After what Dr. Johnson had said of St. Andrews, which he had long wished to see, as our oldest university, and the seat of our Primate in the days of episcopacy, I can say little.  Since the publication of Dr. Johnson’s book, I find that he has been censured for not seeing here the ancient chapel of St. Rule, a curious piece of sacred architecture.[180] But this was neither his fault nor mine.  We were both of us abundantly desirous of surveying such sort of antiquities:  but neither of us knew of this.  I am afraid the censure must fall on those who did not tell us of it.  In every place, where there is any thing worthy of observation, there should be a short printed directory for strangers, such as we find in all the towns of Italy, and in some of the towns in England.  I was told that there is a manuscript account of St. Andrews, by Martin, secretary to Archbishop Sharp;[181] and that one Douglas has published a small account of it.  I inquired at a bookseller’s, but could not get it.  Dr. Johnson’s veneration for the Hierarchy is well known.[182] There is no wonder then, that he was affected with a strong indignation, while he beheld the ruins of religious magnificence.  I happened to ask where John Knox was buried.  Dr. Johnson burst out, ’I hope in the high-way.[183] I have been looking at his reformations.’[184] It was a very fine day.  Dr. Johnson seemed quite wrapt up in the contemplation of the scenes which were now presented to him.  He kept his hat off while he was upon any part of the ground where the cathedral had stood.  He said well, that ’Knox had set on a mob, without knowing where it would end; and that differing from a man in doctrine was no reason why you should pull his house about his ears.’  As we walked in the cloisters, there was a solemn echo, while he talked loudly of a proper retirement from the world.  Mr. Nairne said, he had an inclination to retire.  I called Dr. Johnson’s attention to this, that I might hear his opinion if it was right.  JOHNSON.  ’Yes, when he has done his duty to society[185].  In general, as every man is obliged not only to “love GOD, but his neighbour as himself,” he must bear his part in active life; yet there are exceptions.  Those who are exceedingly scrupulous, (which I do not approve, for I am no friend to scruples[186],) and find their scrupulosity[187] invincible, so that they are quite in the dark, and know not what they shall do,—­or those who cannot resist temptations, and find they make themselves worse by being in the world, without making it better, may retire[188].  I never read of a hermit, but in imagination I kiss his feet; never of a monastery, but I could fall on my knees, and kiss the pavement.  But I think putting young people there, who know nothing of life, nothing of retirement, is dangerous and wicked[189].  It is a saying as old as Hesiod,

     Erga neon, boulaite meson, enchaite geronton[190].

That is a very noble line:  not that young men should not pray, or old men not give counsel, but that every season of life has its proper duties.  I have thought of retiring, and have talked of it to a friend; but I find my vocation is rather to active life.’  I said, some young monks might be allowed, to shew that it is not age alone that can retire to pious solitude; but he thought this would only shew that they could not resist temptation.