Notes from the
Western Idler

 How good it was to see you all at our Annual Seminar. I thought this was our most successful seminar to date and I thought the papers were uniformly excellent. I enjoyed participating in the panel discussion and I would like to see a similar format used in future seminars.,

None of us, lay persons or academics, wants to see this seminar become an academic gabfest. I think of the utmost importance that the right balance be struck between the academic input and papers from lay members.

My visit to Melbourne for the seminar was very brief, but I did manage to visit Kay Craddock's beautiful ship in Collins Street. Truly, this is a cultural treasure of Melbourne and I find it hard to believe there is a dealer in Australia with a better eye for a book than Kay Craddock.

Kay told me the Victorian Parliamentary Library s disposing of much of its collection. What could one expect of the barbarians we elect to office in this country but that they should dispose of the collections of Johnsoniana.

For a very reasonably price I picked up Dr Johnson and the Law published by CUP and written by Sir Arnold McNair. This contains an important chapter on Johnson's legal readings and the legal works in his library.

I also picked up a beautifully printed copy of Mrs Piozzi's Thraliana by Charles Hughes, ;published by Simpkin Marshall in 1913. Apart from the intrinsic value of the book, it is a beautiful [piece of printing.

I also obtained Life and Conversations of Dr Samuel Johnson (founded chiefly upon Boswell) by Alexander Maine and published by Chapman and Hall in 1874. This is a famous "crib" from Boswell's Life.

I urge all Johnsonians to visit Kay Craddock's shop. You will always find something to tempt you.

Quite the nicest book of Johnson interest which I have purchased since last writing for you in April is Know Thyself, a translation of Johnson's Latin poem which he wrote on completing the revised and improved edition of his dictionary.

This was published by Locks' Press, 231 Johnson Street, Kingston, Ontario in 1992 in an edition of 85 copies of which mine is number 66.

My copy was bound by Margaret Lock and is signed by her. The book was printed by Margaret and her husband Fred who did the translation of the poem.

I acquired this beautiful piece of private press work from Oak Knoll Books of 414 Delaware Street, new Castle, DE19720, USA where Robert Fleck deals in books about books. Robert will be in Australia for the ANZAAB Book Fair which will be held in Sydney in October.

All book lovers should try to attend the fair. Details can be obtained from any reputable antiquarian book seller.

I will not be with you at the Annual meeting and Fleeman Memorial Lecture on September 13. On September 13 I fly to London and on September 19 will be visiting Isabel Fleeman in Oxford.. On September 20 I will attend the Johnson Birthday celebrations in Lichfield where I have been asked to reply to the toast to the visitors.

I will meet some Johnsonians in London and will attend the unveiling of the statue of Hodge, Dr Johnson's cat in Gough Square.

I will also have the pleasure of meeting Professor Daisuke Nagashima, a member of the JSA and prominent Johnsonian scholar, who will join me in representing our society at the Lichfield celebrations.