'DEAR SIR,
'Yesterday I put the first sheets of the Journey to the Hebrides to the press. I have endeavoured to do you some justice in the first paragraph[811]. It will be one volume in octavo, not thick.
'It will be proper to make some presents in Scotland. You shall tell me to whom I shall give; and I have stipulated twenty-five for you to give in your own name[812]. Some will take the present better from me, others better from you. In this, you who are to live in the place ought to direct. Consider it. Whatever you can get for my purpose send me; and make my compliments to your lady and both the young ones.
'I am, Sir, your, &c.,
'SAM. JOHNSON.'
'MR. BOSWELL TO DR. JOHNSON.
'Edinburgh, June 24, 1774.
'You do not acknowledge the receipt of the various packets which I have sent to you. Neither can I prevail with you to answer my letters, though you honour me with returns[813]. You have said nothing to me about poor Goldsmith[814], nothing about Langton[815].
'I have received for you, from the Society for propagating Christian
Knowledge in Scotland[816], the following Erse books:—The New Testament;
Baxter's Call; The Confession of Faith of the Assembly of Divines at
Westminster; The Mother's Catechism; A Gaelick and English
Vocabulary[817].
'To JAMES BOSWELL, ESQ.