Dr. Johnson. Phrase that time has flung away An imitation "Hermit poor in solemn cell "Thus I spoke, and speaking sighed 'Come my lad, and drink some beer.'" 111 The following is an impromptu conceit. "To Mrs. Thrale, on her completing her thirtyfifth year." "Oft in danger, yet alive, We are come to thirty-five; Time his hours should never drive High to soar, and deep to dive, For howe'er we boast and strive He that ever hopes to thrive Must begin by thirty-five, And all who wisely wish to wive Must look on Thrale at thirty-five." There is a pleasing mixture of wisdom and humour in the following stanza written to Miss Thrale on hearing her consulting a friend as to a dress and hat she was inclined to wear "Wear the gown and wear the hat Snatch thy pleasures while they last, Johnson's friends Garrick and Foote, although so great in the mimetic art, do not deserve any particular mention as writers of comedy. It is said that Garrick went to a school in Tichfield at which Johnson was an usher, and that master and pupil came up to London together to seek their fortunes. But although Garrick became the first of comic actors, he produced nothing literary but a few indifferent farces. The same may be said of Foote, who was also a celebrated wit in conversation. Johnson said, " For loud, obstreporous, broadfaced mirth, I know not his equal." One of Dr. Johnson's friends was Mrs. Charlotte Lennox to whom he gives the palm among literary ladies. Up to this time there were few lady humorists, and none of an altogether respectable description. But Mrs. Lennox appeared as a harbinger of that refined and harmless plsasantry which has since. sparkled through the pages of our best authoresses. She wrote a comedy, poems, and novels, her most remarkable production being the Female Quixote. Here a young lady who had been reading romances, enacts the heroine with very amusing results. In plan the work is a close imitation of Don Quixote, but the character is not so natural as that drawn by Cervantes. CHAPTER VII. Dodsley-" A Muse in Livery"-"The Devil's a Dunce""The Toy Shop"-Fielding-Smollett. R OBERT DODSLEY was born in 1703. He was the son of a schoolmaster in Mansfield, but went into domestic service as a footman, and held several respectable situations. While in this capacity, he employed his leisure time in composing poetry, and he appropriately named his first production "A Muse in Livery." The most pleasant and interesting of these early poems is that in which he gives an account of his daily life, showing how observant a footman may be. It is in the form of an epistle : "Dear friend, Since I am now at leisure, And in the country taking pleasure, As soon as laziness would let me I rise from bed, and down I sit me I To dress myself I straight prepare, Down comes my lady's woman straight, 6 And go-and go-and go-and go And this and that desire to know.' Then home return well fraught with news. In order knives and forks are laid, This happy hour elapsed and gone, A Muse in Livery. And lamp prepared, I straight engage Of dishes, saucers, spoons and tongs, I carry in and set before 'em, Then pour the green or bohea out, 115 After the early dinner and "dish" of tea, his mistress goes out visiting in the evening, and Dodsley precedes her with a flambeau. Another fancy was entitled "The Devil's a Dunce," was directed against the Pope.* Two friends apply to him for absolution, one rich and the other poor. The rich man obtained the pardon, but the poor sued in vain, the Pope replying: "I cannot save you if I would, Nor would I do it if I could." "Home goes the man in deep despair, 6 And scarcely could believe his eyes, 6 What! friend,' said he, are you come too ? * Dodsley was never averse from having a hit at the church, as in the epigram: "Cries Sylvia to a reverend dean What reason can be given, Since marriage is a holy thing, That there are none in heaven ? "There are no women,' he replied, |