El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-09-06
Johnson Sick and Soured
Author of the First Dictionary Wa
DtsagreeabIe to His AcGuafnt-
ances, but a Genius.
By Madison c. Peters

q AMUEL Johnson capped the climax
of his fame IN the compilation of
his massive dic.ionary, the first
great work of tvs kind, which cave
MIN undlsputed title as king of I.tera-
ture in his cay. This iictfcDarv.
though now superseded by others. was
a great work for Its time. entafIfne- 4
great amount Of labor, with scant T1a-
terlaL The photographers y no came
after, used 1t as basis for their WOhl1s
and his may therefore be called the
father of dictionaries It came out in
1853.
A pension vas granted johnson by
the king and his reputation was es-
tablished. Though he live0 MANI years
and did not do Taucn in a ltierarv way
ne talked as few men have ever talked
as IS evidenced in the best biography
ever written, "BOswells Life of John
SON."
Was a Constant Sufferer.
Johnson's life was one of constant
physical suffering. melancholy moods
and frequent violent Outbursts of tenn
per which made all feel the lash of his
consciousness and biting irony His
hpysical Affections shut him from the
companiOnship Of his fellows and since
ne could not have them rs comrades he
turned them into sycophauTs who were
glad to obey his behests and trembIed
at his nod Of disapproval.
Johnson was born at Litchfield. in
Staffordshire, in 1908. His father was
poor country bookseller. An inher-
tied scrOfulOus disease married his
otherwise strong face, twisting It 10
such an extent that he was ashamed Of
1t and kept out of company as much as
possible, which aff1iction. no doubt.
was the beginning of those periods Of
gloom which oyershadOwed his man
hood
Boys Garry Him to School.
EeaFlV ne y ie i
eering spirit. He compelled the hOys
to look up to him as 4 ruler and such
was the difference shown him that three
other boys used to come in the morn
ing and carry him % school One in
the middle stopped, while ne sat On his
pack and one on each side supported
him. He never Joined the boys at play
and his only amusement in which he
took pleasure was in being drawn
upon the ice by a boy barefoOEed
He had defective ryesight. At &c
ne was sent to Pembroke college, OK
ford, but he was too poor to stay He
was as proud as he vas poor. a fell
low student taking pity on his shabby
footwear laid new pair of boots at
MS door, but they were hurled in in
over the stair balustrade
His first serious attempt in lItera- |
ture was London" an imitation Of |
JuvenaPs Third satire. Next he pub |
lished THE Rambler" a periodical Of /
tor" This was followed later by THE /
Idler." The Vanity of Human Wishes"
= poetical work brought him fame 1
Irene came next and lastly 'tRaselas."
! moral tale on the pursuit of happi- |
hess which he wrote in the evenings |
Of q single week to meet the expenses |
II his mothers funeral Having es- /
-ablished a name in literature he turned j
All his attention to his dictionary [
which made him the lion Of the day, |
s-TE
Lives Of The Poets" he did little work /
lfter his dictionary
In 1853 Johnson was invited to the
house of Mr.. and Mrs Thrale. Mrs.
rhrale had great influence on his
character and cheerfully submitted to
lis overbearing ways. Boswell rev
srenced Johnson and though Johnson |
;cOlded, bullied. lectured and loved
Boswell in turns, his biographer would
lave done anything possible for his
master.
Was DfsagreeabIe Man.
When not mOping and melancholy
Johnson was growing and bearish and
t times perfectly savage. He was
Orbidding looking man. ne had con-
-ulsive motions like one affected with
L Vitus' dance. He was slovenly in
lis manner and filthy in his clothing,
ut he had a great head, a large COM
nand of words great powers to Wit
nd sparkling humor. Despite his rough
nd uncOuth nature he had a great rev
renee for religion. He was never free
rom physical pain. but he never com
lained. In addition to the scrOfula, I
e was agonized by the govt and the
reat burden of his flesh was further
by drOpsy. In his later !
ears, he was palsied and almost help !
sss; children on the street became 1
-ightened at hin and few, save his
lost intimate friends, approached him.
lie died 1884.