The English Gentleman's Library Manual: Or, A Guide to the Formation of a Library of Select Literature; Accompanied with Original Notices, Biographical and Critical, of Authors and BooksW. Goodhugh, 1827 - 392 pages |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
amusements ancient Anecdotes Antiquities appeared beautiful Ben Jonson Bible biographical Bishop bookseller Britain British character Charles Christian Church of England collection Conchology containing copies critical Curtain Theatre Dibdin Dictionary dramatic duodecimo Edinburgh edition Edward elegant eminent England English engravings Essay excellent folio French genius George Henry History History of Scotland Horace Walpole hundred illustrations James JAMES THOMSON John Johnson knowledge Lady language late learning Lectures letter literary literature Lives London Lord Memoirs Natural Natural Philosophy observed octavo octavo volumes Olinthus Gregory original Paradise Lost Paules Church Yard Philosophy plates plays Poems poet Poetical poetry Pope portraits post octavo pounds printed published quarto Queen reign Religion reprinted Richard royal Samuel Johnson says Scriptures Sermons Shakspeare Sir Walter Scott sold style Testament theatre Thomas Thomson tion translated Travels Treatise vols Voyages William writers written
Popular passages
Page 319 - Why, Sir, that may be true in cases where learning cannot possibly be of any use ; for instance, this boy rows us as well without learning, as if he could sing the song of Orpheus to the Argonauts, who were the first sailors.
Page 140 - I do not know what I may appear to the world ; but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.
Page 145 - But Johnson informed me that he had made the bargain for Goldsmith, and the price was sixty pounds. "And, Sir, (said he,) a sufficient price too, when it was sold; for then the fame of Goldsmith had not been elevated, as it afterwards was, by his 'Traveller...
Page 96 - Life of Andrew Melville. Containing Illustrations of the Ecclesiastical and Literary History of Scotland in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. Crown 8vo, 6s.
Page 105 - That not to know at large of things remote From use, obscure and subtle, but to know That which before us lies in daily life, Is the prime wisdom ; what is more, is fume, Or emptiness, or fond impertinence, And renders us, in things that most concern, Unpractised, unprepared, and still to seek.
Page 319 - Most certainly, Sir ; for those who know them have a very great advantage over those who do not. Nay, Sir, it is wonderful what a difference learning makes upon people even in the common intercourse of life, which does not appear to be much connected with it.
Page 37 - I was, I own, sanguine in my expectations of the success of this work. I thought that I was the only historian that had at once neglected present power, interest, and authority, and the cry of popular prejudices ; and as the subject was suited to every capacity, I expected proportional applause. But miserable was my disappointment : I was assailed by one cry of reproach, disapprobation, and even detestation ; English, Scotch, and Irish, Whig and Tory...
Page x - My advice, however, is that you attempt, from time to time, an original sermon ; and in the labour of composition, do not burden your mind with too much at once ; do not exact from yourself, at one effort of excogitation, propriety of thought and elegance of expression. Invent first, and then embellish.
Page 320 - Sir, (said he) a desire of knowledge is the natural feeling of mankind ; and every human being, whose mind is not debauched, will be willing to give all that he has, to get knowledge.
Page 137 - Sir William Temple was the first writer who gave cadence to English prose. Before his time they were careless of arrangement, and did not mind whether a sentence ended with an important word or an insignificant word, or with what part of speech it was concluded.