and yet none of them are so much admired as the Visions of Mirza *. In matters of criticism, Johnson is never the echo of preceding writers. He thinks and decides for himself. If we except the Essays on the Pleasures of Imagination, Addison cannot be called a philosophical critic 2 . His moral Essays are beautiful ; but in that province nothing can exceed the Rambler, though Johnson used to say, that the Essay on The burthens of mankind (in the Spectator, N. 558) was the most exquisite he had ever read. Talking of himself, Johnson said, * Topham Beauclerk has wit, and every thing comes from him with ease ; but when I say a good thing, I seem to labour V When we compare him with Addison, the contrast is still stronger. Addison lends grace and ornament to truth ; Johnson gives it force and energy. Addison makes virtue amiable 4 ; Johnson represents it as an awful duty. Addison insinuates himself with an air of modesty ; Johnson commands like a dictator 5 ; but a dictator in his splendid robes, not labouring at the plough. Addison is the Jupiter of Virgil, with placid serenity talking to
Venus: 'Vultu, quo ccelum tempestatesque serenatV
The Vision of Theodore the Hermit 3 Life, v. 76.
was the best thing he ever wrote.' 4 ' Addison has dissipated the pre-
Life, i. 192. judice that had long connected gaiety
1 Spectator ^Q. 159. Unfortunately with vice, and easiness of manners
Addison's promise was never ful- with laxity of principles All the
filled, and of 'The Visions of Mir- enchantment of fancy and all the
zah ' he gave but one. cogency of argument are employed
2 Ib. Nos. 411-421. 'Addison is to recommend to the reader his real now to be considered as a critick ; interest, the care of pleasing the a name which the present generation author of his being. . . . Truth wears is scarcely willing to allow him. His a thousand dresses, and in all is criticism is condemned as tentative pleasing.' Works, vii. 451, 472.
or experimental rather than scien- s 'As it has been my principal
tifick ; and he is considered as de- design to inculcate wisdom or piety,
ciding by taste rather than by prin- I have allotted few papers to the idle
ciples.' Works, vii. 469. Johnson sports of imagination. . . . Scarcely
was referring to Warburton, who any man is so steadily serious as
said that 'Addison was but an or- not to complain that the severity
dinary poet and a worse critic,' and of dictatorial instruction has been
to Hurd, who condemned his want too seldom relieved.' Rambler,
of the ' chastised philosophical spirit.' No. 208.
Warton's Pope's Works, ed. 1822, 6 Aeneid, i. 255.
i. 230; iv. J79-
Johnson
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