The life and letters of Benjamin Jowett, M. A., master of Balliol college, Oxford.

1860-1865]

Ascent of Loch-na-gar

335

If, holding firmly by the Greek, I objected to an expression, another was produced, and then another and another,
until Greek and English appeared to coincide. But
perhaps the one last hit upon would be afterwards discarded, as not harmonizing with the rhythm or colour
of the whole. This protracted labour was almost finished,
when a casual remark of Pattison's (I think) convinced
him that the analysis could never be complete, and that
the Republic, at all events, must be translated in full.
As he proceeded with this in I865, he formed the resolution of translating the whole of Plato.
But to return. On Sundays the work was so far laid
aside as to secure attendance at morning church, and
a longer walk in the afternoon. Lord Camperdown (then
Lord Duncan), who was with him at Braemar in i8621,
tells how one Sunday there was spent. Jowett decided
to climb Loch-na-gar, and fixed on Sunday for the
expedition. Lord Duncan expected to start early, but
Jowett insisted on going to the Kirk. No guide being
found available on the Sabbath, they had to make their
own way, and the shades of evening were falling ere
they had descended far from the summit. Jowett got
very tired with stumbling in and out of the peat hags,
and his companion had to support him, while feeling
apprehensive that they had lost the path. He would
only take one sip from the spirit-flask.
At this point they heard the floundering of an animal,
which for a moment they supposed to be a deer, but
Lord Duncan went up to it and discovered that it was
a pony with the saddle turned right round. He put the
saddle straight, but Jowett would not mount. However,
the pony, kept moving by Lord Duncan, led them
1 His other companion there was Mr. G. W. Kekewich, afterwards of the Education Office.