misc writings and speeches(米斯克说与写3)-第22章
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whose many faults indifference to the claims of genius and learning cannot
be reckoned； solicited the acquaintance of the writer。 In consequence
probably of the good offices of Doddington； who was then the confidential
adviser of Prince Frederic； two of his Royal Highness's gentlemen carried
a gracious message to the printing office； and ordered seven copies for
Leicester House。 But these overtures seem to have been very coldly
received。 Johnson had had enough of the patronage of the great to last him
all his life； and was not disposed to haunt any other door as he had haunted
the door of Chesterfield。
By the public the Rambler was at first very coldly received。 Though
the price of a number was only twopence； the sale did not amount to five
hundred。 The profits were therefore very small。 But as soon as the flying
leaves were collected and reprinted they became popular。 The author lived
to see thirteen thousand copies spread over England alone。 Separate
editions were published for the Scotch and Irish markets。 A large party
pronounced the style perfect； so absolutely perfect that in some essays it
would be impossible for the writer himself to alter a single word for the
better。 Another party； not less numerous； vehemently accused him of
having corrupted the purity of the English tongue。 The best critics
admitted that his diction was too monotonous； too obviously artificial； and
now and then turgid even to absurdity。 But they did justice to the acuteness
of his observations on morals and manners； to the constant precision and
frequent brilliancy of his language； to the weighty and magnificent
eloquence of many serious passages； and to the solemn yet pleasing
humour of some of the lighter papers。 On the question of precedence
between Addison and Johnson； a question which； seventy years ago； was
much disputed； posterity has pronounced a decision from which there is no
appeal。 Sir Roger； his chaplain and his butler； Will Wimble and Will
Honeycomb； the Vision of Mirza； the Journal of the Retired Citizen； the
Everlasting Club； the Dunmow Flitch； the Loves of Hilpah and Shalum；
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THE MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS AND SPEECHES OF LORD MACAULAY。
the Visit to the Exchange； and the Visit to the Abbey； are known to
everybody。 But many men and women； even of highly cultivated minds；
are unacquainted with Squire Bluster and Mrs Busy； Quisquilius and
Venustulus； the Allegory of Wit and Learning； the Chronicle of the
Revolutions of a Garret； and the sad fate of Aningait and Ajut。
The last Rambler was written in a sad and gloomy hour。 Mrs Johnson
had been given over by the physicians。 Three days later she died。 She left
her husband almost broken…hearted。 Many people had been surprised to
see a man of his genius and learning stooping to every drudgery； and
denying himself almost every comfort； for the purpose of supplying a silly；
affected old woman with superfluities； which she accepted with but little
gratitude。 But all his affection had been concentrated on her。 He had
neither brother nor sister； neither son nor daughter。 To him she was
beautiful as the Gunnings； and witty as Lady Mary。 Her opinion of his
writings was more important to him than the voice of the pit of Drury
Lane Theatre or the judgment of the Monthly Review。 The chief support
which had sustained him through the most arduous labour of his life was
the hope that she would enjoy the fame and the profit which he anticipated
from his Dictionary。 She was gone； and in that vast labyrinth of streets；
peopled by eight hundred thousand human beings； he was alone。 Yet it was
necessary for him to set himself； as he expressed it； doggedly to work。
After three more laborious years； the Dictionary was at length complete。
It had been generally supposed that this great work would be dedicated
to the eloquent and accomplished nobleman to whom the prospectus had
been addressed。 He well knew the value of such a compliment； and
therefore； when the day of publication drew near； he exerted himself to
soothe； by a show of zealous and at the same time of delicate and
judicious kindness； the pride which he had so cruelly wounded。 Since the
Ramblers had ceased to appear； the town had been entertained by a journal
called the World； to which many men of high rank and fashion contributed。
In two successive numbers of the World the Dictionary was； to use the
modern phrase； puffed with wonderful skill。 The writings of Johnson were
warmly praised。 It was proposed that he should be invested with the
authority of a Dictator； nay； of a Pope； over our language； and that his
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THE MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS AND SPEECHES OF LORD MACAULAY。
decisions about the meaning and the spelling of words should be received
as final。 His two folios； it was said； would of course be bought by
everybody who could afford to buy them。 It was soon known that these
papers were written by Chesterfield。 But the just resentment of Johnson
was not to be so appeased。 In a letter written with singular energy and
dignity of thought and language； he repelled the tardy advances of his
patron。 The Dictionary came forth without a dedication。 In the preface the
author truly declared that he owed nothing to the great； and described the
difficulties with which he had been left to struggle so forcibly and
pathetically that the ablest and most malevolent of all the enemies of his
fame； Horne Tooke； never could read that passage without tears。
The public； on this occasion； did Johnson full justice； and something
more than justice。 The best lexicographer may well be content if his
productions are received by the world with cold esteem。 But Johnson's
Dictionary was hailed with an enthusiasm such as no similar work has
ever excited。 It was indeed the first dictionary which could be read with
pleasure。 The definitions show so much acuteness of thought and
command of language； and the passages quoted from poets； divines； and
philosophers are so skilfully selected； that a leisure hour may always be
very agreeably spent in turning over the pages。 The faults of the book
resolve themselves； for the most part； into one great fault。 Johnson was a
wretched etymologist。 He knew little or nothing of any Teutonic language
except English； which indeed； as he wrote it； was scarcely a Teutonic
language； and thus he was absolutely at the mercy of Junius and Skinner。
The Dictionary； though it raised Johnson's fame； added nothing to his
pecuniary means。 The fifteen hundred guineas which the booksellers had
agreed to pay him had been advanced and spent before the last sheets
issued from the press。 It is painful to relate that； twice in the course of the
year which followed the publication of this great
