Autobiography, Letters and Literary Remains of Mrs. Piozzi (Thrale) (2nd ed.) (2 vols.) - Edited with notes and Introductory Account of her life and writings by Hester Lynch Piozzi
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page 28 of 364 (07%)
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drink, he demanded nothing from the poor, nor was known in any
instance to have enforced the payment of even what was justly his due. Hawkins adds that he (Levet) had acted for many years in the capacity of surgeon and apothecary to Johnson under the direction of Dr. Lawrence. [Footnote 1: Miss Cornelia Knight, in her "Autobiography," warmly vindicates her respectability, and refers to a memoir, by Lady Knight, in the "European Magazine" for Oct. 1799.] [Footnote 2: Life of Johnson, p. 396-400.] "When fainting Nature called for aid, And hovering death prepared the blow, His vigorous remedy display'd The power of Art without the show; No summons mocked by chill delay, _No petty gains disdained by pride,_ The modest wants of every day The toil of every day supplied." Johnson's verses, compared with Lord Macaulay's prose, strikingly shew how the same subject can be degraded or elevated by the mode of treatment; and how easily the historian or biographer, who expands his authorities by picturesque details, may brighten or darken characters at will. To complete the picture of Johnson's interior, it should be added that the inmates of his house were quarrelling from, morning to night |
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