BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 3 6 i
undertake the translation of Buffon’s Natural History, he endeavoured to dissuade
him from the undertaking, solely on account of the “atheistical parts,” which
it contained. The following is his lordship’s letter :-
“New Hailes, 11th July 1779.
“ Sir-I received your proposals for publishing the Natural History of Rulfon. To make the
work useful, a confutation of the atheistical parts of it ought to be added in the notes. Without
that addition it would do great hurt to an ignorant nation, already too much vitiated by French
philosophy. It will be to make poison cheaper and more pleasant. . My reverend friend, Profeasor
Monro, held Buffon in sovereign contempt, and ranged him in the class of Indian philosophers, with
their bull and their tortoise.
“ Not many years ago, there was published a book of travels : it had a run merely for ita French
philosophy ; for it was ignorant beyond probability or even imagination. The authors of the Edinburgh
Recieza were the only persons who, to my knowledge, confuted it ; and yet they were represented
&s enemies of religion. This shows that it is dangerous to publish such books as those of
Buffon, when treatises of less merit are admired ; and when confutations of such treatises are overlooked,
because the confuters are ill thougbtof and traduced. But what can we say of aoage
which admires the blundering romanoes of Raynal ?-I am, etc.
Lord Hailes lived sometime in the Old Mint House, foot of Todrick’s
Wynd ; he next occupied a house in what is called ‘‘ the Society,” Brown’s
Square ; and latterly removed to New Street, on the north side of the Canongate.
His general residence, however, even before his promotion to the bench,
was New Hailes.’ The. house in New Street (No. 23) was afterwards possessed
by Mr. Ruthven, the ingenious inventor of the Ruthven printing-press.
D A VD~AL RYHPLE.”
The following is a pretty accurate catalogue of his works :-
Sacred Poems, or a Collection of Translations and
Paraphrases from the Holy Scriptures ; by various
authors. Edinburgh, 1751, 12mo. Dedicated
to Charles, Lord Hope; with a PrePace of ten
Proposals for carrying on a certain Public Work in the
City of Edinburgh. Edinburgh, 1751, 12mo. A
jeu-#esprit.
The Wisdon of Solomon, Wisdom of Jesus the Son of
Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus, 12mo.
Select Discourses (in number nine), by John Smith,
late Fellow of Queen’s College, Cambridge, 12rno.
pp. 291. Edinburgh, 1756 : with a Preface of five
pages-“ many quotations from the learned langnages
translated-and notes added, containing
allwions to ancient mythology, and to the erroneous
philosophy which prevailed in the days of
the author-various inaccuracies of style have been
corrected, and harsh expressions softened.“
World, No. 140. September 4, 1755. A meditation
among books.
Ditto, No. 147. Thursday, October 23,1755. “Both
these papers are replete with wit and bumour:
and the last one is introduced with a high character
OP it and of the author, by Mr. Moore, the
editor and chief author of the World.“
Ditto, No. 204. Thursday, Xov. 25, 1756. “A piece
of admirable wit,” ‘‘(food Things,and the propriety
of taxing them.”
A Discourse of the unnatural and vile Conspiracy
pages.
Edin. 1755.
attempted by John, Earl of Gowry and his Brother
against his Majesty’s Person, at Saint Johnstouu.
upon the 6th ofi August 1600. No date
British Songs, Sacred to Love aud Virtue. Edin. 1756.
12mo.
A Sermon, which might have been preached in East
Lothian upon the 25th day of October 1761, on
Acts xwu 1, 2. “The barbarous people showed
us no ’little kindness.” Edinburgh, 1761, pp. 25,
12mo. ‘‘ Occasioned by the country people pillaging
the wreck of two vessels, &. the Betsy
Cunninghum, and the Leith packet, Pilouip, from
London to Leith, cast away on the shore between
. Dunbar and North Berwick. AU the passengers
on board the former, in number seventeen,
perished; five on board the latter, October 16,
1561. Reprinted at Edinburgh, 1794, 8vo. The
first edition is scarce.
Memorials and Letters relating to the History OF
Britain in the reign of James I., published from
the originals. Glasgow, 1762. Addressed to
Philip Yorke, Viscount Roystoun, pp. 151. I‘ From
a collection in the Advocates’ Library, by Balfow
of Denmyln.” An enlarged edition was printed at
Glasgow, 1766, 8vo.
The Works of the ever-memorable Mr. John Hdes of
Eton, now Brst collected together, in Y vols.
Glasgow, 1765 ; preface of three page& Dedicated
to William (Warbur&n), Biahop of G1ouceater.-
L1755.1
1 New Hailes is beautifully situated a little to the west of Mwelburgh, near the line of the
Rsilway to Edinburgh.