We sent our horses round a point of land, that we might shun some very bad road; and resolved to go forward by sea.  It was seven o’clock when we got into our boat.  We had many showers, and it soon grew pretty dark.  Dr. Johnson sat silent and patient.  Once he said, as he looked on the black coast of Sky,-black, as being composed of rocks seen in the dusk,—­’This is very solemn.’  Our boatmen were rude singers, and seemed so like wild Indians, that a very little imagination was necessary to give one an impression of being upon an American river.  We landed at Strolimus, from whence we got a guide to walk before us, for two miles, to Corrichatachin.  Not being able to procure a horse for our baggage, I took one portmanteau before me, and Joseph another.  We had but a single star to light us on our way.  It was about eleven when we arrived.  We were most hospitably received by the master and mistress, who were just going to bed, but, with unaffected ready kindness, made a good fire, and at twelve o’clock at night had supper on the table.

James Macdonald, of Knockow, Kingsburgh’s brother, whom we had seen at Kingsburgh, was there.  He shewed me a bond granted by the late Sir James Macdonald, to old Kingsburgh, the preamble of which does so much honour to the feelings of that much-lamented gentleman, that I thought it worth transcribing.  It was as follows:—­

’I, Sir James Macdonald, of Macdonald, Baronet, now, after arriving at my perfect age, from the friendship I bear to Alexander Macdonald of Kingsburgh, and in return for the long and faithful services done and performed by him to my deceased father, and to myself during my minority, when he was one of my Tutors and Curators; being resolved, now that the said Alexander Macdonald is advanced in years, to contribute my endeavours for making his old age placid and comfortable,’—­

therefore he grants him an annuity of fifty pounds sterling.

Dr. Johnson went to bed soon.  When one bowl of punch was finished, I rose, and was near the door, in my way up stairs to bed; but Corrichatachin said, it was the first time Col had been in his house, and he should have his bowl;-and would not I join in drinking it?  The heartiness of my honest landlord, and the desire of doing social honour to our very obliging conductor, induced me to sit down again.  Col’s bowl was finished; and by that time we were well warmed.  A third bowl was soon made, and that too was finished.  We were cordial, and merry to a high degree; but of what passed I have no recollection, with any accuracy.  I remember calling Corrichatachin by the familiar appellation of Corri, which his friends do.  A fourth bowl was made, by which time Col, and young M’Kinnon, Corrichatachin’s son, slipped away to bed.  I continued a little with Corri and Knockow; but at last I left them.  It was near five in the morning when I got to bed.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26