New-York tribune., 1900-01-07

These Johnson papers throw light on the sub
ject. Some leading motive each contributor has
followed of course. Mr.. Gennadus writes of
Johnson Grecian; DIR. Hill deals with Bos-
wells proof sheets; Mr. Hutton discourses of
JoEnson's relation to THE Genteman's Maga-
zine" and of his library; Mr. Sargeaunt touches
upon Johnsons politics and gives another chap
ter on DIR. Johnson and Music" But none of
these writer's has wasted overmuch time on
the question of form Tfey have all aimed first
at being interesting. To be sure, with Dr. John
son for a theme, they could hardly help them
selves, but let us give them, nevertheless all
possible credit for having put forth some first
rate little essays. 1t may be only "a loose sally
of the mind but how readable is Mr.. Birrelrs
paTer, with passages in it like this on
johnson as a table-talker:
You must have the character first and the
talk comes afterwards 1t is the old story: any
body can write like Shakespeare, if he has the
mind. But still, for his talk Johnson possessed
great qualities. Vast and varied his in
formation on all kinds of subjects. He knew
not only books, but great deal about trades
and manufactures, ways of existence customs
OF business. He had been in all sorts of socie-
tles, Kept every kind of company. He had
fought the battle of life in hand hand
counter; had slept in garrets; had done hack
work for booksellers: in short, had lived
fourpence halfpenny a day. By the side of
Johnson, BurkeS knowledge of men and things
was booksh and notionaI. He had a great
range OF fact Next, he had a strong mind
operating upon and in love with life He never
lost his curiosity in his fellowmen
Mr.. Birrell has something of the humane
cathohcity Of his master He is not bookish in
his essay. He tells more than good story
For example, the following in regard to Bon
nor the Australian cricketer who was once the
guest of the club: He told us that until that
evening he had never heard of DIR. Johnson.
ThereupOn somebody . was thoughtess
oh to ritt
in heightened tones, and drawing himself
proudly up, and what is more I come from a
great country, where you might ride a horse
sixty miles da; for three months and never
meet anybody who had. But SO he proceeded,
i have heard of him now, and only say
that were l Bonnor the cricketer I would
be Samuel Johnson He sat down amidst APP
plause, and the sorrowful conviction straight
way seized hold of me that could the Doctor
have obtained permission to revisit Fleet-st.
his earthly heaven, shat night. and had he
come in amongst us, he would certainly have
preferred both the compliment and the conversa-
ton of the cricketer to those of the critics he
would have found at the table Ii Mr.. Birrell
is careful to be not too bookish also his
colleagues. The significance of the Johnson Club
papers lies in their easy, informal character in
their presentation of the solid fruits of
search with casual anecdote and artless anima-
ton.
1t is because Mr.. Gwynn is interesting that
count him promising essayist Estimated
with regard to his criticism and his form, he
falls short. The view of Jane Austen which is
advanced in the titular essay, THE Decay of
Sensibilty,' is wrong-headed to the point of
absurdity. If we were not persuaded of Mr.
Gwynns sincerity should suspect that these
iccnoclastic pages were composed merely to at
tract attention. that they We're the audacious