CORRELATED READING IN BOSWELL'S

LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON

It will prove both entertaining and profitable to correlate the study of this essay with the reading of portions of Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson. It is no derogation of Macaulay's ability to say that readers of this article frequently desire to learn more about the personality of the great Dictator of English Letters. Students must turn to Boswell in order to get the full background of any scene or incident in Johnson's life. Thus will they become acquainted with a biography which, says Carlyle, “is beyond any product of the eighteenth century, giving more real insight into the history of England during those days than twenty other Books, falsely entitled 'Histories,' which take to themselves that special aim."

Direction can be given to the examination of Boswell's Life by having selected passages read aloud by members of the class. Many editions of the work are available; the volumes can be borrowed from any public library. An inexpensive and attractive text appears in the Everyman's Library Series (E. P. Dutton & Co., New York). The following topics representing attractive portions of the biography are given by way of suggestion. The passages may be readily located by referring to the index of any edition of Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson.

I. Johnson's Academy. II. The performance of Irene. III. Death of Johnson's wife. IV. The Chesterfield incident. V. Boswell's first meeting with Johnson. VI. Formation of the Literary Club. VII. Johnson's introduction into the family of the Thrales. VIII. Johnson meets the King.

BOSWELL'S LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON

IX. Boswell entertains at dinner (Oct. 16, 1769). X. The Epitaph on Goldsmith and the Round Robin Petition. XI. Johnson's humane interference in behalf of Mr. Dodd." XII. Johnson gives an opinion concerning Garrick's fame (1778). XIII. He entertains Mr. Edwards, a fellow-collegian. XIV. Parting adieu of Streatham. XV. Mrs. Siddons visits Johnson. XVI. Johnson's love of children. XVII. His kindness to animals. XVIII. Particulars of Johnson's last moments.

QUESTIONS AND TOPICS FOR STUDY

LORD MACAULAY

1. Give some account of the life and influence of Zachary
Macaulay. 2. Who was Hannah More? What advantages
did Macaulay gain from being a protégé of this talented
woman? 3. Do you know anything about the lives of
Macaulay's brothers and sisters? (See Dictionary of National
Biography under Zachary Macaulay.)

4. Give details concerning Macaulay's early life, his
mental precocity, and his childhood compositions. 5. What
traits did he exhibit while attending the private school near
Cambridge? 6. In what ways did he win distinction at
Cambridge University?

7. Mention some of his contributions to Knight's Quar-
terly Magazine. 8. Why did he not give much attention
to the practice of law? 9. When did Macaulay contribute
his first essay to the Edinburgh Review? How did the editor,
Francis Jeffrey, regard the young man's effort? 10. How
long did Macaulay's connection with the Review last?

11. Tell about Macaulay's entrance into Parliament and
his famous speech on the Reform Bill. 12. Why was
Macaulay willing to accept the position in India? What
valuable work did he perform outside his duties as member
of the Council?

13. What literary work did he accomplish during the
three years following his return from India? 14. Give some
account of the success of the History.

15. How did the electors of Edinburgh compensate
Macaulay for their opposition to his candidacy in 1847?

16. Describe Macaulay's appearance. 17. What was the one exercise in which he was said to excel? 18. Give some details to show Macaulay's tenderness of feeling. 19. What actions revealed his strict integrity and high moral sense? 20. Tell about his remarkable energy of mind. 21. His wonderful memory.

22. Mention the subjects of some of Macaulay's essays. 23. Why are his essays popular? 24. What are the prominent characteristics of Macaulay's style?

THE LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON

1. What characteristics of mind and temperament did Samuel Johnson exhibit during his boyhood? 2. What were the chief traits which he displayed while at Oxford?

3. After reading the paragraph beginning on page 39, would you say that the opening sentence is a clue to the main subject? 4. What is the real topic of the paragraph? 5. Note the author's effective use of concrete illustrations. 6. What is the figure used in describing the influence of Johnson's religion?

7. What explanation would you give for Johnson's affection for Mrs. Porter?

8. Why was the School a failure?

9. What is meant by the "patronage of the great”? 10. What were the effects of the hard struggle in London upon Johnson's manners and disposition?

11. Describe Johnson's connection with the Gentleman's Magazine.

12. What were the prejudices which he brought up to London? 13. What gave rise to his hatred of the Scotch?

14. Who were Johnson's early friends? 15. Do you think he would have cared as much for them in the days of his prosperity?

16. Why does Macaulay regard the Life of Savage a masterpiece?

17. Do you think Macaulay means to excuse Chesterfield's conduct toward Johnson?

18. Try to express in a general statement the thought of lines 11 to 21 on page 54. Is Macaulay's way better?

19. Do you see any warrant for the short paragraph on page 55?

20. Why did Johnson and Garrick repel each other? What were the points on which they could agree?

21. What were the chief merits of The Idler?

22. Did Johnson incur any considerable loss in bringing out his Dictionary without a dedication? 23. Account for the popularity of this publication.

24. What faults in the plan of Rasselas are criticised by Macaulay? Are these faults enough in themselves wholly to discredit the work?

25. Would it be just to accuse Johnson of being unprincipled in accepting the pension? (It would be worth while to consult Boswell in reference to this topic.) 26. Is Johnson's indolence during the next three or four years to be attributed entirely to his acceptance of a pension?

27. Why was Johnson's edition of Shakespeare a failure?

28. Explain the power and charm of Johnson's conversation. 29. What enabled him to predominate over all the distinguished members of the club?

30. What advantage did Johnson derive from his intimacy with the Thrales?

31. Does the paragraph on page 75 violate the principle of unity?

32. What new light is thrown upon Johnson's character in the account of the affairs in his own household?

33. Why was the journey to the Hebrides such an important event in Johnson's life?

34. How far does Johnson's own case go to establish the truth of the apothegm that no man was ever written down but by himself?