Matheson Collection > Gaelic songs

SHORT MEMOIR OF LIFE OF WILLIAM ROSS
Both travellers were exceedingly well pleased with
their reception at Corrie. Speaking of their first
visit, Boswell says : " We here enjoyed the comfort
of a table plentifully furnished, the satisfaction of
which was heightened by a numerous and cheerful
company ; and we for the first time had a specimen
of the joyous social manners of the inhabitants of the
Highlands. They talked in their own ancient language
with fluent vivacity, and sang many Erse songs with
such spirit that though Dr Johnson was treated with
the greatest respect and attention, there were moments
in which he seemed to be forgotten." Here we have a
lively description of the sort of society to which the poet
was later admitted, and which he enjoyed and adorned.
This leads us to consider a less pleasing incident.
On the return visit to Corrie after a laborious journey,
" Dr Johnson went to bed soon. It was near five
in the morning when I got to bed," says Boswell.
About one o'clock on Sunday afternoon Dr Johnson
came into BoswelPs room and accosted him, " What,
drunk yet ? " " Sir, they kept me up." Dr Johnson
answered, " No, you kept them up, you drunken
dog." " This he said with good-humoured English
pleasantry." On the 27th, Boswell had recovered,
all was going well, and he says of Dr Johnson's
general deportment : — " He was quite social and
easy amongst them ; and though he drank no
fermented liquor, toasted Highland beauties with
great readiness. His conviviality engaged them so
much that they seemed eager to show their attention
to him, and vied with each other in crying out with
a strong Celtic pronunciation, ' Toctor Shonson,
Toctor Shonson, your health.' "
xxi b 2