[Footnote 1:  Sir David was himself a historical writer of some importance.  Macaulay was greatly indebted to his “Memoirs of Great Britain and Ireland from the Restoration to the Battle of La Hogue.”  The secret history and object of the strange attempt on James VI. (afterwards James I. of England) have been discussed by many writers, but without any of them succeeding in any very clear or certain elucidation of the transaction.]

I fear I neglected, Sir, to thank you for your present of the history of the “Conspiracy of the Gowries”; but I shall never forget all the obligations I have to you.  I don’t doubt but in Scotland you approve what is liked here almost as much as Mr. Robertson’s History; I mean the marriage of Colonel Campbell and the Duchess of Hamilton.  If her fortune is singular, so is her merit.  Such uncommon noise as her beauty made has not at all impaired the modesty of her behaviour.  Adieu!

WRITERS OF HISTORY:  GOODALL, HUME, ROBERTSON—­QUEEN CHRISTINA.

TO SIR DAVID DALRYMPLE.

STRAWBERRY HILL, July 11, 1759.

You will repent, Sir, I fear, having drawn such a correspondent upon yourself.  An author flattered and encouraged is not easily shaken off again; but if the interests of my book did not engage me to trouble you, while you are so good as to write me the most entertaining letters in the world, it is very natural for me to lay snares to inveigle more of them.  However, Sir, excuse me this once, and I will be more modest for the future in trespassing on your kindness.  Yet, before I break out on my new wants, it will be but decent, Sir, to answer some particulars of your letter.

I have lately read Mr. Goodall’s[1] book.  There is certainly ingenuity in parts of his defence; but I believe one seldom thinks a defence ingenious without meaning that it is unsatisfactory.  His work left me fully convinced of what he endeavoured to disprove; and showed me, that the piece you mention is not the only one that he has written against moderation.

[Footnote 1:  Mr. Goodall had published an Essay on the letters put forward as written by Queen Mary to Bothwell, branding them as forgeries.  The question of their genuineness has been examined with great acuteness by more than one subsequent writer, and the arguments against their genuineness are certainly very strong.]

I have lately got Lord Cromerty’s “Vindication of the legitimacy of King Robert [the Third],” and his “Synopsis Apocalyptica,” and thank you much, Sir, for the notice of any of his pieces.  But if you expect that his works should lessen my esteem for the writers of Scotland, you will please to recollect, that the letter which paints Lord Cromerty’s pieces in so ridiculous a light, is more than a counterbalance in favour of the writers of your country; and of all men living, Sir, you are the last who will destroy my partiality for Scotland.