ACCOUNT OF JAMES BOSWELL. JAMES BOSWELL, author of one of the most popular books in the language, was born on October 29, 1740. His father was Alexander Boswell, Lord Auchinleck, one of the Scotch Judges, his mother Euphemia Erskine, of the Mar family. He had two sons, James and David. James was sent to Edinburgh, first to a private school, then to the High School. As he led an idle, dissipated life, his father removed him to Glasgow University, where he matriculated January 8, 1759. Here he turned Roman Catholic, and, as Mr Ramsay tells, eloped with an actress to London. As was to be expected, he speedily abandoned his new faith. In London he led a wild life. In 1762 he published his first production or pamphlet, "The Cub at Newmarket," an undignified portrait of himself and his doings. In November 1761, he had, unknown to his father, entered himself_at_the Inner Temple. When he returned to Edinburgh he went on writing, contributing to the "Scots Magazine," writing occasional "Squibs," such as "Critical Strictures on Elvira," in which his friends Captain Erskine and George Dempster had a share; also a little volume of Letters interchanged between him and Captain Erskine, a trivial, flippant production: and "An Ode to Tragedy." He was soon in London again, where he wished to procure a commission in the Foot Guards, though his father insisted on his going to the Bar, threatening to disinherit him if he did not comply. At last, by a sort of compromise, it was arranged that he should go to Utrecht, where the Judge had been himself, to study the Civil Law, the son accepting the proposal as offering a chance of making a foreign tour. On May 16, 1763, he was introduced to Dr Johnson in "Tom Davies'" shop. On the Doctor he made a good impression, and their friendship was assured. On August 5, he set off for Utrecht. His father had intended that he should stay two years; but, after a single term, he had fallen in love with a Dutch young lady, whom he later wished to marry; and set off on "a grand tour," through Europe. He visited Rousseau, Voltaire, and all notable persons that he encountered, and at Rome cemented an intimate friendship with the notorious Wilkes. He went to Corsica, was treated with great favour and distinction by Paoli, who seems to have fancied him. On his return he indulged in various Corsican extravagances, waiting on Mr Pitt in the dress of a Corsican, and corresponding with him. He was now called to the Scottish Bar. I possess his own copy of the Thesis which he had to submit, "De Supellectile Legata." He at once associated himself as a sort of Volunteer with the famous Douglas Cause, on the side of the claimant against the House of Hamilton. He wrote a sort of "Précis," called "The Essence of the Douglas Cause," and a tale, "Dorando." He now (1768) published his adventures in Corsica, written in his own agreeable unaffected style, which had success, passing rapidly through several editions. (An Italian version appeared so lately as 1869.) Never was there a nature so inflammatory in regard to le beau sexe; single or married, he was always in love. At Glasgow University he fell in love with Miss Wilmot; at Utrecht with Mlle. de Zuyl, whom he had actually promised to marry. Then came a Miss Blair, with £300 a year of her own, and whom he lost from his own vacillation and capriciousness. Then he fell in love with an Irish girl, a barrister's daughter-Miss Mary Anne Boyd probablyfor he was with his aunt Boyd in the North of Ireland, who had asked him over. He set off in 1769, odd to say, accompanied by his cousin Miss Peggie Montgomerie. After a triumphant progress, where he was received and made much of by all the great people, Miss Montgomerie captured him. She was of Lanislaw. Her father was dead, and connected with Lord Eglinton. Before the marriage he made a grotesque exhibition at the Shakspeare Jubilee at Stratford. The wedding took place on November 25, 1769. The oddity was that his father selected the same day for a second marriage with Miss Boswell of Balmuto. This would appear to show that he was much displeased. Mrs James Boswell, there is little doubt, was without fortune. The marriage was, on the whole, a happy one, and while she lived, his wife-a cold, practical lady --had a restraining influence on his many follies. His first child was born in September 1770, but died. He now followed his profession with assiduity. He received and attended General Paoli in Scotland, and began his system of regular excursions to town to "wait on Dr Johnson." In 1773 he was elected a member of the Literary Club, entirely owing to Johnson's influence. In the same year he made the Tour in the Hebrides with his great friend. In 1775 he entered himself at the Inner Temple, and in the same year his son Alexander was born. But, unluckily, he now began to indulge his taste for wine; his "head was a bad one," and during his later life he often exhibited himself in very indecorous fashion. His father died in 1782, and he became Laird of Auchinleck, when he began to nourish ambitious dreams of coming forward, and making a figure. His attendance on Johnson began to relax. The Sage was in a bad state of health, indeed, nearing his last sickness. Boswell had attached himself to a new patron, Sir James Lowther, a wealthy magnate, but who, after keeping him in subservient attendance, insolently cast him off. Through his interest, however, he was made Recorder of Carlisle. In 1784 the good Johnson died, but his henchman was not with him. It is clear from Boswell's own account there had been a coldness, if not a quarrel. Johnson did not name him in his will, though he left remembrances to most of his intimates. He was now writing political pamphlets, "Appeals" to the people of Scotland, &c., and striving to get into Parliament. But in 1785 his book of Johnsonian conversations-"The Tour to the Hebrides"-was published, and received with applause. It passed through three editions within a few years. In 1786 he was called to the English Bar, but did not obtain business. He was, in fact, too dissipated and unsteady, and his taste for drink and other failings was growing. Riding home one night, intoxicated, he fell from his horse, and was severely hurt. In 1789 he lost his wife, for whom he grieved sincerelya loss that increased his embarrassments, for he was utterly incapable of looking after his family. Almost at once, he began to look for a second wife, seeking an heiress. His affairs fell into sad disorder, and he was steeped in debt. Meanwhile, he was getting ready his Magnum Opus, "The Life of Dr Johnson," which was at last published in 1791, in 2 vols quarto, and was well received. He was offered £1000 for it "down," but decided to speculate in it himself. Its free personalities and revelations involved him in many controversies, from which he extricated himself with some spirit and cleverness. Two editions were issued in his lifetime, and he had just begun to prepare the third when he was seized with his last illness. There can be no doubt that he shortened his life by his habits and drink, and dissipation. He died of a fever and other complaints on May 19, 1795, aged 55. His children were-David, who died early; Alexander, who was killed in a duel with Mr Stuart, a relative of his own. The quarrel arose out of an article by Sir Alexander in "The Sentinel." Both he and his brother James were distinguished for their ardent literary taste and "blackletter" knowledge. Of his daughters, Veronica died shortly after her father, from an illness it is said brought on by her affectionate attendance at his death-bed. Euphemia, her sister, behaved eccentricallywrote operas, verses, and abandoned her family -a disastrous record. The third daughter, Elizabeth, married respectably one of her own name, Sir A. Boswell's son, James, born 1806, who bequeathed his estate to his two daughters. Julia, the eldest, married a Carlisle solicitor, Mr Mounsey; the other, Emily, Lord Talbot de Malahide. Boswell was a voluminous writer. The following is a fairly complete list of his works: 66 3. 6. Ode to Tragedy," 1761. 2. "Elegy on the death of an amiable young lady," 1761. "The Cub at Newmarket," 1762. 4. "Critical Strictures on Elvira." 5. "Letters between Hon. A. Erskine and J. Boswell," 1773. "Account of Corsica, &c." 1768 (three editions). 7. "Essence of the Douglas Cause," 1767. 8. Essays in favour of the brave Corsicans," 1769. Dorando, an Allegory," 1767. 9. "British 10. "Decisions of the Court of Session, Hunters v. Donaldsons," 1774. II. "Letter to the People of Scotland," 1783 (two editions). 12. "Letter to the People of Scotland" (on the Union), 1785. 13. "Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides," 1785 (three editions). versation with George III.," 1790. 14. Conson's letter to Lord Chesterfield," 1770. 16. 15. "John"No Abolition of Slavery," 1791. 17. "Life of Samuel Johnson" (two editions). 18. "Corrections and Additions" (second edition, a series of papers). 19. "The Hypochondriac," 1777. "Remarks on the Profession of Player,” 1770. He had besides planned over a dozen books. ions: 850: issued The principal and important editions of the Life of Johnson are:-the author's own two, 1791, 1793-the third edited by Malonewhich in its turn passed through m: Mr Croker's in 1831, but recast la Mr R. Carruthers', 1851: that by m in 1874, with a new edition in 1888, furnished with a comprehensive list of all the editions, drawn up by Mr Tedder, F.S.A.: the Rev. Mr Napier's edition, 1884, and finally, the over-elaborated edition of Dr Birkbeck Hill. nich was THE EDITOR. |