of respect to Queen Caroline, who patronised him, Clarke treated him too well.[781]’ During the time that Dr. Johnson was thus going on, the old minister was standing with his back to the fire, cresting up erect, pulling down the front of his periwig, and talking what a great man Leibnitz was.  To give an idea of the scene, would require a page with two columns; but it ought rather to be represented by two good players.  The old gentleman said, Clarke was very wicked, for going so much into the Arian system[782].  ’I will not say he was wicked, said Dr. Johnson; he might be mistaken.’  M’LEAN.  ’He was wicked, to shut his eyes against the Scriptures; and worthy men in England have since confuted him to all intents and purposes.’  JOHNSON.  ‘I know not who has confuted him to all intents and purposes.’  Here again there was a double talking, each continuing to maintain his own argument, without hearing exactly what the other said.

I regretted that Dr. Johnson did not practice the art of accommodating himself to different sorts of people.  Had he been softer with this venerable old man, we might have had more conversation; but his forcible spirit, and impetuosity of manner, may be said to spare neither sex nor age.  I have seen even Mrs. Thrale stunned; but I have often maintained, that it is better he should retain his own manner[783].  Pliability of address I conceive to be inconsistent with that majestick power of mind which he possesses, and which produces such noble effects.  A lofty oak will not bend like a supple willow.

He told me afterwards, he liked firmness in an old man, and was pleased to see Mr. M’Lean so orthodox.  ’At his age, it is too late for a man to be asking himself questions as to his belief[784].’  We rode to the northern part of the island, where we saw the ruins of a church or chapel[785].  We then proceeded to a place called Grissipol, or the rough Pool.

At Grissipol we found a good farm house, belonging to the Laird of Col, and possessed by Mr. M’Sweyn.  On the beach here there is a singular variety of curious stones.  I picked up one very like a small cucumber.  By the by, Dr. Johnson told me, that Gay’s line in The Beggars Opera, ‘As men should serve a cucumber[786],’ &c. has no waggish meaning, with reference to men flinging away cucumbers as too cooling, which some have thought; for it has been a common saying of physicians in England, that a cucumber should be well sliced, and dressed with pepper and vinegar, and then thrown out, as good for nothing.  Mr. M’Sweyn’s predecessors had been in Sky from a very remote period, upon the estate belonging to M’Leod; probably before M’Leod had it The name is certainly Norwegian, from Sueno, King of Norway.  The present Mr. M’Sweyn left Sky upon the late M’Leod’s raising his rents.  He then got this farm from Col.