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72 MEMOIR OF JAMES BOSWELL.
shall never say a word against lier but to you. After this I shall
be upon my guard against ever indulging the least fondness for
a Scotcb lass. I am a soul of a more southern frame. I may,
perhaps, be fortunate enough to find an Englishwoman who
will be sensible of my merit, and will study to please my
singular humour."
Subsequent letters from Boswell to Mr. Temple contain these
passages: — "Upon my soul, the madness of which I have a strong
degree in my composition is at present so heightened by love
that I am absolutely deprived of judgment. . . . One great
fault of mine is talking at random ; I will guard against it."
Keferring to the object of his hopes at Adamtown, he writes : —
"I will consecrate myself to her for ever. I must have her
to learn the harpsichord and French ; she shall be one of the
first women in the island." " Temple, I ventured to seize her
hand. She is really the finest woman to me I ever saw."
To Mr. Temple, on the 24th December, he wrote thus : —
" In my last I told you that after I had resolved to give up
with the Prmcess for ever, I resolved first to see her. I was
so lucky as to have a very agreeable interview, and was con-
vinced by her that she was not to blame. This happened on a
Thursday ; that evening her cousin and most intimate friend, the
Duchess of Gordon, came to town. Next day I was at the con-
cert with them, and afterwards supped at Lord Kames's. The
Princess appeared distant and reserved. I could hardly believe
that it was the same woman with whom I had been quite gay
the day before ; I was then uneasy. Next evening I was at the
play with them : it was ' Othello.' I sat close behind the Princess,
and at the most affecting scenes I pressed my hand upon her
waist ; she was in tears, and rather leaned to me. The jealous
Moor described my very soul."
Boswell subjoins a dialogue between " the Princess " and him-
self. " You are very fond of Auchiuleck," said Boswell in his
pleading. " I confess I am," responded the lady ; " I wisli I
shall never say a word against lier but to you. After this I shall
be upon my guard against ever indulging the least fondness for
a Scotcb lass. I am a soul of a more southern frame. I may,
perhaps, be fortunate enough to find an Englishwoman who
will be sensible of my merit, and will study to please my
singular humour."
Subsequent letters from Boswell to Mr. Temple contain these
passages: — "Upon my soul, the madness of which I have a strong
degree in my composition is at present so heightened by love
that I am absolutely deprived of judgment. . . . One great
fault of mine is talking at random ; I will guard against it."
Keferring to the object of his hopes at Adamtown, he writes : —
"I will consecrate myself to her for ever. I must have her
to learn the harpsichord and French ; she shall be one of the
first women in the island." " Temple, I ventured to seize her
hand. She is really the finest woman to me I ever saw."
To Mr. Temple, on the 24th December, he wrote thus : —
" In my last I told you that after I had resolved to give up
with the Prmcess for ever, I resolved first to see her. I was
so lucky as to have a very agreeable interview, and was con-
vinced by her that she was not to blame. This happened on a
Thursday ; that evening her cousin and most intimate friend, the
Duchess of Gordon, came to town. Next day I was at the con-
cert with them, and afterwards supped at Lord Kames's. The
Princess appeared distant and reserved. I could hardly believe
that it was the same woman with whom I had been quite gay
the day before ; I was then uneasy. Next evening I was at the
play with them : it was ' Othello.' I sat close behind the Princess,
and at the most affecting scenes I pressed my hand upon her
waist ; she was in tears, and rather leaned to me. The jealous
Moor described my very soul."
Boswell subjoins a dialogue between " the Princess " and him-
self. " You are very fond of Auchiuleck," said Boswell in his
pleading. " I confess I am," responded the lady ; " I wisli I
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| Publications by Scottish clubs > Grampian Club > Boswelliana > (106) Page 72 |
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| Permanent URL | https://digital.nls.uk/82552676 |
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| Description | The commonplace book of James Boswell. With a memoir and annotations by the Rev. Charles Rogers, and introductory remarks by the Rt. Hon. Lord Houghton. [With a portrait.] |
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| Shelfmark | SCS.GC.7 |
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| Description | Note: Numbers 24-41 are relative to but not part of the Club's series. |
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| Description | Full text versions of historical texts dating from the 12th to the 19th century. Edited by the Abbotsford, Bannatyne, Grampian, Hunterian, Spalding and New Spalding Clubs, and also the Scottish Text, Spottiswoode and Wodrow Societies. Critical printed editions of manuscripts, including church records, state papers, correspondence, memoirs, diaries, legends and literary texts. |
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