It has been the fashion with certain recent editors of “Boswell’s Johnson” to depreciate Croker’s edition; but to any one who has taken the pains to make himself familiar with that work, and to study the vast amount of information there collected, such criticism cannot but appear most ungenerous.  Croker was acquainted with, or sought out, all the distinguished survivors of Dr. Johnson’s own generation, and by his indefatigable efforts was enabled to add to the results of his own literary research, oral traditions and personal reminiscences, which but for him would have been irrevocably lost.

The additions of subsequent editors are but of trifling value compared with the information collected by Mr. Croker, and one of his successors at least has not hesitated slightly to transpose or alter many of Mr. Croker’s notes, and mark them as his own.

Mrs. Shelley, widow of the poet, on receiving a present of Croker’s “Boswell,” from Mr. Murray, said: 

Mrs. Shelley to John Murray.

“I have read ‘Boswell’s Journal’ ten times:  I hope to read it many more.  It is the most amusing book in the world.  Beside that, I do love the kind-hearted, wise, and gentle Bear, and think him as lovable and kind a friend as a profound philosopher.”

Mr. Henry Taylor submitted his play of “Isaac Comnenus”—­his first work—­to Mr. Murray, in February 1827.  Lockhart was consulted, and, after perusing the play, he wrote to Mr. Murray: 

Mr. Lockhart to John Murray.

“There can be no sort of doubt that this play is everyway worthy of coming out from Albemarle Street.  That the author might greatly improve it by shortening its dialogue often, and, once at least, leaving out a scene, and by dramatizing the scene at the Synod, instead of narrating it, I think sufficiently clear:  but, probably, the author has followed his own course, upon deliberation, in all these matters.  I am of opinion, certainly, that no poem has been lately published of anything like the power or promise of this.”

Lockhart’s suggestion was submitted to Mr. Taylor, who gratefully acknowledged his criticism, and amended his play.

Mr. Taylor made a very unusual request.  He proposed to divide the loss on his drama with the publisher!  He wrote to Mr. Murray: 

“I have been pretty well convinced, for some time past, that my book will never sell, and, under these circumstances, I cannot think it proper that you should be the sole sufferer.  Whenever, therefore, you are of opinion that the book has had a fair trial, I beg you to understand that I shall be ready to divide the loss equally with you, that being, I conceive, the just arrangement in the case.”