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The Fifth Annual Seminar
From fisticuffs to the kitchen via economics and science Breathlessly, and adopting a boxer's stance as if absorbed in the melee, Genny Gebhardt, one of our first American members, opened the Fifth Annual seminar of the JSA with M. Misson's 1697 description of Albion's propensity for pugilism:
Some fifty years later, Genny informed us, habitués of Seven Dials, close by Covent Garden, might have read a bill announcing a boxing match between Samuel Johnson's uncle, Andrew, and a champion of the porters from Smithfield Meat Market. Genny's magisterial survey of 18th Century martial arts, was followed by Geoff Brand's repast. He examined the identity of the author of Hannah Glasse's The Art of Cookery, which had been questioned by Samuel Johnson. It appears as easy to plagiarise a cook book as to spoil a good meal. Barry Sheppard paid for lunch with his economic analysis of Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations. Smith was an author who bored Samuel Johnson, but who delighted us in our fellow Johnsonian's fascinating descriptions. Greg Veitch left the kitchen for the laboratory. Johnson was as informed on experimentation, technological advances, and the Industrial Revolution, as he was on the culinary arts. He knew, for example, of brewing, and might have acquitted himself as well as a brewer as Mr. Thrale. Johnson was not one to undermine Science with Religion: he had a healthy respect for both - unlike Priestly, who sometimes appeared to confound both. Thus Boswell quoted Johnson:
Two-by-two we returned from lunch, to be entertained on Nick Hudson's "ark".He gave a Johnsonian lexicographic analysis of Ray's 18th Century animal categories: the sanguineous and the exsanguineous, the hoofed and the clawed. Thus crocodiles are "pebble worms", and gaze hounds, pointer dogs. Merrowyn Deacon examined the furore following Hester Thrale's betrothal to Mr. Piozzi. Johnson the misogynist had second thoughts about this liaison. His propensity for expressing contrary views is nowhere more apparent than in his attitude to this relationship, simultaneously approving and disapproving. According to Kevin Hart, Johnson's Jacobinism was much less equivocal.
A message from our Patron Here is the text of the message sent by our patron, Lady Eccles, to the JSA for the Annual Seminar:
Nick Hudson to deliver Fifth Fleeman lecture The Annual General Meeting of the JSA and the Fifth Annual Fleeman memorial Lecture will be held on Saturday, September 19 at the English Speaking Union 146 West Toorak Road, South Yarra. T he lecture will be delivered by Nicholas Hudson, who has so delighted us with his papers at JSA seminars. In his lecture, Nick will compare the language of the 18th Century as seen through Johnson's Dictionary, with the language of the late 20th Century in Australia as seen in the Macquarie Dictionary. It promises to be a highly entertaining, as well as a scholarly, presentation. The program for the evening is:
A charge of $25 per head will be made to cover hire costs and refreshments, including supper provided by Cuisine Co who catered for us to well at the seminar. Members will also have to opportunity of buying the latest editions of the JSA seminar papers.
A scholarly edition of Boswell's
letters The Yale Editions of The Private Papers of James Boswell Research Edition of the General Correspondence, Volume 7, is in two parts. The second covers a 24-month period (January 1768 to December 1769), and includes no less than 123 correspondents, 41 letters from Boswell and 126 to him, extensive annotations, and an index to both volumes. In JB's own life it runs from the publication of his Account of Corsica in February 1768 to his marriage to Margaret Montgomerie in November 1796. Published last March at US$70, it belongs in a projected 30-volume series including JB's journals, correspondence, and the Life of Johnson. This is a full-bore scholarly edition, preserving original spelling and supplying an extraordinary wealth of editorial commentary. A two-page letter from the Scottish poet William Mickle, for example, generates one and a-half times its length in additional editorial explanations. JB's correspondents include Giusuppe Baretti, Charles, Claude, Robert and two John Boswells, Charles Dibden, Charles and Edward Dilly, David Hume, Lord Lyttelton, Pasquale Paoli, Thomas Sheridan, Tobias Smollett, Hester Thrale, Horace Walpole and "that Devil" John Wilkes. On one single day, 14 March 1768, for example, JB wrote a soothing letter to the prickly Smollett in order to head off a bad reaction to JB's correction of Smollett's mistakes in the latter's Tour through France and Italy, and also received an interrogatory letter from Arthur Young pleading for help on matters to do with rural economy, following on from Young's Six Weeks' Tour through the Southern Counties of England and Wales. The extraordinary value of these scholarly editions, of course, is not only in the accuracy of their texts, but also in the comprehensive manner of their editorial commentary. Boswell is of special interest to us because he was interested in everything around him (including Johnson, of course), and it is fascinating to see that JB's own contemporaries also seemed to have regarded him as an expert witness. These exemplary Yale editions are not meant for the general reader, but anyone who owns them has ready access to information about almost every body and every thing in the period. No wonder then that Richard C. Cole required the assistance of three others to complete this 268-page volume. It is published by Edinburgh and Yale University Presses, and JSA members will be pleased to know that our Patron, Mary Hyde Eccles, is a member of the Boswell project's Advisory Committee.
Paul Tankard reviews some
recent publications We would like to continue to review in The Southern Johnsonian books by members with Johnsonian or general interest. Essays with the "Johnsonian ether" Peter Ryan, Lines of Fire: Manning Clark and Other Writings. Clarion Editions (Sydney, 1997). Peter Ryan is well-known in Australia as a publisher (24 years as director of the Melbourne University press) and as a columnist (most recently with The Age and Quadrant. He has been a member of the JSA since soon after its inception. This selection of 40 of his essays and reviews has a Johnsonian feel to it (I counted eight mentions or quotes from Johnson; Johnsonians will also recognise the name of Ryan's cat). Ryan, like Johnson "reads like a turk", and the subjects of his reviews are, as Johnson said of his early readings "all literature, Sir…all manly"; which means, not novels. Historical literary scholarship and biography seem to be his favorites, and he uses the review form to show how the books have stimulated his own memory and imagination. His articles about notable contemporaries, such as Sir Paul Hasluck and A.D. Hope, are generally reminiscent, enlivened by his own private knowledge. The same characters appear and re-appear, and the book is virtually a kind of biography. We get a portrait of a lively and critical intelligence, sceptical and forthright, impatient with cant and cowardice. He writes as an informed and thoughful amateur, and is impatient of the professionals (most academics and school teachers) who today control access to knowledge. He champions the need to be apart from the crowd in order to read, even to think, and reviews Anthony Storr's book about solitude The School of Genius. The only forms of "exercise" he indulges in are "walking and riding - both activities which combine well with observation and reflection." (Can we imagine Johnson going to a gymnasium?) His pugnacity is also demonstrated in the opening piece, an extract from his memoir of his gruelling wartime experiences in Papua new Guinea. The book has been produced, one imagines, partly to capitalise on the controversy around by Ryan's articles about the work of Manning Clark. As the publisher of Clark's six volumes of A History of Australia, Ryan has some severe things to say about the work's tone, accuracy and selectiveness. However bad-mannered such iconoclasm may appear, Ryan asserts that none of his substantive criticisms have been answered by the academic apologists for the late historian. All three articles are here, and readers may judge for themselves. The selection and introduction are by A.K. Macdougall, who runs Clarion Editions, and has produced a handsome and well-make book. A signed deluxe edition (hardbound in buckram) is also available from the publisher.
Not complicated, not controversial, not enough Robert D. Spector, Samuel Johnson and the Essay. Greenwood Press (Westport, Connecticut, 1997). US$59.95 264pp. As someone who is writing about Johnson and who has an abiding interest in the essay as a literary form, I was rather anxious when I saw the announcement of a substantial text linking Johnson and the essay. Given this rather particular point of view, it is with a certain degree of gratification that I must say that third book is very disappointing. That is, of course, not to say that less experienced readers of Johnson may not find it interesting. The chapter headings disguise the fact that the book is simply a straightforward and reasonably competent description of Johnson's writings, one after another. Half the book (two chapters) concentrates on less known minor writings. The author considers the essayistic aspects - although there are nowhere defined - of Johnson's major non-essay works in a third chapter, and the remaining chapter considers Johnson's three great series of periodical essays, the Rambler, Adventurer and Idler. What the book has to say is that the essay is Johnson's most characteristic mode of writing, that he wrote lots more essays than most of us are aware of, that even his non-essay writings are a bit like essays, and that in all his work he is a great moral and didactic writer (this last is so constant a refrain in the final chapter that it becomes tedious). None of this is very complicated or controversial. The problem the book demonstrates is how to establish an important, but simple and not particularly original, these apart from the accumulation of detail. The author does not define an essay beyond citing Johnson from the Dictionary, and does not compare the essayistic mode of thought and exposition from other modes. He does not consider the relationship between 4essays and didacticism and writerly persona. He is content to say that Johnson embarked on each of his three major essay-periodicals mainly for the money, rather than considering the ways in which the periodical essay as a form suited his moral purposes and his commitment to morality on the sphere of everyday life. He does not make use of any of the recent scholarship[ which might illuminate these matters. Also, the writer's prose is extremely lame. Whilst reading this much Johnson is in itself worthwhile, not all those who do so need to write a book about it. Greenwood Press publish a wide range of literary and other books, including new and reprinted texts on Johnsonian matters. Their website at http://www.greenwood.com/ is worth a browse, and texts may be ordered with credit card by calling (US prefix) 1-800-225-5800, or writing to PO Box 5007, Westport, Connecticut 06881-5007, USA.
A Luncheon at the Cheshire
Cheese I never tire of London. My recent trip drew me back to a familiar haunt, Ye Cheshire Cheese, but with new and engaging company. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese was re-built in 1667. Samuel Johnson and Oliver Goldsmith were its its most illustrious visitors. It may be accessed by Wine office Court or Fleet Street, and retains the atmosphere of a 17th century tavern. I sat at the head of the table in the Johnsonian corner, and was charmingly entertained by our patron, Lady Mary Eccles, the author of among other works, TheThrales of Streatham Park and The Impossible Friendship. My father and I had lunch with her and her husband Lord David Eccles, fellow Johnsonian Lord Tom Harmsworth, and Natasha the curator of the Johnson House. Lord and Lady Eccles mostly divide their time between the country retreat, a farm in Wiltshire, and their metropolitan apartment. Mary annually visits her property in the USA, Four Oaks Farm, the home of the famed Johnson collections. Her description reminded me of Dobson's picture of Horace Walpole's seat at Strawberry Hill. Following lunch, Lady Eccles and I were taken on a tour of the Johnson House by Natasha. I purchased a paper weight showing Bartolozzi's likeness of Johnson. It stands on my desk as a memento of a wonderful visit.
Mary Gaunt project moving ahead JSA foundation member and current committee member Bronwen Hickman has graduated MA from Victoria University after completing her thesis on Australian writer Mary Gaunt. She is now in the process of re-working the material for a book. Mary Gaunt (1861-1942) was born in Australia but lived in England from 1901. She was a prolific writer, producing 16 books and becoming extremely popular in her time. Bronwen, who has been researching Mary Gaunt's life and works since her interest in the author was aroused more than 20 years ago, also intends to produce a selection of Gaunt's works in book form. Bronwen teaches English and humanities at Victoria University and the Council of Adult Education.
Memorial to Fanny Burney planned The Burney Society, which has branches in North America and the U.K.,is hoping to place a memorial to Fanny Burney, the novelist and friend of Samuel Johnson, in Westminster Abbey. The Abbey already contains a memorial to her father, Charles, the historian of music. This is a long-overdue recognition of a writer whose work is still widely read. Fanny Burney's very lively diaries and letters are currently being republished in a scholarly edition, and contain many fascinating insights into late eighteenth and early nineteenth century social life. The Dean and Chapter of the Abbey have given permission for the memorial - envisaged as a simple engraved plaque - to be dedicated on the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Frances Burney's birth, which will take place in June 2002. The memorial will cost approximately five thousand pounds sterling, and the Burney Society is seeking both new members and donations towards meeting this expense. If you are interested in Burney's work and wish to join the society, or help out with a donation, Johnson Society member John Wiltshire would be pleased to hear from you. He can be contacted at the School of English, La Trobe University, Bundoora, 3083,on the phone at 9439 3007, or by email (j.wiltshire@latrobe.edu.au). The President of the Burney Society is Paula Stepankowsky, whose address is 1407-24th Avenue, Longview, MA 98632, USA. The Society publishes a regular bulletin and an annual Newletter, and holds an annual general meeting. When the memorial is dedicated an international conference about the Burneys is planned.
Notes from The Western Idler I have recently returned from London, where I attended the Annual meeting of the Governors of Dr Johnson's House, and New York, where I attended the Annual meeting of the A. Edward newton Society. I am pleased to tell you that Dr Johnson's House is in fine shape physically and financially. Patronage has substantially increased, with the hard work of the Chairman, Lord Harmsworth and Curator Natasha Salton and her band of dedicated volunteers is bearing fruit. I spent the morning of Tuesday, July 7 in the House and met a wide rantge of visitors.A Spanish gentleman, visiting with his family, told me that Boswell's Life of Johnson had recently been published in a Spanish translation and that it was a runaway best seller. I also met a your Polish woman visiting London for the first time, who told me she was carrying out research for a post-graduate degree on Johnson's life. I met American, Japanese, Australian and English visitors and saw a number of walking groups viewing Hodge's statue. **** The changing nature of the patronage of the House has resulted in the Trustees being faced with a major renovation program. The honorary engineers and architects have recommended reinforcing of the timber supporting beams and also the restoratioin of the side entrance to its original state. I have volunteered to raise the funds for this latter project, estimated to cost $15,000. I am currently formulating my plan for the fund-raising and I hope JSA members will see their way clear to assisting this worthy cause. **** I had the pleasure of hosting a lunch at The Cheshire Cheese for our Patron, The Viscountess Eccles, the other guests being Sally Edgecombe, specialist Boswell-Johnson antiquarian bookseller and the House Curator, Natasha Salton. Our Patron sends her best wishes to all Johnsonians here in Australia and takes a deep interest in our activities. Lady Eccles wanted detailed descriptions of our recent seminar and was very pleased to know that we had received the first paper from one of our American members. **** Naturally, I went book-hunting in London. I visited Maggs, where I purchased a number of items from the library of Julian Harris including a delightful 5th edition of John Taylor's sermons, which were written by Dr Johnson. I also found a magnificent copy of A. Edward Newton's Dr Johnson: A Play, with prospectus, inscribed by Newton to his friend James Tresgaris. **** I visited Bath for the first time and the beauty of the city took my breath away. I visited the famous Bayntuns of Bath, a magnificent bookshop which is also one of the most famous binderies in England. I found a very pretty copy of the unfortunate Dr Dodds's the Beauties of Shakespeare and a nice copy of Rasselas. From London, I flew to new York to join my fellow members of the A. Edward Newton Society on Wednesday, July 22. Our first day together was spent at the Scheide Library in Princeton, which holds a very significant collection of incunabula, including a truly magnificent Guternberg Bible. After a fascinating day at Princeton we moved on to Yale and what was the highlight of my overseas travel this year. Vincent Giroud, the Head Librarian, hosted our visit to the Beineke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, with the assistance of Stephen Parks, Curator of the Osborne Collection, and my fellow Australian, Gordon Turnbull, who is the Curator of the Boswell Archive. We were taken into a secure room where Gordon Turnbull laid before us the Boswell papers. I was able to hold in my hands the actual pages of Boswell's London Journal where he recorded his first meeting with Johnson. I also held the manuscript of The Life of Johnson and in particular, it was a great emotional experience to read his dedication to Sir Joshua Reynolds. **** While in New Haven I had a fruitful time in the bookshops of William Reese and Stonehills Inc, where I bought two Johnsonian medals and a bronze bust of Johnson, all from the collection of the great H.W. Liebert. I also purchased material from the Library of Ralph Isham who collected the Boswell Papers and sold them to Yale. I was also able to obtain a wonderful copy of Sarpi's A History of the Council of Trent, a discard from the Yale Library and the work which Johnson proposed to translate. Of all these treasures I will write again and I hope to be able to show you the bronzes when I come to Melbourne for the Annual Meeting and Fleeman lecture.
Obituary: John Joseph Balding With sorrow, we record the death of one of our foundation members, John Balding, who died on May 20. John was a keen Johnsonian , a fluent and colorful writer, and a witty raconteur who began his career in journalism before turning to public relations. In this field, he had been at one time a colleague of JSA Secretary Bryan Reid, with whom he had a close friendship for many years. John, who had lived in retirement at Woodend, is survived by his wife, Josephine, three sons and three daughters. He will be missed by a very wide circle of friends who had enjoyed his convivial company, lively conversation and loyal companionship.
QUIZ 1: It is more from carelessness about the truth than from intentional lying that there is so much….in the world. 2: Those who have already all that they can enjoy must…. 3: I would not give half a guinea to live under one form of….than another. 4 : Sir Robert Walpole said he always talked…at his table, because in that all could join. 5: There are few doors through which…combined with…cannot find its way. 6: "You may scold a carpenter who has made you a bad table, though you cannot make a table." What was the subject of this analogy? 7: I have no more pleasure in hearing a man attempting…and failing than in seeing a man trying to leap over a ditch and tumbling into it. 8: He cannot find it in his heart to pour out a bottle of wine; but he would not much care if it should… ANSWERS TO QUIZ NO 15
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