Читать книгу The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. - James Boswell - Страница 154

‘I am sorry that your kindness to me has brought upon you so much trouble, though you have taken care to abate that sorrow, by the pleasure which I receive from your approbation. I defend my criticism in the same manner with you. We must confess the faults of our favourite, to gain credit to our praise of his excellencies. He that claims, either in himself or for another, the honours of perfection, will surely injure the reputation which he designs to assist.

‘Be pleased to make my compliments to your family.

‘I am, Sir,

‘Your most obliged

‘And most humble servant,

‘Sam. Johnson.’

‘Oct. 16, 1765.[1464]’

From one of his journals I transcribed what follows:

‘At church, Oct. —65.

‘To avoid all singularity; Bonaventura[1465].

‘To come in before service, and compose my mind by meditation, or by reading some portions of scriptures. Tetty.

‘If I can hear the sermon, to attend it, unless attention be more troublesome than useful.

‘To consider the act of prayer as a reposal of myself upon God, and a resignation of ‘all into his holy hand.’