We had received a polite invitation to Slains castle.  We arrived there just at three o’clock, as the bell for dinner was ringing.  Though, from its being just on the North-east Ocean, no trees will grow here, Lord Errol has done all that can be done.  He has cultivated his fields so as to bear rich crops of every kind, and he has made an excellent kitchen-garden, with a hot-house.  I had never seen any of the family:  but there had been a card of invitation written by the honourable Charles Boyd, the earl’s brother[304].  We were conducted into the house, and at the dining-room door were met by that gentleman, whom both of us at first took to be Lord Errol; but he soon corrected our mistake.  My Lord was gone to dine in the neighbourhood, at an entertainment given by Mr. Irvine of Drum.  Lady Errol received us politely, and was very attentive to us during the time of dinner.  There was nobody at table but her ladyship, Mr. Boyd, and some of the children, their governour and governess.  Mr. Boyd put Dr. Johnson in mind of having dined with him at Cumming the Quaker’s[305], along with a Mr. Hall and Miss Williams[306]:  this was a bond of connection between them.  For me, Mr. Boyd’s acquaintance with my father was enough.  After dinner, Lady Errol favoured us with a sight of her young family, whom she made stand up in a row.  There were six daughters and two sons.  It was a very pleasing sight.

Dr. Johnson proposed our setting out.  Mr. Boyd said, he hoped we would stay all night; his brother would be at home in the evening, and would be very sorry if he missed us.  Mr. Boyd was called out of the room.  I was very desirous to stay in so comfortable a house, and I wished to see Lord Errol.  Dr Johnson, however, was right in resolving to go, if we were not asked again, as it is best to err on the safe side in such cases, and to be sure that one is quite welcome.  To my great joy, when Mr. Boyd returned, he told Dr. Johnson that it was Lady Errol who had called him out, and said that she would never let Dr. Johnson into the house again, if he went away that night; and that she had ordered the coach, to carry us to view a great curiosity on the coast, after which we should see the house.  We cheerfully agreed.

Mr. Boyd was engaged, in 1745-6, on the same side with many unfortunate mistaken noblemen and gentlemen.  He escaped, and lay concealed for a year in the island of Arran, the ancient territory of the Boyds.  He then went to France, and was about twenty years on the continent.  He married a French Lady, and now lived very comfortably at Aberdeen, and was much at Slains castle.  He entertained us with great civility.  He had a pompousness or formal plenitude in his conversation, which I did not dislike.  Dr. Johnson said, ‘there was too much elaboration in his talk.’  It gave me pleasure to see him, a steady branch of the family, setting forth all its advantages with much zeal.  He told us that Lady Errol was one of the most pious and sensible