A POETICAL AND CONGRATULATORY EPISTLE TO JAMES BOSWELL ESQ.
ON HIS JOURNAL OF A TOUR TO THE HEBRIDES WITH THE CELEBRATED DR. JOHNSON
BY PETER PINDAR ESQ. LONDON 1789
POSTSCRIPT
As Mr. Boswell’s Journal hath afforded such universal pleasure by the relation of minute incidents, and the great Moralists opinion of men and things, during his northern tour; it will be adding greatly to the anecdotal treasury, as well as making Mr. B. happy, to communicate part of a Dialogue that took place between Dr. Johnson, and the Author of this Congratulatory Epistle, a few months before the Doctor paid the great debt of nature. The Doctor was very cheerful that day; had on a black coat and waistcoat, a black plush pair of breeches, and black worsted stockings; a handsome grey wig, a shirt, a muslin neckcloth, a black pair of buttons in his shirt sleeves, a pair of shoes, ornamented with the very identical little buckles that accompanied the philosopher to the Hebrides; his nails were very neatly pared, and his beard fresh shaved with a razor fabricated by the ingenious Mr. Savigny.
P.P. “Pray, Doctor, what is your opinion of Mr. Boswell’s literary powers?”
Johnson. “Sir, my opinion is, that whenever Bozzy expires, he will create no vacuum in the region of
Literature---he seems strongly affected by the cacoethes scribendi ; wishes to be thought a rara
Avis, and in truth so he is---your knowledge in ornithology, Sir, will easily discover, to what
Species of bird I allude.” Here the Doctor shook his head and laughed.
P.P. “What think you, Sir, of his account of Corsica?---Of his character of Paoli?”
Johnson. “Sir, he hath made a mountain of a wart. But Paoli has virtues. The account is a farrago of
disgusting egotism and pompous inanity."
P.P. "I have heard it whispered, Doctor, that should you die before him, Mr. B. means to write
your Life."
Johnson. “Sir, he cannot mean me so irreparable an injury.---Which of us shall die first, is only known.
to the Great Disposer of events; but were I sure that James Boswell would write my life, I do
not know whether I would not anticipate the measure, by taking his.” (Here he made three or
four strides across the room, and returned to his chair with violent emotion.)
P.P. “I am afraid that he means to do you the favor.”
Johnson. “He dares not---he would make a scare-crow of me. I give him liberty to fire his blunderbuss
in his own face, but not murder me. Sir, I heed his autog eqa---Boswell write my life! Why
the fellow possesses not abilities for writing the life of an ephemeron.”
James Boswell | Hester Lynch Piozzi | Samuel Johnson | Miscellany