Young Boswell: Chapters on James Boswell, the Biographer, Based Largely on New Material |
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Common terms and phrases
Account of Corsica acquaintance advice amusement Andrew anecdotes association biographer Boswell's British Commonplace Book conversation Dalrymple David Hume dear delighted dinner doubt Earl Marischal Edinburgh edition Edmond Malone Fanny Burney father French gaiety genius gentleman happy Hebrides Holland hope Hume humour imagination interest James Boswell John Wilkes journal knew lady later letter literary live London Lord Auchinleck Lord Keith Malone married meet mind Miss Blair never note-book once Paoli perhaps philosopher plans proof proof-sheets published quoted reader realise record remarks romantic Rome Rousseau Samuel Johnson Scotland Scots Scots law Sir Alexander Dick Sir David social spirits Stoops to Conquer story sure talk tell Temple thought Thrale tion told Tour to Corsica travels Turin Utrecht Voltaire Walpole well's Wilkes's William worthy write written wrote young Boswell youth Zélide Zuylen
Popular passages
Page 198 - and considered that not one of that great multitude would be alive a hundred years afterwards, so it went to my heart to consider that there was not one in all that brilliant circle that was not afraid to go home and think; but that the thoughts of each individual would be distressing when alone.
Page 83 - I having mentioned that I had passed some time with Rousseau in his wild retreat, and having quoted some remark made by Mr. Wilkes, with whom I had spent many pleasant hours in Italy, Johnson said (sarcastically), 'It seems, Sir, you have kept very good company abroad, Rousseau and Wilkes
Page 180 - music] affected me to such a degree as often to agitate my nerves painfully, producing in my mind alternate sensations of pathetick dejection, so that I was ready to shed tears, and of daring resolution, so that I was inclined to rush into the thickest part of the battle.
Page 13 - He was cheerful, obliging and instructive ; he was charitable to the poor ; and many an agreeable hour have I passed with him. I have preserved some entertaining and interesting memoirs of him, particularly when he knew himself to be dying, which I may, some time or other, communicate to the world.
Page 210 - companion whose acuteness would help his inquiry, and whose gaiety of conversation and civility of manners are sufficient to counteract the inconveniencies of travel in countries less hospitable than we have passed.
Page 61 - Pray read the new account of Corsica; what relates to Paoli will amuse you much. The author, Boswell, is a strange being, and, like Cambridge, has a rage for knowing anybody that was ever talked of. He forced himself upon me in spite of my teeth and my doors, and I see
Page 242 - the quirks and the quiddities which early habit acquires, that I should expose myself. Yet the delusion of Westminster Hall, of brilliant reputation and splendid fortune as a barrister, still weighs upon my imagination. I must be seen in the courts, and must hope for some happy openings in
Page 203 - She has, in flippant terms enough, expressed her disapprobation of that anxious desire of authenticity which prompts a person who is to record conversations to write them down at the moment. Unquestionably, if they are to be recorded at all, the sooner it is done the better.
Page 8 - Lord Auchinleck has built a house of hewn stone, very stately and durable, and has advanced the value of his lands, with great tenderness to his tenants. I was, however, less delighted with the elegance of the modern mansion,
Page 110 - with this compliment to the Corsicans, "Sir, I am upon my travels, and have lately visited Rome. I am come from seeing the ruins of one brave and free people : I now see the rise of another/' He received my compliment very graciously.