3344 TO AND FROM THE LATE Samuel Johnson, LL. D. O WHICH ARE ADDED, SOME POEMS NEVER BEFORE PRINTED. PUBLISHED FROM THE ORIGINAL MSS. IN HER POSSESSION, BY HESTER LYNCH PIOZZI. IN TWO VOLUME S. VOL. 1.48 bound togather. DUBLIN: PRINTED FOR MESSRS. R. MONCRIEFFE, L. WHITE, P. BYRNE, P. WOGAN, W. PORTER, H. M.DCC.LXXXVIII. PRE FAC E. THEY who folicit the favour of the Publick are often led to lament the inftability of its regard, and volumes have been written to deter men from trying ever to obtain that which is acknowledged fo difficult to keep: yet numbers ftill endeavour, in fpite of admonition, to fit upon themselves that fairy garland, which they have fo often feen fnatched by malice from the head of the unwary, dropt by a fudden tofs from the temples of the arrogant, and fading through mere negligence round the brows of the fluggard. The obfidional crown however, composed only of that grafs which grew in the place befieged, -may ftill, as in the days of ancient Rome perhaps--be worn while it lafts without envy, nor can I form pretenfions to any higher reward, for having made known the true character of a dead friend, by printing his opinions, fentences, and letters, which beft explain it. An Editor's duty is indeed that of moft danger and leaft renown through all the ranks of literary warfare; all merit is attributed. (and justly) to the author; for faults, the perfon who publishes must be refponfible. It is difficult enough too, in a previous addrefs, to defend one's felf from cenfures, of which we yet know not the form and force; the first and greatest danger is here indeed little to be dreaded as these letters will doubtlefs be deemed authentick, even by those who profefs themselves leaft pleased with their perufal-and he was accounted among the wifeft of the ancients, who chofe rather to dif please by truth, than give delight by falfehood. None but domeftick and familiar events can be expected from a private correfpondence; no reflections but fuch as they excite can be found there; yet whoever turns away disgusted by the infipidity with which this, and I fuppofe every correfpondence muft naturally and almost neceffarily begin-will here be likely to lofe fome genuine pleasure, and fome useful knowledge of what our heroic Milton was himfelf contented to respect, as That which before thee lies in daily life. And should I be charged with obtruding trifles on the Public, I might reply, that the meaneft animals preferved in amber become of value to those who form collections of natural hiftory, that the fish found in Monte Bolca ferve as proofs of facred writ, and that the cart-wheel ftuck in the rock of Tivoli, is now found ufeful in computing the rotation of the earth. When Were I difpofed to deprecate future criticifm, I might here undertake the defence of Dr. Johnson's fentiments, as they will be found ftrewed up and down these volumes; but for the Editor it is fufficient, that they are the fentiments of him who, when living, above all men knew how to compel acquiefcence, even from the few who forbore a loud and clamorous applaufe. The letters there fore remain juft as he wrote them; and I did not like to mutilate fuch as contained either fallies of humour or precepts of morality, becaufe they might be mingled with family affairs; nor will I much extend felf in empty apologies for letting such paffages ftand which at worst may ferve to gratify petty curiofity, while readers who fearch for fomething better will not long be detained, and confequently can complain but little. my It has been frequently lamented, that we have few letters in our language printed from genuine copies-fcarce any from authors of eminence, fuch as were prepared for the prefs by their writers, have forfeited all title to the name of letters; nor are I believe ever confidered as familiar chat fpread upon paper for the advantage or entertainment of a diftant friend. Here might I add much about epiftolary ftyle, echoing perhaps with lefs novelty than pleasure, the just praises of Sevigné's tenderness, and Maintenon's piety; but who could hope to add one useful obfer |