Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 7.djvu/25

Rh labours in which he had embarked. He therefore, after a short residence in Italy, requested of his employer permission to return to France, which was readily granted. Literary leisure was what he now desired. In the capital of France, however, it was unlikely he could obtain this, as the same intolerant spirit prevailed that had hastened his departure from Rome. He therefore resolved on visiting his native country. On reaching Britain, he was received into the family of the duke of Argyle. That repose so congenial to one of his studious habits was now afforded him, and he immediately set about the preparation of those works which he had long meditated, and through which he has become known to posterity. His largest work, "On the Principles of Natural and Revealed Religion," contains a luminous and detailed statement of the various steps which the Divine Being, in the one of these grand divisions, has made demonstrable by human reason, and an ingenious exhibition of the other, as made known to man by revelation. The forcible process of deduction, which, throughout the work, is brought to bear upon the mind of the reader, can hardly fail in accomplishing what the author intended—an elevation of the heart of the creature to the Creator. The work has passed several times through the press. Ramsay next published "The Travels of Cyrus." The best criterion of judging of this publication is to be found in the great number of editions that have from time to time been laid before the public. Although the fame of the chevalier, as a writer, rests chiefly upon the "Travels of Cyrus," yet on its first appearance it met with severe criticism. That a desire to be hypercritical might sway some of his literary judges is possible ; at any rate, it has outlived their censorship. It secured for its author an honourable niche among the standard authors of Britain. It displays an intimate acquaintance with the customs, laws, learning, and antiquities of the period of which it treats, and exhibits a beautiful delineation of human character, together with the soundest principles of true philosophical discrimination. Soon after these works appeared, he was honoured by the university of Oxford with the degree of doctor of laws, which was conferred on him by Dr King, principal of St Mary's Hall. It ought to have been previously stated, that, before receiving this honourable distinction, he had been admitted to St Mary's Hall in 1730. He afterwards returned to France, and resided several years at Pontoise, a seat of the prince de Turenne, duke de Bouillion. While here, he published the life of his benefactor, the archbishop of Cambray; a biographical sketch, chiefly remarkable as containing a detailed account of the persecution to which the worthy prelate was subjected by his brother divines, for his suspected connivance at the doctrines of mysticism, and the arguments adduced on both sides on his own conversion to the catholic faith. It was reprinted in this country in a small duodecimo volume. Soon afterwards, he published, in two volumes, "The History of Viscount Turenne, marshal of France," which was also translated and published in England. He resided in the prince's family in the situation of intendant till the period of his death, which happened at St Germain en Laye, on the 6th of May, 1743, having nearly completed his My. seventh year. His remains were interred at the place where he died, but some time afterwards his heart was removed to the nunnery of St Sacrament at Paris.

It is supposed that when in England he did not visit the place of his birth. Perhaps his renunciation of the faith of his forefathers, and blighting the hopes of a doting parent, prevented his doing so. That he did not, however, neglect his relations is evident from the fact of his wishing to settle upon them an annuity, which they refused to accept. From France he remitted a considerable sum of money to his father; but on its being presented, the staunch presbyterian indignantly replied, "It cam' by the beast, and let it gang to the