A Johnson reader. [electronic resource] Edited by E.L. McAdam, Jr. & George Milne.

Introduction -- Acknowledgments -- Note on the text -- Life of Savage -- Vanity of human wishes -- Preface to the Dictionary -- Selections from the Dictionary -- Essays : Rambler, no. 4, The modern form of romances preferable to the ancient. The necessity of characters morally good ; No. 18. The unhappiness of marriage caused by irregular motives of choice ; No. 21. The anxieties of literature not less than those of public stations. The inequality of authors' writings ; No. 31. The defence of a known mistake highly culpable ; No. 60. The dignity and usefulness of biography ; No. 144. The difficulty of raising reputation. The various species of detractors ; No. 208. The Rambler's reception. His design ; Observations on the present state of affairs ; Idler. No. 22. The vulture ; No. 23. The unfitness of imprisoning debtors ; No. 61. Minim the critick ; No. 62. Minim the critick ; Bravery of the English common soldiers ; Legal brief on freeing a Negro slave -- Rasselas -- Preface to Shakespeare -- Life of Milton -- Life of Gray -- Light verse : Lines written in ridicule of Thomas Warton's poems ; Parody of Thomas Warton ; Parodies of The hermit of Warkworth ; Short song of congratulation -- Letters : To the Earl of Chesterfield, February, 1755 ; To the Earl of Bute, July 20, 1762 ; To Miss Susanna Thrale, July, 1783 ; To Mrs. Thrale, July 2, 1784 ; To Mrs. Thrale, July 8, 1784 -- Johnson talking.

Includes bibliographical references.

Includes "Life of Savage", "The history of Rasselas", "Life of Milton", the prefaces to the "Dictionary" and "Shakespeare", essays, poems, and a section of quotations that illustrate "Johnson talking".