The morning was chiefly taken up by Dr. Johnson’s giving him an account of our Tour.  The subject of difference in political principles was introduced.  JOHNSON.  ’It is much increased by opposition.  There was a violent Whig, with whom I used to contend with great eagerness.  After his death I felt my Toryism much abated.’  I suppose he meant Mr. Walmsley of Lichfield, whose character he has drawn so well in his Life of Edmund Smith[1049].  Mr. Nairne[1050] came in, and he and I accompanied Dr. Johnson to Edinburgh Castle, which he owned was ’a great place.’  But I must mention, as a striking instance of that spirit of contradiction to which he had a strong propensity, when Lord Elibank was some days after talking of it with the natural elation of a Scotchman, or of any man who is proud of a stately fortress in his own country, Dr. Johnson affected to despise it, observing that ’it would make a good prison in ENGLAND.’

Lest it should be supposed that I have suppressed one of his sallies against my country, it may not be improper here to correct a mistaken account that has been circulated, as to his conversation this day.  It has been said, that being desired to attend to the noble prospect from the Castle-hill, he replied, ’Sir, the noblest prospect that a Scotchman ever sees, is the high road that leads him to London.’  This lively sarcasm was thrown out at a tavern[1051] in London, in my presence, many years before.

We had with us to-day at dinner, at my house, the Lady Dowager Colvill, and Lady Anne Erskine, sisters of the Earl of Kelly[1052]; the Honourable Archibald Erskine, who has now succeeded to that title; Lord Elibank; the Reverend Dr. Blair; Mr. Tytler, the acute vindicator of Mary Queen of Scots[1053], and some other friends[1054].

Fingal being talked of, Dr. Johnson, who used to boast that he had, from the first, resisted both Ossian[1055] and the Giants of Patagonia[1056], averred his positive disbelief of its authenticity.  Lord Elibank said, ’I am sure it is not M’Pherson’s.  Mr. Johnson, I keep company a great deal with you; it is known I do.  I may borrow from you better things than I can say myself, and give them as my own; but, if I should, every body will know whose they are.’  The Doctor was not softened by this compliment.  He denied merit to Fingal, supposing it to be the production of a man who has had the advantages that the present age affords; and said, ’nothing is more easy than to write enough in that style if once you begin[1057].’[1058]One gentleman in company[1059] expressing his opinion ’that Fingal was certainly genuine, for that he had heard a great part of it repeated in the original,’ Dr. Johnson indignantly asked him whether he understood the original; to which an answer being given in the negative, ’Why then, (said Dr. Johnson,) we see to what this testimony comes:—­thus it is.’