The Beauties of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. Consisting of the Maxims and Observations, Moral, Critical and Miscellaneous to which are now added Biographical Anecdotes of the Doctor, selected from the late Productions of Mrs. Piozzi, Mr. Boswell and other authentic testimonies, also his Will and the Sermon he wrote for the late Dr. Dodd
1 vols. 12mo
1787 · London
by (Johnsoniana)
London: G. Kerasley, 1787. A New edition, being the Seventh therein the two volumes are comprised in one, and arranged under one alphabet, with considerable additions. 1 vols. 12mo. Full mottled calf, neatly rebacked, the original gilt spine laid down with a new green leather label. Bookplate of EDWARD MANGIN on front pastedown, his signature of the title page, a few corrections in the text, and an full-page autograph note on the verso of the flyleaf. A New edition, being the Seventh therein the two volumes are comprised in one, and arranged under one alphabet, with considerable additions" 1 vols. 12mo. Edward Mangin's Copy with a Johnson Anecdote. Mangin's note recounts a marvelous anecdote told to him by Mrs. Bullen, the wife of Admiral Bullen, and which he claims had never been published.
"She met, at Mrs. Holroyd's, Miss Harriett Bowdler, who spoke of having been invited to meet Dr. J at dinner at the house of a mutual acquaintance. Miss B ... in terror of the formidable man, resolved not to say a word all day, but music being mentioned, Johnson said he disliked both the science and those who practised it; adding that all musical people were fools. The lady forgot her predetermination and murmured timidly, 'Surely, doctor, King David was no fool'!
"Johnson rose from his seat, walked round to her chair, and laying his hands on the back of it, said, with great solemnity, she expecting a severe rebuke, 'Dear Lady, I thank you for the lesson you have taught me, and will never say so silly a thing again.'"
The Dublin-born writer and translator, Edward Mangin (1772-1852) is perhaps best remembered for his PIOZZIANA, OR, RECOLLECTIONS OF THE LATE MRS PIOZZI, BY A FRIEND (1833), of which, together with his edition of Richardson, The Gentleman's Magazine (1853) commented: "Upon neither of these works did he bestow a very large amount of labour or research." On the other hand, his contemporary biographers felt that his abilities were not fully realized in his works. (Inventory #: 244303)
"She met, at Mrs. Holroyd's, Miss Harriett Bowdler, who spoke of having been invited to meet Dr. J at dinner at the house of a mutual acquaintance. Miss B ... in terror of the formidable man, resolved not to say a word all day, but music being mentioned, Johnson said he disliked both the science and those who practised it; adding that all musical people were fools. The lady forgot her predetermination and murmured timidly, 'Surely, doctor, King David was no fool'!
"Johnson rose from his seat, walked round to her chair, and laying his hands on the back of it, said, with great solemnity, she expecting a severe rebuke, 'Dear Lady, I thank you for the lesson you have taught me, and will never say so silly a thing again.'"
The Dublin-born writer and translator, Edward Mangin (1772-1852) is perhaps best remembered for his PIOZZIANA, OR, RECOLLECTIONS OF THE LATE MRS PIOZZI, BY A FRIEND (1833), of which, together with his edition of Richardson, The Gentleman's Magazine (1853) commented: "Upon neither of these works did he bestow a very large amount of labour or research." On the other hand, his contemporary biographers felt that his abilities were not fully realized in his works. (Inventory #: 244303)