’TO HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF ARGYLE.

’MY LORD,

’That kindness which disposed your grace to supply me with the horse, which I have now returned, will make you pleased to hear that he has carried me well.

’By my diligence in the little commission with which I was honoured by the duchess[975], I will endeavour to shew how highly I value the favours which I have received, and how much I desire to be thought,

’My Lord,

’Your Grace’s most obedient,

’And most humble servant,

‘SAM.  JOHNSON.’

‘Rosedow, Oct. 29, 1773.’

The duke was so attentive to his respectable[976] guest, that on the same day, he wrote him an answer, which was received at Auchinleck:—­

’TO DR. JOHNSON, AUCHINLECK, AYRSHIRE.

’SIR, ’I am glad to hear your journey from this place was not unpleasant, in regard to your horse.  I wish I could have supplied you with good weather, which I am afraid you felt the want of.

’The Duchess of Argyle desires her compliments to you, and is much obliged to you for remembering her commission.

’I am, Sir,

’Your most obedient humble servant,

‘ARGYLE.’

‘Inveraray, Oct. 29, 1773.’

I am happy to insert every memorial of the honour done to my great friend.  Indeed, I was at all times desirous to preserve the letters which he received from eminent persons, of which, as of all other papers, he was very negligent; and I once proposed to him, that they should be committed to my care, as his Custos Rotulorum.  I wish he had complied with my request, as by that means many valuable writings might have been preserved, that are now lost[977].

After breakfast, Dr. Johnson and I were furnished with a boat, and sailed about upon Lochlomond, and landed on some of the islands which are interspersed[978].  He was much pleased with the scene, which is so well known by the accounts of various travellers, that it is unnecessary for me to attempt any description of it.

I recollect none of his conversation, except that, when talking of dress, he said, ’Sir, were I to have any thing fine, it should be very fine.  Were I to wear a ring, it should not be a bauble, but a stone of great value.  Were I to wear a laced or embroidered waistcoat, it should be very rich.  I had once a very rich laced waistcoat, which I wore the first night of my tragedy[979].’  Lady Helen Colquhoun being a very pious woman, the conversation, after dinner, took a religious turn.  Her ladyship defended the presbyterian mode of publick worship; upon which Dr. Johnson delivered those excellent arguments for a form of prayer which he has introduced into his Journey[980].  I am myself fully convinced that a form of prayer for publick worship is in general most decent and edifying. Solennia verba have a kind of prescriptive sanctity, and make a deeper impression on the mind than extemporaneous effusions,