b Son of Mr. Samuel Paterson.
a Upon this subject there is a very fair and judicious remark in the life of Dr. Abernethy, in the first edition of the Biographia Britannica, which I should have been glad to see in his Life which has been written for the second edition of that valuable work. ‘To deny the exercise of a particular providence in the Deity’s government of the world is certainly impious: yet nothing serves the cause of the scorner more than an incautious forward zeal in determining the particular instances of it.’
In confirmation of my sentiments, I am also happy to quote that sensible and elegant writer Mr. Melmoth, in Letter VIII {XLVIII} of his collection, published under the name Fitzosborne. ‘We may safely assert, that the belief of a particular Providence is founded upon such probable reasons as may well justify our assent. It would scarce, therefore, be wise to renounce an opinion which affords so firm a support to the soul, in those seasons wherein she stands in most need of assistance, merely because it is not possible, in questions of this kind, to solve every difficulty which attends them.’
b I was sorry to observe Lord Monboddo avoid any communication with Dr. Johnson. I flattered myself that I had made them very good friends (see Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides, 3rd edit., p. 67), but unhappily his Lordship had resumed and cherished a violent prejudice against my illustrious friend, to whom I must do the justice to say, there was on his part not the least anger, but a good-humoured sportiveness. Nay, though he knew of his Lordship’s indisposition towards him, he was even kindly; as appeared from his inquiring of me after him, by an abbreviation of his name, ‘Well, how does Monny?’
a Verses on the death of Mr. Levett.
a Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides, 3rd edit., p. 20 {15 Aug.}.
b I have since heard that the report was not well-founded; but the elation discovered by Johnson in the belief that it was true, shewed a noble ardour for literary fame.
a After all, I cannot but be of opinion, that as Mr. Langton was seriously requested by Dr. Johnson to mention what appeared to him erroneous in the character of his friend, he was bound, as an honest man, to intimate what he really thought, which he certainly did in the most delicate manner; so that Johnson himself, when in a quiet frame of mind, was pleased with it. The texts suggested are now before me, and I shall quote a few of them. ‘Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.’ Matt. v. 5. – ‘I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you, that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called; with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love.’ Ephes. v. {iv.} 1, 2. – ‘And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.’ Col. iii. 14. – ‘Charity suffereth long and is kind; charity envieth not, charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up; doth not behave itself unseemly, is not easily provoked.’ 1 Cor. xiii. 4, 5.
a The Peace made by that very able statesman, the Earl of Shelburne, now Marquis of Lansdown, which may fairly be considered as the foundation of all the prosperity of Great Britain since that time.
b In the first edition of my Work, the epithet amiable was given. I was sorry to be obliged to strike it out; but I could not in justice suffer it to remain, after this young lady had not only written in favour of the savage Anarchy with which France has been visited, but had (as I have been informed by good authority), walked, without horrour, over the ground at the Thuillieries, when it was strewed with the naked bodies of the faithful Swiss Guards, who were barbarously massacred for having bravely defended, against a crew of ruffians, the Monarch whom they had taken an oath to defend. From Dr. Johnson she could now expect not endearment but repulsion.
a Dr. Newton in his Account of his own Life, after animadverting upon Mr. Gibbon’s History, says, ‘Dr. Johnson’s Lives of the Poets afforded more amusement; but candour was much hurt and offended at the malevolence that predominates in every part. Some passages, it must be allowed, are judicious and well written, but make not sufficient compensation for so much spleen and ill humour. Never was any biographer more sparing of his praise, or more abundant in his censures. He seemingly delights more in exposing blemishes, than in recommending beauties; slightly passes over excellencies, enlarges upon imperfections, and not content with his own severe reflections, revives old scandal, and produces large quotations from the forgotten works of former criticks. His reputation was so high in the republick of letters, that it wanted not to be raised upon the ruins of others. But these Essays, instead of raising a higher idea than was before entertained of his understanding, have certainly given the world a worse opinion of his temper. – The Bishop was therefore the more surprized and concerned for his townsman, for he respected him not only for his genius and learning, but valued him much more for the more amiable part of his character, his humanity and charity, his morality and religion.’ The last sentence we may consider as the general and permanent opinion of Bishop Newton; the remarks which precede it must, by all who have read Johnson’s admirable work, be imputed to the disgust and peevishness of old age. I wish they had not appeared, and that Dr. Johnson had not been provoked by them to express himself, not in respectful terms, of a Prelate, whose labours were certainly of considerable advantage both to literature and religion.
a Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides, 3rd edit. p. 371 {25 Oct.}.
b The Rev. Mr. Agutter has favoured me with a note of a dialogue between Mr. John Henderson and Dr. Johnson on this topick, as related by Mr. Henderson, and it is evidently so authentick that I shall here insert it: – Henderson. ‘What do you think, Sir, of William Law?’ JOHNSON. ‘William Law, Sir, wrote the best piece of Parenetick Divinity;1161 but William Law was no reasoner.’ Henderson. ‘Jeremy Collier, Sir?’ JOHNSON. ‘Jeremy Collier fought without a rival, and therefore could not claim the victory.’ Mr. Henderson mentioned Kenn and Kettlewell; but some objections were made; at last he said, ‘But, Sir, what do you think of Lesley?’ JOHNSON. ‘Charles Lesley I had forgotten. Lesley was a reasoner, and a reasoner who was not to be reasoned against.’
a I have inserted the stanza as Johnson repeated it from memory; but I have since found the poem itself, in The Foundling Hospital for Wit, printed at London, 1749. It is as follows: –
‘Epigram, occasioned by a religious dispute at Bath.
On Reason, Faith, and Mystery high,
Two wits harangue the table;
B–y believes he knows not why.
N– swears ’tis all a fable.
Peace, coxcombs, peace, and both agree,
N–, kiss thy empty brother;
Religion laughs at foes like thee,
And dreads a friend like t’other.’1164
a Waller, in his Divine Poesie, Canto first, has the same thought finely expressed: –
‘The Church triumphant, and the Church below,
In songs of praise their present union show;
Their joys are full; our expectation long,
In life we differ, but we join in song;
Angels and we assisted by this art,