University of California At Los Angeles The Library Form L I vA k This book is DUE on the last date stamped below UNIVERSITY c " ' ^NIA LOS ANGELES LIBRARY THE LIVES OF THE SCOTISH POETS; WITH PRELIMINARY DISSERTATIONS, ON THE LITER ART BISTORT OF SCOTLAND, AND THE EARLY SCOTISH DRAMA. iW WjMJLI By DAVID IRVING, A. M- VOL. I. EDINBURGH: Printed by and for Alex. Lawrie and Co. iOLD BY BELL ISf BRADFUTE, P. HILL, AND A. LAWRIE ; BRASH AND RE1D, GLASGOW; AND VERNOR Ijf HOOD, LONDOy 1804, ', : ." , TO PR Mr SIMON IRVING THESE VOLUMES ARE INSCRIBED IM TESTIMONV Or THE AUTHOR'S FRATERNAL AFFECTION EDINBURGH, CORRECTIONS. J 7. 1. 24. For Latinitatis read Latlna. 2 2. 25. For Prince read Picus. 34. 5. For scin, read scin'. 68. 29. ^/iro^i;iic; xou Apvi^u; amyuurudu; atfaQfiyyeui- vsv; tpiXoiroipriirui) fiSety tioitc, xa.) ftnolv xux.lv ipSv, xxi uvo~peia)i utrxeti." Laertius de Vitis Philosophorum, p. 4. <1 " Disciplina in Britannia reperta, atque inde in Galiiam translata esse existimatur : et nunc, qui diligentius earn rem cognoscere volunt, plerum- que illo discer.di causa proficiscuntui: Cxsar de Bello Gallico, p. 130. edit. 8vo. Clarke. e " It is more than probable," says Dr Campbell, " that Druidism was the religion of Ireland before Christianity, as tradition says it was." (Strictures on tic Ecclesiastical and Literary History of Ireland, p. 69. Dublin, 1789, 8vo.) It is by vague assertions of this kind, that the Iri>h writers have in general attempted to establish the hypothesis. The German writers have contended with equal zea!, that theDruidic system was anciently established in Germany; and have endeavoured to evade the force of Ca?sar's explicit testimony, by opposing it with that of Tacitus. Schedius understands the words of Ca:sar, " neque sacrificiis student," as implying, that sacrifices were totally unknown among the Germans, ( D? Din Gcrmanis, sivc Veteri Giimanorum, Gallorum^ Britantio- A 2 treated as a self-evident proposition : and, instead of endeavouring to establish the fact, various wri ters have proceeded to trace its consequences'. For Druidic antiquities it would be in vain to search ; instead of temples and other edifices, they consecrated the misletoe, and the oak on which it grew 5 . Nor can it be evinced by the testimony of early writers, that this system ever extended to either of these countries. Dr Usher indeed informs us, that a certain Irish book mentions a rum, Vandalorum Religione, p. 254. Amst. 1 648, 8vo.) But their genuine interpretation undoubtedly is, that among this people sacrifices were not frequent, or were not much regarded. These authors are there/ore easily reconciled with each other. Pithccus, with a degree of good sense which writej-s on this subject do not often display, has contented himelf with remarking, that it is suffi- ciently evident from Caesar, that the Germans had no Druids; and equal- ly evident from Tacitus, that they had an order of men not very dissimi- lar. (P. Pithcei Adversaria, f. 7. b. Paris. 1565, 8vo.) It is moreover cer- tain that when Tacitus wrote his tract De Moribus Gcrmanorum, the order of Druids was totally extinct. Those who expect to meet with any evi- dence of their existence at so late a period, will therefore find themselves disappointed. f See a fanciful dissertation written by General Vallancey, and enti- tled, " The Oriental Emigration of the Hibernian Druids proved from their knowledge in Astronomy, collated with that of the Indians and Chaldeans." (Ouseley's Oriental Collections, vol. ii.) General Vallancey 's subsequent observations on the Hibernian Druids I do not completely comprehend : " Dairi, a common name in Ireland ; Draoi signifie-. a wise man, a conjurer, a necromancer, but has nothing to say to the Gaulic and Celtic Druid. The Draoi were never in holy orders in Ireland, which marks the difference between the Magogians and the Gomerites." ( P,o- f a Dictionary *J tic Language oj the Air: Coii, nt Ancient lush. p. 32. Dublin, i8cz, 4to.) 6 " Nihil habent Druida;, ita cnim appellant suos Magos, visco ct ar- bore in qua gignatur, si modo sit robur, sacratius." Plinii Naturalis Hbtoria, lib. xvi. . 95. certain order of men by the name of Druids h . This however is no incontestable evidence : for, the word druid originally denoted a wise man' 1 ; and in this instance as well as in many others, might still be applied with a reference to its pri- mitive signification. Adomnan relates, that St Columba and his followers were, on some occa- sion, disturbed at their devotions by the intrusion of the Pictish MagiK The term Magus is of very extensive application. In various instances it may undoubtedly be found employed as a translation of the word Druid: but there is no necessity for concluding, that in the present instance it could not possibly have been used in any other sense. Mr Ledwich, a writer of no ordinary acuteness or learning, has lately revived the notion, that " Druidism was professed by all the Celtic tribes, how widely soever dispersed." In support of this conjecture, no competent evidence has ever been produced, From the observations which occur- in Caesar, it appears highly probable that the system was confined to the south of Britain, and to the opposite districts of Gaul. But, in order to esta- blish his hypothesis, Mr Ledwich finds it expe- dient to explode the testimony of this authentic writer. " The order and superstition of the h " Druidas liber Hibernicus vocat, f;t viri sancti adventum ante trien- nium prxdixitic narrat." Usserii Britannic. Eccles. Antiq. p. 8j2. i Pinkerton's Dissertation on the Scythians, p. 68. i Adcmnani Vita Colurabx, lib. i. cp. >.xx/iii. apud Pinkertou. Druids," he observes, " are first noticed by Julius Caesar: whoever compares his account of them with those of other Roman and Greek writers, will instantly perceive one capital omission, their worship in groves ; nor do his details in general agree with those delivered by succeeding authors. Indeed he was early charged by Asinius Pollio as neither faithful or exact. It was not to be ima- gined that a man like Caesar, ever pursuing great designs of ambition, and stunned by the din of arms, cared much about Druidic dogmas : or even had he leisure, what fruit could be expected from the minutest investigation, when profound secre- cy shut up every avenue of information k :" That several ancient writers have occasionally departed from Caesar's authority, must readily be admit- ted ; but the question, whether these writers en- joyed equal opportunities of procuring informa- tion, will still remain undecided. The charge of omission will be found irrelevant. The practice of worshipping in sacred groves was anciently of such general prevalence 1 , that in the casual view which Caesar proposed to exhibit, this circum- stance must have appeared unworthy of a conspi- cuous place. He has however informed us, that k Ledwich's Antiquities of Ireland, p. 308. I Rubenius, in the compa-3 of a short chapter, has demonstrated, that the practice of wors.hippirg in sacred groves prevailed in almost every ancient nation. (P. Rubetiii Electa, lib. ii. cap. xxxiv. Antv. 1608, 4to.) And another learned writer remark-;, that this practice derives its origin from a period long anterior to the day-, of Mu^es. (Bellenden. Dc Stat Pruei Orbii, p. 15. edit. Psr-.) the Gaulish Druids annually assembled in the ter- ritory of the Carnutes " in luco consecrato :" for although loco is the reading in the common edi- tions, and even in that of Joseph Scaliger, yet the emendation of Casaubon is too happy to be rash- ly exploded 111 . If Caesar had been altogether in- different with respect to the system of the Druids, he would not have allowed them to interrupt the course of his narrative. Those circumstances which he thought worthy of being related, he must certainly have thought worthy of being in- vestigated. Caesar, it is true, was engaged in the prosecution of mighty plans ; but at the same time he was capable of minute enquiry. The sol- dier who condescended to write a treatise on gram- matical analogy", would probably consider the re- markable system of the Druids as entitled to a share of his attention. And it cannot rationally be supposed, that the avenues of information were more closely shut against him, than against suc- ceeding enquirers . m Casauboni Notae ad Laertium, p. r. n Quintilian. de Institutione Oratoriu, lib. i. cap. vii. The most effectual mode of diminishing the authority cf the com- mentaries ascribed to Cxsar would be, to refer them to the catalogue of spurious productions. Their genuineness was actually called in question by Ludovicus Carrio : but the arguments which he suggested, have, I be- lieve, made very few converts to his opinion. Certain MSS., it is alleged, bear the inscription, Commntarii jfu/ii Ctlsi; and the work has been quo- ted as the composition of this writer by John of Salisbury, and Vincent of Beauvais. The origin of this confusion may however be easily traced to the circumstance of CeUus's having revised the commentaries, and mark- K The introduction of the use of letters into Scotland cannot perhaps be referred to its precise aera. If we consent to believe that the Druidic system extended itself to the north of Britain, we must at the same time suppose the other event to have taken place at a very remote period of our history : for the Druids, as we learn from Cajsar, ed his copies with this inscription : Caii Julii Cruris per Julium CtUum Communlaiii. Lipsius has replied to the objections of Carrio in the compass of a few lines ( Ep'utolicdt Qpmihmtt, lib. ii. epist. ii. Antv. 1577, 8vo.) : but a more curious view of the subject is exhibited by M. de la Monnoye. (Afena- giana, torn. iv. p. 80.) This last writer has also shown, that the life of Czsar which was first ascribed by Vossius to Julius CeUus, contains internal evidence of having been composed at a period so late as the fourteenth century. Whether Carrio had advanced this hypothesis in one of his publications, or merely in a private letter to Lipsius, I am unable to discover. It does not occur, where it might have been expected, in his Antique Lectiona, pub- lished at Antwerp in the year 1576. He is also the author of a work en- titled Emendationts it Obitrvationci, Lutetiae, 1583, 4to. ; but this was pub- lished six years after the Ephtdk* Qutstionei of Lipsius. Without admitting the spuriousness of the commentaries, it must cer- tainly be acknowledged that the text is very far from being completely emended. Of its numerous corruptions at a former period, Lipsius ha? exprest himself in decisive terms: " Fas sit dicere. In Commentaries Cxsaris sxpe qua:ro Cxsarem. Multos in illam purpuram pannos insu- tos video : nee in dictione ipsa spirat ubique naribus meis aura ilia, et, ut j>ic dicam, stacta purx antiquitatis. Lege, relege. Multa otiosa reperiev, disjuncta, intricata, interpolata, repetita : ut omnino non absit, quin ad hunc vtluti prisci operis statuam novella aliqua accesserit et imperita ma- nu-." (Lipsii ELcta, lib. ii. cap. vii.) Since the days of Lipsius, Cxsar has exercised the sagacity of a numerous race of critics ; but the success vi their attempts does not seem to preclude the necessity of other labourer-; in the same field. We ought however to recollect, what both Lipsius and Carrio appear to have forgotten, that as Cesar is known to have finished his commentaries with rapidity, the work which HOW bears his nwiic might be expected to display imperfection'. 9 were not unacquainted with the art of writing p . But that their system was ever established within the limits of Scotland, must not be considered as indisputable. The first alphabet which found its way into Scotland was probably the Roman : and that its introduction was coeval with that of Christianity, may be regarded as the most ration- al hypothesis. Between the literary and the ecclesiastical his- tory of a nation, an intimate connection will al- P " Quum in reliquis fere rebus publicis, privatisque rationibus, Gratis litteris utantur." (Cxsar De Bella Callko, p. 130.) Joseph Scaliger justly considered this passage as interpolated : " Quod quxris de loco Cxsaris, Hon solum me, sed et nobiliora xtatis nostra ingenia exercuit, et nondum, Ut puto, neque docti homines sibi, neque ego mihi satisfeci. Puto tamen Druidas turn Grace scisse ; reliquam plebem non solum Gracas, sed ne uliw quidem litteras scisse. Nam Cxsar omnino de Druicibus loqufcur, cum ait eos in publicis privatisque rationibus Gracis Uteris usos. Sed ne id quidem placet. Nam illud Gracis delendum." (Scaligeri EpisUls, p. 93.) Hot- man has shown, that Cxsar must have written " rationibus litteris utan- tur." (Hotomanni Franco-Gallia, p. 14.) Scaliger's supposition, that the Druids were acquainted with the Greek language, teems by no mean* founded on probability. In another part of his work, Cxsar has informed us, that tablets, in- scribed with Greek letters, were found in the camp of the Helvetii. {De Bello Gallico, p. 1 8.) Leo Allatius and other critics contend, that these tablets must have been inscribed with Greek letters, adapted to express the articulate sounds of the Helvetian language. (Allatii Animad-jsrsiones in Antiquhatum Etruscarum Fragments ab Inghiramio cdita, p. 64. Paris. 164O, 4to.) Hotman, on the other hand, supposes them to have been written, cot only in Greek characters, but also in the Greek language. Boxhornius proposes a more comprehensive hypothesis : " Grxcis litte- ris usi sunt Galii pariter etGermani, at nonacceptisa Grxcis, sed Scythis, a quibus et suas Grxci, Scytharum soboles, accepere. Earum Grxcis simi- lium litterarum vestigia adhne hodie supersunt in litteratura Anglosaxo- num, quos orta Germanos esse constat. (Origin:; G^llfca, p. 106. Amst. 1654, 4to) B 10 ways be found to subsist. In this feeble attempt to trace the literary history of Scotland, our at- tention must cursorily be directed towards the in- fant church. The accounts which place the conversion of Scotland at the beginning of the third century, are evidently too fabulous to merit a serious re- futation. Those who maintain the opinion seem to be chiefly influenced by the authority of some anonymous versifier quoted by Fordun : Christi transactis tribus annls atque ducetitis, Scotia Catholicam cocpit inire lidem 1. Tertullian,. who flourished about this time, is sup- posed to allbrd additional evidence', when he ob- serves, that those parts of Britain which the Ro- mans had found inaccessible, were however sub- jected to Christ 5 . But on such authorities as these it would certainly be credulous to rely. The ver- ses were probably fabricated by some zealous monk : and the passage quoted from Tertullian, as Richardson has shown, is evidently vague and unimportant'. The first authentic account of the propagation of Christianity in this part of the 1 Fordun. Scotichronicon, vol. i. p. 71. edit. OoodalL r Forbes. Instruction** Historico-Theolog. p. 159. edit. Wetstenii. Ba- ronius had drawn the tame conclusion. (AnnaUs Ecclmaititi, torn. v. p. 537.) By neglecting to distinguish Scotland from the Scotia of the ancient*, this writer has heen betrayed into several errors. s Tertullian. adversu* Jud;eos, cap. vii. r Richardson, Prxlectiorjes Ecclesiastical, vol. ii. p. 91. 11 island occurs in the ecclesiastical history of Beda ; who informs us, that the southern Picts were con- verted by Ninian Bishop of Whithern". This event Dr Usher refers to the year 41 2 v . St Ni- nian has been extolled as a man of singular attain- ments w : but it may reasonably be questioned, whether he contributed in any considerable de- gree to disseminate useful knowledge among his converts. Beda farther relates, that St Columba arrived from Ireland in the year 565. Before this period, a considerable number of the Picts were perhaps converted to the Christian faith ; but it was not till the ministration of Columba that the king and the nobility abjured Paganism. Brudi the Second received baptism from the saint : and his subjects, we may naturally suppose, were ready to follow the example. St Columba fixed his residence in the island of Iona, which w T as afterwards denominated Icolm- kill. The abbots of this monastery were long re- garded as primates of Pictland : and their influ- ence even appears to have extended, in some pro- portion, to the churches of Ireland. The clergy who belonged to his institution, were a kind of 11 Bedx Hist or i a Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum, p. 106. edit. Smith. v Usserii Britannic. Eccles. Antiq. p. 1094. w " Ninianus Britannus, cujus fama per literas notissima omrieis Bri- tannicst insulx partes quas oceanus alluit, inradiat, non est, cum de illus- tribus agitur, temere silentio pr.Ttereundus." Lkland. de Script. Britan. torn. i. p. 56. B 2, 12 irregular monks, known by the designation of Culdees*. These, according to some historians, were men distinguished for their learning and pu- rity of life. It is sufficiently evident that monks of this denomination were first known in Ireland y : and the most learned of the Culdees who belong- ed to the Scotish monasteries, appear to have been natives of that island. This saint, if we may credit his biographers, was a man of rare endowments ; though the learn- ed Mr Pinkcrton has repeatedly charged him with ignorance and illiberality. " Ninian and Colum- ba," he remarks, " were of confined minds, and of bigotted piety, strangers to secular learning, and to those enlarged ideas which prompted Ulphi- las, Patrick, and in later times the apostles of Scandinavia, to impart the use of letters, as the first foundation among their converts 1 ." Colum- ba's pretensions to secular knowledge may how- ever be considered as equally valid with those of Patrick. Ireland, it is universally admitted, was r Selden's hypothesis with respect to the Culdees is sufficiently knewn; and, since the pub ication of Bishop Lloyd's judicious work, has common- ly been rejected by candid enquirers. The same fanciful account of the ecclesiastical polity of ancient Scotland is exhibited in an epistle addrest by the Scotish to the Helvetic churches in the year 1640. This epis- tle may be found appended to a work published by William Spang ; Re- ram nuber in Regnt Sictitc Catarun. Hittoria. Dantisci, I 64 1, 8vO. v For an account of the Iiish Culdees and their monasteries, see Led- wich's Antiquities cf Ireland, Dublin, 1790, 4to. and Archdail's Momuticon Hi'exrnicum, Dublin, I 786, 4to. * Piokerton's Enquiry into the Hist, of ScotL vol. it, p. 377, IS once a distinguished nursery of learning : but the literary obligations of that country to the pious labours of St Patrick need not be registered as very important. That such a man ever existed, Mr Ledwich has shown to be extremely dubious. Leland, Pitts, and other English biographers, have claimed him as their countryman* ; while the Scotish writers have generally represented him as a native of North Britain. A collection of Latin tracts ascribed to this imaginary Scotish author and saint, has been published by Sir James Ware b : and frequent discussions have taken place with regard to their genuineness. Any future in- vestigation of the subject ought to commence with an attempt to ascertain, whether the reputed writer be a real or a supposititious personage. If St Patrick never exLited, it requires no extraordi- nary sagacity to discover, that he never wrote any epistles or canons. The Romish calender, as Dr a Leland. de Scriptoribus Britannicis, torn. i. p. 36. Pitseus de Illustribus Anglise Scriptoribus, p. 90. b S. Patricio, qui Hiberr.os ad fidem Christi convertit, adscripta Opus- cula : quorum aliqua nunc primum, ex antiquis MSS. codicibus, in lucem. emissa sunt, reliqua recognita : omnia Notis ad rem historicam et anti- quariam spectantibus iilustrata : opera et studio Jacobi Warjei, Equ. Aura- ti. Lend. 1656, 8vo. The life of St Patrick has been written by a prodigious number cf authors. Sunihurst, an Irish scholar of considerable reputation, is per- haps the most elegant of his biographers. (Richardus Stanihurstus Dj Vita S. Patricii, Hibernia Apostoli. Antverp. 1587, 8vo.) At a later pe- riod, Dr William Thyer, a native of Cork, wrote Discunus Panegyric! d< ffomini&us, Tribulationibu:, et Miraculis S. Patricii. Duaci, 1617, 8vo. Ectk these worki are as fabulous as might be expected. 14 Middleton remarks, is amply replenished with fictitious saints : and Patrick, with reverence be it spoken, seems fairly entitled to a place among their number. The life of St Columba, the Apostle of the Picts, has been written by various authors ; and, among others, by Cumin and Adomnan, natives of Ireland, and Abbots of Iona d . These bio- graphers seem to have regarded him as but one degree inferior to our Saviour himself. That, to- words the close of the eighteenth century, any scholar should, even for a single moment, have lent a credulous ear to their monkish tales, may be viewed as a kind of phenomenon in the history of literature. Dr Smith, a man not unlettered, speaks in the following terms : " In circumstances such as those in which C(umba stood, called forth to extirpate an old and inveterate supersti- tion, and to establish the true religion upon its ruins, to surmount the prejudices of a barbarous people, and to contend with powerful and artful priests, we cannot, without presumption, say how far it might be fit that God should countenance the labours of his faithful servants, and vouchsafe c Middleton's Letter from Rome, p. 171. d These productions of Cumin and Adomnan have lately been repub- lUhed in Mr Pinkerton's curious collection of biography, " Vitx Antiqu* Sanctorum qui habitaverunt in ea parte Britannia: nunc vocata Scotia vcl in ejus Insulis. Quasdam edidit ex MSS. cjuasdam collegit Johannes Pinkekton, qui et Variants Lcctioucs et Notas pauculas adjecit." Lond. 1789, 8vo. 15 him even by signs and wonders, as he often did to his ministers in such cases, a clear and decided victory 6 ." But, without presumption, we may certainly affirm, that there is no very satisfactory evidence of any miracle having been performed since the age of the apostles f . Dr Smith's unaf- fected zeal for the propagation of Christianity ought however to defend him from petulant cri- ticism : without approving of every method which he has pursued, we may at least revere the purity of his intentions. Scotland, after its conversion, is said to have made rapid advances in every branch of know- ledge : but it is more than probable, that a large portion of the praise bestowed on this country is due to Ireland. Among other eminent Scotish- men who are said to have flourished during the early ages, our historians have unanimously class- ' Smith's Life of St Columba, p. 3. Edinb. 1798, 8vo. f Tillotson, Stillingfleet, and other eminent English divines of that pe- riod were of opinion, that if a pious Christian should undertake the con- version of Heathen nations, he would most probably be endowed with the gift of tongues, and the power of working miracles. " I think it still very credible, that if persons of sincere minds did go to preach the pure Christian religion, free from those errors and superstitions which have crept into it, to infidel nations, that God would still enable such persons to work miracles, without which there would be little or no probability of suceess." Tillotson's Sermons, vol. x. p. 445Z. It was still the general opinion even of Protestants, that a miraculous power continued for several ages to reside in the Christian church. The service which Dr Middleton, by the publication of his Free Inquiry, ren- ilrred to the cause of solid learning, entitles him to grateful remembrance. 16 ed Johannes Scotus Erigena. But, on the other hand, the English and the Irish writers have with equal zeal preferred the claims of their respective countries. The arguments of each party chiefly consist of etymological strictures on his name. Dempster contends, that Erigena signifies a native of Ayr r : but he ought previously to have en- quired, whether this Scotish town was founded so early as the ninth century. Ware and Ledwich have with higher probability represented him as an Irishman h . He is commonly designated Scotus, that is, a native of Scotia or Ireland : for it was not till the eleventh century, that the name of Scotland was applied to the country by which it is now exclusively retained'. f Dempsteri Historia Ecclesiastica Gentls Scotorum, p. 4. Bononlz, 1627, 4to. h A folio edition of Erigena De Divithni Natur* was published at Ox- ford so lately as the year 1681. Specimens of his prose and verse may be found in Usher's Veterum EpittoUirum Hibernicarum Sylloge. Dublin. 1632, 4to. The following MSS. are mentioned by Philip Labbe : " Joannis Scoti Erpositio in Martianum Capellam ;" " Disputatio Abbatis Theodori Grzci cum Joanne Scoto." (Nn-a Biblktbeca MSS. Librorum, p. 45. 90. Paris. 1653, 4to.^ Erigena was formerly denominated Gloria Grttcorum, or the Glory of the Greeks; an appellation to which, in the opinion of Montfaucon, he was rot sufficiently entitled. ( Palaografbia Gntca, p. 4a.) His translations from Dionysius Areopagita are however commended by an excellent cri- tic : " Johannis Erigenx, in exponendo Dionysio, industriam pauci omnino adzquarunt : studet ille sententiis, asscctatur verba, ordinem tenet : nee pro ztate ilia barbarus est tamen, vel indisertus." (Huetius Be Interpret tf.isr.t, p. 1 5 4. ) i Usserii Britannicarum Ecclesiarum Antijuitates, p. 7^4, Dublin. 1639, 4ta 17 To support the honour of Scotland, many other eminent names have been pilfered. Ailred, Se- dulius, Rabanus Maurus, and Claudius Clemens, if we may credit various of our writers, were all natives of one country ; and that country is Scot- land. Yet to an unprejudiced enquirer it will perhaps appear sufficiently evident, that the first was an Englishman, the second an Irishman, the third a German 3 , and the fourth a Spaniard. Of the name of Sedulius, however, there were two different writers ; whom Archbishop Usher, de- parting from his wonted accuracy, has confound- ed with each other*. The more ancient of these, according to Sirmond, died about the year 430 ' ; whereas the other, in the opinion of Father Simon, cannot have flourished at a period much earlier than the ninth century" 1 . The former produced two works which bear the same title of Opus Pas- chale; the one in verse, the other in prose. The latter is the author of a Collectaneum in omnes S. Pauli Epistolas n . The younger Sedulius, who is styled a presbyter, appears to have been a native of Ireland : but the country of the other, we may j Fabricii Bibliotheca Latinitatis Medise et Infimaj iEtatis, torn. vl. p. aj. edit. Patavii. * Usserii Britannic. Eccles. Antiq. p. 771. 1 Sirmondi Notae in Ennodium, p. 7. n Simon, Histoire Critique des Principatix Commentateurs du Nouveau Testament, p. 334. b. n All these productions may be found in the sixth volume of the Maxi- ma Bibliotheca Vettrum Patrum. Lugd. 1677, 2J, torn. fol. Vol. I. C IS venture to assert, has never been complete !; certained. Philip Labbe, whose dissertation Dc Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis Bellarmini I unfortunate- ly have not been able to procure, has demonstra- ted, to the satisfaction of Bayle and Simon, that the claims of the Irish are irrelevant. Those of the Scotish must be abandoned as still less valid". The most ancient author who can with appa- rent justice be claimed as a native of Scotland, is Richard, Prior of St Victor at Paris ; a celebrated theologian who flourished about the middle of the twelfth century. That he was born in Scotland, is without hesitation affirmed by the author of the biographical sketch prefixed to an edition of his works, published by the Canons Regular of the monastery over which he had presided p . His compositions are numerous, and display vestiges of profound scholastic knowledge. Mair pro- The poetical merit of Stdulius has always been regarded as very considerable. Of his Pocmata Sacra an octavo edition, corrected from a MS. in the Advocates Library, was published at Edinburgh in 1701, by John Forrest, a student in the university. To the numerous testimonies of author* produced by this editor, it may nut h*re be improper to add thut of Barthms, a critic of stupendous erudition : " Inter Christianoa poetas Virgilianam phrasin nemo magi* cumiter servavit, quo&d ejus per rerum alienitatem, seculique alterationem fieri potuit, cjunm. Sedulius, op- ti:ni ingenii inter eorum plerosque, licet nxvos etiam habeat, non tarn qidem suos qinm seculi." (Barthii Achtrsaria, ton. i. col. 475.) P M. Richardi S. Victoria Pariaiensis Docforis Praclarissimi Opera. Rothomapi, i6.co, z torn. foi. His works had also been printed at Pari* in 15 1 8 and in 154c. at Venice in 1592, and at Co!on in xtll- 19 nounces him equal to the greatest theologians of the age in which he lived ; and particularly ob- serves, that he was the first who maintained the Blessed Virgin to be free from original sin q . Bel- larmin, another competent judge, extols him as a pious, learned, and acute writer r . Theophilus Spizelius, who frequently quotes from his works, regards him as one of the principal ornaments of the dark ages s . ' Adam, a Canon Regular of the Order of Pre- monstratenses, died about the year 1 180. Richard of St Victor died in the year 1 1 73. The former of these writers is frequently mentioned in lite- rary history by the name oiAdamus, Scotus. Some of his works, which relate to theology, are still preserved; collections of them having been pub- lished at Paris and Antwerp \ John Holybush, a renowned philosopher and mathematician who nourished about the year 1130, is represented by Dempster as a native' of Scot- land; by Leland as a native of England ; by Stani- hurst as a native of Ireland. The claims of the three countries, in this as well as in other in- <> Major de Cestis Scotorum, p. 114. edit. Edinb. 1740, 4to. r " Hxc omnia opera, uno excepto, quod inscribitur Exceptionum libri quatuor, videntur mihi docta, it pia, et dignissima ingenio acutissimo Richardi ; neque scio de eis ab ullo esse dubitatum, an sint Richardi opera. De libris Exceptionum nonnir'l ambigo, an sint ejusdem auc- torid." Beli.armin. de Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis, p. 231 r Spizelius iu, p. 334. Paris. 1619, 4to.) v Leland. de Scriptoribus Britannicis, torn. ii. p. 353. w Camdeni Britannia, p. 614. * Warxus de Scriptoribus Hibernix, p. 59. Dublin. 1639, 4tc Dempster. Hist Ecdesiast. Gent. Scotor. p. J78. 2 Vives de Tradendi; Disciplinis, p. 31:. 21 formerly procured him an uncommon reputation in the schools. Some of these- have frequently been printed. His famous tract Be Sphara was edited by Vinetus ; his Computus EccJesiasticus by Melanchthon. Michael Scot, a man celebrated for his pro- found and extensive learning, also flourished du- ring the thirteenth century. That he was a na- tive of Scotland, has never been disputed till the days of Leland. On the authority of certain nameless individuals, this biographer would per- suade us to believe, that Scot was born in the county of Durham a . The character of such cre- dible witnesses it certainly would be ungenerous to impeach: but as more than two hundred years elapsed between the birth of Scot and that of Leland, we may at least be permitted to ex- press our surprize at the accuracy of their recol- lection. Scot is said to have studied at Oxford and Pa- ris, and to have attained to wonderful proficiency in philology, mathematics, natural philosophy, and theology. He appears to have translated se- veral Greek books into Latin ; and the service which he thus rendered to the cause of learning, is commemorated, as Leland informs us, in Roger Bacon's unpublished treatise Be Linguarum Utili- 3 " Nam a fide dignis didici eum in Dunolincnsi ditione gehitumct 01- tum fuisse, et prima in Uteris incremcnta Dunolmi imbibisse." Leland. de Script. Britan. torn. i. p. 254. 22 tote. His version of Aristotle's history of animals is preserved in manuscript in the National Libra- ry at Paris b . His knowledge of what is termed natural magic procured him, among the vulgar, the appellation of an enchanter : and in this light he is also represented by Dante and Thcophilo Folengio. From the charge of sorcery he was vindicated, when such a vindication might still be necessary, by the learning of Gabriel Naude' c . His principal work, entitled De Secretis Natu- re, is a treatise on the procreation and physiog- nomy of the human species. It is inscribed to his patron, Frederick Emperor of the Romans. His dedication concluded with the following com* placent sentence : *' Finally, if thou art solicitous to become acquainted with the manners of men, and the nature of domestic animals, read Michael Scot." Those however who peruse his work with such an expectation, will probably experience considerable disappointment : it is indeed extreme- ly curious, but does not seem to display much superiority of intellect. The reputation which he formerly enjoyed, may be suspected of having somewhat exceeded his intrinsic desert. The re- nowned Prince of Mirandula appears to have viewed him with no high degree of admiration d . o Notices des Manuscrits de la Bibliotheque Nationale, torn. vi. p. 387. c Naudc, Apologic pour tous les Grands Personnages qui ont estt fausement soup^onnez de Magie, p. 495. (l " Crevit actem per ea tempora siudium mathematics:, sicut totius 23 This production of Scot was frequently printed'. The second part would seem to have been edited in a separate form ; for Michael Scot Be Physiog- nomia is mentioned by Conrad Gesner as having been published at Venice in the year 1503'. John Duns, the Subtle Doctor, nourished about the year 1300. He is claimed by the English as well as by the Irish. He is styled an English- man, if we may credit Henry Wharton, in certain copies of his works transcribed not long posterior to his own age g . The copies to which the writer alludes, are undoubtedly the same with those men- tioned by Leland. The date of the transcript Leland has past over in total silence ; and Whar- ton does not pretend, that the MSS. were ever inspected by himself. In the library of Merton College, Oxford, says Leland, are several copies which contain the following colophon : " Expli- quoque philosophise disciplinarum omnium in Hispania, in quo cum reg- naret Alphonsus, in numeris mathematicis et ccelestium motuum suppu- tatione diligentissimus ; amaret quoque divinatricem vanitatem, alioquin philoeophix studiis non imbutus ; et in ejus gratiam Arabum et Gheco- rum multa ejus artis monumenta ad nos pervenerunt, per Joannem prse- sertim Hispalensem et Michaelem Scotum scriptorem nullius ponderis, multa; vero superstitionis." J. P. Mirandul.'e Disputationes in Astrologiam, lib. xii. c. vii. e The edition which I use, is printed with Albertus Magnus De Secrs- tis Mulicrum, &c. Amst. 1665, ilmo. I have seen another edition of the same kind, published at Strasburg in decimo sexto in the year 1615. Scot's Quastio Curiam de Natura St/lis et Luna: occurs in Zetzner's Thtatrum Cbymicum, torn. v. p. 753. f Gesneri Bibliothcca Universalis, f. 513. a. Tiguri, 1545, foi B Wharton, Append, ad Hist. Literar. Cave, p. 2. 24 cit lectura Doctoris Subtilis in Universitate Oxon. super libros Sentent. scilicet Doctoris Joannis Duns, nati in quadam villula de Emildun, voca- ta Dunstane, in comitatu Northumbrian, perti- nente domui scholasticorum de Merton Haule in Oxonia, et quondam dictae domus socii h ." This inscription is probably the fabrication of some il- literate scribe : and if Leland regarded such an authority as paramount to all others, his notions respecting the laws of evidence must have been extremely defective. " It may be probably sup- posed," says Archbishop Spotswood, " that he liv- ing at Oxford in England when the wars were so hot betwixt the two kingdoms, did dissemble his country, and pretend himself to be an English born, to eschew the hatred of the students. In Colen, where he might without danger shew of what country he was, he did profess himself a Scot, and the Minorites (of which order he was) did therefore upon his tomb, erected in their church, at the end of the quire nigh unto the high altar, set this inscription, which is there yet to be seen : Scotia me genuit, Anglia suscepit, Gallia edocuit, Germania tenet 1 ." Wharton affirms, that all the writers who flou- rished before the sixteenth century, have consi- k Leland. de Script. Britan. torn. ii. p. 317. i Spotrwood's Hist, of the Church of Scotl. p. 54. 25 dered Duns as an Englishman; but the only writer whom he particularizes is Bartholomasus Albicius. The assertion may be regarded as rash and unfounded. Duns is pronounced a Scotish- raan by Trithemius, whose biographical work was finished in the year 1492 j . And a more extensive research would probably enable us to add other names. Of the later writers who have investigated the subject, a great majority will be found to have decided in favour of Scotland. Paulus Jovius informs us, on the authority perhaps of some early writer, that Duns was born within the limits of the Caledonian forest k . That he was a native of Scotland, is also the decided opinion of Bellarmin, Labbe, Possevin 1 , Sixtus Senensis' r ', and, in fine, of almost every author unbiassed by national pre- judice. Paganinus Gaudentius, Professor of Elo- quence in the University of Pisa, and author of the work De Philosophies apud Romanos Initio et Progressu, maintains the same opinion in one of Ills epigrams : j Trithemius de Scriptoribus Ejclesiasticis, f. 76. a. Basil. 1494, fol. This edition, which is beautifully printed, is apparently the first. The work has frequently been republished. It is inserted, together with the 'imilur productions of St Jerom, Gennadius, Sigebertus, Isidorus Hispa- ien-.is, and other writers, in the curiou3 collection of Fabrlchis, entitled BilUothica Ecchs'uitica. Hamb. I 7 18, fol. k Jovii Elogia Virorum Litens lllustriurn, p. 9 I Possevini Apparatus Sacer, torn. i. p. 868. m Sixti Sener.sis Bibliofhecn Sancta, p. 269 Vol, I. D i>6 N'on Scoto* a tenebris, scd Scotus nomine dictu* A populo, cxtrcmum qui colit oceanum, Duns a stirpe sua claro cognomine gaudens In patrio rcnuit consenuisse solo. Parisios venit, Nctei cis salsa fluenta, Dulcibus ut Sophi:e t>c recrcaret aquis, Illius ingenium cryptas penctravit opertas, Et verum abstrusis eruit e tenebris. Jam Scoton a tenebris lubet appellare, nigrantes Nam victor nebulas dispulit a Sophia". Erasmus, it must be owned, has supposed Duns to be a native of England. But Erasmus enter- tained a partiality for the English nation : and the epistle in \vhich he advances this opinion is addrest to an Englishman, whom he is willing to congratulate on his compatriotism with the phi- losopher . Joseph Scaliger pronounces him a native of Ireland : and this opinion is at least more tenable than the other. The argument however which he adduces will as readily demonstrate him to have been a native of Scotland as of Ireland. Duns, he remarks, was not of Scotland, but of Ireland : the French call the Irish Scots 9 . But the French must have called the British Scots by the same n Gainlentii Obstetrix J.iferaria, sive de Componcndis et Evulgandis Libris I)issrtationes : ejusdem Kpigramniata Nova, p. 178. I'lorcnt. 1638, 410. Erasmi Eplttolx, rcl. 378. rdit. I.ond. 1642, fol. P " Iln'estoit point E*oi. nuis d'Irlande : les Fran ois appellcnt le Irlandcis Ei; SCALICERANA, p. *3J. 27 name. The name of Scotland has not been traced in any writer who flourished before the third cen- tury* 1 . At first it was exclusively applied to the country now called Ireland : but after the descen- dents of the Irish had established themselves in the north of Britain, they still retained their for- mer appellation ; although the name of Scotland continued to be appropriated by Ireland till about the tenth century. . The modern name being then introduced, that island gradually lost its an- cient designation. Wadding and other Irish writers who claim him as their countryman, persuade themselves, that he was born at Down, Dunum, and must thence have derived his name of Duns'". This however is a mere reverie. When the Scotish affirm, that he was born at Dunse, they are at least supported by a more ancient tradition. Dempster has asserted the claims of Scotland by twelve arguments 5 ; but a less formidable num- ber might perhaps have been sufficient. The de- signation Scotus, which is commonly added to his name, evinces him to have been a native either of Scotland or of Ireland : and the pretensions of the latter country cannot be supported by the authority of a single early writer. 1 Usserii Britannic. Eccles. Antiq. p. 728. T Wadding. Scriptores Ordinis Minorum, p: 201. a. Roir.ae, 1650, fol s Dempster. Asserti Scoticc Cives esse sui ; S. Bonifa;ius, rationibu? ' Mired Bibliotheca Ecclesiastics, p. 267. 7 Vossius de Scientiis Mathematicis, p. 78. k ^--lenstedt ^ c Fatriis Illustrium Virormn, p. ici. 30 University of Oxford, does not however venture to claim him as his countryman b . Scaliger and Cardan, who have bestowed such high enco- miums on his genius, are silent with regard to the rival claims of Scotland and England. The tes- timony of his editor Trincavellus, who styles him an Englishman, is apparently of little moment : for in the title-page of the volume he names him Richard, and in the colophon, Raymund ; though the Christian name assigned to Suisset by more critical writers is neither Richard nor Raymund, but John. He is however named Roger by Vives and Gesner. These two authors, it must not be dissembled, have ascribed the honour of his birth to England : but as the plan of their respective works did not require any critical investigation of the subject, their decision is of trivial conse- quence. Joannes Ludovicus Vives, a learned Spaniard, professed rhetoric in the College of Corpus Christi at Oxford ; and, from the English scholars, might easily receive a false impression with respect to the history of Suisset, an author in whose productions he appears to have been lit- tle interested . The passage in Gesner is profes- sedly a mere transcript of that which occurs in ^ Twyni Antiquitat. Acad. Oxon. Apologia, p. ,342. c " LavocUt sunt cavillationes stulrarum subtilitatum, quas ipsi calcula- tions vocan:, quibus maximum ci>:dit increment urn Rugerus Suicetus Anglui." Corrupurum Artium, p. i"i. 31 Vives d . That Suisset was a native of Scotland, I do not however decisively affirm. His Calculationes were formerly viewed with such admiration, that, in the opinion of Julius Caesar Scaliger, the author almost exceeded the limits of human genius e . It was from an acquaint- ance with the speculations of Duns and Suisset, that Cardan was led to consider the Britons as not inferior in intellectual endowments to his coun- trymen the Italians 5 . These are the principal Scotish philosophers <1 Gesneri Bibliotheca Universalis, f. 5 38. a. c " Qui Aristoteli fabrum antetulisti, non minus iliis ipsis artibus eru- dito ; et Joanni Duns Scoto, qui fuit lima veritatis ; et Joanni Suisset cal- culator!, qui pene modum excessit ingenii humani." ScalIger tie Subtilitate ad Cardanum, f. 434. b. f " Ejusdem insula accola fuit Joannes, ut dixi, Suisset cognomento Calculator: in cujus solius unius argumenti solutione, quod contra expe- rimentum est, de actione mutua, tota laboravit posteritas : quern senein admodum, nee inventa sua dum legeret intelligentem, flevisse referunt. Ex quo haud dubium esse reor, quod etiam in libro de animi immortali- tate scripsi, barbaros ingenio nobis haud esse inferiores ; quandoquidem sub Brums coelo divisa toto orbe Britannia duos tarn clari ingenii viro* emiserit." Cardanus de Subtilitate, p. 47c. Naude has remarked, that notwithstanding the encomiums which had been pronounced on Suisset, his works were not to be found in any of the famous libraries. ( Avh pour dresser uhe Bibliotlscqur, p. 86.) In the British Museum however I have seen a beautiful old volume with the following title : " Calculator. Subtilissimi Ricardi Suiseth Anglici Calculationes noviter emendate atque revise. Questio insuper de Reactione juxta Aris- totfclis Sententiam, et Commentatoris." Venet. 1510, fol. .Suisset's calcu- lations have this colophon : " Explicit Calculationum opusaureum Magis- tri Raymundi Suiseth Anglici viri in hac facilitate eminentissimi atqut acutissimi -. nuper diligenti examine emendatum ab excellent) Doctorc Do- mino Victore Trinchavc-Ho Veneti." ;J2 and theologians who preceded John Mair, an il- lustrious doctor who flourished during the earlier part of the sixteenth century. Of all the theo- logians, says Du Pin, who had hitherto written commentaries on the Book of Sentences, no one will be found to have equalled the copiousness and erudition of Mair'. Scotland undoubtedly produced her full pro- portion of scholastic philosophers : and many other names, not indeed of equal celebrity, might easily be added to the preceding catalogue. Al- though the schoolmen cannot be enrolled among those who have extended the boundaries of true science, it is yet of importance to have ascertain- ed, with some degree of precision, the rank which our lettered countrymen anciently maintained among other competitors in the same field. The schoolmen, says Lord Bacon, " having sharpe and strong wits, and aboundance of leasure, and small variety of reading ; but their wits being shut up in the eels of a few authors (chiefly Aristotle, their dictator) as their persons were shut up in the eels of monasteries and colledges, and knowing little history, either of nature or time ; did out of no great quantity of matter, and infinite agitation of wit, spin out unto us those laborious webs of S Du Pin, Bibliotlioquc des Auteurs Ecc'esiastiques, torn. xiii. p. 16c. Mair is also mentioned by I-aunoi, another learned writer, in terms cf high commendation : " In philnsophia et in scholastica theologia maximus apud l'arisienses doctor fuit." ( R'gii Nararra Cynunvii Pari.i::'i //.'..' rw, tom. ii. p. 652.) 33 learning which are extant in their bookes. For the wit and mind of man, if it worke upon mat- ter, which is the contemplation of the creatures of God, worketh according to the stufFe, and is li- mited thereby ; but if it worke upon it selfe, as the spider worketh his webbe, then it is endlesse, and brings forth indeed cobwebs of learning, ad- mirable for the finenesse of thread and worke, but of no substance or profit 1 '." Of the scholastic productions of these ancient Scotish authors, no very adequate notion could perhaps be formed by the inspection of detached specimens. In order to exemplify the literary taste of our ancestors, I shall therefore have re- course to the poetical department. The following ode is said to have been compo- sed soon after the death of Wallace, the first of Scotish heroes : Invida Mors tristi Gulielmum funere Vallam, Puct cuncta tollit, sustulit : Et tanto pro cive, cinis ; pro finibus urna est 3 Frigusque pro lorica obit. Me quidem terras, loca se inferiora, reliquit ; At fata factis suppiimens, Parte sui meliore solum codumque pererrat, Hoc spiritu, illud gloria. i' Bacon of the Advancement of Learning, p. "8 Vol. I. E u At tibi si iuscriptum gcncroso pectus honcsto Fuisset, hostis proditi Artibus, Angle, tuis, in pecnas parciur isses, Ncc oppidatira spargcrcs Mctnbra viri sacranda adytis. Sed scin,quid in ista Immanitate viceris ? Ut Valhe in cunctas oras spargantur et horas Laudes, tuumquc dedecus. These beautiful lines are appended to some edi- tions of Henry the Minstrel. " The author," says Hume, " is uncertain, and the more is the pity, for he deserves to have been better known'." Wallace was murdered in the year 1305. That this ode was composed at 90 remote a period, may be considered as highly improbable. If indeed we may credit Dempster and his followers, Scot- land had already produced many writers remark- able for their polished Latinity. An excellent poet named Quintin is said to have flourished during the unhappy times of Bruce and Baliol ; and to have composed an elegant work entitled J^iterela de P 'atria Miser? a. This elegant poem, we are informed, was published at Paris in the year 151 1 j . Dempster's library, as Mr Pinkcrton shrewdly remarks, must have resembled that of Gargantua, for most of his books have vanished. Thomas Barry, Provost of Bothwell, composed Hume's Hist, of the House of Douglas p. 11. j Dempster. Hist. Ecclesiast. Gent. Kcotor. p. 545. Tanneri Eibliotheca Briumiko-Hibcrnica, p. 6 jo. l.ond. 1740, fo!. 35 a Latin poem on the battle of Otterburn, fought in the year 1388. His verses are of the Leonine kind, and sufficiently barbarous. The prologue is as follows : Musa, refer fatum praescriptum carmine vatum, Principians graturn frangere sorte statum. Temporibus primis, probiorum corpora lirais Condebant imis prselia dura nimis. Sed lacrymor ludens, nova bellica carraina cijdens, Mixtim concludens, metrificare studens. Schismata regnorum lacrymalia belligerorum Deflens binorum, cano carmina mixta dolorum. Insula jam Britonum duo continet optima regna, Pacis quodque bonum quibus exulat arte maligna, Ex omni parte sunt corpora diruta Marte. Hie pax vi cartce non fit, nee qualibet arte : Hk pereunt gentes : hie succubuere potentes : Hie cives flentes plangunt, et rure manentes : Hie sunt algentes brumali tempore dentes : Concutiunt mentes, trepidant sine fine dolentes. Hie pater et natus simul occidit ense necatus. Iste cruentatus ruit, hie perit incineratus : Isteque praedatus, hie exulat, Lie spoliatus : Alter ditatus ; luget alter pulvere stratus. Anglos Scotigence gladiorum cuspide frangunt : Scotos Angligenae flammarum caumate tangunt. Quid facio ? taceo : mala tot per regna diescunt. Me quatio ; ratio perit. Heu ! gueme juvenescunt. Gentes gaudentes victrices glorificantur, Flentes, plangentes, devicti suppedkantur. Ouos angit, frangit ilios nova guerra patenter : Kos tangit, plangit, bellum campestre recenter. 1: 2 Ottirburnense bellum novitatc recense. Augusti mensc gens plurima corruit ensc. Vatcs linguosi, trutinantcs carmine fata, Qiias cano bella data, darent esse fabulosa. )uinta dies mensis, fuerat quue Mercurialis, Agminibus densis mors iraperat exitialis. Annis millenis, centum quater, hinc duodenis lixceptis, plcnis miscentur gaudia threnis. The concluding verses may be produced as a Far- ther specimen : O Deus ! istarum miserere potens animarum, Hie defunctarum rccolens certaraen amarum. Passio mortalis pro libertate realis, Sempiternalis sit plena remissio talis. O rex ! cunctorum qui praemia das meritorum, Pr*lia regnorum fac pacificare duorum, Et mala comprime, bellaque destrue, jurgia dirime, pax dominetur j Divina potentia regna per omnia tern pora singula sanctificctur. Climatis a c .t actor sit pacis climatis auctor : Nam pacis factor colitur, pacis quoque fautor. Rex 'ceternorum, pessundato scevum : Gloria victorum nullum moritura per revum k . Bower, who has preserved this metrical work en- tire, pronounces it excellent. Mair, who was born about sixty years later, represents it as a compo- sition devoid of merit. These opposite decisions illustrate the gradual progress of taste. The Scotish language was in the mean time cul- k Bower. Scotichronicon, lib. xiv. cap. liv. 37 tivated with considerable assiduity. The most ancient specimen of it is a poem of eight lines composed on the death of Alexander the Third : Quhen Alysandyr' oure kyng wes dede, That Scotland led in luwe and le, Away wes sons of ale and brede, Of wyne and wax, of gamyn and gle : Oure gold wes changyd in-to lede. Cryst, borne in-to virgynyte, Succour Scotland and remede, That stad is in perplexyte '. Alexander died an accidental death in the year 1285. That these precious lines are nearly of the same date is affirmed by Winton, in whose chro- nicle they are most fortunately preserved. The orthography must however have been subjected to material alterations. Cotemporary with this king was Thomas Ler- mont ; who has been ranked as the most ancient of our poets. Barbour followed at the distance of nearly a century. Winton flourished about the year 1420. The language of these poets bears a pretty exact resemblance to that of their English cotemporaries. The causes which have contri- buted to produce this resemblance, various authors have attempted to trace : and the subject affords much scope for curious investigation. But as the controversy has been left undecided by many able ' Winton's Cronykil of Scotland, vol. i. p. 401. 38 writers, it cannot be expected that the present at- tempt should draw it to a conclusion. That the Scotish language is merely a dialect of the English, is an opinion which has frequent- ly been proposed as the most rational. Before the reign of Malcolm the Third, it is asserted, the universal language of Scotland was the Gaelic. But if the Picts were a Gothic race, and many strong arguments might certainly be advanced in support of this opinion, it follows as a necessary consequence, that their language was very differ- ent from that of the Celtic inhabitants. Dr Geddes, in a Dissertation on the Scoto-Snxon Dialect, has enforced the current opinion with his usual acuteness and learning. " The names," he remarks, " of all the rivers, mountains, towns, villages, and castles, of any note or antiquity, from Berwick-law to Buchanness, and from Bu- channess to Arder-Sier, are all evidently Celtic. We must then either suppose that the language of the Picts was a dialect of the Celtic ; or that they were not the original inhabitants of* the country ; or, in fine, that, after the extinction of the Pictish empire, or rather its union with that of the Irish-Scots, the language of these latter universally prevailed, and effaced the very re- membrance of its Gothic predecessor. The second of these suppositions is contrary to history : the third is belied by experience : The first, then, is 39 the only one that is founded on probability 111 ." This observation with respect to the prevalence of Celtic names, it would be futile to controvert ; but Dr Geddes must also have remarked, that many of these names are not of Gaelic but of Cumraig origin. That Scotland was originally peopled by a colony of Cumri, a late able writer has evinced to be extremely probable" : and pro- bability is the only evidence of which so dark a subject appears susceptible. This Celtic race, it may be conjectured, was subjected by new set- tlers. These new settlers, of whatever origin, might however perpetuate the names which their predecessors had applied to mountains, rivers, and other external objects ; for a similar process, it is well known, has been followed in numerous in- stances. Instead of maintaining, that " the second of these suppositions is contrary to history," we may therefore venture to represent the subject as one of those which history is incapable of eluci- dating. That every emigration of every tribe of mankind is faithfully recorded by some historian, it would certainly be preposterous to imagine . If it can be proved that our Pictish ancestors were descended from the Goths, it will follow that 111 Transact, of the Society of Antiq. vol. i. p. 408. n Pinkerton's Enquiry into the Hist, of Scotl. vol. i. p. 15- Vixere fortes ante Agamemnona Multi ; sed omnes iilacrymabiles Urgentur ignotique longa Nocf.*, carent quia vate sacro. I J an 1 40 their language was a dialect of the Gothic. Or, on the other hand, if it can be proved that their language was a dialect of the Gothic, it will fol- low that they themselves were descended from the Goths. That the Picts were Gothic colonies which emigrated from Scandinavia, has, I appre- hend, been sufficiently evinced by Mr Pinkerton. The arguments which this acute and learned writer has advanced, it would here be imperti- nent to recapitulate : had his scheme of historical origins been proposed in a less contumelious spi- rit, it must undoubtedly have met with more ge- neral approbation. At present the question shall be left as undecided. With respect to the lan- guages which formerly prevailed in Scotland, a few detached hints may be gleaned. Adomnan informs us, that when St Columba preached to the Picts, he had recourse to an in- terpreter' 1 . Columba was a native of Ireland ; and his language was certainly understood by the Gael. But if we suppose with Buchanan, that the language of the Scots and the Picts was nearly the sume q , we shall also be induced to con- clude, that the Irish saint might have rendered his discourse intelligible to the inhabitants of Pictland. From this anecdote, however, no im- portant consequences can be legitimately deduced; as different dialects of the same language may at P Adomnani Vita Columb.T, lib. iL cap. xxxiii. * Buchanan. Rerum Scotic Iii>t. p. 30. edit. Ruddioun. 41 length recede to an immense distance from each other. Beda, who flourished about the year 700, re- lates, that in the island of Britain the gospel was then preached in five languages ; those of the Angles, Britons, Scots, Picts, and Romans'. In- stead of five languages, Buchanan proposes to substitute five dialects : but as Beda has enume- rated the Latin and Saxon tongues, this interpre- tation of his words is evidently inadmissible. His testimony does not however amount to a positive proof, that the Pictish language was a dialect of the Gothic ; though it certainly evinces, that the Pictish and Scotish tongues were materially dis- tinguished. Henry of Huntingdon, according to Dr Mac- pherson's representation, " expresses his astonish- ment to find the Pictish tongue was in his time rotally extinguished, insomuch that the accounts given of it by writers of former ages had the ap- pearance of downright fiction. Henry wrote his history within less than four hundred years after the Pictish nation was incorporated with the Scot*. It is therefore matter of great surprise, that no vestige of the Pictish tongue remained in his time, if it differed at all from the Galic of the Scots'." It was incumbent upon Dr Macpherson to produce the authority without misrepresenta- r Bedae Hist. Ecclesiast. Gent. Anglor. p. 41. edit. Smith. - Macpherson's Dissertations on the Calcdcnians. p 57. Vol. J. F 42 tion. Henry has affirmed, that the Picts them- selves, as well as their language, were totally eXr- tinct 1 : and if one clause of the assertion be found erroneous, the other must at least be regarded as suspicious. That the Picts were ever extirpated, is an opinion which has at length become almost obsolete. At the battle of the standard, fought in the year 1138, the Picts of Galloway claimed their ancient privilege of forming the van"; a circumstance which tends to evince, that they were neither few in number, nor undistinguished for their prowess. This famous battle was fought during Henry's own life. The above passage of his work is very obnoxious to criticism. After having enumerated the Pictish tongue among the other languages then spoken in Britain, he grave- ly proceeds to observe, that the Picts and their tongue seemed as if they never had existed. It is evident however that he considered the Pictish as a distinct speech. These insulated facts seem to afford some faint traces of evidence, that the Celtic language was not universally spoken in Scotland; but there 1 " Quinque autem Unguis utitur Britannia ; Brittonum videlicet, An- lorum, Scottorum, Pictorum, et Latinorum, qux doctrina Scripturarum cxteris omnibus est facta communis: quamvis Picti jam videantur deleti, ft lingua eorum ita omnino dt*tructa, ut jam fabula videatur quod in ve" terum scriptis eorum mentio invenitur." H. Huntingdon. Hist. p. 299. apud Savil*. u .Ailred. de Beljo Standardi, coL 342. apud Twysden. 43 are others which may perhaps be represented as leading to an opposite conclusion. The names of the Pictish kings, it has frequent- ly been asserted, " are exactly the same with others that were common among the ancient.Scots, and continue to be so in the Highlands to this day." Yet Dr Macpherson, notwithstanding his triumphant exclamations, has only been able to produce eight names from the catalogue : and these eight, as he indeed admits, belonged to Pictish kings who reigned after the introduction of Christianity. Whether he has been guilty of mangling these names, I shall not pretend to de- termine ; but a charge of this kind has with suf- ficient violence been urged against hiru_. Beda observes, that the Pictish name of a cer- tain place at the east end of Antoninus's wall was PeanfaheP : and from this solitary word Camden and Innes have supposed, that an argument may be derived in proof of the identity of the Welch and Pictish languages w . In the Welch, they have affirmed, this compound term signifies the head of the wall : but, on the other hand, it has been very confidently asserted, that the Welch tongue contains no such words as pean and fabel . But if it were even admitted, that peanfahel is either a simple or a compound term which may be traced in both languages, no important conclu- v Bedae Hist. Ecclesiast. Gent. Anglor. p. 50. ,T Camdeni Britannia, p. 85, edit. JLond, j6oo, 4te. F 2 44 noil could thence be deduced. The same com- binations of letters may often be found in lan- guages which have distinct origins. Scribes, cave, thus, cur rides, are either Latin or English, accord ing to the manner in which they are pronounced. The letters a, m, a, t, may cither signify a mat or be loves. The Italian pronoun eglino might in a Scotish song be commodiously transformed into Eglin-O. The Greek word rove and the French nous are formed by the same arrangement of the same letters : but are we thence authorized to conclude, that Greek and French are dialects of the same language? Pliny supposes the Celtic word Druid to be derived from V< an oak ; as if those who in all probability never heard of the Greeks or their language should have applied to such a source*. Yet this etymology is perhaps x Strabo with superior good sene has remarked, that barbaric appel- lations are not to be traced to a Greek source. The learned Bochart bow- ever contends for the correctness of Pliny's etymology : " De nomine Druidum Plinioassentior. Nee est quod quis miretur cur Druides Gntco nomine appellentur, cum etiam apud Celtas quercus deru dicta sit.'' (Geograpb'u Sacra, p. 666. b.)* But this is itself a substantial reason for supposing the Celtic term Druid to have no connection with Greek ety- mology. Gaius's etymology of the word is still more fanciful than that of Pliny. Druid, as he atftrms, is derived from Druys, the name of a very ancient British king. ( Dt Anti'juitat; Caniabrigcmu Acadcmix, p. 15.) Menage's derivation is pt-rhaps as rational as any other that can be traced ; " Je croirois plubtos: que Druid:: vtendroit de drui, qui en vieu* langa^e Bntantlique sigtiific un di-mon, un esprit, et inesme un magLien." ' 'Origin; dr la Langue Franpuje, p. aj6.) In the etymological work' c I us and Junius, other derivations t.{ the word mav be found. 4,5 as correct as that of Camden and Innes. Dr Gibson, in one of his notes on the Polemo-Middi- nia, affords another illustration of the danger of relying too much on etymological conjectures. Incipit Harlai cunctis sonare Batellum. The origin of the word harlai, he remarks, must be traced to the Icelandic hardlya, or, by con- traction harla ; perquam, valde,fortiter. Accord- ing to this notion, the verse must be interpreted, " He begins to summon them to the hardy fight." But its real signification is, " He begins to play a Scotish tune called The battle of Hart aw." The following wretched epigram on Erasmus is the production of an obscure poet named Thomas Frujean : That thou'rt a man, each of thy learn'd works shows ; But yet thy name tells us thou wast a mouse*. Dr Duport, in an epigram on Andrew Melvin, Jias displayed the same elegance of taste : Qui non Mel, sed fel, non vfnum das, sed acetum, Quam male tam belli nominis omen habes* ! These are rare illustrations of the plastic nature of etymology. Of the impropriety of drawing, from the consideration of detached words, exten- y Prujean's Aurorata, sig. D. Lend. 1644, nmo, 2 Duport. Musx Subsecivae, p. 70. Canub. 1676, Sv. 46 ve conclusions with regard to the history of lan- guages, I shall subjoin a remarkable exemplifica- tion. " The Holy Scripture," says Dr Bentley, " informs us, that Laban the Syrian, when he made a league with his son-in-law Jacob, call'd the heap of stones that, after the custom of those times, was erected for a memorial of it, Igar Sabdutba, The Heap of Witness : which, we are sure, from the Syriac versions of the Old and New Testament, continued to be pure and vulgar Sy- riac for 2000 years'." Of the permanency of the Syriac language, Dr Bentley seems to regard this circumstance as a convincing proof. Let us apply his canon of criticism to another subject. The second and seventh verses of the dirge composed on the death of King Alexander scarcely differ in a single word from the Scotish of the present day. This circumstance, according to Dr Bentley's scheme, ought to convince us, that the language of Scotland has continued pure and unmixed for the space of five hundred and seventeen years. The Breviarium Aberdotwnse, according to Dr Geddes's representation, commemorates a St Ir- chard, born in the Pictish dominions, who, after having been consecrated at Rome, returned through the provinces of the Britons and Scots, and occasionally preached to the inhabitants. " That is, as I conceive it," subjoins the disserta- tor, " he preached to all the Celtic inhabitants in a Btndey's Dissertation upon Phalarii, p. A04. 47 his mother-tongue ; but not to the Saxons, whose language he did not understand." The learned writer was too intimately acquainted with eccle- siastical history, 'to regard this as a very strong argument. The first question which arises, is, whether such a man as St Irchard ever existed. If he actually existed, the Aberdeen Breviary was compiled at too late a period to be admitted as sufficient authority with respect to the events of his life. Into the Romish calender, it is almost superfluous to observe, that many fictitious saints have been intruded; and many of those who were real personages, have been conducted through imaginary adventures. If a Pictish saint ever preached to the Britons and Scots, what prevents us from conjecturing, that he had recourse to an interpreter? This was the plan adopted by the Irish saint Columba, when he preached to the Picts. If the Scots understood the language of a Pict, it might have been supposed that the Picts would understand the language of an Irishman : but the authority of Adomnan prevents us from forming such a supposition. When Archbishop Wauchope endeavoured to confirm the wild Irish in the Catholic faith, the discourses which it was his practice to deliver in the Latin tongue, and to accompany with the utmost grace of action, were afterwards interpreted by an ecclesiastic well acquainted with both languages''. If St ' J. '.-sU-us de Rffau? Offtis-fcotor'ini, p, 475. iS In li.inl ever preached to the Britons or Scots, he tnight adopt a similar plan. I have here admit- ted Dr Geddes's interpretation of the passage as unexceptionable : but it is certainly liable to a very material objection. Whatever this ingeni- ous writer might conceive, the Breviary has by no means particularized the people to whom St Irchard is supposed to have preached. u Prose- cuting his journey through the districts of Eng- land and of Scotland, he occasionally preached to the inhabitants ." Why are we to conclude, that lie preached to the Britons and Scots, rather than to the Saxons and Picts ? At the coronation of Alexander the Third, a Highland bard, or senachy, is reported to have presented himself before the monarch, and to have recited in the Gaelic tongue the names of his royal ancestors' 1 . This circumstance, it may be alleged, affords additional proof, that Gaelic- was then the universal language of Scotland. Without attempting to demonstrate the ancient chronicler's relation to be altogether fabulous, the material objection may readily be obviated. If the Pictish language, a dialect of the Gothic, was then spoken at the Scotish court, it was however possible for Alexander to have become acquaint- c " Iter cominuando per partes Anglie et Scocie, paulisper predicando, id cocgeriem in monte dc Kijicardin Oneyll in Scocia pervenit." Breviar. Abtrdon. torn. ii. Aug. f. lxxxix. a i Eower. ScotichronicoD, vol. ii. p. %%. 49 ed with the Gaelic : Mithridates Is said to have been acquainted with the respective languages of the twenty-two nations which composed his em- pire e . Or, if Alexander was ignorant of the Gaelic, the Highland senachy might nevertheless persist in saluting him with genealogical strains. When the provost of a burgh visits the grammar-school, he is frequently addrest by the rector in a Latin oration : but are we under the necessity of sup- posing, that the rector's Latin oration is invaria- bly understood by the provost ? Moreover, the Gaelic harangue might have been almost com- pletely understood by a native of any country. If Alexander was aware that the Gaelic word mac signifies a son, he could sufficiently comprehend the rest. From a candid examination of these authorities, it will appear that the supposition of the Gothic language having been originally spoken by the 3 J icts, is at least as rational as any other which has yet been proposed. If we scrutinize every branch of Dr Geddes's hypothesis, it will perhaps be found ingenious rather than satisfactory. Con- cluding that the Picts were a Celtic race, he en- deavours to trace the causes which might be sup- posed to produce so radical a change in the na- tional language. These reputed Celts, he con- jectures, gradually forgot their native tongue, by ' Quintilian. de Imti'utione Oratoria, lib. xi. rap. ii 4 Vol. i, c, 50 adopting that of their southern neighbours. This change he is disposed to impute to such causes as the following ; to the temporary subjection of the southern provinces of Scotland by the Nor- thumbrians ; to the immense number of captives seized during our ancient wars with the English; to the planting of English garrisons in several of the Scotish towns ; to the amicable intercourse of the Picts with the English ; and, finally, to the influence of Malcolm Kenmore's courtiers, whom lie supposes to have learnt the English language from Queen Margaret and her retinue. But to the production of such an effect these causes seem inadequate. No event similar to that which Dr Geddes has presupposed is to be found recorded in the history of nations. Men are generally te- nacious of their language and customs according to the degree of their remoteness from civilization : and it certainly will not be imagined that our an- cestors during these periods had attained to a high pitch of refinement. " As the Greek," says this eminent philologer, " was first propagated among the Romans, through their Grecian captives, so might the English captives be instrumental in spreading the Saxon among their Pictish masters. For, as Hume most justly observes, ' The supe- riority of civility and knowledge, however small, over total ignorance and barbarism is prodigious." The number of captives whom King Malcolm conducted from England in 1070, was undoubt- 51 edly immense f : but as these were immediately reduced to the condition of slaves, it would have been a singular occurrence if such men had effect- ed any innovation in the national language. Of captives, in such a state of society, contempt and infamy are the common portion. The superiority of civility over barbarism cannot be disputed : but in those who are unprepared for tracing the lines of excellence, this superiority is incapable of exciting the desire of emulation. Whatever the original language of the Picts may have been, it need not be doubted that they themselves regard- ed it as sufficiently copious and expressive. The . most barbarous races of mankind have always been found to represent their own manners and customs as unrivalled : and civilization must have made considerable advances, before any nation begin to avail itself of the improvements intro- duced among its neighbours. The language of foreigners is never cultivated by the body of the people ; but that language must finally prevail which is spoken by a considerable majority of the inhabitants of any country. Even when a king- dom changes its masters, it never changes its lan- guage, unless the old inhabitants be nearly extir- pated. If " the Greek was first propagated among f " Repleta est ergo Scotia servis et ancillis Anglici generis, ita ut etiam usque hodic nulla nort dico villula, scd nee doniunculu iiue his Yik-at in- veniri." S. Dunei.m. de Gcstis Return Anglor. co!. 201. apud Twysden, G 2 SI the Romans, through their Grecian captives," this circumstance cannot be adduced as a proper il- lustration of the present subject ; for it has never been imagined that the Romans rejected their an- cient language, and adopted that of their captives. It may even be disputed whether the influence of the Grecian captives was so considerable as Dr Geddes seems to suppose. That a knowledge of the Greek language was introduced among the Romans by means of literary adventurers, is an opinion which I regard as more tenable 8 . When the dissertator affirms, that usages and language are generally communicated together, it is only necessary to suggest, that this communication of a new language has never been found to produce a total extinction of the old. French has been * It was not till about the five hundred and fortieth year after the build* ing of the city, that the intercourse opened between the Roman republic and the states of Greece. At that period commenced the war against Philip King of Macedonia; which was afterwards renewed with superior vigour. This second war closed, to the advantage of the Romans, in the year 557; and they were now caressed by the degenerate Greeks as the deliverer* of their country. Before the year 540, the Romans could evidently have few Crecian captives of any description. But it is certain that the Greek language had been taught at Rome so eaily as the year .514. " Antiquissimi doc- torum," says Suetonius, " qui iidem et pottx et oratores semigrseci erant (Livrurn et F.nr.ium dico, quo* uuaque lingua domi forisque docuisie ad- notum est) nihil amrlius quam Grice interpretabantur, ac si quid Latin c pratlegebant." ( Dc flluitribus Grammjticis, 1.) Livius AndrcuicuJ flourished in the five hundred and fourteenth year after the building of the city. 1 nnius was born in 515, and died in 585. Thete date*, for whose accuracy I rely on the authority of Petavius, - sufficient f evince &: inapplicability of Dr Geddi '- 53 much studied in England, and yet the natives still persist in speaking English 11 . " The reign of Malcolm Kenmore," says Dr Geddes, " seems to have been the first period of a general denization of Saxon in Scotland. That monarch had been bred in England, and married an English princess. Her retinue were all Eng- lish. English, in consequence, would become the language of the court. The courtiers would carry it to their respective homes ; their domes- tics would be ambitious to speak the language of their masters; and thus it would be gradually in- troduced into every fashionable circle'." Mal- colm, it is true, had spent a considerable part of his life at the English court ; but it must be re- collected that this was no seminary for acquiring the English language. Into that court the lan- guage of France had already been introduced : and it is extremely probable that this was the fashionable speech of Queen Margaret and her English retinue. So early as the year 652, it was '* At quisquis insula satus Britannica, Si patriam insolent fastidiet suam, l~t more simiae laborct fingere, 1 f amulare Gallicas incptias, Fx arnne Gallo ego hunc opinor enrium. j'igo ex Britanno ut Galium esse nititur, Sic Dii jubete, fiat ex gallo capu*. Mori Luculnationes, p. 2C^. i ['he very qmc causes are alleged in Verstegau's ReitiMirm of J 1 . In'. .'". " .-, p. 180. Antwerp, j 605, 4to. See al^o Dr Wallis's Crcmtm - t;u L'viu<2 A)'gli:ana, p. xxii. edit. Bowyer. 54, the common practice of the Anglo-Saxons, as Mr Warton remarks, to send their youth to the mo- nasteries of France for education : and the lan- guage, as well as the manners of that nation, be- gan to be classed among the politest accomplish- ments. Edward the Confessor, under whose pro- tection Malcolm had continued for several years, was educated at the court of his uncle Richard the Second, Duke of Normandy ; and from his long residence in that country, might almost be considered as a Frenchman. Upon his accession to the throne of England in the year 1043, the whole nation, under the influence of the king and his Norman favourites, began to imitate the manners of France : and in particular, Ingulph observes 11 , that all the nobility in their courts be- gan to adopt the French language as a mark of gentility 1 . The different causes which Dr Geddes has as- signed, we may venture to conclude, were total- ly inadequate to the production of such extensive and important effects. The original language of the Picts was most probably a dialect of the Go- thic ; and, in its peculiarity of formation, ante- cedent to what is termed the Anglo-Saxon. But, that the Pictish, while it continued unmixed, was a written language, it would perhaps be danger- k In^ulphi Hisr. Crnyl. p. *J. apud Gale. 1 Warton ' Hist, of EngliJi Voetry, vol. i. p. 2. Tyrwbitt'a iissay oa Chaucer, p. 4. 55 ous to affirm. The Picts proceeded from the north, the Saxons from the south of Scandina- via : and their speech constituted two dialects of the same parent language. The Pictish is more ancient than the Anglo-Saxon ; but the latter was undoubtedly spoken by a more learned peo- ple. When the Picts began to direct their at- tention towards literary composition, they might naturally be led to adopt the grammatical system of their more enlightened neighbours. It may also be conjectured that the earliest of our poets were intimately acquainted with such models as the French tongue then afforded ; a circumstance which will readily account for the correspondent progress of the Scotish as a language distinct from the English. French indeed appears to have been the fashionable language of the ancient Scotish court. To Alexander the Third the co- ronation-oath was first administered in Latin, and afterwards in French"; a plan which manifestly m In this point of view they are also represented by Dr Robertson : :t The English and Scottish languages, derived from the same sources, were, at the end of the sixteenth century, in a state nearly similar ; dif- fering from one another somewhat in orthography, though not only the words, but the idioms were nmch the same." (Hist, of Scotland, vol. iii. p. 196.) n " Prius I.atinc, postea Gallicc." (Bower. Scoticlroniccr., vol. i: p. 81.) The obvious interpretation of the latter word is, " in French;" but Mr Innes supposes it may here signify, " in Gaelic." Mr Pinker- U)ii affirm-, that " it is French all the world over; and, hid Calic been implied, it would have been Hiltrnice; for writers of a century or two ..frcr call it Irish. Galic is a very late word, nay I believe unknown till 56 presupposed the latter tongue to have been gene- rally understood by the auditory. The negoti- ations at Norhain between Edward the First and the Scotish nobles appear to have been for the most part conducted in French ; and for this circumstance, as the excellent Mr Tyrwhitt ob- serves, it will be difficult to account, unless we suppose French to have been the language of both courts. Relative to the present subject Mr Ellis pre- sents us with many judicious observations. The following are too apposite to be omitted: " The Danish and Anglo-Saxon, the supposed parents of the Scotch and English languages, were distinct dialects of the elder Gothic; but, in the infancy of literature, the poets of both countries, being equally dissatisfied with the poverty of their res- pective jargons, and conscious of the superior elegance which appeared in the French minstrel- compositions, vied with each other in borrowing, from these favourite models, as many words and phrases as it was possible to incorporate with their native forms of speech. In consequence of this t present centnry." {Enaj on the Origin of Sctt'ub Pottry, p. Ixiv.) This last assertion appears to be erroneous : for in the Aberdeen Bre- viary, published in 1509 and 1510, the Scot* are termed Gaili. " Re- diens autem Sanctus Irchardus per Pictaviam, Pictos multum per Qallot vidit iubjugatos, et in servitutem redactos." ( Brrviar. Abtrdon. torn. ii. Aug. f. lxxxix. a.) But 3s Bower has never used the word in this sens.-. We are perhaps authorised to conclude, that by the adverb GaUiei h' in- tended to convey the meaning which has now bten assigned. 57 practice, the two languages seem to have at- tained, about the middle of the 14th century, their greatest degree of similarity. But these foreign words, being once naturalized, could not fail of undergoing considerable alterations; be- cause the broader vowel-sounds, the gutturals, and the strongly-asperated accents of the Scots, differed equally from the French and English pronunciation; and this difference was preserved and increased, on both sides, by discordant and capricious systems of orthography. At the same time, as the number of readers increased, the writers became desirous of accommodating them- selves to the general taste ; and consequently be- gan to transplant, from colloquial into literary language, a variety of popular expressions, which being peculiar to the one country, were obscure, or even unintelligible, to the natives of the other ." Although the written languages of the two countries bore so near a resemblance to each other, yet it must not be taken for granted that at a re- mote period the vulgar dialects of the people were even mutually intelligible. In an assembly of the dignified clergy of Scotland, Malcolm the Third acted in the capacity of interpreter to Queen Margaret p . Bower has observed, that when James the First was detained in England, he heard Ellis, Hist. Sketch of English Poetry, vol. i. p. 390. p Turgoti Vita Margaretsc, cap. ii. apud Pinkertor.. Vol. I. H 58 a language spoken which he did not undersand". And yet the compositions of this royal poet, and of other Scotish writers who flourished about the same aera, do not, in point of language, differ very materially from those of their English co- temporaries. As French and Latin were the speech of the great and the learned in both countries, it is highly probable that when they condescended to use their native languages, they were in gene- ral satisfied with adopting the phraseology of the vulgar. According to this supposition, the com- mon dialects of their respective countries must have been familiar to Queen Margaret and King James. The vulgar languages of Scotland and Eng- land probably remained at an ample distance from each other till about the time of the union of the two crowns. It must not be concealed that Dunbar, Lindsay, and other Scotish poets, have represented them- selves as writing in the English tongue. Mair and Lesley have also asserted, that this language was spoken by our ancestors the Lowlanders. The cause 1 " Undc translatus in Angliam, tartquam alter Josephus ductus in yiieryptum, etsi linguam quani non noverat audivit, artes tanien niecha- nicas, tt scicntia* morales, quas non noverat, didicit et intellexit." Lower. Scotichronicon, vol. ii. p. 506. Baldwyn represents King James as learning the English language : " Seii g he was brought vp in England, where he learned the language, hysexai-.; 1 - ulso w notable it iver uotmete it should be forgotten." {Myi~ >v.rjvr Mjgi'trMii, I. XXXV b edit. Lund. Ij6j, 4to.) 59 of this confusion has been explained by referring to a simple fact : till a recent period, the Gaelic of the Highlanders was termed the Scotish language ; and as this Celtic dialect was radically different from the speech of the Gothic inhabitants, our ancestors happened to apply the term English to their na- tive dialect, of the same origin with that of their southern neighbours r . . It is however worthy of remark that Douglas, perhaps the most learned of our ancient poets, has evidently represent- ed the Scotish and English as two distinct lan- guages s . r Mr Pinkerton has observed, that " an Act of Parliament, 1541, au- thorizes the lieges to have the Bible in Inglis and Scottis," that is, in Scot- ish and Gaelic. So lately as the reign of James the Sixth, the inhabitants of the High- lands and certain of the isles were denominated Irishmen. " The %o of Marche (1593 ane proclamatione at the crosse, charging the Earles of Huntlie, Angus, Errole, with diverse gentlemen and Irishmen of the iyles, to compeir to the parliament for divers points of treasone." (Birrel's Diarey, p 30. ap. Dalyell/ In an act of the General Assembly past in the year 171 7, the Gaelic tongue is termed the Irish. (Dundas's Abridg- ment of tl 4cts of the General Assemblies, p. 1 1 9.) s The following quotations from another learned writer are also appli- cable. " And zit I hoip yat yow sal think me to speik propir langage, conforme to our auld brade Scottis." Winzet's Vincentius Lirinensis, sig. a 4. b. " Gif ze throw curiositie of nouationis hes forzet our auld plane Scot- tis, quhilk zour mother lerit zou, in tymes cuming I sail wryte to zou my mynd in Latin : for I am nocht acquyntit with zour Southeroun." Winzet's liuke of Questions, sig. H 4. Lord Hailes, in his Life of John Hamilton, quotes the following pas- sage from that writer's Quastionis to the Ministeris : " James the Fyfr --hering ane of his subjectis knap Suddrone, declarit him ane trateur." H 2 (>0 And yit forsoith 1 set roy besy pane, As that I couth, to mak it brade and plane, Kepand no Sodroun, bot oure awin langagc, And spekc as I lerned quhen I wcs ane page : Na yet so clene all Sudroun I refuse, Bot sum woide I pronuncc as nychboure doK . Like as in Latine bene Grewe termes sum, So me behuffit quhilum, or be dum, Sum bastard Latyne, Frensche, or Ynglis, ois ; Quhaire scant wcs Scottis, I had none vther chois : Not that oure toung is in the seluin skant, Bot for that I the fouth of langage want. Douglas. While Barbour, King James, Dunbar, Doug- las, and the rest of the Scotish poets were culti- vating their native language, others of our coun- trymen were engaged in pursuits of a more scho- lastic kind. The progress of a nation in the different depart- ments of science or erudition is so closely connect- ed with the state of its literary seminaries, that our present inquiries must partly be directed towards the institution of the Scotish universities. Previ- ous to the foundation of that of St Andrews at the beginning of the fifteenth century, such of the Scotish youth as felt a more than vulgar desire of knowledge, were under the necessity of pro- secuting their studies in some foreign country, or of putting themselves under the tuition of such monastic preceptors as Scotland could then furnish. The Universities of Oxford and Pari.-, 61 seem to have been those which they chiefly fre- quented. In the year 1282, Dervorgil, the daugh- ter of Allan Lord of Galloway, and the wife of the elder John Baliol, founded and endowed a college at Oxford 1 . Baliol College, it may be presumed, was open for the reception of Scotish students ; though it does not appear from the statutes that those of other countries were ex- cluded. In the year 1326, a college was found- ed and endowed at Paris by David Murray, Bi- shop of Murray". This is generally known by the name of the Scotish College of Paris. Dr Mackenzie affirms, that the foundation was in- tended for the sole benefit of students born within the diocese of Murray : but if this was the foun- der's intention, his injunctions seem to have been speedily violated ; for the college was afterwards replenished with students from almost every pro- vince of Scotland. Scotish students also resort- ed to Cambridge. According to an ancient re- cord quoted by Caius, the students of that uni- versity were in the year 1270 classed by nations; and five English, three Scotish, three Irish, and two Welch collegians were invested with a kind of rectorial power, for the purpose of maintain- ing order among their respective countrymen v . 1 Wood's Antiq. of the University of OxforJ, p. 73. Mackenzie's Lives of Scots Writers, vol. ii. p. vi. T Caius de Antiqukatc Cantabrigeij^is Academics, p. 155. 62 But the antiquity of the date may lead us to sus- pect the authenticity of this statement. The public lectures commenced at St An- drews in 1410 ; but the pope's bulls did not ar- rive till two years and a half subsequent to that period. Laurence Lindores expounded the fourth book of the Sentences". Dr Richard Cornel, Arch- deacon of Lothian, John Litstar, Canon of St An- drews, John Scheves, Official of that see, Wil- liam Stephens, afterwards Bishop of Dumblane, were the lecturers on the canon law. Philoso- phy and logic were taught by John Gill, William Foulis, and William Crosier. On the third day of February, 1413, Henry Ogilby, A. M. arrived from Rome, entrusted with papal bulls, by which the infant seminary was endowed with all the privileges of a university. The arrival of this welcome messenger was an- nounced by ail the bells of the city. The clergy being next day assembled with due solemnity in the refectory, the bulls were formally presented to Bishop Wardlaw, as chancellor of the universi- ty. After these were redd aloud, they procced- w Liber Sentattiarum, the Dock of Sentences, a once-celebrated system of scholastic theology, was compiled by Peter Lombard, who died Bishop of Paris in ihe year 1164. A writer who flourished at the close of the fifteenth century, mentions him in the following terms : " Vir in divinis scripturis studiosissimus ct nobiliter doctus, ingenio subtilis, et clarus elo- quio, nomen suum scribendo cum tanta gloria transmisit ad posteros, ut usque in hociiernum diem suis opu^culis theologorum schola ubicme eier- citata, singulari veneratione Magiiirum cum nominet et habeat." Tritiiemius de Script. Ecclesiast. f. 57. b. 63 cd to the high altar and sang Te Deum. The re- mainder of the day was spent with the utmost festivity : copious fires were kindled in the streets and courts ; and the learned clerks jovially pass- ed the night, drinking wine in the gladness of their hearts. These rejoicings took place on Sun- day. The ensuing Tuesday was appointed a fes- tival for commemorating at once the arrival of St Andrew's reliques and that of the privileges of the university x . In the primary arrangement of studies, no at- tention seems to have been paid to classical learn- ing. But it may be conjectured that an acade- my or grammar-school was under the immediate protection of the university. Hector Boyce, whose Lives of the Bishops of Aberdeen were written in 1 52 1, mentions three colleges at St Andrews ; and particularly remarks, that the first, or Pcedo- gogium, was situated in a most delightful part of the city y . This must have been a seminary where the youth were instructed in classical learn- ing, previous to their admission into the philo- sophical schools : for St Salvator's and St Leonard's were the only colleges founded at the time when Boyce composed his work. From Sir Robert Sibbald's unsatisfactory account of this university we learn, that the scholastic exercises were origi- nally performed in the Pedagogy ; which was af- x Bower. Scotichronicon, vol. ii. p. 445. edit. Goodall. y Eocthii Aberdon. Episcop. Viue, f. xxvi. b. Paris. 1522, 4to. I.-I. terwards demolished when Archbishop Beaton founded St Mary's College 2 . St Salvator's Col- lege was founded in the year 1458 by James Ken- nedy, Bishop of St Andrews. This endowment has been represented as a splendid monument of his liberality". St Leonard's College was found- ed by Prior Hepburn in the year 15 12. St Mary's or New College was begun by Archbishop Beaton, advanced by Cardinal Beaton, and finished in 1553 by Archbishop Hamilton b . Many of the earlier professors in this university were Scotish- men who had studied at Paris. The University of Glasgow was founded in the year 1453 by William Turnbull, Bishop of that see c . Mair, whose History of Scotland was pub- lished in 1 52 1, informs us, that it was but poorly endowed, and frequented by a small number of students' 1 . King's College, Aberdeen, was founded by Bi- shop Elphinston, a man celebrated for the pos- session of almost every virtue. The papal bull had been obtained in 1494 ; but the edifices were not completed, nor did the education commence, 2 Sibbald's Hist, of Fife and Kinross, p. 370: $53. a Buchanan. Rerum Scotic. Hist. p. 326. edit. Ruddiman. li These dates of the foundations are authenticated by Dr Nieolson ; who quotes the archives of the university. (Scottish Historical Library, p. 128.) c Pinkerton's Hist, of Scotland, vol. i. p. 223. anno C'hristi 1500 usque ad presentem annum 1620, Vivo. Kffigic, Vitx, tt Klogia. Authore H. H. Anglo- Britaano." Lond. 1620, fol. The portraits are executed with no inconsiderable degree of elegance. A copy of thii work may lc found in the library of .St PauTiCatbt-dr;!. 67 was at saint Paul's school in London, then new- ly founded by Dean Colet, and celebrated by Erasmus ; and of which Lyllye, as one of the most exact and accomplished scholars of the age, was appointed the first master' 1 ." Marischal College, Aberdeen, was founded in the year 1593 '. By the disinterested exertions of George Keith, Earl Marischal, the revenues which before the Reformation had belonged to a Fran- ciscan monastery/, were appropriated to this more useful institution J . David Chalmers has impudently asserted, that the University of Aberdeen was founded so early as the year 1240, and that it afterwards included no fewer than six colleges k . Its foundation has already been ascertained : and it is certain that these two are the only colleges of which Aber- k Warton's Hist, of English Poetry, vol. ii, p. 433. i T. Middleton's Append, to Spotswood, p. 28. j Garden, Vita Johannis Forbesii, p. 4. The Earl Marischal died on the fifth of April 1623, in the seventieth year of his age. His funeral ora- tion was pronounced by William Ogston, Professor of Moral Philosophy in Marischal College. (Ogstoni Gratia Fimebris in Obitum maximi virorum Ceorgii Mariscbalii Comilis, Academic Miirischallantf, Abcrdonitc, Fundatoris et Maccnatis Mumfcentiss'uxi. Aberd. 1623, 4to. , The college published a collection of poems on his death, under the title of" JLachrymas Acade- mic Marischallanre, sub obitum Macenatis et Fundatoris sui Munificen- tissimi, Nobilissimi et Jllustrissimi Georgii, Comitis Marischalli." Aberd. 1623, 4to. Dr Shirrefs quotes a Latin oration in honour of the benefac- tors of Marischal College, published by a Mr William Smith in the year 1 702. (Life of Dr William Guild, p. 87. j k Camerarius de Scotorum Fortitudine, Doctrinn, et Pietate, p. <;(>. 57. Paris. 1 63 1, 4to. I 2 68 ileen could ever boast. On the authority of this fabulist, Dr Duck with sufficient credulity has informed us, that a college founded there by some of the Scotish kings was solely appropriated to the study of the civil law 1 . The University of Edinburgh was not founded till the year 1582: but notwithstanding its late institution it rose by degrees to no inconsiderable eminence. The English universities were established at a much earlier period than those of Scotland : their antiquity indeed is so remote, that their original institution has never been completely ascertained. With respect to the comparative antiquity of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, much controversy has arisen. The contest which about two hundred years ago was warmly maintained by Dr John Caius" and Brian Twyne , so far from tending to illustrate the subject, only served to involve it in deeper obscurity. These and other writers, zealous for the honour of the rival seminaries, have referred their origin to a period long before such institutions were known in any I Duck de Authoritate Juris Civilis, p. 430. m For a copious account of this university, consult Mr Arnot's Hittory tf Edinburgh, p. 384. Some information with respect to its early state may be derived from George Robertson's life of Principal Rollock. (Vita it Mortis D. Ribtrti Rolloci Sccti Narratio. Edinb. 1599, iamo.) n Caius de Antiquitate Cantabrigensis Academix. JLond. 1574, 4to. Twyni Actiquitaus Academlx Oxouiensis Apologia. Oxon. 1608, ito. 69 country of Europe. It appears from the valuable dissertations of Conringius, that the seminaries which we denominate universities cannot be traced beyond the thirteenth century ; and that the University of Paris surpassed every other in the antiquity of its foundation p . That learning . should not have been dissemi- nated in Scotland till a recent period, will not ex- cite our surprise when we consider the remote situation, and the poverty of the country. When we attempt v to form a comparative estimate of English and Seotish literature, we ought to re- collect the superior wealth of England, as well as its local advantages and the superior number of its inhabitants. The progress of learning is to be traced from the south to the north of Europe. The proximity of England to France, a country where learning flourished at an early period, may be assigned as one of the many causes which have contributed to advance it to the summit of lite- rary fame. The progress of learning is in some measure connected with that of wealth : a nation sunk in poverty will seldom be found distinguish- ed for liberal knowledge. The uniform poverty of Scotland it would be in vain to deny. Besides, at every period the population of England has greatly exceeded that of the sister kingdom : and P Conringii de Antiquitatibus Academicis Dissertationes sex habits in Academia Julia, p. 93. Helmestad. 1651, 4to. 70 if we suppose an equal proportion of the inhabi- tants of both countries to have cultivated letters, it were but reasonable to expect that England should have produced a much greater number of successful candidates for literary distinction. The history of their native country generally engages the attention of the earlier successions of scholars. The oldest history of Scotland is of a comparatively recent date, and exhibits very few traces of literary excellence. It is the pro- duction of Fordun and Bower, two ecclesiastics to whose industry succeeding writers are highly in- debted. John Fordun, Canon of Aberdeen, de- rives his surname from the place of his birth, a village in the county of Kincardine. The time of his birth has not been ascertained ; but he ap- pears to have flourished about the year 1380. He is described by Bower as a simple man who never graduated in the schools. The first five books, and twenty-three chapters of the sixth book, of the Scotichronicon are the composition of this venerable orator : for the remainder of the work we are indebted to the industry of Walter Bower. This pious chronicler was born at Haddington in the year 1385. At the age of eighteen he as- sumed the religious habit ; and, after finishing his philosophical and theological studies, visited Paris in order to study the laws. Having return- ed to his native country, he was unanimously elected Abbot of St Colm in the year 1418. At 71 the request of Sir David Stewart of Rossyth, he undertook to transcribe the work of Fordun : but instead of executing a mere transcript, he insert- ed large interpolations, and continued the narra- tive to the death of James the First. The prin- cipal materials for this continuation had been collected by his predecessor. The Scotichronicon extends to sixteen books. Fordun and Bower are undoubtedly inferior to the original historians of several other countries of modern Europe. Their Latinity is scholastic and barbarous : and in the essential qualities of genuine history their work is very deficient. Andrew Winton, Prior of Lochleven, composed his metrical Cronykil of Scotland about the year 1420. He is perhaps a more judicious writer than either Fordun or Bower ; though his share of cre- dulity and superstition is sufficiently ample. The next historian that presents himself is John Mair, a celebrated Doctor of the Sorbonne. He was born at North Berwick about the year 1446 ; studied at Cambridge, Oxford, and Paris ; and was at length appointed Principal of St Salvator's College, St Andrews . His six books De Gestis Scotorum were published at Paris in 1521. His narrative is meagre, and his style quodlibetical : but his candour and simplicity of heart cannot q See the memoirs of his life and writings by George Crawford, pre- fixed to the last edition of his history. Edinl). 1740, 4to. Possevin and Wadding have split the identical John Mair into two persons. 72 fail to endear him to every ingenuous reader. Lesley has properly characterised him as I writer more studious of truth than of eloquence'. In the scholastic learning of the age he was pro- foundly skilled. Hector Boyce, a writer of greater talents but of inferior veracity, flourished about the same pe- riod. Seventeen books of his history were pub- lished at Paris in the year 1 526 : and at the time of his death he had completed little more than another book. Boyce was undoubtedly a man of genius, and one of the most elegant Latinists of which his country can boast : but his predilec- tion for fable has secured him a conspicuous place among literary impostors 5 . His work abounds with fictions of every denomination. The very authors on whose authority he professes to rely are supposititious : Dr Stillingfleet has demon- strated that Veremund, Cornelius, and Campbell, never existed except in Boyce's fertile imagina- tion'. John Lesley, LL. D. the celebrated Bishop of Ross, was an accomplished scholar, and a man of enlarged experience. His different compositions r Lcsbeus dc Rebus Gestis Scotorum, p. 414. edit. Roma:, 1675, 4to. $ Hectoris historic! tot, quot mendacia scripsit Si vis ut numerem, lector amice, tibi, Me jubeas etiam fluctus numerare marinoa, Et liquidi Stellas connumerare poli. Lelanp. ' Stillingfleet'i Antiq. of tie British Churches, p. 1$3- 73 exhibit sufficient proofs of his ingenuity and learn- ing: and, in particular, his history of Scotland, published at Rome in 1578, has been found a work of utility as well as of elegance. Through the earlier period of our annals he is chiefly guided by the authority of Hector Boyce ; but his materials for the history of the later reigns are authentic and valuable. In commendation of Lesley's production, a copy of verses was com- posed by the elegant Muretus. The following lines merit transcription : Ter foelix Leslase animi ! tibi gloria cessit Utraque, ut et doctis merito scripsisse legends^ Et gessisse idem merito scribenda feraris. This encomium proceeded from one of the finest scholars of the age. Buchanan's history was published at Edinburgh in the year 1582. The composition of this work reflects the highest honour on the literature of his native country. No modern writer ever made a nearer approach to the genuine spirit of the an- cients. Erasmus, when he composed his Cicero- nianus, was unable to select a single Scotish author entitled to a place among his elegant hu- manists. Had he flourished at a somewhat later lera, he might have found an ample catalogue ; and among the most conspicuous of the number, our historians Boyce, Lesley, and Buchanan. Vol. I. K 74 About this period our countrymen hud begun to aspire to thtt eminence in Latin poetry which they long continued to maintain. Florence Wil- son, the well-known author ol~ the dialogue De Animi Tr/inquiUitate t may be classed among the earliest of tho.e who wrote Latin verse with any degree of elegance. The poetry of his renown- ed cotemporary Buchanan lias so frequently been the object of panegyric, that it would now be fruitless to resume the topic. The Admirable Crichton is another of those scholars who have contributed to render the name of Scotland so respectable in the annals of literature". Mark Alexander Boyd has also been celebrated as a poet of more than ordinary ingenuity : but what- ever his natural endowments may have been, he produced no finished specimens of composition. Patrick Adamson, Archbishop of St Andrews, is to be ranked among the eminent Latin poets who flourished during the reign of James the Sixth. By tb.2 royal house of Stewart the interests of u Crichton is mentioned by JoaDiies Imperial!* in terms of the highest admiration: ** Hie est Critonius ille Scotus transacti dudum sorculi mon- scrum, prodigioso rratur.c opifitis coiutu editum, quo Partu<*i spacia stu- pendo et inusiuto spectaculo iiluairarcntur. Hie est totius adhuc orbis jadkio Phtfftix habitus ingt-niorum, divina: mentis igniculit summi potius Jiiorij refercm rr.ajesu.tein, juam tnortalem .id ;enmlaiidum laccssens in- duvtriam." ( Massum JinUrlum, p. 141. Venet 1640, 4to.) The testi- mony of Impcri.ili* is adductJ by Or Kippis; but iht-re are others which might also claim flic attention of a biographer. See, in particular, the S*-jlig!TJ-.J, p. 5X. literature were seldom neglected. Several of this unfortunate race of monarchs were themselves emulous of literary distinction ; and were there,- fore more ready to promote the common cause of learning. The first James was a most successful cultivator of letters, and a generous patron of. the learned. His grandson James the Third, what- ever may have been his general character, was by no means inattentive to the elegant arts. The reign of James the Fourth was honourably mark- ed by the foundation of the University of Aber- deen, and by the introduction of the typographi- cal art into Scotland T . The influence of this art ill enlightening mankind is so extensive and im- portant, that every individual who has contribu*, ted to its general establishment, is entitled to per- petual gratitude. ft The philosophers of antiqui- v The first Scotish printers -were Walter Chapman and Andrew Mil- lar ; who, in consequence of a patent, established a press at Edinburgh in the year 1507. (Cfrdmers, Life ef IbcMtaaa, p. So. In 1508, they are known to have printed various pamphlets; a collection of which may be found in the Advocates Library. The first volume of the Brn'iarima Abfrd',-:cnt; issued from their press in 1509 ; the second hi 1510.^-Of this vtryjrure book a complete and well-preserved copy belongs to the library of the University of Edinburgh. The e ubiishrtient of printing-presses in the other principal towns of Scotland cannot so easily be traced. Knox's FajityM Afhvvmtiou into the Prr.fesioun if GWr Truth? in England was, if we may credit the title-page, printed at Kalyicxe or Kelso- This work appeared in 1 534. Aberdeen, the scat of a university, could not boast of a printing-press till a much later period. In the colophon of a poem on the death of Bishop Forbet, Edward Raban styles himself " Master printer, the firjt ia Aherdeuc'" {Fitntrah tf Biihcp Fcrie;^, 429. Aberd. I (>$$, 4to) 76 ty," says the eloquent Mackintosh, " did not, like Archimedes, want a spot on which to fix their engines ; but they wanted an engine to move the moral world. The press is that engine, which has subjected the powerful to the wise, by govern- ing the opinions of mankind/' The court of this monarch was frequented by Dunbar, and probably by several other poets of eminence. Henryson, Kennedy, Inglis, and Shaw, appear to have been his cotemporaries. The reign f his immediate successor is more conspicuous in the annals of literature w ; but it cannot be affirm- ed that men of letters were incited. to exertion by the bounty of the sovereign. Although James was not unacquainted with letters, yet from him literature seems to have derived little or no pro- tection. Nature had endowed him with many valuable qualities : but his education had unfor- tunately been intrusted to those who deemed it most conducive to their private interest to conta- minate his youthful mind with the seeds of cor- ruption ; and his native generosity was in some measure impaired by the malignant influence of w It was at the court of this monarch that Ronsard, a celebrated French writer, imbibed a taste for poetry. " Car un gentil-homme Escossois, nomine le Seigneur Paul, fesbon poete Latin, se plaisoit a luy lire tous les jours, quelque chose de Virgile ou d'Horace, 1c luy interpretant en Francois ou en Fscossois ; et luy qui avoit deja jettc les yieux sur les rimes t>s anciens authcur.., t'efforijoit de le mcttre en vers, le mieux qu'il luy j-roit ptusible." Ptn.RO>', Oraison Funebrc Mir la Mort de M. de Ronsard. 77 the numerous temptations to which he was in- dustriously exposed. Lust and avarice were pro- minent features of his disposition. The former contributed to withdraw his attention from the elegant recreations of literature ; the latter pre- vented him from rewarding the merit which he was so capable of discriminating. Of his libera- lity to poets, Lindsay and Stewart have by no means spoken in commendatory terms. " Let me first,- says Stewart, " enumerate the bounty of my chief and sovereign. To put his generosity to the test, he advanced as silently as a thief, and slipped into my hand a new-year's gift of two shillings." During his reign howe.ver knowledge began to be more generally diffused ; and that manly spirit of investigation was excited which was soon to produce the Reformation. The La- tin compositions of Boyce and Wilson, and the Scotish poems of Douglas, Lindsay, and Beilenden, exhibit no unfavourable specimens of the genius and taste of the age. Of these eminent writers, three were dignita- ries of the Scotish church ; Douglas, Bishop of Dunkeld, Beilenden, Archdeacon of Murray, Boyce, Canon of Aberdeen : and it would have been fortunate if such emoluments had always been conferred with equal discrimination. But they were too frequently lavished without auy regard to merit : many of the dignified clergy 7 Were men as devoid of learning as of piety *. The pernicious system of retaining benefices in com- mcndam was now tolerated in its utmost extent : the most opulent livings were commonly secured for the branches or for the retainers of powerful families ; and humble merit was in the mean time suffered to languish in obscurity. In other countries it was a frequent practice to supply oc- casional vacancies with foreigners of distinguish- ed attainments; and by this plan to increase the general respectability of the ecclesiastical esta- blishment. The wealth of the Scotish church, when compared with that of the nation at large, was enormous ; hut its guardians very seldom had recourse to this laudable expedient. The igno- rance and immorality of the ecclesiastics ' may be regarded as one of the principal caui.es which has- tened the momentous revolution in the national religion. The prelates seem at length to have been aware of the danger to which their establish- ment was exposed by an almost total neglect of divine and secular learning ; and to have exerted themselves in procuring such teachers as might be instrumental in supporting the tottering church, by initiating its future members in the necessary branches of erudition. In the year 1522 Alex- x " Pro optnnij et erodiu-jirruj iri, qui turn ex omni crbt- terrarum f erquLrtbantur, paulatim ign-viwirui quique ac sctlcratiisimi b.onun*s ad C&ctcrun: prxroia lubrepwrur.t." liGETiti! Scctoram Historic, f. 342. b. See Wilkins Cenci* M-g::* Briunui* c: Hil'.raijc^ vol. tv. p. 46 79 ander Myln, Abbot of Gambuskenneth, made a laudable effort to rescue his seminary from the ignorance by which it had been invaded. In his epistle to the abbot and monks of St Victor near Paris, he speaks in the following terms : " We stand in need of nothing so much as of an accession of learned men. Although in former times men of learning abounded in our monastery, yet at pre- sent they are almost completely extinct. Nor will their place be speedily supplied, unless we send a certain number of our most promising no- vices to the universities, where there is a greater frequency of literary exercises. But we do not hold it expedient for them to engage in secular studies ; and are therefore solicitous, that they should be educated in your college, in order that they may thus be familiarized with the manners and regulations of so excellent a seminary ; that they may acquire a complete knowledge of the sacred Scriptures, and may afterwards be instru- mental in the propagation of learning and piety 2 ." The result of this application is unknown. In the year 1528 Johannes Ferrerius, a lettered Pied- montese, visited Scotland in the train of the mu- nificent Robert Reid, Abbot of Kinloss, and after- wards Bishop of Orkney. For the space of about three years he continued at court with his patron: but he at length became disgusted with the ab- 7 Epistolx Regum Scotorum, vol, i. p. 536. 80 sence of studious leisure, and requested permission either to retire to the monastery of Kinloss, or to depart from the kingdom. The abbot was un- willing to consent to his departure : and Ferrerius now found a retreat in the convent, where he occupied himself in his private studies, and in superintending those of the other monks*. His labours in different departments of Scotish history entitle him to the gratitude of his successors 6 : and it is to be regretted that such a writer as Lord Hailes should have treated his literary cha- racter with undue severity . Ferrerius has un- doubtedly been betrayed into many errors : but a Ferrerii Hist. Monast. a Kenlos, col. 326. apud Martcnc et Durand. b Ferrerius is the author of several works. The following relate to Scotish history : " Historia Monasterii a Kenlos OrJinis Cisterciensis in Scotia a Johanne Ferrerio Pedemontano ejusdem monasterii monacho scripta anno 1537 {" published by Martene and Durand. (VeUrum Scrip- torum et Mcnumcntorum Collection torn. vi. Paris. 1 729, fol.) " De Origine et Incremento Familise Gordoniorum Compendium Historicum ;" MS. Advocates Library. " Boethii Scotorum Historix Continuatio ;" sub- joined to the second edition of Boyce's work. The following miscellaneous productions of Ferrerius were published at Paris in quarto : " Academica' de Animorum Immortalitate, ex sexto M. T. Ciceronis de Republica libro, Enarratio." 1539. " Auditum Visti prxstare, coutra vulgatum Aristotelis placitum, Academica Dissertatio." 1539. " Cicero, Poeta etiam Elegans, nedum Ineptus fuisse, contra vulga- tam Grammatistarum opinionem, asscritur." 1540. " De Vera Cometx Significatione, contra Astrologorum omnium vanitatem, Libellus." 1540. " Jo. Francisci Pici Miranduhe Domini de Animx Immortalitate docta et arguta Digressio, nunquam prius in Callus excusa: adjecimus huic Di- grc> ioni Jo. Ferrerii Peden-.ontani Entelechiam, cum nonnullis aliis." 1541. c Hailes's Examination of some of the Arguments for the High Anti- quity of Rrj'im Majeitatem. EJillb. 1769, 4t0. most of these errors were incident to a historian placed in such circumstances. These procrastinated exertions of the clergy were ineffectual ; the church could no longer re- tain her former influence over the minds of the people. When Queen Mary arrived at the years of maturity, she found the majority of her sub- jects intent upon that innovation which they so strenuously accomplished. The Catholics how- ever did not recede without contest. The arm of persecution had for the most part been restrained by the mildness of the reigning family ; but it is evident that several of the ecclesiastics were pi- ously disposed to secure the peace of the church by the death of its enemies. Some of its more amiable and accomplished members had recourse to the weapons of reason and learning. Quintin Kennedy, Commendator of Crossragwell, publish- ed a compendious treatise, with a view " to esta- blish the conscience of a Christian man in all such matters as were then in debate d ." This respect- able writer was also engaged in public disputa- d " Ane Compendius Tractiue conforme to the Scripturis of Almychtie God, Ressoun, and Atuhoritie, declaring the nerrest and onlie way to es- tablische the conscience of ane Christiane Man, in all materis quhilks ar in debate) concernyng Faith and Religioun." 1558,410. A copy of this very rare book belongs to the Advocates Library. Lesley informs us, that Kennedy published other works ; " duos, pr.xter alia opuscula, edi- dit libros" ( De Rebus Gestis Scotorum, p. 540) : but it is probable that they were only circulated in manuscript. His correspondence with Willox oc- curs in the appendix to Bishop Keith's History of Scotland. Vol. I. L 82 tions with Knox and Willox, two of the most /.ealous Reformers. But the most powerful cham- pion of the Catholics was Dr Ninian Winzct ; whose various productions entitle him to a con- spicuous place in our literary annals. He was a native of Renfrew, and educated for the church ; but it does not appear that he ever obtained any preferment in Scotland. He undertook the charge of the grammar-school of Linlithgow ; where, as he himself informs us, he spent about ten of the most flourishing years of his life. Being at length expelled by the Reformers, he sought refuge in Germany . His merits were too conspicuous to be overlooked ; and he was soon afterwards ap- e u At the command," says Winzet, " of Dene Patrik Kinloquhy, Prechcour in Linlythgow, and of his superintendent, gentil reedar, I, for denying only to subscriue thair phantasie and factioun of faith, wes ex- peUit and schott out of that my kyndly toun, and fra my tender freindis thair, quhais perpetuall kyndnes I hoipit that I had conquest, be die spend- ing about ten zeris of my niaist. flurissing aige, nocht without manifest vtilitie of thair commoun welth, and be all appcrance had obtenit sik fauour of thame as ony sik man micht haif of ony communitie." See the preface to his liuie of fourscir-tire Questions, tuecbing Doctrine, Ordour, ar.d Maner'u. Antwerp, Ij6,}, 8vo. This sensible production Keith has re- printed in his appendix, together with Winzct's Tract atis for Rtformatioun of Doctrine and Maneris. Edinb. I562, 4tO. A copy of the Questions is among Clement Little's books in the library of thtr*University of Edin- burgh. The same library contains a copy of the Tractatis, and an imper- fect copy of Winzet's Lcut Blast of the Trompet of Codis Worde aganis the t't::rtrit Auctoritie of fohitt Knox and his Calmimiant Brether, intrudit Precheouris. Edinb. 1561, 4to. This work was apparently unknown to Dr Mackenzie ar:d to Bishop Keith. In this library there is aUo a MS. copy of the , which however is curtailed of the introductory and of the con- cluding addieM. It be.irs the title of Cert dint Artie in ttitcbingt Doctrine, ?.:a. 83 pointed Abbot of the Scotish monastery at Ratis- bon. James Tyrie, a Jesuit, was another zealous writer, and of the same principles f . The most eminent defender of the Protestant tenets was John Knox, a man of vigorous under- standing, and of a very considerable share of ac- quired knowledge. He was engaged in several controversies ; and wrote with the same boldness with which he acted. The Reformed church, du- ring the first age of its progress, was far from be- ing deficient in men of learning. The works of Knox, Cockburn, Arbuthnot, Smeton, Rollock, Adamson, Pont, and Melvin, have been allowed to exhibit sufficient proofs of the literary qualifi- cations of the respective authors. PvEligious and civil liberty are inseparably con- nected. The indignant spirit which taught our ancestors to spurn at the tyranny of the Romish superstition, naturally produced a more rigid examination of the general principles of govern- ment. Their scrutinizing genius revived in its f Tyrie was engaged in a controversy with Knox. He had addrest a letter to his brother in order to detach him from the Protestant party : this letter was afterwards delivered to Knox, who published it together with his own animad versions. See his Answer to a Letter of a yes-oit named Tyrie. St Andrews, 1572, 8vo. At Paris in 1573 Tyrie printed his own letter with the answer of his antagonist, and a reply to that answer. According to Dempster (Scotia Jllustrior, p. 50. Lugd. Bat. 1620, 8vo.), this learned Jesuit was the author of a work published under the name of George Thomson; De Antieems to have been the first scholar who caught from the ancients the noble flame of republican enthusiasm. This praise is merited by his neg- lected, though incomparable tract, De Jure Regni, in which the principles of popular politics, and the maxims of a free government, are delivered with a precision, and enforced with an energy, which no former age had equalled, and no suc- ceeding has surpassed*." The independent spirit which animated Buchanan had been cherished, at least in some degree, by Mair and Boyce. These two writers, instead of representing the great bo- dy of the people as born to gratify the caprice of a few privileged individuals, have generally vin- dicated the unalienable rights of mankind. 'i Mackintosh's Defence of the French Revolution, sect. v. 85 The publication of Buchanan's work was un~ doubtedly productive of important consequences : it has perhaps contributed to establish the prin- ciples of political freedom on a more permanent basis ; and it is at least evident that it promoted a more manly spirit of inquiry than had formerly prevailed. The doctrines which it unfolded were 60 different from those which till then had com- monly been taught, that a violent ferment ensued. Buchanan' 1 : treatise De Jure Regni apud Seotos, as Well as his history, was, after its incomparable author's death, prohibited by a contemptible sta- tute of the Scotish parliament : and his royal pu- pil, in the precepts addrest to Prince Henry, has been graciously pleased to pronounce the lat- ter an infamous libel*. The earliest and perhaps the most learned of his formal antagonists were his countrymen Black- wood, Winzet, and Barclay. Adam Blackwood, Professor of Law in the University of Poictiers, was a scholar of no mean reputation. He had al- ready exhibited different proofs of his zeal' 1 : and on the present occasion he was the first advocate who advanced to plead the sacred cause of kings. Dr Ninian Winzet, who was formerly engaged in a dispute with Knox, now entered the lists against b K. James's Workes, p. 176. Lond. 161 6, fol. i Blackwood wrote a treatise De Conjunctions Religionis ct Imperii. Paris. I J 75) 8vro. A collective edition of his works was published at Paris in $644 in a quarto form ; with an elogium of the author by Gabrit I Natidc. 86 a more powerful adversary. This writer, a man of learning and ingenuity, was possest of more candour than the generality of his ecclesiastical brethren ; but his sentiments with regard to po- litics and religion were necessarily tinctured with some degree of abjectness and superstition. Dif- ferent ages yield to the current of different opi- nions : and the baneful contagion of party has in-r fested the political writers of every age. The ami, able Dr Berkeley, a scholar and a man of genius who flourished during the eighteenth century, de- based his noble faculties by inculcating, in two metaphysical discourses preached before the Uni- versity of Dublin, the monstrous doctrine of pas- sive obedience. Buchanan's political sentiments were again formally controverted by Dr William Barclay, Professor of Law in the University of Pontamousson. Barclay's treatise De Regno et Re- gali Potestate is a work of various erudition, but somewhat obnoxious to the charge of prolixity j . j i. Blacvodxi ad versus Gcorgii Buchanani Dialogum, De Jure Regni ^pud Scotos, pro Regibus Apologia. Pictav. 1581, 410. a. Winzeti I-'lagellum Sectariorum qui Religionis Prztextu Seditiones jam in Ca:sarem aut in alios Orthodoxos Principes excitare student, qua> rentes, ineptusimc quideni, Depne magis an Principibus sit obediendum ? Accessit Velitatio in Georgium Bucbananum circa Dialogum quern scripsit ilc Jure Regni apud Scotos. Ingolstad. 1582, 4to. 3. Barclaius de Regno et Regali Potestate, adversus Buchananum, Brutuni, Boucheriuni, et reliquos Monarchomachos. Paris. 1600, 4to. Besides Buchanan, Blackwood, Winzet, and Barclay, Scotland about this period had produced several other political writers. Knox undertook to demonstrate, tlut " to promote a woman to beare rule, tuperioritie, ..ion, or empire, about any realme, nation, or citie, is repugnant to 87 He is also the author of another political produc- tion, De Potestate Papa ; which the learned Me- nage has pronounced excellent \ Of the Scotish writers who flourished during the sixteenth .century, few are entitled to a more conspicuous place than Florence Wilson ; a scholar whose attainments have been comme- morated by Buchanan and Sadolet ', His beau- nature, contumelie to God ; a thing most contrarious to his reueled will and approued ordinance ; and finallie that it is the subuersion of good or- der, of all equitie and iustice." (The First Blast of the Trumpet against the Monstrvovs Regiment of Women, f. 9. a. 1558, 8vo.) k John Barclay, the son of this eminent civilian, and himself a polite scholar of merited reputation, has generally been classed among the Sco- tish writers ; but impartiality compels us to transfer him to another learn- ed nation. In affirming that he was born at Aberdeen, Sir Thomas Pope Blount is guilty of a manifest error. fCensura Celehriorum Authorum, p. 933. ) His mother was a native of France, and he was born, as well as educated, in that country ; circumstances which evidently deprive Scotland of the honour that she has arrogated. If Barclay is still to be ranked among the ornaments of North Britain, our claims are equally valid with respect to Adrian Turnebus, Count Hamilton, and Dr Brown. The father of Alex- ander More or Morus, the learned antagonist of Milton, was also a native of Scotland. (Bayle, Dictionnaire Historique et Critique, torn. iii. p. 434.) John Johnston, M. D. the author of various works on natural history, and of a dissertation De Festis Gracorum reprinted in the seventh volume of Gronovius's Gracarum Antiquitatum Thesaurus, was probably the descen- dant of a Scotish family. Poland, his native country, was formerly re- plenished with Scotish emigrants : if we may credit a notable traveller, it contained, during the seventeentli century, no fewer than thirty thou- sand Scotish families. (William Lithgow's Nineteen Tears Travels, p. 402.) A person whose father is of one country, and his mother of another, can- not be said to belong exclusively to either of the two countries. Indivi- duals of tins description the Greeks designated by the term {/'{lot;, the Latins by the term bigeneres. 1 Sadoleti EpUtohe, p. 227. 639. 657. edit. Lugduni, 1554, 8vo. 88 tiful dialogue Be Animi TranquiIIitate n , which he is supposed to have formed on the exquisite model of Cebes", is written in a style of Latin ity n Florentius Voluseous de Animi Tranquillitate. Lugduni apud Gry- piiium, 1543, 4to. Edinb. IJ7f t 8vo. Hag. Com. 164a, 8vo. Edinb. 1707, 8 vo. Edinb. 1751, 8vo. The fourth edition was superintended by Mr Ruddiman, the fifth by Dr Wishart. Meiners, in a late dissertation De Quiluudum Sxraticorum Religuiji, ho* decisively stated it as his opinion, that the work ascribed to Cebes is the production of some adept in the philosophy of Zeno. {Commentatiovei Gdtiiigauej, vol. v.) But in forming this conclusion, he has apparently been bewildered by a series of erroneous suppositions. The arguments by which Wolfius, Berkelius, Meiners, and other critics, have endeavour* ed to detect its spuriousneas, could not be conveniently discussed within the limited compass of a note ; but it may perhaps be excusable to re- capitulate such as appear most plausible. 1. It has often been urged that this production contains an enumera- tion of Epicureans, Peripatetics, and critics ; names totally unknown during the age of Cebes. But without any impropriety we may sup- pose, that these words are an interpolation, and, as a very learned writer conjectures, have been transferred from the margin to the text. ( Bru- ckeri Materia Crkita Pbiksiphut, voL i. p. 58a; Accidents of this nature, it is well known, have " happened, not merely in hundreds or thousands but in millions of places." (Porson's Letters to Trrvu, p. 149) In quoting the passage with which we now find them connected, Chalcidiu* makes no reference to these literary denominations : but in affirming that they do not occur in the Arabic version published by Sabnasius, Fabricius has fallen into an inadvertency. {Bibliolltc* Ur*ca, vol. ii. p. 70 3. edit. Harles.) a. M. Sevin objects that the author of the tahlature <*pr;ik* of paper, an invention with whuh Cebes must have hecn altogether unacquainted. {Hiit. de l' Acad, dts Intcnft. torn. ii. ) Pliny has indeed affirmed, that paper was not introduced into Greece till the time of Alexander the Great. ( NaturnHs H'uttria, lib. xiii. II.) M. Sevin and his brethren ought however to have been aware of a controversy which formerly arose with respect to this subject. Melchior Guilandinus a writer of some reputation, published an ample comnH-mary (1:1 that part of work which relates to the history of paj it. After an examination <>l various | the ancient 'ik writers, he finds himself auth 89 which even that age did not very frequently- attain. Henry Scrimger, Professor of the Civil Law in the College of Geneva, maintained the reputation of an able civilian and a profound philologer ; but a very small portion of his learned labours has been preserved for the benefit of posterity. His edition of the Greek Novells was printed by H. Stephanus in the year 1558 : and this is almost the only work which he is known to have committed to the press. He had however pre- pared editions of various ancient authors ; among others, of Demosthenes, Strabo, Polybius, Athe- to conclude, that before the period specified by Pliny, the Greeks were acquainted with this most important commodity, though it perhaps was not till the age of Alexander, that its utility was generally diffused. {Comment, in Tria Plinii de Papyro Capita, p. 20. edit. Venet. IJ72, 4t0.) Joseph Scaliger, in a style somewhat too acrimonious, afterwards wrote strictures on this commentary of Guilandinus ; in which he endeavours, with his usual sagacity, to explode the hypothesis of his antagonist. (Scaligeri Opuscula. Paris. 1610, 4to. The Italian professor, by propa- gating the fabula Burdonum, had excited the violent resentment of Scali- ger ; who was therefore little disposed to view his speculations with a favourable eye. But in the opinion of a very competent judge, Guilan- dinus has established the hypothesis which he proposes. (Vossius De Arte Grammatka, p. 1 3 4.; Scaliger however has undoubtedly pointed out several flaws in the texture of his work. 3. Although Cebes, it has also been alleged, was a philosopher of the Socratic school, yet the author of the dialogue which bears his name has rejected the tenets of Socrates, and adopted those of Pytha- goras. But if the work were actually found to contain doctrines irre- concilable with those of Socrates, no argument to prove that it was not composed by one of his disciples, could thence be deduced : the author plainly intimates an intention to avail himself of the peculiar tenets of Pythagoras and Parmenides. Vol. I. M 9<> rueus, the ecclesiastical history of Eusebjus, aiui the philosophical works of Cicero. After his de- cease, which took place in the year 1572, his friend Buchanan requested Christopher Plantin of Antwerp to undertake their impression. This eminent printer expressed his readiness to publish such Latin authors as had been emended and il- lustrated by so excellent a scholar as Scrimger; but, on account of the troubles which then pre- vailed, declined entering into any immediate en- gagement with respect to Greek writers". It does not however appear that any of these medi- tated editions were ever published. Scrimger's MSS, as well as his library, which Buchanan and Thuanus represent as valuable, were bequeathed to his nephew Sir Peter Young ; but with their final destiny I am totally unacquainted. That they are still preserved in some repository, is by no means improbable : and the man who is so fortunate as to redeem them from obscurity, shall assuredly be thought to have merited well from the republic of letters. The erudition of Scrim- ger was admired by Buchanan, Casaubon, Cu- jacius, and other exquisite censors of literary de- sert. Thuanus has inserted a sketch of his life in the history of his own times r : and Casaubon repeatedly mentions his philological attainments in terms of high respect q . Buchanani F.pistolx, p. 13. edit, Ruddiman. P Thuiiii Hit. mi Terr.porit, torn. iii. p. 69. * " Quantum ad tarn rem (ecundam fdficet et emenditiorem Poly- 91 Edward Henryson, Professor of Law in the University of Bourges, was equally celebrated as a civilian and as a humanist r . Two of his juridi- cal works have found admission into he great collection of Meerman s . During the period un- der our present review Scotland could boast of several eminent professors of the civil and canon laws ; of Scrimger, Henryson, Blackwood, and Barclay: but the history and the principles of our municipal law had not hitherto found a sagacious and learned investigator. Sir John Skene, on whom Dempster has bestowed undue praise \ was but indifferently qualified for the task which he undertook. Alexander Hales, Professor of Divinity in the University of Leipzig, was possest of erudition bii editionem) adjuvare nos tux iilae notx Scrimgerianae queant, ne dici quidem potest. Nobis res futura est jucundissima, per eum virum profi- cere, cujus memoriam magna veneratione coiimus." Casauboni Epistolx, p. 832. Scrimger is frequently mentioned in the writings of the eminent civi- lians. See, among other instances, Heineccius, Elementa Juris Civilis se- cundum Ordincm Institutionum, p. 6, and Albericus Gentilis, De Juris Inter- pretibus Dialogi sex, f. 33. a. Lond. 1582, 4to. Two of his letters occur in Ruddiman's edition of Buchanan : another, addrest to H. Stephanas, appears in the collection of Golctastus, entitled PbUologicarum Lpistolarum centuria una Diverserum a renatis Uteris Dodissimorum Virorutn. Francofurti, 1610, 8vo. r Quesnel's Bihliniheca TLuana, torn. ii. p. 7. mentions " Plutarchi Comment. Stoicorum Contrariorum, Eduardo Henrysone inteiprett." Lugduni, 1555, 8vo. Of this very rare book I have never been so for- tunate as to procure a sight. s Meerman. Novus Thesaurus Juris Civilis et Canor.ici, torn. ii!. ; Denpiter. ad Rosinum, p. 395. b. edit. Amst. 1685, 4ta M 2 92 which Melanchthon, Beza, and Camerarius, con- sidered as highly respectable. The persecution which prevailed in his native country, constrain- ed him to seek refuge in Germany; where he soon acquired the esteem of many distinguished individuals. His learning and moderation recom- mended him to the cordial friendship of Philip Melanchthon ; a man who possest the same qua- lities in no ordinary degree. In the Epistola of this celebrated reformer, Hales is exhibited in a favourable point of view. Joachimus Camerari- us, who, according to Scioppius, was the most learned writer of the age u , has represented him as a man of uncommon dignity, and of exquisite erudition v . Beza regards him as one of the prin- cipal ornaments of Scotland w . And Thuanus commemorates his death as an event of some moment in the republic of letters \ u Scioppius de Arte Critica, p. 7. v " Accesserunt et alii, et ex Acadcmia Lipsensi Alexander Alesim patria Scotus, valde carus Philippo Melanchthoni, rei theologies intelli- gentissimus, et artifex excellens congruentium disputationum, et vir dig- nitate atque doctrina exquisita pnestans." Camerarii Vita Melanchthonit, p. 329. w " Quod Scotia et Anglia neglexerant, arripuit avidissimc Saxonia, ut qux exceptum Alcsium ad mortem usque foverit, doctis omnibus cha- rum, magno illi przsertim Philippo Melanchthoni tarn probatum, ut ilium sibi prx czteris ad pacandam Norimbergensem ecclesiam, Osiandri deliriis turbatam adscisceret, solide videlicet ac sincere veriutem adversus sophistas tueri consuetum, quod ipsius quoque scripta, pauca quidem ilia, ted eruditionis et judicii plena, demonstrant." Beza Icones Virorum Doctrina simul et Pietate lllustrium, sig. F f. 3. Geneva:, 1580, 4to. x Tbuani Hist, sui Tcmporis, torn. u. p. 466. 93 Hales and Knox were the most intimate friends of John Bale, Bishop of Ossory, during his tem- porary residence on the continent y . He has de- dicated the fourteenth century of his Scriptores Britannia " to his excellent and dearest brothers in Christ, Alexander Hales and John Knox, men distinguished by their piety and learning." The writings of Hales, in the opinion of Beza, display much erudition and judgment'. They have now become extremely rare z . Robert Rollock, the first Principal of the Uni- versity of Edinburgh, is the author of various theological works ; of which Archbishop Spots- wood entertained so favourable an opinion, as to wish them republished in a collective form. His name is inserted in Quenstedt's catalogue of il- lustrious writers a . His character seems to have been that of a pious, modest, and learned man. Such was the progress of Scotish literature from the earliest ages to the period of the union. The * H. H. Heralogia Anglica, p. 166. z A brief sketch, entitled " Alexander Alesius, Scotus, de Edinburgo," occurs in Sebastian Munster's Casmografhia Universalis, p. 51. Basil. 1559, fol. The different publications of Hales are enumerated, probably with little accuracy, by Dr Mackenzie. (Lives of Scots Writers, vol. ii. p. 183.) An account of his life may be found in Mackenzie's work, in Tanner'g BiUiatheca Britannico-Hibernica, p. 28. and in Strype's Memorials of Arch- bishop Cranmer, p. 402. Lond. 1 694, foL The Latin name of this writer is Alesius. He is termed Aless by Strype, Alesse by Mackenzie, and Alane by Tanner. In Buckley's edi- tion of Thuanus his real name is apparently assigned. a Quenstedt de Patriis Illustrium Virorum, p. io?-. 94 influence of that memorable event on the na- tional genius has been so happily unfolded by Dr Robertson, that it would be superfluous to offer any apology for adopting his observations : " At the very time when other nations were be- ginning to drop the use of Latin in works of taste, and to make trial of the strength and com- pass of their own languages, Scotland ceased to be a kingdom. The transports of joy, which the accession at first occasioned, were soon over : and the Scots, being at once deprived of all the ob- jects that refine or animate a people ; of the pre- sence of their prince, of the concourse of nobles, of the splendour and elegance of a court, an uni- versal dejection of spirits seems to have seized the nation. The court being withdrawn, no do- mestic standard of propriety and correctness of speech remained ; the few compositions that Scot- land produced were tried by the English stand- ard, and every word or phrase that varied in the least from that, was condemned as barbarous ; whereas, if the two nations had continued dis- tinct, each might have retained idioms and forms of speech peculiar to itself ; and these, rendered fashionable by the example of a court, and sup- ported by the authority of writers of reputation, might have been considered in the same light with the varieties occasioned by the different dialects in the Greek tongue ; might have been considered as beauties; and, in many cases, might 95 have been used promiscuously by the authors of both nations. But, by the accession, the Eng- lish naturally became the sole judges and law- givers in language, and rejected as solecisms, every form of speech to which their ear was not accustomed. Nor did the Scots, while the in- tercourse between the two nations was incon- siderable, and ancient prejudices were still so violent as to prevent imitation, possess the means of refining their own tongue according to the purity of the English standard. On the con- trary, new corruptions flowed into it from every different source. The clergy of Scotland, in that age, were more eminent for piety than for learn- ing ; and though there did not arise many au- thors among them, yet being in possession of the privilege of discoursing publicly to the people, and their sermons being too long, and perhaps too frequent, such hasty productions could not be elegant ; and many slovenly and incorrect modes of expression may be traced back to that original. The pleadings of lawyers were equally loose and inaccurate ; and that profession having furnished more authors, and the matters of which they treat mingling daily in common discourse and business, many of those vicious forms of speech, which are denominated Scotticisms, have been introduced by them into the language. Nor did either the language or public taste receive any improvement in parliament, where a more 9f> liberal and more correct eloquence might have been expected. All business was transacted there by the lords of articles, and they were so servile- ly devoted to the court, that few debates arose ; and, prior to the revolution, none were conduct- ed with the spirit and vigour natural to a popu- lar assembly b ." Of the state of Scotish literature from the union of the two crowns till that of the two kingdoms, a very unjust estimate has frequently been formed. Its progress during that period was indeed retarded by the circumstances which Dr Robertson has so judiciously traced ; but the nation was very far from being so barren in inge- nuity and learning as it has sometimes been re- presented. " Not one writer who does the least credit to the nation," if we may rely on Mr Pink- erton, " flourished during the century from 1615 to 1 715, excepting Burnet, whose name would indeed honour the brightest period. In particu- lar no poet whose works merit preservation arose." These unqualified assertions must astonish every one who has examined the subject with any de- gree of attention : they are at least as consonant to truth as the same author's remark, that " there is not one Greek writer on law." To the period specified by Mr Pinkerton, we may even assign Napier, the celebrated inventor of the logarithms ; fc Robertson's Hirtory of Scotland, voL iii. p. 196. 97 to whom, as Mr Hume affirms, the title of a great man is more justly due than to any other whom his country has ever produced . Mr Pinkerton certainly considered the poems of Drummond as worthy of preservation; for he has announced his intention of honouring them with a new edi- tion. Instead of launching into declamation, I shall endeavour, by cool enquiry, to ascertain the lite, rary pretensions of our countrymen during the interval between the year 1603 and the year 1707. When King James succeeded to the throne of England, it became fashionable for our poets to wnte in the language of that country. William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, who died in 1640, is c Napier wa, born in 1550 and died in i6r 7 . Some of hi. works were perhaps composed ^after the year ,. His R bahdologia was pub . Uhriu.1617, some of ms posthumous tracts appeared in 16x9 -Thefol W ing quo tauon presents Napier in the light of an agriculturist : The" 3 of Oober, (1598) ane proclamation of the laird of Merk.stoun that he tmk upone hand to make the land mair profitable nor it wes' befou-, be the sawmg of salt upone it." (Birrel's Di^ey, p. 47 . apud DaI . Owen ha, written an epigram in allusion to Napier's famous calcula- tion respecting the duration of the world : Nonaginta duos durabit mundus in annos; Mundus ad arbitrium si stat obitque tuum. Cur mundi finem propiorem non facis ? Ut ne Ante obitum mendax arguere ? Sapis. AuoENi Epigrammata, p. 46. Vol. I. N 98 the author of a variety of poetical productions, which have always been allowed to possess ho in- considerable share of merit. They are not indeed distinguished by much of the enthusiasm of poetry; but the taste in which they are compos- ed is correct and manly. He may be regarded as one of the writers who at this period contri- buted to support the reputation of Scotish litera- ture. Sir Robert Aytoun, another accomplished courtier, has also cultivated English poetry: and the specimens with which he has presented us, are such as must induce us to regret their pau- city. But these writers must yield the prece- dency to the celebrated William Drummond of Hawthornden ; a poet w T hose w r ritings continue to be admired in the present age of refinement. Of the repute in which they were formerly held, the following observations of Edward Phillips may enable us to judge : " To say that these poems are the effects of a genius, the most polite and verdant that ever the Scottish nation produced/ although it be a commendation not to be rejec- ted, (for it is well known, that that country hath afforded many rare and admirable wits) yet it is not the highest that may be given him ; for should I affirme that neither Ta^jo, nor Guarini, nor any of the most neat and refined spirits of Italy, nor even the choicest of our English poets, can challenge to themselves any advantages above him, it could not be judged any attribute superi- 99 our to what he deserves; nor shall I thinkeit any arrogance to maintain, that among all the severall fancies, that in these times have exercised the most nice and curious judgements there hath not come forth any thing that deserves to be wel- com'd into the world with greater estimation and applause : And though he hath not had the fortune to be so generally fam'd abroad, as many others, per- haps, of lesse esteeme, yet this is a consideration that cannot at all diminish, but rather advance his credit ; For by breaking forth of obscurity he will attract the higher admiration, and, like the sun emerging from a cloud, appeare at length with so much the more forcible rayes. Had there been nothing extant of him but his History of Scot- land, consider but the language, how florid and ornate it is ; consider the order, and the prudent conduct of his story, and you will ranke him in the number of the best writers, and compare him even with Thuanus himselfe. Neither is he lesse happy in his verse than prose : for here are all those graces met together that conduce any thing toward the making up of a compleat and perfect poet ; a decent and becomming majesty, a brave and admirable height, and a wit so flowing, that Jove himselfe never dranke nectar that sparkled with more spritly lustre' 1 ." d See the preface to Phillips's edition of Poems by that most famous ivif, William Drummond of Haivtborndcn, Lond. 1656, 8vo. la 1659 the same edition was exhibited with a new and fantastic title ; " The most XT o 100 The number of our countrymen who about this period cultivated English poetry with any degree of success, is inconsiderable ; but in the depart- ment of Latin poetry they maintained an emi- raent station among the scholars of the age. An- drew Melvin, Principal of New College, St An- drews, was a frequent writer both of Latin prose and verse. His poetry has been highly commend- ed by Dempster, a man of very different princi- ples. Dempster was himself a poet of sufficient fancy ; but neither his prose nor his verse is pos- sest of much elegance. His Musca is however one of the few Latin poems, written by natives of Scotland, which the learned Mr Wasse, in his Memorial concerning the Desiderata in Learning, has recommended for republication 6 . David Hume of Godscroft also claims a station among poets of this class ; but he seldom or never rises above medi- ocrity. Andrew Ramsay, Professor of Divinity in elegant and elaborate Poems of that great court-wit, Mr William Drum- mond : whose labours both in verse and prose being heretofore so pre- cious to Prince Henry and to King Charles, shal live and flourish in all ages whiles there are men to read them, or art and judgment to approve 'hem." e Bibliotheca Literaria, No. iii. p. II. Had Mr Wasse been more in- timately acquainted with the Latin poetry of Scotland, he would undoubt- edly have recommended a much greater number of pieces. His knowledge of our writer* was evidently imperfect. The few lines which he has written on the subject of the Scotish poets contain two mistakes- The publication of the Dclitia Poctarum Siotorum he refers to the year i6i'y; whereas this collection did not appear till 1637. Among other poems, he specifies " Barclai P. Hendicas." From these words it appears that he apposed William Barclay, M. D. to have been the father of John B JOI the University of Edinburgh, has been extolled by Lauder as one of the greatest of modern poets : and more impartial judges have represented him as a writer of no mean attainments. His merits are celebrated in one of the epigrams of Johnston: he is also mentioned with commendation in the dissertations of Olaus Borrichius, a learned Danish, critic f ; and, unless my memory deceive me, in Dr Newton's annotations on Milton s . The Vir- gilius Evangelisans of Dr Alexander Ross posses- ses much merit as a cento. But the most distin- guished successor of Buchanan in this department of literature was Dr Arthur Johnston ; a writer whose purity of diction and suavity of numbers have procured him a high reputation h . The dis- pute which was formerly agitated with respect to the comparative excellence of Buchanan and Johnston, will in all probability neVer be revived : but a poet may be much inferior to Buchanan, and at the game time much above the vulgar stan- dard. David Wedderburn, the friend of Johnston, and a grammarian of considerable eminence, was also a successful cultivator of this branch of lite- f Borrichii Dissertat. Academ. de Poetic, p. 155. An elegant edition of Ramsay's Poemata Sacra occurs in Lauder's Delectus Auctorum Sacrorum Mi'.tono Fucem Prijtolje, p. 304. Lond. 1670, fol.) J Persius Enucleatus, sive Commentarius ex;.ctis,inius et niaxime per- spicuus in Fersium, Poetarum omnium diflic illinium, studio Davidis Wed- derburni, Scoti, Abredonensis. Opus posthumum. Amst. 1664, izrao. k The first volume of this collection contains poems by Archbishop Adamson, Henry Anderson, Sir Robert Aytoun, John Barclay, William 103 collection reflects no trivial honour on the literary character of the nation ; but it is to be regretted that the editor, Dr Johnston, did not exercise greater severity of judgment in selecting the ma- terials. King, Leech, Panther, and many other Scotishmen who flourished about this period, have also been commended for their Latin poetry. In Scotland this faculty was indeed so common, that when King James visited Perth in the year 1617, several copies of Latin verses were produced by merchants or rather tradesmen 1 . The second name which occurs in the list of contributors to the Deli- tia Poetarum Scotorum, is that of Henry Ander- son, a merchant in Perth. Nor in the mean time were other branches of literature neglected. The following enumeration will farther demonstrate the precipitancy of those Barclay, M. D. Mark Alexander Boyd, Principal Boyd, Sir Thomas Craig, James Crichton, George Crichton, Henry Danskin, Thomas Dempster, LL.D. David Echlin, Peter Goldman, James Halkerston, David Hume, Arthur Johnston, M. D. and John Johnston, D. D. The second contains the contributions of David Kynloch, M. D. Principal Melvin, James Malcolm, Lord Thirlstane, Thomas Maitland, Thomas Murray, Adam King, Thomas Reid, John Rose, Andrew Ramsay, Her- cules Rollock, Alexander Ross, D. D. John Scot, Sir John Scot, Thomas Seggat, George Strahan, George Thomson, Florence Wilson, and Da- vid Wedderburn. The most conspicuous contributors to Lauder's collection are Archbishop Adamson, Dr A. Johnston, Principal Boyd, William Hogg, and John Ker, Professor of Humanity at Edinburgh. This collection is entitled Poetarum Scotorum Musis Sacra. Edinb. 1 739, % torn. 8vq. 1 Cant's edition of Adamson ' Poems, vol. ii. p. 98. 104 writers who have represented this period as exhi- biting a total blank in our literary annals. William Bellenden, Professor of Humanity in the University of Paris, was one of the most ele- gant scholars who flourished during the seven- teenth century. His three books De Statu are known to every man of letters : and it is sufficient praise to say, that they have been found capable of attracting the attention of an editor so accom- plished as Dr Parr m . On the ingenuity, learning, and taste of Bellenden, this excellent scholar has bestowed unreserved commendation. Bellenden's posthumous work, De Tribus Lumi- nibus Romanorum, though it extends to no fewer than eight hundred and twenty-four pages in fo- lio, is only to be considered as a fragment". The first of these three ornaments of Rome is Cicero ; and the other two whom he had in view, are sup- posed to have been Seneca and the elder Pliny. The apparent object of that portion of his work which is completed, is to combine, in a historical form, such of the observations and sentiments of Cicero as relate to the religious and political af- fairs of Rome. His plan is executed in such a manner as to display the spirit and essence of the Gulieimi Bellendeni de Sutu libri tres, (ex recensione et cum prjo fctione Samuelu Pakr, LL.D.) Lond. 1787, 8vo. n Gulieimi Belkndeni, Scoti, Magistri Supplicum Libellorum Augutti Regis Magnx Britannix, de Tribus Luminibus Romanorum libri sex-de- cm. Pari*. 1634, fol. 105 Roman history. The latter part of the work, or that which relates to the times of Cicero himself, is very copious ana* satisfactory. The Epistles of Cicero have furnished him with a historical detail similar to that exhibited in the biography of Dr Middleton : and Dr Parr has asserted in the strong- est terms, that Middleton has not only selected many valuable materials from the production of Bellenden, but, when it suits his purpose, has even retained their form as well as their substance. The critical opinions of Dr Parr are unquestionably of high authority ; but the admirers of Middleton may still urge, and with some appearance of reason, that such marks of plagiarism are extremely equi- vocal. As the materials which he is supposed to have purloined lie scattered through the works of Cicero, they are accessible to every scholar : and as Bellenden and Middleton had nearly the same object in view, it need not excite our astonish- ment, that two scholars, possest of the same ele- gance of taste, should conduct their researches on similar principles. Bellenden has been solicitous to retain the iden- tical expressions of his favourite author ; and, by means of a skilful combination, has exhibited a production of no trivial importance. This work, says Dr Parr, displays the highest ingenuity and industry. Whatever in the various writings of Cicero is either sagaciously conceived or elegant- ly exprest, Bellenden has adapted to one great Vol. I. O 10(i plan, and exhibited in a more splendid view. He therefore who is familiarly acquainted with this performance, will be enabled to appreciate the ge- nius of antiquity, and to profit by the examples which it supplies : he will obtain an extensive knowledge of the jurisprudence and political science of the Romans ; and, as from a splendid store-house, may select all the varieties of exqui- site diction". What plan Bellenden proposed to adopt in re- lation to Seneca and Pliny, cannot easily be ascer- tained. It may perhaps be regarded as no absurd conjecture, that, by availing himself of their pro- ductions, he intended to exhibit an enlarged view of the physical and intellectual science of the Romans p . Parr, Praefat. ad Bellenden, p. kx. P Of this eminent scholar, the following is the only biographical no- tice which I have been able to discover : " Gulielmus Bellendenus, sive Ballantinus, honestissimo bonarum artium studio Parisiis inclaruit Profes- *->r in Academia, patronus causarum in supremo Galliarum senatu, turn demum Oratoris munere honestatus a principibus suis, Reginx Mari.-e fiLioque Jacobo fidelem operani navavit ; a quo posteriori Magistri Libel- lorum Supplicum elogio honorifico est donatus. Ejus sunt Princeps Cice- ronis, lib. i. Orator Ciceronis, lib. i. Senator Cireronis, lib. i. In Omnia Ciceronis Opera Obiervationes, lib. L Vivit adhuc Lutetia:, et plura rao- litur." DEMT3TER. Hist. Ecclesiast. Gent. Scotor. p. no;. The following notices may also serve a> a supplement to those collect- ed by I)r Parr. Bellenden's work De Tribus I.uminiltts Romanorum is mentioned, though in very inaccurate terms, by Philip l.abbe (Bibliothcca BiUiotbtcarum, p. Il8.)j whose statement lias evidently been copied by Konig, in his Bibliotbrca f'.t.n ct Neva, p. 97. Altdorf. 1678, fol. I I:s name dot .not. occur in the treatise of Hankius J)t Rcrum Romanarun 107 Thomas Dempster, LL.D. Professor of Huma- nity in the University of Bologna, was another of those scholars who supported the reputation of Scotish literature during the seventeenth century. Whatever may be his character with respect to veracity, his writings confessedly exhibit vestiges of uncommon erudition. His learning, it must however be admitted, was much superior to his sagacity. Archbishop Usher has very properly characterized him as a man of extensive reading, but neither possest of veracity nor of judgment : nor need we suppose with Sir George Mackenzie, that in pronouncing such a decision, this excel- lent prelate was actuated by resentment, on ac- count of the critical severity with which Dempster has treated his uncle Richard Stanihurst. The catalogue of Dempster's writings is asto- nishingly ample : but his most remarkable produc- tion is that which he improperly entitles Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum. Instead of an ec- clesiastical history of Scotland, he presents us with a list of Scotish authors and saints. As he composed his work in Italy, where few Scotish books could be procured, it would have been al- most impossible for him to proceed with any high degree of accuracy: but many of his errors, as toribus, nor in that of Jonsius Dc Scr'iptoribus Historic Philosophic* ; though the subjects which he has chosen, and the manner in which he has treated them, ought to have procured him a place in each of their ca- talogues. O 2 108 the most charitable of his readers must admit, are not the result of inadvertency, but of an inten- tion to mislead. A more fabulous work never aspired to the character of history : a large pro- portion of the names which replenish his list is fictitious ;* and his anecdotes of those writers who actually existed ought always to be received with the utmost caution. In extenuation of his fabu- lous propensity, it may however be remarked that he lived in an age when such fabrications seem to have been considered as excusable, if not me- ritorious. National vanity may, at certain asras of literary history, impel men of no depraved dis- position to adopt a mode of procedure which a future age is to regard as infamous. Of the mo- ral turpitude of Boyce and Dempster, no suffi- cient evidence has ever been produced ; but, on the contrary, they have generally been represent- ed as men of sincerity and worth q . Yet, for the honour of Scotland, they have assumed the pri- vilege of amassing an immense collection of poeti- cal fictions, which they would willingly persuade q Dempster is however represented by the elegant Erythrxus a a mnn of an irritable and even ferocious disposition : " Nescio quo pacto, hie nostri xtate, rnansuetissimx illx orore9, summa animi voluntatr, compkxx sunt Thomam Dempsterum, Scotum, hominem factum ad belh ct contentiooet, quippe qui leviter re vel verbo lacessitus, c*ontinu6 ad anna rixasque decurreret : nullum ferme diem i concertationibus vacuum prxterire sintbat, quin videlicet cum aliquo vel ferro decerneret, vel, si ftrrum minus suppcteret, pugnis rem ageret ; quo fiebat, ut esset pada- gogii omnibus formidabilis." (Pinacotbeca Imjginum Illui'.rium Dectrrrtt i"l Ingrnii Loudr Piromrn, torn. i. n. 24.) 109 the world to receive as historical truths. The brilliancy of their imagination exceeded the in- tegrity of their understanding : and when the reputation of their native country interfered, they seem to have been nearly incapable of dis- tinguishing truth from falsehood. Nor is Demp- ster much more fabulous than the earlier literary historians of England; the writings of Leland, Bale, and Pitts, are adorned with many a tale which it is unnecessary to suppose that these au- thors seriously believed. From a writer who flourished in the eighteenth century, a more judi- cious production might reasonably have been ex- pected : and yet in the biographical work of Bishop Tanner we find no very wide departure from the inglorious tract of his predecessors. Our countryman Dr George Mackenzie, the cotem- porary of Tanner, is a literary historian of a still inferior class : his work is the most shapeless mass of inert matter that ever solicited the attention of the learned world. But the errors and defi- ciencies of such writers as these are perhaps en- titled to a large portion of our indulgence : few judicious models of literary history had hitherto been exhibited ; and the materials for the works which these different authors have attempted,. must in general have been slight and insufficient. With the same materials, more perfect works might undoubtedly have been formed : but they who have experienced the innumerable difhcul- 110 ties of such undertakings, will probably be dis- posed to extend abundance of clemency towards Leland, Bale, and their fellow labourers. In this department of literature the British writers have seldom been very successful : among those who have ventured back to more remote aeras, the precedency, next to the admirable Warton, is certainly due to Dr Cave ; who cannot however be always defended against the charge of negli- gence and credulity. Dempster's reputation extended itself to almost every country of Europe ; and procured his ap- pointment to different academical chairs. While he was Professor of the Pandects at Pisa, he com- posed the most elaborate and extensive of his works, the treatise De Etruria Regali. His addi- tions to the Roman Antiquities of Rosinus, which are commonly appended under the title of para- lipomena, discover an extensive acquaintance with ancient authors; but are digested with so little care or with so little skill, that they can only be regarded as a collection of ill-assorted ma- terials. Dempster insinuates, that the princi- pal merit of Rosinus r consists in his sedulity of transcription; and the same observation may with great justice be applied to himself. It would not however be ea^y to name any other Scotish writer r Of Joannes Rosinus, whose personal history is little known, a brief account may be found in Hankius Be Romanarum Rerum SirlpUribut-, p. 265. Ill who discovers so intimate an acquaintance with classical antiquities. From the labour of anti- quarian investigations our countrymen have al- ways been averse. Dempster's Kalendarium Ro- manum is the only tract written by a Scotishman that occurs in the twelve volumes of Graevius s . In the year 1595, George Wauchope, Professor of the Civil Law in the University of Caen, had published a tract De Veteri Populo Romano c . And these two authors, if we except Bellenden, are perhaps the only natives of Scotland who had hi- therto written on subjects of Roman antiquities u . 5 GnEvii Roman. Antiq. Thesaurus, torn. viii. col. 115. 1 Georgii Vauchopii Scoti de Veteri Populo Romano Tractatus. Ca- domi, 1595, 8vo. Wauchope is also the author of " Observationes ex Historiis Romanis et omnium Gentium." Cadomi, 1598, 8vo. u Thomas Bell, Professor of Humanity in the University of Edin- burgh, published a work entitled " Roma Restituta, sive Antiquitatum Romanarum Compendium Absolutum, ex optimis authoribus in usum studiosas juventutis collectum." Glasg. 1673, 8vo. This is a very brief compendium. After the fourth book, the author has preposterously in- serted a Coronis de Scotorum Strategemath. Bell's production, though cer- tainly a very ordinary effort of learning, has been extravagantly com- mended by cotemporary versifiers. Among his other panegyrists, Niniari Paterson has distinguished himself by the warmth of his approbation. (Epigrammatum libri octo, p. 71. Edinb. 1678, ixmo.) Paterson's verses may here be produced as a specimen of the encomiastic taste of our an- cestors : Martia Roma, tibi stetit olim gloria bello, Dum tremuit fasces axis uterque tuos. Ardua quaj coelo bello caput extulit olim, Nunc cecidit bello, vix sit ut umbra sui ; Reliquias dominas rerum vix cernimus urbis ; In Roma Ronum quierimus, urna mi est. 112 George Cone, the cotemporary of Dempster, has been extolled by Erythneus as a scholar of a highly cultivated and elegant taste v . His zeal- ous attachment to the papal interest discovered itself in his writings as well a9 in his conduct ; and accordingly his productions are too deeply tinctured with religious and political prejudices to be much relished during the present age. His life of Queen Mary, and his treatise on the state of religion in Scotland, are however still consult- ed by more curious enquirers*. The latter of Utque olim cecidit bello, qua: condita bello, Bello eadem tantum restitui potuit. Dumque animas urbis doctis simulachra figurii, Debet Roma suum jam tibi, Belle, decus. T " Georgiu* Con&us, Scotuj,-- -fuit elegantissimis Hseris Grxcis er Latinis, omnique digna homine nobili doctrina eruditus." Erythr-ei Pinacotheca, torn. i. p. 132. w The following catalogue of bis writings is more complete than that exhibited by Erythrxus : " Primitix, seu Calumnix Hirlandorum Iiuli- catse; et Epos de Deipara Viigine." Bonon. 1621, 8vo. " De Institu- tione Principis." Regii, 1621, iimo. " Vita Maria Stuartx, Scotix Regime." Rom. 1624, 8vo. Wiceburgi, 1624, i2mo. Iterutnque apud Jebb. " De Duplici Statu Religionis apud Scotos." Rom. 1628, 410. " Assertiones Catholics." Rom. 1629, 4 ta " Carmen in Nuptiia Dl\ Thaddxi Barbarini et Anna Columns;." Rom. 1629, 8vo. Salmasius, it may be added, speaks of one Conxus as an editor of So- linus. (Pitman* Exenilathncs, torn. i. p. II.) Leo Allatius enumerates Cone among the illustrious men who were residing at Rome from the year 1630 to the year 16.32. ( Apes I t'i'jc d: Virh Illuitribus qui ah anno l()$0 per totum 1 63 2 Roma adfuerunt, m tjpit illiquid coulgarunt, p. 1 2j. Roma, 1 633, Zvo.) Scioppius w represent him as the common friend of Dr b'eaton and himself. ( P,u dexj LiUraria, ; 11 these works, as Johnston has remarked, is distin- guished by a fierce spirit of invective which we must either impute to his native depravity of dis- position, or to his anxious devotion to the will of the sovereign pontiff x . Of the importance of his character the Roman court seems to have been sufficiently aware; he was sent to reside at Lon- don in the capacity of a watchful emissary, and acquitted himself with such ability and address, that his faithful services, had not sudden death intervened, would have been rewarded with a cardinal's hat. On his return towards Rome he died in the city of Genoa, having bequeathed his effects to his patron Cardinal Barbarini y . Thomas Seggat has likewise been commended by several foreign writers as a scholar of no com- mon proficiency. He studied at Louvain under the celebrated Justus Lipsius ; who has honoured him with a liberal and unreserved testimony to his various merits : " I do hereby certify with my own hand, that Thomas Seggat, a Scotishman by birth and lineage, has been known to me for many years, and even from his early youth has either been my pupil or auditor ; that during all that period he has acquitted himself in such a manner as to secure the approbation of good men, and has recommended himself to my esteem by x Johnston. Rerum Britannic. Hist. p. 283. y Erythrxi Pinacotheca, torn, i. p. 133. Urquhart's Jewel, p. 1x8. Vol. J. ? 114 his acute and excellent genius, and the ardour of his application to study ; and that his progress in every department of elegant and useful learning is such as few students of the same age have equalled. He is unassuming and ingenuous in his manners ; and is amply entitled to the af- fection and esteem of those who are endowed with congenial qualities 2 ." On the recommen- dation of Lipsius, he was received into the family of Pinelli \ an enlightened and generous patron of literature. He is also mentioned as one of the literary friends of Laurentius Pignorius b . Ery- cius Puteanus has addrest him in several of his Epistola Attica, in a style which seems to indi- cate a high degree of affection and regard . His Latin poems, which may be found in the second volume of the Delitia Poetarum Scotorum*, are mentioned by Borrichius in terms of commenda- tion 6 . He appears to have composed several works in prose ; but these are of very rare occur- rence. 2 I,ipsii Epistokr ad Itulos et Hispan Tomasini Elogia Virorum Illustrium, p. 204. c " Eja, mi Segete, xterni sumus. Habeant sibi suas divitias divites, suas voluptates juventus: non invidemus. Erimusquando illi non erunt : erimus quamdiu litters erunt, non nomine tantum, sed luculenta com- tr.t-ndatione doctrinae ac virtutis." Pl- team Epist. Attic. PromulsU, cent. ii. ep. lii. d Two f.f Seg^at's poems, not inserted in this collection, may ba found in Juiti Ltpi'ti, Sjf>i nl . r et I.itterat urn Anlntitis, Fama Patbuma. r Borrichii Diwertat. Acadcm. de Poctis, p. 15 -. 115 Dr William Seaton, though once admired for his genius and learning by the scholars on the continent, is now scarcely known, even by name, within the limits of his native country. Accord- ing to Sir Thomas Urquhart, " many learned books were written by this Seaton in the Latin tongue :" but it seems probable that none of them was ever imported into Scotland; nor have I been able to discover their titles in any foreign cata- logue. Certain it is however that Dr Seaton en- joyed no vulgar reputation in several of the learned countries of Europe. He is enumerated by Tomasinus among the eminent scholars of the age f . He appears to have been one of the intimate friends of the noted Gaspar Scioppius ; who has addrest the second epistle of his Para- doxa Literaria " Guilhelmo Setonio Scoto Juris- consulto." In one of the Attic epistles of Pute- anus, he is also exhibited in a favourable point of view 5 . If we may venture to credit Urquhart, he was " accounted one of the ablest men that ever breathed." That eccentric writer informs us, that he has " seen him circled about at the Louvre, f Tomasini Parnassus Euganeus, sive de' Scriptoribus ac Literatis hu- }us iEvi Claris, p. 8. Patavii, 1647, 4to. g Feliciter mi Setoni : qux probitas, doctrina, elegantia tua est, ostendes omnibus te imprimis dignissimum fuisse, quern et amaret Lip- sius, et famx commendaret. Nunc tu tibi elogium es : loqui non pote, nisi et prxstantissimas animi dotes indices. Te quoque quisquis audiet, invbit ; quisquis videbit, mirabitur." Puteanj Papist. Attic. Cent. Nova, ep. lvii. ?2 1 1 G with a ring of French lords and gentlemen, who hearkned to his discourse with so great attention, that none of them, so long as he was pleased to speak, would offer to interrupt him ; to the end that the pearles falling from his mouth, might be the more orderly congested in the several mea- sures of their judgments : the ablest advocates, barristers, or counsellors at law, of all the parle- ment of Paris, even amongst those- that did usu- ally plead en Ja chambre dorte, did many times visit him at his house, to get his advice in hard debatable points \" George Crichton, Professor of Greek in the University of Paris, is the author of several poems and orations, written in the Latin language. He was formerly regarded as a polite scholar of con- siderable merit : his hexameters, in the opinion of Borrichius, are more elegant and more poetical than those of the Admirable Crichton'. George Thomson, by the publication of his h Urquhart's Jewel, p. 114. j Borrichii Disscrtationes Academics de Poetis, p. 151. Francof. 1683, 4to. Whether Dr Robert Crichton, Bishop of Bath and Wells, was also a native of Scothmd, I have not been able to ascertain. His edition of Sguropulus was published under the following title : " Vera Historia Unioni-. non Verx inter Gnecos et Latinos; sive Concilii Flo- rentiiii Exuctissima Narratio, Grace scrlpta per Sylvestrum Sguropulum : tramtulit in sermoneni Latinum, Notasquc ad calcem libri adjecit Ro- bertus Creyghton." Hagx Comitum, 1660, fol. His preface, version, and note", were subjected to a critical examination by Leo Allatius. He is celebrated by N. IkinMUs, Pocmala, p. 202. and by Duport, Alma Subnth*, p- 540. 117 strictures on Lipsius, acquired some degree of ce- lebrity among the learned men of the seven- teenth century 3 . His erudition has been acknow- ledged by Camden k , Baudius, and other compe- tent judges : but these writers, as well as Joseph Scaliger l , have in strong ' terms condemned the illiberal acrimony with which he treats the re- spectable name of Lipsius. " For Thomson," says Baudius, " I entertain a high degree of affec- tion and esteem, on account of his attachment to the cause of civil and religious liberty, and his uncommon progress in solid learning : but, to confess the truth, I can by no means approve of his immoderate violence and asperity towards Lipsius; of whose divine virgins every sensible man is indeed ashamed and weary, but whose character ought to have been treated with more reverence, as that of nearly the greatest genius of the present age; as that of a man who to the utmost of his power has aimed at advancing the glory of letters' 11 ." Besides this work, Thom- j Vindex Veritatis adversus Justum Lipsium libri duo. Prior insa- nam ejus religionem politicam, fatuam nefariamque de Fato, sceleratissi- mam de Fraude doctrinam refellit. Posterior s - or the Discovery of a most exquisite Jewel, more precious than Diamonds inchased in Gold, the like whereof was never seen in any age ; found in the kennel of Worcester streets, the day after the fight, and six before the Autumnal ./Equinox, Anno 1651 : serving in this place to frontal a Vindication of the Honour of Scotland, from that infamy whereinto the rigid Presbyterian party of that nation, out of their covetousness and ambition, most dissembledly hath involved it." Lond. 165a, 8vo. " Logopandecteision, or an Introduction to the Universal Language." Lond. 1653, 4to. Vol. I. !' '.'.' 129 brated commentator on the philosophy of Aris- totle s . His writings display an extent of erudition which reflects honour on the literary history of his country 11 . Balfour, says Dempster, was the Phoenix of the age ; a philosopher profoundly skilled in the Greek and Latin languages ; a ma- thematician worthy of being compared with the ancients. And to these qualifications he joined a Ratinctio, seu Cometarum in JEtbera Sublimationis Rcftitatio; and that an an- swer to it was written by Christianus Longomontanus. (Fita Tycbonis Brabei, p. 154. 183. Paris. 1654, 4to.) Tycho Brahe himself published a Raponsio Apologetica ad quendam Scotum Arhtotelicum Pbilosophum, et Medicum Ga'.eniatm. Duncan Liddell, M. D. was also engaged in a controversy with the great Danish astronomer: and, according to Sir Thomas Urqu- hart, " the understanding reader could not but have praised Tycho Brahe most for astronomy, and Liddel for his knowledge above him ki all the other parts of philosophy." (Urquhart's Jewel, p. 126.) Dr Liddell is the author of several medical works. He is celebrated in the Latin poems of Wedderburn. S " Prseclarus ille Aristotelis interpres Scotus est natione, pla- namque viam insistit, et Aristotelem ex seipso cxplicat, non pauca elegan- tioris Uteraturx aspergens." Morhofii Polyhistor, torn. ii. p. 104. I> The following works of Balfour I have had an opportunity of ex- amining in the Advocates Library: " Gelasii Cyziceni Commentarius Actorum Nica:iii Concilii. Roberto Balforeo interprete," &c. InBibih,~ folio Commtliniano, 1604, foL " Cleonusdis Meteora Grace et Latinr-. A Roberto Baiforeo ex MS. Codice Bibliothecx 111. Card. Joyosii multis mer.dis repurgata, Latine versa, et perpetuo commentario illustrata." Burdigalx, 1605, 4to. " Commentarius R. Balforei in Organum Logicum Aristotelis." Burd. 1616, 4to. " R. Balfourei Scoti Commentariorum in lib. Arist. dc- Philosophia, tomus secundus : quo, post Organum Logicum, quxcumque in libris Kthicorum occurrunt difficilia, dihtcidc explicantur." Burd. 1620, 4 f o. Whether this catalogue of his productions might b<- enlarged, I know i.ot. Vol: I. K ISO wonderful suavity of manners, and the utmost warmth of affection towards his countrymen'. Dr Mark Duncan, Principal of the College of Saumur, is the author of a system of logic which has frequently been reprinted j ; and which Bur- gersdicius, a noted logician, has mentioned in terms of high approbation". Among the scholars on the continent Duncan enjoyed a very consi- derable degree of celebrity. Tomasinus classes him among the distinguished literary characters of the age'. Menage, referring to his French book on the subject of the Devils of Loudun, terms him a celebrated physician of Saumur 1 *. Joseph Scaliger mentions him in a way which seems to indicate no common respect ; speaking of the west of Scotland, he particularizes it as the district which produced Duncan and Buchanan". Walter Donaldson, Principal of the College of Sedan, maintained, in the opinion of Bayle, a respectable station among the learned men of the seventeenth century. His Synopsis Oeconomica is i Dempster. Hi*t- Ecclesiait. Gent. Scotor. p. 119. ) The third edition I have seen. It bears the following title : " Initi- utionis Logicx libri quinque, in usum Academix Salmurensis tertium editi, ut erant ab auctore recogniti." Salmur. 1643, 8vo. Prefixed is a copy of Latin verses, written by his son Mark Duncan ; a man afterwards celebrated under the name of M. de Ccrizante. k Burgcr6dicii Prxf. ad Institut. Logic. 1 Tomasini Parnassus Euganeus, p. 8. m Menagiana, tom.ii. p. 254. Prima Scaligerana, p. 33. 131 a production which may still be perused with ad- vantage . Dr Robert Baron, Professor of Divinity in Ma- rischal College, Aberdeen, composed several phi- losophical works which have been admired for their acuteness and perspicuity. His Metaphysica was formerly used as a text-book in some of the foreign universities : and an edition of it was pub- lished by Antonius Clementius, the editor of the Epistolce of Salmasius p . Dr William Chalmers, who resided in France, and was a Priest of the Congregation of the Ora- tory, is mentioned by the learned Du Pin as the author of various compositions on subjects of phi- losophy and theology* 1 . He also published a col- lection of some treatises of the fathers which had not formerly been printed r . The religious order to which Dr Chalmers belonged has been com- memorated by D'Alembert as the only one which could hope to rival the Jesuits in science and lite- rature ; as the only regular congregation which had produced a single philosopher s . Bayle, Diction. Hist, et Crit. torn. ii. p. 303. p R. Baronii, theologi ac philosophi celeberrimi, Metaphysica Gene- ralis : accedunt nunc priivmm qux supersunt ex Parte Speciali ; opus posthumum ex mu6eo Antonii Clementii Zirizxi. Lugd. Bat. 1657, Xvo. 1 Dr C'ha!n:crs is more generally known among his countrymen as xi\c. author of a work entitled Scolicana Eidesia J/iJlintia, Virilis JEtas, Urnectus. Paris. 1643, 4 t0 - r Du Pin, Biblinth. dcs Auteurs Ecdesiast. torn. rvii. p. 194. " D'Alembert sur la Detraction des Jesuites, p. a6. R 1 l'3'2 Dr Alexander Ross, a clergyman of Aberdeen, is the author of some philosophical productions which were once admired by his countrymen. But at present he is more frequently remembered as an object of Butler's satire, than as a philoso- pher, a divine, or a poet. The following verses of Hudibras are familiar to almost every reader : There, was an ancient sage philosopher That had read Alexander Ross over \ And swore, the world, as he could prove, Was made of fighting and of love. Dr Ross however was undoubtedly a writer of in- genuity and; of learning : and his respectable cha- racter as a man ought at all events to have se- cured him from the petulance of wit. Sir Tho- mas Urquhart styles him a " most learned and worthy gentleman, and most indeared minion of the Muses, who hath written manyer excellent books in Latine and English, what in prose, what in verse, than lie hath lived veers'." His Latin poetry has been commended by Olaus Borrichi- us u : and the value of his compendious View of all Religions was so generally acknowledged, that the work was speedily translated into Italian, French, and German \ Thomas Reid, Latin Secretary to James the ' Urquhart'f Jewel, p. ic8. u BorrkhU Disii-rt. Acad, dt Poetis, p. ij;. * Morh&fii Polyhistor, torn. ii. p. 541. 133 Sixth, enjoyed a considerable share of reputation among his cotemporaries ; but at present his name is hardly recognized as that of a poet and philo- sopher. He published a collection of metaphysi- cal theses which he had maintained in the Uni- versity of Rostoch : and in these, according to one of the members of that learned body, he dis- plays no ordinary talents. Nicolaus Willebrand- us, the author of Exercitationes de Vita Politico Principiis, has complimented him in a friendly copy of verses, which close with the following unprophetical suggestion : Macte tua vlrtute, tibi, tibi postera plaudent, Si nimis invidia secula nostra flagrant. Prjemia quae mentis hodierna negaverit aetas, Fcenere forte sequens uberiore dabit w . The family from which Reid descended, has been distinguished for its love of science and litera- ture ; and at a later period could boast of another philosopher x , whose reputation, it may be pre- sumed, will not so speedily decay. While Dempster, Cone, D. Chalmers, Ur- quhart, and Mackenzie, were struggling to main- tain the honour of Scotland, by inventing new or by propagating old fables, there were other writ- w Rhiedi de Objecto Metaphysics Dissertatio Elenctica, sig. t* t, Rostochii, l6lO, 4to. * Stewart.':. Life of Dr Reid, p. 4. 134 ers who contributed more effectually to the same design, by the zeal and learning which they dis- played in the cause of truth. The most eminent theologians of whom Scotland could at this time boast, were Cameron, Baron, Forbes, Leighton, and Burnet. John Cameron, whom the impartiality of fo- reigners has distinguished as a theologian of con- summate erudition, made such rapid progress in his studies, that at the age of about twenty years, he was appointed Professor of Greek in the Univer- sity of Glasgow. This language he is said to have spoken with wonderful facility y . Being seized with the desire of visiting foreign countries, he soon relinquished his situation ; and, in the year 1600, passed over to France, the favourite region of Scotish wanderers. After spending eighteen years in several of the continental uni- versities, both as a student and as a public teach- er, he was with great applause admitted Professor of Divinity in the College of Saumur, one of the chief seminaries "of the French Protestants. Such, while he continued in this eminent station, was his celebrity as a public lecturer, that he was fre- quently honoured with the attendance of Philip Mornay. Cameron's works are numerous, and J " Grxci enim tarn expedite et eleganter quam quivis alius Latinc rxtempore loquebatur ; ita ut ductistimis viris quos ubiquc convenit, :.deoque et ipsi rnagno Casaubono, (cui paulu post fuit uotissimus) admi- ratiooi euet, fueritque charissimu*.' 1 Cap elm Icon J. Cameronis. 135 replete with erudition 2 . His Myrothecium Evan- gelicum has received no slight commendation from a writer who cannot be suspected of partiality. In this work, says Father Simon, he discovers an intimate acquaintance with the principles of cri- ticism, and an exact knowledge of the Greek and Hebrew languages. These qualifications have ena- bled him to exhibit a learned elucidation of the literal and grammatical sense of many passages in the sacred books which he professes to illus- trate 8 . Dv Baron was one of the chief ornaments of the University of Aberdeen at a time when it abounded with men of ingenuity and learning b . His works, which are allowed to display much 2 Cameron's Pralectiona were printed at Saumur in three volumes quarto. The first volume appeared in 1626, the second and third in 1628. This collection includes some of his miscellaneous tracts. A more complete edition of his works was afterwards published under the title of " Joannis Cameronis Scoto-Britanni theologi eximii to. "Sufyftiix." Ge- neva, 1642, fol. Several of the tracts contained in this collection were originally published in French. The editor is said to have been Fre- deric Spauheim. (Colomies, Biblhtkcque Choisie, p. 73.; Neither of these editions includes Cameron's Myrothecium Evangelicum, a posthumous work published by Ludovicus Capellus, one of the most celebrated of his scholars. It was printed at Geneva in quarto in the year 1632. Ca- pellus has prefixed an account of the author's life, which may also be found in Spanheim's edition of Cameron. A more copious life of Cameron occurs in Bayle's Dict'wnnairc Historirjue et Critique., totn. ii. p. 3 I. a Simon, Histoire Critique des Principaux Commentateursdu Nouveau Testament, p. 781. a. b " Et quis," says Clementius, " Baronium ignoret, tot theologorum. pridem ac philosophorum laudibus decantatum ? Philosnphiam Theologi* Ancillantcm quis est qui non'efferat ? utilitatem, r perspicuitatem, extollatf* ( Pr.vf. ad Baronii Metaphyt.) 136 acuteness and erudition, have frequently been re- printed. ' The name of Baron is familiar to the readers of the poetical works of his elegant friend Dr Arthur Johnston. -The many high encomi- ums which have been bestowed on his colleague Dr William Lesley, Principal of King's College, must excite our deepest regret, that he should have bequeathed so small a portion of his know- ledge to posterity. Although he was regarded as a profound and universal scholar, he never court- ed the fame of authorship. His fragment of a dissertation on Cassiodorus, published in Dr Gar- den's life of Forbes, affords but a slight indica- tion of what he might have effected. Dr John Forbes, Professor of Divinity in King's College, Aberdeen, is the author of several works which discover a wide extent of erudition. His learning was such as to obtain the warm appro- bation of those eminent scholars Vossius, Usher, Morhof, Ernesti, and Cave c : and to this it would be superfluous to add any other commendation. His writings continued to be held in such estima- c " Dcnique cum plura non capit instituti nostri ratio, unicum adhuc lectori scriptorem commendabo. Is est Joan, lorbesius, Scoto-Britannus, qui Iiutrvctionts Hittorico-'Tbnloghat de doctrina Christiana tt vario rerun) statu, ortisque erroribus et controversiis, jam inde a teuiporibus Apostoli- cis, lib. xvi. edidit Amstxlod. 164J, f. Opus, si quid in his studiis posui, quantivis p.-etii, et afitiquitatis ecclesiastic* studiosis apprime utile, multu Utiiius futurum, u modo ad telam, quarn orsus erat pertexendam, longi- rem lucis curam ciucitLwuino autori Deus non denegasset." Cave, Hi.storia Literam, p. XXX. 137 tion, that a complete and elegant edition was published by Henry Wetstein many years after the death of the amiable author d . It includes the encomiums of several foreign professors, and a copious life of Forbes, written by Dr George Garden. The family of Forbes was at this time highly distinguished for its piety and erudition. Dr For- bes's father, the venerable Bishop of Aberdeen, is remembered as the author of a commentary on the Revelation : and his relation Dr William For- bes, Principal of Marischal College, Aberdeen, and afterwards Bishop of Edinburgh, has often been celebrated as a man of superior ingenuity and learning. Of his eloquence Dr Johnston speaks in terms of high admiration : Omnia mel vincit dulcedine j sidera lucem Prae reliquis, robur missile fulmen habet. Eloquium si quis Forbesi comparet istis, Mel fatuum, nigra sunt sidera, fulmen hebes. He " was so able a scholar," says Urquhart, " that d Of this edition one volume appeared in 1702, the other in 1703. Another folio edition of the Imtructiones had been printed at Genera in 1680. Arnoldus Montanus, the editor of Cxsar, published an abridge- ment of Dr Forbes's great work under the title of Forbulus Contractus. Amst. 1663, 8vo. Dr Forbes was born in 1593 ; studied in the Universities of Aberdeen, Heidelberg, &c; was appointed Professor of Divinity in King's Coll. Aberdeen, in 1619; was superseded by the Presbyterians in 1641; re- tired to Holland in 1644; returned to Scotland in 1646; and died in 1648. Vol. I. S i:;s since the days of Scotus Subtilis, there was never any that professed cither divinity or philosophy in Scotland, that in either of those faculties did parallel himV Bishop Burnet's encomium is of superior value : " He was a grave and eminent divine : my father, that knew him long, and be- ing of council for him in his law matters, had oc- casion to know him well, has often told me, that he never saw him but he thought his heart in heaven, and he was never alone with him but he felt within himself a commentary on these words of the apostles, Did not our hearts burn within ii 1 ?, while he yet talked with us, and opened to us the Scriptures ?' He preached with a zeal and vehemence that made him often forget all the measures of time ; two or three hours was no ex- traordinary thing for him f ." The reputation which attached itself to him during his life, was not sup- ported by his familiarity with the press : the on- ly publication of which he is the author, did not appear till upwards of twenty years after his death 8 . Dr Robert Leighton, Principal of the Univer- e Urquhart's Jewel, p. 133. edit. Edinb. i'"A, izmo. ' Burnet's Life of Bishop Bedell, pref. f " Consideratioi-.es Modest* et Pacificar Comrover-ianim, de Justi- ficatione, Purgatorio, luvocatione Sanctorum et Christo Mediutore, JEu- chartstia." J.o'id i^ii, 8vo. The editor of this posthumous work sub- scribes himself 1 . G. These initials sctm to point out Dr Thomas Gale, ... The prefixed life of B.shoj. J-orbes is evidently written in a style very different from that ol the preface. 139 sity of Edinburgh, and afterwards Archbishop of Glasgow, maintained in Scotland, says Dr Burnet, " the highest reputation that any man in my time ever did in that kingdom." His reputation was well-founded : as a man, his character seems- to have approached the very brink of perfection ; as a scholar, he displays accomplishments which sel- dom fell to the share of his eotemporaries. In an age when priestly violence prevailed in all its hi- deousness, he exhibited a model of Christian meekness and purity : in an age when the schools were still infested with an useless and vile jargon, he endeavoured to inspire his seminary with the love of true wisdom. In his exhortations to the students, he seems to have embraced every oppor- tunity of exposing the futile philosophy and spu- rious theology which then prevailed. " Fly," says he, " if you have any regard to my advice, fly far from that disputatious theology which consists of a mere strife concerning words, and which rather deserves the name of vain and foolish talking." " You are now initiated into the philosophy, such as it is, which prevails in the schools." " But you are now philosophers; and, in the midst of these aillictions, you perhaps solace yourselves with the hidden treasures of the sciences which you have acquired. The sciences ! Tell us in what part of the earth they are to be found. Acquaint us with the place of their residence, in order that we nay resort thither in crouds. I know indeed S - IK) u here there is a din of idle words, and a collision of jarring opinions : I know where ignorance, fur- nished with a beard and a gown, usurps the name of science ; but where true science resides, I know not 11 ." Leighton's English as well as hi6 Latin style seems entitled to considerable praise. Burnet af- firms, that " he had the greatest command of the purest Latin that ever he knew in any man 1 ," The following quotation from one of his sermons will serve to evince, that the taste of the Scotish divines was not, during this period, so barbarous as it has commonly been represented : " All men agree in this, that they would willingly meet with some satisfying good ; and yet if you look right, upon the projects and labours of the greatest part, you shall find them flying from it, and taking much pains to be miserable. And truly, consi- dering the darkness that is upon the soul of man, it is no great wonder to see these miss their way and continue wandring that hear not the voice of the gospel to recall them, and see not its light to *> These passages are translated from Leighton's " Prxlectiones The- ologicx in Auditorio Publico Academix Edinburgense (dum Professoris Primarii munere ibi fungeretur) habitx ; una cum Paraenesibus in Comi- tiis Academicis ad Gracilis Magistralis in Artibus Candidatos : quibus adjiciuntur Meditationes Ethico-Criticx in Psalmos iv. xxxii. exxx." Lond. 1693, 4to. An English translation of the prelections and exhorta- tions was afterwards published with the title of " Theological Lectures read in the Publick Hall of the University of Edinburgh," &c. Lond. 1763, 8to. i Burnet's Hist, of hi* own Times, vol i. p. 134, J41 direct them. But this is somewhat strange, that where true happiness, and the true way to it, is propounded and set before men, so few should follow it in good earnest, If the excellency of that good did ngt allure them, yet one would think that their many disappointments in all other things should drive them home to it. How then do we run ourselves out of breath after sha- dows? And when we think we have overtaken them, and would lay hold on them, we find no- thing. And yet still we love to befool ourselves, even against our own experience, which, we say, uses to make fools wiser. Still we chuse rather to shift from one vanity to another, than to re- turn to that sovereign good that alone can fill the vastest desires of our souls ; or rather to run from one brrV.en cistern to another, as the prophet calls them, yea and to take pains to hew them out, than have recourse to that fountain of living wa- ters V Archbishop Leighton, it will be recollect- ed, died in the year 1684. The writings of this most exemplary prelate breathe the genuine spirit of Christianity. His English compositions still maintain their popula- rity ; they have been partially reprinted within the space of a few years u . Dr Charters classes J Leighton's Select Works, p. 93. k Leighton's Expository Works with other Remains. Edinb. l*o2, 3 vols. 8vo. 142 them " among the best devotional and practical treatises that are any where to be found." The character of Bishop Burnet as an able theologian has long been firmly established. He is mentioned in terms of high applause by Lord Shaftesbury, a rigid censor of literary merit : " The Bishop of Salisbury's exposition of the ar- ticles is, no doubt, highly worthy of your study. None can better explain the sense of the church than one who is the greatest pillar of it since the first foundation ; one who best explain'd and as- serted the reformation it self; was chiefly in- strumental in saving it from Popery before and at the Revolution ; and is now the truest example of laborious, primitive, pious, and learned episco- pacy 1 ." This encomium, it will be recollected, proceeded from the pen of a virtuous Deist. The seventeenth century produced other theo- logians, whose names, though of inferior note, ought not to be past over in total silence. Dr James Gordon, of the noble family of Hunt- ley, acquired considerable celebrity by the publi- cation of his Controversy arum Christiana; Fidei Epi- tome. Dr Geddes has commemorated this Jesuit as " one of the most acute and artful adversaries of the present Hebrew text. It was to oppose his little tract De Verbo Dei that Glassius wrote his ' Shaftesbury's Letter* to Moksworth, p. 28. 143 Philologia Sacra. Gordon's stile is clear and con- cise, and his arguments generally conclusive. It must be confessed, however, that he extols the Vulgate above measure, and advances some un- supportable propositions" 1 ." George Turnbull, another Jesuit, is celebrated by the literary histo- rians of the order as a man equally distinguished by his virtue and by his learning". He entered into a controversy with Dr Baron ; which, in the opinion of their cotemporaries, was conducted with great ability on each side. Robert Boyd of Troch- rig, successively Principal of the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, is also entitled to a place in the present catalogue. His prelections on St Paul's epistle to the Ephesians, delivered in the College of Saumur, are considered as a respecta- ble monument of his learning . He is known to the lovers of polite literature as the author of a poem, entitled Ad Christum Servatoretn Hecatombe, inserted in the collections of Johnston and Lau- der. His epigram " In Reverendi viri D. Andrea? Riveti, amici primarii, et SS. Theologize Professor- m GedJes's Prospectus of a New Translation of the Bible, p. 9. n Sotvelli Biblioth. Scriptor. Societ. Jesu, p. 296. b. Bodii in F.pistolam Pauli Apostoli ad F.phesios Prselectioncs supra CC. Lond. 1652, fol. This posthumous work, which consists of no fewer than one thousand two hundred and thirty-six ample pages, was publish- ed by his son John. Prefixed is a life of the author by the celebrated Andrew Rivet, with whom he had been familiarly acquainted. The preface, whiJi is subscribed R. B. was probably furnished by Principal Baillie. The work is aLo accompanied with Latin verses by David i>eech, Zachary Boyd, and others. 144 is eximii, Effigiem acre scitissime incisam," which Rivet has inserted in his life of Boyd, may per- haps be acceptable to some readers : Post quinas decies divinue frugis arista*, En quara vcrnus adhuc ora scrcnat honor ! En quam servat adhuc primaevara testa nitorerfl ! Cui Deus aeternas addidit intus opes, Nobilis hospitio ne deforet hospes amceno, Dissona nee tantus tccta teneret herus. Qu'um bene mens animo certat, manus semula voci, Vitaque calligraphum pracvolat alta manum ! Enthea nee virtus, pietasque, et rara supellex Doctrinse, ingenii tlexanimusque vigor, Delegisse larcm poterant ubi suavius alma Concinuit ingenitus cum gravitate lepos. Sola erat excelso tantarum culmine lauduni Clara prius tali sole Thoarsa minor. Ergo tuos merito nunc Leida intermicat ignes. Htec nova laurigeri palma decusque chori : Lucis inocciduae toto jubar orbe futura, Debuit haud alio Stella micare polo. Dr Thomas Young, Master of Jesus College, Cam- bridge, was the principal writer of Smectymnttus* ', and the author of Dies Dominica, a learned treatise on the observance of the Christian sabbath. Hut he is chiefly remembered as the private tutor of Milton ; who seems to have regarded him with a high degree of affection and reverence''. The Ian P Baillie's Letters, voL i. p. 305. 1 It i not unworthy of remark that Milton and Usher, perhapt the jreate't name* of which England and Ireland can boast, were indelitcrf 145 guage in jvhich Milton addresses him in two of his familiar epistles, is strongly expressive of these sentiments r : and in the fourth of his elegies, he apparently represents himself as indebted to Dr Young for his initiation into the art of poetry : Primus ego Aonios illo praeeunte recessus Lustrabam, et bifidi sacra vireta jugi j Pieriosque hausi latices, Clioque favente, Castalio sparsi laeta ter ora mero. Dr John Strang, Principal of the University of Glasgow, is celebrated as " a man of great parts, extraordinary subtilty, and of a most solid rea- son 5 ." Dr David Stuart, Professor of Philosophy in the University of Leyden, maintained a re- spectable character in a country which abound- ed with scholars of the first order. He was the to Scotchmen for their initiation into classical literature. See Mr War- ton's excellent notes on Milton, p. 440. and Dr Richard Parr's Life of Archbishop Usher, p. 3. Lond. 1 686, fol. Isaac Casaubon employed a Scotish preceptor for his son Meric. Thiswas James Wedderburn, after- wards Professor of Divinity at St Andrews. ( M. Casauboni Pietas, p. 131.) r " Deum enim tester," says Milton, " quam te instar patris colam, qttam singulari etiam observantia te semper prosecutus sim, quamque veritus chartis meis obstrepere." {Epistola Familiares,^. 8. Lond. 1674, 8vo.) s Dr Strang is the author of the following works, which were not published till after his death : De Voluntate et Actionibus Dei circa Pec ,.i.tum. Amst. 1657, 4tO. De Interpretations et Perfections Scripturx. Ro- ter. 1663, 4to. To the last of these volumes is prefixed a life of the author, subscribed with the initials of Principal B;iillie's name. The bio- grapher informs us, that the dedication, preface, and poems, which accompany the other work, were written by Alexander More. The verses do not occur in the collection of More's Pocmata. Paris. 1660, 4to. Vol.. I. T J46 intimate friend of Salmasius, ami the clergyman with whom that literary hero chiefly communed when he felt the approach of death'. In his ni tive country he is scarcely recognized as an au- thor: but Sarravius hints at his having learnt from Blondel, that Dr Stuart published a work against the Independents". Dr John Sharpe, Professor of Divinity in the College of Die, is the author of a Curs us Theologicus, and of a Sym- pbonia Prophetarum et Apostolorum\ works which procured him the reputation of " a man well learned, and a good textuary." The latter of these productions is .recommended by Ludovicus Cro- cius, in his Instructio de Ratione Studii Theologici. David Dickson, Professor of Divinity in the Uni- versity of Edinburgh, is mentioned by Edward Leigh as " a good Scottish expositourV Be- sides his expositions, he published a work en- r Clemei.iius tie Laudibus et Vita Salmasii, p. liv. u Sarruvii Epistotae, p. 84. edit. Burman. Sorbiere complains of Dr Stuart's behaviour at the house of Salmasius : " La conversation etoit souvent infestce (pour nic servir d'un terme qui exprime le depit que nous en avions) par un Professeur en Thilosophie nommc David Stiiard, Ecossoi*, qui contredisoit maussadement a la plu-part des choscs qui y ctoit avancces, et ce tousseux nous fai&soit beaucoup perdre de l'entretien de M. de Saumaise." ( Sorberiona t p. 194.) Sorbiere may be mistaken with respect to Dr Stuart's Christian name : Adam Stuart's life of Hoorn- beek is quoted by Saldenus. (Dt Libra, p. 371.) Dr Stuart is men- tioned in Baillie's Letters, vol ii. p. 314. v Leigh's Treatise of Religion and Learning, and of Religious and Learned Men, p. 179. Eond. 1656, foL 147 titled Therapeutica Sacra. Samuel Rutherford, Professor of Divinity in the University of St Andrews, has so frequently been selected as an object of ridicule, that it is not without some hazard of sharing the same fate, that I venture to pronounce him a writer by no means despi- cable. His productions undoubtedly savour of Puritanical illiberality which then prevailed ; but at the same time they display a considerable por- tion of acuteness and of scholastic knowledge. It may be added as an honourable testimony in his fa- vour, that he was invited to the divinity-profes- sorship in the University of Harderwick w , at a time when the Dutch seminaries had attained to a high pitch of respectability. " Rutherford's Letters" says the accomplished Warton, " are the most genuine specimen I remember to have seen of the enthusiastic cant of the old Scotch divines V I however have it in my power to introduce this old canting divine in the character of a poet, or at least of a versifier. The following lines, sub- scribed, " tuus in Domino S. Rhetorfortis," are pre- fixed, with the similar contributions of Principal Adamson, Dr Panther, and other scholars, to Principal Row's Hebrew grammar, published at Glasgow in the year 1644: w Baillie's Letters, voL ii. p. 327. 1 Warton's Notes on Milton, p. 323, T 2 148 Verba Stonaete gentis submersa tencbris Cimmeriis raendax Kimcltius ore crepat. Quae vos Rabbini sinuosa a*nigmata vultis, Nunc facilem linguam dicite, quitso, sacram. Falleris Hippocrates , male parcx stamina vitx Curta vocas, artem vociferare p**e* Sit cita mors, rapido sit et hora fugacior Euro, Bellerophontaeis vita volato rotis: Rovaei Hebraeis sit mors male grata Camoenis. Hasc relege, ast artem dixeris esse brevem. Dr William Guild, Principal of King's College, Aberdeen, possessed, says Dr Shirrefs, " not on- ly the talents of a man truly great, but the still more estimable qualities of one eminently good y ". His writings are numerous. William Cowper, Bishop of Galloway, is also a theologian of considerable learning, and the author of vari- ous productions. Dr Gilbert Primrose is enume- rated by Echard among the eminent men who died in the year 1642 ; and is also celebrated by Leigh and other writers as a man of learning. He is the author of several works. His two sons, David, a clergyman, and James, a physician, were also known for their writings. John Craig's ma- thematical principles of Christian theology ex- hibit a curious attempt to fortify our religion by the extraneous aid of geometry and algebra z . J Shirrefs's Inquiry into the Life, Writings, and Character of Dr Wil- liam Guild, p. 90. edit. Aberdeen, 1799, 8vo. 2 Theologix Christians Principia Mathematica : autore Johaunr Craig. Lend. 1699, 4to. This tract is dedicated to Bishop Burnet. 149 This tract, notwithstanding the singularity of its plan, seems to have excited little attention ; the only writers by whom I have found it quoted, are Warburton and Ernesti. Of the learned ecclesiastics who have been found entitled to our approbation, a very incon- siderable number was of the Presbyterian per- suasion. Under the auspices of the Genevan discipline, literature has rarely made any rapid advances. During the violence of the struggles between the Papists and Protestants, and between the Episcopalians and Presbyterians, the schools of learning were in a great measure neglected by all parties ; and when they at length fell under the jurisdiction of the Presbyterians, elegant and useful knowledge seemed to languish in a state of hopeless decay. About the period of the Reformation the uni- versities were almost totally deserted. In the year 1562 King's College, Aberdeen, contained only fifteen or sixteen students 3 . The history of this famous college may perhaps be more accurately traced than that of any other in Scotland : and a cursory view of its revolutions during a few succeeding years, will assist us in forming a ge- neral estimate. In 1569 such of its members as refused to conform, were deprived of their offices * Chalmers, Life of Ruddimarij p. 7. Lond. I? 8vo. 150 by the Protestant visitor. The principality was conferred on the celebrated Alexander Arbuth- not, a man of learning and virtue, under whose judicious management " the study of good let- ters" began to revive in this seminary b . Princi- pal Arbutlmot died at a premature age in the year 1583 : and the college being deprived of his support, seems to have speedily relapsed into its former state of barbarism. In 161 8, when Pa- trick Forbes was promoted to the bishopric of Aberdeen, and consequently to the perpetual chancellorship of the university, he found the colleges sunk into a deplorable condition ; the edifices ruinous, the revenues dilapidated, the statutes neglected, several of the professorships become obsolete, the professors negligent of their duty, and every spark of liberal taste almost com- pletely extinguished . By his prudent and vi- gorous exertions however, a total renovation was soon accomplished ; and the university rose to a higher eminence than it had formerly attained. " He took such care of the two colledges in hi:, diocess," says Bishop Burnet, " that they became quickly distinguished from all the rest of Scot- land : so that when the troubles in that church broke out, the doctors there were the only per- sons that could mainiain the cause of the church ; as appears by the papers that past between them b Spotswood's Hist, of the Church of Scotland, p. 335. c Garden, Vita Johanriis Forbesii, p. 4. 151 and the Covenanters. And though they begun first to manage the argument in print, there has nothing appeared since more perfect than what they writ. They were an honour to the church both by their lives and by their learning, and with that excel- lent temper they seasoned that whole diocess, both clergy and laity, that it continues to this day very much distinguished from all the rest of Scotland, both for learning, loyalty, and peaceablenessV This prelate, who appears to have commanded the esteem and veneration of every order of his coun- trymen, is always represented as the second found- er of the university. Dr James Sibbald, in his Sermon in Commemoration of Bishop Forbes, pre- sents us with the following view of his exertions : " No sooner had hee vndertaken this charge, but hee began with the seminaries of learning ; from which the weale of the church, in all ages, moste dependeth. This hee did seriouslie, remember- ing it was layde vpon him particularlie, As hee would ajiswere to God in the great day. And so bappie was his care in this, that what hee found lateritia, and almost ruinated, hee left marmorea; repared in the a^difices, restored in the bibliotheke, revived in the professions of divinitie, physicke, canon law : wherevnto hee procured the adding of another profession of divinitie, to the great be- nefit of the church, in all following tymes ; re- storing also the decayed honoures due to learning. J Burnet's Life of Bishop Bedell, pref, 152 To what purpose hath the worthie and heroicke founders of that universitie left it, if it had fallen? And fallen appearantlie it should haue, if by him not vnder-propped. This deulie considered, that universitie may bee justlie called Antastasia, as was that temple of Nazianzen in Constantinople : for hee hath raysed vp in it good letters, almost fallen to the ground. Was not this holinesse e ?" Bishop Forbes died in the year 1635. The strength of the Presbyterian party, which was now increas- ing with rapidity, soon counteracted the benefi- cial effects of the improvements which he had in- troduced. His son Dr Forbes, Dr Baron, and others of the most distinguished members, were at length suspended from their functions : and their places, it is to be feared, were supplied by men less qualified for so important a charge. During the usurpation of Oliver Cromwell, igno- rance and fanaticism were advancing with hasty steps ; and the restoration of the unprincipled Charles seems to have contributed but little to the establishment of a purer system of religion, or of a more profitable species of erudition. At the time of that monarch's return to his domi- nions, King's College was represented as in a ruinous condition': and the schools in general e Funeral* of a Right Reverend Father in God, Patrick Forbes of Corse, Bishop of Aberdene, p. 145. Aberd. 1635, 4to. . f The following verses occur in a poem written by John Row, Prin- cipal of King's College, and entitled E Forbesii Irenicum Amatoribus Veritatis et Pacis in Ecclesia Sco'.J- ana, lib. ii. cup. xi. Aberd. 1629, 4to. Vol. I. U 1.7 If ties of almost every other country have been en- riched by the literature of Scotish adventurers. The number of foreign students who formerly resorted to the Scotish colleges, must have been inconsiderable. It is not however improbable that St Andrews was once frequented by the youth of various nations. The Dutch editor of Baron's Metnpbysica informs us, that his father studied in this university' 1 . One of the contri- butors to the collection of congratulatory verses which its members presented to James the Sixth, was Godefrid vander Hagcn, a native of Middcl- burg in Zealand-. One of the poems of Walter Quin, a native of Ireland, was, as we learn from its title, recited before King James in St Salva- tor's College k . A Dane of the name of Petrus Petreius is also known to have studied at St An- drews'. i Clementii Prrcf. ad Baronii Metaphysicam. j Antiq. Celeber. Acad. Andreana Xetpirifi* in Adventum August issi- mi Serenissimique Jacobi Primi. Edinb. 1617, 4to. Vander Hagcn t-peaks of Sir John Scot as his patron. From the epitaphs subjoined to his works, it appears that he died at Edinburgh, and was interred near the monument of Buchanan. See his MiiceQanea Po.mala. Middclb. 1619, 4to. k Scrtum Poeticum, in Honorem Jacobi Sexti, Serenisami ac Poten- ti-simi Scotorum Regis, a Gaultero Cjuinno Dublincnsi Contextum. Edinb. 1600, 4to. (Ruin's poetical garland is composed of verses in La- tin, English, Italian, and French. Two epitaphs by this writer occur in the " Mavsolevm, or the Choisest Flowres of the Epitaphes, written on the Death of the neuer-too-much lamented Prince Henrie." Edinb 1613, 4to. 1 Camdeni EpistoLe, p. 127. 155 While the universities were subject to such violent fluctuations, the inferior seminaries must have experienced a similar fortune. In the year 1494 the Scotish parliament had enacted, that the eldest sons of barons and of freeholders should be sent to the grammar-schools, in order to be instructed in the Latin language ; and that they should afterwards prosecute the study of law for the space of at least three years. To the infringement of this statute a penalty of twenty pounds was attached. Such a regulation evidently presupposed the existence of grammar- schools within the limits of the kingdom : yet after an interval of more than half a century, Winzet complains of the general neglect of these most important institutions. " The singular vti- litie thairof to the commoun welth," says this sensible writer, " causit me to meruell gretumlie, quhou in tymes passit, amang sa gret liberalitie and ryche dotations maid in Scotland of sindry fundationis to religioun and science, that sa litle respect lies euir bene had to the grammar sculis (quhairin comonlie the maist happy and first sedis of the said common welth ar sawin) that in mo- ny townis thair is not sa mekle prouidit thairto as a common house ; and in nane almaist of al, ane suflicient life to ane techear, albeit ma be re- quirit to vndertak the cuir deulie, as becumis of ony a scuil. And agane, quhou it mycht be, that at this time, quhen men presis to reforme al cause 15$ of ignorance and abuse, that sa few childer \v;n haldin at the studie of ony science, and special ie of grammar" 1 ." This famous statute of James the Fourth, we may then conclude, was, like many others, suffered to fall into speedy neglect. Mair laments, that during his time the children of the noblility very rarely enjoyed the advantages of a liberal education". In a sermon preached before the regent and no- bility in the year 1571, David Fergusson exposes in forcible terms the general neglect into which the seminaries of learning had been permitted to decline. The following extract will at once il- lustrate the present subject, and serve as a speci- men of the pulpit-eloquence of that age : " The same accusatiounis and complaints that God vsit of auld be his' prophet aganis the Iewes, seme this day aganis thame that ar lyke the lewes in transgressioun ; zca, thay serue aganis vs : for this day Christ is spuilzeit amang vs, quhil that quhilk aught to mantene the ministerie of the kirk, and the pure, is geuin to prophane men, flattereris in court, rumanes, and hyrelingis. The pure in the meane tyme oppressit with hounger, the kirkis and templis decaying for laik of ministeris and vphalding, and the schuilis utterlie neglectit and n Winzet's Tractatis, sig. D. b. Edinb. 1562, 4to. n " Liberos suos principes viri in Uteris et moribus non educant ; in reipablicx non parvam pemiciem." Major de Gostis Scotorum, p. 5;. 157 ouersene. Ar not thir thingis so ? Behald the wayis and streitis, and ze sail se thame (to the greit dishonour of Christ, and decay of the com- moun welth) replenischit with beggeris and vnbry- dilit zouth ; albeit na man amang vs, that may not, nor can not sustene thame selns, suld be suf- ferit to laik. Our zouth also augcht to be nur- ischit and mantenit at the schuilis, that thairout- of efterward micht spring preicheris, counsel- louris, phisiciounis, and all vther kyndes of leirnit men that we haue neid of. For the schuilis ar the seid of the kirk and commoun welth, and our children ar the hope of the posteritie ; quhilk be- ing neglectit, thair can nathing be luikit for, hot barbarous ignorance sail ouerflow all ." In the history of the parish schools we are not at present so deeply interested ; the salutary in- fluence of these most excellent institutions is chief- ly confined to a humble sphere. It was in the year 1616 that an act of privy council provided for the establishment o schools in the different parishes of the kingdom": and new regulations were afterwards introduced at various periods by the parliament and by the general assembly. Ane Sermon preichit befoir the Regent and Nobilitie, vpon a part of the thrid chapter of the Prophet Malachi, in the Kirk of Leith, be David Fergussone, Minister of the Euangell at DunfernJyne. St. Andr. 1572, 8vo. P Karnes, Statute Law, app, N hi. 158 From the observations which have thus been detailed, it will probably appear, that during the period under our present review, Scotland occu- pied a more honourable station among the learn- ed countries of Europe than some recent authors have been inclined to suppose. Of writers equal in genius to Shakespeare, Milton, Bacon, and Newton, or equal in learning to Selden, Gataker' 1 , and Cudworth, she certainly could not boast ; but her reputation was still supported by a few indi- viduals whose names will not perhaps be speedily forgotten'. The Revolution, by removing innumerable grievances, inspired the nation with fresh vigour ; but the ecclesiastical arrangement which ensued *l If it be requisite to apologize for having ranked Gataker with Sel- den and Cudworth, I may be permitted to avail myself of the testimony borne to his merits by two foreign writers well acquainted with books. He is characterized by Morhof as " vir stupendx lectionis, magnique judicii." (Polybhtor, torn. i. p. 9*6.) Colomics has mentioned him in still stronger terms of commendation : " E criticis omnibus qui hoc sae- culo ad politiorum literarum illustrationem aliquid scripsere, vix ac ne vix quidem ullus invenietur, qui in authoribus diligenter ac accurate trac- tandis Thonia: Gatakero palmam pracripiat." (Pauli Colomesii OpuicuU, p. 49. Paris. 1668, umo.) r It was towards the close of the seventeenth century that Scotland produced the earliest of the commentators on Milton. ' Patrick Hume, u Scotthman, in 1695, published a large and very learned commentary 0:1 the Paradise Lost, to which some of hii successors in the same pro- apprehending no danger of detection from a work rarely in- spected, and too pedantic and cumbersome to attract many readers, have been ofrrn amply indebted, without even the most distant hint of ar- dgment." Was i os's Preface to Milton, j> . 159 was far from being conducive to the interests of literature. The honest but unlettered zealots who had formerly been persecuted with unrelenting cruelty, were now restored to the quiet possession of the national church : and nearly half a centu- ry elapsed before their successors began to emerge from ignorance and illiberality. % They seem to have been actuated by an opinion, which still prevails among those who pretend to internal il- lumination, that a preacher of the gospel can de- rive no advantage from secular learning 5 . The works produced by ecclesiastics during this inter- val of vulgar piety, are entirely forgotten, or are only remembered by village scholars. The final union of the two kingdoms took place in the year 1707 : and from this period we may date the prosperity of Scotland. The Muses, as their votaries have often declared, love dignified tranquillity. The increasing opulence of the na- tion, and its happy coalescence with England, have afforded our countrymen a more favourable opportunity of exercising their native ingenuity : and the experience of another century has con- vinced the world, that the encomium which was formerly pronounced by Hugh Semple, is no idle and extravagant reverie 1 . s " I confess," says Dr South, " God has.no need of any man's pam or learning; but certainly then, he has much less need of his igno- rance." " Ingeaii vigore, prxiertim si accedat in litteris constantia, nuUi 160 During the earlier part of the eighteenth cen- taury Scotland could still boast of a few respecta- ble names. Andrew Fletcher investigated politi- cal subjects with a noble freedom of sentiment, and exhibited his conceptions with a purity and elegance of style which none of his countrymen had hitherto attained. Dr Pitcairne, whom hi scholar Dr Mead has represented as the honour of the medical profession in Scotland", was a man of general literature, and no unsuccessful cultiva- tor of a certain tract of Latin poetry. Father In- nes of the Sorbonne explored the antiquities of his native country with a more rational spirit of criticism than any of his predecessors. His Criti- cal Essay on the Ancient Inhabitants of Scotland, mortalium cedunt." (Sempilius Dc Mathcmalids Dhcij>linh, p. i 23. b.) To this quotation from the work of a Scotish Jesuit 1 shall add another from that of an English nobleman. " It is not my purpose," says Lord Orford, " to give an exact account of the royal and noble authors of Scotland : I am not enough versed in them to do justice to writers of the most accomplished nation in Europe ; the nation to which, if any one country is endowed with a superior partition of sense, I should be inclined to give the preference in that particular." ; Catalogue 0/ tbt Royal and Noble Authors of EngLind, vol. ii. p. I 82. ) u " The Dissertations of Dr Pitcairne, the honour of the profession in Scotland, are a convincing proof of the advantage of such a mechanical way of reasoning : nor could malice itself deny this, were not ignorance in con- 1 ;icy with it, which will secure any one from being benefited by the useful demoustrati Mead's Mechanical Account of Poisons p. xvii. This n:o.!e of treating medical subjects was exposed to ridicule in a lit- : lumc entitled " Apollo MatlematUui : or the Art of Curing Diseases rding to the Principles of Dr Pitcairn : to I a Discourse niecum Vol. I. X 162 The publication of Thomson's Seasons forms a new ;era in the history of Scotish literature. Our countrymen had now ceased to cultivate Latin poetry with their former assiduity and success*; and Drummond had hitherto found no worthy successor: but the appearance of this admired writer served to rescue the nation from that dis- credit into which it was apparently sinking y . Mallet, who commenced his literary career about the same period, was a poet of considerable inge- nuity. Armstrong, by the composition of his Art of Preserving Health, has acquired a solid and extensive reputation ; but the rest of his compo- sitions may, without much detriment to his cha- racter, be permitted to sink into speedy oblivion. The fastidiousness of his Sketches, the indecency of one of his juvenile poems, and the general in- humaniter communicavit, acceptum referas." Had Mr Chalmers per- used Dr Thomson's admirable introduction with adequate attention, the present note would have been unnecessary. * In the year 1645 it was enacted by the General Assembly, " for remedy cf the great decay of poesy, that no schoolmaster be admitted to teach a grammar-school in burghs, or in other considerable parishes, but 6uch ;is after examination shall be found skilful in the Iatine tongue, not only for prose, but also for verse." (Dundas' Abridgment of tie Ads cf the Ge- neral Assemblies, p. 45.) 1 l)r Johnson's compendious criticism on Thomson's Liberty is too well known : the following is that of the ingenious and amiable Aaron Hill . " I shall never be able to think of a loveliness in moral, a frankness in social, or a penetration in political life, to which you have not, in this inirr -piece, both of language and genius, given a force an! a dt-licacy which few shall be born with a capacity to feel, and none evei with a capacity tc exceed." fliiU'i IVttli, vol. i. p. 14- ) 163 elegance of his rhyming couplets, can only be re- collected with painful emotions. The few poeti- cal compositions which have proceeded from the pen of Smollett are distinguished by many beau- ties. His Ode to Independence is to be ranked among the finest' lyric poems in the English lan- guage. Mickle's Sir Martyn is an admirable imi- tation of the manner of Spenser ; and his transla- tion of Camoens confessedly displays the spirit of an original composition. The poems of Michael Bruce are of a most interesting character : and had a longer term of years been allotted to the amiable author, he might have elevated himself to a level with Pope or with Thomson. The works of Wilkie, Blair, and Logan, tended to rescue the Presbyterian clergy from the charge of barbarism. Dr Beattie's Minstrel breathes the genuine spirit of poetry ; and may undoubtedly be classed among the finest compositions which Scotland has produced. The other works of the excellent author do not reach the same standard ; although some of them are entitled to no parsimonious praise. The vigorous powers of Burns attracted the attention of every admirer of native genius ; and reflected the highest honour on the intellec- tual character of the Scotish peasantry. Latin poetry has not of late been generally cul- tivated by the scholars of North Britain : but in this department of literature the names of Dr Geddes and of Mr Bcattie may be mentioned X 2 164 with some degree of respect. When Mr Good ob- serves, that the former possessed an cktamv and facility, a fecundity and correctness of style, which have not often been exceeded by his countrymen since the age of Buchanan, the assertion, however gratifying it may be to the admirers of Dr Ged- des, is somewhat injurious to the literary charac- ter of the nation 1 . Gcddes was undoubtedly a man of uncommon talents ; but in the composi- tion of Latin poetry he has been surpast by many of his countrymen*. z Good's Life of Gcddes, p. 22. Lond. 1803, 8vo. a In the Latin poems of Dr Gcddes a rigid grammarian may find something to reprehend. Similar delinquencies have however beeit committed by the most accomplished scholars of whom modern Europe can boast. Salmasius ha* detected several false quantities in the Latin poems oi Milton. (AJ Joannem Miltonum Responsio, p. 5. Divione, 1660, 4to.) Vavassor has mentioned those of Beza as containing various errors in prosody and syntax. (De Epi^rammate, p. 301.) Bartliius has parti- cularized several false quantities in the compositions of Politian, J. C. Scaliger, Taubman, Jovius, Fracastorius, D. Heinsius, Douza, and other modern writers of Latin verse. {Adversaria, torn. i. coL 1276.) Sciop- pius has specified many false quantities in the productions of the Italians (ParaJoxa Liuraria, epist. v. ; In the miscellaneous compositions of J. J. Scaliger, I. Casaubon, Thuanus, Lipsius, Strada, Mariana, H. Stephanus, Manutius, and other eminent scholars, several barbarisms have been di=- tovcred by the same critic. ( De Rbdoricarum ExfrJtationu/x Geticribui, lim.) And to conclude this enumeration, which might easily be e\- tended to a much greater length, Vossiui has detected false quantities in the poems of Buchanan. De Arte Grammatica, p. no. 225.) Instances of this kind ought to be received as lessons of modesty. The mo stern grammarian ir,,iy himself be betrayed into the very errors which lu r to expose in others Hallcy, a Professor in the University of Caen, though .1*1 unrelenting exactor of prosodical nicety, :ed 1:1 3 fal e quantity by Huet, at that time one of his own 165 Of living merit it is hazardous to speak : friend- ship may prompt to unmerited panegyric ; resent- ment may produce undue severity. The writers who have lately aspired to the poetical character, shall therefore be left to the unbiassed decision of time. A length of days, says Pindar, is the most impartial witness.. In the composition of fictitious history several Scotish writers have evinced great versatility and compass of talent. Dr Arbuthnot, an author of varied excellence, has made a successful incursion into a favourite province of his friend Dr Swift. The merit of his History of John Bull has long been acknowledged. The Memoirs of Scriblerus are commonly printed among Pope's works ; but they seem, as Dr John- son has remarked, to be the production of Ar- buthnot, with a few touches perhaps by Pope b . This composition displays a remarkable union of wit, humour, and learning. Dr Smollett's general character as a novelist is pupils. ( Huetiana, p. 1 23.) It is remarked by Vavassor and other writers, that in advancing a charge of barbarism against his more learned anta- gonist Salmasius, Milton has himself been guilty of a manifest solecism. (Vavassor De Epigram mate, p. 301. edit. Paris. 1672, 8vo. Morhofii Folyhistor, torn. i. p. 302.) The candour of Markland is more worthy of imitation : this respectable scholar has pointed out a grammatical error in Burman's notes on Quintilian ; but he at the same time confesses that his own notes on Maximus Tyrius betray a similar inadvertency. (Jii- marts on Cicero, p. 36.) l> Johnson's Lives of i;:?;lish Poets, vol. iv. p. 12;. 16G thus delineated by Dr Anderson : " He proves himself to have possessed, in an eminent degree, the powers which are required to excel in this species of composition ; an extensive acquaintance with human nature, an acute discernment, and exact discrimination of characters, a correct judg- ment of probability in situations, an active ima- gination in devising and combining incidents, with command of language for describing them. His novels exhibit the features that give most dig- nity to this species of fiction ; the artful con- duct of an interesting plot, the dramatic de- lineation of characters drawn from actual ob- servation, the accurate and captivating repre- sentation of real domestic life, without offend- ing the modesty of nature, which are found in great perfection in the novels of Le Sage, pro- fessedly adopted by him as models of imitation V The writings of the late Dr Moore exhibit ves- tiges of a mind capable of accurate and sagacious observation ; and are distinguished by a vein of sarcastic humour peculiar to himself. Some of his characters are drawn with no common felicity of conception ; that of Zeluco in particular is sufficient to stamp the author as a man of genius. Moore's erudition appears to have been greatly in- ferior to that of Arbuthnot, and even of Smollett ; but he certainly inherited a large portion of their "knowledge of real life. Anderson's Life of Smollett, p. 1*8. 4th edit. 167 About the middle of the eighteenth century several historians arose to add new lustre to the literary character of their native country. Ro- bertson may, without arrogance or temerity, be pronounced the greatest historian whom the world has yet produced. Hume was endowed with ta- lents of a high order : but that deplorable system of scepticism which he seems to have adopted as the badge of superior genius, has extended its baneful influence to all his productions ; and, by enfeebling his moral principles, has prepared him for perverting the sacred page of history. His sa- gacity is equal to that of Robertson; but he is undoubtedly inferior in those other essen- tial qualities, candour of sentiment, assiduity of research, and elegance of diction. To historical composition the genius of the Scotish seems peculiarly adapted. The success of Robertson and of Hume has incited a nume- rous train of candidates for similar honours ; and many of these have displayed abilities of no vul- gar denomination. The historical productions of Dr Watson, for example, are unquestionably pos- sest of considerable merit. Dr Stuart, had his moral been equal to his intellectual qualities, might have secured a permanent reputation : but, with all his acuteness and knowledge, he was a miserable slave to his passions. His personal en- mity towards Dr Robertson seems to have ad- hered to him in all his literary cnterprizes; and. 168 in many instances, to have clouded his perspi- cacity. At present his History of Scotland, a work apparently suggested by such principles as actu- ated the ancient sophists, is only examined as a specimen of composition. It would however be unjust to deny that some of his other works pos- sess superior merit. His View of Society in Europe is a production which combines the utility of an- tiquarian research with the splendour of oratory. His style however is too artificial ; or, in more ap- propriate terms, his artifices of language are too apparent. His admiration of the stile coupee of the French has induced him to allot only one member to the generality of his sentences ; a practice which has a direct and powerful tenden- cy to produce satiety. In investigating the ori- gin and progress of society, the Scotish writers have displayed the happiest talents : the works of Robertson, Karnes, Millar, Stuart, and Dun- bar, have added new stores to the general trea- sury of knowledge. The eloquence and energy of Dr Dunbar's Essays on the History of Mankind entitle them to a more ample share of the public. attention than they seem to have received. The genius of the Scotish nation has been pro nounced philosophical by those literary heroes Scaliger and Grotius' J . Genuine science however d " I.e. Evomoj'%" sayi Joseph Snlio-pr. <; ^ont bnjn philwn 169 had too long been neglected; but was now be- ginning to advance towards maturity. In the unprofitable subtilties of the schools our coun- trymen were sufficiently conversant; but at the time when true philosophy began to be dissemi- nated with the writings of Lord Bacon, the poli- tical state of the nation was altogether unfavour- able to profound and laborious investigations Till the speculations of Hume began to rouse the pub- lic attention, the study of ethics and of metaphy- sics was not pursued with brilliant success. Those who admired the sagacity or abhorred the infide- lity of this philosopher, were induced, by discre- pant motives, to cultivate these neglected fields. Reid, Smith, Karnes, and other ingenious men' have earned a reputation which promises to be lasting. The eloquent Dr Parr's encomium on ^ *\**> Gr tIuS menti nS one Stuart > " gente Schotus, et pa e9 eJ L gentIS laUS VelUt Pr0pHa CSt ' h *enio per omnes philosopk Waron r"^ ; ^ **"*' P " ** ^ The admirable Warto spealung of the Scotish, commemorates that philosophical and 2S7JT 7 h . Ich characterises their "*"* ii- W> English Fodry, vol. 11. p. 321.; J One of the earliest encomiums which has been past on the genius of^ur countrymen proceeded from the pen of Sebastian Mun r Vol ent mgemo, ,d quod doctrina declarat : nam ad quamcunque se ap P In artem m ea facile profit." iCos^Ja UiJ a l it , p % B d. l559 , f ,. } " Uti polis proximiores sunt," says Caspar b iu in acumma desmunt, et circa se, velut axem, verti adspectant vici narum genUum mgenia judiciaque." (Barl.i J^U, torn ii. p. 864) To these testimonies I shall only add that of Stanihurst : Quo, san* amm. magnitude, bellica virtute, insigni prudentia, sempiternae laudi, famamconfea.se agnoaco." (Zfc Rebut in Hibernia G . verp. 1584,410.) ' V ' m Vol. I. y 170 the Scotish philosophers is at once a proof of his own discernment, and a valuable testimony in fa- vour of the national character 6 . In the present disquisition, criticism and phi- lology claim a large share of our attention. Dr Blackwell published in 1735 his Enquiry into the Life and Writings of Homer \ a production which displays more erudition than genius, and more affectation than elegance. Blackwell was undoubtedly possest of ingenuity and learning which might have secured him a place among the most respectable of the British writers : but his unfortunate admiration of the style and man- ner of Lord Shaftesbury has betrayed him into perpetual affectation. This work however, with all its faults, is of considerable value ; the au- thor's speculations have occasionally elucidated the obscurities of ancient literature. His other labours have been bestowed without effect. The Letters concerning Mythology will by most readers be classed among pompous trifles ; and, his Me- moirs of the Court of Augustus, a production which fell under the lash of Dr Johnson f , may now be praised or censured without much hazard of con- tradiction. Mr Ruddiman, whose philological qualifica- tions are generally acknowledged, has in his van e Parr, Prxfat. ad Bellenden. p. lxxiL * Johnson's Work*, vol. ii. p. 319, I7i ous publications evinced no inconsiderable ac- quaintance with the circle of critical learning. His elaborate Vindication of Buchanan's Psalms against the cavils of Benson is a production which may still be perused with profit. Mr Geddes's Essay on the Composition of the Ancients was published at Glasgow in the year 1748. From a careful perusal of the writers of the purest age of Grecian literature some advan- tages must always be derived. Although Mr Geddes does not display abilities of a high order, yet his admiration of ancient models has enabled him to produce a work which, it is probable, his cotemporaries did not despise. Precision of thought he certainly did not possess : nor has his atten- tion been generally directed towards subjects of much importance. His attempts to trace imita- tions of Homer in the writings of Plato and other authors are for the most part extremely puerile : and nugatory enumerations of such coincidences will be found to occupy a very considerable pro- portion of his essay. The earliest example of ex- hibiting a lengthened series of parallelisms is perhaps furnished by Macrobius. The inventor of this literary game, whoever he may have been, is entitled to little gratitude from the admirers of solid erudition s . On the dexterity which they K Porphyry, in a fragment of his treatise on philology quoted by Eusebius, mentions one Aretades as having made an ample collection of 'incidences. See Menage's Anti-Baillet, torn. ii. p. 20 g. anc j th( . san) 172 display at this trivial occupation, many writers seem willing to rest their hopes of celebrity. When Mr Geddes enters into a disquisition rela- tive to the philosophy of Plato, he evidently di- gresses from his profest subject ; but this digres- sion is perhaps the only valuable part of his work. With some learning and ingenuity he has traced the delicate connection of Plato's dialogues ; and has vindicated him against the rash and unfound- ed charges of Dr Warburton. Lauder's Essay on Milton's Imitation of the Mo- derns appeared in 1750. This notable impostor was not deficient in acutenes or in literature : his talents, under more virtuous regulation, might have reflected some credit on his native country. Scotland, which had produced so dishonourable an enemy to the fame of Milton, could fortunate- ly boast, in the person of Dr Douglas, of another scholar competent and willing to vindicate that illustrious poet. Dr Moor, who has published several essays on subjects of polite literature, is here entitled to some degree of notice. He possessed much na- tural acuteness, and was intimately acquainted with ancient authors. These qualifications how- ever are not sufficient for enabling a man to write in his native language with propriety and ele- writtr's Observations tur lei PortUs de M. de Malberbe, p. 1$$. Thi* Wdc perhaps the fir? teparate treatise on the subject of plagiari*m and imita - ''n 173 gance ; he must also study the genius of modern tongues, and familiarize himself with the best models of vernacular composition. Moor's style is beneath criticism; and some of his literary speculations have little either of novelty or of utility. But his merit as a philologer is con- spicuous. In his elements of Greek grammar, a work which he has left incomplete, we meet with instances of a beautiful analysis ; and his Essay on the Prepositions of the Greek Language, pub- lished at Glasgow in 1766, is another exemplifi- cation of the advantage which grammar may de- rive from philosophy. On the subject of the Greek prepositions, he had perhaps formed more -correct notions than any other modern writer ; and it cannot sufficiently be regretted that this introductory essay was never followed by the se- quel which he had taught his readers to expect. Dr Moor was Professor of Greek in the Universi- ty of Glasgow; a seminary which during the last sixty years has risen to a conspicuous eminence. His zeal in promoting a taste for his favourite study appears to have been crowned with suc- cess; Glasgow has lately produced some of the best Grecians of whom North Britain can boast. The qualifications of Dr Gillies are known to every admirer of ancient literature. Mr Young has not hitherto afforded the same opportunity of ascertaining the extent of his erudition: but the uniform testimony of those who have attend- 174 ed his academical prelections, has procured him a reputation which, it is to be hoped, he will at length establish upon a more permanent basis. Dr Blair's Dissertation on Ossian excited an un- usual degree of attention. This work is com- posed with an accuracy and elegance of style which had only been surpast by the admirable Robertson : and the English scholars were now ready to acknowledge, that their northern neigh- bours had already begun to rival them in certain departments of polite literature. Our obligations to the labours of Blair are important : he was the first professor who taught, in any of the univer- sities, the principles of rhetoric with eminent suc- cess ; and the first preacher who afforded practi- cal illustrations of the eloquence of the pulpit. The utility of his academical prelections was af- terwards extended by their publication. If they do not display much originality or compass of thought, they may at least be recommended as a judicious introduction to critical studies. Lord Karnes's Elements of Criticism possess a higher species of merit ; they present us with the first regular attempt to confer on criticism the dignity and solidity of science. To literary com- position former writers had applied detached prin- ciples of philosophy ; Aristotle, the father of cri- ticism, has himself proceeded with a reference to the original principles of our nature : but it was reserved for the genius of Karnes to frame a sv 175 tem of philosophical criticism. His work is dis- tinguished by an original mode of thinking ; and his positions are always delivered in precise and simple language. He has found many admirers in England and Ireland, as well as in Scotland. Dr Leland's contemptuous mention of" the author of a book called Elements of Criticism" must be re- gretted as a remarkable deviation from his usual candour h . Kames, it must be acknowledged, was deficient in classical learning ; and several of his speculations may perhaps be considered as flimsy or over refined. But in some respects his critical work has not often been surpast. Dr Campbell, possest of erudition superior to that of Kames, and of acuteness superior to that of Blair, has presented us with several valuable contributions to the stock of national literature. His Philosophy of Rhetoric is a work which may be perused with advantage by every student. While the acuteness and importance of the au- thor's remarks are valued for intrinsic qualities, the imperfections of his style remind us of the propriety of inculcating an early application to the study of rhetoric. Dr Beattie displays a more elegant vein of cri- ticism than any of his predecessors. To Blair he is superior in every quality which enables a man to appreciate the beauties of composition : and !> Leland's Dissertation on the Principles of Human Eloquence, p. 6;. 17G although his metaphysical acumen is not equal to that of Karnes or of Campbell, yet his taste is more delicate and more truly classical. The va- lue of his philosophical writings is not very con- siderable ; but as a poet and as a critic his merit is conspicuous. Mr Hume, among his miscellaneous works, had published several critical essays of no ordinary character. Lord Hailes, in his investigations of different subjects of Scotish antiquities, had evin- ced much skill as a philologer. Lord Monboddo's singular production entitled Of the Origin and Progress of Language, though certainly marked with little elegance of taste, is replenished with recondite erudition. The philological attainments of Dr Gcddes are too generally admired to stand in need of reiterated commendation. From an accurate investigation, it will proba- bly appear that the Scotish writers have excelled in philosophical criticism rather than in philology. Among our countrymen, the only profest philo- logers who have risen to considerable eminence, are Scrimger, Dempster, Balfour, Cameron, Rud- diman, Cunningham, Campbell, Monboddo, and Geddes'. The following observations on this sub- i Dempster, a celebrated humanist, published editions of Claudian and Corippus, not Cruput as Erythrxus and Spizelius suppose. He also com- mented on a more modern production, Btnidictus Accoltus Dc Bello a Cbristianis contra Barbaroi Geilo. Dempster mentions his own notes on Htatius and on ./Elian. See the catalogue of his writing*, insert' ' At>f>aratn nd /fiitoriam Scntiatm, &c. Bononise, \ f >2r. 4tn, # 177- ject, though dictated by a fantastic writer, seem entitled to considerable regard: " Most of the Scottish nation," says Urquhart, " never having astricted themselves so much to the propriety of Words, as to the knowledge of things, where there was one preceptor of languages amongst them, there were above forty professors of philosophy : nay, to so high a pitch did the glory of the Scot- tish nation attain over all the parts of France, and for so long time together continue in that obtain- ed height, by vertue of an ascendant the French conceived the Scots to have above all. nations, in matter of their subtlety in philosophical discepta- tions, that there hath not been till of late, for these several ages together, any lord, gentleman, or other in all that country, who being desirous to have his son instructed in the principles of philosophy, would intrust him to the discipline of any other than a Scottish master ; of whom they Balfour's edition of Cleomedes procured him the applauie of compe- tent judges. Barthius, an author of wonderful erudition, mentions it in the following terms : " Quo loco vide commentaria eruditissimi Balforei, qui authorem prasstantissimum vite suae restituit." {Adversaria, torn. i. col. 673.) Alexander Scot, LL.D. is here entitled to an incidental notice. He published two philological compilations; the one entitled Vniversa Gram- matica Graca; the other, Apparatus Latins Locutions. He flourished at the beginning of the seventeenth century. His Greek grammar is re- commended by Scioppius. {Consultations dc Scbolarum et Studiorum Ratione, P- 56.) John Rutherford, Professor of Philosophy at St Andrews, is said to have published Comment, in librum Aristotelis de Arte Metrica. Edinb. *557> 4to. (Mackenzie's Lives of Scots Writers, vol. iii. p. 144.) Vox.. I. Z 178 were no less proud then Philip was of Aristotle, or Tullius of Cratippus. And if it occurred (as very often it did) that a pretender to a place in any French university, having in his tendrer yeers been subferulary to some other kind of schooling, should enter in competition with another aiming at the same charge and dignity, whose learning flowed from a Caledonian source, commonly the first was rejected, and the other preferred j ." No learned nation of Europe has furnished so small a proportion of the philological compilations from which modern scholars derive such advan- tage; Lexica cum glossis, analecta, theatra, raedullae, Thesauri, methodi, bibliotheca, penus, Fasciculi, flores, syntagmata, symbola, silva-, Notrtiae, tabulae, lampas, acerra, faces, Deliciae, phrases, suadse, proverbia, claves, Atria, vestibulum, janua, porta, vice, t qu;e prx'terea jejuno sueta supellex Materiein crassis suppeditarc libris J: . It must also have occurred to every enquirer, that the number of translations produced in North Britain is extremely small. To labour of this de- scription our countrymen submit with reluctance. No translations from the Greek, and very few from the Latin, into the ancient Scotish language, j Urquhart's Jewel, p. 117. " k Burmanni Poeinata, p. 39. Amst. 1746, 4to. 179 have ever been discovered. Douglas's admirable version of the iEneid stands alone in the early annals of Scotish poetry. Bellenden has translated Boyce's history, and Winzet the treatise of Vin- centius Lirinensis into Scotish prose 1 . A version of Bonet's Arbre des Batailles was executed by Sir Gilbert Hay. An English version of Sallust was published by Alexander Barclay, the author of The Ship of Fooles. Translations from Du Bartas and Petrarch are to be found among the works of James the Sixth, Hudson, and Fowler. This short catalogue includes almost every translation into the Scotish language which is known to have been executed previous to the union of the two kingdoms. The list of books translated since that sera by natives of Scotland, would occupy very little space. Let it however be remember- ed that Scotland has furnished one of the few systematic treatises on the art of translation which have hitherto appeared. Lord Woodhouselee's Essay on the Principles of Translation, composed while he filled the office of Professor of Civil His- I Vincentius Lirinensis, of the natioun of Gallis, for the Antiquitie and Veritie of the Catholik Fayth, aganis ye Prophane Nouationis of al Hxreseis; a richt goldin buke, writtin in Latin about xi C zeris passit, and neulie translatit in Scottis be Niniane Winzet, a Catholik Priest, Antwerp, 1503, 8vo. According to Dr Mackenzie, Winzet likewise published " a translation of a discourse of Renatus Benedictus concerning composing discords in religion. Paris. 1.565, 8vo." Livei of Scots IVritns, vol. iii. p. 156 j This translation I have never seen. 7. 2 180 - .> in the University of Edinburgh, is a produc- tion from which future scholars cannot fail to de- iive advantage". After a persevering march over tracts of va- ried aspect, we are now arrived at the close of the eighteenth century ; an aera which presents us m To Lord Woodhouselee's enumeration of authors who have dis- cussed the principles of translation, it will not, I hope, be deemed im- pertinent to subjoin a brief supplement. Huet's treatise, which his Lordship has never seen, is no very rare book; it has undergone at least four editions. It bears the title of " Petri Danielis Huetii de Interpretatione libri duo : quorum prior est de Optimo Genere Interpretandi ; alter de Claris Interpretibus." Paris. 1661, 4to. This excellent work, which is conducted in the form of a dialogue, is elegantly written, and replenished with erudition. St Jerom is the author of a tract De Optimo Genere Interpretandi, which Lord Woodhouselee has totally overlooked. (Hieronymi Optra, torn. ii. f. Hi. edit. Erasmi, 1546.) A discourse De la Traduction, written by M. de Mezeriac of the French Academy, is inserted by M. de la Monnoye in the Menagiana, torn. iii. M. de l'Estang published a work entitled " De la Traduction, ou Regies pour apprendre a traduire la langue Latine en la langue Francoise: tirces de quelques-unes des meilleures traductions du temps." A Paris, 1660, 8vo. As Lord Woodhouselee has mentioned Dr Franklyn's metrical work, he might also have enumerated Lord Roscommon's Essay on Translated Verse. Le Clerc, in the first volume of his Ars Critica, presents us with many observations on the subject of translation. Wowerus has written a Syn- t.igma de Grxca et Latin* Bibliorum Interpretatione ; but it contains few or no remarks on the general principles of the art. It was first printed with his Epiitolarum centuri* due, Hamb. 1618, 8vo. and afterwards with Wal- ton's Diiieriatio de I.inguit Or'untiilibus, Daventrix, 1658, i2mo. Various observations on the pnneiples of translation may be found in the biblical works of I>r Geddes and of Archbishop Newcome. In the ntaJcgue of Thuarms'i library occurs the following article 181 with a brilliant prospect of national prosperity and of national genius. The commerce and ma- nufactures- of North Britain have lately been ad- vanced with rapid industry ; and, what is of high- er moment, philosophy and literature have there been cultivated with wonderful success". " We every day," says Dr Campbell, " see the bleak regions of North Britain sending forth her colo- nies of genius to overthrow the fanciful systems of those climate theorists who will not combine moral and political with physical causes, in esti- mating the momentum of national genius ." The philosophical and historical productions of Scot- ish authors who have flourished within the last fifty years, are more generally diffused over the continent than the similar compositions of their English cotemporaries. In England, there is rea- son to apprehend, philosophy has already begun to languish ; several late publications have been eagerly received as systems of philosophy, though " Joachimi Perionii O. B. de optimo interpretandi genere, &c. 4to. Pari/. Colinrt. 1540." (Quesnel, Bibliotbeca Thuana> torn. ii. p. 44.) Casaubon, in his preface to Polybius, hints at his intention of publish- ing a discourse on the principles of translation : but when his papers were inspected after his decease, no considerable fragment of this com- position could be found. (M. Casaubonl Pietas, p. 163.) n " Animi illis in quxcunque studia inclinant, mirifico successu inclyti, ut nullis major patientia castrorum vel audacia pugnae, et Musae nunquam delicatius habeant quam cum inciderunt in Scotos." Barclaii Satyricon, p. 39a. Campbell's Strictures on the Ecclesiastical and Literary History of Ireland, p. 159. Dublin, 1789, 8vo. 1S2 it may safely be affirmed that their pretensions to such a character are more than dubious. Pro- ductions which the English applaud in unquali- fied terms, would in a Scotish university be re- jected as nugatory. Dr Paley's celebrated work may be approved as containing some important observations on moral and political topics ; but of philosophy it appears to be almost entirely de- void. In the southern universities words are more carefully studied than things : and the effects of this plan may often be traced in the writings of their most distinguished members; an accurate knowledge of all the niceties of ancient languages is often found accompanied with little power of enlarged investigation. The mere study of words is productive of no beneficial consequences p . Writers who feel the conscious pride of philology, are apt to treat every subject in a trifling if not pedantic manner ; the temporal rights and eter- nal concerns of mankind must be discussed like points of prosody or syntax. With what pro- priety have political subjects been investigated by the late Mr Wakefield, one of the most emi- nent philologers of the present age ? A tissue of school-boy allusions, and of quotations which sug- gest nothing, is but poorly calculated to impress f " Onirics artcs communi quodam vinculo aptas ct colligatas convin- cam, u: qui&quis caruin uoicam negligenter habutrit, cum reliqux quo- que deraut." WowEki's dc Polymathia, p. 14. 183 the reader's mind with important truths. The effects of the philosophical blended with the clas- sical discipline, may be perceived in the nobler pages of Mr Mackintosh. The one marches with the dignity of a Roman senator ; the other pro- ceeds with the irregular step of a feeble stripling. By this ardour of philology, writers of a highly respectable character are not unfrequently be- trayed into an unseasonable parade of verbal cri- ticism. The works of Dr Jortin, for example, exhibit a very considerable share of ingenuity and of learning; but their value Would perhaps have been enhanced, if he had sometimes forgotten that he was so accomplished a philologer. The following quotation from this author is character- istic : " Some unpublished sermons of Bishop Chandler were sent to me to peruse. They are such as might be expected from him, and upon points in which he was skilled. He was more of a divine than a philologerV James the First was more of a king than a poet ; and the Duke of Marlborough was more of a general than a pioneer. Such parallels may however be deemed invi- dious ; and these observations are produced with the utmost reluctance. The present superiority of England in every department except those of history, moral philosophy, and philosophical cri- q Jortin's Tracts, vol. ii. p. 513. 184 ticism, we are on all occasions ready to acknow- ledge; but in these, we must venture with due modesty to dispute the point of precedency. Every man of ordinary candour must admit, that in the more recondite studies connected with their sacred profession, the Scotish clergy are somewhat deficient. Whether we are to impute it to the scantiness of present provision, or to the absence of future prospects, the fact itself is too manifest to be easily veiled. Such of their num- ber as have courted literary distinction, have ge- nerally directed their views towards secular stu- dies : and by the cultivation of these, it would be unjust to deny, they have frequently merited su- perlative praise. But while England can boast of Cudworth, Gataker, Pearson, Clarke, Warbur- ton, and many other illustrious names, the only Scotish divine of the Presbyterian establishment who has produced any professional work of more than vulgar learning, is Dr George Campbell, Principal of Marischal College, Aberdeen. And, what increases the poignancy of this reflection, the present state of ecclesiastical affairs seems to afford no very bright prospects. From Dr Wil- liam Laurence Brown, the accomplished successor of Dr Campbell, there is however reason to expect some splendid exertion ; some theological produc- tion which shall display a happy union of uncir- cumscribed erudition with the perspicacity of ge- nius. 18. " When we consider," says Dr Rennell, " the vigilant exertions, the constant residence of her laborious clergy, the effectual and general diffu- sion of religious knowledge among the lower ranks of the people, the regular institution, well direct- ed course of study, and the public and solemn ex- amination, and previous professional knowledge which is indispensibly required in those who are admitted to the sacred ministry, we cannot but hold such a church as worthy of the highest res- pect and veneration r ." Without appealing from the sentence of this writer, we may still main- tain, that the Scottsh church has never signalized itself in the higher paths of theological learning. And indeed it must in the mean time be recol- lected, that the first and greatest duty of a Christ- ian pastor is to feed the flock committed to his immediate care ; and that a churchman, while he earns the praise of genius or of erudition, may perhaps be found guilty of deserting the charge which he has so solemnly undertaken. The neglect which prevails in Scotland of phi- lology in general, and of the Greek language in particular, cannot but be regarded as a copious r To the Scotlsh clergy a liberal tribute of applause has also been paid by Mr Ledwich, a gentleman who, ranks with the most distinguished members of the Irish church : " The clergy of Scotland have done them- selves immortal honour by their statistical account of that kingdom: in- genuity, learning, and good sense, were never perhaps so conspicuously displayed by any body of .men." (Statistical /L.'junt of the Patish of ji It- ' '. i )ublin, 1 796, Hxv- ) A. a 18G subject of regret. In the grammar-schools and the universities, the enthusiasm of individuals mav occasionally add a temporary impulse ; and a few private scholars may prosecute philological stu- dies with perseverance and success. But the pre- valent taste is too much vitiated by the affecta- tion of metaphysical refinement. Dr Blackwell was instrumental in promoting a relish for Gre- cian literature among the students of Aberdeen ; and Dr Moor produced the same effect upon those of Glasgow. When a grammar-school finds such a rector as Dr Adam or the late Dr Doig, the pu- pils are initiated into classical learning with due accuracy. But in the schools in general, it is to be feared, this study is prosecuted with little vi- gour. A conformity to the models furnished by the English universities, where classical know- ledge is acquired to the almost total exclusion of every other branch, is as sedulously to be avoided as the other extreme : but it were earnestly to be wished that a portion of English scholarship could speedily be transfused into our northern semina- ries. That discipline must be most perfect in which literature and philosophy are judiciously combined. To the prosecution of philosophical stu- dies the genius of the Scotish universities is not unfavourable ; but their classical fame seems to be verging to its final decay. We now recollect, with mixed sensations of pride and despondency, hat there was a time when our countrymen stu- 187 died the Greek and Roman languages with the utmost assiduity and success; when they were even thought to write and to speak the Latin more classically than the scholars of England s . The common practice of excluding the Greek tongue in a great measure from the grammar- schools, ought to be exploded as highly pernicious. The knowledge of this language which the stu- dent acquires during his academical course, is ge- nerally precarious, and most frequently imperfect. The plan lately recommended by Mr Christison is entitled to an immediate and unbiassed exami- nation from those who are possest of the power of rectifying the errors of which it reminds them : and it is to be hoped that this plan will at length be adopted in the principal schools of North Bri- tain. The utility and importance of the Greek language have always been warmly acknowledged by every competent judge : and the derogatory insinuations of men who are ignorant of its first principles ought not to influence the public mind. According to Menage, he who is unacquainted with this language is only half-learned. He who is ignorant of Greek, says Joseph Scaliger, is ig- norant of every thing. These celebrated writers have perhaps exprest their approbation in too un- qualified terms : and it would undoubtedly be safer to acquiesce in the modest and sensible de- ,J Pjtrr, Praefat. ad Bellenden. p. Ixxi. A a 2 iss cisiun of Sir Thomas More. The man who v. out a knowledge of the Greek language h;v rived at literary eminence, would have been ena- bled to reach a more enviable height, if he bad added this to his other accomplishments'. When literary honours are scattered with a partial or sordid hand, real merit is defrauded of a part of his patrimony. The gross perversion of academical degrees from their original and ge- nuine principle, has often been objected to the Scotish universities ; and certainly not without abundance of reason. The traffic which for a considerable time has been carried on by those of Aberdeen and St Andrews, i-, sufficient to affix an eternal stigma on their character. The infa- mous practice of conferring degrees on almost every man who is able and willing to purchase them, has been ridiculed by the novelist, has been exposed by the poignant satire of the dramatist, has been displayed in all its native absurdity by the ten thousand annual advertisements of Dr Samuel Solomon : but the shafts of ridicule may be expected to fall harmless ; for the practice i 1 " Infinitum, mi Drrpi, fuerit explicare, quam multa iesunt ei cui Graeca desunt. Neiue tanien ignore, et alios multos, et tc in primis ip- tiro, vine Gravcis literit ipsain doctrinx arcem versus e< usque provectum, quo muhi non po-sir;t etiam Grace c docti ^udant< i' at que anhelantej ascen- d*rc. Sed hoc unum tamer, ausim afiirniare : ti cxteris disciplines tuis tu Grxcas prxtorta liters 1 . adjeceri, quantum nunc alios et Grxce pcrito- exup tunc tc etiam ipsum siiperabi ." Mori Lucubrationes, p. 417. edit. Basil. 1563, 8vo. 1S9 gainful. Over this miserable degradation of our seminaries, however, the scholars of England have perhaps exulted with too much self-complacen- cy. Of the mode in which they have themselves obtained their academical titles, we are not so to- tally ignorant as to be imprest with any high de- gree of positive respect for English graduates : the mystery has been completely unveiled by Dr Knox, Serjeant Miller, and other uncourteous writers who have not scrupled to detail facts and circumstances with the sobriety of truth. If the late Oxford decree with regard to the examina- tion of candidates be enforced with becoming zeal, the abuses which formerly prevailed must necessarily undergo a salutary and complete re- formation. At Cambridge however it may still be possible to obtain a degree, either by keeping an act, or by " paying for the same"." The Eng- lish universities, if they do not manufacture di- plomas for the use of such egregious scholars as Samuel Solomon and William Brodum, are at cast sufficiently liberal in bestowing them on men who happen to bear the stamp of nobility : and this species of prostitution may safely be pro- nounced equally contemptible with the other. Hut M.ich accusations as these may be extend- ed more widely. Whatever may be alleged to the contrary, it is too evident that academical dc- 11 Mllk-r's Aocouut of the University of Cambridge, p. 160. 1 <>n another ill- boding circumstance. The claims of the differ- ent candidates arc professedly decided by a com- pararr. trial ; but this ceremony, it is well known. is on'-inanv occasions terminated by an art of in 193 justice. The task of examination is generally left to the clergy : and when one of the competitors is properly recommended, his fortune is determined before the slightest enquiry is instituted with respect to his literary qualifications. This con- duct indeed may sometimes arise from a distor- tion of benevolent sentiments ; but in the mean time the cause of letters is exposed to deep and lasting injury. These general assertions it were but too easy to strengthen by an enumeration of particular instances : but this would be a painful and per- haps a dangerous task. The observations which I have already presumed to state, will, I am aware, be sufficient to provoke abundance of hostility. These prevalent examples of a most baneful spe- cies of abuse, it however becomes every good ci- tizen to execrate. When the rewards of litera- ture are openly bestowed upon sycophants, such a remonstrance as the present may be ineffectual, but it certainly cannot be deemed superfluous. Vol. I. B h DISSERTATION EARLY SCOTISH DRAM J. DISSERTATION EARLY SCOTISH DRAMA. IT is remarked by Maximus Tyrius, that the Athenian stage derived its remote origin from the rude and extemporaneous songs of the husband- men, who were accustomed t6 assemble after having closed the annual labours of the seed-time and harvest*. If such was the progress of a na- tional drama which at length attained to so high a degree of perfection, it were but rational to sup- pose, that the dramatic poetry of Scotland, a country which has never been distinguished by its successful cultivation of this department of li- terature, must have arisen from no very pure source. a Maximi Tyrii Dissmatlonej, p. 437. edit. Marklind. J 98 Dramatic representation is generally under- stood to have been indebted for its revival to the ostentatious genius of the Catholic religion. Du- ring the middle ages, learning, or even an ac- quaintance with the letters of the alphabet, was almost exclusively confined to the different orders of ecclesiastics. With a view of dispelling the perpetual clouds of monastic indolence, they oc- casionally had recourse to dramatic exhibitions ; which, from the circumstance of their being com- monly founded on the more mystical passages of the Scriptures, were denominated mysteries. These exhibitions took place in the churches and other sacred edifices, and were regarded as acts of devotion. Representations of this kind prevailed in Scot- land as well as in the other countries of Europe 6 ; but whether they were introduced at an early period, cannot easily be ascertained. Players of a different character seem to be specified in the laws ascribed to Macbeth. It is there enacted that players and other idle vagrants shall be en- joined to betake themselves to some mechanical occupation; and that such as neglect to obey this mandate, shall be treated like beasts of burthen, and compelled to draw the plough or the cart. An exception is however made in favour of those who have received the royal licence to exercise fc Buchanan. Rerum Scotic. Hiat. p. 190. edit. Rudtlinvn. 199 their profession . The word which I have here translated players, is histriones : but this term, as sufficiently appears from the glossary of Du Cange, is often applied in a very indefinite man- ner. The histriones and ludiones mentioned in the statute were perhaps jugglers and tumblers. So lately as the reign of Queen Mary of England, tumblers were introduced for the diversion of the court d . The character of the juggler does not appear to have been unknown in Scotland. Holland, in his allegorical description of the assembly of fowls, has thus represented the- jay : Quhen thay had sangln and said softly a schourc, And plaid as of paradyss it a poynt ware, In came japane die ja, as a jugloure, With castis and with cantelis, a quynt caryare. He gart thame see, as it semyt, in samin houre, Hunting at herdis in holtis so haire ; Soune sailand on the see schippis of toure; Bernis batalland on burd, brym as a bare: He could carve the coup of the kingis des, Syne leve in the stede Bet a blak bunwede : He coud of a henis hede Mak a man mes. Innumerable bands of tumblers, buffoons, rope- dancers, minstrels, and players, were at a certain c Bocthii Scotorum Historia, f. 251. a. edit. Paris. 1574, fol 'J Warton's Hist, of English Poetry, vol. iii. p. 302. 200 period retained in the courts of princes \ Be- tween these professions it is not always easy to draw a discriminative line ; several of them were occasionally exercised by the same individual. In tracing the history of the early Scotish drama, there is some danger of our encroaching upon the province of the minstrels ; whose recitations might sometimes be thought to partake of the nature of dramatic representation. It will how- ever be necessary to collect every detached hint which promises to illustrate the present subject. In this sketch the character of the professional buffoon or jester seems to merit a place. Men of this description are not unfrequently mentioned by our early writers. A fool belonged to the household establishment of James the Fifth f , and probably to that of other Scotish monarchs s . It appears to have been the duty of this personage to amuse his patron with sallies of wit and humour; with bold and unexpected remarks on the occur- rences of the day ; with ludicrous representations Barney ' History of Music, vol. ii. p. 316. ' Lindsay's History of Scotland, p. 105. S Archy Armstrong, fool to James the Sixth, is said to have been * of Cumberland ; but a tradition is still preserved of his having resided in Wauchopedale, and exeid:ed his ingenuity in purloining sheep .irtides necessary to a householder. He accompanied Prince s in his ro.nantic expedition to Madrid. " Our cousin Archy," . lowell, " hath more privilege than any, for he often goes with hi* where the Infanta is with her meninai and ladies of honour, *-.(! keeps a blowing and blustering among them, and flurts out what h ,.-." , p. 136. 1 Archy is ajso mentioned in Sir A- I I ..-..'-/ e/K. "Jamis, p. <)\. % 201 of incident and character. He wore a fantastic and party coloured garment ; and endeavoured by every art to attract the attention of the prince or baron by whom he was entertained. He was exposed to the wit or folly of every joker ; and, in his turn, was privileged to exercise his profes- sional talents without respect to rank. The following passage in The Priests of Peblis tends to illustrate the nature of this grotesque appendage of the feudal court : Sa ouir the sey cummin thair was a dark Of greit science, of voyce, word, and wark, And dressit him, with al his besynes, Thus with this king to mak his recidens. Weil saw he with this king micht na man byde, Bot thay that wald al sadnes set on syde. With club, and bel, and partie cote with eiris, He feinyeit him ane fule, fond in his feiris. "French, Dutche, and Italic yit als, Weil could he speik, and Latine feinye fals. Unto the kirk he came befoir the king, With club, and cote, and monie bel to ring. Dieu gard! Sir King, I bid nocht hald in hiddil : I am to yow als sib as seif is to ane riddil. Betwixt us twa mot be als mekil grace, As frost and snaw fra Yule is unto Pace. Wait yee how the Frenche man sayis syne ? Nul bon, he sayis, Monsieur, sans py tie. With that he gave ane loud lauchter on loft : Honour and eis, Sir, quha may have for nocht ? v Cum on thy way, Sir King-, now for Sanct J;?me ? Thow with me, or I with the, gang liame. Vol, T. C c 202 Now, be Sanct Katherinc, quod the king and smyld, This fulc hes monie waverand word and wyld. Ridiculous as such a character may appear, it found general encouragement in the most refined nation of antiquity : the jester, or yix*r.ix or eight days, very magnificently treated by the town when the queen made her entress' 1 ." About this period Sir David Lindsay had begun * Lin >.: Hittory of otland. p. 149. 251. 207 to cultivate dramatic poetry. One play of his composition has been preserved : nor does it appear that he was the author of any other work of this description. It is entitled Ane Sdtyre of the Tbrie Estaitis ; but the principal burthen of his satire falls upon the ecclesiastics. In this curious relique we discover few traces of dramatic character or incident: allegorical and real persons are unskilfully grouped together; and a very slight degree of attention is paid to probability. The different parts have but little connection with each other. The expression is in many instances highly gross and indecent. This work however is not entirely devoid of humour : and in the Scotish populace of that aera it must un- doubtedly have excited infinite delight. The following extract is from one of the speeches of a pardoner : My potent pardonnis ye may se, Cum fra the Can of Tartarie Weill seilit with ester schellis. Thocht ye haif no discretioun, Ye sail haiff full remissioun With help of buikis and bellis. Heir is a rellik, lang and braid, Of Fynmakovvll the richt chaft blade, With teith, and all togeddir. Of Collingis kovv heir is a home, For citting of Makameillis corne Was slane into Baquhidder. 208 Heir is the cordis, baith grit and lang, Quhilk hangit Jolinnic Armstrang, Of gud hempt, soft and sound : Gudc haly pepill, I stand ford, Quhavir beis hangit in this cord, Ncidis nevir to be dround. The culum of St Bryddis cow j The grunttill of Santt Antonis sow, Quhilk bure his haly bell j Quha evir hciris this bell clink, Gife me a duccat to the drink, He sail nevir gang till hell, Withowt he be with Belliall borne. Maisteris, trew ye that this be scorne ? Cum, win this pardone, cum! Quha luvis tliair wyvis not with thair hairt. I haif power thamc to, depairt : Me think you deif and dum. Hes nane of yow curst wickett wyvis That haldis you into sturt and stryvis ? Cum, tak my dispensatioun : Off that cummer I sail mak yow quyt, Howbeid your self be in the wyte, And mak an fals narratioun. Cum wyn the pardone, now lat sec, For meill, for malt, or for money, For cok, hen, guse, or gryss. Off rellikkis heir 1 haif a hunder : Ouhy cum ye not ? This is a wondir : I trow ye be not wyss. This precious drama is supposed to have been represented at Linlithgow in the year 1530/. It r Mr Ritson, in the corrections of his Historical Euny on Stotiih S'.ng, i us with the kiliov.ing |>urticukrs relative to this exhibition: 209 was also " playit beside Edinburgh, in presence of the Quene Regent, and ane greit part of the nobilitie, with ane exceiding greit nowmer of pepill; lestand fra nyne houris afoir none til six houris at euin s ." From one of the stage-direc- tions it appears, that at a proper season the repre- sentation was suspended, and the spectators were permitted to refresh themselves during the inter- val. Spectators who remain in their station for the space of nine hours, must certainly meet with no slight degree of entertainment. Lindsay's " This date ;' 15 39^ is ascertained beyond the possibility of a doubt, by a curious original letter from sir William Eure to some nobleman of the English court, dated Berwick, 26 January (1539). There had been a border-meeting at Coldstream on the aist. of that month, at which sir William was informed, by master Bellendyn, one of the Scotish commis- sioners, that ' by the kynges pleasour, he being privy thereunto, they had' hade ane enterluyde played in the feaste of the epiphane of our lorde last paste, before the king and queene at Lighqwoe, and the hoole counsaille spirituall and temporall.' He likewise transmits a copy of * the nootes of the enterluyde,' which says he, ' I have obteigned from a Scottesman of our sorte, being present at the playing of the said enter- luyde.' These notes contain a particular description of the piece in ques- tion, which evidently appears to have been Lindsays ' Satyre of thrie estaits.' This important communication is preserved in a MS. of the royal library in the Museum (7 C xvi.) and clearly proves, that James V. was better inclined to a reformation of religion than he appeared to be to sir Ralph Sadler. So that it is by no means an argument of Mac- kenzies folly to tell us that Lindsays works were first printed at Edin- burgh, 1540 : ' as if, exclaims Mr Pinkerton, works against die Papists could, in 1540, be printed at Edinburgh!' One may reasonably presume, that if such works could be publicly represented at Linlimhgow, in 1539, they might be safely printed at Edinburgh in 1540. The ex- pressions, inconsistent with the above date, in the Hyndford MS. must *f course have been introduced after the original representation." s H. Charters, Preface to Lindsay's Warkis. Vol. T. T> d 210 Satyrc of the Thru- Estaitis was also acted on the Castle-hill at Cowpar. According to Dr Mackenzie, Sir James Inglis, who is said to have died in 1554, was the author of several tragedies and comedies'. His only authority for this assertion is probably the follow- ing passage in Lindsay : Quha can say mair than Schir James Inglis sayis In ballattis, farsis, and in plesand playis ? On the authority of various writers Mr Dal- yell has stated, that about this time " a black friar Killor, converted the history of Christ's Pas- sion, a favourite topic in France and England, in- to a dramatic form ; which, it would appear, was performed before the king on a Good Friday morning ; and, speaking rather too freely of ec- clesiastics and persecution, he was burnt. One James Wedderburn wrote plays in the Scotish language. In a tragedy on the beheading of John the Baptist, he treated the corruptions of religion severely ; and, in a comedy, the history of Dio- nysius the Tyrant, he likewise attacked the Pa- pists ; which were both performed at Dundee. 4 He counterfeeted alo the coniuring of a ghaist"." In the year 1555 an act of parliament had been past, by which it was ordained, " that in all r Mackenzie's Live* of Scots Writer*, vol. iii. p. 40. " Dalyell'* Remark* on ane Boc-ke of Godly Song*, p. 31. 211 times cummyng, na maner of person be chosen Robert Hude, nor Little John, Abbot of Unrea- son, Queenis of May, nor otherwise, nouther in burgh nor to landwartV This statute however was little regarded: and in 1560 a tumult was the consequence of such a prohibition. " The Papists and Bishops," says John Knox, " disap- pointed of their principall enterprize, did yet make broyle for trouble : For the rascall multi- tude were stirred up to make a Robin Hood, which enormitie was of many years left off, and condemned by statute and act of parliament ; yet would they not bee forbidden, but would disobey, and trouble the town, especially upon the night : Whereat the bayliffs offended, took from them some swords and enseyne, which was occasion that they that same night made a mutinie, kept the gatis of the towne, and intended to have pursued some men within their owne houses; but that, upon the restitution of their swords and enseyne, was stayed. And yet they ceased not to molest, as well the inhabitants of Edinburgh, as divers coun- trey-men, taking from them money, and threaten- ing some with farther injuries : Wherewith the magistrates of the towne highly offended, took more diligent heed to such as resorted to the towne, and so apprehended one of the principall " Skene's Actcs of Parliament, f. ijo. a. Edinb. IJ97, fh D d 2 212 of that disorder, named Balon a shooe-makcr, whom they put to an assizes V Alexander Scot, in his Gratulatioun of the Mo- nctb of May y a poem written about this period, ex- presses his regret, that these games should have lost their ancient splendour : In May quhen men yied evcrichone, With Robenc Hoid and Littil John, To bring in bowis and birkin bobynis j Now all sic game is fastlings gone, Bot gif it be arnangs clo%vin Robbyms*. At the baptism of James the Sixth, which was solemnized at Stirling on the eighteenth of De- cember, 1566, a kind of rude attempt at theatri- cal representation was exhibited to the courtiers. We are informed by Sir James Melvil, that " a French-man called Bastien devised a number of men formed like Satyrs, with long tails, and whips in their hands, running before the meat, which was brought through the great hall upon a machine or engine marching, as appeared, alone ; the musicians, clothed like maids, singing and playing upon all sorts of instruments. But the Satyrs were not content only to make way or room, but put their hands behind them to their tails, which they wagged with their hands in such w Knox's Historic of the Reformatioun, p. 295. < Sibbald's Chronicle of Scottish Poetry, vol. iii. p. 161. 213 sort as the English-men supposed it had been de- vised and done in derision of them, weakly ap- prehending that which they should not have ap- peared to understand. Mr Hatton said unto me, if it were not in the queen's presence he would put a dagger to the heart of that French knave BastienV On the seventeenth of January, 1568, a play written by Robert Semple was represented at Edinburgh before the regent and others of the nobility 2 . In the general assembly constituted at Edin- burgh on the seventh of March, 1575, it was enacted, that " no comedies, nor tragedies, or such plays, should be made on any history of canonical Scriptures, nor on the Sabbath day : If any mini- ster be the writer of such a play, he shall be de- prived of his ministry. As for plays of another kind, they also should be examined before they be propounded publicly \" In 1576 the assembly refused its permission to the bailie of Dunfermline, to represent on Sunday afternoon a certain play which was not founded on the canonical part of the Scriptures 1 '. Dr y Melvil's Memoires, p. 76. Lond. 1683, fol. z Birrel's Diarey, p. 14. apud Dalyell. a Petrie's Compendious History of the Catholick Church, cent, xv; p. 385. Hague, 1662, fol. b See extracts from The Buik e,f the Uni-vctul Kiri, published in Lord Hailes's Historical Memorials ewec-rning the Prov'tmial Councils of the Scoiti:'' Clergy, p. 41. Edinb. 1769, 4* f .\ 214 Percy remarks, that Sunday was the day original- ly set apart tor theatrical representation ; proba- bly because the first dramatic pieces were of g religious complexion. During a great part of Queen Elizabeth's reign the English playhouses were only opened on that day of the week 6 . In 1577 it was enacted by the assembly, " that the playes of Robin Hood, King of May, and such others on the sabbath day be discharged d ." Two years afterwards it was carried into a resolution, that such individuals as after due admonition persisted in frequenting May plays, should not be admitted to the communion of the church, without yielding satisfaction for the specified of- fence 6 . These insulated facts tend to evince, that ex- hibitions of this kind were among the favourite recreations of our ancestors. The frequent in- terference of the church was necessary to prevent or to reform abuses : and on these occasions the reformed clergy appear to have acted with suf- ficient liberality and moderation. For many years succeeding this period, no re- gular theatre was established in the Scotish me- tropolis. The plays, it would appear, were still performed in the play-field between Leith and Edinburgh : and in all probability the performers c Percy's Essay on the Origin of the English Stage, p. IJI. d Calderwood's Hist, of the Church of ScotL p. "8. 16;8, foi. e Haik*, HiJtoric.il Memorials, p. 41. 21 were only casually collected. Before the year 1633, no fewer than nineteen playhouses had been opened in London f . A company of English comedians visited Edin- burgh in 1599. The clergy were offended at the arrival of such guests, and began to exclaim in their sermons against the vicious conduct of players. Notwithstanding the royal licence which had been granted, they even ventured to prohibit the inhabitants, under pain of ecclesias- tical censures, from frequenting the dramatic re- presentations : but on the interference of King James, they were under the necessity of repeal- ing the act s . At Edinburgh in the year 1603 was published " Ane verie excellent and delectabill treatise in- titulit Philotus." From the language and style we may perhaps conclude, that the composition and publication of this curious play were nearly of the same date. It is possible however that an edition somewhat earlier may have existed. In the messenger's address to the audience these ver- ses occur : Last, sirs, now let us pray with ane accord, For to preserve the persoun of our king j Accounting ay this gift as of the Lord, Ane prudent prince above us for to ring. ' Percy's Essay on the Origin of the English Stage, p. 147. " Spotswood's His"-, of the Church of Scotland, p. -1"~ 21C> The work seems of a more modern date than the reign of King James the Fifth : and from these words of the messenger, it is certain that it was not composed during the reign of Queen Maty. The following argument was prefixed to the edition published at Edinburgh in 1612: " Phi- lotus, an olde rich man, is enamoured with the love of Emilia, daughter to All>erto, who being r e fus e d , imployeth a macrell, or pandrous, to allure her thereto, but all in vain : afterward he dealeth with her father Alberto, who being blind- ed with the man's wealth, useth first faire words, and thereafter threatnings, to perswade her there- to: the mayde still refuseth. In the mean time Flavius, a young man, enters in conference with the mayde, and obtaineth her consent, who be- ing disguised, conveyeth herselfe away privilie with the said Flavius. Her father and Philotus searches for her in the house. Philerno, the maydes brother, laitlie arryved out of other coun- tries (being very lyke her), is mistaken by her father and Philotus to be Emilia ; who takes the person of his sister upon him, and, after diverse threatnings of his father, consenteth to manic Philotus : and so Philotus committeth Philerno to the custodie of his daughter Brisilla, untill the marriage should be accomplished. Philerno fames himsclfe to Brisilla to be transformed in a man, and so maketh himselfe familiar with her. Tl after, Philerno is married to Philotus; who : 217 ing to be discovered, maketh a brawling that same night with Philotus, and abuseth him vyl- lie ; and to colour the matter the better, agreeth with a whore to go to bed with Philotus. Flavius seeing the supposed Emilia to bee married to Phi- lotus, imagines the right Emilia to be a devill, and, after many conjurations, expelleth her his house : she returneth to her father Alberto, ac- knowledging her misbehaviour, and lamenting her case. Flavius being sent for, perceiving how he had mistaken Emilia, revealeth the whole trueth, and so taketh her home agane to his wife, and Philerno Brisilla. In the end, Philotus be- waileth his follie for pursuing so unequall a match, warning all men to beware, by his example." The comedy of Philotus exhibits a dramatic plot sufficiently complex. In several instances the laws of probability are undoubtedly violated ; but the conduct of the piece is less irregular than might have been expected. Its construction ap- proaches much nearer to that of the modern dra- ma than Lindsay's Satyre. The versification pos- sesses no inconsiderable degree of facility. The speeches are generally long and declamatory. The division into acts and scenes is not adopted. About the time of the union of the two crowns, William Alexander, afterwards Earl of Stilling, began to compose his Monarchicke Tragedies. These are four in number ; namely Crcesus, Da- rius, The Alexandrian Tragedie, and Julius Casar. Vql. T. Ee 21S The author does not seem to have intended them for representation ; nor is their form very drama- tic. The reader's attention is not solicited by plots and incidents : the characters are chiefly oc- cupied in discussing the general principles of ethics and politics ; and their speeches frequent- ly extend to a most enormous length. The tone of his sentiments and diction is however energe- tic and manly. He has unfortunately adopted the elegiac quatrain ; a mode of versification by no means suited to dramatic composition. He has followed the ancient usage of introducing a chorus ; but his lyrical pieces are not very spirit- ed or elegant. Seneca appears to have been the writer whom he proposed as his model : both poets are equally fond of declamation, and of pointed sentences. The Latin dramas composed by natives of Scot- land arc not here entitled to much of our notice ; as it is not certain that any of them was ever re- presented in this country. With respect to the works which Bishop Douglas is said to have produced under the title of comedies, it would be idle to form conjectures. One author denominates them Comocdia A \ another ComoedicE Sacra-'. Whether they were written in Latin or in Scotish, is not apparent. Their title Bald Scriptores Britannia:, cent. xiv. p. 218. Basil. 155 7, fol. i Dempster. Hist. Eccleiiaet. Gent. Scotor. p. 221. 219 affords no evidence of their being dramatic com- positions : for, about the period when Douglas flourished, tragedy and comedy were terms of very indefinite application. Of, these comic productions of Douglas, if in reality they ever existed, some vague notion may perhaps be formed by inspecting the Comoedice Sacra; of Cornelius Schona?us. The writer seems to have termed them comedies, because, in the issue, the principal characters are always fortu- nate. The dialogue and the incidents are by no means of a comic nature ; for' he has selected his subjects from the sacred volume, and has endea- voured to treat them in a manner calculated for advancing the interests of piety and virtue. He professes to have regarded Terence as his model : and, if we may credit himself, he is no unsuccess- ful imitator of that poet's style ; for we are given to understand, that certain erudite Germans hail- ed him by the title of the Christian Terence K Between his compositions however and those of the ancient poet, no striking resemblance will very readily be traced, except in those passages where he purloins the phraseology of his master. Schonreus was rector of the grammar-school of Haerlem ; and from the prologues it appears that his sacred comedies were represented by hi own pupils. These dramas, notwithstanding their i Schonxi Comoedix, torn. ii. p. 4. Amst. 1599, 8vo. F. e 1 220 dulncss, seem to have been favourably received : during his own life they twice visited the press, blazoned by the encomiums of many a poetas.^r ; and in the time of Morhof they continued to be redd in some of the continental schools". The plan of selecting dramatic subjects from the sacred writings, adopted in later times by Buchanan, Grotius, and Racine, appears to have derived its origin from a remote aera. During the fourth century many Greek tragedies of this description had been composed, with the pious intention of expelling the Pagan dramas from the theatre of Constantinople. One of these has been preserved under the title of Christ Sufferings and is commonly published among the works of Gregory Nazianzen : but Dr Cave, without sup- porting his decision by arguments, has ventured to attribute it to the elder Apollinarius 1 . Buchanan's four tragedies were written dur- ing his residence at Bourdeaux, and, according to the practice which generally prevailed, were acted by the students of the university"'. In fur- nishing them with models of this kind, it was his principal object to explode the absurd mysteries, which still maintained the highest popularity in * Morhofli Polyhistor, torn. i. p. 1069. * Cave, I listeria Literaria, p. 177. Lend. 1688, foL ra Buchanan! Vita ab Ipsomet Scripta, p. 4. Sec also Mr Ruddi- man's notes and Sir Robert Sibbald's Commentariuj in Vitam Bucbanari, p. 13. Edinb. 1702, 8vo. 221 France. These tragedies, as Le Clerc has re- marked, are not the most finished of Buchanan's productions ; but they undoubtedly contributed in some measure to revive the spirit of the ancient drama 11 . Dempster's tragedy, entitled Decemviratus Abrogatus , was performed in the University of Paris ; and, as he informs Thuanus in the dedi- cation, was honoured with the attendance of a very numerous and splendid auditory. Its struc- ture is by no means classical 11 . Such was the progress of our dramatic poetry till the commencement of the seventeenth century. Were we to trace it to a later period, the pros- pect would be found still more barren. Sir Thomas Sydssrf and Mrs Cockburn q are the only n Roger Ascham has bestowed high commendation on Buchanan's jty^- thcs : " Some in Englande, moe in France, Germanie, andltalie also, have written tragedies in our tyme : of which, not one, I am sure, is able to abyde the trew touch of Aristotle's preceptes, and Euripides' example, save onely two, that ever I saw, M. Watson's Absalon, and Georgius Buchananus' JcpLtbe." {Schole Master, p. 320. Bennct's edit.) Buchan- an's tragedy is not however so accurately constructed according to the rules of Aristotle as this learned writer seems to have supposed : for the dramatic action, as Vossius has remarked, extends to at least two months. ( Imtitut'wnes Pud'uce, p. l^.J Tragcedia Decemviratus Abrogatus. Paris. 1613, 121110. P This is the only tragedy of Dempster's with which I am acquainted; but he is said to have composed other three, namely Maximiliamts, Stilico, and "Jacobus I. Scdicc Rex. See the catalogue of his writings, inserted in his Apparatus ad Hhtorium Scotuam, &.c. Bononix, 1622, 4to. and in T Coke's pruf.ice to Dempster's treatise Dc Etruria Ji^ali, Florent. I 72J - 4, 2 trim. fol. " Sir Thomas Sydserf is the author of a comedy entitled Tjrrugt - 222 names that occur till we descend to the age of Thomson, Mallet, and Armstrong: and even dur- ing the eighteenth century the dramatic poets of Scotland have seldom attained to any high degree of excellence. Our countrymen are in a great measure strangers to the true dramatic spirit. Into the causes of this striking deficiency, it would be Superfluous to institute a formal en- quiry ; they are such as every observer must readily discover. The removal of the court from our metropolis, and the consequent necessity of writing in a foreign dialect, were circumstances fatal to every department of literature ; but their influence extended with more baneful efficacy to the peculiar genius of dramatic poetry. niL-r. He is also said to have written a play intitled Afarciano, or the Diuuotrj. Catherine Trotter, the daughter of David Trotter and Sarah Ballen- den, natives of Scotland, was born at London in the year 1679. In 1708 $hf was married to Mr Cockburn, a Scotish clergyman of the episcopal per Barbour's Bruce, vol. ii. p. 70. 1 Niibet'j Sj item of Heraldry, vol. i. p. 107. d RvmL-r, Furdera, torn. vi. p. 39. r " Sciatis quod (ad supplicationem David de Brays) luscepimut Joannem Barber, Archidiaconum de Aberdene, venier.do cum tribus .to- 255 been supposed that he himself studied in this seminary during the years 1357 and 1365*^ ; but for this supposition there is no just foundation. What dignitary of the church ever thought of returning to his scholastic exercises, or of sub- jecting himself a second time to academical dis-r cipline ? That he completed his studies in this celebrated university, is however by no means improbable ; though it must have been at an earlier period of his life. It would appear that in 1365 he visited St Denis near Paris in company with six knights. The object of their expedition seems to have been of a religious kind : for the King of Eng- land grants them permission to pass through his dominions on their way towards St Denis and other sacred places g . About ten years afterwards he was engaged in composing the celebrated work which has perpe- tuated his fame h . As a reward of his poetical merit, he is said to have received a pension' ; but laribus in comitiva sua, in regnum nostrum Anglise, causa, studendi in Universitate Oxoniaj, et ibidem actus scolasticos exercendo, morando, et exinde in Scotiam ad propria redeundo, in protectionem et defensionem nostram, necnon in salvum et securum conductum nostrum. Teste Rege apud Westmonasterium, decimo tertio die Augusti." Rvmer, Fcedera, torn. vi. p. 31. f Warton's Hist, of English Poetry, vol. i. p. 318. 8 Rymer, Fcedera, torn. vi. p. 478. h Barbour's Bruce, vol ii. p. 171. i " The book," says Hume, " was penned by a man of good know- ledge, and learning, named Mr John Barbour, Archdeacon of Aberdeue; 25G the evidence with respect to this circumstance, it must be confest, is somewhat suspicious. Hume of Godscrort affirms, that Barbour received from the exchequer a pension during his lifetime, that lie transferred this pension to the hospital of Aberdeen, and that it continued to be paid in the seventeenth century. The principal circum- stance, though thus recorded in careless terms, may however be authentic. From some passages in Winton's chronicle it would appear, that Barbour also composed a genealogical history of the Kings of Scotland. Of this work no manuscript is known to be ex- tant. His materials, we may presume, were sup- plied by national tradition, or by such authentic writers as Geoffrey of Monmouth. Barbour, as has already been hinted, died in I3q6 j . As he was qualified for holding the office of archdeacon so early as the year 1357, he must have reached an advanced stage of life. for which work he hud a yearely pension out of the exchequer during his life, which he gave to the hospital! of that towne, to which it is allowed and paid, still in our dayes." ( Hist, cf the Home of Douglas, p. 30.) Dr Mackenzie, with his usual accuracy, has first asserted that it was David the Second, and afterwards that it uas Robert the Second who conferred this pension on Barbcur. (Lives of Scots Writers, vol. i. p. 264. 297.) Dr Nicolson, without producing any authority, affirms that he received it from K. David. {Scottish Historical Library, p. 1 45. * This instance of roy.d bounty is also mentioned by Tanner BMiotbeca Britannico-Hilxrnica, p. -y. -. but the original source of information is evidently the above pas- sage of Hume. , Chart. \'>rd< r.. fol. 11?. MS. quoted by Lord Hailes. 257 At no period has his reputation suffered any considerable diminution. The earliest edition of The Bruce which has hitherto been traced, was published at Edinburgh in 1616 in a duodecimo form : but as Patrick Gordon, whose heroic poem was licenced in 1613, terms it " the old printed book," there is reason to conclude, that its first impression is of a more ancient date. The next edition that has been discovered, says Mr Pinker- ton, " is that of Edinburgh, 1648, 8^0. black letter, which I find in the catalogue of the library of Archibald Duke of Argyle, printed by the Fou- lises ; and which, it is likely, is now in the Earl of Bute's collection. The next edition is that of Glasgow, by Robert Sanders, 1665, ( Svo. b. I. After this a very neat edition was published by Andrew Anderson at Edinburgh, 1670, iimo. b. I. And there are many later editions of no value, published by different booksellers, to answer the demand of the common people for this book ; which, to the credit of their good sense, is very greatV At length, in 1790, a valuable edition in three volumes octavo was published by Mr Pinkerton from an ancient M.S. belonging to the Advocates Library. After the death of Lermont our national poetry seems to have languished in a state of feeble immaturity : and nearly a century elapsed Pinkerton's LLt of thj Scotch Potts, p. lxxniii. Vol. I. K k 258 before Barbour arose to improve the language and literature of his native country. In the in- termediate space, only a few inconsiderable frag- ments can be gleaned. In the year 1296, when King Edward laid siege to Berwick, the defenders are said to have derided him by the following stanza : Wend Kyng Edewardc, with his langc shankes, To have gete Berwyke, al our unthankes ? Gas pikes hym, And after gas dikes hym 1 . After the glorious battle of Bannockburn, fought in 13 14, triumphal verses were composed by some Scotish poet. Maydons of Englande, sore may ye morne For your lemmans ye have loste at Bannockysbornc, With heue a lowe. What ! weneth the Kynge of England So soone to have wonne Scotlande ? With nimby low m . This song, says Fabyan, was long afterwards sung by the maidens and minstrels of Scotland. During the reign of David the Second, the Scotish ridiculed the dress of their English neighbours, in some unpolished rhymes which are also quoted by Fabyan : 1 See Ritson's Hist. Essay on Scotish Song, p. xiv. Fabyan'i Cronyckle, voL ii. f. Ixxvi. a. 259 Long beerdis hartles, Paynted hoodes wytles, Gay cottes graceles, Maketh Englande thryftless. In a state of progressive improvement, the son necessarily oversteps the narrow circle which bounded his father's intellectual horizon : but if literature is destined to advance with rapidity, it must receive an unwonted impulse from some in- dividual, whose genius elevates him far above the age which he enlightens and adorns. Of this splendid character were Chaucer and Barbour; poets who flourished during the same cera, and who effected the same important changes in the languages which they respectively cultivated. If, when we attempt to appreciate the merits of Barbour, we transport ourselves to the remote age in which he lived, his production will be found entitled to a large share of our approbation. Fortunate in the choice of his subject, he has un- folded a series of remarkable events, and has dif- fused over his narration that lively interest which an ordinary writer is incapable of exciting. He stands conspicuous amidst the ruins of time, and, like an undecayed Gothic tower, presents an as- pect of dignified simplicity. That air of sinceri- ty which lie always exhibits, that solicitude which he seems to feel with respect to the fortunes of his favourite characters, as well as the splendid K k c 260 attributes of the characters themselves, cannot fail of arresting the attention of the most languid. The reign of the great King Robert was the age of Scotish chivalry ; and the monarch him- self presented the most perfect model of a true knight. Whatever inconsistencies may have ap- peared in his early conduct, the greater part of his life was undoubtedly spent in the exercise of heroic valour or of political wisdom. Such a hero and such an age were a most fortunate selection : and although the poet is possest of no ordinary skill, yet much of his attractiveness may perhaps be referred to the nature of his choice. This cir cumstance however detracts not from his merit ; for the proper selection of a subject implies an important exertion of the faculty of judgment. The Bruce furnishes sufficient evidence, that Barbour was a man of superior learning. The humanity of his sentiments and the liberality of his views seem of a far more modern date than the fourteenth century ; they are exotic plants rear- ed in the hot-house of manly erudition. The spu- rious productions of Dares Phrygius and Dictys Cretensis are almost the only books to which he formally refers ; but his acquaintance with an- cient history and ancient fable was relatively ex- tensive. The favourite classic of the times was Statius ; and he also appears to have been the fa- vourite of Barbour. The chaste compositions of Virgil and Horace were less gratifying to the 261 reigning taste than the strained thoughts and gor- geous diction of Statius and Claudian". Barbour has entered into a digression concern- ing astrology and necromancy which tends to place him in a very favourable point of view. These branches of divination, it is well known, were assiduously cultivated during that period. The absurdity of astrology and necromancy he does not openly attempt to expose ; for this would have been too bold and decisive a step. The opinions of the many, however unfounded in reason, must not be rashly stigmatized. Of the possibility of predicting future events he speaks with the caution of a philosopher, and with that deference for established opinions which a wise man will always be ready to profess. The following passage however evinces, that his own opinion was not unformed : And sen thai ar in sic wenyr.g, Forovvtyne certante off wytting, Methink quha sayis lie knavvis tilings To cum, he makys gret gabbings. To form such an estimate, required a mind ca- n A writer who flourished so lately as the seventeenth century speaks cf Statius in the following terms: " Statius is a smooth and sweet poet, comming neerest of any other to the state and majesty of Virgil's verse, and Virgill onely excepted, is the prince of poets aswell Greekes asLatine: for he is more flowery in figures, and writteth better lines rhan Homtr." Peacham's Compleat G^ntl^man, p. >< '262 pable of disencumbering itself of those inveterate- prejudices which concurring circumstances had tended to foster in the breast of millions. In an age of much higher refinement Dryden suffered himself to be deluded by the prognostications of judicial astrology . From his wonted liberality, it must be owned, he has been betrayed into a few deviations. His terrible imprecation on the miscreant who be- trayed Sir Christopher Seaton, " In hell con- dampnyt mot he be !" ought not to have been uttered by a member of the Christian church. The misfortunes which attended Bruce at almost every step of his early progress, he attributes to his sacrilegious act of slaying Cumin at the high altar. He supposes that the women and children who assisted in supplying the garrison of Berwick w r ith arrows and stones, were protected from in- jury by a miraculous interposition. But these sentiments were the necessary result of his inti- mate connection with the church of Rome ; a church which has always dispensed its anathemas with a liberal hand, and which, even to this day. appeals to the notoriety of its miracles as a de- monstration of its Catholicism. His encomium on political freedom is distin- guished by a manly and dignified strain of scnti ment : Johnson's Lives of English Poets, vol. ii. p. 10'/ 263 A ! fredome is a nobill thing ! Fredome mayse man to haiff liking j Fredome all solace to man giffis : He levys at ese, that frely levys ! A noble hart may haiff nane ese, Na ellys nocht that may him plese, Giff fredome failyhe : for fre liking Is yharnyt our all othir thing. Na he that ay hase levyt fre May nocht knaw weill the propyrte, The angyr, na the wrechyt dome, That is cowplyt to foul thyrldome : Bot gyff he had assayit it, Than all perquer he suld it wyt j And suld think fredome mar to pryse Than all the gold in warld that is. From the pleasure with which he seems to con- template incidents of a humane description, we may safely conclude that his disposition was af- fectionate and amiable. The following passage cannot, I trust, be redd with indifference : The king has hard a woman cry j He askyt quhat that wes in hy. " It is the layndar, Schyr," said ane, " That her chyld-ill rycht now hes tane : And mon leve now behind us her. Tharfor sche makys yone iwill cher." The king said, " Certs, it war pitc That sche in that poynt left suld be ; For certs I trow thar is na man That he ne will rew a woman than." 264 Hys ost all thar arestyt he, And gert a tent sone stintit be, And gert hyr gang in hastely j And othyr weraen to be hyr by, Qiihill sche was delcueryt, he bad ; And syne furth on hys wayis he raid : And how sche furth suld caryit be, Or euir he furth fur, ordanyt he. This wes a full gret curtasy, That swilk a king, and sa mychty, Gert hys men duell on this maner, Bot for a pour lauender. The annals of heroes present us with few incidents of so pleasing a kind ; whether it be, that heroes seldom stoop to actions or mere benevolence, or that their historians deem it unbecoming to trans- mit them to posterity. Barbour seems to have been acquainted with those finer springs of the human heart which elude vulgar observation : he oatches the shades of character with a delicate eye, and sometimes pre- sents us with instances of nice discrimination. His work is not a mere narrative of events ; it contains specimens of that minute and skilful de- lineation which marks the hand of a poet. When, for example, Bruce has with his single arm de- fended a narrow pass against a company of two hundred Gallovidians, his soldiers are represented as flocking around him with the same eager cu- riosity us if they had never enjoyed a previous 26. opportunity of contemplating the hero's per- son : Sic words spak thai off the king ; And for hys hey undertaking Ferlyit, and yarnyt hym for to se, That with hym ay wes wont to be. In the opinion of an exquisite critic, he has adorned the English language by a strain of ver- sification, expression, and poetical images, far su- perior to the age p . The most impartial method of estimating his versification will be, to compare it with that of some cotemporary English poet. Let us place Barbour and Chaucer in the field of competition, and their merit in this respect will be found nearly equal. I shall venture to select, a passage from each writer : but in the mean rime it must be remembered, that a general con- clusion cannot be drawn from a particular in- stance. The birdis that han left ther songe While thei han suffrid colde ful stronge In wethers grille and derke to sight, Ben in Mey for the sunne bright So glad, that they shewe in singing That in ther hert is suche liking, That thei mote singin and ben light : Than dothe the nightingale her might Warton's Hist, of English Poetry, vol.i. p. 31?. Vol. i. r, 1 26G To makin noise and singen blithe j Than is blissful many a sithe The chelandre and the popingay j Than yonge folke entendin aye For to ben gaie and amorous, The time is than so savorous. Chaucj-r. This wis in ver, quhen winter tid, With hys blasts hydwyss to bide, Was ourdrywyn, and bird/V smale, As turtule and the nychtyngale, Begouth rycht sariolly to syng, And for to mak in thair singyng Swete nots, and sownys ser, And mclodys plesand to her ; And trees begouth to ma Burgeans, and brycht blomys alsua, To wyn the helying off thair hewid, That wykkyt wyntir had thaim rewid. Barbour. To affirm that the general merit of the two poets is similar, would evince no slight degree of national prejudice. Chaucer has attempted a great variety of subjects, and for the most part with eminent success. His measures are also va- ried : and if we compare his versification with that of former poets, or indeed with that of his immediate successors, it will be found entitled to the highest praise. His genius was universal. He reformed the taste and improved the language of his native country. Barbour's merit is more 267 circumscribed : but it cannot reasonably be ex- pected that he should have performed what he never attempted. His poetical reputation rests on the detached basis of a single performance. The execution of this work however has rendered his name illustrious in the annals of Scotish lite- rature. Perhaps Mr Pinkerton " may be accused of nationality, when he says that, taking the to- tal merits of this work together, he prefers it to the early exertions of even the Italian muse, to the melancholy sublimity of Dante, and the amorous quaintness of Petrarca, as much as M. Le Grand does a fabliau to a Provencal ditty. Here indeed the reader will find few of the graces of fine poetry, little of the Attic dress of the muse : but here are life and spirit, and ease, and plain sense, and pictures of real manners, and perpetual incident, and entertainment. The lan- guage is remarkably good for the time, and far superior, in neatness and elegance, even to that of Gawin Douglas, who wrote more than a cen- tury after. But when we consider that our author is not only the first poet, but the earliest histo- rian of Scotland, who has entered into any de- tail, and from whom any view of the real state and manners of the country can be had ; and that the hero, whose life he paints so minutely, was a monarch equal to the greatest of modern times ; let the historical and poetical merits of his work be weighed together, and then opposed L 1 2 268 to those of any other early poet of the present nations in Europe V Lord Hailes, in his Annals of Scotland, has fre- quently acknowledged the general fidelity of Bar- bour's narrative. The few inaccuracies which oc- cur may easily be accounted for, and easily par- doned. The exploits of Bruce have been celebrated by several other Scotish poets. Towards the close ot the reign of David the Second, a metrical work on this favourite subject was composed by Peter Fenton, a monk of the Abbey of Melrose r . Of this ancient poem no manuscript can be traced. Gordon's Famovs Hist or ie of the Valiant Brvce is an English poem of considerable length, di- vided into seventeen capita, and written in the octave stanza, a measure which the practice of Lord Stirling had probably induced the author to '' Pinkerton's Barbour, vol. i. p. x. r Of Fenton's work Gordon has in his preface presented us with the following account : " My loveing freind Donald Farchersone (a worthie gentilman whous name I am not asham'd to expres, for that he was a restless suter to me to t.iik tlu's work in hand) broght me a book of vir- parchment which he hade found amongst the rest of his books: it was an old tome almost inlcgeable in manie places ; vanting leaves, yet hade it the beginning, and hade bein sett dounebyamonk in the Abey of Melros called Peter Fenton in the year of God one thousand thrie hun- creth sixtie nyne, which was a year before the death of King Dauid Bruce : it was in old ryme like to Chaucer, but vanting in manie parts ; and in special, from the field of Bamiochburne fourth it wanted all the rest almost ; so that it could not be gotten to the pres; yet such as I could rci I tl.ereof hade manie remarkable taillis worthie to be noted." 269 employ. The work is copiously replenished with Scoticisms, and with expressions which violate every rule of grammar. It neither possesses the dignity of an epic poem, nor the authenticity of a historical narration. Propriety is totally disre- garded : Christ and Jupiter are with matchless indecorum grouped together. This poem, how- ever, with all its faults, contains striking pas- sages s . s The only slight memorial of Gordon with which I am acquainted occurs in Dempster, a writer of more than dubious authority. " Patri- cius Gordonus, ' regiis* agens in rebus apud Polonos, scripsit Lachrymas in Funere Henrici, lib.i. Viyit adhuc, ut existimo." {Hist. Ecdesiast. Cent. Scotor. p. 320.) Mr Pinkerton supposes Gordon to have been a man of property : but if this conclusion be drawn from his assuming the denomi- nation of Gentleman, it seems a little too precipitant ; for, as Edward Waterhouse observes, " all men learnedly bred, and members of univer- sities and houses of law, are by consent of Christendome, as well as our own nation, accounted gentlemen, and warranted to write themselves so, be their extract how meane and ignote soever." (An Humble Apohgle for Learning and Learned Af'-r-n publishe !. 270 In Harvey's Life of Robert Bruce King of Scuts the reader will find more poetry than its prosaic title would lead him to expect 1 . The structure perhaps is not reared with exquisite skill ; but se- veral of its detached parts are fair and- seemly. His descriptions, though sometimes grotesque, are often animated and poetical. Whether his work may justly claim the title of an -epic poem, it would be superfluous to enquire. And indeed if the discrepant productions of Homer, Lucan, and Spenser, receive the same general denomination, I know not what definite meaning the word epic is employed to convey. Harvey and Gordon are greatly indebted to Barbour, as he perhaps might be to Fenton ; but neither of them has in proper terms acknowledged the obligation : they have coldly referred to his work, without mentioning the name of its author. Harvey's description of the battle of Falkirk is partly borrowed from Henry the Minstrel. Of his poetical talents the reader will not per- haps be displeased with a slight specimen. The 1 John Harvey, A. M. appear* to have been educated in the Univer- ./ of Aberdeen. (Harvey'i Bruce, p. 84.) His heroic poem was pub- lished at Edinburgh in 1729 in quarto. His other work is a Collection of !! any Poems and Letters. Edinb. 1 726, i2nio. At the time of his death he is said to have been a schoolmaster in this city. In 1769 his Life of King Robert Bruce was new-modelled, and published at Edinburgh under th>- more classical title of The Bruciad. Harvey's name is studious- ly concealed ; and the whole of this transforming protest seems injudici ovit and reprehensible. 211 following is an animated apostrophe to Edward the First : Fond man ! how inscious of thy mortal date ! How blind to that last swift approach of Fate ! In vain thou seest thy steely legions glare, And triumph'st in the pomp of impious war j In thy fond heart proud conquest vainly reigns, And lust of lawless pow'r thy bosom stains j In vain oppressive sway thy breast inspires : Behold the period of thy vast desires ! Sudden thou feel'st thy latest minutes roll, And in a paultry hut expir'st thy soul. Pride and ambition hand thee down to fame, And tyranny sits black, upon thy name. Not so, when once 'gainst unbelieving foes, Flam'd thy dread fauchion in the sacred cause ! When Antioch saw thee thunder on her shore, And Syrian streams run red with Pagan gore ! 'Twas then bright trophies to thy name arose, And bays unfading grac'd thy awful brows : Now lawless might and fraud the scene o'ercast, Wither thy laurels, and thy triumphs blast. The subsequent description is perhaps entitled to some degree of praise : 'Twas night : but where, above yon azure skies, Empyreal domes on flaming columns rise j High-arch'd with gold, with blazing em'raulds bright, Far thro' the void diffuse a purple light ; There shining regions feel no fading ray, Lost in the sulendors of eternal day. '272 Knthron'd amidst the strong effulgence, sat The Power Supreme : surrounding spirits wait. He calls the guardian of the Scottish sway, And Ariel hastens thro 1 the choirs of day. Then from the throne th' Immortal silence broke ; Trembled the solid heav'ns as he spoke. An opinion that epic poetry cannot be support- ed without the aid of machinery, seems almost universally to have prevailed. The shadowy be- ings which Harvey employs, do not produce any remarkable effect: Discord intermeddles in the affairs of King Robert with the same impertinence as in those of Voltaire's hero Henry the Great. When the scene of epic action is laid in a Pagan country, a Christian poet may judiciously avail himself of Pagan mythology : but in every other case the introduction of such decayed machinery must certainly be regarded as a hazardous at- tempt. THE LIFE ANDREW JVINTON. LIFE ANDREW WINTON. I* OR the few anecdotes of this venerable chro- nicler that have already been collected, we are indebted to the valuable work which has trans- mitted his name to posterity. What he himself has left deficient, cannot now be supplied by the extended researches of his biographer. With regard to the parentage and education of Andrew Winton, we must be content to remain ignorant. He was most probably born during the reign of David the Second ; which commen- ced in 1329 and terminated in 1370. He was a Canon Regular of St Andrews, and Prior of the Monastery of St Serf, situated in the inch or island of Lochleven in the county of Kinross : M m 2 276 And for I wyll nane bcrc the blame Of my defawte, this is my name Be baptysyne, Androwe of Wyntowne, Of Sanct Androwys a chanownc Regulare, bot nocht-for-thi Of thaim all the lest worthy : Bot of thare grace and thaire fawoure I wes, but meryt, made priowre Of the ynche wyth-in Loch Lewyne, Hawand tharof my tytil evvyne Of Sanct Androwys dyocesy Be-twene the Lomownde and Benarty. In the Chartulary of the Priory of St Andrews there are several public instruments of Andrew Winton as Prior of Lochleven, dated between the years 1395 and 1413*. He was therefore cotem- porary with Barbour ; to whose merits he has on various occasions paid a due tribute of applause. His Orygynale Cronykil of Scotland was under- taken at the request of Sir John Wemyss, the an- cestor 1 of the present noble family of that name : This trctys sympylly I made at the instans of a larde, That hade my serwys in his wardr, Schyr Jhone of the Wemys be right name, Ane honest knycht and of gude fame. Winton's life must at least have been prolong- ed till 1420: for he mentions the deatli of Ro- 1 Iunei, Et*ay on the Ancient Inhabitant! of Scotland, vol. ii. p. 612. 277 bert Duke of Albany, an event which happened in the course of that year. In the prologue to the last book of his chronicle, he expresses a pre- sentiment of the speedy approach of dissolution : For, as I stabil myne intent, Oft I fynd impediment, Wyth sudane and fers maladis, That me cumbris on mony wis ; And elde me masteris wyth hir brevis, like day me sare aggrevis. Scho has me mad monitioune To se for a conclusioune, The quhilk. behovis to be of det. Ouhat term or tyme of that be set, I can wyt it be na way j Bot, weil I wate, on schort delay At a court I mon appeir, Fell accusationis thare til here, Quhare na help thare is bot grace. The chronicle of Winton was suffered to lie neglected for the space of several centuries : but in 1795 a splendid edition of that part of it which relates more immediately to Scotish affairs, was published by Mr David Macpherson. The editor has added a copious glossary, a series of learned and valuable annotations, and other useful appen- dages. The manner in which he has performed his arduous task, may furnish a model to the future editors of our ancient writers. Of this work various MSS. have been preserved. 278 By that deposited in the royal library ill the British Museum, Mr Macpherson has chiefly re- gulated the text of his author. The Royal MS. he observes, which " is greatly superior to all other known manuscripts of Wyntown, appears to have been transcribed by George Barclay of Achrody, and very soon after the autograph of the cor- rected copy, as several good judges of manu- scripts have pronounced it to be of the beginning of the fifteenth century, and some have placed it even before the year 1400. As we know that it could not possibly be written earlier than in 1420 or 142 1, the opinion of these gentlemen may warrant a belief, that it is not later than 1430, and no manuscript in the language of Scotland older than it is known to be extant b ." The chronicle of Winton is valuable as a pic- ture of ancient manners, as a repository of histo- rical anecdotes, and as a specimen of the literary attainments of our ancestors. His simple pages present to our view many curious prospects of society. With a perseverance of industry which had numerous difficulties to encounter, he has collected and recorded many circumstances that tend to illustrate the history of his native coun- try. Rude as the composition may seem, his work is not altogether incapable of interesting a reader of the present age of refinement. To those Wi::f on, vn! i r>. y> \ 279 who delight to trace the progress of the human mind, his unpolished production will afford a deli- cious entertainment. Here we discover the rudi- ments of good sense and of literary elegance : but his good sense is enveloped in the mist of ignorance and superstition ; and those talents which in another age might have ranked their possessor with Robertson, Hume, or Ferguson, appear without that splendour which arises from a participation of the accumulated refinement incident to more happy times. " Perhaps," says Mr Ellis, " the ablest modern versifier who should undertake to enumerate in metre, the years of our Lord in only one century, would feel some respect for the ingenuity with which Wyntown has contrived to vary his rhymes, throughout such a formidable chronological series as he has ventured to encounter. His genius is certainly inferior to that of his predecessor Bar- ber ; but at least his versification is easy, his lan- guage pure, and his style often animated. As a historian, he is highly valuable ." His chronicle, while yet unpublished, afforded some useful hints to Mr Innes in his Critical Essay on the Ancient Inhabitants of" Scotland, and to Mr Ruddiman in his excellent edition of the works of Buchanan. By the laudable industry of Mr Macpherson, its utility is at length extended to a wider circle d . c Ellis, Hist. Sketch of English Poetry, vol. i. p. 247. d Mr Ruddiman, in the preface to his edition of Buchanan^ speaks of 280 Although Winton professes to write an original chronicle of Scotland, yet, like other ancient Gothic chroniclers, he presents his reader with a general history of the world. Towards the be- ginning of his work he treats of the nature of angels, the creation of the world, the death of Abel, the generations of Cain and Seth, the primaeval race of giants, the situation of India, Egypt, Africa, Europe, Britain, Ireland, and diverse other countries, the confusion of tongues, and the origin of poetry and Mahometanism. After commencing in so hopeful a manner, he continues to amass an immense pile of lumber, till, having completed five books in this panto- graphical spirit, he at last begins to confine him- self somewhat more scrupulously to his proper subject. The adoption of such a wild plan is not to be imputed to the individual but to the age : Winton followed the models which at that time were generally approved. The Scotichronicon of Fordun, his countryman and cotemporary, is composed of the same heterogeneous materials. He divides his chronicle into nine books : and his reason for preferring this number is at least as sublime as that assigned by Herodotus : In honowre of the ordrys nync Of haly angelys, the quhilk. dywyne Winton in the following terms : " Scriptor neutiquam spernendus, quippe qui res sua xtate ct pauld superius gesta* multd aliis fusils ex. accuratius pertractet." 281 Scripture lowys, on lyk wys I vvylle departe now this tretis In nyne bukis. The following quotation may serve to illustrate his principles of composition : The tytil of this tretis hale I wyll be caulde Orygynale ; For that begynnyng sail mak clere Be playne proces owre matere j As of angelis and of man Fyrst to rys the kynde began j And how, eftyr thare creatioune, Men grewe in-tyl successiowne, Wyde sprede in-to thare, greys, Thare statys and thare qualyteis, Tyl the tyme at Nynws kyng Ras, and tuk the gowernyng Of Babylon and Assyry. Fra hyme syne dystynctly It is my purpos tyl afferme This tretis in-tyl certane terme, Haldand tyme be tym the date As cronyklerys be-for me wrate, Reqwyrande the correctioune Of grettare of perfectyoune. For few wrytys I redy fande, That J couth drawe to my warande : Part of the Bybyl wyth that, that Pen Cumestor ekyde in his yherys, Orosius, and Frere Martyne f , Wytht Ynglis raid Scottis storys syne, e Orosius is suffickntly known as a chronicler who flourished about the commencement of the fifth century. I'eterComestor,a French eccle- siastic who flourished rn 117c, is the author of a kind of universal historv. Vol. I. N n 282 And othir incidcncys sere, Acordand lyk tyl oure matere. To this my wyt is walowide dry, But floure or froyte j but nocht-for-thi To furthyre fayrly this purpos I seek the sawowre of that ros, That spanysys spredys and evyre spryngis In plesans of the Kyng of Kyngis. That scarcity of written memorials of which he here complains, must have been very sensibly felt at many steps of his progress. The materials which presented themselves, he has often con- verted to his own use witlwut the labour of trans- formation : in his work he has inserted various fragments of a Latin elegiac chronicle, and about three hundred verses of the biographical poem of Barbour. His introduction of two speeches in plain prose produces no happy effect. He ac- knowledges that a considerable portion of the chronicle was supplied by some person, whose name he has unfortunately neglected to mention. With the works of foreign authors, Scotland must at that time have been but poorly furnished. Winton however was acquainted at least with the names of a considerable number of writers written in Latin, r.nd consi-.ting of sixteen books. I have seen an edition which bears the following title : Scolattita Ilistoria Maghtri 1'etri Comet- urhm brevrm nimit et expotitam cxponcntis. Argentine, 1485, fol. Mart inu& Polonus flourished in 1277. His I-atin chronicle ( ommences with the 1 irth of Christ, ^iiid descends to his own times. 283 who have employed thfGreekand Latin languages. Among other ancient authors, . he quotes Aris- totle, Galen, Palaephatus, and Josephus, Cicero, Livy, Justin, Solinus, and Valerius Maximus. Some of these are names which we should scarce- ly have expected to occur in the Orygynale Cro- nykil of Scotland. He also mentions Homer, Virgil, Horace and Ovid, and those once-cele- brated writers, Statius, Boethius, Dionysius Cato, Dares Phrygius, Dictys Cretensis, and Guido Colonna. Origen, Augustin, and Jerom, are the only fathers of the church whose names occur in pis work. N n TH LIFE OF K. JAMES THE FIRST. THE LIFE OF KING JAMES THE FIRST. JAMES STEWART, the second son of King Robert the Third, was born in the year one thou- sand three hundred and ninety-three. His mo- ther was Annabella, the daughter of Sir John Drummond of Stobhall. The character of Robert was rather that of a good man, than of a great monarch : his ami- able and placid disposition qualified him for dis- charging the duties of social and domestic life ; but he possessed not that energy of mind which only could have prepared him for ruling a fierce and warlike nation. The latter part of his life was exposed to severe calamities. Unable or un- willing to support the load of public cares, he delegated the regal authority to his brother the 288 Duke of Albany, a man of considerable address, and of inordinate ambition. Albany, it is confi- dently asserted, formed the resolution of placing the crown upon his own head ; and, in pursuance of this flagitious scheme, imbrued his hands in the blood of the king's eldest son, David Duke of Rothsay \ His second son, James Earl of Carrick, a youth of about eleven years of age, was placed under the protection of Henry Ward- law, Bishop of St Andrews. In order to secure him from the danger by which he was threatened, Robert determined to entrust him to the care of his ally the King of France. A vessel was se- cretly prepared, and the prince embarked at the isle of Bass, with his tutor Henry St Clair, Earl of Orkney, and other suitable attendants. On the twelfth of April, 1405, they were intercepted by an English ship near Flamborough-head : and although peace at that time subsisted between the two nations, they were ungenerously treated as prisoners of war. The majority of our early historians have affirmed, that when this intelli- gence was conveyed to Scotland the aged king was so overwhelmed with sorrow, as within the -pace of a few days to sink into the grave. < n'.ing to Mr Pinkcrton, the character of thre unfortunate you;:; i! prov-ly misrepresented: " Endued vwth a comely pcr- able head, a mo.-t sweet and affable fenif >ei . *ad n . tui J wi:h learning (or -Jut century, hi -. _-, ..-:r.i,' <; :hi , .-." 'Hhl. '/ >'-'' -'. vol i 289 Grief however is a disease which rarely proves mortal : and notwithstanding the confidence of the assertion, we may still be permitted to doubt. It is indeed sufficiently evident that Robert sur- vived this event for the space of twelve months b . Why his son's detention should have affected him so deeply, no adequate reason can perhaps be discovered : of the humane treatment which captive princes had often experienced from the English, he certainly could not be ignorant. The injustice of the prince's seizure was amply compensated by the generous attention bestowed on his education. The frustration of human plans is often productive of ultimate advantages. Du- ring his long captivity, James enjoyed a favour- able opportunity of acquiring useful and orna- mental knowledge ; and some sparks of his ele- gant taste were afterwards communicated to his subjects. The superintendence of his education was committed to Sir John Pelham : and instruc- tors in every branch of polite knowledge suc- ceeded in due order. In such departments of learning as were then cultivated, his progress was rapid. A proper degree of attention was also paid to more superficial accomplishments. In the mean time however he appears to have been somewhat closely confined. His first place b See Ruddiman's Annotatlones in Buchanan] Hut'jriam, p. 436. ar. i Pinkerton's History of Scotland, vol. i. p. 84. Vol. I O o 290 of residence was the to#er of London". In 1407 he was removed to the castle of Notting- ham d : in 1413 we again find him in his former prison e ; and during the same year he was con- ducted to the castle of Windsor f . Henry the Fifth, who had succeeded his fa- ther in 1413, found that his scheme of subjecting France was considerably retarded by the valour of the Scotish auxiliaries. These he hoped to detach from the enemy's standard by inducing the captive prince to serve in his army. James accordingly attended him during the campaign of 142*1 : but as his countrymen were sufficiently aware, that his conduct on this occasion could not be construed into a proof of his hostility towards the French, they continued to support their ancient allies with unremitted vigour. The accomplished prince, followed by a chosen hand of Scotish knights, fought under the banners of Henry with distinguished bravery. He com- manded that division of the English army which laid siege to Dreux ; and, by the vigour of his conduct, compelled the town to surrender in the space of six weeks ". During his tedious captivity, Scotland was suc- cessively governed by Robert Duke of Albany. c Holinshed's Chronic les, vol. iii. p. 5.* 2. 'i Ryrr.cr, Fcrdera, to:. viii. p. 484. c lb. torn. ix. p. ". f IL. torn, ix. p. 44. Hall's Chror.iclc, Hen. V. f.xlv.1 . '291 and his eldest son Murdac. The latter was a nobleman of mean capacity, and altogether un- qualified for the task which he had undertaken. Under his feeble administration, the kingdom presented a deplorable picture of anarchy. The scales of justice were held with a partial hand ; and power commonly usurped the place of right. Wearied at length with civil commotions, the na- tion began to deliberate concerning the ransom of the captive prince ; whose long detention was perhaps owing in some measure to the political arts of his ambitious kinsmen. His release was novy facilitated by the affection which he had be- gun to discover for Jane, the daughter of John Earl of Somerset, and the grand-daughter of John Duke of Lancaster. An alliance with the blood royal of England, it was supposed, could not fail of attaching him to the political interests of that nation. His ransom being stipulated, under the name of a compensation for his main- tenance, and hostages nominated for the security of its payment, James returned to his native country after an absence of about nineteen years. A short while before his departure he espoused the Lady Jane Seymour ; the ceremony being performed in the church of St Mary Overy in Soutlnvark. He entered his own territories on the first of April, 1424 ; and on the twenty -first Q f> 2 292 of May was crowned at Scone with the usual so- lemnities' 1 . When James began to direct his attention to- wards the internal state of the kingdom, he was presented with a dismal prospect. During the long term of years which had elapsed since his father's death, the powerful and factious chief- tans had found opportunities of extending their encroachments, and of fortifying themselves against the influence of the legal authority. By the avarice or policy of the two regents, the re- venues of the crown had been almost totally alie- nated. The nation had long been unaccustomed to the name and jurisdiction of a king ; and ma- ny powerful individuals had no reason to wish for their revival. The possessions which they had ac- quired by rapine, they were prepared to defend with the sword. Aware of the factious spirit of the nobility, and conscious at the same time of inherent energy, he resolved to apply the necessary remedy with a bold though temperate hand. As the lower or- ders of the community immediately began to ex- perience the salutary effects of his equitable ad- ministration, he readily secured their attachment to his person, and was prepared for enterprizes of more serious moment. His plans were formed with sagacity and executed with consummate ad- h Ruddiman. Annoutioncs in Buchanan! Hut. p. 437. 29S dress ; though the iniquity of the times often tended to frustrate his best intentions. While the parliament was sitting at Perth in the year 1425, he arrested upwards of twenty men of rank; and, among the rest, the Duke of Albany and his two sons Walter and Alexander. These three, together with Albany's father-in-law the Earl of Lennox, were the only individuals who suffered capital punishment'. The extensive domains of the duke were annexed to the royal patrimony. The crimes of these noblemen have not been accurately specified ; but it may be sup- posed that their indictment included many arti- cles. The political system of James, so hostile to the tyranny of the nobles, was exceedingly gratify- ing to the common people. Justice was now dispensed with a steady hand, and innumerable abuses were reformed. In order to obtain an ac- curate knowledge of the manners and opinions of his humbler subjects, he frequently found means to introduce himself, under an assumed character, into their domestic circles. Convinced of the im- portance of the mechanical arts, lie honoured them with a due share of his attention : he even condescended to study the principles of some of their various branches, and upon certain occa- sions to reduce those principles to practice 3 . "It i Bower. Scotichror.kon, vol. ii. p. aZ^. j lb. vol, ii. p. 505 ii9* was then/' says Bower, " that the people sate in the opulence of peace, secure from plunderers, jocund of heart, and tranquil in their mind : for the king wisely banished feuds from the state, restrained depredations, appeased discords, and conciliated enmities." In a nation where licentiousness prevails, it cannot be expected that the ecclesiastics should escape the general contagion : the clergy and laity are of the same origin, and, although sub- jected to different regulations, are rarely possest of different degrees of positive virtue. James be- held the deplorable state of the Scotish church, and with pious care applied himself to its refor- mation. The ecclesiastics were for the most part devoid of literature, and only distinguished by the immorality of their conduct. In order to produce a nobler impulse, he is said to have invited seve- ral learned foreigners to his kingdom, and to have presented them to ample benefices. His own example contributed to advance the respectability of the literary character. The no- bility of those martial times were apt to regard the pursuits of the scholar as degrading to a man of purer blood : they imagined that glory was on- ly connected with such enterprizes as depend for their success on the union of strength and cou- rage. But the example of so illustrious a prince must have tended to remove their prejudices. Alter having received repeated provocation: 295 from the English, James collected an army in 1436, and hastened to - lay siege to v Roxburgh: but, for some reason which remains doubtful, he speedily disbanded his troops k . The vigorous manner in which he enforced the observance of the laws procured him many ene- mies among his more powerful subjects. At first however they submitted without exhibiting any symptoms of open discontent : their malice was only gratified by the propagation of reports dis- advantageous to the character of their illustrious sovereign 1 . But at length a fatal conspiracy was formed against his life. The chief of the traitors was his uncle Robert Stewart, Earl of Athole ; an ambitious nobleman whom our historians re- present as pursuing a regular and extended plan for securing the crown to his own descendants. The earl himself was too aged to perform any ac- tive part ; the perpetration of the murder was re- served for his grandson Sir Robert Stewart, Sir Robert Graham, and other accomplices of inferior rank. James was at this time residing in the Do- minican convent near Perth. The conspirators having gained admission, proceeded with savage k Pinkcrion's Hist, of Scotland, vol. i. p. 13a. I " Vix ullus Scotorum reguni vel aliarum etiam nationum, doctrini, piotate, justitia, ceterisque virtutibus vere regiis, instructor fuit quam Jacobus I. Attamen, quia nobilium quorundam scc-lera et iii?o!entiam acriter comptbccbat, non defuerunt audaces et mendaces qui ejus famam inf-mii dicto convellere et perstringere conarentur." P>Aucr.,\iU! : " Regali Pctestatc. r. ; :-. Paris. t6oc. tfr. 296 ferocity to accomplish their purpose. After an unavailing resistance, he sank under their poniauL covered with many wounds. Such was their bru- tality, that the queen herself did not escape with- out injury. James was thus murdered on the twentieth day of February, 1437, m tne forty-fourth year of bis age, and the thirteenth of his actual reign. The assassins did not remain unpunished. The principal traitors were secured within the space of a few weeks ; and were condemned to suffer torments which humanity shudders to contem- plate'". m In the appendix to the first volume of his history, Mr Pinkerton has published A full lamentable Crony cle (if the Ddbc and fain Murdure of fame: Stewards, last Kynge of Scottyt. This chronicle was translated into English from a Latin original; which, says Mr Pinkerton, was "probably pub- lished in Scotland by authority." It however appears to me to exhibit internal evidence of its having been composed by some native of England. In support of this decision, I shall at present content myself with produ- cing a single passage : " The Kyng of Scottes hadde leve enlagissid, and had saufecondit of lit maijt,r tl.e Kyng of England, v for so the Kyng of Scottes clepid hym.)" P. 46a. No Scotish writer would have represented his sovereign as a vassal of the English crown. This account of the murder of King James, and the execution of the traitors, differs in many particulars from the statements exhibited by Rower and the other Scotish historians. The comparative authenticity of the different writers it would perhaps be difficult to estimate. lij.!dwyn's legend, " How Kjnj^ lames the First, for breaking hisothe* and bondes, was by God's sulTrauncs miserably murdered of hys own? Subiectes," occurs in the Mynoir fir Mtightratri, edit. Loud. IJ63, 4to. 1; was afterwards omitted in the edition of N'iccols. This legend is at once unpoetical and illiberal. James has also been charged by some of the Enpli-.h !: torian w ith the hi each of his oath of fealty; but no compcti nt an be produced el his having acknowledged Henry the Fifth n 297 James, though somewhat short of stature, was possest of uncommon bodily strength. JEneas Syl- vius has described him as corpulent"; but Mair in- sinuates, that as the intenser heat of the Italian climate has a tendency to reduce the body to an arid state, natives of Italy are apt to repre- sent the Britons in general as of a gross habit . He is celebrated as a proficient in all the violent exercises which were then regarded as manly and becoming. He was well acquainted with the use of the bow and the spear ; and handled his sword with the dexterity of a professional fencer. He equally excelled as a skilful horseman, as an indefatigable walker, and as a fleet runner. His employments and recreations were so numerous, that not a single moment of his life appears to have been left unimproved. His leisure hours were alternately dedicated to those hardy exer- cises, and to the pursuits of gardening, painting, music, and poetry p . His private character was of the most amiable kind ; his public virtues shine with distinguished lustre in the annals of his memorable reign. " It was the misfortune of James," says Dr Robertson, his liege lord. Hail has observed, that James never " fauored Englishemea before the Frenche people:" and to this part of his conduct we may un- doubtedly trace the origin of that enmity which the English writers have discovered towards his memory. 11 Pii Secundi Asix Europxque Descriptio, p. 424. Major de Gestis Scotorum, p. 308. P Bower. Scotkhronicon, vol. ii. p. 505. edit. Goods!!. Vol. I. V p 298 " that his maxims and manners were too refined for the age in which he lived. Happy! had he reigned in a kingdom more civilized : his love of peace, of justice, and. of elegance, would have rendered his schemes successful; and instead of perishing because he had attempted too much, a grateful people would have applauded and second- ed his efforts to reform and to improve them." This royal poet has found abundance of editors; but no complete and accurate impression or his works has hitherto made its appearance. In 1691 Christis Kirk of the Grene was published at Ox- ford by the learned Dr Gibson : and this is the earliest edition of any of his poems which has yet been discovered. In what manner the copy was procured, whether it was printed or in manu- script, the editor has not thought proper to spe- cify. The text is extremely corrupt, but the notes are learned and curious. The next edition of this poem occurs in The Ever-Green, which was published at Edinburgh in 1724. Ramsay, it is well known, was a most unfaithful and injudicious editor. At Edinburgh in the year 1782, Mr Callander of Craigforth published " Two Ancient Scottish Poems; the Gaberlunzie- nian and Christ's Kirk on the Green, with Notes and Observations." In editing the latter of these poems, he has neither consulted Bannatyne's MS. nor adhered to the text of Bishop Gibson or ro that of Allan Ramsay ; but has '* given such 299 readings as appeared to him most consonant to the phraseology of the sixteenth century." From such a plan little could be hoped : but his defi- ciencies as a mere editor are amply compensated by his uncommon erudition as a philologer. In his very curious annotations he endeavours to elucidate " the true system of etymology, which consists in deriving the words of every language from the radical sounds of the first, or original tongue, as it was spoken by Noah and the build- ers of Babel." In the additional notes on The Gaberlunzieman, the editor's general principles are further illustrated by the erudition and ingenuity of the late Dr Doig. Mr Callander exhibited these philological disquisitions as a specimen of his meditated Dictionary of the Scotish Language; a plan which it is to be regretted that he did not carry into execution. Mr Tytler's edition of the Poetical Remains of Jam?s the First was published at Edinburgh in the year 1783. These reliques are Christis Kirk, published from Bannatyne's MS. and The King's .^jjair, from a MS. formerly in the possession of Selden, and now preserved in the Bodleyan Libra- ry. The edition is accompanied with dissertations, on the life and writings of King James, and on Scotish music. The transcript of The King's ^uair the editor professes to have received from " an ingenious young gentleman, a student of Oxford." This ingenious gentleman, who must ? P 2 300 indeed have been very young in the study of poe- tical antiquities, presented him, as he informs us, with ** a very accurate copy." His mode of ascertaining its accuracy it might not have been improper to specify : the original MS. WW cer- tainly never inspected by himself; and if his young friend extolled his own fidelity, such a tes- timony ought not to have been admitted. What- ever Mr Tytler might suppose, the transcript must have been shamefully incorrect. His edition has been collated with the MS. and found to con- tain upwards of three hundred variations. In his collection of Select Scotish Ballads, pub- lished at London in 1783, Mr Pinkerton has in- serted Peblis to the Play and Cbristis Kirk. From the Maitland MSS. he has published a more ge- nuine edition of the latter work in the appendix to his Ancient Scotish Poems ; a valuable collection which appeared at London in 1786. All the productions ascribed to King James may be found in Mr Sibbald's Chronicle of Scottish Poetry, published at Edinburgh in 1802. Here however The King's ^uair appears in a mutilated tate. The poetieal reputation of King James has now stood the test of many ages, and cannot be sup- peed to derive much support from adventitious circumstances. The talents which he possessed were such as might have rendered him conspi- cuous in any station of life ; and he evidently 301 enjoyed many opportunities of intellectual im- provement. From the fatal influence of that uncircumscribed indulgence by which the rising virtues of princes are so often marred in their growth, he was seasonably removed by an event which otherwise might have been deemed cala- mitous. The early blandishments of a court may corrupt a heart susceptible of every fine impres- sion, and adulterate an understanding formed for extending the paths of human reason. But amid the comparative solitude of his prison, James was left to improve the native energies of his mind, and to nurse many a high thought. The enthusiastic admiration of some of his biographers has invested him with qualities al- most supernatural: and although their enco- miums are in a great measure supported by the monuments of his genius which still remain, we ought perhaps to receive them with certain limi- tations, Universal excellence cannot fall to the lot of an individual : the mind of man is limited in its faculties, and cannot divide its exertions without diminishing their efficacy, James how- ever was undoubtedly possest of real genius : and his share of acquired knowledge appears to have exceeded that of his most learned sub- jects. Buchanan has justly remarked, that his conduct as a wise and upright ruler was con- spicuously displayed in the political transactions of his reign. And notwithstanding his assi 302 duitv in discharging the duties of his high sta- tion, he found sufficient leisure for the cultiva- tion of those studies which had cheered him amid the gloom of a long captivity \ His mind appears to have been of that active kind which is never satisfied with its own attainments ; which is always occupied in the execution of some plan formerly arranged, or in the consideration of some new object of pursuit. It is to this mental ac- tivity that e^ery species of eminence must be ascribed. Many of those who descend so ingio- riously into the grave, might by due exertion transmit their names to the tribes who are yet to people the earth. Such of his compositions as have escaped the ravages of time, are entitled to high commenda- tion. He excels in serious as well as in ludicrous poetry. His works evince a warm imagination and a feeling heart : and he undoubtedly possess- ed in an eminent degree the power of moving the risible faculty. During his tedious captivity, he enjoyed an op- portunity of familiarizing himself with the best English models ; a circumstance to which his li- a " Pro qualitate terryoris et consonantia morum horum qui ejuspra:- cntiim repiam et ex intimis affectabant, absque aliquali desidia, nunc *jvrri art:* literatorix et scripturae, nunc protr.ictioni et picture, nunc in ].ardinis htrbarum et arborum fructiferarum piant.itioni et inserturx, nur:c honey is ludis er solatiis.ad refocillandum suorum sequacium animos, ire offeadiculo co.-nplacenti instabat cur.-e." Bo'.veb. Scotichron::on, vol. ii. p. 505; 303 terary eminence may partly be attributed. Chau- cer and Gower are the poets whom he represents as his masters in the art of composition : Vnto impnis of my maisteris dere, Gowere and Chaucere, that on the steppis satt Of rethorike, quhill thai were lyvand here, Superlatiue as poetis laureate, In moralitee and eloquence ornate, I recommend my buk in lynis seven, And eke thair saulis vnto the blisse of hevin. Frequent imitations of the English poets may perhaps be discovered in his works. The follow- ing coincidence can hardly be -regarded as acci- dental : O wery ghost ! that errist to and fro, Why r.'ilt thou flien out of the wofullest Body that evir might on grounde ygo ? O soule ! lurking in this woful neste, Flee forth anon, and do mine herte to breste. Chaucer. O besy goste ! ay flikering to and fro, That never art in quiet nor in rest, Till thou cum to that place that thou cam fro, Ouhich is thy first and verray proper nest. K. James. With Latin authors there is reason to believe that he was pretty familiarly acquainted : but when Mr Tytler celebrates his proficiency in the Greek language, it need only be remarked that this seems among the number of recent discove- ries. The most celebrated of the poems attributed to King James, is that entitled Christis Kirk of the Grene: but with regard to the genuineness of this inimitable production, much controversy has aris- en among poetical antiquaries. It has been urged by Lord Hailes, that although several of this monarch's compositions are enume- rated by Mair, yet that writer is totally silent concerning the existence of such a poem as Christis Kirk. This however is only a negative argument, and, at the same time, stated without due precision. Mair has not indeed informed us that James was the author of the work in ques- tion ; but as we are not presented with a com- plete catalogue of his compositions, room is left for supposing that he was the author of this poem, as well as of several others to which we are only referred in general terms. In our native lan- guage, says the historian, he was a most skilful composer: and very many of his works are still preserved r . Of these however he has only men- r " Id vcrnacula lingua ariifidosissimus compositor ; cujus codkes plu- ri::n rt cantiienx nicmoriter adhuc apud Scoto& inter primos habentur. Artificiosum libellum de regina, dum captivus erat, composuit, antequatn cm in cuijugem duceret ; et aliam artifkiosam cauiiL-naiu cjuadem, Yiu /.-, &f. ct jucundum artificiosiimque iilum cantum, At Bcltayi, Sec. <; alii de Dalkcfh ct Gargeil miitare studuerurit; quia in wee ant camtfn t!iU'U KTvabatur in qua mulier cum matre habitabat." Major de Gestis Scotorum, p. $05 tioned three ; a number to which the tempi* rimi, or very many, can hardly be thought appli- cable Another argument of this learned writer is, that the author of the poem mentions the games of Peebles; which are supposed to have been instituted posterior to the reign of James the First. But this objection has been complete- ly removed by the publication of Peblis to the Play. From this poem it is certain that the an- nual festival of Peebles began to be celebrated at an earlier sera than Lord Hailes has assigned. The arguments by which Mr Sibbald attempts to demonstrate that Peblis to the Play is likewise a spurious composition, do not seem entitled to a serious refutation. It is further urged, that Gibson, Tanner and the editor of Douglas's Virgil, have attributed this production to James the Fifth. In a dispute of this nature, the authority of writers who lived at so recent a period is certainly entitled to little regard Authorities are of a motley character, and ought to be reduced to a kind of mathemati- d Dr Gibson, it is incumbent upon me to observe, was not, as Lord Hailes seems to suppose, the earliest writer who referred this poem to James the Fifth Dempster, who wrote at the beginning of the seventeenth century, extols this monarch as a poet of rare genius, and as the author of ' Vol. T. Q^H ;J06 heroic poem on the rural dances of Falkirk*" We have now perhaps traced an error to its source. Dempster, it is recorded, was wont to assert that he knew not what it is to forget : but this is a claim which Magliabechi himself could hardly have been permitted to advance. The numerous errors which pervade his strange work, we must either ascribe to a defect of me- mory or of integrity 1 . As he wrote in a foreign country where few Scotish books could be pro- cured, the accurate execution of his plan would have required such a power of reminiscence as no man ever enjoyed. In the present instance his memory has evidently proved treacherous. In- stead of Christ's Kirk, he writes Falkirk. He re- presents this poem as of the epic kind; for the word epos must either signify a work strictly epic, or at least composed in heroic verse. After hav- ing convicted him of two errors, we may without injustice suspect him of a third ; we may suppose that he inadvertently substituted James the Fifth instead of his ancestor James the First. When s " Erat illi umocnissimum ingenium, quod ab eo poemata relicta tes- tantur ; quorum ego tantiim vidi ' De Choneis Rusticis Fakirkensibu** rpos vernacule, lib. I. quo nihil ingeniosius aut Gra:ci aut Latini osten- tare possunt." DEMrt ter. Hist. Ecclesiast. Cent. Scotor. p. 38a. ' " Tam suspcctse fidei hominem ilium fuisse comperimus, ct toties te&teram fregit>se, ut oculatos nos esse hie oporteat, et, nisi quod videmus iiiLil ab eo acceptum credere." Ujje.ru Britannic. Ecclcs. Antiquitates, p. 726. 3.07 Dr Gibson published his edition of Christis Kirk afthe Grene, he represented it as a poem " com- posed, as is supposed," by the former of those mo- narchs. This form of expression plainly indicates, that he himself was not completely satisfied with , respect to its genuineness. Dr Tanner, who flou- rished during the earlier part of the last century, has referred it to the same author" : and, if the controversy is to be decided by arguments of this kind, a long catalogue of names may be added. Dempster, Gibson, and Tanner, have been follow- ed by Warton, Percy, Ritson, and other writers who have directed their attention to the history of Scotish literature v . But it is evident that most of these have without examination adopted the opinion of their predecessors. Mr Callander's suggestions next solicit our no- tice. " Many different writers," he observes, " have said that this ballad was composed by Tames V. and many arguments are^ advanced for this opinion ; such as, the exact description of the manners and character of Scottish peasants, with which James V. was intimately acquainted, as he delighted in strolling about in disguise among the lower people and farmers ; in which u Tanner. Bibliotheca Britannico-Hibernica, p. 426. v Warton'* Hist, of English Poetry, vol. ii. p. 318. Percy's Reliques of Ancient English Poetry, vol. ii. p. 60. Ritson's Hist. Essay on Scotish Song, p. xxxvi. Walpole's Catal. of Royal and Noble Authors, vol. ii. p. 183 Qji 2 308 excursions he sometimes met with odd adven- tures, one of which he is said to have made the subject of his Gaberlunzieman, which we hu\e therefore prefixed to Christ's Kirk on the Gran ; and indeed the style and strain of humour in both arc perfectly similar"." If James the Fifth was accurately acquainted with the manners of his subjects, we are not un- der the necessity of concluding, that a large por- tion of the same species of knowledge could not possibly have fallen to the share of his ancestor. Mr Callander ought to have recollected, that the practice of strolling about in disguise was com- mon to both x . Till it can be proved that James the Fifth is the author of The Gaberlunzieman, it will be unnecessary to institute a comparison be- tween the two works. He is also represented as the author of The Jo/lie Beggar : but such traditions are vague and unsatisfactory. It is evident, says Bishop Percy, that Christis Kirk of the Grene is a more modern production than Peblis to the Play \ " To give judgment between them," observes Mr Tytler, " or to say- that the one is of an age older than the other appears to me to be so nice, that, were I not con- w Callander's Ancient Scottish Poems, p. ioo. * The following quotation relates to James the First : " Mutati veste velut privatum inter privatos ac maxime inter mercatores, quod aliorum acdes r.on ita cuivis expositx essent, se&e immiscuit." BotTiui Scotorum Historia, f. 25%. , T See Pinkerton's Select Scotish Ballads, vol. ii. p. 163. 309 vinced, from their internal marks, that they have been written in the same age, one might be in- duced to think, from sundry stanzas in the poem of Peblis, that it is much more modern than Christ's Kirk \" To discover those internal marks by which a composition may be referred to its proper aera, will always be found a task of the utmost diffi- culty. Strictures which merely relate to ortho- graphy may commonly be offered without much hazard ; an appeal is here made to palpable ob- jects, not to those internal sensations which are so much regulated by the peculiar associations of the individual. But it is with less security that arguments are drawn from the shades of national taste, from the particular modes of thinking which prevail in different ages, and from the gradual progression or retrogradation of language. Dr Bentley has remarked, that " the censures that are made from stile and language alone, are commonly nice and uncertain, and depend upon slender notices. Some very sagacious and learned men have been deceived in those conjectures, even to ridicule. The great Scaliger published a few iambics, as a choice fragment of an old tra- gedian, given him by Muretus ; who soon after confess'd the jest, that they were made by him- self. Boxhornius writ a commentary upon a small poem Be Lite, supposed by him to be 7. Tytkr's Dissertation on the Scottish Music, p. 244- 31< some ancient author's ; but it was soon discover'd to be Michael Hospitalius's, a late Chancellor of France. So that if I had no other argument but the stile, to. detect the spuriousness of Phalaris's Epistles, I my self indeed should be satisfied with that alone, but I durst not hope to convince every body else V The sentiments of this great critic may serve to regulate us in our present disquisition. After having with sufficient minuteness compared the two poems, I remain in the conviction that they are productions of the same age : and, if they happen to be viewed by others in a different light, I must decline the task of a verbal colla- tion. Such are the arguments which seem to autho- rize us in ascribing this composition to some other author than Dempster has assigned. That its real author was James the First, is rendered more than probable by the testimony of George Ban- natyne. James the Fifth died in 1542 : Ban- rtatyne formed his collection of Scotish poetry about the year 1568; and if that monarch had in reality been the author of so excellent a produc- tion, his claims could not have escaped the knowledge of one who paid such laudable atten- tion to the poetical literature of his native coun- try. This collector has however attributed Cbristis Kirk to James the First : nor can any a Dentley's Ditsertation upon Phalaris, p. 19. 311 other testimony of the same antiquity be pro- duced in support of either opinion. Christis Kirk of the Grene, to whatever author it may be referred, is undoubtedly a poem of singular merit b . It is a current remark, that Scotland has produced few humorous writers of much distinction : and the accuracy of this po- sition . must readily be admitted. At the same time however, it will certainly be acknowledged^ that the compositions of James the First, Ar- buthnot, Smollett, and Moore, exhibit specimens of genuine humour ; though it unfortunately happens, that each of those writers spent a con- siderable part of his life in England. The exquisite pleasantry of this production of King James has rendered it the most popular of b The Rev. George Donaldson conjectures, that the scene of the ex- ploits described in this poem was Christ's Kirk in the parish of Kenneth- mont and county of Aberdeen ; where a fair was formerly held during the night. " It is well known," he observes, " that James visited the most distant parte of his kingdom to hear complaints and redress griev- ances. And it is not impossible, nor even very improbable, that in his progress he may have seen or heard of Christ's Kirk. Now, what place more likely to strike the fancy of this monarch, than one distinguished by so singular a custom ? The circumstance of the market at midnight may be supposed to fall in with his humour, and give birth to such scenes as he has described. Even the name of the performance is descriptive of the place : for the green still encircles the ruins of the kirk ; and it is besides the only one in Scotland that I am acquainted with, to which the name of the ballad is applicable." Sjncl.mf's Statistical Account of Scotland, vol. xiii. p. 77, 312 our ancient poetical reliques c . Not long after the appearance of Dr Gibson's edition, two ad- ditional cantos were written by Allan Ramsay : but these are in every respect inferior to the masterly draught of the royal author. Of King James's poem a Latin translation has lately been published : and for this, it is reported, we are in- debted to the Rev. John Skinner. His choice of a measure consecrated to tender and melancholy subjects, cannot be regarded as altogether judi- cious. The genuine humour of the original is by no means transfused into his version ! King James presents us with a succession of highly lu- dicrous objects, and never fails to mark them with the characteristic lines of his bold pencil ; but Mr Skinner has often contented himself with a general representation of the sense, and has suffered those arch peculiarities of manner to elude his grasp. It ought however to be recol- lected that the task of decking British humour in a classical garb, is one of the most hopeless that can be undertaken. In such an attempt who could have succeeded ? As this translation has not perhaps fallen into the hands of very many readers, 1 shall here ex- hibit a few stanzas as a specimen : Fcrvidus hinc audaxque, Hcnricus nomine, miles, Qui mine arcitenens calliditatis erat, c One likes no language but the Faery Queen ; A Stt will fight for Clirist'* Kirk o' the Green. Purr 313 Instrumenta rapit, fuerant quae proxima belli 5 Tarn violenta illi pectoris ira fuit. Fortia an errarint jaculando brachia, necne, An fuerit, dubium est, alter amicus homo 5 Hie tamen evasit, certe auxiliante Maria, Ut qui tale mali nil meditatus erat. Laurius inde feri saliebat more leonis, Et pennata cito tela parare potest : Spondebat juveni mediam terebrare papillam, Ni faceret, contra sponte daturus ovem : Inferiora tamen percussit arundine ventris j Ut vesica, cavum fecit arundo sonum : Namque benigna viro tantum fortuna favebat, Indusium ut crassa pelle tegebat cum. Plaga tamen gressus adeo labefecit eunti, Succiduo in terrain volvitur ille genu : Alter ut extinctum nec-opina morte reliquitj Et procul ut potuit fugit ab urbe pavens. Egresste matres lapsum de stercore tollunt, Inveniuntque animae signa manentis adhuc : Tunc tribus in clunes refovebant ictibus aegrum, Semianimemque cito restituere virum d . I shall now produce the original passage ; and every reader may exercise his own judgment by instituting a comparison : Ane haistie hensour callit Harie, Quhilk was ane archer heynd, Tit up ane takill, but ony tary, That turment so him teynd. d Mr Skinner's translation may be found in a collection entitled Cor minum Rariiirum Macanniicorum Delectus, fasckulut primus. Edinb. l8or uu\ Hut. L* cr Christi sortem, racrucrunt hi quia mortem". tiu\ specimen it would appear that hi* ition to prosody was not very scrupulous. m Writers, vol. j. ]>. 31 . ... 11, v I. ii. p. 48;/. 327 Dempster has asserted, that King James wrote a treatise De Music a : and this erroneous state- ment has been copied by Tanner and other lite- rary historians. The authority which he quotes is that of Hector Boyce ; in whose work there is however no mention of any such composition : nor in a case of this kind could he have been con- sidered as a sufficient voucher. Certain it is how- ever that James has always been regarded as an adept in the practical part of music 1 ' : and from him the national music is understood to have de- rived such important improvements, that a more particular examination of his claims may here be introduced without any violation of propriety. The elegant arts, as Cicero has remarked, are con- Dempster. Hist. Ecclesiast. Gent. Scotor. p. 381. P Air Tytler informs us, that " Fordun has a whole chapter, the 29th of his history, on King James's learning and knowledge in the ancient Greek, as well as in the more modern scales of music, which for its cu- riosity, is worthy to be read by the modern theorists in music." ( Dhserij.- i>'.n on the Scottish Music, p. 199.) In any other passage of the same length, it would perhaps be impossible to discover such a complication of errors. The chapter to which Mr Tytler refers, is not the composition of For- dun, but of his continuator Bower: nor is it the twenty-ninth, but the twenty-ninth of the sixteenth book of the Scoticbronicon, which contains this musical information. With respect to Grecian music it does not fur- nish us with a single hint. The greater part of this chapter is moreover a profest quotation from the writer l)e Mirabilibus Hibcrnia ; that is, from. Gerald Barry, better known by the name of Sylvester Giraldus Cambren- si-,. The hints which Mr Tytler supposes to refer to Grecian music, are delivered in the words of this writer ; who has indeed employed terms of Greek derivation. If he extolled King James's musical talents, it must have been ill the way of prediction: for James was not born till about tvro centuries after the death of B.irrv. 3 23 nectcd with each other by a kind of natural alii- nity. In tracing the history of Scotish poetry, a slight degree of attention seems due to Scotish music. " It has never appeared in the course of my enquiries," says Dr Burney, " that poetry and music have advanced with equal pace towards perfection, in any country. Almost every nation of Europe has produced good poetry before it could boast of such an arrangement of musical sounds as constitutes good melody V Before either the theory or the practice of music began to be studied with any degree of assiduity in Scot- land, that country had produced various poets of no mean character. Gerald Barry, who flourished about the year 1200, has indeed informed us that, in the opinion of many, the Scotish music was even superior to the Irish ; and that three musi- cal instruments, the harp, tympanum , and chorus, were used in Scotland, while only two, the harp and tympanum, were used in Ireland r . lint this commendation must undoubtedly be limited to Mich of the inhabitants of Scotland as were of r > Buiney's History of Music, vol. ii. p. 336. : " Hibernia quiJeni tantum duobus utitur ct cielcctntLr instrument it, ..'1 scilicet et tympano ; Scotia tribus, cythera, tympano, et choro ; (.. 1 \tru cythera, tibiis, ct choro. JEneit quoquc magis utuntur [uim de corio factis. Multorum autem opiiMone, hodic Scotia r.on tain 11m mj'isirom rrquiparavit Hiberniam, verum i-tiam in n et prxcellit. I tide et ibi quasi fontem arti* jam r. juiruttt. ' Cu p. 7 -,9. apud Camden 329 Celtic origin. There is reason to believe that the Highlanders, from their intercourse with the Irish, became acquainted with the use of the harp at a very early period 8 : and Dr Thomas Campbell even contends that the honour of inventing what is termed the Scotish music, must be ascribed to Ireland'. The harp does not appear to have been at any time a favourite instrument among the Lowlanders. The instrument used by the High- landers, says Mair, is a harp strung with cords of brass; which they modulate very sweetly". This observation affords indirect evidence that the harp was but little known among the rest of the inha- bitants. Of the other musical instruments enu- merated by Barry, no very definite notion can perhaps be formed. It has been supposed that " m the twelfth cen- tury church-music must have been in an advan- ced state in Scotland'." The learned writer who maintains this opinion has contented himself with quoting a passage from the works of Ailred, as it is translated by Dr Mackenzie. Of the validity of such an authority he however appears to have entertained some suspicion ; for in a marginal note he subjoins an observation which ought to s Walker's Historical Memoirs of the Irish Bards, p. 74- Lond. 1786, 4to. < Campbell's Survey of the South of Ireland, p. 455. 11 Major de Gestis Scotorum, p. 34. v Piukerton's Essay on the Origin of Scotish Poetry, p. kvi- Vol. I T t 330 have suspended his ' general conclusion. "My author," says he, ** is so inaccurate, that I know not if it be of the English or Scotish music that iElred speaks." But in reality Ailred lias neither particularized the church-music of Scotland nor of England". His observations most undoubted- ly refer to the mode in which the ecclesiastical chants were at that time generally conducted. The opinion that Ailred was a native of Scotland, seems to rest on the bold assertion ot* Dempster. He was born in England ; but some part of his w As the passage on which Mr Pinkerton founds his opinion is some- what remarkable, I shall here transcribe it from the Maxima Billiotbeca Vettrum Patrum, torn, xiiii. p. 1 1 8. " Unde quscso, cessantibus'jam typis et figuris, unde ecclesia tot organa, tot cymbala ? Ad quid, rogo, terri- bilis ille follium flatus, tonitrui potius fragorem, quam vocis cxprimens suavitatem ? Ad quid ilia vocis contractio et infractio ? Hie succinit, iFle discinit ; alter supercinit, alter medias quasdam noras dividit, et inci- dit. Nunc vox itringitur, nunc frangitur, nunc impingitur, nunc diffu- sion sonitu dilatatur. Aliquando, quod pudet dicere, in equinos hinnitus cogitur, aliquando virili vigore deposito, in fceminex vocis gracilitatc acui- tur, nonnunquam artificiosa quadam circumvolutione torquetur et retor- quetur. Videas aliquando hominem aperto ore, quasi iutercluso halitu tx- spirare, non cantare, ac ridiculosa quadam vocis intcrceptione, quasi mi- nitare silentium, nunc agones morientium vel ccstasim patientium imitari. Interim histrionicis quibusdam gestibu* totum corpus agitatur, torquemur labia, rotant oculi, ludum humeri, et ad singulis quasquc notas digitorum flexus respondet. Et ha:c ridiculosa dissolutio vocatur religio ; et ubi hxc frequentiiis agitantur, ibi Deo honorabilir.s scrviri clamarur. " Stans interea vulgus sonitum follium, crep it unique cymbalorum, har- moniam fistulamm, tremens attonitusque miratur; sed bucivascantantiiim gcsticulationes, meretricias vocum alternationes et infractiones, non sine cachinno risuque intuetur, ut eos non ad oraroriura, sed ad theatrum, non ad or.iiidun;, u-d ad sptctandum, xsiiuie> convenisce." AiiHFO. Speculum Charitatis, lib. ii. cap. xxiii 331 life was spent in Scotland.- Although' he thus enjoyed an opportunity of informing himself with respect to the state of music in the latter country, no rule of logic authorizes us thence to conclude that he could not also be acquainted with the state of this art in other nations. When he asks why so many organs are introduced into the churches, we may rest satisfied that those church- es were not to be found in Scotland. Boyce af- firms that organs were unknown in this country till the reign of James the First* : and, whatever notion may be formed of such an authority, it must at least appear extremely improbable that they were used in the Scotish churches so early as the days of Ailred. Dempster informs us that the ecclesiastical- music of Scotland derived many important im- provements from Simon Taylor, a Dominican friar who nourished about the year 1240 ; and in support of this' assertion he refers to George Newton's lives of the Bishops of Dumblane. Taylor, it is affirmed, was compared by his co- temporaries to Guido Aretino: he effected such a reformation in the ecclesiastical chants, that Scotland might. in this particular vie with Rome itself: he moreover composed four treatises on musical subjects \ Those who have examined * Boethii Scotorum Historic, f- 348- b. 7 Dempster. Mist. Ecclesia*. Gent. Sector. P . 617 Tt 2 332 the writings of Dempster with a critical eye, will be cautious in drawing inferences from such in- formation as depends upon his sole authority. What corroboration the above statement might have received from George Newton, I am unable to ascertain. It may however be regarded as suf- ficiently probable, that the task of reforming the church-music was reserved for King James. Be- fore "his reign the elegant arts had certainly made very inconsiderable progress. The horn which summoned the warlike chiefs to battle, was the sweetest music that could salute their ears\ But the example and patronage of this illustrious mo- narch tended in some degree to stamp a value upon accomplishments which had hitherto been deemed illiberal. James is himself represented as a musician of consummate skill. In vocal and instrumental music he equally excelled. He play- ed on no fewer than eight instruments ; but was chiefly distinguished as a performer on the harp. If we may credit Bower, he touched its strings * Schaw non quhat kynd of soundis musicall 1$ maist semand to vailzeand cheueleris. Asthondrand blast of trumpat belliral! The spritis of mei% to hardy curage stent, So syngyng, fydlyng, and piping, not efferis lor men of honour nor of hye estate ; Becaus it spoutis swote venomc in thair em, And makU thair mvndis al effeminate. i BEM.E.VQi..\. 333 like another Orpheus 3 . For his musical qualifi- cations, it must be remembered, he was indebted to an English education : but the force of his na- tive genius enabled him to introduce many im- portant improvements, and even to form a new aera in the history of the art. Tassoni, in a passage frequently quoted, has characterized him as a composer of distinguished taste. Among us moderns, says this writer, may be classed James King of Scotland ; who not on- ly composed sacred music, but also invented a new species of plaintive melody, different from all others. In this he has been imitated by Carlo Gesualdo, Prince of Venosa, who during our own age has embellished music with many admirable inventions 5 . This passage has generally been un- derstood as signifying, that James's melody was imitated by the Prince of Venosa: but, as no simi- larity can be traced between Gesualdo's melodies and the national tunes of North Britain, it must only be received as implying that those two princes * " Hie etenim in musica, non solum in sono vocis, sed et in artis per- fectione, quemadmodum in tympano et choro, in psalterio et organo, tibia et lyra, tuba et fistula, non inquam avide ad usum, sed ad summx perfectionis magisterium, natura creatrix qusdain vis et potentia divini- tus humano generi insita, ultra humanam quodammodo cestimationem, ip- sum vivaciter decoravit, prxsertim in tactu cithara:, tanquam alterurn Orpheum, principem et praelatum omnium citharcedorum citharizantiuin in citharis suis dtlectabiliter et dulciter ilium prxdotavit.-" Bower. Scotichronicon, vol. ii. p. 504. b Tassoni, Penieri Divert, p. 664. 334 were eqdally cultivators and inventors of music c . That James the First is the Scotish king whom Tassoni has in view, is sufficiently evident ; though an attempt has lately been made to deprive him of this honour. " The passage," says Mr Pinker- ton, " has been understood to refer to James I. but it refers to James VI. in whose time Tassoni lived : when we say Louis King of France, it is the present we mean d ." But it ought to have been recollected that when Tassoni composed his work, the latter of those monarchs was no longer styled King of Scotland, but of Great Britain. Nor is it to be supposed that James the Sixth even possessed any uncommon relish for music. Mr Pinkerton ought also to have considered the expression in questa nostra eta: for, if Tassoni speak of two princes who flourished during the same age, these words must be regarded as super- fluous. Several of the Jameses w r ere perhaps lovers of music ; but there are no grounds for supposing that any of them, except the first, was capable of inventing a new species of plaintive melody c . c Burney't History of Music, vol. iii. p. 219. d Pinkerton'* Essay on the Origin of Scotish Poetry, p. liviii, e John Younge, in his account of Queen Margaret's journey to Scot- land, seems to represent James the Fourth as a musician of considerable sic ill : " The kynge begonne before hyr to play of the clarycordes, and after of the lute; wiche pleasyd hyr varey much, and she had grett plain:r to here hym." (Lela.'ld. De Rebus Britannicis Collectanea, vol. iv. p. tii-) Many anecdo'n of Scotish music may he found in Hawkins's History if Mus\t % vol. iv. p. 5. See. Ritson's Historical Essay an Scotish Song, Tyt- 335 Such is the view which I have deemed it ne- cessary to exhibit of the various accomplishments of a man on whom royalty itself could confer no additional splendour. On this subject I have di- lated with considerable solicitude : I have been anxious that the ingratitude of his own age should not be imitated by ours; that a man who contributed to extend the circle of human en- joyment, should receive the appropriate reward of his virtues f . ler's Dissertation on the Scottish Music, and in DalyelFs Desultory Reflection, on the State of Ancient Scotland, p. SA- &c Some incidental observations on this subject also occur in Beattie's Essay on Poetry and Music, Walker's Historical Memoirs of the Irish Bards, and in Gregory's Comparative View of the State and Faculties of Man. Hector Boyce mentions a famous Scotish musician named John Mali- son, whom Bishop Elphinston appointed to superintend the music of his cathedral : " Ad sacra rite exequenda in basilica Aberdonensi, creat de- signatorem Joannem Malisonum, musica disciplina eruditum, moribus probatum ; penes quern (quos scribi et concinnari fecerat) libri forent ri- tuales. Huic viro debent Aberdonenses, musicam prsesertim edocti, quam parent! filii charitatem. Quicquid illic musices, quicquid exactae in Dei ecclesia boreali jubilationis, hujus viri justissime debent opera:. Rarus enim conspicitur Aberdoniae cantandi artem excellenter doctus, qui eo non fuerit usus prsceptore." ( Aberdonensi urn Episcoporum Vii Wallace, vol. ii. p. 94- 3*8 the manners of chivalry brought neglect and con tempt on the bards, and after on the minstrels"." From a review of the scanty document;* which can now be collected, I am persuaded that these terms were generally applied in a very indefinite manner". That the bards, whatever meaning the word may have conveyed, were sometimes viewed in a contemptible light, is suf- ficiently evinced by an act of parliament promul- gated in the year 1457 s . Sir David Lindsay alsq places beggars and bards on the same footing. But it is equally certain that when our ancestors speak of minstrels, we are often to understand ' Pinkerton's Essay on the Origin of Scotish Poetry, p. Ixxiii- r " The word minstrel is of an extensive signification, and is applied as a general term to every character of that species of men whose business it was to entertain, either with oral recitation, music, gesticulation, and singing, or with a mixture of all these arts united." Warton's Hisr.of English Poetry, vol. iii. p. 302. s " The Lords thinkis speedcfull, that in all justice-aires, the Kingis Justice gar take inquisition of sorriarcs, bairdes, maisterfull beggers, or feinzicd fuiles; and outher banish them the cuntrie, or send them to the Kingis prison." Skene's Actesof Parliament, f. 44. a. Dr Ninian Winzet uses bard at a term of reproach: "This I wryte, for sa mckle as sum blasphemous LuirMs, conuict in conscience be the in- uincible treuth in this litle buke, wald draw ye cunning auctour thairof in a contempt, and lichtlie be thare iesting, tanting, and rayling." ( Vimw tlm Lirmeruu, sig. 1 3. b. Antwerp, 1563, &vo.) The word is al>o used : .r. the seme sense by Principal Baillie, a much later writer: "The rest of that day, and much also of posterior sessions, were mispent with the alter- cations oi mat i^rJisb man Mr D. Dogleiah and the young constable o{ Dundee." (Baillie's Liitm, vol. i. p. 311.) 349 common musicians. The harper who officiates at the rustic dance of Christis Kirk of the Grene, seems not entitled to knightly honours Tain Lutar wes thair menstral meit : O Lord as he could lanss ! He plnyit sa schill, and sang sa sweit, Quihile Tousy tuke a transs. When the honourable burgesses of Aberdeen vi- sited Edinburgh in order to mingle in the festi- vities which prevailed at the time when James jthe Fourth espoused the Lady Margaret, they presented ten pounds in Scotish currency to the common minstrels who attended their progress*. These minstrels may have been somewhat ele- vated above the rank of modern fidlers. Mr Pinkerton supposes that the minstrels, not- withstanding the honourable station which they once occupied, had sunk into contempt so early as the reign of James the Fifth. In proof of this assertion he produces the following passage of Dunbar : I will noe leisings put in verse, Lyke as sum janglers do reherse. The Scotish word j angler may perhaps be legiti- mately descended from the French jongleur ; but I have never in any instance found it employed 1 Chahners, Apology for the Believers in the Shakspeare-Papers, p. Ci: 350 to denote a minstrel. In the above passage it may signify a foolish prater. Henryson seems to use it in the same sense : Makyne, the nicht is soft and dry, The wedder is warme and fair, And the grene woud rycht ncir us by To walk, attour all qubair : Thair ma najang/our us espy That is to lufe contrair. Instead of representing the character of the min- strels as contemptible, Dunbar has very skilfully availed himself of an opportunity of advancing their reputation. At The Daunce exhibited be- fore Satan, he is careful to inform us that no minstrel attended : Na menstralls playit to thame but dowt, For gle-men thair wer haldin out Be day and eik by nycht j Except a menstrall that slew a man . Sa till his heretage he wan, And entirt be breif of richt. The precise period when the order of minstrels became extinct in Scotland, I am unable to as- certain ; but this event may with sufficient pro- bability be referred to the sera of the Reforma- tion. A change in the national manners was the necessary result of so violent a change in the national religion. Buchanan informs us that dur- ing his own times the order of bards was -till 351 revered among the Celtic tribes u ; but with re- gard to the existence of minstrels in the Low- lands he is profoundly silent. At a later period however some slight vestiges of the ancient pro- fession were still visible ; though it had then dwindled into a state too insignificant to merit much attention from the literary historian. " To our fathers time and ours," says George Martine, " something remained, and still does, of this an- cient order. And they are called by others, and by themselves, jockies ; who go about begging, and use still to recite the sluggornes of most of the true ancient surnames of Scotland from old experience and observation. Some of them I have discoursed, and found to have reason and discretion. One of them told me there were not now twelve of them in the whole isle ; but he remembered when they abounded, so as at one time he was one of five that usuallie met at St Andrews''." Martine wrote so lately as the year 1683. u " Horum et functlo et nomen adhuc perscverat apud omnes nationes qua: vetere Britannorum lingua utuntur : tantusque eis honos multis in lock habetur, ut et ipsi sacrosancti, et eorum domus pro asylo sint ; et inter infestissimos hnstes, ubi crudelissime et bellum geritur et victoria exercetur, perpetua sit eis eorumque comitibus ultro citroque commeandi potestas. Nohiles eos ad se ventitantes, et honorifice suscipiunt, et mu- nifke dimittunt. Carmina autem non inculta fundunt qua; rhapsodi proceribus, aut vulgo audiendi cupido, recitant, aut ad musicos organorum modes canunt." Buchanan. Rerum Scotic. Hist. p. 32. v Martine's State of the See of St Andrews, p. 3. St Andr. 1797, 4U, CoWil, who wrote .it an earlier period than Martiae, has raea- S52 Dr Blackwell has remarked, that the wan- dering life of a bard is of all others the most favourable to the acquisition of poetical senti- ments. " It is exactly the easy independent state that is unawed by laws, and the regards that molest us in communities ; that knows no duties or obligations but those of hospitality and huma- nity ; that subjects the mind to no tincture ot discipline, but lays it open to all the natural sensations with which the various parts of the universe affect a sagacious, perceptive, mimick ing creature V However accurate these ob- servations may be, it is obvious that Henry's un- fortunate situation precluded him from many of the advantages incident to his mode of life. His heroic poem, entitled Te Actis and Deidis of ye Illustev and Vailzeand Campioun, Sbyr Wilbam Wallace^ if we consider it as the production of a man blind from his birth, cannot fail of rank- ing him among the most remarkable characters commemorated in the annals of literature. Faults it undoubtedly exhibits, and those of no trivial tioncd the order of minstrels in contemptuous terms : " Cum puer csseni audiveram balathrones ceraulas nomine Thomx Rythmici fatidici nume- ra'rc qtuedam camiina trivialia." (Johannis Colvilli Oratio Funebr'u Exc- fuiii Eli-zabrthec ntipcrtt Angllte fy-gina dcitin,ita, p. 24. Paris. 1604, 8vo). The passage may be thus translated: " When I was a boy I had heard garly jeckia recite certain homely verses ascribed to Thomas the Rhymer, a reputed prophet." Colvil terms them cerauU, because they were accustomed to recite " the aluggornes of the true ancient iuruanic- of Scotland." w Bbckweli's Lif of Homer, p. 116. 353 magnitude : but ample room is still left for ad- miration. By his operose and grand work, says Dempster, he has enriched his native language with a strain of poetry superior to the age, and has even merited the appellation of a second Homer. Warton and Ellis, without bestowing such hy- perbolical praise, have also allowed him to have possest a rare felicity of genius \ " That a man bom blind," says Mr Ellis, " should excel in any science, is sufficiently extraordinary, though by no means without example ; but that he should become an excellent poet, is almost miraculous ; because the soul of poetry is description. Per- haps therefore it may be safely assumed, that Henry was not inferior, in point of genius, either to Barber or Chaucer ; nor indeed to any poet of any age or country : but it is our present busi- ness to estimate the merit of the work, rather than the genius of the author. " The similarity of the subject will naturally induce every reader to compare the life of Wal- lace with Barber's life of Bruce ; and, on such a comparison, it will probably be found, that Henry excels his competitor in correctness of versifica- tion, and perhaps in perspicuity of language (for both of which he was indebted to the gradual improvements which had taken place during near Win-ton's Hist, of English Poetry, vol. i. p. 31 8. Vol. I. Y v 554 k century) ; but that in every other particular he is greatly inferior to his predecessor y ." Of eminent poets who at an advanced stage of life have by various accidents been deprived of sight, the catalogue is extensive z ; but few poets blind from their infancy have ever been distinguished by the intrinsic merit of their com- positions. Another illustrious example however occurs in the case of the late Dr Blacklock ; who lost his sight at the age of five months. The series of conjectures which Mr Spence has pro- posed in relation to that poet's capability of pro- ducing animated descriptions of external nature, will hardly be regarded as very satisfactory or important. When such a faculty is discover- ed in a man blind from early infancy, it must undoubtedly be imputed to his retention of the descriptive language employed by other writers. The following is Henry's description of morn ing: Ye mery day, sprang fra ye oryent, With betnys brycht cnlumynyt ye Occident. After Titan Phebus, uprysyt fayr, Heich in ye sper ye >ignes maid declayr, ? Ellis, Hiu. Sketch of English Poetry, toL i. p. 349. J "hi! Pasurat, Professor of Eloquence in the University of Pari*, td his academical prelections after he had been deprived ol sijjlit. On Ilia first appearance after he had experienced this calamity, he delivered an oration on blindness, in Which he consoles himself in a fcomewi talt ratio. Lutcti.e, lyj ", 355 Zephyrus began hys morow courss ; Ye swete wapour yus fra ye ground resourss, - Ye humyll breyth down fra ye hewen awaill In euery meide, bathe fyrth, forrest, and daill. Ve cler rede amang ye rochis rang Throuch greyn branchis, quhar byrds blythly sang With joyus wois in hevvynjy armony. Such strokes of description as this passage con- tains must have been produced by recollecting the terms which former poets had applied to similar subjects : but it cannot be supposed that some of these terms conveyed the same meaning to Henry as they do to his readers. To the words bright and green he could not possibly attach any definite- signification. With regard to colours, his associations, like those of Dr Blacklock a , must have been chiefly of the moral kind. His description of Wallace's rencounter with the ghost of Fawdon is highly picturesque : Ouhen yat allayne Wallace was lewyt yar, Ye awfull blast aboundyt mekill mar ; Yan trewit he weille yai had hys lugyng seyne : Hys suerd he drew of nobill mettall keyne, Syne furth he went quhar at he hard ye horn : Without ye dur Fawdoun was hym beforn, As till hys sycht, hys awne hede in hys hand : A croyss he maid quhen he saw hym so stand. At Wallace in ye hede he swaket yar ; And he in haist sone hynt it by ye hair, l II. Mackenzie's Life of Blacklock, p.xix. Y V 2 3X6 tiyne out at hym agayne he couth it c Intill hys hart he was gretlye ugast : Rycht weill he trowit yat was na spreit of marvj It was sum dcwill at sic malice began. He wyst na weill yar langar for to byde. Up throw ye hall yus wycht Wallace can glydc To a closs stayr, the burds raift" in twyne, Fyftyne fute large he lap out of yat inn. Up ye wattir sedeynlye he couth fair : Agayne he blent quhat 'pcrance he saw yair. He thocht he saw Fawdoune, yat ugly syr ; Yat haill hall he had sett in a fyr ; A gret raftre he had intill hys hand. The death of good Sir John Graham, and the consequent retreat of Wallace, are thus de- scribed : Ye worthi Scottis went fer on bak Sewyn akyr breid, in turnyng off yair bak : Zeit Wallace has yir twa delyucryt weill Be hys awn strenth and Lis awn sucrd off stcill. Ye awful! Bruce amang yaira with grit mayn \t ve resk* w thre Scottsmen has he slayn : Ouham lit- hyt rycht, ay at a straik was ded : Wallace preyst in yarfor to set rtmcid. With a gud ';;cr yc Bruce was serwyt but buid . With grct iir.'. y to Wallace fast lit- raid, And he till hym, assonzeit nocht for }i. Ye Bruce hym mvssyt as Wallace pas-.it by . Awkwart he sraik with h> s scharp ground)!) glaivi, i er and horss crag intill sondyr he draive. < : was at erd or Wallace turned about. Ye grett battaill oft* thousands stern and stoui 357 Yai horssyt Bruce with men off gret walour. Wallace allane was in ^at stalwart stour. Giayme pressyt in and straik ane Inglis knyclit Befor ye Bruce apon ye basnett brycht j Yat freualt stuff and all his oyir weid, Bathe bayn and brayn ye nobill suerd throch zeid. Ye knyght was dede : gud Grayme retornyt tyte. A suttell knycht yarat had gret dispyt, Foilowyt at wait, and has persawit weill Graymes byrny was to narow sum deill Be neth ye waist, yat closs it mycht not be : On ye fy Hat full sternly straik yat fie, Persyt ye bak, in ye bowalys hym bar With a st harp sper, yat he mycht leiff no mar. Grayme turnyt yarwith, and smat that knycht in teyn Towart ye wesar, a litill beneth ye eyn. Dede off yat dynt, to ground he duschyt doun : Schyr Jiion ye Grayme yan swounyt on hys arsoune. Or he ourcom till pass till hys party, Feill Sothroune men yat was on fute hym by Stekyt hys horss, yat he no furyir zeid : Grayme zauld to God hys gud spreit and hys dreid. Ouhen Wallace saw yis knycht to dede was wrocht, Ye py'aiouss payn so sar thryllyt hys thocht, All out off kynd it alteryt his curage, Hys wyt in wer was yan bot a wode rage. I iys hovss hym bur in feild quhar so hym lyst, : a offhymselff as yan litill he wyst : !.'. ;i '.'. \.d best yat war fra resone rent, Jy into ye ost he went , (Jingand on hard, (juhat Sothroune he rycht hyt, Straucht apon hoiss agayn mycht ncuir syt. j ,' , 'nil feill loll; he dang doun ; \!1 hym about was reddyt a gret rowm. Oi.hen B.uce pcrsawyt with Wallace it stud sa, ('!! i,'.' sr r f< ' tM 1.;, 3*8 And sla hys horss, sa he sulci nocht eschaip. Feill Sothroutic yan to Wallace fast can schaip, Persyt hys horss with sperys on aylr syd, Woundyss yai maid yat was bathe deip and w\d. Off schafftis part Wallace in sondyr schayr, Bot fell hedys in till hys horss left yair. Sura wytt agayn to Wallace can radoun ; In hys awn mynd so rewllyt hym resoun, Sa for to dc hym thocht it na waslagc : Yan for to fie he tuk na taryagej Spuryt ye horss, quhilk ran in a gud randoun Till hys awn folk, was bydand at Carroun. Ye sey was in, at yai stoppyt and stud ; On loud he cryt and bad yaim tak ye flud : Togyddyr byd, ze may nocht loss a man. At hys commaund ye wattir yai tuk yan. Hym returned, yc cntre for to kepe, Quhill all hys ost was passit our ye depe j Syn passit our, and dred hys horss suld faill j Hymsclff hewy cled into plait off maill, Let he couth sworn, he trowit he mycht nocht wcill : Ye cler wattir culyt ye horss sum deill j Atour ye dud he bur hym to ye land, Syne fell doun dcdc, and mycht na langar stand. Henry is the most ancient Scotish poet who has presented us with a specimen of the heroic coupr let ; a species of versification which Chaucer had cultivated with such eminent success. He appears to have been less ambitious of being considered as a great poet, than a^ a faithful re- corder of the exploits of that renowned warrior whose history he has undertaken to delineate. As a historian however he is rarely mentioned. Tin- 359 many inaccurate statements which occur in his work, may from various considerations be rea- dily pardoned : and in Lord Hailes they have perhaps excited an unnecessary degree of indig- nation. " A few examples," he observes, " may serve to prove the spirit of this romancer. He al- ways speaks of Aymer de Valloins, Earl of Pem- broke, as a false Scottish knight. He mentions Sir Richard Lundin as one of Wallace's coadju- tors at the battle of Stirling ; whereas he was of the opposite party ; and indeed was, to all ap- pearance, the only man of judgment in the whole English army : B. 6. c. 4. he says that one Sir Hugh, sister's son of Edward I. went in the disguise of a herald to Wallace's camp, was detected and instantly beheaded ; that Wallace surprized Edward's army at Biggar, and with his own hand slew the Earl of Kent ; that many thousands of the English fell in the engage- ment, particularly the second son of the King of England, his brother Sir Hugh, and his two nephews !> ." A more glaring inaccuracy might however have been detected : Henry asserts that Sir ]<>hn Graham was knighted by Alexander the tierce ; whereas it is evident that the one was not bom till about a hundred and fifty years alter the death of the other. But when we re- collect his own situation, and the state of learn- - HuiU->, AinuU of Scotland, vol. i. p. a6<;. 360 ing during that age, we cannot but be disposed to treat his errors with lenity. The source whence lie professes to have de- rived the most valuable of his materials, is a Latin chronicle chiefly compiled by John Blair, one of the faithful companions of Wallace. Blair's chronicle, as well as the work which he is said to have composed De Liber at a Tyraiu. Scotia', is no longer to be found. Of the fidelity of Henry's transcriptions we are therefore unable to judge. Sir Robert Sibbald, together with ether tracts of the same argument", published a meagre chro- nicle under the title of Relatione* qiaechim Arna:.- di Blair, Monacbi dc Du?nfennelen, et Captllani D. IVillielmi ll'a/las, Miiitir. It has been sup- posed that this is the very work to which Ilcurv so frequently refer?. After the death of Wallace, it is conjectured, John Blair retired to the abbey of Dunfermline, and, having changed his name, devoted himself to the monastic life 6 . Th< notions are certainly within the bounds of proba- bility: but the relations ascribed to Arnald Blair merely consist of indigested transcripts from the Scoticbronicon. c Dempster." Hist. Eccli i >t. Gent. Scotor. p. 86. ii He 0. Henry's production has been abridged and modernized by William Hamilton of Gilbert- field. It is not indeed surprizing that a man who exhibited so perfect an example of heroic virtue, should thus become an object of general regard : had he been disappointed of his fame, his country- men might have been justly charged with un- paralleled ingratitude. Henry appears to have viewed him with a degree of reverence bordering on idolatry : he endow r s him with supernatural strength, and even hails him as the " gracious God" of Scotland ! He seems to have been persuaded that the splendour of his subject would preserve his work from oblivion : Go, nobill buk, fullfillyt of gud scntens, Supposs yow be baran off eloquence : Co worthi buk, fullfillyt of suthfast deid; Bot in langage off help yow has gret neid. Quhen gud makars rang weill into Scotland, Gret harm was it yat nane off yaim ze fand. Zeit yar is part yat can ze Weill awance. Now byd yi tym, and be a remembrance. unt Ncotcricksj a most unhappy and dangerous order ! I hear, in his publick notes he lias deviated to the Popish juvtification, and in his dis- courses to the gros&ct>t Pelagianism in original sin." (Baillie's Letters, Vol. i. p. 1 13.) j This is probably the pocn: mentioned by Bishop Nicolson : *A Western schoolmaster has completed a Latin poem of six books, to which hi' has likewise given the name of falliaJos; but these, falling short nf the other's spiri', have never yet been printed." (Nicolbon's Scottish If - f'ual library, p. 2jS. Lo: ! ire:, 8v<>.] 363 1 yow besek, off your beneuolence, Quha will nocht low, lak. nocht my eloquence : It is weill knawin I am a rural man j For her is said as gudly as I can. The numerous editions of Henry's poem evince its popularity". The latest and most elegant edition was published at Perth in 1790 in three volumes duodecimo : its orthography is professed- ly the same as that of the ancient MS. preserved in the Advocates Library ; but the transcript seems to have been executed with no very high degree of fidelity. k The more early editions have been enumerated by Mr Pinkerton, The first which he has discovered was printed by Robert Lekprevik at the expence of Henry Charters, Edinb. 1570, 4to. b. 1. " Other editions are 1594, Edinb. 4to. 1 601, Edinb. 1620, Edinb. i630,Abe-\ , een,8vo. 1665, Glasgow, 8vo. 1673, Edinb. izmo. all in black letter." (List *f the Scothb Po:!;, p. xci.) There are many editions of a more recent iat. 7. v. INTERMEDIATE SKETCHES, 1 O the beginning of the fifteenth century we may venture to refer an anonymous production entitled The Buttle of Harlaw. The event on which it is founded happened in the year 141 1 ; and it may safely be concluded that the poem was written soon afterwards. Compositions which aim at popularity, and which at the same time are founded on incidents of no superior im- portance, will seldom be found indebted for their subjects to a remote period of history. Ramsay has inserted this poem in The Ever-Green ; but a more genuine copy might be discovered. Its value as a composition is not however so consi- derable as to prompt a very anxious search. Buchanan informs us that an elegiac poem ..Inch had been written on the death of the eldest daughter of James the First, was translated from the French into the Scotish language*. It may a Bichanan. Rerum Scotic. Hist. p. 195. edit. Ruddiman, 365 be conjectured that this version is 'still extant. " In the work called Bishop Elphingston's History, in the Bodleian Library, there are," says Mr Pinkerton, " two Scotish poems at the end of the reign of James I. which closes the volume. One is entitled Lamentatio Delphini Francia pro Morte Uxoris, [1445.] The other a moral piece on govern- ment, " Richt as all stringis ar cupillit in ane harpe, &c. b " The former of these is probably the translation mentioned by Buchanan. The metrical romance of Gawan and Gologras was published at Edinburgh in the year 1508; but it was probably composed as early at least as the middle of the fifteenth century. This pro- duction has lately been reprinted among the Scotish Poems edited by Mr Pinkerton ; who has likewise published another of the same descrip- tion, entitled Sir Gawan and Sir Galaron of Galloway. These curious reliques are evident- ly compositions of the same author ; but the latter, having been transcribed by some English- man, exhibits fainter traces of its northern origin. The author is supposed to be specified in the Lament of Dunbar : Clerk of Tranent elk he hes tane, That made the aventers of Sir Gawanc. . * Pinkerton's Scotish Poems, vol. i. p. xkxyi, 366 It must be recollected however, that Sir Gawain, the nephew of King Arthur, and one of the Paladins, was enrolled among the most celebrated heroes of romance ; and that his exploits might attract the attention of various Scotish poets. On this subject many English ballads and roman- ces were composed. The IVeddynge of Sir Gawain, beginning " Be ye blythe and listeneth to the lyf of a lorde riche," occurs among Tanner's MSS. at Oxford c . The Marriage of Sir Gawaine, be- ginning " King Arthur lives in merry Carleil," has been published by Bishop Percy; who sup- poses it to have furnished Chaucer with his Wif of Bath. Bishop Percy mentions other three romances in celebration of the same hero d . Winton commemorates Hucheone, a Scotish poet That cunnand was in literature: He maid a gret gest of Arthure, And the awenturis of Gawane, And the 'pistill als of sueit Susane. This poet may be the Sir Hugh of Eglintoun mentioned by Dunbar : for Hucheon, as we learn from Nisbet, was the ancient Scotish pronuncia- tion of Hugh. Hutcheon however is a Scotish surname. It is therefore uncertain whether the^r c Wartot'b Hist, of English Tot-try, vol. i. p. 2c8. J Pfrry'b Essay on the Ancient Metrical Romances, p. xxxvii. 367 two romances are the compositions of Clerk, Eg- lintoun, or of some other poet. The stanza in which they are written is of a remarkable structure ; and the style is rendered uncouth and almost unintelligible by a constant straining after alliteration. They are not how- ever devoid of poetical beauty : the imagery and descriptions are often wild and striking. The following extract from Gawan and Colo- graf cannot fail to delight the poetical anti- quary : The king crounit with gold this cumpas wel knew, And callit Schir Raunald, cruell and kene : " Gif ony pressis to this place, for proues to persew, Schaip the evin to the schalk in thi schroud schene.*' The deir dight him to the deid be the day dew > His birny and his basnet burnist full bene : Baith his horse and his geir was of ane hale hew, With gold and goulis sa gay, graithit in grene : Ane schene scheild and ane schaft that scharply was sched : Tlire bexhedis he bair, As his eldaris did air, Ouhilk beirnis in Britane wair Of his blude bled. Oiihen tlie day can daw deirly on hight, And the sonc in the sky wes schynyng so schir, Fra the castell thair come- cariand ane knight Closit in clene steill, upone ane coursyr. ochir Hannah! to his riche steid raikit full riht, Lighly lap he on loft, that lutly of lyre. Athir laught has thair lance, that lemyt so light : ( >n t". : : tedis thai straid with ane terre schicrc .'JG8 Togiddir freschly thai frckis fruschit in fay ; Thair speris in splendris sprent, On schcldis schcikit and schcnt, Evin our thair hcdis went In fcild fir away. Thai lufly ledis belife lightit on the land, And laught out swerdis luriy and lang : Thair stedis stakkerit in the stour and stude stummerand Al to stiihllit and stonayt, the strakis war sa Strang. Athir be'rne braithly bet with ane bright brand. On fute freschly thai frckis feightin thai fang : Thai hewit on hard steil hartly with hand, Qjihil the spalis and the sparkis spedely out sprang. Schir Rannald raught to the renk ane rout wes unryde Clenely in the collair , Fifty mailyeis and mair Evin of the schuldir he schair, Ane wound that wes wyde. r Thus thai faucht on fute on the fair feild : The blude famyt thame fra on feild quhare thai found. Ml the bernys on the bent, about that bcheild, For pure sorow of that sight thai sighit unsound. Schire ten's schot fra schalkis schere under scheild Ouhcn thai foundrit ane fel fey on the grund. Baith thair hartis can brist braithly but beild : Thair wes na stalvart unstonait, so sterne was the stound. Rannaldis body wes brnght to the bright tent : Syne to the castel ot stone Thai had Schir Rigal ot Rone ; "With mckU murnyng and monc, \ v m went. 369 Holland's Houlate, another uncouth poem' in the same stanza, appears from internal evidence to have been written between the year 1450 and the year 1455 e . It is a kind of moral fable illus- trative of the danger of pride, but conducted with a very slight degree of poetical skill. The plan neither possesses the charm of novelty, nor is re- commended by propriety of execution. This production will however be viewed as a curious specimen of our ancient poetry. One passage is remarkable, as containing a prediction of the ac- cession of James the Sixth to the crown of Eng^ land: Our souerane in Scotlandis armes to knaw :,- Ouhilk. sal be lord and ledar Of bred Britane all quhair, As Sanct Margaretis air, And the fry me shaw f . Sir James Melvil has recorded a prediction of the same kind : " This puts me in remembrance of a tale that my brother Sir Robert told me, the time that he was busy dealing between the two queens to entertain their friendship and draw on their meeting at a place near York. One Bassintoun K , e See Lord Hailes's Ancient Scottish Peems, p. 27 r. and Mr Pinkerton's Scotish Poems, vol. i. p. xxix. f Holland's Houlate occurs in the appendix to Mr Pinkerton's Scotish Poems, reprinted from Scarce Editions. Lond. 1 79*, 3 vols. 8vo. S James Bassinton, or Bassantin, is said to have been one of the great- est astronomers of the age in which he flourished. He was born, says Vol. I. 3 A 370 a Scots-man who had been a traveller, and was learned in high sciences, came to him and said, Good gentleman, I hear so good a report of you, that I love you heartily, and therefore cannot forbear to shew you how that all your upright dealing and honest travel will be in vain : For whereas you believe to obtain advantage for your queen at the Queen of England's hands, you do but lose your time and your travel : For, first, they will never meet together, and, next, there will never be any thing else but dissembling aud secret hatred for a while, and at length captivity and utter wrack to our queen from England. My brother answered, he liked not to hear of such devilish views, nor yet would he in any sort cre- dit them, as being false, ungodly, and unlawful for Christians to meddle with. Bassingtoun answered, Good Mr Melvil, entertain not that harsh opinion of me. I am a Christian of your own religion, and fear God, purposeth never to cast myself on any of the unlawful arts that you mean, but so far as Melanchthon, who was a godly theologue, hath declared lawful, and written con- cerning the natural sciences which are lawful and daily read in divers Christian universities ; in Or Mackenzie, in tin- r< ign of James the Fourth, and received his aca- demical education in the University of Glasgow. He afterwards travel- led through various countries of Europe; and for several years taught the ntathemati s at I -ii is. He returned to Scotland in 1562, and died there in 1568. [Mackenzie's Li\e; tj Scati H'nten, vol. iii. p. 81.) 371 which, as in all other arts, God gives to some less and to others clearer knowledge: by the which knowledge, I have attained to understand, that at length the kingdom of England shall of right fall to the crown of Scotland, and that this instant there are some born who shall brook lands and heritage^ England : But, alas, it will cost many their lives; and many bloody battles will be fought e're things be settled or take effect ; and by my knowledge, says he, the Spaniards will be helpers, and will take a part to themselves for their labour, which they will be loath to leave again h ." These wonderful predictions the intel- ligent reader will not hesitate in referring to their proper classes. Holland, it may be conjectured, was once a poet of some eminence. He is mentioned by Dunbar aud Lindsay. He seems to represent him- self as a retainer of Archbald Douglas, Earl of Murray. From an edition which appeared at Edinburgh in 1603, Mr Pinkerton has also republished an anonymous production entitled The Time Tailes of the Thrie Priests of Peblis. These tales have with apparent propriety been referred to the reign of James the Third : many of the allusions are completely applicable to the conduct of that h Melvil's Memoires, p. 92. 3 A- 2 372 deluded prince. King James, it will be neces- sary to recollect, was slain in the year ,1488 : and the style of the poem does npt seem of a more modern cast. The three priests of Peebles, having met on St Bride's day for the purpose of regaling them- selves, agree that each in his turn shall endeavour to entertain the rest by relating some story. They acquit themselves with sufficient propriety. The tales are of a moral tendency, but at the same time are free from the dulness which so fre- quently infests the preceptive compositions of our earlier poets. The versification, as the sub- sequent specimen may perhaps evince, is by no means contemptible. This officer but dout is callit Deid : Is nane his power agane may repleid ; Is nane sa wicht, na wyse, na of sik wit, * Agane his summond suithly that may sit. Suppose ' thow' be als wicht as ony wall, Thow man ga with him to his Lordis' hall, Is na wisdome, riches na yit science, A.ganis this officer may mak defence \ Is neyther castell, torret, nor yit tour, jYIay scar him anis the moment of ane hour. His straik it is sa sharpe, it will not stint j Is n;me in eird that may indurc his dint : He is sa trew in his office and lele, ] -. na praktik agane him to appele : Gold nor gude, corn, cattell, nor yit ky, This ofrccr with bud may nocht o-erby THE LIFE o ROBERT HENRrSON. THE LIFE OF ROBERT HENRTSOK 1 HE literary merit of Henryson amply entitles him to a place in this biographical series ; but the inattention of our early writers has permitted his personal history to sink into that state of oblivion from which it cannot now be recalled. Although the grateful curiosity of posterity may induce them to explore every avenue, which pro- mises to terminate in the desired information, yet the research, however laborious, will only be productive of unavailing regret. The time and the place of his birth are nlike unknown. Mr Urry styles him chief school- mi 'er of Dunfermline 3 ; and Lord Hailes con- jectures that lie officiated as preceptor in the 1 lory's Chaucer, p. 3,33. 3 76 Benedictine convent 5 . From the former of those writers we also learn that he flourished during the reign of Henry the Eighth. He reached an ad- vanced period of life^ as appears from a passage of his Testament of taire Creseide : Though love be hote, yet in a man of age It kindlith nat so sone as in youthed, &c. That he died before Dunbar, appears from the following couplet of that celebrated poet's Lament for the Detb of the Makkaris : In Dumfermling Deth' hes tane Broun, With gude Mr Robert Henrysoun. As an admirer of his poetry, I hope the epithet good was not applied at random . In Bagford's manuscript collections relative to typography, it is stated that Henry son's Fabi's were printed at Edinburgh by Andrew Hart in the year 1621. They are also preserved in the Harleyan Library. " The Harleian MS," says Mr Pinkerton, " is dated 1571, being collected near a century after Henrysoun's death by some admirer of his fables. It is well written, and pre b Hailes, Ancient Scottish Poems, p. 273. c Relative to Henryson, the reader may find abundance of conj u: Mr Sibbftld'l Chronicle of Scottish Poetry, vol. i. p. 88. &c. 377 served ; and has some curious illuminations, tho poorly done d ". Henry son's Fabils likewise occupy a place in Bannatyne's MS. These two copies differ from each other : the Harleyan MS. includes four fables which are not in Bannatyne's ; and Banna- tyne's MS. three which are not in the Harleyan. His tale entitled Orpheus kyng, and how he yeid to hewyn and to hel to seik his quene, was printed by Chapman and Millar in the year 1508. A quarto edition of his Testament of Faire Creseide was published at Edinburgh by Henry Charters in the year 1593 : and in 161 1 it was reprinted at the same place and in the same form. This work occurs in the common editions of Chaucer. Many of his poems are to be found in the res- pective collections of Hailes, Pinkerton, Ramsay, and Sibbald. The genius of Henryson seems to have been well adapted to didactic poetry, or that species which professes to convey to the mind of the reader important truths decked in an alluring garb. He has however attempted various modes of composition, and few without success. To his skill in versification he unites a power of poetical conception, of which that age did not furnish many examples. His verses, if devested of their uncouth orthography, might often be d Pinkerton's List of the Scotish Poets, p. xcix. Vol. I. q B 378 mistaken for those of some poet of the present day. The longest of his poems is the Testament of Faire Creseide ; of which the subject was suggested by the perusal of Chaucer's Troilus and Creseide*. This production contains many strokes of poetical description which a writer of more than ordinary genius could only have produced. Propriety, it must be admitted, is frequently violated : but the beauties of the work are more than sufficient to counterbalance its deformities. It commences with the following stanzas : A doly scson till a carefull dite Should corresponde and be equivalent : Right so it was whan I began to write This tragedy ; the weder right fervent, Whan Aries in middis of the Lent Showris of haile gan fro the north discende, That scantly fro the cold I might me defende. ' " The author of the Tatatnent of CraeiJr" says Urry, " which might pass for the sixth hook of this story, 1 have been informed by Sir James Erskin late Earl of Kelly, and diverse aged scholars of the Scottish nation, was one Mr Robert Henderson, chief schoolmaster ol T)umKrlin, a little time before Chaucer was first printed, and dedicated to King Henry VIII. by Mr Thyrine, which was near the end of his reign. Mr Henderson wittily observing that Chancer in his fifth book had related the death of Troilus, but made no mention what became of Creseide, he learnedly takes upon him, in a fine poetical way, to express the punishment and pud due to a false unconstant whore/ which commonly terminat': in extreme misery." 379 Yet nerthelesse within mine orature I stode, whan Titan had his bemis bright Withdrawin doun, and scylid undir cure, And faire Venus the beaut e of the night Upraise, and sette unto the weste ful right Her goldin face, in oppositioun Of god Phoebus, directe discending doun. Throughout the glasse her bemis brast so faire, That I might se on every side me by: The northrin winde had purified the aire, And shedde his misty cloudis fro the skie : The froste fresid, the blastis bittirly Fro pole Artike came whisking loud and shill, And causid me remove ayenst my will. For I trustid that Venus, loveis quene, To whom sometime I hight obedience, My fadid hert of love she would make grene : And thereupon with humble reverence I thought to praie her hie magnificence ; But for grete colde as than I lettid was, And in my chambre to the fire gan pas. Though love be hote, yet in a man of age It kindlith nat so sonc as in youthed j Of whom the blode is flowing in a rage, And in the olde the corage dul and ded ; Of which the fire outwarde is best remed : To helpe by phisike wher that nature failed J am experte, for bothc I have assailed. 3 B 2 :;80 I made the fire and bekid me aboute, Than toke I drinkc my spi rites to comfoitc, And armid me wel fro the colde thereoute. To cutte the wintir night and make it shorte, I toke a quere, and lefte al othir sporte, Writin by worthy Chaucer glorious Of faire Creseide and lusty Troilus f . Creseide having returned to the habitation of her father, is represented as despondent and que- rulous : she shuts herself up in an oratory, and begins to upbraid Venus and Cupid for having permitted her to sink into such hopeless misery : Whan this was said, doun in an extasy, Ravished in spirite, in a dremc she fel, And by apparaunce herde where she did lie Cupide the King tinging a silvir bel, Which men might here fro hevin into hel j At whose sounde before Cupido apcres The seven planets discending fro the spheres. This silver bell is certainly possest of no com- mon virtues : but the reader is not prepared to expect such consequences from its ringing. Henryson's knowledge of astronomy seems to have been extremely imperfect. According to his notion, the planets are seven in number ; namely Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Phoebus, Venus, Mercury, and Cynthia. And when they are thus introduced, he is by no means sufficiently f Anderson's British Poet;, vol. i. p. 409. 381 careful to preserve their personified characters : they are sometimes planets, and sometimes gods and goddesses. Perhaps the most striking passage which his works contain, is his delineation of the person of Saturn. Though some of the touches may be calculated to excite disgust, the picture is evidently drawn with a bold and masterly hand ; His face frounsid, his lere was like the lede, His tethe chattrid, and shivered with the chin, His eyin droupid, whole sonkin in his hede, Out at his nose the milurop fast gan rin j With lippis blew, and chekis lene and thin j The iseickils that fro his heer doune honge Was wondir grete, and as a spere was longe, Attour his belte his liart lockis laie Feltrid unfaire, or fret with frostls hore ; His garment and his gite ful gay of graie, His widiid wede fro him the winde out wore ; A bousteous bowe within his honde he bore, Undir his girdle a fashe of felone rlains Fedrid with i Valet ima summis Mutare, et insigncra attenuat Deus, Obscura promens. Hesiod. HORATIUS. The Prais ofEge, the Re stoning betwixt Deth and Man, and the Ressoning betwixt Aige and Towtb, are of the same religious complexion, though of inferior beauty. The Bludy Serk, which has been classed among his fables, is an allegorical composition of consi- derable merit. The poet represents the accom- plished daughter of a mighty monarch as having 387 been carried away by a hideous giant, and cast into a dungeon, where she was doomed to remain un- til some courteous knight should atchieve her deliverance. A worthy prince at length appear- ed as her champion, vanquished the giant, and thrust him into the loathsome dungeon which he had prepared for others. When he had restored the damsel to her father, he felt that death must speedily be the consequence of the wounds which he had received in the combat. To her he be- queathed his bludy serk, and solemnly enjoined her to contemplate it whenever another lover should happen to present himself. This king is lyk the Trinitie Baith in hevin and heir j The manis saule to the lady, The gyane to Lucefeir, The knycht to Chryst that deit on tre, And coft our synnis deir ; The pit to hell with panis fell, The syn to the woweir. The lady was woud, but scho said najf With men that wald hir wed ; Sa suld we wryth all syn away That in our breist is bred. I pray to Jesu Chryst verray For us his blud that bled, To be our help on domysday, )uhair lawis ar strontly led 7, C 2 388 The saule is Goddis dochtir dcir, And eik his handewerk, That was bctrasit with Lucifeir, Quha sittis in hell full merk. Borrowit with Chrystis angcll cleir, Hend men will yc nocht herk ? For his lufc that bocht us sa deir, Think on the bludy serk i ! But the most beautiful of his productions is the pastoral entitled Robene and Makyne ; which I regard as superior in many respects to the simi- lar attempts of Spenser and Browne. Free from the glaring improprieties which appear in the ec- logues of those writers, it exhibits many genuine strokes of poetical delineation, and evinces the author to have been intimately acquainted with human character. Robene's indifference seems indeed to be rather suddenly converted into love : but this is perhaps the only misrepresentation of the operations of nature into which the poet has been betrayed. The fable is skilfully conducted : the sentiments and manners are truly pastoral ; and the diction possesses wonderful terseness and suavity. i Tirikerton's Scotish Poems, vol. iii. p. i suivans apprirent a fair<* des ver^ Latins rinie,z, Jont on trouve un si grand nombre dans les anci- ens Offices." ( liihlhtlcqut Um-jerielle, torn. ix. p. 230. x Consult Isaa. Vossius De Pconatum Cant it ,t Viribus Ryttmi, p. 2j. Oxonii, 1673, 8vo. n It is not my intention to insinuate that the rhymes which occur in the worlti of the Greek and Latin poet., are not for the 1110-. t part acr- 411 improper to enter into a formal discussion of the question. I shall content myself with remarking that in the elegies of the ancient Latin poets, rhyme occurs too frequently to be uniformly in- troduced without design. Tibullus, Ovid, and Propertius, were probably of opinion that it con- tributed to increase the soft and plaintive flow of their versification. The rhyme does not occur in proximate or alternate lines, but at the middle and close of the same pentameter : and when due attention is paid to the caesura, these correspond- ent sounds produce a happy effect, Osculaque opposito dkat sibi debita vento, Et nihil infido durius esse viro ? Tu patrui meritas conare anteire secures, lit Vetera oblitis jura refer sociis. Nam tiia non ;ctas unquam cessavit auiori^ Semper at arm;.t;u cura fuit patriae. dental. Such instances as the following can hardly be supposed to have originated from deliberate choice : Ryu> d iffoTrz:* (tr,v "Oira? a-ct (iklTnif pi' 'O-rwr iet Qoorjf f/.l. As acrf:o:> . Non "iiitis est pulchra esse poein.ua ; dulcia sun to, Et quocumque volent, aninuuu auditoris agunto. 1 IoRA'1 W . iiut iri the elegiac compositions ol tin Latin poets, rhyme occurs ><> fu : - qtiently, and produces so phasing an riled, that it- introduction dwa' s he p j'ird< d as tmintent > .1. 412 Et tibi non unquam nostros puer iste Ubores Afferat, et lachrymis omnia nota mcis. Me sine, quern semper voluit Fortuna jacere, Hanc animam extremze reddere nequitiae. Propertius. In the Greek elegiac poets instances of this kind are more rarely to be found ; yet several examples might without difficulty be produced. Tihmifv iVi fiei funtiri recur* fiikei. MlMNERMU? Ttrtjeus. Of the elegiac poetry of the Greeks so incon- siderable a portion has been preserved, that it might perhaps be rash to pronounce any defini- tive sentence : but it appears sufficiently probable that the frequent recurrence of rhyme in the elegies of the Latin classics was not altogether accidental. In the second century the Emperor Adrian composed the well-known address to his departing spirit. The hymns of Ambrosius and Damasus, who flourished during the fourth century, exhi- bit frequent instances of rhyme. The succeeding 413 ages produced Sedulius, Fortunatus, and other Christian poets who have betrayed the same pre- delection for this species of embellishment. From the examples collected by Muratori it appears that so early as the seventh century, rhyme had begun to be generally admitted into hymns and other sacred poems composed in the Latin lan- guage. The Leonine verses of the monkish Latin- ists are supposed to have derived their name and origin from Pope Leo the Second ; who towards the close of the seventh century introduced vari- ous improvements into the hymns of the church. But the invention is by other writers ascribed to Leonine, a French monk of St Victor at Mar- seilles, who lived about the year i j 35. Rhyme appears to have been introduced into English poetry about the reign of Henry the Second : but the alliterative anapaestic metre of " Except a few lines in the Saxon Chronicle upon the death of Wil- liam the Conquerour, which seem to have hcen intended for verses of the modern fashion, and a short Canticle, which, according to Matthew- Paris, the blessed virgin was pleased to dictate to Godric, an hermite near Durham, I have not been able to discover any attempts at riming poetry, which can with probability he referred to an earlier period than the reign of Henry the Second. In that reign Lyamon, a priest of Ern- leye near Severn, as he calls himself, translated (chiefly , from the French of Wace, a fabulous history of the Britons, entitled " Le Brut," which Wace himself, about the year 1 155 hail translated from the Latin of Gef- frey of Monmouth. Though the greatest part of this work of Lyamon resemble the old Saxon poetry, without rime or metre, yet he often i;:;' r- mixes a number of short versus of unequal length I> 1 r riming pretty exactly, and in some places h; has imitated not unsuccessfully th." regular octosyllable measure of his French original." Tv ri 's I'.s 1 iy on Ch juccr, p. <;,;. H4 the Saxons was often imitated at a much later period. This versification was employed by the Icelandic as well as the Saxon poets, and seems to have been constructed with considerable nice- ty. Its harmony, as Bishop Percy has collected from Olaus Wormius, " neither depended on the quantity of the syllables, like that of the ancient Greeks and Romans ; nor on the rhymes at the end, as in the modern poetry ; but consisted alto- gether in alliteration, or a certain artful repetition of the sounds in the middle of the verses. This was adjusted according to certain rules of their prosody, one of which was, that every distich should contain at least three words beginning with the same letter or sound. Two of these correspondent sounds might be placed either in the first or second line of the distich, and one in the other ; but all three were not regularly to be crowded into one line r ." Dunbar and the author of Piers Ploughman have constructed their verses in conformity to this model : but in the editions of their respective works, each distich is exhibited as a single verse; and this perhaps was the arrangement adopted by the poets themselves. Their lines however admit a division without, any degree of violence : but they cannot be reduced to any regular standard of metre. p Percy's Eway on die Metre ;u P. Plowman, p. "; 41 Dunbar's tale presents us with a lively though indelicate picture of ancient manners. Bishop Percy considers it as equal to one of the most hu- morous productions of Chaucer. The peculiar- ity of the metre has compelled the poet to adopt many uncouth terms ; but his accuracy of obser- vation and strength of description shine through the cloud of obsolete language in which they are involved. He has characterized the three disso- lute females with admirable powers of description. Nor is the charge of immorality to be urged against him. He has exhibited these characters, not as patterns of imitation, but as objects of in- famy. In order however to effect this purpose, it was necessary to attempt a complete develope- ment of their system of conduct : and if in the prosecution of his design he is sometimes found to overstep the bounds of propriety, we must re- collect the indelicate complexion of the age in which he lived. One of the ladies reveals her sentiments in the following terms : God git matrimony wer made to mcll for anc yoir ! it war hot monstrous to be: mair hot gif our mindis pl< ]t ik againc the law ot lint, oi I.viul, a;.d or nature, Togiddcr lndrtis to strcine that stryvis with uthar. Birdis ties anc better law na benils be r -ikil, That ' ' ith iii iv \ Tici hmvis ' ! are ane ! r< '.:.. r. il < ' ' 416 Chryst git" sic anc consuetude war in this eith yoldin ! Than weil war us women, that ever we may be fre, We suld have feiris as freschc to fang quhen we wald, And gif all larbaris thair leveis quhan thai lak curage. From the works of Dunbar and other poets it would appear, that the women of that period were too generally of a gross and unamiable character: and indeed the refinement of the two sexes will for the most part be found to observe the same progress. The Scotish ladies seem to have been violently addicted to intemperance : Dunbar re- presents the three gossips as sitting at their cups and carousing with wild delight. At every pause of the conversation, the rich wine is circulated in a manner which evinces that they regard it as one of the principal sources of enjoyment. From this tale it also appears that the Scotish ladies were at that time accustomed to deck their per- sons with cumbersome magnificence. The wife of a merchant thus describes her attire : He graythit me in gay silk and gudelie arrayis, Iu gounis of ingraint clayth and greit goldin chenyeis, In ringis ryallie set with ryche rubie stanis j Quhill all helie rais my renoun amang the rude peipil. The beginning of this tale may be selected as a very favourable specimen of the poet's taleni for description i 417 Upon the Midsumer ewin, mirriest of nichtis, I muvit furth alane, quhen as midnicht wes past, Besyd ane gudlie grene garth full of gay flouris, Hegeit of ane huge hicht with hawthorne treeis ; Quhairon ane bird on ane bransche so birst out hir notis, That never ane blythfullar bird was on the beuche harde. Quhat throw the sugarat sound of hir sang glaid, And throw the savour sanative of the sweit flouris-, I drew in derne to the dyke to dirkin eftir myrthis. The dew donkit the dail, and [dynarit] the feulis. I hard, under ane holyn hewmlie grein hewit, Ane hie speiche at my hand with hautand wourdis. With that in haist to the hege so hard I inthrang, That I was heildit with hawthorne and with heynd leveis : Throw pykis of the plet thorne I presandlie luikit, Gif ony persoun wald approche within that plesand garding. I saw thre gay ladeis sit in ane grene arbeur, All grathit into garlaneis of fresehe gudelie flouris : So glitterit as the gowd wer thair glorious gilt tressis, Quhil all the gressis did gleme of the glaid hewis ; Kemmit was thair cleir hair, and curiouslie sched Attour thair 6choulderis doun, schyre schyning full bricht ; "With kurches cassin thame abone of crisp cleir and thin. Thair mantillis grein war as the gress that grew in May sesoun. Fastnit with thair quhyt fingaris about thair fair sydis. Off ferliful fyne favour war thair faces nieik, All full of flurist fairheid, as flouris in June ; Quhyt, scim'ie, and soft, as the sweet lillies ; New upspred upon spray as new spynist rose. Arrayit ryallie about with mony riche wardour, That Nature full nobilie annamilit fine with flouris Of alkin hewis under hewin that ony licynd knew, Fragrant, all full of fresche odour fynest of smell. Mr Pinkerton lias proposed some reasons f'oi believing that Dunbar was also the author of The Freirs ofBerwik'K This talc, to whatever author ) Pinktrton's Ancient Scoti.-h Poems, vol. ii p. "-<}* Vol. T. \<- 41 s it may be referred, undoubtedly exhibits a most admirable specimen of the comic mode of writing. Without suffering by the comparison, it may be ranked with the best tales of Chaucer. The story is most skilfully conducted ; and in its progress, the poet displays an extensive and accurate ac- quaintance with the diversities of human charac- ter. His humour seems peculiar and underived. His descriptions are at once striking and appro- priate. The different characters introduced are supported with the utmost propriety, and with a power of conception and of delineation which has not very frequently solicited our attention. This tale also possesses one advantage over the other; it is written in the heroic couplet, a mea- sure with which our ears have long been fami- liarized. This measure di^d not compel the poet to adopt obsolete and uncouth terms for the sake of alliteration. If Dunbar was in reality the author of this production, it affords additional evidence of his uncommon proficiency in the art of poetry. Few writers have attempted a great- er variety of measures, and managed them with equal success. The substance of this inimitable tale I shall endeavour to exhibit in a comprest form ; though it cannot fail of being somewhat disfigured by such a process. Allan and Robert, two White or Jacobinc Friars of Berwick, returning from a visit to some 419 of their brethren in the country, are overtaken by the twilight and induced to have recourse to the hospitality of Dame Alesoun, the fair wife of Simon Lauder, an honest and jovial farmer. On enquiring after her husband, they are informed that he has taken a journey for the purpose of procuring corn and hay. They begin to make good cheer, and prolong their stay till it is too late to depart. The freirs woxe blyth, and rairrie tales culd tell ; And ewin so thai hard the prayar bell Of that abbay j and than thai war agast, Becaus thai wist the yetts war lokit fast, That thai micht nocht fra thyn get enteray. The gudwyf than thai pray, for charite, To grant thame harborie thair for that nicht. The dame however protests that a regard for her reputation will not suffer her to harbour friars during the absence of her husband. Allan, whose age and infirmities render him unwilling to ven- ture abroad at so late an hour, persists in his en- treaties, and is at length successful. " The gud- wyf luikit at the freyris tuay." She informs them that all the accommodation which they have to expect is a truss of straw in the ham. They gladly accept even of this condition ; and she with evident impatience importunes them to re - (ire. They accordingly ascend a life intended *' ii" the rec 'pi ion of corn and hay. 3" 420 Freyr A I lane liggis doup as he best micht : Freyr Robert sayd, ** I oucht to walk this nicht j Quha wait perchance sum sport I may espy V Thus in the loft I lat the freyris ly j And of this fayr wyff I will tellyne mair. Scho was full blyth that thai war closin thair, For scho had made anc tryst, that samyn nicht, Freyr Johne hir luQis supper for to dicht : Thairfoir scho wuld nanc uther cumpany, Becaus Freyr Johne all nicht with hir wald ly : Quhilk duelland was within that nobill toun j Ane Gray Freyr he was of greit renoun. He govcrnit all the haly abbasy : Silver and gold he had aboundantlie. He had ane previe postroun of his awin, That he micht usche', quhen him list, unknawin. Thus in the toun I xvill him leven still, Bydand his tyme ; and turne agane I will To this fayr wyf, how scho the fyre culd beit : Scho thrangis on fat capouns on the speit, And fat.cunyngs to the fyre can lay : And bade hir madin, in all haste scho may, To flame, and turne, and rost thame tendyrlie ; Syn till her chalmer scho is went in hie. Scho castis on ane kirtil of fyne reid \ Ane quhyt curchey scho cast upon hir heid. Hir kyrtil belt was silk and silver fyne, With ane proud purs, and keyis gingling syne. On ilkane fyngar scho wars ringis tuo : Scho was als pround as ony papingo. And of ane burde of silk, richt costlie grein, Hir tusche was, with silver wcil besene. And but scho come into the hall anonc ; And syne scho went to sc gif ony come. And ewin so Freyr Johne knokt at the yet ; HU knok scho knew, and in scho culd him lat. 421 She welcomes the Gray Friar with sufficient kind- ness ; and they proceed to caress each other with- out reserve. In the mean while Friar Robert, the younger and more sly of the two, is not un- employed : having with the help of his bodkin formed an opening in the partition which sepa- rates the barn from the farm-house, he continues to amuse himself with observing their motions. After they have prolonged their courtship for some time, she hastens to present a choice repast: but their recreation is soon interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Alesoun's husband. Simon knocks and calls loudly at the gate ; but his house cannot be instantly prepared for his reception. Friar John is thrown into a state of prodigious alarm ; and as he finds it impossible to escape, he is fain to shelter himself under a kneading trough. Alesoun commands her maid to remove every vestige of the banquet, and hastens to bed. Simon, weaned with calling to his faithful wife for ad- mission, passes to the window of her chamber ; and, after she has sufficiently acted her part, he is so fortunate as to obtain entrance. The jolly farmer is hardly seated at his supper when, in the genuine spirit of Scotish hospitality \ he begins to wiah that lie could share it with some good fellow. r Cardan, who had himself vi^it-d ScotlariH, ha; commtmori'od the exemplary In pitality of the nati% - es : " Est vero inter aniiciti.e firJcra au vjlfiip', hospitii >'..- quod Ljvi'.'.u vao.t, quale apud .'jcotos ; r.;in. 422 He situs doun, and sweiris m Be Allhallow, I fayr richt weill had I ane gud fallow. Dame eit with me, and drink, gif that ye may.' 1 The gudwyf answert meiklie, " Hop I nay. It war mair tyme into your bed to be, Than now to sit desyrand cumpanie." The freyris tua that in the loft can ly, Thay hard him weill desyrand cumpany. Freyr Robert said, " Allane, gud brother deir, I wald the gudman wist that we war heir ! Quha wait perchance the better we may fayr ? For sickerlie my hart will ewir be sair Gif yon scheip's heid with Symon bwnist be : And thair so gud meit in yon alraorie !" And with that wourd he gave ane hoist anone : The gudman heird, and speirit, " Quha is yon ? Methink [that] thair is men into yon loft." " Yon are your awin freyris brether tuay." " I pray the, dame, tell me quhat freyrs are thay." " Yon is Freyr Robert and sillie Freyr Allane, That all this day has gane with meikle pane. Be thay war heir it was sa verray lait, Houris war roung, and closit was the yet : And in yon loft I gave thame harborye." The gudman said, " Sa God have part of me ! Thay freiris tua ar hartlie wylcum hidder : Gar call thame doun, that we may drink togidder." The gudwyf said, " I reid you lat thame ly : Thay had lever sleip nor be in laudery : apud nos rarius est, et omnes jam ad cauponas divertunt. Argumentum id fit, r.os facto* deteriores majoribus nostris." f Dt V till t ate ex AJvtnii Capiendo, p. 41.) This celebrated Italian had been invited to Scotland 1>) Archbishop Hamilton ; who endeavoured by the temptation of a munifi- cent stipend to retain him as his domestic physician. (Cardan. De l'i-ft\: I'itc, p. 193- edit. Nauda:i.) 423 To drink and dot, it ganis nocht for thame." " Lat be, fair dame ; thay wourdis ar in vane : I will thame have, be Goddis dignite : Mak no delay, bot bring them doun to me." Allan and Robert accordingly descend from the loft, and meet their honest host with due cordial- ity. When Allan begins to commend the fare, Simon protests that he would give a golden crown for something more suitable to the occasion. Ro- bert, who had remarked the progress of the sup- per destined for Friar John, undertakes to pro- cure, by the aid of magical arts, any dainties which he may happen to prefer. The mention of enchantments excites the eager curiosity of Simon : and at his request, Robert begins to pre- pare his spells. Than Symon said, " Freyr Robert, I yow pray, For my saik that science ye wald assay To mak us sport. 1 ' And than the freyr uprais, And tuke his bulk, and to the flure he gayis, And turnis our and rcidis on ane space ; And in the eist he turnit ewin his face, And maid ane croce ; and than the freyr cuth lout ; And in the west he turnit him ewin about : Than in the north he turnt, and lowtit doun, And tuke Ills buke and said ane orisone. And ay his e was on the almerie, And on the trouche quhar that the freyr cuth ly. After his spells have proceeded to a proper height, he commands Aleyjun to open the cupboard, ami 424 to display the dainty cheer which his arts have pro- cured. The cunning hostess, who is sufficiently acquainted with the origin and nature of his pre- tended magic, yields to necessity, and with well- dissembled astonishment displays the tempting sup- per and wine which she had destined for the un- lucky Friar John. Simon is not a little surprized at the comfortable effect of Friar Robert's en- chantments ; but does not hesitate to partake of the good fare which has thus been provided. After they have continued to regale themselves during a great part of the night, Simon begins to revert to the wonderful science of his roguish guest : and Robert, willing to gratify his curiosity, promises to favour him with a sight of his mi- nistring spirit, but not in his proper spiritual form. Freyr Robert said, " Sen that your will is so, Tell onto me, withouttin wourdis mo, Into quhat stait ye list that he appeir." Than Symon said, " In lyknes of ane freyr, In fjuhyte habite sic as yourself can weir : For colour quhyt it will to no man deir ; And ewill spreitts quhyte colour ay will lie." Freyr Robert said, " I say it may nocht be, That he appeir intill our habite quhyt ; For till our ordour it war grit dispyt, That ony sic unwourthy wicht as he, Into our habite ony man suld se. Bot, sen it plesis vow that now is here, Ye sail him se in lyknes of ane freyr, In gray, habite. as U his kynd to weir."' 425 Than Symon said, " I consent it be sua :" Than up he stert, and tuik ane libberlay Intill his hand, and on the flure he stert Sumthing effrayt, thoch stalwart was his hart. Friar Robert, unwilling to expose the holy cul- prit to extreme infamy, conducts his operations in such a manner as to suffer him to quit the house without detection, but not without a little salutary castigation. Resuming his book, and turning towards the kneading trough, he thus ad- dresses the reputed spirit : " How Hurlbasie ! anone I conjure thee, That up thow ryse, and syne to [usj appeir In gray habite in lyknes of ane freyr j Out fra the trouche quhair that thow can ly, Thow rax thee sone, and mak us na tary } Thow turne our the trouche, that we may see, And syn till us thow schaw the openlie. And in this place se na man that thow greif ; Bot draw thy handis bayth into thy sleif, And pow thy cowl lenthe attour thy face j For thow sail byd na langar in this place." With that the freyr under the trouche that lay, No wounder thoch his hart was in effray ; Than off the trouche he tumblit sonc anonc, And to the dure he sthapis him to gone, With ewill cheyr and dreyrie countynance ; For never befoir him happint sic ane chance. Bot quhen Freyr Robert him saw gangand by, Than on Symon he cryis hasteiie, <: Stryk hardelic, for now is tym to the." With tint S\mon ane felloun llap kit the ; Vol. 1. 3 IT 426 With liis burdoun he hit him in the nek ; He was so fers he fell attour ane fek, And brak his hcid upon the mustarde stone. Be that the freyr attour the stayr was gone, In sic ane wys he missit lies the trap , He fell in ane meikil myre, as wes his hap, Was fourtie fute on breid, under the stayr : And thus his pairt was nathing wounder fayr Into that tyme, considdering how it stude. Out of the myre full smertlie at he woude *, And on the wall he clame full haistely Was maid about, and all with stanis dry , And of that 'schape in hart he wes full fane : Now he sail be [richt] layth to come agane. This tale of The Freirs of Berwik is evidently the prototype of Ramsay's Monk and Miller s Wife. and its vast superiority over the modern produc- tion is equally manifest. The praise of invention belongs exclusively to the ancient writer ; who has moreover displayed a pungency of humour to which Ramsay could never approach. Many of the comic and satirical compositions of Dunbar are valuable memorials of ancient manners ; and if incapable of gratifying the reader of taste, they are at least objects of curi- osity to the antiquary. Of this description is that entitled The Sweirers and the Devill ; a poem 5 Thi* expression, says Mr Pinkerton, " is not clear, or rather it i- nonsense : that he -would forms neither grammar nor meaning." But -woude is the preterite of the verb I* vaJt; and " to wade at" siguific. to wad'.- with perseverance. 427 which strongly evinces that our ancestors were grossly addicted to prophane swearing. " To swear like a Scot," was once a proverbial ex- pression. Douglas, a pious dignitary of the church, has not scrupled to deck his composi- tions with abundance of sounding oaths ; which are generally introduced with the same signifi- cancy as appears in the perpetual and unmean- ing ejaculations of the ancient classics c . No 1 In the biography of the Greek philosophers, the oaths which they were pleased to adopt often constitute a subject of enquiry. Sccrates is said to have imitated the Cretans, who swore by the fir, by the plane, and by the goose. (Porphyrius De Abslinentia, lib.iii. 16. Philostratus De Vita Apcllonii Tyanuei, p. 257. edit. Olearii.) This practice, as we learn from Hesychius and Suidas, was introduced by Rliadamanthus ; who was solicitous that his countrymen should refrain from naming the Gods on trivial occasions. Socrates was perhaps actuated by the same principle ; though some of the Christian fathers have endeavoured to represent his conduct as highly disgraceful. I Lactantii Divines Institu- tinnc;, lib.iii. 19.) Zeno swore by the tree called Kxirrraei;, 'Lacrtius De Vi'.'n Philoscphorum, p. 456. } Nor was the common oath of the Py- thagoreans less remarkubio : they swore in a solemn manner by the founder of their sect ; but, from a principle of modesty, refrained from naming him in direct terms, and only referred to him as the inventor of the tciraciys. (Jamblichus De Vila Pytbagone, p. 1 26. edit. Kusteri.) i>a) ixu. -rut i.LL-.Tip'/, ^vfci tfapctoovrct T-rcxxjw, nayatindnfuiriuf. Aurea Carmina, v. 47. Concerning this oath however several very learned writers have form- ed a different conjecture: they have supposed that the telnniyj of the Pythagoreans was the identical telragrammaton of the Hebrews, or that name of the supreme being which consists of three letters. (Seiden. V lYiii Syrii , lib. ii. cap. i. Cudworth's Intellectual System, chap. iv. xx. bale's C.i'ii nf the Cicnlile:, p. ii. b. ii. c. viii.) According to this notion, 3 H 2 428 country, however barbarous or refined, has been found untainted with this irreverent practice : the propriety of appealing on solemn occasions to some superior power, has been universally ac- knowledged ; and every usage of mankind, how- ever pure in its original principles, is exposed to the speedy or slow approach of corruption. The following little poem presents Dunbar in the character of a lover ; a character which he has hardly assumed on any other occasion : Sweit rois of vertcw and of gentilncs, Delytsura lyllie of everie lustynes, Richest in bontie and in bewtie cleir, And every vertcw that [to hevin] is deir, Except onlie that ye are mercyles j Into your garthe this day I did perscw : Thair saw I flouris that fresche wer of hew j Baythe quhyte and rid most lustye wer to seyne, And halsurn herbis upone stalkis grene : Yet leif nor llour fynd could I nane of rcw. the passage now quoted must be explained jn the following manner : " I iwear by the tetragrammalon, or Jova, who has communicated himself, or the fountain of the eternal nature of the human soul." But the opinion of those writers has with evident propriety been rejected by Dr Thomas Burnet. ( Arthtologi* Philosophic^, p. 2IJ.) The subject of remarkable oaths has been treated by Alexander ab Alexandre (Gmialct Dies, lib. v. cap. x.) : and on consulting his work, the reader will be gratified with much curious information. But it is the per- petual fault of this writer that he neglects to indicate his authorities. 429 I doubte that Merche, with his cauld blastis keynt, Hes slane this gentill herbe that I of mene j Quhois petewus deithe dois to my hart sic pane, That I wald vrak to plant his rute agane j So confortand his leves unto me bene. The lady to whom these stanzas are addrest may- be Maestris Musgraeffe ; whom he has elsewhere complimented in flattering terms. His poem entitled Lair is vane without Go- vernance, which was written at Oxford, possesses uncommon merit as a moral descant : To speik of science, craft, or sapience, Of vertew, moral cunning, or doctryne, Of treuth, of wisdome, or intelligence, Of everie studie, lair, or discyplyne ; All is hot tynt, or redely for to tyne, Not using it as it suld usit be, The craift exercing, eschewing not the fyne. A peralous seiknes is vainc prosperite. The curious probation logical, The eloquence of ornat rcthorie, The natural science filosophical, The dirk aperance of astrouomie, The theolog's sermon, the fable of poetry, Without guid lyf all in the salf dois de, A-; Mavis Hours dois in September drye. A peralous lyf is vaine prosperite, Quhairfoir, ye clcrkis grytest of Constance, Fullest of science and of knawleging, To us he mirrors in your governance ; 43o And in our dirknes be lamps of seying : Or thane in vaine is all your lang lering. Gyf to your sawis your deidis contrair be, Your maist accusar is your awin cunning. A peralous seiki\es is vaine prosperity. Dunbar's Meditatioun writtin in Wyntir is also to be classed among the finest of his moral poems. Several of the slunzas are beautiful and pathetic : and they will all be received with no common interest, as the solitary musings of neglected ge- nius. Into thir dirk and drublie dayis, Quhan sabill all the hevin arrayis, Quhan mystie vapours cludds the skyis, Nature all curage me denyis Of sangs, ballatis, and cf playis. Quhan that the nycht dois lenthin hourly With wynd, with haill, and havy schouris, My dulc sprcit dois lurk for schoir : I\Iy hairt for langour dois forloir, Tor laik of Symmer with his llouri-,. I wak , I tume ; sleip may I nocht : I vexit am with havie thocht : Tin's warld all ouir I cast about ; And ay the mair I am in dout, The mair that I rcmcid have soclit. 431 I am assayit on everie syde. Dispair sayis ay, " In tyme provyde, And get sum thing quhairon to leif 5 Or with grit trouble and mischeif Thou sail into this court abyde." 1 Than Patience sayis, " Be na agast : Hald hoip and treuthe within the fast j And lat Fortoun wirk furthe hir rage, Quhan that no rasoun may assuage, Ouhill that hir glas be run and past." And Prudence in my eir says ay, " Quhy wald you hald what will away ? Or craif what yow may have no space [To bruik, as] to an uther place A journay going every day ?" And than sayis Age, " My friend cum neir, And be not strange, I the requeir : Cum, brudir, by the hand me tak : Remember thow hes compt to mak Of all the tyme thow spendis heir." Syne Deid casts up his yettis wyd, Saying, " Thir oppin sail ye byd ; Albeid that yow wer never so stout : Undir this lyntall sail thow lout : Thair is nane uther way besyd." For feir of this all day I drowp ; No gold in kist, nor wyne in cowp, No ladeis bewtie nor luifis blis, May lat me to remember this, Ifow glaid that ever I dyne or sowp. 4-32 Yit quhan the nicht begynnis to schort, It ilois my spreit sum pairt confort, Of thocht oppressit with the schouris. Cum, lustie Symmer ! with thi llouris, That I may lcif in sum disport. But the most striking proof of Dunbar's ge- nius occurs in his allegorical poems, entitled The Thistle and the Rose, and The Goldin Terge. In the present age however these fine produc- tions are perhaps little relished : the reign of al- legory is now past, and the wand of the en- chanter is no longer wielded with powerful ef- fect. But the disrepute into which this species of composition has lately fallen, may with some appearance of probability be ascribed to the enervation of the prevalent taste : an allegory, however skilfully conducted, can rarely secure the attention of a supine reader. Spenser him- self is not only neglected, but even derided : and the exertions of Warton, a man of erudi- tion, of taste, and of genius, have failed of re- storing fyim to his original lustre. Allegorical composition may however afford a poet an excel- lent opportunity of exercising his powers of in- vention ; and in various seras of our literary his- tory it has been attempted with wonderful effi- cacy u . u Then come, ye Genii of the place! O come, Ye wiltle-wood Muses of the native lay! Ye who these banck; did whilom constant ro 433 As these two poems of Dunbar have been ana- lysed by Mr Warton, it would now be a hopeless task to enter into a formal discussion of their pe- culiar merits. The object of The Goldin Terge is to demonstrate the general ascendency of love over reason : the golden targe, or the shield of reason, is found an insufficient protection against the assaults of the train of love. Sir David Lind- say seems to have regarded this as Dunbar's prin- cipal work : but The Thistle and the Rose is of equal or perhaps of superior merit. It was com- posed in honour of the nuptials of James the Fourth and Margaret Tudor : and the mode in which the poet has managed his theme, entitles him to the praise of original genius. In the plan of the work he displays boldness of invention and beauty of arrangement ; and in several of its detached parts, the utmost strength and even delicacy of colouring. His descriptive powers, whether comic or serious, are of the first order. It is not unusual with our early writers to exert all their energy in embellishing the opening of their poems, and yet to conclude them in a re- miss and even frigid manner. From this practice Dunbar has not deviated : the commencement of these allegorical productions presents us with And round your Spenser ever gladtom play ! Oil come once more, and with your magic ray These lawni transforming, iii->e the my.tic scene. Mick r. Vol. I. 3 * I 'I A, descriptions highly luxuriant and poetical ; but the close of the one is insipid enough, and that of the other is almost petrifying. The Goldin Terge opens with the following beautiful stanzas : Richt as the sterne of day began to *chyne, Quhcn gone to bed was Vesper and Lucyne, I raise and by a roseir did me rest : Upsprang the goldin candill matutine, With cltir depurit bemys chrystallyne G lading the mirry fowlis in thair nest, Or Phoebus wes in purpour kaip devest : Upsprang the lark, the hevenis menstral syne In May intill a morrow mirthfullest. Full angelyk thir birdis sang thair houris Within thair courtingis grene, within thair bouris, Apperrcllit with quhaite and reid, with blumys sweit . Ennamelit wes the feild with all the cullouris, The perlit droppis schuke as in silver schouris j Quhyle all in balme did branche and levis fleit, Depairt fra Phoebus, did Aurora greit : Hir cristall teiiis I saw hing on the flouris, Quhilk he for lufe all drank up with his heit. For mirth of May, with skippis and with hoppis, The birdis sang upon the tendir croppis, With curious nottis, as Venus chapell-clarks. The rosis reid, now spreiding of their knoppis, Were powderit bricht with hevinly berial droppis, Throw bemis reid lemying as ruby sparks : The skyis rang with schouting of the larks \ The purpour hevin, owreskalit in silver slopftis, Owregilt the tress, branchis, levis, and bark*-. 435 Down the thruch ryss ane revir ran with stremis So lustely upoun the lykand lemis, That all the laik as lamp did leme of licht, Qjihilk shaddowit all about with twynkline glemis : The bewis baithit war in secound bemis Throw the reflex of Phoebus visage bricht j On every syde the ege raise on hicht ; The bank wes grene, the son wes full of berais, The streimeris cleir as sternis in frosty night. The crystall air, the sapheir firmament, The ruby skyis of the reid orient, Kest berial bemis on emerant bewis grene : The rosy garth depaynt and redolent, With purpour, asure, gold, and gowlis gent, Arrayit wes be Dame Flora the Quene Sa nobilly, that joy wes for to sene j The roche agane the rever resplendent As low illuminate all the levis schene. Quhat throw the mirry fowlis armony, And throw the reviris sound that ran me by, On Florayis mantill I sleipit quhair I lay j Quhair sone unto my dremis fantesy I saw approche agane the orient sky, Ane saill, as blossom upon the spray, With mast of gold, bricht as the steme of day ) Quhilk tendit to the land full lustely [With swiftest motion throu a crystal bay.] The initial stanzas of The Thistle and the Rost- ire equally picturesque and beautiful : 436 Quhcn Merche w with variant! windis pat,. * And Appryll had with hir silver shouris Tanc leif at Nature with ane orient blast, And lusty May, that muddir is of tlouii-, Had maid the birdis to begyn thair houris Amang the tendir odouris reid and quhyt, Quhois harmony to heir it wes delyt ; In bed at morrow sleiping as I lay, Methocht Aurora with her cristall ene In at the window lukit by the day, And halsit me with visage paile and grene ; On quhois hand a lark sang fro the splenc, Awalk luvaris out of your slemering, Se how the lusty morrow dois upspring, Methocht fresche May befoir my bed upstudc, In weid depaynt of mony diverse hew, Sober, benyng, and full of mansuetude, In bright atteir of flouris forgit new, Hevinly of color, quhyt, reid, brown, and blew, Balmit in dew, and gilt with Phebus bemys j Quhyl all the house illumynit of her lemys. Slugart, scho said, awalk annone for schame, And in my honor sumthing thow go wryt : The lark hes done the rairry day proclame, To rais up luvaris with comfort and delyt ; Yet nocht incress thy curage to indyt, Quhois hairt sumtyme hes glaid and blissfull bene, Sangis to mak undir the le l .is grene. Another passage of this poem I cannot refrain from transcribing. It is the speech of Nature to the Rose, the emblem of the Scotish king. 437 Than callit scho all flouris that grew on feilcl, Discryving all thair fassiouns and effeirs : Upon the awfull Thrissill scho beheld, And saw him keipit with a busche of speiris : Considering him so able for the weiris, A radius crown of rubies scho him gaif, And said, In feild go furth, and fend the laif. And sen thou art a king, be thou discreit j Herb without vertew thow hald nocht of sic pryce As herb of vertew and of odor sweit j And lat no nettill vyle, and full of vyce, Hir fallow to the gudly flour-de-lyce j Nor lat no wyld weid full of churlishness Compair hir till the lilleis nobilness j Nor hald no udir flour in sic denty As the fresche Rose, of cullor reid and quhyt : For gif thow dnis > hurt is thyne honesty ; Considdering that no flour is so perfyt, So full of vertew, plesans, and delyt, So full of blissfull angelik bewty, Imperial birth, honour, and dignite. The specimens which have now been exhibited will, I trust, be sufficient to evince that the talents ot" Dunbar were of no vulgar denomination. Some of these passages are perhaps superior to any similar descriptions which occur in the numerous writings of Chaucer; whose merits Dunbar seems to have appreciate* with proper discrimination. The encomium on Chaucer, Gower, and Lydgate", which he has inserted in The Go/din Terge, must 438 not here be overlooked, as it serves to indicate the direction of his poetical studies : O reverend Chauser, rose of rcthouiis all, As in -cure toung ane Hour imperial ; That raise in Brittane evir, quha reidis richt, Thou beiris of makars the triumphs royall, The fresche ennamallit termes celestiall ; This mater couth haif illuminit full bricht. Was thou nocht of our Inglis all the licht, Surmounting every toung terrestriall, As far as Mayis morrow dois midnycht ? O morale Goweir, and Lidgait laureat, Your suggarat toungis, and lippis aureat, Bene till our eiris cause of grit del) te : Your angelic mouth most mellitluat Our rude language lies cleir illumynat, And hes ourgiH our speiche, that imperfyte Stude, or your goldin pennis schup to wryt : This yle befoir wes bair and dissolat Of rethorik or lusty fresche indyte. In the preceding estimate of the intellectual character of William Dunbar, it may perhaps be averred that I have scattered praise with too liber- al a hand. The following testimonies will serve to confirm the opinions which I have presumed to advance. Mr Ellis, a writer of correct and elegant taste, has remarked that " his style, whether grave or humorous, whether simple or ornamented, is al- ways energetic ; and though all his composition' 439 cannot be expected to possess equal merit, we seldom find in them, a weak or redundant stanza "'." " I am of opinion," says Mr Warton, " that the imagination of Dunbar is not less suited to sati- rical than to sublime allegory ; and that he is the first poet who has appeared with any degree of spirit in this way of writing since Pierce Plow- man. His Thistle and Rose and Golden Terge, are generally and justly mentioned as his capital works : but the natural complexion of his genius is of the moral and didactic cast"'." " But this remark," subjoins Mr Pinkerton, " must not be taken too strictly. The Goldin Terge is moral ; and so are many of his small pieces : but humour, description, allegory, and a vast wealth of words, all unite to form the complexion of Dunbar's poetry. He unites in himself, and generally sur- passes, the qualities of the chief old English poets ; the morals and satire of Langland; Chau- cer's humour, poetry, and knowledge of life; the allegory of Gower ; the description of Lydgate V Poetical encomiums on the genius of Dunbar might also be collected. Dr Langhorne's com- mendation is concise and judicious : In nervous strains Dunbar's bold music flows, And time yet spares the Thistle and the R.G v Ellis, Hist. Sketch of English Poetry, vol. i. p. tfj. w Warto.i's Hist, of English Poetry, vol. ii. p. :;S. - Pinkcrtun's I ist c-f tli< Sc'Jih Poet', p. xc:". 440 George Dyer, another ingenious poet, has like- wise paid an elegant tribute to his excellence : Where now Dunbar ? Tbe bard has run his race : But glitters still the Golden Terge on high , Nor shall the thunder storm that sweeps the sky, 'Mid its wide waste the glorious orb deface. The poems of Dunbar seem to have been redd and admired by his illustrious countryman Bu- chanan : and this may be selected as the most splendid circumstance connected with the history of his writings. Buchanan's Somnium is undoubt- edly an imitation of the stanzas entitled How Dunbar wes desyred to be ane Frier. The two poems are modeled according to the same plan : and the finest epigrammatic turn in that of Buchanan is borrowed from his predecessor : In haly legendis have I hard allevin Ma Sanctis of bischoppis, nor freiris, be sic sevin : Of full few freiris that has bene Sanctis I reid : Quhairfoir ga bring to me ane bischopis weid, Giie evir thow wald my saule gaid unto hevin. Dunbar. Mentior, aut peragra saxo fundata vetusto Dclubra, et titulos per simulacra lege : Multus honoratis fulgebit episcopus aris, Rara cucullato sternitur ara gregi. 441 Atque Inter monachos erit haec rarissima vestis : Induat hanc, si quis gaudeat esse miser. Quod si tanta meae tangit te cura salutis, Vis mihi, vis animae consuluisse meae ? Quilibet hac alius mendicet veste superbus : At mihi da mitram, purpureamque togam. BUCHAKAN". Vol. I. 3 K. INTERMEDIATE SKETCHES. 1 HE number of Scotish poets whose names have been recorded, is sufficient to inspire us with a high opinion of the national passion for elegant literature. In these colder and more barren re- gions, poetry seems less congenial to the mind : and we therefore are not authorized to expect the same fertility of fancy as distinguishes hap- pier climates. At Oxford, as Sir William Jones informs us, there is a MS. containing the lives of an hundred and thirty-five of the finest Persian poets: and a collection of the select works of five hun- dred and forty-nine Turkish poets was published at Constantinople about the beginning of the seven- teenth century 3 . Of such literary exuberance Scotland cannot indeed boast ; but the number of her ancient poets must be regarded as compa- ratively ample. * JonvV I ay on th Potry of th Eastern Nations. 443 About the age of Dunbar, flourished many poets whose compositions are almost entirely lost. Walter Kennedy seems to be represented by Douglas and Lindsay as one of the chief of the Scotish poets. From The Flyting he appears to have been a native of the district formerly known by the name of Carrick. During his altercation with Dun- bar, he takes occasion to remind his antagonist of his own " land, store, and stakkis." The following quotation also contains biographical hints : I am the king's blude, his trew and special clerk, That nevir zit yrjiaginit his offence j Constant in myn allegiance, word, and wark, Only depeudand on his excellence ; Traistand to have of his magnificence, Gvverdoun, reward, and benefice bedene. Unfortunately his works have all perished, ex- cept his Flyting*, his Invective against Mouth- thankless* and his Prais of Aige*. The latter of these is written in a more pious strain than Dunbar's delineation of the author's charac- ter would lead us to expect. " This poem," ^ays Lord Hailes, " gives a favourable idea of Kennedy as a versifier. His lines are moie polished than those of his cotemporaries. If he is the person \> Ratr.sriy, vol. ii. \>. 4>. y, vol. i. p. i i -. -I HaiKp. i8<;. 444 against whom Dunbar directed his Invective, he has met with hard measure." Quintin Shaw is also mentioned by Douglas and Lindsay as a poet of eminence. Kennedy styles " him his cousin Quinteneand his commissar." He was probably a native of the same district. One of his poems, entitled Advyce to a Courtier, has lately been published 6 , and no other is known to be extant. Mercer is commemorated in Dunbar's Lament as a poet of peculiar merit : He hes reft Mersar his indyte, That did in luve so lyfly wryte, So schort, so quick, of sentens hie. One of his poems, entitled Perrell in Paramours, has been preserved f ; but it is an effort too incon- siderable to enable us to estimate his literary character. Patrick Johnston, according to Bannatyne, is the author of a short but curious poem entitled The thre Deid Powis s , or the three death's heads. These powis deliver lessons of morality in such strains as the following : * Maitland Poem?, vol i. p. 133, f Haile!, p. 156. t HaileJ, p. 1.19. 445 O sinfull man ! into this mortall se Ouhilk is the vaill of mournyng and of cair, With gaistly sicht behold our heidis thre, Oure holkit eine, oure peilit powis bair. As ye ar now, into this warld we wair, Als fresche, als fair, als lusty to behald : Quhan thow lukis on this suth exemplair Off thy sejf, man, thow may be richt unbald.--- O wantone yowth ! als fresche as lusty May, Farest of flowris, renewit quhyt and reid, Behald our heidis, O lusty gallands gay ! Full laithly thus sail ly thy lusty heid, Holkit and how, and wallowit as the weid ; Thy crampland hair, and eik thy cristall ene, Full cairfully conclud sail dulefull Deid : Thy example heir be us it may be sene, O ladeis quhyt in claithis corruscant, Poleist with perlc and mony pretius stane j With palpis quhyt and ' halsis' elegant, Sirculit with gold and sapheris mony ane ; Your fingearis small, quhyt as quhailis bane, Arrayit with ringis, and mony rubeis reid j As we ly thus, so sail ye ly ilk ane, With peilit powis, and holkit thus your heid. Clapperton is the author of a pretty song en- titled IVa worth Maryage* ! This song, says Mr Pinkerton, is possest of the most exquisite neat- ness and simplicity. The author's history is totally unknown : but from the language and h Maitland Poems, vol. i. p. II'. 446 style of this production, we may conjecture that he was cotemporary with Dunbar. David Steel, who styles himself a dean, is frequently mentioned, though not in terms of the highest respect, as the writer of a poem known by the title of The Ring of the Roy Robert. A copy of it is to be found in the Maitland MSS. at Cambridge. It has been unfaithfully printed in Watson's Choice Collection of Scots Poems - 3 and is of little or no value. The exquisite poem entitled The Murning Maidin* seems, from internal evidence, to have been composed during the age of Dunbar. The first verse of it is quoted by Wedderburn, whose Complaynt of Scotland was published in the year 1549 j . " This piece, for the age it was written," observes Mr Pinkerton, " is almost miraculous. The tender pathos is finely recommended by an excellent cadence. An age that produced this might produce almost any perfection in poetry." An unpublished poem, entitled Duncan Laider, pr Mac^regot^s Testament, v\as communicated by Mr Pennant to the admirable historian of English poetry ; who represents it as containing strokes i Maitland Poems, vol. ii. p. aoj. ; Weddtrburn's Complaynt of Scotland, p. 100. 447 of satirical humour not inferior to those of Dun- bar and Lindsay k . The date of its composition is uncertain. The poet mentions the death of James the Fourth, who was slain in the year 15 1 3. The object of his satire is to expose the ruinous policy, and general corruption of public manners, which prevailed, probably during the minority of James the Fifth, in the kingdom of Scotland. The following poets, mentioned in Dunbar's Lament, may be supposed to have flourished be- tween the year 1400 and the year 1520 : Sir Hugh of Eglintoun, Ettrick, Heriot, John Clerk, James Affleck, Sir Mungo Lockhart of Lee, Sir Gilbert Hay, Alexander Trail, Rowl of Aberdeen, Rowl of Corstorphine, Brown, Stobo, and Sir John Ross. A poem by one of the Rowls, another by Walter Brown, and two by one Clerk, have been preserved by Bannatyne. The works of those other poets, it is to be feared, are irretriev- ably lost. v - Warton's Hist, of English Poetry, vol. ii. p. 326. END OF THE FIRST f'O LUIS'. UEI, LAWRIF. AND C<7. 1'RIN I EP.J. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is I M I on the last date stamped below. HECD L P -U H L EP 2 51972 7 197.1 if Form LU- Scries -144 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY A A 000 079 676 3