thing mentioned in the book which you recom mended. "Langton is here; we are all that ever we were. 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. Lady Di nurses him with very great assiduity. Reynolds has taken too much to strong liquor," and seems to delight in his new character. 6 love "This is all the news that I have; but as you verses, I will send you a few which I made upon Inchkenneth; 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. Ætat. 66, "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. Bowell, and to Miss Veronica. I am, dear Sir, "Jan. 1, 1775. "Yours most faithfully, "SAM. JOHNSON." It should be recollected, that this fanciful description of his friend was given by Johnson after he himself had become a waterdrinker. "See them in "Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides," 3d edit. p. 337. 7 He now sent me a Latin inscription for my historical picture "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. Well do you know Mary Queen of Scots, and afterwards favoured me with an English translation. Mr. Alderman Boydell, that eminent Patron of the Arts, has subjoined them to the engraving from my picture. Ætat. 66. that I have no kindness for that race. But nations, 1775. 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 mean by the Originals of Fingal and other poems of Ossian, which he advertises to have lain in his shop?" "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 Etat. 66. 1775. 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 Make my compliments to Mrs. Boswell. Jan. 28, 1775. as I can. I am, Sir, &c. "SAM. JOHNSON." 66 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 1775. circumstances; but I do not choose to commit them 6 to paper.'* What his opinion, is, I do not know. whether "Legitimas faciunt pectora pura preces, be according to the rubrick: but that is your concern; for, you know, he is a Presbyterian." Etat. 66. "SIR, 66 TO DR. LAWRENCE. "Feb. 7, 1775. "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 tonight; be pleased to tell me. I am, Sir, your most, &c. "SAM. JOHNSON." * [His Lordship, notwithstanding his resolution, did commit his sentiments to paper, and in one of his notes affixed to his Collection of Old Scottish Poetry, he says, that "to doubt the authenticity of those poems is a refinement in Scepticism indeed." I. B.] The learned and worthy Dr. Lawrence, whom Dr. Johnson respected and loved as his physician and friend. X VOL. II. |