vi Proceedings of Royal Society of Edinburgh. 
But the red rose of England, and Scotland’s brown heath, 
Twined with Ireland’s green shamrock we see ; 
Then let ’s bind them closer with loyalties free, 
That’s the tricolour, Britain, for thee.” 
This was published in Blackwood's Magazine , and it is a very fair 
specimen of his power of versification. 
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 th 
family were kind enough to send me a copy of this exercise hand- 
somely hound, 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 my 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 in 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 Album” 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 Selfe, 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 
