Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Sketch Of The Character Of The Late James Boswell, Esq.
talents , he would most probabl y have acquired no inconsiderable repute in the sportive-province . His darling propensity was ail avarice of fame ; and this propensity he indulged rather by courtinc ; the acquaintance of celebrated characters , than by drawing from the resources of his own mind . He made his entrance into public life by an account of the famous Pascal Paoli ; and by tiie extravagant zeal which marked his
rerep sentation of the Corsican hero , Mr . Boswell contrived to elevate himself . When he had sufficiently exalted the character of Paoli for the ; purposes of deriving-a reflected fame himself , he found means to get into particular intimacy with Dr . Johnson , and of course became known to all the literary connections of the great British moralist . By his intercession Johnson was induced to gratify an early desire
of visitingt he Western Islands of Scotland , and Mr . Boswell had the pleasure of being the Cicerope . to the literary Leviathan , and of shewing him about to all curious people in the North . Of this expedition Boswell wrote au account , and in his history of Sam . Johnson ' s rambles , lie did not forget to take due notice of himself . •' - ¦ ¦
„ . . Mr . Burlce was the next distinguished character with whom Boswell connected himself ; but as Mr . Burke shone with too great a ra-i diance in conversation for Boswell to display ins transientgleams , he withdrew to the milder influence of Sir Joshua Reynolds , and continued intimate with the latter till his death spread a cloud over the world of art .
Boswell ' s "Life of Dr . Johnson" is his principal work , and a very amusing one it is , for in a very whimsical manner he details the character and manners' of one of the best critics and one of the soundest moralists that this country ever knew . It was Boswell ' s intention to give a biographical account of Sir Joshua Reynolds ; but as the domestic particulars of that great artist
Were but few , and as Bosweil did not profess to know much of painting , he relinquished the idea ; very properly conceiving , that it was tjie province of a painter to raise a professional monument to the British Apelles . . . . .
. In private lire Boswell was entertaining , as he abounded in anecdote , and had a peculiar cast of dry humour , which induced his hearers to conceive that "more was meant than met the ear . " He Was convivial , without being social , for though he could partake of the laugh of the table with great glee , he never seemed to have anv attachment to his . most intimate companions , unless they could in some measure contribute to the extension of his fame . Ifhowever
, , he was not very susceptible of friendship , or z ' ealouS in rnaiiUainins his connections , he was not malevolent , and never indulged Bimseif in detraction . Give him but fame himseltj and he did not mind how many partners he had to share it with him . -As , a father ,, he was as affectionate as his love of society and--ch ' stinction would permit , him to be , and in the proper duties of life wo have no reason to doubt that he was an honest mail .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Sketch Of The Character Of The Late James Boswell, Esq.
talents , he would most probabl y have acquired no inconsiderable repute in the sportive-province . His darling propensity was ail avarice of fame ; and this propensity he indulged rather by courtinc ; the acquaintance of celebrated characters , than by drawing from the resources of his own mind . He made his entrance into public life by an account of the famous Pascal Paoli ; and by tiie extravagant zeal which marked his
rerep sentation of the Corsican hero , Mr . Boswell contrived to elevate himself . When he had sufficiently exalted the character of Paoli for the ; purposes of deriving-a reflected fame himself , he found means to get into particular intimacy with Dr . Johnson , and of course became known to all the literary connections of the great British moralist . By his intercession Johnson was induced to gratify an early desire
of visitingt he Western Islands of Scotland , and Mr . Boswell had the pleasure of being the Cicerope . to the literary Leviathan , and of shewing him about to all curious people in the North . Of this expedition Boswell wrote au account , and in his history of Sam . Johnson ' s rambles , lie did not forget to take due notice of himself . •' - ¦ ¦
„ . . Mr . Burlce was the next distinguished character with whom Boswell connected himself ; but as Mr . Burke shone with too great a ra-i diance in conversation for Boswell to display ins transientgleams , he withdrew to the milder influence of Sir Joshua Reynolds , and continued intimate with the latter till his death spread a cloud over the world of art .
Boswell ' s "Life of Dr . Johnson" is his principal work , and a very amusing one it is , for in a very whimsical manner he details the character and manners' of one of the best critics and one of the soundest moralists that this country ever knew . It was Boswell ' s intention to give a biographical account of Sir Joshua Reynolds ; but as the domestic particulars of that great artist
Were but few , and as Bosweil did not profess to know much of painting , he relinquished the idea ; very properly conceiving , that it was tjie province of a painter to raise a professional monument to the British Apelles . . . . .
. In private lire Boswell was entertaining , as he abounded in anecdote , and had a peculiar cast of dry humour , which induced his hearers to conceive that "more was meant than met the ear . " He Was convivial , without being social , for though he could partake of the laugh of the table with great glee , he never seemed to have anv attachment to his . most intimate companions , unless they could in some measure contribute to the extension of his fame . Ifhowever
, , he was not very susceptible of friendship , or z ' ealouS in rnaiiUainins his connections , he was not malevolent , and never indulged Bimseif in detraction . Give him but fame himseltj and he did not mind how many partners he had to share it with him . -As , a father ,, he was as affectionate as his love of society and--ch ' stinction would permit , him to be , and in the proper duties of life wo have no reason to doubt that he was an honest mail .