Studies, Biographical and Literary

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1867 Excerpt: ... for such a reason could not have held very strong political opinions. And this was true of Johnson; he disliked politics. He had too large a heart and understanding to hold narrow views on imperial subjects. He might be wrong, and was wrong in his policy as regarded the American war, but he was a noble-hearted patriot ... Read More

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1867 Excerpt: ... for such a reason could not have held very strong political opinions. And this was true of Johnson; he disliked politics. He had too large a heart and understanding to hold narrow views on imperial subjects. He might be wrong, and was wrong in his policy as regarded the American war, but he was a noble-hearted patriot notwithstanding his heat upon that subject. "Who now will defend all Burke's opinions, or approve his furious polemics on the French Revolution? Burke and Johnson were intimate and loving associates, the two greatest men of their time, separating upon some points of opinion, touching upon others, but never allowing differences of sentiment to part affection; and they remained dear and faithful friends to the end. So let us regard them as they regarded each other, excusing their errors for the sake of their virtues, which shone with a splendour that cast all their faults into the shade. Johnson's great work was his Dictionary. It is difficult at this time to estimate the labour, judgment, and critical acumen that must have been expended on this enterprise. It is comparatively easy to expand and correct "Johnson;" it required immense resolution to undertake the work, and carry it through with so few helps as were at his command. Although now it is so much altered that the work of the original author is lost in the mass of additions, yet in his own day it was considered a prodigy of intellectual effort. The praise it received was well merited; for, whether we regard it in relation to the happiness of the references, and the comprehensive survey of our best literature which they implied, or to the singular precision of the definitions, it equally claims our admiration. It fails chiefly in the etymologies; for Johnson's learning was... Read Less