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Samuel Johnson's Essays

~ republished 260 years later

Samuel Johnson's Essays

Category Archives: The Adventurer

No. 67. On the trades of London

June 27, 1753

Those who have past much of their lives in this great city, look upon its opulence and its multitudes with cold indifference.

No. 62. Misargyrus’ account of his companions concluded.

June 9, 1753

Virtue is uncommon in all the classes of humanity; and I suppose it will scarcely be imagined more frequent in a prison than in other places.

No. 58. Presumption of modern criticism censured. Ancient poetry necessarily obscure. Examples from Horace

May 25, 1753

Obscurity and clearness are relative terms: to some readers scarce any book is easy, to others not many are difficult.

No. 53. Misargyrus’ account of his companions in the Fleet

May 8, 1753

In consequence of my engagements, I address you once more from the habitations of misery.

No. 50. On Lying

April 28, 1753

The character of a liar is at once so hateful and contemptible, that even of those who have lost their virtue it might be expected that from the violation of truth they should be restrained by their pride.

No. 45. The difficulty of forming confederacies

April 10, 1753

Among the fallacies which only experience can detect, there are some, of which scarcely experience itself can destroy the influence.

No. 41. Sequel of the story of Misargyrus

March 27, 1753

I shall proceed, therefore, to finish my career, and pass as rapidly as possible through the remaining vicissitudes of my life.

No. 39. On Sleep

March 20, 1753

Why does so liberal and impartial a benefactor as sleep, meet with so few historians or panegyrists?

No. 34. Folly of extravagance. The story of Misargyrus.

March 3, 1753

Has toties optata exegit gloria pænas. Juv. Sat. x. 187. Such fate pursues the votaries of praise. TO THE ADVENTURER. SIR, …

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A quick note on timelines

March 2, 1753

With the end of Johnson’s Rambler essays, we’re now skipping ahead one year to 1753, when he started writing in …

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Samuel Johnson's Collected Essays




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