Engraved by E. Mitchell, from a Painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds, in the possession of James Boswell, Esq. TO THE WESTERN ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND. BY SAMUEL JOHNSON, LL. D. WITH Remarks BY THE REV. DONALD M'NICOL, A. M. OF LISMORE, ARGYLESHIRE. EMBELLISHED WITH AN ELEGANT PORTRAIT OF JOHNSON. GLASGOW: Printed at the Stanhope Press, BY AND FOR R. CHAPMAN. Sold by A. & J. M. Duncan, Brash & Reid, J. Smith & Son, W. Turnbull, D. Niven & Co., M. Ogle, J. Steven, T. Ogilvie, J. Wylie & Co., J. Jones, and J. Sawers. 1 ADVERTISEMENT. IT is now upwards of forty years since Doctor Johnson's Tour to the Hebrides was given to the world. The strength and beauty of its language, the freedom and novelty of its remarks, and the great literary fame of its author, have concurred in establishing its title to rank as a Classic in our language. It is universally admitted, however, that the strong prejudices of the traveller, and his excusable ignorance of local circumstances and manners, have given a colouring to many of his observations which is highly objectionable. Hence, in the progress of this meritorious performance, much unreasonable satire is mingled with the unction of praise, and truth is frequently sacrificed at the shrine of detraction. When this work was ushered to the notice of the public, Scotland, as might have been anticipated, found many defenders; but the only work of merit, which was professedly published as an antidote to the misrepresentations of Johnson, is the volume of Remarks by the Rev. Mr. M'Nicol, of Lismore. The liveliness with which this volume is written, the zeal and research it displays, and the sarcasm with which it abounds, are at once proofs of the talents, the industry, and the patriotism of its author; and, notwithstanding some occasional sallies of indignant nationality, though the great Rambler himself were alive, he could hardly be displeased to see himself associated with so judicious and able an opponent. Mr. M'Nicol's Remarks having become exceedingly scarce, the Publisher flatters himself that he offers a high gratification to the lovers of literature in general, to Scotsmen in particular, and to the just admirers of Johnson himself, when he presents them with an elegant edition of the Tour and the Remarks combined in one volume. Glasgow, August, 1817. |