348, note 1.) Mrs. Thrale, in 1773, wrote to Johnson of 'the man that saw the mouse.' Piozzi Letters, i. 186. From Johnson's answer (ib. p. 197) it seems that she meant Vansittart. Mr. Croker says 'this proves that Johnson himself sanctioned Mrs. Piozzi's version of the story--mouse versus flea.' Mr. Croker has an odd notion of what constitutes both a proof and a sanction.
[569] Lord Shelburne says that 'William Murray [Lord Mansfield] was sixteen years of age when he came out of Scotland, and spoke such broad Scotch that he stands entered in the University books at Oxford as born as Bath, the Vice-Chancellor mistaking Bath for Perth.' Fitzmaurice's Shelburne, i. 87.
[570] The asterisks seem to show that Beattie and Robertson are meant. This is rendered more probable from the fact that the last paragraph is about Scotchmen.
[571] See ante, ii. 51.
[572] Boswell's friend was very likely his brother David, who had long resided in Valencia. In that case, Johnson came round to Boswell's opinion, for he wrote, 'he will find Scotland but a sorry place after twelve years' residence in a happier climate;' post, April 29, 1780.
[573] See ante, i.443, note 2.
[574] Wilson against Smith and Armour. BOSWELL.
[575] Lord Kames, in his Historical Law Tracts. BOSWELL.
[576] 'Covin. A deceitful agreement between two or more to the hurt of another.' Johnson's Dictionary.
[577] Lord Kames (Sketches of the History of Man, iv. 168) says:--'The undisciplined manners of our forefathers in Scotland made a law necessary, that whoever intermeddled irregularly with the goods of a deceased person should be subjected to pay all his debts, however extensive. A due submission to legal authority has in effect abrogated that severe law, and it is now [1774] scarce ever heard of.' Scott introduces Lord Kames in Redgauntlet, at the end of chap. I of the Narrative:--'"What's the matter with the auld bitch next?" said an acute metaphysical judge, though somewhat coarse in his manners, aside to his brethren.' In Boswell's poem The Court of Session Garland, where the Scotch judges each give judgment, we read:--
'Alemore the judgment as illegal blames, "Tis equity, you bitch," replies my Lord Kames.'
Chambers's Traditions of Edinburgh, ii. 161. Mr. Chambers adds (p. 171) that when Kames retired from the Bench, 'after addressing his brethren in a solemn speech, in going out at the door of the court room, he turned about, and casting them a last look, cried, in his usual familiar tone, "Fare ye a' weel, ye bitches."'
[578] At this time there were no civil juries in Scotland. 'But this was made up for, to a certain extent, by the Supreme Court, consisting of no fewer than fifteen judges; who formed a sort of judicial jury, and were dealt with as such. The great mass of the business was carried on by writing.' Cockbarn's Jeffery, i. 87. See post, Jan. 19, 1775, note.
[579] In like manner, he had discovered the Life of Cheynel to be Johnson's. Boswell's Hebrides, Aug. 17, 1774.
[580] The Essay on Truth, published in May, 1770. Beattie wrote on Sept. 30, 1772:--'The fourth edition of my Essay is now in the press.' Forbes's Beattie, ed. 1824, p. 134. Three translations--French, Dutch, and German--had, it seems, already appeared. Ib p. 121. 'Mr. Johnson made Goldsmith a comical answer one day, when seeming to repine at the success of Beattie's Essay on Truth. "Here's such a stir," said he, "about a fellow that has written one book, and I have written many." "Ah, Doctor," says he, "there go two and forty sixpences you know to one guinea."' Piozzi's Anec. p. 179. See Boswell's Hebrides, Oct 1, 1773.
[581] See ante, ii. 144, 183.
[582] On the same day he wrote to Dr. Taylor:--'Your uneasiness at the misfortunes of your relations, I comprehend perhaps too well. It was an irresistible obtrusion of a disagreeable image, which you always wished away, but could not dismiss, an incessant persecution of a troublesome thought, neither to be pacified nor ejected. Such has of late been the state of my own mind. I had formerly great command of my attention, and what I did not like could forbear to think on. But of this power, which is of the highest importance to the tranquillity of life, I have been so much exhausted, that I do not go into a company towards night, in which i foresee anything disagreeable, nor enquire after anything to which I am not indifferent, lest something, which I know to be nothing, should fasten upon my imagination, and hinder me from sleep.' Notes and Queries, 6th S., v. 383. On Oct. 6 he wrote to Dr. Taylor:--'I am now within a few hours of being able to send the whole Dictionary to the press [ante, ii. 155], and though I often went sluggishly to the work, I am not much delighted at the completion. My purpose is to come down to Lichfield next week.' Ib p. 422. He stayed some weeks there and in Ashbourne. Piozzi Letters, i. 55-70.
[583] See ante, ii. 141, note 3.
[584] 'While of myself I yet may think, while breath my body sways.' Morris's Aeneids, iv.