Grampian Club > Boswelliana

174 ■ MEMOIR OF JAMES BOSWELL.
" My magnum opus, the ' Life of Dr. Johnson/ in two volumes,
quarto, is to be published on Monday, 16th May. It is too great
a book to be given in presents, as I gave my ' Tour,' so you must
not expect one, though you yourself form a part of its multi-
farious contents. I really think it will be the most entertaining
collection that has appeared in this age. When it is fairly
launched, I mean to stick close to Westminster Hall, and it will
be truly kind if you recommend me appeals or causes of any
sort."
BosweU's poem on the Slave-trade, to which he refers, was
either at once withdrawn from circulation, or was, on his decease,
suppressed by his family. It is unknown to bibliographers.
The " Life of Johnson," in two quarto volumes, was issued
about the middle of May from the publishing house of Mr,
Charles DiUy. The title-page, which the author had laboured
to render attractive, was thus inscribed : —
"The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D., comprehending an
Account of his Studies and numerous Works, in chronological
order ; a series of his Epistolary Correspondence and Conversa-
tions with many eminent persons ; and various Original Pieces
of his composition, never before published. The whole exhibit-
ing a view of literature and literary men in Great Britain, for
more than half a century, during which he flourished, in two
volumes, by James Boswell, Esq. 2 vols., 4to. London : Printed
by Thomas Baldwin for Charles Billy, in the Poultry, 1791."
The following passages from the Dedication to Sir Joshua
Eeynolds are characteristic of. the writer : —
" If there be a pleasure in celebrating the distinguished merit
of a contemporary mixed with a certain degree of vanity not
altogether inexcusable in appearing fully sensible of it, where
can I find one in complimenting whom I can with more general
approbation gratify those feelings." Eeferring to his Tour to
the Hebrides, the author proceeds : " In one respect this work