PRAYERS AND MEDITATIONS
[THE title of Prayers and Meditations was not sufficiently comprehensive to describe this work, including as it did long passages from Johnson's journal. Many of his papers, which in no respect differ from those printed in this collection, fell into other hands than those of the editor. Some of these were printed by Hawkins and Boswell; others have appeared from time to time in various publications. One or two, which had remained hidden in the cabinets of collectors, see the light for the first time in the present volumes.
I have collated Strahan's edition with the original manuscripts preserved in the Library of Pembroke College, Oxford. Johnson's spelling I have carefully preserved, and some passages which had been struck out, but not obliterated, I have restored. There are, however, many lines so thoroughly scored out that not a single word can be deciphered. This, it can scarcely be doubted, was done by Johnson himself.
That he should have wished his friend to publish all that is included in these Prayers and Meditations almost passes belief. Most likely, when in the weakness of his last days he placed these papers in his hands, he forgot how much they contained that was meant for no eye but his own. Nevertheless his character gains much more than it loses by this full publication. If we are grieved by the pettiness of the records about the milk that he did, or did not put into his tea on Good Friday, on the other hand, our reverence for him is increased by the tenderness of heart and the humility which are seen in so many passages, and by the patience and courage with which he bore his grievous illnesses.]
