She is a
very fine woman. But how can you shew civilities to a nonentity? I did
not think he had been married. Nay, I did not think about it one way or
other; but he did not tell us of his lady till late.'
He then spoke of St. Kilda, the most remote of the Hebrides. I told him,
I thought of buying it. JOHNSON. 'Pray do, Sir. We will go and pass a
winter amid the blasts there. We shall have fine fish, and we will take
some dried tongues with us, and some books. We will have a strong built
vessel, and some Orkney men to navigate her. We must build a tolerable
house: but we may carry with us a wooden house ready made, and requiring
nothing but to be put up. Consider, Sir, by buying St. Kilda, you may
keep the people from falling into worse hands. We must give them a
clergyman, and he shall be one of Beattie's choosing. He shall be
educated at Marischal College. I'll be your Lord Chancellor, or what
you please.' BOSWELL. 'Are you serious, Sir, in advising me to buy St.
Kilda? for if you should advise me to go to Japan, I believe I should do
it.
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