HISTORY OP HIS OWN TIME, 21 



atre of public fame, not only contributes to render his book more 

 instructive, but more interesting. *^ They (alluding to the minis- 

 ters who tyrannized over Scotland, in the reign of strumpets and 

 Charles II.), had such an imagination of some service I might do 

 them, that they treated me with a very particular freedom and con- 

 fidence. But I had drunk in the principles of moderation so early, 

 that though I was entirely episcopal, yet I would not engage with 

 a body of men that seemed to have the principles and tempers of 

 inquisitors in them, and to have no regard to religion in any of 

 their proceedings.^' 



Two years afterwards, " it was thought," he says, " that Lord 

 Lauderdale was preparing me, as one who was known to have been 

 always episcopal, to be set up against Sharp (the Archbishop) and 

 his set of men, who were much hated by one side, and not loved 

 nor trusted by the other." 



In 1762, he describes himself as eager to forsake the court alto- 

 gether, yet suffering himself to be wrought on by the persuasions 

 of others who remained there. '* Many found I did good offices. — 

 I got some to be considered and advanced that had no other way of 

 access. But that which made it more necessary was, that I saw 

 Sharp and his creatures were making their court with the most ab- 

 ject flattery. Leighton went seldom to them, though he was al- 

 ways treated by them with great indulgence ; so it was necessary 

 for me to be about them and keep them right, otherwise all our de- 

 signs were lost without recovery." 



The next instance of self idolatry is still perhaps more amusing" 

 and more characteristic of the man and of his book. " While I 

 was at the court, (of France) which was only for four or five days, 

 one of the king's coaches was sent to wait on me, and the king 

 ordered me to be well-treated by all about him; which, upon that, 

 was done with a great profusion of extraordinary respects : at which 

 all people stood amazed. Some thought it was to encourage the 

 side against the court, by this treatment of one then in disgrace ; 

 others, more probably, thought that the king, hearing I was a 

 writer of history, had a mind to engage me to write on his side. I 

 was told a pension would be offered me : but I made no steps to- 

 wards it; for though I was offered an audience with the king, I 

 excused it. After a few months' stay, I returned, and found both 



