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Jewish history compared—Scotland composed of stone,
water, and a little earth—Turkish spy—Dreary ride
to Lochbuy—Description of the laird . . . 294

22. Uncommon breakfast offered to Dr. Johnson, and rejected

—Lochbuy's war-saddle—Sail to Oban . . . 297

23. Goldsmith's Traveller—Hope and Cowley compared—

Archibald, Duke of Argyle—Arrive at Inverary—Dr.

Johnson drinks some whisky, and assigns his reason

—Letter from the Author to Mr. Garrick—Mr. Gar-

rick's answer ........ 299

24. Specimen of Ogdenon Prayer—Herve/s Meditations—

Dr. Johnson's Meditation on a Pudding—Country

neighbours—The author's visit to the Castle of In-

verary—Perverse opposition to the influence of Peers

in Ayrshire ......-- 303.

25. Dr. Johnson presented to the Duke of Argyle—Gran-

deur of his grace's seat—The Author possesses him-

self in an embarrassing situation—Hon. Archibald

Campbell on a middle state—The old Lord Townshend

—Question concerning luxury—Nice trait of cha-

racter— Good principles and bad practice . . . 309

26. A passage in Home's Douglas, and one in Juvenal, com-

pared—Neglect of religious buildings in Scotland—

Arrive at Sir James Colquhoun's .... 314

27. Dr. Johnson's letter to the Duke of Argyle—His grace's

answer—Lochlomond—Dr. Johnson's sentiments on

dress—Forms of prayer considered—Arrive at Mr.

Smollett's 316

28. Dr. Smollett's epitaph—Dr. Johnson's wonderful me-

mory—His alacrity during the Tour—Arrive at

Glasgow 319

29. Glasgow surveyed — Attention of the Professors to

Dr. Johnson 322

30. Dinner at the Earl of Loudoun's—Character of that

nobleman—Arrive at Treesbank .... 323

31. Sir John Cuninghame of Capringtun .... 324

Nov. 1. Rules for the distribution of charity—Castle of Dun-

donald—Countess of Eglintoune—Alexander Earl of

Eglintoune 325

2. Arrive at Auchinleck—Character of Lcrd Auchinleck

—His idea of Dr. Johnson ..... 327

3. Dr. Johnson's sentiments concerning the Highlands—

Mr. Harris of Salisbury . . . . . - 328

4. Auchinleck—Cattle without horns—Composure of mind.

how far attainable ....... 330

5. Dr. Johnson's high respect for the English clergy . 332

-j. Lord Auchinleck and Dr. Johnson in collision . . 332

7. Dr. Johnson's uniform piety—His dislike of Presby-

terian worship .....--- 334

S. Arrive at Hamilton 335

He WAS OF AN ADMIRABLE PREGNANCY OF WIT, AND THAT PREGNANCY MUCH IMPROvED BY CONTINUAL STUDY FROM HIS CHILDHOOD; BY WHICH HE HAD GOTTEN SUCH A PROMPTNESS IN EXPRESSING HIS MIND, THAT HIS EXTEMPORAL SPEECHES WERE LITTLE INFERIOR TO HIS PREMEDITATED Writings. Many, No Doubt, Had Read As Much, And Perhaps More Than He; But Scarce Ever Any Concocted His Reading Into Judgement As He Did.

Baker's Chronicle.

THE JOURNAL OF A TOUR TO THE HEBRIDES

SAMUEL JOHNSON, LL.D.

DE. JOHNSON had for many years given me hopes that we should go together, and visit the Hebrides. Martin's account of those islands had impressed us with a notion, that we might there contemplate a system of life almost totally different from what we had been accustomed to see; and to find simplicity and wildness, and all the circumstances of remote time or place, so near to our native great island, was an object within the reach of reasonable curiosity. Dr. Johnson has said in his "Journey," that "he scarcely remembered how the wish to visit the Hebrides was excited;" but he told me, in summer, 1763, that his father put Martin's account into his hands when he was very young, and that he was much pleased with it.1 We reckoned there would be some inconveniences and hardships, and perhaps a little danger; but these, we were persuaded, were magnified in the imagination of every body. When I was at Forney, in 1764, I mentioned our design to Voltaire. He looked at me, as if I had talked of going to the North Pole, and said, "You do not insist on my accom

1 It is entitled, A Description of the Western Isles of Scotland. Containing—

A full account of their situation, extent, soil, product, harbours, bays, tides, anchoring places, and fisheries.

The ancient and modern government, religion and customs of the inhabitants, particularly of their Druids, heathen Temples, monasteries, churches, chapels, antiquities, monuments, forts, caves and other curiosipanying you ?"—" No, sir." "Then I am very willing you should go." I was not afraid that our curious expedition would be prevented by such apprehensions; but I doubted that it would not be possible to prevail on Dr. Johnson to relinquish, for some time, the felicity of a London life, which, to a man who can enjoy it with full intellectual relish, is apt to make existence in any narrower sphere seem insipid or irksome. I doubted that he would not be willing to come down from his elevated state of philosophical dignity; from a superiority of wisdom among the wise, and of learning among the learned; and from flashing his wit upon minds bright enough to reflect it.

v. B

He had disappointed my expectations so long, that I began to despair; but, in spring, 1773, he talked of coming to Scotland that year with so much firmness, that I hoped he was at last in earnest. I knew that, if he were once

ties of Arts and natures. Of their admirable and expeditious way of curing most diseases by simples of their own products.

A particular account of the second sight, or faculty of foreseeing things to come, by way of vision, so common among them.

A brief hint of methods to 'mprove trade in that country both by sea and land.

With a new map of the whole, describing the harbours, anchoring places and dangerous rocks, for the benefit of sailers.

To which is add a brief description of the isles of Orkney and Schetland.

By M. Martin, Gent London. 1703.

Boswell deposited his copy of this book in the Library of the Advocates, and on the back of the title-page wrote with his own hand the following note, which he also signed.

"This very book accompanied Mr. Samuel Johnson and me in our Tour to the Hebrides, in autumn 1773. Mr. Johnson told me that he had read Martin when he was very young. Martin was a native of the Isle of Sky, where a number of his relatives still remain. His book is a very imperfect performance, and he is erroneous as to many particulars, even some concerning his own island. Yet, as it is the only book upon the subject, it is very generally known. I have seen a second edition of

it. I cannot but have a kindness for him, notwithstanding his detects.

James Boswkll."

A second edition of Martin's Description appeared in 1716. It is curious that the date of publication in the first edition is wrongly given, 1673.

I owe the above information to the kind and courteous hand of J. T. Clark, Esq., Librarian of the Advocates. I must add that Mr. Croker also published this note from information supplied by Mr. Upeott.— Editor.

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