"Quoting Samuel Johnson: 'Men know that women are an overmatch for them, and therefore they choose the weakest or the most ignorant. If they did not think so, they never could be afraid of women knowing as much as themselves.'"
The quotations which Boswell chooses to include of Johnson's prove fascinating. He paints a picture of a man of profound depth and reserve, a man of few but reliable words. After a particularly disappointing visit to Skye, Johnson counsels his friend to appreciate why women appear to choose inferior mates. The overt sexism of Johnson's opinion is not lost upon his friend.
"Every man should keep minutes of whatever he reads. Every circumstance of his studies should be recorded; what books he has consulted; how much of them he has read; at what times; how often the same authors; and what opinions he formed of them, at different periods of his life. Such an account would much illustrate the history of his mind."
In his estimation of Johnson, Boswell is concerned not only with the final product but with the development of the man. He takes care to represent most accurateyl his companion's habits as revealed through their travels. He is interested in giving a thorough analysis of what makes his friend so eligible for the greatness he has achieved in his successful medical career and numerous publications.
"Lady Macdonald was as bad as negative badness could be and stood in the way of what was good and Mr. Johnson would have her sent to St. Kilda."
Observe in this explanation of the conflict between the two and Lady Macdonal, Boswell abdicates responsibility for the affair. He attributes the conflict to Johnson's desire to press on and stay active, while Boswell himself is content to take his time. Sir Macdonald presents a much different picture of the affair. Nevertheless it remains clear that the lady hindered some joy.
". . .At the point of Ardnamurchan the wind changed and was so full against us getting into the Sound. We were then obliged to tack and get forward in that tedious manner. The boat lay so much to a side that I trembled that she would be overset -- they had run her sometimes within an inch of the water."
Boswell and Johnson endure several mishaps and adventures along their journey, including this storm which they weather aboard a terribly small vessel. Boswell possesses little prior experience for sailing, so he is especially afraid of the event.
