithallusionstotheEphesianmatron，andthetwopicturesinHamlet。Hevehementlysaidthathewouldtrytoforgetherexistence。Heneverutteredhername。Everymemorialofherwhichmethiseyeheflungintothefire。Shemeanwhilefledfromthelaughterandhissesofhercountrymenandcountrywomentoalandwhereshewasunknown，hastenedacrossMountCenis，andlearned，whilepassingamerryChristmasofconcertsandlemonadepartiesatMilan，thatthegreatmanwithwhosenamehersisinseparablyassociatedhadceasedtoexist。
Hehad，inspiteofmuchmentalandmuchbodilyaffliction，clungvehementlytolife。ThefeelingdescribedinthatfinebutgloomypaperwhichclosestheseriesofhisIdlersseemedtogrowstrongerinhimashislasthourdrewnear。Hefanciedthatheshouldbeabletodrawhisbreathmoreeasilyinasouthernclimate，andwouldprobablyhavesetoutforRomeandNaples，butforhisfearoftheexpenseofthejourney。Thatexpense，indeed，hehadthemeansofdefraying;forhehadlaidupabouttwothousandpounds，thefruitoflabourswhichhadmadethefortuneofseveralpublishers。Buthewasunwillingtobreakinuponthishoard;andheseemstohavewishedeventokeepitsexistenceasecret。Someofhisfriendshopedthatthegovernmentmightbeinducedtoincreasehispensiontosixhundredpoundsayear:butthishopewasdisappointed;andheresolvedtostandoneEnglishwintermore。Thatwinterwashislast。Hislegsgrewweaker;hisbreathgrewshorter;thefatalwatergatheredfast，inspiteofincisionswhichhe，courageousagainstpain，buttimidagainstdeath，urgedhissurgeonstomakedeeperanddeeper。ThoughthetendercarewhichhadmitigatedhissufferingsduringmonthsofsicknessatStreathamwaswithdrawn，hewasnotleftdesolate。Theablestphysiciansandsurgeonsattendedhim，andrefusedtoacceptfeesfromhim。
Burkepartedfromhimwithdeepemotion。Windhamsatemuchinthesickroom，arrangedthepillows，andsenthisownservanttowatchanightbythebed。FrancesBurney，whomtheoldmanhadcherishedwithfatherlykindness，stoodweepingatthedoor;
whileLangton，whosepietyeminentlyqualifiedhimtobeanadviserandcomforteratsuchatime，receivedthelastpressureofhisfriend’shandwithin。Whenatlengththemoment，dreadedthroughsomanyyears，cameclose，thedarkcloudpassedawayfromJohnson’smind。Histemperbecameunusuallypatientandgentle;heceasedtothinkwithterrorofdeath，andofthatwhichliesbeyonddeath;andhespokemuchofthemercyofGod，andofthepropitiationofChrist。Inthissereneframeofmindhediedonthe13thofDecember1784。Hewaslaid，aweeklater，inWestminsterAbbey，amongtheeminentmenofwhomhehadbeenthehistorian，——CowleyandDenham，DrydenandCongreve，Gay，Prior，andAddison。
Sincehisdeaththepopularityofhisworks——theLivesofthePoets，and，perhaps，theVanityofHumanWishes，excepted——hasgreatlydiminished。HisDictionaryhasbeenalteredbyeditorstillitcanscarcelybecalledhis。AnallusiontohisRamblerorhisIdlerisnotreadilyapprehendedinliterarycircles。ThefameevenofRasselashasgrownsomewhatdim。But，thoughthecelebrityofthewritingsmayhavedeclined，thecelebrityofthewriter，strangetosay，isasgreatasever。Boswell’sbookhasdoneforhimmorethanthebestofhisownbookscoulddo。Thememoryofotherauthorsiskeptalivebytheirworks。ButthememoryofJohnsonkeepsmanyofhisworksalive。Theoldphilosopherisstillamongusinthebrowncoatwiththemetalbuttonsandtheshirtwhichoughttobeatwash，blinking，puffing，rollinghishead，drummingwithhisfingers，tearinghismeatlikeatiger，andswallowinghisteainoceans。Nohumanbeingwhohasbeenmorethanseventyyearsinthegraveissowellknowntous。Anditisbutjusttosaythatourintimateacquaintancewithwhathewouldhimselfhavecalledtheanfractuositiesofhisintellectandofhistemperservesonlytostrengthenourconvictionthathewasbothagreatandagoodman。