I cannot be certain, whether it was on this day, or a former, that Dr
Johnson and my father came in collision. If I recollect right, the
contest began while my father was shewing him his collection of
medals; and Oliver Cromwell's coin unfortunately introduced Charles
the First, and Toryism. They became exceedingly warm, and violent, and
I was very much distressed by being present at such an altercation
between the two men, both of whom I reverenced; yet I durst not
interfere. It would certainly be very unbecoming in me to exhibit my
honoured father, and my respected friend, as intellectual gladiators,
for the entertainment of the publick; and therefore I suppress what
would, I dare say, make an interesting scene in this dramatick sketch
this account of the transit of Johnson over the Caledonian hemisphere.
Yet I think I may, without impropriety, mention one circumstance, as
an instance of my father's address. Dr Johnson challenged him, as he
did us all at Talisker, to point out any theological works of merit
written by Presbyterian 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 expression
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.