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 488 Essay on Johnson's Life and Genius.

It is now time to close this essay, which the author fears has been drawn too much into length. In the progress of the work, feeble as it may be, he thought himself performing the last human office to the memory of a friend, whom he loved, esteemed, and honoured.

His saltern accumulem donis, et fungar inani Munere x.

The author of these memoirs has been anxious to give the

features of the man, and the true character of the author. He

has not suffered the hand of partiality to colour his excellencies

with too much warmth ; nor has he endeavoured to throw his

/ singularities too much into shade. Dr. Johnson's failings may

/ well be forgiven for the sake of his virtues. His defects were

I spots in the sun. His piety, his kind affections, and the goodness

\ of his heart, present an example worthy of imitation. His works

TTwill remain a monument of genius and of learning. Had he

written nothing but what is contained in this edition, the quantity

shews a life spent in study and meditation. If to this we add the

labour of his Dictionary and other various productions, it may

be fairly allowed, as he used to say of himself, that he has

written his share 2. In the volumes here presented to the

publick, the reader will find a perpetual source of pleasure and

uistruction. With due precautions, authors may learn to grace

/their style with elegance, harmony and precision ; they may be

/ taught to think with vigour and perspicuity ; and, to crown the

V whole, by a diligent attention to these books all may advance in

Virtue.

��1 Aenezd, vi. 885.

2 ' BOSWELL. " But, Sir, why don't you give us something in some other way ? " GOLDSMITH. " Ay, Sir, we have a claim upon you." "JOHN SON. " No, Sir, I am not obliged to

��do any more. No man is obliged to do as much as he can do. A_man is to have part of his life to himself." ' Life, ii. 15. See also ii. 35, where the King urged him to continue his labours.

��END OF VOL. I.

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