folly; grant, I beseech Thee, that in this undertaking[1] thy Holy Spirit may not be with-held from me, but that I may promote thy glory, and the salvation of myself and others: grant this, O Lord, for the sake of thy son Jesus Christ. Amen[2].'
The first paper of The Rambler was published on Tuesday the 20th of March, 1750; and its authour was enabled to continue it, without interruption, every Tuesday and Friday, till Saturday the 17th of March, 1752[3], on which day it closed. This is a strong confirmation of the truth of a remark of his, which I have had occasion to quote elsewhere[4], that 'a man may write at any time, if he will set himself doggedly to it[5];' for, notwithstanding his constitutional indolence, his depression of spirits, and his labour in carrying on his Dictionary, he answered the stated calls of the press twice a week from the stores of his mind, during all that time; having received no assistance, except four billets in No. 10, by Miss Mulso, now Mrs. Chapone[6]; No. 30, by Mrs. Catharine Talbot[7]; No. 97, by Mr. Samuel Richardson, whom he describes in an introductory note as 'An author who has enlarged the knowledge of human nature, and taught the passions to move at
- ↑ In the original MS. 'in this my undertaking,' and below, 'the salvation both of myself and others.'
- ↑ Prayers and Meditations, p. 9. Boswell.
- ↑ In the original folio edition of The Rambler the concluding paper is dated Saturday, March 17. But Saturday was in fact March 14. This circumstance is worth notice, for Mrs. Johnson died on the 17th. Malone.
- ↑ Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides, 3d edit. p. 28. [Aug. 16, 1773]. Boswell.
- ↑ Gray had a notion not very peculiar, that he could not write but at certain times, or at happy moments; a fantastic foppery, to which my kindness for a man of learning and virtue wishes him to have been superior.' Johnson's Works, viii. 482. See Post, under April 15, 1758.
- ↑ Her correspondence with Richardson and Mrs. Carter was published in 1807.
- ↑ The correspondence between her and Mrs. Carter was published in 1808.
