tude, thankfulness, submissiveness, humility, gentleness, and all those virtues which bring a man near to his God, are others of those blessings which the blind enjoy, with increased force and energy, and which are unto them their real and true light, the eyes of Heaven. It may be said with some plausibility, these are no merits under the circumstances, for not being able to be tempted by the vices, they have no other employment than cultivating the virtues. We could, if we would, quickly expose this fallacy; but it will be sufficient for our purposes, even to admit it, for it will at once prove our original position of the advantages of being blind. We are also about to assert that which may at first startle our readers; we say then most distinctly, that in one, and a perfect sense, a blind man is not blind. He who has never known light, is no more in darkness than heaven itself, which has no sun; and yet heaven, we apprehend, is not dark, but lighted up by a light within, of what kind we know not, but with which neither our light nor our darkness can have the least affinity. God is light, but not such as we conceive, because it is said, the sun is his shadow. It might as well be affirmed, that man has no soul, because we cannot see it, as to say, a man who never had what we term the organs of sight, is blind to what we denominate light, because he never saw it. Light is but a word conveying the idea of the impressions of a certain element, and nothing more. The same may be said of the expression "darkness," which means merely the absence of the impression of the element called light; but abstractedly speaking, there is neither the one nor the other the blind man so designated, has his intimate and internal light, as much as the other has his intimate and external light. To the blind man darkness is light; it is emphatically his light; his light on earth, and what is of far greater moment, his light to heaven. The Unknown, to him who knows it not, exists not; light to the born blind is unknown, and, therefore, to him exists not; and its very non-existence gives him this great additional superiority: he is essentially an immaterialist, and dwelleth on things immortal. What Bishop Berkeley truly believed with his eyes, the blind know and believe without them. Who will after this deny the advantages of being blind, and not confess how mighty and varied are the blessings of God towards all his creatures; and that in proportion to their privations, he bestows upon them other mighty and counterbalancing mercies; and that though "The common light that shines on all, Diffused around the whole terrestrial ball," radiates not through the brain of the blind, to him are given constellations revolving internally, which are ample compensations for that of which he has no earthly knowledge, and is most happy in not knowing?" Sigillatim mortales, cunctim perpetui." He who receiveth the light of the sun, has more of the particular mortality; he who receives it not, of the immortality general. H. C. D. APRIL, BY MISS PARDO E. April! thou art come again, With thy laughing mock of steadier spring, And thy wild unsteady gleam. Life's emblem art thou-every hour Changeful, uncertain as the wind; Driven onward by a mighty pow'r No force can stay, no bonds can bind : Now struggling with the blasts that sweep O'er the vexed bosom of the deep, Now laughing with the light that lies ANNALS OF AUTHORS, ARTISTS, BOOKS, AND BOOKSELLERS. LETTER XI. MR. JOHNSON, OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD, AND HIS LITERARY CONNEXIONS. Aldine Chambers, Paternoster Row, London, Feb. 22, 1839. MY DEAR SON, Greater interest, perhaps, may be attached to the individual and his connexions, that I am about to pourtray, than can be met with in the circles of a court, or amidst the splendour of the wealthy, or those generally employed in mercantile and trading speculations. The person to whom I allude, was the late Mr. Joseph Johnson, bookseller, for nearly fifty years resident at an old fashioned house, and long narrow shop, in St. Paul's Church Yard, where several thousands of pounds have since been expended on the front alone (including two other houses in front, and premises of six other occupants) in converting it into one the greatest emporiums of female fashion in the British metropolis. of Mr. Johnson was a small, plain, unassuming man, of a strong well informed mind, and of temperate habits, but of so delicate an appearance, that his life may be said to have hung in a very doubtful scale for many years. He, however, evinced much talent, and possessed so clear an intellect that it might be said of him, as was said by the late Dr. Parr, in speaking of a favourite pupil,* that He had the body of a butterfly, with the head of an elephant." "Mr. Johnson (according to his biographer, Dr. Aikin) was born at Liverpool, in November, 1738, of parents who were dissenters, of the Baptist persuasion. He was sent to London at the age of fourteen, and was apprenticed to Mr. George Keith, of Gracechurch Street. He began business for himself in a shop on Fish Street Hill, a situation he chose as being in the track of the medical students resorting to the hospitals in the Borough, and which probably was the foundation of his connexions with many eminent members of that profession. From that place he removed to Paternoster Row, where he lived some years in partnership, first with Mr. Davenport, and then with Mr. John Payne. His house and stock were entirely consumed by fire in 1770, after which misfortune he removed to the shop in St. Paul's Churchyard, in which he thenceforth carried on business (for nearly forty years) without a partner to the time of his death, his numerous friends: he had for some years Dec. 20th, 1809, an event greatly regretted by past been considered the father of the trade.” It was on the 8th of January, 1770, the fire mentioned above broke out, and not only entirely consumed the house and stock of Messrs. Johnson and Payne, but also the house of Mr. Cocks, printer, and damaged the house of Mr. Crowder, bookseller, (where the Aldine Chambers now stand). One thousand pounds' worth of bibles and prayer books belonging to the proprietors of the Oxford press were destroyed. "The character of Mr. Johnson (continues Dr. Aikin) established by his integrity, good sense, and honourable principles of dealing, soon raised him to eminence as a publisher; and many of the most distinguished names in science and literature during the last half century appear in works which he ushered into the world. Of a temper the reverse of sanguine, and with a manner somewhat cold and indifferent, and with a decided aversion to all arts of puffing and parade, the confidence and attachment he inspired were entirely the result of his solid judgment, his unaffected sincerity, and the friendly benevolence with which he entered into the interests of all who were connected with him. Although he was not remarkable for the encouragement he held out to authors-the consequence of his being neither sanguine nor pushing—yet it was his invariable rule, when the success of a work surpassed his expectations, to make the writer a partaker in the emolument, though he lay under no other obligation to do so than his own notions of justice and generosity. The kindness of his heart was equally conspicuous in all the relations of life. His house and purse were always open *Mr. James Belcher, a bookseller, in Bir- to the calls of friendship, kindred, or misfortune; mingham.. and perhaps few men of his means and con S dition have done more substantial services to persons whose merits and necessities recommended them to his notice. "It is well known that Mr. Johnson's literary connexions have lain in great part among the free enquirers both on religious and political topics. He was himself on conviction a friend to such large and liberal discussion as is not inconsistent with the peace and welfare of society, and the preservation of due decorum towards things really respectable. But these were limits within which, both by temper and principle, he wished to see such discussion confined; for turbulence and sedition were utterly abhorrent from his nature. When, therefore, for the unconscious offence of selling a few copies of a pamphlet of which he was not the publisher, and which was a reply to one of which he had sold a much larger number, the opportunity was taken of involving him in a prosecution that brought upon him the infliction of fine and imprisonment, it was by many considered as the ungenerous indulgence of a long-hoarded spleen against him on account of publications not liable to legal censure, though displeasing to authority. It is gratifying, however, to relate, that during the height of party animosity, so little was he regarded personally as a party man, that he continued to number among his intimate friends several worthy persons of opposite sentiments and connexions, who, with himself, were capable of considering a man's performance of the duties of life apart from his speculative opinions. "Although the majority of his publications were of the theological and political class, yet the number of those in science and elegant literature was by no means inconsiderable. Besides all the scientific writings of Dr. Priestley, he published many important works in Medicine and Anatomy, and others in different branches of knowledge. Two poets of great modern celebrity were by him first introduced to the public-Cowper and Darwin. The former of these, with the diffidence, and perhaps the despondency, of his character, had actually, by means of a friend, made over to him his two volumes of poems on no other condition than that of securing him from expense; but when the public, which neglected the first volume, had discovered the rich mine opened in "The Task,' and assigned the author his merited place among the first-rate English poets, Mr. Johnson would not avail himself of his advantage, but displayed a liberality which has been warmly acknowledged by that admirable though unfortunate mortified by this preference, the purpose of extensive circulation was better served. "Mr. Johnson was of a weak and delicate frame of body, and was much afflicted with asthmatic complaints, which visibly gained ground upon him as he advanced in years. The immediate cause of his dissolution was a pleuritic attack, under which he quietly sank after three days of patient suffering. His remains were deposited in the churchyard of Fulham, in which parish he had a country house. He was never married.” Some further particulars and minutia are entered into by another biographer, who, according to Timperley, states that— "Joseph Johnson was the younger of two sons of a farmer at Everton, near Liverpool, where he was born, Nov. 15, 1738. He was apprenticed, at a suitable age, to Mr. George Keith, a bookseller, in Gracechurch Street, who had married the daughter of the celebrated Dr. Gill. It was about the year 1760 that Mr. Johnson first entered into business for himself, in partnership with a Mr. Davenport; and nearly at the same period he contracted an acquaintance with Mr. Fuseli, the celebrated painter. The partnership with Davenport being dissolved, Mr. Johnson formed a similar connexion with Mr. John Payne; and their business was carried on in Paternoster Row, till nearly the whole of their property was consumed by fire in 1770, no part of it being insured. "By this time Mr. Johnson had acquired the highest character with those who knew him best for integrity and a virtuous disposition; and now that he was on the ground, his friends,' as he expressed it to a particular acquaintance, came about him, and set him up again." On this occasion he removed to the shop in St. Paul's Churchyard, where he dwelt for the remainder of his life. A short time after this epoch in his affairs, he became closely connected with the most liberal and learned branch of the Protestant dissenters in England. He published, in 1772, the poems of Ann Letitia Aikin, afterwards Mrs. Barbauld; and nearly at the same time was placed in the same relation of publisher to Dr. Priestley, whose numerous writings were brought up by Mr. Johnson from that time forward. In 1774, when Theophilus Lindsey came to London, having given up a living of £400. per annum and rich expectancies, because he could not reconcile his conscience to the Articles of the Church of England, he immediately formed a strict intimacy with Mr. Johnson. Mr. Lindsey's circumstances became greatly straitened by the sacrifice he had made; and Mr. Johnson procured, and caused to be fitted up for him, as a chapel, the great room in the house of Mr. Paterson, in Essex Street, in the Strand, and was extremely active in procuring subscriptions, and forming a regular religious establishment in that place, which he constantly attended as long as Mr. Lindsey continued to officiate there. Mr. Johnson was so fortunate (and this is one of the greatest honours that can fall to a bookseller) as to have been publisher to many of the most emi nent authors of his time. "In May, 1788, he began a periodical publication, called the Analytical Review. Mr. Johnson was a man remarkably superior to mercenary views. He often proposed and entered into the reprint of books, which he considered as conducive to the best interests of his species, without the possibility of being reimbursed but in a very long time, and probably not at all. He often purchased the manuscripts of worthy persons in distress, when he had no intention ever to send them to the press. His benevolent actions are much too numerous to be related in such a work as this. His mind was of so admirable a temper, as almost never to be worn out with importunity; and he was not to be turned aside by the ingratitude of those he benefited from doing that which he judged to be right. In his latter years Mr. Johnson was uncommonly reduced by a series of infirmities: he walked with difficulty; his frame was worn to a shadow; and, having mentioned on some occasion that it was his desire to be borne to his grave by four poor men, he added, that in reality two would do, for they would have nothing to carry.' Yet his faculties and his power of conversation remained; and he scarcely remitted his attention to business, and not at all his disposition to be serviceable to others. He was always found an advocate on the side of human nature and human virtue; recommending the line of conduct which springs from disinterestedness and a liberal feeling, and maintaining its practicability. 6 "A handsome monument, in the north-east corner of Fulham church, is thus inscribed : 'Here lie the remains of JOSEPH JOHNSON, late of St. Paul's, London, who departed this life on the 20th day of December, 1809, aged 72 years. A man equally distinguished by probity, industry, and disinterestedness in his intercourse with the public, and every domestic and social virtue in private life; beneficent without ostentation, ever ready to produce merit, and to relieve distress; unassuming in prosperity, not appalled by misfortune; inexorable to his own, indulgent to the wants of others; resigned and cheerful under the torture of a malady which he saw gradually destroy his life.'"' So far proceed Mr. Johnson's biographers, but who, perhaps from motives of delicacy, or not viewing him through all the operations of his transactions with his brethren in trade, as well as with numberless authors (including Dr. Aikin and his family) have not entered sufficiently into the extensive merits of his conduct and character-or an enumeration of the talent that was brought forward, and rewarded in the most liberal manner through his penetrating mind and kind auspices. Under his roof were, perhaps, as much genius, taste, and talent combined among the distinguished writers who assembled at his weekly literary parties, ductions of Dr. Aikin, Mrs. Barbauld,* (his as at any house in the kingdom. Here the prosister,) Dr. Beddoes, Bonnycastle,+ Cowper,‡ Dr. Darwin, Dr. Disney, Enfield,§ Geddes, * Ann Letitia Barbauld was the sister of Dr. John Aikin, and born at Kibworth, Leicestershire, June 20, 1743. About 1774 she married the Rev. Rochmont Barbauld, a dissenting minister at Palgrave, Suffolk, and died at Stoke Newington, March 9, 1825. She employed her excellent genius to the noblest ends, in exciting infancy to virtue, and maturer age to a love of freedom. † John Bonnycastle, a celebrated mathematician, died at Woolwich, May 15, 1821. Mr. Johnson first obtained the copyright of Cowper's Poems, which proved a source of great profit to him, in the following manner :—Ã relation of Cowper's called one evening, in the dusk, on Johnson, with a bundle of these poems, which he offered for publication, provided he would publish them at his own risk, and allow the author to have a few copies to give to his friends. Johnson having, on perusal, approved of them, undertook the risk of publishing. Soon after they appeared, there was not a review that did not load them with the most scurrilous abuse, and condemned them to the butter shops. In consequence of the public mind being thus terrified or misled, these charming effusions lay in a corner of the bookseller's shop, as an unsaleable pile, for a long time. Some time afterwards, the person appeared with another bundle of manuscripts from the same author, which were offered In this fresh and accepted on similar terms. collection was the admirable poem of the Task. Not alarmed at the fate of the former publication, and thoroughly assured as he was of their great merit, he resolved upon publishing them. Soon after they had appeared, the tone of the reviewers became changed, and Cowper was hailed as the first poet of his age. The success of this second publication set the first in motion, and Johnson immediately reaped the fruit of his undaunted judgment. In 1815 the copyright was put up to sale among the members of the trade in thirtytwo shares. Twenty of these shares were sold at £212. per share, including printed copies in chaser was to take at a stipulated price; and quires to the amount of £82., which each purtwelve shares were retained in the hands of the proprietor. The work was satisfactorily proved, at the sale, to net £834. per annum. It had only two years of copyright, and yet this same copyright, with printed copies, produced, estimating the twelve shares which were retained at the same price as those which were sold, the sum of £6764. § Dr. William Enfield was born at Sudbury in 1741, and educated at Daventry. He died at Norwich, Nov. 3, 1797. His Sermons, with Godwin, Dr. John Hunter, Rev. Dr. Hunter, Lavater, Lindsey,* Howard, Dr. Lardner, Newton, Nicholson, Priestley, Horne Tooke,† and endless other works of the first rate authors and artists, were arranged and brought forward with almost unprecedented success. Among the most eminent artists and engravers employed by Mr. Johnson were Fuseli, Sharp, Holloway, Heath, Neagle, &c. The entertainment afforded in the brilliant conversation and flashes of wit between Fuseli, Horne Tooke, and others, will never be forgotten by those who witnessed it and have survived them. Fuseli was always a welcome guest at Mr. Johnson's hospitable board; and I believe the only picture that ornamented his plain old dining room was Fuseli's original painting of the Nightmare, which Dr. Darwin in his Botanic Garden thus so beautifully characterises :: "So on his nightmare, through the evening fog, Flits the squab fiend o'er fen, and lake, and bog; Seeks some love-wilder'd maid, with sleep oppress'd, Alights, and grinning sits upon her breast. Such as of late, amid the murky sky, Was mark'd by Fuseli's poetic eye; Whose daring tints, with Shakspeare's happiest grace, Gave to the airy phantom form and place.Back o'er her pillow sinks her blushing head; Her snow-white limbs hang helpless from the bed; *Theophilus Lindsey was born at Middlewich, Cheshire, June 20, 1723, and died November 3, 1808. † John Horne Tooke died March 18, 1812, aged seventy-six years. His valuable library was sold by Messrs. King and Lochée in the course of the following year. Henry Fuseli, R.A. was born at Zurich, in Switzerland, and was the second son of Gaspard Fuseli, bookseller. At an early age he came to England, and by the encouragement of Sir Joshua Reynolds devoted himself to painting. One of his greatest efforts was the production of the Milton gallery, which was publicly exhibited in 1799. He died April 26, 1825. care which the calling of the schoolmaster sometimes creates. He was a clever, steady, well conducted man. If I mistake not, he emigrated to America, where he turned farmer. Subsequently Mr. Rowland Hunter, a nephew of Mr. Johnson's, who, possessing the amiable quiet manners of his uncle, conducted the extensive business for many years with the greatest integrity, was universally esteemed, and succeeded to the business. However, as many of the leading authors had died during Mr. Johnson's life time-the copyrights being necessarily disposed of-and the position of writers greatly changed, as well as the trade itself, it unfortunately did not lead to the advantages that were contemplated. Besides, Mr. Johnson left the bulk of his personal and general property to other relatives, who have in the most spirited manner employed the fruits of his industry with their own good fortune, in trade. I could dilate and dwell upon the subject of Mr. Johnson and his connexions far beyond the limits of a few columns in the Aldine Magazine, for perhaps there never was a more considerate or indulgent friend than he was, in the most trying occasions of his brethren in trade. He has been heard to say, that he would have retired from business many years before his demise, but from a consciousness of the numerous persons, authors and artists, as well as traders, who would have been injured by it. The numbers of medical and scientific books and distinguished periodicals that he published would form an extensive catalogue. He was from habit and necessity extremely temperate; and his quiet, shrewd, yet agreeable manners were sure to please; and the wit of Horne Tooke, and more particularly that of Fuseli, frequently created the greatest delight and good humour at his table. Godwin was also a frequent, but rather silent guest. As to poor Mary kind hearted, liberal, and friendly adviser Wolstoncroft, she never met with a more than in Mr. Johnson; who reaped a golden and richly deserved harvest from the combination of talent engaged in the literary connexions which he had formed during his long and useful life. I was often surprised at the quiet comfort, and ease with which he entertained the characters who assembled at his literary parties, which were held every Wednesday for |