We walked out[96], that Dr. Johnson might see some of the things which we have to shew at Edinburgh.  We went to the Parliament-House[97], where the Parliament of Scotland sat, and where the Ordinary Lords of Session hold their courts; and to the New Session-House adjoining to it, where our Court of Fifteen (the fourteen Ordinaries, with the Lord President at their head,) sit as a court of Review.  We went to the Advocates Library[98], of which Dr. Johnson took a cursory view, and then to what is called the Laigh[99] (or under) Parliament-House, where the records of Scotland, which has an universal security by register, are deposited, till the great Register Office be finished.  I was pleased to behold Dr. Samuel Johnson rolling about in this old magazine of antiquities.  There was, by this time, a pretty numerous circle of us attending upon him.  Somebody talked of happy moments for composition; and how a man can write at one time, and not at another.  ’Nay, (said Dr. Johnson,) a man may write at any time, if he will set himself doggedly[100] to it.’

I here began to indulge old Scottish[101] sentiments, and to express a warm regret, that, by our Union with England, we were no more;—­our independent kingdom was lost[102].  JOHNSON.  ’Sir, never talk of your independency, who could let your Queen remain twenty years in captivity, and then be put to death, without even a pretence of justice, without your ever attempting to rescue her; and such a Queen too; as every man of any gallantry of spirit would have sacrificed his life for[103].’  Worthy Mr. JAMES KERR, Keeper of the Records.  ’Half our nation was bribed by English money.’  JOHNSON.  ’Sir, that is no defence:  that makes you worse.’  Good Mr. BROWN, Keeper of the Advocates’ Library.  ’We had better say nothing about it.’  BOSWELL.  ’You would have been glad, however, to have had us last war, sir, to fight your battles!’ JOHNSON.  ’We should have had you for the same price, though there had been no Union, as we might have had Swiss, or other troops.  No, no, I shall agree to a separation.  You have only to go home.’  Just as he had said this, I, to divert the subject, shewed him the signed assurances of the three successive Kings of the Hanover family, to maintain the Presbyterian establishment in Scotland.  ’We’ll give you that (said he) into the bargain.’

We next went to the great church of St. Giles, which has lost its original magnificence in the inside, by being divided into four places of Presbyterian worship[104].  ’Come, (said Dr. Johnson jocularly to Principal Robertson[105],) let me see what was once a church!’ We entered that division which was formerly called the New Church, and of late the High Church, so well known by the eloquence of Dr. Hugh Blair.  It is now very elegantly fitted up; but it was then shamefully dirty[106].  Dr. Johnson said nothing at the time; but when we came to the great door of the Royal Infirmary, where upon a board was this inscription, ‘Clean your feet!’ he turned about slyly and said, ’There is no occasion for putting this at the doors of your churches!’