MEMOIR OF SIR J. G. DALYELL. 



xvu 



Diarey of Robert Birrel, burges of Edinburghe." " The late Expedicion 

 in Scotlande, made by the Kynges Hyhnys armye, vnder the conduit 

 of the Ryght Honorable the Erie of Hertforde, the yere of oure Lord 

 God 1544 ;" and " The Expedicion into Scotlande, of the most woorthely 

 fortunate Prince, Edward, Duke of Soomerset, vncle unto our most 

 noble Souereign Lord ye Kinges Maiestie, Edv\-ard the VI.," &c. By 

 W. Patten, Londoner. These were introduced by a " Preface," and an 

 Essay, entitled " Desultory Reflections on the State of Ancient Scot- 

 land." The " Annals of Scotland," and other works on our history, 

 laws, and antiquities, by Lord Hailes, which had previoush^ appeared, had 

 induced a taste for such inquiries. The prefatory reflections show the ex- 

 tent of his reading, which was remarkable for his years. He gives ex- 

 pression occasionally to opinions which he might probably have modified 

 in maturer years ; but it is impossible to over- estimate the amount of 

 classical and antiquarian research brought to bear upon the subject. That 

 he was an accomplished linguist, and well acquainted with the Scottish 

 cartularies (then in MS.) and ancient records available at the time, is 

 amply evinced by the facts and arguments as well as the extracts adduced. 

 In tracing the characteristics of barbaric life, he instances numerous coin- 

 cidences between nations where no remains of a common origin exist, show- 

 ing how intimately he had made himself acquainted with all the best 

 works of discovery and travel. 



Comparing the civilization of England and Scotland, he is very im- 

 partial ; and although inclining to award England the advantage, seeing 

 in the long wars and animosities to which Scotland was subjected, suf- 

 ficient reason to account for the disparity, he gives one or two suitable 

 illustrations on the point : — 



" Cannon, it is said, were first used by the English, 134G ; but we have good evidence 

 they were used in Scotland, 1340. The oldest known English watch was made, it is said, 

 in the sixteenth century. There exists a watch, which antiquarians allow, belonged to King 

 Robert Bruce." 



As to the much-boasted " Roast Beef of Old England," he says — " The truth is, that 

 while the more elevated ranks enjoyed a sort of savage abundance, the commons had scarcely 



sufficience to preserve life Amidst a thousand other delicacies, I find ' xii. porposes and 



seals' devoured at a feast, 1467, and the porpoise and seal are among the fishes enumerated 



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