[1018] William Baxter, the editor of Anacreon, was the nephew of Richard Baxter, the nonconformist divine.

[1019] He says of Auchinleck (Works, ix. 158) that ’like all the western side of Scotland, it is incommoded by very frequent rain.’  ’In all September we had, according to Boswell’s register, only one day and a half of fair weather; and in October perhaps not more.’ Piozzi Letters, i. 182.

[1020] ‘By-the-bye,’ wrote Sir Walter Scott, ’I am far from being of the number of those angry Scotsmen who imputed to Johnson’s national prejudices all or a great part of the report he has given of our country in his Voyage to the Hebrides.  I remember the Highlands ten or twelve years later, and no one can conceive of ’how much that could have been easily remedied travellers had to complain.’ Croker Corres. ii. 34

[1021] ’Of these islands it must be confessed, that they have not many allurements but to the mere lover of naked nature.  The inhabitants are thin, provisions are scarce, and desolation and penury give little pleasure.’  Johnson’s Works, ix. 153.  In an earlier passage (p. 138), in describing a rough ride in Mull, he says:—­’We were now long enough acquainted with hills and heath to have lost the emotion that they once raised, whether pleasing or painful, and had our minds employed only on our own fatigue.’

[1022] See ante, ii. 225.

[1023] In like manner Wesley said of Rousseau:—­’Sure a more consummate coxcomb never saw the sun....  He is a cynic all over.  So indeed is his brother-infidel, Voltaire; and well-nigh as great a coxcomb.’  Wesley’s Journal,, ed. 1830, iii. 386.

[1024] This gentleman, though devoted to the study of grammar and dialecticks, was not so absorbed in it as to be without a sense of pleasantry, or to be offended at his favourite topicks being treated lightly.  I one day met him in the street, as I was hastening to the House of Lords, and told him, I was sorry I could not stop, being rather too late to attend an appeal of the Duke of Hamilton against Douglas.  ’I thought (said he) their contest had been over long ago.’  I answered, ’The contest concerning Douglas’s filiation was over long ago; but the contest now is, who shall have the estate.’  Then, assuming the air of ‘an ancient sage philosopher,’ I proceeded thus:  ’Were I to predicate concerning him, I should say, the contest formerly was, What is he?  The contest now is, What has he?’—­’Right, (replied Mr. Harris, smiling,) you have done with quality, and have got into quantity.’  BOSWELL.

[1025] Most likely Sir A. Macdonald. Ante, p. 148.