CONTENTS. 2. Invitation to correspondents.- 5. Proposal for a female army... 6. Lady's performance on horseback.... ... 11. Discourses on the weather.. 12. Marriages why advertised.. 15. Treacle's complaint of his wife .JOHNSON 84. On Sea Officers. Their unpolished Beha- viour on Shore.-Their Contempt of New Improvements in Navigation.- 85. Account of the Female Thermometer. Secret Affections of Ladies discovered by it.-Experiments upon it, at the Play Houses-Operas-Masquerades -Public Gardens-and other Places.. 86. Letter from Orator Higgins, relating his Progress in Literature by studying in 87. On Eating. Character of Cramwell, and Town's Description of his Study.. COL. & THORN. 89. On Fondness for Animals-Instances of it in a Visit to a Lady. Absurdity of providing for Animals by Will..... 90. On Genius and Application. Hare and 92. On Drinking. Characters of several Hard Drinkers. Various effects of Drinking. Story of Addison and Steele. Evils re- HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL PREFACE ΤΟ THE IDLER. HE IDLER was originally published by Dr. JOHNSON in a newspaper called "The Universal Chronicle, or 'Weekly Gazette," projected in the year 1758 by Mr. JOHN NEWBERY, Bookseller, whom Sir JOHN HAWKINS justly characterises as a man of good understanding, and great integrity." He suggested the plan of many useful compilations for the young, or those who had more curiosity than leisure to read; and generally employed men of considerable abilities in fuch undertakings. Among the best of them may be mentioned, a collection of voyages, entitled "The World Displayed," to which Dr. JOHNSON wrote an historical introduction; and many now living may perhaps remember the pleasure they derived from Mr. NEWBERY'S excellent little books, for "masters and misses," of some of which he was the reputed author. He died in the year 1776. VOL. XXXIII, b |