Memoir of Archibald Campbell Swinton. 371 



Swinton's career at the University was one of success. In 

 Professor Pillans' class, the most distinguished part which he 

 played was in some translations from Martial, for which he 

 gained a prize. They were considered to show very great 

 ability, and the family were kind enough to send me a copy 

 of this exercise, handsomely bound, which contains, prefixed 

 to it, an autograph letter from Sir Walter Scott in the 

 following terms : — 



" My Dear Sir, — 



" On my return from the country, I found a prize exercise 

 of translations from Martial from Mr Archibald, which I consider is 

 ray young friend, whose progress I admired so much while under Mr 

 Williams. I heartily give you joy of his proficiency, which, I think, 

 displays command of both languages, and a fine taste besides. I hope, 

 my dear friend, that the young gentleman will be a blessing to you 

 and all his kin, which will ever give great satisfaction to yours, 

 affectionately and sincerely, 



WALTER SCOTT." 



These translations are full of spirit, and exhibit much power 

 of language and command over metrical composition. There 

 are a few other versions contributed by Professor Aytoun, but, 

 on the whole, the exercise speaks of proficiency in the elegancies 

 of the Latin language, as well as in those of English verse. 

 This was in the year 1829; he gained the medal in Professor 

 Wilson's class, in Moral Philosophy, iu 1831. The year 1830 he 

 seems to have spent in attendance at Glasgow University, and 

 there he distinguished himself, not only in the classes, but in a 

 debating club called the Athenaeum; and at the close of that 

 session a ^^ College Alburn'^ was published, the contributors to 

 which were students of the year, and among the rest were 

 Archibald Campbell Tait, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury; 

 Mr Page Self e, who became Police Magistrate in London ; 

 Swinton himself ; and William Edmonston Aytoun, whom I 

 have already mentioned. This little volume also is dedicated to 

 Sir Walter Scott, and the copy before me contains an autograph 

 letter from Sir Walter, addressed to Mr Campbell Swinton. 

 He ends by saying : — 



" We are going to Abbotsford, and from thence to London, so can 

 hardly hope to see you before summer, but will be then delighted to 

 see you in the country. Believe me, with respectful thanks to you 

 and your enterprising friends, very much your faithful and affectionate 

 cousin, WALTER SCOTT." 



