this country and people, who are well when they are not ill, and pleased
when they are not troubled; are content, because they think little of
it, and seek their happiness in the common eases and commodities of
life, or the increase of riches; not amusing themselves with the more
speculative contrivances of passion, or refinements of pleasure.'
Temple's _Works_, ed. 1757, i. 170.

[1170] It is truly wonderful to consider the extent and constancy of
Johnson's literary ardour, notwithstanding the melancholy which clouded
and embittered his existence. Besides the numerous and various works
which he executed, he had, at different times, formed schemes of a great
many more, of which the following catalogue was given by him to Mr.
Langton, and by that gentleman presented to his Majesty:

'DIVINITY.

'A small book of precepts and directions for piety; the hint taken from
the directions in Morton's exercise.

'PHILOSOPHY, HISTORY, and LITERATURE in general.

'_History of Criticism_, as it relates to judging of authours, from
Aristotle to the present age. An account of the rise and improvements of
that art; of the different opinions of authours, ancient and modern.

'Translation of the _History of Herodian_.

'New edition of Fairfax's Translation of _Tasso_, with notes, glossary,
&c.

'Chaucer, a new edition of him, from manuscripts and old editions, with
various readings, conjectures, remarks on his language, and the changes
it had undergone from the earliest times to his age, and from his to the
present: with notes explanatory of customs, &c., and references to
Boccace, and other authours from whom he has borrowed, with an account
of the liberties he has taken in telling the stories; his life, and an
exact etymological glossary.

'Aristotle's _Rhetorick_, a translation of it into English.

'A Collection of Letters, translated from the modern writers, with some
account of the several authours.

'Oldham's Poems, with notes, historical and critical.

'Roscommon's Poems, with notes.

'Lives of the Philosophers, written with a polite air, in such a manner
as may divert as well as instruct.

'History of the Heathen Mythology, with an explication of the fables,
both allegorical and historical; with references to the poets.

'History of the State of Venice, in a compendious manner.

'Aristotle's _Ethicks_, an English translation of them, with notes.

'Geographical Dictionary, from the French.

'Hierocles upon Pyt