University of Virginia Library

The Diversions of Purley, by the late Mr. Horne Tooke, is one of the most erudite productions that has issued from the British press, and is a convincing proof of the capacious mind and elaborate study of the writer; indeed Mr. Tooke does not scruple to affirm, that Doctor Johnson himself was but a child, when considered in the light of a writer possessing any knowledge of the root of all languages. Had Mr. Tooke lived to complete the work, upon which he had been long engaged, there is little reason to doubt but he would have produced a labour unparalleled in the annals of lexicographian literature. An edition of Johnson's Dictionary, with the annotations of Horne Tooke, was knocked down, at the sale of that gentleman's effects, to Major James for two hundred pounds; which sufficiently testifies the high consideration in which those strictures were held by the bidders for the work in question. As a writer of the above class, Dr. Rees is with justice universally esteemed; and although by no means an elegant composer, yet the labours of Dr. Watkins have met with the greatest encouragement. I shall now wind up my note with an anecdote, which may be relied upon as matter of fact, and as appertaining to so extraordinary a character may perhaps afford some share of entertainment.

The Emperor Napoleon was one day giving directions to the minister of the marine, and consulting him upon the feasibility of some action of importance: as the views of Bonaparte did not, however, coincide with the ideas of this personage, he started several objections, and the better to turn the emperor from putting his plans into effect, informed him that it was morally impossible to secure success; when Napoleon replied, with a smile, “Erase the word impossible from your dictionary; it is a term, sir, I never admit into mine.”

The following curious particulars relating to the sale of Horne Tooke's copy of Johnson's Dictionary may be relied on as fact.

When it was knocked down to Major James at the high price already stated, many persons were curious to know what could have induced him to pay such a sum, and especially when they perceived the Major carefully proceeding out of the auction room, with the volumes under his arm. Some few ventured to question him distinctly, whether he had bought the work for himself or for any other person? Major James ironically replied, that “the English nation had never truly appreciated the abilities of Horne Tooke; the only one who knew how to value them was the Emperor Napoleon, and for him he had purchased the volumes.” Astonishment was now at its very height, and all who heard this declaration at once concluded that something prodigiously curious must be connected with the Dictionary. It should be observed that Horne Tooke was an honorary member of the French National Institute, and hence the badinage of Major James appeared the more probable. The motives, however, that induced Major James to make this purchase deserve to be known, as they are highly honourable to his character: they arose from a sincere desire to befriend the daughters of Horne Tooke, for whose benefit his books were being sold; and facts prove that his benevolent object was accomplished. The person who was commissioned to buy the volumes for Sir Francis Burdett ceased his bidding at £50, and the contest then lay between Mr. Rees for the booksellers, and Major James for the cause of humanity. The latter so far prevailed that by his “mad or foolish bidding,” if any choose to call it either, £150 more were obtained for the daughters of Tooke than would otherwise have been had, besides £43 for the cards. Major James had a sincere regard for the father when living, and for his daughters he had thus kindly exerted himself. By the intervention of a common friend the volumes have been confided to the care of Mr. Rees, for the use of Mr. Todd, in his edition of Johnson's Dictionary; Mr. Rees stipulating to pay the £200 that were bid at the auction, and £43 for the cards; the volumes to be returned when Mr. Todd's edition is completed. The public, therefore, will have the benefit of Horne Tooke's labours, and Major James will possess the valuable original without any expense.