to have an opportunity of comparing them, if you can do me the favor to say at what hours I am most likely to find you at home for such a purpose. From Anthony Wood I learn (Ath. Oxon. II. 1118.) that Edward Phillips, Milton's nephew, was the publisher of Drummond's Poems in 1656. Mary Oxlie of Morpeth, who has a copy of verses before that edition, is said by Phillips in his Theatrum Poetarum to have written many other things in poetry. Did you ever meet with any of them? Allow me also to ask whether you have seen the Kalendar of Man's Life, or Morale Emblems, Latin and English, 1638, by Robert Farlie, who styles himself Scoto-Britannus?

MR. PINKERTON TO THE EARL OF BUCHAN.

Hampstead, 21st April, 1794.

I thank your lordship for the table of Scotish money, which is curious; and am infinitely indebted for all your favors and good wishes. My health and spirits, thank Heaven, have never in my life been so good as within these two years, and my finances increase with what little reputation I can pretend to; nor has my marriage to a quiet, good wife, with some money, been without its share in contributing to my health and finances. My literary temper, formerly very irritable, I also trust to have completely tamed; insomuch that I have just read over Buchanan's vast 8vo of

abuse against me, (in defence of the Highlanders and their fables,) to my wife, with no emotion but laughter. It is indeed a work of eminent absurdity; but, as no book is so bad but something may be learned from it, I find one typographical error pointed out, Scytharum for Scythicum. Yet on this he rings peals and changes, as if I were answerable for all the errors of John Nichols' incorrect press. Mr. Webb, who has published two years ago an 8vo in Ireland against me, is a far stronger antagonist. But I have totally abandoned all literary controversy and asperity, and am content with consoling myself with the praise of Gibbon, Sir William Jones, Major Rennell, Bishop Percy, &c. In one of his letters to me, Gibbon thus expresses himself: "The best judges must have acknowledged your merit; and your rising fame will gradually extinguish the early prejudices and personal animosities which you have been perhaps too careless of provoking." Too true. -Peccavi!

I have the pleasure of informing your lordship that our favorite scheme of Scotish portraits I have revived, and Mr. Herbert, a young bookseller, but a man of property, has undertaken it. It is to proceed in 4to numbers without subscription. George Nicol is eternally dilatory and uncertain, and has so many irons in the fire that I am afraid, entre nous, he will burn his fingers.

The first print is to be of James III. and his queen from Kensington Palace. The next, James IV.; and I wish that your lordship could remit your drawing, or a fac-simile on transparent paper.

If you can hear of any other James IV., (the one you mention is James III.,) be so good as point it out. Lord Scarborough's picture is now Lord Bute's; all Lord S.'s effects being sold some years ago.

I would humbly recommend it to your lordship to procure drawings of portraits on tombs, a branch yet neglected. Those of the Douglases in particular, in the church at Douglas and in Galloway, must be very interesting.

I should be much obliged by your sentiments on the subject of procuring access to the paintings in various private collections in Scotland, of which your lordship has no drawings.

MR. PINKERTON TO THE EARL OF BUCHAN.*

Hampstead, May 19th, 1794.

I was favored with yours of the 10th, and now inclose the Prospectus, the work being actually begun. My name and assistance I lend gratis; so I have no interest, save that of serving our literature; but I hope your lordship will promote the publication as much as possible.

I was ashamed and sorry to find that Mr. Nicol still has your drawing of Alexander III.; though

* Lord Buchan has indorsed this letter:-" I sent all my drawings for the Iconographia Scotica. This is a work in which Mr. P. has great merit. It is making up an inventory of our bankrupt effects for the benefit of posterity."

he promised to me to remit it more than a year ago. As soon as a copy is taken, (and I have begged it may be set about immediately,) I shall see that this relic is put into any hands, or sent any way, that your lordship may order.

I beg to be informed of the price a skilful artist would require to copy your lordship's drawings, if you do not choose to trust them here-a favor indeed rather unreasonable to expect.

MR. PINKERTON TO THE EARL OF BUCHAN.

Hampstead, July 30th, 1794.

A journey into Hampshire and other avocations have hitherto prevented my answering your lordship's favors so punctually as I could wish.

I am infinitely obliged by the letters of introduction to Lord Lansdowne and Mr. Coutts: the former was not in town; the latter has been extremely polite.

The affair of the Advocates' Library, and Mr. Miller's proffered service, are too mysterious for my comprehension. The latter has not even written to me; a politeness, I think, peculiar to our country.

I also hoped to have received from your lordship an explicit answer concerning the use of your drawings of Scotish portraits. The engravings are begun.

Your last of the 13th instant rather surprised me; as I am afraid, if your lordship visit America,

VOL. I.

Ꮓ

you may not think of returning. But I hope your lordship will well weigh such a resolution. It is impossible not to regret the present political insanity, which, by pushing every thing to extremes, threatens civil commotion; and differences of opinion are already become matters of cruelty and oppression. But, in the choice of extremes, it is no wonder that many men of sense and integrity prefer our government, (which even with its superadded abuses is certainly not the worst in Europe) to the chance of a mob tyranny. If the majority of the English be content with their government without reform, it must and ought to continue so; and it cannot be the interest of Scotland to take the lead; but, on the contrary, she should strictly follow the fortunes of England. Even in America, my lord, a nobleman of your genius and public spirit might be exposed to enmity, superadded to that which would be entertained against even your title, which here continues to be accompanied with high respect. You might find it difficult to choose between the two factions, the moderate or ruling party, and that which wishes in all points to follow the example of France; and you are sure of the enmity of one as a noble, and may perhaps incur the suspicion of both. Thus your residence in America may become more disagreeable than in Scotland, without a thousand alleviations, which here mitigate a party rage too violent to last. The smallness of the theatre, and the national impetuosity, contribute to arm the bigotry of party in Scotland with every terror; but in England decency and moderation prevail among