Note return to page 1 *We cannot avoid giving warm approbation to institutions which extend education; yet at the same time we think many of them are most slothfully conducted; and judge them to be too generally abused by the admission of children whose parents can well afford to pay for them; besides, it is almost an invariable rule, that such being able to make presents to the master, claim all his attention, while the heirs of poverty are too often neglected.

Note return to page 2 *We look upon Sir Thomas Lucy's unremitting prosecution of a person, who certainly did not wear a bad character, as a proof that the Baronet possessed a temper malevolent and irascible.

Note return to page 3 †It is not improbable to suppose, that Shakespeare meant to allude to this unnatural bombast mode of acting in his days, when he makes his Hamlet say, “O it tears me to the soul to see a periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to rags, to very tatters,” &c. &c.

Note return to page 4 *There is nothing can reflect greater credit upon a monarch than to encourage all useful degrees of genius, but particularly that which relates to letters; a want of taste to relish, and liberality to reward this, throws a dark shade over the splendor of a crown.

Note return to page 5 *Another great tribute to his royal patroness is paid in the prediction of Cranmer in his Henry VIII. at the conclusion of the play.

Note return to page 6 †A thousand pounds! what a bounty at any time, but especially if we consider the value of money at that period. We have few instances of literary merit being noted in this age, much less rewarded.

Note return to page 7 *A man who knows when he has enough, and with that competence prudently retires from bustling life, proves himself a real philosopher, and in his retreat gives us pleasing ideas of a temporal elysium.

Note return to page 8 ‡This position, though right in nine cases out of ten, has some indubitable exceptions: a very particular instance we have lately seen. Two musical pieces, by different persons, were sent to a composer, who found a song of ten lines the same verbatim, save three words, in each; and the authors did not know one another, nor had ever seen the pieces.

Note return to page 9 *For many proofs of this, consult his historical plays particularly.

Note return to page 10 ‡It is strange that such capricious criticism should make a public appearance. Lord Orrery wrote to his son, and very properly, in the double capacity of a tender father, and a faithful historian, he has shown some shade of character where he might have shewn much more: what he did was a point of indispensible duty, as the Honourable Hamilton Boyle, to whom he addressed the work, was then instructed to know that the most distinguished geniuses are liable to egregious and most reprehensible failings.

Note return to page 11 *We think this couplet goes as far in panegyric as can be justified.

Note return to page 12 †Johnson here points at and frees himself from the imputation which has been so ill-naturedly suggested against him.

Note return to page 13 ‡Is this lukewarm praise? is it a grudging compliment?

Note return to page 14 *Though the versification of this Poem is, in general, stiff, and uncouth; yet we perceive great sincerity and warmth of praise in it.

Note return to page 15 †Could there be conceived a more comprehensive or more delicate panegyric than this? He who writes temporally, however striking, useful and entertaining, is but a subordinate genius; he who writes for futurity, and upon universal principles, is capital. In this light, Johnson justly draws Shakespeare; what more Dryden would have had we cannot say, unless such gross daubing as he bestowed in many of his adulatory dedications upon miserable characters; and this would have been disgraceful to the critic and friend.

Note return to page 16 *Ben, not satisfied with allowing his friend all natural powers, gives him here the advantages of art; hence it appears he would not have willingly withheld any due point of praise.

Note return to page 17 †This allusion to a Smith's forge is rather laboured, uncouth and ill applied.

Note return to page 18 ‡This observation is extremely just; for mere genius, save some very extraordinary exceptions, is and must be rude without cultivation. A load of learning is prejudicial, but some knowledge of letters, and an extensive intimacy with mankind, are peculiarly requisite for a dramatic writer.

Note return to page 19 †We know not nor can conceive a warmer compliment than this, wherein Johnson throws himself and all other authors aside, to make Shakespeare not only the main, but the sole pillar, of the stage.

Note return to page 20 Vulcan was Jupiter's Smith, an excellent Workman, on whom the Poets father many rare Works, among which I find this one.

Note return to page 21 This Minotaur, when he came to Growth, was inclos'd in the Labyrinth, which was made by the curious Arts-master Dedalus, whose Tale likewise we thus pursue.

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