[580] It has been said that she expressed considerable dissatisfaction at Dr. Johnson’s rude behaviour at Dunvegan.  Her grandson, the present Macleod, assures me that it was not so:  ‘they were all,’ he says emphatically, ‘delighted with him.’  CROKER.  Mr. Croker refers, I think, to a communication from Sir Walter Scott, published in the Croker Corres. ii. 33.  Scott writes:—­’When wind-bound at Dunvegan, Johnson’s temper became most execrable, and beyond all endurance, save that of his guide.  The Highlanders, who are very courteous in their way, held him in great contempt for his want of breeding, but had an idea at the same time there was something respectable about him, they could not tell what, and long spoke of him as the Sassenach mohr, or large Saxon.’

[581] ‘I long to be again in civilized life.’ Ante, p. 183.

[582] See ante, iii. 406.

[583] Johnson refers, I think, to a passage in L’Esprit des Lois, Book xvi. chap. 4, where Montesquieu says:—­’J’avoue que si ce que les relations nous disent etait vrai, qu’a Bantam il y a dix femmes pour un homme, ce serait un cas bien particulier de la polygamie.  Dans tout ceci je ne justifie pas les usages, mais j’en rends les raisons.’

[584] What my friend treated as so wild a supposition, has actually happened in the Western islands of Scotland, if we may believe Martin, who tells it of the islands of Col and Tyr-yi, and says that it is proved by the parish registers.  BOSWELL.  ’The Isle of Coll produces more boys than girls, and the Isle of Tire-iy more girls than boys; as if nature intended both these isles for mutual alliances, without being at the trouble of going to the adjacent isles or continent to be matched.  The parish-book in which the number of the baptised is to be seen, confirms this observation.’  Martin’s Western Islands, p. 271.

[585] A Dissertation on the Gout, by W. Cadogan, M.D., 1771.  It went through nine editions in its first year.

[586] This was a general reflection against Dr. Cadogan, when his very popular book was first published.  It was said, that whatever precepts he might give to others, he himself indulged freely in the bottle.  But I have since had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with him, and, if his own testimony may be believed, (and I have never heard it impeached,) his course of life has been conformable to his doctrine.  BOSWELL.

[587] ’April 7, 1765.  I purpose to rise at eight, because, though I shall not yet rise early, it will be much earlier than I now rise, for I often lie till two.’ Pr. and Med. p. 62.  ’Sept. 18, 1771.  My nocturnal complaints grow less troublesome towards morning; and I am tempted to repair the deficiencies of the night.  I think, however, to try to rise every day by eight, and to combat indolence as I shall obtain strength.’ Ib. p. 105.  ’April 14, 1775.  As my life has from my earliest years been wasted in a morning bed, my purpose is from Easter day to rise early, not later than eight.’ Ib. p. 139.