The Works of Mr Samuel Johnson:
On the fly leaf is written in Lamb's hand the following criticism which being also in Coleridge's Table Talk is probably by Coleridge:
"Samuel Johnson whom to distinguish from the doctor we may call the Whig was a very remarkable writer. He may be compared to his contemporary Dr Fox De Foe whom he resembled in many points. He is another instance of King William's discrimination which was so superior to that of any of his ministers. Johnson was one of the most formidable of the advocates for the Exclusion Bill and he suffered by whipping and imprisonment under James accordingly. Like Asgill he argues with great apparent candour and clearness till he gets his opponent within reach and then comes a blow as from a sledge hammer. I do not know where I could put my hand on a book containing so much sense and constitutional doctrine as this thin folio of Johnson's works and what party in this country would read so severe a lecture in it as our modern Whigs. A close reasoner and a good writer in general may be known by his pertinent use of connections. Read any page of Johnson you cannot alter one conjunction without spoiling the sense it is a linked chain throughout In our modern books for the most part the sentences in a page have the same connection with each other that marbles have in a touch without adhering."