Boswelliana: The Commonplace Book of James Boswell, with a Memoir and AnnotationsBoswell, James
History
Boswelliana: The Commonplace Book of James Boswell, with a Memoir and Annotations
Boswell, James
Boswell, James, 1740-1795
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.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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