New-York daily tribune., 1842-09-03


helmstone once, when he was not present, Mr..
Beauclerc asserted that he was afraid of spirits
and !, who was secretly offended at the charge,
asked hinl, the 6rst opportunity could md, what
ground he had ever given to the world for such
report7 Il can," replied he, recollect nothing
nearer it, than my telling Dr. Lawrence, many
wears ago, that long time after nay poor mothers
death. / heard her voice call Sas, ," ..What an
swer did the doctor make your story, sir said
/. ..None in the world replied he; and sud-
denly changed the conversation. Now, as Nh
Johnson had most mistaken faith, without any
mixture of credulity, this story must either have
been strictly true. his persuasion OF its truth
the effect of disordered spirits. Irelate the anec-
dotc precisely as be told It me; but could not pre-
vail on him TO draw out the talk into length, for
further satisfaction of my curiosity
OPINION OF THE NoRLD.-Dr. Johnson had q
vencration for the voice of mankind beyond what
most people will own; and as he iiberally con-
fcssed that all his own disappointnenis proceeded
from himself, he hated to hear others complain OF
general injustice. / remember when amentation
was made of the neglect showed 10 jeremiah
Marklaad, great philologist, as some one VEN
tured TO call him -" He is scholar, undoub.ea-
ly, sir,'' replied DIR. Johnson :" but remember
that he would run from the world, and that 1t is
not the world business to run after him. hate
a fellow whoa pride, or cowardice, or lazness
drives into a corner, and does nothing when he is
there but si, and groul; let him come out as LIDO,
and bark"
CosvERsATloN.-Though his time seemed to
be bespoke, and quite engrossed, his house was
always open to all his acquaintance new and old.
His amanuensis has given up his. pen, the printers
devil has waited on the stairs for a proof sheet,
and the press has often stood still, while his vis-
tors were delighted and instructed. No subject
ever came amiss to him. He could transfer his
thoughts from one thing to another with the most
accommodating facility. He had the art, tor
which locke was famous, of leading people to talk
on their favorite subjects, and on what they knew
best. By this he acquired great deal OF intor-
nation What he once heard he rarely forgot.
They gave him their best conversation, and ne
generally made them pleased with themselves, for
endeavorsg to please him.
Poet Smart used to relate, " that his first con-
versation with Johnson was of such variety and
length, that it began with poetry and ended at
Auxions" He always talked as if he were talking
upon oath. He was the wisest person, and had
the most knowledge in ready cash, that ever mad
the honor to be acquainted with. Johnson's ad-
vice was consulted all occasions. DE was
known to be good casust, and therefore had ma
nv cases submitted FOR his Judgement. His cenver-
sation in the judgment of several, was thought to
be equal to his correct writings. Perhaps the
tongue will throw out more animated expressions
than the pen He said the most common things
in the newest manner. He always commanded
attention and regard. His person, though una
dorned with Dress and even deformed by neglect,
made you expect something, and you were hardly
ever disappointed. His manner'was interesting
the tone of his voice, and the sincerity OF his ex-
pressions, even when they did aot captivate your
affections, or carry conviction, prevented con-
tempt.
A coMp1ErE1r rwlornp- -Mnv.-Dr. Job nsnn
being in company with Sir Joshua and his sister,
Miss Reynolds, and the conversation turning on
morality, Sir Joshua said, he did not think there
was in the world any man completely wicked.
Johnson answered. az do not know what you
mean by completely wicked. /" (" mean, re-
turned Sir Joshua, "a man lost to all sense OF
shame" Dr. Johnson replied, that "to be c"fa-
p!eteIv wicked man must be also lost to all sense
of confidence" Sir Joshua said, he thought it
was exactly the SAME; he could see no difference.
{" What ~ said Johnson, Z" can you see no differ
cncel am ashamed to hear you, or any body
utter such nonsense, when the one relates to men
only, the other to God Miss Reynolds then OBJ
served, that when shame was lost, conscience was
nearly gone Johnson agreed that her conclusion
was very just.
The DEMOCRATIC RrvEw for September, VOL XI No. 81
Lucian and his Age is the title of we'll
written opening paper in this number OF this Ma
gazine. The writer gives somewhat original
view Of the age and higher character to the
witty poet, as u philosophic reformer than IS
usually assigned to him. Though many OF the
writer's observations are founded in justice ahd
insight, we think he overrates Lucian when he
makes him re(ormer from principle; he seems
to us rather to have ridiculed the absurd and
false, because it pas ridiculous and not because
it was not the true The article is far superior to
Magazine papers in general; good spirit per-
vades it and it evinces classical taste. We can
not help wishing the writer had brought US little
nearer the original than an English version of
German translation from the Latin would be likely
to do. "A Fool of the Nineteenth Century from
Zschokke, contains sharp bits at the fellies of the
age, and the article on Pstrarch speaks the Ian
guage of truthful and an earnest heart. 1t
cress-examines the poetry of both Campbell and
Petrarch in scep,ical spirit, and condemns both
as not writing that which ,tirs the hearts of men
to great deeds and lofty thoughts, but as secluding
themselves from the active business of the world
and seeking merely to amuse their readers. The
whele article is earnest, and part of it, perhaps,
too dogmatic; but the following passage willcom-
mend itself alike by its important truth and the
eloquent manner in which it is set forth:
II would be a balm to many ambitious minds TO
l. -;rn, once r..aIlv and fr1lly right on this