After dinner to-day, we talked of the extraordinary fact of Lady Grange’s being sent to St. Kilda, and confined there for several years, without any means of relief[628].  Dr. Johnson said, if M’Leod would let it be known that he had such a place for naughty ladies, he might make it a very profitable island.  We had, in the course of our tour, heard of St. Kilda poetry.  Dr. Johnson observed, ’it must be very poor, because they have very few images.’  BOSWELL.  ’There may be a poetical genius shewn in combining these, and in making poetry of them.’  JOHNSON.  ’Sir, a man cannot make fire but in proportion as he has fuel.  He cannot coin guineas but in proportion as he has gold.’  At tea he talked of his intending to go to Italy in 1775.  M’Leod said, he would like Paris better.  JOHNSON.  ’No, Sir; there are none of the French literati now alive, to visit whom I would cross a sea.  I can find in Buffon’s book all that he can say[629].’

After supper he said, ’I am sorry that prize-fighting is gone out[630]; every art should be preserved, and the art of defence is surely important.  It is absurd that our soldiers should have swords, and not be taught the use of them.  Prize-fighting made people accustomed not to be alarmed at seeing their own blood, or feeling a little pain from a wound.  I think the heavy glaymore was an ill-contrived weapon.  A man could only strike once with it.  It employed both his hands, and he must of course be soon fatigued with wielding it; so that if his antagonist could only keep playing a while, he was sure of him.  I would fight with a dirk against Rorie More’s sword.  I could ward off a blow with a dirk, and then run in upon my enemy.  When within that heavy sword, I have him; he is quite helpless, and I could stab him at my leisure, like a calf.  It is thought by sensible military men, that the English do not enough avail themselves of their superior strength of body against the French; for that must always have a great advantage in pushing with bayonets.  I have heard an officer say, that if women could be made to stand, they would do as well as men in a mere interchange of bullets from a distance:  but, if a body of men should come close up to them, then to be sure they must be overcome; now, (said he,) in the same manner the weaker-bodied French must be overcome by our strong soldiers.’

The subject of duelling was introduced[631] JOHNSON.  ’There is no case in England where one or other of the combatants must die:  if you have overcome your adversary by disarming him, that is sufficient, though you should not kill him; your honour, or the honour of your family, is restored, as much as it can be by a duel.  It is cowardly to force your antagonist to renew the combat, when you know that you have the advantage of him by superior skill.  You might just as well go and cut his throat while he is asleep in his bed.  When a duel begins, it is supposed there may be an equality; because it is