It always appeared to me that he estimated the compositions of Richardson too highly, and that he had an unreasonable prejudice ag...ainst Fielding. In comparing these two writers, he used this expression: "that there was as great a difference between them as between a man who knew how a watch was made, and a man who could tell the hour by looking at the dial plate." This was a short and figurative state of his distinction between drawing characters of nature and characters only of manners. But I cannot help being of opinion , that the neat watches of Fielding are as well constructed as the large clocks of Richardson, and that his dial-plates are brighter.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
In comparing these two writers, he [Samuel Johnson] used this expression: "that there was as great a difference between them as be...tween a man who knew how a watch was made, and a man who could tell the hour by looking on the dial-plate." This was a short and a figurative statement of his distinction between drawing characters of nature and characters only of manners, but I cannot help being of opinion, that the neat watches of Fielding are as well constructed as the large clocks of Richardson, and that his dial plates are brighter.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Now he sings of Jacky Horner, Sitting in the chimney corner,... Eating of a Christmas pie, Putting in his thumb, O fie! Putting in, O fie! his thumb, Pulling out, O strange, a plum.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
If you were to read Richardson for the story, your impatience would be so much fretted that you would hang yourself. But you must ...read him for the sentiment.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Fielding being mentioned, Johnson exclaimed, "he was a blockhead ...." BOSWELL. "Will you not allow, Sir, that he draws very natur...al pictures of human life?" JOHNSON. "Why, Sir, it is of very low life. Richardson used to say, that had he not known who Fielding was, he should have believed he was an ostler."LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
There are very many characteristics which go into making a model civil servant. Prominent among them are probity, industry, good s...ense, good habits, good temper, patience, order, courtesy, tact, self-reliance, many deference to superior officers, and many consideration for inferiors.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
I trust the time is nigh when, with the universal assent of civilized people, all international differences shall be determined wi...thout resort to arms by the benignant processes of civilization.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
The extravagant expenditure of public money is an evil not to be measured by the value of that money to the people who are taxed f...or it.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »