’Beauclerk and I, and Langton, and Lady Sydney Beauclerk, mother to our friend, were one day driving in a coach by Cuper’s Gardens[805], which were then unoccupied.  I, in sport, proposed that Beauclerk and Langton, and myself should take them; and we amused ourselves with scheming how we should all do our parts.  Lady Sydney grew angry, and said, “an old man should not put such things in young people’s heads.”  She had no notion of a joke, Sir; had come late into life, and had a mighty unpliable understanding.

’Carte’s Life of the Duke of Ormond is considered as a book of authority; but it is ill-written.  The matter is diffused in too many words; there is no animation, no compression, no vigour.  Two good volumes in duodecimo might be made out of the two in folio[806].

Talking of our confinement here, I observed, that our discontent and impatience could not be considered as very unreasonable; for that we were just in the state of which Seneca complains so grievously, while in exile in Corsica[807].  ’Yes, (said Dr. Johnson,) and he was not farther from home than we are.’  The truth is, he was much nearer.

There was a good deal of rain to-day, and the wind was still contrary.  Corneck attended me, while I amused myself in examining a collection of papers belonging to the family of Col.  The first laird was a younger son of the Chieftain M’Lean, and got the middle part of Col for his patrimony.  Dr. Johnson having given a very particular account[808] of the connection between this family and a branch of the family of Camerons, called M’Lonich, I shall only insert the following document, (which I found in Col’s cabinet,) as a proof of its continuance, even to a late period:—­

TO THE LAIRD OF COL.

’DEAR SIR,

’The long-standing tract of firm affectionate friendship ’twixt your worthy predecessors and ours affords us such assurance, as that we may have full relyance on your favour and undoubted friendship, in recommending the bearer, Ewen Cameron, our cousin, son to the deceast Dugall M’Connill of Innermaillie, sometime in Glenpean, to your favour and conduct, who is a man of undoubted honesty and discretion, only that he has the misfortune of being alledged to have been accessory to the killing of one of M’Martin’s family about fourteen years ago, upon which alledgeance the M’Martins are now so sanguine on revenging, that they are fully resolved for the deprivation of his life; to the preventing of which you are relyed on by us, as the only fit instrument, and a most capable person.  Therefore your favour and protection is expected and intreated, during his good behaviour; and failing of which behaviour, you’ll please to use him as a most insignificant person deserves.

’Sir, he had, upon the alledgeance foresaid, been transported, at Lochiel’s desire, to France, to gratify the M’Martins, and upon his return home, about five years ago, married:  But now he is so much threatened by the M’Martins, that he is not secure enough to stay where he is, being Ardmurchan, which occasions this trouble to you.  Wishing prosperity and happiness to attend still yourself, worthy Lady, and good family, we are, in the most affectionate manner,