《致切斯特菲爾德大人函》是約翰遜于1755年2月7日寫給切斯特菲爾德伯爵菲力浦·多墨·斯坦厚甫(Philip Dormer Stanhope) 的一封信。切斯特菲爾德伯爵開始對約翰遜編辭典一事冷眼相看。約翰遜艱辛奮斗7年，終于獨立完成辭典編寫，出版在即。這時，切斯特菲爾德伯爵在當時的《世界報》上連寫兩篇文章，對約翰遜的辭典大加吹捧，希望約翰遜將來能把英國的第一部英語辭典獻給他。約翰遜得知此事后，義憤填膺，揮筆寫下了這篇名傳千秋的信函。信中數(shù)落了伯爵對他的冷淡，嘲諷了伯爵的傲慢與專橫，對比了約翰遜自己對伯爵的熱情與誠懇，從而宣布了約翰遜的辭典與伯爵無關(guān)，是他獨立完成的，對伯爵無恩可感，無情可載。約翰遜的信是一個窮作家對大人物的控訴狀，表現(xiàn)了作家對權(quán)貴的蔑視，有著我國詩人李白一樣的“安能摧眉折腰事權(quán)貴”的反叛精神。在實質(zhì)上，約翰遜的這種精神代表了英國新興的資產(chǎn)階級對封建權(quán)勢的反抗。人們將約翰遜的這封信比做是“作家的獨立宣言”。事實上，此后，英國文壇上的保護人制度（Patronage）在英國，在歐洲大陸逐漸消失了。
約翰遜的信不僅思想性深刻，而且文筆優(yōu)美、語句典雅，不長的信中，三聯(lián)排比的結(jié)構(gòu)被兩次運用。文中的反語、諷刺、幽默含義加強了語句的感染力，而且約翰遜所用的比喻含有高深的典故性和哲理性。為了表達自己對伯爵“一往情深”的仰慕，約翰遜引用了古羅馬詩人維吉爾詩中的牧童“發(fā)現(xiàn)愛神只不過是荒山野嶺中的野蠻人”的故事，用以喻指伯爵的鐵石心腸，是不通情理的人。
這封信中的句子結(jié)構(gòu)上，約翰遜還顯示了他高超的安排技巧，信正文的最后一段是一個句子，在末尾的一個定語從句中，作者把書信中的客套結(jié)尾語和簽名巧妙地變成了這個句子的組成部分。
Letter to Lord Chesterfield
February 7th ,1755
MY LORD,
I have been lately informed, by the proprietor of the Word, that two papers, in which my Dictionary is recommended to the publick were written by your Lordship. To be so distinguished, is an honour, which being very little accustomed to favours from the great, I know not well how to receive, or in what terms to acknowledge.
When, upon some slight encouragement, I first visited your Lordship, I was overpowered, like the rest of mankind, by the enchantment of you address, and could not forbear to wish that I might boast myself Le vainqueur du vainqueur di la terre. That I might obtain 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 publick 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 litter.
Seven years, my Lord, have now past, since I waited in your oout ward rooms, or was repulsed from your door, through difficulties, of which it is useless to complain, and 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.
The shepherd in Virgil grew at last acquainted with Love, and found him a native of the rocks.
Is not a Patron, my Lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life on the water, and, when he has reached ground, encumbers him with help? The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labors, 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. I hope it is no very cynical asperity, not confess obligations where no benefit has been receied or to be unwilling that the Publick should consider me as owing that to a Patron, which Provi-dence has enabled me to do for myself.
Having carride on my work thus far with so little obligation to any favourer of learning, I shall not be disappointed though I shoud conclude it, less be possible, with less, for I have been ling wakened from that dream of hope, in which I once boasted myself with so much exultation, my Lord.
Your Lordship's most humble,
Most obedient servant,
Sam.Johnson.
致切斯特菲爾德伯爵函
伯爵大人：
新近從《世界報》業(yè)主處獲悉，有兩篇文章是大人閣下所寫，此兩文把我的辭典介紹給了公眾。如此出眾，實是一種榮耀。因為對來自大人物的恩惠很不習慣，我真不知道如何承受這種榮耀，或以何種方式來感激。
當初，受到些許的鼓勵，我首次去拜訪大人時，像其他人一樣，我被您談吐的魅力所傾倒，不禁希望我可以吹噓我自己是“世界征服者的征服者 ”。我的自尊與羞怯都不讓我繼續(xù)這種拜訪。當我曾在公眾面前對您致意時，我是盡我一個與事無征、不善阿諛奉承的學者所能具有的所有方式讓人愉快。我已經(jīng)做了我所能做到的一切，而他的一切努力被忽視了。哪怕是一點點的忽視，也是沒有人會感到高興的。
伯爵大人，自從我在您的外廳等候，或者說，被拒之于您的門外，已過去7年了。這7年中我含辛茹苦地進行著我的工作?，F(xiàn)在去抱怨這些已無用了。最終，我的辭典出版在即，沒有一個援助之舉動，沒有一句鼓勵之話語，沒有一絲贊許之微笑。這樣的待遇我未曾盼望過，因為我以前從未有過保護人。
維吉爾筆下的牧童終認識了愛神，發(fā)現(xiàn)他不過是個荒山野嶺中的野蠻人。
伯爵大人，這樣的人不應(yīng)算是一個保護者吧？他看著一個人在水中爭扎求生而無動于衷，可是，當那人上岸后卻以援助礙事，承蒙您關(guān)注到我的勞作。如果這種關(guān)注來得早一點，那會是善意的；但它耽延了，直到我已淡漠無興，不能消受了，直到我孤獨一身，不能分享了，直到我功成名就，不需要它了。我沒有接受恩惠，就不承情。上蒼使我獨自完成事業(yè)，我不愿公眾認為我應(yīng)感激一個保護人，我希望這不是客薄寡情吧！
既已在無保護人之援的情況下把我的工作進行到這一步，我不會感到失望的，雖然我要最后完結(jié)我的工作，如果無任何可能的援助，那就在無援的情況下去完結(jié)它吧，因為我早已從那種希望之夢中清醒。伯爵大人，我曾極其興奮地自夸我自己是
您最恭謙最忠順的仆人，
薩姆·約翰遜
1775年2月7日
約翰遜的信不僅思想性深刻，而且文筆優(yōu)美、語句典雅，不長的信中，三聯(lián)排比的結(jié)構(gòu)被兩次運用。文中的反語、諷刺、幽默含義加強了語句的感染力，而且約翰遜所用的比喻含有高深的典故性和哲理性。為了表達自己對伯爵“一往情深”的仰慕，約翰遜引用了古羅馬詩人維吉爾詩中的牧童“發(fā)現(xiàn)愛神只不過是荒山野嶺中的野蠻人”的故事，用以喻指伯爵的鐵石心腸，是不通情理的人。
這封信中的句子結(jié)構(gòu)上，約翰遜還顯示了他高超的安排技巧，信正文的最后一段是一個句子，在末尾的一個定語從句中，作者把書信中的客套結(jié)尾語和簽名巧妙地變成了這個句子的組成部分。
Letter to Lord Chesterfield
February 7th ,1755
MY LORD,
I have been lately informed, by the proprietor of the Word, that two papers, in which my Dictionary is recommended to the publick were written by your Lordship. To be so distinguished, is an honour, which being very little accustomed to favours from the great, I know not well how to receive, or in what terms to acknowledge.
When, upon some slight encouragement, I first visited your Lordship, I was overpowered, like the rest of mankind, by the enchantment of you address, and could not forbear to wish that I might boast myself Le vainqueur du vainqueur di la terre. That I might obtain 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 publick 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 litter.
Seven years, my Lord, have now past, since I waited in your oout ward rooms, or was repulsed from your door, through difficulties, of which it is useless to complain, and 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.
The shepherd in Virgil grew at last acquainted with Love, and found him a native of the rocks.
Is not a Patron, my Lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life on the water, and, when he has reached ground, encumbers him with help? The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labors, 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. I hope it is no very cynical asperity, not confess obligations where no benefit has been receied or to be unwilling that the Publick should consider me as owing that to a Patron, which Provi-dence has enabled me to do for myself.
Having carride on my work thus far with so little obligation to any favourer of learning, I shall not be disappointed though I shoud conclude it, less be possible, with less, for I have been ling wakened from that dream of hope, in which I once boasted myself with so much exultation, my Lord.
Your Lordship's most humble,
Most obedient servant,
Sam.Johnson.
致切斯特菲爾德伯爵函
伯爵大人：
新近從《世界報》業(yè)主處獲悉，有兩篇文章是大人閣下所寫，此兩文把我的辭典介紹給了公眾。如此出眾，實是一種榮耀。因為對來自大人物的恩惠很不習慣，我真不知道如何承受這種榮耀，或以何種方式來感激。
當初，受到些許的鼓勵，我首次去拜訪大人時，像其他人一樣，我被您談吐的魅力所傾倒，不禁希望我可以吹噓我自己是“世界征服者的征服者 ”。我的自尊與羞怯都不讓我繼續(xù)這種拜訪。當我曾在公眾面前對您致意時，我是盡我一個與事無征、不善阿諛奉承的學者所能具有的所有方式讓人愉快。我已經(jīng)做了我所能做到的一切，而他的一切努力被忽視了。哪怕是一點點的忽視，也是沒有人會感到高興的。
伯爵大人，自從我在您的外廳等候，或者說，被拒之于您的門外，已過去7年了。這7年中我含辛茹苦地進行著我的工作?，F(xiàn)在去抱怨這些已無用了。最終，我的辭典出版在即，沒有一個援助之舉動，沒有一句鼓勵之話語，沒有一絲贊許之微笑。這樣的待遇我未曾盼望過，因為我以前從未有過保護人。
維吉爾筆下的牧童終認識了愛神，發(fā)現(xiàn)他不過是個荒山野嶺中的野蠻人。
伯爵大人，這樣的人不應(yīng)算是一個保護者吧？他看著一個人在水中爭扎求生而無動于衷，可是，當那人上岸后卻以援助礙事，承蒙您關(guān)注到我的勞作。如果這種關(guān)注來得早一點，那會是善意的；但它耽延了，直到我已淡漠無興，不能消受了，直到我孤獨一身，不能分享了，直到我功成名就，不需要它了。我沒有接受恩惠，就不承情。上蒼使我獨自完成事業(yè)，我不愿公眾認為我應(yīng)感激一個保護人，我希望這不是客薄寡情吧！
既已在無保護人之援的情況下把我的工作進行到這一步，我不會感到失望的，雖然我要最后完結(jié)我的工作，如果無任何可能的援助，那就在無援的情況下去完結(jié)它吧，因為我早已從那種希望之夢中清醒。伯爵大人，我曾極其興奮地自夸我自己是
您最恭謙最忠順的仆人，
薩姆·約翰遜
1775年2月7日