Читать книгу The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. - James Boswell - Страница 100

‘To MR. SAMUEL JOHNSON.

Norfolk-street, April 23, 1755.

Sir,

‘The part of your Dictionary which you have favoured me with the sight of has given me such an idea of the whole, that I most sincerely congratulate the publick upon the acquisition of a work long wanted, and now executed with an industry, accuracy, and judgement, equal to the importance of the subject. You might, perhaps, have chosen one in which your genius would have appeared to more advantage; but you could not have fixed upon any other in which your labours would have done such substantial service to the present age and to posterity. I am glad that your health has supported the application necessary to the performance of so vast a task; and can undertake to promise you as one (though perhaps the only) reward of it, the approbation and thanks of every well-wisher to the honour of the English language. I am, with the greatest regard,

‘Sir,

‘Your most faithful and

‘Most affectionate humble servant,