As a writer of dedications, Samuel Johnson was the giant of his time.
He once said to Boswell, the subject arising at a dinner-party, "Why,
I have dedicated to the royal family all round,"--and the _honest
chronicler_ proves that he spoke advisedly.
Compositions of this nature admit much variety of character. A
dedication may be the pure homage which we owe to merit, or the
expression of gratitude for favours received, or a memorial of
cherished friendship; and such dedications, in point of motive,
are beyond the reach of censure--I may fairly assert, are very
commendable. Nevertheless, Johnson left no compositions of either
class: "the _loftiness_ of his mind," as Boswell gravely states,
"prevented him from ever dedicating in his own person."
A more equivocal sort of dedication also prevailed. A book was
supposed to require the prefix of some eminent name as its patron,
in order to ensure its success. Now the author, though very capable
of writing with propriety on his chosen theme, might be unequal to
the courtly style which dedicators were wont to display, and as the
_complement_ was to be returned _substantially_, he might be tempted
to employ a superior artist on the occasion. It was chiefly under such
circumstances that the powers of Johnson were called into action. By
what arguments the stern moralist would have endeavoured to justify
the deception, for it deserves no better name, is more than I can
undertake to decide, and I submit the query to his enthusiastic
admirers.
To the dedications enumerated by the faithful Boswell, and by his
sharp-sighted editors, Malone and Croker, I have to announce on
_internal_ evidence, a gorgeous addition! It is the dedication to
Edward Augustus, Duke of York, of _An Introduction to Geometry_, by
William Payne, London: T. Payne, at the Mews Gate, 1767. 4º., 1768.
8º. I transcribe it _literatim_. It wants no comment:--
"TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF YORK.
"SIR,
"They who are permitted to prefix the names of princes to
treatises of science generally enjoy the protection of a
patron, without fearing the censure of a judge.
"The honour of approaching your royal highness has given
me many opportunities of knowing, that the work which I now
presume to offer will not partake of the usual security.
For as the knowledge which your royal highness has already
acquired of GEOMETRY extends beyond the limits of an
introduction. I expect not to inform you; I shall be happy
if I merit your approbation.
"An address to such a patron admits no recommendation of the
science. It is superfluous to tell your royal highness that
GEOMETRY is the primary and fundamental art of life; that its
effects are extended through the principal operations of human
skill; that it conducts the soldier in the field, and the
seaman in the ocean; that it gives strength to the fortress,
and elegance to the palace. To your royal highness all this
is already known; GEOMETRY is secure of your regard, and your
opinion of its usefulness and value has sufficiently appeared,
by the condescension in which you have been pleased to honour
{260} one who has so little pretension to the notice of
princes, as
"Sir,
"Your royal highnesses [sic]'
"Most obliged,
"Most obedient,
"And most humble servant,
"WILLIAM PAYNE."
A short preface follows, which bears marks of reparation. It may have
received some touches from the same masterly hand.
The _external_ evidence in favour of the ascription of the above piece
to Johnson, if slight in itself, is not devoid of significance. He had
dedicated a book for the same author, which book was also published by
Mr. Thomas Payne, who was his brother, in 1756.