River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-07-09
BOSWELDS LOVE-MAKING.

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BOSWELL'S LOVE-MAKING.
Boswell, according to writer IN the
Temple Bar, was once in love with
Scotch lass named Blair. "Her behavior
was rather cooler to him than Boswell
either expected or relished; and, appre-
hensive that he should lose her, he petit
toned his friend Temple, clergyman, to
help him to soften her obduracy. That
Temple might not blunder, Boswell wrote
down certain instructions, which the rev.
erend gentleman was careful to observe
"Wednesday. breakfast at g.; set
out at g.; Thomas will bring us to Adam
town little after III. Send up your
name. If possible put up your horses
there; they can have cut grass. If
Thomas will take them to the Mountain,
a place mile on, and come back and
wait at dinner. Give Miss Blair my let.
ter. Salute her and her mother; ask
them to walk. See the place fully; think
of what improvements should be made
talk of my mare, the purse, the choco-
late tell her you are a very old and in
innate friend; praise me for my good
qualities-you know them; but talk also
how odd, how inconstant, how impetuous,
how much accustomed to women of in.
trigue. Ask gravely, "Pray
don't you think there is seme-
thing of madness in that family!'
Talk of my various travels, German
prince, Voltaire and Rousseau. Talk Of
my father, my strong desire to have my
own house. Observe her we'll. See, how
amiable !! Judge If she would be happy
with your friend. Think of me as the
great man of Adamtown-quite classical,
too. Study the mother. Remember
well what passes. Stay to tea. At six
order horses and 60 to New Mills, two
miles from London; but. if they press
you to stay all night, do it. Be a man Of
as much ease as possible. Consider what
romantic expedition you are on. Take
notes. Perhaps you now fix me for life.
1.-The whole story of love and courtship
offers nothing more ludicrous than this
document. Temples intercession was
not without fruit. AT last ! am here,
house; at last am here,and our meeting
has been such as you paint in your
last but one. | have been here
but one night; she insists on my staying
another; am dressed in green and gold;
| have my chaise in which sit alone,
like Mr.. Gray, and Thomas rides by me
in claret-colored suit with silver-laced
hat He went with her to the theatre at
Edinburgh to see '0thello.' u sat close
behind the princess (as he called her)
and at the most affecting scenes pressed
my hand upon her waist. She was i'll tears
and rather leaned to me- He then re-
ports conversation between them:
81 really have no particular liking for
you,' says Miss Blair. 81 like many
people as well as YOU"
'Do you, indeed = returns Boswell.
swell, cannot help it; | am obliged to
you for telling me so in time. | am sorry
for it."
81 like JEANNE Maxwell better than
you
"very well; but do you like no man
better than me ?"
"No"
is it possible that you may like me
better than other menu
81 don't know what is possible"
"You are very fond of Auchinleck (his
fathers estate;) that is one good circum-
stance"
81 confess am. Iwish liked you as
we'll as Auchinleck."
"Her candor would have put an end to
most mems hopes and passions, too. But
Boswell went on for months provoking
her sarcasms, until he saw the game was
up. Yet three days after he had formal
ly resigned her, three days after he had
told her that he was thrown upon the
wide world again, and that he didn't know
what would become of him,he wrote: The
heiress (meaning Miss Blair is good
Scots lass, but must have an Englishwo.
man. My mind is now twice az enlarged
as it has been for some months. You
cannot say how fine woman may mar.
ry, perhaps Howard, OF some
other of the noblest in the
kingdom" Later he congratu.
lates himself on having escaped the Gin.
sensible Miss b. for Il have now see-
| the finest creature that ever was formed,
la belle Hidndaise. Figure TO yourself,
Temple, young ladyjust sixteen, formed
like Grecian nymph, with the sweetest
countenance, full Of sensibility, accom-
plished, with a Dublin education, always
half the year in the north Of ireland, heI
father counselor at law, with an estate
Of 1000 year, and above 10000 in
ready money!"
But neither England, nor Ireland mol
Holland was to have the honor Of supply
ins Boswell with wife, for in 1869 nc
married a countrywoman, Miss Margaret
Montgomerie, to whom johnson said that
she cannot rival him (Boswell,) nor car
he ever be ashamed Of her. She be-
longed TO a noble family, Ellington. Bos
well had a scrvile admiration Of heI
abilities, and actually kept record Of
her sayings, as Swift kept a record o.
Stella's. which he labeled 'Uxoriana.
From this collection il does not appear
that she had a great deal Of respect fol
him."