Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-11-26
Or. Johnston,s Pudding.

Last Summer made an excursion TO Scotlan
with the intention of completing my views, an
went over the same ground described BY tn
learned tourists, DR.. johnson and Boswell.
am in the habit of taking very long walks
these occ sions; and perceiving storm threate
I made the best of my way to small building
| | arrived in time at neat little inn, and wa
received by respectable looking man and hi
wife. who did all in their power to make m
comfortable. After eating some excellent frle
mutton chops. and drinking a quart of ale
asked the landlord to sit down and partak
of bowl of whiskey punch. | found him
as the Scotch generally are, very intelligent. an
full of anecdotes, of which the following ma.
serve as specimen:
Sir" said the landlord, ''this inn was former
ly kept by Andrew Macgregor, q relation o
mine and these hard bottomed chairs Tin which
we are now sitting were, years ago, hlled D.
the greast tourists, travelling like the hon ant
jackal Boswell generally preceded the Docto
in search of food, and being much pleased
with the looks of the house, followed hi
nose into the larder, where he saw fine LEI
of mutton. He ordered it to be roasted will
the utmost expedition and gave particular or
ders for nice pudding. Nov" says he, make
the best of all puddings." Elated with his gooe
luck, he Immediately went out in search OF h''
| friend and saw the giant of learning advancing
on pony.
my dear SIR" said Boswell, out Of breath
with Joy, "good news! | have just bespoke
at a comfortable and clean inn here, delicious
leg of mutton; it is now getting ready, and
tlatter myself that we shall make an excellent
meal.".. johnson looked pleased. sand / hope
said he ''yvu have bespoke pudding" Sir.
you will have your favoriite pudding" replied
the other.
'Johnson got off the poney, and the poor all
imal, relieved from the giant smelt his way into
the stable Boswell ushered the Doctor into
the house, and left him to prepare for the treat.
Johnson feeling his coat rather damp, from the
mist of the mountains, went into the Kitchen
and threw his upper garment on chair before
the fire; he sat on hob near q little boy who
was attending the meat. Johnson occasionally
peeped from behind his coat while the boy kept
basting the mutton. Johnson did not like the
appearance of his head when he shifted the
basting ladle from one hand, the other hand was
never idle, and the Doctor thought at the same
time he saw something fall on the meat, upon
which he determined to eat no mutton on that
day. The dinner announced Boswell exclaimed
MY dear Doctor, here comes the mutton-what
a picture, done to turn, and cooked so beauti-
fully brown!" The Doctor Uttered. After q
short grace Boswell said:
81 suppose am to carve. as usual what part
shall help vou TO? The Doctor replied
"My Dear Boy, | did not like TO tell you be-
fore, but am determined to obstain from meat
to-day.
"Oh dear! this is great disappointment, said
Bozy.
''Say no more; shall make myself ample a.
mendS with the pudding.
Boswell commenced the attack, and made the
first cut at the mutton. "How the gravy runs; !;
what fine favored fat, so nice and brown too
Oh sir you would relished this prime piece OF
mutton"
.The meat being removed, in came the long
wished for pudding The Doctor looking joyous
fell eagerly to, and in few moments nearly fin
ished the pudding. The table was cleared, and
Boswell said:
doctor while was eating the mutton, you
seemed frequently inclined to langh tell Inc
what tickled your fancy2"
The Doctor then literally told him all that
had passed at the kitchen fire, about the boy
and the basting. Boswell turned as pale as q
parsenp, and sick of himself and the company
darted out of the room. Somewhat relieved on
returning he insisted on seeing the dirty little
rascally boy, whom he severely reprimanded be-
fore johnson. The poor boy cried-The Doc
tor laughed.
''Yon little, filthy, snivelling hound" said
Boswell, "when you basted the meat why did
You not put on the cap saw you in this morn
ingw
II couldn't sir" said the boy.
"No why couldn't you9" said Boswell.
"Becanse my nanny took it from me to boil
the pudding M"
'The Doctor gathered up his herculean frame,
stood erect, touched the ceiling with his wig.
stared or squinted; indeed looked any way but
the right way At last, with mouth wide upon
(none of the smallesD and stomach heaving. he
With some difficulty recovered his breath, and
looking at Boswell with dignifed contempt, he
roared out with the lungs of stentor
"Mr Boswell, sir, leave off laughing, and un-
der pain of my eternal displeasure, never utter
single syllable of this abominable adventure to
any soul living while you breathe" "And such
said mine host, "you have the positive fact from
the mouth OF your humble servant. ."-4ngsI0s
"reminiscences.