thinking him beneath her, and in the periphrastick language of theHighlanders and the Irish, said warmly, 'Though I washed your father'sson's feet, why should I wash his father's son's feet?' She was howeverpersuaded to do it.They then went to bed, and slept for some time; and when Malcolm awaked,he was told that Mr. John M'Kinnon, his brother-in-law, was in sight. Hesprang out to talk to him before he should see Prince Charles. Aftersaluting him, Malcolm, pointing to the sea, said, 'What, John, if theprince should be prisoner on board one of those tenders?' 'GOD forbid!'replied John. 'What if we had him here?' said Malcolm. 'I wish we had,'answered John; 'we should take care of him.' 'Well, John,' said Malcolm,'he is in your house.' John, in a transport of joy, wanted to rundirectly in, and pay his obeisance; but Malcolm stopped him, saying,'Now is your time to behave well, and do nothing that can discover him.'John composed himself, and having sent away all his servants upondifferent errands, he was introduced into the presence of his guest, andwas then desired to go and get ready a boat lying near his house, which,though but a small leaky one, they resolved to take, rather than go tothe Laird of M'Kinnon. John M'Kinnon, however, thought otherwise; andupon his return told them, that his Chief and lady M'Kinnon were comingin the laird's boat. Prince Charles said to his trusty Malcolm, 'I amsorry for this, but must make the best of it.' M'Kinnon then walked upfrom the shore, and did homage to the Wanderer. His lady waited in acave, to which they all repaired, and were entertained with cold meatand wine. Mr. Malcolm M'Leod being now superseded by the Laird ofM'Kinnon, desired leave to return, which was granted him, and PrinceCharles wrote a short note, which he subscribed _James Thompson_,informing his friends that he had got away from Sky, and thanking themfor their kindness; and he desired this might be speedily conveyed toyoung Rasay and Dr. Macleod, that they might not wait longer inexpectation of seeing him again. He bade a cordial adieu to Malcolm, andinsisted on his accepting of a silver stock-buckle, and ten guineas fromhis purse, though, as Malcolm told me, it did not appear to containabove forty. Malcolm at first begged to be excused, saying, that he hada few guineas at his service; but Prince Charles answered, 'You willhave need of money. I shall get enough when I come upon the main land.'The Laird of M'Kinnon then conveyed him to the opposite coast ofKnoidart. Old Rasay, to whom intelligence had been sent, was crossing atthe same time to Sky; but as they did not know of each other, and eachhad apprehensions, the two boats kept aloof.These are the particulars which I have collected concerning theextraordinary concealment and escapes of Prince Charles, in theHebrides. He was often in imminent danger.[556] The troops traced himfrom the Long Island, across Sky, to Portree, but there lost him.Here I stop,--having received no farther authentick information of hisfatigues and perils before he escaped to France. Kings and subjects mayboth take a lesson of moderation from the melancholy fate of the Houseof Stuart; that Kings may not suffer degradation and exile, and subjectsmay not be harassed by the evils of a disputed succession.Let me close the scene on that unfortunate House with the elegant andpathetick reflections of _Voltaire_, in his _Histoire Generale_:--'Que les hommes prives (says that brilliant writer, speaking of PrinceCharles) qui se croyent malheureux, jettent les yeux sur ce prince etses ancetres.'[557] In another place he thus sums up the sad story ofthe family in general:--'Il n'y a aucun exemple dans l'histoire d'une maison si longtemsinfortunee. Le premier des Rois d'Ecosse, [ses aieux] qui eut le nom de_Jacques_, apres avoir ete dix-huit ans prisonnier en Angleterre, mourutassassine, avec sa femme, par la main de ses sujets. _Jacques_ II, sonfils, fut tue a vingt-neuf ans en combattant contre les Anglois._Jacques_ III, mis en prison par son peuple, fut tue ensuite par lesrevoltes, dans une bataille. _Jacques_ IV, perit dans un combat qu'ilperdit. _Marie Stuart_, sa petite-fille, chassee de son trone, fugitiveen Angleterre, ayant langui dix-huit ans en prison, se vit condamnee amort par des juges Anglais, et eut la tete tranchee. _Charles_ Ier,petit-fils de _Marie_, Roi d'Ecosse et d'Angleterre, vendu par lesEcossois, et juge a mort par les Anglais, mourut sur un echafaud dans laplace publique. _Jacques_, son fils, septieme du nom, et deuxieme enAngleterre, fut chasse de ses trois royaumes; et pour comble de malheuron contesta a son fils [jusqu'a] sa naissance. Ce fils ne tenta deremonter sur le trone de ses peres, que pour faire perir ses amis pardes bourreaux; et nous avons vu le Prince _Charles Edouard_, reunissanten vain les vertus de ses peres[558] et le courage du Roi _JeanSobieski_, son aieul maternel, executer les exploits et essuyer lesmalheurs les plus incroyables. Si quelque chose justifie ceux quicroient une fatalite a laquelle rien ne peut se soustraire, c'est cettesuite continuelle de malheurs qui a persecute la maison de _Stuart_,pendant plus de trois cents annees.'[559]The gallant Malcolm was apprehended in about ten days after theyseparated, put aboard a ship and carried prisoner to London. He said,the prisoners in general were very ill treated in their passage; butthere were soldiers on board who lived well, and sometimes invited himto share with them: that he had the good fortune not to be thrown intojail, but was confined in the house of a messenger, of the name of Dick.To his astonishment, only one witness could be found against him, thoughhe had been so openly engaged; and therefore, for want of sufficientevidence, he was set at liberty. He added, that he thought himself insuch danger, that he would gladly have compounded for banishment[560].Yet, he said, 'he should never be so ready for death as he thenwas[561].' There is philosophical truth in this. A man will meet deathmuch more firmly at one time than another. The enthusiasm even of amistaken principle warms the mind, and sets it above the fear of death;which in our cooler moments, if we really think of it, cannot but beterrible, or at least very awful.Miss Flora Macdonald being then also in London, under the protection ofLady Primrose[562], that lady provided a post-chaise to convey her toScotland, and desired she might choose any friend she pleased toaccompany her. She chose Malcolm. 'So (said he, with a triumphant air) Iwent to London to be hanged, and returned in a post-chaise with MissFlora Macdonald.'Mr. Macleod of Muiravenside, whom we saw at Rasay, assured us thatPrince Charles was in London in 1759[563], and that there was then aplan in agitation for restoring his family. Dr. Johnson could scarcelycredit this story, and said, there could be no probable plan at thattime. Such an attempt could not have succeeded, unless the King ofPrussia had stopped the army in Germany; for both the army and the fleetwould, even without orders, have fought for the King, to whom they hadengaged themselves.Having related so many particulars concerning the grandson of theunfortunate King James the Second; having given due praise to fidelityand generous attachment, which, however erroneous the judgment may be,are honourable for the heart; I must do the Highlanders the justice toattest, that I found every where amongst them a high opinion of thevirtues of the King now upon the throne, and an honest disposition to befaithful subjects to his majesty, whose family has possessed thesovereignty of this country so long, that a change, even for theabdicated family, would now hurt the best feelings of all his subjects.The _abstract_ point of _right_ would involve us in a discussion ofremote and perplexed questions; and after all, we should have no clearprinciple of decision. That establishment, which, from politicalnecessity, took place in 1688, by a breach in the succession of ourkings, and which, whatever benefits may have accrued from it, certainlygave a shock to our monarchy,[564]--the able and constitutionalBlackstone wisely rests on the solid footing of authority. 'Ourancestors having most indisputably a competent jurisdiction to decidethis great and important question, and having, in fact, decided it, itis now become our duty, at this distance of time, to acquiesce in theirdetermination.[565]'Mr. Paley, the present Archdeacon of Carlisle, in his _Principles ofMoral and Political Philosophy_, having, with much clearness ofargument, shewn the duty of submission to civil government to be foundedneither on an indefeasible _jus divinum_, nor on _compact_, but on_expediency_, lays down this rational position:--'Irregularity in the first foundation of a state, or subsequentviolence, fraud, or injustice, in getting possession of the supremepower, are not sufficient reasons for resistance, after the governmentis once peaceably settled. No subject of the _British_ empire conceiveshimself engaged to vindicate the justice of the _Norman_ claim orconquest, or apprehends that his duty in any manner depends upon thatcontroversy. So likewise, if the house of _Lancaster_, or even theposterity of _Cromwell_, had been at this day seated upon the throne of_England_, we should have been as little concerned to enquire how thefounder of the family came there[566].' In conformity with thisdoctrine, I myself, though fully persuaded that the House of _Stuart_had originally no right to the crown of _Scotland_; for that _Baliol_,and not _Bruce_, was the lawful heir; should yet have thought it veryculpable to have rebelled, on that account, against Charles the First,or even a prince of that house much nearer the time, in order to assertthe claim of the posterity of Baliol.However convinced I am of the justice of that principle, which holdsallegiance and protection to be reciprocal, I do however acknowledge,that I am not satisfied with the cold sentiment which would confine theexertions of the subject within the strict line of duty. I would haveevery breast animated with the _fervour_ of loyalty[567]; with thatgenerous attachment which delights in doing somewhat more than isrequired, and makes 'service perfect freedom[568].' And, therefore, asour most gracious Sovereign, on his accession to the throne, gloried inbeing _born a Briton_[569]; so, in my more private sphere, _Ego me nunc_denique natum, _gratulor_[570]. I am happy that a disputed succession nolonger distracts our minds; and that a monarchy, established by law, isnow so sanctioned by time, that we can fully indulge those feelings ofloyalty which I am ambitious to excite. They are feelings which haveever actuated the inhabitants of the Highlands and the Hebrides. Theplant of loyalty is there in full vigour, and the Brunswick graft nowflourishes like a native shoot. To that spirited race of people I maywith propriety apply the elegant lines of a modern poet, on the 'faciletemper of the beauteous sex[571]:'--'Like birds new-caught, who flutter for a time,And struggle with captivity in vain;But by-and-by they rest, they smooth their plumes,And to _new masters_ sing their former notes[572].'Surely such notes are much better than the querulous growlings ofsuspicious Whigs and discontented Republicans.* * * * *Kingsburgh conducted us in his boat across one of the lochs, as theycall them, or arms of the sea, which flow in upon all the coasts ofSky,--to a mile beyond a place called _Grishinish_. Our horses had beensent round by land to meet us. By this sail we saved eight miles of badriding. Dr. Johnson said, 'When we take into computation what we havesaved, and what we have gained, by this agreeable sail, it is a greatdeal.' He observed, 'it is very disagreeable riding in Sky. The way isso narrow, one only at a time can travel, so it is quite unsocial; andyou cannot indulge in meditation by yourself, because you must be alwaysattending to the steps which your horse takes.' This was a just andclear description of its inconveniences.The topick of emigration being again introduced[573], Dr. Johnson said,that 'a rapacious chief would make a wilderness of his estate.' Mr.Donald M'Queen told us, that the oppression, which then made so muchnoise, was owing to landlords listening to bad advice in the letting oftheir lands; that interested and designed[574] people flattered themwith golden dreams of much higher rents than could reasonably be paid:and that some of the gentlemen _tacksmen_[575], or upper tenants, werethemselves in part the occasion of the mischief, by over-rating thefarms of others. That many of the _tacksmen_, rather than comply withexorbitant demands, had gone off to America, and impoverished thecountry, by draining it of its wealth; and that their places were filledby a number of poor people, who had lived under them, properly speaking,as servants, paid by a certain proportion of the produce of the lands,though called sub-tenants. I observed, that if the men of substance wereonce banished from a Highland estate, it might probably be greatlyreduced in its value; for one bad year might ruin a set of poor tenants,and men of any property would not settle in such a country, unless fromthe temptation of getting land extremely cheap; for an inhabitant of anygood county in Britain, had better go to America than to the Highlandsor the Hebrides. Here, therefore, was a consideration that ought toinduce a Chief to act a more liberal part, from a mere motive ofinterest, independent of the lofty and honourable principle of keeping aclan together, to be in readiness to serve his king. I added, that Icould not help thinking a little arbitrary power in the sovereign, tocontrol the bad policy and greediness of the Chiefs, might sometimes beof service. In France a Chief would not be permitted to force a numberof the king's subjects out of the country. Dr. Johnson concurred withme, observing, that 'were an oppressive chieftain a subject of theFrench king, he would probably be admonished by a _letter_.[576]'During our sail, Dr. Johnson asked about the use of the dirk, with whichhe imagined the Highlanders cut their meat. He was told, they had aknife and fork besides, to eat with. He asked, how did the women do? andwas answered, some of them had a knife and fork too; but in general themen, when they had cut their meat, handed their knives and forks to thewomen, and they themselves eat with their fingers. The old tutor ofMacdonald always eat fish with his fingers, alledging that a knife andfork gave it a bad taste. I took the liberty to observe to Dr. Johnson,that he did so. 'Yes, said he; but it is because I am short-sighted, andafraid of bones, for which reason I am not fond of eating many kinds offish, because I must use my fingers.'Dr. M'Pherson's _Dissertations on Scottish Antiquities_, which he hadlooked at when at Corrichatachin[577], being mentioned, he remarked,that 'you might read half an hour, and ask yourself what you had beenreading: there were so many words to so little matter, that there was nogetting through the book.'As soon as we reached the shore, we took leave of Kingsburgh, andmounted our horses. We passed through a wild moor, in many places sosoft that we were obliged to walk, which was very fatiguing to Dr.Johnson. Once he had advanced on horseback to a very bad step. Therewas a steep declivity on his left, to which he was so near, that therewas not room for him to dismount in the usual way. He tried to alight onthe other side, as if he had been a _young buck_ indeed, but in theattempt he fell at his length upon the ground; from which, however, hegot up immediately without being hurt. During this dreary ride, we weresometimes relieved by a view of branches of the sea, that universalmedium of connection amongst mankind. A guide, who had been sent with usfrom Kingsburgh, explored the way (much in the same manner as, Isuppose, is pursued in the wilds of America,) by observing certain marksknown only to the inhabitants. We arrived at Dunvegan late in theafternoon. The great size of the castle, which is partly old and partlynew, and is built upon a rock close to the sea, while the land around itpresents nothing but wild, moorish, hilly, and craggy appearances, gavea rude magnificence to the scene. Having dismounted, we ascended aflight of steps, which was made by the late Macleod, for theaccommodation of persons coming to him by land, there formerly being,for security, no other access to the castle but from the sea; so thatvisitors who came by the land were under the necessity of getting into aboat, and sailed round to the only place where it could be approached.We were introduced into a stately dining-room, and received by LadyMacleod, mother of the laird, who, with his friend Talisker, having beendetained on the road, did not arrive till some time after us.We found the lady of the house a very polite and sensible woman, who hadlived for some time in London, and had there been in Dr. Johnson'scompany. After we had dined, we repaired to the drawing-room, where someof the young ladies of the family, with their mother, were at tea[578].This room had formerly been the bed-chamber of Sir Roderick Macleod, oneof the old Lairds; and he chose it, because, behind it, there was aconsiderable cascade[579], the sound of which disposed him to sleep.Above his bed was this inscription: 'Sir Rorie M'Leod of Dunvegan,Knight. GOD send good rest!' Rorie is the contraction of Roderick. Hewas called Rorie _More_, that is, great Rorie, not from his size, butfrom his spirit. Our entertainment here was in so elegant a style, andreminded my fellow-traveller so much of England, that he became quitejoyous. He laughed, and said, 'Boswell, we came in at the wrong end ofthis island.' 'Sir, (said I,) it was best to keep this for the last.' Heanswered, 'I would have it both first and last.'TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14.Dr. Johnson said in the morning, 'Is not this a fine lady[580]?' Therewas not a word now of his 'impatience to be in civilizedlife[581];--though indeed I should beg pardon,--he found it here. We hadslept well, and lain long. After breakfast we surveyed the castle, andthe garden. Mr. Bethune, the parish minister,--Magnus M'Leod, ofClaggan, brother to Talisker, and M'Leod of Bay, two substantialgentlemen of the clan, dined with us. We had admirable venison, generouswine; in a word, all that a good table has. This was really the hall ofa chief. Lady M'Leod had been much obliged to my father, who had settledby arbitration a variety of perplexed claims between her and herrelation, the Laird of Brodie, which she now repaid by particularattention to me. M'Leod started the subject of making women do penancein the church for fornication. JOHNSON. 'It is right, Sir. Infamy isattached to the crime, by universal opinion, as soon as it is known. Iwould not be the man who would discover it, if I alone knew it, for awoman may reform; nor would I commend a parson who divulges a woman'sfirst offence; but being once divulged, it ought to be infamous.Consider, of what importance to society the chastity of women is. Uponthat all the property in the world depends[582]. We hang a thief forstealing a sheep; but the unchastity of a woman transfers sheep, andfarm and all, from the right owner. I have much more reverence for acommon prostitute than for a woman who conceals her guilt. Theprostitute is known. She cannot deceive: she cannot bring a strumpetinto the arms of an honest man, without his knowledge. BOSWELL. 'Thereis, however, a great difference between the licentiousness of a singlewoman, and that of a married woman.' JOHNSON. 'Yes, Sir; there is agreat difference between stealing a shilling, and stealing a thousandpounds; between simply taking a man's purse, and murdering him first,and then taking it. But when one begins to be vicious, it is easy to goon. Where single women are licentious, you rarely find faithful marriedwomen.' BOSWELL. 'And yet we are told that in some nations in India, thedistinction is strictly observed.' JOHNSON. 'Nay, don't give us India.That puts me in mind of Montesquieu, who is really a fellow of geniustoo in many respects; whenever he wants to support a strange opinion, hequotes you the practice of Japan or of some other distant country ofwhich he knows nothing. To support polygamy, he tells you of the islandof Formosa, where there are ten women born for one man[583]. He had butto suppose another island, where there are ten men born for one woman,and so make a marriage between them.[584]' At supper, Lady Macleodmentioned Dr. Cadogan's book on the gout[585]. JOHNSON. 'It is a goodbook in general, but a foolish one in particulars. It is good ingeneral, as recommending temperance and exercise, and cheerfulness. Inthat respect it is only Dr. Cheyne's book told in a new way; and thereshould come out such a book every thirty years, dressed in the mode ofthe times. It is foolish, in maintaining that the gout is nothereditary, and that one fit of it, when gone, is like a fever whengone.' Lady Macleod objected that the author does not practise what heteaches[586]. JOHNSON. 'I cannot help that, madam. That does not makehis book the worse. People are influenced more by what a man says, ifhis practice is suitable to it,--because they are blockheads. The moreintellectual people are, the readier will they attend to what a mantells them. If it is just, they will follow it, be his practice what itwill. No man practises so well as he writes. I have, all my life long,been lying till noon[587]; yet I tell all young men, and tell them withgreat sincerity, that nobody who does not rise early will ever do anygood. Only consider! You read a book; you are convinced by it; you donot know the authour. Suppose you afterwards know him, and find that hedoes not practise what he teaches; are you to give up your formerconviction? At this rate you would be kept in a state of equilibrium,when reading every book, till you knew how the authour practised.[588]''But,' said Lady M'Leod, 'you would think better of Dr. Cadogan, if heacted according to his principles.' JOHNSON. 'Why, Madam, to be sure, aman who acts in the face of light, is worse than a man who does not knowso much; yet I think no man should be the worse thought of forpublishing good principles. There is something noble in publishingtruth, though it condemns one's self.[589]' I expressed some surprize atCadogan's recommending good humour, as if it were quite in our own powerto attain it. JOHNSON. 'Why, Sir, a man grows better humoured as hegrows older. He improves by experience. When young, he thinks himself ofgreat consequence, and every thing of importance. As he advances inlife, he learns to think himself of no consequence, and little things oflittle importance; and so he becomes more patient, and better pleased.All good-humour and complaisance are acquired. Naturally a child seizesdirectly what it sees, and thinks of pleasing itself only. By degrees,it is taught to please others, and to prefer others; and that this willultimately produce the greatest happiness. If a man is not convinced ofthat, he never will practise it. Common language speaks the truth as tothis: we say, a person is well _bred_. As it is said, that all materialmotion is primarily in a right line, and is never _per circuitum_, neverin another form, unless by some particular cause; so it may be saidintellectual motion is.' Lady M'Leod asked, if no man was naturallygood? JOHNSON. 'No, Madam, no more than a wolf.' BOSWELL. 'Nor no woman,Sir?' JOHNSON. 'No, Sir.[590]' Lady M'Leod started at this, saying, in alow voice, 'This is worse than Swift.'M'Leod of Ulinish had come in the afternoon. We were a jovial company atsupper. The Laird, surrounded by so many of his clan, was to me apleasing sight. They listened with wonder and pleasure, while Dr.Johnson harangued. I am vexed that I cannot take down his full strain ofeloquence.WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15.The gentlemen of the clan went away early in the morning to the harbourof Lochbradale, to take leave of some of their friends who were going toAmerica. It was a very wet day. We looked at Rorie More's horn, which is