Among the many circumstances which have eon spired to heighten our interest in this narrative, is the exhibition which it affords of illustrious charac tern in different walks of life. The period was dia• tinguishe.d by an unusual measure of genius and talent ; and we are not only introduced to the closet of the Philosopher, but carried with him also into assemblages of the brilliant and the wise, with whom he associated. The tone of this society, moreover, is highly pleasing, and in harmony with our best princi ples and feelings; in which respect, it is impossible to avoid contrasting it with those more boasted Pari sian societies during the same period, which were sup posed to be the centre of French literature and wit, as they are displayed to us by some of the chief ac tors in that scene.• Mr Boswell's work has not yet, indeed, acquired all.its interest; the period is still too recent ; but, to estimate its value in after times, have only to consider what we ourselves should have gained, if such a volume bad been preserved to us .from the rolls of ancient life.
In the•great attainments of a Biographer, which are the truth and minuteness of his relation, Mr Boswell has been eminently successful. If, in this species of writing, an author is exempted from the formality, as well as comprehensive research, neces sary in the higher classes of historical composition, it is well known that he has his peculiar difficulties to encounter; difficulties, too, which are the greatest where, by his intimate knowledge of the subject, he is best qualified for the task of writing. Nor does the partraIlty to whirl he is himself exposed consti tute his only danger ; since he is no less apt to be led away by the expectation of gratifying his read ers. We are fond of seeing the picture of charac ter completed according to our fancy ; and, what ever be the feeling which has commenced, are im patient of 'any interruption to its train. In the case of those whom we respect and love, the disappoint ment is doubly ungrateful ; we dislike being told of their frailties, because we are unwilling to believe that they were frail. But such is not the colour nor the tissue of human characters ; and the artist who would represent them truly, must do perpetual vio lence to his inclination. The fidelity of Mr Boswell's portrait may be ascribed, in a great measure, to the form and method of his composition. Had he given us only the results of his observation, the effort at impartiality could scarcely have been preserved; but he has presented us with the whole materials as he found them, and allows us to work them up for Ourselves.
In the other distinguishing quality of a Biographi cal work, namely, the minuteness of its information, he is so little deficient, that his observance of this requisite has been converted into an accusation against him. And it is certain, as already observed, that, in his early productions particularly, he left some room for such a charge ; and-that, while his veracity and candour were unimpeached, his pru dence was not on all occasions equally conspicuous. Yet it must be remembered, that the great use of Biography is to bring instruction home ; to give us examples, not of individual actions and conduct merely, but of that conduct as displayed in the com mon paths of life. The history of nations is too often a species of heroical romance. Its lessons are, at all events, of a different nature from those now in question, and its moral is far too remote to answer the necessities of individuals. General precepts, again, when delivered without the aid of story, com monly fail to produce their effect, either because they fail to excite attention, or because the power of applying them to particular cases remains difficult as before. Nor do works of fiction, however excel
lent, and even where the scene is laid as it were at , home, and the characters are those of a private station, leave any very permanent impressions on the mind. They do not carry with them a sufficient presence and authority ; for, the writer's first object is, not to instruct but to please ; and, above all, they want that great requisite, truth, for which, in the time of need, all others are abandoned and forgot. A manual of instruction for human conduct, which, instead of being couched in general maxims, or cal culated for sitmations• of unusual occurrence, should descend to particular cases, and to the ordinary emer gencies of private life, would certainly be one of the most valuable presents which Philosophy could offer to the bulk of mankind. Biography makes the nearest approach towards the compilation of such a code ; and, as a commentary • on moral duties, it is, when faithfully executed, invaluable. But it is so in pro portion only to the closeness of the resemblance, and the exactness of the detail. Minuteness, therefore, is the characteristic and soul of biographical writing, if its proper uses are considered.
That such a plan of delineation may be excess,. indeed, is undeniable. He who is accustom ed to set down whatever he sees and hears, may be- , come indiscriminate in his choice, and forget the value of his store, in the pleasure of collecting it. To ascertain the just medium in this respect, is one of the many things for which rules are ineffectual. A sound judgment alone can determine the limits. As to the licence of publication, the Biographer is under one common restraint with authors of every class. He violates the due boundary, if he intro duces into his work what is injurious to virtue, or, if he discloses, for the purposes of general informa tion merely, anything which may probably affect the interests, or wound the minds, of the living. When that period has arrived which secures against dangers of the latter description, even individual characters become, to a certain extent, the property of man kind at large, and may be employed as a vehicle for instruction, if exhibited with fidelity. On this score, Mr Boswell, notwithstanding his natural promptness and want of reserve, has, in his latest and principal work at least, given little ground for animadversion. His habitual quickness of feeling and liveliness of fancy appear to have been corrected, where others were concerned, by his love of justice, and a general benevolence of mind.
With regard to his style of writing, a progressive improvement in it may be discovered through his different productions. It is, in general, well suited to his matter, is animated and easy where he is him self the narrator, and bears evident marks of being true to the original, where, as commonly happens, he is a reporter merely. On the whole, whatever ble mishes may be found in it as a literary composition, his Life of Johnson is a very valuable work, fraught with information at once useful and pleasing. There are few books which present learning in a more at tractive form ; and few where the seeds of know ledge are scattered more profusely.