Episodes

  • The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson Section 2

    The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson Section 2
    Jun 6 2026
    In which we partake of convivial discourse on witchcraft, literature, and morality amongst learned company, with Dr Johnson’s wit and sagacity enlivening the company and his reflections revealing much on human nature and society. Our journey northward begins with charming observations of the Scottish landscape, the curious habits of its people, and the pleasures of companionship, setting forth upon the Hebrides with thoughtful anticipation and cordial spirits.
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    21 mins
  • The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson Section 1

    The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson Section 1
    Jun 5 2026
    In which the company of Dr Johnson and his acquaintances engage in spirited discourse on literature, philosophy, and public figures, revealing his candid and often heterodox opinions on matters from Mr Hume’s philosophy to the character of Mr Burke and the art of acting. They further stroll through Edinburgh’s venerable sites, where Johnson’s wit and sagacity enliven their appreciation of history, learning, and the condition of Scotland itself.
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    22 mins
  • The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson Introduction

    The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson Introduction
    Jun 4 2026
    In which the preparations and expectations for our long-anticipated journey to the Hebrides are recounted with affectionate detail, introducing the singular character of Dr Samuel Johnson—his wit, learning, and somewhat brusque manners—alongside the good company and kind hospitality that awaited him in Scotland. We catch glimpses of his initial prejudices, lively discourse on topics from law to emigration, and the warm reception by friends and gentlemen of the north, setting the scene for a tour rich in observation and reflection.
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    20 mins
  • The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson Section 3

    The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson Section 3
    Jun 7 2026
    In which I relate our visit to the venerable city of St Andrews, where Dr Johnson reflected with solemnity upon the ruins of its religious grandeur and discoursed wisely on the proper seasons of life and the duties belonging thereto. Our journey continued with engaging conversations on composition, memory, and the nature of learning, culminating in a visit to the rustic abode of Lord Monboddo, where profound discourse on Homer, history, and the decline of scholarship in both Scotland and England marked our passage.
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    29 mins