the memory of Shakspere. Writing on this subject to the _Scots
Magazine_ of the same month, Boswell, while generally commending the
proceedings, expressed regret that the demonstration commenced with an
oratorio. “I could have wished,” he wrote, “that prayers had been read,
and a short sermon preached; it would have consecrated our jubilee to
begin it with devotion—with gratefully adoring the Supreme Father of
all spirits, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift.” In strange
contrast with these devotional sentiments was Boswell’s own procedure
at the jubilee. He took the part of a buffoon, in supposed tribute to
patriotism. Rejoicing in his achievement, he published an account of
his appearance in the _London Magazine_ for September, accompanied with
his portrait. His narrative proceeds thus:—
“One of the most remarkable masks upon this occasion was James
Boswell, Esq., in the dress of an armed Corsican chief. He entered
the amphitheatre about twelve o’clock. He wore a short dark-coloured
coat of coarse cloth, scarlet waistcoat and breeches, and black
spatter-dashes; his cap or bonnet was of black cloth; on the front of
it was embroidered in gold letters, “_Viva la Liberta_,” and on one
side of it was a handsome blue feather and cockade, so that it had an
elegant as well as a warlike appearance. On the breast of his coat was
sewed a Moor’s head, the crest of Corsica, surrounded with branches of
laurel. He had also a cartridge pouch into which was stuck a stiletto,
and on his left side a pistol was hung upon the belt of his cartridge
pouch. He had a fusee slung across his shoulder, wore no powder in his
hair, but had it plaited at full length with a knot of blue ribbons
at the end of it. He had, by way of staff, a very curious vine all of
one piece, with a bird finely carved upon it emblematical of the sweet
bard of Avon. He wore no mask, saying that it was not proper for a
gallant Corsican. So soon as he came into the room he drew universal
attention. The novelty of the Corsican dress, its becoming appearance,
and the character of that brave nation concurred to distinguish the
armed Corsican chief. He was first accosted by Mrs. Garrick, with whom
he had a good deal of conversation. Mr. Boswell danced both a minuet
and a country dance with a very pretty Irish lady, Mrs. Sheldon, wife
to Captain Sheldon, of the 38th Regiment of Foot, who was dressed in a
genteel domino, and before she danced threw off her mask.”
In honour of Corsica, Boswell read to the assemblage at Stratford a
poem which he published the same month in the _Scots Magazine_. These
are the concluding lines:—
“Let me plead for liberty distressed,
And warm for her each sympathetic breast;
Amidst the splendid honours which you bear,
To save a sister island be your care;
With generous ardour make us also free,
And give to Corsica a noble jubilee.”
On his return from Stratford, Dr. Johnson, in a letter dated 9th
September, congratulated him on his approaching marriage. He wrote
thus:—
“I am glad that you are going to be married, and as I wish you well
in things of less importance, wish you well with proportionate ardour
in this crisis of your life. What I can contribute to your happiness
I should be very unwilling to withhold, for I have always loved and
valued you, and shall love you and value you still more as you become
more regular and useful, effects which a happy marriage will hardly
fail to produce.”
Boswell was married to Miss Margaret Montgomerie, at Lainshaw, in
Ayrshire, on the 25th November, 1769. On the same day his father
entered on matrimony a second time, by espousing his cousin Elizabeth,
daughter of Robert Boswell of Balmuto, and sister of Claude James
Boswell, advocate, afterwards Lord Balmuto. This event, which Boswell
did not anticipate, considerably modified his nuptial rejoicings.
Boswell was afterwards reconciled; his father’s wife proved kindly and
generous, and she did not, by “multiplying,” add to the family burdens.
In congratulating Boswell on his new condition Mr. Temple could not
refer rejoicingly to his own matrimonial experiences. Mrs. Temple had
not proved agreeable to her husband or pleasing to her neighbours.
The occupancy of separate apartments did not rescue Mr. Temple from
domestic disquietude, and he became desirous of abandoning his living
of £80 a year for the humble station of a colonial chaplain.[49] In
the hope of obtaining such an appointment by the influence of friends
in the north, he proposed a visit to Boswell in the summer of 1770.
Boswell adduced certain family prospects as a reason why the visit
should be postponed.
About the end of August Mrs. Boswell gave birth to a son, who, much to
the grief of both parents, survived only a few hours. Boswell sought
comfort from his friend Mr. Temple, and expressed a hope that the visit
he had announced he would fulfil soon. In a letter to Mr. Temple, dated
6th September, he wrote,—
“Send your portmanteau on Monday, directed for me at my house in
Chessel’s Buildings, Canongate, and ride you over whenever you please.
Give me all the time you can. My wife will be in her drawing-room next
week, if it pleases God to continue to favour her. My dear friend, how
happy will it make me to have you under my roof, and enjoy with you
some invaluable hours of elegant friendship and classical sociality!”
Mr. Temple remained at Chessel’s Buildings several days. Though a
persistent water-drinker, his visit was much enjoyed by his host. To a
letter afterwards received from him Boswell replied thus:—
“_Edinburgh, 6th October, 1770._
“I rejoice that you got so well to Gainslaw. I was afraid you might
find the journey very fatiguing; but you water-drinkers are Herculean
fellows. I believe it would be better for me were I to adopt your
system; but this is only _en passant_. It is a bill which would meet
with a good deal of opposition in my lower house. How agreeable is it
to me to find that my old and most intimate friend was so happy in my
house! We must really contrive it so as to pass a good part of our
time together. I never will rest till you have a living in the north,
I hope in Northumberland or Cumberland.
“You cannot say too much to me of my wife. How dare you quote to me
_sua si bona norint_? I am fully sensible of my happiness in being
married to so excellent a woman, so sensible a mistress of a family,
so agreeable a companion, so affectionate and peculiarly proper
helpmate for me. I own I am not so much on my guard against fits of
passion or gloom as I ought to be; but that is really owing to her
great goodness. There is something childish in it, I confess. I ought
not to indulge in such fits; it is like a child that lets itself fall
purposely, to have the pleasure of being tenderly raised up again by
those who are fond of it. I shall endeavour to be better. Upon the
whole I do believe I shall make her happy. God bless and preserve her!”
For eighteen months subsequent to his marriage Boswell applied himself
with unwonted steadiness to literary study, and the systematic practice
of his profession. If he corresponded regularly with Mr. Temple
during this period few of his letters have been preserved, and he has
recorded in his Life of Johnson that he and the lexicographer resumed,
in June, 1771, a correspondence which had for a year and a half
been intermitted. To a letter from Boswell, soliciting a renewal of
epistolary intercourse, Dr. Johnson wrote as follows:—
“_London, June 20th, 1771._
“I never was so much pleased as now with your account of yourself; and
sincerely hope that, between public business, improving studies, and
domestic pleasures, neither melancholy nor caprice will find any place
for entrance. Whatever philosophy may determine of material nature,
it is certainly true of intellectual nature that it abhors a vacuum.
Our minds cannot be empty, and evil will break in upon them if they
are not preoccupied by good. My dear sir, mind your studies, mind your
business, make your lady happy, and be a good Christian. After this,—
‘Tristitiam et metus,
Trades protervis in mare Creticum
Portare ventis.’
“If we perform our duty we shall be safe and steady, ‘_sive per_,’
&c., whether we climb the Highlands or are tost among the Hebrides;
and I hope the time will come when we may try our powers both with
cliffs and water.”
Dr. Johnson’s letter contains the first published reference to the
proposed journey to the Hebrides. In March, 1772, Boswell revisited
London. He was retained as counsel in a case appealed to the House of
Lords by one Hastie, a schoolmaster, who had been deprived of office
for the cruel treatment of his pupils. That he might on this occasion
properly acquit himself, he sought and obtained the aid of Dr. Johnson.
During his visit he met Johnson frequently, and, with the intention
of becoming his biographer, carefully recorded his conversations. He
returned to Edinburgh in May.
Revisiting London in the spring of 1773, Boswell was for the first
time invited to dinner at Dr. Johnson’s private residence. He was, on
Dr. Johnson’s motion, admitted a member of the Literary Club. He had
become known to Sir Joshua Reynolds, Dr. Goldsmith, and Mr. Garrick; he
occasionally dined with General Oglethorpe, and continued on friendly
terms with Paoli. He was a favourite with Mr. Thrale, and frequently
enjoyed his hospitality. He returned to Edinburgh in May, and soon
afterwards Mrs. Boswell presented him with a daughter. He named the
child Veronica, in honour of his great-grandmother, the Countess of
Kincardine, a descendant of the Dutch family of Somnelsdyck.
Dr. Johnson had talked of the proposed Hebridean journey more
definitely. That his purpose might not waver, Boswell entreated some
leading Scotsmen to send him letters of invitation and encouragement.
Among those who responded by offers of hospitality were the chiefs
Macdonald and Macleod, Principal Robertson, and Dr. Beattie. Johnson
was much gratified, and fully determined to proceed to Scotland
before the close of the summer. He left London early in August, in a
post-chaise, along with Mr. Justice afterwards Sir Robert Chambers.
The latter tarried at Newcastle, and Johnson was accompanied from
thence to Edinburgh by Mr. Scott, afterwards Lord Stowell. From
Newcastle he wrote to Boswell, on Wednesday, the 11th August, that he
hoped to reach Edinburgh on the following Saturday. On the evening
of that day he arrived at Boyd’s Inn, Canongate, better known as the
“White Horse.” A note announcing his arrival brought Boswell at once.
They embraced cordially, and Boswell led him up High Street to his
house in James’s Court.
To that house Boswell had removed lately from Chessel’s Buildings.
James’s Court was entered from the Lawn Market by a low gateway. The
court was quadrilateral, and opposite the entrance were two common
stairs. Boswell occupied the dwelling reached by the western staircase,
at the height of three storeys, his door being that at the top of
the landing. The house was formerly occupied by David Hume, who here
composed a portion of his history, and entertained Boswell when a
youth. Dr. Hugh Blair had also occupied the dwelling.
Boswell having notified the arrival, his distinguished guest was, while
he remained in Edinburgh, fêted at every meal. Among those invited
by Boswell to meet him were such titled persons as the Duchess of
Douglas, Lord Chief Baron Orde, Lord Hailes, Sir William Forbes, Bart.,
of Pitsligo, Sir Adolphus Oughton, and Sir Alexander Dick, Bart.,
of Prestonfield. Of those known in literature similarly privileged
were Dr. William Robertson, Dr. Blair, Professor Adam Fergusson, Dr.
Gregory, Dr. Alexander Webster, and Dr. Blacklock. It was an epoch
in Boswell’s life, and he was proportionately elated. In his “Tour,”
published fifteen years afterwards, he in reference to this period of
his history presents of himself the following portraiture:—
“Think,” he writes, “of a gentleman of ancient blood, the pride of
which was his predominant passion. He was then in his thirty-third
year, and had been about four years happily married. His inclination
was to be a soldier, but his father, a respectable judge, had pressed
him into the profession of the law. He had travelled a good deal and
seen many varieties of human life; he had thought more than anybody
had supposed, and had a pretty good stock of general learning and
knowledge; he had all Dr. Johnson’s principles, with some degree of
relaxation; he had rather too little than too much prudence, and his
imagination being lively, he often said things of which the effect was
very different from the intention. He resembled sometimes—
‘The best good man with the worst-natured muse.’”
He cannot deny himself the vanity of finishing with the encomium of Dr.
Johnson, whose friendly partiality to the friend of his tour represents
him as one “whose acuteness would help my inquiry, and whose gaiety
of conversation and civility of manners are sufficient to counteract
the inconveniences of travel in countries less hospitable than we have
passed.”
It was arranged that Boswell should accompany the lexicographer
throughout the northern journey; and he made offer to attend to all
business concerns, including those of finance. The travellers left
Edinburgh on Wednesday, the 18th August. They crossed the Forth
at Kinghorn, and proceeded to St. Andrews by post-chaise. By the
professors of that ancient university they were cordially received
and entertained with profuse hospitality. Among the ruins of the once
magnificent cathedral Dr. Johnson inveighed against the ill-directed
zeal of Presbyterian reformers. The travellers having rested two days
at St. Andrews, proceeded northward by Dundee and Arbroath. When
they reached Montrose, Boswell communicated with Lord Monboddo, who
sent them a cordial invitation to his country seat. They dined with
his lordship, and from thence posted to Aberdeen. There Dr. Johnson
gratified his tastes by engaging in literary gladiatorship with several
of the professors.
On Sunday, the 30th August, the travellers inspected a remarkable rock
basin, known as the Buller of Buchan, and dined at Slains Castle with
the Countess of Errol. Next day they proceeded to Banff, and on that
following to Elgin, when they visited the ruins of the cathedral. On
Friday, the 29th, they reached Nairn, and from thence inspected Cawdor
Castle. By the Rev. Arlay Macaulay, minister of Cawdor, they were
kindly entertained; he was known to them as author of a history of St.
Kilda, and he has further claim to remembrance as member of a family
which produced the celebrated Lord Macaulay. To his guests he presented
a useful itinerary.
On Saturday, the 30th August, the travellers inspected Fort George,
and dined with the governor, Sir Eyre Coote. Next day, at Inverness,
they attended the Episcopal Chapel, when Boswell mentions as an odd
coincidence, as to what might be said of his connecting himself with
Dr. Johnson, that Mr. Tait, the clergyman, remarked in his discourse
“that some connected themselves with men of distinguished talents, and
since they could not equal them, tried to deck themselves with their
merit by being their companions.” The coincidence, puzzling to Boswell,
admitted of simple solution, for Mr. Collector Keith, of the Excise, a
native of Ayrshire, had met the travellers at Fort George, and to the
clergyman notified their approach. Mr. Tait’s allusion, apart from its
truthfulness, was in the worst taste, and not to be justified. Boswell
and Dr. Johnson dined with Mr. Keith.
At Inverness the travellers hired horses and procured guides. They
remained one night at Fort Augustus, entertained by the governor,
and thence pursued their journey to the opposite shores of Skye.
Inconvenienced by rough roads, Dr. Johnson became irritable. As they
approached Glenelg, Boswell, without apprising his companion, rode
forward to secure at the inn the necessary accommodations. Johnson
called him back with an angry shout, and on his return reproved him
lustily. Boswell felt hurt, but did not venture to recriminate. His
reflections on this occasion are thus recorded in his journal:—
“I wished to get on to see how we were to be lodged, and how we were
to get a boat; all of which I thought I could best settle myself,
without his having any trouble. To apply his great mind to minute
particulars is wrong; it is like taking an immense balance (such as
is kept on quays for weighing cargoes of ships) to weigh a guinea.
I knew I had neat little scales which would do better, and that his
attention to everything which falls in his way, and his uncommon
desire to be always in the right, would make him weigh, if he knew of
the particulars; it was right, therefore, for me to weigh them, and
let him have them only in effect. I, however, continued to ride by
him, finding he wished I should do so.”
The travellers found the inn at Glenelg nearly destitute of provisions,
but Macleod’s factor sent them rum and sugar, and at night they rested
on beds of hay. Next morning they sailed for Skye, and landing at
Armidale, were met by Sir Alexander Macdonald and his lady, formerly
Miss Bosville, of Yorkshire, with whom they remained several days. They
received much generous hospitality from Mr. Mackinnon, a farmer who
had entertained Pennant, and were pleased to find that he possessed a
considerable library. Invited to Rasay by the insular Chief, they had
at his house a distinguished reception. After spending some days at
Rasay they returned to Skye, and were conducted to the residence of
Mr. Macdonald, of Kingsburgh. His wife had earned a reputation which
secured her a visit from every traveller penetrating into the Hebrides.
She was the celebrated Flora Macdonald, who under circumstances of
peril enabled Prince Charles Edward to elude the vigilance of his
pursuers. At Kingsburgh Dr. Johnson slept in the bed on which the
Prince rested twenty-seven years before. To her guests Mrs. Macdonald
related the circumstances of the Prince’s escape.
The travellers were conducted to Dunvegan Castle, where they were
entertained by the Laird of Macleod and his accomplished mother, Lady
Macleod. At Dunvegan, Boswell attempting wit at Dr. Johnson’s expense,
paid dearly for his rashness. Johnson retaliated, sarcastically
presenting his assailant under a variety of degrading images, so as to
render him the sport of the company.[50]
For two weeks the travellers were attended by Mr. Donald McQueen,
a clergyman in Skye, whose respectable scholarship gratified Dr.
Johnson, while his personal influence availed in opening channels
of hospitality. With Mr. McQueen they parted on Saturday, the 25th
September. On the evening of that day, Dr. Johnson having retired at
an early hour, Boswell sat up drinking till five o’clock, when, much
intoxicated, he was helped to bed. In the afternoon Johnson entered his
apartment, and denounced him as “a drunken dog.” The words were uttered
playfully, and the inebriate, who had begun to dread a more terrible
reproof, was pleased to find his companion in good humour. He rose, and
opened the Church of England Prayer-book, and in the Epistle for the
day read these words,—“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess.”
“Some,” he wrote, “would have taken this as a divine interposition.”
On Sunday, the 3rd October, the travellers left Skye for the island of
Col. When they had got to sea a tempest arose; Dr. Johnson went into
the hold and lay down, overcome with sickness. Conscious of danger,
Boswell became meditative.
“Piety,” he writes, “afforded me comfort; yet I was disturbed by the
objections that have been made against a particular Providence, and by
the arguments of those who maintain that it is in vain to hope that
the petitions of an individual, or even of congregations, can have
any influence with the Deity; objections which have been often made,
and which Dr. Hawkesworth has lately revived in his preface to the
‘Voyages to the South Seas;’ but Dr. Ogden’s excellent doctrines on
the efficacy of intercession prevailed.”
At Col the travellers enjoyed the hospitality of Donald Maclean,
the young _laird_ who some time previously was a companion of their
journey. Owing to unfavourable winds they remained at Col till
Wednesday, the 13th October, when they sailed for Tobermory, in Mull.
From thence they proceeded to Ulva and Inchkenneth, enjoying on both
islands the hospitality of the owners, Mr. M’Quane and Sir Allan
Maclean. Sir Allan accompanied them in their voyage round Mull to the
island of Iona. They reached the island at nightfall, and procured beds
in a barn among hay. Boswell records that he was much impressed with
the solemnity of the scene; while Sir Allan and Dr. Johnson were at
breakfast he quietly left his companions and returned to the cathedral.
In these words he records his reflections:—
“While contemplating the venerable ruins I reflected with much
satisfaction that the solemn scenes of piety never lose their sanctity
and influence, though the cares and follies of life may prevent us
from visiting them, or may even make us fancy that their effects are
only as yesterday when it is past, and never again to be perceived. I
hoped that ever after having been in this holy place I should maintain
an exemplary conduct. One has a strong propensity to fix upon some
point of time from whence a better course of life may begin.”
Accompanied by Sir Allan Maclean the travellers returned to Mull.
After enjoying a series of hospitalities they sailed for Oban, on the
mainland. Next day they posted to Inverary. Boswell reported their
arrival to the Duke of Argyll, who cordially invited them to dinner.
To Dr. Johnson the Duke and Duchess were extremely courteous, but
Boswell’s presence was by the Duchess studiously ignored. As widow of
the late Duke of Hamilton she directed her displeasure at Boswell’s
zeal on behalf of Mr. Archibald Douglas in claiming the Douglas
estates, which she believed to belong lawfully to her former husband.
Boswell took her Grace’s displeasure as a compliment to his talents,
and has in his “Journey” playfully remarked that, his “punishment being
indicted by so dignified a beauty,[51] he had the consolation which a
man would feel who is strangled by a silken cord.”
Arriving on the shores of Lochlomond, the travellers visited Sir James
Colquhoun, Bart., at Rossdhu, and Mr. Commissary Smollett, cousin of
Dr. Tobias Smollett. They posted for Glasgow, inspecting _en route_ the
ancient castle of Dumbarton. At Glasgow they visited the university,
and two of the professors dined with them at their inn. Proceeding to
Ayrshire, they dined with the Earl of Loudoun, and visited the aged
Countess of Eglinton.
During the journey Boswell received a letter from his father,
permitting him to bring his friend to Auchinleck. They arrived there
on Sunday, the 2nd November, and remained a week. Lord Auchinleck and
Dr. Johnson contended keenly on various points, but the social current
moved more smoothly than Boswell had anticipated. Lord Auchinleck
regarded Dr. Johnson’s politics with aversion, and had denounced him
as a “Jacobite.” Illustrative of his dislike, an anecdote has been
preserved by Sir Walter Scott. When Boswell left Edinburgh with
Johnson on their northern tour, Lord Auchinleck remarked to a friend,
“There’s nae hope for Jamie, man; Jamie’s gane clean gyte. What do you
think, man? He’s aff wi’ the landlouping scoundrel of a Corsican. And
whase tail do ye think he has pinned himself to now, man? a _dominie_,
man,—an auld dominie, that keepit a schule and ca’d it an academy.”
Boswell has denied the truth of a report which had gained credit, that
on his representing the lexicographer to his father as a _constellation
of genius_, he replied, “_Ursa Major_.” Lord Auchinleck, he admits, did
use the expression, but it was spoken aside to a brother judge as Dr.
Johnson was standing in the Court of Session.[52]