2^Z CHAPTER 47. 
merit, and the fate of her unfortunate huf- 
band, who, condemned for crimes of ftate, 
fuffered death on the fcafFold in Sweden, in 
the year 1747. 
We are informed, (he was the daughter 
of a merchant in the neighbourhood of 
Aberdeen ; of which city Dr. Alexander 
Blackwell, her hufband, was a native, 
and where he received an univerfity educa- 
tion, and was early diftinguifhed for his 
claffical knowledge. By fome, he is faid 
only to have affumed the title of Doftor, 
after his fuccefsful attendance on the King 
of Sweden 5 but I believe, the more proba- 
ble account is, that of his having taken 
the degree of Dodtor of Phyfic under Boer- 
HAAVE at Ley den. After having failed in 
his attempt to introduce himfelf into prac- 
tice, firft in Scotland, and afterwards in 
laOfidon, he became corredlor to a printing 
prefs, a-nd foon after commenced printer 
himfelf. But being profecuted by the trade, 
and at length involved in debt, was thrown 
into prifon. To relieve thefe diftrelTes, Mrs, 
Blackwell, having a genius for drawing 
and painting, exerted all her talents % and, 
underftanding 
