Mr. Burney was one of the first and most fervent5 admirers of those luminous7 periodical essays upon morals, literature, and human nature, that adorned8 the eighteenth century, and immortalized their author, under the vague and inadequate9 titles of the Rambler and the Idler. He took them both in; he read them to all his friends; and was the first to bring them to a bookish little coterie10 that assembled
[Pg 118]
weekly at Mrs. Stephen Allen’s. And the charm expanded over these meetings, by the original lecture of these refined and energetic lessons of life, conduct, and opinions, when breathed through the sympathetic lips of one who felt every word with nearly the same force with which every word had been dictated11, excited in that small auditory a species of enthusiasm for the author, that exalted12 him at once in their ideas, to that place which the general voice of his country has since assigned him, of the first writer of the age.
Mr. Bewley more than joined in this literary idolatry; and the works, the character, and the name of Dr. Johnson, were held by him in a reverence14 nearly enthusiastic.
At Haughton, at Felbrig, at Rainham, at Sir A. Wodehouse’s, at Major Mackenzie’s, and wherever his judgment15 had weight, Mr. Burney introduced and recommended these papers. And when, in 1755, the plan of Dr. Johnson’s Dictionary reached Norfolk, Mr. Burney, by the zeal16 with which he spread the fame of that lasting17 monument of the Doctor’s matchless abilities, was enabled to collect orders for a Norfolk packet of half a dozen copies of that noble work.
[Pg 119]
This empowered him to give some vent6 to his admiration18; and the following letter made the opening to a connection that he always considered as one of the greatest honours of his life.[20]
Mr. Burney to Mr. Johnson.
“Sir,
“Though I have never had the happiness of a personal knowledge of you, I cannot think myself wholly a stranger to a man with whose sentiments I have so long been acquainted; for it seems to me as if the writer, who was sincere, had effected the plan of that philosopher who wished men had windows at their breasts, through which the affections of their hearts might be viewed.
“It is with great self-denial that I refrain from giving way to panegyric19 in speaking of the pleasure and instruction I have received from your admirable writings; but knowing that transcendent merit shrinks more at praise, than either vice20 or dulness at
[Pg 120]
censure21, I shall compress my encomiums into a short compass, and only tell you that I revere13 your principles and integrity, in not prostituting your genius, learning, and knowledge of the human heart, in ornamenting22 vice or folly23 with those beautiful flowers of language due only to wisdom and virtue24. I must add, that your periodical productions seem to me models of true genius, useful learning, and elegant diction, employed in the service of the purest precepts25 of religion, and the most inviting26 morality.
“I shall waive27 any further gratification of my wish to tell you, Sir, how much I have been delighted by your productions, and proceed to the business of this letter; which is no other than to beg the favour of you to inform me, by the way that will give you the least trouble, when, and in what manner, your admirably planned, and long wished-for Dictionary will be published? If it should be by subscription28, or you should have any books at your own disposal, I shall beg of you to favour me with six copies for myself and friends, for which I will send you a draft.
“I ought to beg pardon of the public as well as yourself, Sir, for detaining you thus long from your useful labours; but it is the fate of men of eminence30 to be persecuted31 by insignificant32 friends as well as enemies; and the simple cur who barks through fondness and affection, is no less troublesome than if stimulated33 by anger and aversion.
“I hope, however, that your philosophy will incline you to forgive the intemperance34 of my zeal and impatience35 in making these inquiries36; as well as my ambition to subscribe37 myself, with very great regard,
“Sir, your sincere admirer, and most humble38 servant,
“Charles Burney.”
“Lynn Regis, 16th Feb. 1755.”
[Pg 121]
Within two months of the date of this letter, its writer was honoured with the following answer.
“To Mr. Burney, in Lynn Regis, Norfolk.
“Sir,
“If you imagine that by delaying my answer I intended to shew any neglect of the notice with which you have favoured me, you will neither think justly of yourself nor of me. Your civilities were offered with too much elegance39 not to engage attention; and I have too much pleasure in pleasing men like you, not to feel very sensibly the distinction which you have bestowed41 upon me.
“Few consequences of my endeavours to please or to benefit mankind, have delighted me more than your friendship thus voluntarily offered; which, now I have it, I hope to keep, because I hope to continue to deserve it.
“I have no Dictionaries to dispose of for myself; but shall be glad to have you direct your friends to Mr. Dodsley, because it was by his recommendation that I was employed in the work.
“When you have leisure to think again upon me, let me be favoured with another letter, and another yet, when you have looked into my Dictionary. If you find faults, I shall endeavour to mend them: if you find none, I shall think you blinded by kind partiality: but to have made you partial in his favour will very much gratify the ambition of,
“Sir,
“Your most obliged
“And most humble servant,
“Sam. Johnson.”
“Gough-square, Fleet-street,
“April 8, 1755.”
[Pg 122]
A reply so singularly encouraging, demanding “another letter,” and yet “another,” raised the spirits, and flattered the hopes—it might almost be said the foresight—of Mr. Burney, with a prospect42 of future intimacy43, that instigated44 the following unaffected answer.
“Sir,
“That you should think my letter worthy45 of notice was what I began to despair of; and, indeed, I had framed and admitted several reasons for your silence, more than sufficient for your exculpation46. But so highly has your politeness overrated my intentions, that I find it impossible for me to resist accepting the invitation with which you have honoured me, of writing to you again, though conscious that I have nothing to offer that can by any means merit your attention.
“It is with the utmost impatience that I await the possession of your great work, in which every literary difficulty will he solved, and curiosity gratified, at least as far as English literature is concerned: nor am I fearful of letting expectation rise to the highest summit in which she can accompany reason.
“From what you are pleased to say concerning Mr. Dodsley, I shall ever think myself much his debtor47; but yet I cannot help suspecting that you intended him a compliment when you talked of recommendation. Is it possible that the world should be so blind, or booksellers so stupid, as to need other recommendation than your own? Indeed, I shall honour both, world and booksellers, so far as to substitute solicitation48 in the place of the above humiliating term.
[Pg 123]
“Perhaps you will smile when I inform you, that since first the rumour49 of your Dictionary’s coming abroad this winter was spread, I have been supposed to be marvellously deep in politics: not a sun has set since the above time without previously50 lighting51 me to the coffee-house; nor risen, without renewing my curiosity. But time, the great revealer of secrets, has at length put an end to my solicitude52; for, if there be truth in book men, I can now, by cunning calculation, foretell53 the day and hour when it will arrive at Lynn.
“If, which is probable, I should fix my future abode54 in London, I cannot help rejoicing that I shall then be an inhabitant of the same town, and exulting55 that I shall then be a fellow citizen with Mr. Johnson; and were it possible I could be honoured with a small share of his esteem56, I should regard it as the most grateful circumstance of my life. And—shall I add, that I have a female companion, whose intellects are sufficiently57 masculine to enter into the true spirit of your writings, and, consequently, to have an enthusiastic zeal for them and their author? How happy would your presence make us over our tea, so often meliorated by your productions!
“If, in the mean time, your avocations58 would permit you to bestow40 a line or two upon me, without greatly incommoding yourself, it would communicate the highest delight to
“Sir,
“Your most obedient,
“And most humble servant,
“Chas. Burney.”
“Have you, Sir, ever met with a little French book, entitled, ‘Synonimes François, par29 M. l’Abbé Girard?’ I am inclined to imagine, if you have not seen it, that it would afford you, as
[Pg 124]
a philologer, some pleasure, it being written with great spirit, and, I think, accuracy: but I should rejoice to have my opinion either confirmed or corrected by yours. If you should find any difficulty in procuring59 the book, mine is wholly at your service.”
“Lynn Regis, April 14th, 1755.”
To this letter there was little chance of any answer, the demanded “another,” relative to the Dictionary, being still due.
That splendid, and probably, from any single intellect, unequalled work, for vigour60 of imagination and knowledge amidst the depths of erudition, came out in 1756. And, early in 1757, Mr. Burney paid his faithful homage61 to its author.
“To Mr. Johnson, Gough-square.
“Sir,
“Without exercising the greatest self-denial, I should not have been able thus long to withhold62 from you my grateful acknowledgments for the delight and instruction you have afforded me by means of your admirable Dictionary—a work, I believe, not yet equalled in any language; for, not to mention the accuracy, precision, and elegance of the definitions, the illustrations of words are so judiciously63 and happily selected as to render it a repository, and, I had almost said, universal register of whatever is sublime64 or beautiful in English literature. In looking for words, we constantly find things. The road,
[Pg 125]
indeed, to the former, is so flowery as not to be travelled with speed, at least by me, who find it impossible to arrive at the intelligence I want, without bating by the way, and revelling65 in collateral66 entertainment. Were I to express all that I think upon this subject, your Dictionary would be stript of a great part of its furniture: but as praise is never gratefully received by the justly deserving till a deduction67 is first made of the ignorance or partiality of him who bestows68 it, I shall support my opinion by a passage from a work of reputation among our neighbours, which, if it have not yet reached you, I shall rejoice at being the first to communicate, in hopes of augmenting69 the satisfaction arising from honest fame, and a conviction of having conferred benefits on mankind: well knowing with how parsimonious70 and niggard a hand men administer comfort of the kind to modest merit.
“‘Le savant et ingenieux M. Samuel Johnson, qui, dans l’incomparable feuille periodique intitulée le Rambler, apprenoit à ses compatriotes à penser avec justesse sur les matières les plus interessantes, vient de leur fournir des secours pour bien parler, et pour écrire correctement; talens que personne, peut être, ne possede dans un degré plus eminent71 que lui. Il n’y a qu’une voix sur le succés de l’auteur pour epurer, fixer, et enricher une langue dont son Rambler montre si admirablement l’abondance et la force, l’elegance et l’harmonie.’
“Bibliotheque des Savans. Tom. iii. p. 482.
“Though I had constantly in my remembrance the encouragement with which you flattered me in your reply to my first letter, yet knowing that civility and politeness seem often to countenance72 actions which they would not perform, I could
[Pg 126]
hardly think myself entitled to the permission you gave me of writing to you again, had I not lately been apprised73 of your intention to oblige the admirers of Shakespeare with a new edition of his works by subscription. But, shall I venture to tell you, notwithstanding my veneration74 for you and Shakespeare, that I do not partake of the joy which the selfish public seem to feel on this occasion?—so far from it, I could not but be afflicted75 at reflecting, that so exalted, so refined a genius as the author of the Rambler, should submit to a task so unworthy of him as that of a mere76 editor: for who would not grieve to see a Palladio, or a Jones, undergo the dull drudgery77 of carrying rubbish from an old building, when he should be tracing the model of a new one? But I detain you too long from the main subject of this letter, which is to beg a place in the subscription for,
The Right Hon. the Earl of Orford,
Miss Mason,
Brigs Carey, Esq.
Archdale Wilson, Esq.
Richard Fuller, Esq.
“And for, Sir,
“Your most humble, and extremely devoted78 servant,
“Charles Burney.”
“Lynn Regis,
28th March, 1757.”
It was yet some years later than this last date of correspondence, before Mr. Burney found an opportunity of paying his personal respects to Dr. Johnson; who then, in 1760, resided in chambers79
[Pg 127]
at the Temple. No account, unfortunately, remains80 of this first interview, except an anecdote81 that relates to Mr. Bewley.
While awaiting the appearance of his revered82 host, Mr. Burney recollected83 a supplication84 from the philosopher of Massingham, to be indulged with some token, however trifling85 or common, of his friend’s admission to the habitation of this great man. Vainly, however, Mr. Burney looked around the apartment for something that he might innoxiously purloin86. Nothing but coarse and necessary furniture was in view; nothing portable—not even a wafer, the cover of a letter, or a split pen, was to be caught; till, at length, he had the happiness to espie an old hearth87 broom in the chimney corner. From this, with hasty glee, he cut off a bristly wisp, which he hurried into his pocket-book; and afterwards formally folded in silver paper, and forwarded, in a frank, to Lord Orford, for Mr. Bewley; by whom the burlesque88 offering was hailed with good-humoured acclamation, and preserved through life.
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1
portraying
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| v.画像( portray的现在分词 )；描述；描绘；描画 | |
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stimulate
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| vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋 | |
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exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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laurels
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| n.桂冠，荣誉 | |
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fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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luminous
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| adj.发光的，发亮的；光明的；明白易懂的；有启发的 | |
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adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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inadequate
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| adj.(for,to)不充足的，不适当的 | |
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coterie
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| n.(有共同兴趣的)小团体，小圈子 | |
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dictated
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| v.大声讲或读( dictate的过去式和过去分词 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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revere
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| vt.尊崇，崇敬，敬畏 | |
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reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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17
lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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panegyric
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| n.颂词，颂扬 | |
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vice
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| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
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censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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ornamenting
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| v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的现在分词 ) | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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precepts
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| n.规诫，戒律，箴言( precept的名词复数 ) | |
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inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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waive
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| vt.放弃，不坚持(规定、要求、权力等) | |
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subscription
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| n.预订，预订费，亲笔签名，调配法，下标（处方） | |
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par
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| n.标准，票面价值，平均数量；adj.票面的，平常的，标准的 | |
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30
eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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persecuted
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| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
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insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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stimulated
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| a.刺激的 | |
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intemperance
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| n.放纵 | |
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impatience
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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subscribe
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| vi.(to)订阅，订购；同意；vt.捐助，赞助 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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instigated
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| v.使（某事物）开始或发生，鼓动( instigate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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45
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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exculpation
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| n.使无罪，辩解 | |
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47
debtor
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| n.借方，债务人 | |
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48
solicitation
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| n.诱惑；揽货；恳切地要求；游说 | |
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rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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51
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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52
solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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53
foretell
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| v.预言，预告，预示 | |
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54
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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55
exulting
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| vi. 欢欣鼓舞，狂喜 | |
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56
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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58
avocations
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| n.业余爱好，嗜好( avocation的名词复数 )；职业 | |
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procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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60
vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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61
homage
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| n.尊敬，敬意，崇敬 | |
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62
withhold
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| v.拒绝，不给；使停止，阻挡 | |
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judiciously
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| adv.明断地，明智而审慎地 | |
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64
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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65
revelling
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| v.作乐( revel的现在分词 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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collateral
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| adj.平行的；旁系的；n.担保品 | |
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deduction
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| n.减除，扣除，减除额；推论，推理，演绎 | |
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bestows
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的第三人称单数 ) | |
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69
augmenting
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| 使扩张 | |
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70
parsimonious
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| adj.吝啬的，质量低劣的 | |
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71
eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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72
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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73
apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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74
veneration
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| n.尊敬，崇拜 | |
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75
afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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77
drudgery
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| n.苦工，重活，单调乏味的工作 | |
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78
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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79
chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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80
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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81
anecdote
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| n.轶事，趣闻，短故事 | |
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82
revered
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| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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83
recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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84
supplication
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| n.恳求，祈愿，哀求 | |
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85
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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86
purloin
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| v.偷窃 | |
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87
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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88
burlesque
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| v.嘲弄，戏仿；n.嘲弄，取笑，滑稽模仿 | |
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