James Boswell - ProfilesArchive

About Me

Nobody's read it, but everybody's read about it: my magnum opus, "The Life of Johnson." In retrospect, I should have done "The Life of Boswell": less Great Cham, more great chicks.

My Interests

Well, okay: My boy Sam. Johnson, for those of you who've been living in a cave; touring the Hebrides; the '45 (in a strictly academic sense); hypochondria; a little island called Corsica, and a big man named Paoli; attempting to revive the dead, especially those who've been hanged; my estate, Auchinleck; compulsive whoring and drinking

I'd like to meet:

Donald Greene. He and I have a few things to... discuss. I'll be talking with my fist, and he'll be listening with his face.

Besides that chump, I'm interested in meeting anyone of legitimate celebrity status. Back in the day, I hobnobbed with Sam. Johnson, Paoli, Rousseau, Voltaire, Hume, George III, etc.--pretty much all the big dogs of the 1700s--and now I'm ready to take on the glitterati of the 21st century.

And so, dear friends, could any of you get me a letter of introduction to the delectable Ms. Katie Couric, whom I so frequently ogle on the telly? I would be her willing slave, entirely at her command! My lovely Ms. Kat, what would you say to a "Life of Couric"--spent in Boswell's arms? Mmm?

Movies:

I don't know why the studios chose to cancel "Boswell for the Defense": Michael Caine would have made a most impressive and distinguished Bozzy.

Television:

HUGE, huge fan of Inspector Morse. He reminds me of Sam. Johnson, actually--blinding brilliant, reclusive, an intimidating presence--but Morse gets more chicks. I credit the Jaguar.

Books:

Let's just do my greatest hits: The Cub at Newmarket (1762); Letters between the Hon. Andrew Erskine and James Boswell Esq. (1763) (with Andrew Erskine); Dorando, A Spanish Tale (1767); An Account of Corsica, The Journal of a Tour to That Island; and Memoirs of Pascal Paoli (1768); The Hypochondriack (1777-83); Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson, LL. D. (1785); The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791). And don't forget my journals, the proto-blogs of the 18th century. You think your blogs are spicy? Read my London journal, and bow down!

Heroes:

Sam. Johnson; Pasquale Paoli; Jean Jacques Rousseau; Sir Joshua Reynolds; Henry Thrale; Francois Voltaire; John Reid; the Duke of Douglas; Bonnie Prince Charlie; David Garrick; and my dear, dear, patient wife Margaret

My Blog

Remembering Christmas 1762

Ah, those lean and hungry years of my youth! 1762 was my first year in London, as a young and most ambitious pup, and I was suffering most terribly due to my father's congenital tightness of purse-str...
Posted by James Boswell on Thu, 28 Dec 2006 06:20:00 PST

Remembering an Evening at the Mitre

Ah, the Mitre Tavern. I have such fond memories of it, and the dear faces that gathered around the tables there! One evening in mid-summer, 1763, I caused supper to be served there for a group of frie...
Posted by James Boswell on Fri, 29 Sep 2006 07:02:00 PST

The Hooded Hawk

Sometimes, my friends, my life seems to be no more than the type of oft-repeated pattern that might be discovered in a finely woven Persian carpet: deep drinking, appalling hangovers, profound repenta...
Posted by James Boswell on Tue, 22 Aug 2006 12:25:00 PST

My Dear Friend William Bass

In Honor of William Bass, Esq.Who First Brewed Ale in Burton-on-Trent in 1777Dear William, it speaks to your ClassThat your Grace is best seen in a GlassYour Ale, fine Sir,Is so Flawless and PureAll M...
Posted by James Boswell on Mon, 05 Jun 2006 12:56:00 PST

Melancholia and the Hypochondriak

A Hypochondriack fancies himself at different times suffering death in all the various ways in which it has been observed; and thus he dies many times before his death. I myself have been frequently t...
Posted by James Boswell on Mon, 22 May 2006 08:06:00 PST

Mingled Frenzy and Stupification

Another evening of regrettable behavior. A complete riot, which lasted until near twelve at night. I drank three bottles of hock, and then staggered away.What a price does such an evening's riot cost ...
Posted by James Boswell on Wed, 10 May 2006 02:20:00 PST

Friends, and Those Who Are Not

Friendship, to me, is a most dear trust. I do not count many as "friends" among my numerous (and, admittedly, impressive) acquaintances; that title is of great weight and value, and must be earned. Dr...
Posted by James Boswell on Mon, 08 May 2006 08:22:00 PST

The Hebrides Jaunt

Whew, what a blowout! The ninth Laird of Auchinleck, drinking my way through the Highlands. You should have seen me at Coirechatachan with the Mackinnons--Young Coll and I got drunk as dogs on punch. ...
Posted by James Boswell on Sat, 06 May 2006 10:02:00 PST