ing the library, and reviving several professorships. He published a "Commentary on the Revelations," at Loudon, 1613, and died in 1635.

FORBES (DUNCAN) Esq. of Culloden, was born in the year 1685. His natural dispoinsition inclined him to the army; but as he soon discovered a superior genius, by the advice of his friends he applied himself to letters. He directed his studies to the civil law, in which he made a rapid progress, and in 1709 was admitted an advocate. From 1722 to 1737, he represented in parliament the bo

FORBES (JOHN), son of the foregoing, but of much more extensive learning, in which he was excelled by none of his age. He was bishop of Aberdeen; but was expelled by the covenanters, and forced to flee beyond sea. He continued in Holland two years; and up-roughs of Inverness, Fortrose, on his return lived in retire- Nairn and Forres. In 1725 he ment on his estate at Corse, was made king's advocate; and where he died in 1648. His lord President of the Court of "Historical and Theological Session in 1737. In the troubles Institutions" form, (according of 1715 and 1745, he espoused to bishop Burnet), so excellent the royal cause; but with so a work, that, if he had lived to much prudence and moderation finish it by a second volume, it did he conduct himself, at this would, perhaps, have been the delicate juncture, that not 3 most valuable treatise of divini-whisper was at any time heard ty that has yet appeared in the to his prejudice. The glory he world. acquired in advancing the prosperity of his country, and in contributing to establish peace and order, was the only reward of his services. He had impaired, and almost ruined, his private fortune in the cause of the

FORBES (WILLIAM), a learned bishop of Edinburgh, born in 1585. His ill health, and the anti-episcopal disposition of the Scots, confined him 'chiefly to a retired life; but when Charles I, in 1633, found-public; but government did ed an episcopal church and bishoprick at Edinburgh, he thought none more worthy to fill the see than Mr. Forbes; who however died three months after his consecration, in 1634. He wrote a treatise to pacify controversies, which was published at London twenty-four years after his death.

not make him the smallest recompence. He died in 1747, in the sixty-second year of his age; and his works have since been published in 2 vols. 8vo, A statue, executed by Roubilliac, has been erected to his memory in the parliament house of Edinburghi, at the expence of the fa culty of Advocates.

coast of Holland, in September

FORDOUN (JOHN de), the father of Scottish history, flou-1751. rished in the reign of Alexander III, towards the end of the thirteenth century. Of his life there is nothing with certainty *nown; though there was arcely a monastery in the kingdom that possessed not a copy of his works. The first five books of the history which bears his name were writen by him; the remainder were fabricated from materials which he left, and from new collections by different persons. A manuscript in vellum of this history is preserved in the library of the university of Edinburgh.

FORDYCE (DAVID), an elegant and learned writer, was professor of philosophy in the Marischal college of Aberdeen. He was originally designed for the ministry; to prepare himself for which was the whole aim of his ambition, and for a course of years the whole purpose of his studies. How well he was qualified to appear in that character, appears from his "Theodorus, a dialogue concerning the art of preaching." He was likewise author of "Dialogues on Education," and a "Treatise of moral philosophy," published in Dodsley's "Preceptor." To obtain fresh stores of knowledge he went abroad; but after a successful tour through several parts of Europe, the was unfortunately cast away in a storm on the

FORDYCE (Dr. JAMES), was one of twenty children by one wife, of provost Fordyce of Aberdeen. He received his education at the Marischal college of that place, and early devoted himself to the ministry. His first preferment was to be minister of Brechin, where he officiated so early as 1752. He soon after became minister of Alloa, where he remained until about the year 1760. At that period he went to London, and became minister of a dissenting congregation in Monkwell street, and was honoured by the university of Glasgow with the degree of doctor of divinity. Here he continued for a considerable time, till his declining health forced him to retire from public labours. He went first to Hampshire, and then to Bath, for the recovery of his health, at the latter of which places he died in October 1796. His works, particulary his "Sermons to Young Women," have been much read and admired.

FRASER (SIMON), lord Lovat, was one of the busiest actors in the rebellions of 1715 and 1745. The succession to the estate and honours of Lovat being settled on a female branch of the family, young Fraser soon perceived, that he must raise himself by his own merit if he wished to make any figure in the world. He deter

mined therefore on a military a principal share in the extinelife, and obtained a commissiontion of that rebellion. His main lord Tullibardine's regiment,jesty George I, on account of where he served for some time. his services on this occasion, But he soon gave up his com- bestowed on him the honours mission, and paid his addresses and estates of Lovat. But lord to the young lady who was Lovat's principles still inclined heiress to the Lovat estate. him to the Stewarts. In 1745 Being unsuccessful in that affair, he sent his son with a body of he, next paid his addresses to men to join the forces of the the lady's mother; but she rebels, with whom he was denot consenting, he betook him-feated at the memorable battle self to compulsive measures, of Culloden. After the battle, and married her by force. This the young pretender took reaction having made it unsafe fuge in lord Lovat's house. for him to remain any longer Lovat afterwards retired from in Scotland, he went to France, the pursuit of the king's forces where king James then resided.to the mountains; but finding Upon that prince's death, Fra- himself not there safe, he escapser was appointed with a com- ed in a boat to one of the westmission to raise the clans in the crn isles. Thither he was parHighlands of Scotland for the sued, taken prisoner, and carried pretender's cause. He was un-to London. He was confined successful in this commission, in the Tower; and afterwards and returned again to France, tried for high treason. Being where his conduct in the High-found guilty, sentence of death lands did not please the friends was passed against him; and of the pretender. He returned he suffered decapitation on the again to Scotland in 1715, went 9th of April 1747, in the 80th over to the royal party, and had year of his age.

GAL (RICHARD), aber 1776. At an early age he

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Scottish poet of consider.

was sent to the school at Had

able talents, was born at Link-dington, where he acquired a house, near Dunbar, in Decem- | proficiency in English grammar,