Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 1.djvu/82

 1736, Dr Alston, like many other philosophers of his day, was a steady opponent. He published a paper against it, on the sexes of plants, in the first volume of "Physical and Literary Essays," a miscellany which was commenced at Edinburgh, in 1751. The controversy which took place at that period amongst naturalists hag now lost all its interest, seeing that the method of Linnaeus, after serving a useful purpose, has been superseded by the natural system, to the foundation of which Linnæus in no small degree contributed, but which it was left to Jussieu and De Candolle to mature. Dr Alston also contributed some articles to an Edinburgh miscellany entitled "Medical Essays;" the most important is one on opium. In 1753, he published an introduction to Dr Patrick Blair's Index Materiæ Medicos, a work which resembled his own index in a considerable degree. This introduction was a separate work, and was entitled, Tyrocinium Botanicum Edinburgense. Dr Alston, as the contemporary of the first Monro, and professor of a kindred branch of science, was by no means unworthy of either his time or his place. He must be considered as one of those who have contributed to the exaltation of the college of Edinburgh, as a school of medical science. He died on the 22nd of November, 1760, in the seventy-seventh year of his age.  , a poet and miscellaneous writer, born at Elgin, in 1745, took his degrees in philosophy at Aberdeen, where he enjoyed the friendship of Dr Beattie, and afterwards, though designed for the church, settled as parish schoolmaster of Deskford. From this place he removed, in 1773, to Banff, whence he migrated in 1779, to Edinburgh, on account of a disappointment in love. In Edinburgh he subsisted by teaching such private persons as chose to employ him, in the Greek, Roman, French, and Italian classics; like a true poet, he was not greatly solicitous about the means of subsistence. Mr Creech, in 1782, published a volume of miscellaneous poems by Alves; in 1789, appeared another, under the title of "Edinburgh, a Poem, in two parts, and the Weeping Bard, in sixteen cantos." In 1784, Alves commenced a laborious work entitled, "Sketches of a History of Literature," which was in the press when he died, January 1st, 1794, and was afterwards published by Dr Alexander Chapman, at whose press it was printed for the intended benefit of the author. This work contains lives and characters of the most eminent writers in different languages, ancient and modern, with critical remarks on their works, together with several literary essays; though miserably inaccurate in every particular, it shows an extensive acquaintance with ancient and modern learning. After his death was published, in 1801, "the Banks of Esk," and other poems, a small 12mo. vol. In a vigorously written preface he repels the aspersions and ridicule cast upon Scotland and Scotsmen, by many English literary men of the period, especially Churchill, Wilks, Junius, and Johnson; and in the introductory canto to "the Banks of Esk," he retaliates on them with great cleverness and vivacity.  , author of the largest British compilation upon commercial history, was a native of Scotland, born about the year 1692. Having removed to London, he was for forty years a clerk in the South Sea house, and at length was appointed chief clerk of the Stock and New Annuities in that establishment, in which situation he continued till his death. He was appointed one of the trustees for establishing the colony of Georgia, by charter dated June 9th, 5 Geo. II. He was also one of the court of assistants of the Scots Corporation in London. In 1762, he published his work, entitled, "A Historical and Chronological Deduction of the Origin of Commerce, from the earliest accounts to the present time; containing a history of the large commercial interests of the British Empire," &c. Lond. 2 vols. folio. The elaborate character of this work, says much for the industry of the author. It was subsequently improved in a new edition by David Macpherson, 4 vols. quarto; and a manual abridgement of the