Grampian Club > Boswelliana

76 MEMOIR OF JAMES BOSWELL.
that he had many wanton passions, " and had lately been wild
as ever." He is much disappointed that his correspondent, to
whom he had previously offered a visit, had no spare bed : he
will visit him after all, and " they will sit up all night together."
On the 26tli April he informs Mr. Temple that Zelide is not
yet given up. He had received a letter from her, " full of good
sense and tenderness," and he had asked his father to allow him
to visit her at Utrecht. " How do we know," he proceeds, " but
she is an inestimable prize ? Surely it is worth while to go to
Holland to see a fair conclusion, one way or other, of what has
hovered in my mind for years. I have written to her and told
her all my perplexity ; I have put in the plainest light what
conduct I actually require of her, and what my father will
require. I have bid her be my wife at present, and comfort me
with a letter, in which she shall show at once her wisdom, her
spirit, and her regard for me. You shall see it. I tell you,
man, she knows me and values me as you do." Boswell adds
that he has been suffering from a distemper induced by social
indulgence, and vows that he " shall never again behave in a
manner so unworthy the friend of Paoli."
Disappointment still ruled. In a letter, dated 14th May,
Boswell informs Mr. Temple that he had received a letter from
Zelide. Most gently had he referred to her " levity and infidel
notions," and she had proved a " termagant and scorched him."
He had assured his father that Mademoiselle would not suit
liim as a wife ; she, however, might be " a good correspondent."
Unaccepted as a lover, Zelide declined becoming a correspond-
ent ; she was soon forgotten. Mr. Temple was opposed to Miss
Dick, and Boswell, though he disapproved his friend's opinion,
began to look elsewhere. After two months,* he writes to Mam-
* Letter to Mr. Temple, written from Auchinleck, 24th August-
17C8.