[3] In reference to Thomas Boswell the following entries appear in the Treasurer’s books:—May 15th, 1504. “Item, to Thomas Boswell he laid downe in Leith to the wife of the kingis innis and to the boye ran the kingis hors 18s.” Aug. 2, 1504. “Item, for twa hidis to be jakkis to Thomas Boswell and Watte Trumbull, agane the Raid of Eskdale [an expedition against the Border thieves], 56s.” January 1, 1504-5. “Item, to Thomas Boswell and Pate Sinclair to by thaim daunsing geir, 28s.” December 31, 1505. “Item, to 30 dosane of bellis for dansarris, delyverit to Thomas Boswell, £4 10s.” In his “Collection of Criminal Trials,” Mr. Pitcairn, who quotes these entries, supposes that Thomas Boswell held the position of royal minstrel. In this office he was probably the successor of Sir William Rogers, chief musician to James III. Rogers, like Boswell, obtained from his sovereign a grant of lands in guerdon of service. He suffered a violent death in 1482. (“Traquair Papers,” quoted in Chambers’ “History of Peeblesshire,” Edinb., 1861, 8vo., pp. 81-86.)
[4] Lord Balmuto was a large coarse-looking man, with black hair and beetling eyebrows. Though not vulgar he was passionate, and had a boisterous manner. My mother and her sisters gave him the nickname of the “black bull of Norr’away,” in allusion to the northern position of Balmuto.—“Personal Recollections of Mary Somerville,” Lond., 8vo., 1873, p. 55.
[5] In a MS. commonplace-book of Lord Hailes, preserved at New Hailes, near Edinburgh, occurs the following entry in his lordship’s handwriting:—“1754, Feb. 14. My friend Mr. Alex. Boswell, of Auchinleck, admitted a Lord of Session. He has told me that it was by the interest of the Duke of Newcastle. For once at least his Grace judged right.” The Duke of Newcastle was Prime Minister.
[6] This lady’s eldest sister was wife of the celebrated Dr. Alexander Webster, of Edinburgh (see postea).
[7] Dr. Stevens’ “History of the High School of Edinburgh,” pp. 100, 135.
[8] In Lord Hailes’ Commonplace-book, preserved at New Hailes, is the following entry:—“1755, April 1.—I began my office of Advocate Depute at Stirling—a ridiculous day of the year. At that time I was very ignorant of criminal law, but good intentions have, I hope, atoned for my defects.”
[9] Letter of Dr. Jortin, preserved at New Hailes.
[10] Letter to Mr. Temple, dated 1st May, 1761.
[11] “Letter to the People of Scotland,” Lond., 8vo., 1785.
[12] This person is entitled to more than a passing notice. Long before the modern publication of cheap literature by W. and R. Chambers and Charles Knight, Alexander Donaldson opened a shop in London for the sale of what were termed “spurious editions” of popular books. The London booksellers endeavoured to check his enterprise, but were defeated in the courts of law. Latterly he was unfortunate. His nephew, James Donaldson, also a printer at Edinburgh, founded and endowed the hospital in that city which bears his name. For that purpose he bequeathed the sum of £200,000.