Note 53 — Chapter IV
Reading edition
Diary, November 4, 1782. The story, which was repeated and believed by Lord Byron, that Johnson superintended ‘Cecilia,’ was corrected by Moore in his life of the poet, published in 1830. ‘Lord Byron is here mistaken. Dr. Johnson never saw “Cecilia” till it was in print. A day or two before publication the young authoress, as I understand, sent three copies to the three persons who had most claim to them—her father, Mrs. Thrale, and Dr. Johnson.’