Had Dr. Johnson written his own life, in conform with the opinion 【M1】__________

which he has given, that every man’s life may be best written by

himself; had he employed in the preservation of his own history, that

clearness of narration and elegance of language in which he has

embalmed so many eminent persons, the world would probably have the 【M2】__________

most perfect example of biography that was ever exhibited. But although

he at different times, in a desultory manner, committed to write many 【M3】__________

particulars of the progress of his mind and fortunes, he never had

persevering diligence enough to form them into the regular composition. 【M4】__________

Of these memorials a few have been preserved; but the great part was 【M5】__________

consigned by him to the flames, a few days before his death.

As I had the honour of enjoying his friendship for twenty years; as I

had the scheme of writing his life constant in view; as he was well 【M6】__________

apprised by this circumstance, and from time to time obligingly satisfied 【M7】__________

my enquiries, by communicating to me the incidents of his early years;

as I acquired a facility in recollecting, and was very assiduous in

recording, his conversation, of what the extraordinary vigour and 【M8】__________

vivacity constituted one of the first features of his character; and as I

have spared many pains in obtaining materials concerning him, from 【M9】__________

every quarter where I could discover that they were to be found. and

have been favoured with the most liberal communications by his friends;

I flatter myself that few biographers have entered into upon such a work 【M10】_________

as this, with more advantages; independent of literary abilities, in

which I am not vain enough to compare myself with some great names

who have gone before me in this kind of writing.

【M8】