The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. in Eleven Volumes, Volume 06: Reviews, Political Tracts, and Lives of Eminent Persons

In Short

This volume gathers a diverse array of reviews, political pamphlets, and biographical sketches that demonstrate a remarkable breadth of inquiry. Ranging from the analysis of tea-drinking habits and the intricacies of Chinese history to the defense of British foreign policy and the lives of naturalists, physicians, and scholars, the writing navigates the complex social and political landscape of the 1700s. These pieces endure because they prioritize clarity of thought and moral integrity over the fleeting fashions of contemporary opinion. By evaluating both the trivial and the profound with equal rigor, the author provides a window into a world of intense debate, where literature, statecraft, and personal character are constantly weighed against the standards of reason and public duty.

The Story

The collection begins by examining the cultural and literary state of the nation, frequently turning a skeptical eye toward the "new" and the "fashionable." The early reviews dissect popular accounts of foreign lands, such as China, and critique the merits of contemporary poets like Alexander Pope. There is a persistent effort here to separate genuine discovery from the half-baked theories of "young men, in haste to be renowned" who speak of books they have scarcely seen. This sets a tone of intellectual vigilance that continues as the narrative shifts from literary criticism toward the turbulent waters of politics.

As the focus moves to political tracts, the tone becomes more urgent. The author addresses the "saturnalian season" of elections and the often-misguided enthusiasm of the public. He defends the authority of the state against the "ridiculous petitions" of those who mistake loud protest for informed governance. Whether discussing the rights of colonial subjects in America or the territorial disputes surrounding the Falkland Islands, the underlying argument is consistent: government must remain a stable, sovereign force. He views the "patriotism" of the rabble with deep suspicion, contrasting their volatile, ill-informed outcries with the necessity of a calm, central authority that acts in the interest of the whole rather than the loud few.

Interspersed with these heavy political arguments are biographical portraits that provide a more intimate look at human character. The lives of eminent persons—ranging from the physician Boerhaave to the explorer Sir Francis Drake and the scholar Ascham—serve as case studies in virtue and industry. The author is particularly drawn to figures who managed to navigate public prejudice, as seen in the calumny against Boerhaave, or who achieved greatness through native genius and sheer application, such as Edward Cave. These biographies are not merely laudatory; they are studies in the pressures of the world. He shows how the scholar’s quiet library or the soldier’s bravery on the field is often threatened by the "jealousy and faction" that success inevitably breeds in any state.

The trajectory of the volume moves toward a sobering conclusion regarding the nature of human affairs. The author frequently returns to the idea that success is the parent of pride, and pride the parent of discord. By the final tracts, the reader is left with a meditation on the cyclical nature of history: nations rise through unity and industry, only to fall into self-destructive habits of luxury and internal strife. Yet, beneath this cynical view of human institutions lies a persistent hope for "the golden moment of opportunity." The volume ends not in despair, but in a call for the reader to be "wise and good," suggesting that while empires may fluctuate, the individual duty to cultivate one's mind and maintain an honest character remains the only true path through a world of inherent uncertainty.

How It Unfolds

The critique of public curiosity The collection opens by questioning the depth of information available to the public, particularly regarding distant nations like China. It warns against superficial knowledge and the tendency of readers to accept incomplete accounts without scrutiny.

The examination of literary merit The author evaluates contemporary poetry and criticism, dismissing those who value form over substance. He argues that novelty is no substitute for clarity and that many critics hide their lack of original thought behind high-sounding vocabulary.

The shift to political stability The focus moves to the tension between governmental authority and the public appetite for protest. The author argues that true liberty is found in wisdom and order, not in the "license" often demanded by the restless.

The definition of sovereignty A central argument emerges concerning the nature of government, asserting that sovereignty must be absolute and indivisible. Through the lens of American taxation and internal disputes, he maintains that subordinate societies cannot simply choose to ignore the laws of the state.

The portrait of the scholar and the soldier The biographies highlight the individual’s struggle to maintain integrity against the backdrop of social pressure and professional envy. These accounts explore how figures like Boerhaave and Drake faced external threats and internal malice with varying degrees of success.

The reflection on historical cycles The final sections synthesize the lessons of the past, linking the rise and fall of nations to the character of their inhabitants. The book concludes by emphasizing the importance of individual agency in an often irrational world.

The People

The figures in these pages are defined by their relationship to truth and public service. Samuel Johnson himself is the guiding intelligence, acting as a stern but fair arbiter who demands that every author and politician justify their claims. He possesses little patience for "frolick beings" who treat human suffering as a sport, or for ministers who lack the courage of their convictions.

Boerhaave appears as the paradigm of the diligent scholar, a man whose medical and theological brilliance makes him a target for the small-minded. His life illustrates the author’s belief that intellectual merit is not always rewarded, and that a person of character must sometimes retreat from the "torrent of popular prejudice" to find refuge in productive labor.

Sir Francis Drake serves as a representative of the active, pragmatic hero. His story is one of calculated risk and generosity; he treats those he encounters with a "just and politick" kindness that distinguishes him from the cruel, impulsive commanders who only bring ruin upon themselves. He is a man of action who understands that reputation is a tool, not an end in itself.

Roger Ascham stands as the ideal educator, a man who "courted his scholars to study" through kindness and discipline. In a time of institutional upheaval, he represents the continuity of learning and the power of a mentor to shape the next generation.

Finally, the anonymous "patriot"—or rather, the pretender to patriotism—acts as a recurring foil. These figures, whether the loud protestors in the streets or the authors of inflammatory pamphlets, represent the danger of passion divorced from reason. They are the "animals of greater bulk" whose roaring masks an underlying emptiness. Their contrast to the disciplined figures like Boerhaave and Drake highlights the central tension between those who build the structures of civilization and those who, in their "senseless mood," seek to tear them down.

In Its Own Voice

"There are few nations in the world more talked of, or less known, than the Chinese."

This observation opens the critique of travel writing, emphasizing the author's frustration with the public's appetite for superficial information.

"In no polished nation, after criticism has been much studied, and the rules of writing established, has any very extraordinary book ever appeared."

This remark appears in a review of Pope, challenging the idea that academic refinement necessarily leads to artistic greatness.

"To fancy that our government can be subverted by the rabble, whom its lenity has pampered into impudence, is to fear that a city may be drowned by the overflowing of its kennels."

In a political tract, the author uses this sharp imagery to dismiss the threat posed by vocal but ultimately powerless agitators.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book is an exploration of the limits of human reason in a world prone to volatility. It asks how one can maintain intellectual and moral autonomy when the culture demands conformity or encourages mindless outrage. The author is deeply concerned with the "distemper" of society—the tendency for nations and individuals to prefer noise over wisdom and faction over unity. He argues that the health of a state is not found in the grandiosity of its claims, but in the character of its people and the consistency of its laws. Beneath the specific political debates of the eighteenth century, there is a persistent question regarding the responsibility of the educated individual: how does one act with courage and clarity when the institutions they inhabit are riddled with corruption, jealousy, and the "shame" of neglected duty? The book serves as an argument that the only antidote to such chaos is the disciplined, skeptical, and industrious cultivation of the mind.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the challenge of a sophisticated, uncompromising intellect will find much to admire here. This volume is not for those seeking the comforts of modern prose; the language is dense, structured, and demanding. It requires the reader to slow down and follow an argument that prioritizes logical precision over emotional appeal. It is the perfect companion for anyone who values the art of the essay and the weight of historical perspective.

However, the reader must be prepared for the author’s period-specific attitudes. His staunch defense of traditional authority and his dismissal of the American revolutionary cause reflect the values of his time and class, which can feel jarring to a modern sensibility. He writes from a position of profound cultural confidence, and he does not shy away from expressing a certain disdain for those he considers beneath his intellectual or social station. The length and the sheer density of the prose can be daunting, and the subject matter—ranging from the minutiae of literary squabbles to the specifics of 1750s naval treaties—requires a certain level of patience.

Yet, there is an immense reward in the clarity he brings to the table. His ability to strip away the "detestable calumny" of political debate and reveal the underlying motives is as relevant today as it was in the eighteenth century. What stays with you is the author’s unwavering belief that truth is best supported by virtue. In an age of digital noise and rapid, often shallow discourse, reading a mind that insists on "the golden moment of opportunity" and the necessity of being "wise and good" is a bracing, necessary experience. You finish these pages with a renewed respect for the effort required to think for oneself.