Grampian Club > Boswelliana

ROSWELLIANA. 243
" A sailor, who had been long out at sea, was on his return
asked by a companion what sort of voyage they had. ' Why,'
said he, ' a very good one ; only we had prayers twice. But one
of the times there was no more occasion for them than if you
and I should fall down and pray this minute.' "
Lord Loudoun.*
" My Lord Stair,t who wrote a very bad hand, sent once to
my Lord Loudoun a written commission to be read to Sir Philip
Honeywood.J Lord Loudoun received the letter at the British
Coffee-house, where he was sitting after dinner with some
friends taking a very hearty bottle ; and whether the wine made
him see double or no, so it was that he read the commission
very distinctly. Next morning he went to wait on Sir Philip
Honeywood, and being then quite cool and in his sober senses
he could not read a word of it, and neither could Sir Philip.
* Of Jolm, fourth Earl of Loudoun, Boswell in his " Scottish Tour "
thus writes : — " He did more service to the county of Ayr in general,
as well as to individuals in it, than any man we have ever had. . .
The tenderness of his heart was proved in 1745-6, when he had an
important command in the Highlands, and behaved with a generous
humanity to the imfortunate. I cannot figure a more honest poli-
tician ; for though his interest in our country was great and generally
successful, he not only did not deceive by fallacious promises, but was
anxious that people should not deceive themselves by too sanguine
expectations. His kind and dutiful attention to his mother was un-
remittent. At his house was true hospitality, a plain but a plentifid
table ; and every guest being left at perfect freedom, felt himself quite
easy and happy. "While I live I shall honour the memory of this
amiable man." Boswell relates that, having sent a message that he
and Dr. Johnson purposed to dine with him, the messenger reported
that the earl "jumped for joy." John, fourth earl of Loudoun, was
born in 1705, and died in 1782.
t John, fifth earl of Stair, born 1720, died 1789. Joining the
army, he attained the rank of captain. He composed several pamph-
lets on political topics.
X General Philip Honywood was a cadet of the House of Hony-
wood, Evington, baronet ; he died in 1785.