Grampian Club > Boswelliana

136 MEMOIR OF JAMES BOSWELL.
before his decease. He appointed no literary executor, nor left
instructions respecting a memoir. Boswell contemplated a different
result, but did not publicly complain. From respect to Johnson's
wishes he had abstained from publishing his Hebridean tour. He
now seriously employed himself in preparing it forthe printer. As
the first proof-sheet was being sent him from Mr. Baldwin's print-
ing office, it happened to attract the attention of Mr. Ednmnd
Malone, who proceeded to read the account of Dr. Johnson's
character. He was struck with the fidelity of the representation,
and begged Mr. Baldwin to introduce him to the writer.*
Boswell rejoiced to cultivate the acquaintance of one who not
only belonged to Dr. Johnson's circle, but was himself a cele-
brity, as editor of Goldsmith's works, and as a writer on
Shakespeare's plays.f He visited Mr. Malone almost daily,
submitting to his revision the MS. of his work. Accompanied
by a flattering dedication to Mr. Malone, the work appeared in
1786 as a bulky octavo, bearing on the title-page the following
copious inscription : —
" The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides, with Samuel Johnson,
LL.D., by James Boswell, Esq., containing some poetical pieces
by Dr. Johnson, relative to the Tour, and never before published :
a series of his conversation, Literary Anecdotes, and Opinions of
Men and Books, with an authentick account of the Distresses
and Escape of the Grandson of King James II. in the year
17-16.
' ! while along the stream of time, thy name
Expanded flies, and gathers all its fame,
Say, shall my little book attendant sail,
Pursue the triumph, and partake the gale V
" Pope."
* Life of Edmund i\Ialone, by James Boswell, jun., contributed to j,
the Gentleman's Magazine, and reprinted for private circulation.
t Mr. Malone published in 1778 his " Attempt to ascertain the order
in which Shakespeare's Plays were written ''