ADVERTISEMENT. THE principal authorities for the biographical details in the following pages were communicated to me by Dr Robertson's eldest son, Mr William Robertson, advocate *. Το him I am indebted, not only for the original letters with which he has enabled me to gratify the curiosity of my Readers, but for every other aid which he could be prompted to contribute, either by regard for his father's memory, or by friendship for myself. My information with respect to the earlier part of Dr Robertson's life was derived almost entirely from one of his oldest and most valued friends, the Rev. Dr Carlyle of Inveresk. It is proper for me to add, that this Memoir was read at different meetings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh; and was destined for a place in their Transactions. The length to which it has extended, suggested the idea of a separate publication, and the addition of an Appendix. * [Now one of the Senators of the College of Justice, under the title of Lord Robertson.] U During the long interval which has elapsed since it was composed, a few sentences have been occasionally inserted, in which a reference is made to later criticisms on Dr Robertson's writings. I mention this circumstance, in order to account for some slight anachronisms. 16th May 1801. ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF WILLIAM ROBERTSON, D. D. SECTION I. From Dr Robertson's Birth till the Publication of his History of Scotland. WILLIAM ROBERTSON, D. D. late Principal of the University of Edinburgh, and Historiographer to his Majesty for Scotland, was the son of the Reverend William Robertson, Minister of the Old Gray-Friar's Church, and of Eleanor Pitcairn, daughter of David Pitcairn, Esq. of Dreghorn. By his father he was descended from the Robertsons of Gladney in the county of Fife; a branch of the respectable family of the same name, which has, for many generations, possessed the estate of Struan in Perthshire. He was born in 1721, at Borthwick (in the county of Mid |