Some of his advisers, in the warmth of their zeal, thinking that the Scottish
church was too limited a field for a man of his talents, proposed to him to seek
in the English church for rewards befitting his high merits. Into this proposal,
however, Dr Robertson did not enter, but continued to abide by both the
country and the religion of his fathers; a line of conduct consistent with the
purity and dignity of his character.
The success of his "History of Scotland," now urged him on to further efforts, and he lost no time in looking out for another subject to work upon. After some deliberation, and carefully weighing the merits of several, he at length fixed upon a "History of the Reign of Charles V." This work, which appeared in 1769, in three volumes quarto, still further increased the reputation of its author,[1] and was received with equally flattering marks of approbation as his Scottish history. Hume, his contemporary and intimate friend, and who, superior to the low jealousy which would have seized upon a mean mind, on witnessing the success of a rival historian, had always been amongst the first to come forward and acknowledge his merits, thus speaks of the work, as it passed through his hands in sheets direct from the printing office: "They even excel, and I think in a sensible degree, your History of Scotland. I propose to myself great pleasure, in being the only man in England, during some months, who will be in the situation of doing you justice; after which, you may certainly expect that my voice will be drowned in that of the public." Mr Hume was not mistaken in this anticipation. Congratulatory and complimentary letters again flowed in upon the historian from all quarters, and his fame not only spread rapidly wherever the language in which he wrote was understood, but by a felicitous translation of his Charles V., by M. Suard, he became equally well known throughout all France.
Previously to his undertaking the Life of Charles V., Dr Robertson had been urgently entreated by his friends, and had even the wishes of the monarch conveyed to him on the subject, to undertake a history of England. This, though promised the support of government while he should be engaged in the work, he declined, from motives of delicacy towards his friend Mr Hume, who was already employed on a history of that kingdom. He was afterwards, however, prevailed upon to entertain the idea, from the consideration that his work would not appear for many years after Mr Hume's, and that it would necessarily be so different as to have an entirely separate and distinct claim on public favour, without any encroachment on the portion due to the merits of Mr Hume. The work, however, was never undertaken, nor is it now known what were the causes which prevented it. His biographer, Mr Dugald Stewart, conjectures that the resignation of lord Bute, who had always been a warm and steady
- ↑ In consequence of the great success of his History of Scotland, Dr Robertson received for Charles V. from the booksellers, no less than £1,500, then supposed to be the largest sum ever paid for the copyright of a single book.
torian; that is to say, he has £50 a-year, and a house certain, besides what he can make by his books. It was taken for granted that he was to resign his charge, on being appointed historiographer with £200 salary ; but that he will do at his leisure. It is also supposed by his patrons, that he is to write the history of Britain in ten volumes quarto. This also, I presume (dreadful task!) he will execute at his leisure.
"Honest David Home [Hume], with the heart of all others that rejoices most at the prosperity of his friends, was certainly a little hurt with this last honour conferred on Robertson. A lucky accident has given him relief. The earl of Hertford is appointed ambassador to France; not very capable himself, they have loaded him with an insignificant secretary, one
Charles Bunbury, who, for the sake of pleasure, more than the thousand a-year, solicited for the office. Hertford knew David, and some good genius prompted to ask him to go along and manage the business. It is an honourable character he will see his fiiends in France; if he tires he can return when he pleases. Bunbury will probably tire first, and then David
will become secretary!"—Thorpe's Catalogue of Autographs, 1833.
