Write the explanation of the essay entitled "Letter to Lord Chester

Write the explanation of the essay entitled “Letter to Lord Chesterfield”.

Ans.

EXPLANATIONS

(1) When upon some slight encouragement I first visited Your Lordship I was overpowered like the rest of Mankind by the enchantment of your address, and could not forbear to wish that I might boast mysl Le Vainqueur du Vainqueur de la Terre, that I might obtained that regard for which I saw the World contending, but I found my attendance so little encouraged, that neither pride nor modesty would suffer me to continue it. When I had once addressed your Lordship in public, I had exhausted all the art of Pleasing which a retired and uncourtly Scholar can possess. I had done all that I could, and no Man is well pleased to have his all neglected, be it ever so little.

Reference: This is an extract from the ‘Letter to Lord Chesterfield‘. written by Dr. Johnson.

Context: Dr. Johnson was the compiler of first English dictionary. For it he sought some monetary help, so he dedicated the plan of the dictionary to Lord Chesterfield in the hope that he would him with some money. But the Lord disappointed him. But when he dictionary was ready for publication, the Lord published an advance review of it presenting himself as the patron of the work. this excited Dr. Johnson’s indignation and he wrote this letter to the Lord.

Explanation: When Dr. Johnson planned to compile the first dictionary of the English language, he was encouraged by his publishers and book sellers to visit Lord Chesterfield who was a noble man and who was very ambitious of literary distinction, Dr. Johnson visited the Lord and captivated by the beauty of his residence and was greatly pleased to have the privilege of visiting him. He considered himself the conquer of the conquer of the world. For he had got the regard of being his guest for which the whole world aspired. But he was so neglected at the Lord’s residence that he felt utterly hurt and his pride and modesty did not permit him to pay any more visit to him. On another occasion, when he addressed the Lord in public he exhausted all his wisdom and erudition in showering praise upon the Lord but was of no avail. He was again neglected and the Lord did not show any favour to him.

Comments: The extract spots light on the character of Lord Chester field who inspite of not doing any favour to the author would to take the credit of being his patron.

(2) Seven years, My lord have now past since I waited in Your outward Rooms or was repulsed from your Dour, during which time I have been pushing on my work through difficulties of which it is useless to complain, and have brought it at last to the verge of Publication without one Act of assistance, one word of encouragement, or one smile of favour. Such treatment I did not expect, for I never had a patron before.

Reference: These lines have been selected from Letter to Lord Chesterfield’, written by Dr. Johnson.

Context: Dr. Johnson felt humiliation when he visited Lord Chester field in hope of getting some financial help for his dictionary. The Lord helped him with little money. On another occasion, Dr. Johnson praised the Lord highly. but he was again disappointed.

Explanation: Dr. Johnson reminds the Lord of his visit which he paid to him seven years ago. He waited for his kind consideration in his outer rooms, but he was returned from their disappointed and empty handed. The Lord did not come true to his expectation. During those seven years Dr. Johnson worked hard in adverse circumstance of which he does not want to complain because there is no use of doing so. Finally, he has succeeded in bringing the dictionary to the state of publication. But in doing so, no one ever extended the hand of assistance to him, no one ever uttered a ward of encouragement to him and no one ever did any act of favour to him. He says to the Lord that he never expected that the Lord would claim that he was the patron of his work while he had no patron at all.

Comments: This extract is a fine example of Dr. Johnson’s out spokenness and erudition. He was bold enough to negate the claim of the Lord.

(3) Is not a Patron, My Lord, one who looks with unconcern on a Man struggling for Life in the Water and when he has reached ground encumbers him with help. The notice which you have been pleased to take of my Labours, had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent and cannot enjoy it, till I am solitary and cannot impart it, till I am known and do not want it.

Reference: These lines refers to the ‘Letter Written to Lord Chesterfield’ written by Dr. Johnson.

Context: Dr. Johnson negates the claim of Lord Chesterfield to be the Patron of his dictionary because he completed his work without any act of assistance, without any word of encouragement, or one smile of favour.

Explanation: The author asks in wonder if such a man should claim to be the patron as remains indifferent to the man struggling for life in water and does not extend help to him. But when the man reach ground, the patron burdens him with his help and unnecessarily takes the credit of saving the life of his ward, while he (the patron) did little to help him out of his difficulties. He further says to the Lord that he would feel greatly obliged to him, if instead of showing favour to him now, he had shown favour to him seven years earlier. Now it has been much delayed and he is indifferent to it and cannot take any advantage of it. He is alone and he cannot covey his joy to others, to one who was most dear to him. He is known to the world and does not need the favour of anyone. His fame does not require any introduction.

Note : I am solitary and cannot Import it.

This refers to the Death of Dr. Johnson’s wife who was most dear to him since, She had died earlier, he could not share his honour and joy with her.