The Life of Samuel Johnson

Boswell goes to Scotland in November 1769, after visiting Johnson and receiving his advice on marriage. As when Boswell went away to study law, this incident shows how Boswell treats Johnson as a wise father figure; in fact, Boswell refers to Johnson throughout the book as “sage.”

During the year 1770, there is “a total cessation of all correspondence” (434) between Boswell and Johnson while Boswell is away in Scotland. To fill this gap, Boswell inserts some reminiscences of Johnson from the Rev. Dr. Maxwell. Maxwell discusses Johnson’s political views and lifestyle. He explains that as a Tory, Johnson respected both “the legal and salutary prerogatives of the crown” and “the constitutional liberties of the people” (435). This episode shows Boswell’s use of varied sources of information about Johnson.

During the years 1770 and 1771, Johnson’s literary output consists mainly of political pamphlets. In 1771, Boswell writes to Johnson describing his “comfortable” life as a lawyer and married man and invites him to visit Scotland. This proposed Scottish trip will eventually come to fruition.

Boswell is known to historians as a man of rakish habits, but here we see him settling down into a career and family.