Quote Originally Posted by BoldHighlander View Post
Thanks for posting this Ted

I've read excerpts from these journals before (including this passage). I have always been of the belief (from what I've read, seen, & heard) that The Hebrides (inner & outer islands) were a world of their own, being separated by the water & all (and once being the realm of the Lordship of the Isles -- a kingdom within a kingdom), and thus a wee bit harder to enforce the laws of the land. Hence we read that "the fillibeg, or lower garment, is still very common", despite the Proscription Act.

Great stuff Ted, I really have been remiss in not reading the full journals. Something I intend to remedy. Thanks again!
Oh, you've got to read them both in full! There's just too much to go into on the differences between Johnson's account and Boswell's journal. I don't think Johnson describes Proscription correctly in that quote. I'm not a historian, though...

I like historical journal entries , letters, etc, and their written descriptions work out well for me... Sometimes it's kind of creepy to read them though.