Never the verse approve, and hold as good,
Till many a day and many a blot has wrought
The polish'd work, and chasten'd ev'ry thought,
By tenfold labour to perfection brought.

COLMAN.

"The alterations made by Dr. Johnson in the second and third editions of the RAMBLER far exceed SIX THOUSAND; a number which may perhaps justify the use of the word re-wrote, although it must not be taken in its literal acceptation. If it be asked, of what nature are these alterations, or why that was altered which the world thought perfect, the author may be allowed to answer for himself. Notwithstanding its fame while printing in single numbers, the encomiums of the learned, and the applause of friends, he knew its imperfections, and determined to remove them. He foresaw that upon this foundation his future fame would rest, and he determined that the superstructure thrown up in haste should be strengthened and perfected at leisure. A few passages from N° 169 will explain his sentiments on this subject.

"Men have sometimes appeared, of such transcendent abilities, that their slightest and most cursory performances excel all that labour and study can enable meaner intellects to compose; as there are regions of which the spontaneous

products cannot be equalled in other soils by care and culture. But it is no less dangerous for any man to place himself in this rank of understanding, and fancy that he is born to be illustrious without labour, than to omit the cares of husbandry, and expect from his ground the blossoms of Arabia. Among the writers of antiquity I remember none except Statius, who ventures to mention the speedy production of his writings, either as an extenuation of his faults, or as a proof of his facility. Nor did Statius, when he considered himself as a candidate for lasting reputation, think a closer attention unnecessary; but amidst all his pride and indigence, the two great hasteners of modern poems, employed twelve years upon the Thebaid, and thinks his claim to renown proportionate to his labour. To him, whose eagerness of praise hurries his productions soon into the light, many imperfections are unavoidable, even where the mind furnishes the materials, as well as regulates their disposition, and nothing depends upon search or information. Delay opens new veins of thought, the subject dismissed for a time appears with a new train of dependent images, the accidents of reading or conversation supply new ornaments or allusions, or mere intermission of the fatigue of thinking enables the mind to collect new force and make new excursions.'

"With such sentiments it must appear at least probable, that our author would in his own case endeavour to repair the mischiefs of haste or negligence; but as these were not very obvious to his friends, they made no inquiry after them, nor entertained any suspicion of the labour he endured to render his writings more worthy of their praise; and when his contemporaries had departed, he might not think it necessary to tell a new generation that he had not reached perfection at once.-On one occasion Mr. Boswell came so near the question, that if Dr. Johnson had thought it worth entering upon, he had a very fair opportunity. Being asked by a lady, whether he thought he could make his RAMBLER better, he answered that he certainly could.-BOSWELL. I'll lay you a bet, Sir, you cannot.-JOHNSON. But I will, Sir, if I choose. I shall make the best of them you shall pick out, better.— BOSWELL. But you may add to them; I will not allow of that.-JOHNSON. Nay, Sir, there are three ways of making them better,-putting out, adding, or correcting."

In corroboration of his assertions, Mr.Chalmers has transcribed N° 180 of the original folio Rambler, marking the variations by italics. To enable

* Historical and Biographical Preface to the Rambler, p. 25-29

my readers, however, to judge of the general nature of these alterations, a shorter specimen will, I think, suffice; and I shall therefore copy a few paragraphs from the folio edition of the extract already given from N° 185 on the Iniquity of Revenge, distinguishing the various readings by italics.

"The man who retires to meditate mischief, and to exasperate his own rage; whose thoughts are employed only on scenes of distress and contrivances of ruin; whose mind never pauses from the remembrance of his own sufferings, but to indulge some hope of enjoying the mistries of another; may justly be numbered among the most miserable of human beings."

Nothing can be great which is not right. Nothing which reason condemns can be suitable to the dignity of the human mind. To permit ourselves to be driven by external motives from the way which our own heart approves; to give way to any thing but conviction; to suffer the opinion of others to overrule our choice, and overpower our resolves, is to submit tamely to the lowest and most ignominious slavery, and to resign the right of directing our own lives.".

"That pride which many, who yet presume to boast of enlarged and generous sentiments, allow * Vide p. 268-271.

to regulate their measures, has nothing higher or nobler in view than the favour and approbation of men."

"He that can descend to bribe suffrages like these at the price of his innocence; he who can suffer the delight of such acclamations to suspend his attention to the commands of the universal Sovereign; he that suffers himself to be lulled by such flattery into negligence of his duty; has very little reason to congratulate himself upon the greatness of his mind: but, whenever he awakes to seriousness and reflection, must become despicable in his own eyes, and shrink with shame from the contemplation of his cowardice and folly."

That these alterations are for the better cannot be denied, and the same unremitting attention to correctness and improvement is visible, upon collation, through every page of the Rambler; a circumstance which should teach aspiring genius how necessary, even to the greatest abilities, is diligent and patient revision.

The publication of the Rambler produced a very rapid revolution in the tone of English composition; an elevation and dignity, an harmony and energy, a precision and force of style, previously unknown in the history of our literature, speedily became objects of daily emulation; and the school of Johnson increased with such celerity,