e good name of his family, and finds it
impossible to suppress a wish that the great talker had been there to
avenge them. It may not be quite impossible that, mingling with the
brilliant essayist's ill-will to the politics of the travellers, there
was an unconscious strain of resentment at the contemptuous way in which
his relations had been tossed by the doctor, and that Bozzy's own
subsequent denunciations of the abolitionists and the slave trade had
edged the memories in the mind of the son of Zachary Macaulay. Be this
as it may, for this scene Macaulay has a keen eye, and as much of his
colour is derived from it, it is but right that in some abridged form
the incident be set down here in Boswell's own words--
'I went to the castle just about the time when I supposed the
ladies would be retired from dinner. I sent in my name; and,
being shewn in, found the amiable Duke sitting at the head of
his table with several gentlemen. I was most politely received,
and gave his grace some particulars of the curious journey
which I had been making with Dr Johnson.... As I was going
away, the Duke said, "Mr Boswell, won't you have some tea?" I
thought it best to get over the meeting with the Duchess this
night; so respectfully agreed. I was conducted to the
drawing-room by the Duke, who announced my name; but the
duchess, who was sitting with her daughter, Lady Betty
Hamilton, and some other ladies, took not the least notice of
me. I should have been mortified at being thus coldly received,
had I not been consoled by the obliging attention of the Duke.
'_Monday, October 25._ I presented Dr Johnson to the Duke of
Argyll ... the duke placed Dr Johnson next himself at table. I
was in fine spirits; and though sensible of not being in favour
with the duchess, I was not in the least disconcerted, and
offered her grace some of the dish that was before me. It must
be owned that I was in the right to be quite unconcerned, if I
could. I was the Duke of Argyll's guest; and I had no reason to
suppose that he adopted the prejudices and resentments of the
Duchess of Hamilton.
'I knew it was the rule of modern high life not to drink to
anybody; but, that I might have the satisfaction for once to
look the duchess in the face, with a glass in my hand, I with a
respectful air addressed her,--"My Lady Duchess, I have the
honour to
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