[708] My ingenuously relating this occasional instance of intemperance has I find been made the subject both of serious criticism and ludicrous banter.  With the banterers I shall not trouble myself, but I wonder that those who pretend to the appellation of serious criticks should not have had sagacity enough to perceive that here, as in every other part of the present work, my principal object was to delineate Dr. Johnson’s manners and character.  In justice to him I would not omit an anecdote, which, though in some degree to my own disadvantage, exhibits in so strong a light the indulgence and good humour with which he could treat those excesses in his friends, of which he highly disapproved.

In some other instances, the criticks have been equally wrong as to the true motive of my recording particulars, the objections to which I saw as clearly as they.  But it would be an endless task for an authour to point out upon every occasion the precise object he has in view, Contenting himself with the approbation of readers of discernment and taste, he ought not to complain that some are found who cannot or will not understand him.  BOSWELL.

[709] In the original, ‘wherein is excess.’

[710] See Chappell’s Popular Music of the Olden Time, i. 231.

[711] See ante, iii. 383.

[712] see ante, p. 184.

[713] See ante, ii. 120, where he took upon his knee a young woman who came to consult him on the subject of Methodism.

[714] See ante, pp. 215, 246.

[715] See ante, iv. 176.

[716]

     ’If ev’ry wheel of that unwearied mill
      That turned ten thousand verses now stands still.’

Imitations of Horace, 2 Epis. ii. 78.

[717] Ante, p. 206.

[718]

     ’Nescio qua natale solum dulcedine captos
      Ducit.’—­Ovid, Ex Pont. i. 3. 35.

[719] Lift up your hearts.

[720] Mr. Croker prints the following letter written to Macleod the day before:—­

     ’Ostig, 28th Sept. 1773.

’DEAR SIR,—­We are now on the margin of the sea, waiting for a boat and a wind.  Boswell grows impatient; but the kind treatment which I find wherever I go, makes me leave, with some heaviness of heart, an island which I am not very likely to see again.  Having now gone as far as horses can carry us, we thankfully return them.  My steed will, I hope, be received with kindness;—­he has borne me, heavy as I am, over ground both rough and steep, with great fidelity; and for the use of him, as for your other favours, I hope you will believe me thankful, and willing, at whatever distance we may be placed, to shew my sense of your kindness, by any offices of friendship that may fall within my power.

’Lady Macleod and the young ladies have, by their hospitality and politeness, made an impression on my mind, which will not easily be effaced.  Be pleased to tell them, that I remember them with great tenderness, and great respect.—­I am, Sir, your most obliged and most humble servant,