The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson, L. L. D.

London, UK: J. M. Dent: Aldine House. Very Good. 1898. Leather Bound. Ten pages show UNDERLINING and MARGINALIA in pencil. Else, Very Good+: shows mild rubbing to the corner tips; former owner's name printed at the front pastedown endpaper; some darkening to the front and rear free endpapers; the red sink ribbon marker is somewhat frayed; the binding leans ever so slightly but remains secure. Free of creased or dog-eared pages in the text. A handsome If flawed copy, structurally sound and tightly bound, showing just a hint of wear and the described imperfections. A lovely little reading copy. NOT a Remainder, Book-Club, or Ex-Library. 16mo. (6.15 x 3.95 x 0.7 inches) . Appendix, Notes. Fold-out map of the Hebrides precedes the titles page, with vellum sheet intact. Top Edge Gilt. Crimson Ribbon Marker. Blue silk placemarker laid in. Fore-Edge and Bottom Edge Rag-Edged. Decorated Title Page and Frontispiece. Blue Leather Binding with Embossed Owl-motif at the front panel; gilt titles and designs at the backstrip. The Temple Classics Series. Hardback: Flexible Leatherette. This is a travel journal by Scotsman James Boswell first published in 1785. In 1773, Boswell had enticed his English friend Samuel Johnson to accompany him on a tour through the highlands and western islands of Scotland. Johnson was then in his mid-sixties and much esteemed for his literary works and his Dictionary. The two travellers set out from Edinburgh and skirted the eastern and northeastern coasts of Scotland, passing through St Andrews, Aberdeen and Inverness. They then passed into the highlands and spent several weeks on various islands in the Hebrides, including Skye, Coll, and Mull. After a visit to Boswell's estate at Auchinleck, the travellers returned to Edinburgh. Johnson published his recollections, Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland on 18 January 1775. It was a publishing success drawing much praise and discussion - and some critical remarks, especially for some of Johnson's sceptical asides questioning the authenticity of the 'Ossian' poems, which were then all the rage. After Johnson's death in 1784, Boswell published his own Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides. This work was based on a diary Boswell had kept during the tour and included detailed descriptions of where he and Johnson had gone and - course - what Johnson had said. The Journal was to serve as a sort of teaser for the longer biography Boswell was preparing for publication, his celebrated Life of Samuel Johnson. Boswell's Journal and Johnson's Journey make an interesting study in contrasts. Johnson considers things philosophically and maintains a high level of generality. Boswell's approach is more anecdotal, even gossipy, and succeeds in large part because of Boswell's keen eye and ear for detail. Both accounts are still widely read and admired today. ; 16mo 6" - 7" tall; xx, 431 pages .