Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Dr. William Robertson.
rewarded ; for of the multitude of readers the proportion of numbers is to be had by ornament—the scrupulous dissection of evidence is attended to by few ; the operation is little inviting , and the object achieved is a scanty residuum of barren FACT . But for the tenacity of National character , the story of MARY was not likely to excite the altercation of the ei ghteenth century . STUART however attacked the Plistory of ROBERTSON with the
inveteracy of an Enemy , rather than the temper of a Philosopher . ¦ Although in the arrangement of his book he was a Copyist , his principles were adverse to those of the Professor , and to his ear the periods of the latter seemed to be feeble , and his arguments false . He pretended to more accurate examination of records , and he wrote in the bloated style of cumbrous magnificence . Of' the
CHARACTERS which were so chastel y drawn by ROBERTSON , STUART produced extravagant dilations . —Pie surveyed them by torch light ; they of course cast a deeper shade , and the medium produced a sort of obscurity . " Not light , but rather darkness visible , " Serv'd only to discover sights of woe . "
He had moreover every vice of false idiom ; and the mode by which POPE had artfully placed his Pastorals upon comparison below those of PHILLIPS , was practised between the characters of STUART and of ROBERTSON . The Public were called upon to prefer tumor to energy , and a rugged rumble of verbiage to the simplicity and ease of pure English .
In the year 17 61 , Dr . ROBERTSON , upon the death of Professor Goldie , was elected Principal of the University of Edinburgh , and appointed Minister of the Old Grey Friars Parish . He had found the walk so fitted to his strength , and unlike the Metaphysicians in Gil Bias , he determined not to stop and wrangle with passengers upon the road—he knew that controversy was
Irritable , and that an Histrorian , of all Men , should becalm . . He therefore answered no Antagonist—he did what was much better —for in 17 6 9 , he produced his greatest Work , the History of Charles the Vth .
This procured for him a wide diffusion of his fame , and some particular honors from other Courts and forei gn Academies . His present MAJESTY , a Judge as well as Patron of polite letters , appointed him one of his Chaplains and Historiographer for Scotland . Such appointments are honourable to Crowned Heads . The subsequent publications of Dr . ROBERTSON have not the celebrity of the foregoing—His AMERICA howeverhas
, , gone through several editions , although to the discoveries of former Historians , little seems to be added , and we gain only a manner ¦ more clear and a style polished with more success . Of the praise which has attended him , that of the Great Iiistorian " of the ROMAN EMPIRE will be the most lasting-. — Mr , GIBBON
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Dr. William Robertson.
rewarded ; for of the multitude of readers the proportion of numbers is to be had by ornament—the scrupulous dissection of evidence is attended to by few ; the operation is little inviting , and the object achieved is a scanty residuum of barren FACT . But for the tenacity of National character , the story of MARY was not likely to excite the altercation of the ei ghteenth century . STUART however attacked the Plistory of ROBERTSON with the
inveteracy of an Enemy , rather than the temper of a Philosopher . ¦ Although in the arrangement of his book he was a Copyist , his principles were adverse to those of the Professor , and to his ear the periods of the latter seemed to be feeble , and his arguments false . He pretended to more accurate examination of records , and he wrote in the bloated style of cumbrous magnificence . Of' the
CHARACTERS which were so chastel y drawn by ROBERTSON , STUART produced extravagant dilations . —Pie surveyed them by torch light ; they of course cast a deeper shade , and the medium produced a sort of obscurity . " Not light , but rather darkness visible , " Serv'd only to discover sights of woe . "
He had moreover every vice of false idiom ; and the mode by which POPE had artfully placed his Pastorals upon comparison below those of PHILLIPS , was practised between the characters of STUART and of ROBERTSON . The Public were called upon to prefer tumor to energy , and a rugged rumble of verbiage to the simplicity and ease of pure English .
In the year 17 61 , Dr . ROBERTSON , upon the death of Professor Goldie , was elected Principal of the University of Edinburgh , and appointed Minister of the Old Grey Friars Parish . He had found the walk so fitted to his strength , and unlike the Metaphysicians in Gil Bias , he determined not to stop and wrangle with passengers upon the road—he knew that controversy was
Irritable , and that an Histrorian , of all Men , should becalm . . He therefore answered no Antagonist—he did what was much better —for in 17 6 9 , he produced his greatest Work , the History of Charles the Vth .
This procured for him a wide diffusion of his fame , and some particular honors from other Courts and forei gn Academies . His present MAJESTY , a Judge as well as Patron of polite letters , appointed him one of his Chaplains and Historiographer for Scotland . Such appointments are honourable to Crowned Heads . The subsequent publications of Dr . ROBERTSON have not the celebrity of the foregoing—His AMERICA howeverhas
, , gone through several editions , although to the discoveries of former Historians , little seems to be added , and we gain only a manner ¦ more clear and a style polished with more success . Of the praise which has attended him , that of the Great Iiistorian " of the ROMAN EMPIRE will be the most lasting-. — Mr , GIBBON