320 ROBERTSON. 



" It has enabled me to communicate with some of the learned 

 here^ who join me in applauding the elegance and the appro- 

 priate terms of that composition. 



" The authority of Dr. Gregory has no need of such sup- 

 ports ; but I am fond to mention it. 



" I thought your father's birth and mine had been more 

 nearly dated ; but I see that his preceded mine by two whole 

 years, although I have survived so long to become my own 

 monument perishing you will say, but only more so, or less 

 permanent, than some other grave-stones. I remember to 

 have seen in Italy miles and leagues of ancient highways, 

 strewed on right and left with continual vestiges of monu- 

 ments, now destroyed or in ruins, with scarce a name to mark 

 for whom they were intended ; but your father's memory is 

 independent of any such materials. More fortunate than 

 Tacitus or Livy, his works entire remain for ages indefinite, 

 to show that in his time the British style in able hands was 

 fit to emulate or cope with theirs. It were too much vanity 

 for me to think the opportunity will then exist of giving judg- 

 ment how little I had profited by the example which he set me, 

 of literary talents and intellectual eminence. My way is now 

 directed to the trackless grave, and there my course should 

 terminate, but for the happy thought that there is somewhat 

 after death to which this nursery and school of human life is 

 no more than a preparation or a prelude. Meantime, however, 

 I remain, with just esteem and gratitude for kind attentions, 

 " Your most obliged and most humble servant, 



"ADAM FERGUSON. 



" The Right Honourable Lord Robertson, 

 Edinburgh." 



The translation, of which the following forms the first two 

 pages of the Principal's MS., was made, as appears by the 

 date January 21, 1742, when he was about twenty he hav- 

 ing been born 19th September, 1721. The whole is carefully 

 and admirably executed, combining clearness with elegance. 



