Johnson on the English language

by Samuel Johnson

"This volume is the first scholarly edition of Samuel Johnson's translation of Jean Pierre de Crousaz's Commentaire sur la traduction en vers de M. Abbe Du Resnel, de l'Essai de M. Pope sur l'homme, published in 1739. Included are notes comparing Johnson's translation with the French original to show his method of translation and historical annotations." "Of special interest are Johnson's notes on the dominance of the passion of love on the stage and on translation and the nature of English and French poetry. Johnson also comments on the problem of evil, particularly the ruling passion and the necessity of free will."--Jacket.