We went and saw the church, in which is Archbishop Sharp’s monument.[197] I was struck with the same kind of feelings with which the churches of Italy impressed me.  I was much pleased, to see Dr. Johnson actually in St. Andrews, of which we had talked so long.  Professor Haddo was with us this afternoon, along with Dr. Watson.  We looked at St. Salvador’s College.  The rooms for students seemed very commodious, and Dr. Johnson said, the chapel was the neatest place of worship he had seen.  The key of the library could not be found; for it seems Professor Hill, who was out of town, had taken it with him.  Dr. Johnson told a joke he had heard of a monastery abroad, where the key of the library could never be found.

It was somewhat dispiriting, to see this ancient archiepiscopal city now sadly deserted[198].  We saw in one of its streets a remarkable proof of liberal toleration; a nonjuring clergyman, strutting about in his canonicals, with a jolly countenance and a round belly, like a well-fed monk.

We observed two occupations united in the same person, who had hung out two sign-posts.  Upon one was, ‘James Hood, White Iron Smith’ (i.e. Tin-plate Worker).  Upon another, ’The Art of Fencing taught, by James Hood.’—­Upon this last were painted some trees, and two men fencing, one of whom had hit the other in the eye, to shew his great dexterity; so that the art was well taught.  JOHNSON.  ’Were I studying here, I should go and take a lesson.  I remember Hope, in his book on this art[199], says, “the Scotch are very good fencers."’

We returned to the inn, where we had been entertained at dinner, and drank tea in company with some of the Professors, of whose civilities I beg leave to add my humble and very grateful acknowledgement to the honourable testimony of Dr. Johnson, in his Journey[200].

We talked of composition, which was a favourite topick of Dr. Watson’s, who first distinguished himself by lectures on rhetorick.  JOHNSON.  ’I advised Chambers, and would advise every young man beginning to compose, to do it as fast as he can, to get a habit of having his mind to start promptly; it is so much more difficult to improve in speed than in accuracy[201].’  WATSON.  ’I own I am for much attention to accuracy in composing, lest one should get bad habits of doing it in a slovenly manner.’  JOHNSON.  ’Why, Sir, you are confounding doing inaccurately with the necessity of doing inaccurately.  A man knows when his composition is inaccurate, and when he thinks fit he’ll correct it.  But, if a man is accustomed to compose slowly, and with difficulty, upon all occasions, there is danger that he may not compose at all, as we do not like to do that which is not done easily; and, at any rate, more time is consumed in a small matter than ought to be.’  WATSON.  ’Dr. Hugh Blair has taken a week to compose a sermon.’  JOHNSON.  ’Then, Sir, that is for want of the habit of composing quickly,