Grampian Club > Boswelliana

94 MEMOIR OF JAMES BOSWELL.
"Mrs. Boswell is a sweet lady — only she was so glad to see
me go that I have almost a mind to come again, that she may
again have the same pleasure." In the same strain he writes
to Boswell on the 27th August, 1775, —
" Of Mrs, Boswell, though she knows in her heart that she
does not love me, I am always glad to hear any good, and hope
that she and the dear little ladies will have neither sickness nor
any other affliction. But she knows that she does not care
what becomes of me, and for that she may be sure that I think
her very much to blame."
Dr. Johnson prepared his " Journey to the Hebrides " most
leisurely; it was not published till January, 1775. Boswell
received a parcel of copies, one for himself, others for persons
who had shown particular attention to the writer. In distri-
buting the volumes he invited special attention to an encomium
upon himself in the earlier portion of the work. Obtaining
charge of several cases appealed from the Court of Session to
the House of Lords, he hastened to London to enjoy the honours
which he conceived Dr. Johnson's eulogy must have secured him.
On the evening of Saturday, the 18th March, Boswell by the
Edinburgh diligence reached Grantham. Travelling being sus-
pended till Monday, he in the interval wrote a long letter to
Mr. Temple. An extract follows.
" I am now," he proceeded, " so far on my way to London in the
fly. It is Saturday night, and we repose here all Sunday. I have
an acquaintance in Grantham, the Eev. Mr. Palmer, who was
chaplain to the late Speaker ; he is a worthy, learned, social man.
I sent him a card that I would breakfast with him to-morrow,
if not inconvenient to him. His answer is just come, which you
shall hear : As breakfasting will be attended with some inconve-
niences in the present state of his family, he will be very glad of the
favour of his company to a family dinner to-morrow at two o'clock.
What can be the meaning of this ? Hoiv can Ircakfasting he