George Edwin Swithinbank, LL.D., F.S.A. Scot. William H. Smith, Esq. Alexander Smith, Esq. Captain Robert Steuart, of Westwood. David Semple, Esq., F.S.A. Scot. Thomas Stratton, Esq., M.D. Charles A. Stewart, Esq., of Achnacone. James Stillie, Esq. T. W. Swinburne, Esq. Alexander B. Stewart, Esq. Thomas Sopwith, Esq., F.R.S., F.R.H.S. Charles Stewart, Esq., R.N., F.S.A. Scot. A. Campbell Swinton, Esq., F.S.A. Scot., of Kimmerghame. Charles Shaw, Esq. Sion College, London. Robert R. Stodart, Esq. C. J. Stewart, Esq. George Stewart, Esq. William Stewart, Esq. H. King Spark, Esq. John Shand, Esq., W.S. James Frederick Spurr, Esq. The Right Hon. Lord Talbot de Malahide. Sir Walter Calverly Trevelyan, Bart., F.S.A., F.G.S., F.S.A. Scot. The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple. Alexander Tod, Esq., F.S.A. Scot. Charles Tennant, Esq. Gilbert Rainey Tennent, Esq. Robert Tennant, Esq. W. J. Taylor, Esq., of Glenbarry. Thomas Aubrey Turner, Esq. John Turnbull, Esq. John Tweed, Esq. Andrew Usher, Esq. Right Hon. Lord Wharncliffe. Sir Albert William Woods, F.S.A. Rev. John G. Wright, LL.D. George Ferguson Wilson, Esq., F.R.S. William Thorburn Wilson, F.S.A. Scot. Archibald Weir, Esq., M.D. Thomas A. Wise, Esq., M.D., F.S.A. Scot., F.R.H.S. J. P. Wise, Esq., Rostellan Castle. Miss Catherine Mary Watson. Fountaine Walker, Esq., of Foyers. J. A. Woods, Esq. James Wingate, Esq. Edward Wilson, Esq. Charles H. H. Wilson, Esq., of Dalnair. Mrs. W. Wilson. Andrew Wark, Esq. Rev. W. H. Wylie. Allan A. Maconochie Welwood, Esq., of Meadowbank. T. W. Spencer Waugh, Esq. Randolph Gordon Erskine Wemyss, Esq., of Wemyss and Torrie. Mrs. Wilkie. Evan C. Sutherland Walker, Esq., of Skibo. * * * * * * PREFACE. JAMES BOSWELL had not, by publishing his great work, the Life of Dr. Samuel Johnson, completed his literary plans. He preserved the letters he received from notable persons, and retained copies of his own. For many years he kept a journal, in which he recorded not merely his conversations with Dr. Johnson, but the diurnal occurrences of his own life. Respecting his journal, in a letter to his friend Mr. Temple, dated 22nd May, 1789, he writes:—“You have often told me that I was the most thinking man you ever knew; it is certainly so as to my own life. I am continually conscious, continually looking back or looking forward, and wondering how I shall feel in situations which I anticipate in fancy. My journal will afford materials for a very curious narrative. I assure you I do not now live with a view to have surprising incidents, though I own I am desirous that my life should tell.” Boswell evidently intended to adapt the contents of his journal to an autobiography; his early death precluded the intention.