Grampian Club > Boswelliana

MEMOIR OF JAMES BOSWELL. 11
what he owes me. Pray, is pay up an English phrase, I know
liay down is ? "
Sir David Dalrymple, Bart., better known by his judicial title
of Lord Hailes, was now an Advocate Depute,* one of the faculty
specially retained by tlie Crown for arraigning offenders in the
Justiciary Court. An able lawyer, he had already afforded
evidence of his ability and accurate scholarship in several
separate publications and in various contributions to the
periodicals. Possessing a fund of information which he com-
municated with much suavity of manner, Boswell hailed him
as his Maecenas. Having enrolled him among his divinities,
he was disposed to idolize likewise all those wiiom he
approved. Of these the most conspicuous was Dr. Samuel
Johnson, whose existence was first made known to him
in a post-chaise conversation. He was delighted to learn
that he still lived, was the centre of a literary circle, had com-
posed a literary medley styled the Ramhler, and had edited a
dictionary. As Sir David expatiated on his learning and his
virtues, Boswell resolved that one day Johnson should have a
place among his gods.
In November, 1759, Boswell entered the University of
Glasgow as a student of civil law ; he also attended the
lectures of Dr. Adam Smith on moral philosophy and rhetoric.
His evenings were spent in places of public anmsement. Prom
Mr. Love he had contracted a fancy for dramatic art, which in
the absence of a licensed theatre he could not gratify in the
capital. With more enlightened views the merchants of
* In Lord Hailes' Commonplace-book, preserved at New Hailes,
is tlie following entry :—*' 1755, April 1. — I began my office
of Advocate Depute at Stirling — a ridiculous day of the year. At
that time I was very ignorant of criminal law, but good intentions
have, I hope, atoned for my defects."