Life Of Johnson, Volume 5

Excerpt

In every narrative, whether historical or biographical, authenticity is of the utmost consequence [1]. Of this I have ever been so firmly persuaded, that I inscribed a former work [2] to that person who was the best judge of its truth. I need not tell you I mean General Paoli; who, after his great, though unsuccessful, efforts to preserve the liberties of his country, has found an honourable asylum in Britain, where he has now lived many years the object of Royal regard and private respect [3]; and whom I cannot name without expressing my very grateful sense of the uniform kindness which he has been pleased to shew me [4].