that work. His history of Scot land was first published in 1526. In the year 1574 it underwent a second impression, and was enriched with the 18th book, and a part of the 19th. A farther continuation of it was executed by Joannes Ferrerius Pedemontanus. Boece died about the

siderable time before his death, Dr. Blair's health had been upon the decline; and he was prohibited by his physician from pulpit exercise. Though confined for months before his death almost to his bed-room, he never ceased to exert his faculties, and to continue his labours for the good of the pub-year 1550. He has been comlic. He was preparing another volume of sermons for the press, when he died, December 27. 1800. This volume has since been published. If his merits as an author may be estimated by the popularity and general utility of his writings, it will be impossible to deny to Dr. Blair, as a man of taste and judgment, the very first rank among the literary characters of the pre-ed his history into the Scottish sent age.

BOECE or BOETHIUS, (HECTOR), an eminent historian, was born at Dundee about the year 1470, and studied with applause in the university of Paris. It was there he became aquainted with Erasmus, and laid the foundation of a friendship which was so honourable to him. In 1500 he was recalled to Aberdeen by bishop Elphinston, who made him principal of that university. Gratitude for this promotion engaged him to write with particular attention the life of that prelate. It appeared in his history of the diocese of Aberdeen; and may perhaps be considered as the most valuable portion of

pared, and not without reason, to Geoffroy of Monmouth. He had a propensity to fable and exaggeration, a fault which the elegance of his expression does not compensate. His judg ment was not equal to his ge nius; and his fictions as an his torian are a contrast to his probity as a man. John Ballenden, archdeacon of Murray, translat

language, at the desire of James V. This translation William Harrison converted, though with imperfections, into Eng lish; and his associate Hollings worth published his work in his chronicle, with additions and improvements by the ingenious Francis Thynne.

BOSTON (THOMAS) of Etterick, an eminent theological writer, was born, in 1676, in the town of Dunse, in the Merse. His parents had some heritage in the neighbourhood; but Thomas being the youngest of seven children, was destined for the Scottish church, which offers no baits to those ambitious of grandeur. After the usual course of education, Mr.

his age, his studious habits having probably tended to shorten his days. He was survived by his wife, and by two sons and two daughters, whose descendents still remain near Etterick. So late as the year 1803, a subscription was set on foot for raising a monument to his memory in Etterick church-yard; and as this pious design was warmly encouraged by many admirers of his writings, will doubtless soon be accomplished. BOSWELL (JAMES), an

Boston was licensed to preach in 1697. Two years thereafter he was ordained minister of Simprin, the smallest country charge perhaps in Scotland, not containing, in his time, above ninety examinable persons. In 17co Mr. Boston married Miss Catherine Brown of Culross, a lady, according to every accourt, of singular wisdom, and many rare endowments. In 1707 Mr. Boston was translated to Etterick, one of the remotest and wildest parishes in the south of Scotland. Hiere, however, eminent miscellaneous writer, he very happily spent the re-but chiefly distinguished as the mainder of his life, devoting literary companion of the cele himself much to composition, brated Dr. Samuel Johnson. He as his numerous theological was born at Edinburgh October works bear witness. His Four-29, 1740, of an ancient and hofold State" is one of his most nourable family, being the son of complete works, and it main-lord Auchinleck, one of the judtains its high character to this ges in the court of session. In day. His other writings of im- 1763 Mr. Boswell went to LonPortance were " A View of the don, and had what he always Covenant of Grace;""The So-called the " singular felicity of vereignty and Wisdom of God being introduced to Dr. Johndisplayed in the Afflictions of son." Soon after this he set out Men," a work better known on a foreign tour; and having by the title of "The Crook of visited the most remarkable the Lot;" 64 Explication of the cities in Italy, Mr. Boswell sailAssembly's Catechism;" " Mc-ed to Corsica, travelled over morial concerning personal and every part of that island, and family fasting and humiliation;" obtained the friendship of the iland "Notes" on the famed pub- lustrious Pascal Paoli, in whose lication of Mr. Edward Fisher, palace he resided during his stay intituled "The Marrow of Mo-at Corsica. He afterwards vidern Divinity," in which Mr.sited Paris. Upon his return to Boston ably supports and illustrates the meaning of the author. Mr. Boston died in the year 1732, in the 56th year of

Scorland in 1766, he became an advocate at the Scottish bar. The celebrated Douglas cause being at that time a subject of

hi general discussion, Mr. Boswell |ance of Mr. Boswell, who died Orte took a very active and success- May 19, 1795.

byful part in it, and he published BOWER (ARCHBALD), a and a pamphlet, entitled "the Es-learned Jesuit born near Dunesence of the Douglas Cause," dee, in 1686. His principal

BOYD (ROBERT) flourished in the 15th century. How or where he passed the first years of his life is uncertain; but, towards the end of the reign of James II. of Scotland, he began to make a considerable figure in the world. By this

which was supposed to have work was, "A history of the procured Mr. Douglas the Popes," in 7 vols. 4to; concernfr popularity he at that time posing which, as well as his connec sessed. In, 1768 Mr. B. publish- tion with the Jesuits he stood ed his "Account of Corsica, with accused of much imposture. He Memoirs of general Paoli." also contributed to the compilaOf this printed performance Dr. tion of the "Universal HisJohnson thus expresses himself: tory," but, as is said, not much Your journal is, in a very high to the advantage of the work. degree, curious and delightful. He died September 2, 1766. I know not whether I could. name any narrative by which curiosity is better excited or better gratified." In 1785 he published" A Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Dr. John son," which had a success similar to his account of Corsica. This year Mr. Boswell remov-monarch he was created a ba ed to London, and was soon afi ter called to the English bar; but his professional business was interrupted by the preparing of his most elaborate work," The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D." in 2 vols. 4to. This was published in 1790, and was received by the world with most extraor dinary avidity. It is a faithful history of Dr. Johnson's life, ex-death of James II, in 1460, the hibits a most interesting picture of the character of that illustrious moralist, and is one of the most entertaining books in the English language. The preparation of a second edition of this work was the last literary perform

ron, by the name and title of lord Boyd of Kilmarnock. The first time we find him engaged in any public employment, was in the year 1459, when he was, with several prelates, lords, and barons, sent to Newcastle as plenipotentiaries, to prolong the truce with England, which they did for nine years. Upon the

lord Boyd was made justiciary, and one of the lords of the regency, in whose hands the administration was lodged during the minority of the young king. He was afterwards constituted sole regent, and lord high chamberlain of Scotland. He pro

consummate scholars of the age.
He is said to have translated
Cæsar's Commentaries into
Greek, in the style of Herodo-

BROWN (JOHN) of Haddington, long professor of divinity among the Burgher seceders, was born in the year 1722, at a little village called Kerpoo, in the county of Perth. His early education was much ne

cared the marriage of king James I.'s eldest daughter with his own son sir Thomas Boyd. He was afterwards, owing to a turn of affairs, obliged to fleetus, and to have written many into England, where he died at Latin poems, which were little Alnwick, in the year 1470. inferior to the first productions BOYD (MARK ALEX- of the Augustan age. He also ANDER), an extraordinary left several manuscripts on phigenius, was son of Robert Boyd, lological, political, and historiwho was eldest son of Adam cal subjects, in Latin and Boyd of Pinkhill, brother to French, which languages were lord Boyd. He was born in as familiar to him as his native Galloway on the 13th of Janu- tongue. Several of his pieces ary 1562, and it is recorded of are to be seen in the "Delitia him that his teeth were fully Poetarum Scotorum." He died formed at birth. He learned at Pinkhill in 1601. the rudiments of the Latin and Greek languages at Glasgow, under two grammarians; but was of so untractable a spirit, that he quarrelled with his masters, beat them both, burnt his books, and forswore learning. While he was yet a youth, heglected, owing to the death of followed the court, and, did his both his parents before he was utmost to push his interest there; twelve years of age. Afterbut the fervour of his temper wards, however, he applied soon precipitated him into quar- sedulously in private; and berels, from which, however, he fore he was twenty, had attaincame off with honour and safe-ed to an intimate knowledge of ty, though frequently at the ha- the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew zard of his life. With the ap-languages. The acquisition of probation of his friends he went these languages without the asto serve in the French army. sistance of a teacher, appeared He carried his little patrimony so wonderful to the unlearned, with him, which he soon dissi- that a report was circulated far pated at play. He was shortly and wide, that young Brown afterwards roused by that emu- had acquired his knowledge in lation which is natural to great a sinful way, that is, by interminds, and applied himself to course with Satan! In 1750 Mr. letters with unremitted ardour, Brown was licensed to preach till he became one of the most by the Burgher Seceders, to

whom he had early joined him- | vered uncommon quickness of

self. He was soon after settled apprehension, a better education at Haddington in East-Lothian, than might have been expected. where he unweariedly laboured Before he was five years of age, for about 40 years. He was he had made considerable proappointed by the Associate gress in the knowledge of LaBurgher Synod, to superintend tin at the grammar school of the progress of the studies of Dunse, then taught by the ceyoung men destined for the lebrated Cruickshank. About ministry in their connection; this time he unfortunately lost and this important office he his father. His mother could long filled with much applause. not support her son at school, He published several works of far less afford to send him to high repute in the religious the university. From being the world: particularly a “ Self in-favourite pupil of the first teachterpreting Bible;" a " Diction-er in Britain, and from being ary of the Bible;" a" Body of the dux of the school, young Divinity;" being the substance John was torn away, and doomof lectures delivered by him as ed to become a weaver. The professor of divinity; and" Me-rooted aversion he expressed ditations," in which he displays for this degrading occupation, a vivid fancy, not regulated by and the offer of Mr. Cruicka good taste. He died at Had-shank to allow him to attend dington, June 19, 1788. He his studies gratis, inclined his was twice married; and had friends to give John more lear, the satisfaction of living to see in the hope especially that he two of his sons by the first mar- would one day become an able riage rise to eminence as preach-preacher and propagator of the ers in the same secession church whose interests he had long warmly espoused.

secession faith. About his 11th year, therefore, he again entered to school; and soon after BROWN (Dr. JOHN), the he was occasionally deputed by celebrated author of the Bru- the master to instruct the young. nonian system of medicine, was er scholars. About the age of born in 1735 or 1736, near the thirteen, curiosity had led him village of Preston in Berwick-to hear a sermon in the estab shire. His parents were in the lished church of the parish. humblest walk of life; his fa- This was a deadly offence in ther being a common day la-the eyes of the bigotted secebourer. Being strict seceders, ders with whom he was con they lived in a sober and frugal nected in church fellowship; manner, and were thus able to but rather than submit to a regive their son John, who disco- buke in open church for so ver