ed gentleman, writing for bread, and me for a very impudent
Irishman; whereas you are heir to a thousand a year, and I am one of the
most bashful Scotchmen that ever appeared! I confess, indeed, my
bashfulness does not appear in my works, for them I print in the most
impudent manner; being exceeded in that respect by nobody but James
Boswell, Esq.

Yours, &c., ANDREW ERSKINE.

[Footnote 56: A snow (Low-German, snau; High-German, schnau) is a small
vessel with beaked or snout-like bows, according to Wedgewood. But more
probably it takes its name from the triangular shape of its
sails.--Schnauzegel, a trysail.--ED.]

[Footnote 57: "As we sat over our tea, Mr. Home's tragedy of Douglas was
mentioned. I put Dr. Johnson in mind that once, in a coffee-house at
Oxford, he called to old Mr. Sheridan, 'how came you, Sir, to give Home
a gold medal for writing that foolish play?'" Boswell's "Tour to the
Hebrides." Date of October 26, 1773.--ED.]

[Footnote 58: "The Elements of Criticism," by Henry Home, Lord Kames.
"Sir," said Johnson, "this book is a pretty essay and deserves to be
held in some estimation though much of it is chimerical!" Boswell's
"Life of Johnson." Date of May 16, 1763.--ED.]

[Footnote 59: "In this play there is more bustle than sentiment; the
plot is busy and intricate, and the events take hold on the attention;
but, except a very few passages, we are rather amused with noise, and
perplexed with stratagem, than entertained with any true delineation of
natural characters."--Johnson's "Lives of the Poets."--ED.]

* * * * *

LETTER XXXIX.

Kames, October 19, 1762.

Dear ERSKINE,--In my own name, and in the name of Lord Kames, I desire
to see you here immediately. I have been reading the "Elements of
Criticism." You and the Reviewers have pronounced enough of serious
panegyric on that book. In my opinion, it has the good properties of all
the four elements. It has the solidity of earth, the pureness of air,
the glow of fire, and the clearness of water. The language is excellent,
and sometimes rises to so noble a pitch, that I exclaim, in imitation of
Zanga in the Revenge,[60]

"I like this roaring of the Elements."

[Footnote 60: "The Revenge," a tragedy, by Edward Young, author of
"Night Thoughts."--ED.]

If this does not bring you, nothing will; and so, Sir, I continue,

Yours as usual,

JAMES BOSWELL.

* * * * *

LETTER XL