. The life of Samuel Johnson, , comprehending an account of his studies and numerous works, in chronological order; a series of his epistolary correspondence and conversations with many eminent persons. was a speech quite characteristical. Heloved to bring forward his having been in the gay circles of life ; and he was, perhaps, a little vain of thesolicitations of this elegant and fa-shionable actress. He told us, theplay was to be The Hypocrite,altered from Gibbers Nonjuror, so\ as to satirise the Methodists. I do\ not think, said he, the characterof the Hypocrite justly applicable to t
. The life of Samuel Johnson, , comprehending an account of his studies and numerous works, in chronological order; a series of his epistolary correspondence and conversations with many eminent persons. was a speech quite characteristical. Heloved to bring forward his having been in the gay circles of life ; and he was, perhaps, a little vain of thesolicitations of this elegant and fa-shionable actress. He told us, theplay was to be The Hypocrite,altered from Gibbers Nonjuror, so\ as to satirise the Methodists. I do\ not think, said he, the characterof the Hypocrite justly applicable to the INIethodists, but it was very ap- ])licable to the Nonjurors. I oncesaid to Dr. Madan, a clergyman ofIreland, who was a great Whig, thatperhaps a Nonjuror would have beenless criminal in taking the oathsimposed by the ruling power, thanrefusing them ; because refusing them,necessarily laid him under almostan irresistible temptation to be morefor, a man mvst live, and if he precludes himself from thesujiport furnished by the establishment, will probably be reduced tovery wicked shifts to maintain himself. Boswell : I should think,Sir, that a man who took the oaths contrary to his principles, was a. 5183. AUINGTON. criminal • Tliis was not merely a cursoiy romark ; for in liis Life of Fcnton he observes, Withmany other wise and virtuous men, wlio at that time of discord and dehatc [about the besiuningof this century], consulted conscience well or ill informed, more than interest, he doubted tlielegality of the government; and refusing to qualify himself for public employment, by takingthe oaths required, left the University without a degree. This conduct Johnson calls perverscness of integrity. The question concei-ning the morality of taking oaths, of whatever kind, imposed by theprevailing power at the time, rather than to be excluded from all consequence, or even anyconsiderable usefulness in society, has been agitated with .all the acnteness of casuistry. Itis related, th
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