ROBERTSON. 311 



had been disposed to recommend a postponement of it 

 until time should be given to enlighten the public 

 mind, and free it from the gross delusions under which 

 it had been brought through the acts of unprincipled 

 men. This speech is given with tolerable fulness in the 

 Scotch Magazine for that year, and it fully justifies 

 the exalted opinion traditionally entertained of the 

 Principal's oratory. He declared on this memorable 

 occasion his intention to withdraw from public life, 

 and stated that his friends well knew this resolution 

 had been taken some time before the late controversy. 



Nothing memorable occurred to this eminent and 

 virtuous person after the period to which reference 

 has now been made. A matrimonial alliance between 

 his eldest daughter and Mr. Brydone, the celebrated 

 traveller, a gentleman, too, known for his scientific 

 pursuits, as well as distinguished for his amiable 

 manners and kindness of disposition, had contributed 

 materially to her father's happiness ; and he liked to 

 pass a few weeks in the summer or autumn at the de- 

 lightful residence of Lennel on the southern border, 

 where that excellent person lived, and where as late as 

 1814 he ended his days. 



In the autumn of 1791 the Principal's health first 

 began to fail; and a jaundice, proceeding from an 

 affection of the liver, brought him early in 1793 to a 

 state of weakness which left no hope of his recovery. 

 He bore his infirmity with entire patience, and beheld 

 the prospect of death, which was for many months 

 before him, with unshaken fortitude. A month or two 

 previous to his decease, he was removed to Grange 

 House, in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh. Profes- 



