He this day, when we were by ourselves, observed, how common it was for people to talk from books; to retail the sentiment’s of others, and not their own; in short, to converse without any originality of thinking.  He was pleased to say, ‘You and I do not talk from books[1026].’

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4.

I was glad to have at length a very fine day, on which I could shew Dr. Johnson the Place of my family, which he has honoured with so much attention in his Journey.  He is, however, mistaken in thinking that the Celtick name, Auchinleck, has no relation to the natural appearance of it.  I believe every Celtick name of a place will be found very descriptive. Auchinleck does not signify a stony field, as he has said, but a field of flag stones; and this place has a number of rocks, which abound in strata of that kind.  The ’sullen dignity of the old castle,’ as he has forcibly expressed it, delighted him exceedingly.[1027] On one side of the rock on which its ruins stand, runs the river Lugar, which is here of considerable breadth, and is bordered by other high rocks, shaded with wood.  On the other side runs a brook, skirted in the same manner, but on a smaller scale.  I cannot figure a more romantick scene.

I felt myself elated here, and expatiated to my illustrious Mentor on the antiquity and honourable alliances of my family, and on the merits of its founder, Thomas Boswell, who was highly favoured by his sovereign, James IV. of Scotland, and fell with him at the battle of Flodden-field[1028]; and in the glow of what, I am sensible, will, in a commercial age, be considered as genealogical enthusiasm, did not omit to mention what I was sure my friend would not think lightly of, my relation[1029] to the Royal Personage, whose liberality, on his accession to the throne, had given him comfort and independence[1030].  I have, in a former page[1031], acknowledged my pride of ancient blood, in which I was encouraged by Dr. Johnson:  my readers therefore will not be surprised at my having indulged it on this occasion.

Not far from the old castle is a spot of consecrated earth, on which may be traced the foundations of an ancient chapel, dedicated to St. Vincent, and where in old times ‘was the place of graves’ for the family.  It grieves me to think that the remains of sanctity here, which were considerable, were dragged away, and employed in building a part of the house of Auchinleck, of the middle age; which was the family residence, till my father erected that ‘elegant modern mansion,’ of which Dr. Johnson speaks so handsomely.  Perhaps this chapel may one day be restored.

Dr. Johnson was pleased when I shewed him some venerable old trees, under the shade of which my ancestors had walked.  He exhorted me to plant assiduously[1032], as my father had done to a great extent.