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The Dr Johnson Library

The Dr Johnson Library

By: Samuel Johnson
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Summary
 In The Dr Johnson Library, the works of Samuel Johnson are restored to the ear: essays, poems, tales, criticism, and meditations on the frailty and dignity of mankind. Here the listener may accompany a mind grave without gloom, learned without pedantry, and moral without cant; a companion for hours of solitude, study, reflection, and honest amusement.Public domain
Episodes
  • A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland - Inch Kenneth

    A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland - Inch Kenneth
    Nov 4 2026
    In which the verdant isle of Inch Kenneth reveals a genteel hospitality amidst ancient ecclesiastical ruins, and the journey proceeds to the venerable island of Iona, where the melancholy remains of monastic splendour and clan fortresses evoke reflections on history and human frailty. The voyage concludes with thoughtful observations on the rugged Highland life, the modest splendours of Scottish castles, and an intriguing visit to a school for the deaf in Edinburgh, suggesting that even the most afflicted may find hope and instruction in this varied land.
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    52 mins
  • A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland - Ulva

    A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland - Ulva
    Oct 31 2026
    In which a fortuitous meeting with an Irish ship grants passage to the rugged and scantily inhabited island of Ulva, where the ancient yet modest Macquarry clan resides amidst a landscape of venerable customs and antiquated dues. The island presents a quaint tableau of enduring tradition and humble piety, reflected in both the extant relics of its church and the curious survivance of the Mercheta Mulierum.
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    3 mins
  • A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland - Mull

    A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland - Mull
    Oct 27 2026
    In which the travellers, under the hospitable guidance of the young Laird of Col, explore the rugged and melancholy Isle of Mull, observing its harsh climate, desolate landscape, and the struggles of its inhabitants caught between scant resources and the necessities of survival. Their journey is marked by reflections on the natural difficulties of afforestation and the somber realities of rural life, culminating in an evening stranded by the absence of a ferry and the closing of day in a land where shelter is scarce and kindness essential.
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    11 mins
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