’As to Dr. Johnson’s observation about the ignorance of officers, in the length that a musket will carry, my brother, Colonel Dalrymple, was present, and he thought that the doctor was either mistaken, by putting the question wrong, or that he had conversed on the subject with some person out of service.

’Was it upon that occasion that he expressed no curiosity to see the room at Dumfermline, where Charles I. was born?  “I know that he was born, (said he;) no matter where.”—­Did he envy us the birth-place of the king?’

Near the end of his Journey, Dr. Johnson has given liberal praise to Mr. Braidwood’s academy for the deaf and dumb[1101].  When he visited it, a circumstance occurred which was truly characteristical of our great Lexicographer.  ‘Pray, (said he,) can they pronounce any long words?’ Mr. Braidwood informed him they could.  Upon which Dr. Johnson wrote one of his sesquipedalia verba[1102], which was pronounced by the scholars, and he was satisfied.  My readers may perhaps wish to know what the word was; but I cannot gratify their curiosity.  Mr. Braidwood told me, it remained long in his school, but had been lost before I made my inquiry[1103].

Dr. Johnson one day visited the Court of Session[1104].  He thought the mode of pleading there too vehement, and too much addressed to the passions of the judges.  ‘This (said he) is not the Areopagus.’

At old Mr. Drummond’s, Sir John Dalrymple quaintly said, the two noblest animals in the world were, a Scotch Highlander and an English sailor[1105].  ’Why, Sir, (said Dr. Johnson,) I shall say nothing as to the Scotch Highlander; but as to the English Sailor, I cannot agree with you.’  Sir John said, he was generous in giving away his money.’  JOHNSON.  ’Sir, he throws away his money, without thought, and without merit.  I do not call a tree generous, that sheds its fruit at every breeze.’  Sir John having affected to complain of the attacks made upon his Memoirs[1106], Dr. Johnson said, ’Nay, Sir, do not complain.  It is advantageous to an authour, that his book should be attacked as well as praised.  Fame is a shuttlecock.  If it be struck only at one end of the room, it will soon fall to the ground.  To keep it up, it must be struck at both ends[1107].’  Often have I reflected on this since; and, instead of being angry at many of those who have written against me, have smiled to think that they were unintentionally subservient to my fame, by using a battledoor to make me virum volitare per ora[1108].

At Sir Alexander Dick’s, from that absence of mind to which every man is at times subject, I told, in a blundering manner, Lady Eglingtoune’s complimentary adoption of Dr. Johnson as her son; for I unfortunately stated that her ladyship adopted him as her son, in consequence of her having been married the year after he was born.  Dr. Johnson instantly corrected me.  ’Sir, don’t you perceive that