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Johnson laughed at Boswell’s suggestion that Kames was indicative of the new age of Scottish learning (Boswell: “But, sir, we have Lord Kames.”; Johnson: “You have Lord Kames. Keep him, ha, ha, ha! We don’t envy you him”). However, a more considered reflection of Kames’s worth was given by Dugald Stewart who, though he admitted Kames’s style was sometimes weak and ideosyncratic, saw much in the latter’s work of genuine merit. Kames was actively involved in the academic circles of the Scottish Enlightenment, particularly in the study of metaphysics. Provenance: Early signature “Alexr. Irvine”; presumably Alexander Irvine (1754-1849), 18th Laird of Drum Castle, Aberdeenshire.