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was born, in the city of Edinburgh, on the 21st of October (N.S.) 1712.

From the nursery, our author was ere long sent to the house of Mr James Purdie, at North Berwick, a grammarian of such celebrity, that he was invited, by the magistrates, to be the rector of the grammar school of Glasgow. Even with the aid of Purdie, I know not if our author can boast of early proficiency: he had one of those geniuses, which ripen in autumn, rather than blossom in the spring. He was, however, celebrated as a tragedian, before he became remarkable as a scholar. It was one of the laudable practises of North Berwick school, to present a drama, at stated

seasons; and as Henry IV. was often acted, our young economist played the king, with uncommon approbation : for he had from Nature no small portion of memory, of eloquence, and, above all, address. P. 361.

Sir James completed his studies in Edinburgh; and when the time for chusing a profession arrived, he fixed upon that of the law, and "studied with such diligence under the direc tion of Mr Herculus Lindsey, an eminent civilian, in the university of Glasgow, that he was admitted an advocate on the 25th of January 1734-5, at the age of 24." But it was, as Mr C. expresses it," the peculiar misfortune of his days, that the fashion of his country required every one, of whatever wealth, or profession, to travel over Europe." In the course of making the grand tour, Sir James met with the Duke of Ormond, and with the late Earl Marshall, by whom, when he went to Rome, he was introduced to still greater men, and gradually contracted an unfortunate attachment to the House of Steuart. He then returned to Scotland, and

was married, on the 25th of October 1743, to Lady Frances Wemyss, the eldest daughter of the Earl of Wemyss, with 6000l. which, in those days, was no small fortune. He thus acquired a companion, who was distinguished for understanding, a wife, who was noted for discretion, and a friend, who, amidst

his various misfortunes, either personal or political, displayed the most unalterable attachment, with the most active zeal, which was tempered by the greatest prudence.

Sir James was now happy: and this happiness, after a while, he transferred to Goodtrees, near Edinburgh, the villa, to which his father and grandfather had retired from the forum; the place, where himself had enjoyed the pleasures of youth. We may easily suppose, that this felicity was not diminished, when his wife brought him a son and heir, on the 7th of August 1744*. P. 366.

In the summer of 1745, Sir James happened to be called to Edinburgh; and here he resided, when the Pretender Charles Steuart took possession of that city. Having unhappily received, during his travels on the continent, a strong tincture of Jacobitism, he now joined the Prince's party, and was sent on a mission to Paris. But on the downfal of the Steuart cause, his projects were blasted, and he himself became an exile

from his native country. He was excepted from the act of general pardon, and,

in October 1748, a court was convened at Edinburgh, and a jury was sworn, who found an indictment against our politician, which deprived him of the gratifications of his country, and his counttry of the benefit of his talents. This event was considered, by the friends of government, as the greatest victory which George II. had obtained over the Jacobites of Scotland since the battle of Culloden; a petty triumph, that only marked the importance of the victim and merely gratified political vengeance. P. 368.'

Sir James now spent some years in France, partly at Angoulesme, and partly at Paris. He then removed into Flanders, and spent two years alternately at Brussels and Spa. 1757, he published at Frankfort on the Main, A Vindication of Newton's Chro

* Scots Mag. 1744, P. 346.

In

Chronology.

ing nearly forgotten in England, had been violently attacked by several French writers, Mr Chalmers observes, that it was gallant in Sir James, to step forth as the defender of his illustrious countryman; but considers his erudition, acuteness, and diligence, as insufficient to rescue from oblivion a work unworthy of the genius of Newton.

As this book, after be-ving thence to Flanders, he met with a singular disaster. At Spa, in the company of French officers, he was accustomed, somewhat imprudently, to boast of the superiority of his countrymen over the armies of France. Information was given to the French government, who sent a body of troops to apprehend him, and by them he was carried a prisoner to Charlemont. Mean time, his house at Antwerp was broken open, by the permission of the Austrian government, and his papers were transmitted to Paris. Happily, nothing criminal was discovered by these unjustifiable means, but as the ministers saw some things which they wished to conceal during the war, they kept him for more than a year, till the 13th December 1762, after the conclusion of peace.

For some years succeeding, he resided, with a view to the education of his son, at the University of Tubingen, in the dominions of the Duke of Wirtemburgh. Here he produced his "Treatise on German Coins, which he dedicated to the Duke. That prince having offered his son a cornetcy of dragoons, he declined it, cherishing always a hope of restora. tion.

In the summer of 1758, Sir James went on a tour to the south of Italy, with a view to the recovery of his health. Here he met with Lady Mary Wortley Montague, who seems to have been much pleased, both with him, and Lady Steuart. She writes to Mr Wortley,

"I am tempted to make a journey, “by the letters of Lady F. Steuart and "Sir James. I never knew people "more to my taste. They reside in a "little town only two days' journey "from Padua, where it will be easy to "find a lodging." Letters lately published, vol. v. p. 71. She says, in her

letter of the 10th of August 1758, to the Countess of Bute: "I feel greatly "the loss of Sir James Steuart and Lady "Fanny, whose conversation was equally "pleasing and instructive. I do not ex"pect to have it soon replaced, as there are few such couples." Ib. p. 88.

66

P. 372.

Sir James met now with a very severe disappointment. Lord Holderness had attained, but not perfected, the royal assent to his return, when George II. died; and he lived on at Tubingen, waiting the result of the new counsels of a new reign. Remo

He put

Soon after, Sir James was able to return to his native country, and obtained an assurance, that he would not be troubled, if he lived quietly. In 1763, he went to Edinburgh, and from thence to his estate at Coltness," which he was studious to adorn and active to improve. It was here, that he was visited by Wight, the agricultural traveller, who praises his husbandry, and recommends his practice." In this retirement he employed himself actively in literary composition. the last hand to his Inquiry into the Principles of Political Economy, which was published in 1767. Its merits were slowly acknowledged. The critics and the public differed in opinion; and Millar, who gave 500l. for it, found he had made rather a losing bargain. Without being discouraged, however, by this want of popularity, he proceeded to publish in 1769 "Considerations on the Interest of the County of Lanark," in 1772 "The principles of money applied to the present state of the coin of Bengal," for which he received the unanimous thanks of the Court of

India Directors; and a "Plan for introducing uniformity of weights and measures." In 1771, the solici tations of his friends procured him a pardon.

It was soon after suggested to him, that his appearance at court would be considered as a proof of his thankfulness. He was presented, on the 20th of March 1772, by his never-failing friend Lord Barrington, to his Majesty, who received him with his accustomed grace; and who asked him, with his usual knowledge of the world, If he were then writing any thing more? Sir James answered, with the address which was peculiar to him, That he was only employed in correcting what he had already written. On a subseqent day, the king asked Lord Barrington what induced Sir James to depart from the political principles of his ancestors, who had been strongly attached to the Protestant succession? Lord Barrington answered, from Sir James's information, that such had been the personal civilities, which he had received from Charles Steuart at Rome, he thought himself obliged to return them at Edinburgh. The king said, he did not like him the worse for his motive. P. 379.

For some years before his death, Sir James's compositions were chiefly of a religious and moral nature. Being dissatisfied with some things in Beattie's Essay on Truth, he sent some observations on it to himself. Several letters passed in consequence between these distinguished men, in which the utmost temper and politeness are preserved. Sir James wrote also "Critical remarks on Mirabaud's System of Nature," and a "Dissertation concerning the motive of obedience to the laws of God." But

in the midst of these sublime speculations he was seized with an illness, which carried him off, on the 26th of November 1780, at the age of 67. Lady Frances survived him above nine years, and he never appears to have had above two chil dren; one a daughter, who died very young, and his son General Sir James

Steuart, who succeeded to his estate and title.

New Works published in Edinburgh.

THE Works of Sallust. To which

are prefixed, two Essays on the Life, Literary Character, and Writ ings of the Historian: with Notes Historical, Biographical, and Critical. By Henry Stewart, L. L. D. F. R. S. and S. A. E. 2 vols. 4to. 41. 12s.

Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh: Vol. VI. Part I. Containing, . A Description of the Strata which occur in ascending from the plains of Kincardineshire to the summit of Mount Battoc, in the Eastern District of the Grampian Mountains, by Lieut. Col. Imrie. 2. A Geometrical Investigation of some curious and interesting Properties of the Circle, &c. by James Glenie. 3. Account of a series of Experiments, showing the effects of Compression in modifying the action of heat. By Sir James Hall, Bart. 4to. 9s. Treatise on the Offices of Justice of Peace, Constable and Commissioner of Supply, and Commissioner under comprehending acts, in Scotland; with occasional observations on other municipal jurisdictions. To which are added Appendixes. By Gilbert Hutchison, Esq. Advocate. 2 vols. Royal 8vo. 21. 5s. The Operations of Surgery. Vol. II,

in parts. Part first, containing the anatomy and diseases of the Urethra and Bladder. The operations of Lithotomy, Introduction of the Catheter, Puncture of the Bladder. The Use and Abuse of Caustic. The Cure of Fistula. Part second, containing the Anatomy and Diseases of the Scull and Brain. The treatment of Tumours and Caries of the Scull. The Prevention and Cure

of

of Apoplexy, Palsy, Hydrocephalus, and Phrenzy. The Doctrine of Fractures, and Depression of the Scull, and the Operation of Trepan. By John Bell, Surgeon. An Examination of the Letter addressed to Principal Hill, in a letter to its anonymous Author. With remarks on Mr Stewart's Postscript, and Mr Playfair's Pamphlet. By a calm Observer. is. 6d.

New Editions. Elements of General History. By Lord Woodhouselee. Third Edi tion. 2 vols. 8vo. 12s. Essay on the Causes and consequen. ces of Emigration from the Highlands. By the Earl of Selkirk. Second Edition. 8vo. 6s. Report of the Proceedings of the General Assembly, in the case of Mr Leslie. Second Edition. 8vo.

5s. Essay on the Distinction of Ranks, by the late Professor Millar. Fourth Edition. 8vo. 9s.

Scottish Literary Intelligence.

AT

T the anniversary meeting of the Highland Society of Scotland, Sir John Sinclair laid on the table the printed sheets of a large portion of the poems of Ossian, in the Original Gaelic, with a Latin translation. The whole of this work is expected to be completed in three months.

Mr John Finlay, author of Wallace,

or the Vale of Ellerslie, is prepa ring for publication a selection of Scottish Historical Ballads, with illustrations.

The Society of Antiquaries at Perth have appointed a committee to examine their numerous papers, and select materials for a volume; which is to be printed in a style suited to the importance of its contents. March 1806.

Considering the high literary and professional eminence of Lord Kaimes, and the time which has elapsed since his death, it cannot but appear wonderful that no memoir of him (at least of any length) should yet have appeared. We are happy to understand that this desideratum is now about to be supplied by Lord Woodhouselee.

The Rev. James Headrick proposes to publish by subscription, "A view of the Mineralogy, Fisheries, Agriculture, Manufactures, &c. of the island of Arran, with Means suggested for improving them." The price of each volume to subscribers will be 10s. 6d.

Mr Brewster is printing a new impression of his valuable edition of Ferguson's Lectures.

Mr Seaton, to whose merit, as a draftsman, Mr Nasmyth of Edin. burgh has borne the most ample testimony, has executed views of New and Old Aberdeen. Several gentlemen, who take an interest in that town, have expressed a wish, that engravings should be taken of these, and a subscription has accordingly been opened for that purpose. There is in the press, a volume of original papers, illustrating the History of Scotland during part of the sixteenth century. In this will be contained, a journal of the most remarkable incidents in Scotland, during the civil war between the adherents of Queen Mary and those of her son; from the year 1570. This journal was written by Richard Bannatyne, secretary to John Knox the reformer : it has been kept in the city of Edin. burgh, and enters into a minute detail of the civil and military operations of the contending factions, and enumerates all the readers of each. It also elucidates some parts of the ecclesiastical history of ScotJand.

LITER

202

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE, ENGLISH

and FOREIGN.

AR CARR, who has already favour

Med the world with his Stranger in

France, and with his Travels round the Baltic, has lately made the Tour of Ie. land, and is now preparing an Account of that almost unknown country, which he intends to publish under the title of THE STRANGER IN IRELAND. The work will make one elegant volume quarto, similar to the Northern Summer, and will be embellished with a variety of engravings by MEDLAND from drawings by Mr CARR.

MISS OWENSON, a native and resident of the North of Ireland, and authoress of the Novel of the Novice of St Dominic, is engaged on another work reiative to the Domestic State of the Yeomanry and Peasantry of Ireland, a subject which she intends to illustrate in a Pastoral Tale, to be called the Wild Irish Girl.

MR HAYLEY is preparing to publish, by subscription, for the benefit of a favourite namesake, and godson of Cowper, (who has had the misfortune to become an orphan at an early age,) the Latin and Italian poems of Muton, translated by Cowper, with all that remains of his projected dissertations op Paradise Lost, in one handsome quarto, at the price of two guineas. The translations are already transcribed for the press, from the copy that includes his latest corrections. Subscriptions are received by Mr Johnson of St Paul's Church Yard, and Mr Evans, PallMall.

An important work of Travels in India, through the countries of Mysore, Cannara, and Malabar, is announced by DR BUCHANAN of the Bengal medical establishment. This desirable publication is to appear under the patronage of the court of Directors, and it will form three splendid quartos.

The Norwegian Society of Sciences at Copenhagen, as the universal legatee of the late counsellor Hammer, inherits a valuable collection of books, manuscripts, subjects in natural history, and a sum of about 20,000 crowns. One third of the interest of this capital is to be employed in augmenting the collection, and the other two thirds are to be

expended in the encouragement of natural history in Norway.

The inhabitants of Asti have raised a subscription for defraying the expence of a monument to the memory of Alfieri, surnamed the Italian Sophocles. Its execution is committed to Comelli the sculptor, professor at the university of Turin, who is daily giving fresh proofs of his talents in an art which he cultivates with equal ardour and suc

cess.

The learned Abbe Marini is engaged in the publication of a work on all the manuscripts written on papyrus. Of these there are a great number at Rome and Bologna, and he introduces all that are known to exist. Most of them have never been published; and though the articles themselves are principally contracts, public documents, &c. and of the latter ages, this collection will nevertheless prove interesting to the study of antiquities, of history, of the knowledge of manners in general, of language, and of diplomacy in particular.

An Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, which has been established within these few years, and deserves the particular attention of enlightened men, exists at Kiel in Holstein. It is under the direction of M. Pfingsten, a man of the most simple character, who was originally a drummer to a regiment. his attainments are consequently owing to his own exertions. He invented, without any aid, his system of instruction for the deaf and dumb, which differs essentially from those of M. de

All

Epee and M. Sicard, of which he had never heard. The Prince royal of Denmark, during his late visit at Kiel, paid a visit with a numerous retinue, to the Institution of M. Pfingsten. The German journals state that. his pupils understand from the mere motion of the lips all that is said to them, and reply in writing or verbally. They add, that M. Pfingstein has likewise invented a telegraph, at which they may be employed with advantage to the state.

A work of uncommon labour and magnitude has been for some years in the course of publication, by several professors and literati of the university of Gottingen. It is entitled A General History of the Arts and Sciences, from

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