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.
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