'
SIR JOSHUA REYNOLDS. 'The Beggar's Opera affords a proof how strangely
people will differ in opinion about a literary performance. Burke thinks
it has no merit.' JOHNSON. 'It was refused by one of the houses; but I
should have thought it would succeed, not from any great excellence in
the writing, but from the novelty, and the general spirit and gaiety of
the piece, which keeps the audience always attentive, and dismisses them
in good humour.'
We went to the drawing-room, where was a considerable increase of
company. Several of us got round Dr. Johnson, and complained that he
would not give us an exact catalogue of his works, that there might be a
complete edition. He smiled, and evaded our entreaties. That he intended
to do it, I have no doubt, because I have heard him say so; and I
have in my possession an imperfect list, fairly written out, which he
entitles Historia Studiorum. I once got from one of his friends a list,
which there was pretty good reason to suppose was accurate, for it was
written down in his presence by this friend, who enumerated each article
aloud, and had some of them mentioned to him by Mr.
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