136 THE HERRING FISHERY 



bution, though, as already said, there is room 

 for improvement in this respect. 



In the year 1773 we see the Scottish herring 

 fleet in illustrious company. It was in the 

 autumn of that year that Dr. Johnson " was 

 induced to undertake the journey," as he 

 himself says, " by finding in Mr. Boswell a 

 companion, whose acuteness would help my 

 inquiry, and whose gaiety of conversation and 

 civility of manners are sufficient to counteract 

 the inconveniences of travel, in countries 

 less hospitable than we have passed." Unfor- 

 tunately, in spite of their joint eulogiums upon 

 Scottish breakfasts, neither Johnson nor Bos- 

 well particularises herring, probably because 

 it was too familiar, though smoked salmon is 

 mentioned, but on Sunday, October 3rd, they got 

 the first hint of a change of wind from " a little 

 fleet of herring-busses passing by for Mull," 

 and therefore left Skye for the Sound of 

 Mull ; their vessel *' kept near the five herring 

 vessels for some time," but, the wind changing, 

 they were obliged to tack, and finally run for 

 Col. 



To Johnson's eulogium already mentioned, 

 "if an epicure could remove by a wish, in 

 quest of sensual gratifications, wherever he 

 had supped, he would breakfast in Scotland," 

 we may adduce a parallel from a quarter at 

 least equally impartial. Peacock, who hated 

 the Scots as he hated nothing but Lord 

 Brougham — and like Johnson he was a good 



