nor was it to be wondered at, considering our disagreeable ride.  I feared he would give up Mull and Icolmkill, for he said something of his apprehensions of being detained by bad weather in going to Mull and Iona.  However I hoped well.  We had a dish of tea at Dr. Macleod’s, who had a pretty good house, where was his brother, a half-pay officer.  His lady was a polite, agreeable woman.  Dr. Johnson said, he was glad to see that he was so well married, for he had an esteem for physicians.[535] The doctor accompanied us to Kingsburgh, which is called a mile farther; but the computation of Sky has no connection whatever with real distance.[536] I was highly pleased to see Dr. Johnson safely arrived at Kingsburgh, and received by the hospitable Mr. Macdonald, who, with a most respectful attention, supported him into the house.  Kingsburgh was completely the figure of a gallant Highlander,—­exhibiting ’the graceful mien and manly looks[537],’ which our popular Scotch song has justly attributed to that character.  He had his Tartan plaid thrown about him, a large blue bonnet with a knot of black ribband like a cockade, a brown short coat of a kind of duffil, a Tartan waistcoat with gold buttons and gold button-holes, a bluish philibeg, and Tartan hose.  He had jet black hair tied behind, and was a large stately man, with a steady sensible countenance.

There was a comfortable parlour with a good fire, and a dram went round.  By and by supper was served, at which there appeared the lady of the house, the celebrated Miss Flora Macdonald.  She is a little woman, of a genteel appearance, and uncommonly mild and well-bred[538].  To see Dr. Samuel Johnson, the great champion of the English Tories, salute Miss Flora Macdonald in the isle of Sky, was a striking sight; for though somewhat congenial in their notions, it was very improbable they should meet here.

Miss Flora Macdonald (for so I shall call her) told me, she heard upon the main land, as she was returning home about a fortnight before, that Mr. Boswell was coming to Sky, and one Mr. Johnson, a young English buck[539], with him.  He was highly entertained with this fancy.  Giving an account of the afternoon which we passed, at Anock, he said, ’I, being a buck, had miss[540] in to make tea.’  He was rather quiescent to-night, and went early to bed.  I was in a cordial humour, and promoted a cheerful glass.  The punch was excellent.  Honest Mr. M’Queen observed that I was in high glee, ‘my governour[541] being gone to bed.’  Yet in reality my heart was grieved, when I recollected that Kingsburgh was embarrassed in his affairs, and intended to go to America[542].  However, nothing but what was good was present, and I pleased myself in thinking that so spirited a man would be well every where.  I slept in the same room with Dr. Johnson.  Each had a neat bed, with Tartan curtains, in an upper chamber.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13.