ADVERTISEMENT.

THE approbation bestowed on BOSWELL's Life of Johnson, suggested the propriety of the selection now offered to the Public. The sentiments of that great moralist and judge of human nature on various interesting topics are here arranged and digested in a manner which it is hoped will prove agreeable to a numerous class of readers; those, namely, who seek for instruction from works which they may take up or lay down at pleasure, without interrupting the chain of an argument, or the circumstances of a narration.

Dr. JOHNSON's conversation possessed precisely that excellence so well described by LORD VERULAM in a sentence almost immediately preceding that which has been chosen for the motto to the Title Page of this work:-" It is good in discourse and speech of conversation (says his Lordship, in the quaint but expressive language of his age) to vary and intermingle speech of the present occasion with arguments; tales with reasons; asking of questions with telling of opinions; and jest with earnest."

In this compilation are contained several authentic anecdotes of distinguished Literary Characters; rules for the conduct of life in the most serious and delicate conjunctures; and those sound remarks on works of genius and learning, which in a peculiar manner distinguished the beloved friend of Mr. BoSWELL.

It may be proper to add, that this selection was undertaken in the life-time of Mr. BoswELL, and with his cordial approbation :

had that gentleman lived, it might probably have been rendered more acceptable to the Reader.

March 1798.