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elisabethl's review against another edition
4.0
Continuing my late 18th Century/early 19th Century reading spree (if somewhat sporadic reading that crosses over a 3 year span can be called a spree). Found the diary even more enjoyable than in my first reading, which was probably about 20 years ago, because I am even more familiar with the names and characters that populate it. Boswell was a fascinatingly self-absorbed and socially hungry man and I am delighted that he felt compelled to record practically every ounce of it -- from his best to his worst. I look forward to tackling his Holland journals next.
On a side note, I just love Pottle's editorial voice.
On a side note, I just love Pottle's editorial voice.
quintusmarcus's review
5.0
James Boswell, twenty-two year old Edinburgh gentleman, kept a daily diary of his adventurous stay in London from 1762 to 1763. Unknown for 150 years, the journal is a witty and detailed account of his adventures in the theaters, coffee-houses, and salons of Georgian London. His entries provide endless entertainment, and present a picture of London life that is vibrant and quite frequently shocking. Boswell recounts, among other things, his first meeting with Samuel Johnson, and his many visits to the theater, where he saw and came to know the great David Garrick, and his experiences with whores.
Most will approach the journals from familiarity with Boswell's life of Johnson, and there are many interesting entries regarding Johnson in the journals, including their first meeting. "I drank tea at Davie's in Russell Street and about seven came in the great Mr. Samuel Johnson, whom I have so long wished to see. Mr. Davies introduced me to him. As I knew his mortal antipathy to the Scotch, I cried to Davies 'Don't tell where I come from.' However he said From Scotland. Mr. Johnson [,] said I [,] indeed I come from Scotland, but I cannot help it. 'Sir' replied he [,] 'That I find is what a great many of your countrymen cannot help.' " (Monday 16 May 1763)
Boswell, who came to know the actor, saw David Garrick in King Lear: "I went to Drury Lane & saw Mr. Garrick play King Lear. So very high is his reputation even after playing so long, that the pit was full in ten minutes after four, altho' the play did not begin until half an hour after Six. ... Mr Garrick gave me the most perfect satisfaction. I was fully moved & shed abundance of tears." (Thursday 12 May 1763)
A dirty story: "I toyed with her. Yet I was not inspired by Venus. I felt rather a delicate sensation of love, than a violent amorous inclination for her. Louisa knew not my powers." (Sunday 2 January 1763) Louisa was soon to discover his full powers, multiple times. Mr. Boswell discovered, shortly thereafter, that he knew not Louisa's powers, as he caught the clap from her. Boswell records his many amorous adventures in unblushing and vivid detail, and the editor at Penguin has helpfully glossed his assignations with full details of the places, customs, and characters involved in these escapades.
I don't usually enjoy journals, but Boswell's is greatly entertaining, and worth getting to know.
Most will approach the journals from familiarity with Boswell's life of Johnson, and there are many interesting entries regarding Johnson in the journals, including their first meeting. "I drank tea at Davie's in Russell Street and about seven came in the great Mr. Samuel Johnson, whom I have so long wished to see. Mr. Davies introduced me to him. As I knew his mortal antipathy to the Scotch, I cried to Davies 'Don't tell where I come from.' However he said From Scotland. Mr. Johnson [,] said I [,] indeed I come from Scotland, but I cannot help it. 'Sir' replied he [,] 'That I find is what a great many of your countrymen cannot help.' " (Monday 16 May 1763)
Boswell, who came to know the actor, saw David Garrick in King Lear: "I went to Drury Lane & saw Mr. Garrick play King Lear. So very high is his reputation even after playing so long, that the pit was full in ten minutes after four, altho' the play did not begin until half an hour after Six. ... Mr Garrick gave me the most perfect satisfaction. I was fully moved & shed abundance of tears." (Thursday 12 May 1763)
A dirty story: "I toyed with her. Yet I was not inspired by Venus. I felt rather a delicate sensation of love, than a violent amorous inclination for her. Louisa knew not my powers." (Sunday 2 January 1763) Louisa was soon to discover his full powers, multiple times. Mr. Boswell discovered, shortly thereafter, that he knew not Louisa's powers, as he caught the clap from her. Boswell records his many amorous adventures in unblushing and vivid detail, and the editor at Penguin has helpfully glossed his assignations with full details of the places, customs, and characters involved in these escapades.
I don't usually enjoy journals, but Boswell's is greatly entertaining, and worth getting to know.
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