[881] I believe, however, I shall follow my own opinion; for the world has shewn a very flattering partiality to my writings, on many occasions. BOSWELL. In Boswelliana, p. 222, Boswell, after recording a story about Voltaire, adds:—'In contradiction to this story, see in my Journal the account which Tronchin gave me of Voltaire.' This Journal was probably destroyed by Boswell's family. By his will, he left his manuscripts and letters to Sir W. Forbes, Mr. Temple, and Mr. Malone, to be published for the benefit of his younger children as they shall decide. The Editor of Boswelliana says (p. 186) that 'these three literary executors did not meet, and the entire business of the trust was administered by Sir W. Forbes, who appointed as his law-agent, Robert Boswell, cousin-german of the deceased. By that gentleman's advice, Boswell's manuscripts were left to the disposal of his family; and it is believed that the whole were immediately destroyed.' The indolence of Malone and Temple, and the brutish ignorance of the Boswells, have indeed much to answer for. See ante, i. 225, note 2, and post, May 12, 1778.
[882] 'He that would travel for the entertainment of others should remember that the great object of remark is human life.' The Idler, No. 97.
[883] See ante, ii. 377.
[884] Johnson recorded (Pr. and Med. p. 163):—'Boswell came in to go to Church … Talk lost our time, and we came to Church late, at the Second Lesson.'
[885] See ante, i. 461.
[886] Oliver Edwards entered Pembroke College in June, 1729. He left in April, 1730.
[887] Pr. and Med. p. 164. BOSWELL.
[888] 'Edwards observed how many we have outlived. I hope, yet hope, that my future life shall be better than my past.' Pr. and Med. p. 166.
[889] See post, April 30, 1778.
[890] See ante, p. 221.