The Scottish Philosophy [300]
upon the necessary nature of things, to be ; but merely some unaccountable instinctive persuasions depending on the arbitrary constitution of our natures." [62]The translator of Buffier (1780) charges Reid with plagiarism. Dugald Stewart defends him (" Elements," vol. ii., pp. 63, 64); as does also Hamilton (Reid's "Collected Works," P-- 789), who shows that Reid "only became acquainted with the treatise of Buffier after the publication of his own `Inquiry; ' for in his 'Account of Aristotle's Logic,' written and published some ten years subsequently to that work, he says, 'I have lately met with a very judicious treatise, written by Father Buffier.' " [63]In " Scot's Magazine," February, 1847, was advertised "The Impartial Philosopher, or the Philosophy of Common Sense," by the Marquis d'Argens, in two volumes, 6s. [64]In possession of Francis Edmond [65]Original minutes of the Society, kindly lent me by Francis Edmond; " Biographical Sketch of David Skene, M.D," by Alexander Thomson of Banchory. [66]"An Account of the Life and Writings of Dr. Beattie," by Sir William Forbes. [67]This portrait was lately in possession of the Misses Glennie, his grandnieces, in Aberdeen. A print of it is to be found in a few copies of Forbes' "Life of Beattie. " [68]The father published "Miscellanies," by James Hay Beattie, A.M.. in two volumes, 1799. There are some verses worth preserving: "And how Milton has glands in his brain That secreted the 'Paradise lost."' [69]Life, by Rev. Dr. Keith. MS. Papers in possession of Andrew Farquharson of Whitehouse, kindly lent me. [70]This may be the most appropriate place for referring to Ogilvie's " Philosophical and Critical Observations on the Nature, Character, and Various Species of Composition," 1774. The author was born 1737, became minister of Midmar in Aberdeenshire, and died in 1814. He was a miscellaneous writer in poetry and prose. In " The Theology of Plato compared with the Principles of Oriental and Grecian Philosophy," he treats of topics not usually discussed by the Scottish metaphysicians. [71]Article, James Burnett, in the "Edinburgh Encyclopedia." [72]This letter is in possession of the family at Monboddo. [73]Biographical Sketch of Adam Ferguson, LLD., F.R.S.E., Professor of Moral Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh, by John Small, M.A., Librarian to the university. Read before the Philosophical Society of Edinburgh, April 18, 1864. [74]Life, by Lord Woodhouselee, prefixed to his " Works " in four volumes; " Literary and Characteristical Lives," by William Smellie. [75]Not a few of the Edinburgh lawyers wrote philosophical treatises. Thus, "Essays, Moral and Divine," by Sir William Anstruther, of Ailstruther, one of the Senators of the College of justice, 1701. He treats of atheism. providence, learing and religion, trifling studies, stage-plays and romances, incarlation, Jesus Christ, and redemption of mankind. He opposes Locke with some ability, and shows that the idea of a Perfect Being is simple and innate, imprinted on our minds by God in our creation. Then in Sir George Mackenzie's (the bloody Mackenzie) "Works," two vols. folio, 1716, we have an essay on happiness. He shows that nothing without us, not even philosophy, can make us happy, that religion alone can do so. He treats of atheism, of moral gallantry, of the moral history of frugality. He begins with an address to fanatics. He would act the religious stoic, and holds that solitude is to be preferred to public employment. We have also, "Some Thoughts concerning Religion, Natural and Revealed, with Reflections on the Sources of Incredulity with regard to Religion," by Rt. Hon. Duncan Forbes, of Culloden, 1750 [76]Having, in my boyish days, often "kissed the cup to pass it by," among those who had drunk and been drunk with Burns, I am prepared to believe this: but I have to add, that though the sense and humor were strong and shrewd they were often coarse and sensual. Burns was reared in an age in which the uncompromising religion of the covenant was giving way,