MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1.

Though Dr. Johnson was lazy, and averse to move, I insisted that he should go with me, and pay a visit to the Countess of Eglintoune, mother of the late and present earl.  I assured him, he would find himself amply recompensed for the trouble; and he yielded to my solicitations, though with some unwillingness.  We were well mounted, and had not many miles to ride.  He talked of the attention that is necessary in order to distribute our charity judiciously.  ’If thoughtlessly done, we may neglect the most deserving objects; and, as every man has but a certain proportion to give, if it is lavished upon those who first present themselves, there may be nothing left for such as have a better claim.  A man should first relieve those who are nearly connected with him, by whatever tie; and then, if he has any thing to spare, may extend his bounty to a wider circle.[1005]’

As we passed very near the castle of Dundonald, which was one of the many residences of the kings of Scotland, and in which Robert the Second lived and died, Dr. Johnson wished to survey it particularly.  It stands on a beautiful rising ground, which is seen at a great distance on several quarters, and from whence there is an extensive prospect of the rich district of Cuninghame, the western sea, the isle of Arran, and a part of the northern coast of Ireland.  It has long been unroofed; and, though of considerable size, we could not, by any power of imagination, figure it as having been a suitable habitation for majesty[1006].  Dr. Johnson, to irritate my old Scottish[1007] enthusiasm, was very jocular on the homely accommodation of ‘King Bob,’ and roared and laughed till the ruins echoed.

Lady Eglintoune, though she was now in her eighty-fifth year, and had lived in the retirement of the country for almost half a century, was still a very agreeable woman.  She was of the noble house of Kennedy, and had all the elevation which the consciousness of such birth inspires.  Her figure was majestick, her manners high-bred, her reading extensive, and her conversation elegant.  She had been the admiration of the gay circles of life, and the patroness of poets[1008].  Dr. Johnson was delighted with his reception here.  Her principles in church and state were congenial with his.  She knew all his merit, and had heard much of him from her son, Earl Alexander[1009], who loved to cultivate the acquaintance of men of talents, in every department.

All who knew his lordship, will allow that his understanding and accomplishments were of no ordinary rate.  From the gay habits which he had early acquired, he spent too much of his time with men, and in pursuits far beneath such a mind as his.  He afterwards became sensible of it, and turned his thoughts to objects of importance; but was cut off in the prime of his life.  I cannot speak, but with emotions of the most affectionate regret, of one, in whose company many of my early days were passed, and to whose kindness I was much indebted.