but he returned to Scotland in the reign of Queen Anne, and devoted himself to the study of national antiquities. In 1707, he published a translation of M. Beague's very rare book, "L'Histoire de la Guerre d'Ecosse, 1556," under the title of, "The History of the Campagnes 1548 and 1549; being an exact account of the Martial Expeditions performed in those days by the Scots and French on the one hand, and the English and their foreign auxiliaries on the other: done in French by Mons. Beaugue, a French gentleman; with an introductory preface by the Translator." In the preface to this work, the ancient alliance between Scotland and France is strenuously asserted. This curious French work, which gives a complete account of the war carried on by the catholic government of Cardinal-Beatoun, with the assistance of the French, against the English under Protector Somerset, was reprinted in the original by Mr Smythe of Methven for the Bannatyne Club, 1829, along with a preface, giving an account of Abercromby's translation. The great work of Dr Abercromby is one in two volumes, folio, entitled, “The Martial Atchievements of the Scots nation." He tells us in the preface to this work, that, not venturing to write regular history or biography, he had resolved to relate the deeds of all the great men of his country, in a less ambitious strain, and with a more minute attention to small facts, than is compatible with those styles of composition. He also, with great modesty, apologises for his manner of writing, by saying, “ When my reader is told, that 'twas my fate to spend most part of my youth in foreign countries, to have but viewed, en passant, the south part of Britain, and to have been conversant with Roman and French, rather than with English authors; he will not expect from me those modish turns of phrase, non that exact propriety of words, Scotsmen, by reason of their distance from the fountain of custom, so seldom attain to." The first volume of the Martial Achievements was published in 1711 by Mr Robert Freebairn, and shows a respectable list of subscribers. About one-half of it is occupied by the early fabulous history of Scotland, in which the author, like almost all men of his time, and especially the Jacobites, was a devout believer. It closes with the end of the reign of Robert Bruce. The second volume appeared, with a still more numerous and respectable list of subscribers, in 1715; it was partly printed by Freebairn, and partly by Thomas Ruddiman, who not only corrected the manuscript of the work, but also superintended it in its progress through the press. This is said by Chalmers to have been the first typographical effort of Ruddiman. Abercromby's Martial Achievements is upon the whole a very creditable work for a Scottish antiquary of that period: the author is not superior to the credulity of his age and party; but he is eminently industrious, and his narration is written in an entertaining style. The work shows a wide range of authorities; and is liberally interspersed with controversial discussions of the points most contested by antiquaries. Dr Patrick Abercromby died poor in 1716, or, as other writers say, in 1726, leaving a widow in distressed circumstances.

1

ABERCROMBY, SIR RALPH, under whom the British arms met their first success in the French revolutionary war, was the eldest son of George Abercromby of Tullibody, a gentleman of ancient and respectable family in Stirlingshire, and of Anne Dundas, daughter of Mr Dundas of Manor. He was born in the year 1734. His father having a numerous family, thought it advisable, according to the custom of the country, to destine him for active employment. Ralph was educated with a view to the military profession, and entered into the army early in life. His first commission was a cornetcy in the third dragoon guards, and bore

1 He was born in 1705, called to the bar in 1728, and died, June 8th, 1800, at the advanced age of ninety-five, being the eldest member of the college of Justice.