Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 7.djvu/24

160 RAMSAY, better known by the name of the Chevalier de Ramsay was born in Ayr, 9th June, 1686. He was the son of a baker, who had acquired some property, and was able to give him a good education. From the school of his native burgh, he was removed to the university of Edinburgh, where he became distinguished for his abilities and diligence. In consequence of the high reputation he had acquired he was intrusted with the tuition of James, afterwards fourth earl of Wemyss, and his brother David, lord Elcho, the former of whom he attended at the university of St Andrews. Of these youths the chevalier has left a pleasing notice, dated Isle worth, February 25, 1709: "I have nothing to interrupt me but an hour or two's attendance at night upon two of the most innocent, sweet, sprightly little boys I ever knew." Besides this notice of his pupils, we have in the same document a remarkable revelation respecting himself. That he was a young man full of literary enthusiasm, and haunted with day-dreams of immortality, the history of his after life abundantly testifies ; yet he professes here that all his "ambition was to be forgotten." Such a profession may reasonably be suspected in any man, for no one, in ordinary circumstances, can have the least reason to fear that he will be forgotten. In young men it may always be interpreted as meaning the very reverse of the expression, being neither more nor less than the extorted bitterness of a proud or a vain spirit, sickening and sinking under the prospect of accumulating difficulties or ultimate disappointment Before this time, Ramsay had become unsettled in his religious principles. He now visited Holland, and took up his residence at Leyden, the university of which was at that time the common resort of the literary youth of Scotland. Here he fell into the company of Poiret, one of the most distinguished advocates of the mystic theology, then so prevalent on the continent, from whom he learned the leading dogmas of that system. Having heard of the fame of Fenelon, archbishop of Cambray, and that he had long advocated mysticism, Ramsay determined to pay him a visit, and take his advice on the subject. He accordingly, in 1710, repaired to Cambray, where he met with the most cordial reception. He was at this time in his twenty-fourth year, polite and engaging in his manners, and of a gentle and easy temper, every way calculated to win upon the affections of a man like Fenelon. Having received him into his house as an inmate of the family, the good archbishop listened to the disjointed history of his religious opinions with patience, discussed with him at large his objections, his doubts, and his difficulties, and in less than six months had the satisfaction to find that he had succeeded in making his guest a true catholic, at least as far as he could believe himself such, for Ramsay had most cordially imbibed all his opinions, philosophical, moral, and religious. This strange adventure gave colour and consistence to the whole subsequent life of the chevalier. Having been preceptor to the duke of Burgundy, heir-apparent to the throne of France, Fenelon had considerable influence at the French court, and he procured for his disciple and protege the preceptorship to the duke de Chateau-Thiery and the prince de Turenne. In this situation Ramsay acquitted himself so well that he was made a knight of the order of St Lazarus, and from the commendations he received was selected by the person called the Pretender, to superintend the education of his two sons, prince Charles Edward, and Henry, afterwards cardinal de York. For this purpose he left France, and repaired to Rome in the year 1724. The retirement that he had previously courted and enjoyed, was now interrupted. His literary status hindered him from keeping altogether aloof from the kindred spirits around him. Moreover, he perceived that the political and religious intrigues that were carried on at the apostolic court, but ill suited the prosecution of those literary