to rid us of our time, of that time which never can

return.

We

I know my Baretti will not be fatisfied with a letter in which I give him no account of myself: yet what account fhall I give him? I have not, fince the day of our feparation, fuffered or done any thing confiderable. The only change in my way of life is, that I have frequented the theatre more than in former feafons. But I have gone thither only to escape from myself. have had many new farces, and the comedy called The Jealous Wife, which, though not written with much genius, was yet fo well adapted to the stage, and fo well exhibited by the actors, that it was crowded for near twenty nights. I am digreffing from myself to the playhouse; but a barren plan must be filled with episodes. Of myself I have nothing to fay, but that I have hitherto lived without the concurrence of my own judgment; yet I continue to flatter myself, that, when you return, you will find me mended. I do not wonder that, where the monaftick life is permitted, every finds votaries, and every monaftery inhabitants. Men will submit to any rule, by which they may be exempted from the tyranny of caprice and of chance. They are glad to fupply by external authority their own want of conftancy and refolution, and court the government of others, when long experience has convinced them of their own inability to govern themselves. If I were to vifit Italy, my curiofity would be more attracted by convents than by palaces; though I am afraid that I should find expectation in both places equally disappointed, and life in both places supported with impatience, and quit

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ted with reluctance. That it must be fo foon quitted, is a powerful remedy against impatience; but what shall free us from reluctance? Those who have endeavoured to teach us to die well, have taught few to die willingly; yet I cannot but hope that a good life might end at last in a contented death.

You fee to what a train of thought I am drawn by the mention of myfelf. Let me now turn my attention upon you. I hope you take care to keep an exact journal, and to regifter all occurrences and obfervations; for your friends here expect fuch a book of travels as has not been often feen. You have given us good fpecimens in your letters from Lisbon. I wish you had ftaid longer in Spain, for no country is lefs known to the reft of Europe; but the quickness of your difcernment must make amends for the celerity of your motions. He that knows which way to direct his views, fees much in a little time.

Write to me very often, and I will not neglect to write to you; and I may perhaps in time get fomething to write at least, you will know by my letters, whatever elfe they may have or want, that I continue

Your most affectionate friend,

to be

London, June 10, 1761.

SAM. JOHNSON.

LETTER

LETTER

XXI.

Το LORD E LIBAN K.

MY LORD,

ON the rugged fhore of Skie, I had the honour of your Lordship's letter, and can with great truth declare, that no place is fo gloomy but that it would be cheared by such a testimony of regard, from a mind fo well qualified to eftimate characters, and to deal out approbation in its due proportions. If I have more than my share, it is your Lordship's fault; for I have always reverenced your judgment too much, to exalt myself in your prefence by any falfe pretenfions.

Mr. Bofwell and I are at prefent at the difpofal of the winds, and therefore cannot fix the time at which we shall have the honour of feeing your Lordship. But we should either of us think ourselves injured by the fuppofition that we would mifs your Lordship's converfation, when we could enjoy it; for I have often declared, that I never met you without going away a wifer man,

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XXII.

TO THE DUKE OF ARGYL E,

MY LORD,

THAT kindness which disposed your Grace to fupply me with the horfe, which I have now returned, will make you pleased to hear that he has carried me well.

By my diligence in the little commiffion with which I was honoured by the Duchefs, I will endeavour to fhew how highly I value the favours which I have received, and how much I defire to be thought,

MR. BOSWELL has this day fhewn me a letter, in which you complain of a paffage in "the Journey to the Hebrides." My meaning is mistaken, I did not intend to say that you had perfonally made any ceffion of the rights of your houfe, or any acknowledgment of the fuperiority of M'Leod of Dunvegan. I only defigned to express what I thought generally ad

mitted that the houfe of Rafay allowed the fuperiority of the house of Dunvegan. Even this I now find to be erroneous, and will therefore omit or retract it in the next edition.

Though what I had faid had been true, if it had been difagreeable to you, I should have wished it unfaid; for it is not my business to adjust precedence. As it is miftaken, I find myself difpofed to correct it, both by my refpect for you, and my reverence for truth.

As I know not when the book will be reprinted, I have defired Mr. Bofwell to anticipate the correction in the Edinburgh Papers *. This is all that can be done.

I hope I may now venture to defire that my compliments may be made, and my gratitude expreffed, to Lady Rafay, Mr. Malcolm, M'Leod, M'Donald, McQueen, and all the Gentlemen and all the Ladies whom I faw in the Ifland of Rafay; a place which I remember with too much pleasure and too much kindnefs, not to be forry that my ignorance, or hafty perfuafion, fhould for a fingle moment, have violated its tranquillity.

I beg you all to forgive an undefigned and involuntary injury, and to confider me as, SIR,

Your most obliged, and

London, May 6, 1775.

most humble fervant,

SAM. JOHNSON.

The following was Dr. Johnfon's Advertisement.-The author of The Journey to the Western Islands having related that the M'Leods of Rafay acknowledge the chieftainship or fuperiority of the M'Leods of Skie, finds that he has been misinformed or mistaken. He means in a future edition to correct his error, and wishes to be told of more, if more have been discovered.

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