We stopped at Laurence Kirk[229], where our great Grammarian, Ruddiman[230], was once schoolmaster.  We respectfully remembered that excellent man and eminent scholar, by whose labours a knowledge of the Latin language will be preserved in Scotland, if it shall be preserved at all.  Lord Gardenston[231], one of our judges, collected money to raise a monument to him at this place, which I hope will be well executed[232].  I know my father gave five guineas towards it.  Lord Gardenston is the proprietor of Laurence Kirk, and has encouraged the building of a manufacturing village, of which he is exceedingly fond, and has written a pamphlet upon it[233], as if he had founded Thebes; in which, however, there are many useful precepts strongly expressed.  The village seemed to be irregularly built, some of the houses being of clay, some of brick, and some of brick and stone.  Dr. Johnson observed, they thatched well here.  I was a little acquainted with Mr. Forbes, the minister of the parish.  I sent to inform him that a gentleman desired to see him.  He returned for answer, ’that he would not come to a stranger.’  I then gave my name, and he came.  I remonstrated to him for not coming to a stranger; and, by presenting him to Dr. Johnson, proved to him what a stranger might sometimes be.  His Bible inculcates, ’be not forgetful to entertain strangers,’ and mentions the same motive[234].  He defended himself by saying, ’He had once come to a stranger who sent for him; and he found him “a little worth person!"’

Dr. Johnson insisted on stopping at the inn, as I told him that Lord Gardenston had furnished it with a collection of books, that travellers might have entertainment for the mind, as well as the body.  He praised the design, but wished there had been more books, and those better chosen.

About a mile from Monboddo, where you turn off the road, Joseph was waiting to tell us my lord expected us to dinner.  We drove over a wild moor.  It rained, and the scene was somewhat dreary.  Dr. Johnson repeated, with solemn emphasis, Macbeth’s speech on meeting the witches.  As we travelled on, he told me, ’Sir, you got into our club by doing what a man can do[235].  Several of the members wished to keep you out.  Burke told me, he doubted if you were fit for it:  but, now you are in, none of them are sorry.  Burke says, that you have so much good humour naturally, it is scarce a virtue[236].’  BOSWELL.  ’They were afraid of you, Sir, as it was you who proposed me.’  JOHNSON.  ’Sir, they knew, that if they refused you, they’d probably never have got in another.  I’d have kept them all out.  Beauclerk was very earnest for you.’  BOSWELL.  “Beauclerk has a keenness of mind which is very uncommon.”  JOHNSON.  ’Yes, Sir; and everything comes from him so easily.  It appears to me that I labour, when I say a good thing.’  BOSWELL.  ’You are loud, Sir; but it is not an effort of mind[237].’