CONTENTS OF VOL. III. ix CHAPTER XIX. 1778. "Chapter concerning Snakes "Styles in Painting and Writing-George Steevens-Luxury 43€ LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON, LL.D. CHAPTER I. 1773. Edinburgh-Lord Elibank-Edinburgh Castle-Fingal-Credulity-Second Sight-Garrick and Foote as Companions-Moravian Missions and Methodism-History-Robertson-Rebellion -Lord Mansfield-Richardson-Private Life of a Judge-Blair-Boswell's ImitationsOfficers of the Army-Academy for Deaf and Dumb-Scotch Highlander and English Sailor-Roslin and Hawthornden-Cranston-Sir John Dalrymple-Johnson's Departur for London-Letters from Lord Hailes and Mr. Dempster. 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 anything seemed to him more improbable." Dr. Johnstou had a very high opinion of him. Speaking of him to me, he characterised 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.1 He published several small pieces of distinguished merit; and has 1 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," said he; "and where else will you see such horses and such men ?"-WALTER SCOTT. 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 me mory. The morning was chiefly taken up by Dr. Johnson's giving him an . account of our Tour. The subject of difference 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 eagerness. 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. 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 Castle-hill, 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 Dowager Colvill, and Lady Anne Erskine, sisters of 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. Fingal being talked of, Dr. Johnson, who used to boast that he ATAT. 64. EDINBURGH-OSSIAN. 13 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 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 mentioned 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 'This story, told in Commodore Byron's Voyage, of his having fallen in with a gigantic tribe of natives, on the coast of Patagonia.-C. ? 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. 3 Young Mr. Tytler briskly stepped forward, and said, "Fingal is certainly genuine, for I have heard 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 1"... First edit.-C. |