[Footnote A:  See “Curiosities of Literature,” vol. iii. p. 387.]

Let it not be for one moment imagined that this article is designed to depreciate the genius of Hume and Robertson, who are the noblest of our modern authors, and exhibit a perfect idea of the literary character.

Forty-four years ago, I transcribed from their originals the correspondence of the historian with the literary antiquary.  For the satisfaction of the reader, I here preserve these literary relics.

Letters between Dr. Birch and Dr. W. Robertson, relative to the Histories of Scotland and of Charles V.

“TO DR. BIRCH.

“Gladsmuir, 19 Sept. 1757.

“Reverent Sir,—­Though I have not the good fortune to be known to you personally, I am so happy as to be no stranger to your writings, to which I have been indebted for much useful instruction.  And as I have heard from my friends, Sir David Dalrymple and Mr. Davidson, that your disposition to oblige was equal to your knowledge, I now presume to write to you and to ask your assistance without any apology.

“I have been engaged for some time in writing the history of Scotland from the death of James V. to the accession of James VI. to the throne of England.  My chief object is to adorn (as far as I am capable of adorning) the history of a period which, on account of the greatness of the events, and their close connection with the transactions in England, deserves to be better known.  But as elegance of composition, even where a writer can attain that, is but a trivial merit without historical truth and accuracy, and as the prejudices and rage of factions, both religious and political, have rendered almost every fact, in the period which I have chosen, a matter of doubt or of controversy, I have therefore taken all the pains in my power to examine the evidence on both sides with exactness.  You know how copious the materia, historian in this period is.  Besides all the common historians and printed collections of papers, I have consulted several manuscripts which are to be found in this country.  I am persuaded that there are still many manuscripts worth my seeing to be met with in England, and for that reason I propose to pass some time in London this winter.  I am impatient, however, to know what discoveries of this kind I may expect, and what are the treasures before me, and with regard to this I beg leave to consult you.

“I was afraid for some time that Dr. Forbes’s Collections had been lost upon his death, but I am glad to find by your ‘Memoirs’ that they are in the possession of Mr. Yorke.  I see likewise that the ’Depeches de Beaumont’ are in the hands of the same gentleman.  But I have no opportunity of consulting your ‘Memoirs’ at present, and I cannot remember whether the ‘Depeches de Fenelon’ be still preserved or not.  I see that Carte has made a great use of them in a very busy period from 1563 to 1576.  I know the strength