Johnson : his Characteristics and Aphorisms. By James Hay. (Gardner.)—The
centenary of the death of Samuel Johnson is close upon us, and, in consequence, a number of works upon him of the nature of biography or of "study" have been published. Of these, that now before us, by a clergyman of the Church of Scotland, is one of the best. Mr. Hay is, perhaps, too much of a hero-worshipper; and in his devotion there is to be found an almost ludicrous element, as when be says :—" It is one of the dearest memories of our life that a few months before the death of the late Dean Stanley, we received from his hands the Sacrament of the Supper, kneeling within a few feet of the spot where reposed all that is mortal of that right royal man, who, as Carlyle says, was 'Ruler of the British nation for a time ; not over men, but in them '—England's great moralist— Samuel Johnson." . Apart from this, however, this book is a sound piece of work, written by one who not only admires, but knows, Johnson thoroughly. It consists formally of two, but really of three, parts,—a biography of Johnson, his characteristics as illustrated by his sayings and doings, and his aphorisms, culled frem his writings and conversations, and arranged in alphabetical order. This last portion of the book, although it puts one a little in mind of old-fashioned literature of the " beauties " type, is very well done. Mr. Hay has, indeed, managed to pack into small compass a great deal of the wisdom of Johnson, and, it must be allowed, his prejudice as well. Contrast "All theory is against the freedom of the will ; all experience for it," with "Scruples certainly make men miserable, and seldom make them good." Of Mr. Hay's Life, it is enough to say that he has from the first intended it to be less a narrative than a succession of photo- graphs of Johnson in different attitudes, and that be has succeeded in giving effect to his intention.
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