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Footsteps of Dr. Johnson (Scotland)

Chapter 36: APPENDIX B.
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About This Book

The author retraces Samuel Johnson's journey across Scotland, using Johnson's letters, his Journey to the Western Islands, and Boswell's Journal as sources to follow visits from the Western Highlands and Hebrides through Glasgow, Ayrshire, and Edinburgh. Blending contemporary travel observation with archival research and local traditions, the narrative reconstructs landscapes and the daily manners and customs that most intrigued Johnson. Anecdotes, portrait studies, and illustrations accompany descriptions of houses, ruins, and routes, while comparisons with earlier and later travellers provide context. Practical notes on places seen and documentary references complete a portrait of a country viewed through Johnson's curiosity.

APPENDIX B.

(Page 305.)

Dr. Johnson’s Letter to Dr. Taylor.

Dear Sir,

hen I was at Edinburgh I had a letter from you, telling me that in answer to some enquiry you were informed that I was in the Sky. I was then I suppose in the western islands of Scotland; I set out on the northern expedition August 6, and came back to Fleet-street, November 26. I have seen a new region.

“I have been upon seven of the islands, and probably should have visited many more, had we not begun our journey so late in the year, that the stormy weather came upon us, and the storms have I believe for about five months hardly any intermission.

“Your Letter told me that you were better. When you write do not forget to confirm that account. I had very little ill health while I was on the journey, and bore rain and wind tolerably well. I had a cold and deafness only for a few days, and those days I passed at a good house. I have traversed the east coast of Scotland from south to north from Edinburgh to Inverness, and the west coast from north to south, from the Highlands to Glasgow, and am come back as I went,

“Sir,
“Your affectionate humble servant,
“Sam. Johnson.

Jan. 15, 1774.

“To the Reverend Dr. Taylor,
“in Ashbourn,
“Derbyshire.”