i.] ANTECEDENTS. 57 



to whom many of the principal public buildings 

 in Edinburgh are due. 



Third generation. 21 males and 20 females, 

 of whom 2 males deserve especial notice : (1) 

 The Eight Hon. Lyon Playfair, M.P., F.K.S., 

 formerly professor of chemistry, long engaged in 

 scientific administration of various kinds, and 

 postmaster-general at the close of the late 

 administration ; (2) Colonel K. L. Play fair, K.A., 

 the well-known consul-general of Algiers, and 

 naturalist. A third brother is a professor at 

 King's College. 



ROSCOE. The type of this family is strongly 

 marked ; it has been characterized by much cul- 

 tivation, refinement, and poetical taste. 



First generation. William Roscoe, author of 

 " Lorenzo di Medici," " Leo X." &c. The above 

 mentioned characteristics were strongly marked 

 in him. (Life by his son, Memoirs by 

 Hartley Coleridge in " Northern Worthies," and 

 " Sketches " by Washington Irving.) 



Second generation. 7 males and 3 females, 

 of whom 4 males and 2 females deserve notice: 



