Boswell's Edinburgh Journals by Hugh M. Milne

Author:Hugh M. Milne [Milne, Hugh M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780857905864
Publisher: Birlinn

That I have ta’en away this old man’s daughter, etc.

His firm philosophy struck me. I drank moderately, stayed tea, and came home in a pretty good frame.

WEDNESDAY 13 DECEMBER. Was not at all well. Business was a burthen to me. I was fretted by it. I dined at my father’s; just he and his lady and I at table. Was quite sunk at night. Worthy Grange tried to console me. I got a sudden invitation to sup at Dr James Hunter’s with Major Montgomerie, and after declining was so pressed that I went.1192 This was a wonderful transition. I did better than I could have imagined. But was inwardly dark and cold.

THURSDAY 14 DECEMBER. In the evening I dictated pretty well, but had no satisfaction. I asked Mr Blane by a note to call on me this evening, as I was hopeful I might prevail with him to desist from prosecuting Matthew Dickie. He came, though I had not spoken to him for a week, being angry at his obstinate justice, to say the best of it. But we came to no agreement. He seemed to require too much from Matthew. In the mean time, Lord Hailes had refused to report the accusation to the Lords, which was favourable. I was too anxious about the creature.1193

FRIDAY 15 DECEMBER. Got up in sad hypochondria. Had several law papers and a Hypochondriack to be written without delay.1194 Was quite in despair. Could not see any good purpose in human life.

WEDNESDAY 27 DECEMBER. Dined and drank tea at Mr David Erskine’s with Lord Braxfield, the Solicitor, Harry Erskine, Maclaurin, and several more. I had been near an hour with Maclaurin last night in a dejected, uneasy state. His conversation can afford no relief to one in such a state. He said he would go mad if he were to study metaphysics, that his head turned when he thought of a Supreme Being, and that he imagined we were machines moved by motives. Such was his meaning. I have put his fatality into concise expression. I continued to be gloomy and had no relish of society. I sat by and saw whist played, and I betted against the Solicitor. Lord Braxfield, exultingly pleased that the Solicitor and Maclaurin, against whom he played, were losing, called out that Maclaurin, whom he had named “Captain”, played like a colonel. I in the same humour called out, “And I’m sure his partner plays like a colonel.” The Solicitor, who was fretted by losing, lost his temper and said he would not be insulted. I grew warm and asked him what he meant. He said, “I shall let you know afterwards.”1195 Maclaurin and I were to play cards and sup at Cullen’s. When the Solicitor went away, I said I would go to Cullen’s and we should send for Maclaurin. I wished to give the Solicitor an opportunity of explaining himself. When we got into the street, he said I had behaved to him in a way that no gentleman could put up with, and he desired to have satisfaction.

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