THE GATHERER.

A snapper up of unconsidered trifles.
SHAKSPEARE.

* * * * *


SUPPOSED POSTHUMOUS WORK OF DR. JOHNSON'S.

_An Ode written April 15, 1786._


St. Paul's deep bell, from stately tower,
Had sounded once and twice the hour--
Blue burnt the midnight taper;
Hags their dark spells o'er cauldrons hewed,
While Sons of Ink their work pursued,
Printing "the Morning Paper."

Say, Herald, Chronicle, or Post,
Which then beheld great Johnson's ghost,
Grim, horrible, and squalid?
Compositors their letters dropt,
Pressmen their printing engines stopt,
And devils all grew pallid.

Enough! the spectre cried, Enough!
No more of your fugacious stuff,
Trite anecdotes and stories!