Читать книгу The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. - James Boswell - Страница 183

The lord’s name is not given. See post, spring of 1768, and 1780 in Mr. Langton’s Collection for further mention of Guthrie.

[338] Perhaps there were Scotticisms for Johnson to correct; for Churchill in The Author, writing of Guthrie, asks:—

‘With rude unnatural jargon to support Half Scotch, half English, a declining Court

*

Is there not Guthrie?’

Churchill’s Poems, ii. 39.

[339] See Appendix A.

[340] Pope, Imitations of Horace, ii. l. 71.

[341] ‘To give the world assurance of a man.’ Hamlet, Act iii. sc. 4.

[342] In his Life of Pope Johnson says: ‘This mode of imitation … was first practised in the reign of Charles II. by Oldham and Rochester; at least I remember no instances more ancient. It is a kind of middle composition between translation and original design, which pleases when the thoughts are unexpectedly applicable and the parallels lucky. It seems to have been Pope’s favourite amusement, for he has carried it farther than any former poet.’ Johnson’s Works, viii. 295.

[343] I own it pleased me to find amongst them one trait of the manners of the age in London, in the last century, to shield from the sneer of English ridicule, which was some time ago too common a practice in my native city of Edinburgh:—

‘If what I’ve said can’t from the town affright,

Consider other dangers of the night; When brickbats are from upper stories thrown, And emptied chamberpots come pouring down From garret windows.’