The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson | Page 8

to be surprised if another
man comes and laughs at him? If he is the great man he thinks himself,
all this cannot hurt him: it is like throwing peas against a rock.' He
added 'something much too rough', both as to Mr Hume's head and
heart, which I suppress. Violence is, in my opinion, not suitable to the
Christian cause. Besides, I always lived on good terms with Mr Hume,
though I have frankly told him, I was not clear that it was right in me to
keep company with him, 'But', said I, 'how much better are you than
your books!' He was cheerful, obliging, and instructive; he was
charitable to the poor; and many an agreeable hour have I passed with
him: I have preserved some entertaining and interesting memoirs of
him, particularly when he knew himself to be dying, which I may some
time or other communicate to the world. I shall not, however, extol him
so very highly as Dr Adam Smith does, who says, in a letter to Mr
Strahan the printer (not a confidential letter to his friend, but a letter
which is published [Footnote: This letter, though shattered by the sharp
shot of Dr Horne of Oxford's wit, in the character of 'One of the People
called Christians', is still prefixed to Mr Home's excellent History of
England, like a poor invalid on the piquet guard, or like a list of quack
medicines sold by the same bookseller, by whom a work of whatever
nature is published; for it has no connection with his History, let it have
what it may with what are called his Philosophical Works. A worthy
friend of mine in London was lately consulted by a lady of quality, of
most distinguished merit, what was the best History of England for her
son to read. My friend recommended Hume's. But, upon recollecting
that its usher was a superlative panegyrick on one, who endeavoured to
sap the credit of our holy religion, he revoked his recommendation. I
am really sorry for this ostentatious alliance; because I admire The
Theory of Moral Sentiments, and value the greatest part of An Inquiry
into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. Why should such
a writer be so forgetful of human comfort, as to give any countenance
to that dreary infidelity which would' make us poor indeed!'] with all
formality): 'Upon the whole, I have always considered him, both in his
life time and since his death, as approaching as nearly to the idea of a

perfectly wise and virtuous man as perhaps the nature of human frailty
will permit.' Let Dr Smith consider: Was not Mr Hume blest with good
health, good spirits, good friends, a competent and increasing fortune?
And had he not also a perpetual feast of fame? But, as a learned friend
has observed to me, 'What trials did he undergo, to prove the perfection
of his virtue? Did he ever experience any great instance of adversity?'
When I read this sentence, delivered by my old Professor of Moral
Philosophy, I could not help exclaiming with the Psalmist, 'Surely I
have now more understanding than my teachers!'
While we were talking, there came a note to me from Dr William
Robertson.
Dear Sir,
I have been expecting every day to hear from you, of Dr Johnson's
arrival. Pray, what do you know about his motions? I long to take him
by the hand. I write this from the college, where I have only this scrap
of paper. Ever yours,
W.R. Sunday.
It pleased me to find Dr Robertson thus eager to meet Dr Johnson. I
was glad I could answer, that he was come: and I begged Dr Robertson
might be with us as soon as he could. Sir William Forbes, Mr Scott, Mr
Arbuthnot, and another gentleman dined with us. 'Come, Dr Johnson,'
said I, 'it is commonly thought that our veal in Scotland is not good.
But here is some which I believe you will like.' There was no catching
him: JOHNSON. 'Why, sir, what is commonly thought, I should take to
be true. YOUR veal may be good; but that will only be an exception to
the general opinion; not a proof against it.'
Dr Robertson, according to the custom of Edinburgh at that time, dined
in the interval between the forenoon and afternoon service, which was
then later than now; so we had not the pleasure of his company till
dinner was over, when he came and drank wine with us. And then
began some animated dialogue, of which here follows a pretty full note.

We talked of Mr Burke. Dr Johnson said, he had great variety of
knowledge, store of imagery, copiousness of language. ROBERTSON.
'He has wit too.' JOHNSON. 'No, sir; he