Chapter XIII

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It does seem as if rather a richer flavor were given to a book by knowing the circumstance of its composition.

conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature

From this reading It is not chiefly the biographies that deal with great crises and events, but rather the biographies that are concerned with small circumstance and agreeable gossip.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Consequently readers, as they grow older, turn more and more to biography.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading It is not chiefly the biographies that deal with great crises and events, but rather the biographies that are concerned with small circumstance and agreeable gossip.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It does seem as if rather a richer flavor were given to a book by knowing the circumstance of its composition.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

plural of “biography” — an account of the series of events making up a person's life

From this reading It is not chiefly the biographies that deal with great crises and events, but rather the biographies that are concerned with small circumstance and agreeable gossip.

an account of the series of events making up a person's life

From this reading Consequently readers, as they grow older, turn more and more to biography.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading It does seem as if rather a richer flavor were given to a book by knowing the circumstance of its composition.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It is not chiefly the biographies that deal with great crises and events, but rather the biographies that are concerned with small circumstance and agreeable gossip.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It does seem as if rather a richer flavor were given to a book by knowing the circumstance of its composition.

a series of things depending on each other as if linked together

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

for the most part

From this reading It is not chiefly the biographies that deal with great crises and events, but rather the biographies that are concerned with small circumstance and agreeable gossip.

a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity

From this reading It does seem as if rather a richer flavor were given to a book by knowing the circumstance of its composition.

the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole

From this reading It does seem as if rather a richer flavor were given to a book by knowing the circumstance of its composition.

feeling or showing worry or solicitude

From this reading It is not chiefly the biographies that deal with great crises and events, but rather the biographies that are concerned with small circumstance and agreeable gossip.

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading Consequently readers, as they grow older, turn more and more to biography.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

plural of “crisis” — an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty

From this reading It is not chiefly the biographies that deal with great crises and events, but rather the biographies that are concerned with small circumstance and agreeable gossip.

English general and statesman who led the parliamentary army in the English Civil War (1599-1658)

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading It is not chiefly the biographies that deal with great crises and events, but rather the biographies that are concerned with small circumstance and agreeable gossip.

plural of “diary” — a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It does seem as if rather a richer flavor were given to a book by knowing the circumstance of its composition.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading It is not chiefly the biographies that deal with great crises and events, but rather the biographies that are concerned with small circumstance and agreeable gossip.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

the general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people

From this reading It does seem as if rather a richer flavor were given to a book by knowing the circumstance of its composition.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading It does seem as if rather a richer flavor were given to a book by knowing the circumstance of its composition.

light informal conversation for social occasions

From this reading It is not chiefly the biographies that deal with great crises and events, but rather the biographies that are concerned with small circumstance and agreeable gossip.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading It is not chiefly the biographies that deal with great crises and events, but rather the biographies that are concerned with small circumstance and agreeable gossip.

pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Consequently readers, as they grow older, turn more and more to biography.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

ten 10s

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It does seem as if rather a richer flavor were given to a book by knowing the circumstance of its composition.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It is not chiefly the biographies that deal with great crises and events, but rather the biographies that are concerned with small circumstance and agreeable gossip.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It does seem as if rather a richer flavor were given to a book by knowing the circumstance of its composition.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It does seem as if rather a richer flavor were given to a book by knowing the circumstance of its composition.

English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

evidencing the possession of inside information

From this reading It does seem as if rather a richer flavor were given to a book by knowing the circumstance of its composition.

in the recent past

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

the literary culture

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

title used for a married Frenchwoman

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Consequently readers, as they grow older, turn more and more to biography.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It is not chiefly the biographies that deal with great crises and events, but rather the biographies that are concerned with small circumstance and agreeable gossip.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It does seem as if rather a richer flavor were given to a book by knowing the circumstance of its composition.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)

From this reading Consequently readers, as they grow older, turn more and more to biography.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

a customary way of operation or behavior

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

on the contrary

From this reading It does seem as if rather a richer flavor were given to a book by knowing the circumstance of its composition.

plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading

From this reading Consequently readers, as they grow older, turn more and more to biography.

push for something

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

the reign of Charles II in England; 1660-1685

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

comparative of “rich” — possessing material wealth

From this reading It does seem as if rather a richer flavor were given to a book by knowing the circumstance of its composition.

English chemist noted for his studies of molecular structures in plants (1886-1975)

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

A specialist in a particular branch of study; a distinguished student.

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It does seem as if rather a richer flavor were given to a book by knowing the circumstance of its composition.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It is not chiefly the biographies that deal with great crises and events, but rather the biographies that are concerned with small circumstance and agreeable gossip.

the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is not chiefly the biographies that deal with great crises and events, but rather the biographies that are concerned with small circumstance and agreeable gossip.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading It does seem as if rather a richer flavor were given to a book by knowing the circumstance of its composition.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Consequently readers, as they grow older, turn more and more to biography.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading It does seem as if rather a richer flavor were given to a book by knowing the circumstance of its composition.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading Consequently readers, as they grow older, turn more and more to biography.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading It does seem as if rather a richer flavor were given to a book by knowing the circumstance of its composition.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

which person or people

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It is not chiefly the biographies that deal with great crises and events, but rather the biographies that are concerned with small circumstance and agreeable gossip.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

the act of creating written works

From this reading Lately in a book-shop at the foot of Cornhill[120] I fell in with an old scholar who told me that it was his practice to recommend four books, which, taken end on end, furnished the general history of English writing from the Restoration[121] to a time within his own memory.

a late time of life

From this reading These books were Pepy's “Diary,”[122] Boswell's “Johnson,”[123] the “Letters and Diaries” of Madame D'Arblay,[124] and the “Diary” of Crabbe Robinson.[125] Beginning almost with the days of Cromwell, here is a chain of pleasant gossip the space of more than two hundred years.