"_Words are Men's Daughters_" (Vol. iii., p. 38.).--This line is taken from
Dr. Madden's _Boulter's Monument_ (Dublin, 1745, 8vo.), a poem which was
revised by Dr. Johnson, but to which little attention has been paid by his
biographers. Mr. Croker observes (edit. of Boswell, 1848, p. 107. note)--
"Dr. Madden wrote very bad verses. The few lines in Boulter's monument
which rise above mediocrity may be attributed to Johnson."
Those who take the trouble to refer to the poem itself, will,
notwithstanding Mr. Croker's hasty criticism, find a great many fine and
vigorous passages, in which the hand of Johnson is clearly distinguishable,
and which ought not to be allowed to remain unnoticed. Perhaps on a future
occasion I may, in support of this opinion, give some specimens from the
poem. The line as to which T. J. inquires,--
"Words are men's daughters, but God's Sons are things,"--
and which is in allusion to Genesis vi. 2. 4., is, I entertain no doubt,
one of Dr. Johnson's insertions.