and Mr Hume. I shall tell you in a few weeks which of these heroes is likely
to prevail. Meanwhile, I can inform both of them for their comforts, that their
combat is not likely to make half so much noise as that between Broughton and
the one-eyed coachman."
Dr Robertson in person was rather above the middle size, with an apparently ordinary degree of physical strength. His eye was intelligent, and his features regular and manly. "He appeared," says his biographer, "to greatest advantage in his complete clerical dress, and was more remarkable for gravity and dignity in discharging the functions of his public stations, than for ease or grace in private society." His moral character was unimpeachable. His manners were mild and conciliating, and all his dispositions amiable. "He was," says Dr Erskine, "temperate, without austerity; condescending and affable, without meanness; and in expense, neither sordid nor prodigal. He could feel an injury, yet bridle his passion; was grave, not sullen; steady, not obstinate; friendly, not officious; prudent and cautious, not timid."
He left behind him three sons and two daughters. The eldest son adopted the profession of the law, and passed through its highest honours. His two younger sons entered the army. His elder daughter was married to Mr Brydone, author of the Tour in Sicily and Malta; the youngest, to John Russell, Esq., clerk to the signet. His two younger sons rose to high rank in the army, and the elder of the two especially distinguished himself in India under Lord Cornwallis.[1]
In the year 1781, Dr Robertson was elected one of the foreign members of the Academy of Sciences at Padua, and, in 1783, one of the foreign members of the Imperial Academy of Sciences at St Petersburg. The empress Catherine was so much delighted with his works, that she presented him, through Dr Rogerson, with a handsome gold enamelled snuff-box, richly set with diamonds. He was the founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and exerted himself with his usual zeal, not only in forming the plan of that institution, but in carrying it on after it was established.
ROBISON, (Dr) John, an eminent mechanical philosopher, and professor of natural philosophy in the university of Edinburgh, was the son of John Robison, a merchant in Glasgow, and was born there in the year 1739.[2] The first part of his education he received at the grammar school of Glasgow, whence he entered as a student of the university of Glasgow so early as the year 1750, and took the degree of master of arts in 1756. What progress he made in his early studies is not known, and in after life he used to speak lightly of his early proficiency, and accuse himself of want of application. In the year following his graduation, he made a proposal to be appointed assistant to Mr Dick, professor of natural philosophy, in place of the son of that gentleman, who had just died; but was considered too young for the important duty. At that time his friends had wished him to study for the church; but, preferring some duty in which his mechanical pursuits might be indulged, he turned his eyes towards London. Professor Dick and Dr Simson sent along with him recommendations to Dr Blair, Prebendary of Westminster, who might have had influence to procure for him the situation of tutor in mathematics and navigation to the
- ↑ It may farther be mentioned, that his niece, Miss Eleanor Syme, the daughter of one of his sisters, was the mother of one of the greatest men of the passing age, Lord Brougham, who wrote the life of his uncle above alluded to; and that Mr Brydone's eldest daughter having married the present Earl of Minto, their second daughter became the wife of Lord John Russell, the eminent constitutional statesman, whose name stands honourably associated with all the great political reforms of the present day.
- ↑ Memoir by Professor Playfair: Trans. Royal Society, Edinburgh, vii. 495.
