Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 2.djvu/336

50 of Sirach or Ecclesiasticus, from the Apocrypha, 12mo, Edinburgh, 1755, without preface or commentary. In the year following, 1756, he published, in 12mo, Select Discourses, by John Smith, late fellow of Queen's College, Cambridge, with a preface, many quotations from the learned languages translated, and notes added, containing allusions to ancient mythology, and to the erroneous philosophy which prevailed in the days of the author, &c. &c. Next year, 1757, he republished, with notes, A Discourse of the unnatural and vile conspiracy attempted by John, earl of Gowrie, and his brother, against his majesty's sacred person at St Johnstoun, 5th of August, 1600, 12mo. Two vessels, the Betsey Cunningham, and the Leith packet, Pitcairn, from London to Leith, being-wrecked on the shore between Dunbar and North Berwick, in the month of October, 1761, and pillaged by the country people, as was too often done on all the coasts of Britain, and is sometimes done to this day, Sir David published A Sermon, which might have been preached in East Lothian, on the 25th day of October, 1761 ; Acts xxvii, 1,2," The barbarous people showed us no little kindness." This is an admirable discourse, deeply affecting, and calculated in a particular manner to carry conviction to the offenders. In 1762, he published from the press of the Foulises, Glasgow, Memorials and Letters relating to the History of Britain in the reign of James I. of England, from a collection in the Advocates' Library, by Balfour of Denmyln, with a preface and a few notes. This is an exceedingly curious little volume, throwing much light on the character of the British Solomon and his sapient courtiers. In 1765 he published, from the same press, the works of the ever memorable Mr John Hailes of Eaton, now first collected together, in three volumes, with a short preface, and a dedication to bishop Warburton, the edition said to be undertaken with his approbation. The same year, he published a specimen of a book, entitled, Ane compendious Booke of Godly and Spiritual Sangs, collectit out of sundrie parts of Scripture, with sundrie of other ballotis changed out of prophane sangs for avoyding of sin and harlotrie, &c. This was printed at Edinburgh, in 12mo, and was the first introduction of that singular performance to the notice of modern readers. In 1766, he published at Glasgow, Memorials and Letters relating to the history of Britain, in the reign of Charles I., published from the originals, collected by Mr Robert Wodrow, the historian of the sufferings of the church of Scotland. This is a very curious performance ; and it was fol- lowed, the same year, by one, perhaps, still more so, an account of the preservation of king Charles II. after the battle of Worcester, drawn up by himself; to which are added, his letters to several persons. The same year, he published the secret correspondence between Sir Robert Cecil and James VI.; and the year following, A Catalogue of the Lords of Session, from the institution of the college of justice, in the year 1532, with historical notes. The private correspondence of Dr Francis Atterbury, bishop of Rochester, and his friends, in 1725, was published by lord Hailes, in 1768-69. An examination of some of the arguments for the high antiquity of Regiam Majestatem, and an inquiry into the authenticity of the Leges Malcolmi.—Also, Historical Memoirs, concerning the provincial councils of the Scottish clergy, from the earliest accounts to the era of the Reformation. At the same time he published, Canons of the Church of Scotland, drawn up in the provincial councils, held at Perth, A. D. 1242 and 1269. In 1770, he published, Ancient Scottish Poems, published from MS. of George Bannatyne, 1568, with a number of curious notes, and a glossary. His lordship's next performance was, The Additional case of Elizabeth, claiming the title and dignity of countess of Sutherland by her guardian; wherein the facts and arguments in support of her claim are more fully stated, and the errors in the additional cases for the other claimants are detected.