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Samuel Johnson's Essays

~ republished 260 years later

Samuel Johnson's Essays

Monthly Archives: March 1750

No. 4. The modern form of romances preferable to the ancient. The necessity of characters morally good.

March 31, 1750

In narratives where historical veracity has no place, I cannot discover why there should not be exhibited the most perfect idea of virtue.

No. 3. An allegory on criticism.

March 27, 1750

Yet there is a certain race of men, that either imagine it their duty, or make it their amusement, to hinder the reception of every work of learning or genius.

No. 2. The necessity and danger of looking into futurity.

March 24, 1750

That the mind of man is never satisfied with the objects immediately before it, but is always breaking away from the present moment

No. 1. Difficulty of the first address. Practice of the epick poets. Convenience of periodical performances.

March 20, 1750

The question concerning the merit of the day is soon decided, and we are not condemned to toil through half a folio, to be convinced that the writer has broke his promise.

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♣ The Best Collection of Samuel Johnson’s Essays



It's not all of them, but here's the most accessible collection of Johnson's most popular and influential essays: Johnson's Collected Essays.


♣ An Overview of Johnson’s Major Works



Here's a collection of the most influential and popular writing by Dr. Johnson: Samuel Johnson - the Major Works.


♣ Read More Samuel Johnson

  • The Major Works
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  • Journey to the Western Isles
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Samuel Johnson's Collected Essays




Samuel Johnson's Major Works, Oxford Classics



James Boswell's Life of Johnson



Samuel Johnson, 1709-1784. Find Samuel Johnson's work and writings online.