THE JUDGMENT OF DR. JOHNSON : A Comedy. By G.
K. Chesterton. (Sheed and Ward. &s. 6d.)=T11e moral of this witty and delightful little play would appear to apply equally to saints and rascals. -Anyhow, Wilkes and Dr. Johnson exemplify it to --admiration. It is this : where accuracy of speech and kindness, of heart are not compatible, kindness takes precedence. Mr. and Mrs. Swift are spies, American spies at the time_of the War of Independence. When
. we are first introduced to them they are sitting on the wild rocky shore of a Hebridean island making tea. Swift is a talkative enthusiast and a bit of a fool, his wife a charming woman full of good sense. She is trying to put a little of it into her husband when Boswell and Dr._ Johnson appear upon the scene. The four converse wittily. When next we see the Swifts they are in London, where they have been well received. The lady is holding a salon. The gentleman is already suspect. Wilkes and Dr. Johnson come to see Mrs. Swift ; Draper, an agent of the Government Secret SerVice, comes to tea in the way of business ; a French Marquise comes from the French Embassy to flirt with her host. F. Martindale, in his graceful little preface, speaks of "'the sustained brilliance of the Play and its unceasing 'ripple of laughter," and really he hardly says too much. Mis Chesterton's Dr. Johnson speaks almost always in character
• and that is to say that some at least of the sayings put into
: his mouth pierce the mind and touch the heart. 'A few of his real remarks are scattered among what the playwright humbly calls " inferior parodies of him." For ourselves -"we think that the little incident of his calling his negro servant into the room and making him sit down is the most truly Johnsonian touch in the play.
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