554 MEMOIR OF 
English history, than had yet been accomplished in any one 
performance in our language. The most important, however, 
of these literary projects, was that of a continuation of Lord 
Hartes’s Annals of Scotland, from the period when Lord 
Hares’s researches closed, to the accession of James VI. to 
the Crown of England; a work to which no common talents 
were adequate, and of the difficulty of which no stronger evi- 
dence can be given, than that, however desired, it has yet re- 
mained unattempted. 
All these projects, however, yielded to another, which was 
much more interesting to Lord Woopnouserre himself, and 
to the accomplishment of which he was animated by some- 
thing more than the hope of literary fame,—this was the Life 
of his earliest friend and patron Lord Kamrs. ‘ He had wait- 
“ ed, (as he says,) with his usu-] modesty, for more than twen- 
“ ty years, in the hope of its falling into abler hands.” He 
was now raised to the same Bench isi had been dignified 
by the presence of Lord Kames ; and the business in which he 
was engaged, served every day to bring him to his remem- 
brance, and to afford him the new opportunities of appretiating 
his learning and his genius. From this fortunate concurrence 
_of circumstances, Lord Woopuovse.re felt himself emboldened 
to undertake the task, and having determined upon his plan, he 
entered with eagerness upon the study of his works, and the 
collection of materials; and in the course of the vacations of 
only four years, he was able to accomplish his design. The 
work was finally published in two volumes, quarto, in the year 
1807, with the title of Memoirs of the Life and Writings of 
Henry Home, Lord Kamrs. 
It is impossible not to admire the motives which led Lord 
Woopuovsetze to this undertaking, and it is impossible also 
not to respect the ability with wont amid the distractions of 
public 
