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The Aureolum, or Nimbus, appropriated to Saints, is round the heads of all the figures here represented, as well as round the Dove; but the head of God the Father, and the Dove, are likewise painted in double quadrangles intersecting each other.

All the figures are rather encumbered with drapery than otherwise, with no other variety in their colours than that the upper garments of God the Father, and of the Angel, are green heightened with gold, and their under, red likewise heightened with gold; which colours are reversed in the draperies of the other figures.

Notwithstanding the dryness peculiar to the age in which these pictures were executed, we find in them a correctness of drawing, and a delicacy in the faces, particularly in that of the Virgin, superior to what we might expect.

After this long description it is time to observe, that the execution of these tablets is in a method of painting mentioned by Giorgio Vasari, in his very valuable work of the "Vite de' piu eccellenti Pittori, &c." who informs us, that "earlier and since the time of Cimabue, are seen works executed by the Greeks in distemper, both on wood and on walls. And these old masters, in preparing their grounds, fearing lest the joints should open, were accustomed to fasten with glew all over the wood a linen-cloth, and then to spread upon it a coat of plaister made of chalk, in order to lay on it their colours, which were mixed with a yolk of an egg and distemper; and that even now things in distemper by our old masters are seen preserved for hundreds of years with great beauty and freshness*."

The coat of plaister is very discernible in the broken edges of these pictures; and the linen-cloth above-mentioned seems to have been torn in that part which is behind the Virgin's left shoulder.

The painter has given us his name at the bottom of the tablets in this manner :

"Drew Johannes Maximof."

"Maximof" sounds like a Russian name; but it is by no means improbable that an ingenious artist of Russia should be drawn to Constantinople, or even to Smyrna, where the art of painting was encouraged; the communication between Muscovy and Greece being not difficult by the Euxine or Black Sea,

If these tablets be not of an age so early as the eighth century (in which the second Council of Nice, held in 787,

* Introduzione, cap. 20,

re-established images in churches, in opposition to the Iconoclastes, and to the great advancement of sculpture and painting,) or even the tenth century, they may be allowed to be of one prior to that of Giovanni Cimabue, the great restorer of painting in Italy, who was born at Florence

in 1240.

I have the honour, Sir, to be your most obedient and obliged servant,

1784, April.

C. R.

XXXVI. Letters from Dr. Johnson, relative to the Lives of the

MR. URBAN,

Poets.

THE following little billets will tend to illustrate the history of that Opus Magnum, Lives of the English Poets.

Yours, &c.

J. NICHOLS,

1. IN the Life of Waller, Mr. Nichols will find a reference to the Parliamentary History, from which a long quotation is to be inserted. If Mr. Nichols cannot easily find the book, Mr. Johnson will send it from Streatham.

Clarendon is here returned.

2. You have now all Cowley. I have been drawn to a great length; but Cowley or [and] Waller never had any critical examination before. I am very far advanced in Dryden, who will be long too. The next great Life I purpose to be Milton's.

It will be kind if you will gather the Lives of Denham, Butler, and Waller, and bind them in half-binding in a small volume, and let me have it to shew my friends, as soon as may be. I sincerely hope the press shall stand no more*. July 27, 1778. SAM. JOHNSON.

3. You have now the Life of Dryden, and you see it is very long. It must, however, have an Appendix. 1. The

The first Life that was begun at the press was that of Cowley, in December, 1777. The progress made in July, 1778, appears above. Butler was the Life in which the doctor at that time more particularly prided himMilton was begun in January, 1779, and finished in six weeks.

zelf.

4

invocation to the Georgics, from Milbourne. (This in the small print.) 2. Dryden's Remarks on Rymer; which are ready transcribed. 3. Dryden's Letter, from Lambeth ;

which is promised me.

Aug. 1778.

4. MR. JOHNSON will hope for Mr. Nichols's company to tea, about six this afternoon, to talk of the Index, and settle the terms.-Monday.

5. I AM very well contented that the Index is settled; for though the price is low, it is not penurious. Mr. M. having been for some time out of business, is in some little perplexities, from which twelve guineas will set him free. This, we hope, you will advance; and, during the continuance of the work subject to your inspection, he desires a weekly payment of sixteen shillings, the rest to remain till it is completed.

Nov. 26, 1778.

SAM. JOHNSON.

6. MR. JOHNSON purposes to make his next attempt upon Prior, at least to consider him very soon; and desires that some volumes published of his papers, in two vols. 8vo. may be produced.

7. THE Turtle and Sparrow can be but a fable*. The Conversation I never read.

8. By some accident, I laid your note upon Duke up so safely that I cannot find it. Your informations have been of great use to me. I must beg it again; with another list of our authors, for I have laid that with the other. I have sent Stepney's Epitaph. Let me have the revises as soon as can be.

Dec. 1778.

9. I HAVE sent Philips, with his Epitaphs to be inserted. The fragment of a Preface is hardly worth the impression, but that we may seem to do something. It may be added to the Life of Philips. The Latin page is to be added to the Life of Smith. I shall be at home, to revise the two sheets of Milton.

March 1, 1779.

SAM. JOHNSON.

This refers to a hint given him in consequence of what he said in the Life of Prior, vol, III, p. 29. that of his "Tales there are only four."

10. PLEASE to get me the last edition of Hughes's Letters; and try to get Dennis upon Blackmore, and upon Cato, and any thing of the same writer against Pope. Our materials are defective.

As Waller professed to have imitated Fairfax, do you think a few pages of Fairfax would enrich our edition*? Few readers have seen it, and it may please them†. But it is not necessary.

May 2, 1799.

SAM. JOHNSON.

11. IN examining this book, I find it necessary to add to the Life the Preface to the British Enchanters; and you may add, if you will, the notes on Unnatural Flights.

I am, Sir, &c.-Friday.

12. THERE is a copy of verses by Fenton, on the first Fit of the Gout, in Pope's Miscellanies, and, I think, in the last volume of Dryden. In Pope's I am sure.

13. J. N. to Dr. J. "The Verses on the Gout are printed (from Fenton's Collection) in the Select Collection, 1780, vol. III. p. 177; but shall be copied if Dr. J. thinks proper. From the same publication of Fenton, J. N. has copied some other Poems of Fenton, herewith sent; which Dr. J. may like to see. He may depend on the Anecdotes of Fenton."

14. Answ. "I should have given Fenton's birth to Shelton in Staffordshire§, but that I am afraid there is no such place. The rest I have, except his Secretaryship, of which I know not what to make. When Lord Orrery was in an office, Lewis was his Secretary. Lewis lived in my time; I knew him. The Gout Verses were always given to Fenton, when I was young, and he was living. Lord Orrery told me that Fenton was the Tutor; but never thought he was his father's Secretary. Pray let me see the Oxford and

This expression and a similar one in N°. 8. are thus marked, to prepare the reader for what is thrown out in N°. 17. where your edition refers, as these do, to that published by the body of booksellers in 68 volumes, from a list repeatedly corrected by himself.

+ It is added.

Where it is ascribed to Dr. Waldren.

It is now said to be " near Newcastle." Shelton (near Newcastle Under-Line,) is to be found in Staffordshire, in the Index Villaris of 1700. EDIT.

Dr. J. retracted this opinion, as F. in his Life is styled "Secretary." Fenton was Secretary to Lord Orrery, when he commanded a regiment in Flanders, and was dismissed in 1705, four years before Dr. Johnson was burn. EDIT.

Cambridge [Verses, ] &c. [1707.] If you are sure it was published by Fenton, I shall take notice of it*."

15. MR. JOHNSON desires Mr. Nichols to send him Ruffhead's Life of Pope, Pope's Works, Swift's Works, with Dr. Hawkesworth's Life, Lyttelton's Works; and with these he hopes to have done. The first to be got is Lyttelton.

16. MR. JOHNSON, being now at home, desires the last leaves of the Criticism on Pope's Epitaphs, and he will correct them. Mr. N. is intreated to save the proof sheets of Pope, because they are promised to a Ladyt, who desires to have them.

17. IN reading Rowe in your edition, which is very impudently called minet, I observed a little piece unnaturally and odiously obscene. I was offended, but was still more offended when I could not find it in Rowe's genuine volumes. To admit it, had been wrong; to interpolate it, is surely worse. If I had known of such a piece in the whole collection, I should have been angry. What can be done?

18. MR. JOHNSON is obliged to Mr. Nichols for his communication, and must have Hammond again. Mr. Johnson would be glad of Blackmore's Essays for a few days. May 24, 1780.

19. I HAVE been out of order, but by bleeding and physic think I am better, and can go again to work. Your note on Broome¶ will do me much good. Can you give me a few dates for A. Philips? I wrote to Cambridge about them, but have had no answer.

June 16, 1780.

20. DR. WARTON tells me, that Collins's first piece** is in the Gent. Mag. for August, 1739. In August there is no

* See Lives of the Poets, vol. III.

+ Probably to Miss Burney.

See the note on N°. 10.

The Epigram on a lady who at the tragedy of Cato, which has not only appeared in the Works of Rowe, but has been transplanted by Pope, into the" Miscellanies" he published in his own name, and that of Dean Swift. Lives of the Poets, vol. III. p. 185.

Select Collection, vol. IV. p. 283.

[** His verses to Miss Aurelia Cr, on her weeping at her Sister's Wedding, are in an earlier number, viz. that for January, 1739. E]

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