terian ministers in Scotland. My father, whose studies did not lie much in that way, owned to me afterwards, that he was somewhat at a loss how to answer, but that luckily he recollected having read in catalogues the title of Durham on the Galatians; upon which he boldly said, "Pray, Sir, have you read Mr. Durham's excellent commentary on the Galatians?" "No, Sir," said Dr. Johnson. By this lucky thought my father kept him at bay, and for some time enjoyed his triumph;' but his 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 hereditary friend Sir John Pringle, never having been mentioned, happily escaped without a bruise.

My father's opinion of Dr. Johnson may be conjectured from the name he afterwards gave him, which was URSA MAJOR. But it is not true, as has been reported, that it was in consequence of my saying that he was a constellation of genius and literature. It was a sly abrupt expres sion 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 in his hearing.

Sunday, Nov. 7.-My father and I went to public wor ship in our parish church, in which I regretted that Dr. Johnson would not join us; for, though we have there no form of prayer, nor magnificent solemnity, yet, as God is worshipped in spirit and in truth, and the same doctrines preached as in the church of England, my friend would certainly have shown more liberality had he attended. I doubt not, however, but he employed his time in private to very good purpose. His uniform and fervent piety was manifested on many occasions during our tour, which I have not mentioned. His reason for not joining in presbyterian worship has been recorded in a former page."

Monday, Nov. 8.-Notwithstanding the altercation that

All parties seem to have been in a happy state of ignorance; for it turns out that there is no such book as Durham on the Galatians, though there is on the Revelations, a work, however, of which Johnson perhaps never had heard, for it was first printed in Amsterdam, and afterwards in Edinburgh, 1680, and never, as it seems, reprinted.- Croker.

2 See ante, page 94.

had passed, my father, who had the dignified courtesy of an old baron, was very civil to Dr. Johnson, and politely attended him to the post-chaise which was to convey us to Edinburgh.

Thus they parted. They are now in another, and a higher state of existence:1 and as they were both worthy christian men, I trust they have met in happiness. But I must observe, in justice to my friend's political principles, and my own, that they have met in a place where there is no room for Whiggism.

We came at night to a good inn at Hamilton.lect no more.

-I recol

Tuesday, Nov. 9.-I wished to have shown Dr. Johnson the Duke of Hamilton's house, commonly called the palace of Hamilton, which is close by the town. It is 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-three days. For five weeks together, of the tempestuous season, there had been no account received of us. I cannot express how happy I was on finding myself again at home.

Wednesday, Nov. 10.--Old Mr. Drummond, the bookseller, came to breakfast. Dr. Johnson and he had not met for ten years. There was respect on his side, and kindness on Dr. Johnson's. Soon afterwards Lord Elibank came in, and was much pleased at seeing Dr. Johnson in Scotland. His lordship said, "hardly any thing seemed to him more improbable.' Dr. Johnson had a very high opinion of him. Speaking of him to me, he characterized him thus: "Lord Elibank has read a great deal. It is true, I can find in books 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 whose conversation discovered more knowledge enlivened by fancy." He 1 Lord Auchinleck died 30th Aug., 1782.

2 Lord Elibank made a happy retort on Dr. Johnson's definition of oats, as the food of horses in England and of men in Scotland: "Yes,"

published several small pieces of distinguished merit; and has left some in manuscript, in particular an account of the expedition against Carthagena, in which he served as an officer in the army. His writings deserve to be collected. He was the early patron of Dr. Robertson, the historian, and Mr. Home, the tragic poet; who, when they were ministers of country parishes, lived near his seat. He told me, "I saw these lads had talents, and they were much with me." I hope they will pay a grateful tribute to his memory.

The morning was chiefly taken up by Dr. Johnson's giving him an account of our Tour. The subject of dif ference in political principles was introduced. JOHNSON. "It is much increased by opposition. There was a violent Whig, with whom I used to contend with great eager After his death I felt my Toryism much abated." I suppose he meant Mr. Walmesley of Lichfield, whose character he has drawn so well in his Life of Edmund Smith."

ness.

66

Mr. Nairne came in, and he and I accompanied Dr. Johnson to Edinburgh castle, which he owned was "a great place." But I must mention, as a striking instance of that spirit of contradiction to which he had a strong propensity, when Lord Elibank was some 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 sallies against my country, it may not be improper here to correct a mistaken account that has been circulated, as to his conversation this day. It has been said, that being desired to attend to the noble prospect from the Castlehill, he replied, "Sir, the noblest prospect that a Scotchman ever sees is the high road that leads him to London." This lively sarcasm was thrown out at a tavern in London, in my presence, many years before.

We had with us to-day at dinner, at my house, the Lady

said he; "and where else will you see such horses and such men ?"— Walter Scott.

3

Dowager Colvill,' and Lady Anne Erskine,' sisters to the Earl of Kelly; the Hon. Archibald Erskine, who has now succeeded to that title; Lord Elibank, the Rev. Dr. Blair, Mr. Tytler, the acute vindicator of Mary, Queen of Scots, and some other friends.

4

Fingal being talked of, Dr. Johnson, who used to boast that he had, from the first, resisted both Ossian and the giants of Patagonia, averred his positive disbelief of its authenticity. Lord Elibank said, "I am sure it is not M'Pherson's. Mr. Johnson, I keep company a great deal with you; it is known I do. I may borrow from you better things than I can say myself, and give them as my own; but if I should, every body will know whose they are." The doctor was not softened by this compliment. He denied merit to Fingal, supposing it to be the production of a man who has had the advantages that the present age affords; and said, "nothing is more easy than to write enough in that style if once you begin." One gentleman

6

7

Lady Elizabeth Erskine, daughter of the fifth Earl of Kellie, widow of Mr. Walter Macfarlane, and wife, by a second marriage, of the fourth Lord Colville: she died in 1794.-Croker.

2 Lady Anne, born in 1735; died in 1802, unmarried.-Croker.

3 As seventh earl: born in 1736; he died in 1797, unmarried.— Croker.

William Tytler, born Oct. 12, 1711, died Sept. 12, 1792, published in 1759, in one volume, a skilful vindication of Queen Mary, under the title of An Enquiry, historical and critical, into the evidence against Mary, Queen of Scots. Johnson reviewed this book in the October number of the Gentleman's Magazine for the year 1760. A fourth edition of the Enquiry, with considerable additions, was published in 2 vols. 8vo., Lond. 1790. William Tytler was the father of Alexander Fraser Tytler, Lord Woodhouselee, the biographer of Henry Home, Lord Kames, and the author also of several historical works, born 1747, died 1813-and grandfather of Patrick Fraser Tytler, born Aug. 30, 1791, died Dec. 24, 1849, author of the best history of Scotland yet published, and of other historical works of great merit.-Editor.

5 The story told in Commodore Byron's Voyage of his having fallen in with a gigantic tribe of natives, on the coast of Patagonia.-Croker.

6 I desire not to be understood as agreeing entirely with the opinions of Dr. Johnson, which I relate without any remark. The many imitations, however, of Fingal, that have been published, confirm this observation in a considerable degree.

7 In the third edition the Tytler incident is given as above: but in the first, it is somewhat differently stated. "Young Mr. Tytler stepped briskly forward and said, 'Fingal is certainly genuine; for I have heard

in company expressing his opinion, "that Fingal was certainly genuine, for that he had heard a great part of it repeated in the original," Dr. Johnson indignantly asked him, whether he understood the original; 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 mention this as a remarkable proof how liable the mind of man is to credulity, when not guarded by such strict examination as that which Dr. Johnson habitually practised. The talents and integrity of the gentleman who made the remark are unquestionable; yet, had not Dr. Johnson made him advert to the consideration, that he who does not understand a language cannot know that something which is recited to him is in that language, he might have believed, and reported to this hour, that he had "heard a great part of Fingal repeated in the original."

For the satisfaction of those on the north of the Tweed who may think Dr. Johnson's account of Caledonian credulity and inaccuracy too strong, it is but fair to add, that he admitted the same kind of ready belief might be found in his own country. "He would undertake," he said, "to write an epic poem on the story of Robin Hood; and half England, to whom the names and places he should mention in it are familiar, would believe and declare they had heard it from their earliest years.'

One of his objections to the authenticity of Fingal, during che conversation at Ulinish, is omitted in my Journal, but I perfectly recollect it. "Why is not the original deposited in some public library, instead of exhibiting attestations of its existence? Suppose there was a question in a court of justice, whether a man be dead or alive. You aver he is alive, and you bring fifty witnesses to swear it. I answer, a great part of it repeated in the original.' Dr. Johnson indignantly asked him, Sir, do you understand the original?' Tytler: 'No, Sir.' Johnson: Why, then, we see to what this testimony comes: Thus it is.' He afterwards said to me: 'Did you observe the wonderful confidence with which young Tytler advanced, with his front ready brazed?"" This passage was suppressed in the second and third editions; and as Boswell had certainly a right to make alterations in his own book, the passage is printed, not as Mr. Croker gives it, but as the author preferred to give it in his last revised edition.-Editor.