cle is as evidently Johnsonian as any which have been attributed to him from internal evidence; and it was copied into the Literary Journal while he was the editor of that publication. His other DEDICATIONS have been so long considered as models of courtly address, that no apology seems necessary for this addition to the many proofs he has given of excellence in every species of composition.

A few illustrative notes have been appended to some parts of this edition. The time is not yet come when it will be necessary to extend this kind of information, but some events and circumstances required explanation, and some dates were wanting to the lesser pieces. I have only to add that the RAMBLERS and IDLERS were revised according to the text of the lately collated edition in the BRITISH ESSAYISTS, and several material errors have been corrected.

London, January, 1806,

ALEXR

CHALMERS.

CONTENTS

OF

THE FIRST VOLUME.

PAGE.

1

133

147

The vanity of Human Wishes

Prologue spoken by Mr. Garrick, at the opening of the

Prologue to the Comedy of a Word to the Wise

Spring

Midsummer

266

267

268

To Miss ****, on her giving the Author a Gold and Silk Net

work Purse of her own weaving

To Miss ****, on her playing upon the Harpsichord in a

-

ibid.

Verses written at the request of a Gentleman to whom a

Lady had given a Sprig of Myrtle

To Lady Firebrace, at Bury Assizes

280

281

PAGE.

Epitaph on Claude Philips

Epitaphium in Thomam Hanmer, Baronettum

Paraphrase of the above, by Dr. Johnson

To Miss Hickman, playing on the Spinnet

Paraphrase of Proverbs, Chap. vi. Verses 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

Horace, Lib. IV. Ode VII, translated

Anacreon, Ode IX.

292

Lines written in ridicule of certain Poems published in 1777

Parody of a translation from the Medea of Euripides

Translation of the two first Stanzas of the song "Rio Verde,

293

294

Translation of some lines at the end of Baretti's Easy Phra-

seology

296

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 Mons. Benserade à

297

ibid.

299

To Mrs. Thrale, on her completing her thirty fifth year

Impromptu translation of an Air in the Clemeza de Tito of
Metastatio

Translation of a speech of Aquileio in the Adriano of Metas-

AN

ESSAY

ON THE

LIFE AND GENIUS

OF

SAMUEL JOHNSON, L. L. 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 rose 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