101 997
Boswell in Holland, 1763-1764
is the second of 4 volumes in The Yale
Editions of the Private Papers of James
Boswell to be published as McGraw-Hill
Paperbacks. Other titles in this unique
publishing venture include:
Boswell's London Journal, 1762-1763
(McGraw-Hill Paperbacks 066O3, $2.45)
Boswell on the Grand Tour
Germany and Switzerland
(McGraw-Hill Paperbacks 5O552, $2.45)
Boswell for the Defence, 1769-1774
(McGraw-Hill Paperbacks 7O964, $2.65)
Frederick A. Pottle, the editor of this volume,
is Professor of English and Chairman
of the Department at Yale University. He is
also Chairman of the Editorial Committee
for this series.
Tower of the Cathedral and part of the Cathedral
Square, Utrecht, as seen from the west, from a wash draw-
ing in ink by J. de Beyer, 1746. BoswelVs rooms, which
cannot be seen from the artist's vantage point, -were at the
west end of the Square and facing the Tower.
BOSWELL
IN HOLLAND
1763-1764
INCLUDING HIS CORRESPONDENCE WITH
BELLE DE ZUYLEN (ZELIDE)
EDITED BY FREDERICK A. POTTLE
STERLING PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH, YALE UNIVERSITY
McGRAw-HiLL BOOK COMPANY, INC.
NEW YORK LONDON TORONTO
Boswell in Holland, 1763-1764. Copyright, 1928, ^52, by Yale University.
All rights in this book are reserved. It may not be used for dramatic,
motion-, or talking-picture purposes without written authorization from
the holder of these rights. Nor may the book or parts thereof be
reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permission in writing,
except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and
reviews. For information, address the McGraw-Hill Book Company,
Inc., Trade Department, 330 West 426. Street, New York 36, New York.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 52-5345
Copyright renewed 1956
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
FREDERICK A POTTLE, PHD., LITT.D, UL.D., Sterling Professor of English, Yale
University; CHAIRMAN
FREDERICK W. HILLES, PH D., Professor of English and Chairman of the Department of
English, Yale University
HERMAN W. LIEBERT, Assistant to the Librarian and Research Associate, Yale Uni-
versity Library
EDWARD C. ASWELL, Vice-president, McGraw-Hill Book Company
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
C COLLEER ABBOTT, M A., PH.D., Professor of English Language and Literature in the
University of Durham
JAMES T. BABB, M.A., Librarian of Yale University
THOMAS G. BERGIN, PH D., o B E , Benjamin F. Barge Professor of Romance Languages
and Literature, Yale University
CLEANTH BROOKS, B.A., BLITT. (OXON ), Professor of English, Yale University
PAUL S. BREUNING, LITT D., Deputy Librarian of the University of Utrecht
R. W. CHAPMAN, D.LITT., LL D., F B.A., Sometime Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford
JAMES L. CLIFFORD, PH.D., Professor of English, Columbia University
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD CLINTON, P.C , G.C.V o., Fettercairn House, Fettercairn,
Kincardmeshire
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF CRAWFORD AND BALCARRES, LL D , HON. F R.I.B.A.,
PSA., Chairman, National Library of Scotland
W. R. CUNNINGHAM, MA., LL D , University Librarian and Keeper of the Hunterian
Books and MSS, Glasgow
L. P. CURTIS, PH.D., Associate Professor of History, Yale University
M. R. DOBIE, B A., Librarian, National Libiary of Scotland
ARTHUR A. HOUGHTON, JR., L.H.D., New York City
DONALD F. HYDI . Four Oaks Farm, Somerville, New Jersey
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL RALPH H. ISHAM, c B E., New York City
W. S. LEWIS, LITT.D., L H D , Fellow of Yale University and Editor of the Yale Edition
of Horace Walpole's Correspondence
C. A. MALCX>LM, M.A., PH.D., O.B.E., Librarian to the Society of Writers to the Signet,
Edinburgh
HENRI PEYRE, DR.ES L., Sterling Professor of French, Yale University
L. F. POWELL, M.A., D.LITT., F.R.S.L., F.L.A., Sometime Librarian of the Taylor Institu-
tion, Reviser of Hill's Edition of Boswell's "Life of Johnson"
S. C. ROBERTS, M.A., Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge
L. W. SHARP, M.A., PH.D., Librarian to the University of Edinburgh
T. B. SIMPSON, K.C., LL.D., Sheriff of Caithness, Sutherland, Orkney, and Shetland
D. NICHOL SMITH, LITT.D., LL.D., F.B.A , Emeritus Professor of English Literature in
the University of Oxford
CIIAUNCEY B. TINKER, PH.D., LITT.D., L.H D., Sterling Professor of English Literature,
Emeritus, and Keeper of Rare Books in the University Library, Yale University
The Yale Editions of the Private Papers of James Boswell will consist of two inde-
pendent but parallel series planned and executed for different types of readers. One,
the "research" edition, will give a complete text of BoswelVs journals, diaries, and
memoranda; of his correspondence; and of "The Life of Johnson," from the original
manuscript: the whole running to at least thirty volumes. It will preserve the spelling
and capitalization of the original documents, and will be provided with extensive
scholarly annotation. A corps of expert editors and a permanent office staff are engaged
in this comprehensive undertaking, the first volume of which may appear by 1955. The
other, the reading or "trade" edition, will select from the total mass of papers those
portions that appear likely to interest the general reading public, and will present them
in modern spelling and with annotation of a popular cast. The publishers may also
issue limited de luxe printings of the trade volumes, with extra illustrations and
special editorial matter, but in no case will the trade volumes or the de luxe print-
ings include matter from BoswelVs archives that will not also appear in the research
edition.
The present volume is the second of the trade edition. The first, "BoswelVs London
Journal, 1762-1763," was published in 1950.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION by Frederick A. Pottle xi
TEXT OF Boswell in Holland, 1763-1764 i
CORRESPONDENCE WITH Belle de Zuylen (Zelide} and Others, 1764-
1769 293
APPENDIX i. Boswell's Inviolable Plan 387
APPENDIX n. Boswell's French Theme on the Aston Family 391
APPENDIX ni. Letter of Abraham Gronovius to Boswell 393
APPENDIX iv. Letter of Frangois Mazerac to Boswell 394
APPENDIX v. Letter of Belle de Zuylen to Boswell 397
INDEX 401
CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS 433
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
The Tower of the Cathedral and part of the Cathedral Square, Utrecht,
as seen from the west, from a wash drawing in black ink by J. de
Beyer, 1 746 Page iv
Boswell's Inviolable Plan, drawn up at Utrecht, 16 October 1763
Facing page 47
Belle de Zuylen (Zelide) about 1766, from a drawing by Maurice
Qucntin de La Tour Facing page 292
A map of Holland at the time of Boswell's visit, locating many of the
places mentioned. Redrawn by Harold K. Faye, from a map by Robert
de Vaugondy in his Atlas Universel, 1757 Pages ii-iii
INTRODUCTION
1
The editor of a popular or "reading" edition of Bos well's journal is
faced at the start by an inevitable but none the less painful deci-
sion: he must harden his heart to the appeal of the subsidiary docu-
ments. They are rich and complicated. Besides a fully written
journal for a given period, there may also be a parallel set of memo-
randa or diary notes, many news-letters by Boswell and many
letters received by him which duplicate or supplement the journal,
and a host of other intimate papers too various to characterize by a
single title. For example, had the London Journal of 1762-1763
never been recovered, it would have been possible to construct a
highly readable substitute of at leas-t equal length from Bos well's
daily memoranda and his letters. But no editor with a sense of liter-
ary values would in a reading edition have relaxed the artful ten-
sion of the London Journal by thrusting other documents into it,
even though those documents in themselves might make fascinat-
ing reading; nor would he print a second parallel volume as a sort
of gigantic commentary on the London Journal. In a research edi-
tion, an edition intended not to be read but to be studied, a place for
all these papers can and will be found, but in a true reading edition
the most that an editor can do is to present selected snippets from
them in the footnotes; and he must watch himself sternly to see that
he does not overdo even that. And he will feel unhappy about his
exclusions, for these subsidiary papers always contain entertaining
matter and sometimes are more revealing than the journal itself.
In the case of the present volume, an accident otherwise to be
deplored has provided an opportunity for exploiting the other
papers. The London Journal ends with the entry for 4 August 1 763.
Boswell continued the record in the same ambitious style during
xi
xii Introduction
the whole of his stay in Holland, where he went directly from
London, but this Dutch journal was lost in his own lifetime. When
he left Utrecht in the following June, he packed up many of his
papers, including the journal, and left the lot with his friend, the
Reverend Robert Brown, to be sent to him in Scotland after his re-
turn from his travels. Mr. Brown appears to have entrusted the par-
cel to a young Army officer, who perhaps carried it as far as London
in his cloak-bag. But when the papers arrived at Auchinleck, the
seat of the Boswells, the Dutch journal was missing, and earnest
appeals for a search which Boswell made to Mr. Brown and others
failed to retrieve it. One hesitates, after the casual recovery of a
mass of Boswell's letters to Temple in a shop at Boulogne, where
they were being used as wrappers for small purchases, to say that
any manuscript of Boswell's especially a large carefully written
quarto manuscript of over five hundred pages is lost beyond re-
call, but at least Boswell himself finally gave up the Dutch journal
and nothing has been heard of it since.
There still remain, however, bales of intimate records for re-
constructing his life in Holland. He continued the practice he had
begun in London of addressing a memorandum to himself each
morning before he put on his clothes, and these memoranda are
more trustworthy substitutes for the journal than the London series
because he soon fell into the habit of reviewing the events of the
preceding day before setting down his counsels for the day ahead.
As an exercise in learning French, he wrote a page or two in that
language every day. A similar lot of exercises in Dutch has recently
been recovered. In order to acquire greater ease and speed in
English composition, he also set himself the task of writing daily
ten lines of heroic verse. Themes and verses were written rapidly
on the first topics that came into his head; and the first topic that
came into Boswell's head was likely to be Boswell. He kept a regis-
ter of letters sent and received, a general expense account, and a
special account of sums won and lost at cards. And, finally, a sur-
prisingly large number of the letters which he received and wrote
have now come to hand, including several to his confidants, John
Introduction fciii
Johnston and William Johnson Temple, giving long and detailed
reports of his activities.
The volume that follows is for the greater part a substitute for
the lost journal, made by fitting together in chronological sequence
selections from these miscellaneous papers. As a sequel the reader
is then given the entire correspondence between Boswell and the
most remarkable person he met in Holland: Isabella van Tuyll
(Belle de Zuylcii, also known as "Zelide"). This correspondence,
which began just as he was leaving Holland and continued inter-
mittently for the next four years, may safely be called one of the
oddest series of love letters ever written. 1
"Substitute" suggests inferiority; and of course there can be no
question of the literary superiority of BoswelFs fully written jour-
nal to his memoranda, his verses, and to most of his letters. But it
should be noted that his language exercises, for the very reason that
the subject was not considered important, sometimes have an
ebullience, a gaiety, an inconsequential conversational charm that
he never achieved in the formal essays he later wrote; that some of
his letters here printed are up to his best standard of writing; and
that Belle de Zuylen's are masterpieces of epistolary art. And there
are various kinds of superiority. The printing in Life and Reader's
Digest of a history of the Boswell Papers, and the presentation by
the B.B.C. of an hour's broadcast on the same subject, indicate the
extent of popular interest in what I may venture to call the Boswell
saga. And the response to the publication of BoswelVs London Jour-
nal, i 762-1 7 3 shows that this interest is not confined to the saga,
not excited merely by a detective mystery. Hundreds of thousands
of people have testified an inclination to read the Boswell Papers.
Now, it is quite certain that the present volume gives a much better
general impression of what the collection is like than any single
journal can; gives the reader as fully as it is possible to give him
through the medium of print the feelings the editor himself had in
1 It has been given its own special Introduction, p. 293.
xiv Introduction
exploring the papers for the first time. The reader may imagine
that he is handling the papers themselves: that I have merely
stacked them in chronological order for him, and have given him a
pair of spectacles that make the most crabbed hand legible and un-
familiar languages intelligible. If I continue to stand at his elbow,
it is only to answer questions.
111
There is another kind of superiority, too, and it is important.
When Dr. Johnson said that it was the biographical part of litera-
ture that he loved most, he was not restricting himself to biog-
raphies of high literary excellence. He meant that he loved facts
about human nature as revealed in almost any kind of intelligible
account. If a reader's main interest in the Boswell Papers is bio-
graphical revelation, if he wants to know human nature by explor-
ing the mind of James Boswell, he will find the memoranda of this
volume more rewarding than any fully written journal. They show
Boswell physically and mentally in undress. They are utterly
private documents: in them Boswell, addressing himself, withholds
nothing and exaggerates nothing.
"Pray, pray be retenu" "Be quite retenu, pious and careful.
Amen." "You was a little irregular yesterday, but it was but for one
day to see the Utrecht concert. You don't like it, and you're not to
go any more." "You did charmingly yesterday. You attended well
to everything." "You have struggled, you have conquered." "Be
prudent and retenu. Never aim at being too brilliant. Be rather an
amiable, pretty man. Have no affectation. Cure vanity." "Let not
Satan tempt you as Cupid." "Write to Temple of Veuve. Separate
fiery passion. Tip her valet." "Oh, affect not passion and oddity!"
"You was so bad as really to think of despairing." "You was dire-
fully melancholy and had the last and most dreadful thoughts. You
came home and prayed." "Confused and changed and desperate."
"Dreadful." "Gloomy." "Bad." "Very bad. You got up dreary as a
dromedary." "You awaked shocked, having dreamt you was con-
demned to be hanged." "Desperate. This day, Easter, rouse. Be
Introduction **
Johnson. You've done no harm, Be retenu, &c. What am I?" "You
went out to fields, and in view of the tower, drew your sword glit-
tering in the sun, and on your knee swore that if there is a Fatality,
then that was also ordained; but if you had free will, as you be-
lieved, you swore and called the Great G to witness that, although
you're melancholy, you'll stand it ..."
IV
"Boswell kept his good resolutions by writing them down, and
redressed his backslidings by copying them out," says Geoffrey
Scott, a witty and not unfair summary of Boswell's life as a whole
but one that should not have been applied to the Utrecht period.
Boswell, who liked to buttress his resolution by times and seasons,
had resolved that he would reform on the day he left England for
Holland. He did. For ten months in Holland he was by heroic effort
modest, studious, frugal, reserved, and chaste. And he almost went
out of his mind.
The miscellaneous papers of the Utrecht period furnish per-
haps the best materials extant for a study of Boswell's melancholy.
It was not, as has been carelessly and cruelly assumed, an affecta-
tion, an attempt to imitate Johnson. No one who has read the fol-
lowing pages can believe that for a moment. They are of course not
all gloomy. But when they are, they are the record of a soul in tor-
ment: groaning, wailing, repining, but also of a soul struggling
and resisting with every resource in its power. The fact is that
Boswell had been subject to fits of depression long before he met
Johnson, from his early boyhood.
He was the kind of neurasthenic who gets no sympathy from
other people because he seems so healthy. His physical machine
was extremely robust and, until he was past middle age, would
stand any amount of punishment. As a matter of fact, he found on
numerous occasions that he could dispel his gloom by sitting up
late or not going to bed at all. What made him at times so desper-
ately unhappy was not the weather, was not lack of exercise, was
not acrimonious juices and lax solids (the diagnosis he obtained
xvi Introduction
from a Dutch physician) , was not idleness, was not drinking, was
not remorse of conscience. It was frustration: frustration of his
overweening ambition by any course of life, whether idle or
methodically industrious, which did not promise to make him a
Great Man soon; frustration of his powerful urges to pleasure by
monotony, by unexciting routine. Be good, be prudent, be sober, be
reserved, be industrious, and you will be happy, said his father; and
he copied it down and said it over and over to himself. But suppose
you gave the formula a good hard try and it didn't work? Suppose
you toiled and prayed and hung on by your teeth, and life only got
blacker and blacker until you woke in the morning out of dreams
that you were about to be hanged or that you were actually suffer-
ing the agonies of death? Johnson gave short shrift to Boswell's plea
that because he was unhappy when he did his duty he ought to be
granted a dispensation; life, Johnson had long since concluded, was
a state in which much is to be endured and little to be enjoyed. But
knowing that Boswell bore a very heavy burden, he granted him
unfailing charity.
The sudden emergence from gloom, the glorious exaltation
that one sees at the end of the Utrecht period, is as characteristic as
the gloom itself. Boswell never needed a period of convalescence.
Make him somehow a Great Man, send him upon a jaunt in which
he can experience change, excitement, constant agitation, and you
restore him as by a magic infusion. And he will never get so tired
and inelastic that the formula will not work.
The manuscripts from which this book has been compiled are
as follows:
i. Memoranda and Notes for Journal in Holland, 10 August
1763 to 17 June 1764, 157 unpaged octavo leaves, roughly 7 by
4 inches, unbound, nearly all written on both sides. BoswelPs
usual procedure is to fill exactly one page per day. In the manu-
script as we now have it, there are no entries for 1 7 April, 30 April,
and i May 1764, and none for a number of days at the beginning,
Introduction xvii
earlier than 15 September 1763; otherwise there is an entry for
every day. Many passages are in French.
2. Journal in Holland, 24 May to 18 June 1764, 32 quarto
pages, numbered by Boswell 537-568, roughly 9 by 7^ inches,
unbound. Some passages are in French. This portion of the Dutch
Journal survives because Boswell wrote it up after he left Utrecht
(Seep. 258.)
3. French Themes, 232 quarto pages, roughly 9 by 7 inches,
unbound. Entirely in French. Only a few of these themes are
dated or certainly datable, but since we know that BoswelTs
practice was to write one or two pages every day, including
Sunday, it is possible to set up for most of the series a chronology
that cannot be far out of the way.
4. Dutch Themes, 20 quarto pages, roughly 8 by 6 inches, un-
bound. The first theme is dated i February 1 764, and some of the
others are certainly assignable to that month. It is impossible to
tell whether we have all that Boswell wrote or not; the f at that the
last theme is incomplete is not decisive. (See p. 79.) Entirely in
Dutch.
5. Ten-Lines-a-Day Verses. Dated from 25 September 1763 to
16 April 1764 with no gap save for 29 February 1764. (See p. 171.)
34 unpaged quarto leaves, unbound, written on both sides, 9 by 7^
inches.
6. Upwards of fifty letters sent by Boswell or received by him
between 6 August 1763 and 18 June 1764, and over thirty letters
of later date in, or connected with, the correspondence with Belle
de Zuylen. The letters received by Boswell are of course originals,
as are also the letters from Boswell to Johnston and Boswell to
Temple. (He retrieved his letters to Johnston from Johnston's
executor after Johnston's death; of the letters to Temple he had
asked back all those that he wrote from the Continent, intending
to use them as materials for a book of travels.) One of his letters in
the Zelide correspondence now at Yale is an original, and one
other in that correspondence is printed from an original not at
Yale. (See pp. 307, 342.) The rest are copies made by Boswell,
xviii Introduction
Many of the letters are in French. There is at Yale a Register of
Letters sent and received during the Utrecht period. It is not com-
plete and not entirely accurate, but is often very useful for fixing
dates and indicating lost letters.
7. Miscellaneous manuscripts: dialogues at The Hague, ad-
dresses made at the Literary Society at Utrecht, expense account,
special account of sums won and lost at cards, "portraits" by Belle
de Zuylen, &c., &c. These are generally in French.
A relatively small amount of this matter was printed by the
late Geoffrey Scott in Colonel Isham's privately printed edition of
the Boswell Papers, but the greater part of the contents of this vol-
ume now appears for the first time. If completely printed, the docu-
ments would fill at least three volumes the size of this. The reader
should not suppose that marks of omission indicate a policy of
bowdlerization. My object has been, within the covers of a single
volume, to present a complete continuous account of Boswell's
life in Holland, and also to give a wholly representative selec-
tion from the materials, so far as that is reconcilable with a policy
of pleasant and fairly rapid reading. My omissions have been made
to remove banality and excessive repetition (some repetition is
essential to the plan) , and to focus the narrative by the elimination
of minor personages, casual happenings, and trivial obscurities.
The spelling, capitalization, and punctuation have been re-
duced to accepted modern norms, and abbreviations and contrac-
tions have been expanded at will. All quotations in the Introduc-
tions and notes, whether from Boswell or other sources, have been
standardized in the same fashion. 2 The texts have been broken into
2 The standard of spelling for all but proper names is The Concise Oxford
Dictionary (English) and Kramers' Engels Woordenboek (Dutch). For
Dutch place-names the English edition of Baedeker has been followed. Dutch
personal names have been brought into conformity with the standard Dutch
biographical dictionaries, except that the English convention of y for ij and
sometimes ck for k are retained: "Sommelsdyck" rather than "Sommelsdijk."
For English and Scots names appeal has been made to The Dictionary of Na-
tional Biography, Mrs. Margaret Stuart's Scottish Family History, G. E.
Cokayne's Complete Peerage and Complete Baronetage, Sir James Balfour
Paul's Scots Peerage, and various other special books of reference.
Introduction ** x
paragraphs where such breaks make for easier reading. A few clear
inadvertencies have been put right without notice. Square brackets
indicate words added by the editor where the manuscript shows no
defect and where there is no reason to suspect inadvertency on the
part of the writer; angular brackets indicate reconstructions by the
editor of words lost through defects in the manuscripts (usually
holes in letters made by breaking the seal) , where the reconstruc-
tion is not entirely certain. As in Boswell 9 s London Journal, 1762-
1763, the notes have been numbered in recurring series of nine,
disregarding pages and dates. This device avoids the unattractive
typography which results from the use of double reference figures
in the text, and eliminates the extensive resetting (every line of text
that bears a footnote reference and the first line of every footnote)
that is required in linotype composition if the notes must begin a
fresh series with each page. Such resetting is expensive, but the
stronger objection to it is that it always invites errors.
Documents in foreign languages have generally been given in
English translation only. In the case of BoswelFs French, this is a
clear gain. Though he became fluent in French, he never became
really idiomatic or even accurate in that language; and if one sub-
stitutes the literal English equivalents, the result is generally good
Boswellian English. Belle de Zuylen's writings are a different
matter; but one's regret at losing her exquisite French is lessened
by the fact that the majority of the versions of her letters here
printed are by Geoffrey Scott, and have been thought by exacting
critics to be about as accomplished as the originals. The French
texts of all but one of her letters to Boswell have been printed and
can be found in the second volume of Colonel Isham's privately
printed edition of the Boswell Papers; I provide the French text of
the one new letter in an appendix to the present volume. To serve as
a sample of the whole, I have also given in an appendix the com-
plete French text of one of Boswell's themes written near the end
of his stay at Utrecht. The projected research edition of the Boswell
Papers (see p. vi) will of course give all these documents in the
language in which they were written.
xx Introduction
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Because of the experimental nature of this volume, I have asked
and received an unusual amount of assistance from the other mem-
bers of the Editorial Committee. The general plan and the me-
chanics of arrangement were worked out in conference, and all the
members later read the completed copy for the printer and helped
me reduce it to manageable length. Mr. Liebert provided the artist
with the materials for the map, and he and Professor Hilles read
the proofs. Our Advisory Committee is so widely scattered that it is
not possible to take the advice of all its members in laying out each
volume. Some members are consulted very actively during the
preparation of each volume in the matters in which they possess
expert knowledge, and all members are requested to review the
books as they appear and to give us their counsel concerning gen-
eral policies to be followed in succeeding ones. Consequently,
though it may be assumed that we follow what we believe to be the
majority opinion of the Committee, no single member of it can be
held in any way responsible for our decisions. Dr. Breuning read
the entire book carefully in typescript, furnished us with the
charming sketch which appears as our frontispiece, and gave in-
valuable assistance in explaining local allusions. I also return my
grateful acknowledgments to Professor Peyre, Dr. Powell, Mr.
Roberts, and Dr. Simpson, all of whom read the proofs and sent me
corrections and additions. Professor Peyre has besides put me
deeply in his debt by allowing me to refer to his judgment my
translations of many passages in the French.
The surviving fragment of Boswell's Dutch Journal, the In-
violable Plan, all but one of the letters between Boswell and Belle
de Zuylen, and three others of the letters in this volume were
printed by Geoffrey Scott in 1928. The long and difficult manu-
script containing the Memoranda in Holland was first transcribed
and annotated twenty years ago as a class exercise by Dr. Hale
Sturges, then a student in the Yale Graduate School. In the same
class, Professor Joseph Foladare reviewed Scott's text of the Dutch
Introduction xxi
Journal and collected annotation for it. Dr. Charles H. Bennett
then reviewed both texts, and made large additions to the annota-
tion of the Memoranda. I have had these unpublished stores to
draw upon in preparing the present volume, as well as a spirited
translation of the French Themes made for Colonel Isham in 1927
by the late Professor Elizabeth W. Manwaring. To all of them I
record my deep obligation. Dr. Bennett has also read the proofs.
To the following I acknowledge indebtedness for help with
particular problems which I wish I had room to specify: Professor
Jean Boorsch, Professor Franklin Edgerton, Professor Curt von
Faber du Faur, Dr. George L. Lam, Dr. C. A. Malcolm, Professor
Georges C. May, Professor Edmund T. Silk, Mr. Alastair Smart, and
Mrs. Anne W. Van Lonkhuyzen. Finally, I tender my warm thanks
to all the members of the office staff of the Yale Editions of the
Private Papers of James Boswell during the last year: Paul Brodt-
korb, '52, Mrs. Shirley Cochrane, Mrs. Lucyanna Fitzgerald, Mrs.
Louise W. Hine, Mrs. Mary Jane Hook, Mrs. Marion S. Pottle,
Joseph W. Reed, '54, Dr. Marshall Waingrow, Mrs. Patricia B.
Wells, and Thomas M. Woodson, '53. Dr. Waingrow has laboured
to insure the accuracy of the text in all its stages, has collected
materials for annotation, and is mainly responsible for the index.
F. A. P.
Yale University, New Haven
18 January 1952
Une personne sensee qui lirait nos lettres ne vous trou-
verait peut-etre pas trop raisonnable, mais pour moi 9
je ne ueux pas gener mon ami: tout ce que sa singularity
voudra me dire sera bien refu. Uimagination est si folle
que quand on se permet de dire tout ce qu'elle dicte > il
faut bien dire des folies. Et quel mal a cela? Je n'en vois
aUCUn. BELLE DE ZUYLEN TO BOSWELL, l6 FEBRUARY 768.
in ioan, 1763-1764.
SKETCH OF BOSWELL'S LIFE TO AUGUST, 1763. James Boswell was
the eldest son of Alexander Boswell, a Scottish judge who took the
style Lord Auchinleck from the family estate in Ayrshire. A bash-
ful, studious, puritanical boy up to the age of eighteen, he became
suddenly robust and restless, took to frequenting the theatre and
mooning after actresses, and then horrified his father by running
away to London and making his submission to the Roman Catholic
Church. Lord Eglinton, an Ayrshire neighbour of Lord Auchin-
leck's living in London, salvaged him from Romanism by making
him a Deist and a rake, and suggested to him that a good way to
obtain perpetual London residence (which was what young Bos-
well now desired above everything else in the world) would be to
secure a commission in His Majesty's Foot Guards. Lord Auchin-
leck, who wished him to follow the law, flatly refused to purchase
him a commission in the Guards, but after two unhappy years of
struggling with him, agreed to let him go up to London again to see
if he could obtain a commission through influence. BoswelPs ex-
tended account of this period of residence in London, long believed
to have been lost, was discovered by Professor C. Colleer Abbott at
Fettercairn House in 1930 and was first published towards the end
of i960. 1 - It is a remarkable study of the mind of a young man
trying to free himself from parental domination and at the same
time struggling to define to himself the implications of an unusual
literary gift.
Boswell had gone up to London hoping to transform himself
from a raw and romping boy into a high-bred man of pleasure, a
^BoswelVs London Journal, 1762-1763, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc.
(New York), and William Heinemann, Ltd. (London), 1950.
2 Sketch of BosweWs Life to August 1763
combination of Addison, Steele, and West Digges, an actor famous
for his impersonation of Macheath in The Beggar's Opera. Though
he had the liveliest sense of piety and was strict in attendance at
divine service, he prided himself on his intrigues with actresses and
women of fashion, and in his frequent street affairs was ashamed
rather of the grossness of his debauchery than of its immorality.
But on 16 May 1763 he met Samuel Johnson, whose writings he
had long admired; and though the meeting made no great im-
mediate impression on him, his continuing association with John-
son caused him soon after to develop a bad conscience about these
affairs. He opened his heart to Johnson, was strengthened in his re-
ligious faith, and got Johnson to outline a plan of regular study for
him. The quest for a commission having proved futile, as Lord
Auchinleck had predicted it would, he finally gave in to his father
and consented to apply himself to the law. It was agreed that he
should spend one winter in study at Utrecht, and that he should
then be allowed to visit Paris and some of the German courts.
Johnson, who had become very fond of him, made a two-days'
journey with him to Harwich to see him off. "My revered friend,"
says Boswell in The Life of Johnson, "walked down with me to the
beach, where we embraced and parted with tenderness, and en-
gaged to correspond by letters. I said, 'I hope, Sir, you will not for-
get me in my absence.' JOHNSON. 'Nay, Sir, it is more likely you
should forget me than that I should forget you.' As the vessel put
out to sea, I kept my eyes upon him for a considerable time while
he remained rolling his majestic frame in his usual manner; and at
last I perceived him walk back into the town, and he disappeared."
That majestic frame and that revered voice, save for recollection,
were to be absent from Boswell's journal for two years and a half.
The selection of Utrecht as the place for Boswell's legal educa-
tion had nothing odd or unusual about it. Scots law, a totally differ-
ent system from the English, makes a great deal of Roman law; and
as the Dutch were the great masters of Roman law, it was usual for
young men preparing for the Scots bar to complete their education
in Holland. Boswell's father and grandfather (also a lawyer) had
Sketch of BoswelVs Life to August 1763 3
studied at Leyden; Utrecht had been selected for Boswell on the ad-
vice of Sir David Dalrymple, a common friend to Boswell and his
father and a mediator of their differences. Though the main ob-
jective was the law, it was hoped that he might also improve him-
self generally in culture and in manners; and for this purpose
Utrecht was thought to offer advantages over Leyden.
Since at least his seventeenth year, Boswell had been subject to
recurring fits of intense depression; and he left England with
gloomy forebodings. One of the few hopeful features of the situa-
tion so far as he was concerned was that he had relatives in Holland.
Lord Auchinlcck's grandmother, Veronica, Countess of Kincardine,
was a Dutch lady of the noble family of Sommelsdyck, and the
representative of the family (Lord Auchinlcck's second cousin)
still lived at The Hague.
From this point on, a selection from the documents themselves
may be allowed to tell the story. 2
MONDAY i AUGUST 1763 [London] ... Resolve now study
in earnest. Consider you're not to be so much a student as a travel-
ler. Be a liberal student. Learn to be reserved. Keep your melan-
choly to yourself, and you'll easily conceal your joy. . . . Prepare
like Father. . . . Mark this and keep in pocket. You are not to con-
sider yourself alone. You have a worthy father whose happiness
depends on your behaving so as at least to give no offence, and there
is a prudent way to save appearances. Be reserved and calm, and
sustain a consistent character. It will please you when high, and
when low it will be a sure comfort, though all things seem trifling;
and when high again, 'twill delight. So when you return to
Auchinleck, you'll have dignity. . . .
TUESDAY 2 AUGUST. . . . Bring up journal. Be with Johnson
at two and dress at three. Give out linens, and pack up, and be
2 See pp. x, xiv for a detailed description of the various kinds of documents
used, and a statement of the editorial method followed.
4 2 August 1763
placid, and get into grave humour for journey, and write out in-
structions, &c.
[UNDATED MEMORANDUM] Set out for Harwich like Father,
grave and comfortable, Be alert all along, yet composed. Speak
little, make no intimates. Be in earnest to improve. It is not you
alone concerned, but your worthy father. Be reserved in grief,
you'll be so in joy. Go abroad with a manly resolution to improve,
and correspond with Johnson. Be grateful to him. See to 3 attain
a fixed and consistent character, to have dignity. Never despair.
Remember Johnson's precepts on experience of mankind. Con-
sider there is truth. Consider that when you come home with a
settled composure you will enjoy life much, without exhausting
spirits and setting yourself up as a buffoon or a jolly dog. Study
[to be] like Lord Chesterfield, manly. You're your own master
quite. . . .
[Receipt for passage to Holland]
Harwich, 6 August 1763
Receive on board the Prince of Wales packet-boat Mr. Boswell.
Whole JAS. :::::: :
FRIDAY 12 AUGUST [Leyden] 5 . . . Don't smoke any more,
because it makes you sick and a foreigner need not do it. ...
[Events of 6-15 August, Boswell to John Johnston of Grange] 6
Utrecht, 23 September 1763
MY DEAR JOHNSTON, I find myself at a loss how to begin this
letter. As it is my first to you from a foreign country, I should
3 "Take care to."
*The signature (presumably that of the purser) is large, handsome, and
illegible. "Whole" probably means that Boswell had a room to himself.
6 The memorandum for this day was written entirely in French.
6 John Johnston, laird of a small property in Dumfriesshire, a young man of
about BoswelTs own age, was a "writer" (solicitor or attorney) in Edinburgh.
Since their first meeting in 1755 in a class in Greek at the University of Edin-
6-15 August 1763 5
perhaps break off 7 with a pompous exordium; but a pompous
exordium will not offer me its services. Perhaps, too, I should begin
with an apology for not writing sooner; but this I imagine you
will own is hardly necessary after you have read this page. I am
now fairly begun, and shall say no more on the subject. I shall
give you my history since I set out from London as well as I can.
I tell you beforehand that it is strange and affecting; so do not
be suddenly shocked.
I set out upon my travels with a kind of gloom upon my mind.
My enthusiastic love of London made me leave it with a heavy
heart. It might not have been the case had I been setting out on
an immediate tour through the gay regions of Italy and France.
But to comply with my father's inclinations I had agreed to pass
my first winter at Utrecht, a Dutch university town of which I
had received the most disagreeable prepossessions. Mr. Samuel
Johnson honoured me with his company to Harwich, where he
saw me embark and set sail from Britain. I was sick and filled with
a crowd of different ideas. But we had a good passage, and landed
on Sunday the 7 of August, at twelve at noon. I shall not be tedious
with particulars, but give you the great lines of my story. I went
to Rotterdam, where I met with Mr. Archibald Stewart (Sir
Michael's youngest son) , who is settled a merchant there. I was
not much acquainted with him. But he insisted that I should stay
in his house, where I met with every civility. 8 Novelties enter-
burgh, Boswell and Johnston had been inseparable; indeed, though Boswell
called William Johnson Temple (see below) his most intimate friend, he had,
up to the spring of 1763, seen more of Johnston, and had leaned more heavily
on him. He had written the London journal of 1762-1763 for Johnston's
perusal, forwarding it to him by post in weekly parcels. During his last
month in England he had written him no fewer than sixteen letters. The
present letter to Johnston was written more than a month later than the letter
to Temple which follows it, but has been chosen to open the scries because it
gives a fuller account of Boswell's misery during the first ten days of his
residence in Holland than does the letter to Temple.
7 "Start," "open": a usage now obsolete.
8 Stewart was a young man of Boswell's own age or even younger, his father
6 6-i$ August
tained me for a day or two, and then I went to Leyden and passed
some days. I began to turn low-spirited, and set out for Utrecht. I
travelled between Leyden and Utrecht nine hours in a sluggish
trek schuit 9 without any companion, so that I brooded over my
own Dismal imaginations. I arrived at Utrecht on a Saturday
evening. I went to the Nouveau Chateau d'Anvers. 1 I was shown
up to a high bedroom with old furniture, where I had to sit and be
fed by myself. At every hour the bells of the great tower 2 played a
dreary psalm tune. A deep melancholy seized upon me. I groaned
with the idea of living all winter in so shocking a place. I thought
myself old and wretched and forlorn. I was worse and worse
next day. All the horrid ideas that you can imagine, recurred
upon me. I was quite unemployed and had not a soul to speak to
but the clerk of the English meeting, 3 who could do me no good.
I sunk quite into despair. I thought that at length the time was
come that I should grow mad. I actually believed myself so. I
went out to the streets, and even in public could not refrain from
groaning and weeping bitterly. I said always, "Poor Boswell! is
it come to this? Miserable wretch that I am! what shall I do?"
my friend, pause here a little and figure to yourself what I en-
a Scots baronet (Stewart of Blackball) and member of the Scots bar. He had
acquired an unenviable reputation for raking and extravagance, and had
been exiled to redeem himself as a man of business. A gay, cheerful, and gen-
erous soul, he gave Boswell help at a time when he needed it desperately.
9 "The usual way of travelling in ... most parts of the United Provinces
... is in trek schuits, or draw-boats, which are large covered boats, not un-
like the barges of the livery companies of London, drawn by a horse at the
rate of three miles an hour" (Thomas Nugent, The Grand Tour, $d ed., 1778,
1.48).
1 "The Castle of Antwerp" (Het Kasteel van Antwerpen), a hotel which ex-
isted on the same spot until 1950.
2 The lofty tower of the mediaeval cathedral. The nave had collapsed in the
seventeenth century, leaving the tower standing alone. See the frontispiece to
this volume.
3 That is, of the English-speaking (Presbyterian) church. His name was
Carron; his father was French and his mother English. Boswell later en-
gaged him as French teacher.
0-15 august 1703 7
dured. I took general speculative views of things; all seemed full
of darkness and woe. Tortured in this manner, I determined to
leave Utrecht, and next day returned to Rotterdam in a condition
that I shudder to recollect 4
[Boswell to William Johnson Temple] 5
Rotterdam, 16 August 1763
MY DEAREST TEMPLE, Expect not in this letter to hear of any-
thing but the misery of your poor friend. I have been melancholy
to the most shocking and most tormenting degree. You know the
weakness and gloominess of my mind, and you dreaded that this
would be the case. I have been at Leyden; from thence I went to
Utrecht, which I found to be a most dismal place. I was there
entirely by myself and had nobody to speak to. I lived in an inn.
I sunk altogether. My mind was filled with the blackest ideas,
and all my powers of reason forsook me. Would you believe it?
I ran frantic up and down the streets, crying out, bursting into
tears, and groaning from my innermost heart. good GOD! what
have I endured! my friend, how much was I to be pitied! What
could I do? I had no inclination for anything. All things appeared
good for nothing, all dreary. I thought I should never recover, and
that now the time was come when I should really go mad. I could
not wait on Count Nassau. I sent him Sir David Dalrymple's
letter, said I was obliged to go to Rotterdam upon business of im-
portance, and did not know if I should return.
1 Other portions of this lottoi follow on pp. 10, 18, and 30.
r > William Johnson Temple, an Englishman from Berwick-on-Tweod, had
met Boswell in 1755 in that same Greek class of which John Johnston had
been a member. The common passions of Johnston and Boswell were Scottish
scenery and antiquities, of Temple and Boswell, literature and religion.
Temple had gone to Cambridge to study law and had kept chambers in the
Inner Temple, London, where Boswell had seen a good deal of him in the
preceding spring and summer. When Temple returned to Cambridge in July,
1763, to qualify for holy orders, Boswell had moved into his chambers.
6 The chief magistrate (Iloofdschout) of Utrecht.
8 16 August 1763
I set out yesterday at twelve o'clock and came here at night
to the house of Mr. Archibald Stewart, the gentleman whom
Nicholls 7 spoke of. He is a very fine fellow. Though volatile, he
has good sense and generosity. I told him my miserable situation
and begged his assistance as the most unfortunate of mortals. He
was very kind, took me to his house, talked with me, endeavoured
to amuse me, and contrived schemes for me to follow.
I am distracted with a thousand ideas. The pain which this af-
fair will give my worthy father shocks me in the most severe degree.
And yet, alas! what can I do? But perhaps I should have endured
the utmost torment rather than have left Utrecht. But how can a
man endure anything when his mind is quite ruined? My mind
is just as if it were in a mortification. Temple! all my resolutions
of attaining a consistent character are blown to the winds. All my
hopes of being a man of respect are gone. I would give a thousand
worlds to have only mere ease. I look back on the days I passed in
the Temple with you as on days of the highest satisfaction. And
yet, my friend, I cannot but remember that even then we passed
many a weary hour. But was not that owing to ourselves? Was it
not because we were idle and allowed time to lie heavy on our
hands? Alas, what can I do? I cannot read. My mind is destroyed
by dissipation. But is not dissipation better than melancholy? Oh,
surely, anything is better than this. My dear friend, I am sensible
that my wretchedness cannot be conceived by one whose mind is
sound. I am terrified that my father will impute all this to mere
idleness and love of pleasure. I am not yet determined what to do.
Sometimes I think I should no more yield to this than to any
other passion. But, indeed, it forces me to yield. It weighs me down.
It crushes my spirit. I am filled with shame on account of my weak-
ness. Shall I not be utterly exposed? Shall I not be utterly con-
temptible?
7 Norton Nicholls, common Cambridge friend of W. J. Temple and the poet
Thomas Gray; one of Gray's favourite correspondents. Bosweli had met him
in Temple's company on 13 May.
16 August 1763 9
I would fain return to London and shelter myself in obscurity.
Yet I would wish to stay some time abroad. I think I shall go to
Brussels. It is a gay agreeable place, and may relieve me. I shall
wait upon Count Byron. 8 1 shall go to the Academy there. But then,
what will my father say? GOD ALMIGHTY pity me and relieve me,
for I know not what to think. I sometimes have gleams of ease and
imagine myself better, and then I resolve to go back to Utrecht
and brave the distemper. But I fear it would be impossible. Could
I, who have passed my time in the delicate felicity of London and
in real spirited life, support a formal Dutch college? My dear
friend! Perhaps you will sympathize more with me than I imagine.
Perhaps you will think it was rash in me to agree to go to Utrecht,
and that after finding it so severe upon me I do right to go to
Brussels. If my father would but think so, what would I give!
Perhaps I may go back to Utrecht; perhaps I may go to Leyden.
But I think I shall first go to Brussels, and perhaps I may grow
well. Is it possible that I can ever be well again? Shall I ever
be tolerably happy?
Dempster 9 is at Paris. I have written to him and begged to see
him at Brussels. He is humane and knows life well. my friend!
what shall I do? Write to me to the care of Mr. Archibald Stewart,
merchant at Rotterdam. Remember me with sincere affection to
Bob. 1 If Nicholls be with you, present my compliments to him.
Talk of me as far as you think prudent. I would fain hope that
8 Not satisfactorily identified, but probably in some way related to Ernst
Johann, Reichsgraf von Biron, Duke of Kurland (1690-1772), favourite of the
Empress Anna of Russia and virtual utler of Russia dining her loign. In a
letter of 31 July 1763 Temple had referred to Count B\ i on as his father's most
intimate friend; in replying to this letter of BosuolFs IIP said ho thought
Count Byron was at Vienna.
Geoigc Dempster, M.P., Scots lawyer and politician, oic,ht years older than
Boswell, hud for some time been associated with Bosuoll in his publishing
schemes, and was one of his principal literary companions and cronies.
1 Temple's younger brother, an Army officer on half-pay. Boswcll had shared
Temple's chambers in London with him.
io 16 August 1763
my mind may yet strengthen. Adieu, my ever dear friend, and
believe me ever yours, with the most sincere regard,
JAMES BOSWELL.
Let not this dreadful affair affect you too much. There is no
real harm done. I may grow well soon. I can now feel how my
poor brother 2 was afflicted. We cannot hear often from each other.
Let us endeavour to think of each other, and wait patiently to
see what time will produce. dear! I am very ill.
[Events of i6-c. 30 August, Boswell to Johnston, continued]
Utrecht, 23 September 1763
. . . Good GOD! what distracted horrors did I now endure!
Sometimes I thought of going to Berlin, sometimes to Geneva,
sometimes to Paris; but above all of returning to London and my
dear calm retreat in the Inner Temple. I recollected that Dempster
was in Paris. I wrote to him my situation and begged he would
meet me at Brussels. Irresolute and fickle every hour, I was for
writing a new letter. Mr. Morgan, a North- American who had just
taken his degrees in physic at Edinburgh, 3 was making a tour of
Holland. I agreed to go with him. We went to Gouda, Amsterdam,
Haarlem, &c. I remembered an advice of yours, and did not go
but was taken. 4 We then came round by Utrecht, where we stayed
a day or two. But it still appeared so terrible that I could not stay.
2 John Boswell, a lieutenant in the Army, had suffered the first of a series of
attacks of insanity the previous autumn. He was at that time about nineteen
years old.
3 John Morgan, M.D., of Philadelphia, founder of the Medical College of the
University of Pennsylvania and its first professor; Physician-in-Chief of the
American Army, 1775-1777. In his memorandum of 25 August Boswell calls
him un fat bonhommc ("a coxcomb"). Morgan's journal of his tour from
Rome to London, 6 July-3i October 1764, has been published, but his journal
of his tour in Holland appears to havo boon lost.
* Johnston had probably advised him to let other people manage for him
when he was depressed.
16-30 August 1763 11
So we returned to Rotterdam. I was now a little better and began
to think that I might put up at Leyden. In the mean time I got a
letter from Dempster, who had come from Paris to Brussels, sixty-
two leagues 5 in thirty hours, a strong proof of his regard for me
and generosity of soul. It was hard to think that he had set out
before my letter bidding him write first could reach Paris, and
so had missed seeing me. I received a letter from Temple imputing
my miser}' to idleness and beseeching me to act a part worthy of
a man. . . .
[Received c. 25 August, George Dempster to Boswcll]
Grand Miroir, Brussels, Monday 22 August |" 1 763]
MY DEAR BOSWELL, Judge of my love for you and of the regret
I feel for your present situation from this circumstance. I received
both yours at Paris on Saturday at two o'clock afternoon. By five
I was in my post-chaise, and this morning, Monday, at five o'clock
of the morning I arrived here, having made a journey of sixty-two
leagues in thirty hours. I can't tell you how great my disappoint-
ment is at not finding you according to promise here, It is im-
possible for me to wait till this brings you, but next post I'll write
you a long letter to set you on your legs again. Adieu, thou mass
of sensibility! 6
[Received c. 26 August, Dempster to Boswell]
Brussels, Tuesday 23 August 1763
I AM NOW, MY DEAR FRIEND, in the last hour that it is possible
for me to wait for you in Brussels, arid I find myself so circum-
scribed with regard to the time of my being in Scotland that I
cannot bestow another week in a journey to Amsterdam or Utrecht
to meet with you. Amidst all my regret for your distress, I cannot
3 One hundred and eighty-six miles by the eighteenth-century coach route.
6 The letter ends without a signature.
12 26 August 1763
help feeling a little satisfaction on the complete accomplishment
of my prediction. I told you Oxford was a joke to Utrecht. 7 1 told
you your worthy friend Sir Davy's sense of gaiety and yours
would differ; and pray remember I foretold that your fund of
patience and affectation was too small to bear living among a set of
Dutch professors in tartan nightgowns, long pipes admirers of
Voet and of Vinnius, 8 who set a real value on a library of musty
books, who consider mirth as a shame and rampaging as a sin,
who neither care how they spend their time or what kind of
weather it is, provided their sundials, their barometers, and ther-
mometers indicate properly. Besides, let us add to all this your
ignorance of their coins and of their language. The brutality and
phlegm of the inhabitants, the tedious method of transportation
in track scoots 9 Sir, you may depend upon it, these are sufficient
to turn the head of a marble statue and to affect the serenity of a
Lord Auchinleck.
But after all, my dear Boswell, these ills are either exceedingly
trifling in themselves or become so by the short time to which you
will be exposed to them. Consider them as good Christians do mis-
fortunes, as meant to prepare you for a better life in another
country. Consider Holland as the dark watery passage which leads
to an enchanted and a brilliant grotto. For such is a French acad-
emy; and above all, such will you find Paris on your return
when you understand the language. . . .
But Boswell, what is to be done? Can you bear this for a
couple of months and then go to a French academy to Angers,
to Metz, to Caen? I am sure you will like that manner of life. In
the mean time, I should think you might amuse yourself in acquir-
7 Boswell had made a jaunt to Oxford in the previous April and had been ex-
tremely gloomy there. See Bos well's London Journal, 1762-1163, 1950, p. 244.
8 Voet and Vinnius were famous Dutch jurists. "Nightgown" in the eight-
eenth century meant what would now be called a dressing-gown.
9 Trek schuits: see p. 6. Dempster's spelling indicates how the words were
usually pronounced by English travellers. A closer approximation to the
Dutch pronunciation of schuits is found in the "Brooklyn" pronunciation of
the English word skirts.
26 August 1763 13
ing the French, keeping a journal and writing your friends, and
debauching a Dutch girl.
For GOD sake, keep your disgusts secrets. The Dutch are so
happy in their own dulness that I fear they can make but small al-
lowance for your dissatisfaction. As you love your father, your
friends as you love Johnston, Erskine, 1 yourself, and me, don't
give too much way to your sensibility. Have recourse to our usual
scepticism. Remember how much all pleasures depend on the
mind, and then, pray, try to Dutchify your immortal soul. Had I
been fortunate enough to have met with you, I would have been
its tailor. I would have dressed it in a short jacket and one hundred
pair of breeches. I would have taught it silence and smoking. I
would have reconciled it to dulness and stinking cheese.
Have you forgot your former objects of ambition? Do you know
no country in the universe is better worth seeing to a man that has
political views? Examine their industry, their commerce, the ef-
fects of frugality, freedom, and good laws. Inquire with regard to
their methods of levying taxes, in which they surpass all Europe,
since they neither restrain commerce nor oppress the poor. Observe
the mixture of the monarchical and republican form of their gov-
ernment. Inquire which of these principles does, consider which of
'em ought to predominate. But for heaven sake, no more sallies
into the street. Rather come over to London and return to your
former apartments in the Temple. You have done too much to satis-
fy your father. No mortal can blame you for returning to that
place which you find fittest from 2 preserving a mens sana in
corpore sano. Adieu. Pray write to me immediately at London,
where, however, I shall only remain a very few days. 3
1 The Honourable Andrew Erskine, younger son of the fifth Earl of Kellie, a
lieutenant in the Army, had been closely associated in mirth and rampaging
with Boswell and Dempster since the spring of 1761. He and Boswell had
published a volume of their own letters to each other in the previous April.
See BoswelVs London Journal, 1762-1763.
2 One would expect for, but the manuscript is clear and sense can be made
with from: "that place which you find fittest from its having preserved ..."
3 The letter was sent unsigned.
14 3 August 1 763
[Received c. 30 August, Temple to Boswell]
Trinity Hall [Cambridge] 23 August 1763
MY EVER DEAR FRIEND, I received your very affecting letter,
and sympathize with you from the bottom of my soul. I sincerely
pity the unhappy disposition of your mind, and would give the
world to relieve you. But, my dear Boswell, if you pay any regard
to your own character, if you have any affection for me, I beg
you may endeavour to act a part more becoming yourself. Re-
member your resolutions before we parted, allow reason to re-
assume her dominion, think of Johnson, and be again a man.
Recollect what answer you sent me a few days before you left
England, when I wrote to you in rather an unmanly style. You told
me I was under the influence of the demon melancholy, and that
study and reflection would infallibly cure me. I took your advice
and am well. Allow me in my turn to prescribe the same regimen
to you (which I have a better right to do, having experienced its
effects) , and I make no doubt of receiving in a very short time a
letter very different from your last.
You may take my word for it that your sole disease is idleness,
and that when you have once got into any settled way you will
find yourself as well as ever. You say dissipation has unfitted you
for study. Read six hours a day but for one week, and on the con-
trary, you will tell me that study has made a perfect pedant of you
and spoilt you entirely for jollity and riotous mirth. Here comes in
again my old doctrine of habit to convince you that you may still
be whatever you please. To talk of relinquishing all hopes of at-
taining a consistent character and acquiring a name is unmanly
and dishonourable. . . .
But why do I talk to you in this manner? You blame your weak-
ness as much as I can do, and are solicitous to conquer it. Only
continue to be so, my dear friend, and all will be well.
I am not at all surprised at your quick removes from one place
to another. It is the natural consequence of the present state of
your mind. However, I would not be long thus, but would certainly
30 August 1763 15
return to Utrecht against winter, were it only to oblige my father.
Though his notions with regard to some things are not perhaps al-
together right, yet he is a sensible, good man, and has nothing
more at heart than your welfare. You should gratify him therefore
a little, even though it might somewhat punish yourself. You know
our situation here is such that we cannot always do what we would.
There are many relations and dependencies to which a proper re-
gard must be paid. A father is a character to which much is due.
If it be possible, then, endeavour to please him and make him
happy. I am sure he would not desire you to stay longer than one
winter at Utrecht
I am here without a soul in college but my brother and one of
the dullest doctors in the University. Nicholls left us last week.
I have had the honour to drink tea twice with Mr. Gray;* once
at Nicholls's rooms and once at his own. I have also since paid him a
morning visit, and have met him two or three times at the coffee-
house. He is very civil, and my idea of his greatness is not at all
diminished by knowing him. He is the best bred man and the most
agreeable companion in the world. I long to know him more.
It gave me much pleasure to find Mr. Johnson accompanied
you to Harwich. Pray let me know what passed. . . .
I hope Mr. Dempster will meet you at Brussels. If Count Byron
be there, you will mention me to him. Probably he is at Vienna.
Pray let me hear from you very soon, and believe me, my dear
Boswell, your truly affectionate friend,
WILLIAM JOHNSON TEMPLE.
[Boswell to Temple]
Rotterdam, 2 September 1 763
MY DEAR TEMPLE, I cannot express the happiness which your
letter gave me. I had been so bad as to consider myself good for
nothing and utterly contemptible. I have found now the reverse.
* Thomas Gray the poet, author of the famous Elegy. He lived in Pembroke
College, Cambridge.
i6 2 September 1763
I wish I could support myself by its recollection in my hours of
gloom.
As I imagined Dempster would not come to Brussels without
first writing to me, I delayed going thither and took a jaunt
through Holland, and returned to Utrecht, where I received a^ letter
from Dempster- telling me that he had left Paris immediately on
receiving my melancholy letter and had taade a journey of sixty-
two leagues in thirty hours to Brussels, where he was extremely dis-
appointed not to find me, but could not wait till I should come. Was
not this a high instance of generosity? I assure you, it flattered me
much; and I was much vexed to think that he had taken so much
trouble without seeing me. However, to find his regard so strong
has done me much good. He has since written me a long letter, in
which he has given me his advice to stay some time at Utrecht and
then go to a French academy. But, like a too lenient father-con-
fessor, he bids me follow my inclinations and allows me to return
to my chambers in the Inner Temple, as nobody could blame me
for living where I can have mens sana in corpore sano. This doc-
trine I could with satisfaction imbibe and put in practice, were I to
yield to my weakness.
But your letter, my friend, rouses my spirit. You tell me that
"my sole disease is idleness"; that you was bad; that you applied
to study regularly, and are well. I am convinced that you are in
the right But you must make some allowance for a gloomy cast of
mind which I unfortunately have.
I like your mentioning six hours a day. To mark out an exact
scheme is taking. I am determined to do what you propose. But I
waver about the place of my residence. At Leyden I shall be within
three hours of The Hague. I shall have the youngest Prince of
Strelitz, and Mr. Gordon, Lord Aberdeen's brother, for my com-
panions. 5 At Utrecht I hear of no agreeable companion. Count
5 The Prince of Strelitz was a brother of the Queen of England. Both he and
Gordon were young, he only fifteen and Gordon eighteen. Gordon later be-
came an officer in the Army.
2 September 1763 17
Nassau is a man in years, though very polite. Utrecht has assem-
blies. But I am told they are most exceedingly dull. Add to this
the shocking disgust which I have taken to Utrecht. I would there-
fore incline for Leyden. But, then, I came over with an intention
to stay at Utrecht; and Sir David Dalrymple would not be pleased
if I should forsake his favourite place.
What I am now resolved to do is this. I shall go up to Utrecht
and stay a week, and force myself to study six hours a day during
that time. After that, if I find that I still give a strong preference
to Leyden, I will go thither, and I make no doubt but what my
father and Sir David will pardon my altering their plan a little.
My grandfather and father both studied at Leyden. I have a kind of
innate prejudice in its favour. But, my dear Temple! I am very
weak and fickle, and am of different minds in the same day. I will
endeavour to summon up resolution, and yet will make myself a
man.
I am very happy to hear that you have at last got acquainted
with Mr. Gray. I hope you will cultivate his friendship and that
when I return to dear England you will present me to him. Mr.
Johnson is ever in my thoughts when I can think with any manli-
ness. I keep an exact journal which I shall send to you when I can
find proper opportunities. . . . Make my kind compliments to
Bob. I rejoice to hear such accounts of him. I ever remain yours,
JAMES BOSWELL.
I am not yet quite myself again. You may observe that I write
heavily. I sometimes regret that I left England. Would it not have
been better for me to have stayed in the Temple in winter and in
Cambridge in summer? I might have formed better into a manly
character with you and Nicholls and Claxton. 6 GOD bless you all.
I am a benevolent being. I rejoice at the felicity of others, even
when distressed myself. Since I am come abroad, I will make the
best of it. I will resolve to do well. Encourage me from time to time.
6 Like Nicholls, an intimate Cambridge friend of Temple; a lawyer and an
antiquary. Temple named his third son John James after Claxton and Boswell.
i8 2 September 1763
I am sorry to make you pay postage for so poor a letter. 7 1 hope to
give you better by and by. Continue to write to Mr. Stewart's care.
[Events following 30 August, Boswell to Johnston, continued]
Utrecht, 23 September 1763
... I met with several papers in The Rambler describing the
wretchedness of a mind unemployed, a peevish and gloomy fancy
indulged. I began to think that I had no title to shelter myself from
blame under the excuse of madness which was perhaps but a sug-
gestion of idle imagination. I read another of his papers, where he
talks of patience as the noble duty of a man and of a Christian; and
he pushes fortitude of mind so far as to doubt if "a mind well
principled will not be separated before it is subdued." 8 1 was roused
with so noble an idea of human nature. I met with another paper
on the power that a man has over his ideas, and how he may harden
himself against being unhinged by little evils; with another where
he shows how much happiness is gained by cherishing good hu-
mour, and with another where he shows that mental employment
and bodily exercise are absolutely necessary to keep our frame
easy and well. Thus prepared I resolutely determined to return
to Utrecht, to fix myself down to a regular plan, and to persist
with firmness and spirit, and combat the foul fiend. I have done so;
and thanks to Mr. Johnson, whose precepts (with the favour of GOD,
to whom I earnestly prayed to assist me) I am quite well. . . , 9
7 At this time, and for long after, postage was paid not by the sender but by
the recipient. The rate for a "single" letter (one sheet) from the United
Provinces was iod.; for a "double" letter, is. 8d., for a "treble" letter, 2s. 6d.
This was a single letter.
8 No. 32, "The Art of Bearing Calamities": "I think there is some reason for
questioning whether the body and mind are not so proportioned that the one
can bear all that can be inflicted on the other; whether virtue cannot stand
its -ground as long as life; and whether a soul well principled will not be
separated sooner than subdued."
9 Boswell lost track of his construction.
September 1763 19
[Dempster to Boswell] 1
Dundee, 29 October 1763
DEAR BOSWELL, I thank GOD for your recovery. I am a com-
plete physician for the spleen, and on the strength and faith of my
skill, I foretell you will not only soon be well but you never will
have more trouble from that cause. Spleen is like a bullying boy
at school: insupportable till he is once heartily thrashed, and for
ever after your humble servant. It is but six years since I drubbed
the dog to his contentment, and he has never disturbed me since.
Make no apologies for bringing me to Brussels. I seldom give
myself much trouble about any one for whom I would not go
much farther when much more inconvenient, to assist or relieve.
Let it be the basis of a solid and durable friendship, which will
produce much good and a great deal of pleasure and fun. And on
this last I set a high value.
Pray indulge your sceptical turn. You are already convinced
of the insignificancy and uncertainty of things. By scepticism you
will soon discover that some things are less insignificant and un-
certain than others. Believe me, dear Boswell, Revelation is non-
sense. GOD never manifested himself but by his works. Disbelieve
whatever the clergy have invented to enfeeble and debase mankind
and to aggrandize themselves. My study is to be perfectly moral
while I live and indifferent when I die. You can't conceive what
magnanimity the very pursuit of these objects inspires. Enthu-
siasm is madness, superstition folly, and faith a farce.
I only write this to congratulate with you on your recovery,
and to assure you of my secrecy. Your letters are smoke long ago,
1 Because of Dempster's departure for London and Scotland, Boswell did not
write to him for almost two months, and Dempster's reply, though written
promptly, was delayed by various accidents and did not reach Boswell until
26 November. In this case it seems better to depart from the usual arrange-
ment of this volume (which is to print letters to Boswell under the dates on
which he received them), and to insert Dempster's next letter at this point.
2O September 1763
and what they contained as the shadow that leaves no impression.
When I come to London, I'll write you at more length; nay, per-
haps indulge you with a dish of politics. Till then, believe me to be,
with most sincere affection, your DEMPSTER.
MONDAY 5 SEPTEMBER [Rotterdam] Set out immediately
with little trunk for wagon to Ter-Gouw, 2 and then take schuit to
Utrecht with Rambler to read. Be resolute to try one week six
hours' reading, two walking, &c. Mem. Father's " *od help me," 8
and try to compose ideas. Act with fortitude. ... Be glad you've
taken no rash steps. Repress fastidiousness and encourage good
humour.
THURSDAY 8 SEPTEMBER [Utrecht] 4 Breakfast after having
read Ovid and Tacitus, and wait for the tailor and get first a Leyden
suit of green and silver. See Frangois and send him to take the
house and have it furnished; he will find you all sorts of things. 5
You may have green coverings on your tables and two large
candles. Go there this evening. Read much and write journal and
persist in your good plan.
[Received c. 8 September, Archibald Stewart to Boswell]
Rotterdam, 7 September [1763]
DEAR BOSWELL, Though you promised to write me so soon as
you got to Utrecht, I can easily pardon the neglect, imputing it to
2 He left his large trunk at Rotterdam "till further orders."
3 In two other memoranda Boswell counsels himself to remember this remark
of Lord Auchinleck's, but gives no further details. ("Mem." in these notes
stands either for "remember" or "memorandum.")
4 Boswell wrote this memorandum in French except for the last two words.
5 "Francois" is BoswelTs servant, just engaged. His last name was Mazerac.
The "house" (Boswell is using the word in the Scots sense of a flat or set of
rooms) was in an inn called the Cour de 1'Empereur (Keiserhof). A register
of transfers and mortgages of the city of Utrecht describes this under date of
28 November 1792 as "a large mansion . . . standing on the Cathedral Square
opposite the Cathedral tower, having its egress by a certain alley giving on
the Fishmarket"
8 September 1 763 2 1
the Dom, 6 bell, psalm-tune, &c., &c. However, I hope you have ere
now made yourself master of the town and silenced the dreadful
bell. 7 Gordon came to me the same day you left this 8 and told me he
hoped you would "resolve to pess the winter at Leyden. I should,"
said he, "mennege him finely by making him read a little, walk,
ride, and talk a little." The more I am in company with Gordon the
less proper I think him for comforting you. Last night Gordon,
Hay s 9 and I supped together at Mrs. Gennet's, where the two
former were once or twice at daggers' drawing. If I had not season-
ably interposed and made up matters, I should certainly have seen
our friend Hay put his right foot before his left with that grace
peculiar to himself. 1 More of this at meeting.
As you have often told me that in the most trifling incidents of
life you are unwilling to determine without advice, I think it my
duty as your sincere friend to lay the following plan before you for
your way of living at Utrecht. Supposing you were to follow
Dempster's advice to make no more sallies into the streets, you
ought to rise generally about eight o'clock or a little before it. So
soon as you have huddled on your clothes, open your chamber
window and throw your head out, keeping your mouth wide open
in order to feast upon the fresh air. In this posture remain for near
the space of a quarter of an hour. Then proceed to bodily exercise
by dancing and capering about your room for near twenty-five
minutes. After spending forty minutes in this manner, devour
about a Scotch pint 2 of porridge and milk (if to be got) for break-
fast; after which turn up Erskine 3 and study him with attention,
considering that every sentence of his you make yourself master
of will add at least a year to your father's life and may come to
6 Cathedral. 7 Othello, II. iii. 175. 8 "This place": a Scotticism.
9 Not certainly identified. An Alexander Hay of Edinburgh was enrolled in
the University of Leyden in 1765, but as Hay is not again mentioned in the
letters or memoranda it is perhaps more probable that he was some Scot
merely passing through Rotterdam.
1 That is, draw his sword and put himself in the attitude of defence.
2 Three pints British, 3.6 pints U.S.
8 A manual of Scots law. See p. 32 n. 5.
22 8 September 1763
immortalize your own. For recreation read a chapter now and
then of the Great Man or honest Spec. 4 Your tongue and p k
are the only two members I have not instructed you how to exer-
cise. The former of these you must satisfy by half an hour's vocif-
eration at your servant, forenoon and afternoon. As to the latter, I
believe he requires very little exercise, as he seldom or ever of late
has been seen to move at all. . . . Excuse this damned nonsense,
and believe me sincerely
I was just going to finish when your letter was presented me by
the trusty Mollison. 5 I am very glad to find that you have raised
your good friend Reason, to the dignity of Governor of Utrecht and
Commander-in-Chief of all your other passions. He is a worthy fel-
low and deserves this preferment. Your trunk shall be sent as you
direct, as shall your letters. Burn this and you'll oblige, yours
affectionately,
ARCH D . STEWART.
FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER. . . , Latin till breakfast, something
till eleven, then dress and at twelve French, then walk and dine.
Afternoon, journal, &c. But next week you go to lectures, which
will employ two hours and one in writing notes, about which you
need not be exact. Mem. worthy father. Guard against liking bil-
liards. They are blackguard, and you'll have high character with
Count Nassau, &c. ? if you don't play. Be easy and natural, though
a little proud. Write out full mem. that this is your winter to get rid
of spleen and become a man.
[c. 16 SEPTEMBER. FRENCH THEME] 6 In acquiring any lan-
guage, it helps to write a great deal, because by doing so one learns
spelling, without which the knowledge of a language is very im-
perfect. But, besides, when one writes, one must understand the
grammar perfectly or make many absurd mistakes which, although
they may pass "unnoticed in the rapid flow of conversation, will
certainly be discovered at once by the reader. For this reason I
have resolved to write a little every day; and although in the begin-
4 Dr. Johnson's essays or The Spectator. 5 Stewart's clerk.
6 Translated; see pp. x, xv, xvii.
16 September 1763 23
ning I shall make sad work of it, I hope by practice to make myself
a good French scholar. This first time I have written without look-
ing up the words in the dictionary because I began too late; but
after today I shall apply myself as assiduously to the attainment of
elegance in this renowned language as if I expected a prize of a
hundred thousand pounds sterling from the Academy of Sciences
at Paris.
SUNDAY 18 SEPTEMBER. Be shaved and dressed at half-past
eight, and then breakfast and go to the French church, and after
that walk and come home and write journal, and at two o'clock go
to the English church and be modest but not affected, and then
drink tea with Mr. Brown/ and in the evening, coffee and journal. 8
Keep up to plan. Hear Riicker, &c. on Tuesday. Guard at first with
students. Be resolute and hear soon from Temple, and write him
about Miss S. But be not foolishly engaged in sombre hours. Be a
man always. 9
You find now that you have been able (with GOD'S favour) to
make yourself happy even in the most trying circumstances. Let
7 The Reverend Robert Brown (1728-1777), British agent in Utrecht and
minister of the English (Presbyterian) church there. He was a Scot who had
spent some time at Geneva, and while there had entered sufficiently into
Genevan polemics to get mentioned sharply by Voltaire in a footnote to his
poem La Guerre Civile de Geneve. He had recently married a Swiss girl, the
daughter of an expatriate Scots baronet, Sir James Kinloch. Belle de Zuylen,
who will figure prominently in this volume, was fond of Brown and of his
wife and sister-in-law, whom she described in 1765 as the only women in all
Utrecht she went to see. Boswell made arrangements to dine regularly at
Brown's to improve his French conversation, and carried his French exercises
there to read aloud. Brown was, throughout Boswell's residence in Utrecht, a
useful and reasonably sympathetic friend. Though Boswell found him anti-
pathetic, he had to admit that he was "a generous and clever little man"
(below, 7 April 1764). French Protestant services are still held, as they
were in Boswell's day, in St. Peter's church, a few hundred yards to the east
of the Cathedral. The English services were held a few hundred yards to the
west of the Cathedral in St. Mary's, the most important Romanesque church
of Utrecht. It was demolished about 1840.
8 The original of this memorandum is in French up to this point.
The four following paragraphs are undated in the manuscript, and the
order in which they were written is uncertain.
24 i8 September 1763
this be always a sure and steady proof to you. This is a chimera.
Your happiness is not produced by dissipation and gaiety, and so
may vanish suddenly. It is wrought out by philosophy and pious
resolutions of doing your duty as a man, with fortitude. Never
forget this strong period of your life.
Write to Temple full account of your mental cure. Tell him
that you allowed your mind to be disturbed by frivolous objects,
yielded to slight gloom, not thinking of dignity and moral duty.
But that you exerted spirit and found the noble bliss of acting with
propriety, which even in your dark hours gave satisfaction; and it
will increase the longer you act so, as it will give a longer retro-
spect. Bid him keep this to be a constant check on you.
Consider, pray, the morality of the Gospel; and if you find
illicit concubinage forbidden, abstain from it and keep yourself
strong for marriage. You can smile and say, "I was once an infidel.
I acted accordingly. I am now a Christian gentleman. You can't
blame me: I'm young and strong." Mind not trifling jokes on
virtue.
Write to Temple and to Johnston on Friday, and advise about
Miss S. Say as you are to be a good old Scotch gentleman, if you
should neglect the opportunity of a woman sensible, amiable, well
bred, who has lived in London. Who can read and talk. Who would
entertain your friends, and whose harpsichord would charm your
soul. If your friends think your scheme good, you can talk to
Stewart and proceed finely and gently. If it does not succeed, 'tis
another adventure.
MONDAY 19 SEPTEMBER. Write your mems always in
English. You can write French in versions. Resolve never to remit
plan a moment of being a philosopher and having a mind well
principled. Your plan does in all weathers and all circumstances.
You must do well and be a good, worthy, respected man. You are
now forming into proper character. Learn not to talk of yourself.
To be moderately reserved and never extravagantly merry. You
will get a right set for life. . . . Tomorrow, hear all lectures, &c.
Write for trunk tonight. Write to Johnston tomorrow.
2O September 1763 25
TUESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER. This is the day on which you are
to take trial of professors. Try and be shaved and dressed by nine;
then hear Rlicker, and at ten breakfast, and at eleven hear Trotz,
and at twelve hear Wesseling. 10 You need hear only law lectures,
and rather have fencing master. Two days a week you may want 1
dinner, which will be for health and pay fencing. Attend either
Riicker or Trotz and no more. But read much privately and con-
tinue firm to plan. . . . Resolve now no more billiards. Be not hasty
to take music master, and consult Count Nassau about concert. Be
frugal, calm, and happy, and get wine soon.
[Received c. 20 September, Lord Auchinleck to Boswell]
[Auchinleck, c. 3 September 1 763] 2
DEAR SON, I have received yours of the 12th ult, and bless
GOD for the accounts you send me of your safe arrival in Holland
and of your progress towards Utrecht, where I suppose you are now
happily and comfortably fixed.
It was with great pleasure I read your account of my very dear
friend Mr. Gronovius 3 and the kind reception he gave you. It shows
me I was not mistaken in contracting friendship with him, for that
is the proper mark of a friend to be constant and steady and to
show friendship to the connections of their friend. I cannot say that
any with whom I entered into friendship ever deceived me. Our
10 Riicker, Trotz, and Wesseling all gave lectures on law. After the Continen-
tal cust6m, Boswell plans to hear the opening lecture by each and then select
the course he wishes to attend. He finally settled on Trotz.
1 "Go without."
2 Undated by Lord Auchinleck; endorsed "9 September 1763" by Herries,
Cochrane and Co., bankers, in London, through whom it was forwarded. See
below p. 26 n. 6.
3 Abraham Gronovius (1695-1775), distinguished classical scholar and Li-
brarian of the University of Ley den. Boswell had called on him on the 12th of
August to present a letter from his father, who had contracted a friendship
with Gronovius' during his student days at Ley den. Lord Auchinleck had kept
up his interest in Greek and Latin and had unusual competence in both.
26 20 September 1763
friendships were contracted upon a mutual esteem and confidence
and after being well apprised of one another's characters. 4
I hope as you are now gone to another country I had almost
said another world, for Holland is altogether different from any
other part of the globe that I know that you will endeavour to
follow out the good resolutions you set out with, apply hard, and
make yourself a man of learning. At first after so much dissipation
it will be irksome, but every day it will become more easy, and very
soon will be more entertaining than any scene you have yet gone
through. Pray, be on your guard as to your company, and don't
take up with odd people or with vicious people. Count Nassau will
be of great use to you, and the professors will be good company. I
beg it of you to be cautious against contracting intimacies with
people you know nothing about. This is a foible you should from
experience arm against. I know that you were taken in at London
by that weakness and cheated of your money. 5 In every country
there are rogues who keep a sharp lookout upon every young fellow
that makes his appearance, and, if they can, will take advantage
of him. . . .
. . . There is in this country the appearance of a plentiful crop,
and we have now very fine weather for harvest, which is begun.
The country is in great beauty. I am busy dressing the ground
about the House, and have made a good progress.
I set out for Inveraray upon Monday. Lord Prestongrange is my
colleague and takes Stirling by himself, and I take the other two
by myself. . . . 6 Your mother is in her ordinary state of health and
remembers you with affection. I forgot to mention that your credit
on Holland is for 30 every six weeks. That is the sum you draw for,
4 An implied criticism of Boswell's friends Johnston, Erskine, and Temple, of
all of whom Lord Auchinleck entertained a low opinion.
5 The London Journal records no instance of Boswell's having been cheated of
his money through contracting an intimacy with some one he knew nothing
about. But there is that mysterious Army officer whom he told Belle de
Zuylen he relieved and sent home to his friends. See p. 309.
6 This reference makes it possible to give the letter an approximate date. The
Court sat at Inveraray on Thursday 8 September.
20 September 1 763 2 7
and the exchange will be <deduct>ed by the banker. It was Sir
David Dalrymple's way. Farewell, <my dear so>n, and may GOD
bless and preserve you. I am your affectionate father,
ALEXR. BOSWEL. T
[Received c. 20 September, Temple to Boswell]
Trinity Hall [Cambridge] 13 September 1763
MY DEAR BOSWELL, Your last letter gave me as much pleasure
as your first did concern. It is as I thought; your bad spirits pro-
ceeded entirely from your unsettled situation and the loss of
England. The first inconvenience is already removed, the latter is
your own choice, and for your benefit. It affords me inexpressible
satisfaction to find you determined to return to Utrecht. I know
there is nothing too difficult for you, and I make no doubt of your
remaining there without any restraint to yourself, after having
spent a little time in the manner you propose
Indeed you are a benevolent being. I know you are and I love
you for it. I know you can rejoice at the happiness of your friends,
however miserable you may be yourself. But how can you imagine
those friends can be happy, when they know you are not so? For
the sake of all those then that love you, let me beg of you, my dear
Boswell, to sum up all your resolution, and no longer to act a part
that is unworthy of you. You know I must always love and esteem
you, but unless you break in pieces the fetters of dissipation and
sloth, how can I ever entertain a high idea of your character? I long
to see your journal. I consider it as the history of your mind as well
as travels, and shall be as much entertained with its ebbs and flows,
its elasticity and lassitude, as with the variety of characters, of
places and of objects which you will describe. Bob continues to
do well. He desires to be remembered to you affectionately. I had
more to say but my paper admonishes me to conclude. I am, my
dear Boswell, your sincere friend,
1 Lord Auchinleck had dropped one Z from the family name. One of BoswelTs
first gestures of independence was to restore it.
2 8 20 September 1763
It is unkind in you to apologize for your letters. If you were ca-
pable of writing a dull one, you know it could not be unacceptable
to me. To hear that you are well is worth the postage of fifty letters.
Let us write freely what we think, and never dress up our letters as
if they were going to the press. . . .
[Boswell to Temple]
Utrecht, 23 September 1 763
MY DEAR TEMPLE, If my last letter gave you pleasure, this
must give you much more, as I can now inform you that I have put
my good resolutions in practice. Your letter first gave my mind a
proper direction. Mr. Johnson confirmed and carried me on. I have
received the most valuable instruction from his Rambler. Several
papers seem to have been just written for me. I shall make out a
cento (if I may use the expression) of philosophy for the happy
conduct of life from his works. He is the ablest mental physician
that I have ever applied to. He insists much on preserving a manly
fortitude of mind, and maintains that every distress may be sup-
ported. But I shall not now begin to my cento.
When I was once roused to exert my spirit, I went up to Utrecht.
I fixed myself down to a regular plan and in a day or two grew
almost well. I am now settled in the best manner. I have got a
neat house of my own and an excellent servant. I get up every
morning at seven. I read Ovid till nine, then I breakfast. From ten
to eleven I read Tacitus. From eleven to twelve I am shaved and
dressed every day. From twelve to one I hear a lecture upon Civil
Law. From one to three I walk and dine. From three to four my
French master is with me. The rest of the day is spent in reading
different books and in writing. This day I began to set about re-
covering my Greek. I have taken Cebes's Table and shall next read
Xenophon, and so advance to greater difficulties. 8
8 Boswell began studying Latin while a small boy, and maintained a very
good command of it all his life. He began the study of Greek at the University
of Edinburgh when he was fifteen, but perhaps then went through no more
than the elementary course. One gets the impression that hi spite of this re-
23 September 1763 29
My dear friend! how noble is this! Good GOD, what a change!
Luckily I did not write to my father during my miserable state of
mind. Honest man, he is pleased to think of my being on a prudent
plan, and knows nothing of what has happened. And now that it
is over, there is really no harm done. To be sure, I endured a most
dreadful shock. . , .
I have for some time past been in a sad course of dissipation.
I hope to get rid of that and to form habits of study and manly
conduct which will make me happy all my life. Instead of think-
ing myself in a dreary solitude, I am in a foreign university-town,
acquiring knowledge, learning French, living among foreigners.
There is not another English student here. Count Nassau is very-
polite, and tells me that by and by we shall have fine parties. My
dear friend, how strange is this affair! I look back on my late situa-
tion as on a horrid dream. I can scarce believe it. Should I be cast
down with the recollection of it? or should I not exult at having
obtained a complete victory, and never dread a return? I must
however remark that I have a little natural disposition to be melan-
choly. But I will bear it like a man; and it never lasts long. How
near was I doing some dreadful extravagant thing 1 But I thank
GOD I have escaped. I have been much obliged upon this occasion
to Stewart.
And now, my friend, you must not smile when I tell you what
I am at present amusing my fancy with. Stewart's sister is sensible,
amiable, has been several winters in London, is perfectly accom-
plished. She is not handsome, but is extremely agreeable and what
you would call a woman of fashion. She and I were always good
friends; and when I was in Scotland, she was the only woman
I could think of for a wife. Stewart and I have been talking much
of her, and I have heard more and more of her good qualities. I
begin to think that I should not let such a prize pass without know-
ing if I might have her. I could write postscripts in her brother's
view in 1763-1 764 he retained in after life only about enough of the language
to identify a Greek passage with the aid of a translation. Cebes's Table, a
dialogue on education formerly held to be the work of a disciple of Socrates,
was much used in the eighteenth century as an elementary text.
30 23 September 1763
letters, and take many ways to find out how she would like the
scheme. Pray excuse this. I can conceal nothing from you; nor
will I ever take a step of any consequence (except an intrigue or
a quarrel) without your advice. Tell me if it would be agreeable
to have such a scheme in view after my travels, and if I would not
make the tour of Europe with high satisfaction while I considered
that I should have the honour to take the most accomplished
woman in Scotland by the hand upon my return. You know I
have always wished to marry an English woman. But should I
neglect to obtain a lady who would be an honour to my family,
entertain my friends, and be a constant companion to myself?
My dear friend! From this indistinct story you may guess my
present sentiments. In the stillness of Utrecht, this scheme appears
very fine. Tell me truly, is it just a whim? Would it embarrass
me for some years~yet to think of marrying? Should I set myself
at ease and let some worthy man have her? Shall I have as good
some time hence? Or will it fix me to a rational plan, and shall I
begin to beat about the bush? Pray write me fully about it. For
you shall determine me. My kind wishes to Bob. I ever am, my
dearest Temple, yours most affectionately,
JAMES BOSWELL.
Write soon.
[Boswell to Johnston, concluded]
Utrecht, 23 September 1763
. . . Consider, my friend, what a noble discovery I have made,
that melancholy can be got the better of. I don't say entirely. But
9 This sort of thing was an old story to Temple, to whom Boswell had been
turning for years for serious advice concerning matrimonial schemes. The
first letter of Boswell to Temple now known to exist, a letter written when
Boswell was some months short of eighteen, confides his passion for a Miss
Martha White, an heiress of 30,000, who later married the Earl of Elgin.
Between this date and 1769, when he finally married, Boswell wrote at great
length to Temple about at least four other young ladies whom he had more or
less serious thoughts of making Mrs. Boswell. The woman he did marry was
not of the number.
23 September 1763 31
by vigorously opposing it, I have a conscious satisfaction even in
my dark hours; and when I have the "sunshine of the soul," 1 then
I am doubly blest. My dear Johnston! this is a strange letter. I had
not room to be full enough. But from what I have said you may by
the assistance of your fancy have matter of thought for some time.
Pray let my victory have a proper effect upon you. I shall think this
late shock a fortunate affair if it help us both to a method of pre-
serving constant satisfaction of soul. I shall write more to you on
the subject, I continue my journal, and much entertainment will
it afford. I shall transmit it to Temple; and when I return, we shall
read it together. my dear Johnston! felicitate your poor friend
restored to comfort! This last affair appears now almost incredible.
Luckily I did not write all the time to my father. I hope now to be
in no danger.
Pray take care of Charles. 2 Temple will send you a bill for
some money soon. Write immediately, before you leave Grange
for old Edina. . . .* I ever am, my dear Johnston, affectionately
yours,
JAMES BOSWELL.
Address A Monsieur, Monsieur Boswell a la Cour de 1'Em-
pereur a Utrecht. Write fully your thoughts about my scheme of
Miss S .*
Take care and open this letter nicely, or you'll tear the writing;
especially the two little seals on the sides.
P.S. Write freely on S. scheme. It is the only Scots one I can
1 Pope's Essay on Man, IV. 168.
2 Boswell's natural son, at this time about ten months old. He had been born
shortly after Boswell left Edinburgh in November, 1762, his mother (Peggy
Doig) being apparently a servant. Before his departure, Boswell had ar-
ranged with a Dr. Cairnie of Edinburgh to put the child in the care of a
foster-mother, and had provided funds for his maintenance. Johnston visited
him regularly and sent Boswell reports. See BoswelVs London Journal, tfa-
3 The omitted passage refers to Miss Stewart in much the terms of the preced-
ing letter to Temple.
4 What follows was written on the outside, after the letter was folded and
sealed.
32 23 September 1763
think of. For I have always thought of some fine English one.
Should I banish this whim and have a run of several more years?
SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER. This day regular plan. Ovid till
breakfast, Tacitus till eleven, dress till twelve, then either Trotz
or visits; dine Plaats Royaal Three to four, French; four to
five, Greek; then coffee; then notes of law, and history, and journal,
and Erskine's Institutes. . . . Get Corpus Juris. 5 Billiards is the
only mala farna here. Make resolve against it. Write Stewart at
night. Miss S. is again evaporated. You see how vain a fancy. You
must not marry for some years, unless Temple bids. Write him on
Tuesday, long composed letter, sensible and on a subject of learn-
ing mostly. Persist firm and noble.
[Boswell to Temple]
Utrecht, 25 September 1763
MY DEAR TEMPLE, Although I wrote you a very long letter
last post, yet I must now again have the happiness of talking to my
friend. My last was written somewhat in a hurry, as I had put it
off till the post-night, which is very short here, as the bag is shut
at eight. I was so full of my own affairs that I could talk of nothing
else; and even of them I wrote but an undistinct account. I think
our correspondence should be perfectly the result of inclination.
Let us write whenever we feel a desire to do so; and then our letters
will be truly valuable to each other, when they flow from the heart
and are not laboured. At the same time, if a particular subject starts
up, we may take some pains to pursue it, and so may now and then
contribute to the mutual improving of our understandings, as well
as to the gratification of our affections. 6
5 The great collection of Roman law which he was studying with Professor
Trotz. John Erskine's Principles of the Law of Scotland, which Boswell and
his father call "Erskine's Institutes" was a manual of Scots law, now obsolete.
The much more important work by Erskine now known as "Erskine's
Institutes? was not published till 1773.
6 The three paragraphs following are in reply to the middle section of Tern-
25 September 1763 33
It gives me very great pleasure to think that you are upon so
good a footing with Mr. Gray, and that you find him as high a
character as you formerly conceived him to be. The contemplation
of such a man must rouse every noble principle. For he was not
born so. By study and by reflection he has attained that dignity
of mind and elegance of sentiment. I leave his poetry out of the
question. A genius like his can seldom arise to show humanity
how high it may be. But there are few men who by proper cultiva-
tion may not become very noble beings.
My dear Temple! may not even I make myself a respectable
character? I am particularly happy to find that you have talked
freely to Mr. Gray of your situation, and that he has given you
his advice as a friend. This is a matter of great consequence. Pray
let me know particularly how you consulted him, and what he
said. You observe with great justice that speculation is not enough,
and that a man ought to engage in some scheme of active life that
may render him useful to society and happy in himself. You must
be sensible that the mind of most men will grow uneasy without
some actual plan. Such is the constitution of the world that if we
speculate too much about it we shall see all human pursuits in
insipid or ridiculous views. But let us once heartily engage in some
course of action and all these imaginations vanish. We are filled
with desires, with hopes, and with fears that excite our powers
and render us vigorous by their exertion. We ought to consider
that GOD has placed us here as in a state of probation, where we
have got abilities, which if we exercise properly, we may have
immediate happiness, and may raise our minds more and more
towards that state of perfection which all noble souls have ever had
ideas of. Another great incitement to a life of action is the exercise
that it affords to the social virtues. He who lives in a studious retire-
ment is almost necessarily somewhat selfish, for solitude gives him
a habit of attending only to his own good; whereas by taking a part
pie's letter of 13 September (above, p. 27), omitted in this edition. Since
Boswell repeats so much, not merely of Temple's ideas but of his language,
one of the two disquisitions seems sufficient.
34 25 September 1763
in life, we have constant opportunities of doing service in some
way or other to our fellow-creatures. And I must add that the
studious and retired hours of an active man are by far the most
agreeable. The great point is to have a proper mixture of action
and speculation, and this I should imagine every man in tolerable
circumstances may continue to enjoy.
Now, my friend, these are very good general reasonings. But
how are they to be applied? I am anxious to hear of your deter-
mining upon some plan of real life. I am sure it will do you infinite
service to be fixed. I like to hear of the mitre dancing before your
eyes. Will you then determine to be a clergyman? Shall I really
see Dr. Temple's handsome equipage at Auchinleck? Or is the bar
unwilling to quit hopes of having your presence? Indeed, I am
seriously of opinion that it would be too dry and laborious a busi-
ness for you. There is no doing things by halves as a lawyer in
England. However, I shall be happy to have your particular ideas.
I am grown quite keen that we should both take our posts in the
warfare of life. I persuade myself we have spirit enough to make
good soldiers. Let us never yield a moment to mental cowardice;
if we do, we shall think meanly of ourselves. Let us persist with an
unremitting fortitude.
I will lay my present schemes clearly before you, and so you
can consider them properly. After some time passed in idleness,
dissipation, and fickleness, I have now resolved to pursue a rational
plan of life. I am born to an estate of a thousand a year in Scotland,
which has been transmitted through several generations of worthy
men who held a good rank in the country. I think myself under a
natural tie to keep up this family upon the old estate; to improve
and beautify it, and to live well with all my neighbours by being
upon an agreeable hospitable footing with them. This may be suf-
ficient employment for some months in the year. But I must have
more occupation. I am therefore acquiring knowledge of the Civil
Law and of the law of Scotland, that I may be one of the Faculty
of Advocates, a very respectable society. That I may have it in my
power to do service as a man of business and may be in the road
25 September 1763 35
to preferment as a judge, which is no chimerical project. By this
means I have a conscious satisfaction that I am acting a proper part.
I have respect; I have an addition to my fortune. I have time
enough to cultivate the elegant studies, which I am determined
never to neglect I can pass some months in London every year, and
so be quite a man of the world, by being at the Metropolis often
enough to keep up acquaintance with all my English friends, who
would value me more as a man of some consequence than as a
mere agreeable companion, and would perhaps take jaunts to see
me at Auchinleck. For I must mix some of my gay schemes with
all this propriety and rational consideration. I would have interest,
and so be able to serve my friends in many ways. Perhaps I may
be fortunate enough to obtain a seat in Parliament. That would put
me upon a very fine footing; and perhaps I might get a good place
in London, and so pass my winter in London and summer at Auch-
inleck. But these last schemes I cannot promise so much upon, nor
would I fix my imagination too strongly upon them. The others
are very attainable. By this means I shall give satisfaction and
comfort to my worthy father, who has suffered much uneasiness
from my former levity and inconsistency, 7 which to a man of his
prudence and uniform conduct appeared much worse than to
other people.
I am now at a foreign university, or rather in a foreign city
where I have an opportunity of acquiring knowledge. I am at a
distance from all my dissipated companions. I may attain habits
of thought, study, and propriety of conduct. I am next to travel
through Europe. I shall always be upon my guard to persist in the
proper course, and hope to return to England so confirmed in it
that I shall be able to proceed through life with unaffected recti-
tude.
I wrote to you in my last that I had taken it into my head to
think of Miss Stewart for my wife. You know my precipitant im-
petuosity when I am pleased with a new fancy. Perhaps you have
7 The manuscript reads inconstency. Boswell may have meant inconstancy,
but the spelling would be most unusual for him.
36 25 September 1763
smiled sufficiently at this. But you must write to me gravely about
it. For it has really got a pretty firm hold of me. By talking with
her brother I have been reminded of her many perfections. She is
of a good family, and has 5000 for her fortune, and I am sure
would be agreeable to my father. I never was in love with her; that
is to say, I never felt any of that inflamed fancy for her which is
intoxicating while it lasts but never can remain long. I always
considered her as a sensible, affable, well bred woman that I chose
to be with as a companion, though at times I could discern a kind
of tender affection glancing through my mind. Pray give me your
advice fully. Is this scheme merely the suggestion of a rich imagi-
nation in solitude, which ought to be laughed at and dismissed? Or
is it an excellent plan which ought not to be relinquished?
As I must at any rate pass some months at Auchinleck, do you
think that an English woman would like that (Miss Floyer for
instance) , 8 or should I not try to secure a lady who would support
a character of dignity? I could easily see by writing postscripts to
her and talking to Stewart if she liked me. My pride will scarcely
allow me to doubt it. At any rate, 'tis an adventure. If it be a foolish
scheme, check it freely. I shall do you the same kind office in the
like situation.
I continue quite well. Johnson! how much do I owe to thee!
I now see that I can conquer my spleen by preserving just ideas
of the dignity of human nature and never allowing sloth and idle-
ness to get the better of me. I have cured it when it was at its worst.
Pray remember this, and never allow me again to plead a real dis-
temper. If you think my general plan of life good, approve it and
keep me firm to it, and let us remember that at any rate we shall
be a third of the year together and with higher satisfaction if we
are doing well.
8 Frances Floyer, daughter of a Governor of Madras and cousin of Norton
Nicholls, "whom" (says Boswell in a later journal) "I had seen in London in
the year 1763, when my friend Temple admired her much." Miss Floyer, it
turned out, had no objection to Scotland, for she married Captain John
ErsHne, heir of the attainted earldom of Mar, and went to live at Alloa.
25 September 1763 37
And now for honest Robert. Remember me most affectionately
to the dog. Tell him how great a man I am with my house and my
servant; and tell him that I have got two suits: of sea-green with
silver lace, and scarlet with gold.
Pray let me know how much a letter from this costs you. We
must not write too often. Here again I am talking absurdly. Pray
leave a bit of paper clean for your seal, as I always tear some of the
writing, I ever remain yours most affectionately,
JAMES BOSWELL.
P.S. Pray forward the letter that was left for me at my chambers
in the Temple.
[c. 25 SEPTEMBER. FRENCH THEME] At present I rise every-
day early, a practice which contributes much to the preservation of
health, for it knits up the nerves and gives hardiness and vigour to
the entire constitution. There are many people who have made
themselves weak and sickly simply by sleeping too much, or rather
by a vile habit of wasting the precious morning hours in lazy slum-
ber. But as for me, I have given orders to my servant to wake me
every day at half -past six o'clock, and my orders are always obeyed
with marvellous exactitude. It is not usual to find a watch that runs
so true as Frangois, and I am quite ready to lay a bet on him against
all the clocks in the country. As soon as I am awake, I remember my
duty, and like a brisk mariner I give the lash to indolence and
bounce up with as much vivacity as if a pretty girl, amorous and
willing, were waiting for me.
SUNDAY 25 SEPTEMBER
Ten lines a day I task myself to write,
Be fancy clouded or be fancy bright,
Sure, no Egyptian task; for unconfin'd
Let Genius range the forest of the mind,
And, as Apollo grants him vigour, grub
The tow'ring cedar or the lowly shrub.
I seek not sallies elegant and terse,
38 25 September 1763
But to acquire the power of making verse;
And sure by practice I may freely hope
To turn a line like Dryden or like Pope.
MONDAY 26 SEPTEMBER. Let your first care each morning
be to look at your mems. Then to your plan for the day. But fre-
quently review week's mems each Saturday, as you often forget
useful hints. Pray mark in journal, "Governor Reason and the
banditti." 9 Pray keep to plan and have mind well principled. 1
Tell [Frangois] not to shave against grain for fear of scurvy. Bring
up journal hard today. Write Johnston on Tuesday, if post comes
not, and Dempster next week. Write but seldom, and read much.
TUESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER. Yesterday was rather irregular.
'Tis true you read Latin, Greek, French, and did a little at Erskine.
But you have much journal to bring up. Write as few letters as
possible. Hear first from Dempster and keep yourself quiet, retired,
and studious. Persist vigorous in plan; never remit. Make it out full
for pocket-book. Write French before ten each morning, and lay
out hours exactly. Spend not so much time in sauntering. Be
firm to be always employed, and be not just immediately enter-
tained; but have constant eye to future life and being Laird of
Auchinleck and Baron. Never want dinner. You will hurt your
health. You can if you please have it sent to you. Mark Tacitus
always. Never indulge fits and starts. Have no flute master to
interrupt.
SATURDAY i OCTOBER. Get commonplace-book, like Gray.
You was irregular yesterday by supping out to have Professor Cas-
9 Probably related to the following passage in one of the French themes: "Mr.
Sheridan, teacher of oratory, comparing the human mind to the political
constitution of Great Britain, found many similarities between them. Reason,
said he, is the king; Imagination and its train of Fancies represent the
nobility; and the Passions represent the people. 1 * See also the final paragraph
of Archibald Stewart's letter, p. 22. Boswell has perhaps thought of an ex-
tension of the figure in which some of the passions have set themselves in
lawless opposition to the state?
1 An echo of Johnson's "soul well principled": see above, p. 18 n. 8.
i October 1 763 39
tillon's company, 2 which was not amiss. But you gained little by
it. You was pretty much upon your guard. But you rather indulged
high spirits too much and spoke too much. Besides, you spoke too
much of yourself and too laughably of Dominus Trotz. Guard
against approaches to familiarity with Brown or Rose, 3 and try to
fix dining with Brown, so as to be in the way of a family always.
This day, just set it apart to bring up journal, and then you'll be
clear; and after this all will go regularly on. Never remit plan.
Apply much to Voltaire. Think to hear Trotz on feudal system.
TUESDAY 4 OCTOBER
Sure I resolv'd three days ago and more
By noon to have my rhyming business o'er,
But the resolves of mortal man arc vain,
For now I must begin at night again.
A night like this so early in the year
To my five senses never did appear:
My soles resemble much or let me die
Two smoothing-irons which have long lain by,
And, I protest, my fingers with the cold
Are so benumb'd I scarce my pen can hold.
WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER. You laboured hard yesterday at
journal, and you have brought it up well. You have only Sir
2 J. F. Salvemini de Castillon (or Castiglione), Professor of Mathematics at
Utrecht, became next year professor at Berlin. He had made translations
from Pope and Locke and had edited the minor works of Newton. Belle de
Zuylen said he was the only man she enjoyed discussing metaphysics with.
3 Our knowledge of Rose, who was, all things considered, the most intimate
of BoswelFs male associates in Utrecht, remains disappointingly vague. He
was of a junior branch of the distinguished Scottish house of Rose of Kilra-
vock, according to Boswell, a first cousin of the reigning laird; and was later,
at least, in holy orders, but whether in the Church of Scotland or the Church
of England is uncertain. What he was doing in Utrecht is equally obscure.
He seems to have felt himself in some sort an exile, and was glad to accept
payment for tutoring. Boswell went to him for lessons in Greek, and he gave
Professor Trotz instruction in English. He rented a room in Brown's house.
40 5 October 1763
William Forbes and the adventure with the Dutch students to
mark. 4 The rest will be merely your studies of Greek, &c. From
this time let plan proceed: seven to eight, Ovid; eight to nine,
French version; ten to eleven, Tacitus; three to four, French; four
to five, Greek; six to seven, Civil Law; seven to eight, Scots; eight to
ten, Voltaire. Then journal, letters, and other books. Learn by all
means retenue* and being easy without talking of yourself, and
guard against ridicule; so don't encourage viewing objects in ridic-
ulous lights. Write Father soon. Dine Brown Sunday and be
moderately grave. Keep fixed general plan still in view. Sir David,
Johnston, Arthur Seat. 6
[Received 5 October, Sir David Dalrymple to Boswell]
Knaresborough, Yorkshire, 26 September 1763
MY DEAR SIR: I have been so great a wanderer of late that
you need not be surprised at my not having wrote to you. I was at
Inverness upon the Circuit when I heard that my youngest sister,
who was here for the recovery of her health, was dangerously ill.
I lost no time, but came here. I found her rather better, but still
in a dubious way.
This evening I got your letter of the 8th September, which
both surprised and afflicted me. I am glad however to find that
the foul fiend (as you call it) has left you. Your friend has very
justly told you the name of this spectre; it was Idleness. Sometimes
* "Yesterday you was necessarily and properly taken up with Sir William
Forbes, a Scotch knight, and who has care of your brother" (Memorandum,
22 September 1763). Boswell's fifteen-year-old brother David had recently
been apprenticed to the banking-house of which Forbes was a partner. Forbes
later became one of Boswell's most trusted friends and was executor of his
estate. The "adventure with the Dutch students" is unexplained.
5 "Reserve."
6 "I next stood in the court before the Palace [of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh] ,
and bowed thrice to Arthur Seat, that lofty romantic mountain on which I
have so often strayed in my days of youth, indulged meditation and felt the
raptures of a soul filled with ideas of the magnificence of GOD and his crea-
tion" (BoswelFs London Journal, 1762-1765, 1950, pp. 41-42).
5 October 1763 41
she appears like an improba Siren? amusing to destroy; at other
times she arms herself with whips and stings and torments her
votaries. If you continue to fill up your time with study and exer-
cise, she will have no opportunity of assailing you with success.
Your application to GOD was a right and a wise method of relieving
you from your distress, but you must not suppose that GOD will
operate upon your mind without your using the proper means for
your own relief.
The means you are using are excellent. To tell you the truth,
I am not much surprised that at your first arrival in a strange
place your mind was uneasy. That however is but a momentary
sensation of uneasiness, and you will get over it presently if you
follow that excellent regimen which you prescribe to yourself.
Pray make yourself master of French as soon as you can, without
neglecting exercise. When the weather is bad, get into a wagon
or chaise of some kind, and jolt off your listlessness. As soon as
the weather sets in for frost, learn to skate. You will find a master
for that exercise where you are. Skate in company and you will
run no danger of drowning, nor much of ducking.
There was a shoemaker, an eminent professor in skating, at
Utrecht when I was there; his name Lebonk. Let me recommend
him to your acquaintance. He is an accomplished personage,
speaks both French and English, and has as high ideas of his own
signif icancy in his way as Mr. Pitt or any statesman of them all can
have. Let him tell you the story of his having skated before the
King of France. But perhaps I am speaking of one who is no
more. I hope you will have no occasion of consulting Dr. Tissot. 8
He speaks the languages, and is no mean original in his way.
It will amuse you to take a college on the Notitia rerum publi-
carum. 1 just suggest such things as I think may entertain you till
you come to have facility in understanding and speaking French.
7 "Immodest siren" (Horace, Satires, II. iii. 14).
8 A doctor of medicine. Boswell did consult him on 25 May 1764.
9 "The idea (or conception) of state property,*' for example, highways, rivers,
and harbours. In Scotland the word "college" (Latin collegium') retained
until the nineteenth century the continental meaning, "course of lectures."
42 5 October 1763
I think some time hence you should give your good father a general
idea of the situation of your mind on your first arrival at Utrecht;
however, of this you yourself must judge. You should not forget
your good friend the Christian philosopher, Mr. Johnson. He has
studied the human mind so much and so well that your case will
not seem extraordinary to him. Will you allow me to joke with
you so far as to remind you of Dr. Swift's chapter on the diseases
of the Yahoos? 1 There is also a consultation of Martinus Scriblerus
in a case something resembling yours. 2 You will find from those
passages that your Cambridge friend has truly pronounced your
late disease to have been Idleness. Adieu, dear Sir. Believe me
most sincerely yours,
DAV. DALRYMPLE.
THURSDAY 6 OCTOBER. This letter to Mr. Johnson is a ter-
rible affair. Don't take any more time to it. But either send him a
short substantial one or copy out the large one; 'tis natural, though
rude. He will like it, and you can correct your copy and make it
very pretty, for there are fine, strong, lively passages in it. Copy
1 The seventh chapter of "A Voyage to the Houyhnhnms" concludes: "My
master likewise mentioned another quality which his servants had discovered
in several Yahoos, and to him was wholly unaccountable. He said, a fancy
would sometimes take a Yahoo to retire into a corner, to lie down, and howl
and groan, and spurn away all that came near him, although he were young
and fat, wanted neither food nor water; nor did the servants imagine what
could possibly ail him. And the only remedy they found was, to set him to
hard work, after which he would infallibly come to himself. To this I was
silent, out of partiality to my own kind; yet here I could plainly discover the
true seeds of spleen, which only seizeth on the lazy, the luxurious, and the
rich; who, if they were forced to undergo the same regimen, I would under-
take for the cure" (Gulliver's Travels, Part IV).
2 Scriblerus diagnoses "the case of a young nobleman at Court, who was ob-
served to grow extremely affected in his speech, and whimsical in all his
behaviour" as an occurrence of the very common disease self-love, and pre-
scribes, among several remedies, that "it would not be amiss if he travelled
over England in a stage-coach, and made the tour of Holland in a track-
scoute" (Memoirs of Martinus Scriblerus, Chapter 1 1, by Dr. John Arbuthnot
and others, in the Works of Alexander Pope).
6 October 1763 43
out today the first business you do. Then lay the copy by, not to
be looked at for a long time, and seal the letter comfortable, and
send it off. 8 You'll never have such a task again.
FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER. You go on charmingly. Be steady and
firm. You have told Brown your story, and he will assist you. Begin
on Sunday to dine with him. If you please, and the day is good,
put on scarlet and gold, and please humour with cockade. Send
today for book of maps and read Xenophon with more pleasure.
Make commonplace-book of a quire, but don't bind it. Do like Cas-
tillon; mark where different subjects are to be found. Extract from
Tacitus, Ovid, Xenophon, Voltaire, and so pick up treasure as you
go on. Push scheme of Society. 4 You must allow three hours every
evening for amusement. Six hours are enough a day for labour.
[c. 79 OCTOBER. FRENCH THEMES] Last evening I was hon-
oured with the company of the celebrated Professor Trotz. Al-
though the weather was horrible, he was so good as to venture out
and come to see me, which puffed up by a great deal more the van-
ity which I naturally possess in a supreme degree. I offered him a
glass of wine, but he told me he was suffering from a bad cold and
had a pain in his chest and that wine would not be good for it. I was
very sorry to hear that he was ill and that we could not have the
pleasure of drinking a glass together, which would have made us
lively and inspired us with cordiality. Then I proposed tea, and he
told me that it would be very agreeable to him. I was surprised to
see that he took sugar like an Englishman, because I had heard so
many jokes about the narrowness of the Dutch in that article.
Professor Trotz is a very learned man, He gives excellent lec-
tures on the Civil Law, which he explains, not drily like a pedant,
but like a philosopher. He now and again intersperses ingenious
3 His Register of Letters shows that he did send the Mtoi off next day. But
neither the original nor the copy has been recovered, md he punted no part
of it in The Life of Johnson.
4 A literary society of students which met on Wednesday evenings and spoke
only French. From this memorandum it appears that Boswell was the
founder, or one of the founders.
44 ?-g October 1763
moral observations and amusing historical anecdotes, and his col-
lege is truly a school of liberal knowledge. He was formerly pro-
fessor in Friesland, and when he was invited to Utrecht the Fri-
sians begged him to stay; offered him carte blanche and the dignity
of a Senator. But Mr. Trotz thanked them very much and preferred
Utrecht because his wife's family were there and because it was a
very elegant city; and as life is short, he wanted to pass it pleas-
antly. I laugh heartily to myself to see so striking an instance of
the fact that all our pleasures are relative. That same Utrecht
which appeared so gloomy to a man from London was considered a
seat of felicity by a man from Franeker.
Looking out of my window this morning I saw a very odd fig-
ure. It was a big Dutchman, very fat and very clumsy. He had on
a blue garment, thick and long, a wig of amazing size, and a ter-
rifying sword at right angles to his body. He was holding a book
with both hands, raised almost to his eyes, like a Scots precentor.
He held himself perpendicular, and he walked with measured
steps, pursuing his studies. I was greatly diverted and wished much
that Hogarth, the famous painter of comic scenes, could have seen
him. He would no doubt have given us a fine burlesque picture.
Or if Butler, the author of Hudibras, had seen him, he would have
given us most excellent comic rhymes on a subject so full of ridi-
cule.
SUNDAY 9 OCTOBER. If the day is good, put on your scarlet
clothes and behave with decency before fair lady 5 at French
church. Home till half an hour after twelve at journal, and then go
to Brown and dine and be cheerful and happy. After church, jour-
nal all evening, to bring it up once clear. Then you'll be quite regu-
lar. Never desist an hour from plan. Be always like Lord Kames,
doing something, and never divert people here like Carnegie. 6
Write out Plan. Bring up Van Eck and go on with Erskine. Indulge
not whims but form into a man.
5 Unidentified.
R Lord Kames, like Boswell's father a judge in both the supreme courts of
Scotland, was a voluminous author on a variety of subjects. "Carnegie" is
not identified.
ii October 1763 45
TUESDAY 11 OCTOBER. From this day follow Mr. Locke's
prescription of going to stool every day regularly after breakfast. 7
It will do your health good, and it is highly necessary to take care
of your health. This morning read from breakfast till college, Van
Eck, so as to bring him up. It is reading Latin, and will serve for
a day instead of Tacitus. Take notes when you can on Pandects, and
get a Corpus Juris; perhaps Brown can let you have one. Buy Trotz
De memoriaf get an Erskine for him. Be temperate and rise at
seven each morning. Take some negus at night to prevent damps.
It is necessary. Take constant exercise.
[c. 12-14 OCTOBER. FRENCH THEMES] I like exceedingly to
wash my feet in warm water. It gives me a kind of tranquillity. I
am not joking; I speak from experience. I have often done it merely
for pleasure. But if I receive so much delight from washing my feet,
how great must have been the luxury of the Romans, who solaced
thus their entire bodies. The warm baths which they had every-
where contributed greatly to felicity Truly, without exaggera-
tion, one cannot imagine anything more consoling than after a day
of annoyance and fatigue to undress and stretch one's self out at
full length in fluid warmth, to have one's nerves gently relaxed, to
enjoy indolent ease and forget all one's cares. I experienced a little
of that enjoyment when I was at Mof f at in Scotland for the mineral
waters. But my pleasure was very crude because I was taking
the baths for my health, and there were no conveniences for bath-
ing for pleasure. 9 1 was put into a horrible tub, a scanty covering
7 "...if a man, after his first eating in the morning, would presently
solicit nature, and try whether he could strain himself so as to obtain a
stool, he might in time, by a constant application, bring it to be habitual"
(John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning Education, Section 24).
8 "Van Eck" was a Latin comment on the Roman Civil Law, "arranged in
the order of the Pandects," that is, of the digest of excerpts from the writings
of the Roman jurists prepared at the order of the Emperor Justinian. Trotz's
work appears to have been a method for memorizing the Roman law.
9 This happened in his twelfth year. In the sketch of his life which he after-
wards wrote for Rousseau, he says that he had a bad cold which left him
with nervous indigestion and scorbutic complaints.
46 1 2-14 October 1 763
was thrown over me, and in that state I was obliged to remain for
half an hour. I had as my supervisor a barbarian of a Presbyterian
preacher, who called out from time to time in a harsh voice, "Take
care, you rogue! If we see the least disobedience to our orders, we
shall proceed to instant punishment." And that was why I kept
quiet, though I was extremely bored.
A warm bath is, I confess, a most agreeable kind of luxury, but
luxury is very dangerous. . . . Above all things a young man should
guard against effeminacy. I would advise him to avoid warm baths
and accustom himself rather to the cold bath, which will give him
vigour and liveliness. When I was at Edinburgh, I used to take
a cold bath every morning, even in the severest winter. I met there
the most shameless flatterer I ever saw. He was the bath-keeper.
He said to me, "Mr. Boswell, if you should choose to join the Army,
there is no doubt that you would be accepted for any rank lower
than that of General." He always flattered me without limit. He
had a prodigious stock of gross compliments. But, indeed, though
I always laughed at his amazing effrontery, I liked to hear him run
on. The most obvious flattery has in it something agreeable.
FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER. This is the great day of Count Nassau's
dinner. Dress in scarlet and gold, fine swiss, white silk stockings,
handsome pumps, and have silver-and-silk sword-knot, Barcelona
handkerchief, and elegant toothpick-case which you had in a pres-
ent from a lady. Be quite the man of fashion and keep up your
dignity. Don't think it idle time, for while abroad being in good
company is your great scheme and is really improving. Only take
care and never be merely idle, but employ some hours a day in
study. Bring up journal clear, and after this clear it every three
days.
FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER
Let other bards compose majestic songs:
My humble subject is a pair of tongs;
Not those slight things which ladies use at tea,
But what you may by ev'ry chimney see.
Boswell's Inviolable Plan, drawn up at Utrecht, 16 October 1763.
14 October 1763 47
My surly tutor 1 in my wayward youth
Made me submit to punishments uncouth.
And, as a dreadful penance for neglect, 2
Oft made me take the tongs about my neck.
But I to wear the tongs was always vain,
And thought them grander than a mayor's chain.
SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER. This day resolve to bring up journal,
so push it on smartly but prettily and fully, and be sure to give
Count Nassau's dinner as a specimen, &c. You was rather too high
last night. Always try to attain tranquillity. Every time that you
gain an advantage over bad affections, you'll be stronger. Write
out Plan fully today for certain, and write obligation to Father
with answers to all objections, and make him keep you to it. Take
French version every day to Brown. Have Carron Monday, Wed-
nesday, Friday. Learn retenue. Pray do. Don't forget in Plan: when
once you're fairly at business, you'll go on.
SUNDAY 16 OCTOBER. You did a great deal yesterday. You
made out your Plan, 3 and you brought up near a whole week of
journal. This day bring up the rest, and then you'll always after
this be clear and easy. 'Tis true you sat up a little late, but that
must now and then happen in important cases. Read your Plan
every morning regularly at breakfast, and when you travel, carry
it in trunk. Get commonplace-book. Be one week without talking
of self or repeating. The more and oftener restraints, the better.
Be steady.
1 Lord Auchinleck provided for his children a series of domestic tutors or
coaches all young men preparing themselves for the ministry of the Church
of Scotland who lived in the family and drilled the boys in their lessons.
"Surly tutor" sounds like the second of these, the Reverend Joseph
Fergusson, who came when Boswell was twelve.
2 "Neglect," "respect," &c., regularly dropped the final t in Scots pronun-
ciation of the eighteenth century.
3 This portentous document, headed "Inviolable Plan, to be read over fre-
quently," has been preserved, and is in some respects the theme song of this
volume, but Boswell has anticipated so much of it in his memoranda that it
seems best to print it in an appendix. See the facsimile opposite, and p. 387.
4 8 16 October 1763
SUNDAY l6 OCTOBER
For three full weeks, I can with pleasure say,
I have not f aiTd to write my lines-a-day;
And what is more, though careless oft and rude,
Johnson himself would call them very good.
At diff rent seasons diff 'rent poets sing:
Great Milton's fancy brighten'd in the spring;
And Shakespeare's noblest pow'r in winter came,
For then the playhouse brought him gold and fame.
Sure, I am blest with a melodious mind,
Who ev'ry day poetic ardour find.
[c. 17-18 OCTOBER. FRENCH THEMES] "Holland certainly has
a very harsh climate, dangerous to strangers who have been
brought up in a temperate region. There are horrible fogs and
excessive cold, but especially a continuous dampness, except in the
summer months." Thus a discontented man might describe the
United Provinces, and, I confess, with considerable justice. But
when one has actually made the experiment of living there, one
finds that there is no great difference between Holland and other
countries; that is to say, if a stranger lives well, eats well, drinks
well, and dresses well and also takes a good deal of exercise,
which in Holland is absolutely necessary to give a brisk circulation
to the blood and consequently an agreeable liveliness to the mind.
If one lives after that fashion and has a suitable occupation, one
can be very well satisfied. I speak positively, for I speak from
experience.
Nevertheless, I dare not be so bold as to deny that in Holland
it begins to get cold early in the year. I have had experience of
that too. If I should deny it, my hands and feet would cry out
against their master and give him the lie. The fact is that I had
made a resolution not to have a fire in my rooms before the month
of November, and for several evenings I have studied three or four
hours on end shivering like an Italian greyhound, and sometimes I
have sat up to one o'clock in the morning enduring the most dis-
agreeable sensations. But finally I had the honour of dining with
1 7-1 8 October 1 763 49
the Count of Nassau, the Grand Bailiff of Utrecht, where I found
a good fire so comfortable that I began that same evening to in-
dulge myself with the like satisfaction; and tell me if I have not
done well!
TUESDAY 18 OCTOBER. You was a little irregular yesterday,
but it was but for one day to see the Utrecht concert. You don't like
it, and you're not to go any more. . . .
WEDNESDAY 1 9 OCTOBER. After this let your mems give first
a little sketch of the former day. Mark what was right and what
wrong, and then give directions for the following day. Yesterday
you was not up till nine, and so was a little hurried. You did not
give strict enough attention to Civil Law, which is very necessary
as an elegant study to be kept in mind. You talked too drole at
Brown's, and your version is too much a piece of diversion to the
company. 4 You talked too much in vivacious style to Rose, and a
little too much to Guiffardiere. 5 You sat up too late. Today return
to the charge. Ever remember your sad shock, and you'll never fall
into cold, insipid indolence. Ever remember duty. Read version
comic today after dinner, and to Carron, but after this to Brown
alone before dinner. Take care; retenue.
[c. 20 OCTOBER. FRENCH THEME] A nightcap is a most excel-
lent invention, for nothing is more wholesome than to have the
4 He had made a collection of unfamiliar French words for several days,
and then had written a nonsense story to get them all in.
5 "The subject of my next discourse is Monsieur Guiffardiere, a truly curious
and wonderful subject. This young man is a native of Hainault. He has
never been in England, and yet he can not only read but speak the English
language perfectly well. He has been a great deal in the company of English
people, but I have seen several foreigners who have spent a long time in
England and yet could not speak so well as Monsieur Guiffardiere does.
He has a great deal of vivacity, and I am told that in his youth he was an
amorous and gallant man who always loved the society of ladies, and perhaps
was sometimes a worshipper in the temple of Venus. But now he has become
a reverend priest [i.e., a Protestant clergyman]" (French Theme, c. 28 Sep-
tember 1763). Guiffardiere later became French reader to Queen Charlotte
and instructor in history to the royal princesses: he appears in Fanny
Buraey's Diary as "Mr. Turbulent." His levity always shocked Boswell, a
situation which he was aware of and deliberately exploited.
go 20 October 1 763
head well covered from the dampness of the night air, especially
when the pores are open and the whole body relaxed by sleep. It is
highly necessary in order to preserve the teeth, and the teeth are
highly necessary to man. Without those useful members he cannot
speak gracefully^ for he whistles like an old woman of eighty. And
besides (a thing even more to be deplored) he cannot eat meat.
Monsieur Castillon, although a very learned man, is a sad example
of this. His teeth are so bad that for several years he has eaten
nothing but hash. Unknown to him are the robust joys of greedily
devouring a great piece of beef or mutton. Poor man! he is going
to Berlin. I hope with all my heart that that jesting rogue the
Marquis d'Argens 6 never sees him eat, for fear that he will turn
him to ridicule.
SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER. You did very well yesterday, only
you transgressed a little in talking of yourself. Let your memoran-
dum always give a just review of the past day, and that will assist
you to regulate the future Think no more at present of mar-
riage; rather take a little freedom like the patriarchs. But at present
study is enough. This day is market-day. Walk, finish first book of
Xenophon. Read much of Clarke, and be ready to write to Temple
clearly in favour of Revelation. 7 Bring up journal.
SUNDAY 23 OCTOBER
Th' approach of Sunday still I can't but dread,
For still old Edinburgh 8 comes into my head,
6 The Marquis d'Argens, French miscellaneous writer and friend of Voltaire,
had become chamberlain to Frederick the Great and Director of Fine Arts in
Fredericks Academy at Berlin.
7 On 24 May 1763 (BoswelVs London Journal, * 7^2-* 7^3, 1950) Johnson
had recommended to Boswell the reading of Dr. Samuel Clarke's Discourse
Concerning the Being and Attributes of God, a famous work in defence of
"the Truth and Certainty of the Christian Revelation." Boswell in Holland
put into practice a great deal more of Johnson's program for him than has
hitherto been realized.
8 Read as two syllables. "A robust Caledonian was telling in the Scots pro-
nunciation that he was born in Embro. Indeed!' said an English physician:
23 October 1763 51
Where on that day a dreary gloom appears,
And the kirk-bells ring doleful in your ears.
Enthusiasts sad, how can you thus employ
What your Redeemer made a day of joy?
With thankful hearts to your Creator pray,
From labour rest, be cheerful and be gay.
Let us not keep the Sabbath of the Jews;
Let generous Christians Christian freedom use.
SUNDAY 23 OCTOBER. Yesterday you was still too jocular
and talked of yourself, particularly of your whoring, which was
shameful; however, you continue your plan of study, and you make
no great deviations. Lesser things must come by degrees. Try firmly
this week never once to speak of yourself. It will be great. Go to
French church. Then home and read Xenophon and bring up
journal clear today. You have a good deal to insert. If you can once
be silent and have habits of study and manly thought and conduct,
you will do well and may marry a woman of the best family in
England. Bravo 1 But be prudent.
[c. 24 OCTOBER. FRENCH THEME] . . . But in England there
are the oratorios of Handel, which are truly most sublime. 9 My
friend Mr. Sheridan, 10 who is always charmed by the music of these
oratorios, used to regret that Handel was a foreigner and did not
perfectly understand the English language, because as a result of
his ignorance the music is sometimes not well fitted to the words. In
The Messiah they are always singing, "Who is the King of Glory?"
'upon ray word, the prettiest abortion I ever saw' " (Boswelliana, ed. Dr.
Charles Rogers, p. 213, where Boswell records that he had the story from
Patrick Craufurd of Rotterdam) .
9 The three themes preceding this have all been on the subject of music.
10 Actor, theatre-manager, and (by preference) teacher of elocution; father
of the more famous Richard Brinsley Sheridan, who was at this time a boy
of twelve. Boswell had adopted Thomas Sheridan as his mentor in Edinburgh
in 1761, where Sheridan had come to give a series of lectures, and had been
much in Sheridan's house during the period covered by the London Journal,
52 24 October 1763
and "I am the King of Glory," and so lose the noble sense of the
words entirely by putting on "is" and "0ra" the accent which ought
to be on "Who" and "/": "Who is the King of Glory?" "I am the
King of Glory." We also have plenty of very good church music,
and for English songs Mr. Arne is certainly excellent. Indeed, his
opera Artaxerxes has abundance of merit. We have besides a num-
ber of other musicians of whom I will speak in my next theme. 1
[Received 24 October, Lord Auchinleck to Boswell]
Auchinleck, 8 October 1 763
MY DEAR SON, Since you went to Holland, I have had the
pleasure to receive two of your letters: the first from Ley den, to
which I wrote an answer addressed, as you desired, Au Neuf
Chateau d'Anvcrs; the other, which is dated from Utrecht the 8th
of September, is now before me. I am glad you are settled to your
mind, though I suspect that upon trial you will find inconvenience
in having a house by yourself. Lodgings in a discreet family are
comfortable, give less to do in the affair of housewifery, and give
more opportunity for converse without ceremony; and the only
way of acquiring a foreign language is to speak it hardiment, as the
French say. And the French people have no disposition to laugh at a
blunder in a stranger when attempting to speak their language,
an absurdity that is remarkable in the English; nay, they are so
shy to let a stranger know he has blundered that in place of a
formal correction, they will repeat your question, putting it in good
French that you may thereby learn how to express the thing on
another occasion. This I have often remarked; and therefore it is
absolutely necessary for you to attend not only to the subject, but
to every word that is spoke.
I think you did well to take a little tour before the colleges sat
1 He mentions Karl Friedrich Abel and Felice di Giardini. "Mr. Abel," he
says, "is a German, and ho does not take it in good part when people say
he composes Italian music. He said to me, 'Sir, that is not Italian music or
German music: it is music that comes down from heaven.' "
24 October 1763 53
down. Amsterdam is a fine city. The Stadthouse, which is a noble
edifice, was all built with stones furnished by your great-grand-
father, the Earl of Kincardine. I have the contract between him
and the burgomasters in relation to it. 2 There was a namesake of
ours, James Boswell, a turner, an old acquaintance of mine who
was fixed there; and one of the ministers of the English church
there, Mr. Longueville, was born in Dickstoun, the next house to
Tenshillingside, a very worthy man who is by marriages in opu-
lent circumstances and would have shown you great civility had
you called on him and let him know who you were.
You desire to know my landlord's name at Leyden. It was
Ramach; he lived op de hoek van de VliU in the street called the
Rapenburg. My landlady, with whom I stayed before she married
him, was called the Widow Boene. He was a tailor to his trade.
Your plan of passing time for your improvement is proper.
When you read and take notes regularly, you'll find great profit,
for the taking of notes ascertains your attention and at the same
time rivets the thing in your memory. I would recommend to you
as the best preservative against melancholy and vice never to be
idle but still to be employed in something; this is the only specific
against these maladies. And for that reason you should endeavour
to acquire a taste for as many things as you think you may in afte*
life command as is possible. Reading is the great point indeed. But
as you are now in a country where gardening is in perfection, you
should be at pains to learn it, and by that means when you come
home can execute many pretty things. You'll likewise see the
method the Dutch manage their cattle, and take notes of it. I would
wish to be informed of the method by which they keep their cows so
clean, for my remembrance of it is dark. They had a contrivance
2 Alexander Bruce (d. 1680), second Earl of Kincardine, was an eminent
royalist who followed Charles II into exile. In 1659, at The Hague, he mar-
ried a Dutch heiress, Veronica van Sommelsdyck, their daughter, Lady
Elizabeth Bruce, married James Boswell of Auchinleck. Lord Auchinleck
got from Lord Kincardine his Christian name of Alexander. Lord Kincardine
owned quarries of stone and of marble at Culross in Fif eshire.
54 24 October
for making their dung no way offensive to them, and a way of
watering them in a trough, as I think. Write me as to this and
mention the measures, that so one might execute it here. 3 You'll
be frequently, I hope, with Count Nassau, who is, I hear, a fine
gentleman.
Sir David Dalrymple is either married or just on the point
of being to Miss Brown, Lord Coalston's daughter. We are all here
in our ordinary, and all join in compliments to you. Harvest is
mostly over; it has been good and plentiful. May GOD bless and
preserve you. I am your affectionate father,
ALEXR. BOSWEL.
WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER. Yesterday was an excellent day.
Remember it with satisfaction. You did all your business well and
with spirit. You talked freely to Brown and bid him be a monitor to
warn you of deviations, and he agreed to do so and gave you high
applause for your conduct. Pray persevere. Consider that this hap-
piness is wrought out by study, by rational conduct, and by piety.
It is the natural effect of these causes; and you may ever be so. Be
fixed in your general Plan, and never admit fancies to lead you
from it. Send today at ten for your discourse for the Society, 4 and
prepare little repast and pipes. Never forget your Plan a moment.
Always be improving.
[c. 26 OCTOBER. FRENCH THEME] There is a musical society
in London called the Catch Club . . . There are many members,
among them many people of quality and fashion and also some of
the best singers in England. They give every year a prize of ten
guineas to the person who submits the best song, both as regards
words and music. They have a truly excellent collection. The
subjects are gay: they celebrate the pleasures of wine and of love.
The words are for the most part spirited and the accompanying
tunes match them in liveliness. These songs are composed in three
* "So that one might build the same things here."
* See above, p. 43 n. 4. He had perhaps left it with Brown or Carron to be
corrected?
26 October 1763 55
parts, and when properly executed have really a very agreeable
harmony. Lord Eglinton 5 is one of the most famous members of
this society. He sings in charming taste. He had the goodness to
teach me some songs. When I return to England, I hope to learn
more. My Lord did me the honour to say that there were not three
better ears in the whole society than mine. How many happy eve-
nings have I passed at his house, singing! But he is not merely a
singer. He is truly a man of distinguished mind. I could celebrate
his perfections here, but we must always keep to our subject, and
mine at present is music. There is a very pretty kind of music in
Scotland: it is sweet, melancholy, and natural. They say that David
Rizzio, the musician of the Scottish queen, the fair Mary, is its
author. Perhaps that ingenious Italian did mingle the airs of his
country with those of Scotland. I mean, that he gave the airs of
Scotland a little of the tenderness of Italy. In the mountains of
Scotland they have music that is undoubtedly original. Their slow
airs are very pathetic and their quick ones (reels} have an astonish-
ing vivacity. They are the best dance-tunes in the world.
FRIDAY 28 OCTOBER. You did charmingly yesterday. You
attended well to everything
SUNDAY 3O OCTOBER
The farther up the hill of life we rise,
The less we feel the passion of surprise.
Our wonder deaden'd by successive change,
We come at last to reckon nothing strange.
Had any cunning man foretold as how
I should become enamour'd of a vrouw:
That my keen eyes with warmest love should rove
O'er features parch'd by fumigating stove,
Even at the age when I was flogg'd at school,
I should have thought him a consummate fool.
5 A rakish but able Scots nobleman who had been very kind to Boswell
during both of his visits to London and had "introduced him into the circles
of the great, the gay, and the ingenious." See above, p. i.
56 3 1 October 1763
MONDAY31 OCTOBER
And yet just now a Utrecht lady's charms
Make my gay bosom beat with love's alarms.
Who could have thought to see young Cupid fly
Through Belgia's thick and suffocating sky?
But she from whom my heart has caught the flame
Has nothing Dutch about her but the name.
Let not an ear too delicate recoil
And start fastidious when I say "De Zoile";
So mere a trifle I can change with ease:
Your tender niceness will "Zelida" please? 6
MONDAY 31 OCTOBER. Yesterday you did not at all keep to
rules as you ought to do. You had sat late up and rose irregular.
You went to Guiffardiere at eleven and talked too foolishly and too
freely. At night you was absurdly bashful before Miss de Zuylcn.
You went up to Rose's room to .read Greek; you laughed too much.
You are sure you was not behaving properly when Rose talked of
you by the name of Boswell before your face. 7 You put on foolish
airs of a passion for Miss de Zuylen. ... Be always candid to
censure in your mems, and you'll amend.
6 This is Boswell's first reference to Isabella Agneta Elisabeth van Tuyll
van Serooskerken, concerning whom his heart was to be in a state of alternat-
ing attraction and repulsion for the next four and a half years. For a full
note on the relationship, see p. 293. She seems generally to have preferred
to be known by the familiar name Belle de Zuylen, the name Zelide, by
which Boswell always addressed her after they really became intimate,
being a self-conscious literary style which she adopted in writing her "por-
trait" of herself (see p. 184) but appears not to have used elsewhere. "Tuyll"
is the family name, "Zuylen" (modern Dutch Zuilen) the name of the
village near Utrecht from which her father took his principal title of nobil-
ity. Boswell very seldom uses the family name, his ordinary designation
being "de Zuyl." In this instance he wrote "de Zoile," and that spelling
has been allowed to stand because it looks like a better rhyme for "recoil."
The correspondence of sound was in fact fairly close.
7 That is, when he allowed Rose to refer to him as "Boswell" rather than
as "Mr. Boswell."
31 October 1763 57
[31 OCTOBER. FRENCH THEME] It is certain that I have the
greatest desire to learn French, but I fear that I am not learning
it quickly. Perhaps my keen desire makes me think myself worse
in acquiring the language than I am. I certainly take a great deal
of pains to improve. I write two pages of a theme every morning. 8
I read for two hours in the works of Voltaire every evening. When
I do not understand words perfectly, I look them up in the diction-
ary, and I write them down with their meanings. Every Wednes-
day I have the pleasure of passing the evening in a literary society
where it is not permitted to speak a word of anything but French;
and I dine at Mr. Brown's, where there are two ladies who do not
speak English, and where for that reason it is always necessary to
speak French. Yet I cannot observe that I am making rapid prog-
ress. In writing, I am slow and clumsy, and in speaking I have
great difficulty in expressing myself and often make terrible
blunders. Instead of saying, "Would you like to play at shuttle-
cock?" (volant), I said, "Would you like to play at robber?"
(voleur); and instead of, "Mademoiselle, I am entirely at your
service" (tout ce qu'il vous plaira)., I said, "Mademoiselle, I am
something (quelque chose) that will please you." 9 Such blunders
make a man very ridiculous. But I must not be downhearted. Very-
soon I hope to acquire propriety of language. I confess that we do
not speak French at Mr. Brown's as assiduously as we ought. Lazi-
ness disposes us to speak English and sometimes barbarous Latin.
8 He had started with one, and even at this period sometimes managed only
one; on other occasions he probably wrote several to make up. But his plan
was to write exactly two pages each day, Sundays included.
9 About this time he drew up in French a list of the "howlers (bevues) made
by Monsieur Boswell in learning to speak French," but neglected to continue
it. Besides the two bevues mentioned above, he records the following: Je
suis trop recherch^ for Je cherche trop mes mots; Je suis bien chaud for Tai
bien chaud; Les magistrats d' Utrecht ont besoin de faire allumer la ville
for illuminer, &c.; En Suisse les fourneaux sont bien peignes for peints. His
Je suis tout ce qu'il vous plaira is hardly more idiomatic than his admitted
bevue. He could have said Mademoiselle, tout ce qu'il vous plaira or Je ferai
tout ce qu'il vous plaira.
8 31 October 1763
But after today (Monday 31 October) I am determined never to
speak except in French. Let us see if I have any resolution.
[Received 31 October, John Boswell, M.D., to Boswell] 1
Edinburgh, Monday 1 7 October 1 763
MY DEAREST SIR AND KIND NEPHEW, However long I may
have been in writing you, yet can assure my good friend he has
never been out of my heart as well as memory since I left him at
the entry to St. Paul's. 2 One accidental meeting there, and one part-
ing bottle at the tavern there, I can never forget; and indeed, the
whole of one unexpected (to me lucky) meeting at London will
ever be remembered by me as one of the most agreeable incidents
of my life, as it was then I had confirmed to me the former opinions
I had conceived very early of you. I hope however the friendship
that is begun will increase; and although never could Mason say
more heartily than you and I, "Happy to meet, happy to part," yet
above all, happy on the thought to meet again. . . . 3
I delivered your letter and paid the money mentioned to your
friend Mr. Johnston, and find him a man according to our own
hearts after the flesh, and hope to have him for an agreeable friend
so long as I shall stay here. He is now at Annandale. I bid him send
his letters either to me (for you) or to direct them for you as I've
done this.
I have scarce ever been settled since I came home, and nay
1 Boswell's uncle, Lord Auchinleck 7 s only surviving brother, a physician
of Edinburgh. He and Boswell resembled each other in temperament much
more than either resembled Lord Auchinleck. Dr. Boswell had been in Lon-
don during part of Boswell's recent stay there.
2 24 July 1763: see EosweWs London Journal, 1762-1763, 1950, p. 323.
3 Boswell had been admitted a Mason in Canongate Kilwinning Lodge, No.
2, Edinburgh, as early as his nineteenth year (Dr. Boswell at the time
being Depute Master), and had already served as Junior Warden of his
lodge. He later became R. W. Master of Canongate Kilwinning and finally
Depute Grand Master for Scotland. One of the marks of the congeniality of
temperament existing between Boswell and his uncle was that they were
both ardent Masons. Lord Auchinleck held the Craft in contempt.
31 October 1763 59
brother and I have scarce ever exchanged a word on any subject.
Only in general I have, I hope, given both he and lady satisfaction
concerning a son of theirs now at Utrecht. I beg you'll make my
compliments to him and tell him I hope he'll not allow me to be
classed amoiigst the bad judges and prophets.
I long to hear you are pleased with Holland, and Utrecht in
particular, and that you are satisfied now I was not imposing upon
you when I commended it as a polite, literatury 4 place. There is one
Boswell there, a bookseller, whom you'll certainly find out and
inquire his origin. Hopes you'll write me a full account of all the
celebrated professors now there, and also who are the first toasts.
Did you see Gaubius. . . ? 5 How did you like Leyden? Do you begin
to roke 6 a pipe, Mynheer?
We are now here very quiet, but on Friday first there is to be
a grand procession of all the Freemasons from the Parliament
House to the North Loch in order to lay the foundation stone of the
new bridge. 7 We have had very inconstant weather, only these two
or three days bypast better than any we had in July or August. I
beg you'll write very particularly and give me all your arguments
for a certain friend of yours 8 settling at London, &c. All your
friends at Affleck 9 were well last week I'll endeavour to write
you a better letter next time. May GOD eternally bless you, &c.
B.
[c. 2-3 NOVEMBER. FRENCH THEMES] . . . But after all these
profound reasonings on breeches, 1 1 should like to know what is the
best material to make them of. I am now wearing a kind of black
4 An adjective from "literature"; a useful invention of Dr. BoswelTs.
5 Jerome David Gaubius was a physician of some distinction at Leyden. Dr.
Boswell knew him well and had probably been his pupil.
6 Smoke (Dutch, roken).
1 The North Bridge, the first effective outlet from the City across the North
Loch and first step in the formation of the New Town.
8 Dr. Boswell himself.
9 Dr. BoswelTs spelling is here preserved as indicating how the name Auchin-
leck was universally pronounced in the eighteenth century,
1 A page and a half on breeches precedes this extract.
6o 2-3 November 1763
stuff made, I think, at Utrecht. It is composed of linen and silk, but
it is extremely thin and does not wear well. I have worn breeches
made of this stuff only three or four weeks, and they are already
miserably torn. I am much ashamed of them. When I play at
shuttlecock with our young lady, 2 1 sweat for fear she will discover
so excellent a subject for teasing me. It surprises me, indeed, that
she has not discovered it before now, because they are torn between
the legs, rather before than behind, and when I play warmly, I
straddle like a very Colossus. But she is a modest girl and does not
wish to see such shameful things, and if by chance she had seen
them, she would pretend the contrary. I commend her much for not
looking at my t^rn breeches, but I should commend her more if she
would have the goodness to mend them. 3 She can do it without risk
when I have taken them off. Breeches are improper only when they
are on my backside. In themselves they are no more than simple
and innocent objects. If Mademoiselle would do me the favour I
ask, no one could find anything to blame her for, except perhaps a
superstitious prude whom nobody should pay any attention to.
1 myself have known an old maid who was so very scrupulous that
she would not for anything in the world pronounce the word
"breeches" in English, which was her native tongue. She would not
pollute her lips by saying "a pair of breeches," but would only pro-
nounce the first letter. She always said, "A pair of b s."
I undertake to be Mademoiselle's knight-errant if she will
kindly mend my breeches with her own fair hand. I have the
honour to say that it is not the first time I have asked and obtained
such a favour. My breeches have been mended by ladies before
now. They have been mended by the most famous beauty in the
north of Scotland, and even when I had them on. 4 I must admit,
however, that it was only in one of the knees.
SUNDAY 6 NOVEMBER. Let your Inviolable Plan be read only
2 Mrs. Brown's younger sister, Marguerite Kinloch, about twenty-one years
old.
3 Boswell wrote all this planning to read it at Brown's in Mademoiselle
Kinloch's presence.
4 Boswell gives no further clues as to this lady's identity,
6 November 1763 61
every Saturday morning, and judge by it impartially how you have
passed the week. Resist not every good impression. This night
you wrote this when just returned from Mr. Brown's at twelve at
night. You felt high satisfaction at looking back on two months
spent in study and in propriety. You found real satisfaction in
religion and piety. You determined never to relax in your warfare;
and always to have a consistent conduct, and by rehearsing to pre-
pare for real life.
This night, when you are in your best moments, sound in under-
standing and contented and happy, you are sensible that you deal
too hardly with yourself at times. Remember this. If you are mind-
ful of your duty to GOD, repent of your offences, endeavour to
raise your mind by piety, by thinking on the certainty of death
and on the dignity of human nature, and if you do your duty as
a student and be guilty of no folly, you are very well. You are sub-
ject to gloom, as the prettiest men have been. You are not then to
judge of yourself. You are to be patient.
[c. 8 NOVEMBER. FRENCH THEME] I have certainly caught a
cold. I feel its dreadful effects. My nose is stuffed, I breathe with
great difficulty. I have a sad headache, and I have severe chills all
over my body. A "cold" is really a fever. It is often the beginning
of the most dangerous illnesses. I must take care of myself now: I
should not like to die in this country of fogs. Simonides says that it
is all one where one dies, because there is "everywhere a passage to
the other world." But although I have great respect for that excel-
lent philosopher, I cannot be of his opinion on this subject. For my
part, I hope to die at Auchinleck, in London, or in Edinburgh, and
in my last moments to have an Anglican clergyman to read me the
divine service and aid me in lifting my soul to GOD and in meditat-
ing on the felicity of glorified spirits
[Boswell to Temple]
Utrecht, 9 November 1 763
MY DEAR TEMPLE, That Mr. Gray advises you to go into the
Church, I am much rejoiced to hear. I know that his opinion will
62 9 November 1763
have the weight with you which the opinion of a man of distin-
guished good sense, learning, and worth ought to have. Besides,
there is a secret satisfaction, a gratification of vanity not unworthy
of the best, in having so great a bard for a counsellor, which may
also incline you to pursue the path which he points out.
Indeed, my friend, you are born to be a clergyman. Your ami-
able dispositions and mildness of manners are excellently fitted for
that character. You are devoted to study, to virtue, and to friend-
ship.
You tell me that you have a material objection. You are very
doubtful with regard to Revelation. That is indeed material. There
are, to be sure, many infidels in orders, who, considering religion
merely as a political institution, accept of a benefice as of any civil
employment, and contribute their endeavours to keep up the useful
delusion. But, my dear Temple, you have too much delicacy of
sentiment to entertain such an idea of duplicity, and too much
honour to think of propagating fraud, though dignified with the
name of pious. . . . 6
And now at last I have time to talk of myself. I am much in-
debted to you for your concern in my welfare. (Upon second
thoughts, the expression "indebted" ought not to be used between
real friends. Let me not get into the polite expressions of the Con-
tinent, where friendship is little known.) I am convinced that I
ought to have hopes of enlarging my plan, and of being in Parlia-
ment. I am convinced too that my rising in the world must depend
in some measure on my marriage. Your mentioning an alliance
with an English family of rank and fortune gave a spring to my
ambition. Let me not despair of making such an alliance.
My late scheme of matrimony I am sensible was a bad one. I
must not think of that important step for some years, especially as
I have yet to travel and to settle my conduct in life. I had inflamed
my imagination by thinking on the amiable Miss Stewart, and did
not see the whimsical appearance which a courtship in postscripts
must have made. I have a strange turn towards marriage. I have
5 An extended and earnest defence of the Christian revelation follows.
9 November 1763 63
distressed you with consultations upon that head from the begin-
ning of our friendship. While I have such a friend to whom I can
lay open even my weakest fancies, I shall be happy. My flourish
about intrigues and duels was an intemperate sally of high spirits.
... I ever remain your most affectionate friend,
JAMES BOSWELL.
[c. 9-10 NOVEMBER. FRENCH THEMES] ...In speaking of
[a cold], the French have only one word to express the fact that
they have come down with one. But the English have two: "I have
catched cold" and "I have got cold." In my youth I lived for a time
in the house of the Earl of Eglinton in London, where I had the
honour to be known to H.R.H. the Duke of York. 6 One day I was
arguing with him about these expressions concerning a cold, and I
maintained that we should say "catch cold" for the present or im-
perfect, but to indicate some time past we should say, "I have got
cold." The Duke laughed, and was quite willing to confess himself
beaten.
In my last theme 7 1 exposed my ignorance of the French lan-
guage. I said that they had only one word to express having a cold.
But Mr. Brown, my instructor in French, has told me that there are
several phrases equally proper in such circumstances. I had a
strong desire to introduce my conversation with the Duke of York,
and I admit that I dragged it in by the hair. It rarely happens that a
young man who has no relations at Court has the honour to be
known to a prince. My vanity was much flattered by that honour.
6 Younger brother of George III, a year and a half older than Boswell, and
heir presumptive to the throne when Boswell met him in 1760. He was a
violinist of some distinction, a rake, and what the eighteenth century called
a "rattle." Horace Walpole, writing in 1751, described him as "a very plain
boy, with strange loose eyes." Boswell had offended him by dedicating to
him in 1762 a doggerel poem, The Cub at Newmarket, without asking his
permission.
7 The preceding paragraph. It must be remembered that by "theme" Boswell
means his daily exercise of one or two pages, not all the pages dealing with a
single topic.
64 9~~ 10 November 1763
It was a great matter of pride for a Scot when he returned to his
own country to speak of the conversations which he had had with
his Royal Highness. And indeed the thing was well known in Scot-
land; and as all rumours, whether good or ill, but especially ill, are
greatly exaggerated, this one was too. The solicitors 8 of Edinburgh,
as they drank their punch, said that I was quite the companion of
the Duke of York, that we ran together through the streets of
London at all hours of the night, and that we made no ceremony
with each other: it was just "James" and "Ned." At the age of nine-
teen when I was raw and a dreamer, it was certainly not wrong of
me to be puffed up with pride because I was known to a prince. But
now, when I have some experience and begin to be a real philoso-
pher, how foolish it seems to me to pique myself on a thing so
trifling! The Duke of York was not a man of dignity nor of extraor-
dinary genius. He was sunk in debauchery and sometimes made
himself the companion of the vilest of the human species. I knew
him only very little and he never did me the least service. . . .
SATURDAY 12 NOVEMBER. Yesterday was an irregular day.
You passed three hours at Brown's with Miss de Zuylen. You was
too much off guard, and gave way too much to instantaneous fancy,
and was too keen about the Highlanders. You was a little light-
headed; however, you must not be too severe. For if you never
mimic, never censure, never talk of yourself , and have piety ever
in mind, you cannot go wrong. So learn to sit in company and have
command. Trifle away no time. Be busy this day to atone. At Greek
hour never speak till 'tis over. Be hard to that. Speak French with
Rose to learn as soon as possible. Mark German baron learning
d'etre inf.* Keep firm to study and propriety.
8 Procureurs. Boswell's actual English word would have been "writers,"
the Scots term for lawyers who are not admitted to plead at the bar.
9 A story told him by Belle de Zuylen, recorded in his Boswelliana as fol-
lows (p. 220): "A dull German baron had got amongst the English at
Geneva, and being highly pleased with their spirit, wanted to imitate them.
One day an Englishman came into the Baron's room and found him jumping
with all his might upon the chairs and down again, so that he was all in a
sweat. 'Mon Dieu! Monsieur le baron,' dit-il, 4 que faites-vous?' ('Good God!
Baron,* said he, 'what are you about?') 'Monsieur,' replied the Baron, wiping
12 November 1763 65
[Received 12 November, Lord Auchinleck to Boswell]
[Auchinleck, ? October 1763]
MY DEAR SON, Your letter of the 7th of October, which came
in due course, gave me uncommon satisfaction, for as I know your
veracity and can confide in the accounts you give of yourself, I
now bless GOD that I have the prospect of having comfort in you
and support from you; and that you will tread in the steps of the
former Jameses, who in this family have been remarkably useful.
I quite approve of your plan of study. You may, by the assist-
ance of Professor Trotz, come to be thoroughly master of the Pan-
dects, which is the most rational system of law extant, and the
reasonings in it the most acute and accurate; and Mr. Erskine's
Institutes of the Scots law are well composed. It will be an enter-
tainment to compare the two laws of Scotland and of Rome, and
you'll see that we have in most things followed that great and wise
people.
Your returning to the study of the Latin and Greek authors
secures to you a mine of unexhaustible knowledge and entertain-
ment. There is a peculiar strength of thought and of expression in
the ancients, a je ne sals quoi which strikes those who understand
them with reverence. By falling into this way you will find con-
stant entertainment, and that is the only thing can dispel gloom
and low spirits. When I have nothing to do, which happens when
I am from home visiting, time passes heavily; but when I am occu-
pied, I repine that it is so short. You'll too in Holland probably
acquire a taste for gardening and send me home some instruction
about it. In my last I put a query about a Dutch cow-house or byre
which I suppose you'll solve me in.
You inquire, and properly inquire, about our Dutch relations,
that you may be in condition to talk with them when you meet
them. I shall tell you what I know, and I know a good deal. The
first of the family of Sommelsdyck who made a conspicuous figure
was Francis. I shall say nothing as to him, but remit you to a noted
down his temples with a handkerchief, 'j'apprends d'etre vif ('I am learning
to be lively')."
66 12 November 1763
book entitled Memoir -es pour servir a Vhistoire de Hollande, par
Monsieur de 1' Aubery du Maurier, who does not speak well of that
gentleman because you'll see he outwitted the author's father. The
next person was Cornelius, of whom Monsieur de 1' Aubery gives a
great character, and indeed he was a great good man. He was my
great-grandfather and among the richest men in Holland. He had
one son, who was murdered in a mutiny at Surinam, of which he
was at the time Governor; for you must know the family has the
property of a third part of that valuable island, and power to put in
the Governor per vices, or every third vice along with the States of
Holland. And, besides that son, Cornelius had seven daughters who
got great fortunes; four of them were married: one to the Earl of
Kincardine, my grandfather; her name was Veronica van Aerssen
van Sommelsdyck. I have their contract of marriage in my posses-
sion, signed by the Earl and her and by her father, Cornelius
The late Admiral Sommelsdyct, to whose civilities I was much
obliged when in Holland in the years 1727 and 1728, was son to
him who was murdered in Surinam. He left one son, Francis, who
is the present Heer van Sommelsdyck, and three daughters, one of
whom is dead, unmarried; the other two are married to nobles; but
Monsieur Chais, to whom I shall get you a new letter, 1 will inform
you more particularly, as he was and is a great intimate in the
family. . . .
I have only to add that I approve of your dining with Mr.
Brown; he has a good character. Your mother remembers you with
affection, as does Johnny. I must cut short for making my letter
close. 2 Farewell, my dear son, be steadfast in the good way. I am
your affectionate father,
ALEXR. BOSWEL.
I have no room to mention books to be bought.
10 "In turn."
1 The Reverend Charles Pierre Chais, Swiss Protestant clergyman and author,
was pastor of the French church at The Hague. Apparently Boswell's letter of
introduction to Monsieur Chais had miscarried or been mislaid.
2 That is, "must stop writing so as to leave enough blank paper to cover my
letter when it is folded."
13 November 1763 67
SUNDAY 13 NOVEMBER. Yesterday you did extremely well.
You received a letter from your worthy father which warmed your
heart and gave you new vigour to pursue a proper course. . . .
[c. 14 NOVEMBER. FRENCH THEME] There is a dreadful up-
roar in Great Britain because the Tories are in favour at Court.
"Tory" was a jeering word used to express an Irish savage, and the
republican faction gave that appellation to the loyalists 3 in Eng-
land. Mr. Johnson in his Dictionary defines a Tory thus: "A man
who adheres to the ancient constitution of the State, and the apos-
tolical hierarchy of the Church of England," and certainly that is a
good definition. The Court undoubtedly does well to show favour to
so respectable a party, who are in truth the firmest friends of the
Constitution They have been discontented for several reigns,
because they hoped to restore the House of Stuart. At the present
time they are convinced that such a revolution would not be for
their country's happiness. They see that the succession is well estab-
lished in the House of George, and they have become its friends,
and, thank GOD, by that change we may hope for a well regulated
government. When I speak of the reigning house, I always say "the
House of George." It is perhaps a prejudice, but although the
family of Brunswick or Hanover is a distinguished family, I do not
like to recall that the king of our glorious nation is merely a prince
of Germany, with one of those barbarous names Guelf , 4 1 believe.
But George the Third is born a Briton, and he has the heart of a
Briton. He is a perfectly amiable man; perhaps his virtues are more
amiable than great. There has as yet been no occasion to determine
his character.
SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER .... You have struggled, you have
conquered. . . .
WEDNESDAY 23 NOVEMBER. Yesterday you did upon the
whole very well. Your version, your Dutch, and your Greek went
3 That is, to those loyal to the House of Stuart; to the Jacobites.
* Boswell originally spelled it "Wolfe"; "Guelf," though possibly in his own
hand, was I think a correction by Carron or Brown. "Guelf," as a m **er of
fact, is an Italian spelling of the German name Welf.
68 23 November 1763
well. You plagued Mademoiselle a little and made the ignorant
being think you impertinent. Guard against seeming so. At night
you had truly an adventure. You saw an entertainment of Dutch
students; a concert; all keen on meat and drink; then marching like
schoolboys with Kapitein and frightening the street. Then home;
then saw the masks, and one like woman; then house again con-
ditionless drank roaring songs. King George. 6 Compliments paid
you, &c. Mark all in journal. Be retenu but amusing at Brown's.
THURSDAY24NOVEMBER. Yesterday you recovered very well
after your riot with the Dutch students. But remember how near
you was to getting drunk and exposing yourself, for if you had
gone on a little longer, you could not have stopped. You have im-
portant secrets to keep. Though you are sorry for the crimes, yet
preserve a warm affection and gratitude to the persons and show it
when you meet, disinterestedly; and in the mean time always shun
drinking, and guard lips
[c. 24-26 NOVEMBER. FRENCH TnEMEs] 7 . . . Soon my Lord
Bute was made Groom of the Stole, as they say in England, a very-
honourable office. He is master of the King's wardrobe. In these
themes I can never resist anything laughable that presents itself,
whether there is occasion for it or not. In this I follow the example
of Rabelais, Tristram Shandy, and all those people of unbridled
imagination who write their books as I write my themes at ran-
dom, without trying to have any order or method; and for that
8 The writing is crowded and the transcription not altogether certain. I
interpret the passage to mean that he joined a group of students who were
drinking and singing noisily; that every person present had unconditionally
to drink all the toasts and propose one himself; that Boswell's toast was
King George.
6 A reference to his intrigues in Scotland with women of fashion and reputa-
tion. Before he met Samuel Johnson he would not have used the word
"crime" to describe these amours.
7 The themes from which this extract has been taken form a digression in
a long series detailing the current political situation in England. Lord Bute,
George Ill's unpopular favourite and prime minister, had resigned office
in the previous April.
24-26 November 1763 69
reason they have acquired great reputation among people of un-
regulated vivacity who do not wish to give themselves the trouble
of thinking even in their amusements I recall that when I was
very young in Scotland I believed that the office of Groom of the
Stole was Groom of the Stool: that is, I thought the office of master
of the wardrobe (garderobe) was gentleman of the close-stool
(selle), because the English words for those very different things
are almost the same; and I supposed that every time his Majesty
honoured the temple of Cloacina with his presence, he made use of
a piece of fine cambric, or rather that it was assigned to him for
such an occasion and that the gentleman of the wardrobe furnished
a sufficient quantity of soft paper and took the fine cloth as a per-
quisite for himself, or rather for his wife; and that it is not impos-
sible that many ladies of quality in England have worn that cloth
when their husbands were in the honourable office of gentleman
of the wardrobe that is to say, according to the conjecture I made
in my youth. Made, do I say? No, I did not make it; I got it from
chambermaids, and they perhaps got it from their mothers, and so
on, ad infinitum. It would be a task worthy the most famous anti-
quary to discover the origin of that conjecture: that is to say, to find
the person who first made it. 8
SATURDAY 26 NOVEMBER. Yesterday you did very well. You
did your morning business. You dined with the Countess of Nassau,
and she showed you much respect. The young Count d'Ouwerkerke
is lively, good-humoured, and quite a little man of the world. The
governor is a sensible, pretty man. All was elegant and fine. 9 You
8 The laughable etymology which Boswell rejects is in fact the correct one,
"stole" in the title "Groom of the Stole" being the mediaeval form of "stool"
and having nothing to do with garments. The Groom of the Stole had as
his original function the oversight of the chamber containing the king's
close-stool. The more refined etymology preferred by Boswell and others
may have been encouraged by the fact that in mediaeval English garderobe
meant both "wardrobe" and "privy."
9 The Countess of Nassau here mentioned was not the wife but the sister-in-
law of the Grand Bailiff of Utrecht, and was sometimes called Beverweerd
or Nassau Beverweerd to indicate as much. Since it does not appear that
7O 26 November 1763
observed her Ladyship's inquisitive temper. But you had retenue.
You said nothing of Madam Brown but "fort aimable" and of Mr.
Brown but "an excellent homme" and you was discreet in talking
of Miss de Zuylen. You took much, was quite as you could wish.
The Countess takes you tinder her protection; all will go well. . . .
SUNDAY 27 NOVEMBER. Yesterday was a charming day. You
waited on Countess Beverweerd in the morning, quite sweet and
pretty, as in London. You received your list of ladies. 1 You then
read three pages of Greek; then dined decently, although a little
flighty, but you restrained your elation. Brown and Rose foretold
that the ladies and gaiety would make you negligent. But you re-
plied with Spanish pride that you had seen too much of these
things. You then made your tour, quite the man of fashion; was re-
ceived at two places a little awkward, but made your way, happy to
she had any living children at this time, "the young Count d'Ouwerkerke"
was probably a nephew of her husband and also of the Grand Bailiff, her
husband's brother. "The governor" was no doubt the young Count's tutor.
The Count of Nassau Beverweerd (whom Boswell seems not to have met
until 4 December) was approaching seventy. The Countess, at this time
about thirty, is the subject of a characteristically brilliant and caustic pen-
portrait by Belle de Zuylen, written about a year later than this: "The
Countess of Nassau has been brought to bed; people laugh and talk. As for
me, I see nothing certain in the matter except the pleasure which having a
child will bring to a woman who otherwise has nothing but an old fool of a
husband; and without spoiling by vague conjectures the sentiment which
makes me share her joy, I shall go and congratulate her sincerely. I am
rather fond of that woman, and I do not know why: her lectures bore me, her
curiosities are a burden, I am assured that she is not at all my friend although
she puts on a show of being so and in spite of all that she interests me. The
singular thing about her, if she really is galante, is that she has none of the
defects and none of the charms which ordinarily accompany galanterie.
No jealousy, no bickerings, nothing of the nonchalant self-forgetfulness so
dangerous but so attractive: her mind is inflexible, she descants, she sub-
divides, she talks politics in a tone which seems to testify that she does not
know how to speak of love." By 1766 the Countess's indiscretions had become
so notorious that Belle was avoiding her company.
1 A list of ladies of rank and fashion to whom he might pay his respects,
and so get invited to the assemblies, which were about to begin.
27 November 1763 71
hear such a fine character of Sir David; ambitious to imitate it. You
then had eight pages of version corrected, which was well written,
and behaved easily. Then you waited on la Comtesse and went to
les Comtesses d'Aumale. Struck at first entry, &c. Behaved well
Home with la Comtesse and supped charming, and received in-
structions, &c., &c
[List of Ladies Given Boswell by the Countess of Nassau]
Madame de Tuyll i 2
Les demoiselles d' Averhoult 3
Madame d'Amerongen 2
Madame Maleprade i
Les Comtesses d'Aumale 2
Madame Wacht'endorp i
Mademoiselle Assenburgh i
Les demoiselles de Bottestein 2
Madame van den Heuvel (dans le Trans) 8
La Comtesse d'Efferen i
Madame Roosmalen 2
La Comtesse de Boetzelaer i
Madame Sichterman i
Mademoiselle de Tuyll i
Madame de Zuylen 2
Madame de Guy i
Madame de Lockhorst 2
[Received 26 November, Dempster to Boswell]
Manchester Buildings [London] 19 November 1763
DEAR BOSWELL, The enclosed letter* you will perceive by the
date was intended for you long ago. I wrote it in Scotland, trans-
2 The numbers after the names presumably indicate the number of cards
to be left.
3 A street in Utrecht, still extant, south of the Cathedral Square, in the imme-
diate neighbourhood of the University. * Printed above, p. 19.
72 26 November 1763
mitted it to Fordyce at London, who was by that time on his way
to Edinburgh. There I received it from him again, brought it up
with myself, and in the hurry of Parliamentary affairs, have car-
ried it a week in my pocket. All this to prove you may be long of
hearing from Dempster without being forgotten or neglected by
him.
I just came to town time enough to witness the prosecution
against Wilkes. 5 The King insisted on his ministers bringing him
to punishment, which I am informed they were in some doubts
about the possibility of. However his Majesty has found the
House of Commons more zealous and unanimous than any of his
ministers expected.
The whole House condemned The North Briton, No. 45, and
three hundred of the members voted it all the hard names which
Lord North, Norborne Berkeley, Chace Price, or Bamber Gascoyne
could bestow upon it. In the course of the debate, Martin of the
Treasury said the author of that paper in which his character was
traduced and in which he had received a stab in the dark was a
coward and a scoundrel. Next morning Wilkes sent him that North
Briton with his name at bottom. Martin then challenged Wilkes.
They met in Hyde Park, both parties behaved gallantly, and at the
5 John Wilkes, the famous demagogue, a Member of Parliament, had con-
ducted a scurrilous anti-ministerial periodical called The North Briton, in
the 45th number of which he had called the recent speech from the throne
(19 April 1763) u the most abandoned instance of ministerial effrontery
ever attempted to be imposed on mankind," and had insinuated that the King
had deliberately countenanced a lie in reading it. The Government had
ordered Wilkes to be prosecuted, and had actually committed him to the
Tower of London, but because of the bungling methods used by the secre-
taries of state in arresting him and Wilkes's privilege as a Member of Par-
liament, the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas had ordered him to be
discharged. It was therefore necessary for the Government, if it wished to
continue its prosecution, to transfer its activities to Parliament; and this it
did on the very first day of the next session (15 November 1763). Dempster's
letter carries on from this point. He knew that Boswell would be interested
in the news, for Boswell had struck up a personal acquaintance with Wilkes
in London the previous spring.
26 November 1763 73
second shot Wilkes received a wound in his lower belly, of which,
though not in danger, he is at present very ill. Proceedings have
been stopped against Wilkes till his recovery.
You must know that Wilkes was just about publishing twelve
or thirteen copies (printing, indeed, more properly) of a most ex-
traordinary work entitled An Essay on Woman, a parody on The
Essay on Man, to which he had likewise added, to complete the
burlesque, Warburton's notes. The work was inscribed to Fanny
Murray, and consisted chiefly of a parallel between that courtesan
and the Blessed Virgin, much in favour of the former. Instead of
The Universal Prayer was subjoined a parody of Veni Creator. In
point of obscenity and blasphemy, nothing can surpass this work.
The Bishop of Gloucester (Warburton) complained of a violation
of his character and of a breach of privilege. The House of Lords
have addressed his Majesty to have the author prosecuted accord-
ing to law. Poor devil, how thick misfortunes fall upon him 1 How
lucky your jeu <P esprit and Erskine's never was published. 6 It is,
you find, a serious affair to laugh at a bishop; and so it should, else
their white wigs, lawn-sleeves, sycophantish dispositions, and hy-
pocritical lives would render them eternal subjects of ridicule and
contempt.
Adieu, you immense rascal. May you and all your posterity be
damned; may the United Provinces be again reclaimed by the
Zuider Zee; and if by chance you should escape the deluge, may
you be doomed to study law in the next town in the world that
resembles Utrecht. Yours very affectionately. 7
MONDAY 28 NOVEMBER. Yesterday you did very well. You
walked an hour. You was prudent at Mr. Brown's, and talked gen-
teelly of your assemblies; after dinner you joked him too broadly
on Calvinism. Let him alone. He is a very good man in his way.
Behave politely to him, and you will reap advantage. Remember,
you entrusted him with your story. Make him warn you. But be
6 No copy of this jeu d 'esprit has as yet been found. See p. 13 n. i.
7 No signature.
74 28 November 1763
retenu You went at six to the Grand Bailiff's. . . . You played a
party 8 with a prince and Miss de Zuylen. You was shocked, or
rather offended, with her unlimited vivacity. You was on your
guard; at supper you was retenu. After it you spoke a little too
much. But you was decent, and better than you imagine. You
talked like Johnson against Comtesse. How different from two
years ago! . . .
[Received 28 November, the Reverend Charles de Guiffardiere to
Boswell. Original in French]
Tilburg, 26 November 1763
SIR: It is with real pleasure that I remember having promised
to let you hear from me from a country where all the inhabitants,
to my way of thinking, are aborigines so difficult is it for a
foreigner to like it. This is, however, the place of my exile, a place
which is certainly worthy of the Getae and Massagetae of poor
Ovid. 9 It would need only a poet to sing of it to make it as frightful
as the coasts of the Black Sea. Judge from all this, lucky man! you
who live in indolence and pleasure; who every day see Mademoi-
selle de Zuylen, who play shuttlecock with la belle sceur 1 an hour
every day; you who read Xenophon with the virtuous and chaste
La Roche, 2 judge, I say, if deprived as I am of all this, I am not to be
pitied? In vain I call up my virtue and bravely face all the rigours
of my fate; my weaknesses and passions speak louder still, and
there is not a street-porter in Utrecht whose life I do not envy.
8 That is, a partie, a game of cards.
9 The poet Ovid was exiled to Pontus for having written inflammatory
verses (his Ars Amatorid) and for being privy to some Court intrigue the
details of which remain unknown; he wrote his Tristia there in an effort to
secure his pardon.
1 Mademoiselle Kinloch, Brown's sister-in-law.
2 La Roche, "the Rock," is a nickname for Rose, who was of the family of Rose
of Kilravock (pronounced Kilrock). But unless the whole passage is ironical,
I do not know why the pleasure of his company should be grouped with that
of meeting Mademoiselles de Zuylen and Kinloch.
28 November 1763 75
What enchantment, what delicious intoxication, to be every day
with her whom one loves! to speak to her of love! to listen to an
adorable mouth uttering with infinite grace the ravishing words,
"I love you"; to read in her eyes your sentence, your happiness,
her desires, her uneasiness, and your victory! Ah, Sir, if I am not
very much mistaken, you are going shortly to triumph over the
charms of the fascinating De Zuylen and find yourself often in a
situation to prove the sweet transports that a fond heart feels at
the feet of the adorable object of its wishes.
However, when you are sure of your conquest, do not fight
with useless scruples, thinking that your mistress's honour consists
in her chastity! Above all, no timidity. And if she ever takes it
into her head to faint during a tete-a-tete, do not call for help. She
would not be at all grateful to you for such officiousness. Do not
be afraid of becoming fickle: a gallant man may be so in love. This
passion has no other bounds than those set by a vivid imagination;
and the ability to succeed with many women, excuses, believe me,
a fault which they even find charming.
This is, my dear Sir, a French lecture which perhaps will not
be agreeable to an Englishman's taste: I am far from supposing
that you need any lessons in love, you who are a hero in gallantry,
but one loves to talk about what one has frequently felt with such
delight. Ask La Roche if he does not agree with me. Only heaven
forbid that he should put in practice the impure morality that he
so ably addresses to women!
I beg you to warn Brown of what is going on; I fear greatly
for the innocence of La Roche and our belle sceur. It would be
frightful if poor Brown had to maintain them.
Adieu, my dear Sir; always preserve some <regard> for a man
who congratulates himself on having known you, and who will
always esteem you and asks for your friendship. I have the honour
to be, Sir, your most humble, most obedient servant,
D GUIFFARDIERE.
My address is, In care of M. le Comte de Hogendorp de Hof-
wegen, a Tilburg.
76 2g November 1763
TUESDAY 29 NOVEMBER. Yesterday you did moderately.
You disputed the misery of life boldly and well against Brown.
You found him out to be a cunning, hard little man. You must not
let him attempt to take too much liberty with you. Neither must
you be disgusted at him, but remember your character will depend
much on what he says. Fight out the winter here, and learn as
much as you can. Pray, pray be retenu. man, thou hast a sad
inclination to talk; now is thy time to cure it! ...
[Received 30 November, Temple to Boswell]
Inner Temple [London] 23 November 1 763
MY DEAR BOSWELL, Your letter was sent to me from Cam-
bridge. You see I am once more returned to my old habitation. I
have been here about a month. Though I should prefer London to
all places in the world if I had a handsome independent fortune,
yet in my present circumstances it is far from being agreeable to
me. I do not enjoy life here. My acquaintance, though sensible, are
very few in number; it is not convenient for me to purchase the
books I want; nor can I indulge so often with an opera or a play
as I could wish. In short, when I have read till I desire some relaxa-
tion, I can find none, and often feel myself very miserable. Indeed,
I am now convinced that there can be no happiness without busi-
ness, without something that may enhance and give a sort of zest
to the pleasures of study, which makes me more solicitous to get
into orders, or some way of life or other, as soon as possible. . . .
I am much obliged to you for your last letter. I shall consider
the subject of it with attention, and hope soon to send you an
answer that will please you. As Lord Hertford is now at Paris as
our ambassador, and as Mr. Hume is with him, 3 do not you think
it would be more for your advantage to spend part of the winter
there than in the dull uniformity of Utrecht? You will see the
3 David Hume, at the height of his fame as an historian, had accompanied the
Ambassador as unofficial secretary. (He later secured the official appoint-
ment, and for a time in 1765 was charge d'affaires.) The French had received
him with unparalleled enthusiasm.
30 November 1 763 77
best company, you will hear the French tongue spoken in its
greatest purity, and obtain the acquaintance, perhaps friendship
and familiarity, of the Buff ons and D'Alemberts of France. Indeed,
I think it the luckiest incident in the world for you; and you cer-
tainly would be much to blame to slight it. However, I would not
have you by any means leave Utrecht without your father's con-
sent and approbation. If he should be against this step at present
you can take it in the summer months.
I am very glad to hear you speak so candidly of your matri-
monial scheme, and hope yet to pass some months with you at
your venerable mansion house in Yorkshire, 4 as well as at Auchin-
leck. . . .
A sensible history of the reigns of James I and Charles I came
out the other day, written by a lady: Mrs. Macaulay, Dr. Ma-
caulay's wife. 5 The style is not good, but she defends the cause of
Liberty better than any of our historians. This is the character Mr.
Gray gave me of it today, for I have not seen it myself. It will
appear odd enough if the most constitutional history of England
should be written by a woman. She intends carrying it down lower.
By the by, I have finished Rapin and the Anabasis.
I make no doubt of your mixing the polite French authors with
your severer studies. Mr. Gray thinks very highly of them. In
France, he says, a genius is no rare thing; in England we can
scarcely produce one in a century. I expect you will be my pre-
ceptor in French literature.
4 See pp. 30, 36.
5 Mrs. Catharine Macaulay, daughter of a wealthy country gentleman of
anti-aristocratic principles, had been privately educated on the Roman his-
torians, and wrote "Whig" history in opposition to Hume's "Tory" volumes.
She was the object of a good deal of ridicule, not all unjustified. Johnson had
talked to Boswell of her shortly before Boswell's departure for Utirrht: "Sir,
there is one Mrs. Macaulay in this town, a great republican. I came to her
one day and said I was quite a convert to her republican system, and thought
mankind all upon a footing; and I begged that her footman might be allowed
to dine with us. She has never liked me since. Sir, your levellers count down
only the length of themselves" (BoswelVs London Journal, 1762-1763,
1950, p. 320).
78 3 November 1763
We are all in a combustion here. Mr. Wilkes has been wounded
in a duel by Mr. Martin of the Treasury. It was occasioned by
some reflections in The North Briton and some words that passed
in the House of Commons. Mr. Wilkes is better. No. 45 is voted
a false, scandalous, and seditious libel, and is to be burnt by the
hands of the hangman. It is expected Mr. Wilkes will be expelled
the House tomorrow. The House of Lords are then to send him to
Newgate for a profane pamphlet < which >, however, he never
published; but they say printing in the eye <of the law> is
publishing, and it seems the Ministry have discovered by low
<bribery that> he had printed thirteen copies for his own use. It is
imagined he will leave England and disappoint their revenge. 6
The pamphlet was written by the late Mr. Potter, and is entitled
An Essay on Woman. The notes are Mr. Wilkes's, but he supposes
them the Bishop of Gloucester's. The frontispiece is a Priapus with
this inscription: ScorTjp Kocrjuov. 7 The Lords proceed against him
for a breach of privilege in using the name of one of their house.
But perhaps this is no news to you. . . .
Do not draw a bill upon me for the guineas, but tell me to
whom I must pay it, and I shall do so as soon as ever I can. This
is not grammar, but it docs not signify. I shall return to Cambridge
about the end of next month. Pray write to me soon, and believe
me, my dear Boswell, your most affectionate friend,
WILLIAM JOHNSON TEMPLE.
Docs Mr. Johnson write to you? Churchill is to be examined
today by the House of Lords about Wilkes's pamphlet. He ran
off the other day with a beautiful young lady of fifteen, but is
6 This proved to be correct. Wilkes, as soon as he was able to travel, eluded
those set by the Government to watch his movements, and went to Paris to
visit his daughter, who was in a school there. He intended to return to plead
his case in the House of Commons on 19 January 1764, but a relapse prevented
it. The Government refused to accept the evidence of his illness, and caused
him to be expelled from the House. Being convinced that he was sure to be
convicted in the prosecutions for libel, he resolved not to return. He was con-
sequently outlawed, and remained in exile for four years.
7 "Saviour of the World."
30 November 1 763 79
already returned. When the afflicted father asked him when he
would send back his daughter, he answered perhaps he would
have done with her in about ten days, Such a monster! 8
Nicholls has changed his plan and is to take orders. . . .
WEDNESDAY 30 NOVEMBER
Men must not still in politics give law;
No, Kate Macaulay too her pen must draw,
That odious thing, a monarch, to revile,
And drawl of freedom till ev'n Johnson smile.
Like a Dutch vrouw all shapeless, pale, and fat,
That hugs and slabbers her ungainly brat,
Our Cath'rine sits sublime o'er steaming tea
And takes her dear Republic on her knee;
Sings it all songs that ever yet were sung,
And licks it fondly with her length of tongue.
[c. i DECEMBER. FRENCH THEME] I have just been speaking
of our House of Commons like a regular scold. I have just been mak-
ing the most outrageous invectives against its members. I use the
expression "I have just been making" (}e viens de faire) because so
far as space is concerned these invectives are very close to what I am
now writing. They occur in the last page before this. But at the same
time it must be added that they are not so close in point of time.
I wrote them yesterday morning. I am devoted to order and cere-
mony. I have established a decree as irrevocable as the laws of the
Medes and the Persians to write two pages in French every morn-
ing, and not to write more. That is why I often break off my subject
when I am perhaps in the middle of a sentence. I have an excellent
8 The behaviour of Wilkes's partner in The North Briton, Charles Churchill,
the reigning poet of the day, was especially scandalous because he was in
holy orders and had not resigned his charge until the previous January. It
may be recorded to his credit that he did not desert the "beautiful young
lady" (a Miss Carr) but continued to protect her, and when he died, about a
year after the date of this letter, tried in his will to provide an annuity for her
as well as for his wife.
8o i December 1763
memory, and I always remember the next day what I would have
said if my paper had been long enough. In saying this, I have no
intention of making you believe that I think by rule, that my sen-
tences are so exact that they resemble a circle, which you have no
difficulty in completing if you have made a segment of it. No,
on the contrary, my sentences have no regular shape. My argu-
ments, if you will, are sometimes circular, but my sentences
are very much out of the ordinary. They are like curious porce-
lain, which the lady of the house has extreme difficulty in
matching, so as to keep her set complete, when by ill luck a cup
is broken. The same difficulty in finding a match is observable
among excellent things; and, truly, I have reason at least to doubt
whether my sentences are not very fine rather than very odd.
Oddity itself is sometimes a kind of excellence. But at present I
wish to argue for true genius. Here are pretty trifles! However, I
come back to the cause which makes me remember so exactly the
subject on which I had been writing twenty-four hours previously,
and that is simply a good memory.
THURSDAY i DECEMBER. . . . This day at eleven call on la
Comtesse and return thanks for her great politeness, and tell story,
and take advice about society; but be prudent. Think in time; re-
member Johnson. Pleasure ruins the mind. All will be gone if you
grow loose. Be quite constant as an admirer, and pray learn to con-
ceal your feelings. Keep to Plan and you'll be happy; how great if
you stand!
FRIDAY 2 DECEMBER. Yesterday you did very well. You
was agreeably surprised to hear that la Comtesse was not a woman
of gallantry, and yet you was sorry somehow that your virtue was
not to be put to the trial
SATURDAY 3 DECEMBER. Yesterday you did very well, and
you conducted yourself charmingly at the Assembly. Only you
was a little absent at whist. Hoc age? let that be your motto. Be
like the Duke of Sully, always active. You are now happily free
9 u Do the thing at hand."
3 December 1763 81
from sickly ideas of vice. Pursue piety and goodness. In a political
light, you must preserve your vigour to have fine, lively, healthy
sons. La Comte$$e is charming, delicate, and sentimental. Adore
her with easy affability, yet with polite distance, and acquire real
habits of composure. This day bring up journal much. . . .
[Boswell to Temple]
Utrecht, 6 December 1763
MY DEAR FRIEND, By the date of this letter you would imag-
ine that it was written upon the sixth of this month, but in reality
I now sit down at one o'clock in the morning of Sunday the fourth
by a comfortable German stove to talk to you a little before I go to
sleep. 1 I am in charming spirits. Friends like you and I should
participate everything. I have shared my grief with you. Let me
share my joy also.
How like you this kind of style? It is gay, to be sure. But is it
not flashy? Should a man indulge himself in it? Would it not
spoil his taste? People may talk of David Hume as they please.
I maintain his style is far from being good. He fritters it away
like a French marquis. Read the work of Mr. Johnson. There
indeed is style; there indeed is the full dignity of an English
period.
"What is the matter with him now?" you will probably have
said, Temple, I wish this letter may come to you at a pleasant
moment. If you receive it at the dreary hour when you have just
stepped out of Clifton's with the cold depression which hangs upon
us for an hour after dinner, woe be to it. But if Mrs. Legg or
Edwards's lad, 2 or peradventure the barber should bring it in at the
1 Tuesday the 6th was probably the next post day. He planned to write in
instalments and finish his letter Monday night or Tuesday morning. But
if the entry in the Register of Letters is correct, he did not actually get the
letter off until Friday the Qth.
2 Clifton's Chop-house, Butcher Row, Strand, was the favourite London din-
82 4 December 1 763
cheerful hour of noon, when you have just closed your Tully, and,
filled with noblest sentiment, sit musing in your easy chair, happy
will be its fate. It will be read with sweet attention and relished
with lively joy.
My dear friend! After two months of a life almost solitary, you
need not wonder that the smiles of the ladies' faces and the
beautiful figures on their chimney pieces should have very great
effect upon me. I now find Utrecht to be what Sir David found it.
Our noblesse are come to town and all is alive. We have card-
assemblies twice a week, which, I do assure you, are very brilliant,
and private parties almost every evening. Madame la Comtesse de
Nassau Beverweerd has taken me under her protection. She is a
lady that, with all your serenity, would make you fall upon your
knees and utter love speeches in the style of Lord Shaftesbury's
Rhapsody, 3 and that would please her exceedingly, for she delights
in Shaftesbury's benevolent system. I really trembled at the tran-
sition which I made last week. But I stood firm, and recollected
so as to hold the reins in my hand.
I have changed my plan a little. I allow three hours every
evening for amusement. I am come abroad to see foreign manners
as well as to study. While I am in the company of foreigners of
fashion, I am always receiving some improvement, at least in
language. Madame de Nassau has shown me more civility than
can well be imagined. I am getting more acquaintances daily.
When once you are well in the gay world here you may be very
happy. So it appears to me at present. I hope it will continue to
ing-place of Boswell and Temple, Mrs. Legg, Temple's laundress in the Inner
Temple. Boswell described her in the London Journal of 1762-1763 as "an
old woman who has breakfast set every morning, washes our linen, cleans the
chambers, wipes our shoes, and, in short, does everything in the world that
we can require of an old woman." Edwards was a stationer at Temple Gate
in whose care Boswell sent his letters to Temple.
3 The Moralists, a Philosophical Rhapsody, 1709, later included (as Treatise
V) in Characteristics of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times. It is a dialogue
between a sceptic and an "enthusiast."
4 December 1763 83
appear so. However, I am taking care to be independent of it, for
my great support is study.
Your proposal for me to go to Paris this winter would be
thought terrible by my father. Indeed, without a mine of money
an Englishman can do nothing at Paris. I have no intention to
pass much time there at all. I shall see everything that is to be
seen; but for living there long, I have not enough. Besides, I want
to take a winter's course of Civil Law, and to acquire habits of
application to render me fit for being useful in life. Think you
that I would learn prudence for my conduct in this world at Paris,
or would D'Alembert and the other infidel Academicians help me
on in my journey to happiness in the next?
I revere Mr. Gray. But I will not subscribe to all his tenets.
I believe there are more good authors in France than in England.
But I believe we have some authors that would weigh against half
a dozen of their best. And does the pensive Bard really commend
Catharine Macaulay's History of England? Will you allow me a
play of words? Two blacks won't make a white. Neither will two
Grays. Low enough but true. Believe me, Temple, that an English
republican is either a weak or a wicked politician. I thank GOD we
have got a monarchy, limited as much as a true patriot or true
lover of order could wish. I rejoice to find that the King begins to
show real firmness. I hope he will make it be remembered that
The Crown is the head of our Constitution.
Poor Wilkes! Sad dog as he is, who will not be sorry for him!
I long to hear his history
I am glad that Nicholls goes into the Church. It will be
another inducement to you, and I hope will be an agreeable
situation for him. I expect to be supported by you two in your
mitres like King Richard in the play. Keep up your spirits, my
dear Temple. Be ever busy. Strengthen your mind by study and
by thought, and pray try to stir up some desire in your breast for
worldly advantages. That would give you a greater degree of agi-
tation, which is always pleasant. I am vexed that my paper is so
84 4 December 1 763
small. Tell me your opinion of my alteration in living. I am timor-
ous. I have no friend here to open my mind to with that unlimited
frankness which you have heard. Adieu. I ever am yours most
sincerely,
JAMES BOSWELL.
SUNDAY 4 DECEMBER
had I here a maid, upon whose lap
1 might recline my head and take a nap,
The gentle heavings of her lovely breast
Might soothe my senses to oblivious rest.
In the dead hours I journalized last night,
My eyes all fretted with the candle's light.
How can a man write either verse or prose,
Whose drowsy eyelids every minute close?
Without the least delay to bed I'll creep,
And warm and quiet take a pull of sleep.
MONDAY 5 DECEMBER. Yesterday you did surprisingly well
after your severe late-sitting. But be firm to go to bed always at
twelve, or before it, and never to eat suppers. 4 You drank tea with
honest Carron. Then you went to la Comtesse's. You was a little
awkward, but you cleared up at cards. You was presented to Count 5
at supper; you was hurt by Albinus, a coarse Dutch wit. You did
not like to speak. However, you was a little in the tumbling hu-
mour, and affected to be too much the great man. Never allow one
minute's affectation. The Comtesse showed a lowness, a Dordt mer-
cantility 8 in suspecting that you understood Hollands, and re-
peated. Have a care; never say a word of it. You was disgusted, but
see how things turn out. Be independent.
* In England (and also presumably in Holland) in the eighteenth century
people ate breakfast at ten in the morning, dinner at three or four, and drank
tea at six. Supper, if served at all, came late in the evening.
5 Presumably Hendrik Carel, Count of Nassau, Heer van Beverweerd, the
Countess's husband. As indicated above, he was twice her age.
6 The Countess had been born in Dordt, or Dordrecht, a wealthy trading city
of the Netherlands,
6 December 1763 85
TUESDAY 6 DECEMBER. . . . Your Sunday evening continued
to disgust you. You was uneasy and you could not but show it,
though moderately. You talked to Brown of the rudeness of Al-
binus. He agreed, but you heard hints of his intrigue. Good heaven!
What is the world! You was shocked; you hated her. And yet it is
not true. What a weak mind have you! Fie! Yield not thus. Com-
mand your passions and be ever in good humour. You went to bed
very soon. You was not well. You made good resolutions to sleep
off chagrin, and obstinately learn a proper retenue and conduct.
WEDNESDAY ^ DECEMBER. Yesterday you did very well. You
was really retenu, and at Assembly was agreeably surprised to find
Albinus complaisant, speak much, and tell you, "It's not every
Englishman yrho is well received," 7 and ask you to dine with him.
His card first surprised you. You have here another instance: never
take disgusts at first. Visit him tomorrow. You was quite mistaken
in being discontent on Sunday; all was well. Return to the charge.
At ten, send to Comtesse if she chooses to walk, and go to her at
eleven. . . .
THURSDAY 8 DECEMBER. Yesterday you walked round
Utrecht with la Comtesse. How delicious! You spoke charming
French. Had no servant. She gave the characters of Monsieur
d'Amelisweerd, a rough squire, but jealous of his lady, a charming
little woman. You joked her at his not dreading the English as
gallants. Talked of jealousy. She said she was happy at your being
recommended to Count Nassau. She could take you everywhere.
All this looked like address. Also, she gave hints of Madame
Amelisweerd. Told she was married at seventeen, when one does
not know the consequences; said marriage was unequal. Said going
to The Hague, Paris, London was un peu trop fort. Was not this
confidence in you? You was very prudent. At night Brown told
you how she had found you out about disgust at Albinus. She is
7 This sentence is in French in the original. It may be assumed without fur-
ther notice in all the memoranda that follow that both sides of direct con-
versations with Hollanders were recorded by Boswell in French, and appear
in this edition in translation.
86 8 December 1 763
very penetrating. But you have her for all that. Be very retenu.
She gave you no cautions to try you. Have a care. Don't alter.
FRIDAY 9 DECEMBER. Yesterday you visited Albinus. The
day was passed so-so. It was indeed devoted to the Society, as it
was your night. You made a very good discourse; copy it fair and
send it to Father. Have a care. You are not quite right at present.
Your health is not perfect. That disorder of the stomach distresses
you. Be more regular to go to bed. Eat a lighter dinner; drink less
wine and a good deal of water to give a clear digestion, and never
miss the Mall once a day. 8 Lay your hand on your heart. Pause.
Withstand pleasure or you will be dissolved. Attend to Trotz.
Resolve it, to fill your mind. See how you can acquire that habit.
Pay la Comtesse? Never give up general Plan. Be retenu.
FRIDAY 9 DECEMBER
Yet Holland gave ay, there's the cruel sting
Gave to Great Britain, gave, ye gods! a king.
Ah, name him not; no more our -shame disclose,
Nor on our coins point out his monstrous nose.
let the mem'ry of the villain rot;
Be on his reign an everlasting blot.
True, in his youth the phlegmatic Mynheer
Display'd the brutal courage of a bear;
'Tis true he made the mighty f am'd reply,
"Rather than yield, in the last ditch 111 die."
[c. 9-10 DECEMBER. FRENCH THEMES] I have not written
any themes for three or four days. Have I then been negligent?
8 "The Mall is esteemed the principal ornament of Utrecht, and is perhaps
the only avenue of the sort in Europe still fit to be used for the game which
gives its name to them all. The several rows of noble trees include at the
side both roads and walks, but the centre is laid out for the game of [pall-]
mall, and though not often used, is in perfect preservation. It is divided
so as to admit two parties of players at once, and the side boards sufficiently
restrain spectators" (Charles Campbell, The Travellers Complete Guide
through Belgium, Holland, and Germany, 1815, p. 97). The game was played
with a wooden ball and mallets, like croquet.
9 What he had lost to her at cards.
g-i o December 1 763 87
No, not at all. But I have been busy writing a discourse according
to the directions of the literary society of which I am a member.
This discourse is in French. Tell me, then, if I have wasted my
time. Tell me if a man would not profit as much by writing a
French dissertation as by writing a French theme. Perhaps there
are subtle differences between them; for my part, I do not under-
stand them. I am content to make my judgments on obvious
appearances. I do not seek to refine. Lord Kames, a man of great
knowledge and true genius, was nevertheless a little too refined.
When he published his Elements of Criticism, in which he ex-
hibited much thought and even original taste but too much sub-
tlety, Mr. Love the actor said, "My Lord Kames is not content if you
show him a fine room, perfectly elegant; he wants always to
scratch behind the panelling and analyze the plaster of the walls."
He might have added, "And perhaps taste it," for Lord Kames is
a deep chemist and has conducted some very curious experiments
in that science. He wished to apply his science of chemistry to
agriculture. Some malicious rogues would persuade us that he
has tasted all sorts of dung with a truly philosophic palate, in order
to acquire a perfect knowledge of the most effective ways of fertil-
izing the soil. He entertained for some time a pretty fancy that one
could make an extract of the essence of dung and so save the ex-
pense of carts, which now cost us so much to carry our dung to the
fields. Major Dalrymple, brother of my Lord Drummore, says that,
following the same principles, one could have the essence of wheat,
so that a man could carry his harvest home in his snuff-box.
We have completely lost sight of the Earl of Bute, concerning
whom I began to write with so much formality in these themes.
Never has one seen more irregular compositions than the present.
If after two thousand years they are found by some antiquary, he
will not gain much. I defy him to understand them. They are
really in cipher, partly because of the badness of the writing, partly
because of the astonishing variety of matter, so that one page has
very little connection with another. They are as well hidden as
an essay of high treason would be in Turkey or a dissertation con-
taining matter against the Catholic Church in Spain. However, I
88 9- 1 December 1 763
do not doubt that they will be highly esteemed by antiquaries.
The manuscripts which have been found amongst the ruins of
Herculaneum, concerning which these gentlemen have made so
much ado, have almost the same obscurity.
SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER. Yesterday you did very well. You
read an immensity of Greek. You was retenu yet cheerful at table.
It was a dismal day and you eat too much wild duck, so was a little
gloomy. However, you said not a word of it, nor have you said a
word of it near these three months Take long walk today to
brace you, and do so every day. Eat less. . . .
MONDAY 12 DECEMBER. Yesterday you did delightfully.
You did not commit one fault in any respect the whole day. . . .
You was retenu at dinner. You admired la Comtesse in church, but
not imprudently. You supped happy and cheerful. In short, for all
yesterday you enjoyed tranquillitatem animL There is a fine tale
to tell. Persist. Relax not propriety, yet torment not yourself with
trifles to be an old woman ... Go to bed exact at twelve. Pick teeth
with wood; make toothpicks. At six Madame Maleprade. Be easy
and gay. Approach not love. . . .
TUESDAY 13 DECEMBER Consider what a different man
you are now from what you have been for some years. Instead of
idle dissipation, you read Greek, French, law; and instead of
drollery, you have sensible conversation. You also mix gay amuse-
ment with study Wait on Grand Bailiff to let him know that
you are to leave the town for some time. 1 Write to Guiffardiere
short only two pages and a quarter and no nonsense, only a gay
recital of assemblies. This day continue; don't always be mending
yourself in trifles like a boy his shuttlecock: he spoils it. Be fine
at Assembly. No love; you are to marry. But la Comtesse, charming
and friendly. You are forming charmingly; you are no buffoon,
you only want calmness.
WEDNESDAY 14 DECEMBER. Yesterday you did just as well
as you could wish. Upon my word, you are a fine fellow Bravo!
Go on
1 He is planning to spend his Christmas holidays at The Hague.
14 December 1763 89
[Received 14 December, Samuel Johnson to Boswell] 2
London, 8 December 1 763
. DEAR SIR: You are not to think yourself forgotten or crimi-
nally neglected that you have had yet no letter from me. I love to
see my friends, to hear from them, to talk to them, and to talk of
them; but it is not without a considerable effort of resolution that I
prevail upon myself to write Whether I shall easily arrive at
an exact punctuality of correspondence, I cannot tell. I shall at
present expect that you will receive this in return for two 3 which I
have had from you. The first, indeed, gave me an account so hope-
less of the state of your mind that it hardly admitted or deserved an
answer; by the second I was much better pleased. . . .
You know a gentleman, who, when first he set his foot in the
gay world, as he prepared himself to whirl in the vortex of pleas-
ure, imagined a total indifference and universal negligence to
be the most agreeable concomitants of youth and the strongest in-
dication of an airy temper and a quick apprehension. Vacant to
every object and sensible of every impulse, he thought that all
appearance of diligence would deduct something from the reputa-
tion of genius; and hoped that he should appear to attain, amidst
all the ease of carelessness and all the tumult of diversion, that
knowledge and those accomplishments which mortals of the com-
mon fabric obtain only by mute abstraction and solitary drudgery.
He tried this scheme of life a while, was made weary of it by his
sense and his virtue; he then wished to return to his studies; and
finding long habits of idleness and pleasure harder to be cured
than he expected, still willing to retain his claim to some extraor-
dinary prerogatives, resolved the common consequences of irreg-
ularity into an unalterable decree of destiny, and concluded that
Nature had originally formed him incapable of rational employ-
ment
2 From The Life of Johnson, where Boswell published the letter in full. The
original manuscript has not been recovered. 3 Not recovered.
go 14 December 1763
Let all such fancies, illusive and destructive, be banished hence-
forward from your thoughts for ever. Resolve, and keep your reso-
lution; choose, and pursue your choice. . . . This, my dear Boswell,
is advice which perhaps has been often given you, and given you
without effect. But this advice, if you will not take from others,
you must take from your own reflections . . .
Let me have a long letter from you as soon as you can. I hope
you continue your journal ... I am, dear Sir, your most affection-
ate servant,
SAM. JOHNSON.
[Received 14 December, Dalrymple to Boswell.
Original in French]
Edinburgh, 2 December 1763
MY VERY DEAR FRIEND, The progress which you have made
in the French language shows me what can be done by a man of
brains as soon as he settles down. I assume that your mind is quiet
at the moment because I see that you are busy with your studies.
Believe me, I have known people who chattered in French without
stopping to draw breath, though their knowledge of it was not
equal to yours. You have committed yourself to the road and must
now hurry straight on, without being stopped by the obstructions
that may present themselves. Though I myself am but a barbarian,
I make bold to praise you for acquiring what I understand with
difficulty and seldom speak.
I find you infatuated with Fatality. Since neither Clarke nor
Johnson has been able to dissipate these clouds which overshadow
your mind, how could / persuade you that you are a rational being?
Tell me, however: when you do good, do you not believe yourself
free? And is it not merely when you wander astray in the paths
of Folly or when you reflect on your follies is it not then that you
believe yourself led by the hand of an invisible fatality?
Don't you remember what was said by Prior, a man of the
world who could think like a philosopher too:
14 December 1763 91
That when weak women went astray,
Their stars were more in fault than they? 4
Milton gives these metaphysical problems to his devils to debate:
they amuse themselves by reasoning on "fixed Fate, free Will,
Foreknowledge absolute." 5 It is the devil's business to occupy one's
self with thoughts that have no outcome. Make up your mind that
GOD is just and that the soul is immortal, that virtue is lovely and
vice harmful to society. All the other truths will follow from prin-
ciples so certain and agreeable to well disposed hearts as these. For
my own part, I find in myself such repugnance to the dogma of
Fatality that I assure you non persuadebis etiamsi persuaseris 6 that
I am not free.
You are reading the Universal History of Voltaire. Keep a
sharp look-out: he is the most intrepid retailer of fables to appear
in Europe since the century of Varillas, Leti, and Raguenet. Some
time I shall amuse myself by writing the life of Cromwell, drawn
from French authors, without including in it the slightest morsel
of truth. The truth can sometimes be found in Monsieur de Voltaire,
but it is found either rouged or daubed or in ridiculous disguise. It
would be impossible to praise too much his facility and his delight-
ful turns of phrase, but for the rest I ought to hold my tongue, as the
old song says, for I have never seen it.
It may well be that you have found Dutch civility a little dry,
but remember what I have often told you, that you must accustom
yourself to the usages established in the countries where you may
find yourself. The Dutch do not give dinners, they do not put them-
selves at the trouble of paying visits. Try to meet the Count de
Nassau on the Promenade or in public places, and you will find
him a friend without disguise or artifice. May I venture to say that
he is in some sense the Governor of the City, and that one may
excuse him from making visits of ceremony.
4 The quoted lines are in English. Prior wrote "That if" etc. (Hans Carvel).
5 Milton, Paradise Lost, II. 560.
A Latin version of Aristophanes's Plutus, 600: ov yap ratcrcis, 0$$' jv
vdcy s,fr"You shall not convince even if you should convince me."
g 2 14 December 1763
Here I am married, as your father has told you. I am happy;
I go my way in peace; I apply myself to the duties of society, and
in filling the empty places of my brain with useful studies, I close
it to metaphysical chimeras. Do thou likewise, my dear friend, and
be happy; as happy as your very humble and most affectionate
DAY: DALRYMPLE.
Please have the goodness to make my most sincere compliments
to Monsieur le Comte de Nassau.
THURSDAY 15 DECEMBER You was indeed a great man
yesterday. You received letters from Lord Auchinleck, 7 Mr. Samuel
Johnson, Sir David Dalrymple. Mr. Johnson's correspondence is
the greatest honour you could ever imagine you could attain to.
Look back only three years when you was first in London with
Derrick. 8 Consider. He is the first author in England. Let his coun-
sel give you new vigour. Return still to the charge. . . .
FRIDAY 16 DECEMBER. Yesterday was a lukewarm sort of a
day. . . . You forgot temperance, which you seldom forget. You eat
too much beef and drank too much wine This day write law
and version, and at eleven Rose, and give a good brush at Greek. At
one, walk; after dinner, more Greek. At night, Assembly. Then
journal. Saturday set apart to clear all up. Let journal be completed,
short. Write to Johnson easy. Prepare all for Hague. Persist.
[Boswell to De Guiffardiere] 9
Utrecht, 16 December 1763
MONSIEUR: By the address of this letter you will see that I
intended to write in French. By the address I mean the exordium,
7 Not recovered.
8 A rather disreputable Irishman, later "King" of Bath, who had been Bos-
well's first instructor in the ways of the town, or, to use his own words, had
shown him Londoli "in all its variety of departments, both literary and
sportive."
9 Reprinted from The Letters of James Boswell, 2 vols., 1924, with the kind
permission of the editor, Professor C. B. Tinker, and of the Oxford University
Press. The original was in the Adam Collection and is now in the collection
of Mr. and Mrs. Donald F. Hyde.
1 6 December 1 763 93
Monsieur. I did indeed fully intend to have written to you in that
language, of which you know so much and I so little. But I recol-
lected that my French letters are as yet but mere themes, and that
I should not be doing you a great kindness to give you the trouble
to correct them.
Although I cannot correct the language of your letter, yet I
think I may take upon me to correct the sentiment of it. Your
French morality, Guiffardiere, is "lighter than vanity." A generous
Briton gives it to the wind with a smile of disdain. To be serious,
your amorous sentences are vivacious. But are they proper from a
son of the Church? Indeed, Doctor, I am afraid not. Believe me, Sir,
such sallies are dangerous. They glance upon the mind and dazzle
the eye of discernment. Morality is permanent, although our sight
be wavering; happy are they who can keep it constantly in view.
I have experienced a good deal of variety, and I am firmly con-
vinced that the true happiness of a MAN is propriety of conduct and
the hope of divine favour. Excuse me, Guiffardiere. I am domineer-
ing over you, I allow. But don't you deserve it? When you left this,
was you not resolved to acquire "intellectual dignity"? I desire that
you may remember your resolution. You have now a fair oppor-
tunity to become a real philosopher. If you improve your solitude
as you ought to do, the rest of your life may be passed in cheerful
tranquillity. Take this as it is meant, and you will thank me.
I now find Utrecht to be the same agreeable place which my
friend Dalrymple found it fifteen years ago. We have brilliant
assemblies twice a week and private parties almost every evening.
La Comtesse de Nassau Beverweerd has taken me under her protec-
tion. She is the finest woman upon earth. She has shown me the
greatest civility, and has introduced me <upon> the very best
footing <into the> gay world of this city. I <begin to> make
acquaintance with the people of fashion, and hope to be agreeable
to them. There are so many beautiful and amiable ladies in our
circle that a quire of paper could not contain their praises, though
written by a man of a much cooler fancy and a much smaller
handwriting than myself.
I have stood upon my guard and have repelled dissipation. I
94 1 6 December 1 763
am firm to my Plan, and I divide my time between study and
amusement. "Happy man!" you will say. Our vacation begins this
day. I shall go to The Hague next week, and expect to pass there
some weeks of felicity. Do not allow yourself to weary in your pres-
ent retreat. Acquire fortitude and all will at least be supportable in
this changeful world. I am, Sir, your sincere well-wisher and hum-
ble servant,
JAMES BOSWELL.
Last post I had a long letter from MR. JOHNSON.
SATURDAY i 7 DECEMBER. . . . You are coming quite into the
style here. Only you was a little too young with Madame de Nassau
in giving a kind of jump when you heard she was to be at your two
next parties. You cultivated acquaintance with Madame 1 de Zuy-
len. Never be in the least foolish. Harden
suNDAYiSDECEMBER. Yesterday you did perfectly well. You
read much Greek and finished The Anabasis, and you had twelve
pages of version examined, which was excellent. You was quite
genteel and gay at Assembly, and had much conversation with
Madame de Nassau and Madame Amelisweerd. La Comtesse told
you of intrigues at The Hague. She said your calling her Protectrice
would look strange. She said, by the by, that Terie said you was
extremement goute. 2 You saw how tilings were. You are a happy
dog But you talked rather too much. Have a care of being
etourdi* This day at eleven call on Grand Bailiff. Then have fire
in stove and great table in next room. Send to Brown you can't dine,
and bring up journal. . . .
MONDAY 19 DECEMBER. Yesterday you did charmingly. You
brought all up clear; only you left your letter to Johnson and your
journal to furnish you occupation on jaunt and prevent you from
1 The manuscript has "Mad.", which in these memoranda may mean either
"Madame" or "Mademoiselle." "Mad. de Zuylen" is in almost all cases Belle
de Zuylen, but here I think her mother was meant.
2 "Very much liked." "Terie" (which might also be read "Jerie") was prob-
ably the nickname of Madame d' Amelisweerd or one of the other ladies.
3 "Giddy."
1 9 December 1 763 95
the fretful gloom of idleness. You may write, or at least sketch, in
schuit This morning get all ready. Forget nothing. Take papers
and Butler 4 or Gil Bias to read in schuit. Be firm From first to
last be temperate. See how well you can go on. Be quite retenu,,
pious, and careful. Amen.
FOR HAGUE JAUNT. Your going to The Hague is of more con-
sequence than you imagine. You are to wait on Mynheer de Som-
melsdyck, of whom you have heard so much from your infancy,
and who may be of infinite use to you. Your father considers this as
a matter of great moment. So do your best. You have now a rational
system. Formerly you made your general plan yield to the present
moment. Now you make the present moment yield to the general
plan, as it soon passes. Think before you enter The Hague. Learn
the usage of life. Be prudent and retenu. Never aim at being too bril-
liant. Be rather an amiable, pretty man. Have no affectation. Cure
vanity. Be quite temperate and have self-command amid all the
pleasures. Would Epictetus or Johnson be overturned by human
beings, gay, thoughtless, corrupted? No; they would make the best
of them and be superior. Have real principles. You have acquired
a noble character at Utrecht. Maintain it. ...
TUESDAY 20 DECEMBER [Leyden] Yesterday you did charm-
ingly. You supported the tedious nine hours in the schuit, and
though you grew cold and gloomy, you stood firm. You talked
Dutch with the jolly dog and his two daughters. You arrived at
Leyden, dreary a little. But you drank coffee, read the English
news, wrote good verses and a noble letter to Mr. Johnson. 5 Thus it
is that you are happy. You are formed for regular decent life. You
have deviated into the- road [of] vice and have been miserable.
Take care now you are a Christian. Think. Be firm. Admire still la
Comtesse. But not vicious, for though 'twould inflame your fancy,
'twould fever your heart and ruin your Plan. See Abraham
4 Bishop Joseph Butler's famous Analogy of Religion, Natural and Revealed,
to the Constitution and Course of Nature, 1736.
5 The original has not been recovered. A rather uninteresting fragment of it
was printed in The Life of Johnson.
g6 20 December 1 763
Gronovius today. Take pen and ink in schuit and copy letter. Be at
Comedie by six. Be retenu with Gordon. Try it now. Remember
your Templar oath. 6 It is at such a time as this that gloom appears.
Then resist it. Go to Marshal Turenne not to be with Gordon,
who is pert. 7 Allow no sad idea to seize you. Take exercise. Be
independent
WEDNESDAY 21 DECEMBER. [The Hague] Yesterday you
waited on honest Abraham Gronovius and passed an hour with
him, quite Dutch, commentaric, and comfortable, and promised
to come and dine with him on a Saturday and copy the notes on the
Graecae Lyrici? You hired the roof 9 and wrote your letter cleverly
6 Probably an oath which Boswell took just before leaving the Temple in
London to go -to Holland.
7 The Marechal Turenne was an inn or hotel at The Hague. Gordon had
probably invited Boswell to share lodgings with him.
8 "I wish you would inquire for me whether there is in the library of the
University at Leyden any manuscript notes or corrections relating to the
fragments of the Greek lyrics. Your father told me several years ago that he
had a remembrance of some such things, but he could not give me any par-
ticulars. I think he also mentioned a manuscript of Anacreon. I want to know
its age and the first line of each poem in it. The librarian, if he is not a
notorious blockhead, will be able to inform you of all those particulars. It has
been long my intention to procure an edition of the fragments of those lyrics,
not of every single word or of imperfect sentences, but an edition containing
such pieces as may convey an idea of the style and manner of each author
and of the measure in which he wrote. This, though a simple plan, has never
yet been executed" (Sir David Dalrymple to Boswell, 28 July 1763). Bos-
well's Graecae Lyrici is a slip for Graeci Lyrici or Graeciae Lyrici.
9 That is, roef, the deck-house of the barge. "In [the roef] there are four
oblique windows, which move up and down, and a table in the middle with
a long drawer, filled with pipes. There is also a spitting-box and a little iron
pot containing burning turf, for accommodating the smokers with a light.
The seats are covered with handsome cushions. The roef is generally occupied
by the genteeler passengers, though the price is but about threepence an
hour. So steady is the motion of the vessel that a person may read, write, or
even draw in it A person may hire the whole of the roef to himself by
giving proper notice" (Charles Campbell, The Traveller's Complete Guide
through Belgium, Holland, and Germany, 1815, p. 17).
2 1 December 1 763 97
to Mr. Johnson. 1 You was a little unhinged by the novelty of The
Hague. However, you did all right: waited first on the Ambas-
sador, 2 then went to Comedy, where you was pleased. Came home,
read Tacitus and wrote journal. You felt gloom, but you bore it,
and are ever resolved to bear it. You was peevish a little to poor
Frangois. Poor honest, quiet creature, be good to him. Don't con-
sider him as a servant here, but as a careful body to look after your
things. Never once use him sullenly. Give general order: never in.
. . . Starve and keep off spleen.
WEDNESDAY 21 DECEMBER
DIALOGUES AT THE HAGUE 8
Scene, the street
BOSWELL. Le Jeune.
VALET/ Sir? What is your pleasure?
BOSWELL. Show me where Colonel Spaen 5 lives.
VALET. This way. He lives in the Prinsesse-Gracht.
BOSWELL. Have you served in the Army?
*He had already written it (see the previous memorandum), but he now
copied it carefully, no doubt making some improvements as he copied.
2 Sir Joseph Yorke. Boswell was presented on 26 December.
8 These dialogues are recorded entirely in French.
4 A valet de louage or local servant whom Boswell has hired for the period
of his stay in The Hague.
5 Alexander Sweder, Baron von Spaen, of a noble German family, was a
favourite of Frederick the Great in his youth, and had been involved with two
other young officers, Lieutenants Katte and Keith, in Frederick's plot to
escape from his father's control by fleeing from Germany in 1730. The plot
being discovered, Keith saved himself by flight, but Katte was arrested and,
by express command of Frederick's father, was beheaded. Spaen, who is said to
have swallowed the one incriminating paper in his possession, got off with a
brief imprisonment and exile. Entering the service of the States-General, nt
rose to the rank of major-general. His wife was a niece of the Count of Nassau.
Boswell had a letter of introduction to her from the Countess of Nassau
Beverweerd.
g8 21 December 1763
VALET. Not in the last war, Sir.
BOSWELL. You have certainly been in the Army, because you
march in line so well. Please to walk either in front of me or
behind me.
VALET. Sir, I beg your pardon. But I will tell you the reason.
It is a custom of us servants de louage to walk in that position, be-
cause foreign gentlemen have many questions to ask and do not
wish to put themselves to the trouble of shouting to us. I hope that
I did not offend you.
BOSWELL. no. Follow the custom. I merely noticed that you
had been a soldier.
Scene, the Marechal Turenne
FRANQOIS. Sir, here is a card from Colonel Spaen, who has been
here. He has invited you to dine at his house. He will wait for you
till three o'clock.
BOSWELL. Ah! give me my scarlet suit and go directly for the
hairdresser. Wait a moment. What time is it?
FRANCOIS. It is a good quarter after two. Sir, you can go as you
are. It is not a grand dinner.
BOSWELL. Then I will. Listen: if any one inquires here for me,
always say that I am not at home, except when I give you orders to
the contrary.
Scene, Monsieur Spaen' } s house
MME SPAEN. Mr. Boswell. I am delighted to see you here.
BOSWELL. Madame, I received Monsieur Spaen's card very late,
I did not have time to dress. I took the liberty to profit by your
civility, as you see. I hope you will excuse me.
MME SPAEN. Sir, you look very well. I expected you today or to-
morrow. Have you seen this town? Is it not very pleasant?
BOSWELL. R is very pretty indeed. But I have not yet seen much
of it. I have been here only since five o'clock yesterday evening.
MME SPAEN. Have you been at the playhouse?
BOSWELL. Yes, Madame.
MME SPAEN. Were you well amused?
BOSWELL. Very weU. But as I am not used to hearing French
21 December 1763 99
spoken rapidly, I missed a good deal. It appears to me that you have
excellent actors here.
COLONEL SPAEN. Sir, I am glad to find you here. I have been at
the Marechal.
BOSWELL. Sir, I had the honour of receiving your card.
COLONEL SPAEN. But, Sir, I have been there just now, to bring
you in my carriage.
BOSWELL. Sir, I am deeply grateful.
COLONEL SPAEN. Well, Sir, will you sit beside my wife?
BOSWELL. If I may venture to part 6 the ladies.
MME SPAEN. I am afraid, Sir, that my hoop is in your way.
BOSWELL. Not at all, Madame, but I fear that I am in the way of
your hoop.
MME SPAEN. And how do you find Utrecht?
BOSWELL. Very pleasant, Madame. Our assemblies began three
weeks ago.
COUNTESS DE NASSAU ouwERKERKE. I believe the first assembly
was at my aunt's house.
BOSWELL. Yes, Mademoiselle. Your brother was my good friend.
He taught me all the etiquette. He is always gay. He speaks French
well. He speaks very fast.
COUNTESS DE NASSAU OUWERKERKE. Sir, he speaks altogether too
fast.
BOSWELL. Oh, it is a sign that you understand a language well
when you speak fast. I should be very happy if some one should say
to me, "You speak French too fast."
MME SPAEN. Have you been in an argument yet? 7
[COUNTESS DE NASSAU OUWERKERKE.] 8 He has argued against
Madame de Nassau Beverweerd that there is more evil in the world
than good.
BOSWELL. Yes, I argued for Evil while drinking good Burgundy;
6 "Partager." The company is sitting down to table, Boswell between Madame
Spaen and the Countess of Nassau Ouwerkerke. Their skirts are so wide that
he has to (or pretends that he has to) push his way to the table.
7 A dig at the fondness of the Countess of Nassau Beverweerd for arguing
and lectures. See p. 69 n. 9. 8 This speech is not assigned in the manuscript.
i oo 21 December 1 763
and I remember that she said to me, "Sir, if you go on like that, I
think you will become a partisan of Good."
CAPTAIN REYNST. Really, women are very deceitful. A girl
adapts herself to all the humours and all the caprices of her lover,
but when he is her husband, all at once she snaps him up: "You're
mine!" There, Madame!
MME SPAEN. As for me, I live in great tranquillity. I try to do
the honours of the house for Monsieur Spaen, when he is good
enough to bring in good company. I never play. I never sup abroad.
Yet I am very fond of having supper at home, and people have the
goodness to come. That is very flattering. Self-love enters into
everything. Rousseau is right.
BOSWELL. Has my carriage come?
SERVANT. Not yet, Sir.
CAPTAIN REYNST. Have you ordered a carriage, Sir?
BOSWELL. Sir, may I have the honour of giving you a lift?
CAPTAIN REYNST. If you will be so good as to take me.
COLONEL SPAEN. Mr. Boswell, we have a Society here, a morn-
ing club made up of people of the highest fashion where one chats
or plays or makes the acquaintance of everybody. Sir, I will intro-
duce you there as a foreign member. Sir, I leave you master of the
house.
BOSWELL. It is necessary, Sir, always to have a carriage?
CAPTAIN REYNST. Excepting in very good weather. But really
you must count on a carriage most of the time.
BOSWELL. How much do they ask here per day for a carriage?
A ducat?
CAPTAIN REYNST. I believe it is about a ducat. But Monsieur
Molin, your host, will give you complete information about all
those things. He is a worthy man. Have you seen Sir Joseph Yorke?
BOSWELL. Not yet. I left a card and a letter for him from one of
his friends in London. Must I go to his house a second time without
waiting for him to call on me? I have heard Sir Joseph's character,
that he is
9 A naval captain, later a lieutenant-admiral. He knew Belle de Zuylen well.
21 December 1763 101
CAPTAIN REYNST. He is a little stiff. But go a second time. Do
not be lacking in your attentions. If he is not at home, ask for his
secretary and tell him you are English, that you wish to see the
world, that you have friends here who are ready to introduce you
everywhere, but that you wish to be presented by the Ambassador
if it is convenient for him.
BOSWELL. That will show the Ambassador what footing I am on.
CAPTAIN REYNST. Yes, Sir. Ambassadors will show you a great
deal of civility when you don't need it.
WEDNESDAY 21 DECEMBER
Fashion, of all that mortals ever wear,
Takes most delight in sporting with the hair.
Just now the town admires a bushy top,
And for a head the pattern is a mop.
Pass and begone! the whimsy strikes the Court,
Hair to look well can never be too short.
Like powder'd negroes grown a little pale
Fine fellows seem, though never yet in jail. 1
In its full shape the bullet pate appears,
And, bless us! what a quantity of ears!
THURSDAY 22 DECEMBER
DIALOGUES AT THE HAGUE
Scene, the ordinary at the Marechal Turenne
BOSWELL. This a very pretty town.
i CAPTAIN. You have not been here long?
BOSWELL. Only one day.
i CAPTAIN. You have acquaintances here?
BOSWELL. Yes, Sir. I have the honour to be known to the Baron
de Spaen. I dined at his house yesterday.
i CAPTAIN. Sir, you were balloted on at our Society today, and
you were admitted. So you may go there whenever you please,
1 Because the heads of convicts were cropped?
102 22 December 1763
BOS\VELL. It is my misfortune to speak only a very little French,
but I have been only three months at Utrecht that is, at a place
where I have had the opportunity to learn it.
2 CAPTAIN. Sir, you speak very well. You are quite intelligible.
BOSWELL. That is something.
i CAPTAIN. You know Madame de Nassau Beverweerd at
Utrecht?
BOSWELL. Yes. I have the honour to be well received in that
family. She is most engaging.
1 CAPTAIN. She is very good looking.
BOSWELL. Yes. I am learning French in the company of two
ladies from Switzerland, the wife of our English minister and
her sister. I dine at their house. I hear a great deal about Switzer-
land. They are extremely fond of their country and their country-
men.
2 CAPTAIN. That gentleman there is from Switzerland; he is an
officer in the Swiss Guards.
BOSWELL. Sir, you are Swiss?
3 CAPTAIN. Yes, Sir, from the Pays de Vaud, 2 from Lausanne.
2 CAPTAIN. I should be extremely fond of your country of
Switzerland. You are very high up, you don't run much risk among
your mountains; I mean, you can of course fall from your cliffs
and break your neck, but that is something you can avoid. But here
we are always in danger from the sea, and we cannot have certain
protection.
BOSWELL. Yes, perhaps one day you will have to swim.
2 CAPTAIN. Yes, we shall have a Deluge. I shall be like Deu-
calion. I shall throw stones to renew our nation. 8
BOSWELL. But, unfortunately, Sir, you have no stones in this
2 Boswell, who had a good ear but did not yet know much about Swiss geogra-
phy, got this down as "pals de veaux de Lusanne": "the calf-country of
Lausanne."
3 In the Greek version of the Deluge, only Deucalion and his wife Pyrrha
survived. They created a new race by casting stones behind them. Those
thrown by Deucalion produced males, those thrown by Pyrrha, females.
22 December 1763 103
country. Nature has undoubtedly passed a fixed decree that Hol-
land shall be completely lost, for it has not given you the means
of renewing yourselves.
Scene, the house of the Countess of Degenfeld*
BOSWELL. I am unlucky in not being able to speak. I know very
little French.
COUNTESS DEGENFELD. You know enough, I should say, to get
by with.
BOSWELL. Not bad for three months.
REYNST. You have a very good accent.
COUNTESS DEGENFELD. It is not the time now to see The Hague
at its best. For that one must be here in the summer. But you see the
people of fashion now.
BOSWELL. Yes, Madame.
FRIDAY 23 DECEMBER Good dinner at ordinary. Countess
Degenfeld, sweet, handsome, amiable. Comedy, well entertained.
Good dance. Home. Sat up too late. You stood it, but it hurts
stomach. Do it seldom; rather do less an hour than ruin constitu-
tion. [Go to bed] exact at twelve. This day at eleven, Club; dine
here and let chance next declare. Be pious, prudent, retenu, firm.
"Separated sooner than subdued." 5
FRIDAY 23 DECEMBER
Sure, by all rules of reasoning, tonight
I must with more than usual fancy write;
For I sit down to write in spirits gay;
To my charm'd ears how sweetly sounds "La Haye"!
On the firm base of rational content
* Another Countess of Nassau, niece of the Grand Bailiff of Utrecht; she later
accompanied her husband to Vienna, where he was sent as Ambassador, and
died there. In 1763 she was between thirty-five and forty. A very grand lady.
Her character is freely discussed by Constant d'Hermenches and Belle de
Zuylen: D'Hermenches thought her empty and affected, Belle saw better
qualities in her. 5 See p. 18.
104 2 3 December 1763
For three good months in useful study spent,
For having acted on Religion's plan,
And done the serious duties as a man
Is my fair castle built of solid joy,
Which vice and pleasure dare not to destroy.
SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER. Yesterday was a great day....
Reynst . . . carried you to Parade, where you saw the Dutch
Guards, and was animated a little with old ideas. But considered
how superior you was now with civil views than when a dependant
for a commission. You felt yourself above Prince and all, and
wondered how you had been so foolish. Write this to Father. You
was then presented to Monsieur Sommelsdyck: amiable, soft,
genteel. . . .
DIALOGUES AT THE HAGUE
Scene, the Parade
REYNST. It's a fine regiment, isn't it?
BOSWELL. It truly is. Well, after all, it must be confessed that
there is something in a corps of gallant soldiers that strikes us like
nothing else. I have the soul of a soldier, but your Highness, I
am charmed to have the honour.
PRINCE OF HESSE. Where are you lodged?
BOSWELL. At the Marechal Turenne. And where are your High-
ness's quarters?
PRINCE. Oh, I am on duty here, 6 but I shall have the honour to
pay you a visit.
BOSWELL. Sir, the gentlemen in the Service like to change. 7
REYNST. Well! Monsieur de Sommelsdyck, Mr. Boswell, a Scots-
man, a relation of yours.
SOMMELSDYCK. Sir, I am charmed.
8 "0, je suis de la parade."
1 "Changer." I suppose it means either, "like to get away from their military
quarters," or, "like to have a change of duty."
24 December 1763 105
BOSWELL. Sir, I should have had the honour to pay you my re-
spects before this. But I was waiting to be presented by Monsieur
Chais, who was good enough to promise to perform that courtesy
for me.
SOMMELSDYCK. Your father is living and in good health?
BOSWELL. Yes, Sir. He has the greatest respect for your family.
He received many civilities from the Admiral, your father, thirty
years ago when he my father, that is was studying at Leyden.
SOMMELSDYCK. You are at Leyden?
BOSWELL. No, Sir. I am at Utrecht. I really had the keenest de-
sire to have come first to The Hague to pay my respects to my rela-
tions, but the fact is that we English are very negligent; and to tell
you the truth, I could not speak French and I did not wish to pre-
sent myself as a dumb cousin. 8 But after having been three months
at Utrecht and worked hard, I have got enough to get by with after
a fashion.
SOMMELSDYCK. Sir, I shall have the honour to present you to my
wife. Will you dine with us today?
BOSWELL. Sir, I am engaged.
SOMMELSDYCK. Tomorrow, if you please?
BOSWELL. I shall have the honour.
Scene, Mr. Maclaine' s* house
MACLAINE. Gentlemen, you will have but a poor dinner.
BOSWELL. What should one reply to that?
CHAIS. "It can't be helped," I suppose.
BOSWELL. Well, it is beginning well, all the same. This soup is
excellent.
8 "Cousin Muet." Perhaps an allusion to a play currently being performed at
The Hague. A young man who is presented by some girl as a "dumb cousin"
but who is actually her lover was a stock figure in French comedy.
9 Archibald Maclaine, north-Irishman, co-pastor of the (Presbyterian)
English church at The Hague. He was very learned and for a time served as
preceptor to the Prince of Orange. James Maclaine, the famous "gentleman
highwayman" hanged at Tyburn in 1750, was his brother.
io6 24 December 1763
MACLAINE. Mr. Boswell, there is vin rouge, Rhenish, and Bur-
gundy: ask for which you prefer.
BOSWELL. Do you know that Mademoiselle de Zuylen is in
town? She is our bel esprit at Utrecht.
MACLAINE. I have met her only once. I'm afraid a young lady
like that is not a natural character.
REEDE. 1 Oh, your fear is most unjust.
MACLAINE. What's that you say, Baron?
REEDE. I was saying that Mademoiselle de Zuylen is very lik-
able. She writes verses, but she is not ill natured. She jests . . , 2
SUNDAY 25 DECEMBER. This is Christmas day. Be in due
frame. Only hear prayers at Chapel, but don't take sacrament ex-
cept you can see Chaplain before. 3 Yesterday . . . you . . . went a
moment to Society, then to Monsieur Sommelsdyck's, where you
dined and passed all the afternoon and evening, quite en famille,
no brilliancy but all friendship. The family tree. Write for him
name and titles and small tree of your family. . . .
MONDAY 26 DECEMBER. Yesterday you waited on Mr.
Richardson, Chaplain to Sir Joseph Yorke; found him affable and
decent. Took you up to his room, told you, "Our Church leaves it to
every man." Presented to Ambassador. . . . Took with him. Then
Chapel. "Grace and truth": 4 fine sermon. Then received the
1 A brother of Frederick Christian Reinhart van Reede, fifth Earl of Athlone,
a Hollander bearing an Irish peerage title conferred on his ancestor by Wil-
liam III. "Young Reede," as Boswell afterwards calls him, was a close friend
of Belle de Zuylen.
2 The dialogues break off here at the bottom of a full page, with a catchword
for a succeeding page. But it is not at all certain that anything is lost. See p.
79-
3 Boswell, who had never previously made his communion in the Church of
England, presumably wished to know whether he was expected to make con-
fession and abjuration of heresy as he had done when received into the Roman
Catholic communion. See p. i.
4 The concluding words of the gospel for Christmas: "And the Word was
made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the
only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John i. 14).
26 December 1763 107
blessed sacrament solemnly professing myself a Christian; was in
devout, heavenly frame, quite happy. The first time that I re-
ceived the communion in the Church of England. . . . This day, in
all forenoon and bring up journal and letter to Father ... Be firm
and consider you're quite independent of Father, &c.
TUESDAY 27 DECEMBER You dined splendid at Wil-
hem's. That is all. You was quite easy. You went home and wrote
two hours. You returned and supped. She 5 talked of Madame de
Beverweerd: the length of her neck and the inequality of her eyes,
her fausses couches 6 and her thinking herself handsome. But you
was prudent. When you return to Utrecht, be just as you was with
her, only more guarded, since you have taken the sacrament. . . .
WEDNESDAY 28 DECEMBER.... Went to Maclaine's and
talked with him on religion and morals, particularly women. He
maintained you must sacrifice something for virtue. He answered
all quibbles. In France and Italy, 'tis encouraging vice, contribut-
ing your quota; for every single individual will make the same ex-
cuse. You cannot make a woman an equivalent for loss of character,
as you must consider the world's opinion. If she agree, it is taking
500 from a child. . . .
[Received 28 December, Stewart to Boswell] 7
Rotterdam, 27 December 1763
MY DEAR SIR: I am this moment favoured with yours of the
26th current, in consequence of which I send you here annexed a
pair of my finest laced ruffles. They are by no means Brussels, yet
they are so far from being plain that I protest they cost me fifteen
ducats. I recently got rid of four pair of my handsomest ruffles,
otherwise I would have sent you genuine point tfAlengon. I am
5 Madame de Wilhem. She was first cousin to Belle de Zuylen.
6 Miscarriages.
7 The original starts in English, drops into French, and then reverts to
English.
1 o8 28 December 1 763
delighted to see that you are having the reception that your merits
deserve. I am really happy to see that you are so* and shall be very
glad to see you here, being, in haste, yours affectionately,
A, STEWART.
If the parcel should not have come to hand, please to cause
inquiry be made at the market-boat.
[Received 28 December, Lord Auchinleck to Boswell]
[Auchinleck, December 1763]
MY DEAR SON, I wrote to you last week a letter in your own
form and answering to Juvenal's description: plena iam margine et
nondum finita* When one begins to write to a friend, they think
they have little or nothing to say. But as they write, they warm,
and fresh matter presents itself. At present I write this only to let
you know what I suppose would occur to yourself: that it is quite
necessary when you go to The Hague that you wait of 1 Sir Joseph
Yorke, the British Ambassador there. When I had occasion to be
with my Lord Privy Seal (Stuart Mackenzie, Esq.) the time of
my being at the last Glasgow Circuit, he said that many of our
countrymen neglected to get recommendations to the King's Min-
ister at the places where they went; which, he said (and no man has
travelled more nor knows the world better), was a great loss to
them, for that a man who was not known to the Ambassador was
looked upon as being a low man in his own country. In order there-
fore to your being introduced to Sir Joseph, I have got application
to be made by means of my Lord President 2 to Mr. Yorke, late
Attorney General, for a letter to introduce you to his brother Sir
Joseph, and I expect it will be sent you under cover to Utrecht. In
8 That is, are happy.
9 "Full even to the margins and even then not finished" (Satires, i. 5-6) . This
letter, which Boswell received on 14 December, has not been recovered.
1 A Scotticism.
2 Robert Dundas, the presiding judge of the Court of Session, of which Lord
Auchinleck was a member.
28 December 1763 109
case you be left that place before it comes, you'll leave orders for
any letters that come to you to be sent after you. If again by any
accident you should be disappointed of that letter, you'll get some-
body of respect in The Hague to introduce you. . . .
Be sure to make my best compliments to Mynheer van Som-
melsdyck. I remember him very well, but he won't remember me,
for it is thirty-four years since I saw him, when I went to take leave
of his worthy father and mother, and he was then but about five
years of age. I doubt if his sisters will remember anything of me,
though I remember them well. Make also my compliments to
them
In my last I said in general that we are pretty well supplied
with the classics, and now they are put up in the library room, they
make a good show. However, if you fall upon any of the very old
editions before the 15OO, 3 and get them cheap, it is worth while to
take them; for as they were printed directly from the manuscripts,
frequently discoveries may be made from them. There is one book
in your own way that I think you should buy and read over with
care. It is entitled Causes celebres et interessantes, in twenty-six or
twenty-seven octavo volumes. It contains the proceedings of the
Parliament of Paris in a number of curious cases which came be-
fore it; vastly instructive as well as entertaining, fit for every
gentleman who aims at making a figure in public life; and as that
is your aim, it is proper you direct your studies to things that
conduct to it.
As for abstruse points in law, philosophy, or divinity, it is in
vain for a man to break his brains upon them. The point is to be in
condition to do our duty and to do it with diligence. We cannot
know everything, so let us attach ourselves to the most useful
things.
I applaud you for not condemning the Dutch language; our
countrymen commonly do. One good reason for it is that they don't
understand it. It is not a polite language, 'tis true, except in the
mouth of a handsome woman. I must make this exception, for I
8 A Scotticism.
110 28 December 1 763
remember well when I have heard a pretty lady saying "0
hemel!"* I thought it musical. But one thing we must own, that
the English is a good deal borrowed from it or, which is the same,
from its mother, the High Dutch. If you want to know a little of it
speedily so as to divert yourself with Jacob Cats when you come
home, you had best take a master to teach you the reading of it. 5
I did this for a month with success.
My compliments to Mr. Brown, of whom I hear a mighty good
character. His wife's father is my Lady Coalston's brother; but,
poor man, he was unhappy, having a wife in this country still
alive, to whom he was married before he married Mrs. Brown's
mother. I mention this to you in confidence; don't speak of it. Mrs.
Brown may be a good woman notwithstanding this macula na-
taliwrn? so it should not be published. All here remember you with
affection. Sir David Dalrymple and his lady are to dine here next
week. 7
THURSDAY 29 DECEMBER. Yesterday you sat in all day writ-
ing You was dull, but you did not yield. You grew better at
Sporck's. 8 Madame Maasdam 9 told you how la Comtesse was taken
to Utrecht, as there were strange suspicions. "She is a little galante,
but do not whisper it." I said, "She is my mistress in French."
. . . Pray be retenu and stand out. This day at ten, Maclaine, House
in Wood. 1 ... Be cheerful but on guard. Let exercise drive off
spleen; call up every principle. . . . Write lines soon. Have a care
or you'll alter. Have a care.
* U heavens!"
5 One of the proud possessions of the Auchinleck library was a large Dutch
folio book of emblems by Jacob Cats (1577-1660) which had belonged to
Veronica van Sommelsdyck, Lady Kincardine. 6 Stain on her birth.
7 There is no signature, but nothing has been lost.
8 Rudolph Ulrich, Baron Sporck or von Sporken, envoy extraordinary to The
Hague from Hanover.
9 Monsieur de Sommelsdyck's sister. Her husband was a general of cavalry.
1 The Huis ten Bosch, a royal villa erected in 1647 for the widow of Prince
Frederick Henry of Orange, grandfather of William III; one of the show-
places of The Hague.
3O December 1 763 111
FRIDAY 30 DECEMBER. Yesterday at ten, you went with Mac-
laine and saw House in the Wood: fine paintings. Senses not de-
ceive, but reason wrong on their reports. 2 . . . Then dine Spaen; by
Madame Degenfeld; grow fine; say you'll break appointment.
Then all afternoon. Spaen favourite of Prince; privy to English
jaunt; taken up, bread and water. Katte beheaded. Comes to Hol-
land, gets troop, as they would serve King's friend; returns, asks
rank would have had if not served King. Offered majority, not see
for thirty years till last year at Cleves; all retenue for some time.
King sorry, squeezes hand: "Any commands at Berlin?" "Nothing,
only that I've the same heart now as thirty years ago." 3 Then
Yorke's . . . Not dance, wrong. Gordon picks at your coat; don't
answer him. "You're the strangest boy I ever saw." Twas little to
be thus moved. . . .
FRIDAY 30 DECEMBER
Last night at eight o'clock to Yorke's I went,
And seven long hours in dissipation spent,
2 "The dining-room is embellished with grisailles by De Wit (1749) of
Meleager, Atalanta, Venus, Adonis, and Genii, painted in imitation of bas-
reliefs and producing an almost perfect illusion" (Baedeker) .
3 This section of the memoranda, though not the easiest of reading, is pre-
sented to show the way in which Boswell has begun to convert his memo-
randa into rough notes for his journal. See pp. 49, 50. The latter part presum-
ably means, "He came to Holland and was offered the command of a troop
of cavalry (a captaincy), the Dutch saying that they wished to serve a man
who was the friend of a king. He thought it over, went back and asked them to
give him the rank he would have had if he had not served the King of Prussia.
He was then offered a majority, accepted it, and did not see Frederick for
thirty years. Frederick visited Spaen last year at Cleves, where Spaen's estate
is: the King was for some time reserved, but finally showed that he was
sorry for his coldness to so close a friend of his youth," etc. According to
Dr. Eduard Vehse (Illustrierte Geschichte des preussischen Hofes . . . bis
zum Tode Kaiser Wilhelms 7), Frederick was very gracious and familiar,
reminded Spaen of many episodes of their youth, but never mentioned their
conspiracy. Spaen afterwards used to remark, "The King has a splendid
memory down to the year 1730."
112 3 December 1763
Where all was valued merely by the eye,
And glitt'ring blockheads made a sage stand by.
As I have been but little time abed,
Weak are my limbs and dizzy is my head;
My jaded muse, all drowsy and all faint,
Like Dr. Young's must utter her Complaint;
And must the bane of manly virtue call
What foolish mortals idly name a ball.
SUNDAY i JANUARY. Yesterday you was very splenetic
Dined ordinary. Then idle. Billiards by self. Then home, coffee,
&c., and grew well. Madame de Wilhem's, easy and happy. Came
home well You have stood this. Be firm.
[Received c. i January, Stewart to Boswell]*
Rotterdam, 30 December 1763
MY DEAR FRIEND, I am truly delighted to see by your es-
teemed letter that you have at last taken notice of what every one
who has the honour to know you saw from the beginning: namely,
that you are full of wit and good humour, besides being remark-
ably handsome.
I think I hear the fine ladies of The Hague saying to one an-
other as they see you pass, "There's a proper young man, one can
see that straight away from his face; he is very good-looking, eh!
don't you think so, my dear?" "Yes, most assuredly, and he is cer-
tainly English, for he is too well set-up for a Dutchman." "Oh! it is
evidently that young English lord recently come from Utrecht who
Mademoiselle Boetzelaer told us was full of wit, very gay and
extremely likable: he has also a great deal of fine manners without
the least affectation. His name is Bossel or Bosvel; they say he is
very rich "
I can assure you that your French is very good. It is true that
there are some small mistakes here and there, and without putting
yourself to much trouble you will find many more in the letter
* The first three paragraphs of the original are written in French.
H4 i January 764
before you, for I have really forgotten my French, it has been so
long since 5
As it is possible I may be obliged to go in a day or two to Amster-
dam, I beg you will send me my sword, if you can spare it, and
you'll oblige yours affectionately,
A. STEWART.
Though I am very scarce of paper, I must see to make you laugh.
I happened to be reading one of your letters to Sally, and when I
came to that passage wherein you say "that candour and openness
which constitutes my character," Sally says, "Faith, I think he only
wants a razor now." "Why that?" replied I. "Because," returned
she, "he has already soaped his own beard." 6
MONDAY 2 JANUARY. Yesterday you heard Maclaine preach
on being strangers on earth. You was very gloomy. Then you went
to Society; played at billiards with Prince of Strelitz. Then at loo
with him. Gordon still snappish. Said to him, "What's the matter
with you?" It had effect. Dined Maasdam, still gloomy; tea Hous-
ton's, quite Scotch. Was galled, but said not a word. 7 . . . You are
now a little jaded with all this idle, unnatural, sickly dissipation.
Be firm on guard these three days, so as to depart sound. Never be
moved with trifles. Be manly and silent.
5 Stewart forgot on turning the leaf to finish his sentence.
6 After his return from London in 1760, Boswell had founded at Edinburgh
a jovial society known as the Soaping Club. In the jargon of this society "to
soap a person's beard" meant to puff his vanity by flattery; to "shave" him
or "to apply the razor," to deflate him with cutting wit. "Sally" is the wife of
Stewart's clerk Mollison; she had formerly been the maid and perhaps more.
In his memorandum for 12 January 1764 Boswell, then at Rotterdam and in
a bad temper, refers to "the clerk and his wife, erst maid and w re."
7 One illustration out of many that could be chosen from these memoranda
of the invariable effect of Scots familiarity and sarcasm on Boswell. Colonel
John Houston was an officer in the "Scots Dutch," that is, in the brigade of
Scots nationals in the Dutch service. "Gordon" is the Honourable Charles
Gordon (see p. 16), who, like Boswell, had come to The Hague for the vaca-
tion. Boswell had previously called him "pert," and "snappish and envious,"
and had drawn from him the remark, "You're the strangest boy I ever saw"
(above, p. 111).
2 January 1764 115
[Boswell to Stewart] 8
S'Haag's, 2 January 1 764
MYN HEER EN VRIND, Ik heb niet mar en cleyn Beytie Hol-
lans, en Ik heb niet een Dictionarie myn te helpen; mar Ik heb een
groot lust in dat taal te schryven, en Ik sal het probeeren. Mynheer
can lauchen, als hy beleeft: Waarom niet? Ik lauch ook. Te lauchen
is heel goed voor de Gezontheid. Ik ben seer verplight te mynheer
voor zyn degen; en als it niet necessaar is tway degcnen te hebben
Ik zend it met groot plaisir. Sarah heel vroolic is te zegen dat ik
moet een scheirmess hebben, om dat ik heb myn baard gezeepen.
Mar mynheer it is wonderlyk dat Sarah noch niet van ue huys ver-
trecken is; heb mynheer niet een andere vryster engageerd, Sail
mynheer van Lainshaw een Jong kneght van Schotland niet gezen-
den? En zoo Mynheer naar Amsterdam te gaan is. Maar hy moet
seeker bin gow rug te komen, voor it sail speyt me seer, him niet te
vinden in fyve daagen t' Rotterdam. Mynheer moet myn een brief
schryven, maar in Hollans niet. Ik bin, Mynheer &c.,
JACOBUS VAN AUCHINLECK.
8 This "Dutch" letter, which Boswell dashed off at top speed, is printed in the
text exactly as he wrote it, for his writing in Dutch is the whole point of the
jest. Readers who know a little German will be able to decipher most of it
without a dictionary. For those who dislike puzzles, a literal version follows:
"My [dear] Sir and friend: I have but a small bit of Dutch, and I have
not a dictionary to help me; but I have a great desire to write in that tongue,
and I shall try it. Mynheer can laugh if he pleases. Why not? I laugh too.
To laugh is very good for the health. I am very much obliged to Mynheer
for his sword; and as it is not necessary to have two swords, I send it with
great pleasure. Sarah is very merry to say that I must have a razor, because I
have soaped my beard. But, Mynheer, it is strange that Sarah has not yet left
your house. If Mynheer has not engaged another girl, shall the Laird of
Lainshaw not send a young lad from Scotland? And so Mynheer has gone to
Amsterdam. But he must be sure to come back quickly, for it will grieve me
sore not to find him in five days at Rotterdam. Mynheer must write me a
letter, but not in Dutch. I am, Sir, &c., JACOBUS VAN AUCHINLECK." The "Laird
of Lainshaw" (in Ayrshire) was BoswelFs first cousin, brother of his future
wife.
n6 5 January 1764
[Received 5 January, Stewart to Boswell]
[Rotterdam, c. 4 January 1 764]
YOUR LAST LETTER, my dear Boswell, cost me more than all the
other letters you ever wrote me, as I was obliged to employ a
Tovenaar or Sorcier, what the Scotch commonly call second-
sighted people, to explain it to me, and he assured me it took him all
his skill to decipher it. I need not tell you how extravagant these
sort of people are when they know you can't do without them,
which was really the present case. I shall be glad to see you five
days hence, I mean from the date of your last Mystery. Yours, &c.,
A. STEWART.
FRIDAY 6 JANUARY. Yesterday you went with Yorke and was
presented to Prince of Orange. 9 You was melancholy to a degree.
You heard Gordon talk all his system of folly on Plan, &c., and you
told him he was ill-tempered. You dined Sommelsdyck's and was
happy enough to be very cordial, and parted from him in great
friendship, happy to have fait connaissance, &c. You said not a
word of your gloom, and stood firm. This day dress immediately in
brown. Pay visits to Spaen, Maasdam, De Wilhem, Yorke. Give
orders if Gordon sends to say not at home Pay bills calmly and
leave Hague with full satisfaction, having acquitted yourself as a
man.
SATURDAY j JANUARY Came drowsy in schuit to Ley-
den; eat light supper, was well and easy. Keep so. This day Abra-
ham Gronovius; copy notes for Sir David; dine and be temperate
and cheerful. You must take care of your stomach; eat always some
toast and drink a little negus at night, so as not to clog stomach at
one meal. Tonight or tomorrow, Stewart, fine and happy, but
retenu.
Holland was at this time headed by a "Stadtholder," the office being hered-
itary in the House of Orange. But William V, the Prince of Orange to whom
Boswell was introduced, was still a boy of fifteen. He had first been under the
regency of his mother, the Princess Royal of England, daughter of George II,
and now had for tutor the Marshal Duke of Brunswick- Wolfenbiittel,
8 January 1 764 117
SUNDAY 8 JANUARY. Yesterday you passed the morning with
Mynheer Gronovius first, then Prince Strelitz. Could not dine, but
saw him quite young student. Then walked with Abrahamus. Then
dinner, daughter and juffrouw. 1 Quite full remembrance of Father.
Then looked at his rooms with pleasing concern. Then Gordon,
walk with him. Then evening at Prince's Loo; gained; was
happy and temperate; and home in good spirits, and reflected with
joy on four months well spent
MONDAY 9 JANUARY. Yesterday you breakfasted Gordon,
quite fine, with ideas of Duke of Gordon, Lord Aberdeen, &c. Saw
his books; read Spleen and Dodsley's Collection, and recalled fresh
and warm ideas of London poetry. 2 Gordon was vastly pliant and
fond of you Walked, then took leave by a short shake of the
hand of Abraham Gronovius; then surveyed Leyden as Father's old
town. You have really an affection for Holland. Played at night
and lost, just expense on travels. You see world. . . .
TUESDAY 10 JANUARY. Yesterday you left Leyden early in
the morning, dark and solemn, and kept up spirits well in schuit,
though rainy. Arrived at Rotterdam at half after one; hearty recep-
tion by Stewart. Glad to see the house again where you endured so
much Don't go out, but sit in all evening at brag. T\vas wrong.
This day breakfast, then dress, then journal, then walk, then dine,
then journal and bring up. You have great materials. If you don't
hear from Brown today, set out tomorrow
[Received 10 January, the Reverend Robert Brown to Boswell]
Utrecht, 8 January 1 764
DEAR SIR: By the inclosed, which I thought I could not do
better than send you both for information and amusement, you
1 Probably not Madame Gronovius, who, being a professor's wife, would have
been designated by the more polite Mevrouw, but some young woman at-
tendant on the daughter.
2 The Spleen was a popular eighteenth-century poem by Matthew Green.
Dodsley's Collection, perhaps the most famous of English anthologies,, was
first published in 1748. See BoswelVs London Journal, 17^2-1 7^3, 1950, 105.
10 January 1764
will see that I have executed your commission, and that you have
all the time you desire. Whatever day you come, I beg you'll do us
the pleasure of eating a bit of supper at our house, to make up for
the bad (or rather no) dinner you shall have had upon the road.
All here desire their best compliments to you, and offer you many
sincere New- Year wishes. As you do, so shall I refer all news till
meeting; and so, having had a very hard day's work of it, consisting
of two sermons and the administration of the sacrament in English
and Latin, I shall take my leave, with assuring you that nobody can
be with more esteem and real regard your friend and servant than
ROBERT BROWN.
P.S. The dies Martis is Tuesday sennight. I beg my compli-
ments to Mr. Stewart.
[Received 10 January, Professor Christian Heinrich Trotz
to Brown] 3
[Utrecht, c. 7 January 1 764]
VIRO PLURIMUM REVERENDO BROUWNIO, PASTORI MERITISSIMO,
S. PL. D. C. H. TROTZ.
Terminus collcgiorum cst dies Maitis post scptimanam sequen-
tcm. Habebit itaque amicus nostcr satis adhuc spatii, quo res suas
disponere valeat. Rcliqua inter dulcia colloquia, cum redierit ami-
cus noster communis, tractcmus. Cctcrum fclix sit iter, felix etiam
anni exordium, felicior progrcssus, et scquentium felicissimus
exitus Vale favcquc tuo.
* The original of this letter is printed in the text, in order to remind the
reader that in the eighteenth century professors in Continental universities
still lectured in Latin and even used Latin naturally for epistolary corre-
spondence. The letter may be translated, "C. II. Trotz sends his compliments
[S.P.D. = salutcm plurimam (licit] to the Revciend Mr. Brown. The term
begins a week from next Tuesday. Consequently our friend will have plenty
of time yet to put his affairs in order. The other points you raise we will dis-
cuss in friendly conversation when our common fiiend has returned. I add
the wish that his journey may be happy, the New Year also happy, happier
its progress, and most happy the issue of the years to come. Adieu; think
kindly of your [humble servant.]"
12 January 1764 119
THURSDAY 1 2 JANUARY. Yesterday you deviated sadly. You
passed the forenoon with Stewart writing a little and talking with-
out force or spirit. You did well at dinner in speaking Dutch. In the
evening you resolved to bring up journal; and instead of that you
sat seven hours at cards with the clerk and his wife, erst maid and
w re. 4 For shame, this was very bad You have not been
on guard here as at Hague Make a firm resolution, a promise,
never to play but when necessary, as 'tis low and unworthy. . . .
MONDAY 1 6 JANUARY. Yesterday you recovered. You went to
Church of England in the morning. Then you wrote, then walked.
You was gloomy. But you kept your post and did not own it even to
Stewart, who knew it all so well formerly. So you see that silence is
your great refuge. You dined too hearty. Restrain stomach, and by
custom you'll have easy temperance. . . . This morning, up at six.
Pay washing. Letters. George, Betty, Sally. 5 Barber. ... Set out at
eight, full of spirits as after trial . . .
TUESDAY 17 JANUARY. Yesterday you took leave of Stewart
and had good drive to Ter-Gouw; there, was a little peevish, but
checked it. Then schuit to Bodegraven Arrived happy and
comfortable; felt affection for Dame, 6 &c.; supped Brown, all
happy. Gaiety universal; heard that you was well amongst the
people here; heart better than head; quite happy. This day resume
with courage; dress immediately and pay visits. First, to la Com-
tesse. Then Trotz; 7 then visits; then dine; then walk; then Greek.
Begin first day so as show true great man, and go to Assembly in
satisfaction and composure. Be extremely retenu.
WEDNESDAY 18 JANUARY. Yesterday Mademoiselle de Zuy-
len. Yesterday you paid visits and read some Voltaire in forenoon.
You received long letter from your worthy friend Johnston. Get
large sheet of good paper and answer it immediately. Mem. Arthur
Seat, Thorn's, Macbeth, all your old ideas. Now being firm and
4 Mr. Mollison and Sally. 5 "Give tips to the servants."
6 Probably his landlady.
7 Shortly after writing this memorandum, he received another Latin note
from Trotz saying that the "college" was deferred to the nineteenth.
120 i8 January 1764
retenu, try to help Johnston and give him abstract of history since
coming abroad
THURSDAY iQ JANUARY Then Monsieur Trotz, and
shake hands with condiscipuli* and return quite in train. This day
shake off sloth and resume studies
FRIDAY 20 JANUARY. Yesterday you began Trotz. After din-
ner Brown and you, &c., went and heard Hahn on nitre. 9 You said
fatalists should be hanged and sceptics whipped. Greek went on. In
the morning you visited Brouwer 1 and saw Icelandic. You talked on
scheme of Scots dictionary. 2 Pursue it while here. Brown will assist
you. It is not trifling. Twill be an excellent work. But be prudent
with it. This day conclude letter to Johnston. Write Dutch song.
Cheer up; take exercise and resume firmness; you must combat
nervousness.
[Boswell to Johnston]
Utrecht, 20 January 1764
MY DEAR SIR, . . . The whole of your letter shows me the
continuance of that warm friendship which I hope shall never
cease to fill the hearts of us both. Your complying with my request
in writing from Grange pleases me much. Such little agreeable
circumstances are not to be neglected. We should think no inno-
cent gratification, however small, beneath our enjoying. Let us
lighten our moments in this state of existence every lawful way
we can.
You have given me the advice which I expected from you with
8 Fellow pupils.
9 Johannes David Hahn, M.D., was Professor of Philosophy and Natural
Sciences at the University of Utrecht. He practised medicine, and was Belle
de Zuylen's physician. Boswell later consulted him about his own health.
1 So far unidentified. Boswell spells the name Brower.
2 An ambitious scheme of compiling a dictionary of words peculiar to Scots
English which will occupy a great deal of his thought in the weeks following.
He describes the project at length, below, p. 162.
20 January 1764 121
regard to my matrimonial scheme. Often and often have I con-
sulted you upon such projects; and I really believe that had it not
been for your prudent counsel, I should have been a husband two
winters ago, and by that means should have ere this time been a
very unhappy man. This last scheme was founded on the same
principles with my former ones; and now I am equally glad at my
not having attempted to realize it
If I remember right, I gave you in my last a very full recital
of the severe fit of melancholy which I was seized with upon my
first coming to Utrecht, as also of my having taken a manly reso-
lution to conquer it, and of my having succeeded I told you
that my honoured *riend Mr. Samuel Johnson had supplied me
with the weapons of philosophy. It was in The Rambler that I
found the causes of my woe described and cures pointed out. I beg
you may get that book. It costs twelve shillings. But it is worth
much more. Study it, and endeavour to preserve the noble senti-
ments which it inspires. It is the best book that England has pro-
duced for such people as you and me. It proceeds upon the supposi-
tion that we are here in a state where there is much gloom, and
fortifies the mind to enable it to support the evils which attack it.
I have got so much to say to you that I should not dwell too long
on any one topic; and yet again, I find I have much to say on every
topic. I must do my best, and give you as much as I can, till my
paper be filled. . .
I have found Utrecht to be a most excellent place. I have here
excellent opportunity to study, and at the same time to see foreign
company. There are a number of noble families who reside here in
the winter. I have been received into their assemblies, where I pass
two or three evenings a week improving in French and in polite-
ness. At Christmas we had a month of vacation. I then went to The
Hague, where I passed three weeks in the most brilliant gaiety. The
style of living there is much in the manner of Paris. I found my re-
lations there to be people of the first rank, and was treated by them
with the utmost civility. I had recommendations to a variety of
122 20 January 1764
people. I was presented to the Prince of Orange and the other prin-
ces there, to all the foreign ambassadors in short, to everybody.
I passed a couple of days at Leyden, where I supped twice with the
young Prince of Strelitz, our Queen's brother, once at his own
house, once at the house 'of Mr. Gordon, Lord Aberdeen's brother;
and now I am returned to this seat of the Dutch muses and have
resumed my studious regularity with much satisfaction.
Formerly such a change of life used to unhinge me quite. Now
I am firm and keep my post. I shall ever reverence Utrecht, for it
was there that I first began to act upon steady and manly princi-
ples. I am already not a little altered. But altered for the better.
However, I must guard against extremes. No longer ago than last
winter I was the ardent votary of pleasure, a gay sceptic who never
looked beyond the present hour, a hero and philosopher in dissipa-
tion and vice. Now I am all devoted to prudence and to morality. I
am full of the dignity of human nature; and so far am I from in-
dulging myself in mimicry and ludicrous jocularity that I must
always have some grave or some useful subject. Perhaps I am too
much an enthusiast in rectitude. But candour makes me own that
rectitude has to me all the charms of novelty. You see then in what
situation your friend now is. Are you not happy to be informed
of it?
On Christmas day I was at The Hague and received the blessed
sacrament at the Ambassador's chapel. His chaplain is just that
genteel, amiable, Church-of -England clergyman whom I have
heard you say that you would like to have in your house, were you
a man of great fortune.
I have no room to write you remarks on this country. I must
refer them till meeting, when you will be entertained with my
foreign journal, which contains already 310 pages. In the mean
time, I would have you read Sir William Temple's Observations on
the Netherlands. They are short and entertaining, and will give
you some idea of the country where your friend is. Into whatever
nation I shall go, I must have you to read an account of it. Sir Wil-
liam Temple in his Observations says something particularly ap-
2o January 1764 123
plicable to you and me. You cannot miss it; so your mentioning it
to me will show me that you have read the book. 3
I think it is a pity to take off the embargo on my papers. How-
ever, I indulge you with liberty to read my letters: but let the jour-
nal be reserved till I am sitting at your fireside. 4 I hope my papers
are safely preserved. Lest they should grow damp, I would wish to
have them taken out of the box sometimes and exposed to the air in
a room where there is a good fire. By the by, my father's opening
my four bundles dwelt so in my mind that I took the liberty to
mention it to him in my last letter. I have not as yet had his an-
swer. My intention was that he should ask pardon as a friend,
which I hope he will do. 5
8 "Strangers among [the Dutch] are apt to complain of the spleen, but those
of the country seldom or never; which I take to proceed from their being ever
busy, or easily satisfied. For this seems to be the disease of people that are
idle, or think themselves but ill entertained, and attribute every fit of dull
humour, or imagination, to a formal disease \\hich they have found this
name for; whereas such fits are incident to all men at one time or another,
from the fumes of indigestion ... or from some changes or approaches of
change in winds and weather Yet this effect is not so strong but that
business or intention of thought commonly either resists or diverts it; and
those who understand the motions of it let it pass, and return to themselves"
(Chapter 4).
4 During Boswell's stay in London, 1762-1763, he had sent Johnston weekly
instalments of his journal, each accompanied by a letter. He had stipulated
that after Johnston had read journal and letters once, he was to put them
away in a box, not to be looked at again until Boswell returned to read them
with him.
5 After Boswell had gone to London in November, 1762, he sent back to Edin-
burgh directions that certain sealed bundles of his private papers, then lying
in his father's house, should be delivered to Johnston. On Johnston's reporting
that some one had opened the bundles,, Boswell wrote an angry letter to his
father, whereupon Lord Auchinleck broke off correspondence and talked of
selling the estate. See Boswell's London Journal, * 762-* 7^3, 1950, p. 274 n. 8.
Not a single letter from Boswell to his father has as yet been recovered. It is
not known whether Lord Auchinleck did "ask pardon as a friend." We can
give him the benefit of the doubt, for a letter from him received by Boswell
on i February is missing.
124 2O January 1764
I have not passed so sound a winter these six years. Yet I am not
quite content; for I do not enjoy enough. I am afraid to resign my-
self to pleasing sensations lest I should be too susceptible of uneasy
ones. I am really of too anxious a temper, for I dare say you will
think I have no reason to fear my having too hardened a soul.
My dear Johnston, never allow yourself to doubt of my friend-
ship for you. Go to Arthur Seat, where we have often walked and
where I hope we shall walk yet oftener. Recall every agreeable
hour, and be assured that as long as that old mountain stands, so
long shall my friendship last.
You give me great comfort by your accounts of Charles. I trust
him entirely to you. I left 20 in the hands of Herries and Coch-
rane. I shall write to them soon, so as that they may answer your
draught for 10. I shall write in a week or two, so that you may
have the money before you go to Annandale.
I am happy to find that you are so well with the worthy
Doctor. 6 . . . He writes me much good of you. Davy gives me un-
common satisfaction. He will be a man. Tell him I shall write to
him soon. Let me hear from you often, and send your letters to your
friend in London. 7 1 ever remain, my dear Sir, your most affection-
ate friend,
JAMES BOSWELL.
Die 8 mihi ubi habitas hoc anno. An floret theatrum Edinbur-
gense? An Dominus Digges adhuc in scenam prodit? Amicos nos-
tros communes meo nomine saluta. Solus sum Anglus in hac
6 Dr. Boswell. T This friend remains unidentified.
8 This postscript was written on the only portion of the sheet still remaining
blank except the rectangle that Boswell had reserved for the address. When
the sheet was folded and sealed, the postscript was exposed on the outside.
Hence the mild disguise of a learned tongue. It may be translated as follows:
"Tell me where you are living this year. Does the Edinburgh theatre
flourish? Does Mr. Digges still hold forth on the stage? Greet our common
friends in my name. I am the only Englishman in this university, and con-
sequently I am every day in the company of foreigners. I hope to pass jovial
nights with you at Thorn's, that excellent host." "Thorn" was a vintner
in Edinburgh; the Soaping Club met in his house.
2 o January 1 764 125
Academia et igitur cum exteris consortium diurnum habeo. Spero
noctes hilares tecum tenere apud Thomam hospitem ilium excel-
lentem.
FRIDAY 2O JANUARY
Not the consummate laziness of swine
Is greater than this laziness of mine.
Were you to lay me in a dirty stye,
My limbs I'd stretch and say, "Do let me lie!"
By my warm furnace I lethargic sit,
And ease much rather choose than lively wit.
Luxurious living any man will spoil
And make him puny and averse to toil.
Now drowsy Morpheus deadens all my powers;
For once I'll sleep me full eleven hours.
SATURDAY 21 JANUARY. Inviolable Plan today. Yesterday
you was at Assembly chez Mademoiselles Bottestein. You was sur-
prisingly uneasy with awkwardness; you must force off this. You
played good party, that's all. At night you was quite lazy, and you
indulged it to complete week after vacation; and now begin firm-
ness; swear it. Lethargic gloom is now attempting you. But by
exercise till you sweat, drive him off. Eat less and drink more. This
day, journal till one. Then Brown, and much version. Then home,
journal till eight. Then Trotz, fine. You're engaged next assembly
with Mademoiselle de Zuylen; cheer up.
SATURDAY 21 JANUARY
With the same ease that blackguards feed on tripe
Have I, James Boswell, learnt to smoke a pipe:
For I am now a very Dutchman grown,
As all at Utrecht cannot fail to own.
My father smoked full thirty years ago,
And I most wisely in his footsteps go.
While in my grate the wood is blazing seen,
126 21 January 1 764
Upon a table I my elbow lean,
And with a visage most composed and bluff, 9
Steams of tobacco solemnly I puff.
[c. 2 2 JANUARY. FRENCH THEME] Laziness is my true enemy,
and indeed is the enemy of all the virtues that can ennoble a man.
One may as well cease to be as to be lazy. I will go further. It is
.better not to be than to be lazy, because if a man does not exist
and consequently has no good, he has also no evil. But laziness is
worse than a privation of existence, for it is impossible to be lazy
without being depraved. Man was created to be busy, and all his
faculties, of soul as well as of body, become useless and spoil in
idleness. Well! Why do I make these reflections just now? The
reason is a curious one: because just now I am lazy myself. I
have a natural disposition to that vice. I am fat, and I have a
temperament so constituted that although I have plenty of fire
I have also a good deal of sluggishness. It is a rather extraordinary
constitution. An officer in the English military service 1 gave a
very ingenious illustration of it. He said that I was like a great
stone couched on the slope of a mountain, and while I stayed there,
I was lumpish and heavy; but when I was once set in motion, I
went with amazing velocity, so that it was impossible to stop me
until, the projectile force being exhausted, I came again to rest
Indeed, it is a very apt illustration, for when I am in company, it
is equal odds that you will see me taciturn and sombre, and on the
other hand, if I begin to speak, you will hear a brilliant vivacity,
a rapidity of thoughts; if I may use that expression, a fire of
language of which you have not often heard the like. It is the same
in my actions. For example, when I have been some days without
studying, I have a shocking disposition to indolence. I am wretched
when I am idle, but I have not enough force of mind to return
* "Bluff* in the eighteenth century meant rather "surly, blustering, domi-
neering" than "roughly but good-naturedly frank." Mr. Ernest Weekley has
conjectured with much plausibility that the general shift in meaning was
effected by Sir Walter Scott, who always gave the word its "modern" sense.
i
Unidentified,
22 January 1764 127
promptly to work, and it is only through the pangs of ennui that I
am obliged to take a road which I am sure leads me to happiness.
TUESDAY 24 JANUARY. . . . Yesterday you began to recover.
You got up in good time, brisk, and shook off sloth. This is really
part of the disease of your bad constitution, and you must use the
constant regimen of early rising and exercise to strengthen your
weak nerves and make your sluggish blood circulate. It will grow
feasy and pleasant, and you'll harden more and more. You was
gloomy during the day, and owned to Rose amid his gloom that the
climate oppressed you. . . . This day push on. Recover more and
more. Read law in morning. Learn to rise at six and labour truly.
Beware slovenly study. . . . Assembly, fine, and play with Veuve*
Ac. ...
\c. 26 JANUARY. FRENCH THEME] To be learned is un-
doubtedly very pleasant. We all have natural curiosity, and the
satisfaction of that curiosity is very agreeable; it is also flattering,
because when we make comparisons between ourselves and others
who are ignorant of what we know, there results a gratification
of our pride, a gratification by no means contemptible. On the
contrary, it is perhaps one of the greatest gratifications that human
nature is capable of. I confess for my own part that I have a great
deal of pride, too much, in fact, not to feel pain from it sometimes,
for my pride, like the vanity of Mademoiselle de Zuylen, is
boundless,* and consequently is often shocked. It is not enough
merely to be proud or vain; it is necessary at the same time that
other people should think we have a right to be so. ...
SATURDAY 28 JANUARY At Assembly you was easy
with la Comtesse, but saw her piqued. You must make up this by
2 The very rich and lovely young widow, Madame Geelvinck, who will
figure prominently in the memoranda from this point on. She was born in
1738, her maiden name Catherina Elisabeth Hasselaer; married Lieve Geel-
vinck in 1756, and became a widow the next year. She was a close friend of
Belle de Zuylen.
8 "Sans bornes" underlined in the original. Boswell is quoting from Belle's
character-sketch of herself called "The Portrait of Zelide": "Naturellement
vaine, sa vanite* est sans bornes." See p. 185.
128 28 January 1764
easy complaisance, as she can do you more service than Zelide,
whom, however, you must be a good friend to. You played at cards
with Madame Geelvinck charming indeed. You said to Z61ide,
"I love Sue, &c.* But the contrary is true with you and me." "No,"
said she, "I was prepossessed in your favour." "But I was not in
yours." Too severe, &c. . . . 6
SATURDAY 28 JANUARY
Since the strange ev'ning that I first began
To write ten lines a day on stated plan,
Ne'er have I been in such a woeful plight
As that in which I find myself tonight.
Of learned Trotzius I have been the guest,
And with his heavy supper am oppressed.
Lazy and hot, most sensibly I feel
That I have eat roast rabbits and roast veal;
And though impatience goads my fretful brain,
Not one idea can I thence obtain.
[29-30 JANUARY. FRENCH THEMES] ...To confess the
truth, I was badly brought up. I was taught the ancient languages,
but I was not taught things. I had naturally an excellent memory,
and that memory became still better through cultivation. But, alas!
what was it that I remembered? It was a mass of phrases, of rules
of grammar, and perhaps a few little stories. But I was not trained
to think about what I was reading; on the contrary, I acquired a
habit of skimming through a book without extracting any ideas
from it. I remember perfectly how my mother promised to make me
a present of a Confession of Faith of the Church of Scotland, pro-
vided that I read it from beginning to end. A Confession of Faith
* / love Sue was a song currently popular. I know it only by title. The words
probably say that the lover had loved Sue before he had ever met her.
5 "Too severe," since the words are recorded in French, may be Belle's
rejoinder.
2g January 1 764 1 29
was at any rate a book. I had a great desire to form a library, and
I used every legitimate means to fill my shelves. I therefore read
as quickly as I could that collection of absurd unintelligibility,
but my mind did not receive the least impression from it, Election
and Reprobation and Irresistible Grace were to me as unknown as
the systems of the votaries of Vishnu, Ishvara, and Brahma in the
East Indies. 6 All the same, I read the book and my mother was
satisfied. But there is no doubt that if we are not taught to give our
attention to what we hear and what we read, we acquire bad habits
and lose the power of acquiring knowledge from books. Another
very bad usage in Scotland is to take children to church before
they can understand what the minister says. This creates a habit
quite contrary to Nature, namely, a habit of listening to a man
speak for half an hour at a time without attending to a word he
says.
Today is the 30th of January, a day which the Church of
England has set apart for a day of fasting; and if Britons will only
think seriously on the melancholy occasion of this fast, they ought
to think that it merits observation in Great Britain for ever. It was
on this day in the year 1649 ^ at impious rebels put King Charles
I to death; and to increase their horrible crime, they committed it
under pretext of law and liberty. Thus all the principles of religion
and government were violated by the murder of our amiable and
pious Sovereign, who with much justice has acquired the title of
martyr. We admit that he had faults, or rather made mistakes.
But when we regard them as the causes for which those scoundrels
led him to the scaffold, they appear to us like slight stains on an
exalted reputation. I do not wish now to dispute with the Whigs,
that is, with those who love republican principles so much that
they forget the true British Constitution and have small respect
for the Kong, who nevertheless is, as we say, at the head of our
Constitution. I address myself solely to those who have been called
6 Ishvara, "(the) Lord," is a familiar title of the god Siva. BoswelTs actual
spellings are Vistnou and Eswara.
130 3 January 1 764
Tories: that is, to those who maintain true loyalty. I use these
ludicrous terms because the fact is that they have been in use so
long that they give us instantly the ideas of these different parties
and give it even with a particular force which explanation does
not give* . . , We have been accustomed to hear these words from
our earliest youth in a particular sense. Consequently they make
a more lively impression on us than a long argument.
I ask you, my friends, if so shocking an event ought not to be
called to mind every year by the people of England. The Whigs
are in agreement with us on the point, but they wish the day to be
observed for a very different reason than that of the Royalists.
When the present Earl of Dundonald was a member of Parlia-
ment, he went into a church in London on the soth of January,
although he was a violent Whig. Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, one
of the Tory leaders, came in. "Ah!" said he, "Cochrane! Is it you I
see? What! Do you wish to celebrate this day?" "Yes, Sir," replied
he. "I think that this day ought to be celebrated in England from
century to century, to remind our king that he has a joint in his
neck." ... T
7 This Earl of Dundonald, a blustering old Army officer, was Boswell's great-
uncle; he succeeded to the peerage unexpectedly at the age of nearly seventy
when a young cousin was killed at the siege of Louisburg. His retort (allow-
ing for the fact that we cannot know its exact form in English) will be recog-
nized as identical with that which Lord Auchinleck is said on the authority
of Sir Walter Scott to have made to Dr. Johnson when Johnson asked him
what good Cromwell had ever done to his country: "Good, Doctor! he gait
kings ken that they had a lith in their neck." I have in at least two places pro-
nounced this report of Scott's (which was first written down in 1829) to be
apocryphal. Since it now appears on unimpeachable evidence that the re-
mark figured in a family anecdote long before Scott's time, we must conclude
that Scott may have been in receipt of a true tradition after all. Scott's manu-
script, a letter to John Wilson Croker now in the Yale University Library,
clearly reads, "God, Doctor i" and so the retort was printed by Croker. I do
not hesitate, however, to adopt the brilliant emendation proposed to me by
Dr. Marshall Waingrow, "Good" for "God." Scott's letters, particularly those
written towards the end of his life, show many inadvertent omissions of words
and letters.
30 January 1 764 131
[Received 30 January, John Mollison to Boswell]
Rotterdam, 26 January 1764
SIR: By order of Mr. Stewart, I have sent you herewith the
cake he promised you; he 'wishes you may eat with as much
pleasure as he sends it. He also begs you will return the small
trunk, as he will have use for it soon. Sally begs to be kindly re-
membered to you. On the morning you left this, she gave you
change for a ducat, but you omitted to give her the ducat. No doubt
you will recollect this circumstance, which she only puts you in
mind of that it may not be forgot. I salute you kindly, and am,
Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
JOHN MOLLISON.
TUESDAY 31 JANUARY. Yesterday you did not strictly keep
the Fast, as not being in Britain. You may be a Tory and have most
warm loyalty for King George. But beware Jacobitism. Beware
lest you slide to it imperceptibly. After dinner you disputed fairly
with Brown on religion and found him a cold, low body. He was
vulgar and rude. You laughed and said you'd never again dispute
with him This day, law and journal. Write short to Stewart 8
and to Mollison. Tomorrow begins spring and rising early. . . .
WEDNESDAY i FEBRUARY At Assembly you appeared
in sea-green and silver and was really brilliant much taken
notice of and like an ambassador. You begin to be much at your
ease and to take a true foreign polish. Madame Geelvinck was
charming. You told her you expected to see her character by
8 At the end of February Stewart left for England on business, and did not
return to Holland until after BoswelTs departure. Boswell wrote to his father,
Sir Michael, giving him a good report of Archibald's behaviour, and re-
ceived a grateful acknowledgment from Archibald himself, but the two ap-
pear not to have met again for many years. In 1770 Stewart purchased an
estate in Tobago. Boswell, who saw him in London in 1772, says that he had
acquired a fortune (part of it by gambling), but that he was badly deformed
with rheumatism. He was killed at Tobago in 1779 while defending Irs ulan-
tation against the crew of an American privateer.
132 I February 1764
Zelide. 9 She said, "It is not interesting." You said, "Oh, do not say
that to me!" She said, "You, who are so sincere!" She saw what you
meant. You played whist well. After it, you felt, for the first time
in Holland, delicious love. la belle Veuve! She talked low to you
9 A written character, a character-sketch, in French. There is what I take to
be a copy of it in BoswelTs hand among the Boswell Papers. From it we learn
that Madame Geelvinck had a slight cast in one or "both of her eyes, which
were pretty, brown, and gentle; that her complexion was brilliant, her teeth
handsome, and the lower part of her face pretty, but that her general expres-
sion was more fetching than any of her features taken separately. "You have
intelligence and discernment; you grasp immediately what is said to you,
and you draw the right conclusion provided that no prejudice gets in the
way. You do not believe that you know everything, and you like to learn.
Your conversation is lively and easy, never affected, never too positive, sub-
ject to no prevailing taste which causes too frequent a return to the same sub-
jects. You speak with an agreeable negligence and informality; you listen
with flattering and intelligent attention. Your badinages have an amusing
vivacity; but, as nothing is perfect, they sometimes lack delicacy and taste.
How fortunate are those whom you love! Your way of letting them know it
is so natural, your caresses have an indescribable something so sincere and
naive that they cannot but be infinitely sensible of it. . . . You show less
good opinion of yourself than you do a wish to make yourself approved by
others: less of pride than of vanity. That vanity, which is still very childish,
unrefined, and spontaneous, causes a too great attachment to trifles: to phys-
ical beauty, to fashions and dress, and a too visible attention to everything
concerning yourself. Others would concern themselves about you more
readily if you thought a little less about yourself: if you forgot yourself, at
least occasionally. You are very easy to please, but you never think of in-
spiring love, your coquetry is all in your manners, never in your intention.
You have no more of it than you allow to be seen You adopt a little
too readily and without enough examination the ideas of others, whether
as concerns your conduct or your opinions. . . . But ... a character of this
sort . . . has . . . advantages: ... it is the cause of your complaisance,
... it contributes more than anything else towards making you loved. Men
love nothing so much as that which flatters them; and you cannot flatter
them more sensibly than by imitating them; nothing , . . will give you
greater assurance of their esteem, their friendship." It is very important to
remember that la Veuve was only twenty-five years old.
i February 1764 133
and close, perhaps to feel breath. 1 All the Heeren looked blue. You
took her hand to the coach, and your frame thrilled. . . ,
[i FEBRUARY. DUTCH THEME]" Since I plan to learn the
Dutch language; that is, since I wish to learn at least a little, so
that I can converse with the natives of this country, I have resolved
to write a little in that language every day. Because today is the
first of February, I am beginning with the greater pleasure, for it
is the beginning of a month and also the beginning of spring.
These pages which I shall write will have a great deal of
imagination, but I fear that they will have no coherency, The
Reverend Mr. Brown plans to correct them, and I hope he will not
be ill-natured. Indeed, I must confess that my subjects are very
defective, as well in matter as in style. But that is only the be-
ginning, for with practice I shall write like a very Dutchman. . . .
THURSDAY 2 FEBRUARY. Yesterday you got up at seven,
but uneasy by having lain with clothes on. You wrote law, but you
did not attend enough to Trotz. . . . Yesterday you spoke too much
of Veuve and sat up late against rules. Beware. This day, labour.
Swear retenue and manners, and seek not ease by talking; it gives
it not. Try silence one week. Think no more of Veuve; 'tis sickening
to noble mind.
[c. 2 FEBRUARY. DUTCH THEME] The city of Utrecht is a
fairly large one. It is not very wide, but it is long. It is encircled by
ramparts, and I believe it was fortified under the Spanish rule. It is
a very good place to study in; there are various excellent hoogleer-
meesteren there. I am well aware that for the most part they are
called "professors." But that is to borrow a French word, and I
shall never do that. The Dutch have no more need of French words
than of French money; of that I am sure. We shall not borrow from
the Monsieurs. The Dutch language is an old, strong, rich lan-
guage; and since I boast that I have Dutch blood in my veins, I say
that a Hollander should scorn the language of a Frenchman when-
1 "To see if your breath was sweet." Feel meaning smell was once common
in English. 2 See pp. x, xv, xvii.
134 2 February 1 764
ever it is compared with his own. It has annoyed me to hear so
much French mixed with the Dutch. It is a scandalous business
that free peoples should in that fashion decline every day from the
sober strength of their respectable ancestors.
[c. 2 FEBRUARY. FRENCH THEME] When I came home
yesterday evening, I scolded my servant, not at all harshly but
with proper restraint. I said, "Frangois, really you don't know how
to pack coats; just see how this one is wrinkled. You must fold the
collar over and not this part, because although it gets a little
crumpled at the neck, when one puts it on, the shoulders stretch
it out and the wrinkles don't show; but it takes a long time for this
part to come smooth. What do you call this part?" "Sir, it is the
pans (skirts) of a coat. But I assure you that I packed them well on
your trip. The coat was longer than the trunk, though not much,
and I did fold it over a little at the collar. So I am sure that the
skirts could not have been rumpled in the trunk. I must have folded
it badly in the drawer here after you came back from The Hague."
After a harangue like that I had nothing to say. I undressed in
great tranquillity and set myself to read Monsieur Voltaire. . . .
I take credit to myself for having been so reasonable with my
servant in a situation where passionate people like yourself would
have beaten him. 3 You say to me, "Why not strike a servant some-
times, when one feels like it? It is an amusement of a sort, it relieves
one's spleen to punish the cause of it. The desire to avenge ourselves
on those who have offended us is universal; and Nature herself
shows us that it is right. You observe that a child, when he falls
on a stone that hurts him, is angry and kicks it or beats it with a
stick, and it is only afterwards that he is appeased." Sir, I must
reply to your lesson in philosophy, but do not expect a word-for-
word reply. Be content, Sir, if I refute you in the large. I assure you
that I should not find any amusement in beating a poor man who
dares not make any resistance. It is in my opinion a shameful act of
cowardice to behave like that Nature, I admit, does inspire
3 Many of the French themes are impassioned arguments with an imaginary
interlocutor. See pp. 48, 79.
2 February 1764 135
us with sentiments of vengeance, but the same Nature inspires us
also with sentiments of forgiveness towards those who have of-
fended us. On the one sentiment is founded the other, and judge for
yourself which one of these two sentiments is the more amiable.
That same child whose example you are so much inclined to follow,
when he begins to reflect a little, is filled with remorse for having
caused pain to another "even to that poor stone," as he says, with
a simplicity that is also very natural. I have myself seen a child,
who, after having beaten his nurse for some offence which had
greatly irritated him, poured out floods of tears when she
moaned. . . .
FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY At Society, Des Essar 4 gave queries
as to beasts, which were not answered. But the Society disputed
the optimus mundus.* Brown pushed the place of such a being in
the scale as man. It was said there was no necessity for a scale: we
might have been all angels. "Come," said I, "we would not take
up more room as happy beings than as unhappy." "But," said
Brown, "the space must be filled up." "No, let it be a vacuum, a
lumber-place, and, if you please, cram your malunf into it and so
have the rest clear." You called Pope a blockhead, &c.; 'twas heed-
less. . . . This day resolve firm to be man. Be on guard for French
and no ridicule. Make your best of your worst winter
4 For an account of Des Essar, see p. 203. The Society was now meeting on
Thursday evenings.
5 Whether this is the best of all possible worlds, the argument of Pope's Essay
on Man:
Of systems possible, if 'tis confessed
That Wisdom Infinite must form the best,
Where all must full or not coherent be,
And all that rises, rise in due degree;
Then, in the scale of reas'ning life, 'tis plain
There must be somewhere such a rank as Man;
And all the question, wrangle e'er so long,
Is only this, if GOD has plac'd him wrong?
I. 43-50
6 Evil.
136 4 February 1764
SATURDAY 4 FEBRUARY At Assembly ... you spoke
long time to belle Veuve. She stood up and she whispered and
she corrected your French delightfully. She said she'd give you
Zelide in her own writing. 7 You told her 'twas strange 'twas the
very thing you wished. She said, "I am glad that we meet" You
said you was physiognomist. She said, "I reveal little, but I am
very sincere." You are much in love. She perhaps wishes to marry
rationally. But have a care. Mention never a word of her. Seem
at ease, till perhaps in long time you mention it to her
[c. 4 FEBRUARY. DUTCH THEME] "Dag, Mynheer!" ("Good
day, Sir!") That is a proper Dutch salutation; and if you wander
through the streets of Utrecht, you will hear it a dozen times be-
tween morning and evening. The Hollanders also say, "Dienaar,
Heer!" ("Your servant, Sir!"), but with such quick enunciation
that a foreigner will think that it is "Ja, Mynheer" ("Yes, Sir").
When I first came to Holland, I thought it was that, and I always
said, "Yes, Sir." ... It is amazing that so many Englishmen have
studied in Holland without having learned any of the language.
It is said that the Dutch language is a language for horses. Monsieur
Castillon said so, after having lived in Utrecht for several years. He
was on the Amsterdam schuit when he made that comparison, and
if there had not been a man there who knew him, I believe that
a stout Dutchman would have thrown him into the canal.
SATURDAY 4 FEBRUARY
The cloudy vapours from my brain to drive
And make me feel that I'm again alive
(For sleep has ever been compar'd to death,
And nothing parts them but a little breath),
Around my room I vigorously strut
And then a score of sprightly capers cut;
Next on my flute most pleasantly I play,
And as I feel myself grow light and gay,
I make the house with charming music ring,
And only wish that you were there to sing.
"Would lend you "The Portrait of Zelide' in Belle de Zuylen's own hand."
5 February 1764 137
SUNDAY 5 FEBRUARY You advance well in dictionary.
At dinner you was really on guard and retenu, and spoke French.
* * * 8 Stay, stay. Between one and two la Veuve was at Madame
Amerongen's door. You approached her timidly. She was quite
a goddess. She said, "Do you wish to go in?" You went with her
and was presented to Monsieur and Madame Amerongen and to
Monsieur de Natewisch. 9 The sister was cold and backward, and
seemed to dread strangers and designing foreigners on the Prize.
You was composed and polite, though timid. La Veuve looked all
elegance and sweetness. You sat half an hour; you was charmed;
you concealed even this. Bravo! You do right never to speak of a
thing till long after; and if you speak only French, you'll learn
retenue, for you don't blab in French. . . .
MONDAY 6 FEBRUARY. . , . This day, public academical ora-
tion, then Greek, then walk; then dine and for one week eat mod-
erate, more than usual, and few fruit; and pray be retenu to avoid
Scotch sarcastic jocularity. Never be so rude as to try it. At four
Mademoiselle de Zuylen. Be modest and on guard; now on trial.
Study harder. Have prudent plan.
TUESDAY 7 FEBRUARY. Yesterday you heard Hennert's
oratio. 1 He was lively and eloquent, and you really saw something
like- an university: the professors all in gowns, the crowd of stu-
dents, and the noble music. 2 At dinner you was retenu, only looked
so that Mademoiselle 3 said [you had an] ironical air. Beware of
this. You drank tea at Monsieur de Zuylen's. He took you cordially
by the hand. All was en famille and fine. Mademoiselle de Zuylen
8 The asterisks appear in the manuscript. I do not know what they mean.
9 Madame Amerongen was Madame Geelvinck's sister, Monsieur de Nate-
wisch, Monsieur Amerongen's brother.
1 On the departure of Castillon for Berlin (see p. 39 n. 2) , Johan Frederik Hen-
nert had been called to Utrecht as Professor of Philosophy, Mathematics, and
Astronomy. This was his inaugural address, De Ingenio Mathematici.
2 "Utrecht has a university, but with as little appearance of such an institu-
tion as that of Leyden. The students have no academical dress; and then-
halls, which are used only for lectures and exercises, are formed in the clois-
ters of the ancient cathedral" (Charles Campbell, The Traveller's Complete
Guide through Belgium, Holland, and Germany, 1815, p. 95) . 3 Kinloch.
138 7 February 1 764
was more agreeable than ever, for she was moderate and tempered
and in plain, comfortable style. You talked of your dictionary. He
said one Pell published a collection of Dutch and English, but he
should like to see the Scotch. She roasted you about it as being trih
fling. But you told her all was to be liked that was useful even
turfs.* She put the dictionary under that. You said the words were
your children, and you'd protect your family. You was fine but
rather too gay. Bonnet came in; you spoke Dutch, and he politely
offered book. . . .
[EVENTS OF 7 FEBRUARY. DUTCH THEME] Last Monday
I drank tea at Heer van Zuylen's. He was very polite; indeed, he
received me even in the style of a friend. His daughter was highly
amusing; yet she told me later that she was not in good humour.
It is certainly amazing how a young lady can pretend so well; but
then it is commonly said that women are extremely shrewd and
can make men believe whatever they choose. Also the two 5 sons
of the gentleman were there: one of them a naval lieutenant in the
service of Holland (although he has been for three years on an
English man-of-war) , the other a young fellow who has not yet
chosen his vocation. It was very pleasant to see the way in which
the father and the sons conducted themselves towards one another.
I did not see there either testy imperiousness or timid subjection,
but the genteel ease which ought always to be found in a family.
Heer van Zuylen is one of the most ancient noblemen in the Seven
Provinces, and he is very wealthy too, for he married an Amster-
dam lady, a merchant's daughter, with a great deal of money.
After we had been sitting some time, Mynheer Bonnet, the
Professor of Theology, came in. I was very much surprised to
find him a lively and cheerful man. I tried to speak a little Dutch,
and thus we became excellent company. Heer van Zuylen men-
tioned my Scottish dictionary, and the Professor said that he had
4 Probably with a gesture towards the container of peats for the stove or fire-
place. Turf means peat in both Dutch and English.
5 There were actually three, but the eldest, Willem (aged twenty-one), was
not at this time in Utrecht. Of the two that Boswell met, Diederik, the sailor,
was twenty and Vincent, seventeen.
7 February 1 764 139
a dictionary in which the connection between the Low Dutch, the
Old Saxon, the Icelandic, and the Latin languages is exhibited.
The author's name is Lambert ten Kate, and the book is in two
volumes. 6 I expressed a wish to see this book, and the Professor
with great politeness said, "Sir, I shall send it to you tomorrow."
I thought I could not do less than pay the Professor a visit. So
I went there, and found him at home, and was very well received.
We spoke both Latin and Dutch, and we agreed to meet sometimes.
At six in the afternoon I sent my servant to the Honourable
Professor, and he brought me the dictionary, which is indeed a
treasure. It is written in Dutch, and I do not yet know Dutch well
enough to understand it entirely. But the Reverend Mr. Brown,
agent for H.M. the King of Great Britain and pastor of the Scottish
church at Utrecht, was at my house and looked at it. After reading
in it for half an hour, he threw up his hands and exclaimed with
great admiration, "Well, Sirs! I have never seen a book that pleased
me more. Here we have four languages; and here we also have
many good dissertations upon language in general. The author
shows how all languages have come from one original, and it must
be granted that he supports his opinions with many strong proofs."
Mr. Brown intends to translate the book, but he has so much
else to do at present that he does not have enough spare time. Never-
theless, he will in the mean time translate into French a few bits
of it which he will read before our Thursday Philosophical Society.
It will be a very good subject for discussion by the learned mem-
bers. It will introduce us to many curious considerations. We shall
quote various maxims from ancient history, and we shall make
many observations concerning the formation of languages. We
shall try to show how mankind has been changed by a small
difference in pronunciation. I do not expect that we shall all be in
accord, for the proverb says, there will be as many opinions as
there are men. 7 And besides we are of different nationalities:
French, English, and German.
6 It had been published in 1723, one of the most penetrating works in Ger-
manic philology to appear before Jacob Grimm.
7 "Quot homines, tot sententiae" (Terence, Phormio, 454).
140 8 February 1764
WEDNESDAY 8 FEBRUARY Yesterday you sent note to
Madame Geelvinck, quite young man of fashion, easy and lively
like Digges At Assembly you was quite at ease. You begin
really to have the foreign usage. You said to Zelide, "Come, I will
make a pact of frankness with you for the whole winter, and you
with me." You talked freely to her of prudence. But you talked
too much. They all stared. Be on guard. This day, go on: journal,
but not too full. Mem. religion.
[c. 8 FEBRUARY. FRENCH THEME] Again I must complain of
Indolence: she is a tyrant who oppresses me, who confines me in
bed as criminals are confined in their cells. In vain I try to rise.
I am weighed down with the heaviest of fetters. I have freedom of
motion only to stretch my legs and fold my arms; my very eyes
appear to be held shut with fine chains. What witchcraft! How can
that she-demon exert such influence over a man, especially a man
who boasts of having an extraordinary portion of celestial fire?
earthly body, it is you who cause me thus to be brought into
bondage. Troublesome burden, it is to you that I owe almost all
my ills. My immortal soul is so bound to you that it suffers all
your pains, that it can barely resist your desires; or, to express
myself more precisely, your appetites. That great philosopher,
that, noble Christian the Apostle Paul, complains of you with the
enthusiasm of a lofty soul which finds itself shut in a gloomy
prison. "Wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this
body of sin and death?" Illustrious saint! You suffered much in the
war of the spirit, but you attained to unending felicity and glory.
Yes, it is true that in heaven we shall always be happy. GOD in his
goodness has told us so, and we must believe it. No doubt we are
unable to form an idea of that felicity. Eye hath not seen, nor ear
heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which
GOD hath prepared for them that love him, those who by patient
perseverance in their Christian course seek glory, honour, and
immortality. These are animating words. Do not speak to me of
the gloom of our religion. This life, I confess, is gloomy; and if it
were not for the hope of another, we should be in most deplorable
8 February 1 764 141
case. But then we are assured that we are but strangers here, that
we are only in a state of probation, and if we show ourselves
good soldiers of Jesus Christ, if we do our best to elevate our souls,
after death we shall be received into the company of the angels and
of GOD himself.
THURSDAY 9 FEBRUARY (A triple memorandum). 8 Yester-
day you did not attend enough to Trotz. Amend this. At dinner
you was on guard. It was fine, cheerful day. At four young
De Zuylen came for you, and you went quite easy; was well with
Mademoiselle, Bernard, and Rose, but was really hurt with her
imprudent rattling and constant grin. You was angry for having
thought of putting any confidence in her, for she blabbed, "It is
your continual study to check your imagination." She is really
foolish and raised. Be her friend, but trust her not. You had first
been at la Comtesse's, who was snappish but polite enough; only
pretended to understand your French worse than she did vile
spite, low cunning. At concert you was charmed with bassoon.
You was timid, but at last went to Madame Geelvinck. She said,
"Our faces are not unfamiliar to each other." A little after, you
said, "Nor our sentiments." Love was introduced, how I know
not; perhaps on such occasions the little god jumps in between
the parties. She said, "I believe there is more evil than good in the
world, and consequently more evil in love." You said, "There
is only jealousy; that is horrible." 9
MME GEELVINCK. Yes, I am as jealous as a fury.
BOSWELL. But when others are jealous, have you charity enough
to do nothing to increase it?
MME GEELVINCK. Sir, if one found fault because I stood before
the window, &C. 1
8 That is, one filling three pages instead of the usual one.
9 This dialogue, like most of those in the memoranda, does not give the names
of the speakers and sometimes does not separate one speech clearly from
another.
1 "That would depend on the kind of behaviour on my part that made one
142 9 February 1764
BOSWELL. Then if both parties follow that rule of action,
jealousy has no influence, and love can be preserved always.
MME GEELVINCK. But after love comes ennui.
BOSWELL. Madame, I am too frank not to confess that I fear that
too, yet I hope it is possible to guard against the evils of love.
MME GEELVINCK. I believe that one can truly love only once.
BOSWELL. Are you sure of that, Madame? I am not.
MME GEELVINCK. But you have been in love?
BOSWELL. I thought it was true love, but the lady was fickle. I
am much indebted to you for having introduced me to true love. 2
MME GEELVINCK. Are you sincere?
BOSWELL. Yes, I assure you that I am. Are you sincere too? Come,
will you make a pact of sincerity between us?
MME GEELVINCK. YeS.
BOSWELL. You see I speak without fear.
MME GEELVINCK. You are wrong if you are afraid of me.
BOSWELL. Well! I can speak to you quite openly?
MME GEELVINCK. Just as you speak when by yourself.
BOSWELL. Permit me merely to say, "I admire you," from time
to time. What must one do when one is in love?
MME GEELVINCK. I don't know.
BOSWELL. You are in a peculiar situation: beautiful, pleasant,
and, what is generally more important, rich. Can you tell if people
really love you?
MME GEELVINCK. It is difficult. You must not repeat this
conversation.
BOSWELL. Madame, I am discreet. I would that my heart were
plucked out for you to see.
MME GEELVINCK. Are you good-natured?
BOSWELL. On my honour. I am a very honest man with a very
generous heart. But I am a little capricious, though I shall cure
that. It was only a year ago that I was the slave of imagination and
jealous. If a man found fault with me for doing something quite harmless,
such as showing myself at the window, I would not change my behaviour to
please him." 2 "Pour m'avoir fait entreV*
9 February 1 764 143
talked like Mademoiselle de Zuylen. But I am making great
advances in prudence.
MME GEELVINCK. Have you good principles?
BOSWELL. Yes. When I say, "That is a duty," then I do it.
Mademoiselle de Zuylen says that I am never bored, but I do get
bored, though I never show it.
MME GEELVINCK. Have you any faults?
BOSWELL. Yes, I sometimes suffer from very bad humour, but
it doesn't last long. But, Madame, is this not much to my honour?
Ought I not to be proud that you show so much kindness for me?
But how can you have so much confidence in a stranger whom you
have seen only very little? Truly, that flatters me.
MME GEELVINCK. My sister says she would like to know you
better.
BOSWELL. I shall do myself the honour to call on her.
MME GEELVINCK. And Madame d'Amerongen, sister to Mon-
sieur Mossel, 3 wishes to make your acquaintance. When she gives
a supper, you shall be invited.
BOSWELL. Every one here is looking at me with envy.
MME GEELVINCK. We must speak no more at present. Talk a
little to Madame d'Amerongen.
After this you stood with imperial dignity while the grinning
Dutch were all blue around you; then went to English Society and
was moderate. This day swear retenue except to Madame, and keep
strictly to it, and tell her so. ...
THURSDAY Q FEBRUARY
Last night again I sat me up till three,
Which all the world may by my visage see;
In my dull head my fretted eyes are sunk,
And gaunt I look like a Cistercian monk;
My nerves unstrung and spirits quite depress'd,
Cold gloomy vapours rob me of my rest.
3 Not Madame Geelvinck's sister; another Madame d'Amerongen.
144 9 February 1764
If for amusement I would read, I tire
And catch myself a-dozing o'er the fire.
Yet sure as cock at dawn of morning crows,
My ev'ning verses I must still compose.
FRIDAY 10 FEBRUARY. Yesterday you did very well. On
Wednesday you sat up very late, being all agitated with love and
fiery imagination. You sprung out of bed, and upon your bare
knees swore not to speak of yourself, except to Madame Geelvinck,
for eight days. You forgot this once or twice yesterday. However,
you'll keep to it more and more. You was hurt by want of rest. Your
nerves were unhinged and spirits very low. But you kept it to self.
Be more grave, and you'll support it with manly dignity. You must
not tire at Brown's. All the world would seem insipid to each other
after dining a number of months together. But you're at Utrecht
to improve. So keep on. Sometimes you may fast or go to Plaats
for a week At night be soft, polite, and guarded, and be gentle
with Veuve. Swear not to mention it. Be slow, and see if it lasts.
[10 FEBRUARY. FRENCH THEME] ... I have been out this
morning, and I am going to tell you why. I went to see the Heredi-
tary Prince of Brunswick pass with the Princess Royal of England,
his wife. 4 Yesterday evening I saw them pass, too, but it was so late
that I could not see their Highnesses, although there were torches
enough. It is very seldom that one sees a parade at Utrecht; for that
reason a great crowd had assembled at St. Catherine's Gate to see
their Highnesses disembark and enter their carriages. 5 A great
4 "Hereditary Prince" (translating German Erbprinz) means "heir to the
reigning prince," who in this case was the Duke of Brunswick- Wolf enbiittel.
Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand succeeded his father as Duke in 1780. In 1792, be-
cause of his reputation for liberality and benevolence, he was offered the
supreme command of the French Revolutionary Army, but refused, and in-
stead commanded the opposed Prussian forces. He was mortally wounded at
Auerstedt, 1806; his son and successor, Friedrich Wilhelm, was killed at
Quatre Bras. Karl Wilhelm's Princess was Augusta, eldest sister of George
III; they had been married in London on 16 January.
5 They had come by water.
io February 1764 145
many people, including even people of high fashion, had been
waiting several hours. Most of them were on foot, but some who
had better sense and more money had carriages, in which they had
sat quietly protected from the cold. They had good f ootwarmers and
perhaps something to eat, with a bottle of good wine. So they
nourished their bodies and chatted very happily. But we had a
clash between some of our people of distinction. The Grand Bailiff
had ordered the dienders (that is, the police of the city) to place
themselves on the bank of the canal to open a way for their High-
nesses and prevent the crowd from pressing upon them. The officer
in command of the troops came with a detachment of carabineers
and ordered these silly dienders driven away. The Grand Bailiff was
violently enraged at this, and hurled insults at the officer. The
soldier, however, was a man of resolution; and placing his hand on
his sword, said, "Sir, I do not wish to hear any more of your out-
rageous remarks." The Count of Nassau, who showed himself no
better than a puppet, then quieted down, but insisted that the
commanding officer of the garrison should arrest the officer
who had driven away his worshipful dienders. The commanding
officer would not engage in the business, and the Grand Bailiff
threatened to write to The Hague.
Since I wrote the last page, I have seen one of the nobles of
Utrecht, who has told me that the commanding officer of the gar-
rison has followed the orders of the Grand Bailiff, and has actually
arrested the offending officer. . . .
SATURDAY ii FEBRUARY. Yesterday you saw Prince and
Princess pass. You was still cold and bad, really distemper of body.
You told Brown you never would say where you dined, that he
might not know when you fasted. Let this be observed. A message
to dine with Monsieur d'Amerongen set you a-going. You dressed
neat. At dinner you was gloomy, but kept your post and grew very-
cheerful, though still on guard, and spoke French and Dutch, and
was temperate. You are growing firm. Amerongen, worthy man,
said, "I invite you to our dinner, as you see, 6 to show that we shall
6 "Comme vous le voyez."
146 ii February 1764
be happy to see you from time to time." He repeated this as you
went away. Twill be an excellent house. Cultivate there. You went
at five and read Greek noble! But you once or twice brought in
self. Assembly chez Mademoiselle de Zuylen. You are growing
quite easy; only err in wanting to speak 7 to lady of house at first.
Madame Amelisweerd said, "You are very romantic and are in
love with Madame Geelvinck." You said, "I was romantic, and
everybody is in love with her." Then you told la Veuve what she
said, and said, "To relieve me now will you come back?" 8 "Yes,
for at least two months. We must not talk," &c. This was really
hints. See what she really is. Take care
SUNDAY 1 2 FEBRUARY. Yesterday you did very well. You had
dreamt of la Veuve. You brought up a good deal of journal. After
dinner you talked on Baxter's scheme of invisible spirits, and main-
tained that it was not an improbable theory. 9 You was retenu and
much on guard. You said you had been in company every night this
week. Brown said, "You do very well," Indeed, 'tis true, for 'tis part
of your plan in coming abroad. At Mademoiselle de Reede's you
was gay, yet had dignity. La Comtesse talked of white suit and why
you had got it. You said, "It would puzzle all the academies of
Europe to give a reason why I had that suit made." This was like
Slavonic to her. After cards she said, "You talked two hours with
la Veuve, and then she did not talk with any one yesterday evening.
If you can secure a prize like that in Holland, you can go home
(thuis) satisfied." "Yes, Madame, that would certainly be worth a
concert." 1 "Yes, that would be a concert for the whole of life." "In
unison, in harmony, I hope." There you triumphed. . . .
MONDAY 13 FEBRUARY. Yesterday you waited on Grand
Bailiff after prayers and talked long with him and well. After this,
be more neat in journal, nor mark little usual accidents. You had
7 That is, in failing to speak. 8 She was planning to go to The Hague.
9 Andrew Baxter, a Scotch philosopher who died in 1750, had argued that
dreams are caused by the action of spiritual beings.
a Probably with reference to the saying of Henri IV that Paris was worth a
mass. The long dialogue of 8 February had taken place at a concert: see p. 141.
13 February 1764 147
Madame Brown, &c., to pass the evening and sup. The young
Comte* was with you some time and jumped and sung and played
tricks and whist; all went well. The supper was elegant. You were
all gay and in good humour. You sung and played on flute. Yet
did you retain your decent firmness and hope of pleasing GOD. Nor
was you buffoon. All was well. After they went, you thought:
"What! am I yielding thus? Can my firmness not stand against
love? Is not this a delirium? If Madame Geelvinck was to delay
answer for two months, would I die with impatience? Yet, would I
engage for life?" Fie, fie! Till you are serene, you cannot think of
it as a man. Tell her, "You said to me that you would tell me my
faults. That is to treat me as a friend. Do you wish me to write to
my father?" Be gentle and once sure of her. Today fast. Journal;
partie; study,
TUESDAY 14 FEBRUARY. Yesterday you got up in good time,
and was fresh and healthy. You did not attend enough to Trotz. Go
exact at the hour after this, and force attention. You fasted and
stayed at home from one to five. You read Voltaire. You wrote
journal. You had prayers. You renewed resolutions of virtue and
piety. At the partie you was too merry in saying that Madame
Roosmalen would vous batter. It seemed strange. 3 They are stupid,
low, censorious. Be not free with them. Take up, keep your own
counsel, and show that you're quite independent. You supped ele-
gant at Mademoiselle de Zuylen's with the General, 4 &c. She said,
"You write everything down." Have a care. Never speak on that
subject. Madame was there. how charming! You and she ex-
changed looks and that was all. This day study firm nor lose
balance. Retenue at dinner; at Assembly, on great guard. If She is
there, ask her if you behaved right yesterday. Ask religion. Then
2 The son of the Grand Bailiff?
3 Because he should have said vous battre ("beat you"). Batter would prob-
ably have been heard by accurate speakers of French as bdter, and bdter Vane
("saddle the ass") carried an indecont meaning.
4 Belle's uncle, Hendrik Willem Jacob van Tuyll, Lieutenant-General of
Cavalry.
148 14 February 1764
her life, in confidence. Take care; restrain. Be busy and see. Let not
Satan tempt you as Cupid
TUESDAY 14 FEBRUARY
I thought my time of trial had been o'er,
And am'rous torments hop'd to feel no more;
Yet most severely my mistake I find,
For fiercest love is raging in my mind,
And like the good Sir Roger I appear
A charming widow's gallant cavalier. 6
And dost thou think, Cupid, to enslave
By thy bewitching wiles a soul so brave?
As Epictetus firm, I will disdain
To own thy sharpest darts can give me pain.
WEDNESDAY 15 FEBRUARY. Receive the pleasure of recollec-
tion that you did remarkably well yesterday. You walked in clois-
ters before nine, and renewed good resolutions after sweet medita-
tion and solemn thought You attended well at Trotz's. You was
retenu at dinner. All was well. At Assembly you kept close on
guard, though the mean beings began to joke rudely about la
Veuve. You was quite reserved. But is it not strange that she was not
there? You was a little sombre on that account. Tomorrow call on
her apres diner. She's perhaps trying your patience. If you don't
see her ere Hague, you'll have time to cool. 'Twill be noble not to
mention it to mortal but herself. Study harder, three days certain.
. . . Write to Temple of Veuve. Separate fiery passion. Tip her valet.
If you persist in this retenue, you'll be quite man of fashion. 'Tis
easy, too.
[c. 15 FEBRUARY. DUTCH THEME] It has been thirty years
since my father studied at Leyden. He studied Dutch with great
diligence and in a short time had mastered it so well that he was
5 Sir Roger de Coverley, in the Spectator papers of Addison and Steele, kept
"himself a bachelor, by reason he was crossed in love by a perverse beautiful
widow of the next county to him,"
15 February 1764 149
able to make himself understood. He took lodgings in a Dutch
home. His landlady was a widow, and had a sister who lived with
her. The widow was courted by a tailor, but the sister was no friend
of the lover, which the widow took greatly amiss. One morning at
four o'clock she waked my father in a state of great excitement.
"0 Sir," said she, "Sister's dead." "What did you say, Ma'am?"
answered he. "Is she dead?" "Yes, indeed, Sir," said the landlady.
"She kept a bottle of brandy in her room every night, and I fear
that she drank too much." My father got up in alarm and went
downstairs and found Sister dead for certain; but he had suspi-
cions that the widow had helped her out of the world when she
married the tailor immediately afterwards.
[Received 15 February, Temple to Boswell]
Trinity Hall [Cambridge] 7 February 1 764 8
MY DEAR BOSWELL, . . . Have you wept over Germanicus yet,
or attended at the conference of the philosopher and his pupil? Does
not the character of Helvidius Priscus rouse your emulation and
kindle in your young breast the flame of glory? No man but a fool
or a knave ever read Tacitus without improving both his head and
heart. His reflections are universally allowed to be as deep, and
founded as much in a knowledge of human nature, as those of the
greatest politicians. His love of liberty and virtue is enthusiastic, he
everywhere censures the bad with boldness and indignation, and
praises the good with rapture. He paints with the imagination of a
Raphael, and his style is the abrupt sublime. When shall a Tacitus
arise amongst us to write a history of a House of Stuart, to damn a
race of tyrants to eternal infamy?
6 Misdated by Temple 7 January. But the postmark is 9 February, and Bos-
well's reply (below, p. 193) shows that he had received no other letter from
Temple between 6 December 1763 and 23 March 1764. This letter is included
to illustrate one of the more puzzling aspects of the extremely close friend-
ship between Boswell and Temple: the diametrical and passionate opposition
of their political views.
15 February 1764
Sidney! 7 thou friend to mankind, thou foe to oppression, thou
scourge of tyrants and guardian of liberty, citizen, philosopher,
hero, what can atone for thy sufferings, what expiate thy blood?
The souls of departed patriots still call aloud for justice on thy
inhuman murderers. And they shall be revenged; some future his-
torian shall record your virtues and their crimes.
Your notions of government surprise me. They are slavish and
unworthy of an Englishman. All power is derived originally from
the people, and kings are but the servants of the public. They are
chosen to govern nations, not for their own private good, but for the
general good of the governed. If they do their duty, if they show
themselves the first in virtue and ability as well as in station, they
will be revered while living and lamented when dead; their fame
will live for ever in the minds of a grateful people. But if otherwise,
if they crush the subject race whom kings are born to save, they
shall be abhorred and punished by their much injured masters;
they shall live in dishonour and die in infamy; their names shall
be blotted out of the annals of their country.
The English government is not a monarchy; it is a mixed re-
public where the supreme power is equally divided amongst the
three estates. The executive power of the laws is in the King, the
power of making laws in the people or their representatives, the
Lords and Commons. (For I reckon the King's assent as nothing,
since no king of England, not even the worst of them, ever dared
to put his negative upon a bill passed by both Houses of Parlia-
ment.) I am as zealous for prerogative as you, but a king of England
has no prerogative but to do good by supplying the deficiencies of
the laws, the most honourable and glorious of all prerogatives,
which whenever he shall be found again to abuse, I trust there will
not be wanting other Hampdens and other Sidneys to pull the
tyrant down and trample him [in] the dust.
You seem to laugh at a woman attempting to write a history of
7 Algernon Sidney, English republican leader, executed in 1683 for favouring
the succession of the Duke of Monmouth. It is thought that he may have
helped William Penn in devising his Pennsylvanian Constitution.
15 February 1764 151
England; and indeed it appears absurd enough, for one would be
led to expect from such an historian a panegyric on royalty and the
effeminate pleasures of a court, rather than a hatred of tyrants and
a just encomium on virtue, frugality, and public spirit. I have read
Mrs. Macaulay and have been most agreeably disappointed, for I
find her the very reverse of what I expected. She begins at the acces-
sion of the Stuart line, and is to conclude with the election of the
House of Hanover. You say Locke has made you a Christian; read
his immortal treatise on Government and be no longer a slave.
Mr. Mason 8 has been here some time; he went to London last
week. He has published a new edition of his poems, and has left out
his and the ode on the Duke of Newcastle's installation. The volume
is dedicated to Lord Holdernesse in a sonnet prefixed. The frontis-
piece is rather vain; it explains in too full a manner what he
entitles himself (A.M.) and makes him indeed master of all the
arts. I spent several evenings with him and Mr. Gray at a coffee-
house here. He has a dull, heavy look, and a particular cast with his
eyes, but is very entertaining in company, altogether free from
affectation, and more affable than Mr. Gray. I did not know he had
so good preferment in the Church; he has near six hundred a year.
I long much to hear from you. Pray write to me soon and very
particularly. Utrecht must be a dreary place at present. It rains
here almost without intermission. Have you been chaste since you
left us, or do Dutch women feel it all o'er as ours do, and is human
nature in that respect everywhere the same? 9 Strange questions
these, Boswell, but not unnatural ones. Believe me ever, my dear
friend, yours with the sincerest affection,
W. J. TEMPLE.
THURSDAY 16 FEBRUARY Temple's letter gave you
spirits. This day, Civil Law, &c., in good order; two other volumes of
Voltaire. Retenue more and more. You are now fine. At five, la
8 William Mason, poet, friend of Gray. Boswell greatly admired his verse
plays Elfrida and Caractacus, written in imitation of classical models.
9 1 suppose, "are Dutch women as frail as English?" the implication being
that Boswell's only hope of chastity was not to have opportunity.
i g 2 1 6 February 1 764
Veuve; if not in, tea Rose. You are beginning to calm a little. Take
care. If you're easy, you'll do more with her, and let it be an elegant
penchant, and perhaps, &c
[c. 16 FEBRUARY. DUTCH THEME] (I shall for once try to
write a half -leaf just as I speak. I shall use no dictionaries, but shall
introduce only words that come into my head. I must also admit
French words, because I hear them so much every day in all com-
panies.) I have been very unfortunate in the article of stockings,
for they are flimsy and do not last long. I have found many holes in
them, sometimes when it was less than five minutes to twelve
o'clock, when I should have been starting for Mynheer Trotz's
college on Roman Law. Frangois, my servant, can darn the holes
very capably, and that is convenient. My shoes are excellent. I have
bought no shoes since I have been in Holland. I brought six pairs
of shoes from London, most of them Scotch shoes.
FRIDAY i 7 FEBRUARY. Yesterday you did very well; you was
truly on guard and had command of yourself. What is strange, you
already are calm with respect to la Veuve. You see what a little
absence does. You said that from the Spartan Republic we may see
as from an experiment what men may be brought to; and though
we have not need for such excess of hardy virtues, we may mix
them with our elegant politeness Fast today, or be only maigre 1
by having two rolls at breakfast. Give poor woman double hire. 2
Send to Rose: no Greek till tomorrow. Bring up journal, obstinate
three hours. At Assembly play part like Digges. Be collected. Ask
[la Veuve about her] religion, ask confidence, ask advice, ask line
from Hague. Swear silence, yet court la Comtesse with address.
Mem. constant piety, nor yield to any tyrant passion.
FRIDAY 17 FEBRUARY
The great Apostles bid us often fast;
And think you, Christians, that its use is past?
Think you no more your bodies to subdue
And your resolves of virtue to renew?
1 That is, eat no meat. 2 His cleaning woman?
17 February 1764 153
Think you that riot and incessant mirth
Can fail to chain you grov'ling to the earth?
For me, whose gen'rous and aspiring mind
Is now to solemn piety resign'd,
I shall keep Friday as a holiday, 3
And as the Church directs me, fast and pray.
SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY. Yesterday you did very well. You
brought up much journal. You fasted; you read prayers; you was
in sweet, gentle, calm humour. At Assembly you was immoderately
awkward. Your fine suit embarrassed you. Some of the ladies joked
you on your sword knot and such trifles, just like Edinburgh lasses.
They are mean. But you kept ground, being quite retenu. You
durst not go to Madame Geelvinck for a long time. Your heart was
torn with love. You played party very absent, and she showed with
her eyes that you had touched her; yet there's no being sure.
You asked when she went and returned, confusedly. She said, "I
am sorry. I am not strict." . . . You yielded too much to your pas-
sion, for consider: you, who have been so often in these love scrapes,
have not so much to plead. At any rate, for marriage love must be
gentle and calm and constant, and not fiery and melancholy. So, at
any rate, you will do well to bring it to a philosophical tempera-
ture; and then you are indeed fine fellow, and can take your meas-
ures lastingly, and keep Hollanders much at distance. But, oh,
affect not passion and oddity! But confound them by ease and
cheerfulness. This day a true adventure: call on Grand Bailiff and
tell him you'd be glad to see the dance; if not in, write neat. 4 Go tell
her you are devoted to her, she alone knows it; hope she'll be gen-
erous, and see the event. Ask if any hope and say you can't promise
yourself; say it boldly and firm; and ask write from Hague
3 The manuscript has the alternative, "I shall at seasons set apart a day,"
probably to avoid the impropriety of calling a fast a holiday, that term in
ecclesiastical usage being reserved for feasts.
4 From the next entry it appears that this was a party for children. Boswell
knew that Madame Geelvinck would accompany her son there; he wanted
another chance to talk to her without interruption.
154 1 9 February 1764
SUNDAY 19 FEBRUARY. Yesterday you called on Grand
Bailiff. Not in; very well. You read Greek and then walked in Mall.
But you had not retenue enough. You talked of love, and how a
philosopher ought to subdue it. This showed Rose that you was at
least a little struck. You was too much opened by the fine weather.
You must keep under arms in the fairest summer days. You walked
with young Geelvinck. 5 You said, "He is a spark from the sun in
heaven." ... At four, Bailiff's in fine humour; heart rejoiced to see
all the young folks; was quite at ease yet not too forward. Had long
and important conversation with Madame Geelvinck:
BOSWELL. At what age, &c., did you first truly fall in love?
MME GEELVINCK. Really! 6 That is certainly being frank.
BOSWELL. Oh, how happy I am! And since you became a widow,
have you been in love?
MME GEELVINCK. No. Really! 6
BOSWELL. But, Madame, I am very much in love. I adore you.
Will you make a distinction between Madame Geelvinck and my
friend, and give me your advice?
MME GEELVINCK. Yes. But I am truly sorry. I advise you to cure
your passion.
BOSWELL. But, Madame, how?
MME GEELVINCK. You have been in love before?
BOSWELL. Yes, I have been in love before, but those passions had
no foundation. I always had the help of reason to cure them. But
I believe I have never really been in love before now.
MME GEELVINCK. Oh, fancy that!
BOSWELL. But, Madame, is it impossible for you to fall in love?
MME GEELVINCK. I shall never do so.
BOSWELL. There is more good than bad in love.
MME GEELVINCK. I am happy as things stand. I am free. I can
go from one city to another. One ought not to give up a certainty.
BOSWELL. But, Madame, have you no thought of a pleasure you
have not yet tasted? Only think how you could begin a new life.
5 Madame Geelvinck's son, six or seven years old. 6 "Non?"
ig February 1764 155
MME GEELVINCK. Really, I am sorry that you are like this; it
will make you unhappy. I will be your friend.
BOSWELL. Will you be my friend always, for the whole of your
life?
MME GEELVINCK. YeS.
BOSWELL. But did you not know that I was in love with you?
MME GEELVINCK. No, really. I thought it was with Mademoi-
selle de Zuylen; and I said nothing about it. 7
BOSWELL. Oh, my dear Madame, what heavenly pleasure I have
at this moment in looking at you. I am speaking as you told me to
as though I were alone. I can trust in you; you will not expose me?
MME GEELVINCK. No, I assure you on my conscience.
BOSWELL. You believe that I am in love? I swear it to you by all
the hope I have of happiness in this existence or the other. You
believe that I am sincere?
MME GEELVINCK. If you are not, you are horrible.
BOSWELL. You believe me, then?
MME GEELVINCK. Yes, I believe you when you say it.
BOSWELL. But I ought not to despair. One must have a little in-
dulgence. Oh, if you please, say only that perhaps
MME GEELVINCK. That would be to behave like a coquette.
BOSWELL. But say that perhaps , something like that.
But what do you think on the subject of religion?
MME GEELVINCK. Have you not the same religion in Scotland
as we?
BOSWELL. Yes, but I have found women here who thought them-
selves wiser than other people, women who did not believe it
MME GEELVINCK. At any rate, those who have the hope of an-
other world lose nothing. Those who do not believe it must be in a
bad way.
BOSWELL. But do you believe that GOD has given a revelation of
his will?
MME GEELVINCK. YeS.
7 Reading as dit ("Je Fa dit point de tout") a word that has been written over
and could be almost anything after the first two letters.
156 19 February 1764
BOSWELL. Oh, I am glad of it. Yes, Madame, you have [in the
Christian faith] a system conformable to the perfections of GOD,
confirmed by proofs which are sufficient to comfort us.
MME GEELVINCK. Yes, and there are mysteries; but although I
do not understand mathematical problems, am I to deny the truth
of mathematics?
BOSWELL. Madame, can you believe that only six months ago I
was completely heedless, and gave great concern to the most ex-
cellent of fathers? I changed completely. Have I not made progress?
MME GEELVINCK [changing the subject]. I would sacrifice my-
self for my son.
BOSWELL. That is a delicate sentiment. I could not love you so
much as I do if I did not- love your child.
MME GEELVINCK. If I should marry again, my husband could
not love my son like his own, and perhaps I should not love my
other children so much.
BOSWELL. But if you should find a man of whom you can be cer-
tain that he loves you sincerely, and that through duty and affec-
tion he would do everything for your son is it not possible to find
such a man?
MME GEELVINCK. It is possible.
BOSWELL. Think, Madame, you will lose half your life. You will
leave the world without having tasted of love. Will you have the
generosity to write me only one or two lines from The Hague? That
will convince me that you are sincerely my friend.
MME GEELVINCK. Yes, provided that you do not answer.
BOSWELL. You are afraid that I would say something so tender
as to touch your pity. But I have permission to write if I am reason-
able?
MME GEELVINCK. YeS.
BOSWELL. Tell me, everybody is looking at me with envy: is it
right to be vain?
MME GEELVINCK. Um.
BOSWELL. Do you know my address?
MME GEELVINCK. Yes, chez Bart. 8
8 The proprietor of the hotel (the Keiserhof ) where Boswell had his rooms.
ig February 1764 157
BOSWELL. I am happy now, but when I am alone, I shall think of
a thousand things I ought to have said. How happy I am to have
had an opportunity to confess all this to you. It is, I suppose, neces-
sary for it to remain unknown?
MME GEELVINCK. Yes, do not tell it to any one.
BOSWELL. It gives me some relief to have confessed it instead of
letting it lie in gloomy silence. What must I say to people who ask
me questions?
MME GEELVINCK. Oh, you have wit enough to parry such ques-
tions.
BOSWELL. But after you have come back from The Hague, if I
cannot forget my passion, what will you do? But I must not ask.
Say only, "We shall see." Are you fickle?
MME GEELVINCK. No, I do not have that kind of disposition.
BOSWELL. As for me, I am very fickle, so much so that I am never
sure of myself; and I assure you, if you were in love with me, I
should advise you not to be.
MME GEELVINCK. That is most extraordinary.
BOSWELL. It is a pity you are so rich, although I am very fond
of money.
MME GEELVINCK. Shame!
BOSWELL. But listen. I am not greedy, yet, after religion, my
chief aim is to uphold a respectable and ancient family of which I
am the representative, and so
MME GEELVINCK. I leave my heart with you.
This was truly an adventure, and you did an immense deal. She
is delicious but impregnable. You said, "My ambition is roused to
win a heart that has never been possessed." MME GEELVINCK. "For
shame! That is like a coquette." BOSWELL. "No. Coquettes have not
suffered the pangs themselves." . . . This day resume. Be more on
guard and try to recover easy cheerfulness, nor lose time by any
black passion. Stand firm.
MONDAY 20 FEBRUARY. Yesterday you was sick and gloomy,
as it was the day after you declared your passion and the day before
Madame goes. Yet you was quite guarded, nor could any mortal
158 ao February 1764
discover it. Rose told you of Williamson a Liverpool merchant's
being crossed in love, and he said that melancholy people affixed
some particular idea, as love, &c., merely to distemper. That is too
true You supped at Brown's very splendid, and you sustained
character. Yet you have not had so severe a conflict at Utrecht. This
day, get up, go to Porte and see her pass, as that is a Spanish piece
of gallantry; but conceal yourself, or you're ridiculous. Then think:
this is spleen expel it. You're miserable with it. 'Tis not, then,
generous, and it may grow frivolous. Recover clear, firm tone, nor
allow fretful passions to have habit. You are fortunate your mis-
tress is your friend and confidant, and you can from time to time
talk to her. But she'd tire of a whiner. Come, be manly; resolve, and
be worthy of her, and see if you could be a sensible husband. Expel
sloth. Speak no more of her. . . .
TUESDAY 21 FEBRUARY. Yesterday after a sad night of sick-
ness from stomach disordered, you sprung up before seven, and tak-
ing dram, went out to St. Catherine Porte, where you made interest
with honest German carabineer and got into his box and saw
Madame pass. She looked angelic, and that glimpse was ravishing.
You then treated sentinel with Geneva. 9 You stood on ramparts and
saw her disappear. You was quite torn with love. Then you entered
to fencing. You was very bad all day. Yet you was silent. At
Madame Nassau's you was cheerful, yet on guard, but affected a
little gloom. Mem., ill-humour is a crime; combat. Mademoiselle 1
said you had much bonheur, and thought you content. Keep that
character. Love has now fairly left you, and behold in how dreary
a state you was in. At night you was listless and distressed and
obliged to go drawling to bed. This day study hard; get firm tone;
go on. Mademoiselle will be your friend.
[c. 20 FEBRUARY. DUTCH THEME] I go every morning to a
fencing-master. He is ninety-four years old. His father taught
William IE, Prince of Orange, to fence. He was an Italian. His
name was and the name of his son is . 2 He crossed with
'Gin. l Belle deZuylen.
Blanks in the manuscript. Boswell later gives the name of his master as Cirx
2O February 1764 159
Prince William into England and Ireland, and so did his son. Con-
sequently this man cannot be less than ninety years old (the son,
I mean, my master) , and he has assured me that he is ninety-four.
He was at the famous battle of the Boyne. He was also in Scotland,
and has travelled in France, Spain, and Italy. It is indeed amazing
to see the old carle. 3 He is as healthy and spry as a man of thirty,
and he can fence with all the agility in the world. I can assure you
that his hand is stronger than mine. We tried it, and he won.
[c. 20 FEBRUARY. FRENCH THEME] I like much to lie with
my head very high. I think it is healthy to do so. At home I always
have a couple of pillows, and if I am in a strange house, the first
thing I ask is whether I can have a couple of pillows. I ask it with-
out the least ceremony, whether of gentlemen or of ladies. When I
was at Laird Heron's in Galloway, I said to the lady of the house,
"I beg you, Madam, let me have your best bedroom and a couple of
pillows." She could not grant me my first request, but she saw to
the second. Likewise, when I was at the Earl of Galloway's, my
Lord Garlies 4 was so polite as to show me to my bedroom and say,
"Mr. Boswell, you will have the goodness to mention it if there is
anything you lack." I walked very softly over and looked at the
bed. "My Lord," said I, "there is nothing lacking but a couple of
pillows, and I hope I shall have enough interest to procure them."
Sometimes I have forgotten to ask for my pillows, or have asked for
them when it was too late; when the housekeeper had gone to bed
and had her keys in her pocket carefully placed under her head. In
or Cirkz, which certainly does not look Italian. But the name of the son may
have been Hollandized, and Boswell may have heard it wrong. Dr. Breuning
tells me that in 1740 the Town Council of Utrecht gave permission to one
Frans Dirxen (i.e., Dirk's son), drum-major of the regiment then occupying
the garrison, to give lessons in fencing. One suspects that this was BoswelTs
master.
3 Carle ("fellow") in the original. Boswell kept the Scots spelling, though he
no doubt meant the Dutch cognate form kerel.
4 Boswell visited both Patrick Heron at Kirroughtrie and the Earl of Gallo-
way at Galloway House during the autumn of 1762. Lord Garlies was Lord
Galloway's eldest son.
20 February 1764
such a case I have been extremely embarrassed. I have been at my
wits' end. However, I have always found some expedient. I have
sometimes put my clothes and sometimes a cushion in place of the
pillows. I would rather use a stone than sleep without having my
head well raised. It is said that to hold the head high is a sign of
pride; and perhaps you will accuse me of hauteur even when I
sleep. . . .
WEDNESDAY 22 FEBRUARY. Yesterday you was lethargic and
still hippish 5 and gaunt, but you stood ground and played whist
not amiss at Madame Lockhorst's. That's all for journal. You are
really not well at present. Some course must be taken, or you must
wait with patience. You are weak, relaxed, insipid, and gloomy.
These trials you laid account 7 to meet with. You stand them and are
silent. That is truly noble, and will yield you solid pride yet. So
have patience as not to be uneasy to others. This day fencing, or
stay in. Write for Society. You've had too many metaphysical sub-
jects. Complain not of evils which you can help. Poverty a great
[evil]; used as a phrase: "Poor devil." 8 Force activity and drive
off this gloom. Sit not scorched o'er the fire. Be silent, and see some
time hence how your heart is.
[23 February, opening paragraphs of Boswell's French discourse,
given before the Literary Society at Utrecht]
Since I have had the honour to be a member of this learned So-
ciety, we have concerned ourselves mainly with lofty speculations
of metaphysics or subtle refinements of morality. We have heard
certain of our members present specimens of rich imagination and
penetrating judgment. I say "imagination," because in subjects so
elevated that we hardly have faculties for comprehending them
(or at least where we find very few propositions substantiated by
5 Depressed. The word is formed from hyp(ochondria) .
6 Belle de Zuylen's aunt and godmother. 7 "You expected"; a Scotticism.
8 This and the preceding two sentences are notes for his address, a portion of
which is printed after this entry.
23 February 1764 161
"data," as they say) in such subjects, we owe a great deal to the
liveliness of our minds, which aid us by making handsome fictions
where realities desert us. Forgive me, gentlemen, if I appear to treat
our important speculations too airily. Far from holding them in
scorn, I respect them after my fashion, superstitiously, with a devo-
tion like that which is born of ignorance. I never find myself
prouder of my existence than when I walk with my head swathed
in the solemn cloud of abstraction. This evening, however, I wish to
qheer us up a little by proposing a subject into which there will
enter nothing but common sense and observation.
We complain a great deal of the evils of life, but we ought to
consider how many of these ills can be prevented by human atten-
tion and care. Poverty is perhaps the evil that we fear the most.
This has even passed into a proverb. When we wish to speak of a
man in a pitiful plight, we use the expression, "Poor man." But
doubtless it is through some fault in political science that poverty
exists in society. Let us trace briefly how it comes about
THURSDAY 23 FEBRUARY. Yesterday you did very well. You
was still gloomy and indisposed in health. But you was resolute and
went on. You was, however, a little lax with Rose in joking in a sort
of desultory, imperfect way, and too feeble with Brown in being
uneasy for fear your discourse should not be liked, and pleased
when he liked it. Mean is he who thus depends on others. Reverence
GOD, and have a standard in your own mind. At night you had Rose
and Hungarians. 9 They talked fine Latin. It was wild and romantic
with old Scythians, and your spirits brightened, yet temperate.
Every Saturday they're to be with you
FRIDAY 24 FEBRUARY. Yesterday you was still gloomy and
unhealthy. But you stood firm: was retenu. Polished your discourse,
9 "The number of students, one year with another, is seven or eight hundred
in each of the universities of Leyden and Utrecht.... They all live ir.
private lodgings, except thirty or forty Poles and Hungarians, who have a
college in each of the universities, where they are maintained at the public
expense, which are the only endowed foundations here" (Description of
Holland, 1743, p. 337).
162 24 February 1764
read it well, and did your duty fully at Society. What more would
you have? You must suffer. Cursory chat of Des Essar on la Veuve
her fifty admirers, her husband having not behaved well to her
seized your attention. However, you are really prudent. After
Society you cured dire gloom merely by dancing. You see how
corporeal. ... No fast, as twice last week, . . .
[c. 24 FEBRUARY. FRENCH THEME] 1 ...When I enter an
assembly, I appear to be a young man of family on my travels,
elegantly dressed in scarlet and gold. I am seen to chat pleasantly
with the ladies of wit and beauty; I am seen to play a game of cards
and to be as fashionable and as frivolous as the rest. No doubt,
therefore, it would seem safe in talking to me to make fun of the
author of a dictionary as being a heavy man; it might even be sup-
posed that in talking thus one would be paying a compliment to a
man of vivacity, and that he would be charmed to hear the most
piquant witticisms directed against a man so different from him-
self. It might seem that in abusing the blockhead one would be
praising the man of genius. But how taken in they are when they
learn that the blockhead and the man of genius are one and the
same! How surprised they are when they learn that I am writing a
dictionary myself!
... It is a Scots dictionary. You must know, gentlemen, that
Great Britain was peopled by the Gauls, the same people who came
from Scythia and occupied a part of France, and then passed into
Ireland and Britain Some centuries later, the barbarians of
Scandinavia, especially the Saxons, invaded Great Britain, and
having been victorious, the true ancient Britons were driven from
the most fertile parts of the country and established themselves in
the country of Wales, the neighbouring country of Cornwall, and
the islands and mountains of the West and North of Scotland. The
a The placing of this long but important section of the French themes at this
point is somewhat arbitrary, for though the series (some thirty pages in all)
devoted to dictionaries, and especially to Boswell's proposed Scots dictionary,
must have been begun about this time, it obviously was not all written at a
sitting.
24 February 1764 163
Saxons, the Danes, and the Normans spread over the rest of the
kingdom. Thus the inhabitants of England and of the Lowlands of
Scotland were all the same.
Consequently the language was the same in South as in North
Britain. But as it was made up of a variety of dialects, of which the
Saxon was the chief, there were bound to be some differences: some
words were kept in one district which were not kept in another. Ac-
cording to the proportion of Danes, of Saxons, or of Normans, a
proportion of their dialects was bound to be preserved. Which of
these peoples was most numerous in the migrations into Scotland,
I cannot determine; but doubtless there was a difference of num-
ber. In this way can be traced the origin of some of the differences
between the tongues of the two districts of Great Britain. Add
thereto the imperceptible corruptions which were introduced by
time, and we shall see another very fertile source of variation. Both
divisions of the people had their peculiar corruptions, and thus
drew away little by little from each other. The ancient Britons
spoke Old Celtic. But the different divisions of even that people
have acquired a diversity of dialects. The Welsh and the Scots
Highlanders often differ in their manner of speaking. It is true that
it is principally in pronunciation, but by degrees that makes a great
difference. A century after such changes, when the words in ques-
tion are not only pronounced but spelled differently, it is difficult
to see that they are actually the same. The majority of people never
see it. It is known only to those who apply themselves to the study
of antiquities and of orthography, or rather of etymology.
It is thus that has arisen the greatest difference between Eng-
lish and Scots. Half the words are changed only a little, but the re-
sult of that is that a Scot is often not understood in England. I do
not know the reason for it, but it is a matter of observation that al-
though an Englishman often does not understand a Scot, it is rare
that a Scot has trouble in understanding what an Englishman says:
and certainly Sawney has an advantage in that. It is ridiculous to
give as the reason for it that a Scot is quicker than an Englishman
and consequently cleverer in understanding everything. It is
164 2 4 February 1764
equally ridiculous to say that English is so musical that it charms
the ears and lures men to understand it, while Scots shocks and dis-
gusts by its harshness. I agree that English is much more agreeable
than Scots, but I do not find that an acceptable solution for what
we are trying to expound. The true reason for it is that books and
public discourse in Scotland are in the English tongue.
I do not know what influence Celtic could have had on these
composite languages of Great Britain. That would depend on the
communication between the ancient and the new Britons. It is also
a question whether Celtic has mixed more with the English lan-
guage or the Scottish. I am inclined to think that one would find
more of it in Scots. There was more communication between the
inhabitants of the Lowlands and the Highlands in Scotland than
there was between the English and the Welsh. . . .
There are several English dictionaries, especially the excellent
work of Mr. Johnson; and doubtless to have such a work is a thing
of great importance, for English in time will become the universal
language of our isle. We have not a single Scots dictionary. Really,
that is amazing. I believe there is not another language in Europe
(or dialect, to use that terminology they are all dialects) of which
there is not some sort of lexicon. Allan Ramsay, a Scottish poet who
has written some very pretty things in his mother-tongue, has
given us a little glossary in which he has explained some words,
but very few of them. Nor has he made the least attempt to give
etymologies. There was an excellent reason for it: he could not. He
had been bred a wig-maker, and for some years followed his trade
in Edinburgh. His genius soon showed itself in little verses and
rude ballads. Afterwards he read translations of the ancient poets
and began to cultivate his mind, and finally he became a poet of
real merit in several kinds of composition. He did not know any
foreign language, and so was incapable of making a dictionary of
his own.
We have several Scots authors, properly so called: that is, au-
thors who have written in the Scots language. We have the histories
of Knox and Calderwood; the lives of the authors and warriors of
24 February 1764 165
Scotland by Abercrombie; and several treatises in law, in antiq-
uities, and in religion. But our most esteemed works are those of
our poets, among whom must be mentioned King James V, Bellen-
den, Ramsay the Elder and Ramsay Junior, besides several others
who have written detached pieces. In the works of these poets may
be found the finest strokes of genius of every sort. 2
People in England do not know how much wit there is in
Scottish authors. It must be confessed that these authors make only
a very small number. All the same, it is well worth while to pre-
serve them. The Scottish language is being lost every day, and in a
short time will become quite unintelligible. Some words perhaps
will be retained in our statutes and in our popular songs. To me,
who have the true patriotic soul of an old Scotsman, that would
seem a pity. It is for that reason that I have undertaken to make a
dictionary of our tongue, through which one will always have the
means of learning it like any other dead language. I confess that I
look forward some centuries from now and see with romantic
pleasure the Scots of that day applying themselves to the study of
their ancient tongue as to Greek or Latin, and considering them-
selves much indebted to the work of Old Boswell, who has made it
possible for them to taste the excellent works of their brave, happy,
and venerable ancestors. . . .
Here is the plan which I propose to follow in compiling this
work. I shall not put into it a single word which is recognized as
English; and to determine that, I shall not count as English any
2 Boswell's knowledge of Scots literature apparently did not extend back of
the end of the sixteenth century, and consequently he misses the authors who
would now be considered the most important: Barbour, King James I, Henry-
son, Dunbar, and Sir David Lindsay. John Bellenden (known in the main for
prose translations from the Lathi) seems an odd representative of the glories
of Scottish verse. Allan Ramsay's son, also Allan Ramsay, was a distinguished
portrait painter and wrote a good deal of occasional verse, but little of it was
ever published, and none of the pieces that survive is of high quality. Even for
the authors he names, it is probable that Boswell is affecting more knowledge
than he really had, and that he knew little more of Scots verse than its
popular songs.
166 2 4 February 1764
word which has not been ratified by the authority of Mr. Johnson.
To qualify myself to trace the etymologies, I am applying myself
to the European languages, and I hope to acquire a sufficient
knowledge of them. But I shall not stop there. I shall not trust to
my own labours alone. I shall establish a literary correspondence
with scholars in different countries. I shall send them from time to
time lists of words, and they will send them back to me with con-
jectures on their origins. Besides that, I have another idea which is
perhaps a bit fantastic, but which nevertheless may be practical. I
am thinking of publishing in a Scottish newspaper similar lists of
words, begging all those who can give derivations to send them to
my publisher. In that way I should have countless conjectures,
from which I could choose those which appeared to me the most
ingenious and plausible. Those who granted me the favour would
have to send their conjectures anonymously; in that way I should
be at full liberty to choose without partiality; and I hope that no
one would be offended if his derivations were not accepted. In tak-
ing this precaution, I should be following in some sort the famous
printer Henry Stephanus, who posted in public places the proofs
of his New Testament, sheet by sheet, and offered a reward of two
pennies for each error that should be discovered. By that means he
gave us an edition so correct that it contains only one misprint, and
that in the introduction. I myself do not intend to offer prizes, for
it is not a question of mechanical perfection concerning which the
vulgar can judge. But by doing as I have just described, I can have
the general assistance of my learned countrymen.
I shall make a careful collection of dictionaries in all languages.
I shall consult them all, and I shall enter in my dictionary all the
words which have any resemblance to the Scots words: that is,
which not only resemble them but have the same meaning or prac-
tically the same, either literally or figuratively. In this way we
shall get a general view of the connection between languages so far
as Scots provides a basis of comparison. I shall not debate the origin
of language. . . .
As for the languages of the present day, there are doubtless
24 February 1764 167
some which have not the least connection with the others. The
Hungarian language is entirely different from the other European
tongues. It has almost no borrowed words. I have had an oppor-
tunity to hear it spoken by Hungarians themselves, some of whom
come to study at Utrecht. They pride themselves greatly on their
language, and maintain that it has no connection even with Sla-
vonic. The Chinese language is entirely unique. In a word, there
is without doubt a diversity of tongues in the world, a diversity that
cannot be denied, though no reason can be given for it. ...
To return to my dictionary. ... As Mr. Johnson has already
given us full definitions of the English words, I should give only
the bare English word for a Scots one, and should send my readers
to Mr. Johnson's Dictionary to get the definitions. Consequently
my task will not be nearly so great as if I had followed Mr. John-
son's method. Excuse me, I am in error. I should not have more
work, for I could copy his definitions exactly; but the work of print-
ing will not be so great, for my dictionary will be a third the size of
his. 3 There are however several Scots words for which there are no
English equivalents. There are wprds to express usages and cus-
toms peculiar to our country; and also original words, to express the
complete sense of which the English have no terms. And there is
my plan for a Scots dictionary. Courage!
The Scots dictionary of which I have been speaking at such
length ought certainly to be an excellent work. Well and good. But
when shall we have it? As to that, gentlemen, I cannot give you any
reply that will be very illuminating. For the fact is that I do not
know myself how much time I shall take to compile it. I have many
other things to do which are more important to me and which I am
resolved not to neglect. My dictionary will be merely the task of
my leisure hours. Since I wish very much to do a thorough piece of
work, I shall not hurry. I shall go quietly on, with all the help I
can get, and I hope that in time you will see it done very satisf ac-
8 Boswell appears to have lost the thread of his argument, and to have written
this sentence as though the preceding had said that if he included definitions,
his labour would be greater than Johnson's.
!68 24 February 1764
torily. My indolence shudders when the idea of so laborious a work
presents itself, but consoles itself when it considers that the labour
will be shared, and that it will be necessary to do only small bits
of it at a time. In this way horror is dissipated, my mind is calmed,
and I am at peace. Without having peace of mind one cannot ac-
complish much. It is true that the poet says Facit indignatio versus*
But I doubt that indignatio will help us in a long work.
I have spoken so much of my dictionary that you must surely be
bored with it I am dreadfully bored with it myself. Let us drop the
subject 5
FRIDAY 24 FEBRUARY
If you do love me, my enchanting fair,
Pray let me have a tender Scottish air.
Sing of some faithful swain or warrior bold
Whose names were famous in the days of old.
Sing me such music, which when Rizzio play'd,
The beauteous Mary's sorrows were allay'd.
Ah, let your voice be moderate and slow
When you express the solemn notes of woe,
Nor rudely spoil by an affected trill
The sweet and simple Lass of Patie's mill.
SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY. Yesterday you did very well. You
was sensible, prudent, retenu. You stood gloom; recollected how
many, many years you have been attacked by it, and in what a
variety of ways, and resolved in silent pride to maintain your dig-
nity, conscious that the Quakers' Meeting, Donaldson the painter,
and all other objects just remain the same. (These are mentioned
4 "Indignation gives birth to verses" (Juvenal, Satires, i. 79).
5 Boswell continued to refer to this great project for many years, and in 1769
showed Johnson a specimen of it, but he never brought it to completion. The
manuscript (which probably was not very extensive) was sold for sixteen
shillings in the sale of the library of his son James in 1825, and has not been
reported since. 6 An old Scots air, the lyric by Allan Ramsay.
25 February 1764 169
because they please by an association.) 7 At Assembly you was fine
with Mademoiselle de Zuylen. She was amiable. She said you
might see her at home at least once a week. You said pride after a
certain pitch became affable; and that emulation was necessary,
for as you went up hill, you saw those before you. She said la Veuve
had no passion, and often ill humour. This girl trusts you; like her.
You heard that assemblies will end in March. Bravo! You'll study.
. . . Shun marriage. Today, honey for cold.
SUNDAY 26 FEBRUARY. Yesterday you did very well, al-
though distressed with severe cold. In the morning you had fervent
devotion, saying, "0 great and beneficent Being, let me not have a
slavish dread of thee, but an exalted respect; and at last I will be
happy." You was a little too merry after dinner, and in a bizarre
way. Shun always this. At Madame Lockhorst's you made Madame
de Nassau talk. She said you'd be arrete? You said, " Twould be
hard in this world, where there are so many fine women, if a man
cannot adore and escape too." The little Amerongen said, "He is in
love with my aunt." 9 This day be on guard; go on. You must hold
at duty of both churches, or perhaps indulge one Sunday. At any
rate, sup not at Brown's. Check these regular whims
MONDAY 27 FEBRUARY. Yesterday you stayed in all fore-
noon, thus showing that you act not from whim but reason. You
brought up much journal. You had dreadful cold. Rose said wars
7 "I can find benefit from religious assemblies of various denominations of
Christians; least indeed from those of Presbyterians. But my mind is disposed
to quiet, mild communication with heaven in a Quaker meeting, as it is
stirred and elevated in a church where there is solemn external worship"
(Boswell's Journal, 12 September 1777). The Quakers' Meeting was probably
pleasantly associated with his mother, "a lady of distinguished piety," who
seems to have taken him there as a child. In his journal for 16 December 1775
he refers to a memorable scene in the year 1759 at Prestonfield, the pleasant
country house of his elderly friend, Sir Alexander Dick, at which Donaldson
the painter had been present.
8 "Arrested" (in his mental and moral development if he married Madame
Geelvinck) .
9 Joost, Baron Taets van Amerongen, Madame Geelvinck's nephew, was at
this time not more than three years old.
27 February 1 764
were going out, from their mildness nowadays. . . . You went
timeously 1 to bed. This day, hard study; attend Trotz. Mem. Father,
more and more manly behaviour Home at five and have much
journal
TUESDAY 28 FEBRUARY. Yesterday you began your new
course of retenue to accustom yourself to constant useful conversa-
tion, with mild and grave dignity, and only to relax at times to
merriment This character it is not difficult to form. Only lay re-
straint for a little at first. You see it is not observed when you do
it This day rouse. Cold is better; indulge it no more, lest you
hurt nerves and fall into old-womanish complaining. Fix hours
better and labour harder. Make the most of Brown: Dutch and
geography. But above all, think, and get manly ideas. You will be
pretty gentleman. Write Madame Geelvinck. If you are always
employed, you can never fall back to idle vanity as with Eglinton.
[c. 28 FEBRUARY. DUTCH THEME] This is the worst winter
that has been seen in Holland for many years. We have had
scarcely any frost, which is surely the best winter weather in this
land. Whenever it freezes hard, so that the canals are covered with
good ice, the Dutchmen are happy; then everybody goes out to
skate. But this winter we have had nothing at all but rain and wind
and thick fogs; weather indeed so unhealthy that a foreigner can-
not stand it. 2 I myself have had a bad cold for ten days. I had a
severe headache, but I am so regular that I have not been absent a
day from my college. Mynheer Trotz also had a cold, yet he gave
his lectures, and I thought that it would be highly scandalous if the
student should indulge himself more than the professor, who is
much older
Mynheer Trotz is certainly a most unusual man. He is a Prus-
sian. But he has been many years in the Seven Provinces, first at
Franeker in Friesland, then at Utrecht, having been professor of
law in both places. He is an excellent jurist, having a profound
knowledge of Roman and Dutch law, and having also much knowl-
1 Betimes, early. A Scotticism.
2 This explains why Boswell has made no mention of skating.
28 February 1764 171
edge of history and philosophy. He is very lively and mingles
many entertaining stories with his lessons. He has a great desire to
learn English. He began it some years ago, but he neglected it.
However, he has begun it again. Mr. Rose is his teacher, and goes
to him twice a week, and really it is amazing to see with what
attention and spirit the old professor can read.
WEDNESDAY 29 FEBRUARY. Yesterday you dozed in bed till
near ten, having been disturbed with dismal dreams by reason of
your severe cold. You was indolent and could do nothing with
spirit. Yet you stood calm and firm, and was master of yourself.
You dined with Monsieur de Zuylen. The invitation gave a turn to
your spirits. You was grave yet agreeable, and had address. You
dined too full and was clogged. This is a sure effect of a known
cause; so determine obstinate temperance so as never to take more
than you can. . .
WEDNESDAY 29 FEBRUARY. This day, for the first time since
25 September 1763, 1 wrote no lines, having kept my bed with a
cold.
THURSDAY i MARCH. Yesterday you lay abed all day at ease
to cure cold; read three hours Voltaire, and was tranquil. Raro
fiat 3
[Received c. i March, Trotz to Boswell] 4
MY HONOURED FRIEND: I am very sick of the kold and my
Doctor have counselleth to keep for my 5 these day en morning,
because my health; but there is no great danger. Nevertheless i
must pardon me for this time, we shall bi diligent into the follow-
ing week. I wish jou heartily a good dinner, being your most
f aithfull Friend,
C. H. TROTZ.
My Compliment to Maester Brouwn en us Friend my Teacher.
Condonabis, Amice, balbutienti; at juvat tentasse et sufficit ridendi
3 "Let it happen seldom."
* Except for some slight additions to the punctuation, this letter is printed
just as the learned professor wrote it. 5 "To restrain myself," "to stay in."
1 March 1764
materiam vobis praebeaxn. Valete. Venam mihi secuerunt, hinc
calamum vix dirigere valeo. 6
FRIDAY 2 MARCH. Yesterday you got up better. You was
however still distressed, and at Brown's was weakish and joked on
I 'amour. You forget that at those weak seasons, care is to be taken
to preserve chain of uniformity. At Society you had excellent dis-
pute on natural and moral causes to make national character. This
day, French and Dutch versions; home at five, and journal all
night. No more indulgence vapours. Forget not that in all reli-
gions and systems, firmness of man is noble.
SATURDAY 3 MARCH. Yesterday you lay too long. This cold
is made an excuse for laziness. You finished Campbell and had
clear proof for Christian miracles. 7 At dinner you was very well
and read Dutch and Greek well. But talked too long with Rose, and
was too indolent. Mem., now is the time to acquire habits for all
your life; you're always ready to plead some indisposition. But
even then be firm. . . .
SUNDAY 4 MARCH. Yesterday your cold was bad, and you was
miserably gloomy. You walked with Rose in the sun, who said an
infidel must be uneasy, for he is always asking questions on
religion. After dinner you said 'twas hard that in this world of woe
your greatest quantum of happiness had been enjoyed in vice. This
was very rash. Brown said, "What! have you been happier in vice
than in virtue? BOSWELL. "Yes." BROWN. "Come, you've got the
cold; your humours are thick; you're wearying." He said it without
impertinence. At night you had Hungarian, learned Tokay (mark
it) , and grew well. 8 Your dreams last night were sad. . . .
6 "Friend, you will pardon one who lisps; but there is pleasure in having
tried, and it will suffice if I furnish you matter for laughter. Farewell. They
have blooded me, so that I am scarcely able to guide a pen."
7 George Campbell, D.D., Principal of Marischal College, Aberdeen, had
published A Dissertation on Miracles in 1762.
8 "I pretend to a little judgment in this wine, because during a winter that I
lived at Utrecht, I was a member of a club of Hungarians, one of whom had
a vineyard in Tokay, and used to entertain us with it very liberally." (A
4 March 1764 173
[Received c. 4 March, Trotz to Boswell] 9
Sunday 4 Marsch 1 764
MUCH ESTEEMED FRIEND MAESTER BOSWELL: I am very glad
to receive of your hand one agreable letter, full of civilitie and af-
fection. But, do you believe, my dear Friend, that any body of mine
scholars have the same meinds, for the study as Mr. Boswell? No,
no, there is a certain sort of lazi fellows, called on the Dutsh-men:
Luy-Zakken 1 or belli homines, 2 which run rather into the Coffee-
houses or publick meeting hauses to hear news and read the Gazes.
Truly, they buried themselves in much fruitless conversation. But
let us leave that odious People. Concerning my Health i was let
blood yesterday, and since i find myself much better, i thank GOD.
Therefore i shall morrow morning, or monday mine lectures begin
again. My Doctor a wise and experient Man, Maester Woerdman,
have it permit: for jou knowst well, wath the Lawyer say in t. 26 D.
de oper. libert. Medicus imperat. 3 Now my Friend, you are to much
obliging towards my: for you force me to be uncivil and trouble-
some to you. Surely you kindlet and encouraget me, like a Socrates
at the virtue, to the frequent exercise of the English tongue, whom i
esteem and love. In earnst, i schould desire, if you would do me the
favour, to explain me de faults, they i have made, whyle i self sev-
eral have found, it might be to my advantage. Fare well, till i have
the honnour to see you again I am with respect Your ever obliged
and f aithf ull Friend,
C. H. TROTZ.
deleted passage in BoswelTs autograph manuscript of An Account of Corsica.
He later gives the name of this Hungarian as Janosi.)
9 Printed without any editorial interference except for the addition of one or
two marks of punctuation.
1 Literally, "lazy sacks."
2 "Polite men," "men of the world." It is not impossible that Trotz intended a
pun with English "belly."
3 "Title 26 of the Digest, concerning the power of a physician to command his
freemen to stop practising medicine." The allusion seems very far-fetched.
174 4 March 1764
My Compliments to all our Friends Mr. Brouwn and my In-
structor Mr. N. N. 4
MONDAY 5 MARCH. Yesterday you was gloomy but better.
Rose drank coffee with you, and you related to him your having
shaved. 5 This was wrong. Never repeat past follies but to very inti-
mate friends. You talked of Smith's Sympathy, 6 and said that when
passion rose high, you had a faculty in your own mind called
Reason; you appeal to that. You find he disapproves; you dare not
act. This is all within yourself. If you act, he condemns you. There
is no occasion for a far-fetched appeal to others, which at best is but
vague; and if others are bad, must be bad. Envy cannot be ac-
counted for on Smith's principles. Think on this. At night you grew
easy and renewed resolves of patience and firmness. This day . . .
finish Johnson's letter.
TUESDAY 6 MARCH. Yesterday you got up vigorous and well,
your cold gone and health and joy bounding through your frame.
Mem. schellings to the fencing master. . . . You was cheerful at
dinner. After it you reproved Brown for indecent talking You
walked long with Rose, and talked on the unalterable obligations of
virtue, and pushed them well; next on the Christian morals, and on
the precepts being temporary, otherwise hard to be understood
On the whole, it was an idle day, This day . . . improve in memory.
You resume foreign beau monde. Be prudent; mem. Father
WEDNESDAY ^ MARCH. Yesterday you did very well. You
thought that Smith's system was running mankind, melting them,
into one mass in the crucible of Sympathy. Whereas they are sep-
arate beings, and 'tis their duty as rational beings to approach near
to each other. You are to give an analysis of Smith's book. 'Twill be
fine. Write out sketch of Female Scribbler: old, surly squire; weak,
ignorant mother; light, trifling lover whom she does not care for;
<"Mr. Nomen Nescio" ("Mr. I-donVknow-his-name"), i.e., Mr. Rose. It is
rather odd that Trotz had not learned his instructor's name. 5 See p. 1 14.
Boswell is reading TheTheory of Moral Sentiments (1759) by Adam Smith,
better known later as the author of The Wealth of Nations. Smith had been
his teacher in Glasgow, 1759-1760.
7 March 1764 175
foolish maid; heavy, covetous bookseller; generous, sensible lover,
&c. 7 You went at three and heard Professor Trotz. You was well and
firm and reserved at Assembly. Pray speak not of self. Be good to
Rose while here. Write short and genteel to Sommelsdyck, Madame
Spaen. 8
THURSDAY 8 MARCH, Yesterday you did very well. Having
finished Xenophon, you began Plutarch. You drank tea with
Madame Brown, with Madame Sichterman, whom you found
agreeable, and was pleased to see the lady to whom Sir David has
poured forth his plaints. You mentioned him. But she waived the
nice subject. At eight you was at Zelide's concert, fine, really
charmed and soothed; she, sweet and mild. You're to go every
Wednesday. This day at ... four, Zelide; ask if you may show
Portrait to Rose; 9 if so, make him copy it. Journal by degrees
No neutral time. I beseech you, gain calm behaviour like Temple,
nor be uneasy at its not appearing.
[Received 8 March, Andrew Erskine to Boswell]
Edinburgh, 16 February 1764
MY DEAR BOSWELL, Have you forgot me, or have I forgot you?
The latter I can assure you is not the case; I'm afraid the former is.
You took so ill my not writing to you before you left London that
when you went abroad you did not so much as tell me where you
was going. Till I met your friend Johnston about a month ago in
this place, I was ignorant whether France or Japan, Italy or Peru
contained the body of James Boswell, Esq. How could you use so
barbarously a man whose only crime was being in low spirits? My
spirits, I thank heaven, are now recovered, and I never was so
happy in my life.
I will give you a short but substantial account of my life and
7 Apparently a play or conte, based to some extent on the character of Belle
de Zuylen. If ever written, it has not yet been recovered.
8 He is planning in about a month to revisit The Hague, and wishes to prepare
the way for his arrival. 9 Her character-sketch of herself: see p. 184.
176 8 March 1764
adventures since I left you. I came to Edinburgh, where I was in the
deepest low spirits. I went to the Highlands, where I grew better. I
went to Kellie, where I relapsed. 1 1 went again to the Highlands,
where I improved. I returned to Edinburgh, where I am at present,
perfectly delighted. I bathe every morning, and every morning
your friend Mr. Rankeillor wishes you saw me go in, I perform the
operation so wonderfully well. His language is quite soaring when
he talks of my plunging. 2
Talking of language, I must here make my apology for writing
to you in one which by this time you can't possibly understand. I
had some thoughts of going down to Leith and trying to prevail
upon a Dutch skipper to translate my English into his own beauti-
ful lingo, but as I'm just going to begin studying French, that shall
be my language for the future. I suppose by this time you can talk
Dutch to a Frenchman and French to a Dutchman, in the same
manner as when you was in London you spoke Scotch to English-
men and English to Scotchmen.
I come now to the most material part of my history, at least to
you. You may remember two or three years ago I told you of a little
plot I had contrived for a farce. I wrote it (the farce, I mean) when
I was in the Highlands the beginning of this winter. Soon after I
came to town, I enclosed it in a letter to Digges. He was extremely
pleased with it. I dined with him and Mrs. Bellamy soon after. 3 1
found them, I think, the most agreeable couple I almost ever saw.
. . . The farce was first played on Monday the sixth of February to
a very full house; it was received with more applause than I ex-
pected. ... The run ... was stopped by Digges's being obliged to
1 "The Highlands" means the residence of his brother-in-law the Laird of
Macfarlane on Loch Long; Kellie, the mansion house of his brother, the Earl
of Kellie, in Fife.
2 An ominous sentence. In 1793 Erskine, in a fit of depression, filled his
pockets with stones and drowned himself in the sea.
3 The famous (or notorious) actress George Anne Bellamy. She and Digges
were living together. She was the illegitimate daughter of Lord Tyrawley, he
(by legitimate descent) the grandson of Lord Delawarr.
8 March 1764 177
go to London to see his brother, who is just dying. Donaldson was
my publisher; it sells well
Pray tell me your plan. What say you to a visit from me at
Utrecht this summer? Direct to me at Macfarlane's house in the
Canongate. Lady Betty and Lady Anne remember you. 4 I dined
with Johnston lately very agreeably. I have got much acquainted
this winter and I cut up well. 5 Tell me all about yourself, your
spirits, your designs, &c. Farewell. Yours very affectionately,
ANDW. ERSKINE.
FRIDAY 9 MARCH. Yesterday you rose well; after breakfast
you received a letter from Johnston with accounts of the death of
the poor little child. 6 Alas, what is the world? You was distressed
and sunk. Rose sympathized. You hesitated if to mourn. Rose said
'twas only external ceremony, and none but yourself knew. You
was low at dinner; Brown saw it. After dinner you talked of it to
him. He was sensible and hardy. You drank tea with Zelide.
Madame well. 7 She sweet, mild, agreeable At night you sat
late. You was strange. Do so no more. You had letter from Erskine.
How much altered are you! Answer him grave, yet cheerful
This night Mademoiselle de Zuylen; bid her be calm, to show you
if she could be your companion in grief, but only say dead par-
ent. . . . 8
THURSDAY 8 MARCH
Man is, indeed, Job, to trouble born;
Oft must his bosom with distress be torn.
* His sisters: Lady Betty was married to Macfarlane.
5 In the United States the usual figurative meaning of / cut up would be "I
am boisterously mischievous"; in England, "I leave a (large) fortune."
Neither meaning seems to fit here. Perhaps merely, "I serve as a satisfactory
object for severe criticism"? Erskine was notoriously shy and awkward in
company.
6 His son Charles. See pp. 31 and 124; also BosweWs London Journal, 762-
1763, 1950. p. 324 n. 6. 7 Madame de Zuylen, Belle's mother.
8 "Relative." Boswell actually wrote parents.
178 8 March 1764
Affliction strange, but, ah, how very keen!
I weep for him whom I have never seen.
For in my heart the warm affection dwelt,
For I a father's tender fondness felt.
All the firm precepts that the Stoics taught
Cannot dispel my dreariness of thought.
Now in the time of serious solemn grief,
I from religion only find relief.
FRIDAY 9 MARCH
Perplexed reas'nings may the best deceive,
But what we see, we surely may believe.
Let not wild fancy sceptically range
And doubt of facts because she finds them strange.
At the twelfth hour on Wednesday, dreary night!
Shone at my window a strong glow of light;
It vanish'd twice, as it had twice been seen,
And left me musing what this light could mean.
I can protest that I was broad awake,
And that my joints with terror did not quake. 9
SATURDAY 10 MARCH. Yesterday you got up more composed,
but sickish from late sitting up; never do so again. At dinner you
was grave yet easy. You was of partie with Zelide at Assembly. You
told her you was distressed for the death of a friend, and begged to
see if she could be company to the distressed. She said yes, but she
soon showed her eternal laughing. You talked to her plainly that
she did not use her raison: that she would tell the minister, "I don't
love my children," to shock the poor man You told her she
never had a better friend. She said, "I believe it." This day retenue;
be firm and only silent. What a world is this!
SUNDAY 11 MARCH. Yesterday you was melted with tender
* Boswell (who was superstitious and showed a lifelong interest in the second-
sight) appears to have believed that this was a portent of his child's death or
rather, of his receipt of the news.
11 March 1764 179
distress. You walked musing in the Mall. You would fain have per-
suaded yourself that it was not true, that Charles was still alive. At
dinner you was faint and gloomy, and you read Greek feebly. At
night you had Hungarians. You made the divine talk over the Cal-
vinistical doctrines, and he displayed unintelligible perplexity.
Did you not determine to keep mind fixed to real objects, and to
expel speculations, which you know to be uncertain? This day at
ten, Jesuits' church Sup not tonight. Have unaffected serious
sorrow. Let your religion be just and manly.
MONDAY 12 MARCH. Yesterday you got up very dull. How-
ever, you dressed and went to the Jesuits' church, where the solemn
worship put venerable ideas in your mind, not without many
strange recollections of past life and philosophical ideas at present. 1
You stayed at home and dined not. You was easy at church. 2
After it, Rose and you walked. You owned that you was very un-
easy. He said, "We must lay our accounts with such things." He
advised you against dining at ordinaries; said it would be talked of
and would do you little good. You talked on Liberty and on GOD'S
omniscience, and he owned he could not answer but fled to igno-
rance. You had partie at Madame Fester's with Zelide, fine and
mild. She said she was jriande? Then all mild with grief. You
supped Brown's. Rose and he disputed vacuum and plenum? one
not understanding other. Just enough to show absurd metaphysics.
This day just begin anew firm, real study. You have kept your hon-
our. Be silent, nor joke. Don't go partie; Madame Amelisweerd
deserves a little neglect.
TUESDAY 13 MARCH. Yesterday you saw the horse-market,
one of the greatest in the world. The day was sweet and mild, and
1 The only reference to attendance at Roman Catholic worship during Bos-
well's residence in Holland. He clearly wished to attend mass and pray for
the repose of his child's soul. There was no Anglican congregation in Utrecht
2 Brown's church. 8 "An epicure,"
* The problem of whether or not all space is filled with matter. Johnson had
discussed it on 22 July 1763, no doubt because Boswell had then brought it
up. See Boswell 9 s London Journal, 1762-1765, 1950, p. 318,
l8o 13 March 1764
you walked charming. At dinner you was on guard, and after it you
read Dutch, and Hall and Sterne's letters. 5 You read Hume tiU you
was sick. At Madame Amelisweerd's you was pretty well. You
found yourself at eleven so sleepy, your attention so gone, your
nerves so unstrung, that you yielded to indulgence of luscious sleep.
But as fine weather now comes, be firm and fill up each day.
Tonight, cheerful silence. Zelide.
WEDNESDAY 14 MARCH. Yesterday you lay abed at ease. You
was still dreary and was glad as a relief to make Bourier 6 chat. You
was thus amused insensibly. At dinner Brown's Scots indelicacy
hurt you. Rose and you talked of it as very disagreeable. At As-
sembly chez Madame de Zuylen you was tranquil. Vassell said,
"My sister knows very well that you are sorry that she is ill." La
Comtesse was truly chagrined. But you knocked a pair of ducats out
of her pocket at cards. This turned up her Dutch nose/ At night you
was pretty well. After dinner you said imprudently you had so bad
a view of life that you could almost do anything
5 In manuscript. Brown had told him on 26 January that he was acquainted
with Laurence Sterne's friend, John Hall-Stevenson, "whom he used to sit
up with till three at Geneva," and that he had a letter from Sterne. Boswell
had met Sterne in London in the spring of 1760.
This name does not occur elsewhere in the memoranda. Because of the
ambiguities of Boswell's script, it could equally well be transcribed Bounier
or Bourien.
7 " Vassell" is apparently a nickname for Belle de Zuylen's youngest brother
Vincent. (Diederik was called u Ditie.") Belle was certainly ill at this time
(see p. 183), but may for all that have been present at this assembly. BoswelFs
"Livre de Jeu a Utrecht" under date of 13 March 1764 records 10 guilders
6 stivers (approximately i8s. iod,, $4.60) won from "Mademoiselle de
Zuylen" but nothing won from the Countess of Nassau Beverweerd. The
amount, however, is about two ducats. It is easy enough to suppose that
Boswell posted the account from memory, but a little hard, after his ungallant
glee at turning up the Countess's Dutch nose, to suppose that he had forgotten
whom he had won it from. (For converting Dutch money into English in
these notes, I have made use of a table in Thomas Nugent, The Grand Tour,
3d ed., 1778, i. 51. For the further conversion into American currency, I
have arbitrarily set the pound sterling at $4.87.)
14 March 1764 151
WEDNESDAY 14 MARCH
Temple, say what method shall I find
Still to preserve my dignity of mind?
How shall I gain that firm internal force
Which makes a man move steady in his course;
By good not soften'd, nor subdu'd by ill,
Pursue his journey up high Virtue's hill?
Oft I the warmest resolutions make
That the great road I never will forsake,
But oft I find that I have gone astray,
Nor can I tell how I have lost my way.
THURSDAY 15 MARCH. Yesterday you was still uneasy. A
letter from your worthy father full of strong sense, of spirit, and of
affection, animated you to new endeavours; 8 yet was you feeble.
At dinner it was dull; but as you observed to Rose, few would have
supported it so well. You talked over gaming bad from its con-
sequences. You kept Brown to French. He began course of geog-
raphy. You stayed tea with Rose, and talked of madness and spleen
and lying abed; you yielded too much to indolence. Resolve no
more English speaking. Sustain character of country gentleman.
Keep mind to self. In a month you go to Hague, and after that you
need not dine. Be good-humoured. Despair not, nor be proud of
chagrin . . .
THURSDAY 15 MARCH
To you, my friend, 9 1 fear not to disclose
My real sorrows or my fancied woes;
For you can all my dreary stories hear,
Nor make me fretful by a galling sneer.
To you, whom from my earliest youth I've known,
Not ev'n my faults am I asham'd to own.
Doom'd to a life of sadness from my birth,
1 live a weary stranger on the earth;
8 Not recovered. 9 Still addressing Temple.
182 15 March 1764
In vain I struggle to escape my doom;
In vain I struggle to be free from gloom.
FRIDAY 1 6 MARCH . Yesterday you was better. Brown disputed
against Hume's happiness of little miss and orator being equal. 1
BROWN. 'They are both equally content. But surely it is possible
to make beings more happy than merely content. We can compare
feelings and pronounce some more noble and happy than others. It
is by comparing absent ideas with present that we judge of size and
many other things. The miss and the philosopher have their desires
equally satisfied. This bottle and that glass are equally full. But the
bottle holds more." Des Essar gave thoughts on translation very
good. This day rise brisk. Write Temple; tell him all circumstances.
Ask if 'tis weakness; ask his advice. Push always some subject,
nor suffer spleen a moment, nor be cast down at woe which you
only knew of Never dispute on religion with Brown; you'll
leave him soon.
SATURDAY i j MARCH. Yesterday you got up at seven. You
wrote a long splenetic letter to Temple. You tore it; you did well.
Write him a neat manly one, and talk of your gloom as past. 2 You
was honoured with a letter from Monsieur van Sommelsdyck. You
was quite the man of distinction. You attended to Trotz de Pro-
batiorubus? At dinner you was bad, but stood it After it you
complained to Rose of the insipidity. He said you could do no better,
and you owned you did not expect agrements 4 ' at Utrecht. Rose said
he was very unhappy, and that he had never had such uneasy feel-
ings before he came to Utrecht At four, Zelide.
SUNDAY 1 8 MARCH. Yesterday you did pretty well. You wrote
1 "I mentioned Hume's notion that all who are happy are equally happy; a
little miss with a new gown at a dancing-school ball, a general at the head of
a victorious army, and an orator after having made an eloquent speech in a
great assembly I remember this very question very happily illustrated
in opposition to Hume by the Reverend Mr. Robert Brown at Utrecht. 'A
small drinking-glass' ..." (Life of Johnson, 12 February 1766).
2 An indication of the fact that in the memoranda we have a truer picture
of the actual state of Boswell's spirits than in his journal or letters.
8 On Proof. * "Comforts," "amenities."
i8 March 1764 183
genteel letter to Monsieur van Sommelsdyck. After dinner you
disputed with Brown on Omnipotence and Evil. He said he was
settled, and that you must travail in birth with such notions for
some years. "Stuff!" Rose sneered, and said, "If I read Bayle, I
would be as wise as when I began." 5 You walked with Rose, but
could make little of him. You was so bad as really to think of de-
spairing. You drank tea with Zelide; father and mother very good to
you. She bad, but quite friendly and charming. You chatted easy;
saw her in good humour. She said she could have a husband that
she would not tire of if he had something to do. Hungarian talked
physic, 6 and bid me let blood to render agilis. You grew quite easy.
This day , . . copy Portraits and send to Zelide.
MONDAY 19 MARCH. Yesterday you awaked as dismal as
mortal could be. You grew better You walked with Vincent, 7
who amused you with stories of the family s'ennuiant. Rose walked
with you and agreed that Dr. Clarke had made the proofs for the
Being, &c,, strong, but advised a course of Natural Philosophy. You
said that contingencies are supposed in the Scriptures, and so things
are accounted for consistently. You receive a revelation from a
Being whom you have the strongest proofs that he is, 8 and he
promises to make the good happy. Just keep to this. Be quiet and
never own waverings, for then you're moulded by every hand. Let
principles be in your own mind. Pursue Plan No partie to-
night, but letters and Zelide. Say not another word to Rose on
speculation. He goes soon. Be genteel, nor own uneasiness.
6 Pierre Bayle (1647-1706), a Frenchman, was brought up a Protestant, be-
came a Roman Catholic, and then returned to Protestantism of a decidedly
rationalistic cast. He had been professor at Rotterdam, but had been removed
from his chair there because of his sceptical tendencies. His Dictionnaire
historique et critique (1697) analyzed and criticized in a rationalistic
fashion all these doctrines which Boswell and Broun were debating. If Brown
recommended Bayle, he could hardly have been a strict Calvinist. Boswell
hated the doctrine of predestination and wished with all the power of his
being either to forget or to disprove it, but whenever he was seriously de-
pressed, he found it at once fascinating and irrefutable. 6 Medicine.
7 Belle de Zuvlen's brother. 8 Boswell lost track of his sentence.
184 *9 March 1764
[Received 19 March, Madame Geelvinck to Boswell.
Original in French]
The Hague, 1 7 [March 1 764]
EXCUSE MY SILENCE, DEAR SIR. The reasons which have com-
pelled me to put off writing are too long and too boring to write
down. The Hague is not a place for correspondence, as you know. It
has been impossible for me to copy the Portrait, but I hope to atone
for my idleness by sending it to you in the hand of the author. 9 1
have seen your friend Gordon and judge differently of him than
Mademoiselle de Zuylen does. You will soon see me again at
Utrecht, where I hope to repeat face to face how much I am your
servant and sincere friend,
H. 1 VEUVE GEELVINCK.
My pen and ink are both excessively bad, and my scribbling is
worse.
PORTRAIT OF ZELIDE
Compassionate by temperament, liberal and generous by in-
clination, Zelide is complaisant only on principle. When she is
mild and affable, be grateful to her; she is making an effort. When
she remains for any length of time civil and polite to those whom
she does not care for, redouble your esteem: she is a martyr.
9 There are among the Boswell Papers two "portraits": the first the well-
known "Portrait of Zelide" by Belle de Zuylen herself, the other (I think)
of Madame Geelvinck, also by Belle de Zuylen. (See p. 131.) A translation of
the "Portrait of Zelide" is printed after this letter. I have followed Boswell's
text rather than Godet's (Madame de Charricre ct scs amis, i. 59-61) except
for one or two places where Boswell clearly made an error of transcription.
Professor F. W. Hilles has helped me generously in the phrasing of the
translation, and I have borrowed half a dozen words or so from Geoffrey
Scott's brilliant version of part of the portrait in The Portrait of Zelide,
Constable (Scribner), 1925.
1 The H here seems odd. Madame Geelvinck's Christian names were Cath-
erina Elisabeth and her family name was Hasselaer.
19 March 1764 185
Her vanity is boundless and boundless by gift of Nature, but if
it had not been, her experience of mankind and her resulting scorn
would soon have made it so. She has already come to see that fame
is nothing if purchased at the expense of happiness, but she would
still submit to much for the sake of fame. When will the light of the
intellect direct the inclinations of the heart? When it does, Zelide
will cease to be a coquette.
Unhappy contradiction! Zelide, who would not needlessly
strike a dog or crush the vilest insect, would perhaps in certain
moods enjoy making a man unhappy, and unhappy for her own
amusement; merely for a kind of prestige which does not deceive
her intellect in the least and tickles her vanity only for an instant.
But her feeling of superiority is short-lived: the first glimpse of
triumph brings her to herself. She no sooner recognizes the scheme
in her heart than she despises it, loathes it, and wishes to renounce
it for ever.
You will ask me perhaps if Zelide is beautiful, or pretty, or
merely passable. I do not know. It all depends on your loving her
or her wishing to make herself beloved. She has a beautiful neck;
she knows it, and displays a little more of it than modesty allows.
Her hands are not white. She knows that, too; she jokes about it,
but she would be happy not to have this cause for joking.
Affectionate in the extreme and even more fastidious, she can-
not be happy either with love or without it. But where did Friend-
ship ever find a temple more hallowed, more worthy of his pres-
ence, than Zelide's heart?
Realizing that she is too sensitive to be happy, she has almost
ceased to hope for happiness. She flees from remorse and pursues
diversion. Her pleasures are rare, but they are lively. She snatches
them, she relishes them eagerly. Aware of the futility of planning
and the uncertainty of the future, she seeks above all to make the
passing moment happy. Can you not guess her secret? Zelide is
something of a sensualist.
Too lively and too powerful feelings; too much inner activity
with no satisfactory outlet: there is the source of all her misfor-
i86 19 March 1764
tunes. If her organism had been less sensitive, Zelide would have
had the character of a great man; if she had been less intelligent
and rational, she would have been only a weak woman.
Addition to the Portrait of Zelide
You insist: the portrait of Zelide must be reconsidered. If it
were only a question of making another, the thing would be easy.
Zelide's friends say that it would be possible to make twenty, all
like the original, all differing from one another. But the task is
more difficult than that. The author of the portrait must erase
certain lines from an old sketch, dashed off carelessly to fill the
vacancy of an evening in autumn a sketch that was intended
only for the eyes of a single woman friend and that ought never to
have been given to the world. She would have retouched it if she
had intended it to be circulated, but almost before she had read it
over, it escaped from her hands. Many people assure her that she
was unfair to Zelide in saying that she is good-humoured only on
principle. She herself now enters an appeal against a judgment of
which she once approved.
If to be kind is to weep over the unfortunate, to place beyond
price the happiness of every sensitive being, to be willing to sacri-
fice one's self to others but never to sacrifice others to one's self,
Zelide is kind by nature and always was so. But if it is not enough
to observe scrupulous fairness with a heart that is compassionate
and sensitive; if to be kind one must also dissimulate one's dislikes
and disgusts, must not speak out when one is right, must respect
the weaknesses of others; must make those who have tortured
us by their wrong-headedncss forget the points in which they
wore wrong then Zelide has always hoped to be kind, and is be-
coming so. Her heart is capable of great sacrifices; she accustoms
her temper to small ones. She tries to make every moment of
those who approach her happy, for she would like to make their
lives happy, and moments make life. Though she is too sensitive to
be happy herself, those who associate with her profit by her un^
ig March 1764 187
happiness. Her existence ought not to be useless; and the less it
appears a good to her, the more she wishes to make it a good for
them. When she feels like crying, she tries to make others laugh;
she forgets her own afflictions in order to soften those of others.
She wishes to be happy in the happiness of others when she cannot
be happy in her own. For the rest, to do her duty is the first of con-
solations, as it is the sweetest of pleasures; and Zelide believes that
the happiness of those to whom Providence has joined her destiny
is a charge which has been entrusted to her.
Second Addition
If enough justice has not been done her on the score of kindness,
perhaps on the score of friendship she has been too generously
handled. There is no friend more active than she, but must one
have a strong liking for a person in order to be zealous in his serv-
ice? There is no confidant more discreet than she, but would Zelide
betray an enemy either? Gay and bantering, she is reproached
for mocking at every one. She sees without prejudice what is ridicu-
lous, and she laughs at it without scruple. Love himself could not
bind her eyes. But Zelide does not stop loving those who move her
to laughter; she never expected to find human beings without
weaknesses. A man who is ridiculous amuses her but cannot make
her angry. She is very far from preferring vice to absurdity. To
views unfortunately narrow, one small blemish ruins the most
beautiful picture; to eyes that are truly kind, ridicule does not in
the least efface the splendour of merit. Even vices do no harm to
virtues: one should see mankind trait for trait. Her confidence, it
is said, is not flattering; it is too general, and perhaps if it were be-
trayed, Zelide would not be much surprised. I have read that men
cannot hide their own secrets nor women the secrets of others, but
in this Zelide is not a woman. Another's secret is for her a sacred
charge; her own is in her power. She disposes of it according to her
fancy; or rather, Zelide has no secrets. What would she not reveal
to amuse herself and shock others? She is forced by a memory from
i88 19 March 1764
which nothing is effaced, by a heart which never forgives itself
anything, to respect everything that concerns others. To risk other
people's goods would be unjust; unceasing regret would be her
punishment. But she makes sport of what concerns herself alone.
She always sacrifices the future to the present, and as soon as the
present has become past, it too [is sacrificed]. 2 She rarely thinks
she has paid too much for a gratification. But if a brief amusement
cost her long vexation, her repentance would be merely that of a
bad economist who had made a poor bargain. What a difference
between him and the wretch who has robbed the public or ruined
his wards! It is her lack of concern for the future that has caused
Zelide to commit a thousand imprudences. If she had reflected an
instant, her portrait would not now be running about the world.
She would have realized that almost half of mankind is malicious,
and that that half speaks for the other, which cannot read. Fortu-
nately the blame of a thousand fools and of a hundred thousand
prudes is not worth a moment of regret. Every day Zelide grows
more insensitive to the judgment of the blind multitude. She would
despair if those who know her well quitted her without regret, or
met her again without pleasure, or spoke of her without esteem.
Would it show self-love if she questioned whether that would ever
happen? She is not always greatly loved, but people always choose
to be with her rather than away from her. This is precious to her:
it ought to be. It assures her that she deserves esteem, and she is
very glad to deserve it. But how does it concern her happiness if
people should admire or blame her at a distance on hearsay, on
vague reports, on remarks half understood? Can she think either
more or less highly of herself because of such things?
Blest Sensibility! Zelide will never disown thee, thou sole
offset for the misfortune of nice discernment and exacting taste.
Thou who causest her to cherish the sweets of Nature, thou who
dost bind her to the Arts much more than capricious Vanity! Thou
art highly dangerous, perhaps, but thou art always a positive good.
2 Boswell left a blank, probably because he could not read the word in Belle's
hand. Godet does not print the passage.
ig March 1764 189
Bad luck to them who know no innocent delights of sense! It is
not for them (as the author of Emile says), no, it is not for them
that I write.
TUESDAY 20 MARCH. Yesterday you lay abed purely to have
a little present ease. You called on Brown; told him you was not
well. Said he, "You are melancholy." You asked if he would not
take amiss your dining elsewhere some days. He said, "By no
means," with true frankness, and bid you amuse yourself. At ten
you had letter from la Veuve, sweet and elegant. Yet, alas ! it did
not elevate your gloomy soul. However, be proud of it. She's the
finest prize in the Provinces, and you'll be well with her. You dined
at Roster's 3 blackguards. You was direfully melancholy and had
the last and most dreadful thoughts. You came home and prayed.
You read Greek, and Voltaire on the English. This day, spring up.
Resolve this. You can't be worse, and it may harden. You have
not owned too much. Return to Brown's; resume and improve;
don't joke.
[c. 20 MARCH. FRENCH THEME] ... I am in doubt wha't is the
best breakfast. Some people take soup, others take meat. But the
most general mode in Europe is to take tea or coffee. But still there
are difficulties. What is best to eat with tea and coffee? In Switzer-
land you have hot cakes well covered with butter. In London you
have muffins, which are much the same thing, or sometimes butter-
toast, that is, bread and butter toasted together. Sometimes you
are given bread, either toasted or not, and left to put the butter on
it yourself; and in some slightly more luxurious families, you are
also served honey and preserves. After all, in breakfasting each
must follow his own taste. There is no truer proverb than that
which says that one man's meat is another man's poison.
The opinions of mankind are fairly well agreed in the matter
of dinner. Every one at mid-day wishes to eat something substan-
tial and hot. There is, however, a great difference as to the number
8 A hotel in the Oudkerkhof , not far from the Cathedral Square. The point is
merely that it was a new eating-place for Boswell, and that he did not like it
igo 20 March 1764
of dishes and the manner of dressing them. I myself do not like a
mixture of meats. I like a good soup, a slice of beef or mutton, and
a little green stuff or pastry; and there is my dinner.
There is a diversity of opinion as to supper. In France and in
several other countries they have a heavy meal at night. In Eng-
land people eat almost nothing. I think it is much more healthful
not to eat supper, or to take only something very light. However,
I admit that that depends principally on habit, for there are people
who eat supper, even a hearty supper, yet who are perfectly well.
Again, each man to his own taste* . . .
WEDNESDAY 21 MARCH. Yesterday you told Mr. Brown that
you would not desert him; that one in gloom thinks to be relieved
by changes, but that they are vain. He said you would do well after
Mr. Rose goes to change about. You said you could not be so well.
At dinner he amused you with Sir W. Aston and his family. Facts
are most entertaining. Sir W. asked in the Presbyterian church,
"Pray, what is it? Is it a worship?" ... He said a melancholy man
should marry a woman who is not so. You attended well to geog-
raphy and to Greek but joined with Rose against Utrecht; 'tis in-
fectious. At Assembly chez Comtesse you behaved well, though
with brutes. ... Be pious like Pitfour 4 All will come well.
Journal at night.
[2 1 MARCH. FRENCH THEME]* I will try to relate in passable
French Mr. Brown's conversation at dinner yesterday. "We once
had at Utrecht," said he, "the most uncouth English family that
one Jan conceive. Sir Willoughby Aston 6 had an estate of 5000
a year in the west of England. He spent a great deal of money to
win an election, which he lost after all; and he lived on too splendid
a footing. He found his affairs somewhat embarrassed, and re-
solved to pass some years in foreign countries in order to save. He
4 James Fergusson of Pitfour, a prominent member of the Scots bar, an
Episcopalian and reputed Jacobite. Boswell often sets his learning and p'iety
up for imitation.
5 The French original of this theme is printed below, p. 391.
6 Sir Willoughby was the nephew of Dr. Johnson's favourite, Molly Aston.
21 March 1764 191
was a great hog, an enormous lout. He squinted horribly, but he
was not without a kind of rude common sense; and as he had been
justice of the peace for several years, he knew all about the poor's
rates. His wife was the most ridiculous and disgusting of beings.
She was nearly fifty and dressed like a girl of sixteen. She was
affected and vain and insipid and capricious. Her brother, Mr. Pye,
a merchant of Amsterdam, detested her. He had engaged to come
and dine with her and to present his wife. Lady Aston was alone
in Utrecht. Mr. Brown 7 was invited to this dinner. He went at four
o'clock, fearing that he was too late. But the dinner was put off to
five. My Lady became very impatient. She asked Mr. Brown if he
was not hungry. He confessed that he was. 'But,' said he, 'we must
wait for Mr. Pye, for he said he would be a little late.' It was a very
correct and sensible remark. However, it struck my Lady's giddy
brain with some disproportionate emphasis, and brought into her
mind the thought: 'On my word, these bourgeois are very impolite.
They ought to conform to the hours of people of quality. I will not
wait another minute.' Mr. Brown begged her not to take such hasty
measures, but she was inexorable. She had the dinner brought in,
and my Lady and Mr. Brown took their places at a table set for
eighteen. They had hardly begun on their soup when the whole
company arrived, and before all the honours were done the dinner
was cold. They ate it, however, and my Lady gave herself tremen-
dous airs.
"After dinner they sat down to cards. Mr. Brown and Mr. Pye
did not play, but chatted in Dutch. 'Well,' said Pye, 'have you ever
seen the like of that sister of mine? I think she is the greatest fool
in the world.' 'But,' said Mr. Brown, 'why do you let these people
travel about any more? They expose themselves wherever they go.'
'That is true,' replied Mr. Pye, 'but I let them travel because I
want to keep them away from me.'
"Sir Willoughby used to stay in bed till one o'clock. He would
7 Boswell is now telling the story in the third person, but as it is impossible
to fix the point at which the construction changes, it seems better to continue
the marks of direct quotation.
21 March 1764
get up and place himself before the fire with the utmost indolence.
He would shout to one of his daughters, Tolly! My shoes Aa ".
She would bring them. 4 Aa ' said he, "shoes without buckles
Aa '. He would grumble like that through the whole morning. He
was very fond of drinking when he had company. He lived in
Utrecht on a magnificent footing. He received a great many
courtesies. But finally he bored everybody. Guiffardiere and Hill,
two young preachers who liked good living, were the only ones
who remained faithful to the Aston family.
"The Knight had five daughters, the eldest of whom was very
amiable and suffered sadly from the absurdity of her father and
her mother. Young Willoughby was the most mischievous of imps
without the least trace of manners. He came one Saturday into a
good-sized party without invitation. He chattered and drank and
ate their cracknels until Mr. Cochrane gave him a rap on the
knuckles and chased him out of the room. Such was the Aston
family.
"They had a Scotch servant whom they called 'Hume' or
'Humes.' Mr. Brown asked him, 'Where did you get that name?'
Toh!' said he, 'my name is Hugh Macgregor, but her silly Lady-
ship has given me the name of Humes.'
"This famous family is now at Tours in France, where they
are spending more money than they spent in England."
THURSDAY 22 MARCH. Yesterday you was better. Rose and
you walked after dinner. He said he was very lazy. You owned
nothing. He drank coffee with you and talked of suicide You
grew well at night. This day show that you are Boswell, a true
soldier. Take your post. Shake off sloth and spleen, and just pro-
ceed. Nobody knows your conflicts. Be fixed as Christian, and
shun vice. Go not to Amsterdam. 9 Read more law. Write Father
neat clear little letter. No metaphysics. Plain things. Be silent and
8 A yawn.
9 To a brothel. See p. 236. For the first time since coming to Utrecht he is
beginning to consider seriously the possibility of patriarchal indulgence.
22 March 1764 193
polite always. Just resume Utrecht and expel antipathies. Affleck,
Broomholm, J. Bruce. 10
THURSDAY 22 MARCH
And must not I have speculations sad
Who still am shudd'ring lest I should grow mad?
Who think that sentence is against me pass'd
And that my reason has not long to last?
With an alarming consciousness I feel
My wild ideas in confusion reel,
And through my gloomy and tumult'ous brain
With cruel rage successive horrors reign.
I think that I (0 height of dire despair!)
Am a poor blasted tree that cannot bear.
FRIDAY 23 MARCH. Yesterday you got up bad. After dinner
you grew better. At Society chez, Peterson (Montesquieu's prin-
ciple of honour) ,* you recovered quite. You came home quite well.
. . . You will make a man. Adore GOD and rejoice that you are vir-
tuous. Reserve for wife except some Maintenon 2 occur. Be good
to Rose. Get little box for journal. Be a true soldier. Read more
French, Saturday, journal. To keep nerves firm, shave fine. Have
good humour.
[Boswell to Temple]
Utrecht, 23 March 1 764
MY DEAR TEMPLE, For some time past our correspondence
has been very irregular. You delayed for two months to answer
my last. I have delayed to answer yours still longer. 3 I must
10 The Broomholm was a farm at Auchinleck, and James Bruce was the
overseer. 1 The topic discussed at the Society.
2 That is, a mistress of a very unusual and superior sort.
3 Temple had delayed roughly two months, for Boswell had written to him
on 4 December and he had replied on 7 February. But his letter was actually
194 23 March 1764
however for my vindication inform you that I have at different
times this week written you two long letters. But they were so very
splenetic that I have not sent them. During our Christmas vacation
I went to The Hague, where I passed some weeks in brilliant dissi-
pation. I received very great civilities from my Dutch relations
and other people of the first distinction. Upon my return to Utrecht
I found that my mind had been weakened. I had not the same vig-
our as before. I took a severe cold, which hurt my spirits, and some
posts ago I received accounts of the death of that child of whom
you have heard me talk so much. This is an affliction of an uncom-
mon nature; for although I never saw him, believe me, I am not
a little distressed. I mourn for an idea. I mourn for one with respect
to whom I had formed many agreeable plans which must now be
dashed from my mind.
You see a concurrence of circumstances to bring back my mel-
ancholy. You may conceive what dreary thoughts have oppressed
me. You may conceive how I have extended the gloomy prospect. I
have indeed been so bad as almost to despair. I wrote yesterday
a letter to my worthy father and told him my situation. I am vexed
that I did so. For although I have talked with moderation, yet I am
afraid he will be uneasy. I have told him that I am weary of
Utrecht, and that I am anxious to know his scheme for my travels.
This day I am so much better as to see that I must not yield to slight
disgust, that I must follow out the plan upon which I came hither,
nor think of stirring till the Civil Law lectures are ended.
I see too that I am getting improvement here. I have read
Xenophon's Anabasis, his Spartan and Athenian Republics, and
his Life of Agesilaus. I am now reading Plutarch's Lives. 1 shall
select some of them only. I have advanced very well in French.
I am just about finishing Voltaire's General History. I have picked
up a little Dutch. I have not given such application to the Civil and
Scots law as I ought to have done; however, I have done tolerably.
I am now so sadly clouded that I cannot see the advantage of
dated 7 January; and it is this erroneous date that Boswell has in mind when
he says he has delayed still longer.
23 March 1764 195
my studies. But this must pass. I have been tormenting myself with
abstract questions concerning Liberty and Necessity, the attributes
of the Deity, and the origin of Evil. I have truly a dark disposition.
I must be patient. I may yet become quite clear. I have rather a
hard task of it. I have no friend to whom I can disclose my anxieties
and receive immediate relief.
Come, I will be firm. Excuse me, my friend, for writing in this
insipid manner. I never felt such an absence of genius. I never was
so lumpish.
The Countess of whom I talked so much turns out a very so-so
vrouw. I have a woeful want of discernment. Witness the beauty
to whom I paid my respects last summer under the gallant name
of Sir Charles Boston. How ugly did we find her! 4
Paris must no doubt be delicious at present. But I imagine
I shall first take a tour in Germany. I would choose to proceed
through Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and return by France.
I have no relish at present for anything. But undoubtedly I
shall have some by and by. You are used to splenetic complaints.
You have heard them from Clarke and from Stockdale, 5 and often
and often from Boswell.
I fear my father will wish to shorten my course as much as
possible. He will wish to have me at home to set me fairly a-going
as a man of business. I shall do my best to please him. I may yet
be an useful and respected man.
I am at this moment so well that I despise myself for having
been so subdued by gloom, and I will not allow myself the vanity
of being melancholy. Thus it is, my dear friend. Forgive me. I
shall give you a much better epistle soon. In the mean time, I beg
to hear from you without delay. Encourage me, and bid me conceal
4 Not a hint of this is entered in the London journal of the period, nor in the
parallel memoranda. Could the lady have been Miss Floyer? See p. 36.
5 "Stockdale" is Percival Stockdale, rake, wit, clergyman, editor the man
to whom Johnson said that living in a ship was worse than living in jail.
"Clarke" became an officer in the Guards. Both were friends of Temple at
Cambridge.
196 23 March 1764
my distress. Indeed, I have been very prudent. People only observe
that I am un peu triste. Bless me! how easy am I just now. I am
with my Temple. I am happy. Have you yet determined for the
priesthood? What is Bob about? Is Claxton well? I have had a long
letter from Mr. Johnson. I correspond hi French with Sir David
Dalrymple. I have a great quantity of journal. Should I send it to
you? I left some papers in chambers. My dear friend, yours ever,
JAMES BOSWELL.
I am infinitely better. My next shall be a more agreeable
epistle. Pray write soon.
SATURDAY 24 MARCH. Yesterday you was very bad after
dinner, and shuddered with dire ideas. You was incertain and con-
fused and lazy, talked of going to bed, and could scarcely read
Greek. You went to Assembly. You cleared up. You went to
Brown's, was cheerful and content; came home happy and resolved
to do well. This day recollect the dreadful conflict which you have
had. Just a return of the black foe. You have behaved well. You
have only written to Father and friends, and have owned it moder-
ately to Brown. Journal all morning Tea, Amerongen at four;
five, Zelide; eight, Hungarians
SUNDAY 25 MARCH. Yesterday you awaked in great disorder,
thinking that you was dying, and exclaiming, "There's no more
of it! Tis all over." Horrid idea! You had sat up till four, writing.
You got up and found that your sitting up had made quite an alter-
ation in your system. You was clear, active, pious in a clear and
benevolent manner, which you may always be. Rose's departure
being fixed pleased you. Brown said that spleen is distemper, and
you must with time be quite free of it. You drank tea at Zelide's;
walked with Des Essar; had fine Society, Hungarians, and trans-
lated Johnson's satire 6 in Latin. This day see how you can go on.
At any time sit up to cure. . . .
MONDAY 26 MARCH. Yesterday you called on Grand Bailiff,
where you are always filled with excellent ideas. He said a jaunt
to The Hague deranged him quite. So are men. You was much
6 London or The Vanity of Human Wishes, probably the latter.
26 March 1764 197
diseased, for you had during the day perhaps seven or eight differ-
ent minds. . . . After you came home, you was sound: neither
high nor low. This day recollect. You've only owned a little melan-
choly; that's all. You have maintained character. . . . Lose no time.
But be always busy or gay. See la Veuve. Command tongue. Eat
moderate.
TUESDAY 27 MARCH. Yesterday, though bad in the morning,
you was well all day. You have resolved neither to own misery
nor weakness for ten days. Send to see how Zelide is. ... At night
you was clear and happy and in humour to write. But, by reason,
you went to bed not to risk night damp. Fix law hours, and write
a page [of] Erskine as regular as ten lines; also journal, so much
each morning. Tonight mild with la Veuve. Write Johnston soon
... At all events, retenue. If joy comes, well. Mem. Demosthenes. 7
\_c. 27 MARCH. FRENCH THEME] [Indolence] attacks me
especially in the morning. I go to bed at night with the most deter-
mined resolutions to get up early. Francois, my faithful servant,
wakes me at half -past six. But when I open my eyes and see day-
light again, a crowd of disagreeable ideas comes into my mind.
I think gloomily of the vanity and misery of human life. I think
that it is not worth while to do anything. Everything is insipid
or everything is dark. Either my feelings will be numbed, or I shall
feel pain; and I can only solace myself with a little present ease.
Happy is the man who can forget that he exists. That is the doctrine
of Monsieur Maupertuis, who, in order to maintain his thesis that
men are desperately unhappy, observes that they try by all possible
means to escape from themselves: by sleep, by amusements, and
even by work. But this flighty philosopher has explained the
nature of man very falsely. The truth is that man is made for
action. When he is busy, he fulfils the intention of his Creator,
7 Probably the following passage from Plutarch's Parallel Lives: "Demos-
thenes . . . regarded other points in the character of Pericles to be unsuited to
him; but his reserve and his sustained manner, and his forbearing to speak on
the sudden, or upon every occasion, as being the things to which principally
he owed his greatness, these he followed ..." (Translation by Dryden).
ig8 27 March 1764
and he is happy. Sleep and amusement serve to refresh his body
and his mind and qualify him to continue his course of action. How
is it then that I feel so gloomy every morning, and that these con-
vincing arguments have not the least influence on my conduct?
I believe the explanation is some physical disorder. My nerves at
that time are relaxed, the vapours have risen to my head. If I get
up and move about a little, I am happy and brisk. But it is with
the utmost difficulty that I can get up. I have thought of having
my bed constructed in a curious fashion. I would have it so that
when I pulled a cord, the middle of the bed would be immediately
raised and me raised with it and gradually set up on the floor. Thus
I should be gently forced into what is good for me. 8
TUESDAY 27 MARCH
And must I now heroic lines compose,
I, who fatigu'd with various thinking, doze?
Who, by a kind of lethargy oppress'd,
Maintain that man was only made for rest;
Whose lazy blood is stirr'd by no desire,
In whose fat frame there is no spark of fire,
8 "I talked of the difficulty of rising in the morning. [Dr. Johnson told him
of a home-made alarm devised by Mrs. Elizabeth Carter; when she was
roused from sleep, she had no difficulty in getting up.] But I said that was
my difficulty; and wished there could be some medicine invented which
would make one rise without pain, which I never did, unless after lying
in bed a very long time. Perhaps there may be something in the stores of
Nature which could do this. I have thought of a pulley to raise me gradually;
but that would give me pain, as it would counteract my internal inclination.
I would have something that can dissipate the vis inertiae and give elasticity
to the muscles. As I imagine that the human body may be put, by the opera-
tion of other substances, into any state in which it has ever been, and as I
have experienced a state in which rising from bed was not disagreeable but
easy, nay, sometimes agreeable, I suppose that this state may be produced
if we knew by what. We can heat the body, we can cool it; we can give it
tension or relaxation; and surely it is possible to bring it into a state in which
rising from bed will not be a pain" (Life of Johnson, ig September 1777).
27 March 1764 199
Who the warm chimney-corner would not quit
For all the brilliant charms of lively Wit;
Nor by the voice of Glory or the Fair
Be tempted to forsake an easy-chair.
WEDNESDAY 28 MARCH. Yesterday you was still gloomy; but
you read Civil and Scots law and found that they are only bug-
bears, and grew well. At Assembly chez. Mademoiselles Bottestein
you saw la Veuve and was charming, but had not time to talk fully.
Hardenbroek said to her, "You are the loadstone." You said, "I am
the steel." ... At night you was clear and resolved to go on manly.
This day write . . . Madame Spaen . . .
[Boswell to Madame de Spaen. Original in French] 9
Utrecht, 28 March 1764
MADAME: You had the goodness to tell me that you would
permit me to correspond with you when my travels should have
carried me to greater distance. In saying this, did you have a
scheme of testing my love for your country? Did you wish to see if
I could resist so great a temptation to leave it? But, Madame, is it
not possible for me to enjoy so flattering a favour while I remain in
Holland? This letter comes to ask it; rather to beg it.
My French is still very imperfect, but I dare risk it. I hope that
you will understand me for the greater part, and when you meet
phrases that are absolutely unintelligible, you have only to invite
a few scholars to dinner. It will give them something to do to de-
cipher them, and you will be pleasantly diverted. It is, however,
a consolation to know that my French will all the time be improv-
ing
Mademoiselle de Zuylen and I are very good friends. I find her
charming, in spite of the simile of the battalion which amused me
9 This, the first of several long letters to Madame de Spaen, consists mainly
of compliments which I have ventured to excise. But the portion about Belle
de Zuylen is interesting.
2oo 2 $ March 1764
so much. 1 But granting the battalion, would one not be happy to be
its colonel? If it is u badly drilled," that must be remedied. Made-
moiselle de Zuylen deserves a great deal more fame and love than
she gets. She has quite superior parts and the best heart in the
world. If I boast of her friendship, I shall be accused of tacitly
boasting that I possess wit myself. I confess that I do sometimes
pretend to a little. I fear, however, that you will say only that my
esprit resembles those other esprits of which we are so frightened,
those that never show themselves in company. Excuse a play on
words. 2 To tell the truth I do not make the figure in company
which I imagine in my closet. I have not yet enough breeding in
society so that I can always show uniform cheerfulness. And some-
times a proud bashfulness makes me remain in gloomy silence.
My letter is already too long. I hardly dare detain you further
to beg you to pay my respects to all those who were so kind to me at
The Hague. I have the honour to be, with the most distinguished
consideration, Madame, your most obliged and very humble
servant,
BOSWELL D'AUCHINLECK.
WEDNESDAY 28 MARCH 3
That life is changeful, all who live allow,
But none e'er felt it more than I feel now.
Last night my verses were in rueful tone,
I tried to sing, but I could only groan.
The blackest clouds of melancholy hung
Upon my mind, unwieldy was my tongue.
1 Madame de Spaen (or her husband he was a colonel) had probably said
that Belle was as alarming as a badly drilled battalion of troops.
2 A rather clumsy one on two meanings of the French word esprit: "wit" and
"ghost"
3 The reader needs constantly to remind himself that the memoranda were
written in the morning, reviewing the events of the preceding day, while
the ten-line verses were written at night, generally with reference to events
of the day just concluding. In this instance the relief which Boswell records
came after the frantic gesture recorded in the memorandum dated 29 March.
28 March 1764 201
And yet (what changes can produce one day!)
I now am easy, vigorous, and gay;
And am a bold and generous soldier found
Resolved at all events to stand my ground.
THURSDAY 29 MARCH. Yesterday you was bad in the morn-
ing, but at one you talked to Trotz of new scheme for Scots law
which put you in spirits. 4 You went out to fields, and in view of
the tower, drew your sword glittering in the sun, 5 and on your
knee swore that if there is a Fatality, then that was also ordained;
but if you had free will, as you believed, you swore and called the
Great G to witness that, although you're melancholy, you'll
stand it, and for the time before you go to Hague, not own it After
dinner you mounted tower. 6 Tea, Zelide, fine; la Veuve there.
. . . This day, books to Trotz; Greek at nine. Be busy; no love, firm.
You may have women as well as live full. But only fine ones.
FRIDAY 30 MARCH. Yesterday you was very well. You was,
however, pretty idle except geography and Greek. You see what
4 A proposal to translate Erskine's Principles into Latin. See p. 245.
s The "tower" is the great tower of the mediaeval cathedral. Boswell is swear-
ing on the hilt of his sword, like his knightly ancestors.
6 "The only substantial remains of the cathedral are one aisle, in which
divine service is performed, and a lofty, magnificent Gothic tower [then 364
feet high, now 338], that stands apart from it A stone staircase, steep,
narrow, and winding, after passing several grated doors, leads into a floor
which you hope is the top, but which is little more than half way up. Here
the family of the belfry-man fill several decently furnished apartments and
show the great bell, with several others, the noise of which it might be sup-
posed no human ears could bear, as these people must at only the distance of
a few yards. After resting some minutes in a room the windows of which
command perhaps a more extended land-view than any other inhabited
apartment in Europe, you begin the second ascent by a staircase still nar-
rower and steeper, and when you seem to be so weary as to be incapable of
another step, half the horizon suddenly bursts upon the view, and all your
complaints are overborne by expressions of admiration. ... A circle of prob-
ably more than sixty miles diameter strains the sight from this tremendous
steeple" (Charles Campbell, The Traveller's Complete Guide through
Belgium, Holland, and Germany 9 1815, pp. 95-96).
202 3 March 1764
fixed hours do. The Society was chez Rham, who gave discourse on
passions and their being confused When you came home, you
read a very little. You fell asleep almost on yotq; chair, which you
never knew till you came to Holland. This day at nine, Brown's,
and see Wallace's Scots law, so as not to be anxious with Trotz,
to \\hom you must only offer six ducats. 7 At half eleven, let blood,
and after this no more lethargy. Go on; be firm. Home at five and
journal Hard; 'twill please you much hence. Never be rash.
FRIDAY 3O MARCH
Illustrious Johnson! When of thee I think,
Into my little self I timid shrink.
With all my soul thy genius I admire:
Thy vig'rous judgment, thy poetic fire,
Thy knowledge vast, thy excellence of mirth,
And all thy moral and religious worth.
The noble dignity of man I see,
But fear it cannot be attain'd by me.
Yet I resolve the gen'rous path to try:
Though less than thee, I may be very high.
SATURDAY 31 MARCH. Yesterday you was better. You let
blood. You was resolute. Your blood was thick and black. 8 You
7 George Wallace, advocate, had published in 1760 A System of the Principles
of the Law of Scotland; Boswell may be referring to this book or (perhaps
less likely, since he seems to expect to see "Wallace's Scots law" at Brown's)
to notes he had taken on the lectures of William Wallace, Professor of Scots
Law in the University of Edinburgh. In either case, the object of the memo-
randum seems to have been to assure himself that he would not be completely
dependent on Trotz for "illustrations" (see p. 245). Six ducats (thirty-three
guilders, something less than 3) was probably the monthly honorarium he
planned to suggest, not the total that he expected to pay. See the entries for
i and 8 April. His expense account shows that he gave Trotz only forty
guilders (3-12-9) for the entire course of lectures in Civil Law, but in that
course there were several other students besides himself.
8 "30 March, For having blood drawn, i guilder 10 stivers" (Expense Ac-
count). Boswell was constitutionally timid and submitted himself to blood-
letting much less frequently than the majority of people of his time.
31 March 1764 203
walked with Grand Bailiff. You read Greek and chased laziness.
You was at home all evening and grew bold by reading Johnson's
satires. You brought up a sweep of journal. You now know where
you are. This day, French theme. At ten, Trotz. Show specimen of
translation. Give at most ten ducats
[c. 31 MARCH. FRENCH THEME] . . . Des Essar is a true
pedant, a fop in learning, and sometimes he is very much mis-
taken. 9 He was once a Capuchin. He ran away twice from his mon-
astery, and the second time he escaped to Brussels, where he lived
for some time. He taught mathematics to people of the first rank.
He had an affair which did not go very far, but in which he behaved
like a man of honour who had noble blood, for Monsieur des Essar
is assuredly of a distinguished family, though of a rather distant
branch of it. It was discovered, however, that he had been a Capu-
chin, and he had to decamp. Poor man! He came into Holland like
other good Huguenots. He established himself at Amsterdam. He
had there pupils of the right sort. He belonged to a literary society
composed of men of wit and amiable women Finally Monsieur
des Essar married a young Hollandized Englishwoman. He came
to Utrecht, where he has remained for some time. He still teaches
mathematics, and he conducts the Gazette Frangaise. He is extrava-
gantly French. He is vain, he makes compliments. He gets bored,
and his misery makes the rest of us ashamed of ours, because in him
it appears so contemptible.
SUNDAY i APRIL. Yesterday you was fine. You lay too long
indulging. You sat long with Trotz and found him to be avarus. 1
Yet you was fond of the scheme. You walked with Rose. After din-
ner Brown advised you to scheme, if you can labour it enough. You
thought yourself weak and not grand enough. You have always
complaints. You wrote some of scheme, but found it very tedious.
This day, Scots law till ten, and then eclipse, 2 and at twelve, Trotz:
9 He had corrected Boswell's French rather rudely at the meeting of the
Literary Society on Thursday evening.
1 "Greedy." (IJoswell thinks in Latin when he thinks of Trotz.)
2 An almost total eclipse of the sun, beginning at London at 9.14 A.M. and
204
tell fear that you could not write five hours a day. Advise; make
bargain: for month thirty-three, or four months in all. But
think. . . .
SUNDAY 1 APRIL
No more I'll fret because the time is long,
No more I'll call the world's great system wrong,
No more on good and evil will debate,
And walk the wilds of Liberty and Fate.
No more on wings of speculation fly:
Blind goes man's reason when it soars too high.
To solid studies I my time will give,
And as a decent worthy fellow live.
I'll be the honest Laird of Auchinleck, 3
And from my friends and neighbours have respect.
MONDAY 2 APRIL. Yesterday you was tolerable. You went to
the Observatory, but could see nothing. You called on Trotz, who
was clear for scheme, "Si tu pensam tuam prestare possis."* You
laboured six hours at it, and did much. At night you supped.
Nothing to mark, only you speak too little, nor keep Brown enough
in order. You are retenu. Keep to it ... This day see if you can go
reaching the maximum of eclipse at 10.42. In the manuscript of Boswelliana
appears the following anecdote, not included in Rogers's edition and now
printed with the kind permission of the owners of the manuscript, Mr. and
Mrs. Donald F. Hyde: "Boswell said to Rham, a short-sighted German who
had mounted the Utrecht observatory to see the eclipse, April, 1764, 'You
ought to look at the ladies of the town with your telescope.' 'Sir,' said Rham,
'that would have been to look at them de haut en bos' " (Literally, "from top
to bottom," but in a common figurative sense, "haughtily, contemptuously":
our "to look down on a person." Rham, I suppose, meant, "That would really
be looking down on them.'* I am informed that a pun on bos, "stockings,"
would be impossible in good French, and would hardly have been ventured
even by a German addressing a Scotsman.)
3 Boswell here treats Auchinleck as a word of three syllables by the same kind
of poetic license that permits Shakespeare occasionally to givs three syllables
to Gloucester. * "If you can perform your daily stint."
2 April 1764 205
on: seven to eight; quarter after nine to eleven; two. At night talk
to Brown. But be prudent, and think! Temple, Johnson. The
Scheme will be certain, noble, and cost only cure of lues. 5
TUESDAY 3 APRIL. Yesterday nothing happened, but only you
was better, though still hesitating as to Scheme. This day, see how
you can make it out. At one, talk again to Trotz, and perhaps begin
it. Consider: it is a plan that may be of use to you for a whole life.
It is to take a privatissimum* on the law of your country with one
of the ablest lawyers in Europe, who, by comparing it with the
Civil and Dutch, will give you a complete knowledge of law. It is
only remaining here a month longer. At night be fine with la
Veuve and say you're changeant." Be more retenu, and have iron-
quillitatem animi*
TUESDAY 3 APRIL
This night, ye gods' can I to rhyme pretend,
The night when Utrecht's dear assemblies end?
Where I again, ah! never shall appear?
Can I think thus, nor shed a gloomy tear?
Around the room my doleful eyes I cast,
And sadly mutter'd, "Is it then the last?"
At trente-et-un (forbidden game!) I play'd, 9
And to take leave some small diversion made;
I made the power of British luck be felt,
And snapp'd up fourteen guilders of their geld?
WEDNESDAY 4 APRIL. Yesterday you was pretty well, but
confused and changed and desperate. After dinner you said to Rose,
5 "Cost only as much as you would pay a surgeon for curing a venereal
infection."
6 A lecture or course of lectures given by a professor at his home to a select
few, in this case to Boswell as sole student. T "Changeable."
8 "Calm of mind."
9 "Forbidden" presumably because, having been lent by Thomas Sheridan
money to pay some embarrassing card debts, he had promised never to lose
more than three guineas at a sitting, and trente-et-un was a game in which he
could easily lose more. * "Money" (pronounced gelt) .
206 ^ April 1764
"I have passed a very disagreeable winter of it, with little enjoy-
ment." You was truly splenetic. You said to him after, "When I
recollect, 'twas not so." You are imbecile. You are made by com-
pany. This day, Trotz at nine, and sign no paction but trust mutu-
ally. At dinner be easy and say as wonder, "Oh, how complaisant I
was to say of Utrecht that, &c.," and swear that you're content, and
that Rose must report so in England. 2 Let this be lesson of prudent
silence till fit goes off. Home at five . . . Mem., . . . you cannot be
complete all at once. Make a study of constant good humour.
WEDNESDAY 4 APRIL
The cruel Spleen torments me now again,
And its foul vapours sheds upon my brain.
It comes and goes inconstant as the wind,
And makes a sport of my unhappy mind.
Three hours ago I was entir'ly sound:
All was complacent, all was smiling found;
Hearty I supped and sung a jolly song,
And thought the time ran cheerfully along.
But now, alas! I feel a weight of woe,
And all confus'd and wild to bed I go.
THURSDAY 5 APRIL. Yesterday you began hour with Trotz.
You was not a little gloomy. You was distressed about the Scheme.
Your mind was distracted. At last a lucky hint occurred. You wrote
to Maclaine, and will have his advice. You walked with Rose for
last time, and had him and Carron at coffee. You supped Brown's,
but was galled with his rude mirth. He is quite Scotch. He grows
too free. You owned your change of ideas; 'twas wrong. Swear never
own more. Go on with Scheme this week. You went to bed to see if
ideas change.
2 Rose had probably started the conversation of the previous day by complain-
ing that he did not like Utrecht. Boswell's self-direction here means, "Open
the subject again, and say that you made your unkind remarks about Utrecht
merely out of kindness for Rose."
5 April 1764 207
THURSDAY 5 APRIL
In tepid water now I hold my feet
And all the comfort feel of genial heat.
Down from my head the noxious vapours flow,
And to my heels without obstruction go.
Last night I little slept, so that today
The drowsy god I indolent obey.
I scarce retain the consciousness of thought,
And like great Homer I am nodding caught.
One night I surely shall not be distress'd;
One night I shall enjoy luxurious rest.
FRIDAY 6 APRIL. Yesterday after four hours' confused sleep
you bounced up, went to Carron's, and according to usual form, had
warm English breakfast. Then went in coach and convoyed poor
Rose out of Porte and took leave of him. You was dreadful, but it
could not be perceived. Brown told you of Limier's being vain yet
timorous, and thinking people despised him; talking of his scheme
to acquaintances, and at last, though a polite, pretty man .
Horrid. You shuddered. Swear drive off [such] thoughts. 3 Society
was chez vous for last time. This day, Greek, one; Trotz, three. Re-
solve; recollect winter, and just go on clear. See what Maclaine
says. Determine tomorrow.
SATURDAY ^ APRIL. Yesterday you was still gloomy. You
began Greek at one with Brown, and did it well. You're much better
of some active, springy man along with you. Suffer no antipathies
to rise at Brown. He is a generous and clever little man. Think, talk
of him as he deserves Run through ville to drink tea, found
none, was uneasy; resolved so no more. Played two games at
billiards at each coffee-house You must this day fix finally
law Scots. Perhaps send to Professor [Trotz], not tod&y but to-
morrow. . . .
3 "Limier" or "Limiers" is not certainly identified, but the point is clear
enough: Brown told of a man much like Boswell who finally committed
suicide.
2o8 7 April 1764
[Received 7 April, the Reverend Archibald Maclaine to Boswell]
[The Hague, 6 April 1 764]
MY DEAR SIR, You will no doubt be surprised at having re-
ceived no answer to your first letter, and still more so at my letting
a post pass without answering your second. Your first letter gave
me inexpressible pleasure, as it confirmed me in the agreeable
persuasion of nry having a share in your friendship and esteem;
and could the principle of self-love have conquered that unspeak-
able antipathy I have to writing letters, the following post would
have brought you the warm expressions of that gratitude I shall
ever feel when I think of your partial goodness to me.
Your second letter demands a speedy answer; and to speak
frankly, that answer might be contained in two words, nosce
teipsum.* Five hundred hours in one hundred days, employed upon
an object where neither wit, genius, nor imagination can have the
smallest exercise, and going cheek by jowl with a heavy recluse,
called privatissimum* and this labour to be undertaken by the
sprightly, brilliant, amiable philosopher whom I know and you,
at present, know not and this work to be done at a fixed time by a
man that hates restraint, and that in conjunction with a sublime
Professor who talks of guilders, rascal counters, 6 profits, &c. and
by a man who loves change, wants often relaxation, and is subject
to low spirits! Surely you joke or dream or are inspired with
a portion of the spirits of Cujas, 7 who has appeared to you in a vision
4 "Know thyself 7 : the Latin equivalent of Boswell's favourite Greek tag
yvuBi creavrov.
5 The sentence would be more intelligible if these two words had followed
"object." The "heavy recluse" is Professor Trotz.
6 Debased coin, quoting Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, IV. ii. 79-80: "When
Marcus Brutus grows so covetous To lock such rascal counters from his
friends." In Holland at this time all coins except the local ones were accepted
at the intrinsic value of the metal they contained (Thomas Nugent, The
Grand Tour, 3d ed., 1778, i. 51).
* Jacques Cujas (1522-1590), French jurist, exponent of the historical method
in the teaching of law.
7 April 1 764 209
and taken the advantage of some foggy night, when the atmos-
phere loaded with heavy vapours has damped the wings of fancy,
&c., &c., &c,, &c.
Merriment aside, I should mightily approve of your plan were
it to be executed with ease, liberty, and a proper mixture of amuse-
ment, Jpolite literature, and light summer reading. The plan is
good, must be useful and highly so to yourself, and when executed)
will be a valuable present to the Republic of Letters; but if you thus
measure your daily labour, as a weaver, by the yard, I will venture
to foretell that before twenty days of the hundred are past, you will
be wearied, ennuye, you will begin to yawn, to grow drowsy, to
curse plans, fixed time, measured tasks, ells of Civil Law, hundred
guilders, profits of the edition; and tell Mr. Trotz that you are out
of order, that your nerves are weak, your spirits low, and bid him
(silently) go to the D My dear Boswell, the post will not
wait. A hundred things prevented me from writing sooner. If this
letter does not make impression, I shall send you another written
at more leisure. In the mean time I am, with the warmest heart and
the truest affection and esteem, ever yours,
A. MACLAINE.
SUNDAY 8 APRIL. Yesterday you awaked bad. You lay abed
till nine. You sent apology to Trotz. You was uneasy. You received
Maclaine's letter. It gave you pleasure. You read Greek well and
did geography. You walked in Mall and played billiards. Do so no
more. You called on Trotz; you said, "Sollicitudinem mihi dedit
dubitatio." You told him, u Desinam." s You was well with Hun-
garians. . . . See objects as they really are. Be pious and constant.
Once for all, think. You may give Trotz one hundred guilders for
his assistance till the end of June, and more if it be published.
Twill hold you firm. Be silent. You can finish the rest after. De-
termine to stay at Utrecht till you're in good humour and learn
moral discipline. Amen
MONDAY 9 APRIL. Yesterday you awaked very bad. You got
s "My irresolution has made me nervous I shall discontinue the scheme."
210 g April
up as dreary as a dromedary Supped Hahn's; grew well. This
day, send to Brown: Greek three. Say to Trotz you'll go on by de-
grees, and so be content and easy. Mem., you're a man
[Boswell to Johnston]
Utrecht, 9 April 1 764
MY DEAR FRIEND, On the eight of March I received your last
letter, which contained the melancholy news of my poor boy's
death. It has affected me more than you could have imagined. I had
cherished a fond idea. I had warmed my heart with parental affec-
tion. I had formed many agreeable plans for the young Charles.
All is now wrapped in darkness. All is gone. My dear Sir! let me
repeat my sincere sentiments of friendship. Let me again assure
you that you are ever dear to me. Your care of my child while he
lived was always tender. It showed your attachment to his father.
I much approve of your having given him a decent interment and
of the company that you selected. Cairnie is a worthy fellow. I have
been very much obliged to him. I retain a very grateful sense of his
kindness, and wish much for an opportunity of being of use to him.
I have not written to him since I came abroad. I did not choose to
put him to the expense of postage. Pray assure him fully of my
sentiments towards him. Let me know what his schemes are, and
find out if my writing to him is expected
My jaunt during the Christmas vacation produced some altera-
tion on my mind. When I returned to Utrecht, I had not the same
internal firmness that I had carried from it, I began to think that
my resolute philosophy was a mere imagination which I had
formed in the sober retreat of a provincial town; that I had indeed
acted from this imagination and might have continued to do so,
had I remained in the same uniform circumstances as when I first
9 Cairnie was a doctor who had transmitted to Charles's mother the sums
Boswell allowed her, and had delivered the child; he had also put him to
nurse, and had a general oversight of his health. Boswell was attracted to him
because he had been an active Jacobite, and had had many interesting
adventures.
9 April 1764 211
framed the idea. But, alas! a short change, a transient view of the
brilliant Hague, a little tumble in the real world, shook off the
fascination and showed me that I was still the same weak-minded
being as ever.
I fell desperately in love with a young, beautiful, amiable, and
rich widow. This passion tore and hurt my mind. I was seized with
a severe cold. My nerves were relaxed, my blood was thickened.
Low spirits approached. I heard of Charles's death. It shocked me.
It filled me with gloomy reflections on the uncertainty of life, and
that every post might bring me accounts of the departure of those
whom I most regarded. I saw all things as so precarious and vain
that I had no relish of them, no views to fill my mind, no motives to
incite me to action. I groaned under those dismal truths which
nothing but a lucky oblivion prevents from weighing down the
most vivacious souls. Black melancholy again took dominion over
me. All my old dreary and fretful feelings recurred. I was much
worse on this account, that after my first severe fit on coming to
Utrecht, I really believed that I had conquered spleen for ever, and
that I should never again be overcome by it I lived in this persua-
sion for four months. I had my dull hours. But I considered myself
as a soldier. I endured such hardships; but I kept my post.
You may conceive what I felt on the sad conviction that my
hopes were fanciful. Oh, how I was galled! Oh, how did I despise
myself! I must mention one circumstance which is very hard.
When I am attacked by melancholy, I seldom enjoy the comforts of
religion. A future state seems so clouded, and my attempts towards
devotion are so unsuitable, that I often withdraw my mind from
divine subjects lest I should communicate to the most sublime and
cheering doctrines my own imbecility and sadness. In short, for
some weeks past I have suffered much
I shall be here till July or August. My route after that is not yet
fixed. You shall hear it particularly. Come, my friend, let us both
determine to be manly; let us "resist the devil and he will flee far
from us." 1 Here is my plan. I am to travel. I am to return to
1 James, 4. 7.
212 Q April 1764
Scotland, put on the gown, remain advocate or get into Parliament,
and at last be comfortably settled in a good office. I hope also to do
good at Auchinleck. The great point is to be always employed, as
my worthy father says. Upon this principle he has always been
happy. Long may he be so.
I have now proper ideas of religion. That is the most important
article indeed. I am determined to act my part with vigour, and I
doubt not to have a reward. My mind will go always stronger by
discipline. Even this last attack has not been unrepelled by me. I
really believe that these grievous complaints should not be vented;
they should be considered as absurd chimeras, whose reality should
not be allowed in words. One thing I am sure of, that if a man can
believe himself well, he will be really so. The dignity of human
nature is a noble preservative of the soul. Let us consider ourselves
as immortal beings, who though now in a state inferior to our facul-
ties, may one day hope to exult in the regions of light and glory.
My dear Johnston, let us retain this splendid sentiment. Let us take
all opportunities of elevating our minds by devotion, and let us
indulge the expectation of meeting in heaven. But, at the same
time, let us do our best in the state where GOD has placed us. Let us
imitate the amiable Pitfour. Who is a better member of society?
Yet who is a greater saint?
Write to me very fully. I will disdain to own that the melan-
choly fiend can get the better of me. I even hesitated if I should
inform you of this last conflict. But to my friend I will own every
weakness. My great loss 2 is an inconstancy of mind. I never view
things in the same light for a month together. Are you so? ... This
letter carries its own apology. Write soon and give me full advices,
and put my future life in Britain in agreeable colours. I have need
of your assistance. May GOD bless you, my dear friend, prays yours
ever,
JAMES BOSWELL.
TUESDAY i o APRIL. Yesterday you was dreary. You could read
none but hour of Greek You told la Veuve, "I could not bring
2 "Lack" a usage that seems very old-fashioned for 1764.
10 April 1764 213
myself to confess the truth, and here it is. 3 1 adore you, but I would
not marry you for anything in the world. My feelings have
changed." MME GEELVINCK. "You are very frank." BOSWELL. "But
I can see you sometimes?" MME GEELVINCK. "Yes." In short,
perdidi diem.* I did nothing. This day, rouse up: two or three hours
Erskine, French version, journal. Swear yield not to idle spleen
[c. i o APRIL. FRENCH THEME] I believe there have been very
few Englishmen who have wanted so much to learn French as I,
and I believe too that there have been very few of them who have
made more rapid progress in that language than I have. It is not
necessary to recapitulate the means by which I have advanced to
the point where I now stand. One would find it very tiresome to
hear me tell of my themes every morning, of the two hours a day
that I have read French books, and of the foreign companies in
which I have tried to profit all I could. I confess, however, that I do
not speak French correctly. It is the common f ault of all my coun-
trymen. Mademoiselle de Zuylen once said to me, "You English-
men never respect the tenses or the genders, or any distinctions of
that sort, although you have learned them in Latin." I laughed and
tried to turn the matter into a jest. All the same, I could not but feel
that I was very much in the wrong, and that I was almost in the
same case as an old Englishwoman who breaks all the rules of
grammar and makes a ludicrous hodge-podge of crippled sentences.
I must therefore apply myself sedulously to the minutiae, so to
speak, of the French language. I must not give in to my indolent
and negligent humour. No, I will not give in. I am resolved to write
two pages carefully every day, and for each mistake that I make in
grammar, I bind myself to pay a fine of a sou to the poor
WEDNESDAY ii APRIL. Yesterday you got up as miserable as
a being could be. All was insipid and dreary. But, blockhead that
you are, have you not experienced this five hundred times? And
can you not, as Sir William Temple says, "let such fits pass and
return to yourself?" 5 Remember this. Do no follies. Do the duties
8 "Je ne pouvois pas me confier et voici."
* "I lost a day," a famous remark of the Emperor Titus. 5 See p. 123 n. 3.
214 *i April 1764
of a Man. Keep your affairs in a good creditable situation, and so
have comfort, and joy when well. Swear this and retenue, and you
may defy the fiend. You read Greek well. You played billiards . . .
You grew quite well But you laboured not enough. This day,
French version 6 and two hours translation, morning; Greek, geog-
raphy; Zelide, four; home six and translation and Voltaire till nine.
You'll leave Utrecht with character. Monday and Tuesday, jour-
nal. Wednesday, Hague. Rise early to brace nerves. Think not to
whore except very 7
WEDNESDAY 11 APRIL
Sure, of all clubs that ever yet were seen,
The strangest club is that where I have been.
It was indeed a truly precious sight
To me who in rich ridicule delight.
Say, is it possible to laugh too much
At twelve or fourteen young untoward Dutch,
Who come together duly once a week
The English language horridly to speak,
Mount on a stove a bowl of punch and rum,
And British airs without compassion hum?
THURSDAY 12 APRIL. Yesterday you was still disordered. You
had many changes. You received letter from Madame Spaen. That
roused you and put you in mind that you are "Boswell of Auchin-
leck." You read your Greek well You drank tea with Peterson; do
so no more; 'tis low. 3 You passed the evening at home till nine, and
by writing kept off dreary thoughts. You supped English Society. 9
* As a matter of fact, the "French version" had almost ceased. Between 30
March and 20 April he wiote only seven pages, most of which are printed
above.
7 He did not finish the phrase, and struck out the qualification, probably as
soon as he had written it.
8 Peterson (presumably a Scandinavian) was a member of the Literary
Society. Why Boswell thought his company "low" does not appear.
9 The club of "young untoward Dutch" described above.
12 April 1764 215
You had no pleasure in life, and your religion was dark. Yet you
was gay, and sung. You are a fine fellow. You fight bravely. This
day, much Erskine and Voltaire. Mem. Sir David [Dalrymple],
nor be idle. Mem. retenue, and even softly with Maclaine. 1 No dire
devotion.
[Received 1 1 April, Madame de Spaen to Boswell.
Original in French]
The Hague, 10 April 1 764
SIR: Was it not a little through pride that you honoured me
with a letter? Was it not to show me the great progress which you
have made in the French language? Truly, I was astonished at it;
and if I had been so indiscreet as to show your letter to scholars or to
men of fashion, it would certainly not have been to get it deciph-
ered nor to laugh at it. No, Sir, it would have been to get you ad-
mired for having mastered the language in so short a time, even to
its delicacy and energy. This phrase "proud bashfulness" 2 is a good
proof of what I have just been saying. I agree also with you in
thinking well of the "battalion," &c.
Whatever may have been your motive, the result has given me
much pleasure, since it has caused you to begin a correspondence,
the wit of which I foresee, Sir, will all be on your side. I do not wish
to deceive you and so confess candidly that I feel sure my scribbling
will bore you. I have neither a lively imagination nor the gift of
expressing myself well. One or the other is necessary for making
a literary correspondence amusing and interesting. After what I
have just said, you will decide whether you want my replies; but
as for your letters, I demand them of you, even with eagerness,
having a lively desire to see the remarks you will make on each
country and people. If you have made any on my countrymen, you
would oblige me greatly if you would let me see them. I believe
they would be very judicious and even impartial. Nothing gives
1 "Go slow in opening your mind even to Maclaine."
2 "De la modestie orgueilleuse."
2i6 11 April 1764
me greater pleasure than to see the people of Holland judged in
this fashion.
I congratulate Mademoiselle de Zuylen and you, Sir, for being
good friends; neither of you can fail to profit by the relationship.
That amiable young lady proves that wit and beauty adorn each
other reciprocally; and that there is no truth in the accusation that
all pretty women neglect the former so as to occupy themselves
solely with their faces. I am not surprised at all you say concerning
her. A great many people think as you do. But what does surprise
me is that you do not say a single word concerning a certain charm-
ing widow. I am, however, assured that she has found favour in
your eyes, that she has even made a very lively impression on you.
Might that not make you stay longer in Holland? Certain attach-
ments sometimes upset many a project: witness Lord Fordwich,
who in spite of all his promises and the anxious desires of his family
to have him home, cannot resolve to quit Florence. Something,
however, has just happened which may change his way of think-
ing a little. It is said that the Duke of York has taken a fancy to the
lady \vho has bound my Lord in such strong chains. If he is sacri-
ficed, anger perhaps will accomplish what reason could not. I
heartily hope so. 3
I hope, Sir, that you will not expect me to reply to all the kind
and obliging things you have said to prove that you enjoyed your
visit to The Hague. If our house contributed to your pleasure, be
persuaded that we thought the advantage was all on our side, in
3 Lord Fordwich was son and heir to Earl Cowper. "The third Earl Cowper,
who had gone to travel in his father's life, fell in love at Florence with a
married lady, and could not be prevailed on by the most earnest entreaties of
his dying father to come to England. He continued there for many years after
the death of his father and the extinction of his own passion; married an
English young gentlewoman there, and in the year 1781 sent his children by
her to England, without coming himself." (Note by Horace Walpole on a
letter to Sir Horace Mann, 13 November 1765. Mann's letter, which Walpole
is answering, identifies the married lady as Maria Maddalena de' Medici,
Marchesa Corsi. Information kindly furnished by Dr. George Lam of the
editorial staff of the Yale Edition of Horace Walpole's Correspondence.)
11 April 1764 217
your having been willing to give us the pleasure of your company.
If your plan to tour Germany still holds, I hope you will come and
see us at Cleves. I shall repeat the invitation two weeks hence in
Utrecht, through which I plan to pass on the way to Bellevue. In
the mean time I have one favour to ask of you, and that is not to
show my letters to any one whatsoever. My self-respect demands
that absolutely; and by granting it you will oblige infinitely her
who has the honour to be, Sir, your most humble and obedient
servant,
B. DE SPAEN, NEE C. DE NASSAU.
I have said nothing concerning Monsieur de Spaen. He is at
his garrison, and is in excellent health.
FRIDAY 13 APRIL. Yesterday you awaked shocked, having
dreamt you was condemned to be hanged. You lay dozing long.
You was so sad that old Cirkz bid you not take thought. You was
weak and mean and childish and infidel. At dinner you was dis-
gusted. After it, you could not bear Brown's saying, "Give my
service to General." You must fortify against these little rubs. You
can do it. You saw Miss Stewart's marriage in news. It galled you. 4
You walked, just as at worst at Auchinleck. Oh! Oh 1 You supped
General Tuyll's, fine This day, rouse. Mem., you've not
owned. If so, you do no harm. Youll be strong. Be on guard.
SATURDAY 14 APRIL. Yesterday you was still amazingly
gloomy. However, you said nothing. You played at billiards with
Carron, and had him at coffee. But owned nothing. You went at
seven to Monsieur de Zuylen's. You played partie, you grew well.
You supped between Zelide and Madame Geelvinck. You talked of
misery, but kept secret. You tried to sit up. But it won't do in
Holland. This day, several pages of Erskine and some journal.
Resolve: be busy and recover mind. Take no step, and nought
appears.
* "Edinburgh, March 30. Monday Sir William Maxwell, of Springkell, in
Scotland, Bart., was married to Miss Stewart, only dauerhter of Sir Michael
Stewart, of Blackball, Bart." (London Chronicle, 3 April 1764). Sir William
was a cousin of BoswelTs.
2i8 14 April 1764
[Received 14 April, Lord Auchinleck to Boswell]
Auchinleck, 2 April 1 764
MY DEAR SON, Yours of the 20th of March came to hand on
Friday. I looked for it with impatience, as I had not heard from you
for a month. I entreat you not to let again so great an interval be
between your letters, as we are, you may be sure, anxious to hear
from you. There is no necessity among friends to wait till materials
cast up for a long letter. Cicero, whose Epistles surpass anything of
that kind yet published, has sometimes to his friend no more than,
"Si tu vales, bene est; ego valeo." 5
Your letter gave me great concern when it came, though I must
find fault with you for concealing from me so long the distress you
was under. Be assured you have no friend can sympathize so much
with you as I do. GOD ALMIGHTY, describes his pity for mankind by
comparing it to that of an earthly father; and my experience in the
world puts it in my power to suggest things may be of use to you
under every distress. I have the greatest feeling for you under these
melancholy fits you are sometimes attacked with, but for your com-
fort know that numbers who have been subject to this distress in a
much greater degree have made a good and an useful figure in life.
You are not therefore to despond or despair; on the contrary, you
must arm yourself doubly against them, as the poet directs: "Tu
ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito." 6 Neither are you to imag-
ine that variety of company and of diversions is the proper cure.
I can assure you from the authority of severals 7 very sensible people
who were subject to this disorder that it is just the reverse. It is like
an opiate which allays the trouble for a little, but that is all; the
trouble bursts out afterwards with double force. The only certain
cure is to acquire the knowledge of as many things that you may
constantly command as possible, for this is clear: that idleness to
those who have a vicious turn is the mother of all manner of vice,
5 "If you are well, good; I am well.'*
e "Do not succumb to misfortunes, but march the more boldly against them"
(Virgil, Aeneid, VI. 95) . 7 A Scotticism.
14 April 1764 219
and to those who have a virtuous turn, it commonly produces
melancholy and gloom. The point therefore is still to be busy at
something, and then melancholy cannot find a lodging.
My worthy father, whom you justly notice had a melancholic
turn, was never troubled with it in Session time. Business drove it
away. In the vacation, indeed, as he had not acquired tastes for
amusing himself to fill up the vacancies in his mind, melancholy
frequently got hold of him. My constitution, blessed be GOD, is
good, but when I happen to be from home and ill set, 8 1 am as un-
happy as anybody indeed. When I am at home, whether in town
or country, the case is different, for when in Edinburgh the Session
business and now and then at a spare hour Horace, Anacreon,
Fingal, Lady Mary Wortley, and the like come readily in to amuse.
And on Sunday good old Erasmus and Bishop Latimer are my
entertainment and instructors.
As for your modern polemic writers, essayers, &c., I know noth-
ing of them. When I was young, I read sundry of these perform-
ances, and observed that, prompted by vanity, they endeav-
oured to strike out no path not tending to make men more useful
or giving them any desire to be so. 9 1 therefore returned to the good
old stagers who had stood the test of ages, and considered the mod-
ern authors (a very few excepted) to be like almanacs, which go
out of request when they lose their new face.
When I come to the country, my understanding planting gives
me a taste for it that is my business; and in bad days, such as we
have had mostly since we came out here, I go up to the library,
sort my books, look at my medals and natural curiosities, and am
quite happy. I have always recommended to you to acquire a taste
for planting and gardening, and you'll find it of the greatest use.
In short, the more of these tastes you acquire, so much the better.
And it is in vain to say that a taste is natural and not to be acquired.
The last is undoubtedly the case: practice and habit is all.
8 "Out of sorts."
9 Lord Auchinleck has got in an extra negative. Read "to strike out no path
tending," &c.
220 H April 1 7 6 4
The same post that brought yours brought me a most obliging
letter from Monsieur Sommelsdyck, who, I am glad to find, writes
of you with regard. I have got his great-grandfather's charter of
naturalisation in Scotland elegantly wrote by Mr. George Frazer,
and have got it signed by the Deputy Director of the Chancery, so
that it bears faith as much as the principal. 10 It goes to you to the
care of Mr. Davidson by the first ship, and along with it Erskine's
Institutes. . . . You may open up the box which is addressed for
Mr. Sommelsdyck and read over the paper and then put it up
again. He is anxious to have it, as he writes me. In the little box
with Erskine's Institutes are two or three Session papers, one wrote
by your friend H. Dundas. 1
If you incline to go to The Hague for two-three days at Easter,
it won't be amiss; and as you have clothes, the expense can be but
a trifle.
As to news in this country, I shall mention three marriages:
Mr. Eraser (young Strichen) to Miss Menzies, a niece of Culdares;
Sir William Maxwell (Springkell) to Miss Stewart, Sir Michael's
daughter (both these are over); and Sir R. Mackenzie to Miss
Colquhoun, which I formerly mentioned, but it is not to be for
some days yet. Your Dutch wit and Dutch widow are not so easily
catched as our Scots lasses. 2
I go the North Circuit this season. Lord Prestongrange is my
colleague; but, poor man, he is gone for Bath in a very declining
10 "So that it has as much legal force as the original document."
1 To spur Boswell on, Lord Auchinleck reminds him that his younger con-
temporary and classmate in college, Henry Dundas, has already been ad-
mitted to the bar and is in practice. As a matter of fact, he was not a "friend";
Boswell and Temple had always disliked him for what they considered his
coarse ambition. He was appointed Solicitor General at twenty-four, Lord
Advocate for Scotland at thirty-three, and in middle age established himself
as the political dictator of all Scotland.
2 Lord Auchinleck had wished Boswell to marry Miss Colquhoun; and, as
we have seen, Boswell had himself entertained the thought of marrying Miss
Stewart
221
state. Johnny goes with me, and I leave him with the regiment,
which is at Fort Augustus.
As to the course you should steer when the college is over, and
when I hope you shall emulate Sir David in reputation, I am at
some loss what to advise. In general, I must tell you that travelling
is a very useless thing, further than for one to say they have
travelled; and therefore think you should spend very little time
that way. You may think and advise whether it would be best to
go through some of the German courts or go through Flanders
and see Paris. The Prince of Brunswick, the Prince of Badcn-Dur-
lach, and the King of Prussia Lord Marischal recommends; and I
can get him (whom I am to see at Aberdeen) to recommend to
them all; and Mr. Mitchell, my friend at Berlin, will treat you
kindly. 3 1 could wish to see you 'gainst winter at home. I shall be
at this place till the 5th of May, at Perth from the gth to the 15,
at Aberdeen from the 18 to the 24, and then go to Inverness. Pray
write me directly on receipt of this. Your mother is some better
since she came out. She and Johnny salute you. I am your affec-
tionate father,
ALEXR. BOSWEL.
SUNDAY 15 APRIL. Yesterday, after late sitting up, you rose
with blood changed: all well, all gay. . . . You received excellent
letter from worthy father, who sympathized with your distress
and gave you noble ideas. His mention of return roused you. You
read Greek fine. You was cheerful at dinner, and after it told one
or two stories and heard plan of travel, which mark. . . . Brown
said you'd be better of travelling, and he'd mention some things.
Then you was at concert (Hahnus), and had Hungarians, 4 fine.
3 Lord Marischal is characterized below, p. 268. Andrew Mitchell (knighted
in 1765) was British envoy to Frederick the Great. He had studied at both
Edinburgh and Leyden.
4 Possibly "Hungarian": the manuscript has merely Hung. See p. 172 n. 8.
But as this was a night \\hen the society for Latin conversation was supposed
to meet, he probably here means the entire group.
222 15 April 1764
This day copy Zelide, or write some journal and Erskine. Lose not
Plan. Mem. your fine situation here . . . Think if GOD really for-
bids girls. Dine not this week. Apply French.
MONDAY 16 APRIL. Yesterday you was so-so. You passed the
day in reading and writing. At church you was dismal. After it,
bad, and played at billiards, Resolve no more of that. You wrote
letter to Temple, and grew quite well. This day send to Brown that
you'll read Greek at twelve. Tell him you was really not well.
Besides, 'tis Holy Week. Be grave. Journal neat. . . .
[Boswell to Temple]
Utrecht, 1 7 April 1 764
MY DEAR TEMPLE, My last letter has no doubt given you some
uneasiness, as it contained accounts of a return of that gloomy
distress from which I had flattered myself that I should for the
rest of my life be free. But, alas! I have sadly felt that my hopes
were vain, I have been almost as miserable as ever. I wrote a folio
page and a half last night, relating the dismal thoughts which
disturbed my mind. But I found myself gravely rounding most
solemn periods of the wildest absurdity 5 I am now employing
an hour in which "Boswell is himself" to write to my dear Temple;
and I please myself by thinking that what I write may be of serv-
ice to us both
You tell me you fear you shall not have a competency. Think,
my dear Temple! how these words must affect me. And yet, will
you believe that upon reflection, I cannot feel much pain on that
account? I am almost certain of having a handsome fortune, and
have no notion that you should not share it with me. Be assured
that I am sincere when I talk thus. You must remember our con-
versation in the Temple garden. True disinterested, celestial friend-
ship is rarely found. But that it really exists you and I afford a
5 He destroyed this letter, wrote another shortly after midnight (that is, very
early on the morning of 17 April), and a third later in the day.
17 April 1764 223
certain proof. Believe me, my dearest Temple I wish you saw
the generous tear which now fills my eye believe me, my friend,
that I have an entire confidence in you, and that the sacred flame
is never extinguished in my breast. I have not words to express my
feelings. I fear not to write to you in this strong incorrect manner.
My heart speaks. . . .
Pray, are you subject to this mutability which ruins me? Give
me your advice how I may cure it; or must Time do it by gradual
operation? My ideas alter above all with respect to my own char-
acter. Sometimes I think myself good for nothing, and sometimes
the finest fellow in the world. You know I went abroad determined
to attain a composed, learned, and virtuous character. I have sup-
ported this character to admiration. No Briton since Sir David
Dalrymple ever met with such a reception at Utrecht. I wish only
that you could have my character from the people here. Certain
it is that I have for seven months conducted myself in a manly and
genteel manner. "All is well, then," one would say. It is so in all
appearance. But I, who am conscious of changes and waverings
and weaknesses and horrors, can I look upon myself as a man of
dignity?
I have kept my mind to myself. I have only owned that I was
a little low-spirited, but uttered none of the distracted reveries
which tormented my brain. Rouse me to ardour, my friend. Impart
to me a portion of your calm firmness.
I ask you this. If I persist in study, and never mention my
splenetic chimeras, am I not then a man? Can I not review my life
with pride? Counsel me. I will swear to observe the precepts of my
friend. Tomorrow I go to The Hague for a week. Let us correspond
frequently. I am ever yours,
JAMES BOSWELL.
I am vexed that my paper is filled up. I could talk to you this
hour yet. I shall probably write again from The Hague.
Give me your impartial opinion of your friend, and your best
counsel.
224 *
Read this letter first.*
Remember me in the kindest manner to Nicholls, to Claxton,
and to Bob, when you write to him.
My dear Temple! what a friend have you got in me! Write
fully and furnish me with agreeable ideas. If I can preserve an
external uniformity, it is much. I am anxious to hear from you.
[Boswell to Temple]
Utrecht, 1 7 April 1 764
MY DEAREST TEMPLE, You must not grudge a shilling ex-
traordinary this post. Were I now in London, you should be put to
much more expense. I would hurry you away to Drury Lane or to
Covent Garden, to Ranelagh or to the tavern. Perhaps a chariot
might be ordered to the Temple Gate, and we might drive with gay
velocity to Richmond or to Windsor. You see my foreign airs.
Nothing will serve me but a chariot. It is so long since I have seen
a post-chaise that I have almost forgot there is such a machine.
Could I but see my worthy friend at this moment! Could I but
behold the wonder and pleasure which spreads over his counte-
nance! But sea and land conspire to separate us. It is impossible for
me to talk to you. I therefore sit down to write. My letter of last
night, which is enclosed in this, is the sedate production of a man
just recovered from a severe fit of melancholy. The letter which
you are now reading is the spontaneous effusion of a man fully
restored to life and to joy, whose blood is bounding through his
veins, and whose spirits are at the highest pitch of elevation. Good
heaven! what is Boswell? Last night he was himself. Today he is
more than himself.
Let me think. Am I indeed the same being who was lately so
wretched, to whom all things appeared so dismal, who imagined
himself of no manner of value? Now I am happy. All things appear
cheerful. I am a worthy, an amiable, and a brilliant man. I am
6 This and the two following postscripts were added after the letter following
this had been written, or at least after Boswell had decided to write it.
17 April 1764 225
at a foreign university town. I am advancing in knowledge. I am
received upon the very best footing by the people of rank in this
country. My days of dissipation and absurdity are past. I am now
pursuing the road of propriety. I am acting as well as my friends
could wish. I am forming into a character which may do honour
to the ancient family which I am born to represent.
But, my dear friend! I feel something more. I feel a glow of
delight. I feel a real ecstasy. You have seen me thus. At times we
have both been so. Our souls have mingled in exalted friendship,
in transport divine. Let us recall such splendid moments. Let us
hope for many such in a future world. The frame which I am now
in is to me a convincing evidence of the immortality of the soul.
Infinite Deity, from whom I derived my being! I doubt not that
this ethereal spirit shall ever live, shall be more and more refined,
and shall at last arrive at a state of supreme felicity.
What think you of me now, Temple? Was there ever such a
change? Two days ago, I should have considered it as absolutely
impossible. All I expected was to be tolerably patient. I dreamt not
of the least glimpse of joy. I have an entire new set of ideas. I look
back with astonishment on my history since I came abroad, and
cannot conceive how it has happened.
Thus I explain it. I have constitutionally a tender and a gloomy
mind. After being convinced that idleness and folly rendered me
unhappy, I determined to alter my conduct. But my enthusiasm
determined too much. I proposed to myself a plan so very severe
that my feeble powers were crushed in attempting to put it in
execution. Hence was I thrown into that deplorable state which
my dismal letter from Rotterdam informed you of. You know how
I picked up resolution and returned to Utrecht. You know how I
have struggled, and how much I have been able to do. But still a
black cloud hung over me. Still I was but a distempered creature,
who strove to make the best he could of a wretched existence. I had
great merit in this. I stood the most grievous shocks.
Now the cloud is removed. All is clear around me. Upon a retro-
spective view of that time which I have passed with so much anxiety
226 7 April 1764
and so much horror, it looks like a dream. What had I to fear? What
cause of terror existed then which does not equally exist at present?
Yet let me remember this truth: I am subject to melancholy, and
of the operations of melancholy, reason can give no account Ah!
Temple! is it not morally certain that I shall ere long be as much
depressed as ever? Shall I not again groan beneath a weight of woe?
Shall I not despise this very letter which conveys to you the
accounts of my exceeding elevation? Perhaps not. Perhaps I shall
never again be melancholy. This is possible; much more so than
those chimeras which I have shuddered to think of. Formerly I
have had vivacious days. But I had no solid cause to hope for their
continuance. My mind had no stable principles. I was the mere
slave of caprice. Now I can calmly revolve my plan of conduct. I
can "know myself a Man!" 7
My dearest friend! let this letter give you pleasure. Am I not
acting properly in writing to you an account of this prodigious
change? I have acquired a degree of reserve. During my season of
darkness, I was able to conceal my complaints. I find it more dif-
ficult to conceal my joy. To you, my friend, I can freely disclose
both.
Now when I am clear and happy, let me renew my good reso-
lutions. Let me above all maintain an uniformity of behaviour. It is
certain that I am subject to melancholy. It is the distemper of our
family. I am equally subject to excessive high spirits. Such is my
constitution. Let me study it, and let me maintain an equality of
mind. You have this post a variety of circumstances laid before you.
Consider them, my friend, and send me a long letter of kind advice.
I wrote to my father an account of my late dreary state of mind.
. . . Worthy man! I hope to give him satisfaction. He is perhaps too
anxiously devoted to utility. He tells me that he thinks little time
Teach me to love and to forgive,
Exact my own defects to scan,
What others are, to feel, and know myself a Man.
Thomas Gray, Hymn to Adversity, conclusion.
17 April 1764 227
should be spent in travelling; and that he would have me make a
tour through some of the German courts, or through Flanders and
part of France, and return to Scotland against winter. You will
agree with me in thinking this scheme greatly too confined. I laid
my account with travelling for at least a couple of years after leav-
ing this. I must however compound matters. I shall insist upon
being abroad another winter, and so may pursue the following
plan.
I shall set out from Utrecht about the middle of June. I shall
make the tour of The Netherlands, from thence proceed to Ger-
many, where I shall visit the Courts of Brunswick and Liineburg,
and about the end of August arrive at Berlin. I shall pass a month
there. In the end of September I shall go to the Court of Baden-Dur-
lach, from thence through Switzerland to Geneva. I shall visit Rous-
seau and Voltaire, and about the middle of November shall cross the
Alps and get fairly into Italy. I shall there pass a delicious winter,
and in April shall pass the Pyrenees and get into Spain, remain
there a couple of months, and at last come to Paris. Upon this plan, I
cannot expect to be in Britain before the autumn of 1 765. Pray give
me your opinion of it. I think it is an excellent plan. Perhaps I
allow myself too little time for it. However, I may perhaps prevail
with my father to allow me more time. When a son is at a distance,
he can have great influence upon an affectionate parent. I would
by no means be extravagant; I would only travel genteelly.
Miss Stewart is now Lady Maxwell. So much for that scheme,
which I consulted you upon some months ago. There are two ladies
here, a young, handsome, amiable widow with 4000 a year, and
Mademoiselle de Zuylen, who has only a fortune of 20,000. She
is a charming creature. But she is a savante and a bel esprit, and
has published some things. She is much my superior. One does not
like that. One does not like a widow, neither. You won't allow me
to yoke myself here? You will have me married to an English-
woman?
I have now written my most intimate thoughts. Tomorrow I
228 IT April 1764
go to The Hague for a week. GOD bless you. Write soon. I ever
remain, your most affectionate friend,
JAMES BOSWELL.
WEDNESDAY 1 8 APRIL. Yesterday you continued in a kind of
delirium. You wrote all day. At night you was at Monsieur de
Zuylen's. You said one might trace resemblance in a young child
as in a piece of wood, or a cinder, or the head of a staff. 8 Zelide
was nervish. You saw she would make a sad wife and propagate
wretches. You reflected when you came home that you have not
made enough use of your time. You have not been active enough,
learned enough Dutch, enough of manners. The months which
remain, employ with more vigour. Last night you did not write
lines. 9 You are only to do so when in humour. Swear this morning
to keep Plan. Have a care. You may grow idle. Stop. Resolve copy
one or two pages [of] Erskine each day, besides reading and writ-
ing French. Shun indolence. At Leyden make out plan for Hague.
Only be retenu. . . .
THURSDAY 19 APRIL. Yesterday you got up with much reluc-
tance. You was dreary in bark with Mademoiselle Vernett, who
told stories of religious melancholy You came to Leyden in
good time. At five, went to Monsieur Gronovius; had coffee, fine;
walked to Garden. 1 Ideas altered; was calmly happy, yet remem-
bered melancholy You went and drank wine with him. Came
to inn, wrote Erskine, was quite clear, lively, ambitious. Forgot
all your spleen. See today how you do. Johnson. Plan. Maclaine
to sup neat. Yet be on guard.
FRIDAY 20 APRIL. (Good Friday. Be holy and fine, English
2 ) Yesterday, after sleeping with clothes on and having a
night all glowing with fiery vivacious blood, you got up well,
breakfasted with Gordon, and was equal to him in vivacity, and far
above him in force You visited Abraham Gronovius once more,
and was fine; promised white port, and to see him again. You was
8 That is, one may imagine a resemblance.
9 Nor a memorandum in the morning, either. The ten-line verses were not
resumed until i October 1764. * The Botanic Garden. 2 English Chapel.
20 April 1764 229
rather too high and looked with astonishment at Leyden, where
you had been so horrid, and loved it for Father's sake. Came pleas-
ant to Hague; quite new ideas; entered Marechal as young man of
fashion. Sent to Maclaine; had him and Richardson both to wait on
you. Quite man of respect. noble! In delicious spirits. This day,
cards. At ten, Yorke, fine. After, Sommelsdyck, Spaen, Maasdam,
De Wilhem . . . Have a care. Don't seem altered. Have Temple's
uniformity; and if you're clear, girl . . . 3
[20 APRIL. FRENCH THEME] This is the first of the days
that I plan to spend at The Hague during the Easter vacation. I
find this beautiful city more charming than the first time I was
here. It was then Christmas, the most severe weather of the entire
year. The trees were all leafless. The fields were all brown. But
now the trees are well leafed out and the fields are vividly green.
As for the air, I cannot say much. The month of April is always un-
certain, and this year it is more uncertain than usual. However, I
imagine that we shall have fairly settled weather, if one may
judge from Monsieur Gronovius's cat at Leyden, which (as they
say) washed its face, and that is a certain sign of good weather.
Besides, the sky appears clear, and there is a remarkable softness
in the air which flatters us with the promise of fair weather. It
is now Holy Week, so every one is in seclusion and the city does not
have the same brilliance that it had in the winter. There are no
plays. There are almost no assemblies. Moreover, The Hague does
not have the charms of novelty that it had when I was here for the
first time.
I have dressed myself. I have gone out. I have left cards for
many people. I have been at the Society. I was received at the
house of Captain Reynst. I found him in undress, seated in a very-
handsome room adorned with elegant pictures. He said to me, "Sir,
I love to be well lodged. When one is comfortable at home, one
stays all morning in one's lodgings. One reads, one never gets bored,
and that is much." "Yes, Sir," I replied. "In that way one is inde-
3 About seven words following this have been heavily deleted by Boswell
himself.
230 20 April 1764
pendent. One has no need of others to be amused." He continued,
"I am not on good terms with Mademoiselle de Zuylen. I supped
with her at Madame Degenfeld's, and we had a little dispute. We
were speaking of a certain person, and I said in passing that there
\vas a story about that person that was not so pretty; however, I
had no ^ ish to say more. Mademoiselle de Zuylen said to me eager-
ly, 'Please tell me that story/ I did so. But when I had finished,
she said to me, 'Sir, I knew that story as well as you. But one ought
not always to repeat everything people say.' I was a little piqued,
and I replied, 'Mademoiselle, it was by your orders that I did it,
and I did it in good faith. I thought you were as candid as 1. 1 have
been the dupe of my own civility.' That was not at all pleasant.
But really, though Mademoiselle de Zuylen has a great deal of
wit, she tries too hard to be subtle. She was brought up at Geneva,
where certainly there is unlimited wit among the ladies. But they
lack good principles. They sometimes sacrifice probity to bril-
liance."
Really, Monsieur Reynst gave me a Tar from favourable idea of
my dear Zelide. I would give a great deal to cure myself of my
weakness of being too much affected by the opinions of others.
Reynst changed to some extent my idea of Zelide. However, I
fought like her champion. I said, "That young lady makes me feel
very humble, when I find her so much above me in wit, hi knowl-
edge, in good sense." "Excuse me," said Reynst. "She lacks good
sense and consequently she goes wrong; and a man who has not
half her wit and knowledge may still be above her." I made no
reply to that. I thought it very true, and I thought it was a good
thing. For if it were not for that lack, Zelide would have an absolute
power. She would have unlimited dominion over men, and would
overthrow the dignity of the male sex.
SATURDAY 21 APRIL. Yesterday you waked so-so; got up and
breakfasted in fine spirits and dressed elegant and went to Yorke's;
found Richardson pulling on surplice; was struck with Cambridge
ideas. In chapel, had a group of fine circumstances: Hague; Am-
bassador's chapel; Baron Winn; Hon. Charles Gordon; Richardson,
21 April 1764 231
son of Cambridge head. 4 Yorke was elegant, and told stories of
Lady Findlater, who went with Duke's secretary to see Culloden,
and mounted box; but going back made pull up blinds. "I love to
see them killed, but not dead." Noble. My Lord, &c.: "He's my
baastard"* . . . This day, rouse, recollect. You have done no
harm. . . .
SUNDAY 2 2 APRIL. Yesterday you called on Maclaine. He said
he had not for twelve years altered his sentiments in important
matters You was dreary, but had not time to talk of spirits
This day (Easter) rouse. Be Johnson. You've done no harm. Be
retenu, &c. What am I? Oho! is it so? Ill marry English lady. At
all events, be manly, and Sir David, &c.
MONDAY 23 APRIL. Yesterday though Easter, you got up
quite gloomy and confused. However, you cleared and went to
Chapel. Confess, even in Ambassador's elegant Church-of-England
chapel, you was gloomy and fretful. Yet a good sermon and prayers
raised your devotion, and you received sacrament seriously. After-
wards walked with Caldwell 6 and Richardson, w r ho was quite
Cambridge and happy. Dined inn, and had Caldwell, &c., at tea,
and was for contingents? . . . This day, physic; resolve new resusci-
tation Mem. Johnson. Think. Maintain character gained at
Utrecht, nor ever rave. Mem. Father. If you whore, all ideas
change.
4 George Winn (later Lord Headley) was one of the barons of the Court of
Exchequer in Scotland. The Reverend Robert Richardson's father, William
Richardson, was Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge.
5 The "Duke" is the Duke of Cumberland, Commander-in-Chief of the Gov-
ernment forces at Culloden. "My Lord" is presumably James Ogilvy (^1714-
1770), sixth Earl of Findlater. If I understand Bosw ell's note of Yorke's story,
Lord Findlater had the habit of introducing an illegitimate son in the
singularly blunt fashion here recorded.
6 The Reverend Samuel Caldwell, an Anglican Irishman from County Deny,
appears to have been assistant priest in the Ambassador's chapel at The
Hague. Boswell met him on 21 April, took to him, and ended by telling him
all his secrets. See p. 267.
7 That is, opposed the doctrine of necessity or predestination.
232 24 April 1764
TUESDAY 24 APRIL. Yesterday after physic, you was better.
You went to Maclaine and talked to him. He said he had the spleen
now and then. But that he always preserved himself, and knew
'twould pass. You owned your wavering notions. He said 'twas
vapours, and bid you read Gaubius's De morbis mentis, quoad
medicin.* &c.; exercise, and rhubarb. But he was too rough. Then
dined Monsieur Spaen, but a little off guard. Then multitudes of
visits. Then Monsieur Spaen, fine. This day, jaunt. Mem. uniform-
ity, Church of England, retenue. No marriage till English; whore
not for fear of change. Talk still more to Maclaine, and bid him
give you directions. But be sober. Mem., your winter at Utrecht is
so much fixed; go on.
WEDNESDAY 25 APRIL. Yesterday Reynst called and carried
you to bark. You convoyed Madame Spaen to Leidschendam. You
was drear}- and thought the journey just like a Scots journey. Took
leave. Then Reynst and you saw Prince's Place:* pheasants, &c.;
then breakfasted with him elegant; then Maclaine, and owned
changes of mind and Roman Catholic, 1 after he had said, "You
may be a Methodist, but philosophical." You read Ramsay 2 and
was clear against Prescience; keep to this. Dined hearty Maclaine.
. . . Bid him not mention spleen, and asked if he did not think
worse. 3 He said, "Indeed, no"; for he had known so many so and
never a bad man always good hearts and well-turned heads.
8 The correct title is Sermo academicus alter de regimine mentis quod medi-
corum est habitus, which a contemporary translation by J. Taprell, M.D.
gives as On the Passions: or a Philosophical Discourse concerning the Duty
and Office of Physicians in the Management and Cure of the Disorders of the
Mind. BoswelTs own copy of this translation is in the Yale University
Library.
9 House and surrounding grounds. The u Prince" is the Prince of Orange;
the "Place" probably the House in the Woods.
1 That is, "that you had once been a Roman Catholic."
2 Andrew Michael Ramsay, Philosophical Principles of Natural and Revealed
Religion, 1749. Ramsay (an Ayrshireman) was a Jacobite and Roman Cath-
olic. He had served as tutor to Prince Charles Edward.
3 Think worse of you now that he knew you were subject to melancholy.
25 April 1764 233
Then you walked to Scheveningen 4 with Richardson, who laughed
at metaphysics and put you fine; then home
FRIDAY 2 7 APRIL. Yesterday you strolled in Wood with Cald-
well, fine morning; then sauntered, paying visits, and found your-
self sadly unhinged. Dined ordinary, after being at Mr. Houston's
grievous Scots. At four saw Gardes hollandais. Home all evening;
a little Candide This day . . . exert vigour; yield not to low
spleen. . . . Talk of white port and servant to Maclaine, also bid
him advise studies. Swear retenu and manly, &c. If you're silent,
you're well. Spirit and activity.
SATURDAY 2 8 APRIL At nine you went with young Reede,
Lord Athlone's brother, and waited on Comte de Rhoon, who was
polite; great man of business in Dutch affairs. Said, "I shall be
charmed to know you better," &c. You see you have acquaintance
with the first people here. Maclaine dined with you at inn, fine,
lively; grew well. Coffee. (Pay this or you're not gentleman.) 5
You told him case. Said he, " 'Tis.much you know it, so just con-
sider it as imagination, and time and reason will take it away." . . .
Walked with Maclaine: stars, religion, future life, &c. Said he,
"Everybody thinks well of you." This day, journal all forenoon.
Engage not servant. You saw with Maclaine that chimeras vanish.
[Received 28 April, Lord Auchinleck to Boswell]
Auchinlecfc, 15 April 1764
MY DEAR SON, I have received yours of the 23d of March and
commend your care and attention in writing it so speedily after
your former, as you were under the apprehension that what you
had wrote before would give me a desponding view of your situa-
tion; but the answer I made to your first letter would show you that
I had no such apprehension from what you had wrote. It gave me in-
4 A fishing-village two and a half miles from The Hague, now a great sea-
shore resort. Boswell, like other eighteenth-century Englishmen, always uses
the form Scheveling or Schevling.
5 Boswell tas he freely admitted) had a lifelong tendency to narrowness.
234 2 ^ April 1764
deed concern to find that you had been in distress, but that did not
appear to me strange; the change from an idle dissipated life to a
life of application and study was so great that it could not but affect
your spirits. Any change we make as to our course of life naturally
has that effect.
I remember to hear Lord Newhall tell that Dr. Cheyne, who was
Physician at the Bath, having, by too full living, brought himself
to that degree of corpulency that he had his coach made to open
wholly on the side and was really become a burden to himself,
came to the resolution to live abstemiously, and reduced his body
thereby so much that he was obliged to be swaddled to make his
loose skin clasp to his body. By this operation his intellectuals were
reduced prodigiously and his spirits sunk to the greatest degree.
However, as he had given a strict charge to his friends to keep him
still in that abstemious way though he should alter his mind from
the lowness of his spirits, they kept him at it; and the consequence
was that by degrees he became inured to the new method of living
and all his faculties, with his spirits, returned to him and he came
out a clever agile man, and continued so with a high reputation
and in great business till his death.
And therefore, as I said formerly, your point is to persevere and
by keeping your mind constantly employed, to leave no room for
gloomy .thoughts entering your mind. Be totus in hoc? think of the
thing you are about and of nothing else, and when you find your
mind like to wander, write notes that will fix your attention, and
if you be attentive to the thing you are about, there is no fear that
anything will get access to disturb you. This is the only possible
method to make you easy and to keep free from these splenetic fits.
You are made with a mind fit for study, and by no means fit to have
any ease in a dissipated idle course. The pleasures of this last are so
unworthy of a rational thinking creature that they pall; and when
the round of them is over, if the person have reflection, he is
ashamed of the course he has been in and sees that there is no
Horace, Satires, I. ix. 2 ("totus in illis").
28 April 1764 235
proper enjoyment in it for a rational man. A person whose abilities
are small of which the greatest part of mankind is composed
can go the routine of trifling as a turnspit dog does. But you are
not cut out for that; and it was chiefly from that reason that I
opposed with such earnestness your Guard schemes, as I was sure
you would soon have wearied of them and been vexed and distressed
that, when GOD had given you faculties fit for making you useful
in life, you had rendered yourself useless. It is our duty as well as
our interest to improve the talents GOD gives us, in order that we
may make a figure and be serviceable to mankind, to our friends,
and our families. You have great natural abilities, and it is in your
power to be useful by improving them properly. But all depends
upon the improvement. Your being a good speaker is of no import
if you have nothing useful to say; your having a great memory is
nought unless it be stored with proper materials; and your acute-
ness is nought unless it be accustomed to things of moment. I have
in this and my last suggested all that occurs to me on this subject.
Hoc age is the point, I do assure you. When you are at Utrecht,
think of Utrecht and of the people of Utrecht, and wherever you
are, let that be your rule. "I have learnt," says the inspired author, 7
"in whatever state I am in, therewith to be content." You say you
have not the animus aequus, but you should strive to get it and
make the best of all situations. 8
As to the course you are to follow after leaving Utrecht, I
hinted my notion in my last. Travelling about from place to place
is a thing extremely little improving except where one needs to rub
off bashfulncss, which is not your case; but to make a little tour
through some of the German courts may be amusing, and a stranger
7 St. Paul, Phil. 4. 11.
8 With reference to the motto from Horace which Lord Auchinleck had caused
to be displayed prominently on the front of the new house he had just com-
pleted at Auchinleck: "Quod petis hie est, Est Ulubris, animus si te non
deficit aequus." It may be freely translated, "All you seek is here, here in the
remoteness and quiet of Auchinleck, if you have fitted yourself with a good
steady mind.'*
236 28 April 1764
is more noticed in them than at the great courts. Before you set
out, it would not be amiss you passed some little time to improve
your connections with your Dutch relations. The paper for Myn-
heer Sommelsdyck and Erskine's Institutes I suppose will be with
you before or as soon as this. Your mother and Johnny remember
you with affection. I am your affectionate father,
ALEXR. BOSWEL.
SUNDAY29 APRIL. Yesterday the Hibernians 9 breakfasted with
you. You dined together at Yorke's; all was noble and elegant. You
was pretty easy and grave, though miserably distressed. You got
letter from worthy father. You was a little hurt at not being in
right frame. You passed the evening at Madame de Wilhem's and
grew well. This day be cool. Mem., you've owned gloom, but you
have maintained character, as Temple. Return Maclaine's books.
Chapel: swear anew conduct, and never to act in gloom. ... Be
active, &c. Retenue and all's well. Whore not except fine; Amster-
dam, private. 1
WEDNESDAY 2 MAY. 2 Yesterday (i May) after night boat
(roovers patience fine girl, risk of sensual [ity] and adven-
tures') 3 you arrived at Utrecht at seven. You breakfasted. At ten
Baron Winn came and surprised you. You had chocolate, carried
him ... to Tower and Mall; was fine and polite. Dined well; after
it, maintained soul different, &c. Hungarian at tea. Brown said,
"Veteres avias," 4 and said you was new ale working. This day,
9 Caldwell, Rowley (see below, 12 May) and at least one other not certainly
identified by Boswell.
1 "And at Amsterdam, where you will not be observed."
2 Boswell wrote no memoranda on 30 April and i May.
3 The words within the parenthesis have been heavily scored out in a recent
ink, but the reading here given is practically certain. Roovers is Dutch for
"robbers." Since Boswell is being deliberately cryptic, the meaning is any-
body's guess. My own expansion would be, "You were afraid that certain
rough-looking passengers were robbers, but bore your fear with patience. You
fondled a fine girl and ran the risk of sensuality and low adventures."
* "Old wives' tales" (Persius, Satires, V. 92). Brown told him that he was
bothered by superstition and the fermentation of youth.
2 May 1764 237
resume Plan; be Temple. Prepare Hague. 5 Shun dissipation. Persist
retenue. Bravo!
THURSDAY 3 MAY. Yesterday after twelve hours sleep you
rose unrelaxed and refreshed and content. You read Greek, but
that's all. At five you went ... to Zelide. She sang and repeated
verses, but was too forced-meat* She would never make wife. After
dinner, Brown argued that Society is happiest by marriage and
knowing that we have real descendants, &c., and all contrary prac-
tices are bad. You are to be husband to English lady, so keep your-
self healthy. Concubinage is no dire sin, but never do it unless some
very extraordinary opportunity of fresh girl that can do no harm;
and such a case is impossible. 7 This day, swear retenue, and to pur-
sue Father's plan, and to be a resolute man.
FRIDAY 4 MAY. Yesterday you got up well. You fenced well.
But you was bad. You called on Brown, who was warm for rational
Christianity. But you was weak and stayed too long. You read Greek
well. At four you walked in Mall with Zelide and la Veuve, charm-
ing; then with Hennert, who said, "The English are hypochon-
driacs." Then on Observatory: saw moon, Venus, &c. . . . This day,
mem., you must stand fast. Don't be idle. Letters Father, Mother,
Pringle, Lieutenant John. 8 Pay Brown six guilders for dinner.
Compose mind and take Marie* at eight. But do no harm. Be pru-
dent. If you have retenue, all is safe, even follies, and joy comes.
5 He plans to go back to The Hague for the kermis or fair, but it is not clear
why he bothered to return to Utrecht for four days.
6 Too artificial, too sophisticated. "Force-meat" is (for example) sausage
meat, meat whose original nature is concealed by mincing and spicing.
7 This entire sentence has been scored out in a recent ink. "Dire" is not alto-
gether certain and "concubinage" is a guess, but there is no doubt as to the
general sense.
8 "Pringle" is Dr. (later Sir) John Pringle, physician and scientist in London,
a close friend of Lord Auchinleck who had been kind to Boswell on his
London jaunts; "Lieutenant John" is Boswell's brother. It is odd that though
Boswell loved his mother tenderly, he very seldom wrote to her or she to him.-
Lord Auchinleck wrote the letters for the family at home.
9 The name of the boat for The Hague?
238 4>May 1764
[Boswell to Jerome David Gaubius, M.D.] 1
[Leyden] 4 May 1 764
AUDI vi, PROFESSOR SPECTATISSIME! te linguam Anglicam in-
telligere; attamen quia de hoc non satis certus sum, latinitatem in-
accuratam tibi offero. Spero errores candide excuses; nam vix un-
quam sic scribere occasionem habui.
Autumno praecedente ad portam tuam famulae tradidi prae-
parationem quandam chymicam quam patruus meus, M. D. Edin-
burgi, tibi per me misit Professorem eo tempore videre non potui.
Hyemem Ultratrajecti transegi. Nunc quando iterum Leydae sum,
1 It is difficult to fit together satisfactorily the evidence of Boswell's memo-
randa and of his correspondence with Gaubius. If one had the letters alone
to go by, one would conclude that Boswell was in Leyden on the morning of
Friday 4 May and saw Gaubius at Leyden at twelve noon that same day.
But according to the memoranda, he left Utrecht on the evening of Friday
4 May, arrived at The Hague at nine the next morning (Saturday 5 May)
and saw Gaubius there (at The Hague) about noon. But he certainly saw
Gaubius in Leyden. The only possible solution appears to be that his letter
to Gaubius it is a draft is misdated: that he went directly from Utrecht
to The Hague Friday night, went back to Leyden (ten miles) in the middle
of the forenoon of Saturday 5 May, sent his letter to Gaubius, got a reply,
saw Gaubius, and returned to The Hague in time to see the performance
of a play, say six o'clock. The letter may be translated as follows: "I have
heard, most excellent Professor, that you undei stand English, but as I am not
quite sure of it, I offer you inaccurate Latin. I hope you will be candid
enough to excuse my mistakes, for I have scarcely ever had an occasion for
writing thus. Last autumn I left at your door with the maid a certain
chemical preparation which my uncle, a Doctor of Medicine at Edinburgh,
sent you through me. At that time I was unable to see you. I have spent the
winter in Utrecht. Now, when I am again in Leyden, I greatly desire the
honour of calling on you. Such a meeting will be both useful and pleasant to
a foreigner. For since I suffer from a delicate constitution, I am very eager to
have the advice of so celebrated a physician, whose lectures De regimine
mentis quod medicorum est I have recently read with the greatest admira-
tion. I shall remain here only during this day. I therefore beg that you will
let me know by a written reply at what hour I may have an appointment with
you. I am, with the greatest regard and obligation, J. BOSWELL."
4 May 1764 239
honorem te adeundi magnopere cupio. Tale consortium utilissi-
mum aeque ac jucundissimum peregrine exit. Quia etiarn consti-
tutione parum firma laboro, medici tarn Celebris cujus sermones
De regimine mentis quod medicorum est, summa cum admiratione
nuper perlegi, consiliuiyi habere valde sollicitus sum.
Per hunc diem tantum hie maneo; precor igitur ut per respon-
sionem scriptam mihi dicas quota hora tecum colloqui possim. Sum
tibi summa observantia obstrictus,
J. BoswzLL. 2
SATURDAY 5 MAY. Yesterday you was pretty well, and set out
at night for Hague.
SUNDAY 6 MAY. Yesterday after sound sleep in roef, you
came to Hague at nine; found good Hibernians at breakfast; saw
Richardson, who was clear for Scripture accounts; then Maclaine,
kind and hearty. Then Gaubius, who said, "You will be cured by
thirty." Lost dinner, and strolled, as in London; went in coach to
Scheveningen; then Mahomet, 3 fine, quite gay; was sceptical and
wild, but silent. Supped Count Bentinck's.- 4 Library, lemonade;
saw E. and B.'s letters; 5 convinced all things are as usual. This day,
Chapel, clear and generous, no narrow views. ... Be vigorous. Be
Temple. Return Tuesday or Wednesday. Be uniform. Write Dr.
Pringle and Lieutenant John. Think,
MONDAY 7 MAY. Yesterday you got up well. Had the Irish to
breakfast in Great Room. Was fine at Chapel and calm; good ser-
mon on leaving us an example. Then walked with Richardson in
2 Gaubius returned a brief note in Latin saying that he would expect Mm
at twelve o'clock. 8 Voltaire's tragedy.
4 Christian Frederick Anthony, Count Bentinck de Varel (1734-1768), grand-
son of the first Earl of Portland by a second marriage, a Captain in the British
Navy. Boswell had met him during the Easter vacation. His wife was a Van
Tuyll, a first cousin of Belle de Zuylen. He had served as intermediary in
the clandestine correspondence between Belle and D'Hermenches, and was to
perform the same function for Belle and Boswell. See p. 305.
5 That is, he saw a copy of the Letters Between the Honourable Andrew
Erskine and James Boswell, Esq., which he and Erskine had published the
previous year.
240 7 May 1764
Wood; disputed Athanasian Creed, which he said might be left
out But he took the Scripture account of GOD. Was pleased to find
him quite Cambridge. He was not for Clarke's arguments a priori,
but from Nature This day, think. Be uniform. Be retenu and
manly and pursue Plan with unperceived relaxation. Return soon
and recover habits [of] study. Be upon honour to continue Chris-
tian, as Johnson. Church of England. At all events, firm; nor yield,
nor own.
TUESDAY 8 MAY. Yesterday Monsieur de Sommelsdyck waited
on you in morning. You breakfasted at Yorke's with a grand multi-
tude. You was well. You met Chais, who said twenty years ago he
had consulted Gaubius for low spirits, who bid him amuse and be
his own physician; not study too much nor too little. "Sometimes I
fast, sometimes take rhubarb/' &c. He said well, "I may shorten my
life some years. But in the mean time I have health and spirits to do
my duties." Told story of Voltaire and fatality. Said between forty
and sixty were the best years. "You think too much, but you will
be a very active man." Strolled with Maclaine in fair; 6 dined
Sommelsdyck. Yorke's ball, all fine, impossible to resist it. Home
fine, &c.
WEDNESDAY Q MAY. Yesterday at ten you went to Monsieur
de Sommelsdyck's in fine, grand humour; a noble breakfast. Told
him you heard of his family as of the Patriarchs, &c. Saw bourgeois
pass, ludicrous. Viewed house, splendid picture at Culross; fine
ideas. 7 Dined Count Bentinck; behaved well and checked him from
6 "The month of May is distinguished at The Hague by the kermis or fair,
which is held at this time and lasts a week. The beau monde used to go in
masquerade about the streets on this occasion, and to divert themselves
several other ways, as is done during the carnival at Venice. But the prin-
cipal diversion now is walking about the fair and buying sundry commodi-
ties, or riding out in chaises, which from their lightness are properly called
phaetons: common people divert themselves in playhouses which are erected
at that time on purpose; some of them deserve to be seen for their drollery"
(Thomas Nugent, The Grand Tour, $& ed., 1778, i. 116).
T Not clear to me. BoswelTs mother had grown up at Culross, and, like his
9 May 1764 241
being too free. Well with Comte Boufflers 8 and Jesuit governor.
. . . Then rope-dancing; then home This day be mild, think;
get character of Orison, and engage manly as self. 9 You'll breed
him. Breakfast Maasdam; then Richardson. Give him a ducat for
kermis. 1 Be pleased, you're forming fast. Your travels will please
after. Only be retenu, and fear not, and purge.
THURSDAY i o MAY. Yesterday you breakfasted at Maasdam's,
charming and calm, and was well with him and with Sommels-
dyck; then strolled in fair, and waited on Maclaine. Dined ordi-
nary, and then with Richardson went to Scheveningen; passed the
evening at Maasdam's well. Had Maclaine and Richardson at
supper, quite gay and well. You said, "Miss Maasdam black as
chimney." MACLAINE: "Her husband chimney sweeper." This day,
recollect. Pay supper. See Swiss, but think to take Hercules. Write
journal till eleven, and French, to show you've not lost power; and
acquire strength of mind. Call Chais at one or Maclaine, and dine
with him. Be Christian truly. You're at Hague. Make use of time.
Despair not.
[Received 10 May 1764, Dalryxnple to Boswell]
Edinburgh, 1 1 April 1 764
MY DEAR SIR, I am much to blame in having delayed so long
to answer your letter. It gives me pleasure to see that you are so well
employed, and that you have made such proficiency in French. As
father, was a Sommelsdyck descendant. It may be that the words should be
differently divided: "Viewed house, splendid; [thought of] picture at Culross
[of Veronica van Sommelsdyck, Lady Kincardine]."
8 Born 1746, son of the Countess of Boufflers-Rouverel, famous bluestocking
and friend of Hume. See p. 272.
9 Boswell is looking for a servant to accompany him on the Grand Tour, and
has had a Swiss ("Grison") recommended to him.
1 The manuscript actually reads, "Give him a kermis for ducat," probably by
inadvertent transposition. But it could mean, "Take him through the fair and
spend a ducat [ten shillings] on him."
242 10 May 1764
you have such a facility in learning languages, you will do well to
fill up your hours with learning others besides French. I do not
despair of seeing you an ambassador; you have a prodigious wise
face at times and an air imposant qui sied bien au maniement des
affaires. 2
You tell me people observe that you are of a melancholy turn.
This is owing to your not understanding the language of the coun-
try. By "melancholy" my honest old friends mean thoughtful.
There is no people in the universe so free from low spirits or the
affectation of them as the Dutch. They cannot endure anything
that looks being pensive without a cause; and as for low spirits, they
laugh at them
When you write to me about Utrecht, vous me faites rajeunir*
1 reflect with pleasure on the easy days which I passed there, and I
am proud of being remembered by so many persons who honoured
me with their friendship. Let me entreat you to make my best
compliments to all my friends. . . . Madame Sichterman, my
old friend an expression more tender than polite does she re-
member me? . . .
I remember the young lady that you mention. Her taste for
poetry is elegant. She was an infant when I knew her. Her little
brother Reynold, is he alive? He used to speak Dutch and French
together; "Je ne saurais singen"* said he, when asked to sing
Did Count Nassau's son by the first marriage live? He was a
poor weakly child. Adieu, dear Sir; may you be happy. Believe me
ever yours,
DAV. DALRYMPLE.
FRIDAT i i MAY. Yesterday after going to bed perfectly well,
you got up gloomy and desponding. You dressed and grew well, but
sauntered idly in kermis, yet you was easy. You maintained to
2 "An imposing air which goes well with the handling of affairs."
3 "You bring back 'my youth."
*"I can't sing." Reinout Gerard, Belle de Zuylen's oldest brother, was
drowned in 1759, at the age of eighteen.
ii May 1764 243
Maclaine that a wild fellow may be happy, &c., which is true. You
breakfasted at Yorke's. Dined ordinary at four. Disputed with
Caldwell on Contentment and on Happiness. ... At nine in Som-
melsdyck's coach, fine and cordial, to Yorke's. You was in too high
spirits, though you had retenue and showed it not. But you played,
and lost in all nine ducats.* You was stunned. You recollected. You
saw you might be ruined. Indeed, you have a turn to play. Oh,
guard! You really forgot Sheridan's three guineas, but you lost it
not at a sitting. 6 However, swear, and think not to win back; 'tis
mad. This day ... be in all morning and compose mind, and write
journal and to Johnny and Sheridan. Think on worthy father and
on being calm; Pitfour, and uniform.
SATURDAY 12 MAY. Yesterday you breakfasted Rowley, &c.,
but talked too bold on Inquisition, &c., though you want knowl-
edge. Then Maclaine's, but was idle and insipid. Then Richardson,
fine; had walk, and advantage of the universities explained. He
owned that young men were bad, not from want of knowing good
and evil, but from want of moral principles. Dined Maasdam's and
passed evening, but lost sadly. Pray take care. At night Maclaine
was with Hibernians. You had literary conversation. Maclaine bid
you read Jones on authenticity, 7 and by discipline expel veteres
avias. You sat up late with Caldwell, who made it clear that irregu-
lar love was wrong. This day, breakfast in room. Journal a little,
and try to compose. Visit Perponcher, 8 Chais, Maclaine, Bentinck,
and dine not Sunday, as you must go. Pray lose only two ducats at
time. Retenue, and none know your faults.
SUNDAY 13 MAY. Yesterday at eleven, after card, you waited
on Chais, who . . . advised you to natural knowledge, and said if
he were with you, he'd keep you always alive. Said occupation was
quite necessary, &c. Then Maclaine, who said if you did not turn
5 About 4-6-0. 6 See p. 205 n. 9.
7 Probably A New and Full Method of Settling the Canonical Authority of
the New Testament, 1726, by Jeremiah Jones.
8 Husband of Belle de Zuylen's younger sister Johanna Maria.
244 13 Mar 1764
out a sensible, clever, active man, he'd be surprised. Dined Som-
melsdyck's, fine; went to Comedie: Tancred and Anglais a Bor-
deaux. 9 . . . Was as well and gay as ever. Home, and grew fretful;
owned this to Caldwell; 'twas rather too easy. Supped Hibernians
and disputed fornication, and lost it, and saw you wanted firm
principles of good of society, which are certain, and death is only
a little interstice no dreadful distinction. Went to bed clear, ac-
tive, sound; resolved to clear up journal, as 'twill be very pleasing
yet Set out bold, and determined to go on as Sir David.
MONDAY 14 MAY. Yesterday you rose all confused. But you
cleared. You went to Chapel and was well, and heard sermon on
truth of Christian religion: "He that hath ears to hear," &c. But
still you was backward with Yorke. No matter. Then you saw Mac-
laine, but was dreary. Dined Count Rhoon; Greffier Fagel 1 there,
who seemed pleased with you. You really behaved well, and
though sad, to your own satisfaction. Then a moment Richardson,
who was too free, as you had been uncertain, but promised visit
at five. Burgundy and Caldwell, to whom you had owned, and
appointed meeting. Said he had known many so, and Dr. Mead 2
said at twenty-five it went off from young. Said all were in same
way, and thought others dreary. . . . Then in coach; then Maas-
dam's and lost sadly. But peace! 3 Then home, and long conversa-
tion with Caldwell, who inspired new views. This day, firm but
gay; resolve four weeks well.
TUESDAY 15 MAY. Yesterday at five, you left Hague, passed
the day at Leyden, &c., &c., took night boat to Utrecht.
WEDNESDAY 16 MAY. Yesterday you arrived at Utrecht un-
hinged; you grew better and began to think. You was glad to see
family. You was however too free with Brown. Take care. Be firm
9 By Voltaire and C. S. Favart, respectively.
1 Hendrik Fagel (1706-1790), Secretary of State for the States General. His
daughter Johanna married Belle de Zuylen's brother Willem in 1771.
2 A famous English physician who died in 1754.
3 According to the "Livre de Jeu" he lost seventy-two guilders at The Hague
during the Christmas vacation and one hundred and twelve during the
kermis (in all, 16-14-9).
16 May 1764 245
and shun falling back to Houston Stewart* You passed the evening
at home. But as you had not yet taken trempe* since kermis, you
took sleep in dear bed to refresh. This day, Carron at six; hour Gil
Bias. You read, not he, and speak some. Swear for three weeks
spring up at six. See review; home; theme; compose and depart
calm.
[c. 1 6 MAY. FRENCH THEME]" The plan I have spoken of, that
is, to translate the Institutes of the Law of Scotland, is certainly an
exercise which might do me much good. It will fix in my memory
the laws of my country. It will teach me to write Latin fluently.
And the illustrations of so able a scholar as Mr. Trotz could not but
make me a complete juris consultus. Since the plan is so useful, I
am sadly mortified that I did not think of it until it was too late; for
my weakness of mind is such that it gives me a sort of horror to
think that I should be obliged to stay four months more in this
country. Besides, the plan is not an absolutely necessary one. I can
forgo it without blame. Yet when I lay my hand on my heart, I
confess that it would be inexcusable in me not to put it into practice.
This, then, is how I have arranged the matter. I do not bind
myself to make this translation in a certain time. I have already
begun it, and am advancing at a reasonable rate. While I stay here,
I shall show my versions to Mr. Trotz, and afterwards, when I am
travelling, I can easily send them. He will add his notes, and in
time I shall have a very respectable work. Mr. Trotz proposes that
I publish it. Perhaps I shall. Will it not seem odd to appear before
the Republic of Letters as translator of the law into Latin, in col-
laboration with a true German, and especially to appear as an
author of that sort at Amsterdam itself, the capital of boorish
Holland?
4 Archibald Stewart's older brother; to Boswell always a sobering example
of lack of retemte.
5 "Been hardened [literally, "tempered"] to your Utrecht regimen."
6 This series of four pages (two joined leaves) was placed by Boswell himself
at the end of the entire series, but as he has changed his original numbering,
it may perhaps be doubted whether it really belongs there. It is impossible
to assign a certain date to any theme after that for 20 April.
246 16 May 1764
Well, then, the plan is settled. I can with a great deal of justice
make use of these words of Virgil, "Hoc opus, hie labor est." But
only think, those of you who know me 1 think of the labour that I
shall have before the work is complete. Five hundred hours! What
a thing to look forward to! But, courage! It is a certain truth that
the harder I work the happier I am. When I am busy, melancholy
has no chance to enter. Yet it is almost miraculous how little effect
that consideration has on the very people who have experienced it.
You will find thousands and thousands who complain bitterly. "0
GOD," they say, "how gloomy life is 1 How wretched I am!" and all
that. But all the same, they do not budge an inch to escape their
wes. They fold their arms, they remain idle. Their blood becomes
thick, their brains heavy, their thoughts dark. What a horrible situ-
ation' Dr. Armstrong, in his poem On the Art of Preserving Health,
gives a description of that state which I have just described. He says,
The prostrate soul beneath
A load of huge Imagination heaves.
It is impossible to translate into French his force of style, a force
remarkable even in English. Rouse yourselves, wretched mortals!
Remember that you have the honour to be men. Act forthwith, and
be happy!
THURSDAY if MAY. Yesterday Carron called you at seven.
You sprung up and was well. If you do this, you'll awake always at
regular hour. You saw horse-review. You was relaxed and bad. You
talked with Brown on immortality. He was pretty clear. You
walked Mall, and was well. You came home, and at eight went to
bed, merely for one summer night to indulge and see if you rise
clear at six. This day . . . repeat Ovid; French theme. Swear labour.
Write Mother. Keep doubts to self.
FRIDAY 1 8 MAY. Yesterday after ten hours' sleep you went to
bed again two hours. fie! You passed the day so-so. But better. At
night Brown called on you and said you'd come to stability. So just
be patient and silent till that comes. How much better are you now
than formerly! This day, spring up, rouse. Think for these four
i8 May 1764 247
weeks have fixed hours; above all for Scots law, perhaps with
Brown; and see to regain firm tone, and leave Utrecht clear and
bold. Have enlarged notions of GOD, and mem. Basil Cochrane. 7
But be prudent.
SATURDAY ig MAY. Yesterday you got up and drank whey.
You was better. You was, however, changeful. After dinner you
talked to Brown on Christian religion, and if one might not only
take Christ's sayings, and take Epistles according to conscience.
Tis true, this. Be generous. Be liberal. Be firm. You and he drank
tea with Hennert. You was well; went to Brown's; supped with
ladies; talked of ennui, ghosts, religious horrors. Walked home in
dark, all solemn, all changed. Swore two hours a day Erskine, and
to write to Father to take your obligation, &c. Be retenu.
[Received 19 May, the Reverend Samuel Caldwell to Boswell]
The Hague, 18 May 1764
MY DEAR SIR, I thank you for your exact and curious journal;
it was so laconic and sententious that had I not been too well con-
vinced of the reality of your complaint, I should certainly have
taken it for an ingenious essay upon what a man 77207 feel in that
unaccountable malady. I assure you your puns pleased me; why did
you not give us some at The Hague? You say you acted a part, pray
continue to do so; I know you are very capable of doing so. Until
the last day I had the pleasure of conversing with you, I thought
your mind was as serene and tranquil as my own. I find, then, you
have much more in your own power than I imagined. It rejoices me
much; continue the actor, and let your part be applauded on this
great stage. Some old philosopher says that the gods are pleased
with nothing more than to see a virtuous man bravely opposing
every misfortune and preserving his integrity and serenity amidst
all the storms of human life.
7 His mother's uncle, brother to the Earl of Dundonald, Commissioner of
Excise in Scotland. A model of manly industry and regularity without nar-
rowness,
19 Ma r 1764
But stop, I am beginning to moralize where there is no occasion;
I am inadvertently speaking to a man of evils that cannot clearly
delineate any that have the appearance of such. Did not an hour's
conversation dispel these gloomy clouds last Sunday evening?
When they returned, why did you not recall the same reasonings
and apply the rules we proposed?
The learned professor you mention 8 gave you most excellent
advice; pursue it immediately. Were it not presumptuous in me to
add anything to the directions of so great a man, I would earnestly
recommend the cold bath every morning the instant you get out
of bed. It will wonderfully brace all the nerves and limbs. When
the microcosm is once rectified, all the parts of the macrocosm will
quickly appear in their true light and genuine beauty. You will
then see a pleasing harmony everywhere, and a reasonable happi-
ness diffused through all the species of being. You will then be
pleased with yourself and everything will smile around you.
I, Samuel, do prophesy this will be your case; my predictions,
as I told you before, have been happily accomplished to others who
were plunged in a deeper abyss of gloom, and who by exerting
themselves strenuously, and following advice and proper rules,
have gloriously emerged and chased away these grim demons of
imagination.
Our friend Maclaine is very well. I saw him today: always sen-
sible, lively, and gay; always busy. Mr. Rowley uneven like some
others. I hope to receive a good account of you very soon from your
own hands. Adieu. Be happy. I am, dear Boswell, yours with much
affection,
SAML. CALDWELL.
I should have answered your letter sooner, but having been
more abroad this week than usual, I was obliged to defer it until
this evening.
SUNDAY 20 MAY. Yesterday you got up and read Gil Bias, and
was better. . , . You was bad at Greek. Brown said, "You're tired
8 Gaubius.
20 May 1 764 249
here. You're out of your element." He said you'd understand Greek
ere you leave this. You and he walked. He said Christian religion
was that GOD has declared himself propitious through Christ and
immortality, and allowed to interpret by conscience. You was
dreary, and said weak and gloomy mind must be recompensed. At
night, Hungarian; shocked at orthodoxy. This day, journal till
one. Be Gray. Be retenu and worship GOD. Think.
MONDAY21 MAY. Yesterday you lay till eleven. You was dis-
mal. At dinner you was better. Brown gave good sermon on Sun-
day. You walked with Carron, and had him at coffee. You supped
well Brown's, and told stories gravely. This day, rouse. Swear
fixed hours. Write Mother and Johnny, and Father that nought is
certain, but he may tie you down. Also go to Amsterdam and try
Dutch girl Friday, and see what moderate Venus will do.
TUESDAY22MAY. Yesterday you rose ill and walked on ram-
parts in despair. You called on Brown, who freely interpreted
Scriptures. He said, "You're not well." You owned. You was, how-
ever, meanly scrupulous. Let Reason reign. You saw Hahn at five,
who told stories of Riicker's forgetting law, and officer hearing
voices blaspheming. You drank Tokay with Hungarians 9 and
walked fine. This day swear resume. Bring up journal. No Amster-
dam yet. Retenue. Have Hahn soon. Tree of kings. 10 Johnson.
[Received 22 May, Temple to Boswell]
Inner Temple [London] 15 May 1764
MY DEAR FRIEND, . . . What can possess you that you are so
fond of visiting courts one never heard of? Who but yourself would
think of going to the Court of Baden-Durlach to see mankind and
learn politeness? I dare say you saw more of both here in England
at Lady Northumberland's and Carlisle House than you will see in
9 Possibly "Hungarian." See the entries for 2 and 20 May; also p. 172 n. 8
above. The manuscript has merely Hungar.
10 A "Jesse tree" (the royal descent of Jesus Christ, according to Matthew and
Luke) ? Or a list of the kings of England? See the memorandum for 23 May.
250 22 May 1764
all the courts of Germany, except that of Berlin. But perhaps I am
mistaken; I am only solicitous lest you should neglect places worthy
your curiosity for others that one would hardly go a mile to look at.
So the Countess turns out a jilt. I am already in love with Made-
moiselle de Zuylen. Charming creature! young and handsome, une
savante et bel esprit. Tell her an Englishman adores her and would
think it the greatest happiness of his life to have it in his power to
prostrate himself at her feet. 1 You shall have the widow. Don't be
angry.
My dear Bos well, how sincere is your friendship for me! I know
you love me, and you may be assured that you have the first place
in my heart of all men in the world; but GOD forbid that I should
ever be a burden to you or to any of my friends. No, I flatter myself
I shall still have enough to support me as a gentleman, but though
I should not, I hope I shall always be able to act in some sphere that
may place me above dependence
Pray what does Mr. Johnson write to you about? I should like
much to see your journal, but how can you convey it to me, for it
will be too expensive to send it by the post? Do contrive to let me
read it some way or other. I have long expected characters of your
principal foreign acquaintance, especially of those at The Hague,
and particularly of the ladies you admire most, and an account of
the present manners and taste of the Dutch. Pray let me have a
letter on this subject. . . .
Adieu, my dear friend, and believe me, with the most tender
affection, yours entirely,
W. J. TEMPLE.
P.S. Pray write soon. I shall be more punctual for the future.
Churchill published a new poem the other day entitled The Candi-
date. The first part of it is admirable. The last part of it is a severe
invective against Lord Sandwich. Churchill is undoubtedly a gen-
1 See p. 259. Belle de Zuylen's letters to Constant d'Hermenches show that Bos-
well at some time shortly after this seriously suggested to her that she should
marry "his best friend," though he seems not to have given her Temple's
name.
22 May 1764 251
ius. His name will illustrate this age. Helvetius 2 is here, and much
caressed by the nobility. Are we to expect nothing more from Mr.
Johnson? Let us have his Shakespeare at least.
[Bos well to Temple]
Utrecht, 22 May 1764
MY DEAR TEMPLE, This morning I had the pleasure to receive
your last. Your postscript has that natural expression of a friend:
"Pray write soon." How much in unison are our inclinations! Be-
fore the sun goes down, I shall have finished my answer. Long may
we be thus. Why do I say long? Amidst all the clouds with which
my mind is overcast, I have one incessant beam of joy. Yes our
friendship must be immortal a's bur souls. Infinite Author of Virtue
and Felicity! I thank thee for this
Since the high flow of spirits which I wrote to you of, I have
endured many a dreary hour. I read two discourses by Professor
Gaubius of Leyden: De regimine mentis quod medicorum est. I
was greatly pleased with them, and thought I would do well to con-
sult this famous physician. I waited upon him a fortnight ago and
told him very fully my uneasy situation. He bid me be assured that
my distemper was owing to bad nerves, advised me to live temper-
ate, to take a great deal of exercise, and never to want occupation.
He said he could prescribe no immediate cure, but that he was cer-
tain that in a few years I should be firm and happy. This consulta-
tion was really curious. I have it at length in my journal. You will
be much entertained with it. Yet, my friend! is it not hard to think
that we depend so much on our bodies, those epracraXa, those
2 Claude Adrien Helvetius, French philosopher and litterateur, had caused
great scandal in France by publishing De V esprit (1758), a work reducing
all human faculties to sensation. The Sorbonne had condemned it, and it
had been publicly burned. Though such doctrines were by no means gen-
erally approved in England, they were less shocking there than in France
because of the well established English tradition of philosophical empiricism.
From England Helvetius went to Berlin on the invitation of Frederick the
Great
252 22 May 1764
earthy cases which the Stoics despised so much? What think you
of the idea that it was a brawny frame which gave to Anacharsis
the fortitude of despising it? 3 Is this possible? Such speculations
suit not our lofty sentiments of the dignity of human nature. I
hope Mr. Gray is never sick; at least never splenetic. Long live the
Bard of Sublimity.
You moralize on the ennui* You are certainly right. It re-
minds us that we are not yet in the state of felicity. But, alas! my
gloomy imagination will not allow me to think of felicity. Voltaire
observes that wickedness does not so often suffer in this world as
some would imagine. But weakness is sure to suffer. My feeble
mind affords a strong proof of this. What variety of woe have I not
endured! Above all, what have I not endured from dismal notions
of religion! I need not remind you of the several changes which I
have undergone in that respect. I will never disguise my fluctua-
tions of sentiment. I will freely own to you my wildest inconsisten-
cies. I thought myself an unshaken Christian. I thought my system
was fixed for life. And yet, my friend, what shall I say? I find
myself perplexed with doubts. Rousseau's Curate has suggested to
me some objections which I cannot get rid of. Pray look at the
Savoyard's Creed in Emile. I have a sceptical disposition. I would
impute it to a disordered fancy; for I see strong proofs that Jesus
Christ had a divine commission. My misery is that, like my friend
Dempster, I am convinced by the last book which I have read. I
have a horror at myself for doubting thus. I think of death, and I
shudder. You know how sadly I was educated. The meanest and
most frightful Presbyterian notions at times recur upon me.
My dear friend! write to me by the first post. Tell me, can
the Supreme Being be offended at my waverings? Counsel me, I
pray you. I have committed many offences. What am I to think on
8 A favourite Boswellian illustration of Stoicism. The philosopher Anaxarchus
(not Anacharsis), when he was beaten in a mortar, said, "You beat only the
shell of Anaxarchus." 'E/ryacraXa ("workhouses," "penitentiaries") does not
deserve the Greek characters. It is a Latin word made from a Greek stem, and
is properly spelled ergastula.
22 May 1764 253
that head? My ideas of virtue and vice are not fixed. Shall I ever
be a solid, uniform, and happy man? Pray write soon. You shall
have a long epistle next post. GOD bless you, my ever dear Temple.
JAMES BOSWELL.
WEDNESDAY 23 MAY. Yesterday you got up better. At eight
you went with Hungarians 5 and heard Bonnet, and when you came
out, said, "An vel un. verb, &c.?" 6 It was a scene next to Newgate.
At dinner you seemed fretful. Madame said, "You are tired of
everything." You made tree of kings. You came home and laboured
some hours and grew quite well. This is an infallible cure. This
day, write to Lieutenant John and bring up journal; read Scots
law; recollect cool. Put books in order. Rebegin on new plan. Swear
Locke's Christianity, 7 and retenue, and speak each morn. At four,
Goens. 8
THURSDAY 24 MAY. Yesterday you was much better. You
fenced noble; by not owning spleen at dinner you was pretty well.
At three you had Hungarian and famous Van Goens, pretty boy,
lively though very learned. See him often. . . . Then fields, quite de-
licious; read Guiffardiere's letter. Resolved thus: "I believe Christ
sent from GOD to atone for offences and give morality. I keep to
this, and all the load of accessories I leave." You went to bed fine.
This day, resume. Swear to get into good humour, and be manly.
[Received 24 May, De Guiff ardiere to Boswell. Original in French]
Tilburg, 20 May 1764
IT WAS NOT AT ALL for any of the reasons you have imagined
that I have been so long silent. No, my dear Sir, be more just to my
5 See p. 249 n. 9.
6 Possibly, "An vel unum verbum [intellexistis] ?" ("Did you understand a
single word of it?") Bonnet, it will be remembered, was the Professor of
Divinity.
T The system outlined in John Locke's Reasonableness of Christianity, 1695.
It accepts revelation but makes little account of it.
8 Ryklof Michael van Goens (1748-1810), a prodigy of learning. He was at
this time sixteen years old. Four years later (1766) he was appointed Pro-
fessor Extraordinary of Ancient Literature at the University of Utrecht*
254 24 May 1764
candour. I read with avidity your lessons in virtue 9 (lessons from
a Cato! a Cato only twenty years old!), and readily grant your
experience in all the counsels you gave me. A friend who on re-
turning from a ball or some other public diversion reads me a
sermon of sublime morality, a morality worthy of the gods, is a
friend to be treasured; besides, I respect your virtue as much as I
honour your talents. Nor is it because you have changed your
tone that I hasten to reply to you. The book which you ask me for
and which I have a chance to send you tomorrow by the messenger;
the approaching departure with which you threaten me; my wish
to communicate all the flattering things I heard concerning you
from people who saw you at The Hague these are my real reasons
for writing.
But to come to your letter. I do not understand why you thought
the suggestions I made in my last so libertine. You must have been
in a very bad humour when you read it. Or can you really be
so depraved as to prefer to have me utter fine sentimental sentences
set off by austere maxims? You, my friend, running after that
chimera called Prudence, Reason? At twenty to take futile pains
to be what one cannot be even at sixty without doing violence to
one's nature? That is funny enough.
But, seeing you are a philosopher, tell me, I beg you, if it is
not highly philosophic to follow Nature? I am a man and I want
to be a man: homo sum, nihil humani a me alienum puto. So do
not tell me to make myself into an angel or a hog. Leave me my
foibles, my passions, my caprices. I am no more to be blamed for
being as I am than Monsieur Bart 1 is for having pouting lips and
bandy legs. I do not love vice, far from it, but I seek pleasure in
everything, just like you, just like every one else. Now, to give
myself pleasure, I want to enjoy life with all my senses. I want to
feast my eyes on a young beauty whose sparkling eyes bear to the
9 Above, p. 92.
10 "I am a man, and think nothing human foreign to my interests" (Terence,
Heauton Timorumenos, I. i. 25).
1 Boswell's landlord,
24 May 1764 255
depths of my heart that benign heat which melts the ice even of old
age; I want to smell the sweet scent of the most brilliant flowers,
intoxicate myself with the most exquisite perfumes; I want to
melt in ecstasy at a fine voice, at the thrilling sound of a flute;
1 want to savour the most succulent foods and touch with my hands
the smoothness and softness of a beautiful skin.
As for the pleasures of the soul, I exclude them only as they
are above me. Poetry will enchant me, Eloquence with its fiery
masculine strokes will elevate me, Philosophy will console me. I
hold these tranquil pleasures in reserve for a time when my soul
is calm and has subsided into itself. But when Pleasure, that strong
spring of my being, moves me, I fly into the arms of sensual delight
without consulting Reason or Philosophy. Either of them at that
time would only embarrass me. I even say to myself, "Lucky mor-
tal! You are made for pleasure: enjoy yourself and let life end
when pleasure ends."
There, my friend, is the system which I should like to get you
to try. What? You frown? What means that look severe? Fie! It
disfigures your face. It shows the baneful effects of study, of books,
and of all those learned vapidities with which the best days of our
lives are made wearisome. Believe me, my dear Boswell, the man
who reasons is a depraved animal, and the man who reflects a mad-
man who strangles himself with his own hands. Caton fa trop
seduit, mon fils; prends d'autres sentiments. 2 Drop your Johnson
and all those fine writers on morality. Have the courage to analyze
them, and you will see that they are a tissue of meannesses, of
vanities, of trifles dressed up with the fine name of Philosophy.
Remove all the borrowed finery, and what remains? A man, made
like other men.
Le masque tombe, Thomme reste,
Et le sage s'evanouit. 3
2 "Cato has captivated you too much, my son; adopt other opinions" (parts of
two lines from Voltaire's La Mort de Cesar, III. iv).
3 "The mask falls, the man remains, and the sage vanishes" (J. B. Rousseau,
Odes, II. vi, i2th strophe, sage for heros).
256 24 May 1764
Ha! ha! ha! ha! What extravagance! How indignant you will
be! I beg you, write me quickly some touching bits to strengthen
me. However hideous you may think this country, there are a small
number of pretty women here who make my virtue totter. Come
to my relief, powerful and sublime wisdom! Confirm my trembling
steps, and lead the way with your torch down all the crooked and
slippery paths of the labyrinth of life.
By now, you have perhaps twelve thousand hexameters ready
to print, with two volumes of haircloth and bees.* You cannot
possibly have wanted matter since you began frequenting the beau
monde of Utrecht and The Hague. Speaking of The Hague, some
one who saw you at Madame de Sommelsdyck's has sung your
praises to me. He said you were a very likable man who needed only
to be trained by some woman of quality in the jargon of fashion
(that is, in good French) ; that you must form an attachment, must
seek a mistress among women of fashion who will take it upon her-
self to teach you how to behave so as to turn women's heads. You are
going shortly, I believe, to Berlin. Provided you are six feet tall,
have a proud look, wear a little gold lace on your coat, and Rave
little or no religion, you will be abundantly equipped to please.
But if you go to France, it is quite otherwise. There the women rule,
it is they who set the fashion; and you must give all your thought
to making your court to them, to diverting them, to making them
laugh. Otherwise you will see nothing but cabarets and filles de
joie. I well know that many of your countrymen are reduced to
that, but you have too much delicacy and taste to plunge into that
kind of debauchery.
Always prefer the society of well bred people. If their pleasures
are not always innocent, they are at least always decent; and vice
* The italicized words are in English in the original. By "twelve thousand
hexameters" Guiffardiere means, I think, to say that Bos well will vie with
Virgil, who, besides his great epic poem (The Aeneid), wrote pastoral and
amatory poems (Eclogues) and didactic poems on farming (Georgics). The
fourth book of The Georgics deals with bee-culture. But Boswell, Guiffardiere
implies, will substitute ascetic for amatory verses.
24 May 1764 257
that is concealed loses half its viciousness. I think already that
I see you nonchalantly stretched out in an armchair in the midst
of a circle of women, playing with your snuffbox, smiling at one,
whispering endearments into the ear of another, making a rendez-
vous with a third, hearing a thousand flattering remarks on your
air, your dress, your taste, your wit I say, I think I see you flying
away to the opera in a chariot blazing with gold, to frolic with the
prettiest of actresses behind the scenes, to decide the fate of a
comedy, the talent of an actor, the reputation of women that is
how I see my dear Mr. Boswell at Paris.
Forgive my nonsense; it is not meant seriously.
Pay my respects to Mr. Brown and his family; tell him that as
he lent Vernet 5 to me to read, he will wish me to finish it, and that
he can count on having it this summer. Addison's Travels accom-
panies this. I read them with pleasure and send my thanks. I have
the honour to be, with true esteem, Sir, your most humble and
devoted
DE GUIFFARDIERE.
Give my regards to La Roche if you write to him.
I 6 intended to send you Addisson along with this letter, but
unluckily the Man was gone. Just as I got this news, comes young
M. de Zeulen from Bois-le-Duc to see me; as he is going within
eight days back again to Utrecht, I desired him to deliver you the
Book, which he did promise.
FRIDAY 25 MAY. Yesterday Brown said you reasoned exactly
contrary to probability, for although you was well each day ere
night, you imagined each morn you could never be well. He said
5 Probably Lettres critiques d'un voyageur anglais sur Particle Geneve, by
Jacob Vernet, a Swiss pastor, at one time the friend of Rousseau, later his
bitter enemy. This pamphlet attacked Voltaire. Brown had edited it and
had written the preface. See p. 23 n. 7.
6 This last paragraph is in English in the original. I have made a few changes
in punctuation, but have otherwise left it as Guiffardiere wrote it. Though he
makes one slip in idiom, he clearly had a good command of English, as
Boswell maintained (above, p. 49 5) His spelling is remarkably accurate
for a French-speaking foreigner.
258 25 Mar 1764
Helvetius never mentioned our reasoning from probability, which
is the greatest faculty of the mind and source of knowledge. Hahn
was with you at six. You told him case. He pronounced gravely:
bad nerves, acrimonious juices, lax solids. Sweeten, fortify, amuse.
No metaphysics, plain common sense. No claps. Women are neces-
sary when one has been accustomed, or retention will influence
the brain. Nicely disputed. Eglinton's interpretations. Milk with
ladies. Wine Lombach. This day, think. Be fine. Hahn said he saw
something in eyes; mark this.
[THURSDAY 24 MAY. JOURNAL] 7 ... break it, and shall set
Reason upon the throne which is his due; and indeed till that hap-
pens, I cannot expect settled satisfaction. I went to a cottage near
Utrecht, where Brown entertained our ladies with milk. I went
home with Lombach, a genteel Swiss, and over a bit of bread and
glass of wine we were very well.
FRIDAY 25 MAY. Brown bid me judge of precepts about forni-
cation as my reason directed; I saw then that irregular coition was
not commendable but that it was no dreadful crime, and that as
society is now constituted I did little or no harm in taking a girl,
especially as my health required it. Bless me! Were Dempster or
any other of my old gay friends to find me hesitating thus, how
would they laugh! Yet they are worthy fellows; ay, and sensible
dogs, too. I should have mentioned that Dr. Tissot was with me
this morning at six. He is a true original, a shrewd, lively little
fellow of sixty. He said a hypochondriac should not be cured by
medicines, but by a regular employment of all the hours of the
four and twenty. Little knew he that I was a grievous sufferer. He
talks well the modern languages. I found he was a great sceptic.
No help for that. He and I went and saw a review of the regiment
7 From this point we recover BoswelTs journal. See pp. ix, xv. The reason that
the record of his last three weeks in Holland has survived is that he had
fallen behind and wrote these pages up from his notes after he left Utrecht on
18 June for his tour of the German courts. All that he left behind (536 pages,
if his own pagination was correct) has disappeared. The fragmentary first
sentence records part of Dr. Hahn's diagnosis, or of Boswell's comment on it
25 May 1764 259
of infantry at Utrecht. I was much amused. But I was in undress,
which looked odd amongst the Dutch, who were in full splendour.
However, I was the easy man of fashion and well with dear Zelide,
who asked me to come out to the country and see her after dinner.
I determined to take a trip to Amsterdam, and have a girl.
At four Brown walked out with me to Zuylen and returned. I
went to the General's 8 where I found all the Zuylen family and
Count Bentinck. Zelide was too vivacious, abused system, and
laughed at reason, saying that she was guided by a sentiment in-
terieur. I was lively in defence of wisdom and showed her 9 how
wrong she was, for if she had no settled system one could never
count on her. One could not say what she would do. I said to her
also, "You must show a little decorum. You are among rational
beings, who boast of their reason, and who do not like to hear it
flouted." Old De Zuylen 1 and all the fifteen friends were delighted
with me, as was Madame Geelvinck, who was there "as demure
as ever." We went and walked in a sweet pretty wood. I delivered
to Zelide the fine compliments which my friend Temple had
charged me to deliver: that is to say, the warm sentiments of adora-
tion. She was much pleased. I talked to her seriously and bid her
marry a bon baron of good sense and amiable manners who would
be her superior in common life, while he admired her fine genius
and all that. She said she would marry such a man if she saw him.
But still she would fain have something finer. I told her that she
erred much in wishing for what could not last. I said she should
never have a man of much sensibility. For instance, "I would not
marry you if you would make me King of the Seven Provinces." 2
In this fine, gay, free conversation did the minutes fly. I don't re-
member the half of what we said.
8 General van Tuyll's.
9 From here to "flouted" the original is written in French. It may be assumed
unless notice is given to the contrary that Boswell used French for both sides
of dialogue with Hollanders in the journal as in the memoranda.
1 Belle's father. He was actually only fifty-six years old.
2 Boswell recorded (and probably spoke) this sentence in English.
26o 25 May 1764
At nine I went into the Amsterdam boat. The roef was hired,
so I was all night amongst ragamuffins. Yet were my thoughts
sweet and lively till the last two hours, when I sunk to gloom.
[SATURDAY 26 MAY] I came to Grub's, an English house.
I was restless. I was fretful. I despised myself. 3 At ten I waited on
Longueville, one of the Scots ministers, a heavy, sulky dog, but
born near Auchinleck.* At eleven I went and called on Dr. Blins-
hall, the other Scots minister, a hearty, honest fellow, knowing
and active, but Scotch to the very backbone. I next waited on Mr.
James Boswell, glass-merchant, who has been here I believe forty
years. He was very kind, and asked me to dinner next day. I strolled
about very uneasy. I dined with Mr. Rich, merchant.
At five I went to a bawdy-house. I was shown upstairs, and had
a bottle of claret and a juffrouw. But the girl was much fitter for
being wrapped in the blankets of salivation than kissed between
the sheets of love. I had no armour, so did not fight. It was truly
ludicrous to talk in Dutch to a whore. This scene was to me a rarity
as great as peas in February. Yet I was hurt to find myself in the
sinks of gross debauchery. This was a proper way to consider the
thing. But so sickly was my brain that I had the low scruples of an
Edinburgh divine.
I went to BlinshalPs at eight He talked of religious melancholy
like a good sound fellow. He pleased me by saying it was bodily. I
3 To use the terminology of his present enlightened state, he was having "low
scruples": that is, he was having difficulty in persuading himself that what
he proposed to do was not a sin. The journal, which is deliberately written in
a libertine tone, does not do justice to the moral struggle which was really
going on.
* See Lord Auchinleck's letter, p. 53. Boswell is just getting around to make
the calls his father suggested. It is a little odd that Holland's largest city
(generally thought at the time to be the largest city in Christendom after
London and Paris) should have meant so little to Boswell nothing in fact
except a place where he could go to a bawdy-house unobserved. Utrecht is
nearer to Amsterdam than it is to The Hague, but Boswell had not been there
once after the hasty and disconsolate tour of Holland which he made in
August, 1763.
26 May 1764 261
was so fretted as to be glad of any relief . I supped with BlinshalTs
landlord, Connal, an Irish peruke-maker who it seems was once a
young fellow of fortune in London, and acquainted with Pope and
many more men of genius. It was a queer evening. At six I had been
so tired as to go to FarquharV and drink amongst blackguards a
bottle of wine. I shall never forget that lowness; for low it was
indeed. At eleven we parted. I resolved to go to a speelhuis* but had
no guide. I therefore very madly sought for one myself and strolled
up and down the Amsterdam streets, which are by all accounts
very dangerous at night. I began to be frightened and to think of
Belgic knives. At last I came to a speelhuis, where I entered boldly.
I danced with a fine lady in laced riding-clothes, a true black-
guard minuet. I had my pipe in my mouth and performed like
any common sailor. I had near quarrelled with one of the musi-
cians. But I was told to take care, which I wisely did. I spoke plenty
of Dutch but could find no girl that elicited my inclinations. I was
disgusted with this low confusion, came home and slept sound.
SUNDAY 2 7 MAY. I went to Chapel 7 and heard a good sermon
from Mr. Charles, a very pretty man. I dined with honest Boswell
whom I found just a plain, kind-hearted Scotsman. His wife was
a hearty Englishwoman. One of his sons was at Surinam. I saw
the other, a smart active lad, and a daughter. I went and heard
Blinshall preach; but had all the old Scots gloomy ideas. I then
strolled through mean brothels in dirty lanes. I was quite splenetic.
I still wanted armour. I drank tea with Blinshall. At eight I got into
5 Apparently a tavern kept by a Scotsman.
6 "It is also customary for strangers to see something of the famous speel
houses, or music houses in this city. These are a kind of taverns and halls
where young people of the meaner sort, both men and women, meet two or
three times a week for dancing. Here they only make their rendezvous, but the
execution is done elsewhere. Those who choose to satisfy their curiosity in
this respect should take care to behave civilly, and especially not to offer
familiarities to any girl that is engaged with another man; otherwise the con-
sequence might be dangerous, for the Dutch are very brutish in their quar-
rels" (Thomas Nugent, The Grand Tour, 3d ed., 1778, i. 83).
7 The Church-of-England chapel.
262 27 May 1764
the roef of the Utrecht boat I had with me an Italian fiddler, a
German officer, his wife and his child.
MONDAY 28 MAY. After a schuit sleep I arrived at five very
nervous. I went to my naked bed* I rose at ten. I was changeful and
uneasy all day.
[Received c. 28 May, Constant d'Hermenches 8 to Bos well.
Original in French]
The Hague, Saturday [26 May 1764]
I AM DELIGHTED, SIR, to have it in my power to serve you in
some way. Here is the letter you asked for. 9 If you had told me but
one detail of your approaching journey, I could have mentioned it;
however, persons like you are always sure to receive a kind recep-
tion from that remarkable man whose heart and mind deserve the
homage and gratitude of every thinking being.
Though it may astonish you to hear it, I dare assure you that the
admiration you feel for Mademoiselle de Zuylen will not be
eclipsed by meeting him. I am told that she writes as well as he
does, and perhaps she has more wit. Her beauty, her youth, her
intelligence exert a fascination which is overpowering but very
precious to any feeling heart.
Is it not true, my dear Sir? It is impossible that being in accord,
as we are, in our opinions of her, we should not have other points in
common: and I am proud of them so far as our slight acquaintance
permits me to know them. As good men all have only one country,
so an amiable woman is a benevolent star which draws together
the most opposed characters and conditions and makes all the
bonds of society precious.
8 Constant d'Hermenches, a married man forty years old, was a Swiss noble-
man in the military service of the States General. He was a man of many
ambitions, but was perhaps best known for his amorous triumphs. Belle de
Zuylen was carrying on a clandestine and extremely candid epistolary cor-
respondence with him.
9 A letter of introduction to Voltaire, with whom D'Hermenches was inti-
mately acquainted.
28 May 1764 263
I assure you a thousand times, Sir, of my wish to be helpful in
all your concerns; and have the honour to be, without reservation,
your most humble and obedient servant,
CONSTANT D'HERMENCHES.
The Hague, Saturday, in great haste. 1
TUESDAY 29 MAY. Gordon came here last night. He lodged at
Baron d' Ablaing's. I see him scarcely at all. At three Tissot carried
me to the Utrecht Bedlam. The poor creatures were almost all silly.
They were mostly going about loose. They called me the King of
England. I was amused with this scene. Tissot said mankind were
all mad and differed only in degree. At night I had Lombach with
me. We talked politics.
WEDNESDAY 30 MAY. I had sat up all night. I was in an
agreeable fever. But I must not repeat this often. I sent a card to
Zelide that I would bring Gordon to see her. 2 In the afternoon I
carried him to Zuylen, one league from town, in a cabriolet. We
were politely received. I saw the old castle and all the family
pictures. 3 Zelide was rather too vivacious. I was discontented.
1 Boswell showed this letter to Belle, and she wrote to D'Hermenches, "If
Boswell has not written to you, it is not because he was not very much pleased
with you and with your letter: he showed it to me. Allow me the vanity of
recalling word for word a compliment which, however exaggerated it is,
could not fail to be very agreeable to me: 'I am told that Mademoiselle de
Zuylen writes as well as Voltaire,' &c. I thought that *I am told' very pretty,
very delicate, but not exactly discreet. For if there had been no mystery, you
would not have thought of making one: you would have based your judg-
ment on Le Noble, the Portraits. But never mind, 'I am told 1 pleases me a
good deal." (Nobody was supposed to know about her letters to D'Her-
menches. Actually, every one did.)
2 "Take Gordon to Zelide, and talk to her sweet" (Memorandum for 30 May).
3 Apparently his first visit to the ancestral mansion of the Tuyll family. All
through the winter they had lived in their town house in Utrecht, an impos-
ing structure in the Kromme Nieuwe Gracht. The Castle was described by
Philippe Godet in 1906 as follows: "A pleasant path following the right bank
of the Vecht brings you after an hour's walk from Utrecht to Zuylen. In an
old album . . . which appears to be of the middle of the eighteenth cen-
tury are shown various views of the castles and homes which this branch of
264 3* May 1764
THURSDAY 3i MAY. Awaked as disordered as ever. I got a
letter from Mr. William Nairne begging me to meet him and
Andrew Stuart at The Hague, next day. 4 1 had also an invitation
from Sir Joseph Yorke to his ball on Monday, the King's birthday. I
hesitated and fretted, but at last determined to go. From this I am
sure that I am now much better. Formerly in such circumstances
I would not have stirred. Now, whenever I am called upon, I go to
my post. This being Ascension Day, I went to Brown's church. I
heard sermon and prayers and all that makes me so dreary on Sun-
days. Today I did not feel the same effects. I looked around to see
what on earth could make the gloom on Sundays.
the Old Rhine bathes before it goes to lose itself in the Zuider Zee. There,
among others, may be seen the village of Zuilen, drawn out along the bank of
the river, which here describes a gracious bend, its houses low, its farms
neat and pleasant. Behind the village a bell-tower rises above a group of
trees Not far from the church, imposing and haughty, stands the
Castle of Zuylen In spite of certain reconstructions which Belle's father
made in the Castle, it has kept its appearance of former days, or at least its
general silhouette. Flanked by turrets at the four corners, it is, in the fashion
of the country, surrounded on three sides by water. You cross a wide moat
on a bridge of three arches, after having passed under a postern gate which
must be of very ancient construction, where are carved, beside the arms of
Utrecht and of Zuylen, those of the families of Tuyll and Weede. Not far
from the main building are grouped its dependencies; its farms, barns, and
carriage-houses. Through the curtain of century-old trees which frame the
Castle, the eye embraces the vast perspectives of the plain of Holland, on the
horizon to the west one discerns through the haze the lofty tower of the
Cathedral of Utrecht. The impression of uncramped and ancient opulence
which the visitor feels on approaching the manor-house is accentuated when
he enters the spacious vestibule, from which rises a double staircase of
marble. The corridor of the first floor [American: second floor], which runs
the entire width of the main fagade, is adorned with a glorious series of
ancestral portraits, among whom one notices a kneeling Chevalier of Malta"
(Madame de Charriere et se$ amis, i. 1-3, translated).
* Andrew Stuart, an able Scottish solicitor, one of the guardians of the
children of the sixth Duke of Hamilton, had come to Holland to collect evi-
dence for his young ward, the seventh Duke, in the famous Douglas Cause.
Nairne, an advocate or barrister, was also one of the Duke's lawyers.
3i May 1764 265
I ordered a genteel flowered-silk suit, and at eight I set out in
the Leyden roef. I had with me two Brussels lawyers. One of them
wanted much to convert me to the Popish religion. He was a
learned, lively, pretty man. He told me what tranquillity, what
joy, his holy religion gave him by its many aids to the imperfec-
tions of human nature, and how he had no doubts, but reposed in
the bosom of his sacred Mother, the Church. I owned to him that
I envied his situation. But for my part, I was pretty enlarged in
my notions and was not afraid of my Creator. He seemed to have
no difficulty at all with regard to transubstantiation. I went this
far with him: "Sir, allow me to ask you one question. If the Church
should say to you, Two and three make ten,' what would you do?"
"Sir," said he., "I should believe it, and I should count like this:
one, two, three, four, ten." I was now fully satisfied. This conver-
sation, however, made me calmly think that religion is a more
universal thing than people imagine.
FRIDAYIJUNE.I arrived at The Hague at nine, after a good
sleep. I had written to good Caldwell that I was very bad, and had
begged him to come for a day to Utrecht. He received me with open
arms and seemed quite happy to see me. 5 I told him strange
event 1 that I was perfectly well. I went immediately to the Parlia-
ment of England, where I found Mr. Andrew Stuart, whom I had
not seen for two years. He had a number of papers before him,
quite the man of business, and he had the air of the Duke of King-
ston. 6 I was altogether changed by seeing him. My best ideas of
family and Major Cochrane and the Abbey returned. 7 1 talked well
5 He had sent Boswell two long and affectionate letters of advice dated 27
and 31 May.
6 The Parliament of England was the principal inn of The Hague. The
reference to the Duke of Kingston is probably a tribute to Stuart's fine
features, the Duke being one of the handsomest men of his time. Bosuell had
not yet taken sides in the Douglas Cause: when later he became an ardent
supporter of Douglas, he conceived a violent antipathy to Stuart.
7 A complex of associations. Boswell's grand-uncle, Major Cochrane (by this
time eighth Earl of Dundonald), was Stuart's brother-in-law, and as warm a
partisan of the Hamilton claims as Stuart himself. Boswell's first published
266 i June 1764
md manly. After breakfast we went to the Parade. Nairne came
rom a jaunt .to Amsterdam, just the old man, quiet, sensible,
ivorthy. Also came Colonel Scott of the Guards, natural son to the
late Duke of Buccleuch.
At twelve I went yvdth them in a coach for Rotterdam. Stuart
said he would not live in Holland for a great deal. I had a pride in
having passed my winter here. We stopped at Delft and looked at
the churches, and got to Rotterdam about four. I was in immense
spirits and could -not believe that I had been so bad here in winter
last. It however galled me to recollect my hypochondria, especially
when I knew not but it might return upon me this very night.
Stuart talked to me in a very friendly way, and promised to get
Basil Cochrane to advise my father to allow me a pretty handsome
tour abroad. I called at Stewart's and saw Sally and Mr. Mollison,
and wrote a line to Stewart. 8 At six we had a hearty dinner at our
inn, the Marechal de Turenne. Scott was a fine, gay, hearty fellow,
quite English and happy. They insisted on my staying all night
I did so. I said I had almost lost my memory in Holland; and when
they said, "Have you eat of this dish?" I answered, "Yes, to the
best of my remembrance." Stuart and I called on Craufurd, 9 then
returned to our inn. All went nobly.
SATURDAY 2 JUNE. Scott and I slept in the same room. I got
up better than usual. I was amused to see Scott and Stuart and
Nairne in their morning figures. How curious is a man with regard
to times or circumstances which touch him nearly. Scott said the
Guards were lazy dogs, and when Shafto was an officer there, he
used to ask his servant who called him, "John, what's a clock?"
"Two minutes from five, Sir." "Call me then, John, when those two
poem, An Evening Walk in the Abbey Church of Holyroodhouse (Scots
Magazine, August, 1758) had praised Major Cochrane for causing the church
to be re-roofed. The Abbey was also, and very directly, connected with the
Douglas Cause by the fact that Lady Jane Douglas was buried there.
8 See p. 131/2.8.
9 Patrick (later Sir Patrick) Craufurd, another Scots merchant settled in
Rotterdam. Boswell applied to him for the wine he had promised Gronovius
(above, p. 228).
2 June 1764 267
minutes are run." I found real life relume me quite. I took leave of
my good friends.
I went in the schuit to Delft and from thence took a chariot to
The Hague; came just in time to breakfast with my good Hiber-
nians. This forenoon, I took Caldwell out to the Wood and told him
the whole story of my most extraordinary life. My external changes
have been pretty well, but for internal ones, I think I may enter the
lists with any living being. Caldwell was struck with wonder; his
amiable mind appeared very plainly. He was pleased with Lord
Eglinton's method of freeing me from the gloom of superstition, al-
though it led me to the other extreme. 1 He spoke like a philosopher
and said I must have had great strength of mind to struggle through
so many conflicts, and a fine genius to have improved my mind so
much although so hardly oppressed. He said my misery was now
over; that now I should be a firm and a happy man provided I lived
an active, temperate, agreeable life. He really gave me rational
hopes of being yet a man.
Monsieur de Sommelsdyck paid me a visit this morning. I
dined with him, and was very well. I then waited on Maclaine and
put him in sweats by defending transubstantiation. He was a little
splenetic. 2 I met Richardson and carried him to the inn, where I
gave him a neat supper. I found his morality to be just the common
sense of mankind. He said in his parish the young fellows got
the girls with child first, without any idea of harm, and then
married them. 3 He said this showed what couples loved each other,
and he never blamed them. He said, too, that if three stout
youths were cast upon a desert island with three old men who
had young wives, that the youths ought surely to propagate with
the young wives, although they were all Christians; so that the
Doctor was of opinion that the sexes may unite just according as
1 Seep, i.
2 BoswelFs unexpected emancipation from religious gloom shows itself in a
malicious desire to tease the exponents of Calvinistic theology.
3 His parish in England. He no doubt had more than one living besides the
chaplaincy.
268 2 June 1764
circumstances are. This is surely sound sense, and when I am clear
and unclouded by the gloom of prejudice, I must think so too.
SUNDAY 3 JUNE. I rose as easy and well as mortal could be.
The Hibernians breakfasted with me. I was fine at Chapel, then
had a drive to Scheveningen. I dined at Maasdam's, and was quite
cheerful. I drank tea at Colonel Houston's, then went to Maas-
dam's where I lost at cards, and was angry at myself therefor. At
night I had some good conversation with Caldwell.
[Received c. 3 June, Patrick Craufurd to Boswell]
Rotterdam, 2 June 1 764
DEAR SIR: According as you desired, I have made inquiry
about the port wine, an anker of which I have bought for you and
is at your disposal. It costs /i8. If you please to send me down a
brief je* I shall send it where you please. I beg my compliments to
Mrs. and Mr. Brown. I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
PATRICK CRAUFURD.
MONDAY4JUNE. In a genteel suit of flowered silk, I went
this morning and paid my respects at the English Ambassador's,
where was a very great crowd, it being King George's birthday.
This morning was indeed a morning of joy. I received a large
packet of letters, one from my Lord Marischal, informing me that
I was to accompany him to Berlin, one from my father to the same
purpose, and letters from my Scots and London bankers with a
credit upon Berlin of 30 a month. Never was man happier than I
this morning. I was now to travel with a venerable Scots nobleman
who had passed all his life abroad, had known intimately kings and
great men of all kinds, and could introduce me with the greatest
advantage at courts. 5 A multitude of rich ideas filled my imagina-
* An anker is eight and one third imperial gallons (ten gallons U.S.); eight-
een guilders amounted to about 1-12-9; brief je means u a written order."
5 George Keith, tenth Earl Marischal of Scotland, had been attainted for his
active participation in the Jacobite uprisings of 1715 and 1719, but because of
later services to the Government, had received a full pardon in 1759. He was
4 June 1764 269
tion. The Hibernians were pleased. Caldwell said it was the luckiest
event in the world for me. I was quite elevated. I despised my dull
plodding at Utrecht in the clay of metaphysical theology. "Ah,"
said I, "if Brown came to me now with a dispute about Necessity,
how would I laugh at him/'
I dined at Maasdam's, quite the gay foreign cousin. 6 He has
taken a great liking to me. At night I went to the ball given by
Yorke. It was splendid, but his dry insolence was insupportable. I
danced one country-dance with a Mademoiselle Wassenaer. I was
in a glow of delicious spirits. I took my excellent Caldwell aside
and told him how very happy I was, but at the same time said that
I was a complete sceptic as to Christianity. He said I was wrong,
for its evidence was very convincing; and he owned that he himself
had been a sceptic. I was too feverish.
[Received 4 June, Lord Marischal to Boswell]
Allanbank, 25 May 1764
SIR: I flatter myself with the hopes of your good company to
Liineburg, and perhaps on to Berlin, as you will have heard from
my Lord, your father.
I shall want a voiture (a chaise) for three, if you go, as I hope,
otherwise only for two. Pray look out for one in Utrecht, and make
my compliments to Mrs. Brown, the Minister's wife (she is Kinloch
by birth) to know if she knows of a chaise. Inquire also of
Mademoiselle Maitland chez le general Sporken a la Hare, if she
has found one, as her father wrote to her. Excuse this liberty and
trouble.
one of the most trusted counsellors of Frederick the Great; had served as
Prussian Ambassador to France and to Spain, and as Governor of Ncuchatel.
He had been in Scotland arranging his affairs with the intention of settling
there, but had been recalled by an urgent letter from Frederick. Lord
Auchinlcck had seized the opportunity to launch his son on the Grand Tour
under the most distinguished auspices. Lord Marischal was at this time past
seventy, a shrewd, stately, polished courtier of vast practical experience.
6 The Baroness van Maasdam was a Sommelsdyck.
270 4 June 1764
I suppose that, living a studious life at Leyden, your wardrobe
will need some addition, now you are going to courts. A suit of
summer clothes, fine camlet with a gold thread button but no lace;
and against winter a complete suit of worked flowered velvet, the
buttons of velvet; four pairs of laced ruffles. This I think will do,
for cloth is to be had everywhere, and velvet, though this last not
so cheap as in Holland.
I shall make no stay in London, but hasten to Holland, where
perhaps I may be about the 8 or loth June. I go from Hellevoet to
Rotterdam; from thence straight to Utrecht; and if you and my
voiture are ready, shall stay there only a day. I want only a voiture
sufficient for my journey to Berlin, for I count it will be of little
use to me there, and therefore want to lay out as little money as
I can on it. Please write under cover of Mr. Craufurd in Rotterdam
to, Sir, your most humble and obedient servant,
MARISCHAL.
[Received 4 June, Dempster to Boswell]
Manchester Buildings [London] 25 May 1 764
MY DEAREST BOSWELL:
I like your friend Rose well;
By your odd sort of talk
I thought him Kilra k,
And took much pains and trouble
To amuse the Rose noble; 7
But if the young man is possessed
Of solid head and candid breast,
What matters it to me or you
On how obscure a bush he grew?
The business of the Nation past,
7 "From your very imperfect description, I concluded that your Utrecht
friend Rose was Rose of Kilravock [pronounced Kilr6ck] and entertained him
under the mistaken assumption that he was the Rose, the representative of
the family." A rose noble was a mediaeval coin stamped with the English
rose.
4 June 1764 271
Sunshine and vacance come at last;
And Britain saddled for the year
With armies and excise on beer,
No hireling mean, no patriot sour,
Dempster to thee devotes an hour.
How can I, f etter'd thus in rhyme,
Inquire your news or give you mine?
Ask how you like Batavian air,
The men, the manners, and the Fair?
Whether your mind a firmer tone
Acquires, or is more fickle grown?
Whether you study hard at home,
Or (as you used in London) roam,
Full of spleen and mirth and glee,
'Tween Dash 8 and Eglinton and me?
Pray, has the solid Dutchman's school
Proved every sceptic knave or fool,
Your doubts restrain'd within due bounds,
And fixed morality on solid grounds?
In Number 5, removed from noise and strife,
I jog as usual calmly on in life,
Sometimes partake in senates' high debate,
Unbias'd vote, by post or party heat
Unfortunately for you, my dear Boswell, your last verses in-
spired me with the desire to undertake the arduous task of an
answer in verse. Two months ago I came as far as you see; since that
I have not found one moment fit for the Muses. East India faction,
private business, private pleasure, and public diversions or public
dulness, have occupied every second of my time. I often however
think of you, and that with an affection unimpaired by length of
time or absence. I thought you would have writ me ten letters for
one. Friends should pay to friendship the tribute of correspondence
as men do the taxes of a State, not an equal quantity each, but
8 Andrew Erskine's nickname.
272 4 June 1764
proportioned to their respective wealth and ability. You, Sir, in-
herit ten times more imagination, and have acquired ten times
more leisure than me. I'd as soon pay pound for pound land-tax
with the Duke of Bedford as page for page letter-tax with the Laird
of Auchinleck.
Poor Jean, who is at present with me, has enjoyed very indif-
ferent health since you left us. She is grown a skeleton, and I have
the most serious apprehensions about her. I have scarce seen Dash
once since he went to Scotland. He published a piece of the dra-
matic farcical kind which was represented at Edinburgh. I asked
Donaldson, die printer of it, 1 how it took. "Oh, very well, Sir, very
well I can assure you; it was not damned till the second night/'
What are you about? Where are you going? How do you like
Utrecht after a summer and winter's trial?
Let me now, my dear friend, conclude, as all friends should do
their letters, with a word of advice. Avoid all company in general,
and all kinds of reading, whether law, history, morality, poetry, or
politics. Never roger any woman, eat but once a day, and that of
one dish. Tailors are thieves all Europe over, so make up no clothes.
Avoid travelling, either by land or by water, but leave Utrecht as
fast as possible. This is the Law and the Prophets. Farewell. 2
TUESDAY 5 JUNE. I dined at the inn. After dinner Baron Beul-
witz of the Duke of Brunswick's family waited upon me with great
civility, and asked me to sup with the Duke. I went to the Comedie,
then to the Duke's; played a party and supped. All was elegant and
easy. I sat by a Mademoiselle de Starrenburg, who knew young
Pitf our and talked to me of him. We had now at The Hague a good
many English: Lord Holdernesse, Lord John Cavendish, &c.
WEDNESDAY 6 JUNE. I went with Count Boufflers and his
Jesuit tutor to wait on Madame Boufflers, 3 who was now at The
9 His sister and housekeeper. He was still a bachelor, though he afterwards
married. * Publisher to both Erskine and Boswell. 2 No signature.
3 The famous Countess of Boufflers-Rouverel, mistress of the Prince de Conti,
at this time engaged in a sentimental correspondence with David Hume. She
had called on Samuel Johnson in London the previous year.
6 June 1764 273
Hague. She was at her toilet, quite the French fine lady. She was
distant. I admired her much, I paid my visits of conge partout. I
agreed with Monsieur de Sommelsdyck to have a correspondence. I
shall have it too with Monsieur de Maasdam. I had a parting con-
versation with Caldwell. He disputed seriously with me against
irregular love. I wavered between his opinion and my o\\ n. "Weak
I was, that is sure. But it must also be owned that the matter is
somewhat difficult. Rowley and he took cordial leave of me.
I went in the schuit to Leyden. It was the kermis there, and all
was gay. I found Monsieur Gronovius in his garden. I owned to
him my melancholy. He bid me conceal it, and be always busy or
amused. We passed this our last evening with much satisfaction. I
took a hearty leave of him. I had engaged at The Hague a servant,
his name Jacob Hanni, a Bernois, who spoke French and German.
I took him with me, so that I had my two attendants. I own that I
had little vanity enough to be pleased with this. One of my schuit
companions asked me if my servant was German. "Sir," said I, "one
of my servants is German and the other is French." My companion
looked at me with a much more respectful eye.
At eight I went into the Utrecht roef with a French officer in
the Prussian service who had been in Portugal and knew Captain
Preston well. 4 He talked finely and gave me a share of his cold meat
and wine. I slept well.
[Received c. 6 June, Count Bentinck to Boswell] 5
Hague, 5 June 1 764
DEAR SIR: I send you enclosed three letters for Brunswick, of
which you will make use if you think proper. Messrs. Stainer and
Feronce will introduce you to all the good company in that town.
4 Boswell' s cousin, Patrick Preston, eldest son of Sir George Preston of Valley-
field, was a major in the British Army and a brigadier-general in the service
of Portugal.
5 Original in English, which Bentinck handles like a native. He had probably
spoken it from childhood.
274 ^ June 1764
The former is an honest, good, worthy man as ever breathed, and
a great friend of mine. He is plain and good-naturedly civil.
Feronce is very sensible, quick, and sprightly; knows a great deal,
writes very good prose and pretty poetry; a little wicked, but good
company. I have sent you another letter for the Abbe Jerusalem, a
worthy man who has all the good nature, the affability, and the
modesty of a child, with the most deep and sublime study and the
most refined taste. The first sight you will find him backward, but
if you talk with him, I am sure you will love him.
Be so kind, dear Sir, to spend now and then a few minutes of
your leisure hours in writing to me. You will oblige him vastly
who professes himself to be always your faithful friend and obedi-
ent humble servant,
BENTINCK, SEIGNEUR DE VAREL.
P.S. On second thoughts I have not sent you any letter for
Berlin, as Lord Marischal will certainly give you opportunities
of getting enough acquainted with everybody. However, if desired
you shall have it. When you write to me, tell me where I am to
direct.
THURSDAY 7 JUNE. Once more I returned to Utrecht. To my
surprise I found that Trotzius had concluded his college. I was
very, very gay at Brown's. I drank tea chez. Mademoiselle Tuyll,
aunt to Zelide. I passed the evening at home.
[Boswell to Madame de Spaen. Original in French]
Utrecht, 7 June 1 764
MADAME: Although I had an opportunity to thank you by
word of mouth for the obliging letter with which you honoured
me before your departure for Germany, I still feel guilty for not
having written to you since then. Fresh courtesies call for fresh
acknowledgments. The reception you recently gave me in the
Prinsesse Gracht is another proof of your goodness to me. Accept
my thanks and believe that I feel what I say. Indeed, I was treated
as a friend; I had the privilege of supping with you the last evening
7 June 1764 275
and of accompanying you to Leidschendam. Could an acquaintance
of fifteen years do more? Am I not very fortunate? Such \vorthy
Scots as I ought to travel.
I have been twice more to The Hague, first to see their kermis,
which I found very amusing, perhaps too amusing to last ten days
in a row. A mob of that size upsets most people, even the most
steady. I was there also to celebrate our King's birthday. Sir Joseph
Yorke gave a superb ball. There were ten or twelve of us English
there. Everything was gay and brilliant. I had the honour to sup
on the following evening with the Duke, 6 whom I cannot praise
enough. The world has never seen a prince who succeeded better in
adding amiable virtues to strength of character. He receives one
with true politeness, a politeness that comes from the heart.
I have taken leave of my friends at The Hague. I expect to
leave this country soon. I have the best possible opportunity for
going into Germany. My Lord Marischal, who has been some time
in Scotland, is on his way back to Berlin. He is good enough to
take me with him.
We shall go to Liineburg, to Brunswick, and finally to the
Court of Prussia. Nothing could be more fortunate for a young man
than to make this tour with a nobleman who has seen so much of
the world and is held everywhere in such esteem. I shall certainly
have extraordinary advantages. I have no doubt, Madame, that
you and Monsieur Spaen will be pleased when I inform you of a
circumstance so lucky for a stranger to whom you have shown so
much goodness.
I expect my Lord here every day. I do not know whether he has
the honour to be known to Monsieur Spaen. I imagine, however,
that he will be charmed to accompany me when I pay my respects
to you at your paradise of Bellevue. I flatter myself that I shall have
that pleasure by the middle of this week.
This letter will be carried by our excellent friend Reynst, who
has promised me the pleasure of his good company at supper at my
house when he passes through Utrecht.
6 Of Brunswick,
276 7 June
I am very busy in putting my affairs in order before leaving.
What formality! I confess it, Madame. But you must know that
I draw highly flattering hopes from it. It seems to me that some
day I shall occupy a distinguished post because I naturally feel
myself to be a man of so much importance. Nature is wise. She
always has designs when she grants qualities. It depends on us,
however, to turn these qualities to good use. Be good enough,
Madame, to excuse my jesting. I write to you as I speak, without
ceremony.
Perhaps you ask me, Madame, if I am leaving Utrecht with
perfect indifference, if I feel no tender regrets on being separated
from Baroness! do not ask me. Yes, yes. I feel regrets
indeed. Charming Zelide! May heaven grant her the happiness she
deserves. To hear that Zelide is happy will rejoice my soul.
I beg you to pay my affectionate respects to Monsieur de Spaen,
to assure my young Baron of my friendship, and to present my
compliments to his governor.
I am always, Madame, your most obliged and humble servant,
BOSWELL D'AUCHINLECK.
FRIDAY 8 JUNE. I kept the house with a cold. Hahn visited
me for the last time, advised me against taking drugs, and bid me
not consult physicians, as people distressed as I was were timorous
and obedient, and might be imposed upon. This was very honest.
He assured me that time, attention, and regularity would make me
quite well. Brown came and smoked a pipe with me, and said that
we must take the Christian religion liberally, according to reason.
[Received c. 8 June, Count Bentinck to Boswell]
Hague, 7 June 1 764
DEAR BOSWELL, In great hurry I send you the letter you have
desired. I hope it will answer your ends, and that the dear black
philosopher will meet everywhere with the good reception he so
well deserves; and with a sirloin every Sunday, a leek and some
oatmeal on other days, in order to partake of every part of the rights
8 June 1764 277
of a great Briton saving brimstone, however, in every kind and
shape. 7 GOD bless you; remember me often, and don't forget that
you have promised to show me Dempster's letter. Adieu. Ever
yours,
BENTINCK.
SATURDAY 9 JUNE. After dinner I had a long conversation
with Brown, who told me that I judged too hardly of myself, for
that I never had discovered much melancholy. He said I should
never own it at all. He said I might very probably be an envoy, and
so rise in foreign employment. I found that I might be something.
He said he could trust me with any business. I passed the evening
with Janosi, my Hungarian friend, and was very vivacious.
[Received c. 9 June, Craufurd to Boswell]
Rotterdam, 8 June 1 764
DEAR SIR: I duly received both your letters, the first inclosing
your bill for /i8. on Mr. Davidson, and the last a brief je for the
anker port, which shall be sent tomorrow to Leyden with the
address you desire. 8 I see you are going to Berlin with Lord
Marischal, who won't be here before Sunday or Monday, as the
wind is contrary. I am afraid I won't have the pleasure of seeing
you before your journey, as some unforeseen business has pre-
vented our jaunt tomorrow, which is put off to the Saturday follow-
ing. I beg you will make compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Brown, and
believe me, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
PATRICK. CRAUFURD.
P.S. Your letter shall be delivered to Lord M.
SUNDAY 10 JUNE. I sat in all forenoon. At one I had a hand-
some chaise and drove myself to Zuylen. I was in solid spirits in the
old chateau, but rather too odd was I; for I talked of my pride, and
7 The sirloin for England, the leek for Wales, the oatmeal for Scotland. By
brimstone Bentinck perhaps refers to the British devotion to brimstone and
treacle (sulphur and molasses) as medicine, and to hell-fire as subject-
matter for sermons. 8 The port was a present to Gronovius. See pp. 228, 268.
278 10 June 1764
wishing to be a king. Zelide and I were left alone. She owned to me
that she was hypochondriac, and that sho had no religion other
than that of the adoration of one GOD. In short, she discovered an
unhinged mind; yet I loved her. 9 1 supped at Brown's.
[Received c. 10 June, Abraham Gronovius to Bos well.
Original in Latin] 1
Leyden, 9 June 1764
MOST NOBLE FRIEND, I profess myself, of course, indebted in
the highest degree to the singular thoughtfulness which prompted
you, though short of time, to honour me last Wednesday in my
garden with your most agreeable company; I hope that you arrived
safely at Utrecht. But I blush at the excess of your generosity even
while I acknowledge my obligation to you; I mean of course the
forty-five bottles of port which, by your order and through the
attention of Mr. Craufurd at Rotterdam, were delivered today.
What return I can make for this gift, what thanks I can utter for
this ready liberality of yours, I hardly know. In the mean time
I hope that the journey into Germany, which you are about to
undertake in the company of that famous hero the Earl Mari-
schal, will be happy and auspicious; and when it has been prosper-
ously concluded, I shall congratulate myself heartily if it is my lot
again to enjoy the pleasure of your friendly conversation, and to
admire those virtues with which you have adorned an ingenuous
heart. Continue therefore to press your father's footsteps: to do so is
to cultivate piety, virtue, and learning, and thus to aggrandize the
glory of the name of Boswell to your country's profit: I predict that
it will one day resound with gratitude for your services. May GOD
ALMIGHTY in his goodness grant it. Farewell, my pride and glory;
keep a place in your heart for your
ABRAHAM GRONOVIUS.
9 "You would be miserable with her. Yet she is to write, and loves you"
(Memorandum for i \ June) .
1 Gronovius's original (an elegant bit of classical Latinity quite different in
style from the workaday Latin of Trotz and Gaubius) is printed on p. 393.
ii June 1764 279
MONDAY 1 1 JUNE.Ihadsatupallnight. Reynst of The Hague
met me, and carried me to Oblet's, 2 where I found Monsieur and
Madame Hasselaer, whom I have an antipathy against, and rny
dear Zelide, whom I have a sympathy with. My imbecility will
never leave me. Zelide was in a fever of spirits. 3 1 drove about with
her and Madame Hasselaer and had curious reflections to myself.
In August last I was a gloomy, deplorable wretch in this dull city.
Now I am a fine, gay gentleman, the gallant of fine, gay ladies.
After dinner I went about and paid my visits pour prendre conge.
1 was as happy as a prince. At seven Trotzius was with me. Over a
glass of cordial Malaga, we vowed everlasting friendship, as a
German professor understands Amicitia. We parted upon excellent
terms. At eight Reynst came to me, and from many circumstances
well interpreted, he persuaded me that Zelide was really in love
with me. I believed it. But I was mild and retenu. Richardson also
arrived. I had Reynst and him at supper.
[Boswell to Johnston]
Utrecht, 11 June 1764
MY DEAR FRIEND, More than two months ago, I sent you a
long letter to the care of Provost Graham. If it has been lost or mis-
carried, I am very sorry. Yet I think at any rate you might have
written to me again before this time. I hope you are well, at least in
your ordinary state.
Since I received your last, I have had most dreadful returns
of the blackest melancholy. I have endured more than I ever did.
To tell you my sufferings from a horrid imagination is scarcely
possible; for I have had ideas of which to describe the frightful
2 An inn.
3 "Yesterday, after sitting up all night, you went with Reynst to Oblet's and
met Zelide. She sent you play She was echaufjee but sweet This day
read her play. At eleven go to her" (Memorandum for 12 June). Belle's
comedy was never printed, and Godet, her biographer, makes no mention of
having seen it in manuscript.
280 11 June 1764
effects, no language has words sufficient. GOD preserve me from
returns of the dire distemper, for indeed of late it had almost
crushed me. My mind was tortured in a thousand ways. I really
was not myself. Johnston, how unfortunate am I to have such
a mind* However, let me console myself. Let me view the agreeable
side. I have bright parts. I have generous sentiments. I have warm
affections. When I am well, I am supremely blessed.
No more of this. Tis all chimera. Let me talk plain matter of
fact, plain common sense. I have now completed my winter at
Utrecht, have improved in knowledge, and have made the most of
the company here. I have been several times at the brilliant Hague,
and have established a friendship with my Dutch relations, and
obtained the acquaintance of other people of distinction. In short,
I have passed nine months in Holland to rational purpose, and to
the satisfaction of my worthy father.
And now, Johnston, as a reward for my behaviour, behold me
enjoying uncommon good fortune. My Lord Marischal is so good
as to take me with him to Germany. I expect him here every day.
We are to go to Liineburg, to Brunswick, and at last to Berlin. My
father is highly pleased with the scheme, and has given me a
genteel credit. All is well; and if I am not happy, it must be owing
to a disturbed mind. This unexpected felicity has made me quite
a new man, has given new life to me. Not three weeks ago the
whole Creation and all the events of life seemed equal and indif-
ferent. All was jumbled in one dreary chaos. You have no notion
how bad I was. However, I have had such a conduct here as to leave
a character which will always do me honour. Think only of my
happiness now to travel with the ancient Scottish nobleman who
has seen so much of the world in all its grandeur and all its
pleasure; who is at courts as I am in the houses of Ayrshire lairds,
and who is with all this a friendly, easy man. Such a change as I
now feel makes me more and more convinced of immortality, for
I see how a man can be quite extinguished and yet can revive. Go,
my friend, by yourself to Arthur Seat; think of me in distant
regions. Love me ever, and let us hope for many, many happy days
ii June 1764 281
together. GOD bless and preserve you, my worthy Sir. I ever remain,
your most affectionate friend,
JAMES BOSWELL.
Pray recollect the conversations which \ve have had on travel-
ling. I shall, while abroad, lay up a store of pleasing ideas. I shall
return composed and put on the gown and be a useful member of
society as well as an agreeable private friend. Be as happy as you
can, and think that you contribute to make me so; as indeed you
certainly will when you relate to me your complacent days during
my absence. Remember me kindly to Cairnie and to our other good
common acquaintances. Farewell.
[Boswell to Temple]
[Utrecht, c. 11 June 1764]
MY DEAR FRIEND, ... I am now surprisingly well. I look back
to my late situation with fearful amazement, and scarcely can
believe that it has been.
What is the human mind? Let us calm our restless curiosity, for
in this life we shall never know. While I have been crushed with a
load of gloom, I have strove with severe intenseness of thought to
find out the "Spirit of Man." But all my thinking has been in vain.
It has increased my disorder and turned my speculations inwards
upon my own mind, concerning which distempered imagination
has formed the most wild and dreary conjectures. I have been so
cruelly dejected as seriously to dread annihilation. I have found
my faculties decaying gradually, and have imagined that in a very
little time the last spark of celestial fire would be totally extin-
guished. Demon no less absurd than malevolent! why torment me
thus? Can celestial fire be extinguished? No, it cannot. I have
thought, if my mind is a collection of springs, these springs are all
unhinged, and the machine is all destroyed; or if my mind is a
waxen table, the wax is melted by the furnace of sorrow, and all
my ideas and all my principles are dissolved, are run into one dead
mass. Good GOD, my friend, what horrid chimeras! Where was
282 ii June 1764
manly Reason at such seasons? Reason existed, but was over-
powered. Yet have I felt the generous resolve swelling in my bosom.
I have said to the Demon of Hypochondria, as the bold Highlander
in Fingal says to his Deity of fanciful conjecture, "Show thyself to
me, and I will search thee with my spear."
Take it not ill, Temple, that I have once more rehearsed my
sufferings. It is Boswell who suffered. Ah! Temple! what a strange
friend have you got! Behold him at one time an abject, perhaps an
offensive, being; at another time the most spirited, the most agree-
able of the sons of men. Love him, for he ever loves you. His friend-
ship is proof against wretchedness and against felicity. In that he is
invariable. After all, let us hope for many years of serene happiness
here, and for permanent felicity hereafter.
In my last I was doubting the truth of Christianity. Shall I tell
you why? Spleen brought back upon my mind the Christianity of
my nurse, and of that could I not doubt? You know how miserably
I was educated with respect to religion, I am now again at rest. I
view Deity as I ought to do, and I am convinced that Jesus Christ
had a divine commission, that through him the justice of GOD is
satisfied; and that he has given us the most exalted morality: "To
love GOD with all our heart, and our neighbour as ourselves." There
is enough. As to the accessory doctrines which have been disputed
about with holy zeal, I let them alone.
My dear Temple, how great is the force of early impressions!
Is it not incredible that we should think worse of the character of
God than of that of a sensible worthy man? And yet I have done
so, and shuddered with horror to think of my benevolent Creator.
You have always had clear and elevated sentiments of religion.
After all my struggles I am in the same happy situation. "Father
of light and life," grant that I may continue so!
And now, Temple, let me rejoice thee, for the joy of ihy friend
is fully thine. In a day or two I am to set out for Berlin. ... I shall
be presented at the different courts upon the very best footing. I
shall acquire real knowledge as well as elegance of behaviour in the
ii June 1764 283
company of a politician and a courtier. My father is highly pleased
with this scheme and has given me a handsome credit. In short, all
things are as I could wish.
Well, my friend, what think you? Am I not now myself?
Farewell GOD bless you. Think of me with your usual affection.
I shall write to you henceforth in a style that will give you pleasure.
I leave my friendly compliments to Bob, to Nicholls, and to Clax-
ton; and I ever remain your most affectionate friend,
JAMES BOSWELL.
TUESDAY 12 JUNE. I had a room in the opposite side of my
Cour de VEmpereur where I had Richardson lodged. At eleven I
met Zelide at her music master's, where she played delightfully. I
then walked with her and Bernard. I was touched with regret at the
thoughts of parting with her. Yet she rattled so much that she
really vexed me.
I gave a plain dinner to Richardson, Brown, and Carron, after
which we went and saw the old library of the canons of Utrecht.
We drank tea at Brown's, where was Hahn, who said that Zlide
would be always une mcdheureuse demoiselle, as she was quite gov-
erned by fancy. Richardson and I walked. He said he was surprised
to find a physician talk so of his patient, for that from Hahn's man-
ner of talking, Mademoiselle de Zuylen seemed to be crazy. I was
vexed at this. Richardson's sound, hard knowledge entertained me
well. We supped tete a tete.
[Received c. 12 June 1764, Lord Marischal to Boswell]
Rotterdam, 11 June [1764]
LORD MARISCHAL'S compliments to Mr. Boswell, whom he hopes
to have the pleasure to see the 13th at Utrecht, and shall stay two
nights, to wait on Mrs. Brown and give her a day to jobeler avec son
amie* Madame de Froment
* "To frolic with her friend." Jobeler (which I find recorded only with the
spelling jobler) is slang.
284 13^01764
WEDNESDAY 13 JUNE. 5 I carried Richardson to dine at the
Plaats Royaal, my old eating table. I was lumpish and dreary. I
wished to be rid of Richardson. I thought my being obliged to en-
tertain him a most laborious task. So discontented a mortal am I.
My fancy forms plans. I execute them. They prove insipid. He and
I walked. I complained to him of black ideas of religion. He said,
"You think too much." At eight Lord Marischal arrived. I imme-
diately waited upon him, and found him the plain old Scots noble-
man. He had with him Madame de Froment, a Turkish lady who
was taken prisoner by Marshal Keith at the siege of Otchakov in
the year 1 733. My Lord has educated her just as his own daughter,
and has married her to a French gentleman. 6 I introduced to his
Lordship Richardson and Brown. They supped with me.
THURSDAY 4 JUNE. At ten Lord Marischal honoured me
with a visit, as did Monsieur de Zuylen, whom I had promised to
present to my Lord. Was I not well? I then again met Zelide at her
music master's. I was proud and solemn. She gave me her confes-
sion of faith, which I found elegant but slight. She threw out the
common objections against revelation. She was a poetical sceptic.
One great objection was that Christ says of his Gospel, "They that
believe shall be saved; but they that believe not shall be damned."
Richardson said people did not know what was meant by damna-
tion. For his part, he considered that those who believe not shall be
damned in no other sense but that they shall be as those who never
5 "This day, get up soon. Think. Pay all. Ducat, Marion. Books, Carron and
Bonnet" (Memorandum for this day. Marion was Mrs. Brown's maid).
6 Lord Marischal's younger brother, James Keith, after the failure of the
Jacobite uprising of 1715, held high commands successively in the Span-
ish and Russian services, then became a field-marshal in the Prussian Army
and Frederick the Great's most trusted general. He was killed in 1758 at
the battle of Hochkirch. The siege of Otchakov occurred in 1737, not 1733;
in it Keith was seriously wounded. Emet-Ulla (at this time thirty-nine
years old) was the daughter of a Turkish chief- janissary. In 1763 she had been
converted to Protestant Christianity, and had married Denis-Daniel de
Froment, a lieutenant-colonel in the Sardinian service. They were later
divorced.
14 June 1764 285
had the happiness to hear of Christ. "For," said he, "Christ has dif-
fused salvation c to all men.' This is the light which lighteth every
man that cometh into the world.' " In short, I find every man has
his own Christianity.
At two I had a chaise and drove Richardson out to Zuylen,
where we dined. Zelide and I had a long conversation. She said she
did not care for respect. She liked to have everybody free with her,
and that they should tell her her faults. I told her that this was very
wrong; for she would hardly find a husband of merit who had not
some pride, and who would not be hurt at finding people so free
with his wife. 7 1 owned to her that I was very sorry to leave her.
She gave me many a tender look. We took a kind farewell, as I did
of all the family. Monsieur de Zuylen and I talked a long time. I
am sure he liked me. He has been exceedingly civil to me. Richard-
son could not well understand Zelide and me. "It is lucky," said
Mr. Chaplain to me, "that you are to be no longer together; for you
would learn her nonsense, and she would learn yours." He was
right. Our airy speculating is not thinking.
Richardson left me this evening. I went to Brown's, where I
found my good Lord Marischal, who told us many good stories of
miracles in Spain, from whence I could well see that his lordship
was none of the most orthodox. Madame de Froment was indis-
posed, which kept my Lord still at Utrecht.
FRIDAY 15 JUNE. I took cordial farewell of old Fencer Cirx
and bid him live till he was past one hundred. After breakfast I
waited on Lord Marischal, who told us many stories with a calm,
cheerful vivacity that pleased me immensely. Hahn was charmed.
He and I walked together. He said Zelide had no use of her reason-
ing powers. That she had no pleasure in realities. All must be ideal,
7 The memorandum shows that Boswell was actually not so abstract: "After
dinner, talked fully to Zelide, who owned she wanted not respect. But you
said, 'A husband /, for instance would be miserable to have people snub
his wife.' " Belle reported this conversation or probably summarized many
similar conversations in one of her letters to Constant d'Hennenches. See
p. 381.
286 15 June
all visionary. She was not a bit amused with the most ingenious
chemical experiments. 8 In short, my fair friend is an unhappy
existence. I dined with Brown. Madame Brown is now lying in.
Lord Marischal drank coffee with us, and was as entertaining as
ever.
SATURDAY 16 JUNE. I dined tete a tete with Brown. I had
heard that Madame de Froment had got no agreeable character of
me, and imagined me a misanthrope. She wanted to make acquaint-
ance with me before we set out on our long journey. I went with
her and Mademoiselle Kinloch to Van Mollem's Gardens, 9 and
then returned to Brown's, walked, and went to Oblet's, where I
wished the Turk a good night, leaving her possessed with different
sentiments of me, her fellow-traveller. At night I found myself
hurried, having journal to bring up, accounts to settle, letters to
write. I intended to sit up. But my nerves failed me. I lay naked on
the hard floor with a coverlet above me. Was not this madness? At
last I went to bed.
SUNDAYIJJUNE. Brown's child was baptized in the English
church. Lord Marischal was the parrain. I was sour and gloomy.
I was just in a Scots country kirk. 1 We all drank coffee at Madame
Brown's. It was agreeable to see a family happy on the increase
of the species, &c. But it gave no pleasure to me.
At six Lord Marischal, Madame de Froment, Mademoiselle
Kinloch, and I drove to Zuylen, where we drank tea before the
gate in the open air. Zelide said to me, "Are you back again? We
made a touching adieu." She gave me a letter which she had
written to me, on my departure, and bid me not read it till I was
just going. She and I and Madame de Froment in one cbach,
Madame de Zuylen, Lord Marischal, and Mademoiselle Kinloch
8 Boswell remembered this and put it (with a not very decent comment of his
own) into the draft of a letter to Belle, though he appears to have deleted it
in the letter actually sent. See p. 317.
9 On the Vecht, the gardens of a prosperous silk manufacturer. Then one of
the sights of Utrecht.
1 So sour and gloomy that he preferred not to mention the fact that he was
joint godfather. See p. 376. The child was a girl.
i/ June 1764 287
in another, went and saw a beautiful campagne 2 on the way to
Amsterdam. Zelide seemed much agitated, said she had never
been in love, but said that one might meet with un homrne
aimable, &c., &c. 9 &c., for whom one might feel a strong affection,
which would probably be lasting, but this amiable man might not
have the same affection for one. In short she spoke too plain to
leave me in doubt that she really loved me. But then away she
went with her wild fancy, saying that she thought only of the
present moment. "I had rather feel than think. I should like to
have a husband who would let me go away sometimes to amuse
myself." In short, she seemed a frantic libertine. She said to me,
"Sir, if you see the Count of Anhalt, don't speak to him of me. He
may some day be my husband." 3 She. gave me her hand at parting,
and the tender tear stood crystal in her eye. Poor Zelide! I took
hearty leave at Brown's. I was sorry to leave the scene of much
internal exercise. I sat up all night.
[Boswell to Temple]
Utrecht, 1 7 June 1 764
MY DEAR TEMPLE, ... I now sit down a very happy man. I
am neither high nor low. I am quite free from hypochondria. I
have a fine gentle flow of spirits. I hope to show you this by my
manner of writing. You have asked me for a letter on the present
state of the Dutch, which I can only make out by giving you some
detached observations, from which, however, you may form a
tolerable idea of what you wish to know.
The Dutch, like all other republican states, have never con-
2 That is, a maison de campagne, a country-house with a garden.
3 Friedrich Count of Anhalt, the son by a morganatic marriage of the Heredi-
tary Prince of Anhalt-Dessau, was in the Prussian service; he was at this time
Frederick's aide-de-camp and later became his Adjutant General. He had
never seen Belle de Zuyleri, but Henri Alexandre de Catt, a Swiss who had
been tutor to her brothers and then had gone to Potsdam as reader to Fred-
erick, had sung her praises so effectively that the Count had made over-
tures of marriage and was proposing a trip to Utrecht.
288 17 June 1764
tinned long in the same situation as to riches and felicity. But, be-
sides the usual disadvantages of having the supreme power in a
great many hands, this nation has been remarkably precarious on
account of its subsisting entirely by trade, which renders it abso-
lutely dependent on foreign states. Formerly their trade was ex-
ceedingly extensive. Not only had they the sole market for several
sorts of Indian merchandise, but they furnished many of the most
necessary manufactures to the greatest part of Europe, Hence was
the spirit of industry so universally diffused amongst this people.
Hence they became so rich and so powerful. Now the case is very
much altered. The English share with them the Indian trade, and
the other nations manufacture for themselves. While the Dutch
had the universal trade, the States loaded with exorbitant taxes the
necessaries of life, knowing that the manufacturers would propor-
tionably heighten the price of their labour, so that the nations who
purchased their goods should in reality furnish the public money.
When those nations began to work themselves, the States should
undoubtedly have lowered their taxes, and by selling at a moderate
price have prevented the progress of manufactures in other coun-
tries. But the griping disposition of the Batavian government was
greater than their wisdom. The taxes continued the same, so that
in a little time the other nations, where living was not so dear, were
able to undersell the Dutch in some of their principal commodities.
Nay, so great is the difference that French, but particularly Eng-
lish, cloth is sold cheaper here than cloth made in the country,
although the imposts upon foreign cloth are very high. Several of
the Dutch regiments are clothed with English manufacture.
In such circumstances this trading nation must be in a very bad
way. Most of their principal towns are sadly decayed, and instead
of finding every mortal employed, you meet with multitudes of
poor creatures who are starving in idleness. Utrecht is remarkably
ruined. There are whole lanes of wretches who have no other sub-
sistence than potatoes, gin, and stuff which they call tea and coffee;
and what is worst of all, I believe they are so habituated to this life
that they would not take work if it should be offered to them. The
17 June 1764 289
Hague is a beautiful and elegant place. It is, however, by no means
a Dutch town; the simplicity and plain honesty of the old Hol-
landers has given way to the show and politeness of the French,
with this difference, that a Frenchman is <truly at> ease, whereas
the Dutchman is <as y>et but a painful imitator. Luxury prevails
much both at The Hague and among the rich merchants at
Amsterdam.
You see, then, that things are very different here from what
most people in England imagine. Were Sir William Temple to re-
visit these Provinces, he would scarcely believe the amazing altera-
tion which they have undergone. The Magistrates' places in most
of the "towns, which in his time were filled up by worthy, substan-
tial citizens who were burgomasters for honour and not for profit,
are now filled up by hungry fellows who take them for bread and
squeeze as much as they can from the inhabitants. The contests
with respect to the Stadtholder are now over. Almost all the men of
weight have acceded to the Court, except the citizens of Amster-
dam, who must always wish to be free from any superior power.
The present Prince of Orange will be of age two years hence. What
changes he may produce, I cannot say. But surely he has it in his
power to do a great deal. The universities here are much fallen. In
short, the Seven Provinces would require the powers of all the
politicians that they ever had to set them right again.
After politics what say you to the fair? I delivered your respects
with all due enthusiasm to Mademoiselle de Zuylen. She was much
pleased. I gave her a sketch of your character, which I believe she
will not easily forget. It struck her not a little; and my expressions
of friendship pleased her because they seemed romantic. Temple,
be assured that I could have this angelic creature for my wife. But
she has such an imagination that I pity the man who puts his head
in her power. For my part, I choose to be safe. I shall write you
more of her.
18 June, four in the morning. Two hours hence, my friend,
away I go. Farewell once more, my dear Temple. Yours ever,
JAMES BOSWELL.
2 go i8 June 1764
MONDAY 1 8 JUNE. My wakeful night well past, I was in glow
of spirits. Zelide's letter was long and warm. She imagined me in
love with her, and with much romantic delicacy talked of this
having rendered her distraite. I was honest or simple enough to
leave her a short letter, assuring her that I was not amoureux, but
would always be her fidele ami*
I had all my affairs in order. Honest Carron came and took
leave of me. And next comes a most flagrant whim. Some days ago
I called to me Frangois, told him that he had served me honestly
and well, and that I could give him a good character as a servant. I
said I hoped that I had been a good master. To know this certainly,
I ordered him to write out a full character of me, since he entered
to my service, and charged him to mark equally the bad and the
good which he had observed, and to give it me carefully sealed up.
I accordingly received it this morning.
I took leave of my house in which I have had such an infinity of
ideas. At seven we set out in a coach and four. . . .
[Received 18 June 1764, Francois Mazerac to Boswell.
Original in French] 6
Utrecht, 1 7 June 1 764
MONSIEUR: My small ability makes it almost impossible for
me to comply with your orders, and I hope that Monsieur will take
my remarks kindly and regard them as coming from a person who
is only trying to obey you.
First: I have found that Monsieur is extremely negligent about
his money, his watch, and other effects, in leaving them on the
table, or in leaving the key on the bureau, and going out of the
room leaving the door open, as happened several times at The
Hague. If it should ever happen that you have the misfortune to
lose something in this way, you might entertain suspicions of your
* The entire correspondence with Zlide is collected below, pp. 293-385.
5 Francois's spelling and punctuation are so amusing that I have ventured to
print his letter below, p. 394, without editing.
i8 June 1764 291
servant or some other innocent person. There is a saying, "Oppor-
tunity makes the thief."
Secondly: I have found that Monsieur has a good heart, in
doing good to the poor: a virtue which is dictated by humanity and
prescribed by religion.
Thirdly: Monsieur is not at all given to backbiting, a vice very
common among great minds.
Fourthly: 6 Very punctual in performing the duties of your
religion, by going to church, not swearing, and above all by saying
your prayers every morning.
Fifthly: I have found that when Monsieur has invited com-
pany, the guests always arrived before you, which might expose
you to some reproach, especially in another country where they
care more for social formalities than they do here.
Sixthly: I have found that Monsieur applies himself too much
to study, which is noble in itself but ruinous to health if not done
judiciously.
Seventhly: I find that Monsieur goes to bed too late, which,
with the study, will make you lose your health, which Monsieur
will regret when it is too late and there is no help for it.
Eighthly and last item: I have found in Monsieur a really
Christian and noble heart, especially towards me, which I shall
never forget. May the Father of fathers take you under His holy
protection, and keep His eye on you, guarding you as a beloved
child. May He guide your steps and direct your thoughts, so that no
harm may come to you, and that when you have returned home
safe and sound, you will bless Him therefor eternally.
I end by thanking Monsieur again for all his goodness, begging
him to think of me sometimes. As for me, I believe I shall never
forget Monsieur. Permit me to beg you, Monsieur, that, should
you ever have a chance, you will let me know how you are. Your
very grieved and faithful servant,
FRANCOIS MAZERAC.
6 Francois's original has two "Thirdly s."
JBelle d& Zuylen (Zelidc) about 1766, from a drawing
by Maurice Qu&ntin d& La Tour, in the Louvre.
L^orreovonaence witn
ae Zuylen ( ^zliae/ ana
ero
1764-1769.
INTRODUCTION. 1 Isabella Agneta Elisabeth van Tuyll, Belle de
Zuylen, or "Zelide," belonged to one of the oldest families in Hol-
land. For six hundred years the Van Tuylls had upheld their noble
rank with a conscious rectitude. Her father, Diederik Jacob van
Tuyll van Serooskerken, Lord of Zuylen and Westbroek, Marshal
of Montfoort, owned estates a few miles from Utrecht. He was one
of the governors of the Province, a man remarkable, even in his
own scrupulous world, for integrity and service of the state. In his
moated castle on the Vecht, and in his sedate town-house, Zelide
grew up, chastened by the decorum and restraint of the seven-
teenth century which still lingered there, unmodified by the lapse
of generations. Family pride, the deeper for a provincial simplicity,
enclosed her in its distinguished prison. At the time of BoswelFs
arrival she was twenty-three years of age. Society at Utrecht and
The Hague was perplexed, ruffled, or entertained by the uncon-
ventioiiality of Monsieur de Zuylen's daughter. She had just writ-
ten and printed Le Noble, an anonymous satire on the prejudices
of caste. 2 Heraldically minded seigneurs could find no precedent
1 By the late Geoffrey Scott, slightly revised by Frederick A. Pottle. This essay
was first published in 1928 in Colonel Isham's privately printed Private
Papers of James BoswelL The notes that follow are all by Frederick A. Pottle
unless Mr. Scott's name is attached.
2 Perhaps "was just writing and was about to print." Le Noble bears the
293
294 Boswell and Belle de Zuylen
in their experience for a young lady writing, still less publishing, a
conte in the style of Voltaire's Candide, particularly if its irony was
at their expense. Her conversation, though respectful in tone and
even deferential when addressed to themselves (for Zelide was
willing to please) took distressing turns; orthodoxy was ignored and
flouted; rank made light of; religion chastity even treated as an
open question; she talked inappropriately for her sex and years and
she talked too fast and too much. She carried on clandestine cor-
respondences, and, owing to the transparency of her character, she
seldom erred without being found out. u Une demoiselle cela!" 3
was the protest of offended dowagers. Yet frankness and good na-
ture were assigned to her credit and she was a Van Tuyll: as such
she could be neither accounted for nor condoned; still less could she
be ignored.
Belle de Zuylen, exasperated by the tedium of Dutch still-life
("Ici," she complained, 'Ton est vif tout seul") , 4 scanned the hori-
zon of Utrecht for any object that might be moving, animated, or
odd. In the autumn of 1 763 she could not fail to recognize that such
an object had appeared. Boswell had arrived, dressed in silver and
imprint Amsterdam, 1763, but I do not know that the exact date of its pub-
lication has been fixed. The first reference to it in Belle's correspondence
with Constant d'Hermenches occurs in a letter dated 10 January 1764. It
seems to me more likely that Le Noble appeared after Boswell's arrival in
Utrecht than before, and that he was witness to the scandal it caused. The
story runs as follows. Julie, daughter of the Baron d'Arnonville, a stiff and
stupid representative of the ancicnne noblesse, is in love with young Valain-
court, a recent noble, his father having received his title for distinguished
services to the state. Knowing that the Baron d'Arnonville will never listen
to her lover's suit unless he believes him to be descended from an ancient
family, Julie, a level-headed girl, arranges matters satisfactorily for a time
by announcing airily that Valaincourt is descended from Rinaldo, the
legendary foe of Charlemagne. When this genealogy explodes and she is
locked up, she escapes out of the window to her lover, after throwing down
several of the family portraits to fill a mud hole underneath. u She had never
believed that one could get so much support from one's grandfathers She
was happy, and her sons were not chevaliers." 3 "That a young lady!"
4 "Here one has to be lively all by one's self,"
Boswell and Belle de Zuylen 295
green; an introduction from Sir David Dalrymple to Count Nas-
sau had placed him in the circle of Zelide's friends and relations.
He commended himself to her at once by his originality. "J'etais
prevenue pour vous," she later confessed. "Mais moi pas pour
vous," he had replied, with the frankness in which she delighted. 5
The interplay of the two characters is clear. Boswell had come to
Utrecht full of plans and circumspection. The new influence of
Johnson was in its earliest force; he must be serious, and be taken
seriously; he pictured himself as the future Laird of Auchinleck,
propping the established order of things. He was determined to cut
a dignified figure, to commend himself on terms of equality to the
best society of Holland. He found in that society a general verdict
that Zelide was unmaidenly and unbalanced. He assumed from the
start an attitude of reproof. Zelide was, in any case, not of the type
he favoured. He desired society ladies to be conspicuously grandes
dames, stimulating in his mind a feudal "group of ideas"; Zelide
laughed at all such pretensions. Or else they should pay a visibly
palpitating tribute to his sex. Irony put him at a disadvantage; he
mistrusted it deeply; as for metaphysics, "speculations of that kind
in a woman are more ridiculous than I choose to express."
For the first months at Utrecht the acquaintance was indiffer-
ently pursued. The occasional comments in Boswell's casual mem-
oranda are cautious or disparaging. "You passed three hours at
Brown's with Miss de Zuylen. You was too much off guard" (12
November 1 763) "Miss de Zuylen. You was shocked or rather
offended with her unlimited vivacity. You was on your guard" (28
November 1763). Zelide, on her side, was tolerably well occupied
with a number of suitors, a clandestine epistolary intimacy with
Constant d'Hcrmcnches, and an elaborate plot to mam- his friend,
the Marquis de Bellegarde. The sententious young Scotchman,
awkwardly masking his native drollery by what he conceived to be
a demeanour of Spanish pride, afforded her friendly amusement
and no more.
Nevertheless, if Zelide shocked Boswell's conventional preju-
5 See p. 128.
296 Boswell and Belle de Zuylen
dices, the Van Tuylls as a family were everything he approved;
they very worthily held their part in the Great Scheme of Subordi-
nation which was BoswelTs philosophy, and Zelide was a consider-
able heiress. Finding himself well received, and observing that
Zelide had, after all, some devoted friends and could occasionally
be quiet and "retenue," he placed her tentatively on his probation-
ary list of wives. Here he had many misgivings: "Zelide was nerv-
ish. You saw she would make a sad wife, and propagate wretches"
(Memorandum, 18 April). In any case Madame Geelvinck, a
young, soft, rich widow, was to be preferred. An inconclusive
courtship of la Veuve filled the last weeks of his Dutch residence;
but this tended rather to give his friendship with Belle de Zuylen a
romantic colour, since the two ladies were friends and frequently
found together. Such was the situation when Boswell drove out to
the castle on 14 June 1 764 to pay his farewell visit. Belle de Zuylen
saw one more of her few human amusements on the point of van-
ishing. Boswell, dressed up for his visile de conge, comical and
warm-hearted, bows himself away from the portcullis. The "odd
and lovable" could not in her narrow world be lost without a pang. 6
At this point, on 14 June 1 764, four days before Bos well's actual
departure from Utrecht, begins the correspondence here printed;
it continued over a period of four years. From Utrecht Boswell
went in Lord Marischal's company to Berlin, where he spent the
summer. He then made a tour of several of the German courts, and
visited Switzerland, where he obtained interviews with both Rous-
seau and Voltaire. Early in January, 1765, he crossed into Italy,
remaining there, with a momentous excursion into Corsica, almost
a year. In December, 1 765, he turned his steps towards Scotland,
reaching Paris in January, 1766. He had intended to stay there
some time and then to go home by way of Holland, so as to see
Zelide again, but abandoned these plans upon receiving news of his
mother's death and a plea from his father to come home at once. By
March, 1 766, he was again in Scotland, from which he had been
absent more than three years. The correspondence with Zelide
e The remainder of the Introduction is by Frederick A. Pottle.
Boswell and Belle de Zuylen 297
lapsed for some time. He was admitted a member of the Scottish
bar in July, 1 766, and after that date, for the next twenty years, was
kept busy in Edinburgh by his legal practice during the terms of
the courts. Zelide visited London in the autumn and winter of
1766-1767, at a period of the year when Boswell, even if he had
known in time of her being there, could have paid her no more than
a flying visit, but she did not write to him. It was he who took the
first step towards re-opening the correspondence. The Reverend
Mr. Brown of Utrecht made a visit to Scotland in the summer of
1 767, and when he returned, Boswell gave him a letter to Zelide
proposing that they should write to each other. Boswell was at this
time committed to a scheme of marrying a Scots heiress, Miss Blair.
But Miss Blair refused him, and his appealing and very successful
book on Corsica, published early in 1 768, revived Zelide's affection
and respect. The comedy ended in a flurry of letters exchanged in
the spring of 1 768, while Boswell was in London, whither he had
gone to savour the success of the Account of Corsica. But there re-
mained an epilogue: a letter from Mr. Brown, written more than a
year later, giving him news of Zelide and his old servant, Frangois.
[i. Belle de Zuylen to Boswell. Original in French] 7
[Zuylen] Thursday 14 June [1764] 11 o'clock
IN SPITE OF ALL YOUR PHILOSOPHY, you are singularly curious,
my friend, to find out what my feelings are about you. It would
perhaps be more dignified in you not to say so; but I have no regard
for dignity, and I despise the art which you revere so much. I am
ready to afford you this pleasure because I desire your happiness;
and pleasure is a part of happiness. Besides, it is natural to me to say
what I feel and what I think.
Well, then, I should tell you that there is a man 8 in the world
7 Translation by Geoffrey Scott, who also translated letters Nos. 2, 3, 5, 9, 12,
!3 *5 *7> an <* *9 below. These translations originally appeared in the second
volume of Colonel Isham's privately printed Private Papers of James Boswell.
8 The Marquis de Bellegarde, a man much older than herself, whom she had
298 From Belle de Zuylen ( 1 4 June 1 764 )
(I do not think that you know him) of whom I usually think at
night, in the morning, and sometimes dining the day. For three or
four days past I have thought of him less often. Do you guess why?
It is because you, my philosophical friend, appeared to me to be
experiencing the agitation of a lover. Had you always shown your-
self a cold and grave mortal such as you require my husband to be,
you would not have caused me a single minute's distraction. I am
affected by your departure; I have thought of you all the evening.
I find you odd and lovable. I have a higher regard for you than for
any one, and I am proud of being your friend. Are you not satisfied?
What I find less admirable in you is to have so quickly rid your-
self of those generous scruples for which you took so much credit to
yourself the other day. <l The circumstances were the same today:
iny father showed you the same friendship; why did you not reason
as you did before? Admit that it is only a question of degree: our
inclinations only require a certain degree of force to get the better
of our principles and to make us forget our duty; or else they seduce
our minds, and then we alter our ideas. It would be a much finer
plan to address yourself to my father, adding to each of your letters
to him a letter for me, unsealed, in which you shall preach morality
and religion. 1 would not reply to you, because that would not be
correct; but you could always go on preaching and it is possible
that the improvement you desire might be effected.
Good-bye, I am going to bed.
If you do not like my plan, and I am to go on writing to you, I
shall write with the utmost freedom. With libertines I am rigid
and reserved, but I can afford to be free with a discreet friend, with
a prudent man so prudent that he would refuse supreme happi-
ness if it were offered to him, out of fear of not being equally happy
all the days of his life. For my own part, I dare not flatter myself
determined to marry, though she had actually seen very little of him and was
finding him a very sluggish suitor.
9 Boswell had said that he would not correspond with her surreptitiously
because of his respect for her father.
From Belle de Zuylen ( 14 June 1 764) 299
that Providence has such riches of felicity in store for me that I
have only to choose between them; I think I shall take hold of the
first happiness that may present itself. My thought will perhaps be,
"If this one does not last, well, after this, . . . another."
Good-bye.
Friday morning
You believe that out of mere goodness, out of compassion, a
woman, such as I am, might be weak; I believe you are mistaken.
To sympathize with the pains of love, you must share in its feel-
ings. If a man should say, "I love you and I suffer," it would not
excite much sympathy in me unless my heart suffered like his and
felt the same desires. Even supposing a keen feeling of pity, a
woman who understands what love means would not, out of pity
alone, accord the last of the gifts which love has to bestow: the lover
one merely pities will not obtain what is hardly obtained by the
lover whom one loves. We are inclined to get the most we can out
of our weaknesses: we forgive ourselves more readily for our lapses
in proportion as they make us happy. I could say many other things
on this head; for, though one's conduct may be irreproachable, one
knows a great deal about the subject when the senses teach the soul
all the feelings of which they are capable, and the imagination lets
no one of them pass without extending it to the full.
In my present humour I do not regard the advice of selecting a
cold husband as the wisest of your propositions. If I am much in
love with my husband, and he with me, it is at least possible that I
shall not fall in love with another; if we were but little in love, I
would certainly love some one else. My spirit is formed to have
strong feelings, and will assuredly not escape its destiny. If I had
neither father nor mother, as I said to you the other day, I would
not get married. You explained to me the wickedness of such a
course; but I should run the risk of doing much more harm by tak-
ing any other. Besides, to make up for this smallest injury in the
world, I would do all the good in my power: I would restrict the
harm within the narrowest limits and extend the good to my ut-
300 From Belle de Zuylen ( 1 5 June 1 764 )
most. I should send my daughters away from me, if I had any, lest
they should resemble me; iriy sons would be less ill-advised in re-
sembling me, and I would make them my chief care. Nothing,
nothing, would be neglected in their education which could make
them useful and happy members of society; I would do so much for
them that no one could reproach them with their birth, and the
world would be forced to thank me for it. But I have a father and
a mother whom I do not wish to bring to the grave and whose life I
do not wish to render miserable.
What course should I take? I do not know. One must live from
day to day, be guided by one's heart and by circumstances; not
reason too much; sleep peacefully; amuse oneself, and follow one's
inclinations when they do not lead straight into crime. Some weeks
ago, when I was with Madame Hasselaer 1 and Monsieur Rendorp
(he is one of my best friends and her best friend, and the most de-
cent man I know) , I said much that was wild, in my usual way,
blended with much that was reasonable. I was dressing, and the
point came when they had to leave. Madame Hasselaer's last words
were that I was the strangest creature she had ever seen, and that if
I ended by being worthless after all I had received from heaven, I
should be a thousand times more culpable than another woman.
"Not at all," said Monsieur Rendorp; "GoD has surely excused her.
In this world it would work out very badly; but I assure you in the
next world it can all be arranged."
I should be well pleased with a husband who would take me as
his mistress: I should say to him, "Do not look on faithfulness as a
duty: so long as I have more charm, more wit, more gaiety than
another, so long as I arn ready to act plays, to sing and play the
harpsichord better than another, in order to please you, you will
prefer me out of inclination; that is all I desire; and you on your
side should have none but the rights and jealousies of a lover. If
you wish me to love you always, the only way is to be always
lovable."
1 Cousin of "la Veuve" (Madame Geelvinck), and one of Belle de Zuylen's
most ultimate friends. Boswell did not like her.
From Belle de Zuylen (15 June 1764) 301
You are now well up in my ideas on this subject. What would
D'Hermenches and his like say if such a letter as this were to fall
into their hands! What advantage they would expect to take of it!
But I am writing to Cato. Cato's friend is very unlike him, but loves
him much.
Sunday
You are still in Utrecht: that makes something of a difference.
This letter is more suited to be posted than given into your hands.
But no matter. On my first page I expressed myself rather badly
when I said that my heart had been distracted from its usual in-
clination because I noticed in you the agitation of a lover. Not all
agitations, thank GOD, are infectious. One must have some disposi-
tion of sympathy for that to happen. If between two good friends
one remembers he is a man, the other naturally enough remembers
she is a woman: a few days' absence should be sufficient to enable
both to forget it.
Write to me, not often, but write long letters; and address
them to Spruyt, the bookseller. I will send every fortnight to him
to ask if there is anything for me. It will not matter if the end of
your letters contradicts the beginning: when one knows human
nature, one is not surprised to see contradictions in what is un-
studied. Write your rapid thoughts in English; when you wish to
make grave reflections, the dictionary will do less harm, and you
may write in French. I will do the same; that is to say, the oppo-
site. Give me always your exact address for towns where you in-
tend a long visit. Be very careful, and remember that all my peace
of mind depends on it. Do not ever be so absent-minded as to send
your letters to my father's house. But would you not do well to
write to him from Berlin that you have seen Monsieur Catt, 2 &c.?
and you will tell him to give me your respects.
Good-bye, I have said everything; or at least I have said much.
2 Henri Alexandra de Catt had been domestic tutor to Belle's brothers. Fred-
erick the Great of Prussia, travelling incognito in Holland, had met him on a
canal boat, and had been so much pleased with him that he had invited him to
Potsdam as French reader. See also p. 287 n. 8.
302 To Belle de Zuylen ( 1 8 June 1 764 )
[2. Boswell to Belle de Zuylen. Original in French] 3
Utrecht, 18 June 1764
You MAY WELL BELIEVE, my dear Zelide, that I am very much
flattered by your interesting letter. But I must admit that you
have given me some anxiety. You say that I "appear to you to have
the agitation of a lover." I am extremely sorry for this. My sin-
cerity, or perhaps my extreme simplicity, prevents me from leav-
ing Utrecht without frankly enlightening you on this subject.
I have told you several times what my sentiments are towards
you. I admire your mind. I love your goodness. But I am not in
love with you. I swear to you I am not. I speak strongly because
you have given me reason to think that your peace of mind may
be involved. In such circumstances one must not stand on cere-
mony.
I am your faithful friend. I shall always be, if you allow me. If
I can be of the least use to you, you will have a proof of how much
I am yours. To be in correspondence with Zelide will be a great
pleasure to me. Good-bye. 4
[3. Belle de Zuylen to Boswell. Original in French]
[Zuylen] Monday evening, 18 June 1764
So MUCH THE BETTER MY FRIEND; all the better if I made a mis-
take. I am not the least mortified by having remained in error for
three days. Nor am I the least annoyed to have thought less, dur-
3 All the letters by Boswell in this series, except Nos. 4 and 19, are drafts
or copies.
* Among the memoranda is the following, headed "Nymwegen Memo-
randum,'* consequently written on the same day as this letter: "In sweet fine
spirits you saw all well. You adored GOD. You resolved to have uniform
command of passions; to keep up the character which Zelide has; to suffer
in silence and never to own; never to be too strict; to judge by reason always,
but get command of self. Habit is much. Now form above all retenue. Be fine
with Zelide; love her." The "character which Zelide has" probably means
"the character which Zelide believes you to have."
From Belle de Zuylen (18 June 1 764) 303
ing three days, of the man I love. Your friendship is more worth
having than love. You are to be esteemed all the more that you are
able to feel as you describe; I on my side am more flattered that you
should feel towards me in that way. As for your peace of mind and
my owr> (as I understood the matter) , these were never in danger.
What I wrote on Thursday evening was perfectly true when I
wrote it: on Friday it appeared to me less true. I had slept well; I
was no longer clear whether I had believed you to be in love with
me, whether I had believed myself to be a little inclined to love
you: all that appeared to me more or less a dream. On Sunday it
appeared to me more or less an untruth. I felt some scruple in
giving you my letter: I would have liked to have torn off the first
page. But that would have been to destroy it all. I thought, "The
date is my justification: what I wrote at evening on Thursday
is what I thought at evening on Thursday. With Monsieur Boswell,
there is no need for prudence. Give him the letter; it is an act of
frankness, it is the diary of the heart of a live and feeling woman."
I told you that two or three days' absence would make us forget the
difference that Nature creates between friends of different sexes.
You did not need to forget, since you had never remembered. In my
case it is already entirely forgotten, but I shall always remember
the excellent advice that your pure and disinterested affection
prompted.
My friendship is yours for ever: count on it, however much you
may think me fickle. I count on the stability of your feelings as on
that of the rocks which GOD placed on the surface of the earth when
he created the world. On my side I will be a little more tender one
day than another, but every day you will be dear to me; every day
I shall think as you said yesterday, "I am amusing myself, but if
Monsieur Boswell were here it would be better still." On Thursday
I was much touched by your going away. When you had left me, I
remained alone for some time in a deep reverie; then I went for a
turn in the carriage, and I spoke to my brother of nothing but you.
Yesterday there was no reverie: I played comet, 5 and told stories to
6 A card game.
304 From Belle de Zuylen ( 1 8 June 1 764 )
my father. Yet I was not less fond of you than on Thursday; I was
not less inclined to sacrifice a part of my happiness to yours; my
heart was not less regretful of your departure.
Where, then, comes in the difference? I beg you not to accuse
my heart: it is, I fancy, an affair of temperament; it depends on the
wind or on the sun, and perhaps on the stomach. Why did Caesar
neglect to conquer your islands? "Perhaps," says Pope, "he had
not dined." Whether I have dined or not, I promise you that the
bottom of my heart will always be the same towards you. I hope,
all your life, you will be glad of it and it will never be an enigma
to you. I am unwilling your ideas about it should depend on the
false penetration of a Monsieur Reynst. 6 I am very glad to have
told you everything and I will always be equally frank with you.
And now I must go to bed. I hope to sleep as peacefully as last
night. It would be a very pleasant thing for once to think of no one,
at least for a few days. But this wretched man that I love does not
leave me in calm for long. He soon resumes his full rights. What I
told you yesterday is not a fiction. Every word of it is truth; but no,
I told you that you did not know him, and that is not at all certain.
In fact it is very clear you have seen him; but fearing that his
appearance is not of a kind to please you, I was unwilling either to
describe him or to name him to you. He is a Roman Catholic, and
my parents are Calvinists. I have loved him for two years, and I
love him much. He has less imagination than I: he has not the same
flight of passion, but he has a delicacy of taste, a cultivated, subtle,
and just mind, a tender heart, a quiet and indolent vanity. How
happy it makes me when I write verses to think he will read them!
When he reads them he is very happy that I love him. But I am
mad not to go to bed. Good-bye, good-bye.
19 June
I forgot yesterday to thank you for your letter, though these
thanks should have been the very first words of mine. Your letter,
you now see, was not in point of fact quite so necessary; but the
c See p. 279.
From Belle de Zuylen ( 1 9 June 1 764 ) 305
motive which prompted it is worthy of you; that is to say, it was
dictated by a most perfect and generous honesty. Not to fall short
of you, I will not keep you waiting for this reply, which ought to
put your mind completely at ease. I will send it to Bentinck, so that
you may get it quickly. I shall not write to you again for some time;
clandestine letters keep me up too late. I look to your guidance to
cure me of this libertine habit. But you must write to me by day-
light everything that comes into your head; thoughts born in
England and thoughts born in France, I shall understand them
all, for they will all be fellow citizens of my thoughts. Mine belong
to every country.
Put what you write into a first envelope addressed to me, and
enclose that in a cover where my name must not appear, made out
To Monsieur Spruyt, Bookseller in the Koor Straat, Utrecht. Allow
yourself no imprudence. It is in that sense that my peace of mind
is in your hands. Do not forget to write to my father from Berlin.
He likes you and will appreciate the attention. Once more, let your
letters be long and infrequent. Give me your views on everything
interesting you come across. I venture to say that your essays could
not be better addressed, nor your confidence better placed, than
they are: in the matter of honesty, my fickle head has never
wavered for a moment. Good-bye. I shall be your faithful friend so
long as I have a head and a heart.
P.S. Send a line of thanks to D'Hermenches. He complains of
having had no sign of life from you. But don't let it slip out that
I have told you so.
You are very right to say that I should be worth nothing as your
wife. We are entirely in agreement on that head. I have no sub-
altern talents,
P.P.S. Why did you say, the day before yesterday, that you
regretted your role of Mentor? It did you much credit in my eyes.
I saw at one flash your sense, your goodness, and the extent of your
friendship for me; and it has given me a great friendship for you.
Perhaps you feel your labours have been wasted, but they are not
entirely lost. Even if an argument fails to touch the heart or per-
306 From Belle de Zuylen ( 1 9 June 1 764 )
suade the brain, it lives at least in the memory. It may lead one,
some day in the future, to think anew. Some day when one is hesi-
tating in a decision, the argument may be thrown into the balance
and tilt it to the better side.
As I would like you to carry away a right idea of me on one
essential point, I will hastily fill a spare moment to make you
understand what manner of doubts I have on the subject of religion.
Everything tells me that there is a GOD, an eternal, perfect, and all-
powerful being. What my heart approves as being good, what all
men in spite of themselves approve, is good certainly; and actions
which all consciences condemn, are bad. Since there is no limit
either to the soul's desire or faculty of perfection, so I am persuaded
is there no limit to its existence; the horror we feel at the thought
of falling back into the void persuades me no less. Why should
GOD inspire us with repugnance for a destiny we cannot avoid, or
with desires for what we are incapable of attaining? Why, too,
should he implant in us illusory feelings? I believe our actions are
free, because all our thoughts, all our calculations, spring from that
hypothesis; because the most specious argument on that head can
create in us no more than a speculative doubt or an intellectual
conviction, without ever destroying our awareness of being free.
Far from thinking it indifferent whether we employ that freedom
ill or well, I believe that every good habit formed by the soul in
this life is a further step towards happiness in the next, and every
bad habit will delay us on that path. This penalty is no more than
natural logic, for a vicious soul would be incapable of deriving
happiness from what will make a virtuous one happy. The knowl-
edge of GOD and the contemplation of Nature will only provide
joy to such a soul after a very long interval, and it will long be
tortured by the lack of all which made its happiness in this world.
That this torture will be endless, I am neither able nor willing to
believe. To me the thought would be a more cruel torture than you
can invent.
Revelation has qualities of grandeur, goodness, and mercy
which are infinitely entitled to our respect; if I understood it
better, I should perhaps recognize the marks of divinity in it
From Belle de Zuylen ( 1 9 June 1 764 ) 307
throughout; but I am held back by much that is obscure, and by
what appear to me contradictions. I doubt, and I keep my doubts
to myself; I should think it a crime to destroy the belief of others
when I can replace it only by an anxious doubt. But I am incapable
of forcing my mind to believe what it does not understand, or of
compelling my heart to subscribe to a religion which I can never
love so long as I find it denies its promised happiness to part of
GOD'S creatures. I cannot separate my lot from that of others. I shall
never be content to say, "It is enough that my faith procures me
salvation; what matter that an infinite number of creatures, chil-
dren of the same GOD as myself, will be lost by their incredulity."
The problem as between Deism and Christianity is no doubt inter-
esting enough to deserve our most careful study, but too much so
for my health, my peace, or my happiness. Rather than go astray,
I steer clear. I wait, modestly and peacefully doubting, for truth
to come and enlighten my eyes. There you have my ideas. I hope
they will not lose me a friend's esteem. I hope I shall seem to you,
in all this, less blameworthy and less unhappy than you thought.
[4. Boswell to Belle de Zuylen] 7
Berlin, 9 July 1 764
My DEAR ZELIDE, Be not angry with me for not writing to my
fair friend before now. You know I am a man of form, a man who
says to himself, "Thus will I act," and acts accordingly. In short,
a man subjected to discipline, who has his orders for his conduct
during the day with as much exactness as any soldier in any serv-
ice. 8 And who gives these orders? I give them. Boswell when cool
7 This letter (except for certain quotations from Belle, here given in transla-
tion) was written in English. No copy has been found among Boswell's papers
(he was no doubt intimidated by its length) , but Belle kept the original, and
it is now preserved, with others of her papers, in the Public Library of
Neuchatel. It is here reprinted from Professor Tinker's edition of the letters
of Boswell, i. 45-54.
8 Literally true, but he exaggerates the extent to which he follows his orders.
Though he had relaxed somewhat on leaving Utrecht, he was still addressing
3o8 To Belle de Zuylen ( 9 July 1 764 )
and sedate fixes rules for Boswell to live by in the common course
of life, when perhaps Boswell might be dissipated and forget the
distinctions between right and wrong, between propriety and im-
propriety.
I own to you that this method of living according to a plan may
sometimes be inconvenient and may even cause me to err. When
such a man as I am employs his great judgment to regulate small
matters, methinks he resembles a giant washing teacups or thread-
ing a needle, both of which operations would be much better per-
formed by a pretty little miss. There now is a pompous affectation
of dignity; you must expect a good deal of this from me. But you
have indeed seen me often enough not to be surprised at it. Is it not,
however, a great deal in favour of my candour that I own that plans
may sometimes make one go wrong? Mr. Smith, whose Moral
Sentiments you admire so much, wrote to me some time ago, "Your
great fault is acting upon system/ 7 What a curious reproof to a
young man from a grave philosopher! It is, however, a just one,
and but too well founded with respect to me. For a proof of its
justness I need go no farther than the letter which you are now
reading. It was part of my system not to write to Zelide till my
journey should be over. By my following that system, you must be
almost four weeks without hearing a word from me. I will not
pretend to doubt of your being sorry at this. I have even vanity
enough to make me view you in tender attitudes of anxiety, such,
however, as become a friend. Love is a passion which you and I
have no thought of, at least for each other.
I received your kind letter enclosed to Count Bentinck, from
his friend at Brunswick. It gave me great pleasure. It was much
more to my mind than the first was. You discover in it the same
amiable dispositions, the same brilliant imagination, the same re-
gard for me that you discovered in the first, with more consistency
much the same sort of memoranda to himself. Here, for example, are his
"orders" for 5 July 1764: "This day be alive, be manly. Fear not censure. If
pleasure be a deception, so is pain. Enter Berlin content. Pursue Plan. Forget
dreary ideas and sensual Turkish ones. Be Johnson,"
To Belle de Zuylen ( 9 July - 1 764 ) 309
and more cordiality. I really must ask your pardon for being so
free with you. It is not treating you with the politeness which I
ought to do. But you are good enough to believe me your sincere
friend, and you know a sincere friend is never ceremonious, but,
on the contrary, speaks his mind without reserve. I have observed,
too, that a sincere friend, in the warmth of his concern, will speak
of our faults with a degree of severity which shows that he is pained
by them.
I remember an officer of the British Army, whom I had a regard
for, ruined himself by extravagance. I was happy enough to save
him from prison and get him sent home to his friends. I was not
rich, but I had money enough to relieve him. At the very time that
I was talking with his creditors, did he propose some fanciful party
of pleasure. This hurt me most severely, so that I cried out with
tears in my eyes, "Was there ever such a good-for-nothing fellow?"
This officer, Zelide, was a pretty man, a man of genius, who wrote
a comedy and who wrote verses. He had a fine figure; he was a
good player of tragedy. He was generous, he was lively. Had he
been at Utrecht, you would have liked him much. You would have
corresponded with him after he left you. And yet, Zelide, this offi-
cer is an unhappy being and a bad member of society, merely from
the want of that sober quality prudence, a quality which you laugh
at, although it is of all qualities the most essential. 9 It makes the
most of every circumstance; if we have distinguished parts, it en-
9 Boswell's own records are otherwise completely silent about this transaction.
One . naturally thinks of Andrew Erskine. The only time when Boswell
could have saved Erskine from prison and sent him home to his friends would
have been in July, 1763, when Erskine, whose regiment had been disbanded
in April, and who certainly had been associating with riotous company, went
home to Scotland. But the London Journal, 1762-1763 makes no mention of
aid asked or received by Erskine; and the matter does not seem of the sort
that Boswell would have felt it improper to record. Furthermore, though
Erskine wrote verses and by 1764 had written a farce, it is hard to believe
that he was "a good player of tragedy." Lord Auchinleck's assertion (above,
p. 26) that Boswell had been cheated of his money by a friend he did not
know sufficiently well, may refer to this affair.
310 To Belle de Zuylen ( 9 July 1 7 64 )
ables us to make a great figure. If our talents are moderate, it en-
ables us to make a good figure, and even very weak people under
its protection, have passed decently through life. Thou favourite of
Nature, listen to thy friend. Let Prudence be thy counsellor. Learn
to be mistress of thyself. Learn to live, and pray despise not Art.
Art has taught thee to play so divinely on the harpsichord. Let her
teach thee to modulate the powers of thy mind with equal har-
mony.
Talk not to me of Nature's charming ease
By which alone a woman ought to please;
Nature shoots forth rank weeds as well as flowers,
And oft the nettle o'er the lily towers.
The buxom lass whom you may always see
So mighty nat'ral and so mighty free,
A vulgar bosom may with love inspire,
But Art must form the woman I admire;
An which usurps not beauteous Nature's place,
But adds to Nature's dignity and grace.
You see I am in high spirits, for I give you heroic verses. 1
I heartily wish I could do you any real service. You will tell me,
"You give me pleasure, Sir, and that is to me a very great service."
My dear Zelide! let me prevail with you to give up your attach-
ment to pleasure and to court the mild happiness. Believe me, GOD
does not intend that we should have much pleasure in this world.
But he has been kind enough to place us so that we may attain to
a pleasing serenity, what one of our poets calls
The soul's calm sunshine and the heartfelt joy. 2
To be thus is, truly, to follow Nature. They who seek for exquisite
Joy were always deceived. If they obtain it, it is but for a moment.
Their powers are destroyed by excess, and they languish in a state
of tedious infirmity. If they do not obtain it, they are wretched and
1 His ten-line verses for 3 October 1763. 2 Pope, An Essay on Man, IV. 168.
To Belle de Zuylen ( 9 July 1 764 ) 311
fretful; they swear that there is no happiness in life, because they
have not experienced the fancied happiness which life denies. You
will now say that I am preaching, and perhaps you will be heartily
tired. However, you must have a little more of it. I shall try to
enliven my discourse. I shall just give you hints of good advice.
It will amuse you to enlarge upon these hints.
Religion is the noblest employment of the mind. Believe me,
this is no prejudice. Is it not noble to adore the Supreme Lord
of the Universe, and to aim at rendering our souls divine? I own
to you that mankind have confounded and perplexed religion.
One thing, however, I am absolutely sure of, and that is devotion,
the adoration of one great and good GOD. As to systems of faith, I
am no bigot. I think I see a very great probability that Jesus Christ
had a divine commission to reveal to mankind a certainty of im-
mortality and an amiable collection of precepts for their conduct
in this life; and that by His death He atoned for the offences of the
world, which GOD'S justice required satisfaction for. I am happy to
believe this. It makes me live in cheerful hope. I do not believe that
a few only shall be made happy in another world. My notions of
GOD'S benevolence are grand and extensive. I puzzle not myself
with texts here and texts here, with the interpretation of a gloomy
priest or with the interpretation of a gay priest. I worship my
Creator and I fear no evil. You see, my dear Zelide, that your
friend is very happy as to the great article of religion. Be you the
same. Pray make a firm resolution never to think of metaphysics.
Speculations of that kind are absurd in a man, but in a woman are
more absurd than I choose to express.
You may say perhaps that you cannot prevent your mind from
soaring into the regions of perplexity. Allow me to deny this. Sup-
pose you should be seized with a strange inclination to touch the
ceiling of your bedchamber while you stood upon the floor. You
would in that case stretch your arm till it was very sore without
coming much nearer your aim. You would tell me that you had got
such a habit of doing this that you really could not help it, although
you owned it to be very ridiculous. I would answer, "My dear
312 To Belle de Zuylen (9 July 1764)
Zelide, while your arms are unemployed, no doubt they will take
their usual curious direction, but if you will sit quietly down and
embroider a waistcoat for your brother, I defy your hands to mount,
and I assure you that by degrees they will forget their bad habit
and rest as peaceable as the charming Comtesse d'Aumale's." 3
Just so is your mind to be managed. Study history, plain and cer-
tain parts of knowledge, and above all endeavour to relish the
common affairs of life. David Hume, who has thought as much as
any man who has been tortured on the metaphysical rack, who has
walked the wilds of speculation, wisely and calmly concludes that
the business of ordinary life is the proper employment of man.
Consider, my dear Zelide, your many real advantages. You are
a daughter of one of the first families in the Seven Provinces; you
have a number of relations of rank. You have a very handsome
fortune, and I must tell you too that Zelide herself is handsome.
You have a title to expect a distinguished marriage. You may sup-
port a respected and an amiable character in life. Your genius and
your many accomplishments may do you great honour. But take
care. If those enchanting qualities are not governed by prudence,
they may do you a great deal of harm. You have confessed to me
that you are subject to hypochondria, I well believe it. You have a
delicate constitution and a strong imagination. In order to be free
from a distemper which renders you miserable, you must not act
like one in despair. You must be careful of your health by living
regularly, and careful of your mind by employing it moderately. If
you act thus, you may expect to be happy; if you resign yourself to
fancy, you will have now and then a little feverish joy but no per-
manent satisfaction. I should think you should believe me. I am no
clergyman. I am no physician. I am not even a lover. I am just a
gentleman upon his travels who has taken an attachment to you
and who has your happiness at heart. I may add, a gentleman
whom you honour with your esteem. My dear Zelide! You are very
3 There were at least four Countesses d'Aumale, none of whom receives promi-
nent mention in BoswelTs records. Belle appears never to have mentioned the
name in her correspondence with Constant d'Hermenches,
To Belle de Zuylen ( 9 July 1 764 ) 313
good, you are very candid. Pray forgive me for begging you to be
less vain. You have fine talents of one kind, but are you not defi-
cient in others? Do you think your reason is as distinguished as
your imagination? Believe me, Zelide, it is not. Believe me, and
endeavour to improve.
After all this serious counsel, I think my conscience cannot
reproach me for writing to you. I am sure that your worthy father
could not be offended at it. I am sure that I intend to do you service
if I can.
Now, Zelide, give me leave to reprove you for your libertine
sentiments, of which your letters to me furnish several examples.
You say if your husband and you loved each other only a little,
"I would certainly love some one else. My spirit is formed to have
strong feelings, and will assuredly not escape its destiny." I hope
this love of yours for another is not destined like that of many a
fine lady. "If I had neither father nor mother, I would not get mar-
ried." And yet you would have your tender connections. Ah, poor
Zelide! Do you not see that you would reduce yourself to the most
despicable of all situations? No, Zelide, whatever men may do, a
woman without virtue is terrible. Excuse me for talking so freely.
I know you mean no harm; you gave way to your fancy. You see,
however, whither it leads you. "I should be well pleased with a
husband who would take me as his mistress: I should say to him,
'Do not look on faithfulness as a duty. You should have none but
the rights and jealousies of a lover.' " Fie, my Zelide, what fancies
are these? Is a mistress half so agreeable a name as a wife? Is a
connection of love merely, equal to a connection strengthened by
a variety of circumstances which have a pleasing influence on a
sound mind? I beseech you, never indulge such ideas. Respect man-
kind. Respect the institutions of society. If imagination presents
gay caprice, be amused with it. But let reason reign. Conceal such
ideas. Act with wisdom.
I have had a most agreeable journey. My Lord Marischal was
most entertaining company, and the Turkish lady talked ex-
tremely well when indolence did not keep her in silence. We were
314 To Belle de Zuylen (9 July 1 764)
very happy at Brunswick. I have been only two days at Berlin. But
I see that much happiness awaits me in this beautiful capital. The
German formality and state pleases me much, for I am the true old
Scots Baron. I found Monsieur Catt very polite. I shall write to
Monsieur de Zuylen very soon. I esteem and love him. I had the
honour of being presented to the Comtc d' Anhalt. You may be sure
I considered him with some attention. He appears to be a sensible,
polite, spirited man, with a manner very preuenant? I saw him
only a very short time, so cannot say much. From what I have seen
of him and from what I have heard, it would make me very happy
to see him the husband of my fair friend. But she must be upon
honour to behave with propriety.
As you and I, Zelide, are perfectly easy with each other, I must
tell you that I am vain enough to read your letters in such a manner
as to imagine that you really was in love with me, as much as you
can be with any man. I say was, because I am much mistaken if it is
not over before now. Reynst had not judged so ill. You have no
command of yourself. You can conceal nothing. You seemed un-
easy. You had a forced merriment. The Sunday evening that I
left you, I could perceive you touched. But I took no notice of it.
From your conversation I saw very well that I had a place in your
heart, that you regarded me with a warmth more than friendly.
Your letters showed me that you was pleasing yourself with having
at last met with the man for whom you could have a strong and a
lasting passion. But I am too generous not to undeceive you. You
are sensible that I am a man of strict probity. You have told me so.
I thank you. I hope you shall always find me so. Is it not, however,
a little hard that I have not a better opinion of you? Own, Zelide,
that your ungoverned vivacity may be of disservice to you. It ren-
ders you less esteemed by the man whose esteem you value. You
tell me, "I should be worth nothing as your wife. I have no subal-
tern talents." If by these talents you mean the domestic virtues,
you will find them necessary for the wife of every sensible man.
But there are many stronger reasons against your being my wife;
4 "Prepossessing."
To Belle de Zuylen ( 9 July 1 764 ) 315
so strong that, as I said to you formerly, I would not be married to
you to be a king. I know myself and I know you. And from all prob-
ability of reasoning, I am very certain that if we were married to-
gether, it would not be long before we should be both very miser-
able. My wife must be a character directly opposite to my dear
Zelide, except in affection, in honesty, and in good humour. You
may depend upon me as a friend. It vexes me to think what a num-
ber of friends you have. I know, Zelide, of several people that you
correspond with. I am therefore not so vain of your corresponding
with me. But I love you and would wish to contribute to your hap-
piness.
You bid me write whatever I think. I ask your pardon for not
complying with that request. I shall write nothing that I do not
think. But you are not the person to whom I could without reserve
write all that I think. After this, I shall write in French. Your cor-
respondence will improve me much in that language. You write
it charmingly. Am I not very obedient to your orders of writing
des grandes lettres? You must do the same. While I remain at Ber-
lin, my address is Chez Messieurs Splitgerber et Daum, Berlin.
Adieu, Think and be happy. Pray write soon and continue to show
me all your heart. I fear all your fancy. I fear that the heart of
Zelide is not to be found. It has been consumed by the fire of an
excessive imagination.
Forgive me for talking to you with such an air of authority. I
have assumed the person of Mentor. I must keep it up. Perhaps I
judge too hardly of you. I think you have no cordiality, and yet
you are much attached to your father and to your brothers. Defend
yourself. Tell me that I am the severe Cato. Tell me that you will
make a very good wife. Let me ask you then, Zelide, could you
submit your inclinations to the opinion, perhaps the caprice of a
husband? Could you do this with cheerfulness, without losing any
of your sweet good humour, without boasting of it? Could you live
quietly in the country six months in the year? Could you make
yourself agreeable to plain honest neighbours? Could you talk
like any other woman, and have your fancy as much at command
3 1 6 To Belle de Zuylen ( g July 1 7 64 )
as your harpsichord? Could you pass the other six months in a city
where there is very good society, though not the high mode?
Could you live thus and be content, could you have a great deal
of amusement in your own family? Could you give spirits to your
husband when he is melancholy? I have known such wives, Zelide.
What think you? Could you be such a one? If you can, you may be
happy with the sort of man that I once described to you. 5 Adieu.
Let not religion make you unhappy. Think of GOD as he really
is, and all will appear cheerful. I hope you shall be a Christian. But
my dear Zelide! worship the sun rather than be a Calvinist. You
know what I mean.
I had sealed this letter. I must break it up and write a little
more. This is somewhat like you. I charge you, once for all, be
strictly honest with me. If you love me, own it. I can give you the
best advice. If you change, tell me. If you love another, tell me. I
don't understand a word of your mystery about a certain gentle-
man whom you think of three times a day. What do you mean by
it? Berlin is a most delightful city. I am quite happy. I love you
more than ever. I would do more than ever to serve you. I
would kneel and kiss your hand if I saw you married to the man
that could make you happy. Answer me this one question: If I had
pretended a passion for you (which I might easily have done, for
it is not difficult to make us believe what we are already pleased
to imagine) answer me: would you not have gone with me to the
world's end? Supposing even that I had been disinherited by my
father, would you not have said, "Sir, here is my portion. It is yours.
We may live genteelly upon it." Zelide, Zelide, excuse my vanity.
But I tell you you do not know yourself if you say that you would
not have done thus. You see how freely I write, and how proudly.
Write you with all freedom, but with your enchanting humility!
"I am proud of being your friend." That is the style. Is not this
a long letter? You must not expect me to write regularly. Farewell,
5 Belle supposed that the hypothetical husband of this paragraph was Tem-
ple. (See p. 381.) It is clear, however, that though Boswell may have intended
her to think this, he is really talking about himself. It is very characteristic of
him to assume a firm position and then retreat from it in the same letter.
To Belle de Zuylen ( 9 July 1 764 ) 317
my dear Zelide. Heaven bless you and make you rationally happy.
Farewell.
[5. Boswell to Belle de Zuylen]
[Fragment: undated] 6
PRAY BE NOT OFFENDED at my way of writing, but answer me
calmly and perhaps I may be convinced. I am afraid you are not
made to be happy. You have no taste for the ordinary satisfactions
of life. You have no taste for realities. Monsieur Hahn told me once
that he had shown you some of the most beautiful experiments in
Natural Philosophy and you was not a bit pleased. I was wicked
enough to say, "Perhaps, Sir, she would not be pleased with the
great experiment of all." 7 You don't like pictures, you don't like
gardens.
[6. Boswell to Monsieur de Zuylen. Original in French]
Berlin, 30 July 1764
ALLOW ME, MY DEAR SIR, to recall to your memory a stranger
who left you with sincere regret, and to assure you that that stran-
ger will always preserve a deep sense of gratitude for all the civili-
ties dare I say acts of friendship? which he was shown by
Monsieur de Zuylen.
Indeed, Sir, you had the goodness to treat me, I shall not say as
though you were my father, but as though you were my father-
in-law. I make use of a weaker expression instead of the common
one because I do not like to say just what every one else has said
a thousand times. But I beg you not to communicate this sentiment
to my friend 8 Zelide. She would make a very different application
of it from the one that I intended. I like to seek novelty only in
things which depend, on taste, on imagination. But I am afraid
that Zelide would seek novelty in serious matters, those con-
6 In English. Mr. Scott has argued convincingly that this scrap found among
the Boswell Papers was a rejected portion of the preceding letter.
7 See p. 286.
8 Boswell wrote "charming friend" and then struck out the adjective.
3 1 8 To Monsieur de Zuylen ( 30 July 1 764 )
cerning which we have judgment, judgment which has given
us fixed rules. I said, "You treated me like a father-in-law" because
every one else has said, "You treated me like a father." But I am
afraid that Zelide would say, "Two and three make six and pru-
dence amounts to nothing" because every one else has said that
two and three make five and that prudence is worth almost as
much as all the other good qualities put together. My dear Sir,
excuse this jocularity. I have often taken the liberty to run on with
you in this fashion, and you have never taken it amiss.
I had a very pleasant trip, although mingled with discomforts,
as philosophers say of life. We encountered very sandy roads and
very bad inns. I have been mounted on tables covered with straw
instead of reposing in a good bed. I have had nothing for dinner
but eggs, and I have had to eat bread that was black and sour. In
a word, I have suffered discomforts which would have made some
Englishmen cry out against Providence. But as for me, I do not
have an exquisite sensibility. I was very well satisfied. I enjoyed
the fine season. I enjoyed the pretty countryside: the mountains
which I love delighted me after having been almost a year in the
level plains of Holland. Forgive, Sir, a good Scot born in a roman-
tic land and nourished by prejudices for which he will always
preserve an agreeable veneration.
My Lord Marischal told me an infinity of amusing anecdotes.
Is it not to the honour of the human race to see a nobleman like
him preserving all his facilities entire to the age of seventy-five?
Madame Turk is extremely listless, but when she is willing to give
herself the trouble, she can display liveliness of mind. Sometimes
we sat under the trees in the fashion of her country, and she was
gay and witty.
I remained two or three days at Brunswick, where the Court
is very gracious to strangers. I would willingly have stayed there
several weeks, but I did not wish to quit my worthy guide. How-
ever, I shall return there next month. At Potsdam I presented the
letter which you had the goodness to give me for Monsieur Catt. He
was indisposed and could not leave the house, but he very politely
arranged for me to see everything at Potsdam and Sans Souci.
To Monsieur de Zuylen (30 July 1 764) 319
I am much pleased with Berlin. It is a handsome city, and the
Germans have a frankness and a gaiety which pleases me much.
I have the good fortune to be lodged in the house of the President
of Police, where there is a very amiable family. His daughter is
young and pretty and lively enough to make time pass agreeably
for so serious a man as I am. She plays for me on the harpsichord.
She makes me laugh with pleasant, natural sallies. She is always
the same, and when she thinks me too pensive, she says to me,
"Heavens! You have the spleen" with so animated an air that I
rouse from it immediately. Up to now she has had a surprising
influence on me. I am very curious to see how long it can last. 1
My route is not yet entirely fixed. But I hope to be at Rome
before Christmas. I wish to see some of the courts of Germany and to
visit Switzerland before I pass over into Italy. I have been presented
to all the princes and princesses here, excepting the King. You
could not believe how eager I am to speak with that famous man;
and I shall speak with him if it is possible. You shall hear the
adventure.
I beg you to present my respects to Madame de Zuylen, and
my affectionate duty to Mademoiselle. Might I have the vanity
to believe that she will not completely forget my sage counsels?
She does not know how much I admire her. Perhaps she ought not
to know. If my friend Captain Vincent is at Zuylen, embrace him
for me. I recall with pleasure a long walk we made together one
Sunday. 2 If you honour me with your correspondence, you will
give me a very lively pleasure. I have the honour to be your most
humble and most cordial servant,
BOSWELL D'AUCHINLECK.
[7. Monsieur de Zuylen to Boswell Original in French]
Zuylen, 1 7 August 1 764
YOUR LETTER, MY DEAR SIR, came most opportunely to furnish
me diversion from ideas that were troubling me. The question was
1 Her name was Caroline Kirkheisen. In the Bodleian manuscript of BoswelTs
poems there is a poem in French addressed to her. 2 See p. 183.
320 From Monsieur de Zuylen ( 1 7 August 1 764 )
one of the marriage of a young lady for whom I ought to feel con-
cern; and I was pondering the matter when your letter gave me, at
least while I remained in its mood, a detachment, a diminution of
care which was good for me. Furthermore, I see with pleasure that
you are well pleased with the fashion in which I received and
treated you. I felt an inclination to treat you as a friend when I saw
your good sense, your gaiety, and your cordiality.
I am sorry that Monsieur Catt was indisposed when you were
at Potsdam and that you did not see him. I hope you do see him
and are able to talk to him about us. Your trip must have been
fairly agreeable in spite of the bad lodgings and the bad meals.
My Lord Marischal's anecdotes, Madame Turk's conversation, and
the fertility of your imagination, must have cast on those discom-
forts a picturesque, even a romantic colouring which you will have
found amusing. Et meminisse }uvabit? You will have been pre-
sented to the King. You say nothing about Professor Castillon. I
beg you to pay him my compliments. You will give me pleasure by
writing again. I am curious to know also how long the influence
(as you call it) of the young lady of Berlin will last. I hope she
is making an agreeable diversion from the excessively serious
thoughts you might be having.
Madame de Zuylen sends you her compliments. My daughter
also sends hers. She says she will not forget your counsels, but to
follow them is another matter.
I originally intended to send you the beginning of the transla-
tion of a poem I once mentioned to you and you seemed curious
about, but it would swell the packet too much. Apropos of that, the
French of your letter is much better than I expected. You will im-
prove a great deal more at Berlin.
My son Vincent salutes you humbly. We continue to read
Caesar's Commentaries together. I have to recall all my Latin to
be of any help to him. He is now making a tour in Zeeland. I beg
you to salute for us my Lord Marischal, the Turkish lady, Monsieur
8 "It will be a pleasure one day to recall even these hardships" (Virgil,
Aeneid, I. 203).
From Monsieur de Zuylen ( 1 7 August 1 764 ) 32 1
Catt, Monsieur Castillon. I have the honour to be cordially, Sir,
your most humble and most obedient servant,
D. J. VAN TUYLL VAN SEROOSKERKEN.
[8. Boswell to Monsieur de Zuylen. Original in French]
Potsdam, 18 September 1764
DEAR SIR: I am very much flattered by the compliments
which you have been good enough to pay me. If my last letter
really sweetened a moment of your life, I congratulate myself
for it, I glory in it. You may well believe that I sincerely wish to
share in your perplexities.
But, my dear Sir, allow me to speak frankly to you. Why so
much caution? Why so many mysterious expressions? "The ques-
tion was one of the marriage of a young lady for whom I ought to
feel concern" why not name Mademoiselle de Zuylen and Baron
Brombsen (if I am not mistaken) ? "I am sorry that you did not see
Monsieur Catt. I hope you do see him and are able to talk to him
about us," instead of saying, "I wish to have news of the Comte
d'Anhalt." "You say nothing about Professor Castillon": that is to
say, "Has the Professor heard nothing of the Count?" You will
excuse me, Sir, if my commentary is mistaken, if I find in your
letter ideas which you never thought of. I imagine, however, that
I am right in my conjectures; and I am not quite happy that you
have not treated me with greater frankness, for I should like to be
reckoned a true friend and a friend in whom you can have con-
fidence. I admit that it would look a little odd to write gravely to
a young man and to discuss soberly with him, as with an uncle, the
marriage of a charming young lady whom he had deeply admired.
But you know, Sir, that I put myself on the footing of a mentor
vis-a-vis our dear Zelide, and your great philosophers are a little
eccentric; perhaps also by dint of preaching on the defects of then-
pupils, they believe them greater than they are, they fear them
more than they have reason to. You see, Sir, that I am more au fait
than you think in all that concerns my friend. Believe me when I
322 To Monsieur de Zuylen (18 September 1764)
say that I wish her happiness. I hope she will be happy one day.
But my first hope is that she will be able to change her ideas a little,
for I dare not hope that the world will completely change its own
in order to please her.
I am charmed to hear of your noble conduct with regard to
Monsieur Vincent. I see you occupied in forming the mind of a
young warrior who perhaps will bring great honour to his family.
I quit Berlin today to go to Geneva; but as I shall stop at a num-
ber of courts, I do not count on being on the shores of Lake Leman
before the end of November.
I beg you to present my best compliments to Madame de Zuy-
len, to Mademoiselle, and to Monsieur Vincent. I embrace you, my
dear Sir, and I beg you to believe me always your most humble and
most cordial servant,
BOSWELL D'AUCHINLECK.
I beg you to write to me in care of Messieurs Cazenove, Claviere,
et fils at Geneva. I hope always to be honoured with your corre-
spondence.
The young lady of Berlin continued to exert the influence I
spoke to you about. I left her with regret. She is very amiable. But
alas! Sir, I shall never see her again. A traveller ought to have a
great deal of friendliness, but no susceptibility.
[9. Boswell to Belle de Zuylen. Original in French]
Anhalt-Dessau, i October 1764
NEARLY THREE MONTHS HAVE PASSED, my dear Zelide, since I
wrote to you from Berlin, and so far I have had no reply. What can
be the reason? It is possible my letter did not reach you. Yet it was
addressed according to your directions, and I cannot believe you
have not received it. One must therefore guess at some other reason.
It requires no long search to find it. You were displeased with
the manner of my letter. But, my friend, you are perhaps too
severe. You know as well as I that it is very difficult to give advice,
particularly on so delicate a matter as that which then concerned
To Belle de Zuylen ( i October 1 764) 323
us. Do not attempt, my dear friend, to disguise your true feelings;
and do not give me reason to believe that this frankness you boast
of so much is only a weakness which you are well able to correct
when your vanity is sufficiently piqued to teach you a little
prudence.
No, Zelide; do not tell me you have never experienced feelings
for me more lively and tender than those of friendship. Say it as
much as you please, I shall not believe you. You have already
done me one honour of which you can never remove the flattering
recollection.
Had I been like several others who are perhaps more agreeable
to you than I, I would have told you many pretty things which I
did not believe. But I will always preserve that probity which is a
mark of my character. I wrote to you with the completest honesty
of intention, as to the daughter of a man I esteem, and as to a friend
whose happiness I had sincerely at heart. If I employed expressions
of too unsparing a character, I am sincerely sorry and ask your
pardon. What more would you exact?
If this letter has the good fortune to fall under the eyes of
Mademoiselle de Zuylen, pray believe that it comes from an honest
Scot who still feels for her what he felt at Utrecht. He begs her to
be good enough to write, as soon as she has a moment to spare for
him. Write, if it were only to say, "I shall never write to you again."
GOD bless you.
BOSWELL.
[10. Monsieur de Zuylen to Boswell. Original in French]
Utrecht, 11 December 1764
I ASSUME, MY DEAR SIR, from your letter of 18 September that
you will have been able to reach Geneva when this letter arrives.
I have no doubt that you have continued your tour with satisfac-
tion. You will have added to your knowledge, found both resem-
blances and differences between countries and men, explored the
causes, exercised your appetite for speculation, and reasoned like
a philosopher.
324 From Monsieur de Zuylen ( 1 1 December 1 764 )
In my last, in an overflow of my heart, I told you of the situation
I was in when I received yours and of the good it did me. I thought
it would not be disagreeable to you if I did so, and I see that I was
not deceived. You thought I did not say enough: that it would-have
been better to name my daughter and the Baron de Brombsen with-
out reserve, and say that I hoped you had picked up news of the
Comte d'Anhalt from Monsieur Catt and Monsieur Castillon. But
supposing that I had thought all that, what would have been the
good of making it explicit? As it was, at least I gave you something
on which to form conjectures; I furnished you with a subject of con-
versation. It is, however, true that similar matters had been occupy-
ing my thoughts, but not those. The case was not entirely as you
thought it. The Baron de Brombsen was no longer a subject of de-
liberation. I had had news touching the Comte d'Anhalt, and my
daughter had begged him no longer to entertain the project he had
formed, nor to think of making the trip which had been postponed
because of various obstacles. But why tell you all that now? To
satisfy you by showing you less reserve, to show you that your con-
jecture was only partly true: out of love for the truth and a little
out of love of myself. Furthermore, if I had any doubt, it would
not be lack of confidence in your intelligence and in your prudence
that would have prevented me from telling you more of the matter
and asking your advice. I believe also that as a good friend you
would have been willing to give it.
One of our regents is dead, at the age of ninety-four. Professor
Wesseling is dead also at an advanced age. Madame de Maarse-
veen, my niece, was very ill during her pregnancy; she has just
been brought to bed and is doing well. All that is quite in the ordi-
nary course of events. What is less so is that Comte Donhof , in our
Service, a Pole and a Roman Catholic, who had suffered for a long
time from a dangerous debility, having kept his bed at Aix for
three weeks, got up, ran off with an English Protestant young lady
named Tankerville, and married her before a priest; at the end of
two or three weeks he died, which is not to be wondered at Friends
of the deceased came to the assistance of the disconsolate widow,
From Monsieur de Zuylen ( 1 1 December 1 764) 325
and wrote to his Polish relations. She went to stay with a relation
of her own at Rotterdam. Her mother came from England and
offered her the choice of a prison room at home or a convent; be-
sides that, the mother took away from her the little money that she
had and then went back home. The daughter had not made her
choice. A Princess Czartoryski, a relation of the deceased, saw that
she was supplied with money, wrote to her, and made her the most
humane and generous offers. In the first days after the elopement
and the marriage, some people were discussing its validity. "Well,"
said a lady by way of comment, "they will certainly have married
themselves as firmly as they are able" so much so that she is said
to be with child. Do you not find in all this a great deal that is out
of the ordinary?
Would you have heard in Germany or Switzerland of an able
professor of Public Law? If you have, I beg you to let me know as
soon as possible but he must be of our religion.
I end by assuring you, my dear Sir, that I am, with cordial
regard, your most humble and most obedient servant,
D. J, VAN TUYLL VAN SEROOSKERKEN.
Madame de Zuylen sends you her regards. My daughter is at
The Hague, at her sister's. 4
[i i. Boswell to Monsieur de Zuylen. Original in French]
Geneva, 25 December 1764
You WILL NOT BE ABLE to believe, my dear and respectable Sir,
how much your last letter rejoiced my heart. You do not know me,
Sir. You know only some of the more attractive traits of a singular
character, of a character so composite that you would need a
great deal of time and many opportunities to study it. You would
never think I had a gloomy mind, and you would be far from
suspecting that I am diffident. Yet it is certain that both those
things are true. Is it possible otherwise to explain the uneasiness
that I have experienced with regard to you? You delayed a little
4 Madame de Perponcher, Belle's junior by six years.
326 To Monsieur de Zuylen (25 December 1 764)
in writing to me, and I could not help fearing that you had taken
offence at the frankness of my letter on the subject of that marriage
to which you have devoted so much thought and I so many con-
jectures.
I imagined I know not how many disagreeable things. My
imagination was rendered gloomy by dismal chimeras. Sir! that
kind of imagination can give me bitter days. That kind of imagina-
tion can make me a jealous husband. Your letter has calmed me so
far as concerns the fear I had on your account. But one can never
completely calm a melancholy soul torn by suspicions.
And you have confidence in me. Be assured that you make no
mistake in having it. No, Sir, if ever probity has existed on earth,
it exists in the heart of Boswell. You have not yet said enough to
me about this mysterious marriage. Really you have not. I beg you
tell me more. Tell me everything. Must I ask you questions? "Is it
so-and-so?" "Is it so-and-so?" No. Although I am not in the least
timid, I should blush to tell you what I am thinking in spite of
myself. My dear Sir! hide nothing. Whatever you reveal, your
honour will be safe.
I do not cease to please myself with the recollection of Made-
moiselle de Zuylen. She has for some time had at least a sincere
friendship for me. I find her more and more charming. I begin to
retreat from some of my prejudices towards her. Some time ago I
gave her character to my most intimate friend, on whose judgment
I count more than on my own. He replied, "0 adorable Zelide! &c.,
&c. 5 Your objections are nothing. She will remain metaphysician
and mathematician only until she is married." My friend, Sir, is an
Englishman, a man of good sense, sensitive and generous. Advance
then, haughty counts! Advance, bold barons! Throw yourself at
the feet of an angel worthy of all your vows! After all I have said,
I swear to you that I cannot decide how I stand with regard to
Zelide. But you are a man of honour. I entrust you with a letter
5 The "&c., &c." stand for other expressions of Temple's which Boswell does
not bother to transcribe into his copy. Unfortunately Temple's letter which
contained them is not among those that have been recovered.
To Monsieur de Zuylen ( 25 December 1 764 ) 327
for her. I repeat, you are a man of honour. If you think your
daughter should not receive a letter from me, burn it, but do not
open it.
I have made the tour of Germany that I planned. I have spent a
month in Switzerland. I have been to see the illustrious Rousseau.
I have been much at his house. Will you believe it? He has granted
me his friendship. My record of that occasion is extraordinary:
romantic and noble. I promise that you shall see it. I have been
very well received at the home of Monsieur de Voltaire. I am going
back there tomorrow, and Madame Denis has been good enough
to say that I shall spend the night in his chateau. I am the most
fortunate of men. I have already had letters from the worthy reign-
ing Margrave of Baden-Durlach, and from Rousseau. On Monday
I leave for Turin. You can well believe that my soul is filled with
enthusiasm when I think of making the tour of Italy. My dear and
respectable Sir, may GOD bless you.
BOSWELL D'AUCHINLECK.
P.S. The learned world has lost a very great man by the death
of Monsieur Wesseling. I have heard of no Professor of Public Law
in Switzerland or in Germany.
The story of Miss Tankerville is extraordinary. It was a truly
English caprice to marry a foreigner at the point of death. I am
enough of a stoic to regard her misfortunes as the natural conse-
quence of her bad behaviour. If a daughter is so lacking in respect
for her parents and in confidence in them as to engage in the most
important of contracts without consulting them, ought she to be
surprised if her parents lose a little of their affection for her? I am
sorry when such a marriage succeeds. It gives encouragement to
girls of impressionable hearts and light heads to forget the weak-
ness of their sex, to scorn the sage maxims of prudence, and to dis-
turb the settled order of Society. The parents of Miss Tankerville
are more to be pitied than she is. The heroine has her imagination
heated by an adventure. But her parents are obliged to consider her
sad folly cool-headedly. I hope people will have pity on her up to
a certain point. But she ought to suffer.
328 To Monsieur de Zuylen ( 25 December 1 764)
I beg you, Sir, to pay my respects to your wife, to General Tuyll
and his lady, to the worthy Grand Bailiff of Amersfoort, and to his
brother (I think) in die breed Straat* Your assemblies no doubt are
following their ordinary course. I kiss the hands of the Misses
d'Averhoult.
Do not forget the translation of the Dutch poem you promised
me. You will give it to me when I have the honour to see you again.
[12. Boswell to Belle de Zuylen. Original in French]
Geneva, 25 December 1764
MADEMOISELLE: I send you but a few words; for I know not if
you want more of me. Some time ago you displayed towards me the
appearances, at least, of sincere friendship. Allow me to recall to
you a few expressions which you will recognize.
"I have a higher regard for you than for any one, &c." 7
Mademoiselle, I think a man could not but be flattered by such
words as these from a charming woman.
And what have I done since those days? I wrote you a long letter
from Berlin. I gave you such advice as I imagined would assist you
to be happy. You made me no reply. I feared I had spoken of your
conduct in terms which were too wounding. I wrote to you from
Dessau to tender you my excuses. Once more you did not write.
Mademoiselle, I am proud, and I shall be proud always. You
ought to be flattered by my attachment. I know not if I ought to
have been equally flattered by yours. A man who has a mind and
a heart like mine is rare. A woman with many talents is not so rare.
Perhaps I blame you unreasonably. Perhaps you are able to give
me an explanation of your conduct towards me. Zelide! I believed
you to be without the weaknesses of your sex. I had almost come
to count upon your heart. I had almost
6 Monsieur de Natewisch and Monsieur d'Amerongen.
7 "It is evident from Letter No. 13 that Boswell at this point inserted a whole
catalogue of Zelide's flattering expressions. In the manuscript copy which he
retained these are represented by '&c.* " GEOFFRET SCOTT.
To Belle de Zuylen (25 December 1 764) 329
My friend, have I been mistaken? Tell me the simple truth
without reserve. I am capable of admiring the candour of a woman
who makes acknowledgment of her inconstancy; if she owns it to
me without lightness, if she owns it with regret.
I have entrusted this letter to your father. I am confident he is
a man of honour. I wish to be sure of your receiving it. If this is an
indiscretion, you are the cause of it.
I ask a reply. You owe me that, at least. Zelide, good-bye. I have
the honour to remain your faithful friend and very humble servant,
BOSWELL.
[13. Belle de Zuylen to Boswell. Original in French]
Utrecht, 27 January 1 765
MY FATHER'S ACTION JUSTIFIED YOUR HOPES. He did not open
your letter; he gave it me; I received it with joy and read it with
gratitude. I am completely alone and perfectly free for an hour:
let us make the most of it.
I will tell you the truth, and you will not think the worse of me.
I would begin by assuring you that all those expressions of friend-
ship and all those promises of eternal regard and of constantly
tender recollection which you have collected, are acknowledged
and renewed by my heart at this moment.
Now, Sir, let us review my conduct and consider my silence
which you make a ground of reproach. I had spent one extraordi-
nary day this summer, a day that might have counted as an event
in my life, when, on coming to my room in the evening I found
your long letter. 8 1 read it with eagerness, and found in it qualities
which filled me with delight, noble flights prompted by a generous
nature and warmed by the liveliest friendship. Since then I have
8 She wrote to D'Hermenches in the night of 21-22 July: "Am I not the un-
luckiest of beings? I was terribly in need of sleep, and I thought I should sleep
soundly; I complained of being sleepy and hurried through supper, but I
found in my room an English letter from Boswell seventeen pages long. I
read it; I went to bed. The seventeen thousand thoughts of my friend Boswell
. . . revolved in my head with such violence that I have not been able to stay
in bed more than a quarter of an hour."
330 From Belle de Zuylen ( 2 7 January 1 765 )
re-read the earlier pages; I made D'Hermenches read and admire
them; 9 1 intend to read them again.
After all this fineness came your reproaches, and I found pas-
sages copied from my letters, passages which had been suggested
by my libertine imagination and written to you (as I thought I
might safely do) in thoughtless confidence. These were sent back
to me and severely refuted, so that each was made the excuse of
some wounding admonishment which you heaped upon me with-
out choosing your words, and needlessly. For what need was there
to copy out my sentences and put me to the blush, if your object
was to give me useful advice and to correct my mistaken views, if
you thought them mistaken?
But that is not all. You went on repeating, ringing all the
changes possible on the words, that I was in love with you, or that
I had been in love with you, that my feelings were those of love.
You would have me admit this, you were determined to hear me
say it and say it again. I find this a very strange whim in a man
who does not love me and thinks it incumbent on him (from
motives of delicacy) to tell me so in the most express and vigorous
terms. I was going to answer your letter the following day; I
remember even I made a beginning, in English; but at that point
I was interrupted by receiving the strangest possible proposal of
marriage, 1 and since that moment I have had nothing but worries,
fears, anxieties, hopes, problems that needed thinking out; I have
had no more tranquillity; I have never again had the leisure and
peace of mind I needed to answer your letter properly.
9 He wrote on 24 July: "The English letter charms me. I find in it things that
take hold of me and make me overlook its pedantry. Now, one would like to
see how he reduces all those respectable principles to everyday practice.
That's the reef on which your moralizers commonly split. If they do not take
refuge in cynicism, they condemn only those things that are not in the line of
their own ruling passion" (Translated).
1 From Bellegarde, in a letter written by D'Hermenches. The "strangeness"
of the proposal seems to have been due to certain extremely blunt questions
which D'Hermenches put on the part of his friend: What was the size of her
dowry? What likelihood was there of her remaining faithful?
From Belle de Zuylen ( 2 7 January 1 765 ) 331
I was blaming myself, none the less, for my silence, when, to-
wards the middle of October I got your second letter. Once more
I found myself commanded by you to confess that I had felt a pas-
sionate desire for you. I was shocked and saddened to find, in a
friend whom I had conceived of as a young and sensible man, the
puerile vanity of a fatuous fool, coupled with the arrogant rigidity
of an old Cato. I would none the less have answered you, for I
wished to lay it down as a condition of our correspondence that
you should burn all my previous letters. With my habitual frank-
ness I wished to tell you that it showed a poor knowledge of the
human heart to attribute a momentary instinct, that springs from
no perceivable source, and passes, leaving no discernible trace, to
any clear, recognized or established sentiment in our nature. The
heart is less consistent; and the senses, too, count for something.
Whatever a prude may object, Nature intended them to have a
say in the matter. With an old friend, they say nothing; it is pure
friendship. If the friend be young, they may at some moment utter
a word. But that word is not love. The moment passes and friend-
ship is once more peaceful, generous, and reasonable as before.
There is no question of love's anxieties, its suspicions, its jealousies
or its transports.
My dear Boswell, I will not answer for it that never at any
moment may my talk, my tone, or my look have kindled with you.
If it happened, forget it. I have written letters to you with the
vivacity and freedom of a headlong imagination, which, with a
trustworthy friend, shakes off the yoke of constraint that is laid
upon our sex; burn them. But never lose the memory of so many
talks when each in our own fashion was reasonable, and both were
sincere; when the pair of us were equally light-hearted: I, well-
content in the flattery of your attachment, and you as happy to
count me your friend as if there were something rare about a
woman with many talents. Keep that memory, I say, and be sure
that my tenderness, my esteem, I would even say my respect, are
yours, always.
But in talking like this I have lost track of some sentence I left
332 From Belle de Zuylen ( 2 7 January 1 765 )
incomplete. Ah, yes, I was telling you that I intended an answer; I
would have sent it, I would have sent you a few lines at least, in
spite of new worries and complications, had you given me your
address at Geneva. But you never gave it.
If I saw my own situation more clearly, if I saw any certain
future for myself, I would tell you of it; but possibilities would be
too long and are too little interesting to explain. Burn my old letters
if you wish to deserve new ones. Keep nothing in your desk but
what is creditable to me. I am not inconstant. I dissimulate nothing,
I have not ceased to be your friend, and I shall be your friend
BELLE DE ZUYLEN.
[14. Monsieur de Zuylen to Boswell. Original in French]
Utrecht, 8 February 1 765
I WAS SORRY TO LEARN, MY DEAR SIR, from your letter of the 25th
of last month 2 that you had been uneasy about the effect which
your former letter might have produced; and I am sorry that my
delay in replying to you prolonged your uneasiness for some time.
But the joy which my reply caused you has almost consoled me.
I cannot evaluate precisely the two opposed sentiments which you
have felt, so as to regulate my own accordingly. But it is certain
that I should like to inspire in you only agreeable ones, the more
so if the part of your portrait which you give me is not exaggerated.
I mean, if you are easily disturbed, it is all the more proper to
treat you tactfully and spare you subjects that are disturbing. But
you know how to divert yourself, and you have at present the finest
of opportunities: travel in general, and travel in Italy particularly,
ought not only to dissipate present melancholy but also to efface
the tendency towards that state that you might have for the future.
So your mind is at peace so far as I personally am concerned, but
you urge me to confide to you what I coxdd not tell you in my last.
1 do have confidence in you, and I should like to be able to give you
this proof of it, but the secret in question is not my own.
2 Actually of 25 December 1764.
From Monsieur de Zuylen (8 February 1765) 333
Of course I did not read the letter which you sent to me for my
daughter; you had sent it to me in confidence that I would not But
I doubted whether I should burn it or give it to her. The confidence
I have in you made me decide to deliver it to her. Just now I asked
her if she had anything to say to you. Concerning your friend's
prediction that her appetite for metaphysics would pass off, she
begged me to reply that so far as it was excessive, she hoped it
would, but as for all exercise of it, no. I love her enough to hope
that she will establish herself in this country or in a neighbouring
one, and that I can see her often. . . ? Adieu . . . my dear Sir. I have
paid your compliments to the persons you named, and they have
been gratefully received* . . . May the LORD guide you.
D. J. VAN TUYLL VAN SEROOSKERKEN.
[15. Boswell to Belle de Zuylen. Original in French]
[Probably Rome, 3 April 1765]*
P.S. Forgive me for having written in English.
Allow me to add one word more. Our letters are truly mysteri-
ous, as you said at the outset of our correspondence. Know then, my
dear friend, that I am prepared to make you a recital which will
surprise you; and though I shall speak without choosing my
3 Monsieur de Zuylen was so courtly and also so fond of Boswell that it is
hard to decide how he really felt about the prospect of having him for a son-
in-law. But this sentence is, I think, completely sincere. To Belle's father the
disqualification of living in Scotland was about as great as that of being a
Roman Catholic. I have omitted, following this sentence, a long and sen-
sible criticism of the religious tendency of Rousseau's writings. It is worth
publishing, but not in this series.
4 The Register of Letters shows that Boswell received No. 13 on 15 March
1765 and replied to it on 3 April; we know also from Belle's letter of 25 May
1765 (No. 17) that the reply was a long one and that it was probably in
English. Boswell seems to have kept no copy. The Boswell Papers do, however,
contain the present fragment, which looks like a discarded postscript of the
missing letter. After hinting at a proposal of marriage, Boswell no doubt
decided that caution was the wiser course.
334 To Belle de Z u yl en ( 3 April 1 765 )
words, 5 this time you will not blame me. Next time I have the
honour to be in your company, my friend will have to admit that
I understand the human heart very well. Believe me, Zelide, it is
you who have not sufficiently entered into the singular character
of'your amiable and proud Scot. You have advanced many steps on
the path. That was fine; and I know but one man who could have
withstood you. If for that u one man" you had gone some steps
further, if you had trusted him fully and spoken everything
out . . .
[16. Boswell to Monsieur de Zuylen. Original in French]
Rome, 23 April 1765
THERE ARE HOURS, MY DEAR SIR, when a man feels that he is
worth ten times as much as in the ordinary course of his existence:
hours when he finds himself in perfect health, finds his mind gay
and at peace with itself, finds his soul strong and virtuous; hours
when he is not perplexed by the question why GOD has created him,
because he sees the system of the universe as the work of an All-
powerful and All-good Father. As I write, I have the good fortune
to enjoy one of these delicious hours. I wish to share it with
Monsieur de Zuylen.
How beautiful your conduct toward me is, Sir. I am touched by
it to the bottom of my heart. You have delivered to your daughter
the letter which I took the liberty to put in your charge. What a
proof of the confidence you have in a stranger! I flatter myself
exceedingly because you did so, but I respect you for it still more.
May it be a bond between us for the rest of our lives 1 1 am perfectly
satisfied with what you tell me concerning my friend. I hope that
the days of secrets, of conjectures, and of discreet dealings are over,
and that she is established in a fashion that will satisfy all of us.
I shall always take a most sincere interest in her happiness.
I know you, my respectable friend, too well to fear that you
5 A quotation from Belle's letter of 27 January 1765. See p. 330.
6 The writing ends here at the bottom of a full page, but as the reverse is
blank, it may be doubted whether Boswell ever completed his sentence.
To Monsieur de Zuylen ( 23 April 1 765 ) 335
have been offended because I have delayed so long in answering
the last letter you honoured me with. If you had made me wait in
that fashion, how uneasy I should have been! But I know the dif-
ference there is between us, and I am persuaded that you will
excuse me when you remember that I am both busied with and dis-
sipated by the antiquities, the arts, and the pleasures of Italy. I
must tell you besides that I have been putting off writing because of
something that will amuse you. For some time now I have had
almost no occasion to speak French; and I assure you that in jab-
bering Italian I have lost part of the tongue I learned at Utrecht.
On my honour, I began a letter to you two weeks ago and could not
continue it. This evening I am taking advantage of a fine moment,
and I think I shall be able to express myself passably well. It is
humiliating to find that one forgets so quickly. What is the mem-
ory? There is a question to which the most profound, the most
subtle, metaphysicians can give no answer. I know not if there is
any question more curious.
My tour of Italy comes up to the exquisite ideas which I had
formed of it. It is true that I had sometimes imagined that I should
find more agreeable people there than I have found. That apart, all
my hopes are realized. The fine climate, the variety of objects, the
exercise which I take every day, have so completely dissipated my
melancholy that I hardly know myself. I am quite another man.
My perceptions are clear, my judgments firm. Every day I increase
in knowledge. Every day I improve in taste. My mind is so full of
gay ideas that it has no room for gloomy ones. I am completely con-
tent with this world. I have elevated hopes for the future. I adore
my GOD with gratitude and with joy. Oh, why cannot I remain in
these sentiments? I do not know. But the recollection of this happi-
ness will sustain me in the shades, the doubts, and the sadnesses
into which a baleful malady casts my troubled mind. I know that I
can be made happy. My idea of the Divine Nature makes me be-
lieve that in the end I shall be happy always.
I have read with attention and pleasure your remarks on the
works of Monsieur Rousseau. You criticize them as a sound poli-
tician, as a man of fixed faith, but with the candour and delicacy of
336 To Monsieur de Zuylen ( 23 April 1 765 )
a true philosopher. I had not seen his Lettres de la montagne when
I was with him, and he did not speak of them. We did, however,
discuss religion, and especially the Christian religion, at great
length. He repeated to me what was practically the doctrine of the
Savoyard Vicar. I asked him boldly if he was truly a Christian. He
replied with a piercing and noble glance, "Yes. I pique myself on
being one. All the objections make no difference to me. But do not
trouble me with your proofs of the Gospel. I have it here. It speaks
in my heart. It must be divine." Such is the enthusiasm of a soul like
his, and I believe that he is very happy in it. He appeared to me full
of goodness and devotion. Perhaps he would have done better to
keep the "Profession of Faith" for a few particular friends. But he
has formerly suffered himself from black ideas of his Creator, and
he has set himself to alleviate the sufferings of others, without con-
sidering that there are very, very few people who think enough
about religion to be tormented by it, and a great many people who
are delighted to have excuses for not performing their religious
duties.
And finally, my dear Sir, the most enlightened people do not
see everything. As for me, who am not one of those vigorous spirits
capable of acquiring wide and profound knowledge, I do not dis-
turb myself in useless efforts to raise myself higher than Nature
intended me to rise. It seems to me that I act philosophically when I
fit myself to the rank where I am placed. My imagination presents
me with a thousand lots in life above mine. I try to admire
them all without envying them, and I keep myself as much from
the greed of fame as from the greed of money.
I could wish that my intellectual friend Z&ide had a little of
this philosophy. She would be happier for it, and (if I may say so in
simple frankness of heart) she would be still more amiable. I
should like to fulfil the real duties of my station, and yet make
myself little by little better, in the hope that my capacity will be
enlarged in the other world. Doomed to suffer, I cultivate especially
the virtue of patience; and although I am changeable in matters of
religion, I never lose an entire confidence in the Being of Beings.
To Monsieur de Zuylen ( 23 April 1 765 ) 337
My dear Sir, continue to hold me in esteem. I put great store in
your friendship, and when all is said, I am not unworthy of it.
When I was saying good-bye to Monsieur Rousseau, he em-
braced me cordially and said to me, "Always remember that there
are points at which our souls are bound together." Such a sentiment
from such a philosopher is enough to nourish my pride for ever.
Believe me, Sir, that those who are proud in the way that I am are
the men on whom one can count; and if one takes a little pains to
treat them with the respect which they deserve, they are the most
amiable portion of any society. It is with calm and satisfying pleas-
ure that I recall the hours I had the honour to spend in your home.
I shall be highly charmed to see you again. The prospect of doing
so delights me. But I am already saddened at the thought of saying
an eternal farewell to you. That is too painful for me. I do not wish
to believe it.
I hope you have received good accounts of your son who is at
Paris. Perhaps I shall find him there. In that case, our acquaintance
shall proceed with no detours of ceremony. I believe the young
baron will not be sorry to see some one who was received as a friend
at Zuylen. I shall be curious to observe how much he resembles
you, and how much he prides himself on being destined to preserve
the memory of the bold Van Tuylls whose portraits I saw in your
castle. Without doubt you have inspired him with an affectionate
respect for his family. My worthy father has brought me up much
in these sentiments, and I shall be obliged to him for it for the rest
of my life. The honour of an ancient family is a noble principle;
and I know nothing which has contributed more towards giving a
true grandeur to humanity. It is well known how much the
Romans owed their success to it. Their imagines majorum 7 incited
them to glory as much as did their most sublime orators. Let us
pay no attention to the ridiculous abuse which weak men have
poured on this principle.
The honour of my family is perhaps a species of self-love. I do
7 Ancestral images, portrait-masks of the ancestors of a family. The tag is
from Cicero.
338 To Monsieur de Zuylen (23 April 1 765 )
not care to perplex myself with pedantic distinctions which spring
from restless minds. I know only that to be attached to my family
has in it something less selfish, 8 something more generous, than to
pride myself on my wealth, my talents; I venture to say, even my
virtues. Develop this sentiment, Sir, and you will see that it is
romantic but that it is not false, Self-love rules in this age; and
the philosophers and beaux esprits would like to destroy principles
fortified by the general suffrage of civilized peoples and conse-
crated by the most remote antiquity. One of them wishes to degrade
the nobility because he knows mathematics; another because he has
had his head turned with metaphysics; another because he has the
gift of saying amusing things from morning to night; and a fourth
because of pride and singularity. Can one conceive any prejudice
more foolish than that of these luminaries of the world? Monsieur
d'Alembert has written a discourse to prove how difficult com-
merce between the Great and the Learned is. If Monsieur d'Alem-
bert had a little more common sense, he would see that rank and
power of mind are things so different that they ought never to be
put in comparison, and that a duke and an encyclopediste can very
well pass the day together, each keeping his place, each showing for
the other the respect due to him.
I tire you, my dear Sir. But my intention was to try to amuse
you. I send my respect to all your family, and I remain always,
with sincere cordiality, yours, &c. 9
[17. Belle de Zuylen to Boswell. Original in French]
Utrecht, 25 May 1765
I HAVE JUST HAD an agitation and am still upset. My father
entered suddenly; I had begun a letter to you in English. Your long
8 The manuscript reads "less unselfish" (moins dtsintfresse) . Boswell got
confused between his "more" and his "less.'*
9 Our manuscript, as explained above, is a draft or copy. The "&c." here stands
for the formal conclusion and signature of the letter actually sent.
From Belle de Zuylen (25 May 1 765 ) 339
letter was laid out over my table, your writing can be recognized
a mile off; I spread my elbows as far as they would reach to cover
our correspondence. I do not think he saw any of it. I was mad, of
course, .to have put off writing to you till Saturday, the day on
which my father, having nothing to do at his government office,
runs to and fro like a man with nothing to do. That means there is
no safety and no peace in my room. I put your letter and my own
English writing into my pocket in fear of some new mishap. This
can be passed off, if I wish it, as a letter to some cousin or other. I
will reply to you today a little unmethodically: moreover I have
not enough time, and another day will be better.
I could put off writing but I do not wish to, for I want you to
find a letter from me at Genoa; it will please you and I am too fond
of you to make you wait in future longer than is necessary for a
thing which you require of me. I have indeed much feeling for you,
and now that you exempt me from saying or believing that I am in
love with you, all will go well between us. As you say very rightly,
our best times lie ahead. You were good enough to promise me that
you will read me my letters, those letters of mine in which you find
so many things to blame, and which should cause me to blush; that
is the treat you propose to me when you visit here on your return. I
am indeed most grateful to you. Your letters I will keep and return
to you, since that pleases you; 1 but mine can go on the fire and be
turned to ashes and smoke without causing me the smallest regret.
I shall play no game of long apologies. It is a matter of taste.
You are delighted that I blame you for being too systematic; you
are very well content to have, at twenty-five, the faults of a man of
fifty. For my part, I am not clever enough to understand your
felicity in this. Fault for fault, I like those of my own age, those
which are natural to me, as well as any others. At the same time I
must beg you to believe that in speaking of those "pleasures" which
I wished to enjoy successively, I meant nothing you need have
1 Boswell did not get back to Utrecht to claim the letters in person, but it is
somewhat remarkable that he did not secure them later through Mr. Brown,
340 From Belle de Zuylen ( 25 May 1 76*5 )
understood in a vulgar sense, nothing which might not enter "a
virgin mind." 2 You never tire of repeating my own phrases to me;
1 have no recollection of this one: "after one happiness, another"; 3
but once again I cannot possibly have meant anything by that
which need have scandalized you: and if in this instance one of our
two imaginations is in any way to blame, it is not mine.
I forgive you readily for having fallen short of your principles,
especially as you have admitted it with regret. But profit by this
and be more indulgent, and do not make so great a difference in
your estimate between the man who is always reasoning and sin-
ning against his reason, and the man who reasons less and sins just
the same. Both have their passions and their weaknesses, but one
of them is always aware of the fact and does not make a display of
a futile code of wisdom. The other forgets it; imagines himself to be
strong; makes rules when he has no motive for violating them; and
takes advantage of the intervals between his passions to preach
against them with self-satisfaction.
My sister has just been delivered of a son, my mother is at The
Hague, and I am looking after the household. Today I am giving
an elegant dinner to Monsieur Bicker, who received his doctor's
degree yesterday with much applause. He is a young man of whom
much may be hoped, both for literature and the State.
Bentinck is very well; he has been in England. I do not know
why he has ceased writing to you, but I know it is not a great mis-
fortune for you. Leave that vast mass to occupy itself with all the
nothings in the world. You act as I used to: my vanity used to put
up with anything and require praise from everybody. It caused me
to extend my correspondence without rhyme or reason. Why write
to Madame Spaen? What is she but an immense collection of pre-
tensions, of which her talk is the catalogue? Your letters to my
father, on the contrary, are the most tactful in the world. He is, as
you say, very reserved; what a pity that I have not a little more of
the quality he has to excess!
2 The quoted words are in English in the original.
3 But she wrote it all the same: see p. 299.
From Belle de Zuylen ( 25 May 1 765 ) 341
Shall I tell you everything? But do not repeat a word nothing
is yet certain. I shall perhaps marry early next winter the Marquis
de Bellegarde, colonel in our Service, with fine estates in Savoy and
a house at Chambery; a Roman Catholic whose children must be
Catholics, a man of forty, a man with brains, kind and good-
natured. I have seen little of him but I shall see more. I shall see
whether my parents' objections are such as to force me to abandon
a^ scheme in which I expect to find my happiness; then I shall make
up my mind. Do not accuse me and do not condemn me. My heart
has no self-reproach: I love my parents and I am not forgetful of
religion. If one day you want further explanations and justifica-
tions you shall have them. Good-bye, my dear Boswell. I am your
friend for always. 4
[18. Monsieur de Zuylen to Boswell. Original in French]
[Utrecht, c. i January 1766]
No, MY VERY DEAR SIR, I am not at all angry with you and never
have been. I replied to your letter from Rome at the address you
had given me at Genoa, a little later, but only a few days later, than
the time which you had indicated to me. But that could not have
prevented your receiving my letter, for you have been there since.
I hasten now to write to you at Paris, not merely because you asked
me to, but also in order that you may perhaps still see my eldest son
there. You can get his address from Messrs. Thellusson and Necker,
bankers.
My daughter has received proposals of marriage from a gentle-
4 At least three, and possibly more than three, letters are missing from the
series at this point: (i) To Belle, in reply to No, 17, sent 13 September 1765
(Register of Letters); (2) From Monsieur de Zuylen, in answer to No. 16,
sent to Genoa but never received (mentioned in No. 18; see also p. 343); (3)
To Monsieur de Zuylen, probably from Genoa, early December, 1765 (not
entered in Register of Letters but implied in No. 18). Besides these, there
may have been another letter from Belle to Boswell which was lost in the
post, like her father's, and a letter from Boswell to her complaining of her
silence.
342 From Monsieur de Zuylen (i January 1766)
man of distinguished family of Savoy, a colonel in the service of
the States General. She would not be averse to it, but as he is a
Roman Catholic, we have some repugnance to the match. However,
before stating our position positively, we have asked for firm as-
surances that such a marriage would be valid in Savoy, and we are
waiting for the reply. I am thus explicit with you because of the
interest which you take in the matter, and because I count on your
discretion and your friendship.
Your father's dangerous illness is a circumstance which must
distress you and fill you with concern. 5 1 sympathize sincerely with
you. I had the same experience, being in France at the time, and I
returned to Utrecht to see my father and care for him, with my
brother. It was a great consolation to him, as he testified to us a
hundred times in the most tender manner. But you know what
your duty is better than I do. However, I am by no means without
personal regret, for this will lessen the chances of your return by
way of Holland, and I shall always be very happy to see you, quite
apart from any other motive than that of conversing with you.
Adieu, my very dear Sir. Try to recall the happy balance of
your spirits in Italy; and count on the sincerity of my sentiments of
esteem, of consideration, and of friendship for you.
D. J. VAN TUYLL VAN SEROOSKERKEN.
My son is just on the point of setting out for home. You will be
lucky if you find him still there by looking him up at once.
[19. Boswell to Monsieur de Zuylen. Original in French] 6
Paris, 16 January 1766
YOTJR AFFECTIONATE LETTER, dear and respectable Sir, which I
have just received here, relieves and rejoices my heart. Thousands
5 On arriving at Genoa, 29 November 1765, after his tour of Corsica, Boswell
found an accumulation of letters from his father telling him that he had
been at death's door with a suppression of urine and requesting him to come
home at once. Lord Auchinleck suffered from this complaint (probably an
enlarged prostate) for the rest of his life.
6 The manuscript in the Boswell Papers is not a copy but the original docu-
ment, which was returned at Boswell's request. See pp. 351, 359.
To Monsieur de Zuylen (16 January 1 766 ) 343
of times do I curse the posts of Italy for having caused me so great
uneasiness. I have lost by their means many letters from my
friends; and my imagination, ever ready to lend its black colours,
has led me to form many disagreeable suspicions. I had the good
fortune to find your son at Paris. You shall see what course I took:
To Monsieur de Tuyll
Will you, Sir, be pleased to allow a man you have never seen to
address you on the footing of an old friend, or of a relation? I have
enjoyed so much kindness from the family of Zuylen, and am so
much the friend of your worthy and respectable father, that I look
on you already with sincere affection. Today I am indisposed, and
confined to the house J If you could visit me here, you will oblige
me infinitely. If you have an engagement elsewhere, I will call on
you tomorrow to pay you my respects. Most sincerely yours,
BOSWELL.
What is your opinion, Sir, of this note? I have given it you, I
believe, in its actual terms, for I have the best memory in the world
for minutiae. Monsieur de Tuyll called on me that evening. We
formed an immediate attachment. He is a man formed for me. He
has principles. He has even prejudices. You are to be congratulated.
We conversed, with the confidence of true friends, on Mademoi-
selle de Zuylen. We said every unfavourable thing that could pos-
sibly be said of her, and concluded always by contemplating her
with admiration and affection. I spoke to Monsieur de Tuyll with
a perfect candour, and it is after listening to his sentiments and
benefiting by his advice that I am about to write to you, without
reserve, on a most delicate subject.
During my stay at Utrecht, I studied the character of your
daughter with close attention; for I must admit to you that I could
not help thinking of her as in every respect a noble match for your
humble servant, providing always that the faults in her character
were not such as to be incompatible with married happiness. I
T 13 January 1766. He was laid up with a painful case of ingrowing toenails
which he had acquired by tramping the trails of Corsica in riding boots.
344 To Monsieur de Zuylen ( 1 6 January 1 766 )
swear to you that I was never in love with Mademoiselle. That is to
say, I never felt for her that madness of passion which is unaccount-
able to reason. I formed a true friendship with her. I saw so clearly
the mistaken and dare I say it? licentious ideas of her imagina-
tion that, to tell the truth, I believed she would make her husband
unhappy.
Before my departure with Lord Marischal I had sufficiently
strong proofs that she would look on me with preference over all
others on whom she was then thinking to bestow her hand, and
over Monsieur de B among the rest. In a word, I am as sure
as one can be of such a thing when there has been no exchange of
yes and no, that I had the honour, at that time at least, to be the
possessor of the affections of Zelide. Like a man of the most perfect
and most scrupulous probity, I assured Mademoiselle that I was
not in love with her, that I was simply her true friend, and that I
should be charmed to see her married to some worthy man with
whom she could be happy. She praised my honesty, but rallied me
not a little, assuring me that I had no need to make use of it in her
case.
Well and good, my dear Sir; my sensitive conscience was the
guide of my conduct; and, believe me, I was not wrong. I confess to
you that I always had a leaning towards a marriage with my
friend. But, in the first place, her faults filled me with alarm. In the
second, I was still darkened by clouds of the blackest melancholy,
and dared make no promises for myself. I saw Mademoiselle was of
an age to marry; I was assured that several satisfactory alliances
were open to her. I therefore resolved (and I assure you it was at a
cost to myself) I resolved, I say, to do nothing that might hinder
the success of others in a matter as to which I was wholly unde-
cided. And I swear to you that in so acting I had the pride of an
heroic soul. None the less my inclination was unaffected, and in
truth I suffered not a little from my heroism. I calmed myself by
the consciousness of having done what appeared to me an honest
man's duty in such circumstances. I thought that I ought not to
place too much reliance upon a preference felt by a mind so light
To Monsieur de Zuylen (16 January 1766) 345
as my friend's. I resolved to allow her the time of my absence on my
travels to conclude if this preference of hers was durable; and,
should she remain in the same frame of ideas, I believed this would
render me the happiest man in the world.
During my travels, I never ceased to think very seriously of her,
in spite of changes, of life in prodigious variety, and (let me admit)
in spite of acts of licence. I said nothing; but it was always a satis-
faction to me to learn that the projects of marriage which were on
foot for her were still unrealized. When I learnt of the latest of
these (and for some time I have had no very reliable news on the
subject) , I was at first put out; but, after a little reflection, I was
very happy that my friend was at last to be well established. But,
after talking with Monsieur de Tuyll, my views underwent some
change. For he assured me that, in his opinion, Mademoiselle
would enter into marriage with Monsieur de B with con-
siderable indifference, and only because she has decided that the
time is come for her to marry, and that Monsieur de B is a
suitable match. Your phrase, "She would not be averse to it," 8 does
not indicate a strong attachment; and, as I find there are many
objections to such a choice, I cannot yet lose sight of my brilliant
friend.
I told Monsieur de Tuyll all that I have here written you, and
in his opinion it would be a pity to conceal it. Said I, "Perhaps your
sister has not continued to feel that preference for me, because of
the express terms in which I assured her that such a preference
would" be misplaced; perhaps she would still prefer me to all the
men of her acquaintance; perhaps she would be overjoyed to know
my sentiments in regard to her." He thinks it likely enough. May
I venture to say that he seems very much my friend in this matter.
My dear and respectable Sir, here is my proposal. My confi-
dence in your wisdom and honour is such that I give you full au-
thority to decide for me. You can easily discover whether Made-
moiselle de Zuylen would still give me her preference. If that is so
no longer, say nothing to her on the topic of which I have written
8 Above, p. 342.
346 To Monsieur de Zuylen ( 1 6 January 1 766 )
you, for only her preference could engage me firmly in her f avour,
and without it I would banish the idea. Secondly, should there be
any kind of promise or any engagement, however slight, with
Monsieur de B , let it be cleared up before you mention my
name. And if there be any means of fulfilling that engagement, let
the blood of De Tuyll be ever fired for the sentiment of honour.
Thirdly, if you, my dear and respectable Sir, should not accord me
your own preference in the proposal I am minded to make, I
renounce it.
Do not accuse me of being a cold and indifferent lover. I am not
the lover of Mademoiselle de Zuylen. Had I that fever in my soul,
I would not be thinking of a calm, conjugal engagement. No. I am
the heir of an ancient family, and think myself under obligation to
prolong it, to lead an ordered and hospitable life like my ancestors
before me. I see a person who would suit me more than any I have
found, or even can well hope to find. That person is my friend.
I beseech you, Sir, to advise me. I consider I am too young to
marry; but a wife such as Zelide might prove is well worth some
years of freedom. Were she to feel a true affection for me, she has
force enough to adapt herself in every respect.
I should marry her, no doubt, by the forms of the Church. But
that would not be enough for me. I should require a clear and ex-
press agreement. I should require an oath, taken in your presence,
Sir, and before two of her brothers, that she would always remain
faithful, that she would never design to see, or have any exchange
of letters with, any one of whom her husband and her brothers
disapproved; and that without their approbation she would neither
publish nor cause to be acted any of her literary compositions; and
in conclusion she must promise never to speak against the estab-
lished religion or customs of the country she might find herself in.
If she would promise all that for my sake, I would marry her
tomorrow, and thank heaven for it, supposing my father were to
give his consent; for I have given him my word of honour not to
many without it; and, indeed, it is my belief that the eldest son of
a noble family should never do otherwise. I have no doubts about
To Monsieur de Zuylen ( 1 6 January 1 766 ) 347
obtaining my father's consent. He has written to me, u Tempus est
spargere nuces," and when he learns of my friend's family and
fortune, he will certainly say, "Sparge, marite." 9 The great ques-
tion is that of Mademoiselle's attachment to me. If I could be sure
of that, I have no doubt I can arrange all else. I am quite in the
dark; but I can allow myself the agreeable fancy of her learning
with delightful astonishment that it is in her power to have her
friend for a husband on certain conditions. And I picture with the
most heartfelt satisfaction an alliance between the family of De
Tuyll and that of Auchinleck.
And you, my dear and respectable Sir, perhaps will see it in the
same light. You will embrace me as your son, and my children
would call you grandfather, and Madame de Zuylen would possess
an authority over me, and would be well pleased With her dear
daughter, and my friends would become my brothers-in-law, and
all of you would come and visit us in Scotland, and every two or
three years we would come to Utrecht. There you have true ideas
of durable happiness: the sweet simplicity of a family affection.
Although I did not have good health in Holland, although I
have spoken and written in strong terms against your country,
nevertheless at the bottom of my heart I always love it. I know not
by what association of ideas the rich pastures where your cows
graze appear to me like the fields of the pious patriarchs. The
amiable Belle would be my Rebecca. But she has not enough feel-
ing for nature. To speak the truth, she has not enough feeling for
anything solid or real. She would rather read fictions than facts.
She is more concerned with words than with the things they repre-
sent. To speak clearly, her heart is more precious to me than her
mind, and it is rather what I hope she will become than what she
actually is that I desire to marry.
As for me, I am the eldest son of an excellent family, which is
not one of the wealthiest but nevertheless well-off, having a rental
9 "It is time to scatter nuts. . . . Scatter, bridegroom'" (Alluding to the
Roman custom of scattering nuts at a wedding; tags from Catullus and
Virgil.)
348 To Monsieur de Zuylen ( 1 6 January 1 766 )
of 1000 sterling a year. My father is one of the Scots judges, and
his profession brings him in as much again; he will consequently
be in a position to make me a very respectable settlement if I decide
to marry. I have studied the law, and my plan is to practise as an
advocate at our Scottish bar; and after a certain number of years
I hope to obtain a position similar to my father's. It is not impossi-
ble that I may become a Member of Parliament. But in these days
of political corruption, my mind is not set on it. I need not, I am
sure, tell you that the profession of advocate in Scotland is in no
sense degrading, as, by an absurd fashion, it has come to be looked
upon in some other European countries. In Holland, I believe, it
is held in the same esteem as with us. I know, at any rate, that the
advocates attached to the court at Brabant are drawn from the
noblest families. Monsieur Perponcher is a gentleman of most
ancient stock. If I may allow myself a passing pleasantry, would it
not be excessive on your part to marry both your two daughters to
advocates?
There is excellent society at Edinburgh. That is to say, there
are persons of good sense and instruction. We make no boast of
brilliancy, ton, &c. But as far as that goes, my friend has no undue
leanings to that species of extravagance. We would spend half the
year in the country, where we should find sufficient diversion. I
fancy a very happy life could be spent in that manner; for I am
supposing that my wife and I will experience ever-increasing
pleasure in each other's society, and I am persuaded that once we
were well accustomed to each other, Zelide and I would be very,
very happy. I am singular and romantic, and such a character is
made to give her infinite pleasure. But I will enter into an agree-
ment with her to maintain a decent composure, a certain reserve
even, before the world. In private, vive la bagatelle, let us give full
rein to our fantasy, as the most illustrious of the ancients have
done. Sir, I am proud, very proud, and it is perhaps to my pride
that I owe my best virtues. What a pride is this which makes me
refuse to petition for a young lady's hand until I have the cer-
tainty that she prefers me to all the world! But in this case the
To Monsieur de Zuylen ( 1 6 January 1766) 349
motives of prudence and, on my honour, of disinterested friend-
ship, are associated in great measure with that of pride.
I have visited the island of Corsica with a letter of recommenda-
tion from Monsieur Rousseau. There I saw realized for the first
time what I had read of with admiration. I saw a whole people
animated with the spirit of liberty and patriotic fire. I saw Romans
and Spartans. I saw the illustrious Paoli, a man brave, wise, en-
lightened, owning the hearts of all his countrymen: a Numa,
a Lycurgus. It will give me infinite pleasure to render you a full
account of my Corsican tour and to tell you how, in crossing to
Genoa, I was compelled by rough weather to put in for seven days
at the little island of Capraja, where I led the most curious existence
in a convent of poor Franciscan monks.
Sir, since being in Corsica, since making such proof of my tal-
ents and address, I am more proud than ever. I have a right to look
to a distinguished career; I am worthy to make one of the best
matches in England. Do not therefore find fault that I take so high
a tone in speaking of Zelide. Would it not be a pity if so fortunate
an alliance were unrealized for lack of speaking of it? And, in
speaking, I could use no other terms.
I still flatter myself with hopes of soon seeing you again. My
father's health is better and he has granted me permission to re-
main a month in Paris. I wrote to him this morning begging him to
allow me, on my way back to England, to cross from Holland;
pointing out that by this means, I should see Flanders, and give
my tour great completeness. 1 It is two years since I wrote to him
from Utrecht of my ideas in regard to Mademoiselle de Zuylen,
as to which he has never given me any answer. Today I indicate
to him my intention of seeing this young lady once more and of
coming to a decision in the matter. I have told him that my im-
patience to see this affair concluded may perhaps cause me to
travel to Holland before receiving his reply. But I should do better
1 Lord Auchinleck's letter has not been recovered. As has been mentioned
above, not one of the many letters which Boswell wrote to his father is known
to exist.
350 To Monsieur de Zuylen ( 1 6 January 1 766 )
to await it. I have the liveliest desire to be with you. I am worth
ten times what I was when I left you. Mademoiselle will be the
judge of that.
But it must not be forgotten that I am a hypochondriac, as she
is, and that it might be a grave error to unite two victims of that
malady. Mademoiselle is, I think, in fair health, and, as for me,
give me a horse and Epictetus and I fear nothing. Nevertheless,
I must in all seriousness admit to you that these attacks of melan-
choly are sometimes so strong that it is well nigh impossible to sup-
port them, and at such times I am truly out of temper. To conclude,
I have many faults; on my word, I mean what I say. My knowl-
edge is very restricted. I have an excess of self-esteem. I can-
not apply myself to study. I can nevertheless maintain my energy
where my attention is interested. I have no sufficient zest for life.
I have the greatest imaginable difficulty in overcoming avarice.
I am not alieni cupidus sui profusus, 2 for I do not covet riches; I
have only the low weakness of wishing to make little savings. I
should require a prudent wife, a good housekeeper who would
attend to everything and leave me in peace. Judge, my worthy
friend, if Zelide is capable of ever becoming such an one? Judge,
1 beg you, if she would not be happier with Monsieur de B ,
who makes no such fastidious scrutiny, than with me who already
have formed so severe a judgment of her.
I have at least this one consolation, that if my marriage with
her were to prove unhappy, it could not be worse than I fear. It
is equally true that matrimony is incapable of supplying greater
felicity than I hope for from our union, which I sometimes con-
template with transports. I picture Zelide pious, prudent, kind, and
tender, while retaining all her charms. I picture her giving com-
plete satisfaction to all her relations, and triumphing over those
mean and envious minds who have concluded that she can never
possibly become a good woman. Ah! Sir, if only all this could come
to pass!
2 "Covetous of the riches of others, lavish of his own" (Sallust, Catilina, V.
4; cupidus for appetens).
To Monsieur de Zuylen ( 1 6 January 1 766 ) 35 1
Listen. You know Mademoiselle, you know me, and all the
circumstances of the case. As a man of honour, I ask you to decide
for us. I have set forth all my thoughts before you in a manner
which I am confident will obtain your praise. Whatever happens,
our friendship will be maintained, and I trust you will look on this
letter as a sure token of my respect for yourself and of my attach-
ment to your family. I beg for the earliest possible reply. If jacta
est alea* and I may no longer indulge the thought of our marriage,
I beg you to return me this letter. If you are of opinion that the
alliance might be brought about, keep the letter, and, when I
pay my visit, you will give it me or allow me to take a copy of it;
for I shall always be curious to recall how I expressed myself in an
affair of this consequence.
You will forgive the tedious length of this epistle. I think I have
said everything; and I hope you will be enabled to understand
accurately my singular sentiments. I tender my best respects to
Madame de Zuylen; and I embrace my dearest friend with all my
heart. If I could be but two days with her, we should reach a satis-
factory decision. All I ask of you, Sir, is to answer me frankly. I
deserve it. And I swear to you I shall take offence at nothing you
may say. Will you confess to me if, during my absence, you have
entertained thoughts of such an alliance? When you say that "you
will be very happy to see me, quite apart from any other motive
than that of conversing with me," this "other motive" strikes me
as being precisely the question now at issue; and this, too, is the
conclusion drawn by my worthy brother-in-law, Monsieur de
Tuyll.
Ah, Sir, cherish him; treat him like a man! He has genuine
good sense of which one never tires. He believes his sister will make
an excellent wife. He believes I would make a good husband for
her. But he would make no decision for me. "I am acquainted,"
said he, "with your way of thinking, but not with your character."
Wisely said! Sir, you have in your hands an important trust. I
lean confidently upon your goodness.
3 "The die is cast."
352 To Monsieur de Zuylen (16 January 1 766 )
I ever am, dear and respectable Sir, with the most perfect
consideration and sincere cordiality, most truly yours,
BOSWELL D'AUCHINLECK.
Postscript 1 7 January. Morning
I ought perhaps to ask your pardon for the boldness of my letter;
but I thought I was doing right in painting you a precise picture
of my character, both good and bad. If you give me encouragement
to risk my happiness with my friend, I will step forward with feel-
ings of glory. If the event disprove your wisdom, there will be
nothing to be said. We shall have acted for the best. Be an impartial
judge. Do not bind a worthy Scot in the chains of a melancholy
regret. If you cannot pronounce for the probability of our happi-
ness, do not cast us together. You understand my views. The
thought of marriage affects me with fear. Nothing could make
me think of it but the unusual merits of my friend, coupled with
my heartfelt attachment to your family. My tranquillity, I should
tell you, is somewhat disturbed at this moment. I am sensible of
more agitation than a philosopher ought to experience, and all
this has come about as a result of my conversation with your son.
I await your answer with impatience. Once for all, I implore you
to take this letter in good part.
B.*
[20. Monsieur de Zuylen to Boswell. Original in French]
Utrecht, 30 January 1 766
MY DEAR SIR, I have received your letter of the 16-1 7th of
this month: it affected me exactly as you wished it to.
4 On 27 January 1766, at Paris, Boswell received a letter from Lord Auchin-
leck telling him that his mother had died on the i ith, and begging him not to
postpone his return. On receiving this letter, Boswell wrote at once to Mon-
sieur de Zuylen informing him of Lady Auchinleck's death and telling him
that he would not now be able to come to Holland. This letter has not been
recovered. It crossed one from Monsieur de Zuylen, replying to No. 19.
Boswell left Paris on 30 January, remained briefly in London, and was in
Scotland about the first of March.
From Monsieur de Zuylen (30 January 1766) 353
In the first place, I am very much pleased that you hunted up
my son at Paris, treated him with the confidence of a friend, and
made yourself known to him in your true character. Nothing is
more useful for a young man in an age and in a country where re-
laxation of morals reigns than the example of a man of birth and
intellectual distinction who remains attached to his good principles
of religion and virtue; who dares declare his position with firmness,
and conducts himself accordingly. And you did make a strong im-
pression on him. I know it from his own lips: he arrived yesterday.
I have admired the thoroughness, the ingenuity, and the energy
with which you paint for me your character, your situation, and
your project of marriage. You give me at the same time a very
strong proof of your confidence, of which I am very sensible; and
that fact itself ought to make me so much the more circumspect.
It would be necessary to compare your situation and your character
with my daughter's and decide if it is probable that you would both
be happy together. A difficult decision. But we have not yet
reached the point at which it can be faced. Monsieur de B.'s case
is not settled. The investigations which I mentioned to you into
the possibility of a marriage with him have revealed this much:
that he absolutely must have a dispensation; that he is not sure he
can get one; but that if he consents to what we demanded in our
last letter, he will proceed to try to get one. You see then that though
there certainly is no engagement, she does have a disposition to
say yes if the marriage is feasible. So I could not make your pro-
posal for that reason alone; and it was only in the case that the
other match could not take place and you still persisted in your
scheme that there would be any question of my assuming the dig-
nity of impartial arbiter which you had conferred on me and
which I consider an honour.
I rejoice to hear that your father is better, both for your own
sake and because of the respect for him which you have inspired me
with. Besides, this makes me hope to see you again. If you remain
where you are some time yet, and if you have anything to com-
municate to me of what you see, it will give me pleasure. The auto-
354 From Monsieur de Zuylen (30 January 1766)
biography in your letter, as in the preceding ones, has pleased me
a good deal. I shall preserve the letter because it richly deserves it,
and also so that you can re-read it here.
Farewell, my very dear Sir. Count always on the true esteem
and the sincere friendship of your servant,
D. L VAN TUYLL VAN SEROOSKERKEN.
[21. Lord Auchinleck to Boswell] 5
Edinburgh, 30 January 1766
UPON THE 1 1 OF THIS MONTH I wrote you the account of the
death of your excellent mother, who was no bel esprit, no wit, no
genius, but one who endeavoured to make her husband, children,
friends, and all round her happy; who lived the life of a true practi-
cal Christian, exerting herself with diligence in doing her duty
without intermission to GOD and her fellow creatures, and whose
end was peace. Her exit, which she made with the greatest satisfac-
tion, as my former particularly mentioned, has left me in a most
desolate state; and as I therein desired you might come home speed-
ily, as I needed all the aid and comfort an affectionate son can give,
I have been counting with impatience when I may expect to see you
here and flatter myself that it will be in a few days. For although I
had a letter from Dr. Pringle acquainting me of some proposals you
had bid him mention to me from Lyons, and a letter from yourself
from Paris containing another very strange proposal, I have reason,
I think, to hope that the melancholy news I wrote you would im-
mediately put an end to that fermentation, and make you think
seriously what you owe to duty, to gratitude, and to interest.
If that be so, all is well. But if contrary to expectation you shall
be unmoved, and go on in pursuit of a scheme which you in your
unstayed state are absolutely unfit for at present, and a scheme,
5 Endorsed by Boswell, "This letter arrived at Paris after I had left it, and lay
at Foley's [Boswell's banker's] until July, 1766, when I got it over to
Scotland."
From Lord Auchinleck (30 January 1766) 355
which, abstracting from that, is improper and would be ruinous
a foreigner, a bel esprit and one who even in your own opinion has
not solidity enough for this country what can you expect from
me? All that I need say further is that as I gave you a full allowance
to answer your expenses in every place you were in and you have
got all that advanced and considerably more; and as I ordered you
one hundred pounds at Paris, which was to defray your expense
the few days you stayed there and bring you over to London; if
you shall employ that money for other purposes, it is what I can-
not prevent, but I acquaint you that I am to answer no more of
your bills, either for one purpose or another. I hope there will be
no occasion for this last caveat, as I hope you will show yourself a
dutiful and affectionate son, as I have been, and wish to continue,
your affectionate father,
ALEXR. BOSWEL.*
[22. Willem de Tuyll to Boswell. Original in French]
Utrecht, 11 November 1766
I TAKE TOO MUCH PLEASURE, SIR, in receiving a mark of friend-
ship and remembrance from a friend not to reply promptly. I re-
ceived your letter this instant and have hardly finished reading it.
I congratulate you with all my heart on the state of mind which
you now enjoy. It delights me to re-read your remark, "I think I
shall be able to pass through this life tolerably well." The hope is a
sure guarantee of it.
You speak of your long silence. It is very easy to make peace
with me on that score: one letter puts all to rights. Letters are one of
the pleasures of friendship, but they are not its essential feature.
After a long silence say only, "I have often thought of my friend,"
6 1 here omit letters of condolence from Monsieur de Zuylen and his eldest
son, Willem: they are both very friendly but say about what one would ex-
pect. I have ventured, however, to include nearly the whole of a letter from
Willem de Tuyll written nearly a year later. He was then about twenty-three.
356 From Willem de Tuyll ( 1 1 November 1 766 )
and I shall hold you released from the debt of all that you could
have said to me in the interval. But I fear that this rule does not
augur well for the future. Remember then, Sir, I beg you, that it is
to be invoked only with reference to the past.
You mention what I told you at Paris concerning my father.
You guessed the truth as accurately as any mortal could. We are, I
believe, as well with each other as it is possible to be. I profit as
much as I can from his knowledge. I did not know him well until
after my return. I wish I could have retained all his instructive
conversations in my memory; they are very instructive indeed.
My sister is nearer you than you imagine: she is in London.
She went there almost a month ago. My brother accompanied
her there and left her, having business here. He has been promoted
and is now commanding a vessel. 7 He is thinking of marrying, and
has asked the hand of Mademoiselle de Reede, sister to Lord
Athlone. She has not refused him, but she absolutely insists that he
quit the Service, having invincible prejudices against it. That puts
my brother in a serious quandary. My father would be displeased if
he left the Service. He is very much torn this way and that. I do
not know yet how it will come out.
But before going further, I ought to warn you, Sir, that today
is the 4th of December. I was obliged to break off our conversation
of the i ith of November, and I have been unable to resume it until
today. I have spent a great deal of time hunting. 8 Now that the
hunting season is over, I am entirely at the service of my friends,
and I have no regrets for the forests. How far we are from each
other! I marvel how our ideas brave the elements, leap over seas
7 "Commandeur de Vaisseau." I do not know what this is technically; hardly,
I should suppose, "Captain." Diederik van Tuyll was at this time about
twenty-two.
8 "Willem ... is always hunting, provided he is not ill from having hunted
too much" (Belle de Zuylen to Constant d'Hermenches, 2 November 1769).
Godet reproduces a handsome full-length portrait of Willem in hunting cos-
tume, holding a gun, a heap of dead game at his feet (Madame de Charriere
eises amis, 1.65).
From Willem de Tuyll (4 December 1 766) 357
and mountains, and arrive in each other's presence without having
lost anything in so strange a journey 9
I am better than I was in Paris, much better. I had to confess
my illness to my father. You saw the beginning of it in Paris. I have
been obliged to undergo heroic treatment. I was very ill. I was
always hoping to cure myself without going that length, but I
grew worse daily. I thought of you when my mother and my sister
were near my bed, pitying me and little suspecting the cause of
my sufferings. I was much impressed by the way in which my
father conducted himself in that affair: not a word of reproach,
not a moment of ill humour, always giving the best advice and
managing my confidential concerns- without entering into them
except indirectly. For a long time I was uneasy about my condition.
I took the cure at Aix-la-Chapelle, but I did not meet good doctors.
I consulted far and wide: Monsieur Tissot of Switzerland and
another Dr. Tissot here. For a long time I thought I was not going
to be cured, but finally I was. And I am better in mind and in body.
What more can I say that will interest you? I am sitting at the
moment with my father and mother; the one is writing and the
other is working. I have carried on long conversations with my
father. I spend a great deal of time in the company of both of them.
I read Hume's History in French to my mother. I should be happy
if I did not have an imagination that runs about the fields without
asking my permission. But every one must seek his own amuse-
ments.
I have not given up hope of seeing you one day in your own
country. It is one of the countries where it pleases me to let my
ideas wander. But I am not yet there for all that: I am farther
from Scotland at Utrecht than I was in Paris or in Switzerland.
Adieu, Sir; continue to be happy, and let me hear sometimes of
your happiness; it will, contribute to mine. Your old friends at
Utrecht are well. The Dom is still the most venerable, the most
9 A paragraph dealing with the quarrel between Rousseau and Hume is
omitted.
358 From Willem de Tuyll (4 December 1 766)
melancholy, and the most vaunting of all possible buildings; I
forgot to say the most Gothic, which would have been to say every-
thing in one word. Mr. Brown and his household are also very well.
I say very well in general, but I am wrong. Mr. Brown is often
badly indisposed and his health is precarious. He is indeed a most
estimable man. Monsieur de Guiffardiere is asking to be third
minister with Messieurs Rambonnet and Huet. 1 Do you know
those wearisome and mournful personages? Their church is no
longer anything but a church-yard, I mean a cemetery. 2
[23. The Reverend Robert Brown to Boswell]
Utrecht, 27 January 1767
DEAR SIR: Yours of the 5th of January I received last post,
and from it understand you have not had my last dated about three
months ago. 'Twas wrong in me not to have sent it by the post, at
least not to have wrote you by that conveyance soon after; for my
letter was rather a volume than a missive, and concluded with a
long shred of an old sermon. I sent it, with several others, in a box
to a friend, who I suppose was gone for America before the box
arrived; for by what I find, not one of my letters have been for-
warded.
I'm extremely sorry for this, because it has put you in pain
with respect to your books, papers, &c., which are all very safe and
entire at this present moment, being still in my hands. The death
of my worthy friend Mr. James Craufurd at Rotterdam having for
some time (viz., till his son was settled) deprived me of the oppor-
tunities I formerly had, and now again have, of getting things
sent to Scotland by shipmasters to be absolutely depended on, I
thought 'twas better to delay sending your papers for some time
after I was favoured with yours. Last autumn I fell into a lingering
distemper which held me for some months and disabled me from
thinking of anything but my daily and necessary occupations,
1 In what Boswell calls "the French Meeting."
8 "Church-yard" is in English. There is no signature, but the sheet is full,
From the Reverend Robert Brown ( 2 7 January 1767) 359
which are at present very numerous. On my recovery I wrote you
the letter above alluded to, in which I informed you that I would
keep the papers till the spring, unless some sure hand should cast
up sooner for carrying them over. Such an opportunity now
actually offers. A son of Mr. Kinloch of Gilmerton 3 who has lived
with me these two winters past is recalled to join his regiment; sets
out tomorrow, and takes your papers in his cloakbag, together
with a letter from you to Mr. de Zuylen, which he delivered me
some time ago, to transmit to you. 4 As I could never expect to find
a fitter occasion than this, unless I had delayed till July when I
might have been the bearer myself, I embraced it with pleasure;
and I hope all will arrive safe and to your satisfaction. 5
As for the books, as soon as ever our canals are again open, I
shall send them to Rotterdam to be forwarded by the first ship for
Leith. Johnson's Dictionary will not, probably, be of the number;
for Miss de Zuylen having some time ago applied to me for it, I
made no scruple to let her have it, as knowing the proprietor would
willingly homologate the deed. If that fair lady is returned before
the books are sent off, it shall be sent likewise; if not, when she
3 Lieutenant Archibald Kinloch, Mrs. Brown's first cousin. He later suc-
ceeded to the Kinloch baronetcy.
* No. 19. Boswell, it will be remembered, had asked to have this letter back:
immediately if Monsieur de Zuylen considered his suit unwise or hopeless,
ultimately in any case.
5 Lieutenant Kinloch did not carry the papers beyond London, and I have
found no certain evidence that he even brought them from Holland himself.
The parcel was sent down from London to a Mr. Gall, banker in Edinburgh,
in the private chaise of a Mr. Tod, merchant in London, by a Mr. Henderson,
who asked that great care be taken of it because it had been particularly
recommended to him by a friend in Holland. BoswelPs brother David got it
from Mr, Gall and forwarded it to Auchinleck. When Boswell opened it, he
found the entire Dutch journal missing. He wrote letters to Brown and to
Lieutenant Kinloch' s father and asked David to institute inquiries, but the
journal was never recovered. The present state of the evidence indicates that
it was lost somewhere between Utrecht and London, but Boswell seems not to
have been able to free himself completely of a suspicion that through Brown's
carelessness it had been mislaid or destroyed before the parcel was made up.
360 From the Reverend Robert Brown (27 January \ 767)
does return. There is no getting at present all the Latin Gazettes
of Cologne for the year 1763; but the editor has promised to send
me by the first occasion what of them he has already been able
to pick up, and to continue to do his best to get the remainder.
Those of 1766 I shall have by the first opportunity, and shall send
you with the books.
The old fencing master was sensibly touched with your re-
membrance of him, but died suddenly soon after I communicated
the contents of your letter relative to him, so that I had no occasion
of making him the present you mentioned; and indeed he stood
in no need of it.
And where then, you'll ask me, is Miss de Zuylen gone to? Had
you received my letter, you would have known that she has been in
London these three months past. She is much pleased with the
British capital, and as you will easily believe, much admired there.
She's lodged at Lieutenant-General Eliott's. 6 Won't you think of
making a trip to see her on your own side the water? Not a
word more of the Marquis de Bellegarde. Mr. de Zuylen and his
lady are perfectly well, and seem to remember you with particular
regard. Mr. de Tuyll, the eldest son, is as you know returned long
ago. The second, who is lately advanced in the Navy, is here also
at present. Both very pretty ytiung gentlemen. The third is at his
regiment.
My family is indeed much more numerous than when you left
us, but they are not of my begetting. I have had a house full of
Dutch and English boarders, who have given me enough to do,
6 Later Lord Heathfield, defender of Gibraltar, subject of one of Sir Joshua
Reynolds's finest portraits. He and his lady had met Belle at Utrecht and had
been so much taken with her that they had invited her to pay them an
extended visit in London. General Eliott had received part of his education
at Leyden. -Boswell wrote to Temple on 4 March: "Zlide has been in London
this winter. I never hear from her. She is a strange creature. Sir John Pringle
attended her as a physician. He wrote to my father, 'She has too much vivac-
ity. She talks of your son without either resentment or attachment.' Her
brothers and I correspond. But I am well rid of her" (Letters of James Boswell,
ed.C.B. Tinker, 1.104).
From the Reverend Robert Brown ( 2 7 January 1767) 361
though all very good lads. Their number is at present diminished,
which I am not sorry for, as we had rather too many. As for off-
spring, the child at whose birth you was present, has, thank GOD!
been hitherto preserved with us; and she is still all our stock. Mrs.
Brown and her sister desire their best compliments, always re-
membering Mr. Boswell in a very cordial manner, as do all your
acquaintances here; hoping to have the pleasure of seeing you here
again some time or other. Mrs. Geelvinck, the handsome rich
widow of Amsterdam and the great companion of Miss de Zuylen,
is to be married next month to the Marquis de Chatelaine, a noble-
man of Lorraine, Chamberlain to Prince Charles, a widower with
three children, and as you can well conceive, Roman Catholic.
This marriage has astonished all the world. 7
I had almost forgot to tell you that your obligation to Mr. Peter-
son, duly discharged, is in my hands, and shall be sent by Mr.
Kinloch.
My paper is at an end, and I don't choose to make you pay
double postage; therefore conclude with subscribing myself, with
sincere regard, dear Sir, your most affectionate, obliged, humble
servant,
ROBERT BROWN.
P.S. I hope to have the pleasure of paying you my respects in
Scotland in July next. Mr. Wishart, who is still with me, sets out
7 La Veuve was in fact married by April of this year to Frangois Gabriel
Joseph, Marquis du Chasteler et de Courcelles. Belle had a low opinion of him:
"I should very much like to go to Paris. If Madame Geelvinck had not married
a ridiculous and despotic fool, we could have gone there together . . . They
tell a thousand ridiculous stories of this husband and this marriage. It is
said that he took no pains to conceal his interest [in her fortune]; stupidity
rather than frankness causes him to publish his thousand failings in absurd
behaviour and absurd speech. I am very sorry that my friend did not profit
by the warnings which he gave her himself from morning to night. If he
had given me the tenth part of them, I would have broken with him, even in
the church, in the midst of the marriage service" (Lettres a Constant d'Her-
menches, 1909, p. 310). La Veuve was married for the third time in 1790, to
Count von Schlitz, and died in 1792.
362 From the Reverend Robert Brown (27 January 1767)
from here in June to return by the way of Paris; and if nothing
falls out to prevent it, I propose to accompany him. 8
[24. Brown to Boswell]
Utrecht, 22 October 1767
DEAR SIR: Honest Frangois, as you term him, arrived safe,
and with him your letter, for which receive my thanks. 9 I had a
very agreeable journey home, not without some adventures really
amusing; and to crown all found my dear concerns here in perfect
health. I can hardly say that this is my own case at present. My
stomatical complaints are indeed much abated; but the weakness
I have had ever since last winter in my left side, and particularly
in the thigh and leg, seems to increase daily. Patience, patience is
my only resource. I am already reduced to walk, not only with,
but upon a stick, as we say in our part of the world, and shall be
very happy if I can keep at this pass; being afraid I shall be obliged
ere long to cause myself be hurled about in a wheelbarrow. But
of this enough.
Your books are certainly arrived at Leith several weeks ago.
They are in a small chest, and were addressed to Mr. Gilbert
Mason at Leith, or to Mr. Alexander Ogilvy of the Ropework.
The reason of this alternative, which will appear strange to you,
is that a chest of books belonging to Mr. Wishart was sent at the
same time with yours, addressed to Mr. Ogilvy, and I am not cer-
tain but Mr. Craufurd sent both to the same hand. Please therefore
to cause make inquiry at both these gentlemen; nay, the shortest
way will perhaps be to inquire at the Custom-house, where very
likely the chests may still be lying. If they are, please make the
smallest be broke open, and take out your own books, which are at
the top, and distinguished from the others by a stratum of brown
8 Brown did make his trip to Scotland. On his return to Utrecht in September
or October, 1767, he carried with him a letter from Boswell to Belle proposing
a renewal of correspondence. This has not been recovered.
9 Francois Mazerac, Boswell's former servant, had been in Scotland. I have
not as yet discovered the circumstances.
From the Reverend Robert Brown (22 October 1767) 363
paper. Those below are for my brother at St. Andrews. Mr. Ogilvy,
I hope, will be so good as either forward them by the St. Andrews
carrier, or give them house room till called for. All expenses will be
refunded by my brother, whom I have already advised on that
head. Of your books, you will find wanting Johnson's Dictionary,
which I lent with your approbation to Miss de Zuylen and could
not get back before the others were sent to Rotterdam, which was
in May last; Salmon's Geographical Grammar and Tooke's Pan-
theon, which not being to be had here, I made free to keep for the
use of a young gentleman who lives with me, and shall give orders
that they be immediately furnished you, for my account at Edin-
burgh; U Anglais a Bordeaux was claimed by Mr. Wishart as his
property, and as such seized upon by his two claws. If in this the
Laird of Carsboddie was badly founded, you are a man of law, and
a man of weight in the Parliament House, and so can bring him to
account. But please remember that if you call me over to give evi-
dence, you must bear my charges; and I can neither walk afoot nor
ride ahorseback. Le Comte de Warwick I myself lost, and there-
fore in the place of it send Tancrede.
You'll find a copy of the Letters I foolishly published concern-
ing Geneva, according to the third and last edition, bound. This
volume contains several other pieces than those you have seen.
Should any of your acquaintances who read French have the curi-
osity to desire to look into these Letters, &c., please indulge them
with a loan of the book. Had I weighed all circumstances as ma-
turely as I might have done, I would not have been the midwife of
this performance; however there's certainly a number of very
good things in it, and things that ought to be known. I sent a parcel
of Cologne Gazettes in the chest. Those for the year 1763 'twas
impossible to find; but my correspondent has promised to lose no
opportunity of procuring them. Your orders shall be strictly fol-
lowed with regard to these papers, as also to whatever pieces this
country affords relative to Corsica. I have wrote to an intelligent
and active bookseller at Amsterdam to make a collection of all such
tracts, which he has promised to do. For the future I shall send
364 from the Reverend Robert Brown (22 October 1767)
whatever I have to transmit to you to your friend Mr. Stewart at
Rotterdam, who I dare say will take particular care of it.
I made the strictest inquiry everywhere concerning the packet
of papers lost by Captain Kinloch, but all to no purpose. I hope he
will be able to recollect something about it himself, otherwise shall
begin to fear it gone for ever. Tis extremely unlucky that I had
not kept these things still a few months longer, and carried them
over myself; but when Mr. Kinloch left Utrecht, I had very little
view of being in Scotland last summer. . . .*
You flatter me with the hopes of seeing you here next summer.
A visit from you will, I dare say, be highly acceptable to more of
your acquaintances at Utrecht than those of my family. You must
have received a letter lately from a very fair hand, in answer to one
you sent by me; in which you will remember you propose and desire
a renewal of correspondence. Such matters are too delicate for me
to meddle in; however, without meddling, I believe one might
say (in his private judgment) that a correspondence between you,
and a very close one too, might be abundantly suitable to both
parties. Should you push the question farther, and ask if it would
be agreeable to the party on this side the water, I could make no
answer but from pure conjecture. "And what, then, are your con-
jectures?" perhaps you'll ask. Why, Sir, maids, you know, are shy;
and I have been so long out of the practice of unravelling female
hearts (for, thanks to Providence! my wife whose heart is the only
one I give a fig for, is as sincere as her infant offspring) that I
may be mistaken; but if I am not egregiously so, the lady in ques-
tion would be sufficiently disposed to follow good advice on the
occasion. What mean else those particular and impatient inquiries
concerning Mr. B ? Scotland is certainly a country, which,
according to the description of it, and what one sees of the Scotch
who come abroad, one might live much more a son gre 2 than in
England; and Edinburgh by all accounts abounds with polite,
1 A paragraph dealing with the Douglas Cause is omitted.
8 "To one's liking." Brown's which is written over another word, perhaps the
where that the sense demands.
From the Reverend Robert Brown (22 October 1767) 365
clever, sensible people. A Scotch gentleman of character and for-
tune is greatly preferable to half a score of Savoyard marquises,
German counts, or Jutland barons. Sed satis superque dixi; nani
verbum sapienti sat est?
Shall I beg the favour of you to offer my compliments to my
worthy friend Mr. Constable when you meet him in the Parliament
House with his load of homings, 4 adjudications, and subpoenas
under his arm? I intend to write him next week, if possible, desir-
ing among other things that he will take the trouble of sending
me by the first Leith ship for Rotterdam a ban el of Bell's best ale,
which of all the good creatures that have entered my poor stomach
these six months past, is, T think, the most comforting and delec-
table. In case an opportunity should cast up before I write him, I
beg hell be so good as dispatch it without further advice. Mr. Con-
stable is one of the worthiest men I know, and I have reason to
think very capable in his business. If it should fall in your way to
wish him to a good fat cause now and then, your doing so would
be extremely obliging to me.
We talk of nothing here at present but the grand parade we are
to make next Friday, on occasion of the Prince's return with his
royal consort. 5 Oh, what fine doings there are to be at The Hague!
When we Dutchmen take it into our heads to cut a figure, I can
assure you we cut a long one and a large one and a broad one. The
Princess is extremely well spoke of; and the Prince they say is
passionately fond of her, which I pray GOD may continue to then-
latest breath.
Mrs. Brown and her sister join me in the very kindest compli-
ments to you. We often remember and speak of you with pleasure.
3 "But I have said enough and more than enough, for to a wise man a word is
sufficient." Boswell wrote to Temple on 8 November: "Do you know I had
a letter from Zelide the other day, written in English, and showing that an
old flame is easily rekindled. But you will not hear of her" (Letters of James
Boswell, ed. C. B. Tinker, i. 136). Belle's letter has not been recovered.
4 Executions charging a debtor to pay under penalties.
5 The young Stadtholder, William V, had married the Princess Wilhelmina
of Prussia.
366 From the Reverend Robert Brown (22 October 1767)
I long much to see your History of Corsica. 'Twill make its
way here, I suppose, early in the spring. I propose to engage Miss
de Z to translate it. What do you think of this project? I
shall not fail to send you all the journals where mention is made
of it; nor do I doubt but they will all concur in commending it to
the public.
Shall I beg my most respectful compliments to my Lord
your father? Believe me ever, with the truest regard, dear Sir,
your most faithful, humble servant,
ROBERT BROWN.
[25. Brown to Boswell]
Utrecht, 15 January 1768
DEAR SIR: Having had no return to the epistle I did myself
the honour to endite to you some considerable time ago, I ought
not by rights to trouble you with a second; however, be it by
rights or by wrongs, I'm resolved to do it. . . . 6
As I am informed Captain Kinloch has been at home for some
time past, I make no doubt but you have seen him, and that he has
himself explained to you the channel by which he forwarded your
papers from London, so that by his information you have recovered
what was lost, to be assured of which will give me great pleasure.
I hope too you received your books. It gave me pain that there
was so much confusion in the way of sending them, but this I
could not possibly foresee; for had not one chest been mistaken for
another, they must have arrived in Scotland before me, which
I had in view, and in that case I would have set all to rights in
a moment.
Your acquaintances here still very kindly remember you, and
are happy in the small glimmering of hope I have given them that
you will favour us with a visit next summer; particularly the
family De Zuylen, who are all in perfect health. Apropos to these
6 A long section is omitted dealing with a study of the Douglas Cause by the
Reverend Dr. Richardson, of The Hague.
From the Reverend Robert Brown ( 1 5 January 1 768 ) 367
good people, you are a letter, if I mistake not, in the young lady's
debt. How is this to be answered for or excused? When I was as
young a man as you, I assure you I was more punctual; and yet
must acknowledge my female correspondents were not equal to
yours. 7 The lady in question honoured us last Sunday evening with
her company at supper. We talked much of you. She had had pretty
late accounts of you from one Mr. Bentinck, who passed some time
lately at Edinburgh and lodged over head of you.
Our town is rather gayer this winter than usual. The Laird of
Newbyth, a young East Lothian, recommended to Mr. de Zuylen,
has his own share in these amusements. He lodges with me. If you
are acquainted with any of his relations, you may assure them
freely from me that the young gentleman is doing superlatively
well here. Mrs. Brown, who is now happily recovered of an illness
I thought last week should have cost her her life, joins her sister
and me in best compliments. I am with great truth, Sir, your most
obedient and faithful servant,
R. BROWN.
P.S. Shall I beg my compliments to Lord Auchinleck and your
uncle, the Doctor?
[26. Belle de Zuylen to Boswell. Original in French] 8
Utrecht, 1 6 February 1 768
WHAT SHALL I SAY TO YOU, MY FRIEND? Ought I to congratulate
you or to send you condolences? Everything you tell me is so un-
certain that I do not know which impression to fasten on. "You
think seriously of marriage a fine girl an heiress an admira-
ble wife for you but she does not like you but she likes nobody
else but you hear a report but you hope it is not true" 9
7 Boswell had anticipated Brown's advice. On 10 January he had written
to Belle making an outright profession of love, but still leaving room for
retreat. The letter has riot been recovered, but its contents at o pietty well can-
vassed by Belle's reply, which follows.
8 The French original of this letter is printed below, p. 397
5 The quoted phrases are in English in the original.
368 From Belle de Zuylen ( i 6 February 1 768 )
I wish for you everything that you wish yourself, but it would be
rash to conclude anything from what you have written. The fact
is you do not love conclusions; you love problems which can never
be solved. The debate you have been conducting for so long con-
cerning our fate if we were married is the proof of this taste of
yours. I leave it to you to ponder, my dear Boswell. Aside from the
fact that I am not clever enough to decide it, I take little pleasure
in discussing so idle a question. I do not know your Scotland. On
the map it appears to me a little out of the world. You call it "a sober
country." 1 1 have seen it produce decidedly despotic husbands and
humble, simple wives who blushed and looked at their lords before
opening their mouths. That is all I know about it, and with so little
to go on one can decide nothing. But why should I decide? The
problem must remain as it is, and I leave it to you for your amuse-
ment.
Allow me to remark that you certainly take your time for every-
thing. You waited to fall in love with me until you were in the
island of Corsica; and to tell me so, you waited until you were
in love with another woman and had spoken to her of marriage.
That, I repeat, that is certainly to take one's time. As for the ques-
tion how we would do together? that came into your mind at
Zuylen, it accompanied you in your travels, and it has been pre-
senting itself in season and out of season ever since. A strictly
sensible person who read our letters would perhaps not find you too
rational, but, as for me, I do not wish to put my friend under con-
straint. Everything his singularity prompts him to tell me shall be
well received. Imagination is so mad a thing that when one permits
one's self to say all it has suggested, one necessarily says foolish
things, and what harm is there in that? I see none. I read your
belated endearments with pleasure, with a smile.
Well! So you once loved me! I wish you all the more success
and happiness in the choice your heart makes at present. It seems to
me that you interest me and belong to me a little more because of
that than if you had always been my cold and philosophic friend.
1 Quoted words in English. 2 Italicized words in English.
From Belle de Zuylen ( 1 6 February 1768) 369
Let us speak of your works. I shall be charmed to translate your
Account of Corsica, but you will have to send it to me first. Add to
it The Essence of the Douglas Cause. I have as yet read nothing on
that subject. I am to receive from London a publication of yours the
title of which I have heard given as Appeal to all the People. I shall
be glad to be able to give my own judgment on so famous and
interesting a cause.
You plead very well the cause of marriage, but I could turn
all your arguments in favour of celibacy. I have fortune enough
so that I do not need a husband's; I have a sufficiently happy cast
of mind and enough mental resources to be able to dispense with a
husband, with a family, and what is called an establishment. I
therefore make no vows, I take no resolutions; I let the days come
and go, deciding always for the better among the things which
Fate presents to me with some power of choice. I should be glad if
time in its flow might carry away my thousand little faults of
humour and character which I recognize and deplore. Often my
progress does not come up to my good intentions.
You ask what my life is like. To answer you, I look about me.
My room is pretty; people like to come there. My brother is chat-
ting near me with Mr. Baird, a young Scotsman who lives with Mr.
Brown. I have good books and I read little, but when I do read, it
is the best things in all the genres and it is with a pleasure that
makes me forget in turn my toilet and my tasks. I constantly forget
the time, I write to my friends. I read this morning one of Clarke's
sermons with Mr. Cudgil or de Horn, an exiled Englishman, who
listens severely and corrects from time to time the pronunciation
of a word or a syllable. Four times a week in the evening I go with
my brothers to Monsieur Hahn's, who explains and demonstrates
to us electrical fire and ordinary fire, and we learn about all of
Nature that she permits us to know. That amuses me exceedingly.
We have balls where I dance without much pleasure, because I
do not have a lover. We have great assemblies: I learn to play cards.
One needs a lover if one is to like dancing, one does not need a lover
to like gaming.
37O From Belle de Zuylen ( 1 6 February 1 768 )
Farewell, my friend, I am going to Mr. Brown's. We shall speak
of you. He sends you many friendly regards. His wife and sister are
amiable and good, his daughter is pretty as an angel. I am always
well received by them all, and love them all. Depend on the
sincere and faithful friendship of your most devoted
I. A. E. VAN TUYLL VAN SfiROOSKERKEN.
[27. Boswell to Belle de Zuylen] 3
Edinburgh, 26 February 1768
MY DEAR FRIEND, I had yesterday the pleasure of a charming
letter from you, which shows me myself better than all the little
philosophy which I have can do. You know me intimately, and I
am sure whatever favour you show to me does not proceed from
any mistake, as my faults have not escaped your penetration. But
then the same genius which can discern my faults can also discern
my good qualities, so that upon the whole I am happy in such a
correspondent
You rally me with inimitable pleasantry on my singular and
fanciful conduct. But for all that I am not to blame. When I bid
you adieu at Zuylen, I was really a stoical friend. I had then been
for many months oppressed with melancholy, in short a very hypo-
chondriac. I was still a slave to form and to system, and when all
the circumstances of my situation are considered, was I to blame
in imagining that I did not love you, and in putting on such airs
of coldness? You would have regretted your friend had you known
the truth. You would have seen that he acted with a kind of silent
heroism, and who knows but you might have delivered him from
all his distress and rendered him happy at once? I used to think,
how can so wretched a being as I ever propose to a fine woman
to pass her days with me? She will see me gloomy and discon-
tented, and her charms will be lost
8 In English.
To Belle de Zuylen ( 26 February 1 768 ) 371
And yet, will you believe it, my amiable friend? I have had
moments of felicity when I almost adored you and wished to throw
myself at your feet. But before I could have time to write to you,
the evil spirit again darkened my soul, and I saw that I need not
hope for any permanent comfort. In this disconsolate state I pur-
sued my travels, the variety of which amused my melancholy
thoughts and gave me by degrees more relief and cheerfulness
than I ever expected. I need not tell you again that, notwithstand-
ing of that faith which I have ever preserved, my passions hurried
me into many licentious scenes. Dare I own that perhaps these
contributed in some measure towards the cure of my sickly mind?
At Paris I told your brother how much I admired you, and I wrote a
long letter to your father asking his candid advice if I should pro-
pose marriage to you. But the Marquis de was then in the
field. The death of my dear mother made me return to Britain
without seeing you as I intended. I spoke of you to Sir John
Pringle; I spoke of you to my father. They both were against my
marrying a foreign lady and a bel esprit. Still, however, I admired
you, though I could not think of having you for my wife. You came
over to London, and Sir John Pringle admired you, but thought
you had too much vivacity for being the spouse of a Scotch lawyer
or sober country gentleman.
In the mean time, I supposed that I was quite indifferent to
you. My mind became more composed and firm as I applied to the
duties of my employment. I began to think of marriage in a ra-
tional way. Mr. Brown came to Scotland, and he talked to me of
Mademoiselle de Zuylen till I began to exclaim against myself
for neglecting any possibility of obtaining so superior a lady. But
the safe and rational plan of taking a good home-bred heiress, with
health and common sense instead of genius and accomplishments,
swayed me much; yet I examined my heart, and I saw I could not
possibly live with a woman who seemed indifferent. I therefore
resolved to have some certainty that the Heiress really liked me.
While I waited for certainty, up came a Knight, and being a very
3/2 To Belle de Zuylen (26 February 1 768 )
pretty man with a handsome fortune, he was a good match for the
Heiress; he asked her, and she accepted of him, while I comforted
myself on having lost a woman who, though an excellent girl,
proved to be not what I wished. 4
I am therefore a free man, and you cannot again tell me, "You
certainly take your time." To be plain with you, my dear friend,
I want your advice. I am now, I think, a very agreeable man to
those who know my merit and excuse my faults. Whether do you
think that you and I shall live happier: as distant correspondents,
or as partners for life? Friends we shall always be at any rate.
But I think it is worth our while to consider in what manner we
may have the greatest share of felicity. If you say at once it would
be a bad scheme for us to marry, your judgment shall be a rule
to me. If you say that the scheme appears rather favourable for us,
let us consider it in all lights, and contrive how we could possibly
make the old people on each side of the water agree to it. If after
all it cannot be, there will be no harm done.
My Account of Corsica will be with you very soon. The Essence
of the Douglas Cause and the Appeal to the People are the same.
Adieu, my dear, lively, amiable friend. I am much yours,
JAMES BOSWELL.
[EDITORIAL NOTE: At least six more letters, three by Belle and
three by Boswell, appear to have followed within the next few
months. None of them has come to light, but we know the nature
of their contents, and can even recover a few sentences from them,
from BoswelTs diary and his reports to Temple. The pertinent
passages follow.] 5
(To Temple, 24 March 1 768) "Do you know, my charming
Dutchwoman and I have renewed our correspondence; and upon
4 "The Heiress" was Miss Catherine Blair of Adamtown, a ward of Lord
Auchinleck's; "the Knight," Sir Alexander Gilmour. But Boswell spoke
prematurely. Miss Blair turned down Sir Alexander too, and finally married
Sir William Maxwell of Monreith.
5 The extracts from the letters to Temple are taken from The Letters of James
Boswell, ed. C. B. Tinker, 1924.
To William Johnson Temple ( 24 March 1 768) 373
my soul, Temple, I must have her. She is so sensible, so accom-
plished, and knows me so well and likes me so much, that I do not
see how I can be unhappy with her. Sir John Pringle is now for it;
and this night I write to my father begging his permission to go
over to Utrecht just now. She very properly writes that we should
meet without any engagement, and if we like an union for life,
good and well; if not, we are still to be friends. What think you of
this, Temple?"
(To Temple, 26 April 1768) ". . . I have not yet given up with
Zelide. Just after I wrote to you last, 6 1 received a letter from her,
full of good sense and of tenderness. 'My dear friend,' says she, 'it is
prejudice that has kept you so much at a distance from me. If we
meet, I am sure that prejudice will be removed.' The letter is in
English. I have sent it to my father, and have earnestly begged his
permission to go and see her. I promise upon honour not to engage
myself, but only to bring a faithful report and let him decide. Be pa-
tient, Temple. Read the enclosed letters and return them to me. Both
my father and you know Zelide only from me. May I not have
taken a prejudice, considering the melancholy of my mind while
I was at Utrecht? How do we know but she is an inestimable prize?
Surely it is worth while to go to Holland to see a fair conclusion,
one way or other, of what has hovered in my mind for years. I have
written to her and told her all my perplexity. I have put in the
plainest light what conduct I absolutely require of her, and what
my father will require. 7 1 have bid her be my wife at present 8 and
comfort me with a letter in which she shall show at once her
wisdom, her spirit, and her regard for me. You shall see it. I tell
6 That is, just after 16 April 1768, a letter of that date having intervened
between the present and the one quoted above.
7 He also laid down the law in another matter close to his heart, though he
does not think it necessary to say so to Temple. Belle, who was well along
in her translation of his Account of Corsica, had asked him if she might omit
certain passages and change others. He peremptorily forbade her to alter or
abridge.
8 "Pretend she is my wife already."
374 To William Johnson Temple (26 April 1768)
you, man, she knows me and values me as you do. After reading
the enclosed letters, I am sure you will be better disposed towards
my charming Zelide."
(Diary, 2 May 1 768) "Letter from Zelide termagant."
(To Temple, 14 May 1 768) "So you are pleased with the writ-
ings of Zelide, Ah, my friend! had you but seen the tender and
affectionate letter which she wrote to me and which I transmitted
to my father. And can you still oppose my union with her? Yes, you
can; and my dearest friend, you are much in the right. I told you
what sort of letter I last wrote to her. It was candid, fair, conscien-
tious. I told her of many difficulties. I told her my fears from her
levity and infidel notions, at the same time admiring her and hop-
ing she was altered for the better. How did she answer? Read her
letter. Could any actress at any of the theatres attack one with a
keener what is the word? not fury, something softer. The light-
ning that flashes with so much brilliance may scorch. And does not
her esprit do so? Is she not a termagant, or at least will she not be
one by the time she is forty? And she is near thirty now. Indeed,
Temple, thou reasonest well. 9 You may believe I was perfectly
brought over to your opinion by this acid epistle. I was then afraid
that my father, out of his great indulgence, might have consented
to my going to Utrecht. But I send you his answer, which is admir-
able if you make allowance for his imagining that I am not dutiful
towards him. I have written to him, l "I will take the Ghost's word
for a thousand pounds." 1 How happy am I at having a friend at
home of such wisdom and firmness. I was eager for the Guards. I
was eager for Mademoiselle. But you have happily restrained me
from both. Since, then, I have experienced your superior judgment
in the two important articles of a profession and the choice of a
wife, I shall henceforth do nothing without your advice.' Worthy
man! this will be a solace to him upon his circuit As for Zelide I
9 Quoting the famous soliloquy from Addison's Cato.
1 Hamlet, in. ii. 297, 1 suppose the point is that the Ghost was Hamlet's father.
To William Johnson Temple ( 14 May 1 768 ) 375
have written to her that we are agreed. 'My pride/ say 1, 4 and your
vanity would never agree. It would be like the scene in our bur-
lesque comedy, The Rehearsal "I am the bold thunder," cries one.
"The quick lightning I," cries another. Et voila noire menage? But
she and I will always be good correspondents." 2
[28. Brown to Boswell]
[Utrecht, c. 25 December 1 769]
DEAR SIR, I thank you very heartily for your last letter, which
is certainly extremely obliging. A variety of reasons have induced
me to put off making a return till now, of which this in particular
was one that I might not be called upon in any shape whatever
to touch upon the circumstance which occasioned the interruption
of our correspondence. That whole affair I desire to bury in obliv-
ion, assuring you only in the sincerest manner that nothing can
diminish the real regard and esteem I have all along entertained
for you, and will to my latest breath entertain, founded on that
intimate acquaintance I had the pleasure of making with you here. 3
I suppose I may now give you joy of your marriage, which I
pray GOD may be the source of every possible comfort both to you
2 They appear never to have written to each other again. Belle attributed the
breach as much to his stiffness about the Account of Corsica as to his deter-
mination to preserve the ascendancy of his sex. See p. 383.
3 The cause of this interruption of correspondence is not certainly known.
Boswell may have pressed Brown too hard in the matter of the lost journal, or
he may have rebuked him for taking Belle's part too warmly. The first con-
jecture perhaps receives some support from a passage in BoswelTs essay on
diaries in The Hypochondriack, written many years later: "I left a large
parcel of diary in Holland to be sent after me to Britain with other papers. . . .
The packages having been loosened, some of the other papers were chafed
and spoiled with water, but the diary was missing. I was sadly vexed, and
felt as if a part of my vitals had been separated from me; and all the con-
solation I received from a very good friend to whom I wrote in the most
earnest anxiety to make inquiry if it could be found anywhere, was that
he could discover no trace of it, though he had made diligent search in all
the little houses [privies] , so trifling did it appear to him."
376 From the Reverend Robert Brown (25 December 1769)
and the lady you have chosen for your partner.* I make no doubt of
your being happy (that is, as happy as a reasonable and sober-
minded man will expect to be in this world) , considering the char-
acter of your female friend and the motives which have induced
you to make this choice. I wish you as good a wife as I myself have,
and that you may be able to declare with a safe conscience at the
end of seven years, as I now do, that you can wish no greater bless-
ing to your best friend.
My family now consists of two children, a son born last June
and the girl at whose baptism you was pleased to act as joint god-
father with my Lord Marischal. She has hitherto been the most
thriving and prosperous child one could desire to see. As for her
brother, he and I are as yet but too slightly acquainted for me to say
much about him. His mother, who is at the same time his nurse, is
positive he promises great things; and I am very willing to believe
her.
Ever since my return from Britain in 1 767, my health has been
on a very sorry footing. Besides a weakness in my legs which
renders me almost lame, I am much and often afflicted with bilious
colics. I begin now to be sorry in some measure that I have rooted
myself so deeply in this place that I must never think of moving;
since the air and manner of living my character subjects me to, not-
withstanding the heretical liberties I take to myself, does not at all
agree with my constitution. There is no help for this. The interest
of the good woman and her dear babies must go before everything
else where life and a good conscience are not immediately con-
cerned.
Your history has been translated both into French and Dutch.
I am surprised you don't know this, as nothing is more natural than
that you should have a copy in both languages; which if you have
not already, I will send you. The French translation is thought to
be much preferable to the Dutch. I had the honour of paying my
4 Boswell had married his cousin Margaret Montgomerie on 25 November
1769.
From the Reverend Robert Brown (25 December 1769) 377
respects to General Paoli 5 when he passed here. He received me
with great affability; I found his conversation very sensible, and
so passed half an hour with him very agreeably; but I must be sin-
cere enough to say I discovered nothing in his countenance or be-
haviour which decisively announces the great man a'nd the hero,
or which strikes one with an enthusiastic veneration. To tell the
truth, I am become much less sensible than formerly to all trans-
ports of that or any other kind. The longer I live, the more orthodox
and the more stoical I become 6
Your old servant, Frangois Mazerac, has lived with me ever
since his return from Scotland. His sight begins now to fail to such
a degree that he is almost incapable of serving; and indeed for this
twelvemonth past I have had very little use of him, though I have
kept him at the rate of five guilders per week. He is desirous of re-
turning either into Germany or Switzerland, where he will be at no
loss to find a farmer who will find him in everything for eight
pounds sterling a year. By next autumn he will be able to bring
together ninety pounds sterling in all; and till next autumn I will
keep him on the same footing as hitherto. He tells me that you was
so good as once mention to him that you would be glad to do some-
thing for him, when or in case age or infirmity should incapacitate
him for further service; and he has asked me to mention this to you,
not as if he had acquired any claim to your assistance, but only to
make his situation known. I have thought that perhaps, on the sup-
position of your being willing to interest yourself in behalf of this
poor man, you might be prevailed upon to take his 90 and give
him an annuity of ten per cent upon it during his life. This money,
I suppose, you could lay out at five per cent interest; so that, was
Frangois to live twenty years after next September, you should be
6 The General of the Corsicans and hero of Boswell's Account . The French
had finally conquered his country, and he was on his way to England, which
had offered him honourable asylum.
6 A paragraph dealing with Dr. Richardson's labours in the Douglas Cause is
omitted.
378 From the Reverend Robert Brown (25 December 1769)
no loser. Besides this, he has nothing to propose; but would your
Honour generously and charitably agree to supply him with a
trifle annually (not inclining to enter with him into the contract
above supposed), he will very devoutly pray for the prosperity of
your Honour and your Honour's wife and your Honour's gentle
bairns as long as he continues in the land of the living. This, my
dear Sir, is what I could not refuse to lay before you, at the desire of
the poor man; but I beg you will not imagine I mean to importune
you in his favours. If you think proper to supply him with a guinea
now and then, I will consider it as extremely good in you; if you
think you are not called to any exercise of charity towards this
particular object, I will not pretend to say you are.
Miss de Zuylen ever since the death of her mother has kept still
more at home than before. 7 She has not been well of late, so that I
have seen her but seldom for several weeks past. The last time how-
ever I had that pleasure, she desired me to make her best compli-
ments to Mr. Boswell the first .time I wrote him, and to wish him
joy of his marriage in her name I had almost said stead. The sec-
ond brother, threatening a consumption, is gone to spend the winter
at Montauban. The youngest is just returned from Germany. . . . 8
I am, with great regard, dear Sir, your most affectionate hum-
ble servant,
R. BROWN.
[EDITORIAL NOTE: The reader who has immersed himself for
long in the enormous subjectivism of Bos well's records feels
strongly the need of some external ground of reference, of a can-
did evaluation by some one who knew Boswell well but who was
not writing or speaking to Boswell himself. It would be hard to
imagine better testimonies than the casual characterizations which
occur in the clandestine correspondence between Belle de Zuylen
7 Madame de Zuylen died following inoculation for the smallpox in Decem-
ber, 1768. She was only forty-four years old, having been married at the
age of fifteen.
8 The remainder of the letter deals with Brown's attempts to secure Corsican
materials for Boswell, and gives a precis of the literary news of the Continent.
Belle de Zuylen to Constant d'Hermenches 379
and Constant d'Hermenches. There is no reason whatever to sus-
pect them of not being perfectly candid and outspoken. Belle was
always frank (even maligne) in discussing her friends, and D'Her-
menches did not know Boswell well enough to have an opinion of
him one way or the other. The following extracts are all translated
from Lettres de Belle de Zuylen (Madame de Charriere) a Con-
stant d'Hermenches, edited by Philippe Godet, 1909.]
"When I go to the Assembly, I chat and play with a young
Scotsman, full of good sense, wit, and naivete" (February or
March, 1764).
"Boswell saw you an instant at Madame de Maasdam's, and in
that instant you were being very witty. I think I once told you
about him. He is a very good friend of mine and much esteemed by
my father and mother, so that he is always well received when he
comes to see me. He came often while I was ill, and was so surprised
to find me always in good humour that he almost scolded me for it;
it seemed to him almost queer and out of place" (27 May 1 764) .
"I am waiting impatiently for Boswell in order to hear what
you two said to each other. He told me the other day that although
I was a charming creature, he would not marry me if I had the
Seven United Provinces for my dowry; I agreed heartily" (8 June
1764).
"Mr. Boswell asked me for a letter of introduction to Voltaire,
and I sent it to him. He told me he was going to see you that very-
day; I envied him greatly. Since then he has given no sign of life"
(D'Hermenches, 12 June 1764).
"If Boswell did not write to you, it was not because he was not
delighted with you and your letter; he showed it to me. May I be
vain enough to recall word for word the compliment you paid me
in it, a compliment that was very pleasing in spite of its exaggera-
tion: *I am told that Mademoiselle de Zuylen writes as well as
Voltaire,' &c t That 1 am told' seemed to me pretty, delicate; but
380 Belle de Zuylen to Constant d'Hermenches
discreet? Hardly. If there had been no mystery in the matter, you
would have made none, but would have based your judgment on
Le Noble, the Portraits. But never mind, that 4 I am told' pleases me
greatly. Boswell left three weeks ago. He lectured me to the very
end on morality, religion, and friendship. He is so good a man that
he looks odd in this perverse age" (c. 9 July 1 764) .
"Am I not the unluckiest of beings? I was terribly in need of
sleep and I thought I should sleep soundly; I complained of being
sleepy and hurried through supper, but I found in my room an
English letter from Boswell seventeen pages long: I read it, I went
to bed. The seventeen thousand thoughts of my friend Boswell, a
dim recollection of Monsieur d'Hermenches, what the Marquis
said, and some English people all that revolved in my head with
such violence that I have not been able to stay in bed more than a
quarter of an hour. Here I am, pen in hand; my pen will move at
the command of a distracted brain. Don't expect what you read to
be rational, don't think that I write to please you. I write because
I cannot do anything else" ("In the night between Saturday and
Sunday," 21-22 July 1764).
"I send you the mad things I wrote last night as though there
had been no question of being serious since; and to amuse you
after having made you work so hard, I enclose part of Boswell's
letter. Send it back to me tomorrow." ("Sunday evening," 22 July
1764. D'Hcrmenchcs replied on 24 July: "The English letter
charms me: I find in it things that take hold of me and make me
overlook its pedantry. Now, one would like to see how he reduces
all those respectable principles to everyday practice. That's the
reef on which your moralizers commonly split. If they do not take
refuge in cynicism, they condemn only those things that are not in
the line of their own ruling passion.")
"At fourteen, I wanted to know everything, but I have re-
nounced that ambition since. Boswell is wrong in thinking that I
wear myself out with speculation. A sort of scepticism, very hum-
Belle de Zuylen to Constant d'Hermenches 381
ble and rather peaceful that is the state I have remained in.
When I have more illumination and better health, I shall perhaps
envision certitudes. For the present, I see at most probabilities,
and I experience nothing but doubts" (27 July 1764).
"I went with my mother and father to Utrecht, where I had
nothing to do, solely to be alone with them. In the carriage they
spoke only of indifferent matters, and then of Boswell, who has
written a letter full of admiration for me, of which he does not wish
one word to be repeated to me. I related to them all his reasons for
not marrying me. I grew merry, I told them stories (true ones) . I
told them that at the very most, if I became a great deal more
reasonable, more prudent, more reserved, Boswell would try in
time to marry me to his best friend in Scotland. We were in very
good humour. . . . [She runs over the list of her suitors,] The
Comte d'Anhalt is the slave of his king, or is disgusted with my
reputation. Boswell will never marry me; if he did marry me, he
would repent a thousand times, for he is convinced that I do not
suit him, and I do not know whether I would be willing to live in
Scotland. His friend that is all foolishness; I would not begin on
that litany of reforms for a man I never saw" (August, 1 764) .
"Yesterday evening we were talking about deference. I said
that I repudiated it: that cold compliance was always of negative
value to me as compared to the lively and animated attentions of
affection. That is what I always in my heart believe. I never care
about being respected; I want people to give me much without feel-
ing that they owe me anything; I do not wish to impose a tax, I wish
to please. Boswell thought that very wrong. He wanted to see me in
a large hoop, in a long dress with hanging fringes, looking grave,
waiting until he accosted me before I smiled, not in short skirts,
looking careless and merry. 'How can you possibly,' he used to say
to me, 'how can you possibly neglect making yourself respected
when it would be so easy? Instead of trying always to be prepossess-
ing, let people look forward to some time when you consent to be
amiable, to please, to amuse, to give yourself up to company; and
382 Belle de Zuylen to Constant d'Hermenches
then, after a season of freedom, resume the tone of reserve. Save all
those wild things which you say to any one who will listen, which
are not understood, which are misinterpreted save them for me,
for your friend. Say them in English. You ought to manage the
jealousies of friendship better; you ought to realize that friends
want privileges and that they are offended when they see every-
body getting the same treatment they do. Everybody is easy with
you! It is terrible to see such unworthy people easy with you!'
"But I find he was partly right, and if I was not afraid of being
ridiculed for affectation and still more afraid of the tortures of con-
straint, I might perhaps try his plan. You must see how his ideas fit
his character. He 'respects mankind,' he wishes those who honour
human nature to be set apart and have homage rendered to them;
he wants virtue to announce itself by an imposing exterior, that
whatever accompanies virtue shall assume an air of grandeur that
will subdue the vulgar in advance. The austerity of his morality
does not make him condemn the pleasures of a lively imagination,
of free conversation, but he wants them taken in the form of recrea-
tion: he wants me to relax with him, to take my pleasure, as a prince
among his favourites forgets the purple and the power. Obdam, on
the contrary, said to me one day, *0h, drop that air of gravity which
you are always assuming when you enter a room; don't give your-
self so much trouble to spoil your expression even for an instant.
Remember that if a person loves you a great deal, he will always
respect you enough.'
"Aside from the fact that the difference between their charac-
ters makes what is an agreeable sentiment to one disagreeable to
the other, it is a turn of self-love that makes their judgments so con-
trary. Boswell is pleased in advance by the respect he counts on
winning some day; Obdam knows he has no pretensions beyond
being amiable" (August, 1764).
"My friend Boswell has just sent me his book, An Account of
Corsica. The heroism of the Corsicans, the great qualities of their
chief, the genius of the author all is interesting and admirable. I
Belle de Zuylen to Constant d'Hermenches 383
wish I could toss it to you, provided you would toss it back immedi-
ately, for I want to try to translate it. There are here and there
singularities in it that you will think ridiculous, and which I do not
think too highly of (27 March 1768).
"I ought to have replied sooner to any letter so pleasing as yours,
but I could not. I have been at Amsterdam and I have been translat-
ing. When one is busy, one waits for the post-day to write, and when
it comes, some little unforeseen occupation obliges one to put off
writing again. That is precisely what has always happened since
the receipt of your last letter
"I had anticipated the advice to translate Boswell which you
give me. Although your approval has encouraged me, I almost re-
pent of my agreement with the publisher. But it must be kept. I
would never have believed that it was so difficult and wearisome to
translate" (28 April 1768).
"I will write with much pleasure what you ask of me: it will be
a little extract from an interesting book which I am fond of but
which I am no longer translating. I was far advanced in the task,
but I wanted permission to change some things that were bad, and
to abridge others which French impatience would have found un-
mercifully long-winded. The author, although he had at the mo-
ment almost made up his mind to marry me if I would have him,
was not willing to sacrifice a syllable of his book to my taste. I wrote
to him that I was firmly decided never to marry him, and I have
abandoned the translation" (2 June 1 768) .
EDITORIAL
Zelide entered the world nine days before James Boswell. She
outlived him by ten years. For a brief moment their paths cross; he
is illuminated for us in the clear light of her intelligence, and enacts
6 By Geoffrey Scott, reprinted from the second volume of Colonel Isham's
privately printed Private Papers of James Boswell.
384 Belle de Zuylen after 1709
for us one of his most engaging comedies. On the later and unwrit-
ten acts of this drama Zelide in the circle of Johnson the imagi-
nation may be left to dwell; but the union of Bos well and Zelide
was hardly possible in human chemistry. Two characters, and two
destinies, could scarcely be more diverse. Boswell entered a world of
mirrors and reflections, dependent on others for a realization of
himself, and for the exercise of his genius. Zelide, whose independ-
ent force declared itself in early rebellion against society, turned
scornfully from whatever was tainted by human competition and
narrowed her life to a tragic solitude. Fantastically, three years
after the breach with Boswell, she married her brothers' former
tutor, Monsieur de Charriere, to escape from the restraints of
Zuylen. Thereafter she lived with him and his two sisters near
Neuchatel, hedging herself in a disdainful privacy and refusing to
know even her neighbour, Voltaire. She relieved the tedium of her
life by a rather tyrannical philanthropy, some unhappy love-af-
fairs, the harpsichord, and literary composition. Her novel Caliste
had much contemporary success, and was translated into English;
it in some measure inspired the Corinne of Madame de Stael. To
this early specimen of romantic fiction, modern taste will prefer her
studies of provincial genre, which, at their rare best, foreshadow
Miss Austen. But Zelide's sure literary talent is shown less in her
books than in her correspondence. Her letters to Constant d'Her-
menches, and, later, to Benjamin Constant, place her in the front
rank even of eighteenth-century letter writers; their wit is never
verbal; truth of feeling and fineness of thought sharpen the edge of
their unfailing precision, and the gift of friendship is perilously
allied with a surgical insight into character. Boswell, indeed, had
fair reason for alarm. Her own emotions, naturally profound, were
tortured by her intellect; she could enchant; but more often than
enchantment she inspired fear, which she could not explain, and
pity, which she scorned. She saw Benjamin Constant, after an inti-
macy of eight years, reft from her by Madame de Stael. She staked
all on her intimate life, and, losing, preserved a stoical silence: a
Van Tuyll after all, a stickler for old-fashioned good manners; and,
Belle de Zuylen after 1 769
to the end, intolerant as Johnson himself of cant, self-deception,
loose-thinking and illogical speech.
When Boswell, with the plan of marrying Zelide shaping itself
in his mind, wandered on his travels in 1 764, he visited the old
castle, once Lord Marischars, at Colombier; and from its rampart
looked down upon the tiled roof of the manor house under which
Zelide was to live and die, and on the potager beyond which, for
fifteen years on end, she never stepped.
APPENDIX I
Inviolable Plan
To be read over frequently
[See p. 47, the memorandum for 16 October 1763,
and the footnote on that entry.]
You have got an excellent heart and bright parts. You are born to a
respectable station in life. You are bound to do the duties of a Laird
of Auchinleck. For some years past you have been idle, dissipated,
absurd, and unhappy. Let those years be thought of no more. You
are now determined to form yourself into a man. Formerly all your
resolutions were overturned by a fit of the spleen. You believed that
you had a real distemper. On your first coming to Utrecht you
yielded to that idea. You endured severe torment. You was pitiful
and wretched. You was in danger of utter ruin. This severe shock
has proved of the highest advantage. Your friend Temple showed
you that idleness was your sole disease. The Rambler showed you
that vacuity, gloom, and fretfulness were the causes of your woe,
and that you was only afflicted as others are. He furnished you with
principles of philosophy and piety to support the soul at all times.
You returned to Utrecht determined. You studied with diligence.
You grew quite well. This is a certain fact You must never forget it.
Nor attempt to plead a real incurable distemper; for you cured it,
when it was at its very worst, merely by following a proper plan
with diligence and activity. This is a great era in your life; for from
this time you fairly set out upon solid principles to be a man.
Your worthy father has the greatest affection for you and has
suffered much from your follies. You are now resolved to make
reparation by a rational and prudent conduct. Your dear mother is
anxious to see you do well. All your friends and relations expect
387
3 88 Inviolable Plan
that you will be an honour to them and will be useful to them as a
lawyer, and make them happy as an agreeable private gentleman.
You have been long without a fixed plan and have felt the
misery of being unsettled. You are now come abroad at a distance
from company with whom you lived as a frivolous and as a ludi-
crous fellow. You are to attain habits of study, so that you may have
constant entertainment by yourself, nor be at the mercy of every
company; and to attain propriety of conduct, that you may be
respected. You are not to set yourself to work to become stiff and
unnatural. You must avoid affectation. You must act as you ought
to do in the general tenor of life, and that will establish your
character. Lesser things will form of course.
Remember that idleness renders you quite unhappy. That then
your imagination broods over dreary ideas of its own forming, and
you become contemptible and wretched. Let this be no more. Let
your mind be filled with nobler principles. Remember religion and
morality. Remember the dignity of human nature. Remember
everything may be endured.
Have a sense of piety ever on your mind, and be ever mindful
that this is subject to no change, but will last you as long as life and
support you at death. Elevate your soul by prayer and by contem-
plation without mystical enthusiasm. Preserve a just, clear, and
agreeable idea of the divine Christian religion. It is very clearly
proved. You cannot expect demonstration. There is virtue in faith:
in giving a candid assent upon examination. Keep quite clear of
gloomy notions which have nothing to do with the mild and elegant
religion of Jesus as it is beautifully displayed in the New Testa-
ment. Have this faith always firm. Be steady to the Church of Eng-
land, whose noble worship has always raised your mind to exalted
devotion and meditation on the joys of heaven. Be firm to religion,
and at all times show your displeasure to profanity, like a decent
gentleman. But don't enter into disputes in riotous and ludicrous
companies where sacred things cannot be properly weighed.
Without a real plan, life is insipid and uneasy. You have an ad-
mirable plan before you. You are to return to Scotland, be one of the
Inviolable Plan 389
Faculty of Advocates, have constant occupation, and a prospect of
being in Parliament, or having a gown. You can live quite inde-
pendent and go to London every year; and you can pass some
months at Auchinleck, doing good to your tenants and living hos-
pitably with your neighbours, beautifying your estate, rearing a
family, and piously preparing for immortal felicity. To have all
these advantages, firmness is necessary. Have constant command of
yourself. Restrain ludicrous talents and, by habit, talk always on
some useful subject, or enliven conversation with moderate cheer-
fulness. Keep to study ever to improve. Have your own plan and
don't be put out of it. Your friends Temple and Johnston will assist
you to do well. Never talk of yourself , nor repeat what you hear in
a company. Be firm, and persist like a philosopher.
Now remember what you have resolved. Keep firm to your
plan. Life has much uneasiness; that is certain. Always remember
that, and it will never surprise you. Remember also life has much
happiness. To bear is the noble power of man. This gives true dig-
nity. Trifles are more frequently the causes of our disturbance than
great matters. Be prepared therefore for uneasy trifles. You have
indulged antipathies to places and persons. That is the sign of a
weak and diseased mind. A hysteric lady or a sickly peevish boy
may be so swayed. But let not antipathies move a man. It is not
sensibility. You can cure it and at all times do so.
Resolve to make constant experiments, and be more and more
confirmed in your theory. A man has much the command of his
ideas. Check little uneasy ones. Encourage little pleasing ones. He
who has baseless antipathies is foolishly deprived of much pleasure.
Your great loss is too much wildness of fancy and ludicrous imagi-
nation. These are fine if regulated and given out in moderation, as
Mr. Addison has done and as Sir David Dalrymple does. The pleas-
ure of laughing is great. But the pleasure of being a respected
gentleman is greater.
You have a character to support. You have to keep up the family
of Auchinleck. To do this, your mind must be settled and filled with
knowledge, and with good plain ideas of common sense and the
3QO Inviolable Plan
practice of mankind, although you may be a Church-of -England
man and indulge any other favourite principles; only never talk at
random. Every man should be the best judge how to regulate his
own conduct; there are many minutiae particular to every char-
acter. For some time be excessively careful against rattling, though
cheerful to listen to others. What may be innocent to others is a
fault to you till you attain more command of yourself. Temperance
is very necessary for you, so never indulge your appetites without
restraint. Be assured that restraint is always safe and always gives
strength to virtue. Exercise must never be neglected, for without
that you cannot have health, and health contributes much to ren-
der you fit for every duty. Never indulge the sarcastical Scotch
humour. Be not jocular and free, and then you will not be hurt by
the jocularity and freedom of others. If you are polite, you will
seldom meet with uneasy rubs in conversation.
Tijua ffecLvrovi reverence thyself. 1 But at the same time be afraid
for thyself. Ever keep in mind your firm resolutions. If you should
at times forget them, don't be cast down. Return with redoubled
vigour to the field of propriety. Upon the whole you will be an ex-
cellent character. You will have all advantages from the approba-
tion of the World, in your rational plan, which may be enlarged as
you see occasion. But yield not to whims, nor ever be rash.
1 A personal variation of the famous yv&6t <reavr6v ("know thyself'), the
inscription on the Temple at Delphi. Boswell was fond of it but never man-
aged to get the Greek right. The manuscript here actually reads ripv.
APPENDIX II
Boswell's French Theme on the Aston Family
[See pp. xvii and 190. Boswell's spelling and capitalization have been re-
tained, but some liberties have been taken with his punctuation.]
Je veux tacher de raconter en assez bon frangois la conversation de
Monsieur Brown hier a diner. Nous avons eu, dit il, a Utrecht une
famille angloise la plus exotique qu'on puisse concevoir. Le Cheva-
lier Willoughby Aston avoit un bien de cinq mille livres par an,
dans Touest d'Angletterre. II a depense beaucoup d'argent pour
gagner une election qu'il a pourtant perdu; et il a vecu sur un pied
trop splendide. II trouvoit ses affaires un peu embarrassees, et il fit
resolution de passer quelques annees dans des pais etrangers, af in
qu'il epargneroit. II etoit un gros cochon, un lourdaud immense. II
louchoit horriblement mais il ne lui manquoit pas une espece de
rude sens commun, et comme il avoit ete Justice du paix pendant
plusieurs annees, il savoit tres bien the poors rates, les taux des
pauvres. Sa femme etoit une etre la plus ridicule et la plus degou-
tante. Elle avoit pres de cinquant ans et elle s'habilloit comme une
fille de seize. Elle etoit affectee et vaine et insipide et capriceuse.
Son frere Monsieur Pie, Negociant a Amsterdam, la detestoit II a
engage de venir et diner chez elle, et la presenter son epouse.
Madame d' Aston etoit seule a Utrecht. M. Brown etoit invite a cette
diner. II y alloit a quatre heures et il craignoit d'etre trop tard. Mais
le diner etoit arrete jusque a cinque 2 heures. Milady devenoit tres
impatiente. Elle demandoit de Monsieur Brown s'il n'avoit pas
faim. II 1'avouoit. "Mais," dit il, "il faut attendre pour Monsieur
Pie car il a dit qu'il seroit un peu tard." C'etoit une observation tres
juste et tres sensee. II a pourtant frappee en quelque mannierre
outree la tete vertigineuse de Milady. II a fait la venir dans 1'esprit:
"Ma foy, ces Bourgeois sont tres impolis. Us doivent ses conformer
2 Boswell has struck out the final e. He probably meant to indicate the spell-
ing cinq.
392 French Theme
aux heures de Gens de qualite. Je n'attenderai pas un moment de
plus." Monsieur Brown la prioit de ne prendre pas des telles mesures
precipites. Mais elle etoit inexorable. Elle a fait venir le diner et
Milady et Monsieur Brown se mettoient a table de dix huit plaats.
Apeine avoient ils commences a manger la soupe quand toute la
Compagnie arrivoit, et avant que toutes les ceremonies f ussent finis
le diner fut froid. Ils 1'ont manges pourtant, et Miladi se donnoit
des airs immenses. Apres dine ils ont ses mits aux Cartes. Monsieur
Brown et Monsieur Pie ne jouoient pas mais causoient ensemble en
Hollandois. "Eh bien," dit Pie, "avez vous jamais vu la pareille de
ma Seure la? Je crois qu'elle est la plus grande folle dans le monde."
"Mais," disoit M. Brown, "pourquoy est-ce que vous laissez ces
Gens voyager plus? Ils s'exposeroient par tout." "Cela est vraye,"
repondit M. Pie, "mais Je les laisse voyager parce que Je veux qu'ils
seroient loin de Moy." Sir Willoughby restoit au lit jusque & une
heure. II s'elevoit, et se mit devant le feu avec la dernierre Paresse.
II crioit a une de ces filles, "Polly! mes souliers a a ." Elle les
apportoit. "A " dit II, "souliers sans boucles a a ." II gromme-
loit ainsi toute la matinnee. II aimoit beaucoup a boire quand il
avoit de Compagnie. II vivoit & Utrecht sur un pied magnifique. II
recevoit beaucoup de politesses; mais a la fin il a ennuie tout le
Monde. Giffardierre et Hill, deux jeunes Predicants qui aimoient a
vivre bien, etoient les seuls qui restoient f irmes a la f amille d' Aston.
Le Chevalier avoient cinq filles dont 1'ainee etoit extremement
aimable et souffroit beaucoup de 1'absurdite* de son Pere et de sa
mere. Le Jeune Willoughby etoit le drole le plus mechant san la
moindre grain de Bienseance. II a entre* un Samedi chez une Societe
nombreuse sans invitation. II a jase et bu et mange* leurs crackelins,
jusque a ce que Monsieur Cochrane lui donnoit sur les doix et le
chasse de la Chambre. Telle fut la famille d' Aston. Ils avoient un
domestique ecossois qu'ils appelloient Hume et Humes. Monsieur
Brown lui demandoit, "Comment est-ce que vous avez ce nom la?"
"Poh!" dit II, "mon nom est Hugh Mcgregor, mais cette folle
Miladi m'a donne* le nom de Humes." Cette celebre famille est &
present a Tours en france, ou ils depensent plus d'argent qu'ils
n'avoient depense"s en Angletterre.
393
APPENDIX III
Letter of Abraham Gronovius to Bosivell
[The spelling and punctuation are those of the manuscript; capitalization
has been standardized. See translation on p. 278.]
NOBILISSIME AMICISSIMEQUE, Plurimum equidem singular!
humanitati tuae me debere profiteer, quod, etsi temporis angustiis
inclusus, me praeterita Mercurii die in hortulo jucundissima prae-
sentia tua dignatus fueris; speroque te salvum Ultrajectum per-
venisse: at rubore suffundor ad eximiam liberalitatem tuam, cujus
vinculo me tibi obstrictum agnosco; siquidem quinque et quadra-
ginta lagenae falerni Lusitanici jussu tuo et opera Clarissimi
Craufurdii Roteradamo hodie ad me perlatae sunt. Quid autem pro
hoc munere tibi rependam, quas grates propensae huic voluntati
tuae habeam, vix invenio. Interim iter in Germaniam, quod una
cum illustrissimo heroe Comite Marshallino suscepturus es, tibi
felix faustumque voveo; eoque prospere peracto, vehementer mini
gratulabor, si suavissimo adfabilis oris tui adloquio iterum frui,
virtutesque tuas, quibus ingenuum pectus exornasti, admirari mihi
contigerit. Perge itaque paterna vestigia premere, hoc est pietatem,
virtutem atque eruditionem colere, et hoc pacto nominis Boswelli-
ani gloriam ad commodum patriae tuae, quam etiam gratam tuis
meritis aliquando responsuram auguror, amplificare. Quod det
Deus O. M. s Vale meum decus et amare perge tuum
ABRAHAMUM GnorsroviuM.
Dabam Leidis,
A. D. V. Eid. Junii,
A. MDCCLXIV.
8 "Optimus Maximus."
394
APPENDIX IV
Letter of Francois Mazerac to Boswell
[The spelling, capitalization, and punctuation of the manuscript
have been retained. See translation on p. 290.]
Monsieur
Mon peu de Capasit met* met presque hors d'etat de satisf aire a
vos ordre, jespere que Monsieur les Recevra avec bonte comme
venant d'une personne qui ne cherche qua vous obeir
premierement jai trouv que Monsieur est extremement negli-
gent sur son argent montre es autres ef et en les laisant sur la Table
au 5 la Cl sur le bureau es en sortant de la Chambre laisant la port
ouverte comme il met arive plusieur foi a la Haye, si jamai il
arivoit, que vous usie 6 le Malleur de perdre quelque chosse de cette
Maniere vous pourie avoir soupsons sur votre Domestique ou autre
personne qui serait jnocent on dit pour proverbe 1'ocation fait le
1'aron
secondement jai trouve" que Monsieur avez le Coeur bon pour
faire du bien au pauvre vertu qui nous et dict6 par 1'humanit^, et
ordone par la Religions
troisiemement Monsieur net point medisant vice voor 7 comun
parmi les Grand espiti 8
Droisiemement exact dans les devoir de votre Religion soit pour
aller a lEglice ne point jurer surtout a faire votre priere tous les
matin
quatriemement jai trouve que quand Monsieur avez priez
quelquun les Convi6z ete toujour ches vous avan vous ce qui vous
poures faire des Reproche sur tous dans un autre pais ou il sont plus
sur leur point d'honneur quici
4 Read me. * Read ou. 6 That is, eussiez.
* That is, fort. Frangois gives the word a Dutch spelling. Notice also below
his substitutions of t for d and d for t: e.g., dart for lord.
8 Read esprits.
From Francois Mazerac 395
Cinquiemement jai trouve que Monsieur saplique trop a letude
noble en elle meme Mai Ruinneuce pour la sante si elle ne se fait
avec Menagement
sixiemement je trouve que Monsieur se Couche trop tart qui
avec lettude, vous feront pertre la sante et dont Monsieur se Re-
pentira quand il sera trop dart et quil ni aura point de Remede
septiemement es pour dernie article jai trouve en Monsieur un
Coeur Veritablement Chretien es noble sur tout a Mon Egart et
que je Noublierai jamai Veullie le pere des pere Vous prendre en sa
sainte Garde avoir loeil sur Vous, vous Gardan comme son afant
cheri, quil guide vos pas dirige vos pensee afin quil ne vous arive
au'qun Malleur. et quetant de Redour ches vous saint et sauf vous
Ten benissies eternellement
je finit'en Remerciant encore Monsieur pour doute ses bont et le
1 prie'nt de se Resouvenir quelque foi de Moi pour Moi je ne Croi
pas que joublierai Monsieur jamai
Monsieur si jamai locasion se presente permete moi de vous
prie de savoir comment Monsieur se port
wotre tres af liges et f itelle Domestique
frangois Mazerac.
Utrecht ce 17
juin 1764
[List by Frangois Mazerac. Original in French]
Clothes and linens that I found on entering the service of Mon-
sieur Boswell
i coat, waistcoat, and breeches, with silver lace
i red coat, waistcoat, and breeches, with gold lace
i rose-coloured coat and waistcoat, with gold buttons
i blue coat, waistcoat, and breeches, with white buttons
i brown frock-coat
i pair of black silk breeches
i pair of buckskin breeches
i hat with gold lace
396 List of BosiveWs Clothes
i sword with a silver hilt
5 pairs of shoes
1 pair of slippers
2 pairs of shoe -buckles
i pair of garter-buckles
i collar clasp 9
i pair of shirt buttons
1 5 ruffled shirts
3 night-shirts
14 collars
6 ditto, new
6 new silk handkerchiefs, white ground
5 ditto, cotton, red ground
1 ditto, old, white ground
4 night-caps
2 sets of lace ruffles
2 pairs black silk stockings, new
2 pairs white silk stockings, new
3 pairs ditto, old
7 pairs thread and cotton stockings
i pair of boots
i powdering jacket
& "Un Boucle de Col."
397
APPENDIX V
Letter of Belle de Zuylen to Boswell
[The spelling of the manuscript has been retained,
but a few marks of punctuation have been added to regularize its breathless
but fairly systematic punctuation. See pp. xvii and 367.]
QUE vous DIRAI-JE, MON AMI? Faut-il vous feliciter ou vous
plaindre? Tout ce que vous me dites est si douteux que je ne sai a
quelle impression m'arreter. You think seriously of marriage, a fine
girl, an heiress, an admirable wife for you, but she does not like you,
but she likes no body else, but you hear a report, but you hope it is
not true: moi, je vous souhaite tout ce que vous souhaitez, mais il
seroit temeraire de rien conclure de tout ce que vous dites, aussi
n'aimez vous pas les conclusions, vous aimez les problemes qu'on ne
peut jamais resoudre. Celui que vous proposez depuis si longtems
sur notre sort si nous etions maries est la preuve de ce gout: je vous le
laisse a mediter, mon cher Boswell; outre que je ne suis pas assez
habile pour decider, je trouve peu de plaisir a discuter une question
aussi oiseuse. Je ne connois pas votre Ecosse, sur la carte elle me
paroit un peu hors du monde. Vous Tapellez a sober country, j'en ai
vu sortir des maris assez despotiques et d'humbles bonnes femmes
qui rougissoient et regardoient leurs epoux avant que d'ouvrir
la bouche, voila tout ce que j'en sai et la dessus on ne peut rien de-
cider, mais pourquoi deciderois-je? II faut que ce probleme reste ce
qu'il est, et je vous le laisse pour amusement
Permettez moi de remarquer que vous prenez bien votre terns
pour toutes choses. Vous avez attendu pour m'aimer que vous
fussiez dans Tile de Corse, et pour me le dire vous avez attendu que
vous en aimassiez un autre et que lui eussiez parl de marriage:
voila encore une f ois, voila bien prendre son terns. Pour la question
how we would do together, elle a pris naissance a Zuylen, elle vous
a accompagnS dans vos voyages, et elle se represente en terns et hors
398 From Belle de Zuylen
de terns. Une personne sense qui liroit nos lettres ne vous trouveroit
peut-etre pas trop raisonnable, mais pour moi je ne veux pas gener
mon ami, tout ce que sa singularite voudra me dire sera bien receu:
rimagination est si folle que quand on se permet de dire tout ce
qu'elle dicte, il faut bien dire des folies, et quel mal a cela? Je n'en
vois aucun. J'ai lu avec plaisir et en souriant vos tardives douceurs.
Ah! vous m'aimiez done! Je vous en souhaite d'autant plus de
succes et de felicite dans le choix que fait a present votre coeur. II
me semble que vous m'interressez et m'apartenez un peu plus a
cause de cela que si vous aviez toujours ete mon froid et philoso-
phique ami.
Parlons de vos ouvrages: je serois charme de traduire votre his-
toire, mais il faut me 1'envoyer. Joignez y V Essence de V affaire des
Douglas. Je n'ai encore rien lu la dessus. On doit m'envoyer de
Londres un ecrit de vous qu' on m'a nomme Appel a toute la nation.
Je serai bien aise de pouvoir juger par moi meme d'une cause si
fameuse et si interressante.
Vous plaidez assez bien celle du marriage, mais je pourois
tourner tous vos argumens en f aveur du celibat. J'ai assez de fortune
pour n'avoir pas besoin de celle d'un mari. J'ai 1'humcur assez
heureuse et assez de ressources dans Tesprit pour me passer d'un
mari, d'un menage, et de ce qu'on apelle un etablissement. Je ne
fais done point de voeu, je ne prens point de resolution; je laisse les
jours venir et passer, me decidant toujours pour ce que le sort me
presente de mieux parmi les choses dont il me laisse le choix: je
voudrois que le terns en s'ecoulant emportat mille petits defauts
d'humeur et de caractere que je reconnois et que je deplore. Souvent
la dessus mes progres ne repondent pas a mes bonnes intentions.
Vous demandez comment je vis. Pour vous repondre je regarde
autour de moi. Ma chambre est jolie, on aime a y venir. Mon frerc
cause ici pres de moi avec Mr Baird, jeunc Ecossois qui demeure
chez M. Brown; j'ai de bons livres et je lis peu, mais quand je lis ce
sont les meilleures choses dans tous les genres, et c'est avec un
plaisir qui me fait negliger tour a tour ma toilette et mes devoirs.
J'oublie sans cesse les heures, j'ecris a mes amis, J'ai lu ce matin
From Belle de Zuylen 399
un sermon de Clarke avec Mr Cudgil ou de Horn, un Anglois exile
qui m'ecoute severement et corrige de terns en terns le son d'un
mot ou d'une sillabe. Quatre fois par semaine je vai 1'apres dine
avec mes freres chez M. Hahn qui nous dit et nous montre ce que
c'est que le feu electrique et le feu ordinaire, et nous aprenons a
connoitre de la Nature tout ce qu'elle permet qu'on en connoisse.
Cela m'amuse extremement. Nous avons des bals ou je danse sans
beaucoup de plaisir parce que je n'ai point d'amant. Nous avons de
grandes assemblies: faprens a jouer. II faut un amant pour aimer
la danse, il faut n'en avoir point pour aimer le jeu.
Adieu, mon ami, je vai chez M. Brown, nous parlerons de vous,
il vous fait beaucoup d'amities. Sa femme et sa soeur sont aimables
et bonnes, sa fille est jolie comme un ange. Je suis tou jours bien
receue de tous et les aime tous. Comptez sur 1'amitie sincere et
f idele de votre tres devouee
I. A. E. VAN TUYLL VAN SEROOSKERKZN.
Utrecht ce 16 Fevr. 1 768
INDEX
This is for the greater part an index of proper names, but Part n of the
article BOSWELL, JAMES provides general headings for Boswell's traits
of character, opinions, and religious sentiments. Observations on persons
and places are generally entered under the person or place in question;
for example, Boswell's opinions of the Reverend Robert Brown should
be looked for under Brown and not under Boswell. Churches, inns,
streets, &c. in Dutch cities are grouped under the cities concerned; if
outside of Holland, churches, inns, streets, counties, mountains, &c.
are given separate articles in the main alphabet. When a city, town,
or other territorial designation is given without further specification,
it may be assumed that it is in Holland. Peers and peeresses, Lords of
Session and their wives are indexed under titles rather than family
names, the titles chosen being usually those proper to 1764, but this
rule has been broken when a person is decidedly better known by a
later title or a family name. Isabella Agneta Elisabeth van Tuyll van
Serooskerken, later Mme de Charriere, is entered as ZUYLEN, BELLE DE.
The following abbreviations are employed: D. (Duke), E. (Earl),
M. (Marquess), V. (Viscount), JB (James Boswell).
Abbott, C. Colleer, i Ablaing, Johan Daniel <T, Baron van
Abel, Karl Friedrich, German musician, Giessenburg, 263
52 n. Adam Collection, 92 72,9
Abercrombie, "the lives of the authors Addison, Joseph, 2, 389; Remarks on
and warriors of Scotland," 164-165. Several Parts of Italy, &c., 257; Cato,
(No such title has been traced. JB 374; see also Spectator,
appears to have confused Patrick Aber- Aix, France, 324
cromby, author of Martial Atchiev- Aix-la-Chapelle, Germany, 357
merits of the Scots Nation, with George Albinus, at Utrecht, 84, 85, 86
Mackenzie, author of Lives and Char- Alembert, Jean Le Rond d' f 77, 83; Essai
acters of the Most Eminent Writers of fur la societe des gens de lettres el des
the Scots Nation.) Brands, 338
Aberdeen, George Gordon, 3rd E. of, Allanbank, estate in Scotland, 269
brother of Hon. Charles Gordon, 16, Alps, 227
117j 122 Amehsweerd, Hendrik van Utenhoven,
Aberdeen, Scotland, 221 Heer van, 85
401
4O2 Index
Axnelisweerd, Maria Jacoba Kornelia
(Countess van Efferen) van, wife of
the preceding, 85, 94, 146, i?9> 180
Amerongen, Anna Susanna (Hasselaer)
van, sister of Mme Geelvmck, 71, 137,
145
Amerongen, Gerard Godart, Baron Taets
van, husband of the preceding, 137,
145-146, 196, 328
Amerongen, Joost, Baron Taets van, son
of the preceding, 169
Amerongen, N. (Mossel) van, wife of
Gerard Maximiliaan Taets van Amer-
ongen, 143
Amersfoort, 328
Amsterdam, Lord Auchinleck calls a fine
city, 53; publishing center of Holland,
245; its rich merchants, 289; its resist-
ance to national authority, 289; JB
visits, 10, 260-261; JB's thoughts of
limited to its prostitutes, 192, 236, 249,
259, 260 724; places at- English church,
53, 261, Farquhar's (tax em), 261;
Grub's (inn), 260; speel (music)
houses, 261 72.6, Stadthouse, 53
Anabasis. See Xenophon
Anacharsis, Scythian philosopher, 252
Anacreon, 96 72.8, 219
Anaxarchus, Greek philosopher, 252 72.3
Angers, France, 12
Anhalt-Dessau, Fnedrich, Count of, 287,
314, 321, 381, 324
Anhalt-Dessau, Wilhelm Gustav, Hered-
itary Prince of, 287 72.3
Anhalt-Dessau, Germany, 322, 328
Anna Ivanovna, Empress of Russia, 9 n.8
Annandale, Scotland, 58, 124
Anne, Princess Royal of England, widow
of William IV and regent of Holland,
116 n.
Arbuthnot, John, M.D., and others,
Memoirs of Martinus Scriblerus, 42
Argens, Jean Baptiste de Boyer, Marquis
d', French author, 50
Aristophanes, Plutus, 91
Armstrong, John, Scottish physician,
poet, and essayist, The Art of Preserv-
ing Health, 246
Arne, Thomas Augustine, English com-
poser, 52; Artaxerxe$ t 52
Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh, 40, 119, 124,
280
Assenburgh (PAsschenbergh), Mile, at
Utrecht, 71
Aston, Elizabeth (Pye), Lady, 191-192
Aston, Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Sir
Willoughby and Lady Aston, 192
Aston, Mary ("Molly"), 190 n.6
Aston, Mary ("Polly"), daughter of Sir
Willoughby and Lady Aston, 192
Aston, Sir Willoughby, Bt., 190-192
Aston, Willoughby, later Sir Willoughby
Aston, Bt., son of preceding, 192
Athlone, Frederick Christian Reinhart
van Reede, 5th E. of, 106 72.1, 233, 356
Aubery du Maurier, Louis, French his-
torian, Memoires pour servir a I'his-
toire de Hollande, 66
Auchinleck (Alexander Boswell), Lord,
father of JB, Senator of the College of
Justice, Edinburgh, i, 44 72.6, 108 72.2,
348, descended from noble Dutch
family, 3, 65-66, 109, 220, 236, 240
72.7; his Christian name from Lord
Kincardine, 53 72.; spells the family
name with one 1 9 27 72.7; studied law
at Leyden, 2-3, 17, 53, 105, 148, 229;
a classicist and friend of Abraham
Gronovius, 25-26, 65, 96 72.8, 108, 117,
218, 219, 234, 235; learned to speak
Dutch, 109-110, 148-149; smoked
while in Holland, 125; friend of Dr.
(later Sir) John Prmgle, 237 72.8, 354;
laird of Auchinleck, i, 26, 347-348, de-
voted to gardening and farming, 26,
53-54, 65, 219, contemptuous of Free-
masonry, 58 72.3; his riposte to Johnson,
130 72.; his anecdote of the Dutch
widow, 148-149, writes letters for the
family at home, 237 72.8, goes on cir-
cuit, 26, 220; seriously ill in 1765, 342,
349, 353, characterized, 12, 15, 226,
278
Relations with JB. Letters to JB
(texts), 25, 52, 65, 108, 218, 233, 354;
uniecovered letters to JB, 108 72.9, 123
72.5, 349 n ''> none * JB's to, recovered,
123 77.5; JB records receipt of letters
from, 67, 92, l8l 221, 2 36, 268; JB
counsels himself to write to, 40, 47,
104, 107, 192, 237, 247, 249; unlike JB
in temperament, 58 n.i; educated JB
in sentiment of respect for family, 337;
wished JB to study law, distressed by
his levity and Army scheme, 1-2, 5,
35, 387; angered JB by opening his
private papers, 123; JB makes memo-
randum to emulate, 3, 4; JB counsels
himself to remember remark of, 20;
JB wishes to please by firmness and
good behaviour, 3, 4, 8, 9, 22, 35, 170,
174, *95> 226, 231, 237, 243; wish that
JB remain in Utrecht debated by JB
and his friends, 13, 15, 17, 77, 83;
counsels JB against dissipation and bad
company, 26, 309 .; arranges credit
for JB, 26-27; JB does not at first in-
form of his melancholy, 29, 31, 42; JB
considers his approval of any marriage
scheme necessary, 36, 346; recommends
that JB make some calls in Amster-
dam, 53, 260 72.4; counsels him to take
notes and avoid idleness, 53, 212; ap-
proves JB's plan of study, tells him
about his Dutch relations, 65-66, 95;
JB makes note to send discourse for
Literary Society to, 86; JB counsels
himself to remember that he is inde-
pendent of, 107; counsels JB to wait
on the Ambassador, buy incunabula,
leave metaphysics alone; approves his
learning Dutch, 108-110; JB tells of
his melancholy, 194, 196, 226; JB fears
he will not allow an extensive tour,
195; greatly concerned by JB's melan-
choly, recommends having many in-
terests and being constantly busy, 218-
219, 233-235; jokes JB on his marriage
schemes, 220; thinks travelling a use-
less thing, will permit a visit to Paris
or a brief tour of German courts, 221,
227, 235-236; Andrew Stuart to inter-
cede with for a more handsome tour,
266; pleased with JB, arranges for him
to travel with Lord Marischal, 268,
Index 403
280, 283; seriously ill, urges JB to re-
turn home, 342 72.5; grants JB a month
in Paris, but summons him home at
once on Lady Auchinleck's death, 296,
349> 352 n. t 354; disapproves of Belle
de Zuylen, refuses to sanction a trip
to visit her, 349, 354-355; opposes JB's
later suggestion of visiting with view
to marriage, 371, 373, 374; mentioned,
*3> 21, 47 !, 59, 92, 147> 269, 316,
353, 366, 367, 372 714
Auchinleck (Euphemia Erskine), Lady,
mother of JB, grew up at Culross, 240
72.7, descended from Sommelsdycks,
240 n 7; gains somewhat in health, 221;
her death, 296, 352 n., 354, 371; char-
acterized, 169 72.7, 354; Dr. Boswell
reports to concerning JB, 59; induces
JB to read Confession of Faith of the
Church of Scotland, 128-129, mem. to
write to, 237, 246, 249; JB's love for,
237 72.8; she and JB seldom correspond,
237 72.8, anxious to see JB do well, 387;
mentioned, 26, 66, 236
Auchinleck, family of, 34, 157, 225, 226,
346, 347, 389
Auchinleck (house and estate), seat of
the Boswells, x; promising harvest at,
26; Lord Auchinleck dresses the
ground about the house, 26; JB's plans
for living at, 34, 389; JB hopes his
English friends will visit him at, 35;
JB's obligation to live at, a factor in
choosing a wife, 36; mem. to groom
himself to be laird of, 38; pronounced
"Affleck" in eighteenth century, 59,
204, JB hopes to die at, or in London or
Edinburgh, 61; library at, no 72.5; JB
hopes to do good at, 212; JB reminded
of his association with, 214; motto on
front of new house at, 235 72.8; JB
bound to perform duties of laird of,
387, mentioned, 3, 77, 193, 217, 260,
359 -5
Auerstedt, Germany, 144 72.4
Aumale, Countess d', at Utrecht, 312
Aumale, Countesses d', at Utrecht, 71,
312 72.
Austen, Jane, 384
404 Index
Averhoult, Miles d', at Utrecht, 71, 328
Ayrshire, Scotland, i, 115 n., 232 71.2, 280
Baden-Durlach, Karl Friedrich, Mar-
grave Of, 221, 327
Baden-Durlach, Court of, 227, 249
Baird, Robert, of Newbyth, 367, 369
Barbour, John, Scottish poet, 165 n.
Bart, proprietor of the Keiserhof at
Utrecht, 156, 254
Bath, England, 234
Baxter, Andrew, Scottish philosopher,
146
Bayle, Pierre, French philosopher, 183
Bedford, John Russell, 7th D. of, 272
Bellamy, George Anne, actress, 176
Bellegarde, Francois-Eugene Robert,
Comte de (also Marquis des Marches
and de Cursinge), account of him,
297 n.8, 341, 342; characterized, 304;
Belle de Zuylen considers herself in
love with, plans to marry, 295, 297-
298, 304, 341; makes a proposal of
marriage to Belle, 330, 341342; diffi-
culties because of his religion, 304, 342,
353; JB thinks Belle would prefer him-
self to, 344-345; JB would defer suit
till his is settled, 346, mentioned, 350,
360, 371
Bellenden, John, Scottish divine and poet,
165
Bellevue, near Cleves, Germany, estate
of Baron von Spaen, 217, 275
Bennett, C. H., xix
Bennett, Lady Camilla Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of the Earl of Tankerville, married
Count Donhof, 324-325, 327
Bentinck, Major Rudolph, 367
Bentinck de Varel, Christian Frederick
Anthony, Count, account of him, 239
72.4; his command of English, 273 71.5;
characterized, 340; letters to JB, 273,
276; JB sups with, 239; JB checks him
from being too free, 240-241; mem. to
visit, 243, JB in his company at Zuy-
len, 259; serves as intermediary in
correspondence between Belle and JB,
305, 308; visits England, 340; stops
writing to JB, 340
Bentinck de Varel, Maria Catharina (van
Tuyll), Countess, 239 72.4
Berkeley, Norborne, M.P., 72
Berlin, Germany, JB thinks of escaping
to from Utrecht, 10; Lord Auchinleck
assures JB of kind reception at, 221; JB
plans to visit, 227, 277, 280, 282; De
Guiffardiere sets down qualities needed
to please at, 256; JB to accompany
Lord Marischal to, 268, 269; Lord
Marischal expected to promote JB
socially at, 274; JB spends summer at,
296; JB pleased with, 314, 316, 319;
M. de Zuylen expects JB to improve
his French at, 320; JB leaves, 322
Bernard, PJean-fitienne, at Utrecht, 141,
283
Beulwitz, Ludwig Friedrich von, 272
Biblical references. See James, St.; Job;
Luke, St.; Matthew, St.; Paul, St.
Bicker, Jan Bernd, 340
Blair, Catherine ("the Heiress"), later
wife of Sir William Maxwell of Mon-
reith, 297, 367, 368, 371-372
Blinshall, James, D.D., Scottish minister
at Amsterdam, 260, 261
Bodegraven, 119
Boene, "Widow," Lord Auchinleck's
landlady at Leyden, 53, 149
Boetzelaer, Countess of, at Utrecht, 71
Boetzelaer, Mile, at Utrecht (same as
preceding?), 113
Bois-le-Duc (s'Hertogenbosch), 257
Bonnet, Gijsbertus, professor at Utrecht,
138, 139, 253, 284 72.5
Boorsch, Jean, xix
Boston, Sir Charles (JB's pseudonym),
195
Boswell, bookseller at Utrecht, 59
Boswell, Alexander. See Auchinleck
(Alexander Boswell), Lord
Boswell, Charles, son of JB, 31, 124, 177-
179, 194, 210, 211
Boswell, David, later Thomas David,
brother of JB, 40 72.4, 124, 359 72.5
Boswell, Lady Elizabeth (Bruce), grand-
mother of JB, 53 72.
Boswell, James, 4th laird of Auchinleck,
65
Boswell, James, of Auchinleck, grand-
father of JB, 2-3, 17, 53 n., 65, 219
Boswell, James, turner at Amsterdam, 53
Boswell, James, glass merchant at Am-
sterdam (same as preceding?), 260, 261
BOSWELL, JAMES
[Part I. Biographical; Narrative Sum-
mary of Life in Holland, 1763-1764;
Part II. a. Traits of Character, b.
Opinions, c. Religious Sentiments and
Beliefs; Part III. a. Writings in Hol-
land, b. Other Writings.]
I. Biographical; Narrative Summary
of Life in Holland, 1763-1764. Sketch
of JB's life to Aug. 1763, 1-2; refer-
ences by JB to events prior to that date,
29, 34, 45-46, 47, 5i, 55, 63-64, 68, 74,
88, 92, 122, 123, 128-129, 142, 159,
174, 232, 267, 387-388; Johnson accom-
panies to Harwich, 2-5; JB lands at
Hellevoetsluis, 5; goes to Rotterdam,
5-6, to Leyden, 4, 6, 7, to Utrecht, 6-7;
takes up smoking, 4, 125-126; very un-
happy, returns to Rotterdam, 7-9; begs
Dempster to meet him at Brussels, 9-
10; Dempster goes to Brussels but JB
makes torn of Holland, stops at
Utrecht, again returns to Rotterdam,
10-13, 16; JB receives good advice
from Temple, 11, 14-16, 28, 387; is
confirmed by The Rambler, 18, 28,
121, 387; returns to Utrecht, engages a
servant, and takes rooms, 18, 20, 28;
lays out a programme of study, 22, 28,
32, 38, 40, 43, 204-205, 214; begins
French themes (see also Part III of
this article), 22; forms a plan of mar-
rying Miss Stewart (see also Stewart,
Margaret), 23; counsels himself as to
concubinage, 24, 50; counsels himself
to be reserved, 24, 39, 40, 47, 49, 5*t
64, 68, 74, 76, 80, 85, 86, 95, 96, 103,
no, 116, 119, 133, 137, 143, 144, 147,
148, 151, 170, 175, 178, 181, 197, 205,
215, 228, 232, 233, 236, 237, 240, 241,
243, 247, 249, 253, 388-390; begins to
attend lectures on Civil Law, 25; be-
gins to rise at half-past six, 37; begins
writing ten-line verses (see also Part
Index 405
III of this article), 37; suffers from the
cold, 39, 48-49; pleased with his prog-
ress, 39, 43, 47, 50, 54, 55, 61, 67, 69-
71, 73, 80, 84, 85, 88, 94, 95, 104, 124,
144, 146, 148, 152, 153, 161, 168, 174,
175; joins a society for French conver-
sation (see also Utrecht, Societies), 43;
begins to dine with Mr. Brown (see
also Brown, Rev. Robert), 43, 44;
makes out Inviolable Plan (see also
Part III of this article), 47; begins to
notice Belle de Zuylen (see also
ZUYLEN, BELLE DE), 55-56; plays at
shuttlecock with Mile Kinloch, 57, 60,
74; comments on his mistakes in
French, 57-58, 213; catches a cold, 61 ;
spends riotous evening with Dutch
students, 68; taken up by Countess of
Nassau (see also Nassau Beverweerd,
Johanna, Countess of), 69-71; the as-
semblies begin, 70 Ti.1, 80, 121; allows
himself three hours each evening for
amusement, 82; counsels himself
against intrigues, 80-81, 85-86, 88, 95;
has indigestion, 86; eats too much, 88,
92, 128, 171; at Leyden, 95-96; at The
Hague for Christmas vacation, 97-1 16,
121-122, 194; gloomy, peevish, sple-
netic, 97, no, 113, 114, 116; meets M.
and Mme de Spaen (see also Spaen),
98, admitted to a morning club, 100,
101 ; meets M. Sommelsdyck (see also
Sommelsdyck, F. C. van A. van), 104;
receives the sacrament for the first time
in Church of England, 106-107, 122;
argues for concubinage, 107; at Ley-
den, 116-117; at Rotterdam, 117-119;
sits seven hours at cards, 119; returns
to Utrecht, 119; plans to compile a
Scots dictionary, 120, 137, 138, 162-
168, lazy, 125, 126-127, 140, 197199;
meets Mme Geelvinck, 127, falls in
love with her (see also Geelvinck,
Catherine), 132; begins Dutch themes,
133; suffers from low spirits, 144, 145,
157-158, sick at stomach, 158; begins
fencing lessons, 158, gloomy and un-
healthy, 160, 161, 168; has a bad cold,
169-172, 194; says he had been happier
406
in vice than virtue, 172; has sad
dreams, 172; gloomy, 174; wel1 an< *
cheerful, 174; distressed by news of his
son's death, 177-179, 194, 210-211; at-
tends mass at Jesuits' church, 179;
very gloomy, 180-192, 194-196, 200,
210-212; grows better, 192; represses
thoughts of whoring, 192-193, 231,
232, 237, 249; fears madness, 193;
awakes thinking he is dying, 196; takes
an oath to endure melancholy silently,
201; thinks he may have women, 201,
214, 222, 236, 249, 258, 259, forms
scheme of translating Erskme's Prin-
ciples (see also Erskine, John), 202;
blood let, 202; witnesses eclipse, 203-
204; attends last of the assemblies, 205;
confused and desperate, 205-207, 209-
212; dreary as a dromedary, 209-210;
miserable, 213; attends a club of young
Hollanders, 214, no pleasure in life,
but gay, 215, dreams he is condemned
to be hanged, 217; very gloomy, 217,
279-280, 281-282; well after sitting up
late, 221; in high spirits, 224-228, out-
lines his travels, 227, 275, 280; at Ley-
den, 228-229, at The Hague for Easter,
229-236, gloomy, 231-233, 236; re-
ceives the sacrament, 231; takes medi-
cine, 231-232, tells Maclaine of having
been Roman Catholic, 232; returns to
Utrecht, 236; at Leyden, 238-239; con-
sults Dr. Gaubius, 239, 251; at The
Hague for the kermis, 239-244;
gloomy, 242, 244; loses considerable
sums at cards, 243; disputes fornica-
tion, 244, 273; returns to Utrecht, 244;
relaxed and bad, 246; lies abed, 246,
249; talks of ghosts and religious hor-
rors, 247; ill, meanly scrupulous, 249;
better, 253; consults Dr. Halm, 258,
276, consults Dr. Tissot, 258; goes out
to Zuylen, 259, 263, 277-278, 285,
286; goes to Amsterdam, visits brothels
and a speel-huis but finds no girl that
pleases him, 260, 261; has scruples of
conscience, 260; returns to Utrecht,
262; sits up all night, in an agreeable
fever, 263; goes to The Hague for the
Index
King's birthday, 265-266, 267-273,
275; discusses the Roman Church with
a lawyer, 265; goes to Rotterdam, 266-
267; tells Caldwell the whole story of
his life, 267, learns that he is to travel
with Lord Marischal, 268; very happy,
268-269; sups with Duke of Brunswick,
272, 275; at Leyden, 273; engages a
Swiss servant, 273; returns to Utrecht,
273, 274, Trotz concludes his college,
274; JB confined with a cold, 276; a
fine, gay gentleman, 279, 280, 282,
287, sleeps naked on the floor, 286,
stands godfather for Brown's child,
286, gets a character from his servant,
290-291, 394-395; leaves Utrecht in a
glow of spirits, 290, summary of his
life from June, 1764 to spring, 1768,
296-297
II. a. Accomplishments, Tastes,
Traits of Character. Smokes tobacco, 4,
125-126; fears madness, 6, 7, 193, 279-
280, 281-282, benevolent, 17, 27; fond
of dress: has suit of sea-green and sil-
ver, 20, 37, 131, another of scarlet and
gold, 37, 43, 44, 46, 162, a fine white
suit, 146, 153, a suit of flowered silk,
265, 268, list of his wardrobe, 395-396,
references to other articles of dress, 46,
152, 153, to toothpicks, 88; fond of bil-
liards but thinks them blackguard, 22,
25, 32, 207, 209, 214, 217, 222; given
to matrimonial schemes see Geelvmck,
Cathenna; Stewart, Margaret, ZUY-
X.EN, BELLE DE; has strong feeling of
family, 34, 38, 157, 337-338, 387, 389;
vain (proud), 43, 63, 70, 127, 170,
277-278, 328, 349-350; likes to wash
his feet in warm water, 45, 207, likes
to sing, has a good ear, 55, cannot re-
sist anything laughable, 68; has an
excellent memory, 79-80, 128; a mon-
archist, 83, 150; treasures romantic
associations, 119, 124, 280; indolent,
125, 126-127, 140, 197-199; thinks he
was badly educated, 128; a Tory but
not a Jacobite, 131, kind to servants,
134-135, 291; Plays the flute, 136, 147;
honest and good-natured, 142; roman-
tic, 146; fickle in love, 157; fnd of
money, 157; likes to sleep with his
head high, 159-160; given to whims of
regularity, 169, has great difficulty in
rasing, 198; plagued by narrowness,
233, 350; has a facility in learning
languages, 242; a man of form, 307-
308, 370; a man of strict probity, 314;
likes novelty only in matters of the
imagination, 3*7; believes in subor-
dination, 336, 338; knowledge re-
stricted, cannot apply to study, 350;
subject to low spirits: see Part I of this
article, passim; seeks greater reserve of
character: see Part I of this article,
references beginning with p. 24
b. Opinions. On nightcaps, 49-50;
the Sabbath, 51; .English music, 51-52;
Scots music, 55, 168; learning French,
57-58, 213, breeches, 59-60; the Tories,
67; the Hanoverian line, 67, Groom of
the Stole, 68-69; republicanism and
monarchy, 79, 83; English authors as
compared to French, 83; too great sub-
tlety, 87; his own themes, 87-88;
French morality, 93; fashion, 101; in-
dolence, 126-127, 140-141, 197-198;
education of children, 128-129; the fast
on 30 January, 129-130; the Dutch
language, 133-1 34> 1 36; the proper
way to fold coats, 134; treatment of
servants, 134-135; the optimus mun-
dus, 135; origin of dreams, 146, stock-
ings and shoes, 152; fasting, 152-153;
poverty, 160-161, Scots language and
literature, 162165; pride and emula-
tion, 169; Tokay wine, 172; gaming,
181; meals, 189-190; rising in the
morning, 198; prudence, 309-310; met-
aphysics in women, 311; disobedient
daughters, 327; women with talents,
328
c. Religious Sentiments and Beliefs.
Prayers and ejaculations, 7, 9, 10, 18,
23, 29, 169, 280, 281; church attend-
ance, 23, 44, 51, 88, 106, 114, 119.
169, 179, 222, 231, 239, 244, 249, 261,
264, 268, 286, 291; calls life a state of
probation, 33; dreads Sunday because
Index 407
of gloomy associations, 50-51, 264; de-
fends revelation, 50, 62 72.5; counsels
piety, 54, 61, 95, 103, 140, 152, 179,
190, 196, 249, 388, thinks he is too
strict with himself, 61; hopes to be
prepared for death by an Anglican
clergyman, 61; depreciates Calvinism,
73> 3i6, tortured by metaphysics of
fate ? free-will, necessity, and origin of
evil, 9091, 179, 182, 183, 192, 195,
201, 204, 231, 232, 240, 269; considers
himself committed to moral behaviour
as a Christian, 95, 107; takes the sacra-
ment for first time in Church of Eng-
land, 106-107, 122, depreciates reli-
gious training of his childhood, 129,
252, 282; meditates on problem of soul
and body, 140-141; asks Mme Geel-
vinck's religion, 147, 152, 155-156;
fasts, reads prayers, 153; convinced of
Christian miracles, 174; debates Chris-
tian morals, 174; finds relief in reli-
gion from grief at son's death, 178;
convinced of revelation, 183, 212, prays
for delivery from gloom, 189, loses
comforts of religion when melancholy,
211, 215, 284; counsels against austere
devotion, 215; suffers sceptical (in-
fidel) thoughts, 217, 239, 246, 252,
269, questions if GOD forbids girls, 222;
owns having been Roman Catholic,
232, 267, talks about future life, 233;
disputes Athanasian Creed, 240, "con-
tinue Christian, as Johnson; Church of
England," 240, 241; discusses immor-
tality, 246; reads Rousseau, embraces
enlarged notions of GOD and liberal
interpretation of Christianity, 247,
252-253, 265, 267, 282, 285, 311, 334,
335-336; teases Madame about tran-
substantiation, 267
III. a. Writings in Holland, i. Mem-
oranda in Holland, described, x, xu-
xiv, bibliography of, xvni-xix; selec-
tion printed in this volume, 4-258; JB
begins in French but soon shifts to
English, except for dialogue, 4, 20, 24,
85 n.; to be looked at first thing each
morning and reviewed on Saturday,
408
38; to review previous day, indicating
what was right and what wrong, 49,
50, 200 72.3; to be free in self-criticism,
56; become-rough notes for journal, 111
72.3; provide a truer picture of JB's
mind than his journal or letters, 182
72.2, JB fails to write, xiv-xv, 228 72.9,
236 72.2, special memoranda, 95, 302
72.4; quoted, 295
2. Journal in Holland, 310 pages
on 20 Jan. 1764, 122; "great quantity"
on 23 March 1764, 196; 536 pages on
18 June 1764, 258 72. 7> portion covering
5 Aug. 1763-24 May 1764 lost m JB's
lifetime, ix-x, 258 72.7, 359, 364, 366,
375 72.3; bibliography of portion cover-
ing 24 May-i8 June 1764, xv, xviii-
xix; printed in this volume, 258-290;
JB behind in, 38; directs himself to
bring up, 3, 20, 22, 23, 32, 38, 39, 40,
44 ("all evening, to bring it up once
clear"), 46 ("after this clear it every
three days"), 47, 5> 5*, 81, 92
("short"), 94, 107, 117 ("you have
great materials"), 125, 131, 140 ("but
not too full"), 147, 152 ("obstinate
three hours"), 170, 172 ("all night"),
175, 190, 193, 196, 197, 202, 213, 214,
217, 222, 233, 241, 243, 244, 249, 253;
counsels himself to be more selective,
146, notes particular matter recorded
or to be recorded, 38, 47, 68, 160, 251;
plans to write in canal boat, 94; plans
to bring up, but falters, 119, 286, works
at, 39, 47, 97, 146, 147, *53, 169, 203;
begins to convert memoranda into
notes for, 49, 111 72.3; plans to get a
box for, 193; does not do justice to JB's
moral struggle, 260; Johnson urges
him to continue, 90; JB proposes to
send to Temple, 17, 27, 31, 250; plans
to read it with Johnston, 31; Caldwell
reads, 247; JB thinks it will be enter-
taining, 31,202, 244
3. French Themes, described, x-xi;
bibliography of, xv, 162 n., 245 72.6;
translated in this volume, xvii, xix,
French of one given as specimen, 391
392; selection printed in this volume,
Index
22, 37, 38 n.g, 43, 45, 48, 49, 49 n>5>
5*, 52, 54, 57, 59, 61, 63, 67, 68, 79,
86, 126, 127, 128, 134, 140, 144, 159,
162, 189, 190, 197, 203, 213, 229, 245;
method of composition, 22, 57, 63 72.7,
79-80, 86-87, 162 72., 213; corrected by
Carron or Brown, 6 72.3, 23 72.7, 47, 49,
57, 60 72.3, 7*, 94; characterized by JB,
68-69, 80, 87-88; sometimes take the
form of arguments, 134 72 ; JB thinks
they go well, 67-68; behind in, 86-87,
214 72.6; counsels himself to write, 38,
40, 92, 172, 203, 213, 214, 228, 241, 245,
246
4. Dutch Themes, described, x-xi;
bibliography of, xv; translated in this
volume, xvii, xix, selection printed in
this volume, 133, 136, 138, 148, 152,
158, 170; reference to earlier study of
Dutch, 67; method of composition, 133;
JB counsels himself to write, 172
5. Ten-Line Verses, described, x-xi,
bibliography of, xv; selection printed
in this volume, 37, 39, 46, 48, 50, 55,
56, 79, 84, 86, 101, 103, 111, 125, 128,
136, 143, 148, 152, 168, 177, 178, 181,
193, *98, 200, 202, 204, 205, 206, 207,
214, 310, aim in writing, 37-38; writ-
ten in the evening, often late at night,
200 72.3 (see also the verses^ passim);
JB pleased with, 48, counsels himself to
write, no, fails to write because ill,
171; discontinues, 228; mentioned, 95,
197, ?27i
6. Letters, xi xii, xv xvi, xvii-xviii.
See also the individual correspondents
7. Inviolable Plan, former printing,
xviii, printed in this volume, 387; JB
counsels himself to write out, 22, 38,
44, 47; writes out, to be read every
morning, 47; to be read each Saturday
only, 60-61, 125; JB is, or counsels
himself to be fixed in, 54, 80, 86, 94,
95, 183, 222, 228, 237, 240, 307 72.8
8. Scots Dictionary, JB plans, 120;
describes, 162-168; advances in, 137;
defends, 138; mentioned, 138
9. Translation of Erskine's Princi-
ples of the Law of Scotland, JB plans,
Index
201, describes, 245-246; works at and
worries over, 203-209, 213-215, 217,
222, 228, 247
10. Miscellaneous: Dialogues at The
Hague, xvi, 97-101, 101-103, 104-106;
Discourses for Literary Society, xvi,
54, 86, 87, 160-162; Register of Letters,
x, xvi, 43 72.3, 81 72.1, 333 71.4, 341 72.4;
General Expense Account, x, xvi; Ac-
count of Sums Lost and Won at Cards,
x, xvi, 180 72.7, 244 72.3; Female Scrib-
bler, 174-175; Boswelliana, 64, 203 72.2
b. Other Writings, i. Not Written
for Publication. Memoranda in Lon-
don, 1763-1764, x, 3-4, 195 72.4; Lon-
don Journal, 1762-1763, ix, xi, xvii, i,
4 72.6, 26 72.5, 5 1 rt-iO, 8l 72.2, 123, 195
ra.4, 309 n.; Memoranda in Germany,
307 72.8; sketch of his life written for
Rousseau, 45 72.9; journal covering his
interviews with Rousseau, 327; diary,
May, 1768, 374
2. Published. (For fuller informa-
tion see F A. Pottle, The Literary-
Career of James Boswell, 1929.) An
Evening Walk in the Abbey Church of
Holyroodhouse, 1758, 265 72.7; The Cub
at Newmarket, 1762, 63 72.6; Letters
Between tlie Hon. Andrew Erskine and
James Boswell, Esq., 1763, 13 72.1, 239;
The Essence of the Douglas Cause,
1767, 369, 372; An Account of Corsica,
1768, 172 72.8, 297, 366, 369, 372, 373
n-7> 375 rc.2, 376, 377 72.5, 382, 383;
The Hypochondriack, 1777-1783, 375
72.3; The Life of Dr. Samuel Johnson,
LL.D. t 1791,2,4372.3
Boswell, James the younger, son of JB,
168 72.5
Boswell, Margaret (Montgomerie), wife
of JB, 30 72., 115 n., 376
Bosweli, John, M.D., uncle of JB, account
of him, 58 72rt. i, 3; letter to JB, 58;
mentioned, 59 72.5, 124, 238, 367
Boswell, Lieut. John, brother of JB, 10,
66, 221, 236, 237, 239, 243, 249, 253
Boswell, Thomas David. See Boswell,
David
Bottestein, Miles, at Utrecht, 71, 125, 199
409
Boufflers-Rouverel, Louis-Edouard, Count
of, 241, 272
Boufflers-Rouverel, Mane Charlotte Hip-
polyte, Countess of, 241 72 8, 272-273
Bourier (PBounier, PBounen), at Ut-
recht, 180
Boyne, Battle of the, 159
Brabant, Court of, 348
Breuning, Paul S., xviii, 158 72.2
British Broadcasting Company, xi
Brodtkorb, Paul, xix
Brombsen, Baron, of Holstem, 321, 324
Broomholm, part of Auchmleck estate,
193
Brouwer, at Utrecht, 120
Brown, Anne. See Dalrymple, Anne
(Brown), Lady
Brown, Anne Elizabeth, daughter of Rev.
Robert Bro\\n, 286, 361, 370, 376
Brown, Catharine (Kinloch), wife of
Rev. Robert Brown, her parentage, 23
72.7, no; does not speak English, 57;
gives birth to daughter, 286; recovers
from serious illness, 367; gives birth to
son, 376; characterized, 70, 364, 370,
376, JB learns French in her company,
102, tells JB he is tired of everything,
253; references to JB supping, taking
tea, &c. with, 175, 247, 258, 286, men-
tioned, 60 72.2, 268, 269, 277, 283, 359
rc-3> 361, 365
Brown, Lawrence James, son of Rev.
Robert Brown, 376
Brown, Rev. Robert, at Utrecht, account
of him, 23 72.7; characterized, 66, 70,
73, 76, no, 131, 180, 206, 207; a good
linguist, 139; correspondent of Sterne
and Hall-Stevenson, 180; editor of
Vernet's Lettres critiques, 23 72.7, 257,
363; given to metaphysical argument,
*35 i79 182 (Hume on happiness),
183; advocates rational Christianity,
183, 237, 249, 276, 377; takes lodgers,
boarders, and pupils, 23 72.7, 39 72.3,
360-361, 363, 367; suffers ill health
after 1766, 358, 362, 365, 376; visits
Scotland in 1767, 297, 361-362, 371,
376
Relations with JB: letters to (texts),
Index
117, 35^, 362, 366, 375; &s part in the
loss of JB's journal, x, 359, 364, 366,
375 rc*3; J3 dines regularly at his house
for French conversation, 39, 43, 57 and
passim; corrects JB's French themes,
47, 49, 63, 125; to assist JB in Scots
dictionary, 120, JB's teacher in Dutch
and geography, 133, 170, 181, 190, in
Greek after Rose's departure, 207, 210,
222, 248-249, JB considers studying
Scots law with, 247; JB makes confi-
dant and adviser of, especially as re-
gards melancholy, 43, 54, 70, 73, 146,
172, 177, 189, 196, 207, 221, 236, 246,
248-249, 277; JB disputes metaphysics,
religion, and morality with, 73, 131,
172 (JB happier in vice than m virtue),
182, 183, 246, 247, 249, 257, 258, 269;
JB annoyed or bored by, counsels him-
self as to treatment of, 39, 73, 76, 131,
144, 145, 174, 180, 182, 189, 190, 204,
205, 206, 207, 217, 244; JB regiets
leaving, 287; takes letter from JB to
Belle de Zuylen, 297, 362 n.8; corre-
sponds with JB about his books left in
Utrecht, 359-360, 362-363; urges JB
to prosecute suit of Belle, sends news
of her, 360, 364-365, 367, 37i, 378,
of Fencer Cirx, 360, of Mme Geelvinck,
361, of Francois Mazerac, 362, 377-
378; secures Corsican materials for JB,
360, 363-364; correspondence with JB
interrupted by a misunderstanding,
375; about 50 other references, passim
Brown, William, D.D , professor at St.
Andrews, brother of Rev. Robert
Brown, 363
Bruce, James, overseer at Auchinleck,
193
Brunswick, Germany, 275, 280, 308, 314,
318
Brunswick, Court of, 227, 273, 318
Brunswick, family of. See Hanover,
House of
Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel, Augusta, Duch-
ess of (Hereditary Princess of Bruns-
wick), 144, 145
Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel, Friedrich Wil-
helxn, D. of, 144 n^
Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel, Karl I, D. of,
144 tt.4, 221
Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel, Karl Wilhelm
Ferdinand, D. of (Hereditary Prince
of Brunswick), 144, 145, 272, 275
Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel, Ludwig Ernst,
D. of, 116 n.
Brussels, Belgium, 9, 10, 11, 16, Grand
Miroir, hotel at, 1 1
Buccleuch, Francis Scott, 2nd D. of, 266
Buckingham, George Vilhers, 2nd D. of,
and others, The Rehearsal, 375
Buffon, Georges Louis Leclerc, Comte de,
French naturalist, 77
Burney, Frances, Diary, 49 72.5
Butcher Row, Strand, London, 81 72.2
Bute, John Stuart, 3rd E. of, 68, 87
Butler, Joseph, English theologian, Anal-
ogy of Religion, 95
Butler, Samuel, Hudibras, 44
Byron (or Biron) , Count, 9, 15
Caen, France, 12
Caesar, Julius, 304; Commentaries, 320
Cairnie, John, M.D., 31 n.2 t 210, 281
Calderwood, David, Scottish historian,
History of the Kirk of Scotland, 164
Caldwell, Rev. Samuel, at The Hague,
account of him, 231 n.6; his amiable
mind, 267, letter to JB, 247, JB walks
with, 231, 233, 267; JB disputes with
on happiness and irregular love, 243,
273; JB makes his confidant and ad-
viser as to melancholy, 244, 247-248,
265, 268, JB tells him the whole story
of his life, 267, JB confesses scepticism
to, 269. See also "Hibernians"
Cambridge, England, 1 7, 76, 78
Cambridge University, 7 725, 15, 17 n.6,
195 n.$, 230, 231, 240
Campbell, George, D.D., Scottish theolo-
gian, A Dissertation on Miracles, 172
Canongate, Edinburgh, 177
Canongate Kilwinning Lodge, Edin-
burgh, 58 rc.3
Capraja, island of Italy, 349
Carlisle House, London, 249
Carnegie, 44
Carr, Miss, 79 TZ.
Index
411
Carron, clerk of English church at Ut-
recht, 6, his parentage, 6 71.3; JB's
French teacher, 6 n.$ y 47, 49, 245, lends
JB books, 284 n 5, JB drinks tea with,
calls on, &c., 84, 206, 207, 217, 246,
249, 23; takes leave of JB, 290, men-
tioned, 28, 54 72.4, 67 n 4
Carsboddie (PCarsebome, Stirlingshire),
363
Carter, Mrs. Elizabeth, English poet and
translator, 198 n.
Castillon (Castiglione, Castillioni) , J. F.
Salvemini de, professor at Utrecht and
Berlin, 38-39, 43, 5O, 136, 137 n.i, 320,
321*324
Catch Club, musical society in London,
54
Cato,254, 301,315, 331
Cats, Jacob, Dutch statesman and poet,
no
Catt, Henri Alexandre de, 287 71.3, 301,
314,318,320,321,324
Catullus, 347 n.
Causes celebres et interessantes, &c. See
Gayot de Pitaval
Cavendish, John, styled. Lord, 272
Cazenove, Claviere et fils, bankers at
Geneva, 322
Cebes's Table, 28
Chais, Rev. Charles Pierre, Swiss clergy-
man and author at The Hague, 66, 105,
240, 241, 243
Charles \ of Great Britain and Ireland,
77, 129
Charles II of Great Britain and Ireland,
53 n.
Charles Edward, Prince, the Young Pre-
tender, 232 n.2
Charles, Jolm, D.D., minister at Amster-
dam, 261
Charlotte Sophia, queen of George III,
16/1., 49 71.5, 122
Chamere, Charles Emmanuel de, 384
Charriere, Henriette de, 384
Chamere, Louise de, 384
Chesterfield, Philip Dormer Stanhope,
4th E. of, 4
Cheyne, George, M.D., Scottish physi-
cian, 234
Church of England, JB -wishes to have an
Anglican clergyman at his deathbed,
61; Gray advises Temple to take orders
in, 61, adherence of Tories to, 67,
Nicholls to take orders in, 83; JB makes
his communion in for first time, a 06
rt.3, 107; typical characteristics of its
ministers, 122; commemorates anniver-
sary of Charles Fs death with fast,
129; Mason's preferment in, 151; JB
to fast on Friday, as directed by, 153;
no Anglican congregation in Utrecht,
179 n.i, JB exhilarated by its noble
worship, 388; mentioned, 231, 232,
240, 390
Churchill, Charles, English poet, 78, 79,
250-251; The Candidate, 250
Cicero, 82, 337; Epistles, 218
Cirkz, or Cirx, JB's fencing-master. See
Dirxen, Frans
Clarke, Samuel, D.D., 90, 183, 240; Dis-
course Concerning the Being and At-
tributes of God, 50; Sermons, 369
Clarke, Thomas, friend of William John-
son Temple, 195
Claxton, John, later F.S.A., 17, 196, 224,
283
Cleves, Germany, 111, 217
Clifton's Chop-house, London, 81
Coalston (Elizabeth Dalrymple), Lady,
no
Coalston (George Brown) , Lord, 54
Cochrane, at Utrecht, 192
Cochrane, Basil, Commissioner of Excise
in Scotland, grand-uncle of JB, 247,
266
Cochrane, Mrs. Shirle}', xix
Cokayne, G. E., Complete Peerage, rvi
n ; Complete Baronetage, xvi n.
Cologne Gazette, 360, 363
Colombier, Switzerland, 385
Colquhoun, Catharine, wife of Sir Roder-
ick Mackenzie, 220
Comte de Warwick, Le. See Laharpe
"Comtesse, la" See Nassau Beverweerd,
Countess of
Connal, Irish wigmaker at Amsterdam,
261
412
Index
Constable, PGeorge, lawyer, 365
Constant, Benjamin, French writer and
politician, 384
Conti, Louis Frangois de Bourbon, Prince
of, 272 72.3
Corpus Juris C wills, 32, 45
Corsi, Maria Maddalena (de' Medici),
Maichesa, 216
Corsica, 296, 342 72.5, 343 72., 349, 363, 368
Covent Garden, London, 224
Coverley, Sir Roger de, 148
Cow per, George Nassau (Clavering-Cow-
per), 3rd E., 216
Cowper, Hannah Anne (Gore), Countess,
wife of preceding, 216/7.
Cowper, William, later Clavering-Cow-
per, 2nd E., 216/2.
Craufurd, James, of Rotterdam, 358, 362
Craufurd, Patrick, later Sir Patrick, Scot-
tish merchant at Rotterdam, letters to
JB, 268, 277; 50 7Z.8, 266, 270, 278
Croker, John Wilson, Irish politician, es-
sayist, and editor, 130 n.
Cromwell, Oliver, 91, 130 n.
Cudgil, or De Horn, exiled Englishman
at Utrecht, 369
Cujas, Jacques, French jurist, 208
Culdares. See Menzies, Archibald
Culloden, Scotland, 231
Culross, Scotland, 53 n., 240
Cumberland, D. of. See William Augus-
tus, D. of Cumberland
Czartoryska, Princess, 325
Dalrymple, Anne (Brown), Lady, wife
of Sir David Dalrymple, 54, no
Dalrymple, Sir David, Bt., later Lord
Hailes, letters to JB, 40, 90, 96 72.8,
241; chooses Utrecht as JB's place of
study, 3, 12, 17; furnishes JB with in-
troduction to Count Nassau, 7, 295;
advises JB as to ways of curing melan-
choly, 40-42; his marriage, 54, 92; a
model of behaviour for JB, 71, 215, 221,
223, 231, 244, 389; JB comes to share
his opinion of Utrecht, 82-83; corre-
sponds with JB in French, 90, 196, 241;
jokes JB on Fatality, warns him
against Voltaire's history, explains
Dutch civility, 90-92; commissions JB
to copy notes on Graeci Lyrici, 96,
once enamoured of Mme Sichterman,
175, 242, mentioned, 27, 40, 92, no
Dalrymple, Magdalen, sister of Sir David
Dalrymple, 40
Dalrymple, Major William, 87
Davidson, at Rotterdam, 220, 277
Degenfeld Schomburg, Frederick Chris-
tian, Count van, 103 72.4
Degenfeld Schomburg, Louise Susanna
(Countess of Nassau), Countess van,
103, 111, 230
Delawarr, John West, 6th Baron, 176 72.3
Delft, 266, 267
Delphi, Temple at, 390 n.
Demosthenes, 197
Dempster, George, M.P., account of him,
9 72.9; characterized, 9, 252, 270-271,
letters to JB, n, 19, 71, 270, makes
journey from Paris to Brussels to com-
fort JB, 9, 10, 11, 16; advises JB to
endure melancholy silently or transfer
to French academy, 12-14, to cultivate
scepticism, 19, gives JB news about
Wilkes, 72-73; would laugh at JB's
sexual scruples, 258; mentioned, 15, 19
72., 21, 38, 277
Dempster, Jean, sister of preceding, 272
Denis, Mme Louise (Mignot), niece of
Voltaire, 327
Deputy Director of the Chancery. See
Russel, John
Derrick, Samuel, Irish author, 92
Derry, county in Ireland, 231 72.6
Des Essar, at Utrecht, account of him,
203; mentioned, 135, 162, 182, 196
Dessau. See Anhalt-Dessau
Deucalion, 102
De Wit, Jacob, Dutch painter, 1 1 1 72.2
Dick, Sir Alexander, Bt., 169 72.7
Dickstoun, Pfarm at Auchinleck, 53
Dictionary of National Biography, The,
Xvi 72.
Digges, West, actor, 2, 124, 140, 152, 176
PDirxen, Frans (called Cirx or Cirkz),
JB's fencing-master, 158-159, 174, 217,
285, 360
Dodsley, Robert, English poet, play-
Index
413
wright, and bookseller, A Collection of
Poems by Several Hands, 117
Doig, Peggy, mother of JB's son Charles,
31 72.2, 21O Jl.
Donaldson, Alexander, Scottish book-
seller, 177, 272
Donaldson, John, Scottish painter, 168,
169 n.j
Donhof, Count, 324-325
Dordt (Dordrecht), 84
Douglas, Archibald James Edward Doug-
las, later ist Baron Douglas of Douglas,
265 n.6
Douglas, Lady Jane, wife of Sir John
Stewart, Bt., Grandtully, 265 n.7
Douglas Cause, The, 264 71.4, 265 n.6, 265
n.7, 364 n.i, 366 n., 377 n.6
Drummore (Hew Dalrymple), Lord, 87
Drury Lane, London, 224
Dry den, John, 38, 197 n.
Du Chasteler et de Courcelles, Francois
Gabriel Joseph, Marquis ("Marquis de
Chatelaine")* 361
Dunbar, William, Scottish poet, 165 n.
Dundas, Henry, later ist V. Melville, 220
Dundas, Robert (Lord Arniston), the
younger, Lord President of the Court
of Session, 108
Dundee, Scotland, 19
Dundonald, Thomas Cochrane, 8th E. of,
grand-uncle of JB, 130, 247 n., 265
Dundonald, William Cochrane, 7th E. of,
130 n.
Dutch. See HOLLAND AND THE DUTCH
East India Company, 271
Eck, Cornelius van, Dutch jurist and pro-
fessor at Utrecht, Principia juris civilis,
44,45
Edgerton, Franklin, xix
Edinburgh, gloominess of Sundays in,
50-51; North Bridge built, 59; JB
hopes to die in, or in London or Au-
chinleck, 61; JB's legal practice in, 297;
its society, 316, 348, 364-365
Edinburgh, University of, 4 n.6, 10, 28
n.8, 202 n.7
Edinburgh Theatre, 124
Edward Augustus, D. of York, 63, 64
Edwards, stationer at Temple Gate, Lon-
don, 81 n.2
Efferen, Countess d*, at Utrecht, 71
Egluiton, Alexander Montgomerie, loth
E. of, i, 55, 63, 170, 258, 267, 271
Elgin, Charles Bruce, 5th E. of, 30 n.
Elgin, Martha (White), Countess of,
30 n.
Eliott, Ann (Pollexfen), later Lady
Heathfield, 360 n.
Ehott, Gen. George Augustus, later Lord
Heathfield, 360
Emile. See Rousseau
Emmanuel College, Cambridge, 231 n^
Epictetus, 95, 148, 350
Erasmus, 219
Erskine, Hon. Andrew, account of him,
13, 26 n.4, 176 n.2, 271, 309 n.; letter
to JB, 175; Letters Between the Hon-
ourable Andrew Erskine and James
Boswell, Esq., 13 n.i, 239; his and JB's
unpublisned jeu tfesprit, 73; his farce,
She's Not Him and He's Not Her, 176-
177, 272; mentioned, 177, 228
Erskine, Lady Anne, sister of Andrew
Erskine, 177
Erskine, John, of Carnock, Scottish jurist,
Principles of the Law of Scotland
(called "Erskine's Institutes" by JB
and his father), JB's study of, 21, 32,
38, 44, JB's scheme to translate into
Latin, 197, 201 n.4, 213, 215, 217, 222,
228, 245-246, 247; mem. to get a copy
of for Trotz, 45; Lord Auchinleck
thinks it well composed, 65; Lord Au-
chinleck sends JB a copy of, 220, 236;
Institutes of the Law of Scotland, 32
n.5
Erskine, John, of Alloa, 36 n.
Essay on Woman, An. See Potter,
Thomas
Estienne (Jhienne, Stephanus), Henri II,
166
Faber du Faur, Curt von, xix
Faculty of Advocates, Edinburgh, 34> 389
Fagel, Hendrik, Dutch statesman, 244
Fagel, Johanna Catharina, later wife of
Willem van Tuyll, 244 n.i
414 Index
Favart, Charles Simon, French play-
wright, U Anglais a Bordeaux, 244, 363
Fergusson, James ("young Pitfour"), ad-
vocate, 272
Fergusson, Rev. Joseph, JB's childhood
tutor, 47
Feronce von Rotenkreutz, Jean Baptiste,
Privy Councillor of Brunswick, 273-
274
Fettercairn House, Scotland, i
Findlater, James Ogilvy, 6th E of, 231
72.5
Findlater, Sophia (Hope), Lady, wife of
the preceding, 231
Fingal. See Macpherson, James
Fitzgerald, Mrs. Lucyanna, xix
Flanders, 221, 227, 349
Florence, Italy, 216
Floyer, Charles, Governor of Madras, 36
n.
Floyer, Frances, later wife of John Ers-
kme of Alloa, 36, 195 71.4 }
Foladare, Joseph, xviii
Foley, Ralph, later Sir Ralph Foley, St.,
banker in Paris, 354 n.
Forbes, Sir William, Bt., of Pitshgo,
banker and author, 39-40
ForJwich, Lord. See Cowper, George
Nassau (Clavering-Cowper), 3rd E,
Fordyce, Alexander, Scottish banker in
London, 72
Fort Augustus, Scotland, 221
France, 190, 195, 227, 256
Franeker, Friesland, 44, 170
Fraser, Alexander, of Strichen, 220
Frazer, George, excise officer in Scot-
land, 220
Frederick Augustus, D. of York, 216
Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange, no
72.1
Frederick William I of Prussia, 97 72.5
Frederick II (the Great) of Prussia, 50
^.6, 97 ^.5, in, 221, 251 72., 268 72.5,
284 72.6, 287 72.3, 301 n., 319, 320
Friesland, 44, 170
Froment, Denis-Daniel de, 284 72.6
Froment, Mme Emet-UUa ("Madame
Turk"), wife of the preceding, 283,
284, 285, 286, 313, 318, 320
Gall, banker in Edinburgh, 359 n.5
Gascoyne, Bamber, M.P., later Lord of
the Admiralty, 72
Galloway, Alexander Stewart, 6th E. of,
159
Galloway, John Stewart, 7th E. of
("Lord Garhes"), 159
Galloway, Scotland, 159
Gaubius, Jerome David, physician and
professor at Leyden, letter from JB,
238; Sermo academicus alter de regi-
mine mentis quod medicorum est hab-
itus, 232, 239, 251, JB consults con-
cerning his melancholy, 238-239, 248,
251; his advice to M. Chais, 240; his
Latin style, 278 TZ.I; mentioned, 59
Gay, John, The Beggar's Opera, 2
Gayot de Pitaval, Francois, Causes ce-
lebres et inter essantes, &c., 109
Gazette Franfaise, (probably Gazette
d'Utrecht), 203
Geelvinck, Catherine Elisabeth (Hasse-
laer) (""la Veuve"), account of her, 127
72.2; her age, 132 n.; her three mar-
riages, 162, 361, 361 n.; described and
characterized, 128, 131, 132 n., 136,
137, 142, 146, 147, 157, 169, 189, 227,
259> 296, letter to JB, 184; JB plays
cards with, 128; Belle's character-
sketch (Portrait) of her, 131-132,
132 n. (extracts), 183, 184 72.9; JB in
love with, 132, 136, 148, 153, 158, 211;
JB's conversations with, 132, 136, 141-
143, 154-157, 212-213; JB envied for
his intimacy with, 132-133; JB talks
too much about, 133; mem. to think no
more of, 133; JB plans cautious, gentle
approach in wooing, 136, 144, 147, 148,
152, 197, corrects JB's French, 136,
promises to lend JB the "Portrait of
Zelide," 136, JB conceals his feelings
for, 137; mem. to be retenu, except
with, 143; JB swears not to speak of
himself, except to, 144; JB believed to
be in love with, 146, 169, 216; mem. to
discover real nature of, 146; JB dreams
of, 146; la Comtesse observes JB's prog-
ress with, 146; JB contemplates mar-
riage with, 147; JB exchanges looks
Index
with, 147; mem. to ask her religion
and history, 147-148, 152; discussed
at assembly, 148; JB disappointed at
absence of, from assembly, 148, JB
thinks may be trying his patience, 148,
mem. to subdue passion for, 148, to
tip valet of, 148; JB subdues passion
for, 152; mem. to ask confidence and
advice of, 152, to ask to write him
from The Hague, 152, 153; JB fears
seeing, 153; JB thinks he has made an
impression on, 153; mem. to confess
devotion to, 153, to sound out senti-
ments of, 153; JB seeks company of,
at children's party, 153 71.4; JB regards
as friend and confidant as well as mis-
tress, 158; JB resolves to be worthy of,
158; JB watches leave Utrecht, rav-
ished by sight of, 158; discussed by
Des Essar, 162; letter from, fails to
rebeve JB's gloominess, 189; JB at-
tracted to like steel to a magnet, 199;
effects of JB's passion for, 211; JB con-
fesses changes of heart to, 212-213;
Lord Auchinlcck remarks on aloofness
of, 220; JB's reservation as to widow-
hood of, 227; Temple offers to JB in a
bargain for Belle, 250; JB's temporary
preference for over Belle, 296; friend-
ship of, with Belle, 296, 361; men-
tioned, xii, 127, 140, 170, 201, 205,
217, 237
Geelvinck, Lieve, husband of preceding,
127 72.2, 162
Geelvinck, Lieve, son of preceding and
Mme Geelvinck, 154, 156
Geneva, Switzerland, 10, 23 72.7, 227, 230,
322, 323, 325, 328, 332
Gennet, Mrs., at Rotterdam, 2 1
Genoa, Italy, 339, 34* > 342 72.5, 349
George I of Great Britain and Ireland,
130
George II of Great Britain and Ireland,
116 ru
George III of Great Britain and Ireland,
characterized, 67, 83; insists on punish-
ment of Wilkes, 72; appealed to by
House of Lords to prosecute author of
Essay on Woman, 73, JB's loyalty to,
415
131; his birthday celebrated at Sir
Joseph Yorke's, 264, 268, 275; men-
tioned, 63 n.6, 68, 139, 144 72.4
George, House of. See Hanover, House of
Germamcus Caesar, 149
Germany, 195, 217, 227, 275, 278, 280,
319, 327
Germany, Courts of, 2, 221, 227, 235, 250,
258 72., 282, 296, 319
Giardini, Felice di, Italian musician, 52
72.
Gil Bias. See Lesage
Gilmour, Sir Alexander, Bt, of Craig-
miller, 371-372
Glasgow, Scotland, 108, 174 72.6
Godet, Philippe, Madame de Charriere et
ses amis, 184 72.9, 188 ., 263 72.2, 279
"3, 356 rc,8, Lettres de Belle de Zuylen
(Madame de Charriere) a Constant
Hermenches, 379
Goens, Ryklof Michael van, Dutch phi-
lologist, 253
Gordon, Alexander Gordon, 2nd D. of,
117
Gordon, Hon. Charles, brief account of,
16; characterized, 21, 96, he and JB
consider JB's settling in Leyden so as
to be companions, 16, 21, JB dislikes,
96, 111, 114, 116, thinks better of, 117;
JB sups at house of with the Prince of
Strektz, 122; Mme Geelvmck's opinion
of differs from Belle's, 184; JB com-
pares himself favourably to, 228; JB
introduces at Zuylen, 263; mentioned,
230, 264 72.3
Gouda, 10, 20, 119
Graeci Lyrici, 96
Graham, John, of Kinharvie, formerly
Provost of Dumfries, 279
Grand Bailiff. See Nassau La Lecq, Jan
Nicolaas Floris, Count of
Grange, Scotland, 31, 120
Gray, Thomas, poet, characterized, 15,
33, 62, 83, 151, 252; JB wishes to be
presented to, 17; confidant of William
Johnson Temple, 33; mem. to get com-
monplace-book like his, 38; advises
Temple to enter holy orders, 61; his
41 6 Index
opinion of Mrs. Macaulay's History,
77, 83; praises the polite French au-
thors, 77; finds genius more common in
France than in England, 77, JB differs
with on relative merit of French and
English authors, 83; JB puns on his
name, 83; his Hymn to Adversity
quoted, 226, mem. to emulate, 249;
mentioned, 8 n.
Great Britain, political situation in, 67;
government of, 150; "saddled for the
year With armies and excise on beer,"
271; the British characterized, 276-277
Greek lyrics, 96
Green, Matthew, English poet, The
Spleen, 117
Grimm, Jacob, German philologist and
mythologist, 139 n.6
Gronovius, Mile, daughter of Abraham
Gronovius, 117
Gronovius, Abraham, classical scholar
and Librarian of the Univeisity of
Leyden, letter to JB, 278 (oiigmal,
393); Lord Auchmleck's friendship
with, 25; his kind reception of JB, 25,
JB visits, 96, 117, 228, JB plans to
copy his notes on the Gieek lyrics for
Sir David Dalrymple, 96, JB makes
gift of wine to, 228, 266 n.g y 277 n.8;
his barometric cat, 229; advises JB con-
cerning his melancholy, 273; his
Latin style, 278 TZ.I; mentioned, 95-
96, 116
Gronovius, Dorothea Wynanda (van
Asch van Wijk), wife of preceding, 117
72.1
Guiffardifcre, Rev. Charles de, letters to
JB, 74, 253, letter from JB, 92; men-
tioned, 49, 56, 88, 192, 253, 257 n.6,
358
Guy, Mme de, at Utrecht, 71
Haarlem, 10
Hague, The, described, 98, 121, an, 229,
289; summer the best time to see, 103;
not a place for correspondence, 184;
deranges Count Nassau, 196; many
Englishmen at, 272; reaction of to
Belle, 293; reception of William V and opher, 251, 258
bride at, 365, places, &c., at. Ambassa-
dor's chapel, 106, 122, 230, 231, 236,
239, 244, 268, Comedie or Comedy
(theatre), 96, 97, 98-99, 103, 244, 272;
English (Piesbytenan) church, 105
72.9; French chuich, 66 rc.i; House in
the Wood (Huis ten Bosch), no, in,
232, 233, 240, 267, kermis, 240 n.6,
241, 242, 271, 275; Marechal Tmenne
(inn), 96, 98, 99, 101, 104, 229, 231,
233; the Parade, 104, 266, Parliament
of England (inn), 265, 267, 272; Prin-
sesse Gracht (street), 97, 274, the
Society (morning club), 100, 101, 103,
106, 114, 229, see also BOSWELL, JAMES
Hahn, Johannes David, M.D , professor
at Utrecht and Leyden, diagnoses and
prescribes for JB's melancholy, xin-
xiv, 258, 276, JB hears his lecture, 120;
JB sups with, 210; JB attends his con-
cert, 22 1; tells JB anecdotes, 249; mem.
to have him (to supper?), 249, analyzes
Belle's character, 283, 285-286; his
scientific experiments, 317, 369
Hainault, province of The Netherlands,
49^.5
Hall-Stevenson, John, English author,
180
Hamilton, James George Hamilton, 7th
D. of, 264 77.4, 265 72.7
Hamilton, James Hamilton, 6th D. of,
264 77.4
Hampden, John, English statesman, 150
Handel, George Frederick, 51; The Mes-
siah, 51-52
Hanni, Jacob, JB's Swiss servant, 241, 273
Hanover, House of, 67, 151
Hardenbroek, Gijsbert Jan, Baron van,
Steward-General of Utrecht, 199
Harwich, England, 2, 4, 5, 15
Hasselaer, Gerard Nicolaasz, 279
Hasselaer, Susanna Elisabeth (Has-
selaer), wife of the preceding, cousin
of Mme Geelvinck, 279, 300
Hay, Mr., at Rotterdam, 21
Hay, Alexander, of Edinburgh, 21 72.9
Hellevoet(sluis), 270
Helvetius, Claude Adrien, French philos-
at
Helvidius Priscus, Roman
and statesman, 149
Henderson, Mr., 359 72.5
Hennert, Johan Frederik, professor
Utrecht, 137, 237, 247
Henn IV of France, 146 72.1
Henryson, Robert, Scottish poet, 165 n.
Herculaneum, Italy, 88
Hermenches, David-Louis, Baron de
Constant de Rebecque, Seigneur d', ac-
count of, 262 n.8; letter to JB, 262, his
opinion of the Countess of Degenfeld,
103 72.4; references to his correspond-
ence with Belle, 239 72.4, 250 n., 263
71.1, 285 n., 293 -2, 295, 312 72., 361 72.;
extracts from their correspondence con-
cerning JB, 263 72.1, 329 72., 330 72.9,
378-383; Belle shudders at the thought
of his seeing her letter to JB, 301, Belle
urges JB to write to, 305; reads and
admires JB's letter to Belle, 330; writes
marriage proposal to Belle in behalf of
Bellegarde, 330 72.1
Heron, Jean (Home), first wife of Pat-
rick Heron, 159
Heron, Patrick, of Heron, banker, 159
Herries, Cochrane, and Company, Lon-
don bankers, 25 72.2, 124
Hertford, Francis Seymour-Conway, i6th
E. and later 4th M. of, Ambassador to
Paris, 76
Hesse, Prince of, 104
Heuvel, Mme van den, at Utrecht, 71
"Hibernians" (Caldwell, Rowley, and at
least one other of JB's acquaintances at
The Hague), 236, 239, 243, 244, 267,
268, 269
Hill, clergyman in Holland, 192
Hilles, F. W., xviii, 184 72.9
Hine, Mrs. Louise W., xix
Hochkirch, battle of, 284 72.6
Hogarth, William, painter, 44
Hogendrop, ?Dirk Johan van, Baron van
Hofwegen and Tilburg, 75
Holdernesse, Robert Darcy, 4th E. of,
151, 272
HOLLAND AND THE DUTCH
Holland: attracts young men preparing
for the Scots bar, 2; transportation in,
Index 417
philosopher 6 72.9, 12, 96 72.9; Dutch "college," 9,
41, compared metaphorically with
Paris, 12; government and economy of,
13, 116 72., 287-288, 289; postal rates
to England, 18 72.7; its uniqueness, 26;
its climate, 48, 56, 170; no great dif-
ference between it and other countries,
48; requirements for adjusting to life
in, 48; danger of floods in, 73, 102; JB's
affection for, 117; coins, 208 72.6; JB re-
luctant to extend stay in, 245; JB terms
boorish, 245; JB proud of having passed
winter in, 266; relative cheapness of
velvet in, 270; JB satisfied with his
stay in, 280; degeneration of univer-
sities in, 289; topography of, 318, 347;
JB loves, notwithstanding his criticism
of, 347
The Dutch: great masters of Roman
law, 2; addiction to smoking, 4, 13; JB
impersonates a Dutchman smoking,
125-126; Dutch professors character-
ized, 12; brutality and phlegm, 12,
caricatured, 13; stingy with sugar, 43;
gardening, 53, 65, care of cattle, 53-54*
65, festival of Dutch students, 68; cari-
cature of a Dutch vrouw, 79; meal
times, 84 72.4; dry civility, 91; do not
give dinners nor pay visits, 91; Dutch
Guards, 104, 233; Dutch language, 109,
no, 133-134, 136; freedom from low
spirits, 123 72.3, 242, salutations, 136;
mem. to keep at a distance, 153; love
of skating, 170; brutish in quarrels,
261 72.6; simplicity and honesty of
older generation, 289; tedium of Dutch
life, 294; profession of advocate es-
teemed, 348; love of ceremony, 365
Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh, 265
Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, 40 72.6
Homer, 207
Hook, Mrs. Mary Jane, xix
Horace, 219, 235 n 8; Satires, 41, 234
Houston, Col. John, Scottish officer in
the Dutch service, 114, 233, 268
Huet, Daniel Theodore, minister of the
Walloon congregation at Utrecht, 358
Hume, David, his diplomatic service at
Paris, 76; writes "Tory" history, 77
Index
72.5; his literary style, 81; JB reads till
sick, 180; his notion of the equality of
happiness, 182; friend of the Countess
of Boufflers-Rouverel, 241 n.8, 272 72.3;
disparages metaphysics, 312; History
of England, 357; his quarrel with Rous-
seau, 357 n.
"Hume," or "Humes." See Macgregor,
Hugh
"Hungarians" (JB's fellow students at
Utrecht), 161, 167, 172 72.8, 179, 183,
196, 209, 221, 236, 249, 253; see also
Janosi, Gyorgy
Hyde, Mr. and Mrs. Donald F., 92 72.9,
203 72.2
Hyde Park, London, 72
/ love Sue, song, 128
Inner Temple, London, 7 72.5, 8, 10, 13,
16, 17, 3/, 76, 81 72.2, 96, 222, 249
Inveraray, Scotland, 26
Inverness, Scotland, 40, 221
Isham, Lieut. Col. Ralph H., xvi, xvii,
xix, 293 72.1, 297 72.7, 383 n.
Italy, 195, 227, 296, 319, 327, 332, 335,
343
James I of England, 77, 165 72.
James V of Scotland, 165
Janosi, Gyorgy, M.D., 172, 277; see also
"Hungarians"
Jerusalem, Abbot Johann Friedrich Wil-
helm, Protestant divine at Brunswick,
274
Job, 177
JOHNSON, SAMUEL, characterized, 28, 42,
81, 92, 202, 385; loves biography, xii;
his famous dictum on life, xiv, his
definition of a Tory, 67; his anecdote
of Mrs. Macaulay, 77 72.5; Lord Auch-
inleck's retort to, 130 72.; on the prob-
lem of the plenum and the vacuum,
179 724, on nautical life, 195 72.5, his
anecdote of Mrs. Carter, 198 ra.; his
projected edition of Shakespeare, 251
Relations with JB. Letter to JB, 89;
JB counsels himself to write to, writes
to, records receipt of letter from, 4, 42-
43, 92, 94, 95, 96-97, *74> 196, 197; JB
emulates or counsels to emulate, xii-
xiii, 80, 95, 205, 228, 231, 240, 249, 307
72.8; JB's melancholy not an attempt to
imitate, xni; charitable towards JB's
lapses, xiv; his influence on JB's char-
acter and morals, 2, 18, 36, 50 72 7, 68
72.6, 90, 92, 121, 202, 295, outlines plan
of study, recommends religious reading
for JB, 2, 50 72.7; sees JB off from
Harwich, 2, 5, 15; JB's friends urge JB
to remember and to read while melan-
choly, 14, 17, 22, 42; JB roused by
Rambler, 18, 20, 28, 121, 387, plans to
make a cento from his works, 28; JB
thinks would admire his ten-line verses,
48, JB talks like against la Comtesse,
74; JB imagines his opinion of Mrs.
Macaulay's History, 79, JB prefers his
style to Hume's, 81, JB regards cor-
respondence with as the greatest honour
he ever attained, 92, JB calls the first
author in England, 92, JB takes his
Dictionary as model for his projected
Scots dictionary, 164, 165-166, 167,
shows him a specimen of the Scots dic-
tionary, 168 72.5; JB translates one of
his satires into Latin, 196; JB addresses
ten-line verses to, 202, JB reads his
satires, 203; De Guiffardidre depreci-
ates, 255, JB's copy of Dictionary bor-
rowed by Belle de Zuylen, 359, 363;
mentioned, 3, 38 72.1, 78, 190 72.6, 250,
272 72.3, 384, 385
Johnston, John, of Grange, account of, 4
72.6, 7 72.5; letteis fiom JB to, 4 (cont.
10, 18, 30), 120, 210, 279, bibliography
of, x-xi, xv, JB counsels himself to
write to, writes to, recoids receipt of
letters from, 38, 58, 119, 120, 197, 279;
JB writes to about Miss Stewart, 24,
31-32, 120-121; Lord Auchmleck en-
tertains low opinion of, 26 72.4; has
charge of JB's son Charles, 31, 124; Dr.
Boswell desires friendship of, 58, 124,
JB recommends Rambler and Temple's
Observations on the Netherlands to,
121, 122-123; JB allows to read papers
in his custody, 123; informs JB of
Charles's death, 177, 210; JB counts on
help of in carrying out Inviolable Plan,
389; mentioned, 13, 40, 175, 177. JB's
letters to Johnston, so far as they are a
chronicle of his own activities, are
analysed in BOSWELL, JAMES, Part I
Jones, Jeremiah, Independent minister
and biblical critic, A New and Full
Method of Settling the Canonical Au-
thority of the New Testament, 243
Juvenal, Satires, 108, 168
Kames (Henry Home), Lord, 44, 87; Ele-
ments of Criticism, 87
Karl Alexander, Prince of Lorraine, 361
Kate, Lambert ten, Dutch philologist,
Aenleiding tot de Kennisse van het ver-
hevene Deel der Nederduitsche Sprake,
&c., 139
Katte, Lieut. Hans Hermann von, 97 72.5,
111
Keith, James Francis Edward, Field
Marshal, 284
Keith, Lieut. Peter Karl Christoph von,
97 rc-5
Kellie, Alexander Erskine, 5th E. of, 13
Index 419
Kinloch, Margueiite Susanne, sister of
Mrs. Brown, does not speak English,
57; her age, 60 72.2; native of Switzer-
land, 102; characterized, 60, 68, 370;
JB wishes she would mend his breeches,
60; JB plagues, 68, JB plays shuttle-
cock with, 74; called "la belle sceur"
74; JB learns French in her company,
102; her fondness for Switzerland, 102;
accuses JB of having an ironical air,
137; mentioned, 23, 72.7, 75, 247, 258,
286, 361, 365, 367
Kinloch, family of, 269, 359 72.3
Kirkheisen, Carl David, President of City
Council of Berlin, 319
Kirkheisen, Caroline, daughter of preced-
ittg) 3 19 320, 322
Kirroughtrie, estate in Scotland, 159 72^.
Knaresborough, Yorkshire, 40
Knox, John, History of the Reformation
of Religion within the Realm of Scot-
land, 164
Kurland, Ernst Johann, Reichsgraf von
Biron, D. of, 9 72.8
Kellie, Thomas Alexander Erskine, 6th
E. of, 17672.1
Kellie, Scotland, 176
Kilravock, family of, 39 72.3, 270
Kincardine, Alexander Bruce, and E. of,
great-grandfather of JB, 53, 66
Kincardine, Veronica (van Aerssen van
Sommelsdyck) , Countess of, great-
grandmother of JB, 3, 53 72., 66, no
72.5, 240 72.7
Kingston, Evelyn Pierrepont, 2nd D. of,
265
Kinloch, Lieut. Archibald, later Sir Archi-
bald, Bt., x, 359, 361, 364, 366
Kinloch, David, later Sir David, Bt., of
Gilmerton, 359
Kinloch, Sir James, Bt., father of Mrs.
Brown, 23 7, no
Kinloch, Anne Marguerite (Wild), 2nd
wife of preceding and mother of Mrs.
Brown, 110
Kinloch, Margaret (Foulis), ist wife of
Sir James Kinloch, no
Laharpe, Jean Francois de, French poet
and critic, Le Comte de Warwick, 363
Lainshaw, Laird of. See Montgomerie,
James
Lam, G. L., xix, 216 72.
La Roche. Bee Rose
Latimer, Hugh, Protestant martyr, 219
Lausanne, Switzerland, 102
Law, references to JB's reading and writ-
ing of, 88, 92, 127, 131, 133, 192: see
also Erskine, John, Principles of the
Law of Scotland; Civil (Roman) Law,
2, 28, 34, 40, 43, 45, 49, 65, 83, 15*.
152, 170, 173, 194, 199, 205, 209, Dutch
law, 170, 205, Scots law (and bar), 2,
34, 40, 65, 194, 199, 203, 205, 245, 247,
253, 297, 348
Lebonk, shoe-maker and skating-master
at Utrecht, 41
Legg, Mrs., laundress in the Inner Tem-
ple, 81
Leidschendam, 232, 275
Leith, Scotland, 176, 359, 362, 365
420
Index
Lesage, Alain Rene, French novelist and
playwright, Gil Bias, 95, 245, 248
Leti, Gregory, Italian historian, 91
Leusden, Rudolph, piofessor at Utrecht
("one of our regents") , 324
Ley den, Lord Auchmleck a law student
at, 2-3, 1 7, 1 t8, JB's gt andf ather a law
student at, 2-3, 17, thought to be cul-
turally mferioi to Utrecht, 3, JB visits,
6, 95-96, 116-117, 122 > 228-229, 238
n. f 244, 273; JB considers residing at,
rather than at Utrecht, 9, 11, 16, 17;
Charles Gordon hopes JB will spend
winter at, 21; Andrew Mitchell a
student at, 221 71.3, JB loves for fathers
sake, 229, Lord Marischal confuses
with Utrecht as place of JB's residence,
270; Gen. Ehott a student at, 36*0 n.-,
places, &c., at Botanic Garden, 228,
English chapel, 228, kermis, 273;
Rapenburg (street), 53; University of
Leyden, 21 ng> 25 n 3, 96 n.8, 137 77.2,
161 72., the Vliet (river), 53
Liebert, H. W, x\m
Life magazine, xi
Limier (or Limiers) , 207
Lindsay, Sir David, Scottish poet, 165 n.
Locke, John, 39/7.2; Some Thoughts Con-
cerning Education, 45; Two Treatises
of Government, 151; Reasonableness of
Christianity t 253
Lockhorst, Maria Catharina (van Tuyll)
van, aunt and godmother of Belle de
Zuylen, 71, 160, 169
Lombach, ?Niklaus, of Berne, 258, 263
London, JB's fondness and nostalgia for,
i, 5, 9. 10, 13, 35, 92, plans to pass some
months of each year there, 35, 389; JB
hopes for good place in, 35; Temple
finds a handsome fortune necessary for
living agreeably in, 76, JB recalls first
visit to, 92, its poetry, 117; mode of
breakfasting in, 189, JB imagines him-
self in, 224; JB's' former conduct in,
271; JB strolls at The Hague as he did
in, 239; JB stops hi, on way to Auchm-
leck, 352 n.
Longueville, Rev. David, Scottish minis-
ter at Amsterdam, 53, 260
Lorraine, France, 361
Louis XV of France, 41
Louisburg, Nova Scotia, 130 n.
Love, James, professional name of James
Dance, actor, 87
Luke, St., 249 72.10
Luneburg, Court of, 227, 269, 275, 280
Lycurgus, Spartan lawgiver, 349
Lyons, France, 354
Maarseveen (Maerseveen), Isabella Jo-
hanna (van Lockhorst) van, niece of
M. de Zuylen, 324
Maasdam, Aarnoud Joost van der Duyn,
Baron, no .g, 114, 116, 229, 241, 243,
244, 268, 269, 273
Maasdam, Anna Margaretha (van Aers-
sen van Sommelsdyck) van der Duyn,
Baroness, sister of M. de Sommelsdyck,
no, 269 72.6,379
Maasdam, Anna van der Duyn, Mile,
later Countess van Bylandt, daughter of
preceding, 241
Macaulay, Catharine (Sawbndge), his-
torian, History of England, 77, 79, 83,
151
Macaulay, George, M.D., husband of
preceding, 77
Macfarlane, Lady Elizabeth (Erskine),
later Baroness Colville, sister of An-
drew Erskine, 177
Macfarlane, Walter, of Macfarlane, anti-
quary, husband of preceding, 176 n.i,
177
Macgregor, Hugh, servant of the Aston
family, 192
Macheath, Captain, character in The
Beggar's Opera, 2
Mackenzie, Hon. James Stuart, Lord
Privy Seal of Scotland, 108
Mackenzie, Sir Roderick, Bt., of Scatwell,
220
Maclaine, Archibald, co-pastor of the
English (Presbyterian) church at The
Hague, account of, 105 77.9; character-
ized, 231, 239, 248; letter to JB, 208;
his house the scene of one of JB's Dia-
logues at The Hague, 105; JB discusses
religion, morals, melancholy, &c. with,
107, ass, 333, 242-243; advises JB on
scheme of translating ErsHne and
other matters, 206, 207, 208-209, 233,
243-244; mutual calls, walks together,
&c., no, 111, 228, 229, 231, 233, 240,
241, 243; JB hears preach, 114; mem. to
be more guarded with, 215; JB tells
him that he had once been a Roman
Catholic, 232; tells JB everyone thinks
well of him, 233; mem. to return his
books, 236; his witticism concerning
Mile Maasdam, 241; predicts JB will
have fine character, 243-244; JB dreary
with, 244; JB teases by defending tran-
substantiation, 267
Maclaine, James, highwayman, brother
of preceding, 105 n.g
Macpherson, James, Fingal, 219, 282
Maitland, Miss, at The Hague, 269
Maitland, father of preceding, 269
Malcolm, C. A., xix
Maleprade, PHenrietta (Visscher) de,
wife of Lieut. Gen. Elie de Maleprade,
71,88
Manchester Buildings, London, 71, 270
Mann, Sir Horace, Bt., British Envoy to
Florence, 216 n.
Manwaring, Elizabeth W., xix
Marie, Pname of boat for The Hague, 237
Marion, Mrs. Brown's maid, 284 71.5
Marischal, George Keith, loth E., ac-
count of, 268; characterized, 275, 278,
280, 284, 285, 286, 318; letters to JB,
269, 283; recommends that JB visit cer-
tain German courts, 221; JB to accom-
pany to Berlin, 268, 275, 280, JB hopes
for company of on visit to the Spaens,
275; his arrival at Rotterdam delayed,
277; JB expects to improve in knowl-
edge and behaviour in his company,
282-283; arrives in Utrecht, 284; tells
entertaining stories, 285, 286, 313; joint
godfather with JB to Brown's daughter,
286, 376, JB conducts to Zuylen, 286;
JB accompanies to Berlin, 296; his
castle at Colombier, 385; mentioned,
274, 277, 320, 344
Marischal College, Aberdeen, 172 72.7
Martin, Samuel, M.P., 72, 78
Index 421
Mary, Queen of Scots, 55, 168
Mason, Gilbert, merchant of Leith, 362
Mason, William, English poet, 151;
Poems, 151; I sis, 151; Ode on the In-
stallation of the Duke of Newcastle,
151; Elfrida, 151 n.8; Caractacus, 151
72.8
Matthew, St., 249 n.io
Maupertuis, Pierre Louis Moreau de,
French mathematician and astronomer,
197
Maxwell, Sir William, Bt,, of Monreith,
372 n.4
Maxwell, Sir William, Bt., of Springkell,
217 n., 220
May, G. C., xix
Mazerac, Francois, JB's servant, charac-
terized, 28, 37, 97, 290; letter to JB, 290
(original, 394) ; mem. to have him take
and furnish a flat, 20; mem. to warn
about shaving against gram, 38; JB
peevish with, 97, mem. to be good to,
97; speaker hi Dialogues at The Hague,
98; defends himself against JB's charge
of mishandling his clothes, 134; darns
JB's stockings, 152; wakes JB early
every day, 197; JB secures from him a
written character of himself as a mas-
ter, 290; Brown gives JB news of, 297,
377; returns to Utrecht from visit to
Scotland, 362; solicits JB's financial as-
sistance, 377-378; his list of JB's cloth-
ing, &c., 395
Mead, Richard, M.D., English physician
and author, 244
Mecklenburgh-Strelitz, George Augustus,
Prince of, 16, 114, 117, 122
Menzies, Archibald, of Culdares, 220
Menzies, Jean, wife of Alexander Fraser
of Stnchen, 220
Metz, France, 12
Milton, John, 48; Paradise Lost, 91
Mitchell, Andrew, later Sir Andrew, Bt.,
British Envoy to Berlin, 221
Moffat, Scotland, 45
Molin, proprietor of the Marechal Tur-
enne at The Hague, too
Mollison, John, clerk to Archibald
Index
Stewart, letter to JB, 131, 22, 114 72,6,
119, 131, 266
Molhson, Sarah ("Sally"), wife of pre-
ceding, 114, 115, 119, 131, 266
Monmouth, James Scott, D. of, 150 n.
Montagu, Lady Mary Wortley, English
poet and letter writer, 219
Montauban, France, 378
Montesquieu, Charles de Secondat, Baron
de La Brede et de, 193
Montfoort, 293
Montgomerie, James, of Lainshaw, 115
Morgan, John, M.D., of Philadelphia, 10
Mossel, Jacob, of Rotterdam, later mem-
ber of the States General, 143
Murray, Fanny, courtesan, 73
Nairne, William, later Sir William, Bt.
and Lord Dunsinane, 264, 266
Nassau, Count See Nassau La Lecq, Jan
Nicolaas Floris, Count of
Nassau, Countess of or Mme (de). See
Nassau Beverweerd, Johanna Gevaerts
(van Gansoyen), Countess of
Nassau Beverweerd, Hendrik Carel,
Count of, 69 n.g y 84
Nassau Beverweerd, Johanna Gevaerts
(van Gansoyen), Countess of, ("la
Comtesse"), account of, 69 72.9; her
birthplace, 84 rc.6; described or charac-
terized, 70, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85-86, 93,
99 72.7, 102, 107, no, 141, 180, 195,
250; JB dines with, 69; JB's patroness
in Utrecht society, 70, 71, 80, 82, 85,
93, 128; JB calls on, 70, 71, 158; gives
JB list of ladies to call on, 70, JB talks
against, 74; mem. to conduct himself
agreeably and discreetly with, 80, 81,
86, 88, 95, 107, 127-128, 152; JB sorry
his virtue will not be tested with, 80;
JB disgusted by, 84; JB hears hints of
an intrigue between her and Albums,
85, feels hatred for, 85; JB walks
around Utrecht with, 85; gossips about
M. and Mme d'Amelisweerd, 85; JB
discusses jealousy with, 85; shows con-
fidence in JB, 85; mem. to pay gam-
bling debt to, 86; JB admires in church,
88; JB unrestrained on learning she is
to attend his parties, 94; tells JB of in-
trigues at The Hague, 94; objects to
JB's calling her Protectrice, 94, pro-
vides JB with letter of introduction to
Mme Spaen, 97 725; JB's argument
with over good and evil, 99, JB calls
her his mistress in French, no;
piqued at JB, 127; inquires about JB's
suit of clothes, 146; observes JB's prog-
ress with Mme Geelvmck, 146, warns
JB against marrying Mme Geelvmck,
169; JB beats at cards, 180; mentioned,
99, 119, 190
Nassau La Lecq, Cornelia (d'Yvoy),
Countess of, ist wife of Count Nassau,
242
Nassau La Lecq, Jan Nicolaas Floris,
Count of, chief magistrate of Utrecht,
his office, 91; his first marriage, 242;
characterized, 16-17, 29, 54, 91, 145;
JB too miserable to call on, 7; Dal-
ryxnple provides JB with letter of in-
troduction to, 7, 295; JB hopes for high
character with by abstaining from
billiards, 22; his acquaintance expected
to be useful to JB, 26; assures JB there
will be fine parties at Utrecht, 29; JB
dines with, 46, 47, 48-49; JB calls on,
74, 146, 154, 196; mem. to tell him he
is leaving town, 88; clashes with officer
at reception of Prince and Princess of
Brunswick, 145; JB attends his party
for children, 154; JB always filled with
excellent ideas at his house, 196, men-
tioned, 25, 69 72.9, 85, 92, 94, 97 72.5,
103 72.4, 203
Nassau La Lecq, Mauritz Louis, Count
of, son of the preceding, 147, 242
Nassau Ouwerkerke, PCatharina Elisa-
beth Wilhelmma, Countess of, 99
Nassau Ouwerkerke, PLodewyk Theo-
door, Count of, 69, 99
Natewisch, Joost Taets van Amerongen,
Heer van, Grand Bailiff of Amersfoort,
328
Neuchatel, Switzerland, 268 72.5, 384
Neutchatel, Public Library of, 307
72.7
Newbyth, Laird of. See Baird, Robert
Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Newcastle-
under-Lyme, Thomas Pelham-Holles,
D. of, 151
Newgate Prison, London, 78, 253
Newhall (Sir Walter Pringle), Lord,
234
Newton, Sir Isaac, 39 n.2
Nicholls, Norton, later Rev., 8, 9, 15,
17, 36 7i., 79, 83, 224, 283
North, Frederick, 2nd E. of Guilford
("Lord North"), 72
North Bridge, Edinburgh, 59
North Loch, Edinburgh, 59
Northumberland, Elizabeth (Seymour),
Duchess of, 249
Numa Pompilius, legendary king of
Rome, 349
Obdam, PJacob Jan, later Count van
Wassenaer, Heer van, 382
Ogilvy, Alexander, (or Ogilvie), man-
ager of the ropework at Leith, 362, 363
Old Rhine, 263 72.2
Orange, House of, 116 TZ.
Otchakov, Russia, 284
Ouwerkerke, "young" Count d'. See
Nassau Ouwerkerke, PLodewyk Theo-
door, Count of
Ovid, 20, '28, 32, 40, 43, 74, 246; Ars
Amatoria, 74 71.9; Tristia, 74 71.9
Oxford, England, 12
Oxford University Press, 92 72.9
Paoli, Pasquale di, Corsican patriot,
349, 377, 382
Paris, JB plans to visit, 2, 83, 227; JB
thinks of escaping to from Utrecht,
10; Temple advises JB to spend part
of winter at, 76-77; JB doubts that he
would learn prudence at, 83; com-
pared with The Hague, 121; De
Guiffardiere envisions JB at, 257; JB
arrives at, 296; JB obtains his father's
permission to remain a month in, 349;
JB leaves, 352 n.
Parliament (of Great Britain), 35, 62,
72, 73, 78, 79, 130, 150, 212, 348, 389
Parliament House, Edinburgh, 59, 363,
365
Index 423
Parliament of Paris, 109
Paul, St., 140, 235
Paul, Sir James Balfour, Scots Peerage,
xvi K.
Pays de Vaud, Switzerland, 102
Pell, who "published a collection of
Dutch and English," 138. (Perhaps
Nouvelle grammaire pour apprendre
I'anglais, par G, Pell, natif de Lon-
dres, Utrecht, 1735.)
Perm, William, founder of Pennsyl-
vania, 150
Pericles, 197 n.
Perponcher-Sedlnitzky, Cornelius de, 243,
348
Perponcher-Sedlnitzky, Johanna Maria
(van Tuyll), wife of preceding and
sister of Belle de Zuylen, 243 71.8, 325,
340,348
Persius, Satires, 236
Perth, Scotland, 221
Pester, Mme, at Utrecht, 179
Peterson, at Utrecht, 193, 214, 361
Peyre, Henri, xviii
Pitfour (James Fergusson), Lord, 190,
212, 243
Pitfour, "young." See Fergusson, James
Pitt, William, later ist E. of Chatham,
41
Plutarch, Parallel Lives, 175, 194, 197 n.
Pope, Alexander, 38, 39 71.2, 135, 261,
304; An Essay on Man, 31, 73, 135 71.5,
310; The Universal Prayer, 73
Portland, Hans Willem, ist E. of,
English statesman, 239 72.4
Portugal, 273
Potsdam, Germany, 301 n., 318, 320,
321
Potter, Thomas, wit and politician, au-
thor of An Essay on Woman, 73, 78
Pottle, Mrs. Marion S., xix
Powell, L, F., xviii
Pratt, Sir Charles, Kt., later ist E. Cam-
den, Chief Justice of the Court of
Common Pleas, 72 n.
Preston, Sir George, Bt., of Valleyfield,
273 72.4
Preston, Major Patrick, 273
Prestonfield, estate in Scotland, 169 72.7
Index
Prestongrange (William Grant), Lord,
26, 220
Price, Chace, M.P., 72
Prince Charles. See Karl Alexander,
Prince of Lorraine
Prince of Orange. See William V
Princess Royal of England. See Anne,
Princess Royal of England
Pringle, John, M.D., later Sir John, Bt.,
237* 239, 354, 360 72., 371, 373
Prior, Matthew, English poet, 90; Hans
Carvel, 91
Prussia, King of. See Frederick II (the
Great)
Prussia, Court of, 275
Pye, merchant at Amsterdam, 191
Pyrenees, 227
Pyrrha, 102 72.3
Quakers' Meeting, at Edinburgh, 168,
169, 72.7
Quatre Bras, Belgium, 144 72.4
Rabelais, Frangois, French humorist, 68
Raguenet, Frangois, French priest and
author, 91
Ramach, tailor at Leyden, 53, 149
Rambonnet, minister of French church
at Utrecht, 358
Ramsay, Allan, Scottish poet, 164, 165;
Lass of Patie*s Mill, 168
Ramsay, Allan, the younger, Scottish
painter, 165
Ramsay, Andrew Michael, Scottish au-
thor, Philosophical Principles of Nat-
ural and Revealed Religion, 232
Ranelagh, Chelsea, England, 224
Rankeillor, bath-keeper at Edinburgh,
?46, 176
Raphael, Italian painter, 149
Rapin de Thoyras, Paul de, French his-
torian, 77
Reader's Digest, xi
Reed, J. W., xix
Reede, Arend Wilhelm de Ginkel van,
brother of the E. of Athlone, 106, 233
Reede, Mitie van, sister of the E. of Ath-
lone, 146, 356
Regents. See Leusden, Rudolph
Rehearsal, The. See Buckingham
Rendorp, ? Joachim, Heer van Marquette,
300
Reynolds, Sir Joshua, 360 72.
Reynst, Peter Hendrik, Dutch naval
officer at The Hague, speaker in
Dialogues at The Hague, 100-101, 103,
104; takes JB to the Parade, 104; his
love of comfort, 229; accuses Belle de
Zuylen of lacking good sense, 230; to
deliver JB's letter to Mme Spaen, 275;
persuades JB that Belle is in love with
hJTyij 279; Belle accuses of false pene-
tration, 304; JB defends his judgment,
314; mentioned, 232
Rham, Jean Christophe Guillaume de,
German at Utrecht, 202, 203 72.2
Rhoon, Willem Bentinck, Herr van,
politician and diplomat at The Hague,
233, 244
Rich, merchant at Amsterdam, 260
Richardson, Rev. Robert, at The Hague,
characterized, 106, 122, 231, 240, 267,
283, admits JB to communion, 106-
107; discusses metaphysics, religion,
and morality with JB, 233, 239-240,
243, 267-268, 284-285; JB reminds
himself to pay for kermis for, 241; ex-
plains universities to JB, 244; too free
with JB, 244; on Belle de Zuylen, 283,
285; JB bored with, 284; makes study
of the Douglas Cause, 266 72., 377 n.6;
mentioned, 229, 230, 241, 279
Richardson, William, Master of Em-
manuel College, Cambridge, father of
preceding, 231
Richmond, England, 224
Rizzio (or Riccio), David, Italian musi-
cian, 55, 168
Roberts, S. C., xviii
Roman Catholicism, i, 87, 106, 72.3, 179
72.1, 265, 304, 333 72.3, 341
Rome, Italy, 319, 334, 341
Roosmalen, ? Beatrix Laurentia (Grothe),
wife of Egbert Theodoor Roosmalen,
counsel at Utrecht, 71, 147
Rose, at Utrecht, account of him, 39 72.3;
characterized, 75, 192; mem. to guard
against familiarity with, 39; JB talks
too much or too freely with, 49, 56,
161, 172, 174; JB's instructor in Greek,
56, 92, 152; mem. to speak French
with, 64; warns JB against too much
association with the ladies, 70; nick-
named "La Roche," 74, 257; De Guif-
fardiere impugns his morals, 75; af-
flicted with gloom, 127; JB complains
of climate to, 127; JB discusses love,
war, religion, morality, &c., with, 154,
158, 169-170, 172, 174, 179, 181, 183;
Trotz's instructor in English, 171, 174;
mem. to be good to, 175, 193; JB wishes
to show "Portrait of Zelide" to, 175;
sympathizes with JB over death of his
son Charles, 177; JB confesses his un-
easiness to, 179; advises JB against din-
ing at ordinaries, 179; engages in met-
aphysical dispute with Brown, 179; he
and JB find Brown's Scots indelicacy
disagreeable, 180; JB complains to of
insipidity of Brown's dinner, 182; un-
happy at Utrecht, 182, 206 .; scoffs
at Brown and the philosopher Bayle,
183; JB puzzled by, 183; mem. not to
indulge in religious speculation with,
183; JB joins in attacking Utrecht, 190;
talks to JB of suicide, 192; JB pleased
at thought of his departure, 196; JB
complains to of his winter at Utrecht,
205-206, retracts his complaint to,
206; JB escorts out of Utrecht, 207;
Dempster reports to JB on meeting
with, 270; mentioned, 141, 152, 203
Rose of Kilravock, family of, 39 72.3, 74
.2, 270
Rotterdam, 5, 7, 11, 20 77.2, 115, 117, 119,
225, 266, 359; Anglican church at, 119;
Marechal Turenne, inn at, 266
Rousseau, Jean Baptiste, French poet,
Odes, 255
Rousseau, Jean-Jacques, JB writes sketch
of his life for, 45 n.g; Mme Spaen
endorses a sentiment of, 100; JB plans
to visit, 227, obtains interview with,
296; grants JB his friendship, 327; JB
has letter from, 327; M de Zuylen
criticizes writings of, 333 72.3, 335-336;
JB discusses religion with, 336; his
Index 425
parting remark to JB, 337; JB visits
Corsica with letter of recommendation
from, 349; his quarrel with Hume,
357 ; Smile, 189, 252, 336; Lettres
ecrites de la montagne, 336
Rowley, at The Hague, 236 72.9, 243, 248,
273; see also "Hibernians"
Riicker, Gerhard Chnsnaan, professor at
Utrecht, 23, 25, 249
Russel, John, Deputy Director of the
Court of Chancery in Scotland, 220
St. Andrews University, Scotland, 363
St. Paul's Cathedral, London, 58
Sallust, Catilina, 350
Salmon, Thomas, A New Geographical
and Historical Grammar, 363
Sandwich, John Montagu, 4th E. of, 250
Sans Souci, Frederick the Great's palace
near Potsdam, 318
Savoy, 341, 342
Savoyard Vicar, character in Rousseau's
Smile, 336
Scheveningen, 233, 239, 241, 268
Schlitz, George, Count von, third hus-
band of Mme Geelvinck, 361 n.
Scotland and Scotsmen, gloominess of
Sunday and church services, 50-51,
261, 286; Scottish music, 55, 168; JB
defends the Highlanders, 64; JB of-
fended by Scots sarcasm, familiarity,
&c., 114 71.7, 137, 180, 206, 233, 260,
390; the "Scots Dutch" (brigade), 114
71.7; Confession of Faith of the Church
of Scotland, 128; children taken to
church too young, 129; Scots language,
163-164, 165; Scottish authors, 164-
165; Court of Session, 108 n.2, 219, 220;
Circuit Court of Justiciary, 26 71.6;
Chancery, 220; Court of Exchequer,
231 72.4; dreariness of a Scots journey,
232; Edinburgh divine a type of scrup-
ulosity, 260; Scotland a romantic land,
318; profession of advocate esteemed in
Scotland, 348; Brown prefers Scotland
to England, and a Scotch gentleman to
foreign nobles, 364, 365; Belle's con-
ception of Scotland, 368
426
Scott, Colonel, natural son of 2nd D. of
Buccleuch, 266
Scott, Geoffrey, xin, xvi, xvii, xviii, 293
/2.1, 297 n.7, 317 n.6, 328 72.7, 383 72.;
The Portrait of Zelide, 184 72.9
Scott, Sir Walter, 126 72.9, 130 72.
Shaftesbury, Anthony Ashley Cooper,
3rd E of, 82; The Moralists, a Philo-
sophical Rhapsody, 82; Characteristics
of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times, 82
72.3
Shafto, Jennison, M.P., 266
Shakespeare, William, 48, 204 72.3; Ham-
let, 374; Julius Caesar, 208; Othello,
21; Richard III, 83
Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, Irish play-
wright, 51 72.10
Sheridan, Thomas, Insh actor and elo-
cutionist, father of preceding, 38 72.9,
51, 205 72.9, 243
Sichterman, Mme, at Utrecht, 71, 175,
242
Sidney (or Sydney), Algernon, English
republican leader, 150
Silk, E. T., xix
Simonides of Ceos, Greek poet, 61
Simpson, T. B., xviii
Smart, Alastair, xix
Smith, Adam, economist, 174, 308; The
Theory of Moral Sentiments, 174, 308;
The Wealth of Nations, 174 72.4
Soaping Club, at Edinburgh, 114 72.6,
124 72.8
Socrates, 28 n.8, 173
Sommelsdyck, Cornelius van Aerssen
(1602-1662), Heer van, 66, 220
Sommelsdyck, Cornelius van Aerssen
(d. 1688), Heer van, son of preceding,
Governor of Surinam, 66
Sommelsdyck, Everdina Petronella
(Countess van Hogendorp) van, wife
of Francis Cornelius van Aerssen van
Sommelsdyck, 105, 256
Sommelsdyck, Francis van, Aerssen
(1572-1641), Heer van, 65-66
Sommelsdyck, Admiral Francis van
Aerssen (d. 1740), Heer van, 66, 105,
109
Sommelsdyck, Francis Cornelius van
Index
Aerssen van, his ancestry, 66, chaiac-
terized, 104; Lord Auchinleck's second
cousin, 3; JB expects him to be of great
service, 95; JB presented to, 104-105;
JB dines with, 106, 116, 240, 244, 267;
Lord Auchinleck remembers as a boy,
109; JB corresponds with, 175, 182,
183, 273; writes to Lord Auchinleck of
his regard for JB, 220; Lord Auchin-
leck sends him his great-grandfather's
charter of naturalization in Scotland,
220, 236; JB views his house, 240; JB
rides in his coach to Sir Joseph Yorke's,
243, mentioned, 229, 241
Sommelsdyck, Maiia van Aerssen (van
Wernhout) van, wife of Admiral van
Sommelsdyck, 109
Sommelsdyck, family of, 3, 65, 66, 121,
194, 236, 240, 269 72.6, 280
Spaen, Alexander Swcder, Baron von,
account of him, 97 72.5, 111; his house
the scene of one of JB's Dialogues at
The Hague, 98; speaker in Dialogues
at The Hague, 99-100; JB dines with,
101, 111, 232, mentioned, 116, 200 72.1,
217, 229, 275, 276
Spaen, Elisabeth Agnes Jacoba (Countess
of Nassau La Lecq), Baroness von,
niece of Count Nassau, 97 72.5; char-
acterized, 340; letter to JB, 215; letters
from JB, 199, 274; speaker in Dia-
logues at The Hague, 98-100; JB con-
voys to Leidschendam, 232; mentioned,
175, 214
Spaen La Lecq, Willem Anne, Baron
von, son of Baron and Baroness von
Spaen, 276
Spain, 195, *27
Spectator, The 22, 348 72.
Splitgerber and Daum, bankers at Berlin,
315
Sporck (or von Spoiken), Rudolph Ul-
rich, Baron, Envoy Extraordinary to
The Hague from Brunswick-Luneburg,
no, 269
Spruyt, bookseller at Utrecht, 301, 305
Stael, Mme de, 384, Corinne, 384
Stainer, at Brunswick, 273-274
Starrenburg, Mile de, at The Hague, 272
Index
427
Steele, Sir Richard, 2; see also Spectator
Stephanus, Henry. See Estienne, Henri
Sterne, Laurence, 68, 180
Stewart, Archibald, merchant at Rotter-
dam, account of, 5 n.& 131 n.; charac-
terized, 8; letters to JB, 20, 107, 113,
116; letter from JB, 115; JB visits, 5,
8, 117, H9, 266; succours JB in his
misery, 8, 29; JB considers sounding
hun out on his sister's sentiments
towards him, 24, 29-30, 36; JB con-
ceals his gloominess from, 119; sends
JB a cake, 131; mentioned, 9, 18, 32,
38 72.9, Ii6 > Il8 1 3 1 *45 n -4 266
364
Stewart, Houston, brother of preceding,
245
Stewart, Margaret, sister of Archibald
Stewart (after 764 wife of Sir Wil-
liam Maxwell of Springkell), de-
scribed and characterized, 24, 29-30,
36; JB considers marrying, writes to
Temple and Johnston about, 23, 29-
30, 31, 35-36; JB loses interest in,
32; JB abandons scheme of courting,
62; JB relieved at having given up
scheme to marry, 121; her marriage
galls JB, 217, 220, 227
Stewart, Sir Michael, Bt, of Blackball,
father of Archibald Stewart, 5, 131 n.
217 72., 22O
Stirling, Scotland, 26
Stockdale, Rev. Percival, author, 195
Strelitz, Prince of. See Mecklenburgh-
Strelitz
Stuart, Andrew, Scottish solicitor, 264,
265, 266
Stuart, House of, 67, 149, *5*
Sturges, Hale, xviii
Sully, Maximilien de Bethune, D. of,
French statesman, 80
Surinam (Dutch Guiana), 66, 261
Swift, Jonathan, Gulliver's Travels, 42
Switzerland, 102, 189, 195, 227, 296, 327
Tacitus, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 43, 45, 97, *49
Tancrede. See Voltaire
Tankerville, Miss. See Bennett, Lady
Camilla Elizabeth
Taprell, J., M.D., 232 n.8
Temple, John James, son of William
Johnson Temple, 17 n.
Temple, Lieut. Robert, brother of Wil-
liam Johnson Temple, 9, 15, 17, 27, 30,
37, 196, 224, 283
Temple, Sir William, English diplomat,
statesman, and essayist, 289; Observa-
tions upon the United Provinces of the
Netherlands, 122-123, 213
Temple, William, father of William
Johnson Temple, 9 n.8
Temple, William Johnson, account of, 7
72.5; characterized, 4 72.6, 62, 229, 326;
letters from JB, 7, 15, 28, 32, 61, 76, 81,
193, 222, 224, 251, 281, 287, 360 n.,
365 72.3, 372-375; letters to JB, 14, 27,
149, 249; recovery at Boulogne of JB's
letters to, x; JB retrieves his foreign
letters to, xv; JB reminds himself to
write to, does write to, records receipt
of letters from, xii, 11, 23, 24, 32, 50,
148, 151, 182, 222, ascribes JB's melan-
choly to idleness, 14, 16, 40, 42, 387,
counsels him to follow regular plan,
14, 16, 27, to remain at Utrecht, 14-
15; his acquaintance with Thomas
Gray, 15, 17, 33, 61, 77, 15*J offers
to send journal to, 17, 27, 31, 196,
250; JB fears his letters to cost too
much in postage, 18, 28, 37J ^ rd
Auchinleck disapproves of, 26 71.4; JB
consults about Miss Stewart, 29-30,
32, 35-36, 62-63, 77, 227; JB coun-
sels to adopt an active life, 33-34,
JB hopes will take orders, 34, 61-62,
83; JB defends revelation to, 62; un-
happy in London, 76; thinks JB would
do well to transfer to Paris, 76-77, 83;
reports Gray's opinion of Mrs. Ma-
caulay's History, of French v. English
literature, 77, 83, iso-^i; f ives news
of Wilkes, 78, of Churchill, 78-79,
250-251; JB imagines his situation in
London, 81-82; expresses republican
sentiments, scolds JB for slavishness,
149-151; meets William Mason, 151;
JB emulates or counsels himself to
emulate, 175, 205, 229, 236, 237, 239;
428 Index
JB addresses ten-line verses to, 181, JB
offers to share fortune with, 222-223,
250; derides JB's plan to visit German
courts, 249-250; professes to adore
Belle de Zuylen, 250, 259, 326, 333, JB
sends account of present state of Hol-
land to, 250, 287-289; JB suggests as
husband for Belle de Zuylen, 316 72.,
381; JB reports to on progress of his
suit with Belle, 360 72.6, 365 72.3, 372-
375; JB counts on assistance in carry-
ing out Inviolable Plan, 389, men-
tioned, XI, 8 72., 9 7Z.8, 222 72.1, 326 72.;
JB's letters to Temple, so far as they
are a chronicle of his own activities,
are analysed in BOSWELL, JAMES, Part
L
Temple Gate, London, 81 72.2, 224
Tenshillingside, farm at Auchinleck, 53
Terence, Phormio, 139, Heauton Timo-
rumenos, 254
Ter-Gouw. See Gouda
Terie (or Jerie), Pmckname of Mme
d'Amelisweerd, 94
Thellusson and Necker, bankers at Paris,
341
Thorn's, tavern in Edinburgh, 119, 124
72.8, 125
Tilburg, 74, 75, 253
Tinker, Chauncey Brewster, 92 72,9, 307,
727
Tissot, Louis, M.D., of Utrecht, 41, 258,
263, 357
Tissot, Simon Andre*, M.D., of Lausanne,
Switzerland, 257
Titus, Emperor of Rome, 213 72.4
Tobago, British West Indies, 131 72.
Tod, PWilliam, merchant in London, 359
Tooke, Andrew, Master of Charterhouse
School, London, The Pantheon, 363
Tours, France, 192
Trinity Hall, Cambridge, 14, 15, 27, 149
Trotz, Christian Heinrich, professor at
Utrecht, account of, 43-44, 170-171;
characterized, 43, 203, 205, 208, letters
to JB, 171, 173; letter to Rev. Robert
Brown, 117; references to his lectures
and "college," 25, 39, 65, 86, 119 72.7,
120, 125, 152, 170, 175, 182, 274; JB
speaks laughably of, 39; instructed in
English by Rose, 39 71.3, 171, 174; visits
JB, 43, his Tractatus juris de memoria
propagata, 45; JB overeats at his house,
128, JB inattentive to, 133, 141, 147; JB
attentive to, 148, lectures despite a
cold, 170; confined with a cold, 171-
172, 173; JB's discussions and negotia-
tions with over his projected translation
of Erskine's Principles, 201, 202, 203,
204, 205, 206, 208-209, 210, 245; JB's
payment to for his course, 202 72,7, his
Latin style, 278 12.1; he and JB vow
everlasting friendship, 279; mentioned,
32, 119, 207
Turin, Italy, 327
Tuyll van Serooskerken, either Anna
Elisabeth or Isabella Agneta van, aunt
of Belle de Zuylen, 71, 274
Tuyll van Serooskerken, Diederik Jacob
van. See Zuylen, Diederik . . . , Heer
van
Tuyll van Serooskerken, Diederik Jacob
van, brother of Belle de Zuylen, 138,
347, 356, 360, 378
Tuyll van Serooskerken, Helena Jacoba
(de Vicq) van. See Zuylen, Helena
. . . , Mme de
Tuyll van Serooskerken, Gen. Hendrik
Willem Jacob van, uncle of Belle de
Zuylen, 147, 217, 259, 328, 342
Tuyll van Serooskerken, Isabella Agneta
Elisabeth van. See ZUYLEN, BELLE DE
Tuyll van Serooskerken, Maria Anna
(Singendonck) van, wife of General
van Tuyll, 71, 328
Tuyll van Serooskerken, Reinout Gerard
van, father of M. de Zuylen. See
Zuylen, Reinout . . . , Heer van
Tuyll van Serooskerken, Reinout Gerard
van, brother of Belle de Zuylen, 242
Tuyll van Serooskerken, Vincent Maxi-
mihaan van, brother of Belle de Zuylen,
brief account of, 138; ?nicknamed Vas-
sell, 180 72.7, walks with JB, tells fam-
ily stories, 183, 319; Belle discusses JB
with, 303; reads Latin with his father,
320, 322; tours Zeeland, 320; serves
with his regiment, 360, returns from
Germany, 378; mentioned, 141, 180,
312, 3^5, 347
Tuyll van Serooskerken, Willem Rene",
Baron van, brother of Belle de Zuylen,
his age, 138 72.5; his marriage, 244 72.1;
characterized, 343, 351; letter to JB,
355; letter from JB, 343; JB meets at
Paris, 337, 34 1 , 342, 343; encourages
JB's courtship of Belle, 343, 345, 351,
352; JB makes a strong impression on,
353; mentioned, 315, 347, 360, 369, 371
Tuyll van Serooskerken, van, family of,
account of, 293; 56 n.6, 183, 259, 263
n.2, 285, 294, 296, 312, 337, 343, 346,
347, 351, 352, 366, 384
Tyburn, London, 105 71.9
Tyrawley, James O'Hara, 2nd Baron, 176
71.3
Utrecht, described, 7, 12, 30, 44, 59, 76,
82, 93, 99, 12 i, 122, 133, 144, 210, 279,
288, 367; Dempster ridicules, 73; De
Guif f ardiere professes to envy residents
of, 74; Rose's dislike of, 182, 190; Dal-
rymple's fondness for, 242; JB agrees
to study one winter at, 2; reasons for
its selection as the place for JB's legal
education, 2-3; JB's disagreeable pre-
possessions concerning, 5, 16, 17; JB's
unhappiness at, 6, 10, 17, 121, 193, 194,
206, 210, 211, 387; JB the only English
student at, 29; JB's opportunities for
self -improvement at, 35; JB's reputa-
tion at, 95, 214, 231; JB's reception at,
121, 223; JB's reverence for, 122; JB
doesn't expect comforts at, 182; JB
wishes Rose to report him contented at,
206, JB out of his element at, 248-249;
JB's self -improvement at, 280, 387
Churches: the Cathedral, 21, 23 72.7,
137 72.2, 201 7272.5, 6, 357-358; the Ca-
thedral tower, 6, 20 72.5, 201, 236, 263
72.3; English (Presbyterian) church
(St. Mary's), 6, 23, 139, 179, 190, 222,
264, 286; French church (St. Peter's),
23, 44, 51, 358; Jesuits' church, 179
Inns and eating-places: Kasteel van
Antwerpen (Nouveau Chateau d'An-
Index 429
vers), 6, 7, 352; Keiserhof (Cour de
1'Empereur), 20 72.5, 31, 256 n., 283;
Roster's, 189; Oblet's 279, 286, Plaats
Royaal, 32, 144, 284
Streets and squares: Breed Straat,
328; Cathedral Square, 20 72.5, 71 72.3,
189 n.; Koor Straat, 305; Kromme
Nieuwe Gracht, 263 72.2; the Mall, 86,
1 54 *79, 209, 236, 237, 246; the Oud-
kerkhof, 189 n.; the Trans, 71
Societies: English Society, 143, 214;
Literary Society, xvi, 43, 54, 57, 86, 87,
135, 139, l6o, l62, 172, 193, 196, 202,
203 72.9, 207, 214 72.8; society for latin
conversation, 221 72.4: see also "Hun-
garians"
Miscellaneous: Fishmarket, 20 72.5;
horse-market, 179; horse-review, 245,
246; insane asylum, 263; observatory,
203 72.2, 204, 237, 283; ramparts, 249;
St. Catherine's Gate (Porte), 144, 158,
207, University of Utrecht, 35, 71 72.3,
120 72.9, 124 72.8, 125, 137, 161 72., 253
72.8; Van Mollem's Gardens, 286
Van Lonkhuyzen, Mrs. Anne W., six
Varillas, Antoine, French historian, 91
Vecht (river), 263 72.2, 286 72.9, 293
Veni Creator Spiritus, 73
Vernet, Jacob, Genevan divine, Lettres
critiques fun voyageur anglais sur
Particle Geneve, 257
Vernett, Mile, 228
"Veuve, la" See Geelvinck, Catherine
Vinnius (Vinnen), Arnold, Dutch jurist
at Leyden, 12
Virgil, 246, 347; Aeneid, 218, 256 72., 320;
Eclogues, 256 n.; Georgics, 256 n.
Voet, Jan, Dutch jurist at Leyden, 12
Voltaire, Frangois Marie Arouet, JB's
mem. to read, 39, 40, 214, 215; JB
reads, 57, 119, 134, *47, *7i, 189, 233;
JB's mem. to extract from his writings
for commonplace-book, 43; his unrelia-
bility as an historian, 91; JB plans to
visit, 227; JB sees two of his plays per-
formed at The Hague, 239, 244; Chais
tells story of, 240; quoted, 252; at-
tacked in Veraet's Lettres critiques,
43
257 77.5; praised by D'Hermenches,
262, D'Hermenches furnishes JB with
letter of introduction to, 262 n.g, 379;
Belle de Zuylen said to write as well
as, 263 n.i, 379; JB obtains interview
with, 296, well received at his home,
327; Belle remains aloof from in Switz-
erland, 384; Candide, 233, 294; Essai
sur Vhistoire universelle, 91, 194; La
Guerre civile de Geneve, 23 71.7; Let-
tres anglaises ou philosophiques, 189;
Mahomet, 239; La Mori de Cesar, 255;
Tancrede, 244, 363, mentioned, 50 n.6,
151
Wachtendorp (?Wachendorff), Mme, at
Utrecht, 71
Wamgrow, Marshall, xix, 130 n.
Wallace, George, Scottish advocate, A
System of the Principles of the Law
of Scotland, 202
Wallace, William, professor at Edin-
burgh, 202 71.7
Walpole, Horace, 4th E. of Orford, 63
n.6, 216 n.
Warburton, William, D.D., Bishop of
Gloucester, 73, 78
Wassenaer, Mile, at The Hague, 269
Weede, family of, 263 n 2
Weekley, Ernest, 126 72.9
Wells, Mrs. Patricia B., xix
Wesseling, Peter, professor at Utrecht,
25, 324, 327
Wilhelniina of Prussia, Princess, 365
Wilhem de Bantousel, Daniel Adriaan le
Leu de, Heir van Besoyen, 107, 116,
229
Wilhem de Bantousel, Maria Philippine
Jacoba (Pieck) de, wife of preceding,
107, 113, 236
Wilkes, John, politician, 72, 73, 78, 79 n.,
83; The North Briton, 72, 78, 79 n.
William III, King of England, Scotland,
and Ireland, 86, no n.i, 158, 159
William V, Pnnce of Orange, 105 71.9,
116, 122, 232, 289, 365
William Augustus, D. of Cumberland,
231
Williamson, merchant at Liverpool, 158
Index
Windsor, England, 224
Winn, George, later Lord Headley, Baron
of Exchequer in Scotland, 230, 231 71.4,
236
Wishart, of PCarsebonie, Stirlingshire,
361, 362, 363
Woerdeman, physician at Utrecht, 173
Woodson, T. M., xix
Wortley, Lady Mary. See Montagu,
Lady Mary Wortley
Wynn, Sir Watkin Williams, Bt., Eng-
lish politician, 130
Xenophon, 28, 43, 50, 51, 74, 175; Ana-
basis, 77, 94, 194; Agesilaus, 194; The
Polity of the Lacedaemonians and The
Polity of the Athenians (the latter er-
roneously attributed to him), 194
York, D. of. See Frederick Augustus, D.
of York
Yorke, Charles, later Lord Chancellor,
108
Yorke, Sir Joseph, Kt., later Baron Dover,
Ambassador to The Hague, character-
ized, 100-101, 231, 269; JB presented
to, 106; Lord Auchinleck arranges for
JB's introduction to, 108; JB attends
his ball, 111-112, 269, 275; presents JB
to Prince of Orange, 116; JB calls on,
&c , 230-231, 236, 240, 243, JB back-
ward with, 244; invites JB to his ball
in celebration of King George's birth-
day, 264, JB pays his respects to on
the King's birthday, 268, mentioned,
97, 100, 106, 116, 122, 229
Yorkshire, England, 77
Young, Edward, English poet, The Com-
plaint, 112
Zeeland, 320
Zelide. See ZUYLEN, BELLE DE
Zeulen, De, 257
Zuider Zee, 73, 263 n.2
Zuilen, village of, 56 n.6, 263 71.2
ZUYLEN, BELLE DE
[Part I. a. Biographical Sketches,
Editorial; b. Miscellaneous Biographi-
cal References; Part II. Characterizing
Index
Matter: a. Her Self -Portrait, b. Other
Characterizing References; Part III.
Opinions; Part IV. Writings; Part V.
Relations with 75.]
I. a. Biographical Sketches, Editorial,
56 7Z.6, 293-297, 383-385
b. Miscellaneous Biographical Ref-
erences. Fond of Brown's family, 23
72.7, 370; enjoys discussing metaphysics
with Castillon, 39 72.2; visits The
Hague, 106, 325; friend of Mme Geel-
vinck, 127 n.2; ill, 180, 378; not on
good terms with Reynst, 230, 304; edu-
cated at Geneva, 230; sings, recites
verses, plays harpsichord, 237, 283;
writes as well as Voltaire, 262, 263 TZ.I;
not amused by chemical experiments,
286, 317, sought in marriage by Mar-
quis de Bellegarde, 295, 297-298, 341-
342, 344, 353, by the Baron Brombsen,
321, 324; visits London, 356, 360; holds
low opinion of Mme Geelvinck's hus-
band, 361 n.
II. Characterizing Matter: a. Her
Self-Portrait, 184-189
b. Other Characterizing References
(mainly by Boswell). Dutch only in
name, 56; too vivacious, 74, 259, 263,
279, 314, 360 n.; a savante and bel
esprit, 106, 216, 220, 230, 250, 262, 355;
likable, not ill-natured, 106; vain, 127,
313, 336; moderate and tempered, 138;
amusing though not in good humour,
138; lacks prudence, 140, 141, 309-310,
312; a rattle, 141, 283; always grin-
ning, 141, 178; slave to her imagina-
tion, 142-143, 283, 285-286, 289, 308,
315, 344 347J amiable, charming, &c.,
169, 183, 199, 216, 279 72.3, 308, 326,
328, 372, 379; tactless, 178; an epicure,
179; good humour, 183, 313; a badly
drilled battalion, 199-200; has superior
parts, aoo, a good heart, 200, 347;
handsome, 216, 250, 262, 312; nervish,
228; sensible and accomplished, 230,
262, 312, 328, 373; lacks good sense,
230; artificial, 237; elegant taste for
poetry, 242; guided by sentiment in-
terieur, 259; lacks decorum, 259; hypo-
431
chondriac, 278, 312, 350; mad, 278,
283; a poetical sceptic, 284, 380; does
not care for respect, 285, 381; candid,
285. 313, 379; a libertine, 287, 313,
330, 344; too much given to pleasure,
310-311; metaphysical, 311-312, 326,
333 1 delicate constitution, 312; no taste
for ordinary satisfactions, 317, 347; too
much in love with novelty, 317-318;
unstable, 344-345; good sense and ten-
derness, 373, 374; termagant, 374: see
also Part I. a. of this article
III. Opinions. Love and marriage,
183, 299-300, 369; Englishmen's speak-
ing of French, 213; religion and revela-
tion, 278, 284, 306-307, system, 339
IV. Writings. Le Noble, 263 n.i,
380; Caliste, 384; an unpublished
comedy, 279 72.3; character-sketch of
the Countess of Nassau, 69 72.9; "por-
traits," xvi, 183, 263 .i, 380: of Mme
Geelvinck, 131-132, 132 n. (text), 184,
"The Portrait of Zelide," 127 71.3, 136,
175, 184-189 (text), 222; correspond-
ence with Constant d'Hennenches: see
Hermenches; correspondence with JB,
xi, xv, xvui, 293-297 (editorial intro-
duction): for references to, texts see
Part V* of this article
V. Relations with JB. Letters to JB,
297, 302, 329, 338, 367 (original,
397); letters from JB, 302, 307, 317,
322, 328, 333, 370; JB first notices, pre-
tends passion for, 55-56; JB hears story
of German baron from, 64; JB talks of
discreetly, 70; De Guiffardiere teases
concerning, 74-75; prepossessed in JB's
favour, 128, JB's mem. to be a good
friend to, 128, 141, to be on guard with,
137, 140, 141; ridicules JB's dictionary
scheme, 138; JB makes pact of frank-
ness with, 140, talks too much to, 140,
regrets confiding in, 141; says JB is
never bored, 143, that he writes every-
thing down, 147; Mme Geelvinck
thinks JB is in love with, 155; thinks
JB happy, 158, JB considers a friend,
158; permits JB to call at least once a
week, 169; JB's mem. to like for trust-
432
ing him, 169; JB plans to put in a
play, 174-175; JB to visit every
Wednesday, 175; JB solicits sympathy
of in his grief, 177, 178, scolds, 178; JB
reports himself good friend of, 199,
200, 216; JB thinks would make a sad
wife, 228, 237, 278 n.g, JB's idea of
altered by Reynst, 230; JB suggests
that she marry Temple, 250 n., JB
debates wisdom and system with, 259;
JB says he would not marry to be a
king, 259, JB's mem. to talk sweet to,
264 72.3; JB regrets leaving, 276, 283;
JB loves, 278; sends JB her play, 279
72.3; Reynst assures JB she is in love
with him, 279; JB bids farewell to, 285,
287; she and JB bad influences on each
other, 285; gives JB a letter, 286, JB
convinced he could have for wife, 289;
JB pledges friendship, not love, to, 290,
finds JB odd and lovable, touched by
his departure, 297-298, 301, 303, chides
JB for conquering scruples, 298, prom-
ises to write with greatest freedom,
298; JB reminds himself to keep the
character she thinks he has, 302 72.4,
tells JB how to address letters, 301, 305;
JB assures her he is not in love, 302;
"so much the better, my friend," 302-
303, thinks of JB less but no less fond
of him, 303-304, admits that she has
no subaltern talents, 305, 314, urges
him to continue to be Mentor, 305-306;
JB lectures her at great length, 309-
313, lists her libertine remarks, 313,
assures her she was in love with him,
won't do as a wife, 314, begs her* to
call him Cato, 315, outlines qualities
his wife should possess, 315-316, gives
her religious counsel, 316, orders her
to confess she had been in love with
him, 316, begs her not to be offended,
scolds her some more, 317; JB admits
that he admires, 319, 321; will not for-
get JB's counsels, 320; JB hopes she
will change her ideas, 322; JB con-
tinues to believe she has taken offence,
reiterates charge that she was in love
with him, 322-323; JB begins to retreat
Index
from prejudices concerning, 326; JB
protests again at silence of, 328; criti-
cizes his long letter from Berlin, 329-
330, calls him Cato, 331, tells him to
quit harping on her having been in
love with him, 331, would have written
if he had given an address, 331-332,
JB hints at a proposal, 333-334; JB
wishes she were more like him, 336;
tells how her father almost caught her
answering JB's letter, 338-339, praises
him for acting like a man of fifty, 339,
can't remember one of the phrases he
quotes, 339-340, hopes his lapses will
make him more indulgent, 340, JB
sends proposal of marriage to M. de
Zuylen, 342-352; M. de Zuylen cannot
present proposal, 353; JB prevented
from trip to Utrecht by mother's death,
352 71.4; borrows JB's copy of Johnson's
Dictionary, 359, 363; JB considers him-
self well rid of, 360 n.; JB renews cor-
respondence with, 362 W.8; Brown pro-
poses that she translate An Account of
Corsica, 366, talks of JB, 367; JB writes
to professing love, 367 72.7; declines to
debate question whether they would
better be married, 367-368, tells him
he takes his time for everything, 368,
will translate Corsica, 369, describes
her life in Utrecht, 369, JB blames
everything on hypochondria, 370-371,
recounts the history of his heart, 371-
372, is now a free man, should they
marry? 372; JB tells her what conduct
he will require of her, forbids her to
abridge Corsica, 373, sends a scorching
reply, 374; her opinions of JB, 379-
383, abandons translation of Corsica,
wishes him joy of his marriage, 378;
about twenty-five other references,
passim
Zuylen, Diederik Jacob van Tuyll van
Serooskerken, Heer van (M. de), his
title, 56 n.6, account of him, 138, 293;
his reserve, 340; affection between him
and Belle, 315, 320, 333; his relations
with his son Willem, 356, 357; letters
from JB, 317, 321, 325, 334, 342, letters
Index
to JB, 319, 323, 332, 341, 352; his af-
fection for and civility to JB, 137, 138,
183, 259, 285, 305, 3i7-3i8, 320, 326,
334, 337, 342, 347, 360, 379; JB's respect
and esteem for, 298 n.g, 314, 317, 323,
325, 337, 347J JB dines with, mutual
calls, &c., 171, 217, 228, 284; Belle
ironically suggests that JB write open
letter to her through him, 298; warns
JB against addressing letters for her to
his house, 301; Belle urges JB to write
to, 301, 305; JB says treated him like a
father-in-law, 317-318, tells JB of con-
cern over Belle's marriage, 319-320;
compliments JB on his French, 320;
JB chides for speaking with such cau-
tion, 321-326; he defends himself, 324,
332, tells JB the story of Lady Camilla
Bennett, 324-325, 327; asks JB to look
out for a professor, 325, 327; JB im-
agines is angry, 325-326, 332, 334-335,
341 ; entrusted with a letter from JB to
Belle, 326-327, 329, 333, 334; disap-
proves of Rousseau's writings, 333 n 3,
335-33^; JB's letters to tactful, 340;
hopes JB will see his son in Paris, 341;
433
opposed to Bellegarde's suit, 341-3425
JB commissions him to decide whether
to present a proposal to Belle or not,
343-352, 37i; admires JB's letter, but
affair of Bellegarde not settled, 353;
returns JB's letter, 359; Belle discusses
JB with, 381, mentioned, 264 n.2, 303-
304, 313, 338, 339, 355 n., 367
Zuylen, Helena Jacoba (de Vicq) van
Tuyll van Serooskerken, Mme de, brief
account of, 138, 378 77.7; her death, 378;
JB cultivates her acquaintance, 94; JB
attends her assembly, 180; her regard
for JB, 183, 360, 379; objects to Belle-
garde's courtship of Belle, 341, Belle
discusses JB with, 381; mentioned, 71,
177, 286, 319, 320, 322, 325, 328, 340,
347, 351, 357
Zuylen, Reinout Gerard van Tuyll van
Serooskerken, Heer van, father of M.
de Zuylen, 342
Zuylen, family of. See Tuyll van Seroos-
kerken, van, family of
Zuylen, village of. See Zuilen
Zuylen, castle of, 259, 263, 277, 285, 286,
293, 296, 319, 337, 343, 368, 370, 384
CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS
Some of these correct mechanical errors by editor, typist, or printer; some
present information I have acquired myself since the book was printed;
some very pleasant ones were sent in by correspondents unknown to
me; finally, a valuable lot has been extracted from the preliminary re-
ports of my friend and collaborator, Professor Robert Warnock, who
spent February- August, 1952, in Germany and Holland searching the
public archives for materials with which to annotate the research edition
of the Boswell Papers.
F.A.P.
vi, 1. 8: read T. B. SIMPSON, Q.C., LL.D., P.R.S.E., Sheriff of Perth and Angus
xvi n.2, 1. 5: for convention read conventions
4, 1. 19: Dr. C. H. Bennett and Professor Robert Warnock have independently deci-
434 Corrections and Additions
phered this signature: JAS. CLEMENTS. He was "agent of the packet boats at Har-
wich" (Obituary in "Gentleman's Magazine" May, 1767, p. 280).
6 72.9 (also p 12 72.9) . trek schuits is an Anglicized plural. As Dr. H. C. Stek points out
to me, the correct Dutch form is trekschuiten
10 72.3: Morgan wrote to Sir Alexander Dick in Edinburgh, an acquaintance and later
a close friend of EoswelVs, that BoswelVs spirited and agreeable conversation gave
him more pleasure than any other he had met with in Holland. (Information from
Morgan's biographer, Professor White field J. Bell, Jr.)
20 72.5: (and elsewhere) : for Keiserhof read Keizershof
39 72.3: The Reverend Robert Brown in a letter to Boswell dated 11 September 1764,
which I overlooked in preparing (t Boswell in Holland" reported that Rose was "to
be ordained a priest, Satuiday come sennight [22 September] by the Archbishop of
Canterbury, having got a curacy of about fifty pounds a year in Kent."
71, 1. 18: for Roosmalen read Roosmale
96 72.6: A memorandum which Boswell wrote on 13 or 14 December 1764 272 prepara-
tion for his fourth conversation with Rousseau contains a direction to raise the ques-
tion of concubinage, and then goes on, "If clear against this, can abstain, can live as
Templar in Malta."
100, 1. 3 (and elsewhere): Captain Reynst was not Pieter Hendrik Reynst, 1723-1791,
the naval officer, but his younger brother Jean Lucas Reynst, 1730-1792, an officer
in the Army (Information from Professor Warnock}.
101, 1. 24: insert is after This
107 72.5: It is probably more to the point that she was a niece of Monsieur de Sommels-
dyck, and hence a cousin to Boswell himself.
120 72.1 : Boswell' s spelling Brower was right after all. Professor Warnock has found in
the Utrecht archives a Herman Brower, of the English Church, who lived at Count
Nassau Beverweerd's. He was probably the "governor" to the young Count of Nas-
sau Ouwerkerke mentioned on p. 69.
135, 1. 12 (and elsewhere) . for Des Essar read Des Essarts. Professor Warnock, who
sends this correction, says that his Christian names were Alexandre Etienne. His
wife's name (p. 203) was Anne Francoise du Moulin.
158 72.2 : The record cited by Dr. Breunmg was wrong and Boswell was right. The old
fencing-master's name was Frans Sircksen; he died on 30 March 1766, his age then
being given as 98. (Information from Professor Warnock.)
167 72.: Major Douglas E. Wilson, Chemical Corps, U.S.A., has convinced me that the
obscurity is due to excessive condensation, not to Boswell' s having lost the thread of
his argument. If fully expressed, the passage might run, "Excuse me, I am in error
[in implying that the omission of the definitions will save me anything but me-
chanical labour.] I should not ha\e more [real] work [if I included them], for I
could copy his definitions exactly ..." Or perhaps Boswell meant that if his
scheme had called for definitions, he could have left to the printer the labour of ex-
tracting them from Johnson. The phrase which I have translated "the work of print-
ing" is actually " the work of the printer."
169 72.9: Professor Warnock thinks that "the little Amerongen" was more probably
Madame van Amerongen's first son, Gerard Arnout, at this time nearly ten years
old.
177 72.5: Miss Uretta Crighton Stuart suggests that "I cut up well" is somehow related
to the phrase "I cut a fine figure," and has approximately the same meaning. Can
Corrections and Additions 435
any one produce trustworthy evidence for or against this? Another distinct possi-
bility is, "I indulge successfully in severe criticism."
180 72.7: Professor Warnock points out, what I should have noticed myself, that in the
"Livre de Jeu" Boswell enters his losses and gains under the names of his hostesses,
not under those of the persons he lost to or won from. Consequently , though in this
case he won from the Countess of Nassau Beverweerd, the entry is properly "chez
Madll. de Zuylen."
184 72.1: Miss Rosalie Colie writes, "Since Mevrouw Geelvinck signed, herself 'Veuve,'
there would be no doubt that she was *H. Veuve Geelvinck' (Hasselaer v, Geelvinck)
and none other. The signature is not uncommon in Holland even today. There is
usually but one widow who fits a combination of names So no confusion arises."
207 n.i Professor Warnock finds that Henri Francois Limiers (not Limier) was for
many years editor and publisher of the "Gazette d*Utrecht." He suffered a serious
illness in 1754 and died in 1758, but Professor Warnock finds no confirmation
of my guess that he was a suicide. Perhaps he had attempted suicide.
214 72.8: Henry Peterson, an American from Pennsylvania, was book-keeper of Abra-
ham Renaud, a merchant dealing in woollens and silks, and at about the time of this
entry took over half of Renaud's business under his own name. In 1 774 he married
as his second wife Henrietta Louisa Vernet, who may have been the lery Made-
moiselle "Vernett" who made Boswell so dreary in the bark between Ut r echt and
Leyden (see p. 228). Peterson later sold his business and went to live in Wakefield,
Yorkshire. (Information from Professor Warnock.}
216 72.. add Lord Fordwich was related both to Madame de Spaen and to Boswell. his
mother being the daughter of Henry de Nassau, Heer van Ouwerkerke, whom
William III made Earl of Grantham m the English peerage, and his great-grand-
mother (the Earl of Grantham's mother) being Frances van Aerssen \an Sommels-
dyck, daughter of the Cornelius mentioned by Lord Auchmleck on p. 66. Boswell
undoubtedly knew of this relationship and had probably discussed it with Madame
de Spaen.
226 72.: add the footnote reference number, 7
232 72.9: for House hi the Woods, read House in the Wood.
ibid., 7Z.2: Mrs. Katharine Day Little points out that it is misleading to characterize
Andrew Michael Ramsay simply as a Roman Catholic when the reference is to his
theological writing. He submitted to the Roman obedience, but was an ardent Free-
mason and wrote in the tradition of deism.
240 72.7: There certainly was a fine portrait of Veronica van Sommelsdyck at Culross
Abbey House, which at that time belonged to Bositell's great-uncle, the Earl of
Dundonald. Culross was originally the property of the Bruces f Earls of Kincardine,
and has become so again. After having been owned by the Cochranes, Earls of Dun-
donald, and by another Cochrane cousin of BoswelVs, Sir Robert Preston of Valley'-
field, it came into the possession of the father of the present Earl of Elgin and Kin-
cardine by a series of bequests too complicated for detailing in a note of this sort.
(Information from the Right Honourable the Countess of Elgin and Kincardine,
who has sent me a photograph of the picture, now at Broomhall, Dunfermline, Fife )
266 72.9: instead of Patrick (later Sir Patrick) read James remainder of the note as it
stands. Patrick (later Sir Patrick) who appears on pp. 268 and 277 was James's son,
assistant, and successor. In 1764 he was only nineteen years old (Information from
Professor Warnock}.
436 Corrections and Additions
273, 2d line from bottom of text: for Stainer read Stammer (Ekard August von
Stammer, Lord Grand Master of the Horse. Information from Professor Warnock.)
319 n. (and elsewhere) . for Kirkheisen read Kircheisen
327, 1. 22: owners of the first printing will substitute English caprice to marry a for-
eigner at the point of death, for surprised ... for her? (This printer's error re-
ported by Mrs. John S. Lamont. It is now corrected in the plates.)
362, 1. 16: Dr. K. A. Bisset reminds me that in Scots usage a hurl is merely a brief oc-
casional ride in any small wheeled vehicle, and does not imply high speed.
ibid., 72.9: Francois became the servant of Mr. Wishart (letter of the Reverend Robert
Brown, 11 September 1764: see above, the correction for p. 39), and no doubt ac-
companied him to Scotland in that capacity.
374 n.i: Miss Solveig Tunold, the translator into Norwegian of BoswelVs "Life of
Johnson" adds that not only was the Ghost Hamlet's father, but the Ghost had al-
ways been right. Lord Auchinleck had opposed the marriage to Belle de Zuylen
from the first.
402, ist col., Amerongen, N. (Mossel) van should be Amerongen, Catharma Johanna
(Mossel) van and the entry should follow Amerongen, Anna
404, 2d col., 1. 19: insert John, St.
407, 2dcol., 1. 21: for 174; read 172;
409, ist col.: the entry Boswell, Margaret should go after Boswell, Lieut. John
412, ist coL- the references to the two Craufurds are jumbled Only 268, 277, 358 are
certainly to Patrick. 50 72.8, 266, 270, 278, 358, 362 are certainly or probably to James
413, ist col., 1. 15: insert of before Grandtully,
414, 2d col.: the entry Gascoyne should go after Galloway
415, 2d coL, 1. 17: for 263 n.2, read 263 71.3,
ibid., 1, 35: for 264 71.3 read 263 n.2
418, ist col., between 11. 25 and 26: add James, St., 211
ibid, between 11. 33 and 34 add John, St , 106
419, 2d coL, 11. 14 and 16: for Kirkheisen read Kncheisen
422, 2d col.: for Neutchutel, Public Library of read Neuchatel, Public Libiaiy of
423, ist col., 1. 22: for 263 72.2 read 263 71.3
ibid., 2d col., 1. 12: for 150 read 150 n.
424, 2d col., 1. 29: for 244, read 243;
ibid., 1. 32: for 266 n., read 366 n.,
427, 2dcol.,l. 15: delete 76,
ibid., 11. 17-18, letters to JB. insert 76,
428, ist col., next to last line: for 117; read 1 18;
429, ist coL, 1. 15: for n.2, read 72.3,
ibid., 2d col., 1. i: for 352, read 52;
ibid., 1. 2: for 256 n., read 156 n.,
ibid., 1. 8: for 263 77.2; read 263 72.3;
ibid., 1. 27: for 263 n.2, read 263 72.3,
430 ist col., 1. 28: for 263 72.2 read 263 72.3
ibid., 2d col., 11 5 and 6 from the bottom- for 263 72.2 read 263 n 3
432, ist col., 1. 13: for 264 72.3; read 263 72.2;
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11