quel of a very inferior essay on the same subject, A Dissertation on the State of Literature and Authors, and A Dissertation on the Epitaphs written by Pope, though not marked in the same manner, are certainly the production of Johnson. The last of these, indeed, he afterwards appended to the second volume of the Idler.

He engaged also to conduct a monthly publication, entitled, "The Literary Magazine, or Universal Review," projected by Mr Newbery; the first number of which came out on the 15th of May, this year. He continued to write in it, with intermissions, till the 15th number. His original essays are, The Preliminary Address; An Introduction to the Political State of Great Britain; Remarks on the Militia Bill; Observations on his Britannic Majesty's Treaties with the Empress of Russia, and the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel; Observations on the State of Affairs in 1756; and, Memoirs of Frederick II. King of Prussia. His reviews of the works of others are, "Birch's History of the Royal Society;" "Murphy's

Gray's-Inn Journal," "Warton's Essay on the Genius and Writings of Pope, vol. 1." Hampton's Translation of Polybius,"

"Blackwell's Memoirs of the Court of Augustus," "Russell's Natural History of Aleppo," "Four Letters from Sir Isaac Newton to Dr Bentley, containing some Arguments in proof of a Deity," Borlase's History of the Isles of Scilly," "Home's Experiments on Bleaching," "Browne's Christian Morals," "Hales on Distilling Sea-water, &c." "Lucas's Essay on Waters," "Keith's Catalogue of the Scottish Bishops," "Browne's History of Jamaica," Philosophical Transactions, vol. 49." "Mrs Lennox's Translation of Sully's Memoirs," Miscellanies, by Elizabeth Harrison," "Evans's Map, and Account of the Middle Colonies in America," "Letter on the case of Admiral Byng," "Appeal to the people concerning Admiral Byng," "Hanway's Eight Days' Journey, and Essay on Tea," "The Cadet, a Military Treatise," "Some further particulars in relation to the

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case of Admiral Byng, by a Gentleman of Oxford," "The Conduct of the Ministry relating to the present War, impartially examined," and " Jenyns' Free Enquiry into the Nature and Origin of Evil."

In his original essays, he displays extensive political knowledge, acuteness and sagacity of observation, elegance and energy of style, and the graces of superior composition. The · Life of Frederick, which terminates with the year 1745, in point of language, arrangement, and perspicuity, is a model of the biographical style. Some of his reviews are very short accounts of the pieces noticed; but many of them are examples of judicious and elegant criticism, particularly the reviews of Warton's "Essay," Sir Isaac Newton's "Four Letters," and Blackwell's "Memoirs." His review of Jenyns's "Free Enquiry," is an elaborate disquisition on a subject of great metaphysical obscurity, in a most masterly style, and justly reckoned one of the finest specimens of criticism in our language. This

article was so eagerly read, that he was induced to reprint it in a separate publication*. In his review of Hanway's "Essay on Tea," he fairly repels his violent attack upon that popular beverage, and describes himself as "a hardened and shameless tea-drinker, who has for twenty years diluted his meals with only the infusion of this fascinating plant; whose kettle has scarcely time to cool; who with tea amuses the evening, with tea solaces. the midnight, and with tea welcomes the morning." Mr Hanway wrote an angry answer to his playful animadversions in "the Gazetteer" of May 26, 1756; and Johnson, after a full and deliberate pause, made A Reply to it; the only instance in the whole course of his life, when he condescended to oppose any thing that was written against him. Of the benevolent Mr Hanway he said, "I still esteem him as one who has the merit of meaning

* Mr Jenyns never forgave the author of the Review. After he had suppressed his resentment during Johnson's life, he gave it vent in a petulant and illiberal mock epitaph, unworthy of his understanding and his heart.

well, and still believe him to be a man whose failings may be justly pardoned for his virtues."*

This year, he gave an edition of Sir Thomas Browne's" Christian Morals," with the Life of the Author, which is one of his best biographical performances. He wrote also a Dedication to the Earl of Rochford, and a Preface to Payne's" Essay on the Game of Draughts," and accepted the humble reward of a guinea from Dodsley, for writing the Preliminary Discourse, to "The London Chronicle;" an evening newspaper, and, even in so slight a performance, exhibited peculiar excellence.

The English Dictionary being designed for the use of such as aspire to exactness of criticism or elegance of style, he, this year, published an Abstract of the folio edition, in 2 vol. 8vo, for the benefit of those who know not any other use of a dictionary than that of adjusting orthography, and explaining terms of science, or words of infrequent occurrence, or remote derivation. In the Abridgement of the

* Literary Magazine, vol. ii, p. 253.