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MEMOIR OF 
How often, in perusing the biographical records 
of eminent men, do we see that the first germ of 
superior intellect has been detected by a mother’s 
vigilance — that this has been fostered by a mother’s 
care, till it has produced a Bacon, a Sir William 
Jones, a Cowper, and hundreds of others, who, 
but for a mother’s devotion, might have descen- 
ded to the grave “ unwept, unhonoured, and 
unsung’’ beyond their immediate connections ; 
and were we to look into the private histories of 
thousands who, though unknown to fame, have 
been a blessing to their families, to their neigh- 
bourhood, and to society at large, by their religious 
and moral character, we should, in most instances, 
trace the origin of their domestic virtues to 
education received from a mother. “ She openeth 
her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the 
law of kindness.” Such an one was Margaret 
Boyd. “ A virtuous and pious mother of great 
sagacity and firmness of mind,” says her son, 
“ and very careful of my education.” 
Robert was born April 15, 1641, at Edinburgh, 
near to the head of Blackfriars Wynd, and was 
baptized by Mr William Colvill, minister of the 
Tron Church parish. He was named after his 
mother’s father; he had two elder brothers and 
two sisters, who all died of consumptive com- 
plaints before they had attained four years of 
age, which circumstance induced his father’s 
