Col returned from his aunt, and told us, she insisted that we should come to her house that night.  He introduced to us Mr. Campbell, the Duke of Argyle’s factor in Tyr-yi.  He was a genteel, agreeable man.  He was going to Inverary, and promised to put letters into the post-office for us[847].  I now found that Dr. Johnson’s desire to get on the main land, arose from his anxiety to have an opportunity of conveying letters to his friends.

After dinner, we proceeded to Dr. M’Lean’s, which was about a mile from our inn.  He was not at home, but we were received by his lady and daughter, who entertained us so well, that Dr. Johnson seemed quite happy.  When we had supped, he asked me to give him some paper to write letters.  I begged he would write short ones, and not expatiate, as we ought to set off early.  He was irritated by this, and said, ’What must be done; must be done:  the thing is past a joke.’  ’Nay, Sir, (said I,) write as much as you please; but do not blame me, if we are kept six days before we get to the main land.  You were very impatient in the morning:  but no sooner do you find yourself in good quarters, than you forget that you are to move.’  I got him paper enough, and we parted in good humour.

Let me now recollect whatever particulars I have omitted.  In the morning I said to him, before we landed at Tobermorie, ’We shall see Dr. M’Lean, who has written The History of the M’Leans’.  JOHNSON.  ’I have no great patience to stay to hear the history of the M’Leans.  I would rather hear the History of the Thrales.’  When on Mull, I said, ’Well, Sir, this is the fourth of the Hebrides that we have been upon.’  JOHNSON.  ’Nay, we cannot boast of the number we have seen.  We thought we should see many more.  We thought of sailing about easily from island to island; and so we should, had we come at a better season[848]; but we, being wise men, thought it would be summer all the year where we were.  However, Sir, we have seen enough to give us a pretty good notion of the system of insular life.’

Let me not forget, that he sometimes amused himself with very slight reading; from which, however, his conversation shewed that he contrived to extract some benefit.  At Captain M’Lean’s he read a good deal in The Charmer, a collection of songs[849].

We this morning found that we could not proceed, there being a violent storm of wind and rain, and the rivers being impassable.  When I expressed my discontent at our confinement, Dr. Johnson said, ’Now that I have had an opportunity of writing to the main land, I am in no such haste.’  I was amused with his being so easily satisfied; for the truth was, that the gentleman who was to convey our letters, as I was now informed, was not to set out for Inverary for some time; so that it was probable we should be there as soon as he:  however, I did not undeceive my friend, but suffered him to enjoy his fancy.

Dr. Johnson asked, in the evening, to see Dr. M’Lean’s books.  He took down Willis de Anima Brutorum[850], and pored over it a good deal.