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Dr. Johnson: Some Observations and Judgements upon Life and Letters
The following examples of Dr. Johnson's conversation, repartee, aphorisms, reflections and obiter dicta from Boswell and other biographers, as well s quotations from his prose writings, have been chosen to illustrate briefly, and according to subject, some of his characteristic opinions and prejudices about Life and Letters. Only one source has been left untapped. This is the collection of critical biographies, commonly called 'The Lives of the Poets', which contains his literary judgements. These could not have been adequately represented within the scope of this miscellaneous anthology, and have, therefore, been omitted.
54 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1948
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May 28, 2024
Dr Johnson was never one to shy away from offering an opinion on anything! And here are some of his views on Life and Letters, cover life, society, domesticity, people, recreation, and letters. In his introduction the compiler, John Hayward, tells us, 'Only one source has been left untapped. This is the collection of critical biographies, commonly called 'The Lives of the Poets', which contains his literary judgements. These could not have been adequately represented within the scope of this miscellaneous anthology, and have, therefore, been omitted.' But don't be fooled for if you were hoping for something on authors because there are still plenty of comments, criticism and observations on a variety of them within these pages!
For instance, he says of Pope's 'Homer', 'Sir, it is the greatest work of the kind that has ever been produced' and on Swift's 'Gulliver's Travels' 'When once you have thought of big men and little men, it is very easy to do all the rest.' And a little bit of self praise is in a comment overheard by Sir Joshua Reynolds when Johnson commented, 'There are two things which I am confident I can do very well; one is an introduction to any literary work, stating what it is to contain, and how it should be executed in the most perfect manner; the other is a conclusion, showing from various causes why the execution has not been equal to what the author promised to himself and to the publick.' Really?
He makes an interesting observation on people in company with 'Sir, there is nothing by which a man exasperates most people more, than by displaying a superior ability or brilliancy in conversation. They seem pleased at the time; but their envy makes them curse him in their hearts.' And, without naming anyone, equally interesting is his view on writing books as he says, 'I wonder that so many people who have written or might have let it alone.'
He was obviously not a great sailor as his somewhat amusing view of the profession was 'No man will be a sailor who has contrivance enough to get himself into a gaol; for being in a ship is being in gaol, with the chance of being drowned.' And he is very conscious of social position for his view was, 'Sir, the difference between a country gentleman over the people upon his estate is very agreeable; and he who says he does not feel it is to be agreeable, lies; for it must be agreeable to have superiority over those who are by nature equal with us.'
There are plenty more comments that throw light on Dr Johnson's personality and these observations and judgements are perhaps more profound that many found in similar books where there is often more frivolity and humour displayed. It is probably worth a second read simply to help understand the doctor a little better!
For instance, he says of Pope's 'Homer', 'Sir, it is the greatest work of the kind that has ever been produced' and on Swift's 'Gulliver's Travels' 'When once you have thought of big men and little men, it is very easy to do all the rest.' And a little bit of self praise is in a comment overheard by Sir Joshua Reynolds when Johnson commented, 'There are two things which I am confident I can do very well; one is an introduction to any literary work, stating what it is to contain, and how it should be executed in the most perfect manner; the other is a conclusion, showing from various causes why the execution has not been equal to what the author promised to himself and to the publick.' Really?
He makes an interesting observation on people in company with 'Sir, there is nothing by which a man exasperates most people more, than by displaying a superior ability or brilliancy in conversation. They seem pleased at the time; but their envy makes them curse him in their hearts.' And, without naming anyone, equally interesting is his view on writing books as he says, 'I wonder that so many people who have written or might have let it alone.'
He was obviously not a great sailor as his somewhat amusing view of the profession was 'No man will be a sailor who has contrivance enough to get himself into a gaol; for being in a ship is being in gaol, with the chance of being drowned.' And he is very conscious of social position for his view was, 'Sir, the difference between a country gentleman over the people upon his estate is very agreeable; and he who says he does not feel it is to be agreeable, lies; for it must be agreeable to have superiority over those who are by nature equal with us.'
There are plenty more comments that throw light on Dr Johnson's personality and these observations and judgements are perhaps more profound that many found in similar books where there is often more frivolity and humour displayed. It is probably worth a second read simply to help understand the doctor a little better!
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