[525]

     ’Yet hope not life from grief or danger free,
      Nor think the doom of man reversed for thee.’

The Vanity of Human Wishes.

[526] ’Rasay accompanied us in his six-oared boat, which he said was his coach and six.  It is indeed the vehicle in which the ladies take the air and pay their visits, but they have taken very little care for accommodations.  There is no way in or out of the boat for a woman but by being carried; and in the boat thus dignified with a pompous name there is no seat but an occasional bundle of straw.’ Piozzi Letters, i. 152.  In describing the distance of one family from another, Johnson writes:—­’Visits last several days, and are commonly paid by water; yet I never saw a boat furnished with benches.’ Works, ix. 100.

[527] See ante, ii. 106, and iii. 154.

[528] ’They which forewent us did leave a Roome for us, and should wee grieve to doe the same to these which should come after us?  Who beeing admitted to see the exquisite rarities of some antiquaries cabinet is grieved, all viewed, to have the courtaine drawen, and give place to new pilgrimes?’ A Cypresse Grove, by William Drummond of Hawthorne-denne, ed. 1630, p. 68.

[529] See ante, iii. 153, 295.

[530]

     ’While hoary Nestor, by experience wise,
      To reconcile the angry monarch tries.’

FRANCIS.  Horace, i Epis. ii.  II.

[531] See ante, p. 16.

[532] Lord Elibank died Aug. 3, 1778, aged 75. Gent.  Mag. 1778, p. 391.

[533] A term in Scotland for a special messenger, such as was formerly sent with dispatches by the lords of the council.

[534] Yet he said of him:—­’There is nothing conclusive in his talk.’ Ante iii. 57.

[535] ’I believe every man has found in physicians great liberality and dignity of sentiment, very prompt effusion of beneficence, and willingness to exert a lucrative art where there is no hope of lucre.’  Johnson’s Works, vii. 402.  See ante, iv. 263.

[536] Johnson says (ib. ix. 156) that when the military road was made through Glencroe, ’stones were placed to mark the distances, which the inhabitants have taken away, resolved, they said, “to have no new miles."’

[537]

     ’The lawland lads think they are fine,
      But O they’re vain and idly gawdy;
      How much unlike that graceful mien
      And manly look of my highland laddie.’

From ’The Highland Laddie, written long since by Allan Ramsay, and now sung at Ranelagh and all the other gardens; often fondly encored, and sometimes ridiculously hissed.’ Gent.  Mag. 1750, p. 325.

[538] ’She is of a pleasing person and elegant behaviour.  She told me that she thought herself honoured by my visit; and I am sure that whatever regard she bestowed on me was liberally repaid.’ Piozzi Letters, i. 153.  In his Journey (Works, ix. 63) Johnson speaks of Flora Macdonald, as ’a name that will be mentioned in history, and if courage and fidelity be virtues, mentioned with honour.’