Life of Samuel Johnson, Vol. II (version 2) — Section 37

This most ludicrous exhibition of the aweful, melancholy, and venerable Johnson[767], happened well to counteract the feelings of sadness which I used to experience when parting with him for a considerable time.

I

accompanied him to his door, where he gave me his blessing.

He records of himself this year, 'Between Easter and Whitsuntide, having always considered that time as propitious to study, I attempted to learn the Low Dutch language[768].'

It is to be observed, that he here admits an opinion of the human mind being influenced by seasons, which he ridicules in his writings[769].

His progress, he says, was interrupted by a fever, 'which, by the imprudent use of a small print, left an inflammation in his useful eye[770].'

We cannot but admire his spirit when we know, that amidst a complication of bodily and mental distress, he was still animated with the desire of intellectual improvement[771].

Various notes of his studies appear on different days, in his manuscript diary of this year, such as, 'Inchoavi lectionem Pentateuchi--Finivi lectionem Conf.

Fab.

Burdonum[772].

--Legi primum actum Troadum.

--Legi Dissertationem Clerici postremam de Pent.

--2 of Clark's Sermons.

--L.

Appolonii pugnam Betriciam.

--L.

centum versus Homeri.'

Let this serve as a specimen of what accessions of literature he was perpetually infusing into his mind, while he charged himself with idleness.

This year died Mrs. Salusbury, (mother of Mrs. Thrale,) a lady whom he appears to have esteemed much, and whose memory he honoured with an Epitaph[773].

In a letter from Edinburgh, dated the 29th of May, I pressed him to persevere in his resolution to make this year the projected visit to the Hebrides, of which he and I had talked for many years, and which I was confident would afford us much entertainment.

'TO JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ.

'DEAR SIR, 'When your letter came to me, I was so darkened by an inflammation in my eye, that I could not for some time read it.

I can now write without trouble, and can read large prints.

My eye is gradually growing stronger; and I hope will be able to take some delight in the survey of a Caledonian loch.

'Chambers is going a Judge, with six thousand a year, to Bengal[774].

He and I shall come down together as far as Newcastle, and thence I shall easily get to Edinburgh.

Let me know the exact time when your Courts intermit.

I must conform a little to Chambers's occasions, and he must conform a little to mine.

The time which you shall fix, must be the common point to which we will come as near as we can.

Except this eye, I am very well.

'Beattie is so caressed, and invited, and treated, and liked, and flattered, by the great, that I can see nothing of him.

I am in great hope that he will be well provided for, and then we will live upon him at the Marischal College, without pity or modesty[775].

'----[776] left the town without taking leave of me, and is gone in deep dudgeon to ----[777].

Is not this very childish?

Where is now my legacy[778]?

'I hope your dear lady and her dear baby are both well.

I shall see them too when I come; and I have that opinion of your choice, as to suspect that when I have seen Mrs. Boswell, I shall be less willing to go away.

I am, dear Sir, 'Your affectionate humble servant, 'SAM.

JOHNSON.'

'Johnson's-court, Fleet-street, July 5, 1773.' 'Write to me as soon as you can.

Chambers is now at Oxford.'

I again wrote to him, informing him that the Court of Session rose on the twelfth of August, hoping to see him before that time, and expressing perhaps in too extravagant terms, my admiration of him, and my expectation of pleasure from our intended tour.

'To JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ.

'DEAR SIR, 'I shall set out from London on Friday the sixth [779] of this month, and purpose not to loiter much by the way.

Which day I shall be at Edinburgh, I cannot exactly tell.

I suppose I must drive to an inn, and send a porter to find you.

'I am afraid Beattie will not be at his College soon enough for us, and I shall be sorry to miss him; but there is no staying for the concurrence of all conveniences.

We will do as well as we can.

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

JOHNSON.'

'August 3, 1773.' TO THE SAME.

'DEAR SIR, 'Not being at Mr. Thrale's when your letter came, I had written the enclosed paper and sealed it; bringing it hither for a frank, I found yours.

If any thing could repress my ardour, it would be such a letter as yours.

To disappoint a friend is unpleasing; and he that forms expectations like yours, must be disappointed.

Think only when you see me, that you see a man who loves you, and is proud and glad that you love him.

'I am, Sir, 'Your most affectionate 'SAM.

JOHNSON.'

'August 3, 1773.' TO THE SAME.

'Newcastle, Aug.

11, 1771. 'DEAR SIR,

'I came hither last night, and hope, but do not absolutely promise, to be in Edinburgh on Saturday.

Beattie will not come so soon.

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

JOHNSON.'

'My compliments to your lady.'

TO THE SAME.

'Mr. Johnson sends his compliments to Mr. Boswell, being just arrived at Boyd's,' 'Saturday night.'

His stay in Scotland was from the 18th of August[780], on which day he arrived, till the 22nd of November, when he set out on his return to London; and I believe ninety-four days[781] were never passed by any man in a more vigorous exertion.

He came by the way of Berwick upon Tweed to Edinburgh, where he remained a few days, and then went by St. Andrew's, Aberdeen, Inverness, and Fort Augustus, to the Hebrides, to visit which was the principal object he had in view.

He visited the isles of Sky, Rasay, Col, Mull, Inchkenneth, and Icolmkill.

He travelled through Argyleshire by Inverary, and from thence by Lochlomond and Dumbarton to Glasgow, then by Loudon to Auchinleck in Ayrshire, the seat of my family, and then by Hamilton, back to Edinburgh, where he again spent some time.

He thus saw the four Universities of Scotland[782], its three principal cities, and as much of the Highland and insular life as was sufficient for his philosophical contemplation.

I had the pleasure of accompanying him during the whole of this journey.

He was respectfully entertained by the great, the learned, and the elegant, wherever he went; nor was he less delighted with the hospitality which he experienced in humbler life[783].

His various adventures, and the force and vivacity of his mind, as exercised during this peregrination, upon innumerable topicks, have been faithfully, and to the best of my abilities, displayed in my _Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides_, to which, as the publick has been pleased to honour it by a very extensive circulation[784], I beg leave to refer, as to a separate and remarkable portion of his life[785], which may be there seen in detail, and which exhibits as striking a view of his powers in conversation, as his works do of his excellence in writing.

Nor can I deny to myself the very flattering gratification of inserting here the character which my friend Mr. Courtenay has been pleased to give of that work: 'With Reynolds' pencil, vivid, bold, and true, So fervent Boswell gives him to our view: In every trait we see his mind expand;

The master rises by the pupil's hand;

We love the writer, praise his happy vein, Grac'd with the naivetA(C) of the sage Montaigne.

Hence not alone are brighter parts display'd, But e'en the specks of character pourtray'd: We _see_ the Rambler with fastidious smile Mark the lone tree, and note the heath-clad isle;

But when th' heroick tale of Flora's[786] charms, Deck'd in a kilt, he wields a chieftain's arms: The tuneful piper sounds a martial strain, And Samuel sings, "The King shall have his _ain_."

' During his stay at Edinburgh, after his return from the Hebrides, he was at great pains to obtain information concerning Scotland; and it will appear from his subsequent letters, that he was not less solicitous for intelligence on this subject after his return to London.

'To JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ.

'DEAR SIR, 'I came home last night, without any incommodity, danger, or weariness, and am ready to begin a new journey.

I shall go to Oxford on Monday[787].

I know Mrs. Boswell wished me well to go[788]; her wishes have not been disappointed.

Mrs. Williams has received Sir A's[789] letter.

'Make my compliments to all those to whom my compliments may be welcome.

'Let the box[790] be sent as soon as it can, and let me know when to expect it.

'Enquire, if you can, the order of the Clans: Macdonald is first, Maclean second; further I cannot go.

Quicken Dr. Webster[791].

'I am, Sir, 'Yours affectionately, 'SAM.

JOHNSON.'

'Nov.

27, 1773.' 'MR.

BOSWELL TO DR.

JOHNSON.

'Edinburgh, Dec.

2, 1773. 'You shall have what information I can procure as to the order of the Clans.

A gentleman of the name of Grant tells me, that there is no settled order among them; and he says, that the Macdonalds were not placed upon the right of the army at Culloden[792]; the Stuarts were.

I

shall, however, examine witnesses of every name that I can find here.

Dr. Webster shall be quickened too.

I like your little memorandums; they are symptoms of your being in earnest with your book of northern travels.

'Your box shall be sent next week by sea.

You will find in it some pieces of the broom bush, which you saw growing on the old castle of Auchinleck.

The wood has a curious appearance when sawn across.

You may either have a little writing-stand made of it, or get it formed into boards for a treatise on witchcraft, by way of a suitable binding.'

* * * * * 'MR.

BOSWELL TO DR.

JOHNSON.

'Edinburgh, Dec.

18, 1773. * * * * * 'You promised me an inscription for a print to be taken from an historical picture of Mary Queen of Scots being forced to resign her crown, which Mr. Hamilton at Rome has painted for me.

The two following have been sent to me: "_Maria Scotorum Regina meliori seculo digna, jus regiitm civibus seditiosis invita resignat_."

"_Cives seditiosi Mariam Scotorum Reginam sese muneri abdicare invitam cogunt_."

'Be so good as to read the passage in Robertson, and see if you cannot give me a better inscription.

I must have it both in Latin and English;

so if you should not give me another Latin one, you will at least choose the best of these two, and send a translation of it.'