In drawing Dryden’s character, Johnson has given, though I suppose unintentionally, some touches of his own.  Thus:—­’The power that predominated in his intellectual operations was rather strong reason than quick sensibility.  Upon all occasions that were presented, he studied rather than felt; and produced sentiments not such as Nature enforces, but meditation supplies.  With the simple and elemental passions as they spring separate in the mind, he seems not much acquainted.  He is, therefore, with all his variety of excellence, not often pathetick; and had so little sensibility of the power of effusions purely natural, that he did not esteem them in others[161].’  It may indeed be observed, that in all the numerous writings of Johnson, whether in prose or verse, and even in his Tragedy, of which the subject is the distress of an unfortunate Princess, there is not a single passage that ever drew a tear[162].

Various Readings in the Life of DRYDEN.

’The reason of this general perusal, Addison has attempted to [find in] derive from the delight which the mind feels in the investigation of secrets.

’His best actions are but [convenient] inability of wickedness.

’When once he had engaged himself in disputation, [matter] thoughts flowed in on either side.

’The abyss of an un-ideal [emptiness] vacancy.

’These, like [many other harlots,] the harlots of other men, had his love though not his approbation.

’He [sometimes displays] descends to display his knowledge with pedantick ostentation.

’French words which [were then used in] had then crept into conversation.’

The Life of POPE[163] was written by Johnson con amore, both from the early possession which that writer had taken of his mind, and from the pleasure which he must have felt, in for ever silencing all attempts to lessen his poetical fame, by demonstrating his excellence, and pronouncing the following triumphant eulogium[164]:—­’After all this, it is surely superfluous to answer the question that has once been asked, Whether Pope was a poet? otherwise than by asking in return, If Pope be not a poet, where is poetry to be found?  To circumscribe poetry by a definition, will only shew the narrowness of the definer; though a definition which shall exclude Pope will not easily be made.  Let us look round upon the present time, and back upon the past; let us enquire to whom the voice of mankind has decreed the wreath of poetry; let their productions be examined, and their claims stated, and the pretensions of Pope will be no more disputed.’

I remember once to have heard Johnson say, ’Sir, a thousand years may elapse before there shall appear another man with a power of versification equal to that of Pope.’  That power must undoubtedly be allowed its due share in enhancing the value of his captivating composition.