Dr. Johnsons Works: Life, Poems, and Tales, Volume 1 | Page 2

not inaptly commence a series of OXFORD ENGLISH CLASSICS with the works of one whose writings have so enlarged and embellished the science of moral evidence, which has long constituted a characteristic feature in the literary discipline of this university. The science of mind and its progress, as recorded by history, or unfolded by biography, was Johnson's favourite study, and is still the main object of pursuit in the place whose system and institutions he so warmly praised, and to which he ever professed himself so deeply indebted. If the terseness of attic simplicity has been desiderated by some in the pages of Johnson, they undeniably display the depth of thought, the weight of argument, the insight into mind and morals, which are to be found in their native dignity only in the compositions of those older writers with whose spirit he was so richly imbued. In this place, then, where those models which Johnson admired and imitated are still upheld as the only sure guides to sound learning, his writings can never be laid aside unread and neglected.
OXFORD, JUNE 23, 1825.
[a] See a remark on this subject made by Johnson, with reference to the Spectator, and all other works of the same class, which describe manners. Boswell, ii. 218, and Prefatory Notice to Rambler, vol. i.
CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
ESSAY on the Life and Genius of Dr. Johnson
POEMS.
London
The Vanity of Human Wishes
Prologue, spoken by Mr. Garrick, at the opening of the theatre-royal, Drury lane
Prefatory Notice to the tragedy of Irene
Prologue
Irene
Epilogue, by sir William Yonge
Prologue to the masque of Comus
Prologue to the comedy of the Good-natured Man
Prologue to the comedy of a Word to the Wise
Spring
Midsummer
Autumn
Winter
The Winter's Walk
To Miss ****, on her giving the author a gold and silk network purse, of her own weaving
To Miss ****, on her playing upon the harpsichord, in a room hung with flower-pieces of her own painting
Evening; an ode
To the same
To a friend
Stella in mourning
To Stella
Verses, written at the request of a gentleman, to whom a lady had given a sprig of myrtle
To lady Firebrace, at Bury assizes
To Lyce, an elderly lady
On the death of Mr. Robert Levet
Epitaph on Claude Phillips
Epitaphium in Thomam Hanmer, baronettum
Paraphrase of the above, by Dr. Johnson
To Miss Hickman, playing on the spinet
Paraphrase of Proverbs, chap. vi. verses 6-11
Horace, lib. iv. ode vii. translated
Anacreon, ode ix
Lines written in ridicule of certain poems published in 1777
Parody of a translation from the Medea of Euripides
Translation from the Medea of Euripides
Translation of the two first stanzas of the song "Rio Verde, Rio Verde"
Imitation of the style of ****
Burlesque of some lines of Lopez de Vega
Translation of some lines at the end of Baretti's Easy Phraseology
Improviso translation of a distich on the duke of Modena's running away from the comet in 1742 or 1743
Improviso translation of some lines of M. Benserade à son Lit
Epitaph for Mr. Hogarth
Translation of some lines, written under a print representing persons skating
Impromptu translation of the same
To Mrs. Thrale, on her completing her thirty-fifth year
Impromptu translation of an air in the Clemenza di Tito of Metastasio
Translation of a speech of Aquileio in the Adriano of Metastasio
Burlesque of the modern versifications of ancient legendary tales
Friendship; an ode
On seeing a bust of Mrs. Montague
Improviso on a young heir's coming of age
Epitaphs--on his father
--his wife
--Mrs. Bell
--Mrs. Salusbury
--Dr. Goldsmith
--Mr. Thrale
POEMATA
Prefatory observations to the history of Rasselas
Rasselas, prince of Abissinia
LETTERS.
I. To Mr. James Elphinston
II. to XL. To Mrs. Thrale
XLI. To Mr. Thrale
XLII. to LIII. To Mrs. Thrale
LIV. To Mrs. Piozzi
AN ESSAY?ON?THE LIFE AND GENIUS?OF?SAMUEL JOHNSON, LL.D.
When the works of a great writer, who has bequeathed to posterity a lasting legacy, are presented to the world, it is naturally expected that some account of his life should accompany the edition. The reader wishes to know as much as possible of the author. The circumstances that attended him, the features of his private character, his conversation, and the means by which he arose to eminence, become the favourite objects of inquiry. Curiosity is excited; and the admirer of his works is eager to know his private opinions, his course of study, the particularities of his conduct, and, above all, whether he pursued the wisdom which he recommends, and practised the virtue which his writings inspire. A principle of gratitude is awakened in every generous mind. For the entertainment and instruction which genius and diligence have provided for the world, men of refined and sensible tempers are ready to pay their tribute of praise, and even to form a posthumous friendship with the author.
In reviewing the life of such a writer, there is, besides, a rule of justice to which the public have an undoubted claim. Fond admiration and partial friendship should not be suffered to represent his virtues with exaggeration; nor should malignity be allowed, under a specious disguise, to magnify mere defects, the usual failings of