Grampian Club > Boswelliana

I
BOSWELLIANA. 277
them, I want to get rid of them : you may get the better of a sow
by going into the mire and boxing it ; but who would do it ? '
My wife, who wanted to support Dr. Webster, though she had
not much attended to the dispute, said something which was of
pi'etty much the same import with my remarks. ' Well,' said I,
' this is good enough. She thinks she is opposing me, and yet
she agrees with me ; she thinks she is riding a race with me
and getting the better, and all the time she is behind me.' "
" My father told me that when he got his gown upon the
resignation of the worthy Lord Dun, * he went and waited
upon him, and said, ' My lord, as I am to be your lordship's
unworthy successor I am come to ask your blessing.' ' Sir,'
said Lord Dun, ' I held that office too long, for I was come to
be but half a judge. Nay, what do I say ? I was come to be
worse, for I was able to give corporal presence but one-half of
the year, and when I was present I could not have given that
attention which every man ought to have who decides on the
property of others. But to tell you the truth, I held my office
from an apprehension that they might put in a man even worse
than half a judge. However, sir, since you are to be my
successor,' — (he then paid my father some genteel compliments) ;
h e added, ' I have no title to give a blessing, but if my prayers
can be of any service to you, while I live they shall never be
wanting.' "
" 29th June, 1774.— I said the business of the Court of
Session went on as fast without the President f as with him,
though with less noise, when he was absent the court was a
* David Erskine, son of the proprietor of Dun, was called to the
Bar in 1698. As parliamentary representative of the county of
Forfar he strongly opposed the Union. In 1710 he was appointed a
Lord of Session, when he took the title of Lord Dun. He died
on the 26th May, 1758, in his eighty-fifth year. Lord Dun was
respected for his piety.
t Lord President Dundas.