4 Advertisement to the Third Edition. given rise, remarks which have been industriously circulated in the publick prints by shallow or envious cavillers, who have endeavoured to persuade the world that Dr. Johnson's character has been lessened by recording such various. instances of his lively wit and acute judgment, on every topick that was presented to his mind. In the opinion of every person of taste and knowledge that I have conversed with, it has been greatly heightened; and I will venture to predict, that this specimen of the colloquial talents and extemporaneous effusions of my illustrious fellow-traveller will become still more valuable, when, by the lapse of time, he shall have become an ancient; when all those who can now bear testimony to the transcendent powers of his mind, shall have passed away; and no other memorial of this great and good man shall remain but the following Journal, the other anecdotes and letters preserved by his friends, and those incomparable works, which have for many years been in the highest estimation, and will be read and admired as long as the English language shall be spoken or understood. LONDON, 15th Aug. 1786. J. B. CONTENTS. To 20. Janty 1792. Mr Burney Gio Academy Hammersmith at DearFir. I am appointed by my friend Mr Dilly to a Dilly to a very agre; :able Negociation in which I hope I shall be successful & is to request that you will with him on Thursday reat dire with at 4, to meet me and some others Traylet me have your anomer Sincerely wishing you compliments of the se Loon Premain Dear Ty your faithful humbler want Great forhandler James Rorwell FACSIMILE OF BOSWELL'S HANDWRITING, 1792. (From a Letter in the Bodleian Library.) CONTENTS. DEDICATION. ADVERTISEMENT. INTRODUCTION. Character of Dr. Johnson. He arrives in Scot- August 15. Sir William Forbes. Practice of the law. Emigra- August 16. Ogden on Prayer. Aphoristick writing. Edinburgh August 17. Poetry and Dictionary writing. Scepticism. Eternal Human Wishes. Mr. Maclaurin. August 18. Set out for the Hebrides. Sketch of the authour's character. Trade of Glasgow. Suicide. Inchkeith. Par- liamentary knowledge. Influence of Peers. Popular clam- Writing and August 19. August 20. Effect of prayer. Observance of Sunday. Professor Arrive at Montrose. Laurence Kirk. Dinner at Monbod- do. Emigration. Homer. Biography and history compared. Decrease Decrease of learning. Causes of it. Promotion of Bishops. Warburton. Lowth. Value of politeness. Dr. Johnson's sentiments concerning Lord Monboddo. Arrive at Aber- August 22. Professor Thomas Gordon. Publick and private edu- August 24. Goldsmith and Graham. Slains castle. Education August 25. The advantage of being on good terms with relations. Use and importance of wealth. Leonidas. Paul Whitehead. Derrick. Origin of Evil. Calder-manse. Reasonableness of ecclesiastical sub- August 28. Fort George. Sir Adolphus Oughton. Contest be- Macbeth's Castle. Incorrectness of writers of Trav- |