mere Ephemerae,—­mere beings of an hour[823].’  BOSWELL.  ’But, Sir, if they have leases is there not some danger that they may grow insolent?  I remember you yourself once told me, an English tenant was so independent, that, if provoked, he would throw his rent at his landlord.’  JOHNSON.  ’Depend upon it, Sir, it is the landlord’s own fault, if it is thrown at him.  A man may always keep his tenants in dependence enough, though they have leases.  He must be a good tenant indeed, who will not fall behind in his rent, if his landlord will let him; and if he does fall behind, his landlord has him at his mercy.  Indeed, the poor man is always much at the mercy of the rich; no matter whether landlord or tenant.  If the tenant lets his landlord have a little rent beforehand, or has lent him money, then the landlord is in his power.  There cannot be a greater man than a tenant who has lent money to his landlord; for he has under subjection the very man to whom he should be subjected.’

MONDAY, OCTOBER II.

We had some days ago engaged the Campbelltown vessel to carry us to Mull, from the harbour where she lay.  The morning was fine, and the wind fair and moderate; so we hoped at length to get away.

Mrs. M’Sweyn, who officiated as our landlady here, had never been on the main land.  On hearing this, Dr. Johnson said to me, before her, ’That is rather being behind-hand with life.  I would at least go and see Glenelg.’  BOSWELL.  ’You yourself, Sir, have never seen, till now, any thing but your native island.’  JOHNSON.  ’But, Sir, by seeing London, I have seen as much of life as the world can shew[824].’  BOSWELL.  ’You have not seen Pekin.’  JOHNSON.  ’What is Pekin?  Ten thousand Londoners would drive all the people of Pekin:  they would drive them like deer.’

We set out about eleven for the harbour; but, before we reached it, so violent a storm came on, that we were obliged again to take shelter in the house of Captain M’Lean, where we dined, and passed the night.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12.

After breakfast, we made a second attempt to get to the harbour; but another storm soon convinced us that it would be in vain.  Captain M’Lean’s house being in some confusion, on account of Mrs. M’Lean being expected to lie-in, we resolved to go to Mr. M’Sweyn’s, where we arrived very wet, fatigued, and hungry.  In this situation, we were somewhat disconcerted by being told that we should have no dinner till late in the evening, but should have tea in the mean time.  Dr. Johnson opposed this arrangement; but they persisted, and he took the tea very readily.  He said to me afterwards, ’You must consider, Sir, a dinner here is a matter of great consequence.  It is a thing to be first planned, and then executed.  I suppose the mutton was brought some miles off, from some place where they knew there was a sheep killed.’