This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1891 edition. Excerpt: ...effects which were hoped for by its propagators. " It seems to me, in my moments of self-complacency, that this extensive biographical work, however inferior in its nature, may in one respect be assimilated to the Odyssey. Amidst a thousand entertaining and instructive episodes, the hero is never long out of ...
Read More
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1891 edition. Excerpt: ...effects which were hoped for by its propagators. " It seems to me, in my moments of self-complacency, that this extensive biographical work, however inferior in its nature, may in one respect be assimilated to the Odyssey. Amidst a thousand entertaining and instructive episodes, the hero is never long out of eight; for they are all in some degree connected with him; and he, in the whole course of the history, is exhibited by the author for the best advantage of his readers: "--Quid virtus et quid sapientia possit, Utilo proposuit iiobis exemplar Ulysuen " Should there be any cold-blooded and morose mortals who really dislike this book, I will give them a story to apply. When ithe great Duke of Marlborough, accompanied by Lord Cadogan, was one day reconnoitring the army in Flanders, a heavy rain came VOL. II. N it was almost ready for press, -when the author was seized with his last illness. This must always be regarded as a literary misfortune; for Malone was so industrious a commentator, that we are inclined to suspect that, as he was uncontrolled, he must have made abundant changes. At all events, it is difficult to distinguish between the author's work and his. Boswell had received one warning, in the shape of an attack of weakness early in April, when he returned from his club, " quite spent and languid." "We learn nothing of his state until a week later, when, on April 8th, he sat down to write to his old friend, and thus began: --on, and they both called for their cloaks. Lord Cadogan's servant, a good-humoured alert lad, brought his lordship's in a minute. The duke's servant, a lazy sulky dog, was so sluggish, that his grace, being wet to the skin, reproved him, and had for answer, with a grunt, ' I came as fast as I could;' upon which the...
Read Less