MEMOIR OF SIR J. Q. DALY I II VV1I 



Diarey of Robert Birrol, burges of Edinburgbe." " Tlie late Expedicion 

 in Scotluiido, made by tln> Kynges Hyhnys annye, vndcr tbe conduit 

 of the Rygbt Honorable the Erk- of Hcrtforde, the yere of oure Lord 

 God and " The Expedicion into Scotlande, of the most woorthelj 



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

 noble Souereign Lord y Kinges Maiestie, Edward 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 Hailcs, which had previously 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 maturcr 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, i- 

 uinply 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, set-ing 

 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 firtt used by the English, 1346 ; but we hare good evidenn* 

 they were used in Scotland, 1340. Tbe oldest known English watch WM made, it is aid. 

 in tbe sixteenth century. Then exist* a watch, which antiquarians allow, belonged to Kinp 

 Robert Brace. 



As to the much-boasted " Rotut Hetf of Old England," be says" Tbe truth is, that 

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



nnVmit to preserve life. Amidst a thousand other delicacies, I find ' xiL porposes aad 



seals' devoured at a feast, 1467, aad tbe porpoise and seal an among the fishes enumerated 



e 



