works. I have also added such of Dr. Johnson's Dedications as have been yel discovered, one or two of which Mr. Boswell overlooked or rejected. Among these is the Dedication to the Parliament, of a book intitled, “The Evangelical History of Jesus Christ.” Mr. Boswell cannot allow that Dr. Johnson wrote this, because “ he was no croaker, no declaimer against the times.” This, however, is contradicted by the tenour .of some of Dr. Johnson's writings before the present reign, and even by some of those conversations which Mr. Boswell has collected. The article is as evidently Johnsonian as any which have been attributed to him from internal evidence; and it was copied into the Literary Journal while he was the editor of that publication. His other DevicATIONS have been so long considered as models of courtly address, that no apology seems necessary for this addition to the many proofs he has given of excellence in every species of composition. A few illustrative notes have been appended to some parts of this edition. The time is not yet come when it will be necessary to extend this kind of information, but some events and circumstances required explanation, and some dates were wanting to the lesser pieces. I have only to add that the RAMBLERS and IDLERS were revised according to the text of the lately collated edition in the BRITISH EssayISTs, and several material errors have been corrected. ALEXR CHALMERS, London, January 1806, CONTENTS OP THE FIRST VOLUME. Page Essay on the Life and Genius of Dr. Johnson 1 Prologue spoken by Mr. Garrick, at the opening of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane 167 Prologue to the Masque of Comus Prologue to the Comedy of the Good-natured Prologue to the Comedy of a Word to the Wise 254 To Miss ****, on her giving the Author a Gold and Silk Net-work Purse of her own weaving 262 on her playing upon the Harpsi- chord in a Room hung with Flower-pieces Verses written at the Request of a Gentleman to wbom a Lady had given a Sprig of Myrtle 267 On the Death of Mr. Robert Levet Epitaphium in Thomam Hanmer, Baronettum - ib. Paraphrase of the above, by Dr. Johnson To Miss Hickman, playing on the Spinnet - 275 Paraphrase of Proverbs, Chap. vi. Verses 6, 7, Horace, Lib. IV. Ode VII. translated - 276 Lines written in Ridicule of certain Poems Parody of a Translation from the Medea of Translation of the two first Stanzas of the Song Imitation of the Style of ***** Burlesque of some Lines of Lopez de Vega Translation of some Lines at the End of Baretti's Improviso Translation of a Distich on the Duke of Modena's running away from the Comet Improviso -Translation of saine Lines of Mons. Translation of some Lines written under a Print Impromptu Translation of the same To Mrs. Thrale, on her completing her Thirty- Impromptu 'Translation of an Air in the Cle- menza de Tito of Metastatio 282, - ib. 285 Poemata . 286 28% WHEN the works of a great Writer, who has bequeathed to posterity a lasting legacy, are presented to the world, it is naturally expected, that some account of his life should accompany the edition. The Reader wishes to know as much as possible of the Author. The circumstances that attended him, the features of his private character, his conversation, and the means by which he rose to eminence, become the favourite objects of enquiry. Curiosity is excited; and the admirer of his works is eager to know his private opinions, his course of study, the particularities of his conduct, and, above all, whether he pursued the wisdom which he recommends, and practised the virtue which his writings inspire. A principle of VOL. 1. B |