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The Works of Samuel Johnson, Ll. D. (4); A New Ed., in Twelve Volumes, to Which Is Prefixed, an Essay on His Life and Genius
The Works of Samuel Johnson Ll D A New Ed in Twelve Volumes to Which Is Prefixed an Essay on His Life and Genius - 4 Author:Samuel Johnson Volume: 4 General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1820 Original Publisher: J. Haddon Subjects: English literature Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access... more » to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. Excerpt: No. 3. TUESDAY, MARCH 27,1750. Firtus, repulsa! nescia sordidoe, Intaminatis fulget honoribta, Nee sumitt out ponit secures Arbitrio popuiartt auric. -- Hor. Undisappointed in designs, With native honours Virtue shines; Nor takes up pow'r, nor lays it down, As giddy rabbles smile or frown. -- -- elfhinston. The task of an author is, either to teach what is not known, or to recommend known truths by his manner of adorning them ; either to let new light in upon the mind, and open new scenes to the prospect, or to vary the dress and situation of common objects, so as to give them fresh grace and more powerful attractions, to spread such flowers over the regions through which the intellect has already made its progress, as may tempt it to return, and take a second view of things hastily passed over, or negligently regarded. Either of these labours is very difficult, because that they may not be fruitless, men must not only be persuaded of their errors, but reconciled to their guide; they must not only confess their ignorance, but, what is still less pleasing, must allow that he from whom they are to learn is more knowing than themselves. It might be imagined that such an employment was in itself sufficiently irksome and hazardous; that none would be found so malevolent as wantonly to add weight to the stone of Sisyphus; and that few endeavours would be used to obstruct those advances to reputation, which must be made at such an expence of time and thought, with so great hazard in the miscarriage, and with so little advanta...« less