Let me add, in justice to the gentleman here mentioned, that at a subsequent period, he was elected chief magistrate of London [in 1774], and discharged the duties of that high office with great honour to himself, and advantage to the city.  Some years before Dr. Johnson died, I was fortunate enough to bring him and Mr. Wilkes together; the consequence of which was, that they were ever afterwards on easy and not unfriendly terms.  The particulars I shall have great pleasure in relating at large in my Life of Dr. Johnson.  BOSWELL.  In the copy of Boswell’s Letter to the People of Scotland in the British Museum is entered in Boswell’s own hand—­

’Comes jucundus in via pro vehiculo est.

To John Wilkes, Esq.:  as pleasant a companion as ever lived.  From the Author.

             —­will my Wilkes retreat,
     And see, once seen before, that ancient seat, etc.’

See ante, iii. 64, 183; iv. 101, 224, note 2.

[912] See ante, iv. 199.

[913] Our afternoon journey was through a country of such gloomy desolation that Mr. Boswell thought no part of the Highlands equally terrifick.’  Johnson’s Works, ix. 150.

[914] Johnson describes Lochbuy as ’a true Highland laird, rough and haughty, and tenacious of his dignity:  who, hearing my name, inquired whether I was of the Johnstons of Glencoe (sic) or of Ardnamurchan.’ Ib.

[915] Boswell totally misapprehended Lochbuy’s meaning.  There are two septs of the powerful clan of M’Donaid, who are called Mac-Ian, that is John’s-son; and as Highlanders often translate their names when they go to the Lowlands,—­as Gregor-son for Mac-Gregor, Farquhar-son for Mac-Farquhar,—­Lochbuy supposed that Dr. Johnson might be one of the Mac-Ians of Ardnamurchan, or of Glencro.  Boswell’s explanation was nothing to the purpose.  The Johnstons are a clan distinguished in Scottish border history, and as brave as any Highland clan that ever wore brogues; but they lay entirely out of Lochbuy’s knowledge—­nor was he thinking of them.  WALTER SCOTT.

[916] This maxim, however, has been controverted.  See Blackstone’s Commentaries, vol. ii. p. 291; and the authorities there quoted.  BOSWELL.  ’Blackstone says:—­From these loose authorities, which Fitzherbert does not hesitate to reject as being contrary to reason, the maxim that a man shall not stultify himself hath been handed down as settled law; though later opinions, feeling the inconvenience of the rule, have in many points endeavoured to restrain it.’ Ib. p. 292.