loves to contemplate. Next to the poffef fion of great powers, the most enviable qualities, are a capacity to discover, and an inclination to honour them. To the credit of Thrale, let it be recorded, that the patron of literature and talents, of which Johnson fought in vain for the traces in Chesterfield, he found realized in Thrale.

In July of this year, he was complimented by the Univerfity of Dublin with the degree of Doctor of Laws, as the Diploma expreffes it, ob egregiam fcriptorem elegantiam et utilitatem, though he does not appear to have taken the title in confequence of it. In October, he at length gave to the world his edition of The Plays of William Shakspeare, with the Corrections and Illuftrations of various Commentators; to which are added, Notes by Sam. Johnson, 8vo; which, as far as it fell fhort of affording that ample fatisfaction which was expected from it, may be afcribed to his not having "read the books

which the author read, traced his knowledge to the fource, and compared his copies with their originals;" a promise he gave, but was not able to perform. Sir John Hawkins thinks it a meagre work; he complains of the paucity of the notes, of Johnson's want of industry, and indeed unfitness for the office of a Scholiaft. It was treated with great illiberality by Dr. Ken. rick, in the first part of a " Review" of it, which was never completed. It is to be admitted, that he has neither fo fully reformed the text, by accurate collations of the first editions, nor fo fairly illuftrated his author, in his notes, by quotations from the "writers who lived at the fame time, immediately preceded, or immediately followed him," as has been done by other able and ingenious critics, who have followed him; Mr. Steevens, Mr. Capel, Mr. Malone, Mr. Reed, &c. whofe labours have left little to add to the commentaries on

Shakspeare. But what he did as a commentator, has no fmall fhare of merit, though his researches were not fo ample, and his investigations fo acute as they might have been. He has enriched his edition with a concise account of each play, and of its characteristic excellence. In the fagacity of his emendatory criticifms, and the happiness of his interpretations of obfcure paffages, he furpaffes every editor of this poet. Mr. Malone confeffes, "that Johnfon's vigorous and comprehenfive underftanding threw more light on his author, than all his predeceffors had done." His Preface has been pronounced by Mr. Malone, to be the finest compofition in our language; and having regard to its fubject and extent, it certainly would be difficult to name one poffeffing a superior claim to fuch fuperlative praise. Whether we confider the beauty and vigour of its compofition, the abundance and claffical felec

tion of its allufions, the juftness of the general precepts of criticism, and its accurate estimate of the excellencies or defects of his author, it is equally admirable. He feems to raise his talents upon a level with those of his poet, upon whose works he fits as a critical judge, to rival, by the luftre of his praises, the splendour of the original, and to follow this eagle of British poetry through all his gyres, with as keen an eye, and upon as ftrong a wing. The Preface to his Didionary, correct as it is, muft yield the palm of excellence to that prefixed to his Shakfpeare; but it yields it only because the subject was less favourable to the full display of his powers.

In 1766, he removed from the InnerTemple Lane, to a good house in Johnson's Court, Fleet Street, in which he accommodated Mifs Williams with an apartment on the ground floor, while Mr. Levett occupied his poft in the garret.

This year he only wrote the Dedication to the King, of Gwyn's "London and Weftminfter Improved," and furnished the Preface, and the following pieces for Mifs Williams's " Mifcellanies in Profe and Verfe," 4to: The Ant; "To Mifs -, on her giving the Author a Gold and Silk Network Purfe of her own weaving ;" "The Happy Life;" On the Death of Stephen Gray, the Electrician; and The Fountains," a Fairy Tale, in Profe. The first sketch of the poem on Stephen Gray, was written by Mifs Williams, but Johnson told Mr. Bofwell, that he wrote it all over again, ex

66

cept two lines." This publication was encouraged by a genteel subscription.

In 1767, he only wrote the Dedication to the King, for Mr. Adams's "Tréatife on the Globes." In February, he was honoured by a private converfation with the king, in the library at Buckingham House, which gratified his monarchic enthufiafm." The