Hebrides; and not considering, that Dr. Johnson's Memorabilia werelikely to be more valuable when we were restored to a more polishedsociety. Much has thus been irrecoverably lost.In the course of our conversation this day, it came out, that LadyEglintoune was married the year before Dr. Johnson was born; upon whichshe graciously said to him, that she might have been his mother; andthat she now adopted him; and when we were going away, she embraced him,saying, 'My dear son, farewell[1010]!' My friend was much pleased withthis day's entertainment, and owned that I had done well to forcehim out.TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2.We were now in a country not only '_of saddles and bridles_[1011],' butof post-chaises; and having ordered one from Kilmarnock, we got toAuchinleck[1012] before dinner.My father was not quite a year and a half older than Dr. Johnson; buthis conscientious discharge of his laborious duty as a judge inScotland, where the law proceedings are almost all in writing,--a severecomplaint which ended in his death,--and the loss of my mother, a womanof almost unexampled piety and goodness,--had before this time in somedegree affected his spirits[1013], and rendered him less disposed toexert his faculties: for he had originally a very strong mind, andcheerful temper. He assured me, he never had felt one moment of what iscalled low spirits, or uneasiness, without a real cause. He had a greatmany good stories, which he told uncommonly well, and he was remarkablefor 'humour, _incolumi gravitate_[1014],' as Lord Monboddo used tocharacterise it. His age, his office, and his character, had long givenhim an acknowledged claim to great attention, in whatever company hewas; and he could ill brook any diminution of it. He was as sanguine aWhig and Presbyterian, as Dr. Johnson was a Tory and Church of Englandman: and as he had not much leisure to be informed of Dr. Johnson'sgreat merits by reading his works, he had a partial and unfavourablenotion of him, founded on his supposed political tenets; which were sodiscordant to his own, that instead of speaking of him with that respectto which he was entitled, he used to call him 'a _Jacobite fellow_.'Knowing all this, I should not have ventured to bring them together, hadnot my father, out of kindness to me, desired me to invite Dr. Johnsonto his house.I was very anxious that all should be well; and begged of my friend toavoid three topicks, as to which they differed very widely; Whiggism,Presbyterianism, and--Sir John Pringle.[1015] He said courteously, 'Ishall certainly not talk on subjects which I am told are disagreeable toa gentleman under whose roof I am; especially, I shall not do so to_your father_.'Our first day went off very smoothly. It rained, and we could not getout; but my father shewed Dr. Johnson his library, which in curiouseditions of the Greek and Roman classicks, is, I suppose, not excelledby any private collection in Great Britain. My father had studied atLeyden, and been very intimate with the Gronovii, and other learned menthere. He was a sound scholar, and, in particular, had collatedmanuscripts and different editions of _Anacreon_, and others of theGreek Lyrick poets, with great care; so that my friend and he had muchmatter for conversation, without touching on the fatal topicks ofdifference.Dr. Johnson found here Baxter's _Anacreon_[1016], which he told me hehad long enquired for in vain, and began to suspect there was no suchbook. Baxter was the keen antagonist of Barnes[1017]. His life is inthe _Biographia Britannica_[1018]. My father has written many notes onthis book, and Dr. Johnson and I talked of having it reprinted.WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3.It rained all day, and gave Dr. Johnson an impression of thatincommodiousness of climate in the west, of which he has taken notice inhis _Journey_[1019]; but, being well accommodated, and furnished withvariety of books, he was not dissatisfied.Some gentlemen of the neighbourhood came to visit my father; but therewas little conversation. One of them asked Dr. Johnson how he liked theHighlands. The question seemed to irritate him, for he answered, 'How,Sir, can you ask me what obliges me to speak unfavourably of a countrywhere I have been hospitably entertained? Who _can_ like theHighlands[1020]? I like the inhabitants very well[1021].' The gentlemanasked no more questions.Let me now make up for the present neglect, by again gleaning from thepast. At Lord Monboddo's, after the conversation upon the decrease oflearning in England, his Lordship mentioned _Hermes_, by Mr. Harris ofSalisbury[1022], as the work of a living authour, for whom he had agreat respect. Dr. Johnson said nothing at the time; but when we were inour post-chaise, he told me, he thought Harris 'a coxcomb.' This hesaid of him, not as a man, but as an authour[1023]; and I give hisopinions of men and books, faithfully, whether they agree with my own ornot. I do admit, that there always appeared to me something ofaffectation in Mr. Harris's manner of writing; something of a habit ofclothing plain thoughts in analytick and categorical formality. But allhis writings are imbued with learning; and all breathe that philanthropyand amiable disposition, which distinguished him as a man[1024].At another time, during our Tour, he drew the character of a rapaciousHighland Chief[1025] with the strength of Theophrastus or la Bruyere;concluding with these words:--'Sir, he has no more the soul of a Chief,than an attorney who has twenty houses in a street, and considers howmuch he can make by them.'He this day, when we were by ourselves, observed, how common it was forpeople to talk from books; to retail the sentiment's of others, and nottheir own; in short, to converse without any originality of thinking. Hewas pleased to say, 'You and I do not talk from books[1026].'THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4.I was glad to have at length a very fine day, on which I could shew Dr.Johnson the _Place_ of my family, which he has honoured with so muchattention in his _Journey_. He is, however, mistaken in thinking thatthe Celtick name, _Auchinleck_, has no relation to the naturalappearance of it. I believe every Celtick name of a place will be foundvery descriptive. _Auchinleck_ does not signify a _stony field_, as hehas said, but a _field of flag stones_; and this place has a number ofrocks, which abound in strata of that kind. The 'sullen dignity of theold castle,' as he has forcibly expressed it, delighted himexceedingly.[1027] On one side of the rock on which its ruins stand,runs the river Lugar, which is here of considerable breadth, and isbordered by other high rocks, shaded with wood. On the other side runs abrook, skirted in the same manner, but on a smaller scale. I cannotfigure a more romantick scene.I felt myself elated here, and expatiated to my illustrious Mentor onthe antiquity and honourable alliances of my family, and on the meritsof its founder, Thomas Boswell, who was highly favoured by hissovereign, James IV. of Scotland, and fell with him at the battle ofFlodden-field[1028]; and in the glow of what, I am sensible, will, in acommercial age, be considered as genealogical enthusiasm, did not omitto mention what I was sure my friend would not think lightly of, myrelation[1029] to the Royal Personage, whose liberality, on hisaccession to the throne, had given him comfort and independence[1030].I have, in a former page[1031], acknowledged my pride of ancient blood,in which I was encouraged by Dr. Johnson: my readers therefore will notbe surprised at my having indulged it on this occasion.Not far from the old castle is a spot of consecrated earth, on which maybe traced the foundations of an ancient chapel, dedicated to St.Vincent, and where in old times 'was the place of graves' for thefamily. It grieves me to think that the remains of sanctity here, whichwere considerable, were dragged away, and employed in building a part ofthe house of Auchinleck, of the middle age; which was the familyresidence, till my father erected that 'elegant modern mansion,' ofwhich Dr. Johnson speaks so handsomely. Perhaps this chapel may one daybe restored.Dr. Johnson was pleased when I shewed him some venerable old trees,under the shade of which my ancestors had walked. He exhorted me toplant assiduously[1032], as my father had done to a great extent.As I wandered with my reverend friend in the groves of Auchinleck, Itold him, that, if I survived him, it was my intention to erect amonument to him here, among scenes which, in my mind, were allclassical; for in my youth I had appropriated to them many of thedescriptions of the Roman poets. He could not bear to have deathpresented to him in any shape; for his constitutional melancholy madethe king of terrours more frightful. He turned off the subject, saying,'Sir, I hope to see your grand-children!'This forenoon he observed some cattle without horns, of which he hastaken notice in his _Journey_[1033], and seems undecided whether they beof a particular race. His doubts appear to have had no foundation; formy respectable neighbour, Mr. Fairlie, who, with all his attention toagriculture, finds time both for the classicks and his friends, assuresme they are a distinct species, and that, when any of their calves havehorns, a mixture of breed can be traced. In confirmation of his opinion,he pointed out to me the following passage in Tacitus,--'_Ne armentisquidem suus honor, aut gloria frontis_[1034];' (_De mor. Germ. Sec. 5_)which he wondered had escaped Dr. Johnson.On the front of the house of Auchinleck is this inscription:--'Quod petis, hic est;Est Ulubris; animus si te non deficit aequus[1035].'It is characteristick of the founder; but the _animus aequus_ is, alas!not inheritable, nor the subject of devise. He always talked to me as ifit were in a man's own power to attain it; but Dr. Johnson told me thathe owned to him, when they were alone, his persuasion that it was in agreat measure constitutional, or the effect of causes which do notdepend on ourselves, and that Horace boasts too much, when he says,_aequum mi animum ipse parabo_[1036].FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5.The Reverend Mr. Dun, our parish minister, who had dined with usyesterday, with some other company, insisted that Dr. Johnson and Ishould dine with him to-day. This gave me an opportunity to shew myfriend the road to the church, made by my father at a great expence, forabove three miles, on his own estate, through a range of well enclosedfarms, with a row of trees on each side of it. He called it the _Viasacra_, and was very fond of it.[1037]Dr. Johnson, though he heldnotions far distant from those of the Presbyterian clergy, yet couldassociate on good terms with them. He indeed occasionally attackedthem. One of them discovered a narrowness of information concerning thedignitaries of the Church of England, among whom may be found men of thegreatest learning, virtue, and piety, and of a truly apostoliccharacter. He talked before Dr. Johnson, of fat bishops and drowsydeans; and, in short, seemed to believe the illiberal and profanescoffings of professed satyrists, or vulgar railers. Dr. Johnson was sohighly offended, that he said to him, 'Sir, you know no more of ourChurch than a Hottentot[1038].' I was sorry that he brought thisupon himself.SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6.I cannot be certain, whether it was on this day, or a former, that Dr.Johnson and my father came in collision. If I recollect right, thecontest began while my father was shewing him his collection of medals;and Oliver Cromwell's coin unfortunately introduced Charles the First,and Toryism. They became exceedingly warm, and violent, and I was verymuch distressed by being present at such an altercation between two men,both of whom I reverenced; yet I durst not interfere. It would certainlybe very unbecoming in me to exhibit my honoured father, and my respectedfriend, as intellectual gladiators, for the entertainment of thepublick: and therefore I suppress what would, I dare say, make aninteresting scene in this dramatick sketch,--this account of thetransit of Johnson over the Caledonian Hemisphere[1039].Yet I think I may, without impropriety, mention one circumstance, as aninstance of my father's address. Dr. Johnson challenged him, as he didus all at Talisker[1040], to point out any theological works of meritwritten by Presbyterian ministers in Scotland. My father, whose studiesdid not lie much in that way, owned to me afterwards, that he wassomewhat at a loss how to answer, but that luckily he recollected havingread in catalogues the title of _Durham on the Galatians_; upon which heboldly said, 'Pray, Sir, have you read Mr. Durham's excellent commentaryon the Galatians?' 'No, Sir,' said Dr. Johnson. By this lucky thought myfather kept him at bay, and for some time enjoyed his triumph[1041]; buthis antagonist soon made a retort, which I forbear to mention.In the course of their altercation, Whiggism and Presbyterianism,Toryism and Episcopacy, were terribly buffeted. My worthy hereditaryfriend, Sir John Pringle, never having been mentioned, happily escapedwithout a bruise.My father's opinion of Dr. Johnson may be conjectured from the name heafterwards gave him, which was URSA MAJOR[1042]. But it is not true, ashas been reported, that it was in consequence of my saying that he was a_constellation_[1043] of genius and literature. It was a sly abruptexpression to one of his brethren on the bench of the Court of Session,in which Dr. Johnson was then standing; but it was not said inhis hearing.SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7.My father and I went to publick worship in our parish-church, in which Iregretted that Dr. Johnson would not join us; for, though we have thereno form of prayer, nor magnificent solemnity, yet, as GOD is worshippedin spirit and in truth, and the same doctrines preached as in the Churchof England, my friend would certainly have shewn more liberality, had heattended. I doubt not, however, but he employed his time in private tovery good purpose. His uniform and fervent piety was manifested on manyoccasions during our Tour, which I have not mentioned. His reason fornot joining in Presbyterian worship has been recorded in a formerpage[1044].MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8.Notwithstanding the altercation that had passed, my father, who had thedignified courtesy of an old Baron, was very civil to Dr. Johnson, andpolitely attended him to the post-chaise, which was to convey us toEdinburgh[1045].Thus they parted. They are now in another, and a higher, state ofexistence: and as they were both worthy Christian men, I trust they havemet in happiness. But I must observe, in justice to my friend'spolitical principles, and my own, that they have met in a place wherethere is no room for _Whiggism_[1046].We came at night to a good inn at Hamilton. I recollect no more.TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9.I wished to have shewn Dr. Johnson the Duke of Hamilton's house,commonly called the _Palace_ of Hamilton, which is close by the town. Itis an object which, having been pointed out to me as a splendid edifice,from my earliest years, in travelling between Auchinleck and Edinburgh,has still great grandeur in my imagination. My friend consented to stop,and view the outside of it, but could not be persuaded to go into it.We arrived this night at Edinburgh, after an absence of eighty-threedays. For five weeks together, of the tempestuous season, there had beenno account received of us. I cannot express how happy I was on findingmyself again at home.WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10.Old Mr. Drummond, the bookseller[1047], came to breakfast. Dr. Johnsonand he had not met for ten years. There was respect on his side, andkindness on Dr. Johnson's. Soon afterwards Lord Elibank came in, and wasmuch pleased at seeing Dr. Johnson in Scotland. His lordship said,'hardly any thing seemed to him more improbable.' Dr. Johnson had avery high opinion of him. Speaking of him to me, he characterized himthus: 'Lord Elibank has read a great deal. It is true, I can find inbooks all that he has read; but he has a great deal of what is in books,proved by the test of real life.' Indeed, there have been few men whoseconversation discovered more knowledge enlivened by fancy. He publishedseveral small pieces of distinguished merit; and has left some inmanuscript, in particular an account of the expedition againstCarthagena, in which he served as an officer in the army. His writingsdeserve to be collected. He was the early patron of Dr. Robertson, thehistorian, and Mr. Home, the tragick poet; who, when they were ministersof country parishes, lived near his seat. He told me, 'I saw these ladshad talents, and they were much with me.' I hope they will pay agrateful tribute to his memory[1048].The morning was chiefly taken up by Dr. Johnson's giving him an accountof our Tour. The subject of difference in political principles wasintroduced. JOHNSON. 'It is much increased by opposition. There was aviolent Whig, with whom I used to contend with great eagerness. Afterhis death I felt my Toryism much abated.' I suppose he meant Mr.Walmsley of Lichfield, whose character he has drawn so well in his _Lifeof Edmund Smith_[1049]. Mr. Nairne[1050] came in, and he and Iaccompanied Dr. Johnson to Edinburgh Castle, which he owned was 'a greatplace.' But I must mention, as a striking instance of that spirit ofcontradiction to which he had a strong propensity, when Lord Elibank wassome days after talking of it with the natural elation of a Scotchman,or of any man who is proud of a stately fortress in his own country, Dr.Johnson affected to despise it, observing that 'it would make a good_prison_ in ENGLAND.'Lest it should be supposed that I have suppressed one of his salliesagainst my country, it may not be improper here to correct a mistakenaccount that has been circulated, as to his conversation this day. Ithas been said, that being desired to attend to the noble prospect fromthe Castle-hill, he replied, 'Sir, the noblest prospect that a Scotchmanever sees, is the high road that leads him to London.' This livelysarcasm was thrown out at a tavern[1051] in London, in my presence, manyyears before.We had with us to-day at dinner, at my house, the Lady Dowager Colvill,and Lady Anne Erskine, sisters of the Earl of Kelly[1052]; theHonourable Archibald Erskine, who has now succeeded to that title; LordElibank; the Reverend Dr. Blair; Mr. Tytler, the acute vindicator ofMary Queen of Scots[1053], and some other friends[1054]._Fingal_ being talked of, Dr. Johnson, who used to boast that he had,from the first, resisted both Ossian[1055] and the Giants ofPatagonia[1056], averred his positive disbelief of its authenticity.Lord Elibank said, 'I am sure it is not M'Pherson's. Mr. Johnson, I keepcompany a great deal with you; it is known I do. I may borrow from youbetter things than I can say myself, and give them as my own; but, if Ishould, every body will know whose they are.' The Doctor was notsoftened by this compliment. He denied merit to _Fingal_, supposing itto be the production of a man who has had the advantages that thepresent age affords; and said, 'nothing is more easy than to writeenough in that style if once you begin[1057].'[1058]One gentleman incompany[1059] expressing his opinion 'that _Fingal_ was certainlygenuine, for that he had heard a great part of it repeated in theoriginal,' Dr. Johnson indignantly asked him whether he understood theoriginal; to which an answer being given in the negative, 'Why then,(said Dr. Johnson,) we see to what _this_ testimony comes:--thus it is.'I mentioned this as a remarkable proof how liable the mind of man is tocredulity, when not guarded by such strict examination as that which Dr.Johnson habitually practised.[1060]The talents and integrity of thegentleman who made the remark, are unquestionable; yet, had not Dr.Johnson made him advert to the consideration, that he who does notunderstand a language, cannot know that something which is recited tohim is in that language, he might have believed, and reported to thishour, that he had 'heard a great part of _Fingal_ repeated in theoriginal.'For the satisfaction of those on the north of the Tweed, who may thinkDr. Johnson's account of Caledonian credulity and inaccuracy toostrong,[1061] it is but fair to add, that he admitted the same kind ofready belief might be found in his own country. 'He would undertake, (hesaid) to write an epick poem on the story of _Robin Hood_,[1062] andhalf England, to whom the names and places he should mention in it arefamiliar, would believe and declare they had heard it from theirearliest years.'