Life of Samuel Johnson, Vol. II — 1775 part 1

'December 19, 1774.' 1775: AETAT.

66. --The first effort of his pen in 1775 was, 'Proposals for publishing the Works of Mrs. Charlotte Lennox[849],'[Dagger] in three volumes quarto.

In his diary, January 2, I find this entry: 'Wrote Charlotte's Proposals.'

But, indeed, the internal evidence would have been quite sufficient.

Her claim to the favour of the public was thus enforced:-- 'Most of the pieces, as they appeared singly, have been read with approbation, perhaps above their merits, but of no great advantage to the writer.

She hopes, therefore, that she shall not be considered as too indulgent to vanity, or too studious of interest, if, from that labour which has hitherto been chiefly gainful to others, she endeavours to obtain at last some profit for herself and her children.

She cannot decently enforce her claim by the praise of her own performances; nor can she suppose, that, by the most artful and laboured address, any additional notice could be procured to a publication, of which Her MAJESTY has condescended to be the PATRONESS.'

He this year also wrote the Preface to Baretti's _Easy Lessons in Italian and English_[850].

'To JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ.

'DEAR SIR, 'You never did ask for a book by the post till now, and I did not think on it.

You see now it is done.

I sent one to the King, and I hear he likes it[851].

'I shall send a parcel into Scotland for presents, and intend to give to many of my friends.

In your catalogue you left out Lord Auchinleck.

'Let me know, as fast as you read it, how you like it; and let me know if any mistake is committed, or any thing important left out.

I wish you could have seen the sheets.

My compliments to Mrs. Boswell, and to Veronica[852], and to all my friends.

'I am, Sir, 'Your most humble servant, 'SAM.

JOHNSON.'

'January 14, 1775. 'MR. BOSWELL TO DR.

JOHNSON.

'Edinburgh, Jan.

19, 1775. 'Be pleased to accept of my best thanks for your _Journey to the Hebrides_, which came to me by last night's post.

I did really ask the favour twice; but you have been even with me by granting it so speedily.

_Bis dat qui cito dat_[853].

Though ill of a bad cold, you kept me up the greatest part of the last night; for I did not stop till I had read every word of your book.

I looked back to our first talking of a visit a visit to the Hebrides, which was many years ago, when sitting by ourselves in the Mitre tavern[854], in London, I think about _witching time o' night_[855]; and then exulted in contemplating our scheme fulfilled, and a _monumentum perenne_[856] of it erected by your superiour abilities.

I shall only say, that your book has afforded me a high gratification.

I shall afterwards give you my thoughts on particular passages.

In the mean time, I hasten to tell you of your having mistaken two names, which you will correct in London, as I shall do here, that the gentlemen who deserve the valuable compliments which you have paid them, may enjoy their honours.

In page 106, for _Gordon_ read _Murchison_; and in page 357, for _Maclean_ read _Macleod_[857].

* * * * * 'But I am now to apply to you for immediate aid in my profession, which you have never refused to grant when I requested it.

I enclose you a petition for Dr. Memis, a physician at Aberdeen, in which Sir John Dalrymple has exerted his talents, and which I am to answer as Counsel for the managers of the Royal Infirmary in that city.

Mr. Jopp, the Provost, who delivered to you your freedom[858], is one of my clients, and, _as a citizen of Aberdeen_, you will support him.

'The fact is shortly this.

In a translation of the charter of the Infirmary from Latin into English, made under the authority of the managers, the same phrase in the original is in one place rendered _Physician_, but when applied to Dr. Memis is rendered _Doctor of Medicine_.

Dr. Memis complained of this before the translation was printed, but was not indulged with having it altered; and he has brought an action for damages, on account of a supposed injury, as if the designation given to him was an inferiour one, tending to make it be supposed he is _not a Physician_, and, consequently, to hurt his practice.

My father has dismissed the action as groundless, and now he has appealed to the whole Court[859].'

'TO JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ.

'DEAR SIR, 'I long to hear how you like the book; it is, I think, much liked here.

But Macpherson is very furious[860]; can you give me any more intelligence about him, or his Fingal?

Do what you can and do it quickly.

Is Lord Hailes on our side?

'Pray let me know what I owed you when I left you, that I may send it to you.

'I am going to write about the Americans[861].

If you have picked up any hints among your lawyers, who are great masters of the law of nations, or if your own mind suggests any thing, let me know.

But mum, it is a secret.

'I will send your parcel of books as soon as I can; but I cannot do as I wish.

However, you find every thing mentioned in the book which you recommended.

'Langton is here; we are all that ever we were[862].

He is a worthy fellow, without malice, though not without resentment.

'Poor Beauclerk is so ill, that his life is thought to be in danger[863].

Lady Di nurses him with very great assiduity.

'Reynolds has taken too much to strong liquor[864], and seems to delight in his new character.

'This is all the news that I have; but as you love verses, I will send you a few which I made upon Inchkenneth[865]; but remember the condition, you shall not show them, except to Lord Hailes, whom I love better than any man whom I know so little.

If he asks you to transcribe them for him, you may do it, but I think he must promise not to let them be copied again, nor to show them as mine.

'I have at last sent back Lord Hailes's sheets.

I never think about returning them, because I alter nothing.

You will see that I might as well have kept them.

However, I am ashamed of my delay; and if I have the honour of receiving any more, promise punctually to return them by the next post.

Make my compliments to dear Mrs. Boswell, and to Miss Veronica.

'I am, dear Sir, 'Yours most faithfully, 'SAM.

JOHNSON[866].'

'Jan.

21, 1775. 'MR, BOSWELL TO DR.

JOHNSON.

'Edinburgh, Jan.

27, 1775. * * * * * 'You rate our lawyers here too high, when you call them great masters of the law of nations.

* * * * * 'As for myself, I am ashamed to say I have read little and thought little on the subject of America.

I will be much obliged to you, if you will direct me where I shall find the best information of what is to be said on both sides.

It is a subject vast in its present extent and future consequences.

The imperfect hints which now float in my mind, tend rather to the formation of an opinion that our government has been precipitant and severe in the resolutions taken against the Bostonians[867].

Well do you know that I have no kindness for that race.

But nations, or bodies of men, should, as well as individuals, have a fair trial, and not be condemned on character alone.

Have we not express contracts with our colonies, which afford a more certain foundation of judgement, than general political speculations on the mutual rights of States and their provinces or colonies?

Pray let me know immediately what to read, and I shall diligently endeavour to gather for you any thing that I can find.

Is Burke's speech on American taxation published by himself?

Is it authentick?

I remember to have heard you say, that you had never considered East-Indian affairs; though, surely, they are of much importance to Great-Britain.

Under the recollection of this, I shelter myself from the reproach of ignorance about the Americans.

If you write upon the subject I shall certainly understand it.

But, since you seem to expect that I should know something of it, without your instruction, and that my own mind should suggest something, I trust you will put me in the way.

* * * * * 'What does Becket[868] mean by the _Originals_ of Fingal and other poems of Ossian, which he advertises to have lain in his shop?'

* * * * * 'TO JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ.

'DEAR SIR, 'You sent me a case to consider, in which I have no facts but what are against us, nor any principles on which to reason.

It is vain to try to write thus without materials.

The fact seems to be against you; at least I cannot know nor say any thing to the contrary.

I am glad that you like the book so well.

I hear no more of Macpherson.

I shall long to know what Lord Hailes says of it.

Lend it him privately.

I shall send the parcel as soon as I can.

Make my compliments to Mrs. Boswell.

'I am, Sir, &c. , 'SAM.

JOHNSON.'

'Jan.

28, 1775.' 'MR.

BOSWELL TO DR.

JOHNSON.

'Edinburgh, Feb.

2, 1775 * * * * * 'As to Macpherson, I am anxious to have from yourself a full and pointed account of what has passed between you and him.

It is confidently told here, that before your book came out he sent to you, to let you know that he understood you meant to deny the authenticity of Ossian's poems;

that the originals were in his possession; that you might have inspection of them, and might take the evidence of people skilled in the Erse language; and that he hoped, after this fair offer, you would not be so uncandid as to assert that he had refused reasonable proof.

That you paid no regard to his message, but published your strong attack upon him; and then he wrote a letter to you, in such terms as he thought suited to one who had not acted as a man of veracity.

You may believe it gives me pain to hear your conduct represented as unfavourable, while I can only deny what is said, on the ground that your character refutes it, without having any information to oppose.

Let me, I beg it of you, be furnished with a sufficient answer to any calumny upon this occasion.

'Lord Hailes writes to me, (for we correspond more than we talk together,) "As to Fingal, I see a controversy arising, and purpose to keep out of its way.

There is no doubt that I might mention some circumstances; but I do not choose to commit them to paper[869]."

What his opinion is, I do not know.

He says, "I am singularly obliged to Dr. Johnson for his accurate and useful criticisms.

Had he given some strictures on the general plan of the work, it would have added much to his favours."

He is charmed with your verses on Inchkenneth, says they are very elegant, but bids me tell you he doubts whether be according to the rubrick; but that is your concern; for, you know, he is a Presbyterian.'

"Legitimas faciunt pectora pura preces.

[870]" * * * * * 'To DR. LAWRENCE[871].

'Feb.

7, 1775. 'SIR,

'One of the Scotch physicians is now prosecuting a corporation that in some publick instrument have stiled him _Doctor of Medicine_ instead of _Physician_.

Boswell desires, being advocate for the corporation, to know whether _Doctor of Medicine_ is not a legitimate title, and whether it may be considered as a disadvantageous distinction.

I am to write to-night; be pleased to tell me.

'I am, Sir, your most, &c. , 'SAM.

JOHNSON.'

'To JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ.

'My DEAR BOSWELL, 'I am surprised that, knowing as you do the disposition of your countrymen to tell lies in favour of each other[872], you can be at all affected by any reports that circulate among them.

Macpherson never in his life offered me a sight of any original or of any evidence of any kind; but thought only of intimidating me by noise and threats, till my last answer,--that I would not be deterred from detecting what I thought a cheat, by the menaces of a ruffian--put an end to our correspondence.

'The state of the question is this.

He, and Dr. Blair, whom I consider as deceived, say, that he copied the poem from old manuscripts.

His copies, if he had them, and I believe him to have none, are nothing.

Where are the manuscripts?

They can be shown if they exist, but they were never shown.

_De non existentibus et non apparentibus_, says our law, _eadem est ratio_.

No man has a claim to credit upon his own word, when better evidence, if he had it, may be easily produced.

But, so far as we can find, the Erse language was never written till very lately for the purposes of religion.

A nation that cannot write, or a language that was never written, has no manuscripts.

'But whatever he has he never offered to show.

If old manuscripts should now be mentioned, I should, unless there were more evidence than can be easily had, suppose them another proof of Scotch conspiracy in national falsehood.

'Do not censure the expression; you know it to be true.

'Dr. Memis's question is so narrow as to allow no speculation; and I have no facts before me but those which his advocate has produced against you.

'I consulted this morning the President of the London College of Physicians[873], who says, that with us, _Doctor of Physick_ (we do not say _Doctor of Medicine_) is the highest title that a practicer of physick can have; that _Doctor_ implies not only _Physician_, but teacher of physick; that every _Doctor_ is legally a _Physician_; but no man, not a _Doctor_, can _practice physick_ but by _licence_ particularly granted.

The Doctorate is a licence of itself.

It seems to us a very slender cause of prosecution.

* * * * * 'I am now engaged, but in a little time I hope to do all you would have.

My compliments to Madam and Veronica.

'I am, Sir, 'Your most humble servant, 'SAM.

JOHNSON.'

'February 7, 1775.' What words were used by Mr. Macpherson in his letter to the venerable Sage, I have never heard; but they are generally said to have been of a nature very different from the language of literary contest.

Dr. Johnson's answer appeared in the newspapers of the day, and has since been frequently re-published; but not with perfect accuracy.

I give it as dictated to me by himself, written down in his presence, and authenticated by a note in his own hand-writing, '_This, I think, is a true copy_[874].'

'MR. JAMES MACPHERSON,

'I received your foolish and impudent letter.

Any violence offered me I shall do my best to repel; and what I cannot do for myself, the law shall do for me.

I hope I shall never be deterred from detecting what I think a cheat, by the menaces of a ruffian.

'What would you have me retract?

I thought your book an imposture; I think it an imposture still.

For this opinion I have given my reasons to the publick, which I here dare you to refute.

Your rage I defy.

Your abilities, since your Homer[875], are not so formidable; and what I hear of your morals, inclines me to pay regard not to what you shall say, but to what you shall prove.

You may print this if you will.

'SAM.

JOHNSON[876].'

Mr. Macpherson little knew the character of Dr. Johnson, if he supposed that he could be easily intimidated; for no man was ever more remarkable for personal courage.

He had, indeed, an aweful dread of death, or rather, 'of something after death[877];' and what rational man, who seriously thinks of quitting all that he has ever known, and going into a new and unknown state of being, can be without that dread?

But his fear was from reflection; his courage natural.

His fear, in that one instance, was the result of philosophical and religious consideration.

He feared death, but he feared nothing else, not even what might occasion death[878].

Many instances of his resolution may be mentioned.

One day, at Mr. Beauclerk's house in the country, when two large dogs were fighting, he went up to them, and beat them till they separated[879];

and at another time, when told of the danger there was that a gun might burst if charged with many balls, he put in six or seven, and fired it off against a wall.

Mr. Langton told me, that when they were swimming together near Oxford, he cautioned Dr. Johnson against a pool, which was reckoned particularly dangerous; upon which Johnson directly swam into it.

He told me himself that one night he was attacked in the street by four men, to whom he would not yield, but kept them all at bay, till the watch came up, and carried both him and them to the round-house[880].

In the playhouse at Lichfield, as Mr. Garrick informed me, Johnson having for a moment quitted a chair which was placed for him between the side-scenes, a gentleman took possession of it, and when Johnson on his return civilly demanded his seat, rudely refused to give it up; upon which Johnson laid hold of it, and tossed him and the chair into the pit.

Foote, who so successfully revived the old comedy, by exhibiting living characters, had resolved to imitate Johnson on the stage, expecting great profits from his ridicule of so celebrated a man.

Johnson being informed of his intention, and being at dinner at Mr. Thomas Davies's the bookseller, from whom I had the story, he asked Mr. Davies 'what was the common price of an oak stick;' and being answered six-pence, 'Why then, Sir, (said he,) give me leave to send your servant to purchase me a shilling one.

I'll have a double quantity; for I am told Foote means to _take me off_, as he calls it, and I am determined the fellow shall not do it with impunity.'

Davies took care to acquaint Foote of this, which effectually checked the wantonness of the mimick[881].

Mr. Macpherson's menaces made Johnson provide himself with the same implement of defence[882]; and had he been attacked, I have no doubt that, old as he was, he would have made his corporal prowess be felt as much as his intellectual.

His _Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland_[883] is a most valuable performance.

It abounds in extensive philosophical views of society, and in ingenious sentiment and lively description.

A considerable part of it, indeed, consists of speculations, which many years before he saw the wild regions which we visited together, probably had employed his attention, though the actual sight of those scenes undoubtedly quickened and augmented them.

Mr. Orme, the very able historian[884], agreed with me in this opinion, which he thus strongly expressed:--'There are in that book thoughts, which, by long revolution in the great mind of Johnson, have been formed and polished like pebbles rolled in the ocean!'

That he was to some degree of excess a _true-born Englishman_[885], so as to have entertained an undue prejudice against both the country and the people of Scotland, must be allowed[886].

But it was a prejudice of the head, and not of the heart.

He had no ill-will to the Scotch; for, if he had been conscious of that, he would never have thrown himself into the bosom of their country, and trusted to the protection of its remote inhabitants with a fearless confidence.

His remark upon the nakedness of the country, from its being denuded of trees[887], was made after having travelled two hundred miles along the eastern coast, where certainly trees are not to be found near the road; and he said it was 'a map of the road[888]' which he gave.

His disbelief of the authenticity of the poems ascribed to Ossian, a Highland bard, was confirmed in the course of his journey, by a very strict examination of the evidence offered for it; and although their authenticity was made too much a national point by the Scotch, there were many respectable persons in that country, who did not concur in this; so that his judgement upon the question ought not to be decried, even by those who differ from him.

As to myself, I can only say, upon a subject now become very uninteresting, that when the fragments of Highland poetry first came out, I was much pleased with their wild peculiarity, and was one of those who subscribed to enable their editor, Mr. Macpherson, then a young man, to make a search in the Highlands and Hebrides for a long poem in the Erse language, which was reported to be preserved somewhere in those regions.

But when there came forth an Epick Poem in six books, with all the common circumstances of former compositions of that nature; and when, upon an attentive examination of it, there was found a perpetual recurrence of the same images which appear in the fragments; and when no ancient manuscript, to authenticate the work, was deposited in any publick library, though that was insisted on as a reasonable proof, _who_ could forbear to doubt[889]?

Johnson's grateful acknowledgements of kindnesses received in the course of this tour, completely refute the brutal reflections which have been thrown out against him, as if he had made an ungrateful return; and his delicacy in sparing in his book those who we find from his letters to Mrs. Thrale were just objects of censure[890], is much to be admired.

His candour and amiable disposition is conspicuous from his conduct, when informed by Mr. Macleod, of Rasay, that he had committed a mistake, which gave that gentleman some uneasiness.

He wrote him a courteous and kind letter, and inserted in the news-papers an advertisement, correcting the mistake[891].

The observations of my friend Mr. Dempster in a letter[892] written to me, soon after he had read Dr. Johnson's book, are so just and liberal, that they cannot be too often repeated: 'There is nothing in the book, from beginning to end, that a Scotchman need to take amiss.

What he says of the country is true; and his observations on the people are what must naturally occur to a sensible, observing, and reflecting inhabitant of a convenient metropolis, where a man on thirty pounds a year may be better accommodated with all the little wants of life, than Col or Sir Allan.

'I am charmed with his researches concerning the Erse language, and the antiquity of their manuscripts.

I am quite convinced; and I shall rank Ossian and his Fingals and Oscars amongst the nursery tales, not the true history of our country, in all time to come.

'Upon the whole, the book cannot displease, for it has no pretensions.

The authour neither says he is a geographer, nor an antiquarian, nor very learned in the history of Scotland, nor a naturalist, nor a fossilist[893].

The manners of the people, and the face of the country, are all he attempts to describe, or seems to have thought of.

Much were it to be wished, that they who have travelled into more remote, and of course more curious regions, had all possessed his good sense.

Of the state of learning, his observations on Glasgow University show he has formed a very sound judgement.

He understands our climate too; and he has accurately observed the changes, however slow and imperceptible to us, which Scotland has undergone, in consequence of the blessings of liberty and internal peace.'

* * * * * Mr. Knox, another native of Scotland, who has since made the same tour, and published an account of it, is equally liberal.

'I have read (says he,) his book again and again, travelled with him from Berwick to Glenelg, through countries with which I am well acquainted; sailed with him from Glenelg to Rasay, Sky, Rum, Col, Mull, and Icolmkill, but have not been able to correct him in any matter of consequence.

I have often admired the accuracy, the precision, and the justness of what he advances, respecting both the country and the people.

'The Doctor has every where delivered his sentiments with freedom, and in many instances with a seeming regard for the benefit of the inhabitants and the ornament of the country.

His remarks on the want of trees and hedges for shade, as well as for shelter to the cattle, are well founded, and merit the thanks, not the illiberal censure of the natives.

He also felt for the distresses of the Highlanders, and explodes with great propriety the bad management of the grounds, and the neglect of timber in the Hebrides.'

Having quoted Johnson's just compliments on the Rasay family[894], he says, 'On the other hand, I found this family equally lavish in their encomiums upon the Doctor's conversation, and his subsequent civilities to a young gentleman of that country, who, upon waiting upon him at London, was well received, and experienced all the attention and regard that a warm friend could bestow.

Mr. Macleod having also been in London, waited upon the Doctor, who provided a magnificent and expensive entertainment in honour of his old Hebridean acquaintance.'

And talking of the military road by Fort Augustus, he says, 'By this road, though one of the most rugged in Great Britain, the celebrated Dr. Johnson passed from Inverness to the Hebride Isles.

His observations on the country and people are extremely correct, judicious, and instructive[895].'

Mr. Tytler, the acute and able vindicator of Mary Queen of Scots, in one of his letters to Mr. James Elphinstone, published in that gentleman's _Forty Years' Correspondence_, says, 'I read Dr. Johnson's Tour with very great pleasure.

Some few errours he has fallen into, but of no great importance, and those are lost in the numberless beauties of his work.

'If I had leisure, I could perhaps point out the most exceptionable places; but at present I am in the country, and have not his book at hand.

It is plain he meant to speak well of Scotland; and he has in my apprehension done us great honour in the most capital article, the character of the inhabitants.'

His private letters to Mrs. Thrale, written during the course of his journey, which therefore may be supposed to convey his genuine feelings at the time, abound in such benignant sentiments towards the people who showed him civilities[896], that no man whose temper is not very harsh and sour, can retain a doubt of the goodness of his heart.

It is painful to recollect with what rancour he was assailed by numbers of shallow irritable North Britons, on account of his supposed injurious treatment of their country and countrymen, in his _Journey_.

Had there been any just ground for such a charge, would the virtuous and candid Dempster[897] have given his opinion of the book, in the terms which I have quoted?

Would the patriotick Knox[898] have spoken of it as he has done?

Would Mr. Tytler, surely '--a Scot, if ever Scot there were,' have expressed himself thus?

And let me add, that, citizen of the world as I hold myself to be, I have that degree of predilection for my _natale solum_, nay, I have that just sense of the merit of an ancient nation, which has been ever renowned for its valour, which in former times maintained its independence against a powerful neighbour, and in modern times has been equally distinguished for its ingenuity and industry in civilized life, that I should have felt a generous indignation at any injustice done to it.

Johnson treated Scotland no worse than he did even his best friends, whose characters he used to give as they appeared to him, both in light and shade.

Some people, who had not exercised their minds sufficiently, condemned him for censuring his friends.

But Sir Joshua Reynolds, whose philosophical penetration and justness of thinking were not less known to those who lived with him, than his genius in his art is admired by the world, explained his conduct thus: 'He was fond of discrimination, which he could not show without pointing out the bad as well as the good in every character; and as his friends were those whose characters he knew best, they afforded him the best opportunity for showing the acuteness of his judgement.'

He expressed to his friend Mr. Windham of Norfolk, his wonder at the extreme jealousy of the Scotch, and their resentment at having their country described by him as it really was; when, to say that it was a country as good as England, would have been a gross falsehood.

'None of us, (said he), would be offended if a foreigner who has travelled here should say, that vines and olives don't grow in England.'

And as to his prejudice against the Scotch, which I always ascribed to that nationality which he observed in _them_, he said to the same gentleman, 'When I find a Scotchman, to whom an Englishman is as a Scotchman, that Scotchman shall be as an Englishman to me[899].'

His intimacy with many gentlemen of Scotland, and his employing so many natives of that country as his amanuenses[900], prove that his prejudice was not virulent; and I have deposited in the British Museum, amongst other pieces of his writing, the following note in answer to one from me, asking if he would meet me at dinner at the Mitre, though a friend of mine, a Scotchman, was to be there:-- 'Mr. Johnson does not see why Mr. Boswell should suppose a Scotchman less acceptable than any other man.

He will be at the Mitre.'

My much-valued friend Dr. Barnard, now Bishop of Killaloe, having once expressed to him an apprehension, that if he should visit Ireland he might treat the people of that country more unfavourably than he had done the Scotch; he answered, with strong pointed double-edged wit, 'Sir, you have no reason to be afraid of me.

The Irish are not in a conspiracy to cheat the world by false representations of the merits of their countrymen[901].

No, Sir; the Irish are a FAIR PEOPLE;--they never speak well of one another.'

Johnson told me of an instance of Scottish nationality, which made a very unfavourable impression upon his mind.

A Scotchman, of some consideration in London, solicited him to recommend, by the weight of his learned authority, to be master of an English school, a person of whom he who recommended him confessed he knew no more but that he was his countryman.

Johnson was shocked at this unconscientious conduct[902].

All the miserable cavillings against his _Journey_, in news-papers[903], magazines, and other fugitive publications, I can speak from certain knowledge, only furnished him with sport.

At last there came out a scurrilous volume, larger than Johnson's own, filled with malignant abuse, under a name, real or fictitious, of some low man in an obscure corner of Scotland, though supposed to be the work of another Scotchman, who has found means to make himself well known both in Scotland and England.

The effect which it had upon Johnson was, to produce this pleasant observation to Mr. Seward, to whom he lent the book: 'This fellow must be a blockhead.

They don't know how to go about their abuse.

Who will read a five shilling book against me?

No, Sir, if they had wit, they should have kept pelting me with pamphlets[904].'

'MR. BOSWELL TO DR.

JOHNSON.

'Edinburgh, Feb.

18, 1775. 'You would have been very well pleased if you had dined with me to-day.

I had for my guests, Macquharrie, young Maclean of Col, the successor of our friend, a very amiable man, though not marked with such active qualities as his brother; Mr. Maclean of Torloisk in Mull, a gentleman of Sir Allan's family; and two of the clan Grant; so that the Highland and Hebridean genius reigned.

We had a great deal of conversation about you, and drank your health in a bumper.

The toast was not proposed by me, which is a circumstance to be remarked, for I am now so connected with you, that any thing that I can say or do to your honour has not the value of an additional compliment.

It is only giving you a guinea out of that treasure of admiration which already belongs to you, and which is no hidden treasure; for I suppose my admiration of you is co-existent with the knowledge of my character.

'I find that the Highlanders and Hebrideans in general are much fonder of your _Journey_ than the low-country or _hither_ Scots.

One of the Grants said to-day, that he was sure you were a man of a good heart, and a candid man, and seemed to hope he should be able to convince you of the antiquity of a good proportion of the poems of Ossian.

After all that has passed, I think the matter is capable of being proved to a certain degree.

I am told that Macpherson got one old Erse MS. from Clanranald, for the restitution of which he executed a formal obligation; and it is affirmed, that the Gaelick (call it Erse or call it Irish,) has been written in the Highlands and Hebrides for many centuries.

It is reasonable to suppose, that such of the inhabitants as acquired any learning, possessed the art of writing as well as their Irish neighbours, and Celtick cousins; and the question is, can sufficient evidence be shewn of this?

'Those who are skilled in ancient writings can determine the age of MSS.

or at least can ascertain the century in which they were written; and if men of veracity, who are so skilled, shall tell us that MSS.

in the possession of families in the Highlands and isles are the works of a remote age, I think we should be convinced by their testimony.

'There is now come to this city, Ranald Macdonald from the Isle of Egg, who has several MSS.

of Erse poetry, which he wishes to publish by subscription.

I have engaged to take three copies of the book, the price of which is to be six shillings, as I would subscribe for all the Erse that can be printed be it old or new, that the language may be preserved.

This man says, that some of his manuscripts are ancient; and, to be sure, one of them which was shewn to me does appear to have the duskyness of antiquity.

* * * * * 'The enquiry is not yet quite hopeless, and I should think that the exact truth may be discovered, if proper means be used.

I am, &c. 'JAMES BOSWELL.'

To JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ.

'DEAR SIR, 'I am sorry that I could get no books for my friends in Scotland.

Mr. Strahan has at last promised to send two dozen to you.

If they come, put the names of my friends into them; you may cut them out[905], and paste them with a little starch in the book.

'You then are going wild about Ossian.

Why do you think any part can be proved?

The dusky manuscript of Egg is probably not fifty years old; if it be an hundred, it proves nothing.

The tale of Clanranald is no proof.

Has Clanranald told it?

Can he prove it?

There are, I believe, no Erse manuscripts.

None of the old families had a single letter in Erse that we heard of.

You say it is likely that they could write.

The learned, if any learned there were, could; but knowing by that learning, some written language, in that language they wrote, as letters had never been applied to their own.

If there are manuscripts, let them be shewn, with some proof that they are not forged for the occasion.

You say many can remember parts of Ossian.

I believe all those parts are versions of the English; at least there is no proof of their antiquity.

'Macpherson is said to have made some translations himself; and having taught a boy to write it, ordered him to say that he had learnt it of his grandmother.

The boy, when he grew up, told the story.

This Mrs. Williams heard at Mr. Strahan's table.

Don't be credulous; you know how little a Highlander can be trusted.

[906] Macpherson is, so far as I know, very quiet.

Is not that proof enough?

Every thing is against him.

No visible manuscript; no inscription in the language: no correspondence among friends: no transaction of business, of which a single scrap remains in the ancient families.

Macpherson's pretence is, that the character was Saxon.

If he had not talked unskilfully of _manuscripts_, he might have fought with oral tradition much longer.

As to Mr. Grant's information, I suppose he knows much less of the matter than ourselves.

'In the mean time, the bookseller says that the sale[907] is sufficiently quick.

They printed four thousand.

Correct your copy wherever it is wrong, and bring it up.

Your friends will all be glad to see you.

I

think of going myself into the country about May.

'I am sorry that I have not managed to send the book sooner.

I have left four for you, and do not restrict you absolutely to follow my directions in the distribution.

You must use your own discretion.

'Make my compliments to Mrs. Boswell: I suppose she is now just beginning to forgive me.