and ornamental; whence his character is the reverse to theirs, who
have eminent abilities in insignificant knowledge, and a great
felicity in finding out trifles. He is no less industrious to
search out the merit of an author, than sagacious in discerning his
errors and defects, and takes more pleasure in commending the
beauties than exposing the blemishes of a laudable writing. Like
Horace, in a long work he can bear some deformities, and justly lay
them on the imperfection of human nature, which is incapable of
faultless productions. When an excellent drama appears in public,
and by its intrinsic worth attracts a general applause, he is not
stung with envy and spleen; nor does he express a savage nature in
fastening upon the celebrated author, dwelling upon his imaginary
defects, and passing over his conspicuous excellences. He treats
all writers upon the same impartial foot, and is not, like the
little critics, taken up entirely in finding out only the beauties
of the ancient and nothing but the errors of the modern writers.
Never did any one express more kindness and good-nature to young and
unfinished authors, he promotes their interests, protects their
reputation, extenuates their faults, and sets off their virtues, and
by his candour guards them from the severity of his judgment. He is
not like those dry critics who are morose because they cannot write
themselves, but is himself master of a good vein in poetry; and
though he does not often employ it, yet he has sometimes entertained
his friends with his unpublished performances."

The rest of the lay monks seem to be but feeble mortals an
comparison with the gigantic Johnson, who yet, with all his
abilities and the help of the fraternity, could drive the
publication but to forty papers, which were afterwards collected
into a volume, and called in the title "A Sequel to the Spectators."