[1138] See ante, p. 269, note 1.

[1139] Every reader will, I am sure, join with me in warm admiration of the truly patriotic writer of this letter.  I know not which most to applaud—­that good sense and liberality of mind, which could see and admit the defects of his native country, to which no man is a more zealous friend:—­or that candour, which induced him to give just praise to the minister whom he honestly and strenuously opposed.  BOSWELL.

[1140] The original MS. is now in my possession.  BOSWELL.

[1141] The passage that gave offence was as follows:—­’Mr. Macleod is the proprietor of the islands of Raasay, Rona, and Fladda, and possesses an extensive district in Sky.  The estate has not during four hundred years gained or lost a single acre.  He acknowledges Macleod of Dunvegan as his chief, though his ancestors have formerly disputed the pre-eminence.’  First edition, p. 132.  The second edition was not published till the year after Johnson’s death.  In it the passage remains unchanged.  To it the following note was prefixed:  ’Strand, Oct. 26, 1785.  Since this work was printed off, the publisher, having been informed that the author some years ago had promised the Laird of Raasay to correct in a future edition a passage concerning him, thinks it a justice due to that gentleman to insert here the advertisement relative to this matter, which was published by Dr. Johnson’s desire in the Edinburgh newspapers in the year 1775, and which has been lately reprinted in Mr. Boswell’s Tour to the Hebrides.’ (It is not unlikely that the publication of Boswell’s Tour occasioned a fresh demand for Johnson’s Journey.) In later editions all the words after ’a single acre’ are silently struck out.  Johnson’s Works, ix. 55.  See ante, ii. 382.

[1142] Rasay was highly gratified, and afterwards visited and dined with Dr. Johnson at his house in London.  BOSWELL.  Johnson wrote on May 12, 1775:—­’I have offended; and what is stranger, have justly offended, the nation of Rasay.  If they could come hither, they would be as fierce as the Americans. Rasay has written to Boswell an account of the injury done him by representing his house as subordinate to that of Dunvegan.  Boswell has his letter, and, I believe, copied my answer.  I have appeased him, if a degraded chief can possibly be appeased:  but it will be thirteen days—­days of resentment and discontent—­before my recantation can reach him.  Many a dirk will imagination, during that interval, fix in my heart.  I really question if at this time my life would not be in danger, if distance did not secure it.  Boswell will find his way to Streatham before he goes, and will detail this great affair.’ Piozzi Letters, i. 216.

[1143] In like manner he communicated to Sir William Forbes part of his journal from which he made the Life of Johnson. Ante, iii. 208.