...appeared to me in that light.4 The father and mother seemed to have their wonder and risibility The task of an author is, either to teach what is not known, or to recommend known truth! by his manner of adorning them. (The Rambler, 3.) The complaint therefore that all topicks are...

...but also to "instruct Ignorance" and "reclaim Error." In Rambler number 3, he explains that the task of an author is either "to teach what is not known, or to recommend known truths." The former task is considered particularly difficult because readers "must not only confess their ignorance,...

...Confessional Style 207 Notes on Contributors 225 Index 229 INTRODUCTION PAUL SCOTT DERRICK The task of an author is, either to teach what is not known,...either to let new light in upon the mind, and open new scenes to the prospect, or to vary the dress and situation of common objects, so as to give them fresh...

...that it is its duty to disagree, correct, and condemn. "The task of an author," said Samuel Johnson, "is, either to teach what is not known, or to recommend known truths by his manner of adorning them." If we may accept this definition as, on the whole, correct, we may as truly assert that the critic's...

...One who is not limited as we are, and whose love embraces us all. APHORISMS OF JOHNSON. 1. The task of an author is, either to teach what is not known, or to recommend known troths by bis manner of adorning them. 2. It is said by modern philosophers that not only the great...