Killing Time and Filling Space: Epistolary Experience in the James Boswell–William Johnson Temple Correspondence.

The article examines the significance of the correspondence between James Boswell and William Johnson Temple, highlighting how their letters reflect the cultural and emotional landscape of the eighteenth century. It argues that the act of letter writing was not merely a means of communication but a vital process that shaped their friendship and individual identities, particularly in a time when postal communication was fraught with uncertainty and delay. The author suggests that understanding their letters requires recognizing the interplay between the medium of correspondence and the personal dynamics of their relationship, revealing deeper insights into their emotional states and social contexts. The analysis also critiques previous literary evaluations of Boswell's letters, advocating for a perspective that appreciates the epistolary form as a significant literary and social practice. [Extracted from the article]