Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 7.djvu/41

Rh have been frequently reprinted. The chief other works of professor Richardson are—"Anecdotes of the Russian Empire;" "The Indians, a Tragedy;" "The Maid of Lochlin, a lyrical Drama, with other Poems;" "The Philanthrope," a periodical essayist, which appeared in London in 1797. He also contributed to Gilbert Stuart's Edinburgh Magazine and Review, and to the Mirror and Lounger. He wrote the life of professor Arthur, prefixed to that gentleman's works, and "An Essay on Celtic Superstitions," appended to the Rev. Dr Graham's inquiry into the authenticity of the poems of Ossian. An Essay on Figurative Language, and other works, were left at his death in manuscript.

The genius of professor Richardson was more elegant than strong: he was rather fitted to produce a tasteful dissertation or an ingenious inquiry, than a work of nervous and original character. Hence his works are now put aside in a great measure by those of succeeding writers. In his professional character he enjoyed a high degree of reputation, and, in private life, his character was singularly amiable. He shone in conversation, at a time when conversation was more an art than it now is. From his earliest years to the period of his death, he cherished the best principles of religion and morality.

"After a short but severe illness, he died on the 3rd of November, 1814, in the seventy-second year of his age.

ROBERTSON,, of Strowan, a distinguished Highland chief and poet, was the second son of the preceding laird of Strowan, uho bore the same name, by Marion, daughter of general Baillie of Letham, and was born about the year 1670. He was educated, with the design of his becoming a clergyman, under John Menzies, regent in the university of St Andrews, who aided the influence of hereditary associations in inspiring him with a zealous attachment to the persons and principles of the Stuarts. His father died in 1688, after having enjoined upon him, with his latest breath, that he should never forget the loyal example of his ancestors ; and as his elder brother only survived his father a few months, he fell into the family inheritance at a very early age, immediately before the Revolution. When Dundee raised the clans in the ensuing year, on behalf of the exiled king James, young Strowan joined him with his men, but does not appear to have been present at the battle of Killicranky. He was taken prisoner in September, and put under honourable confinement at Perth ; but was soon after liberated, in exchange for the laird of Pollock.

Being now attainted and deprived of his estate, he joined the court of the expatriated monarch at St Germain's, where he lived for several years, chiefly supported by remittances from his friends in Scotland. He also served one or two campaigns in the French army. In 1703, queen Anne having promised him a remission of his attainder and forfeiture, he returned to Scotland; and though, from some unexplained cause, the remission never passed the seals, he does not appear to have found any difficulty in obtaining possession of his estates, or any danger to his person in a residence within the seas of Britain. Unwarned by the misfortunes which had flowed from his first military enterprise, he joined the earl of Mar in 1715, with between four and five hundred men, and took a very active part in the whole enterprise. He seized the castle of Weem, belonging to a whig gentleman, Menzies of Weem; was present at the battle of Sheriftmuir, where he was taken prisoner, but rescued; and with great reluctance yielded to the order for the dispersion of his clan, which was issued to him, in common with the other chiefs, at the departure of the unfortunate chevalier and his generalissimo from the country. Strowan was soon after taken prisoner in the Highlands, but making his escape from a party of