[128] Vide Dictionary. [129] Optics, P. 349. [130] Chem. I. P. 399. 614. [131] Preface to Folio Dictionary. [132] Perhaps he means, in defining _Thunder_, _Plum porridge_, the particle _But_, &c. [133] Letter to the Earl of Chesterfield. [134] Preface to folio dictionary. [135] Ibid. [136] Ibid. [137] Ibid. [138] It is said that this word is not to be found in any book previous to the reign of James II. and that it was derived from the Priests who surrounded him. [139] SOLIDITY. '1. Fullness of matter; _not hollowness_. 2. Firmness; hardness; compactness; _density_;' &c. &c. Dr Johnson's dictionary. Every page is replete with jargon of this kind. [140] Essay, &c. Book II. Chap. iv. Sect. 6. [141] History of Manchester, Vol. II. [142] Preface to the octavo dictionary. [143] Vid. Preface to folio Dictionary. [144] Vide Life of Pope. [145] Vide Rambler. [146] The Booksellers, vide Life of Dryden. [147] Vide Dictionary, article WATER. [148] Dr Johnson's Dictionary, 4th edition, folio. [149] Ibid. [150] It is needless to observe, that there is no such coin in existence. [151] Idler, No. 94. [152] What string does the Doctor mean? for, besides the optic nerve, there are six muscles, four straight, and two oblique, and other small nervous branches. [153] It is surprising how some persons acquire the reputation of piety. The fervour of Dr Johnson's devotion cannot be denied by those who have seen him rise in the midst of a large company--fall down on his knees behind his chair, repeat his Pater noster, and then resume his seat. This is one way to get a character for holiness, and it is an absolute fact. Laud proved his title to the dignity of a saint, by doing all the mischief that lay in his power. He lighted up the flames of discord through three kingdoms. They were extinguished in the course of twenty years, by rivers of blood. 'Knocking Jack of the North' founded his reputation, by railing at the damnable sin of fornication, destroying great numbers of fine buildings, and insulting the person of his Sovereign. His character was completely detestable, which is evident from the whole tenor of his life and writings, from his 'Blast against Women,' and above all, from his insolence to Queen Mary, a Princess the most admired, the most beautiful, the most injured, and the most unfortunate of her age. [154] Preface to Shakespeare. [155] Ibid. Dr Johnson on Shakespeare. [156] Preface to Folio Dictionary. [157] False Alarm. [158] Life of Pope. [159] Life of Pope. [160] Ibid. [161] Ibid. [162] Let Budgell charge low Grubstreet on my quill-- And write whate'er he please, _except my_ WILL! Epistle to Arbuthnot. [163] Life of Pope. [164] Vide life prefixed to his works. [165] Rambler, No. 45. [166] Life of Addison.