In the first place, the facts are related upon the best intel ligence, and the best vouchers that could be gleaned, after a great lapse of time 1 . Probability was to be inferred from such materials as could be procured, and no man better understood the nature of historical evidence than Dr. Johnson ; no man was more religiously an observer of truth. If his History is any where defective, it must be imputed to the want of better information, and the errors of uncertain tradition.
Ad nos vix tenuis famae perlabitur aura 2 .
Jf the strictures on the works of the various authors are nt always satisfactory, and if erroneous criticism may some times be suspected, who can hope that in matters of taste all snail agree? The instances in which the public mind has differed from the positions advanced by the author, are few in /number. It has been said, that justice has not been done to/Swift ; that Gay and Prior are undervalued ; and that Gray hfas been harshly treated 3 . This charge, perhaps, ought not ti be disputed. Johnson, it is well known, had conceived a prejudice against Swift 4 . His friends trembled for him when he was writing that life, but were pleased, at last, to see it executed with temper and moderation. As to Prior, it is probable that he gave his real opinion, but an opinion that will not be adopted by men of lively fancy 5 . With regard
1 'Dr. Johnson,' writes Boswell, his poems with the most charming ' was by no means attentive to minute ease, stood unshaken till Johnson accuracy in his Lives of the Poets.' thrust his head against it.' ' The Zz/i?, iii.359, n. 2. See also, ib. iv. 51, supposed injury done by him to the n. 2. He trusted greatly to his memory of Gray is resented by the memory. If he did not retain any- whole university of Cambridge.' thing exactly, he did not think him- Hawkins, p. 538. ' Among the Lives self bound to look it up. Ib. iv. the very worst is, beyond all doubt, 36, n. 3. that f Gray.' Macaulay's Misc.
2 Aeneid, vii. 646. Works, ed. 1871, p. 392.
3 Life i. 404 ; iv. 64. 4 Life, iv. 61 ; v. 44 ; ante, p. 373- Cowper wrote on Jan. 17, 1782 5 'His numbers are such as mere
(Works, ed. 1836, iv. 175): 'Prior's diligence may attain; they seldom reputation as an author who, with offend the ear, and seldom soothe much labour indeed, but with ad- it ; they commonly want airiness, mirable success, has embellished all lightness, and facility: what is smooth
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