Grampian Club > Boswelliana

BOSWELLIANA. 271
" Lord Kelly * said of a Mr. Wright who was present, ' He
has been iu several parts of the world, and I expect to see him
in Otaheite before he dies.' ' So then, my lord,' said David Hume,
Esq., ' you expect to be there yourself.' My lord, in order to
retort upon Hume for this catching at his word, set himself in a
steady posture, and said, * j\Iy dear David, if you were to go
there you would be obliged to retract all your essays on miracles.'
' Oh no, my lord,' said Hume, ' everything there is in nature.'
' Aye,' said the Earl, ' (but) there are different natures.' "
" Mr. Hamilton of Bangour's lady, was that morning delivered
of a son, who was not yet baptized. Lord Kelly proposed his
health; but addressing himself to Principal Eobertson, said,
' Doctor, this is not a safe toast for you, for he's not a Christian.'
' My lord,' said the Principal, ' there are good hopes.' Hume
laughed. Said the Earl, ' David, if there are hopes, I am afraid
it will be worse for you.' "
" Somebody observed that Lord Elibankf was constantly read-
ing Lucretius ; another asked, ' Has he given up Tacitus ? ' Said
Lord Kelly, ' It's long siuce he gave up Tacitus ; for he never can
hold his tongue a minute, and he has taken to Lucretius because
he feels himself grown so old that he would make but a poor
figure with Lucretia.' At saying this the earl laughed, as if in
scorn, and cried, ' Such nonsense ! ' "
* Thomas Alexander Erskine, sixth Earl of Kellie, was celebrated
as a musician. Addicted to convivial pleasures, he made sacrifice of
his genius, and expended in social humour talents which might have
brought him eminence in the literary or political world. He died at
Brussels, on the 9th October, 1781, aged forty-nine.
t Patrick Murray, fifth Lord Elibank, was an elegant and accom-
plished scholar. He studied law and passed advocate, but subse-
(]uently joined the army. In 1740 he accompanied Lord Cathcart in
the expedition to Carthagena. Latterly he established his residence
at Edinburgh. Dr. Johnson much enjoyed his society ; in a letter
addressed to his lordship he used these words ; — '' I have often
declared that I never met you without going away a wiser man."
Lord Elibank employed much of his time in classical studies. He
died 3rd August, 1778, aged seventy-six.