Grampian Club > Boswelliana

152 MEMOIR OF JAMES BOSWELL.
Boswell's religious views were still unsettled. During his
wife's illness he wrote to Mr. Temple, " What aid can my wife
have from religion, except a pious resignation to the great and
good God ? for indeed she is too shrewd to receive the common
topics ; she is keen and penetrating," What " the common
topics " were, belief in which Boswell regarded with contempt,
he has not informed us, and it might be hazardous to con-
jecture.
The dissolution of Parliament expected in the spring of 1789
did not occur, but the representation of Ayrshire became vacant
in July, owing to the acceptance of a public office by the sitting
member, Colonel Montgomerie. Obtaining intimation of the
vacancy, Boswell, four weeks a widower, hastened from London
to Ayrshire to renew his claims. There were two other candi-
dates — Sir Adam Fergusson and Mr. John Whitefoord. The
former was chosen. Boswell informed Mr. Temple that " he
would make an admirable figure even if he should be unsuccess-
ful." He stood alone !
Since his failure at the English Bar, Boswell had been most
energetic in the pursuit of patronage. He rested his hopes on
Mr. Dundas and Mr. Pitt, but more especially on Mr. Burke
and Lord Lonsdale. Concerning the two former he thus com-
municated with Mr.Temple in the spring of 1789. After censuring
Mr. Dundas for neglecting to promote his brother David, he pro-
ceeds : —
" As to myself, Dundas, though he pledged himself (as the
modern phrase is) to assist me in advancing in promotion, and
though he last year assured me, upon his honour, that my letter
concerning the Scottish judges made no difference ; yet, except
Avhen I in a manner compelled him to dine with me last winter,
he has entirely avoided me, and I strongly suspect has given Pitt
a prejudice against me. The excellent Langton says it is dis-