Speaking of this gentleman, at Rasay, he told us, that he one day called on him, and they talked of Tull’s Husbandry[870].  Dr. Campbell said something.  Dr. Johnson began to dispute it.  ’Come, (said Dr. Campbell,) we do not want to get the better of one another:  we want to encrease each other’s ideas.’  Dr. Johnson took it in good part, and the conversation then went on coolly and instructively.  His candour in relating this anecdote does him much credit, and his conduct on that occasion proves how easily he could be persuaded to talk from a better motive than ‘for victory[871].’

Dr. Johnson here shewed so much of the spirit of a Highlander, that he won Sir Allan’s heart:  indeed, he has shewn it during the whole of our Tour.  One night, in Col, he strutted about the room with a broad sword and target, and made a formidable appearance; and, another night, I took the liberty to put a large blue bonnet on his head.  His age, his size, and his bushy grey wig, with this covering on it, presented the image of a venerable Senachi[872]:  and, however unfavourable to the Lowland Scots, he seemed much pleased to assume the appearance of an ancient Caledonian.  We only regretted that he could not be prevailed with to partake of the social glass.  One of his arguments against drinking, appears to me not convincing.  He urged, that ’in proportion as drinking makes a man different from what he is before he has drunk, it is bad; because it has so far affected his reason.’  But may it not be answered, that a man may be altered by it for the better; that his spirits may be exhilarated, without his reason being affected[873].  On the general subject of drinking, however, I do not mean positively to take the other side.  I am dubius, non improbus.

In the evening, Sir Allan informed us that it was the custom of his house to have prayers every Sunday; and Miss M’Lean read the evening service, in which we all joined.  I then read Ogden’s second and ninth Sermons on Prayer, which, with their other distinguished excellence, have the merit of being short.  Dr. Johnson said, that it was the most agreeable Sunday he had ever passed[874]; and it made such an impression on his mind, that he afterwards wrote the following Latin verses upon Inchkenneth[875]:—­

     INSULA SANCTI KENNETHI.

     Parva quidem regio, sed relligione priorum
       Nota, Caledonias panditur inter aquas;
     Voce ubi Cennethus populos domuisse feroces
       Dicitur, et vanos dedocuisse deos. 
     Hue ego delatus placido per coerula cursu
       Scire locum volui quid daret ille novi. 
     Illic Leniades humili regnabat in aula,
       Leniades magnis nobilitatus avis: 
     Una duas habuit casa cum genitore puellas,
       Quas Amor undarum fingeret esse deas: 
     Non tamen inculti gelidis latuere sub antris,
       Accola Danubii qualia saevus habet;
     Mollia non decrant vacuae