you to propose the question to which you wish for "I AM pretty much of your opinion, that the Commentary cannot be prosecuted with any appearance of success; for as the names of the authours concerned are of more weight in the performance than its own intrinsick merit, the publick will be soon satisfied with it. And I think the Examen should be pushed forward with the utmost expedition. Thus, This day, &c. An Examen of Mr. Pope's Essay, &c. containing a succinct Account of the Philosophy of Mr. Leibnitz on the System of the Fatalists, with a Confutation of their Opinions, and an Illustration of the Doctrine of Free-will;' [with what else you think proper.] "It will, above all, be necessary to take notice, that it is a thing distinct from the Commentary. 2 "I was so far from imagining they stood still, that I conceived them to have a good deal before-hand, and therefore was less anxious in providing them more. But if ever they stand still on my account, it must doubtless be charged to me; and whatever else shall be reasonable, I shall not oppose; but beg a suspense of judgment till morning, when I must 2 The Compositors in Mr. Cave's printing-office, who this letter to have then waited for copy. N. appear by entreat you to send me a dozen proposals, and you shall then have copy to spare. "I am, Sir, Pray muster up the Proposals if you can, or let the boy recall them from the booksellers." But although he corresponded with Mr. Cave concerning a translation of Crousaz's Examen of Pope's Essay on Man, and gave advice as one anxious for its success, I was long ago convinced by a perusal of the Preface, that this translation was erroneously ascribed to him; and I have found this point ascertained, beyond all doubt, by the following article in Dr. Birch's Manuscripts in the British Museum: "ELISE CARTERE. S. P. D. THOMAS BIRCH. “Versionem tuam Examinis Crousaziani jam perlegi. Summam styli et elegantiam, et in re difficillima proprietatem, admiratus. "Dabam Novemb. 27° 1738." 993 Indeed Mrs. Carter has lately acknowledged to Mr. Seward, that she was the translator of the "Examen." It is remarkable, that Johnson's last quoted letter to Mr. Cave concludes with a fair confession that he had not a dinner; and it is no less remarkable, that, though in this state of want himself, his benevolent heart was not insensible to the necessities of an 3 Birch MSS. Brit. Mus. 4323, humble labourer in literature, as appears from the very next letter: TO MR. CAVE. "DEAR SIR, [No date.] "You may remember I have formerly talked with you about a Military Dictionary. The eldest Mr. Macbean, who was with Mr. Chambers, has very good materials for such a work, which I have seen, and will do it at a very low rate. I think the terms of War and Navigation might be comprised, with good explanations, in one 8vo. Pica, which he is willing to do for twelve shillings a sheet, to be made up a guinea at the second impression. If you think on it, I will wait on you with him. "I am, Sir, "Your humble servant, Pray lend me Topsel on Animals." I must not omit to mention, that this Mr. Macbean was a native of Scotland. In the Gentleman's Magazine of this year, Johnson gave a Life of Father Paul;* and he wrote the Preface to the Volume, which, though prefixed to it when bound, is always published with the Appendix, and is therefore the last composition belonging to it. The ability and nice adaptation with which he - could draw up a prefatory address, was one of his peculiar excellencies. It appears too, that he paid a friendly attention to 4 This book was published. 1 Mrs. Elizabeth Carter; for in a letter from Mr. Cave "O qui perpetuâ mundum ratione gubernas, 66 Disjice terrena nebulas et pondera molis, Atque tuo fplendore mica! Tu namque ferenum, Principium, vector, dux, femita, terminus, idem." "O THOU whose power o'er moving worlds presides, "From thee, great God! we spring, to thee we tend, In 1739, beside the assistance which he gave to the Parliamentary Debates, his writings in the Gentleman's Magazine were, "The Life of Boerhaave,"* in which it is to be observed, that he discovers that love of chymistry which never forsook him; "An Appeal to the publick in behalf of the Editor;"† "An Address to the Reader ;"+ "An Epigram both in Greek and Latin to Eliza," and also English * verses to her ;* and, "A Greek Epigram to Dr. Birch."* It has been erroneously supposed, that an Essay published in that Magazine this year, entitled "The Apotheosis of Milton," was written by Johnson; and on that supposition it has been improperly inserted in the edition of his works by the Booksellers, after his decease. Were there no positive testimony as to this point, the style of the performance, and the name of Shakspeare not being mentioned in an Essay professedly reviewing the principal English poets, would ascertain it not to be the production of Johnson. But there is here no occasion to resort to internal evidence; for my Lord Bishop of Salisbury (Dr. Douglas) has assured me, that it was written by Guthrie. His separate publications were, "A Complete Vindication of the Licensers of the Stage, from the malicious and scandalous Aspersions of Mr. Brooke, Authour of Gustavus Vasa,"* being an ironical Attack upon them for their Suppression of that Tragedy; and, " Marmor Norfolciense; or an Essay on, an ancient prophetical Inscription in monkish Rhyme, lately discovered near Lynne in Norfolk, by PROBUS BRITANNICUS."* In this performance, he, in a feigned inscription, supposed to have been found in Norfolk, the county of Sir Robert Walpole, then the obnoxious prime minister of this country, inveighs against the Brunswick succession, and the measures of government consequent upon it.* To this supposed prophecy he added a Commentary, making each expression apply to the times, with warm Anti-Hanoverian zeal. The Inscription and the Translation of it are preserved in the London Magazine for the year 1739, P. 244. |