From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
The Idler (1758–1760)
This article is about the 18th-century series of essays. For labours which are often fruitless, but sometimes
other publications called The Idler, see The Idler succeeds better than those who despise all that is
(disambiguation). within their reach, and think every thing more
valuable as it is harder to be acquired."
The Idler was a series of 103 essays, all but twelve of them
by Samuel Johnson, published in the London weekly the No 2. Invitation to correspondents
Universal Chronicle between 1758 and 1760. It is likely that
the Chronicle was published for the sole purpose of in-
(Johnson)
cluding The Idler, since it had produced only one issue be- Published: Saturday, April 22, 1758
fore the series began, and ceased publication when it fin- Johnson complains that, although he has "now been
ished. The authors besides Johnson were Thomas War- a writer almost a week", he has not received a single let-
ton, Bennet Langton, and Joshua Reynolds. ter of praise, nor has he had any contributions to the se-
Johnson’s biographer, James Boswell, recalled that ries. He asks for "those who have already devoted them-
Johnson wrote some of the essays in The Idler "as hastily selves to literature, or, without any determinate inten-
as an ordinary letter". He said that once while visiting tion, wander at large through the expanse of life" to sub-
Oxford, Johnson composed an essay due for publication mit essays for publication under the Idler byline.
the next day in the half-hour before the last post was col- "He that is known to contribute to a periodical
lected. work, needs no other caution than not to tell what
The essays were so popular that other publications particular pieces are his own; such secrecy is
began reprinting them without permission, prompting indeed very difficult; but if it can be maintained, it
Johnson to insert a notice in the Chronicle threatening is scarcely to be imagined at how small an expense
to do the same to his competitors’ material and give the he may grow considerable."
profits to London’s prostitutes.
When The Idler appeared in book form, one of John- No 3. Idler’s reason for writing (John-
son’s essays, "The Vulture", was omitted, apparently be- son)
cause its anti-war satire was felt to be seditious. Johnson Published: Saturday, April 29, 1758
replaced it with an essay on the imprisonment of debtors. Johnson considers the possibility that essayists may
someday run out of amusing topics. He explains that he
The essays writes to bring relief to his fellow idlers and others "who
awake in the morning, vacant of thought, with minds
All the essays were published under the byline "Idler".
gaping for the intellectual food, which some kind essayist
They were not given titles until they were published in
has been accustomed to supply."
book form. In the book’s introduction, Johnson specified
"Much mischief is done in the world with very
that twelve of the essays were not his. The authors of sev-
little interest or design. He that assumes the
en of the essays were named in Boswell’s biography; the
character of a critick, and justifies his claim by
authorship of the other five remains unclear.
perpetual censure, imagines that he is hurting
none but the author, and him he considers as a
No 1. The Idler’s character (Johnson) pestilent animal, whom every other being has a
Published: Saturday, April 15, 1758 right to persecute; little does he think how many
Johnson explains how he chose his pen name. "Every harmless men he involves in his own guilt, by
man is", he says, "or hopes to be, an Idler." He promises teaching them to be noxious without malignity,
his readers "obloquy and satire": "The Idler is naturally and to repeat objections which they do not
censorious; those who attempt nothing themselves, understand; or how many honest minds he debars
think every thing easily performed, and consider the un- from pleasure, by exciting an artificial
successful always as criminal." However, he says that this fastidiousness, and making them too wise to
incurs no obligation and that disappointed readers will concur with their own sensations. He who is taught
have only themselves to blame. by a critick to dislike that which pleased him in his
"Every mode of life has its conveniencies. The natural state, has the same reason to complain of
Idler, who habituates himself to be satisfied with his instructer, as the madman to rail at his doctor,
what he can most easily obtain, not only escapes
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
who, when he thought himself master of Peru, statue be erected to her for posterity, and speculates on
physicked him to poverty." the wording of the inscription.
"Let it therefore be carefully mentioned, that by
No 4. Charities and hospitals (Johnson) this performance she won her wager; and, lest this
Published: Saturday, May 6, 1758 should, by any change of manners, seem an
Johnson says that charity is "known only to those inadequate or incredible incitement, let it be
who enjoy, either immediately or by transmission, the added, that at this time the original motives of
light of revelation." He claims that it was unheard of in human actions had lost their influence; that the
ancient Rome, and that Islam and Zoroastrianism import- love of praise was extinct; the fear of infamy was
ed the idea from Christianity. He notes that hospitals in become ridiculous; and the only wish of an
Britain are sustained solely by charitable donations, and Englishman was" to win his wager.
calls upon them to stop feuding with one another lest
such donations be discouraged. No 7. Scheme for news-writers (John-
"Compassion is by some reasoners, on whom the son)
name of philosophers has been too easily Published: Saturday, May 27, 1758
conferred, resolved into an affection merely Johnson bemoans the repetitiveness of news cover-
selfish, an involuntary perception of pain at the age. He suggests that, instead of announcing an event all
involuntary sight of a being like ourselves at once and then rehashing it endlessly, newspaper writ-
languishing in misery. But this sensation, if ever it ers should reveal the story gradually to keep readers en-
be felt at all from the brute instinct of uninstructed tertained.
nature, will only produce effects desultory and "Thus journals are daily multiplied without
transient; it will never settle into a principle of increase of knowledge. The tale of the morning
action, or extend relief to calamities unseen, in paper is told again in the evening, and the
generations not yet in being." narratives of the evening are bought again in the
morning. These repetitions, indeed, waste time,
No 5. Proposal for a female army (John- but they do not shorten it. The most eager peruser
son) of news is tired before he has completed his labour;
Published: Saturday, May 13, 1758 and many a man, who enters the coffee-house in
As more soldiers are deployed in the Seven Years’ his nightgown and slippers, is called away to his
War, Johnson affects pity for the wives and sweethearts shop, or his dinner, before he has well considered
left behind in England, and suggests that an army of the state of Europe."
women be formed so they can follow their loved ones.
He says that since the invention of modern weapons, he No 8. Plan of military discipline (John-
"cannot find that a modern soldier has any duties, ex- son)
cept that of obedience, which a lady cannot perform. If Published: Saturday, June 3, 1758
the hair has lost its powder, a lady has a puff; if a coat be This instalment takes the form of a letter to the Idler,
spotted, a lady has a brush." but it is not among the essays that Johnson attributed to
"Of these ladies, some, I hope, have lap-dogs, and others.
some monkeys; but they are unsatisfactory The writer proposes a method of developing courage
companions. Many useful offices are performed by in British soldiers. He suggests that they be lured to a
men of scarlet, to which neither dog nor monkey mock fortress with roast beef and ale and made to march
has adequate abilities. A parrot, indeed, is as fine as upon it before they can eat. This should be done day after
a colonel, and, if he has been much used to good day, with a few more frightening sights and sounds being
company, is not wholly without conversation; but a added to the scene each time. The soldiers will eventually
parrot, after all, is a poor little creature, and has be accustomed enough to violence to brave enemy fire.
neither sword nor shoulder-knot, can neither "I cannot pretend to inform our generals through
dance nor play at cards." what gradations of danger they should train their
men to fortitude. They best know what the soldiers
No 6. Lady’s performance on horseback and what themselves can bear. It will be proper
(Johnson) that the war should every day vary its appearance.
Published: Saturday, May 20, 1758 Sometimes, as they mount the rampart, a cook may
Johnson comments on the public adulation given a throw fat upon the fire, to accustom them to a
woman who rode a horse a thousand miles in less than a sudden blaze; and sometimes, by the clatter of
thousand hours. With tongue in cheek, he suggests that a empty pots, they may be inured to formidable
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noises. But let it never be forgotten, that victory vanity is to recount the names of men, who might
must repose with a full belly." drop into nothing, and leave no vacuity; nor the
proprietor of funds, who stops his acquaintance in
No 9. Progress of idleness (authorship the street to tell him of the loss of half-a-crown;
uncertain) nor the inquirer after news, who fills his head with
foreign events, and talks of skirmishes and sieges,
Published: Saturday, June 10, 1758
of which no consequence will ever reach his
A correspondent complains that the Idler does not
hearers or himself. The weather is a nobler and
give tips on how to be idle. The Idler says this request
more interesting subject; it is the present state of
shows that the writer "is yet but in the rudiments of idle-
the skies, and of the earth, on which plenty and
ness, and has attained neither the practice nor theory of
famine are suspended, on which millions depend
wasting life." True idleness comes only with practice.
for the necessaries of life."
"So wide is the region of Idleness, and so powerful
her influence. But she does not immediately confer
No 12. Marriages, why advertised (John-
all her gifts. My correspondent, who seems, with
all his errours, worthy of advice, must be told, that son)
he is calling too hastily for the last effusion of total Published: Saturday, July 1, 1758
insensibility. Whatever he may have been taught Johnson pokes fun at marriage announcements in
by unskilful Idlers to believe, labour is necessary in newspapers, which he says are published out of the cou-
his initiation to idleness. He that never labours ples’ desire for fame. He tells of a friend’s plan to set up a
may know the pains of idleness, but not the business selling "matrimonial panegyricks".
pleasure. The comfort is, that if he devotes himself "To get a name, can happen but to few. A name,
to insensibility, he will daily lengthen the intervals even in the most commercial nation, is one of the
of idleness, and shorten those of labour, till at last few things which cannot be bought. It is the free
he will lie down to rest, and no longer disturb the gift of mankind, which must be deserved before it
world or himself by bustle or competition." will be granted, and is at last unwillingly bestowed.
But this unwillingness only increases desire in him
No 10. Political credulity (Johnson) who believes his merit sufficient to overcome it."
Published: Saturday, June 17, 1758
Johnson discusses political zealots, who "resign the No 13. The imaginary housewife (John-
use of their own eyes and ears, and resolve to believe son)
nothing that does not favour those whom they profess Published: Saturday, July 8, 1758
to follow." He describes the two basic types of his time, A fictional correspondent complains that his wife, in
personified as Tom Tempest (a supporter of the House her fear of idleness, makes their daughters work con-
of Stuart) and Jack Sneaker (a supporter of the House of stantly at sewing. As a result, the house is filled with un-
Hanover). needed embroidery and the girls are ignorant of every
"The bigot of philosophy is seduced by authorities other subject.
which he has not always opportunities to examine, "Molly asked me the other day, whether Ireland
is entangled in systems by which truth and was in France, and was ordered by her mother to
falsehood are inextricably complicated, or mend her hem. Kitty knows not, at sixteen, the
undertakes to talk on subjects which nature did difference between a Protestant and a Papist,
not form him able to comprehend." because she has been employed three years in
filling the side of a closet with a hanging that is to
No 11. Discourses on the weather (John- represent Cranmer in the flames. And Dolly, my
son) eldest girl, is now unable to read a chapter in the
Published: Saturday, June 24, 1758 Bible, having spent all the time, which other
Johnson says the English are obsessed with their children pass at school, in working the interview
weather because it is so changeable. He lampoons the between Solomon and the queen of Sheba."
fashionable theory that a country’s political climate is
determined by its weather, and criticises those who let No 14. Robbery of time (Johnson)
the weather affect their mood. Published: Saturday, July 15, 1758
"Such is the reason of our practice; and who shall Johnson discusses those who waste time by waiting
treat it with contempt? Surely not the attendant upon great men. "The truth is", he comments, "that the
on a court, whose business is to watch the looks of inconveniencies of attendance are more lamented than
a being weak and foolish as himself, and whose
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
felt." More troubling are everyday nuisances like chatter- by ladies who left their coaches in the next street,
boxes and the habitually late. and crept through the alley in linen gowns.
"If we will have the kindness of others, we must Drugget knows the rank of his customers by their
endure their follies. He who cannot persuade bashfulness; and, when he finds them unwilling to
himself to withdraw from society, must be content be seen, invites them up stairs, or retires with
to pay a tribute of his time to a multitude of them to the back window."
tyrants; to the loiterer, who makes appointments
which he never keeps; to the consulter, who asks No 17. Expedients of idlers (Johnson)
advice which he never takes; to the boaster, who Published: August 5, 1758
blusters only to be praised; to the complainer, who Recent weather forecasts for London have been wild-
whines only to be pitied; to the projector, whose ly inaccurate. Johnson says this is but one example of
happiness is to entertain his friends with the follies of speculating. He says scientists are really
expectations which all but himself know to be vain; idlers who don’t want to admit they are idlers. Those who
to the economist, who tells of bargains and "sport only with inanimate nature" are useless but inno-
settlements; to the politician, who predicts the fate cent, but those who perform cruel experiments on ani-
of battles and breach of alliances; to the usurer, mals are "a race of wretches". The rest of the essay is a
who compares the different funds; and to the fierce denunciation of vivisection.
talker, who talks only because he loves to be "Among those whom I never could persuade to
talking." rank themselves with Idlers, and who speak with
indignation of my morning sleeps and nocturnal
No 15. Treacle’s complaint of his wife rambles; one passes the day in catching spiders,
(authorship uncertain) that he may count their eyes with a microscope;
Published: Saturday, July 22, 1758 another erects his head, and exhibits the dust of a
A correspondent calling himself Zachary Treacle marigold separated from the flower with a
complains about his domestic life. His wife hangs around dexterity worthy of Leuwenhoeck himself. Some
his grocery shop all day getting in the way, while his turn the wheel of electricity; some suspend rings to
young son climbs on the shelves and knocks things over. a load-stone, and find that what they did yesterday
Both force him to spend his Sundays in idleness, much to they can do again to-day. Some register the
his annoyance. changes of the wind, and die fully convinced that
"Thus, Sir, does she constantly drawl out her time, the wind is changeable."
without either profit or satisfaction; and, while I
see my neighbours’ wives helping in the shop, and No 18. Drugget vindicated (Johnson)
almost earning as much as their husbands, I have Published: Saturday, August 12, 1758
the mortification to find that mine is nothing but a A correspondent writes to defend Ned Drugget,
dead weight upon me. In short, I do not know any whose "country home" was mocked in No 16. All plea-
greater misfortune can happen to a plain hard- sures and diversions are the result of self-deception.
working tradesman, as I am, than to be joined to "The theatre is not filled with those that know or
such a woman, who is rather a clog than a regard the skill of the actor, nor the ball-room by
helpmate to him." those who dance, or attend to the dancers. To all
places of general resort, where the standard of
No 16. Drugget’s retirement (Johnson) pleasure is erected, we run with equal eagerness,
Published: Saturday, July 29, 1758 or appearance of eagerness, for very different
Johnson describes a visit to his friend Ned Drugget, a reasons. One goes that he may say he has been
dealer in cloth remnants. Although Drugget has become there, another because he never misses. This man
rich through hard work, he longed for fresh air and re- goes to try what he can find, and that to discover
laxation, and has therefore rented a ’country lodging’ — what others find. Whatever diversion is costly will
a room in Islington. He spends his days counting passing be frequented by those who desire to be thought
carriages through the window, which he cannot open be- rich; and whatever has, by any accident, become
cause of the dust. fashionable, easily continues its reputation,
"Every maid, whose misfortune it was to be taller because every one is ashamed of not partaking it."
than her lady, matched her gown at Mr. Drugget’s;
and many a maiden, who had passed a winter with No 19. Whirler’s character (Johnson)
her aunt in London, dazzled the rusticks, at her Published: Saturday, August 19, 1758
return, with cheap finery which Drugget had One school of philosophy states that happiness is to
supplied. His shop was often visited in a morning be found in complete relaxation, while another says it is
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
irresponsible not to contribute to the work of humani- The children ask how she can kill a man, who is so much
ty. Johnson introduces a great philosopher of the middle bigger than her. The mother says she doesn’t have to;
ground, Jack Whirler, "whose business keeps him in per- men regularly meet in fields where they kill one anoth-
petual motion, and whose motion always eludes his busi- er in large numbers and leave the corpses as a feast for
ness; who is always to do what he never does, who cannot the vultures. The children are astonished that any animal
stand still because he is wanted in another place, and would kill something it did not intend to eat. The mother
who is wanted in many places because he stays in none." repeats a theory that men are not animals at all, but "veg-
"Thus Jack Whirler lives in perpetual fatigue etables with a power of motion; and that as the boughs of
without proportionate advantage, because he does an oak are dashed together by the storm, that swine may
not consider that no man can see all with his own fatten upon the falling acorns, so men are, by some un-
eyes, or do all with his own hands; that whoever is accountable power, driven one against another, till they
engaged in multiplicity of business, must transact lose their motion, that vultures may be fed."
much by substitution, and leave something to "The old vultures will tell you when you are to
hazard; and that he who attempts to do all, will watch his motions. When you see men in great
waste his life in doing little." numbers moving close together, like a flock of
storks, you may conclude that they are hunting,
No 20. Capture of Louisbourg (Johnson) and that you will soon revel in human blood."
Published: Saturday, August 29, 1758
Following the British victory at Fort Louisbourg,
No 22a. Imprisonment of debtors (Johnson)
Johnson imagines how both British and French historians (This essay was printed in place of "The Vulture" when
will describe the event in a hundred years. the series was collected in book form.)
"For this reason every historian discovers his A correspondent condemns the practice of sending
country; and it is impossible to read the different debtors to prison, saying that many end up there because
accounts of any great event, without a wish that of jealousy and spite, rather than because they have done
truth had more power over partiality." any real harm. Creditors should be given a fixed amount
of time to prove that a debtor has hidden assets. If no
No 21. Linger’s history of listlessness proof can be found, the debtor should be released.
"Those who made the laws have apparently
(Johnson) supposed, that every deficiency of payment is the
Published: Saturday, September 2, 1758 crime of the debtor. But the truth is, that the
A correspondent called Dick Linger describes his fu- creditor always shares the act, and often more
tile lifelong struggle against listlessness. He was in the than shares the guilt, of improper trust. It seldom
army, but quit because of boredom; married, but found happens that any man imprisons another but for
ennui soon set in; and now spends his days making a nui- debts which he suffered to be contracted in hope of
sance of himself at the houses of friends. He has a plan for advantage to himself, and for bargains in which he
a "complete amendment" of his life, but has been putting proportioned his profit to his own opinion of the
off implementing it for more than twenty years. hazard; and there is no reason why one should
"I suppose every man is shocked when he hears punish the other for a contract in which both
how frequently soldiers are wishing for war. The concurred."
wish is not always sincere; the greater part are
content with sleep and lace, and counterfeit an No 23. Uncertainty of friendship (John-
ardour which they do not feel; but those who
desire it most are neither prompted by
son)
malevolence nor patriotism; they neither pant for Published: Saturday, September 23, 1758
laurels, nor delight in blood; but long to be Johnson considers the many ways in which a friend-
delivered from the tyranny of idleness, and ship can end, such as envy, suspicion, sudden disagree-
restored to the dignity of active beings." ments or casual decay. Meeting an old friend after a long
separation is usually disappointing: "no man considers
No 22. The vulture (Johnson) how much alteration time has made in himself, and very
few inquire what effect it has had upon others."
(This essay was omitted when The Idler was published in
"Friendship is often destroyed by opposition of
book form. The essay that follows, 22a, took its place.)
interest, not only by the ponderous and visible
Published: September 16, 1758
interest which the desire of wealth and greatness
A mother vulture is instructing her children before
forms and maintains, but by a thousand secret and
they leave the nest. She tells them that of all the titbits of
slight competitions, scarcely known to the mind
flesh she has brought them, the tastiest come from man.
upon which they operate. There is scarcely any
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man without some favourite trifle which he values No 26. Betty Broom’s history (Johnson)
above greater attainments, some desire of petty
Published: Saturday, October 14, 1758
praise which he cannot patiently suffer to be
Betty Broom, a kitchen maid, tells her sad history.
frustrated. This minute ambition is sometimes
She was educated for a few years at a charity school,
crossed before it is known, and sometimes defeated
where she excelled. However, the school’s chief donor
by wanton petulance; but such attacks are seldom
stopped giving money, saying the poor were becoming
made without the loss of friendship; for whoever
so well educated that it was difficult for the rich to find
has once found the vulnerable part will always be
servants. The school closed down, and Betty was sent to
feared, and the resentment will burn on in secret,
find a position. She originally worked for the family of
of which shame hinders the discovery."
a rich watchmaker, but they squandered their money on
entertainment and could not pay the servants. She was
No 24. Man does not always think (John- then hired to wait on a hatter and his wife, who kept
son) such different hours that she had no chance to sleep. Her
Published: Saturday, September 30, 1758 next employers had six children and ordered her to in-
Johnson is not very interested in whether animals dulge them in everything, but since she couldn’t keep all
think, because he is too busy wondering whether his fel- the children happy at once, she was dismissed. Finally
low humans think. A great portion of humanity spend she worked in a linen shop. The owner’s wife stole mon-
their lives in a state of "careless stupidity". Johnson con- ey and blamed her when the loss was discovered. Betty
cludes that a lack of thought comes from a lack of mater- promises to complete her story another time, and asks
ial to think about. the Idler to tell her "for which of my places, except per-
"It is reasonable to believe, that thought, like every haps the last, I was disqualified by my skill in reading and
thing else, has its causes and effects; that it must writing."
proceed from something known, done, or suffered; "At last the chief of our subscribers, having passed
and must produce some action or event. Yet how a winter in London, came down full of an opinion
great is the number of those in whose minds no new and strange to the whole country. She held it
source of thought has ever been opened, in whose little less than criminal to teach poor girls to read
life no consequence of thought is ever discovered; and write. They who are born to poverty, she said,
who have learned nothing upon which they can are born to ignorance, and will work the harder
reflect; who have neither seen nor felt any thing the less they know. She told her friends, that
which could leave its traces on the memory; who London was in confusion by the insolence of
neither foresee nor desire any change in their servants; that scarcely a wench was to be got for all
condition, and have therefore neither fear, hope, work, since education had made such numbers of
nor design, and yet are supposed to be thinking fine ladies; that nobody would now accept a lower
beings." title than that of a waiting-maid, or something that
might qualify her to wear laced shoes and long
No 25. New actors on the stage (John- ruffles, and to sit at work in the parlour window.
son) But she was resolved, for her part, to spoil no more
girls; those, who were to live by their hands,
Published: Saturday, October 7, 1758 should neither read nor write out of her pocket;
A correspondent pleads on behalf of young actors, the world was bad enough already, and she would
suggesting urging theatre critics to make allowances for have no part in making it worse."
nervousness and inexperience. Johnson extends the ap-
peal to young poets, then to young people in general. No 27. Power of habits (Johnson)
"There is nothing for which such numbers think
themselves qualified as for theatrical exhibition. Published: Saturday, October 21, 1758
Every human being has an action graceful to his Most people who resolve to change their habits fail,
own eye, a voice musical to his own ear, and a although that does not dissuade them from trying again
sensibility which nature forbids him to know that and again. When someone does manage to change, the
any other bosom can excel. An art in which such change has usually been forced upon them. Johnson
numbers fancy themselves excellent, and which counsels his readers to avoid taking up bad habits in the
the publick liberally rewards, will excite many first place, since this is far easier than getting rid of them
competitors, and in many attempts there must be later.
many miscarriages." "This counsel has been often given with serious
dignity, and often received with appearance of
conviction; but, as very few can search deep into
their own minds without meeting what they wish
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to hide from themselves, scarcely any man persists tlewoman in disguise. At the next, she is sacked when
in cultivating such disagreeable acquaintance, but the mistress discovers she can write; at the next, she is
draws the veil again between his eyes and his at first encouraged by the housekeeper and steward, but
heart, leaves his passions and appetites as he found then forced out when the housekeeper becomes jealous.
them, and advises others to look into themselves." Her final situation was with a consumptive woman, who
had a foul temper but left Betty five hundred pounds in
No 28. Wedding-day. Grocer’s wife. her will. Betty decides to retire on this fortune to her na-
Chairman (Johnson) tive parish, and to spend her time teaching poor girls to
read and write.
Published: Saturday, October 28, 1758
"At last, the upper-maid found my book, and
This entry begins with responses to two earlier instal-
showed it to my mistress, who told me, that
ments. Timothy Mushroom tells how he was determined
wenches like me might spend their time better;
to avoid announcing his marriage in the papers (see No
that she never knew any of the readers that had
12), but was pressured into it by his bride’s family. Next,
good designs in their heads; that she could always
Mrs Treacle, the wife of the shopkeeper in No 14, writes
find something else to do with her time, than to
to tell her side of the story. Her husband bought his shop
puzzle over books; and did not like that such a fine
with her dowry, goes to the alehouse at every opportu-
lady should sit up for her young master."
nity and squanders his money playing ninepins. She has
to hang around the shop to make sure he works, and she
No 30. Corruption of news-writers
takes him out on Sundays so that he will not spend the
day in dissipation. Finally, a chairman (that is, one who (Johnson)
carries passengers on a chair) complains that he should Published: Saturday, November 11, 1758
be paid according to the weight of his passengers. Stating that "money and time are the heaviest bur-
"It is very easy for a man who sits idle at home, and dens of life, and that the unhappiest of all mortals are
has nobody to please but himself, to ridicule or to those who have more of either than they know how to
censure the common practices of mankind; and use", Johnson praises those who spend their lives invent-
those who have no present temptation to break the ing new amusement for the rich and idle. Chief among
rules of propriety, may applaud his judgment, and these are the newswriters, who have multiplied greatly
join in his merriment; but let the author or his in recent years. Johnson identifies the necessary qualities
readers mingle with common life, they will find of a journalist as "contempt of shame and indifference to
themselves irresistibly borne away by the stream truth", and says that wartime offers the perfect opportu-
of custom, and must submit, after they have nity to exercise these.
laughed at others, to give others the same "Among the calamities of war may be justly
opportunity of laughing at them." numbered the diminution of the love of truth, by
the falsehoods which interest dictates, and
No 29. Betty Broom’s history continued credulity encourages. A peace will equally leave
(Johnson) the warriour and relater of wars destitute of
employment; and I know not whether more is to be
Published: Saturday, November 4, 1758
dreaded from streets filled with soldiers
Betty Broom, whom we first met in No 26, continues
accustomed to plunder, or from garrets filled with
her story. After leaving the linen shop, she took lodging
scribblers accustomed to lie."
in a garret, where a neighbour stole many of her clothes.
She eventually found work as an under-maid in a mer-
No 31. Disguises of idleness. Sober’s
cer’s household. The mercer’s son stayed out drinking till
late at night, and Betty was told to wait up for him and character (Johnson)
see he got to bed safely. She passed the time by read- Published: Saturday, November 18, 1758
ing books from her master’s library. When the mercer’s Johnson talks about the many forms idleness can
wife found out about this, she sacked Betty, declaring take. There are idlers who are proud to call themselves
that "she never knew any of the readers that had good idle, and there are idlers who disguise their idleness with
designs in their heads." Betty then worked for a gen- pointless bustling. There are those who occupy them-
tlewoman who loved books and was pleased to have a selves by making plans that will never come about. Then
maid who loved them too. However, this happiness lasted there are those who prefer "to fill the day with petty
for just fifteen months before the gentlewoman suddenly business, to have always something in hand which may
died. At her next position, Betty was fired after just three raise curiosity, but not solicitude, and keep the mind in
weeks because the family thought her manners were too a state of action, but not of labour." The exemplar of this
refined for a servant, and concluded she must be a gen-
7
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
type is Mr Sober. Full of ideas but too lazy to carry them After a discussion of analogies and metaphors, John-
out, he distracts himself with conversation and hobbies. son compares the components of good punch to those
Hester Thrale wrote in her Miscellanies that this essay of good conversation. He equates spirits with wit, lemon
was "intended as his own portrait".[1] juice with raillery, sugar with adulation and water with
"Sober is a man of strong desires and quick "easy prattle". The ingredients must be blended in the
imagination, so exactly balanced by the love of right proportions to create a pleasing final product.
ease, that they can seldom stimulate him to any "He only will please long, who, by tempering the
difficult undertaking; they have, however, so much acidity of satire with the sugar of civility, and
power, that they will not suffer him to lie quite at allaying the heat of wit with the frigidity of humble
rest; and though they do not make him sufficiently chat, can make the true punch of conversation;
useful to others, they make him at least weary of and, as that punch can be drunk in the greatest
himself." quantity which has the largest proportion of water,
so that companion will be oftenest welcome, whose
No 32. On Sleep (Johnson) talk flows out with inoffensive copiousness, and
Published: Saturday, November 25, 1758 unenvied insipidity."
Johnson contemplates the power of sleep, which
comes from an unknown source, overpowers all people No 35. Auction-hunter described and
equally, and provides an escape from the struggles of ridiculed (Johnson)
life. Many people, not content with the forgetfulness pro- Published: Saturday, December 16, 1758
vided by sleep, supplement it with "semi-slumbers" like A husband complains that his wife is always hunting
drunkenness, daydreaming and company. for bargains at auctions, even though the house is
"All envy would be extinguished, if it were crammed with her purchases. She also buys meat in bulk
universally known that there are none to be and preserves it in salt, rather than pay a higher price for
envied, and surely none can be much envied who fresh meat. At his wits’ end, he resolves to hold his own
are not pleased with themselves. There is reason to auction and clear out his house.
suspect, that the distinctions of mankind have "I am the unfortunate husband of a buyer of
more show than value, when it is found that all bargains. My wife has somewhere heard, that a
agree to be weary alike of pleasures and of cares; good housewife never has any thing to purchase
that the powerful and the weak, the celebrated and when it is wanted. This maxim is often in her mouth,
obscure, join in one common wish, and implore and always in her head. She is not one of those
from nature’s hand the nectar of oblivion." philosophical talkers that speculate without
practice; and learn sentences of wisdom only to
No 33. Journal of a fellow of a college repeat them: she is always making additions to her
(Warton) stores; she never looks into a broker’s shop, but
Published: Saturday, December 2, 1758 she spies something that may be wanted some
A correspondent submits the diary of a senior fellow time; and it is impossible to make her pass the door
at Cambridge University, a chronicle of idleness, gluttony of a house where she hears goods selling by auction."
and petty complaints. Walton follows this with a defence
of Oxford and Cambridge. The "genius of the place" in- No 36. The terrific diction ridiculed
spires students to high achievement, and the universities (Johnson)
keep students virtuous by "excluding all opportunities of Published: December 23, 1758
vice". Johnson identifies a new kind of pompous language:
"Twelve. Drest. Sauntered up to the Fish-monger’s the "terrific" style, also known as "repulsive" or "bug-
hill. Met Mr. H. and went with him to Peterhouse. bear": "by which the most evident truths are so obscured
Cook made us wait thirty-six minutes beyond the that they can no longer be perceived, and the most famil-
time. The company, some of my Emmanuel friends. iar propositions so disguised that they cannot be known."
For dinner, a pair of soles, a leg of pork and pease, He says that an "illustrious example" of this style can be
among other things. Mem. Pease-pudding not found in the popular philosophical work Letters Concern-
boiled enough. Cook reprimanded and sconced in ing Mind.
my presence." "A mother tells her infant, that ’two and two make
four’; the child remembers the proposition, and is
No 34. Punch and conversation com- able to count four to all the purposes of life, till the
pared (Johnson) course of his education brings him among
Published: Saturday, December 9, 1758 philosophers, who fright him from his former
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
knowledge, by telling him, that four is a certain countries. It is, surely, less foolish and less criminal
aggregate of units; that all numbers being only the to permit inaction than compel it; to comply with
repetition of an unit, which, though not a number doubtful opinions of happiness, than condemn to
itself, is the parent, root, or original of all number, certain and apparent misery; to indulge the
’four’ is the denomination assigned to a certain extravagancies of erroneous piety, than to multiply
number of such repetitions. The only danger is, and enforce temptations to wickedness."
lest, when he first hears these dreadful sounds, the
pupil should run away; if he has but the courage to No 39. The various uses of the bracelet
stay till the conclusion, he will find that, when (Johnson)
speculation has done its worst, two and two still
Published: Saturday, 13 January 1759
make four."
Bracelets bearing pictures of the wearer’s husband
and children are in fashion with English women. A corre-
No 37. Useful things easy of attainment
spondent suggests some variations on the theme. Women
(Johnson) could wear an emblem showing their profession,
Published: Saturday, December 30, 1758 favourite pastime or station in life. Or they could wear a
Johnson says that everything people really need is small mirror, which would be "a perpetual source of de-
plentiful and easy to reach. It is only when people strive light". Likewise, soldiers could wear trinkets that remind
for things beyond their reach that they have difficulty. them of military defeats or ignominious victories.
"Thus plenty is the original cause of many of our "Yet I know not whether it is the interest of the
needs; and even the poverty, which is so frequent husband to solicit very earnestly a place on the
and distressful in civilized nations, proceeds often bracelet. If his image be not in the heart, it is of
from that change of manners which opulence has small avail to hang it on the hand. A husband
produced. Nature makes us poor only when we encircled with diamonds and rubies may gain some
want necessaries; but custom gives the name of esteem, but will never excite love. He that thinks
poverty to the want of superfluities." himself most secure of his wife, should be fearful of
persecuting her continually with his presence. The
No 38. Cruelty shown to debtors in joy of life is variety; the tenderest love requires to
prison (Johnson) be rekindled by intervals of absence; and Fidelity
herself will be wearied with transferring her eye
Published: Saturday, January 6, 1759
only from the same man to the same picture."
Johnson comments on a newspaper report that there
are 20,000 debtors imprisoned in England — that is, one
No 40. The art of advertising exempli-
in every 300 inhabitants. He estimates that the economy
loses £300,000 a year as a result, to say nothing of the mis- fied (Johnson)
ery inflicted on the prisoners’ loved ones. He says condi- Published: Saturday, January 20, 1759
tions in prison are so bad that one in five prisoners dies The newspapers have become so crammed with ad-
there, and that prisons are breeding grounds for more verts that advertisers must use more and more extrav-
crime. agant ploys to get noticed. Johnson quotes from several
In a note to the 1761 edition, Johnson wrote that the prime examples of the day. He dryly suggests that adver-
number of debtors given in the original essay "...was at tisers write with posterity in mind: "When these collec-
that time confidently published, but the authour has tions shall be read in another century, how will number-
since found reason to question the calculation".[2] less contradictions be reconciled? and how shall fame be
"The monastick institutions have been often possibly distributed among the tailors and bodice-mak-
blamed, as tending to retard the increase of ers of the present age?"
mankind. And, perhaps, retirement ought rarely to "Promise, large promise, is the soul of an
be permitted, except to those whose employment advertisement. I remember a ’wash-ball’ that had a
is consistent with abstraction, and who, though quality truly wonderful — it gave an ’exquisite
solitary, will not be idle; to those whom infirmity edge to the razor’. And there are now to be sold,
makes useless to the commonwealth, or to those ’for ready money only’, some ’duvets for bed-
who have paid their due proportion to society, and coverings, of down, beyond comparison superior to
who, having lived for others, may be honourably what is called otter-down’, and indeed such, that
dismissed to live for themselves. But whatever be its ’many excellencies cannot be here set forth’.
the evil or the folly of these retreats, those have no With one excellence we are made acquainted — ’it
right to censure them whose prisons contain is warmer than four or five blankets, and lighter
greater numbers than the monasteries of other than one’. There are some, however, that know the
9
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
prejudice of mankind in favour of modest sincerity. ber that every moment of delay takes away something
The vender of the ’beautifying fluid’ sells a lotion from the value of his benefaction." Too often, however,
that repels pimples, washes away freckles, smooths this warning is given in vain.
the skin, and plumps the flesh; and yet, with a "So little do we accustom ourselves to consider the
generous abhorrence of ostentation, confesses, effects of time, that things necessary and certain
that it will not ’restore the bloom of fifteen to a often surprise us like unexpected contingencies.
lady of fifty’." We leave the beauty in her bloom, and, after an
absence of twenty years, wonder, at our return, to
No 41. Serious reflections on the death find her faded. We meet those whom we left
of a friend (Johnson) children, and can scarcely persuade ourselves to
treat them as men. The traveller visits in age those
Published: Saturday, January 27, 1759
countries through which he rambled in his youth,
Someone known to Johnson has died suddenly, leav-
and hopes for merriment at the old place. The man
ing him filled with "emptiness and horrour". He reflects
of business, wearied with unsatisfactory
that the inevitable cost of life is to outlive people one
prosperity, retires to the town of his nativity, and
loves, and hopes that "the union of souls" may continue
expects to play away the last years with the
after death. Finding no comfort in Epicurus or Zeno, he
companions of his childhood, and recover youth in
turns to the Gospels: "Philosophy may infuse stubborn-
the fields, where he once was young."
ness, but Religion only can give patience."
The Yale edition of the Idler reveals that the death
No 44. The use of memory considered
Johnson was writing about was that of his mother, who
died on 20 or 21 January 1759.[3] (Johnson)
"Nothing is more evident than that the decays of Published: Saturday, February 17, 1759
age must terminate in death; yet there is no man, Johnson praises memory, without which no other
says Tully, who does not believe that he may yet form of thought would be possible. There are two stages
live another year; and there is none who does not, of memory in a person’s life: collecting memories, and
upon the same principle, hope another year for his recollecting them. The first stage is by far the more pleas-
parent or his friend: but the fallacy will be in time ant. Recalling memories is always bittersweet, since
detected; the last year, the last day, must come. It "good and evil are linked together, and no pleasure re-
has come, and is past. The life which made my own curs but associated with pain".
life pleasant is at an end, and the gates of death are "Much of the pleasure which the first survey of the
shut upon my prospects." world affords, is exhausted before we are conscious
of our own felicity, or able to compare our
No 42. Perdita’s complaint of her father condition with some other possible state. We have,
(authorship uncertain) therefore, few traces of the joy of our earliest
discoveries; yet we all remember a time, when
Published: Saturday, February 3, 1759
nature had so many untasted gratifications, that
The writer describes how her father has destroyed
every excursion gave delight which, can now be
her reputation. Because she is a beauty, he allowed her
found no longer, when the noise of a torrent, the
only a minimal education, and insists on showing her off
rustle of a wood, the song of birds, or the play of
in the hope of finding her a rich husband. Yet he also fills
lambs, had power to fill the attention, and suspend
his house with "drunkenness, riot, and irreligion", so that
all perception of the course of time."
his daughter is no longer received in polite society.
"It is a common opinion, he himself must very well
No 45. On painting. Portraits defended
know, that vices, like diseases, are often
hereditary; and that the property of the one is to (Johnson)
infect the manners, as the other poisons the Published: Saturday, February 24, 1759
springs of life." Some critics have called the English self-centred for
preferring portraits to all other types of painting. John-
No 43. Monitions on the flight of time son says that, on the contrary, the preference springs
(Johnson) from affection for others. Nonetheless, he believes other
forms of painting should also be encouraged, and hopes
Published: Saturday, February 10, 1759
that a prize recently offered for the best historical paint-
Johnson says the visible reminders of time’s passing
ing will produce good results. He considers various pos-
that we find in nature should persuade us not to procras-
sible subjects for such a painting, and finally decides that
tinate: "Let him that desires to see others happy make
haste to give, while his gift can be enjoyed, and remem-
10
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
Oliver Cromwell’s dissolution of Parliament would be criticks he is timorous and awkward, and hangs
best. down his head at his own table. Dear Mr. Idler,
"Genius is chiefly exerted in historical pictures; persuade him, if you can, to return once more to
and the art of the painter of portraits is often lost his native element. Tell him, that wit will never
in the obscurity of his subject. But it is in painting make him rich, but that there are places where
as in life; what is greatest is not always best. I riches will always make a wit."
should grieve to see Reynolds transfer to heroes
and to goddesses, to empty splendour and to airy No 48. The bustle of idleness described
fiction, that art which is now employed in diffusing and ridiculed (Johnson)
friendship, in reviving tenderness, in quickening
Published: Saturday, March 17, 1759
the affections of the absent, and continuing the
Johnson returns to the subject of those who conceal
presence of the dead."
their idleness by rushing aimlessly about. He considers
two types: those who affect an interest in politics, and
No 46. Molly Quick’s complaint of her
those who pretend to be learned.
mistress (Johnson) "As political affairs are the highest and most
Published: Saturday, March 3, 1759 extensive of temporal concerns, the mimick of a
Molly Quick is waiting-maid to a great lady. Although politician is more busy and important than any
her mistress treats her kindly and passes on her finest other trifler. Monsieur le Noir, a man who, without
clothes, she has one habit that exasperates Molly: "She property or importance in any corner of the earth,
never orders any thing in direct words, for she loves a has, in the present confusion of the world, declared
sharp girl that can take a hint". himself a steady adherent to the French, is made
"It is impossible to give a notion of this style miserable by a wind that keeps back the packet-
otherwise than by examples. One night, when she boat, and still more miserable by every account of
had sat writing letters till it was time to be dressed, a Malouin privateer caught in his cruise; he knows
’Molly’, said she, ’the Ladies are all to be at Court well that nothing can be done or said by him which
to-night in white aprons.’ When she means that I can produce any effect but that of laughter, that he
should send to order the chair, she says, ’I think can neither hasten nor retard good or evil, that his
the streets are clean, I may venture to walk.’ When joys and sorrows have scarcely any partakers; yet
she would have something put into its place, she such is his zeal, and such his curiosity, that he
bids me ’lay it on the floor.’ If she would have me would run barefooted to Gravesend, for the sake of
snuff the candles, she asks ’whether I think her knowing first that the English had lost a tender,
eyes are like a cat’s?’ If she thinks her chocolate and would ride out to meet every mail from the
delayed, she talks of ’the benefit of abstinence.’ If continent, if he might be permitted to open it."
any needle-work is forgotten, she supposes ’that I
have heard of the lady who died by pricking her No 49. Marvel’s journey narrated (John-
finger.’" son)
Published: Saturday, March 24, 1759
No 47. Deborah Ginger’s account of city-
Johnson recounts his friend Will Marvel’s story of a
wits (Johnson) visit to Devonshire. According to Marvel, it was a trek
Published: March 10, 1759 filled with danger and drama. On the first day of his trav-
Deborah Ginger, the wife of a "city wit", writes in els it rained, even though fair weather was predicted. On
despair. Her husband was once a successful shopkeeper, the second day, the road was full of puddles, and on the
but since discovering the theatre, he disdains his busi- third, he was bored and lonely. On the fourth day he rode
ness and spends all his time watching plays or writing his until after dark, and then had to wait a long time for
own. someone to open the turnpike. Such catastrophes contin-
"By this course of life our credit as traders is ued throughout his journey.
lessened; and I cannot forbear to suspect, that my "Such are the colours in which Marvel paints his
husband’s honour as a wit is not much advanced, adventures. He has accustomed himself to
for he seems to be always the lowest of the sounding words and hyperbolical images, till he
company, and is afraid to tell his opinion till the has lost the power of true description. In a road,
rest have spoken. When he was behind his counter, through which the heaviest carriages pass without
he used to be brisk, active, and jocular, like a man difficulty, and the post-boy every day and night
that knew what he was doing, and did not fear to goes and returns, he meets with hardships like
look another in the face; but among wits and those which are endured in Siberian deserts, and
11
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
misses nothing of romantick danger but a giant his reason to his wishes, and think all his desires
and a dragon. When his dreadful story is told in lawful, or dismiss his reason as troublesome and
proper terms, it is only that the way was dirty in intrusive, and resolve to snatch what he may
winter, and that he experienced the common happen to wish, without inquiring about right and
vicissitudes of rain and sunshine." wrong."
No 50. Marvel’s journey paralleled No 53. Mischiefs of good company
(Johnson) (Johnson)
Published: Saturday, March 31, 1759 Published: Saturday, April 24, 1759
Johnson says that in reality, all people are susceptible A husband complains that his wife insists on keeping
to the kind of exaggeration Marvel displayed. Exaggerat- "good company" — that is, the company of the rich and
ing pleasures is forgivable, but exaggerating troubles is noble. After trying unsuccessfully for some time to foist
not. herself upon them, she managed to gain acceptance from
"In the present state of the world man may pass a few of the less savoury members of the aristocracy, and
through Shakespeare’s seven stages of life, and made her way up the social ladder from there. She now
meet nothing singular or wonderful. But such is talks of nothing but her new social circle, models all her
every man’s attention to himself, that what is behaviour on theirs and has turned her back on her old
common and unheeded, when it is only seen, friends.
becomes remarkable and peculiar when we happen "What adds to all this uneasiness is, that this
to feel it." expense is without use, and this vanity without
honour; she forsakes houses where she might be
No 51. Domestick greatness unattainable courted, for those where she is only suffered; her
(Johnson) equals are daily made her enemies, and her
superiors will never be her friends."
Published: Saturday, April 7, 1759
Johnson says that no man is considered great in his
No 54. Mrs Savecharges’ complaint (au-
own household, however illustrious he may appear to the
outside world. People can display great powers only in thorship uncertain)
extraordinary situations. Published: Saturday, April 28, 1759
"But such is the constitution of the world, that Sukey Savecharges, a bride of six months, writes ask-
much of life must be spent in the same manner by ing for legal advice. In their marriage contract, her hus-
the wise and the ignorant, the exalted and the low. band promised to buy her a coach. After they were mar-
Men, however distinguished by external accidents ried, he tried to talk her out of it, saying a coach would
or intrinsick qualities, have all the same wants, the be too expensive to maintain. When she refused to relent,
same pains, and, as far as the senses are consulted, he bought her the coach, but told her she would have to
the same pleasures. The petty cares and petty pay for the horses herself. Sukey asks how she can annex
duties are the same in every station to every two horses to the contract.
understanding, and every hour brings some "Now, though I am convinced I might make a
occasion on which we all sink to the common level. worse use of part of the pin-money, than by
We are all naked till we are dressed, and hungry till extending my bounty towards the support of so
we are fed; and the general’s triumph, and sage’s useful a part of the brute creation; yet, like a true-
disputation, end, like the humble labours of the born Englishwoman, I am so tenacious of my rights
smith or ploughman, in a dinner or in sleep." and privileges, and moreover so good a friend to
the gentlemen of the law, that I protest, Mr Idler,
No 52. Self-denial necessary (Johnson) sooner than tamely give up the point, and be
Published: Saturday, April 14, 1759 quibbled out of my right, I will receive my pin-
Johnson says that although self-denial has been taken money, as it were, with one hand, and pay it to
to ridiculous extremes by some religious sects, it is still them with the other; provided they will give me,
necessary. or, which is the same thing, my trustees,
"To deny early and inflexibly, is the only art of encouragement to commence a suit against this
checking the importunity of desire, and of dear, frugal husband of mine."
preserving quiet and innocence. Innocent
gratifications must be sometimes withheld; he that No 55. Authors’ mortifications (Johnson)
complies with all lawful desires will certainly lose Published: Saturday, May 5, 1759
his empire over himself, and, in time, either submit
12
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
An author describes how he spent eight years re- No 57. Character of Sophron (Johnson)
searching a book on natural history. At first he read por-
Published: Saturday, May 19, 1759
tions of his work in progress to his friends, but was dis-
Johnson describes his companion Sophron ("wis-
couraged by their criticism. He finished the work in se-
dom"), who exemplifies prudence. He is frugal, never
cret and expected publishers to compete fiercely for the
gossips, never takes sides in a dispute or gives advice. Yet
rights, but he found nothing but indifference. His book
while this approach to life has kept him safe from disad-
has still not been printed, and he has been indicted for
vantages, it has brought him no advantages either.
kicking a publisher. He is convinced that his friends must
"Thus Sophron creeps along, neither loved nor
have conspired against him, and asks the Idler what he
hated, neither favoured nor opposed: he has never
should do.
attempted to grow rich, for fear of growing poor;
"I took my lodgings near the house of the Royal
and has raised no friends, for fear of making
Society, and expected every morning a visit from
enemies."
the president. I walked in the Park, and wondered
that I overheard no mention of the great
naturalist. At last I visited a noble earl, and told
No 58. Expectations of pleasure frustrat-
him of my work: he answered, that he was under ed (Johnson)
an engagement never to subscribe. I was angry to Published: Saturday, May 26, 1759
have that refused which I did not mean to ask, and Johnson observes that "pleasure is very seldom found
concealed my design of making him immortal. I where it is sought". Gatherings of humourists are always
went next day to another, and, in resentment of disappointing because the premeditation kills merri-
my late affront, offered to prefix his name to my ment. Wit only succeeds when it is spontaneous. Like-
new book. He said, coldly, that ’he did not wise, pleasure trips and visits to old friends seldom live
understand those things’; another thought, ’there up to one’s expectations.
were too many books’; and another would ’talk "Merriment is always the effect of a sudden
with me when the races were over’." impression. The jest which is expected is already
destroyed. The most active imagination will be
No 56. Virtuosos whimsical (Johnson) sometimes torpid, under the frigid influence of
Published: Saturday, May 12, 1759 melancholy, and sometimes occasions will be
Johnson mocks the behaviour of collectors at an auc- wanting to tempt the mind, however volatile, to
tion, and considers both the good and bad effects of col- sallies and excursions. Nothing was ever said with
lecting. On the one hand, it "fills the mind with trifling uncommon felicity, but by the co-operation of
ambition"; on the other, it "brings many things to notice chance; and, therefore, wit, as well as valour, must
that would be neglected, and, by fixing the thoughts up- be content to share its honours with fortune."
on intellectual pleasures, resists the natural encroach-
ments of sensuality." No 59. Books fall into neglect (Johnson)
"The novice is often surprised to see what minute Published: Saturday, June 2, 1759
and unimportant discriminations increase or Johnson discusses the fickleness of literary fame.
diminish value. An irregular contortion of a Some authors’ reputations fade because they were never
turbinated shell, which common eyes pass deserved in the first place. Others became famous by
unregarded, will ten times treble its price in the writing about fashionable topics, and fell out of favour
imagination of philosophers. Beauty is far from when people lost interest in their subject.
operating upon collectors as upon low and vulgar "He that writes upon general principles, or delivers
minds, even where beauty might be thought the universal truths, may hope to be often read,
only quality that could deserve notice. Among the because his work will be equally useful at all times
shells that please by their variety of colours, if one and in every country; but he cannot expect it to be
can be found accidentally deformed by a cloudy received with eagerness, or to spread with rapidity,
spot, it is boasted as the pride of the collection. because desire can have no particular stimulation:
China is sometimes purchased for little less than its that which is to be loved long, must be loved with
weight in gold, only because it is old, though reason rather than with passion. He that lays his
neither less brittle, nor better painted, than the labours out upon temporary subjects, easily finds
modern; and brown china is caught up with readers, and quickly loses them; for what should
ecstasy, though no reason can be imagined for make the book valued when the subject is no
which it should be preferred to common vessels of more?"
common clay."
13
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
No 60 Minim the critic (Johnson) No 62. Ranger’s account of the vanity of
Published: Saturday, June 9, 1759 riches (Johnson)
To show how easy it is to become a critic, Johnson Published: Saturday, June 23, 1759
describes the career of Dick Minim. A former brewer’s Tim Ranger writes to dispute the claim that money
apprentice, Minim inherited a fortune and "resolved to brings happiness. He lived the modest life of a scholar
be a man of wit and humour". He learned everything he until he inherited a massive fortune from his uncle. He
needed to know about literature and drama by hanging bought fine clothes, but found they brought him more
around coffeehouses and listening to the gossip. By re- anxiety than pleasure. He tried to be a rake, but found
peating the same platitudes as everyone else and point- himself turning into a drunkard. He kept racing horses,
ing out the obvious, he earned an honoured place among but soon grew bored with it. He then began building a
critics. grand house, and then found that the architects were
"This profession has one recommendation peculiar cheating him. He ends with a promise to conclude his his-
to itself, that it gives vent to malignity without real tory another time.
mischief. No genius was ever blasted by the breath "But experience is the test by which all the
of criticks. The poison which, if confined, would philosophers of the present age agree, that
have burst the heart, fumes away in empty hisses, speculation must be tried; and I may be, therefore,
and malice is set at ease with very little danger to allowed to doubt the power of money, since I have
merit. The critick is the only man whose triumph is been a long time rich, and have not yet found that
without another’s pain, and whose greatness does riches can make me happy."
not rise upon another’s ruin."
No 63. Progress of arts and language
No 61. Minim the critic (Johnson)
(Johnson)
Published: Saturday, June 15, 1759,.,
Published: Saturday, June 30, 1759
Minim’s story continues. Having reached the zenith
Johnson says that art and language flourish only after
of his career, he decided that England needed an acade-
basic human needs have been met. Both, however,
my to set artistic standards, like those found on the con-
progress "through improvement to degeneracy". The
tinent. Until such an academy can be formed, he is serv-
English language started out "artless and simple, uncon-
ing as the president of a small critical society. He with-
nected and concise". Since the time of Chaucer, the lan-
holds judgement on new books until he sees how they
guage has steadily become far more refined, but there is
succeed commercially, and he takes in aspiring authors
now a danger of affectation.
to whom he gives clichéd and conflicting advice.
"Then begin the arts of rhetorick and poetry, the
"Minim is not so confident of his rules of judgment
regulation of figures, the selection of words, the
as not very eagerly to catch new light from the
modulation of periods, the graces of transition, the
name of the author. He is commonly so prudent as
complication of clauses, and all the delicacies of
to spare those whom he cannot resist, unless, as
style and subtilties of composition, useful while
will sometimes happen, he finds the publick
they advance perspicuity, and laudable while they
combined against them. But a fresh pretender to
increase pleasure, but easy to be refined by
fame he is strongly inclined to censure, till his own
needless scrupulosity till they shall more
honour requires that he commend him. Till he
embarrass the writer than assist the reader or
knows the success of a composition, he intrenches
delight him."
himself in general terms; there are some new
thoughts and beautiful passages, but there is
likewise much which he would have advised the
No 64. Ranger’s complaint concluded
author to expunge. He has several favourite (Johnson)
epithets, of which he has never settled the Published: Saturday, July 7, 1759
meaning, but which are very commodiously Tim Ranger (see no 62) continues his tale. After sell-
applied to books which he has not read, or cannot ing his racehorses, he resolved to be a "fine gentleman".
understand. One is ’manly’, another is ’dry’, He began frequenting coffeehouses, learned to force him-
another ’stiff’, and another ’flimsy’; sometimes he self to laugh, and took up betting and the opera. He be-
discovers delicacy of style, and sometimes meets came patron to a famous violinist, but lost his patronage
with ’strange expressions’." by refusing to bail him out of debtor’s prison. He also
tried sitting for his portrait, but none of the artists he
found pleased him. After this he took up collecting shells
and fossils, but the jealousy of his fellow collectors forced
him out. Finally he sought popularity by giving lavish
14
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
dinner parties, only to find himself under the thumb of "Of the ancients, enough remains to excite our
his French cook. Despairing, he asks the Idler what he can emulation and direct our endeavours. Many of the
do now. works which time has left us, we know to have
"In this new scene of life my great labour was to been these that were most esteemed, and which
learn to laugh. I had been used to consider laughter antiquity itself considered as models; so that,
as the effect of merriment; but I soon learned that having the originals, we may without much regret
it is one of the arts of adulation, and, from laughing lose the imitations. The obscurity which the want
only to show that I was pleased, I now began to of contemporary writers often produces, only
laugh when I wished to please. This was at first darkens single passages, and those commonly of
very difficult. I sometimes heard the story with slight importance. The general tendency of every
dull indifference, and, not exalting myself to piece may be known; and though that diligence
merriment by due gradations, burst out suddenly deserves praise which leaves nothing unexamined,
into an awkward noise, which was not always yet its miscarriages are not much to be lamented;
favourably interpreted. Sometimes I was behind for the most useful truths are always universal, and
the rest of the company, and lost the grace of unconnected with accidents and customs."
laughing by delay, and sometimes, when I began at
the right time, was deficient in loudness or in No 67. Scholar’s journal (Langton)
length. But, by diligent imitation of the best Published: Saturday, July 28, 1759
models, I attained at last such flexibility of Langton offers another fictional diary, this time of a
muscles, that I was always a welcome auditor of a scholar. The subject resolves to spend three days writ-
story, and got the reputation of a good-natured ing serious treatises on logic and the mind. Instead, he
fellow." becomes distracted by reading, discussions with friends
and watching life on the streets of London. As a con-
No 65. Fate of posthumous works (John- sequence, he writes several poems he had not planned.
son) Langton says the diary proves that people are more pro-
Published: Saturday, July 14, 1759 ductive when they pursue what truly interests them.
The posthumous publication of the Earl of Claren- The scholar Langton describes is suspected by the ed-
don’s history of the English Civil War leads Johnson to itors of the Yale edition of being Johnson himself, who
consider the varying fates of posthumous works. Some had a "habit of making resolutions and condemning him-
authors leave their manuscripts to their heirs, only for self for breaking them".[4]
the survivors to store them away or burn them for fuel. "...when we contemplate the inquisitive nature of
Other writers have their work mutilated by editors. John- the human mind, and its perpetual impatience of
son advises that writers "tell us what they have learned all restraint, it may be doubted whether the
while they are yet able to tell it, and trust their reputa- faculties may not be contracted by confining the
tion only to themselves." attention; and whether it may not sometimes be
"Yet there are some works which the authors must proper to risk the certainty of little for the chance
consign unpublished to posterity, however of much. Acquisitions of knowledge, like blazes of
uncertain be the event, however hopeless be the genius, are often fortuitous. Those who had
trust. He that writes the history of his own times, if proposed to themselves a methodical course of
he adheres steadily to truth, will write that which reading, light by accident on a new book, which
his own times will not easily endure. He must be seizes their thoughts and kindles their curiosity,
content to reposite his book, till all private and opens an unexpected prospect, to which the
passions shall cease, and love and hatred give way way which they had prescribed to themselves
to curiosity." would never have conducted them."
No 66. Loss of ancient writings (John- No 68. History of translation (Johnson)
son) Published: Saturday, August 4, 1759
Johnson reviews the history of translation, which he
Published: Saturday, July 21, 1759
says is the most modern of the arts. (Much of what he
Johnson suggests that we should not lament the fact
says here has since been shown to be incorrect.)
that so little ancient literature has survived. The "most
"The Greeks for a time travelled into Egypt, but
esteemed" works of the time have come down to us, and
they translated no books from the Egyptian
if we had kept everything from antiquity, we would have
language; and when the Macedonians had
no room for modern endeavours.
overthrown the empire of Persia, the countries
that became subject to Grecian dominion studied
15
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
only the Grecian literature. The books of the few that look upon an edifice examine its parts, or
conquered nations, if they had any among them, analyse its columns into their members."
sunk into oblivion; Greece considered herself as
the mistress, if not as the parent of arts, her No 71. Dick Shifter’s rural excursion
language contained all that was supposed to be (Johnson)
known, and, except the sacred writings of the Old
Published: Saturday, August 25, 1759
Testament, I know not that the library of
Dick Shifter, a native of Cheapside, decides to spend a
Alexandria adopted any thing from a foreign
summer in the country to find peace and simplicity. In-
tongue."
stead, he finds that the food is bad, prices are high, news-
papers are impossible to get, and the people treat him
No 69. History of translation (Johnson)
with suspicion. He returns to London after just five days.
Published: Saturday, August 11, 1759 "Finding his walks thus interrupted, he was
Johnson continues his history of translation. The art inclined to ride, and, being pleased with the
of translation into English began with Chaucer, who appearance of a horse that was grazing in a
translated Boethius’ Comforts of Philosophy. However, neighbouring meadow, inquired the owner, who
Johnson criticises this translation as "nothing higher warranted him sound, and would not sell him, but
than a version strictly literal". When William Caxton be- that he was too fine for a plain man. Dick paid
gan printing books in English, he at first concentrated down the price, and, riding out to enjoy the
solely on translations of French works. Not until the evening, fell with his new horse into a ditch; they
Restoration, however, did translators switch their atten- got out with difficulty, and, as he was going to
tion from literal accuracy to elegance. mount again, a countryman looked at the horse,
"There is undoubtedly a mean to be observed. and perceived him to be blind. Dick went to the
Dryden saw very early that closeness best seller, and demanded back his money; but was told,
preserved an author’s sense, and that freedom best that a man who rented his ground must do the best
exhibited his spirit; he, therefore, will deserve the for himself; that his landlord had his rent though
highest praise, who can give a representation at the year was barren; and that, whether horses had
once faithful and pleasing, who can convey the eyes or no, he should sell them to the highest
same thoughts with the same graces, and who, bidder."
when he translates, changes nothing but the
language." No 72. Regulation of memory (Johnson)
Published: Saturday, September 1, 1759
No 70. Hard words defended (Johnson)
Man has two problems with memory: he cannot re-
Published: Saturday, August 18, 1759 member the things he wants to remember, and he re-
Johnson says people who are confused by hard words members things he would rather forget. Johnson thinks
in books should ask themselves whether it is the author’s people would benefit more from increased forgetfulness
fault or theirs. An author writing for a learned audience than from increased memory. If we could stop brooding
is entitled to use harder words than one writing for the on painful and useless memories, we would be better able
ignorant. Moreover, "every science and every trade" to learn things we need to know. People should try to
must of necessity have its own vocabulary. The simplest banish troublesome memories by keeping busy with new
language is not always the clearest. pursuits.
"That the vulgar express their thoughts clearly, is "The incursions of troublesome thoughts are often
far from true; and what perspicuity can be found violent and importunate; and it is not easy to a
among them proceeds not from the easiness of mind accustomed to their inroads to expel them
their language, but the shallowness of their immediately by putting better images into motion;
thoughts. He that sees a building as a common but this enemy of quiet is above all others
spectator, contents himself with relating that it is weakened by every defeat; the reflection which has
great or little, mean or splendid, lofty or low; all been once overpowered and ejected, seldom
these words are intelligible and common, but they returns with any formidable vehemence."
convey no distinct or limited ideas; if he attempts,
without the terms of architecture, to delineate the No 73. Tranquil’s use of riches (Johnson)
parts, or enumerate the ornaments, his narration
Published: Saturday, September 8, 1759
at once becomes unintelligible. The terms, indeed,
Johnson says that although wealth is now a universal
generally displease, because they are understood
goal, it cannot buy any more happiness than it did when
by few; but they are little understood, only because
poverty was thought to be virtuous. He illustrates this
16
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
point with the story of Tom Tranquil. Tom inherited a "It was now known in the neighbourhood that
huge fortune when he came of age, and his friends set Gelaleddin was returned, and he sat for some days
about spending it for him. He is, however, utterly indif- in expectation that the learned would visit him for
ferent to their choices. consultation, or the great for entertainment. But
"A companion, who had just learned the names of who will be pleased or instructed in the mansions
the Italian masters, runs from sale to sale, and buys of poverty? He then frequented places of publick
pictures, for which Mr Tranquil pays, without resort, and endeavoured to attract notice by the
inquiring where they shall be hung. Another fills copiousness of his talk. The sprightly were
his garden with statues, which Tranquil wishes silenced, and went away to censure, in some other
away, but dares not remove. One of his friends is place, his arrogance and his pedantry; and the dull
learning architecture by building him a house, listened quietly for a while, and then wondered
which he passed by, and inquired to whom it why any man should take pains to obtain so much
belonged; another has been for three years digging knowledge which would never do him good."
canals and raising mounts, cutting trees down in
one place, and planting them in another, on which No 76. False criticisms on painting
Tranquil looks with a serene indifference, without (Reynolds)
asking what will be the cost. Another projector
Published: Saturday, September 29, 1759
tells him that a waterwork, like that of Versailles,
Reynolds mocks critics and connoisseurs who apply
will complete the beauties of his seat, and lays his
narrow rules to painting. If a person does not have artis-
draughts before him: Tranquil turns his eyes upon
tic sensibilities, rules will not take their place.
them, and the artist begins his explanations;
"’This’, says he, ’is esteemed the most excellent of
Tranquil raises no objections, but orders him to
all the cartoons; what nobleness, what dignity,
begin the work, that he may escape from talk
there is in that figure of St Paul! and yet what an
which he does not understand."
addition to that nobleness could Raffaelle have
given, had the art of contrast been known in his
No 74. Memory rarely deficient (John-
time! but, above all, the flowing line which
son) constitutes grace and beauty! You would not have
Published: Saturday, September 15, 1759 then seen an upright figure standing equally on
Johnson says that nobody is ever satisfied with the both legs, and both hands stretched forward in the
quality of their memory, but that actual weakness of same direction, and his drapery, to all appearance,
memory is fairly rare. He criticises those who mark their without the least art of disposition.’ The following
books, or copy passages in a commonplace book, in order picture is the Charge to Peter. ’Here’, says he, ’are
to remember them better. It is better to pay close atten- twelve upright figures; what a pity it is that
tion and enjoy what one is reading. Raffaelle was not acquainted with the pyramidal
"It is the practice of many readers to note, in the principle! He would then have contrived the
margin of their books, the most important figures in the middle to have been on higher
passages, the strongest arguments, or the brightest ground, or the figures at the extremities stooping
sentiments. Thus they load their minds with or lying, which would not only have formed the
superfluous attention, repress the vehemence of group into the shape of a pyramid, but likewise
curiosity by useless deliberation, and by frequent contrasted the standing figures. Indeed,’ added he,
interruption break the current of narration or the ’I have often lamented that so great a genius as
chain of reason, and at last close the volume, and Raffaelle had not lived in this enlightened age,
forget the passages and marks together." since the art has been reduced to principles, and
had had his education in one of the modern
No 75. Gelaleddin of Bassora (Johnson) academies; what glorious works might we have
Published: Saturday, September 22, 1759 then expected from his divine pencil!’"
While studying in Bassora, Gelaleddin becomes cel-
ebrated for his scholarship and is offered a professor’s No 77. Easy writing (Johnson)
post. Not wanting to spend his life in obscurity in a Published: Saturday, October 6, 1759
provincial town, he decides to go to Tauris, where he Johnson says that everyone admires easy poetry, but
thinks he will achieve greater glory. Instead, he is re- no one can define what it is. He suggests that it be defined
ceived with indifference and cannot find work. He re- as ’that in which natural thoughts are expressed without
turns home, but finds that his cold reception in Tauris violence to the language,’ and gives contrasting exam-
has caused the people of Bassora to think they must have ples of easy and difficult poetry.
overrated his abilities.
17
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
"It is the prerogative of easy poetry to be longer considered as a liberal art, and sister to
understood as long as the language lasts; but poetry, this imitation being merely mechanical, in
modes of speech, which owe their prevalence only which the slowest intellect is always sure to
to modish folly, or to the eminence of those that succeed best: for the painter of genius cannot
use them, die away with their inventors, and their stoop to drudgery, in which the understanding has
meaning, in a few years, is no longer known." no part; and what pretence has the art to claim
kindred with poetry, but by its powers over the
No 78. Steady, Snug, Startle, Solid and imagination?"
Misty (Johnson)
No 80. Ladies’ journey to London (John-
Published: Saturday, October 13, 1759
A correspondent called Robin Spritely describes the son)
conversation of five characters he met while visiting a Published: Saturday, October 27, 1759
mineral spring over the summer. Tom Steady is "a ve- The upper classes are making their annual return to
hement assertor of uncontroverted truth"; Dick Snug in- London after a summer in the countryside. The week be-
terrupts stories to make trite observations; Will Startle fore the homecoming is full of anticipation. Most excited
responds to everything with hyperbolic expressions of of all is "the virgin whom the last summer released from
disgust or delight; Jack Solid "utters nothing but quota- her governess" and who is appearing in London society
tions", though he has a limited store of them; and Dick for the first time. Johnson warns her that her expecta-
Misty gives long and obscure explanations of mundane tions of "uninterrupted happiness" will be disappointed,
points. but that she will have much to learn from the city if she
"Dick Snug is a man of sly remark and pithy opens her mind to it.
sententiousness: he never immerges himself in the "The uniform necessities of human nature
stream of conversation, but lies to catch his produce, in a great measure, uniformity of life, and
companions in the eddy: he is often very successful for part of the day make one place like another; to
in breaking narratives and confounding eloquence. dress and to undress, to eat and to sleep, are the
A gentleman, giving the history of one of his same in London as in the country. The
acquaintance, made mention of a lady that had supernumerary hours have, indeed, a great variety
many lovers: ’Then’, said Dick, ’she was either both of pleasure and of pain. The stranger, gazed
handsome or rich.’ This observation being well on by multitudes at her first appearance in the
received, Dick watched the progress of the tale; Park, is, perhaps, on the highest summit of female
and, hearing of a man lost in a shipwreck, happiness; but how great is the anguish when the
remarked, that ’no man was ever drowned upon novelty of another face draws her worshippers
dry land’." away!"
No 79. Grand style of painting No 81. Indian’s speech to his country-
(Reynolds) men (Johnson)
Published: Saturday, October 20, 1759 Published: Saturday, November 3, 1759
Reynolds says painters must aim at more than simply Johnson imagines an Indian chief’s speech to his tribe
imitating nature. He claims that Dutch painting is inferi- as the British advance on Quebec. The Europeans who
or to Italian painting because the former focuses on "pet- have stolen their land and oppressed them have now
ty peculiarities", while the latter "attends only to the in- turned upon one another. The chief urges his people to
variable, the great and general ideas." Michelangelo, "the "remember that the death of every European delivers the
Homer of painting", is also the least naturalistic of the country from a tyrant and a robber; for what is the claim
great painters. of either nation, but the claim of the vulture to the lev-
Imitate nature "is the invariable rule; but I know eret, of the tiger to the fawn?"
none who have explained in what manner this rule "Some there are who boast their humanity, and
is to be understood; the consequence of which is, content themselves to seize our chases and
that every one takes it in the most obvious sense, fisheries, who drive us from every tract of ground
that objects are represented naturally when they where fertility and pleasantness invite them to
have such relief that they seem real. It may appear settle, and make no war upon us except when we
strange, perhaps, to hear this sense of the rule intrude upon our own lands. Others pretend to
disputed; but it must be considered, that, if the have purchased a right of residence and tyranny;
excellency of a painter consisted only in this kind but surely the insolence of such bargains is more
of imitation, painting must lose its rank, and be no offensive than the avowed and open dominion of
18
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
force. What reward can induce the possessour of a has no opinions of his own, but expresses agreement with
country to admit a stranger more powerful than everyone who speaks to him.
himself? Fraud or terrour must operate in such "Bob is the most formidable disputant of the whole
contracts; either they promised protection which company; for, without troubling himself to search
they never have afforded, or instruction which for reasons, he tires his antagonist with repeated
they never imparted." affirmations. When Bob has been attacked for an
hour with all the powers of eloquence and reason,
No 82. The true idea of beauty and his position appears to all but himself utterly
(Reynolds) untenable, he always closes the debate with his
first declaration, introduced by a stout preface of
Published: Saturday, November 10, 1759
contemptuous civility. ’All this is very judicious;
Reynolds suggests that every animal and plant
you may talk, Sir, as you please; but I will still say
species, and every race of human beings, has a certain
what I said at first.’"
"fixed or determinate" form, and that the closer a partic-
ular specimen is to this form, the more beautiful we think
No 84. Biography, how best performed
it is. It is not possible to say that a particular species or
race is more beautiful than another; we can only compare (Johnson)
individuals within the same group. Published: Saturday, November 24, 1759
"He who says a swan is more beautiful than a dove, Johnson says that autobiography is more valuable
means little more than that he has more pleasure than biography, because it concerns the inner life as well
in seeing a swan than a dove, either from the as the outer. He says that the risk of writers falsifying
stateliness of its motions, or its being a more rare their autobiographies is not as great as people suppose,
bird; and he who gives the preference to the dove, because readers are vigilant against any signs of vanity.
does it from some association of ideas of innocence "The mischievous consequences of vice and folly,
that he always annexes to the dove; but, if he of irregular desires and predominant passions, are
pretends to defend the preference he gives to one best discovered by those relations which are
or the other by endeavouring to prove that this levelled with the general surface of life, which tell
more beautiful form proceeds from a particular not how any man became great, but how he was
gradation of magnitude, undulation of a curve, or made happy; not how he lost the favour of his
direction of a line, or whatever other conceit of his prince, but how he became discontented with
imagination he shall fix on as a criterion of form, himself."
he will be continually contradicting himself, and
find at last, that the great Mother of Nature will No 85. Books multiplied by useless com-
not be subjected to such narrow rules. Among the pilations (Johnson)
various reasons why we prefer one part of her
Published: Saturday, December 1, 1759
works to another, the most general, I believe, is
Johnson says that too many of the books being pub-
habit and custom; custom makes, in a certain
lished are merely compilations of earlier works. Compila-
sense, white black, and black white; it is custom
tions can sometimes be useful, since ’particles of science
alone determines our preference of the colour of
are often very widely scattered,’ but most of those being
the Europeans to the Aethiopians; and they, for the
produced now ’only serve to distract choice without sup-
same reason, prefer their own colour to ours."
plying any real want.’
"It is observed that ’a corrupt society has many
No 83. Scruple, Wormwood, Sturdy and
laws’; I know not whether it is not equally true,
Gentle (Johnson) that ’an ignorant age has many books’. When the
Published: Saturday, November 17, 1759 treasures of ancient knowledge lie unexamined,
The description of conversationalists at the mineral and original authors are neglected and forgotten,
spring, which began in No 78 with "Steady, Snug, Startle, compilers and plagiaries are encouraged, who give
Solid, and Misty", continues with four new characters. us again what we had before, and grow great by
Sim Scruple "lives in a continual equipoise of doubt" and setting before us what our own sloth had hidden
is constantly questioning received ideas, while Dick from our view."
Wormwood finds fault with every aspect of contempo-
rary society. Bob Sturdy refuses to be swayed by argu- No 86. Miss Heartless’ want of a lodging
ment or to justify his positions; he merely repeats his as- (Johnson)
sertions again and again. On the other hand, Phil Gentle
Published: Saturday, December 8, 1759
19
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
Peggy Heartless, a new bride, describes her and her and his opportunities few. He that has improved
husband’s attempts to find a suitable flat in London. They the virtue, or advanced the happiness of one
have asked the advice of a friend, who rejects every place fellow-creature, he that has ascertained a single
they look at for trivial reasons. In the meantime, they moral proposition, or added one useful experiment
must endure the humiliation of living in lodgings on the to natural knowledge, may be contented with his
second floor of a building. own performance, and, with respect to mortals like
"Inconveniencies are often balanced by some himself, may demand, like Augustus, to be
advantage: the elevation of my apartments dismissed at his departure with applause."
furnished a subject for conversation, which,
without some such help, we should have been in No 89. Physical evil moral good (John-
danger of wanting. Lady Stately told us how many son)
years had passed since she climbed so many steps.
Published: Saturday, December 29, 1759
Miss Airy ran to the window, and thought it
Johnson says that the purpose of pain and misery
charming to see the walkers so little in the street;
is to encourage the development of virtue. Pain from
and Miss Gentle went to try the same experiment,
overindulgence leads to sobriety; the misery that results
and screamed to find herself so far above the
from lawlessness causes laws and justice to be enforced;
ground."
poverty encourages charity; and despair of earthly help
causes people to turn to God.
No 87. Amazonian bravery revived
"A state of innocence and happiness is so remote
(Johnson) from all that we have ever seen, that though we
Published: Saturday, December 15, 1759 can easily conceive it possible, and may, therefore,
Johnson says there is no chance of English women hope to attain it, yet our speculations upon it must
reviving the civilisation of the Amazons. Those English be general and confused. We can discover that
women who can live without men are not civil enough to where there is universal innocence, there will
one another to keep a society together. probably be universal happiness; for, why should
"I do not mean to censure the ladies of England as afflictions be permitted to infest beings who are
defective in knowledge or in spirit, when I suppose not in danger of corruption from blessings, and
them unlikely to revive the military honours of where there is no use of terrour nor cause of
their sex. The character of the ancient Amazons punishment? But in a world like ours, where our
was rather terrible than lovely; the hand could not senses assault us, and our hearts betray us, we
be very delicate that was only employed in should pass on from crime to crime, heedless and
drawing the bow and brandishing the battle-axe; remorseless, if misery did not stand in our way,
their power was maintained by cruelty, their and our own pains admonish us of our folly."
courage was deformed by ferocity, and their
example only shows that men and women live best No 90. Rhetorical action considered
together." (Johnson)
Published: Saturday, January 5, 1760
No 88. What have ye done? (Johnson)
Johnson comments on the fact that the English use
Published: Saturday, December 22, 1759 less body language than other Europeans. Many tutors
Johnson says people who aim to do great things for have sprung up offering to teach it, in the belief that
humanity often end up feeling that they have not done as it makes speech more persuasive. Johnson disputes this,
much as they should. This should not discourage us, how- saying such gestures are "useless and ostentatious".
ever; the important thing is to do whatever we can. "The use of English oratory is only at the bar, in
"If I had ever found any of the self-contemners the parliament, and in the church. Neither the
much irritated or pained by the consciousness of judges of our laws nor the representatives of our
their meanness, I should have given them people would be much affected by laboured
consolation by observing, that a little more than gesticulation, or believe any man the more because
nothing is as much as can be expected from a he rolled his eyes, or puffed his cheeks, or spread
being, who, with respect to the multitudes about abroad his arms, or stamped the ground, or
him, is himself little more than nothing. Every man thumped his breast, or turned his eyes sometimes
is obliged by the Supreme Master of the universe to the ceiling and sometimes to the floor. Upon
to improve all the opportunities of good which are men intent only upon truth, the arm of an orator
afforded him, and to keep in continual activity has little power; a credible testimony, or a cogent
such abilities as are bestowed upon him. But he has
no reason to repine, though his abilities are small
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
argument will overcome all the art of modulation, impenetrable, as he hopes, to the eye of rivalry or
and all the violence of contortion." curiosity."
No 91. Sufficiency of the English lan- No 93. Sam Softly’s history (Warton)
guage (Johnson) Published: Saturday, January 26, 1760
Published: Saturday, January 12, 1760 Sam Softly, a sugar-baker, inherited a fortune and re-
Johnson laments the English prejudice in favour of tired to a country house in Kentish Town. He spends his
foreign authors and languages. English literature is much days driving around the countryside in his chaise, criti-
richer than English scholars give it credit for, and any art cising the houses he passes and on the conduct of other
or science can be more easily learned in English than in a drivers.
foreign language. "Misapplied genius most commonly proves
"The riches of the English language are much ridiculous. Had Sam, as Nature intended,
greater than they are commonly supposed. Many contentedly continued in the calmer and less
useful and valuable books lie buried in shops and conspicuous pursuits of sugar-baking, he might
libraries, unknown and unexamined, unless some have been a respectable and useful character. At
lucky compiler opens them by chance, and finds an present he dissipates his life in a specious idleness,
easy spoil of wit and learning. I am far from which neither improves himself nor his friends.
intending to insinuate, that other languages are Those talents, which might have benefited society,
not necessary to him who aspires to eminence, and he exposes to contempt by false pretensions. He
whose whole life is devoted to study; but to him affects pleasures which he cannot enjoy, and is
who reads only for amusement, or whose purpose acquainted only with those subjects on which he
is not to deck himself with the honours of has no right to talk, and which it is no merit to
literature, but to be qualified for domestick understand."
usefulness, and sit down content with subordinate
reputation, we have authors sufficient to fill up all No 94. Obstructions of learning (John-
the vacancies of his time, and gratify most of his son)
wishes for information." Published: Saturday, February 2, 1760
Johnson observes that learning is "at once honoured
No 92. Nature of cunning (Johnson) and neglected". Some do not have the time to pursue it;
Published: Saturday, January 19, 1760 others are seduced by other entertainments; still others
Johnson says that people who cannot be wise try to be want to learn, but are discouraged by the "continual mul-
cunning instead; yet the two are as different as "twilight tiplication of books".
from open day". The cunning must always be furtive and "It is the great excellence of learning, that it
fearful, while the wise are open and confident. Cunning borrows very little from time or place; it is not
people evade questions, pretend to be experts on subjects confined to season or to climate, to cities or to the
they know nothing about, and trust no one. country, but may be cultivated and enjoyed where
"He that walks in the sunshine goes boldly forward no other pleasure can be obtained. But this quality,
by the nearest way; he sees that where the path is which constitutes much of its value, is one
straight and even, he may proceed in security, and occasion of neglect; what may be done at all times
where it is rough and crooked he easily complies with equal propriety, is deferred from day to day,
with the turns, and avoids the obstructions. But till the mind is gradually reconciled to the
the traveller in the dusk fears more as he sees less; omission, and the attention is turned to other
he knows there may be danger, and, therefore, objects. Thus habitual idleness gains too much
suspects that he is never safe, tries every step power to be conquered, and the soul shrinks from
before he fixes his foot, and shrinks at every noise the idea of intellectual labour and intenseness of
lest violence should approach him. Wisdom meditation."
comprehends at once the end and the means,
estimates easiness or difficulty, and is cautious or No 95. Tim Wainscot’s son a fine gentle-
confident in due proportion. Cunning discovers man (Johnson)
little at a time, and has no other means of certainty
Published: Saturday, February 9, 1760
than multiplication of stratagems and superfluity
Tim Wainscot, a widowed trader, writes to complain
of suspicion. The man of cunning always considers
of his son’s airs. The boy worked hard in the family shop
that he can never be too safe, and, therefore,
until some friends made him feel ashamed of working in
always keeps himself enveloped in a mist,
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
commerce. He now aspires to be a gentleman, neglects find that it is green. There are others of more
his work and squanders his father’s money. delicate sensibility, that visit only the realms of
"All this is very provoking; and yet all this might elegance and softness; that wander through Italian
be borne, if the boy could support his pretensions. palaces, and amuse the gentle reader with
But, whatever he may think, he is yet far from the catalogues of pictures; that hear masses in
accomplishments which he has endeavoured to magnificent churches, and recount the number of
purchase at so dear a rate. I have watched him in the pillars or variegations of the pavement. And
publick places. He sneaks in like a man that knows there are yet others, who, in disdain of trifles, copy
he is where he should not be; he is proud to catch inscriptions elegant and rude, ancient and modern;
the slightest salutation, and often claims it when it and transcribe into their book the walls of every
is not intended. Other men receive dignity from edifice, sacred or civil. He that reads these books
dress, but my booby looks always more meanly for must consider his labour as its own reward; for he
his finery. Dear Mr. Idler, tell him what must at last will find nothing on which attention can fix, or
become of a fop, whom pride will not suffer to be a which memory can retain."
trader, and whom long habits in a shop forbid to be
a gentleman." No 98. Sophia Heedful (authorship un-
certain)
No 96. Hacho of Lapland (Warton)
Published: Saturday, March 1, 1760
Published: Saturday, February 16, 1760 Sophia, the daughter of a gentleman, was taken in by
Hacho, the king of Lapland, was a fierce warrior and her bachelor uncle after her father’s death. Her uncle re-
a wise scholar until he discovered honey. After this, his fused to consent to her marriage, and hinted that she
tastes became gradually more refined until he lived a life would inherit his fortune. However, he died intestate,
of languor and pleasure-seeking. When the enemy invad- and the money went to a closer relative. Sophia does not
ed, he was unable to resist; he was killed and his kingdom know where to go; she is too well educated to be a ser-
conquered. vant, and too poor to associate with her former social cir-
"Nor was he less celebrated for his prudence and cle.
wisdom. Two of his proverbs are yet remembered "Thus excluded from all hopes of living in the
and repeated among Laplanders. To express the manner with which I have so long flattered myself,
vigilance of the Supreme Being, he was wont to I am doubtful what method I shall take to procure a
say, ’Odin’s belt is always buckled’. To show that decent maintenance. I have been educated in a
the most prosperous condition of life is often manner that has set me above a state of servitude,
hazardous, his lesson was, ’When you slide on the and my situation renders me unfit for the company
smoothest ice, beware of pits beneath’. He of those with whom I have hitherto conversed. But,
consoled his countrymen, when they were once though disappointed in my expectations, I do not
preparing to leave the frozen deserts of Lapland, despair. I will hope that assistance may still be
and resolved to seek some warmer climate, by obtained for innocent distress, and that friendship,
telling them, that the Eastern nations, though rare, is yet not impossible to be found."
notwithstanding their boasted fertility, passed
every night amidst the horrours of anxious No 99. Ortogrul of Basra (Johnson)
apprehension, and were inexpressibly affrighted,
Published: Saturday, March 8, 1760
and almost stunned, every morning, with the noise
Ortogrul is wandering through the streets of Baghdad
of the sun while he was rising."
when he finds his way to the vizier’s palace. Seeing the
flattery in which the vizier revels, he makes up his mind
No 97. Narratives of travellers consid-
to become rich. Advised in a dream to seek gradual in-
ered (Johnson) crease of wealth, he becomes a merchant and works all
Published: Saturday, February 23, 1760 his life to build up his fortune. Finally he attracts the
Johnson observes that "few books disappoint their fawning admirers he wanted, but they bring him no hap-
readers more than the narrations of travellers", as their piness because he cannot believe them.
content is usually either too general or too trivial. Travel "They tell thee that thou art wise; but what does
writers "should remember that the great object of re- wisdom avail with poverty? None will flatter the
mark is human life". poor, and the wise have very little power of
"This is the common style of those sons of flattering themselves. That man is surely the most
enterprise, who visit savage countries, and range wretched of the sons of wretchedness, who lives
through solitude and desolation; who pass a desert, with his own faults and follies always before him,
and tell that it is sandy; who cross a valley, and
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
and who has none to reconcile him to himself by No 102. Authors inattentive to them-
praise and veneration."
selves (Johnson)
No 100. The good sort of woman (John- Published: Saturday, March 29, 1760
Johnson says most authors are too lazy to write their
son) memoirs. He encourages more of them to do so, since the
Published: Saturday, March 15, 1760 vicissitudes of literary fame make for an entertaining sto-
After a long bachelorhood, Tim Warner resolved to ry.
marry "only in compliance with my reason". He drew up "Success and miscarriage have the same effects in
a list of "female virtues and vices" and sought a woman all conditions. The prosperous are feared, hated
who would be evenly balanced between the two. He fi- and flattered; and the unfortunate avoided, pitied
nally chose Miss Gentle, but after they were married, he and despised. No sooner is a book published than
found himself bored by her bland temperament. the writer may judge of the opinion of the world. If
"Every hour of the day has its employment his acquaintance press round him in publick
inviolably appropriated; nor will any importunity places, or salute him from the other side of the
persuade her to walk in the garden at the time street; if invitations to dinner come thick upon
which she has devoted to her needlework, or to sit him, and those with whom he dines keep him to
up stairs in that part of the forenoon which she has supper; if the ladies turn to him when his coat is
accustomed herself to spend in the back parlour. plain, and the footmen serve him with attention
She allows herself to sit half an hour after and alacrity; he may be sure that his work has been
breakfast, and an hour after dinner; while I am praised by some leader of literary fashions. Of
talking or reading to her, she keeps her eye upon declining reputation the symptoms are not less
her watch, and when the minute of departure easily observed. If the author enters a coffee-
comes, will leave an argument unfinished, or the house, he has a box to himself; if he calls at a
intrigue of a play unravelled. She once called me to bookseller’s, the boy turns his back and, what is
supper when I was watching an eclipse, and the most fatal of all prognosticks, authors will visit
summoned me at another time to bed when I was him in a morning, and talk to him hour after hour
going to give directions at a fire." of the malevolence of criticks, the neglect of merit,
the bad taste of the age and the candour of
No 101. Omar’s plan of life (Johnson) posterity."
Published: Saturday, March 22, 1760
Caled, the son of the viceroy of Egypt, asks Omar, a This essay has the distinction of being among the first lit-
wealthy lawyer, how he should plan his life. Omar says erary texts in English to have been published in direct
it is best not to make plans at all, and uses his own life Spanish translation. The translation, with some addi-
as an example. He planned to spend ten years pursuing tions, appeared anonymously in 1764 in the Madrid
knowledge, then ten years travelling; then he would find weekly El novelero de los estrados, y tertulias, y Diario univer-
a wife. He frittered away the time he had planned to sal de las bagatelas.
spend learning, then tried to make up for it by intensive-
ly studying the law. As a result, he became highly valued No 103. Horrour of the last (Johnson)
at court, and could never get away from work to travel. Published: Saturday, April 5, 1760
Now he has had to retire because of ill health, and will die Johnson wonders what his readers will think now
with none of his ambitions fulfilled. that The Idler has come to an end. People approach the
"Such was my scheme, and such has been its end of any endeavour with a certain dread. Since this
consequence. With an insatiable thirst for last essay is being published during Holy Week, Johnson
knowledge, I trifled away the years of hopes it will cause readers to reflect that everything has
improvement; with a restless desire of seeing an end — including human life and the current age.
different countries, I have always resided in the "Though the Idler and his readers have contracted
same city; with the highest expectation of no close friendship, they are, perhaps, both
connubial felicity, I have lived unmarried; and with unwilling to part. There are few things not purely
unalterable resolutions of contemplative evil, of which we can say, without some emotion of
retirement, I am going to die within the walls of uneasiness, ’this is the last’. Those who never could
Bagdat." agree together, shed tears when mutual discontent
has determined them to final separation; of a place
which has been frequently visited, though without
pleasure, the last look is taken with heaviness of
heart; and the Idler, with all his chilness of
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Idler (1758–1760)
tranquillity, is not wholly unaffected by the
thought that his last essay is now before him."
External links
• The Adventurer and The Idler -- full text of both,
including suppressed ’Vulture’ chapter, from
References gutenberg.org.
[1] Idler and Adventurer. The Yale Edition of the Works • The Vulture from samueljohnson.com. Originally
of Samuel Johnson. New Haven: Yale University published as Idler No. 22, this chapter was omitted
Press, 1963. Page 97, note 5. when the series was published in book form.
[2] Op. cit., p. 117, note 2. • Chapter from Boswell’s Life of Johnson discussing The
[3] Op.cit., p. 128, note 1. Idler.
[4] Op. cit., p. 207, note 1. • Another chapter with more detail
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