Grampian Club > Boswelliana

88 MEMOIR OF JAMES BOSAVELL.
dined with his lordship, and from thence posted to Aberdeen.
There Dr. Johnson gratified his tastes by engaging in literary
gladiatorship with several of the professors.
On Sunday, the 30th August, the travellers inspected a re-
markable rock basin, known as the BuUer of Buchan, and dined
at Slains Castle with the Countess of Errol. Next day they
proceeded to Banff, and on that following to Elgin, when they
visited the ruins of the cathedral. On Friday, the 29th, they
reached Nairn, and from thence inspected Cawdor Castle. By
the Eev. Arlay Macaulay, minister of Cawdor, they were kindly
entertained; he was known to them as author of a history of
St, Kilda, and he has further claim to remembrance as member
of a family which produced the celebrated Lord Macaulay. To
his guests he presented a useful itinerary.
On Saturday, the 30th August, the travellers inspected Fort
George, and dined with the governor, Sir Eyre Coote. Next
day, at Inverness, they attended the Episcopal Chapel, when
Boswell mentions as an odd coincidence, as to what might be
said of his connecting himself with Dr. Johnson, that Mr. Tait,
the clergyman, remarked in his discourse " that some connected
themselves with men of distinguished talents, and since they
could not equal them, tried to deck themselves with their merit
by being their companions." The coincidence, puzzling to
Boswell, admitted of simple solution, for Mr. Collector Keith, of
the Excise, a native of Ayrshire, had met the travellers at Fort
George, and to the clergyman notified tlieir approach. Mr.
Tait's allusion, apart from its truthfulness, was in the worst
taste, and not to be justified. Boswell and Dr. Johnson dined
with Mr. Keith.
At Inverness the travellers hired horses and procured guides.
They remained one night at Fort Augustus, entertained by the
governor, and thence pursued tlieir journey to the opposite