Chapter 4

Auchinleck, Oct. 10, 1761.

Dear ERSKINE,--Had Philip of Macedon been saddle-sick with riding up and down the country after his unruly son Alexander, and been waiting in extreme pain, till the surgeon of the next village brought him emollient relief, he could not have been more impatient than I am for a return to my last letter. I thought, indeed, that my firing so great a gun, would have produced a speedy and a suitable echo, and I had no doubt of at least being paid the interest of a sum so very large. I now give you fair warning, that if something is not speedily done in this affair, I shall be obliged to take very disagreeable methods. From this way of talking, I begin to fancy myself a Schoolmaster; a character next to that of a giant, most terrible to tender minds. Don't think to escape the rod. Don't think your dignity as a poet will save you from it. I make no question, but what that acrimonious pedagogue George Buchanan has often applied it to his pupil, and he you know was a poet and a king into the bargain. I have been reading the Rosciad. You see my very studies have tended towards flagellation. Upon my word Churchill[14] does scourge with a vengeance; I should not like to come under his discipline. He is certainly a very able writer. He has great power of numbers.

[Footnote 14: Churchill's "Rosciad" had been published in March of this year.--ED.]

"In manly tides of verse he rolls along."[15]

[Footnote 15:

"In manly tides of sense they roll'd along."

--"The Rosciad."--ED.]

I desire, Erskine, once again, that you may write without delay, otherwise, I shall no longer be

Your affectionate friend,

JAMES BOSWELL.

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